Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 160

In the dignified grand council hall, Gale’s appearance stood out, not just because he was the protagonist of the day. His carefree attitude was not at all what one would expect from someone facing a verdict. He was flaunting it, with his arm around Melania’s waist, oozing with honey.

“Lady Melania Hayman. Long time no see.”

“Oh my, hello. It’s been a while. This is the first time since the New Year’s party, right? When Father organizes letters, he sometimes mentions you.”

“But what brings you here today?”

“I accompanied Prince Gale as it’s an important meeting for him.”

“What? Ah, aha ha! I see. Hmm hmm.”

The Hayman family. The great family that held the economy of Bariel in their grasp. Although they had the blood of foreign royal families mixed in, their status was incomparable to ordinary nobles. There was even a saying, ‘The Haymans, between royalty and nobility’. The very fact that banks were considered as sacred as temples was proof of that.

“Prince Gale, by the way, the atmosphere in the council hall is certainly heavy. I should have worn a more neat outfit.”

“No. It suits you very well. No need to worry.”

“I’m glad you say that.”

Unlike everyone else wearing monochrome uniforms, Melania’s dress embodied spring. It was bright and sparkling, and each accessory was eye-catching.

Ian realized that it was a simple yet effective tactic of Gale’s. He made sure everyone entering the meeting room was aware of Melania’s presence.

‘Gale has captivated the daughter of the Hayman family. In other words, the Haymans support Gale.’

Not just any other noble, but the Haymans. It was understandable why he had been busy and secluded. Wasn’t everyone in the meeting room watching them?

At that moment, Gale put his arm around Melania’s shoulder and glanced back. As soon as his eyes met Ian’s, he grinned and gestured with his eyes, pointing at Melania. Then he mouthed something.

‘What do you think?’

That’s what he seemed to be saying. Ian remained expressionless and only slightly bowed his head without reacting. Then Gale just shrugged his shoulders and turned his head forward.

“Prince Gale is really amazing, seriously.”

“It wasn’t long ago that he was so close with minister Wesleigh then.”

“How reckless. Watch your tongue.”

“…My apologies. Minister.”

Ian ordered his subordinates to keep their mouths shut and waited for the meeting to begin. Not long after, Mariv and his followers entered, and they easily spotted Gale and Melania at the front. Mariv stopped in his tracks and let out an absurd laugh.

“…Gale. My goodness.”

“Good morning. Brother.”

Gale left Melania and approached to greet him. Instead of holding hands, Mariv slightly turned his head and muttered in a contemptuous voice.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, still the same. Well, who did you learn it from?”

He was referring to Gale’s birth mother, who was from a lowly noble family in the provinces. A woman who had achieved the highest position that beauty could attain. A woman the emperor could not forget even in his dreams, often calling out for her in his sleep talk.

At Mariv’s blatant insult, Gale’s jaw stiffened.

Crunch.

Gale grabbed Mariv’s arm as he tried to pass by and smiled brightly. His lips were clearly smiling, but his gaze was as cold as could be.

“Try saying that in front of Father.”

“Tell him yourself. You’ll soon be kicked out of the palace, so take the chance to ease His Majesty’s worries too. ‘Father, don’t worry about me, the bloodline that clings on is doing well, so there’s no concern about making a living.’”

Smack!

Mariv lightly hit his hand away and walked forward. Amidst the atmosphere becoming chaotic, Melania stood with her back straight, staring at Gale.

‘If he dies, Bariel will be ruined? His Majesty and I will also die? Even nonsense has its limits. Gale, today is the last day you live off the imperial family’s name.’

Mariv looked at Ian. As if to confirm that he had prepared without any problems. Ian nodded, and then with the appearance of His Majesty the Emperor, the trial that was not a trial began.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

“Everyone, rise!”

The emperor, supported by Dilaina, ascended to the highest podium. Every time one looked at him, his complexion was the color of dirt, to the extent that it seemed difficult for him to move. Humans are powerless in the face of time, but an invisible hand is aiming for his life, so it’s only natural.

“Begin.”

“Minister of Magic, Viscount Ian Hielo, step forward.”

Tap tap tap!

As the prime minister’s staff rang out vigorously, Ian stepped forward, holding the pre-prepared bottle on a cushion.

“I am Viscount Ian Hielo, the newly appointed Minister of Magic. By the order of the Imperial Family, all previous Truth Potions have been discarded, and this is newly manufactured.”

The transparent and clean liquid in the glass bottle. It was receiving the yellowish lighting of the meeting room as it was. The nobles leaned forward with interest and looked down at it. It would certainly become an important magical potion that would be incorporated into their daily lives if it became commercialized.

“As a result of conducting research in various aspects due to the large-scale supply of Luron stones. We have resolved some side effects. Including the representative one that was mentioned, coughing up blood.”

“Was the Luron supply carried out by Lord Ian Hielo?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mariv deliberately mentioned it once. While reinforcing Ian’s authority, it also implied that Ian would be fully responsible if a problem arose.

The prime minister called Gale forward.

“Prince Gale. I will ask in the name of His Majesty.”

“I will faithfully answer with a respectful heart.”

The prime minister straightened his glasses and paused for a moment.

“Prince Gale, you were cursed by the former Minister of Magic, Wesleigh. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“So, is it also true that starting with Your Highness’s death, the shadow of death will fall upon countless imperial citizens of Bariel, and this is the curse of Bariel’s decline and destruction?”

“That’s right.”

Gale raised his hand and took an oath. Those who firmly believed his words let out sighs of pity, while the opposition once again scoffed.

“Lastly, is it also true that the curse of death has been cast upon 1st Prince Mariv and His Majesty the Emperor?”

Everyone just swallowed their saliva. Mariv had his arms crossed and a contemptuous expression, while the emperor’s face was not easily readable due to his wrinkled skin. Dilaina gently closed her eyes, holding the emperor’s hand.

“It’s true.”

Kwang!

“Prince Gale, you’re going this far.”

“Ah. The curse of destruction upon Bariel-!”

“Be silent!”

“Silence!”

It was as if someone’s indignant voice created a ripple. The commotion spread uncontrollably in all directions, and the prime minister kept tapping his staff. Despite ordering silence, the atmosphere did not easily subside. It was like that until Gale raised the Truth Potion.

Swish.

“Why are you making such a fuss? Isn’t it no different from before? This is a place where we gathered to face the truth, so everyone, look straight.”

“……”

He took a sip of the Truth Potion and then defiantly raised his head. His Adam’s apple bobbed with his breath. It was to confirm that the potion had flowed down his esophagus. Gale wiped the corner of his mouth and gestured to the prime minister with his eyes.

“…Prince Gale. Did you falsely testify to anything I asked here today?”

As Gale showed a faint smile, Mariv unknowingly sprang to his feet. But he couldn’t be faster than the words.

“Everything was the truth.”

Tap tap! Tap!

“Prince Gale did not give false testimony!”

“From now on, consider His Highness’s safety as Bariel’s safety and serve him with utmost respect. Anyone who brings harm to His Highness must be punished for treason!”

“My goodness, this is absurd!”

“Prince Mariv! How on earth-“

Mariv’s followers flocked to him in bewilderment. While everyone was chattering from the front and sides, Mariv was just glaring at Gale expressionlessly. He slowly got up from his seat and took off his glasses.

“Gale.”

…That curse is real? That’s nonsense.

As Mariv approached Gale with a murderous aura, his followers also tried to follow him excitedly. However, they were blocked by the dignified prime minister’s warning.

“Anyone who disrupts the meeting’s atmosphere will be ejected without warning and accused of contempt.”

Mariv faced Gale. After glaring at him for a while, he turned to Ian. His anger could be sensed from his voice coming through his teeth.

“Ian, I heard the Truth Potion was definitely without problems.”

“Yes. There are no problems.”

“But, why-!”

“Brother.”

Gale calmly blocked him. Although his voice was clearly flat, why did it feel like there was a hint of laughter?

“Just because it’s not the truth you wanted, it doesn’t disappear. Or, do you perhaps want to turn your wish into the truth?”

The veins on Mariv’s temples bulged. Seeing that, Ian approached him closely and whispered as if telling him to restrain himself.

“His Majesty the Emperor is watching. It is right to calm down and exercise self-control. And I stake my life on it, there are no problems with the potion.”

At Ian’s words, Mariv looked up at the podium. The emperor was slowly moving his pupils, looking down at the friction between his sons. Mariv, unable to take his eyes off the emperor, muttered.

“…Really? Then we can check it. Is there anyone there!?”

Mariv turned around, laughing as if he had regained his composure. However, there was an instinctively threatening atmosphere. Mariv’s followers hesitated, bewildered.

“Anyone, come forward and drink the potion.”

“…Pardon? Your Highness, what do you mean by that?”

“I said anyone can come forward.”

Those who had been flattering as if they would give their liver and gall bladder all froze in embarrassment. The Truth Potion, here at this place?

“…Your, Your Highness.”

“Lord Kailot? Won’t you come forward? Or Nohrenberg? What about you? Ah, yes. Beckerman! You drink it.”

Those who were called out stood there, their lips just moistened with saliva, their faces pale. Wasn’t this a place where everyone in the palace, including the emperor, was watching? Moreover, the opposing forces were ready to rip each other apart with their piercing eyes. Even a saint without a speck of dust would find it burdensome.

“Your Highness. I will drink it and prove it.”

“No. I will exclude those related to the Ministry of Magic.”

“You don’t trust me.”

Ian frowned as if he was upset. Pretending made chills run down his spine. He had felt it since he was at the frontier, but he really had neither the constitution nor the talent for acting. It seemed Mariv, who was excited, didn’t notice much.

He stood there for a moment, as if he was at a loss for words, just catching his breath.

‘…Damn it.’

Ian was the Minister of Magic and a useful person in many ways. He was a regrettable card to lose by getting excited like this. He immediately realized he had made a mistake.

“Then why don’t you drink it, Brother?”

Gale slowly twirled the potion with his fingers. The half-remaining liquid made a sloshing sound.

“Since you can’t trust anyone, isn’t it best for you to drink it yourself?”

And then he raised the corners of his mouth. As if he only wanted Mariv to drink it quickly.

“I also have something to ask you, Brother. Do you know that Father has been unwell recently? Is there a useful merchant group to use abroad? Well, things like that.”

At his words, Mariv’s eyes widened.

“What do you think? Will you drink it? How can you force only your subordinates to do what you can’t even eat yourself? It’s unsightly.”

“Gale…”

Their whispers were so soft that only Ian could hear them. In the end, unable to endure the ambiguous silence, the emperor himself stepped in.

“Mariv. That’s enough.”

“…Your Majesty.”

As the emperor’s order fell, Mariv’s expression changed quite remarkably. The opposite of the triumphant Gale.

“…Then, may I continue with the report?”

“Minister Ian Hielo. What report do you mean?”

Rattle.

Ian took the Truth Potion from Mariv’s hand and placed it on the table. Mariv gave Ian a peculiar look. Wasn’t it proper to support the other side as well if he had supported one side?

“About the curse of forbidden magic. No matter how powerful the magic, a curse is a curse. Just as every problem has an answer, shouldn’t there be a way to break the curse?”