Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 56

They were not ignorant about magic like Beric. Werent they the people who worked with the Magic Department in the capital? It was impossible not to know what those shining eyes meant.

Molrin and his group stared at Ian with their mouths slightly agape, and the silence was broken by Romandros hiccup.

Hic, s-so, you are

People call me a magic user.

Since when, exactly?

I dont know. It has been a power that naturally accompanied me for a very long time.

It was a debacle. Molrin pressed his forehead with his dry, stick-like hands. What he had seen before was clearly not an illusion. Mack and Dgor also covered their mouths in astonishment.

Currently, I can only feel and release the flow of mana, but someday, I want to be the strength of Bariel.

O-of course! Of course! My God! To think Id see a magic user outside the Magic Department! Ha ha!

And that too, the son of an executed count!

Romandro instinctively sensed that Ian was the center of all eventsfrom the denouncement and execution to his accomplishments after entering the city. He seemed extraordinary for his age, and now it made sense why.

May I shake your hand?

Eh? Ha ha. It would be an honor.

It was a mere superstition that one would get lucky if they met a magic user before earning the title of a wizard. Romandro and Ian shook hands again, and Molrins expression only worsened.

What now?

It didnt matter anymore that Ians mother was a commoner. Looking at Kakantir, he already knew.

Judging by his demeanor in front of Romandro

He was making it clear that he had no intention of ever returning to the Great Desert. Now that he knew Ian was a magic user, all control lay with Ian.

Look, Romandros face is so flushed with excitement.

Lets discuss the details over dinner. You must be tired from your long journey. It would be best to rest.

Ah, is that okay?

Ill prepare rooms for your subordinates.

Thank you. Riding in a carriage for half a month isnt easy.

Having gotten an overall understanding of the situation, Romandro lifted his somewhat heavy body. The schedule and disposition of the son could be discussed slowly later.

Is there even anything to discuss? Rather, hed receive updates on the reconstruction.

You, come see me for a moment.

As he was about to leave, Molrin mumbled quietly. Ian gestured to Kakantir and sat back down.

Ill see you at dinner, Sir Romandro.

Eh, yes. Sure

This way

Squeak.

Only Molrin and his group remained in the reception room. An oppressive silence filled the room. Molrin wished Ian would clarify things and show a friendly attitude now, but he showed no sign of doing so. Unable to watch any longer, Mack intervened.

You. What are you doing?

What do you mean?

What do you mean? Why are you complicating things?

Whats so complicated? I had given Sir Molrin the seal, and in return, hes given me freedom, didnt he? Theres nothing agreed upon for anything after that.

Clatter.

Molrin slammed his teacup down harshly as he retorted.

Didnt I explicitly ask you back then! Whether you knew anything about mana manipulation. You claimed to know nothing at all. Now it seems you have eyes on the Bratz territory. If you had been honest then, we wouldnt be in this mess now.

Had he known that Ian was a magic user, he would naturally have sought to install him as the lord, in place of Erica. Even though Ian was a secondary heir, he had the merit of having provided military aid. Moreover, while his lineage was not the first choice, his rare skills could pave his way to lordship.

Do I have an obligation to be completely honest?

Ian, who had been quietly listening, interjected. It might come off as impudent, but it was a question borne from pure curiosity.

My previous decision was the best choice at the time. Whatever you might say now, Sir Molrin, is irrelevant to me.

Besides, arent they followers of Prince Gale, second in line? They aim to use rebellion as a stepping stone; theres no way Ian, who has led Bariel with a legitimate bloodline, would cooperate with them.

They wouldnt understand. The implications of planning a rebellion. But Ian didnt expect them to.

What do you want?

I should be the one asking that. What do you want?

The conversation was starting to skew. It was a dialogue between two parties, each thinking they had the upper hand.

We plan to install Commander Erica as the lord. If you truly cant give up your position as lord, lets find a middle ground

Installing lordships position is the Emperors prerogative. How dare you discuss it so lightly? Furthermore, you should look for someone else. Commander Erica has a rather negative reputation within the territory.

Knock knock.

Ian-nim. A letter has arrived from Merellof.

Alright. Dismissed.

Ian decided that further conversation with Molrin was unproductive. Hearing his servant call from outside, he stood up without hesitation.

You three must be tired, go ahead and rest. Since youre visitors from the imperial palace, Ill make sure youre well taken care of.

Squeak, bang!

Ha!

Molrin and his group laughed incredulously as they stared at the door Ian had just exited through. Yet no one had a suggestion that could salvage the situation. That was how solidly Ian had set up his defenses.

* * *

To His Highness Prince Mariv. This is Romandro.

I have just arrived and surveyed the territory. Surprisingly, its condition is good. While some areas still need reconstruction, there are hardly any homeless people, and the populace seems happy.

Strangely enough, in the territory, instead of Commander Erica, there is Ian, who is a secondary heir of Dergha, stationed here alongside with the Cheonrye tribe. Though shocked, he appears to be sympathetic to the imperial palace and genuinely committed to reconstruction. I will attach more details in a separate report.

Overall, progress seems smooth. Also worth mentioning, this Ian is a magic user. While Molrin is advocating for the boys status demotion to a slave according to national law, what kind of nonsensical talk is that? I will first

Knock knock.

Romandro stopped writing as the door opened. A servant entered, and the smell of food filled the room.

Dinner is ready.

Very well. Ill come down.

Romandro descended to the dining hall below. The simple yet carefully prepared food was presented on a silver platter. While there were hardly any fresh vegetables or fruits, it mainly consisted of preserved low-grade meat.

Seems like the food supply hasnt stabilized yet.

It was a scorching summer. The territorys labor force was much needed, yet many had died and those who remained were aimless as they looked at the ruined fields. Whats more? The central army and the investigation team probably depleted the stockpiled food supplies quickly.

Does everyone in the mansion eat like this?

Ah is there something else you would like? The same food was served to your subordinates as well.

No, I was just curious. What about Sir Ian?

He said to go ahead and eat. There was a letter from a neighboring territory.

Judging by the reactions, it seems like everyone is having their meals here.

Romandro picked up a fork to satiate his hunger. If the situation was at its worst, he could have been eating off the floor. That was the norm in a war-torn area. But a hot dinner on a table like this!

Im lucky. Hmm, good!

As he was about to finish his meal, Ian entered the room.

Sir Romandro, does the meal suit your taste?

Oh, welcome. How is Sir Molrin?

Hes also dining in his room.

Romandro pretended not to notice the thick documents Ian was holding and greeted him. Ian sat down near him with a smile. The servants quickly cleared away the empty dishes.

You might find this helpful for the next steps.

Ah, a map and a situation report.

We have meticulously compiled a list of completed repairs and detailed local information.

The advisor scanned the map once and then asked. Didnt a servant mention earlier that there was a letter from a neighboring territory?

Do we have any interactions with the neighbors?

During the heat of battle, its one incident after another, so we kept our outer gates firmly shut. But now were gradually exchanging letters.

More than anything, it would be good to secure crops before winter comes. How is the food supply?

The central support troops have been stationed here, so consumption has been high. For now, were emptying out the mansions storehouse, but soon well see the bottom, Ian said as he extended another document. Therefore, I suggest that we collect only about 30% of the normal taxes this winter. As I said earlier, my goal is to keep it at the normal level.

Romandro was a bit surprised. He didnt expect Ian, who was only taking care of the mansions affairs, to discuss taxation at such a mature level. Ian was just a sixteen-year-old son of a serf; it was not a concept he should be familiar with.

When I reviewed the property lists reported by the people of the territory, it was half as productive as last year. Moreover, we need compensation for a small number of servants in the mansion, aside from their salaries. By my calculations, 30% would be appropriate.

Ian explained as he flipped to the back pages. A decision based on clear evidence. Dozens of sentences and equations were saying so.

Nevertheless, I cant adjust the final target.

Thats unfortunate. If the central government could exempt taxes just for this year, up to 50% could be possible

Did you calculate all this?

Yes, I did.

Werent you a commoner-born servant?

Before crossing the desert, I had a designated teacher appropriate for my adopted status.

Even so, this is hes competent enough to be immediately put to practical work.

Romandro couldnt help but admire as Ian continued to meticulously review the documents. It was then that he took a sip of the wine brought by the servant.

No choice then. There is an alternative. I have brought a letter from Merellof. Would you mind reading it?

Hmm?

Receiving the letter, Romandro couldnt help but chuckle. It was a method of procuring food from the neighboring domain.

Romandro was extremely pleased with Ians efficient and refreshing handling of matters. If things went well, he even thought they could see the first snow of Bariel in the capital this year.

We asked Count Merellof to sell us food, and he said he would send us a list of available items and their prices. Essential items like wheat and corn might not be abundant on their end, so the prices are expected to be higher than usual

Listening to Ians explanation, Romandro unknowingly nodded his head.

Anyway, we need to trade with them. Since the household funds have run out, it seems we can only afford enough to last the territorys residents about a week.

Ah, dont worry about that.

He is an advisor sent from the central government to improve public sentiment. While he cant adjust the tax fairness, he came prepared with discretionary funds. He tapped the table lightly.

We should be able to manage for two months. That should normalize things by winter, right?

How much money are we talking about?

In response to Ians question, Romandro simply sipped his wine. It was a silent answer implying he couldnt disclose it. Given that this is the only power Romandro holds, its not something incomprehensible.

Then Ill convey our intentions to Merellof.

Please do.

Just give me a moment to organize

Ian signaled to a servant and left the dining room. As he turned the corner, Kakantir, Nersarn, and his subordinates were waiting. Beric was there as well.

Ian opened his mouth.

We have a problem.