Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 68

The atmosphere among the ministers heading to the assembly was unusually tense. The reason was the expected attendance of both princes, who had sharpened their rivalry at the hunting ground the day before.

“Suddenly, both His Highness Mariv and His Highness Gale are attending together.”

“They usually only come to the afternoon meetings…”

“I heard they are at odds over the lordship rights of the Bratz territory.”

“What’s so special about that worthless land? I don’t understand their obsession with it.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“Well, I heard a recommendation for the lordship came in, and it’s a bastard son of Dergha. Perhaps His Highness Gale is interested because he’s a mana user.”

“A magic user, you say?”

“Just something I overheard. Let’s head in; we’re going to be late.”

With heavy steps, the ministers entered the conference room. Usually lively and relaxed, today the atmosphere was distinctly different.

Creak.

“His Highness Gale has arrived.”

“Your Highness, welcome.”

Gale entered, casually brushing back his disheveled black hair, and smiled.

“You’re all quite diligent this morning.”

“You flatter us, Your Highness.”

For Gale, lower in the succession order, his active involvement in politics was an unspoken threat to Mariv. Moreover, the assembly was usually managed by the ministers, so there was no special reason for their participation. That was, until a few days ago.

“His Highness Mariv has arrived.”

“Your Highness. Good morning.”

“…Please take a seat.”

Mariv glanced at Gale before sitting at the head of the table. The assembly began in heavy silence. As various issues were discussed, the two princes remained silent.

“Now, the next item is…”

Everyone sensed the hesitation of the speaker.

Here it comes.

“The issue of the Bratz territory. Romandro, our advisor there, has sent a recommendation for Ian, the bastard son of the executed Dergha.”

“A criminal’s son as a lord? Wouldn’t that negate the meaning of their family’s disgrace?”

“Yet, it was Ian who reported Dergha to the palace. He’s already severed ties with Bratz. Moreover, he’s never officially been a Bratz by registry.”

The ministers, after reviewing the reports, offered their varied opinions. Gale started,

“By principle, he should be a slave. A lord is out of the question.”

“He’s the only Bratz capable of forming an alliance with the neighboring Great Desert. Reducing military size will cut costs, and taxes will increase.”

“Isn’t he inviting foreign forces? That could be seen as treason.”

“But the local people seem to support him greatly. He fulfills all the conditions we considered when we first postponed the lordship. Besides, he is a mana user.”

“Ah, right. I heard about that.”

The ministers buzzed with discussion. Mariv, anticipating this, handed a paper to a servant. The paper was passed to the speaker.

“For these reasons, I also recommend him. Normally, he’d be a count, but given the circumstances, a baron would be more appropriate.”

With Romandro and now Mariv’s recommendation, there seemed no reason to object. The ministers shared unspoken looks, keeping an eye on Gale.

It seems he came to oppose, but why is he silent?

“Once appointed as lord, what about his duties as a magic user? If he is to be busy rebuilding his family, can a lord afford to be away from his territory?”

“That’s for the lord to decide. Once we grant the territory, it’s not our place to interfere.”

“Right. The issue here is whether Ian is qualified to be a lord. As long as he pays his taxes, we shouldn’t worry.”

Especially in border regions, autonomy must be respected. The cultural differences due to distance and, most importantly, the strength it provides to maintain the nation’s borders were crucial.

Bang!

“Taxation, well said.”

“…What do you mean?”

Gale, snapping his fingers, caught onto something, causing Mariv to frown. It was a signal to maintain decorum in a public setting.

“Originally, a bastard should become a slave. Since he is a mana user, enslaving him and keeping him at the palace would be beneficial in many ways. Right, Minister Wesleigh?”

“That could be seen that way. The average income for the Magic Department is 200 gold coins annually. Even those not long in service earn at least 100.”

“If Ian were to be appointed as a mage, he would cost that much. But as a slave, it would be a gain.”

“There’s never been a case of a mage being enslaved!”

“How can you say that, being the Magic Department Minister?”

The ministers raised their voices in shock. Mages, considered close to divine power, were held in high reverence.

The Magic Department had the smallest staff but received one of the largest budgets from the palace.

Wesleigh smiled lightly, signaling for calm.

“I was merely mentioning the economic cost Ian would bring. I never suggested demoting him to a slave.”

“Your Highness Gale, what do you want to say?”

The Prime Minister intervened, lifting his gavel. Gale looked towards Mariv and began,

“I hear the taxes evaded by Dergha are substantial. And the central government even provided subsidies to the borderlands, right?”

“That’s a matter of humanitarian concern.”

“If Ian repays the economic opportunity cost and the missing taxes, combining to a certain amount, it would be acceptable to everyone.”

Mariv almost burst into laughter. Surrounded and with the appointment not going as planned, they were now trying to push through with money.

If a lord cannot pay public debts, including taxes, within a certain period, it’s customary for the palace to confiscate the land to recover losses. Wealthy individuals often eagerly await such opportunities. Likely, Wesleigh would be the high bidder.

‘The Magic Department always…’

Being the largest recipient of the palace budget, Wesleigh’s wealth was immeasurable. Someone even joked she had mastered alchemy, hoarding gold like sand.

“Honestly, it’s only fair for a criminal’s descendant to face such conditions. If he fails to pay within a year of his appointment, it would be right to demote him to a slave.”

“How much would the cost be?”

“10,000 gold coins.”

“Good heavens.”

“I think that’s a fair amount.”

The confidence in his request suggested a thoroughly calculated figure.

But 10,000 gold coins.

It was an amount the Bratz territory could barely cover without spending any collected taxes. The lordship would likely require selling mines or land.

This would weaken the family’s position, creating an opportunity for Gale to intervene later.

“What do you all think?”

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Such a cost would justify the decision externally and calm the nobles’ opposition.”

“I agree. Despite being a magic user, his lineage is questionable.”

“Isn’t one year too short? A lord faces many initial challenges. Three years seems more appropriate.”

“He’s already acting as lord in Bratz. After this winter, and then next, it’s two years. That’s sufficient.”

The ministers sought consensus, looking to Mariv for agreement. He seemed thoughtful, tilting his head, but Gale’s proposal didn’t seem too bad.

“Fine. Let’s first proceed with appointing Ian as lord.”

“That way, he can generate revenue through management.”

“Agreed. I have no objections.”

Mariv nodded in agreement, and the ministers internally sighed in relief, grateful that the afternoon tea time would proceed without further disturbance.

Meanwhile, Gale and Wesleigh exchanged surprised glances.

‘I thought he would protect [Ian] more aggressively.’

At least by extending the period or reducing the amount.

Or even outright opposing Gale’s suggestion as absurd. Mariv, seemingly unaware or indifferent to their thoughts, urged the Prime Minister to proceed.

“It seems we’ve reached a consensus. Let’s move on to the next item.”

“Ah, yes. We will present a proposal to the Emperor to conditionally appoint Ian as the lord of the Bratz territory.”

“Agreed.”

“No objections.”

Bang, bang, bang!

With the gavel’s final strike, the matter was settled. Mariv flipped through the reports with a smile. Whether Ian incurred debt was irrelevant to him.

His primary goal was to prevent a supporter of Gale from becoming the lord. And moreover…

‘Somehow, I think he’ll manage.’

Though he had never met Ian, Mariv had a strange confidence in him. It was a baseless and unrealistic feeling, but it seemed plausible from a third-party perspective.

But if Ian really managed to raise 10,000 gold coins…

‘That would be interesting.’

“Let’s move on to the next item.”

What seemed like a stormy assembly had found a small peace.

Wesleigh whispered something to Gale, who nodded in understanding. Mariv simply watched them, unfazed.

* * *

Two weeks later.

Romandro developed a habit of checking the window first thing in the morning. For some reason, the courier bird he sent to the palace had not returned.

If the recommendation letter had safely arrived, a response should have been received by now…

“Hm?”

That’s when he saw it. Far off in the distance, a strange carriage ascended the hill. A dazzling golden carriage, its flagpole gleaming in the sunlight. Romandro rubbed his eyes in disbelief and then, realizing what it meant, dashed outside in panic.

“Ah! S-sir Romandro!”

“What’s happening?”

“Ian, quickly get Ian!”

“Huh? Sir Ian is in the garden…”

In his pajamas, Romandro shouted excitedly.

“A carriage from the palace is descending here!”

“Huh?”

Worried it might be punishment related to the imprisoned Morlin and his group, or recalling the nightmare of the previous investigation team, the servants turned pale. But Romandro’s expression was the exact opposite.

“It’s a golden carriage! A carriage bearing the Emperor’s decree!”

What could the Emperor’s decree be, following the lordship recommendation? Romandro ran to the garden and found Ian crouching, covering something with soil.

“Ian!”

“Sir Romandro?”

Ian, looking puzzled, dusted off his hands and slowly stood up. He couldn’t see the approaching carriage due to the mansion’s walls, but he could fully sense Romandro’s excitement.

“The lordship appointment letter is on its way!”