Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 305

Unlike downstairs, silence hung heavy in the air. The leaders of the three nations and their advisors remained quiet as they desperately tried to gauge the political situation. From each country’s perspective, they needed to perfectly understand and calculate how current events were unfolding.

There was no need to wait for the appointment ceremony. Tonight, and right now. Most gains and losses for each nation would be determined. With Bariel at the center.

“Prince Noah. His Highness is asking you a question?”

Eripony was the first to break the silence. She urged Noah while testing the waters, and the prince immediately sharpened his gaze.

This wasn’t a matter for Ruswena, of all people, to interfere with. Who was it that caused his identity to be exposed in the first place?

“Perhaps the weight is too heavy?”

She was asking if it was burdensome to manage something the prince had personally declared precious and valuable. Noah bristled and immediately retorted:

“Queen Eripony. Clifford bears the fate of far more people than Ruswena.”

Meaning don’t speak nonsense. Clifford’s population far exceeded Ruswena’s. Though that didn’t necessarily equate to national power, still. He wouldn’t tolerate being dismissed in such a way.

“Hmm.”Eripony merely furrowed her brow with an inscrutable sigh. How foolish. She’d tried to help since he seemed troubled, but his needless pride had blocked any opening for assistance.

Well, Ruswena would probably have said the same thing in Clifford’s position. Whatever.

“Of course, Prince Noah. All of Bariel has no doubt about the firmness of Clifford’s walls. I shall have the jewels delivered to you on your way back. Please take good care of them. Return them along with the wine on the day of His Highness Jin’s coming of age ceremony.”

Just as expected. Eripony clicked her tongue internally and opened her fan to cover her lower face as if feeling tipsy. Like a crocodile snatching its prey, Ian had devoured Clifford.

“…Lord Ian?”

“Yes, Prince Noah.”

Why are you doing this to me?

Prince Noah almost blurted this out without thinking. It was panic beyond mere confusion. If not for May standing guard beside him, his ears might have popped out. As Beric would say, pop.

“Shall we have a toast?”

Ian pretended not to notice, smiling brightly as he gripped the wine bottle. Knowing the prince’s secret, Clifford could not openly oppose Bariel.

If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.

Ian seemed to say this as he filled the glasses.

Rustle.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“What’s wrong, King Damon?”

“The flavor of Clifford’s wine is so extraordinary, I cannot exercise restraint. I’m feeling somewhat tipsy, Your Highness.”

King Damon rose from his seat. Eripony’s head turned to follow him. She too followed behind, lightly fanning herself.

“I also need some air.”

Noah anxiously looked toward the entrance. With the prince present, all three guests couldn’t leave at once. Though he wanted to send May, his unstable condition made that impossible as well.

Even as Noah was forced to maintain his position, he couldn’t stop glancing toward the outside.

“Your Highness. Are you alright?”

“Do I look alright?”

“The effects will wear off in a couple of hours.”

Ah. That.

Noah ran his fingers through his hair with a sullen sidelong glance. Fortunately, he couldn’t feel anything, but in his awkward posture, his eyes met Jin’s squarely.

The child seemed slightly surprised. As if newly realizing Noah was a beast-folk.

“M-my apologies.”

“Not at all. I can’t quite imagine it. If there’s another opportunity, don’t be shy about showing me.”

Was this pure consideration? Or was he trying to gain complete advantage in relations with Clifford?

If it had been before the banquet, he might have considered the former, but now it could only be interpreted as the latter. His skill at disrupting the three-nation alliance was exquisite.

“…Your Highness, you are the future of Bariel. Without giving any collateral, Clifford will certainly prepare precious wine. If you wish, we could even send it up in advance, immediately upon returning home.”

Ian shook his head with a faint smile.

They still don’t properly understand the meaning of the jewels. The jewels were the materialization of the aligned interests between Burgos’s king and nobles – if they knew this, they couldn’t possibly show such a reaction.

“Are you worried that mages might place some device in the jewels before sending them? Don’t be concerned.”

“That’s not-“

So they had thought about that a little? Hit right on the mark, Noah strongly shook his hands in denial.

“Then there’s no need to be so burdened. Even if they get scratched or even damaged, we won’t hold you responsible. Just make sure they don’t pass to another country. That’s the only obligation His Highness places on Clifford.”

May faltered at Ian’s instruction. It was such a strange directive. She recognized that something they didn’t understand was swirling at their feet.

“Your Highness. It will take our guests a while to cool down. Shall we have a drink among ourselves?”

Whether they knew or not, nothing would change.

Ian gently bowed his head as he requested a toast with Jin. His kind and certain gaze praised the child for doing excellently, for handling everything wonderfully in front of everyone.

Clink!

The moment Jin clinked glasses with an embarrassed smile.

May turned to Noah with a start. She realized that whatever had been swirling had now caught Clifford by the ankle.

***

“Your Majesty.”

Timothy cautiously called to Damon. On the terrace where the commotion inside felt distant. The chiffon curtains swayed gently, and with them, Damon’s short hair became disheveled.

He gazed at the distant spires with impassive eyes. Unconsciously, he kept biting his lips.

“Your Majesty. You’re drawing blood.”

“It’s beyond expectations, beyond imagination. Isn’t it?”

Damon twitched his fingertips while leaning against the railing. He was someone who usually avoided things like cigarettes to maintain a perfect appearance. When he asked for something to smoke, it meant his mind was deeply troubled.

***.

As Timothy lit it for him, Damon exhaled deeply. The smoke was white like his pale cheeks. He muttered while pressing his temples:

“How do you think the nobles will react when the tribute gifts pass to Clifford?”

“…Though they’ll be troubled, it shouldn’t be too problematic. Under the faith of the three-nation alliance, it’s fine.”

“Timothy. I didn’t ask for your hopes.”

The nobles had responded to the king’s will to break apart Bariel. For the development of stagnating Burgos with its harsh environment, they had no choice but to look outward.

The king had told the nobles to create a path into Bariel with deception, saying they could be the first to eat what they broke apart.

But to move that to Clifford?

“Something definitely happened between Clifford and Bariel, with the dragon anomaly reaction as the medium. It’s the imperial palace where the aging emperor resides, yet we received no word about inspections.”

“That alone isn’t enough to confirm facts.”

“No need to confirm. What matters is that I suspect it.”

If they hadn’t recognized the difference in inspections, there would have been nothing to question. They might have simply thought the young prince had schemed a bit to return the insult. Since Clifford could receive the jewels and pass them to Burgos.

“Did you see how Prince Noah was troubled earlier? It proves he cannot disobey Bariel’s instruction to keep them for ten years.”

It won’t be easy. Without discovering what’s between Bariel and Clifford, recovering the tribute gifts won’t be simple. This also makes it difficult to calculate how the nobles will react.

‘Was the original Bariel like this too?’

Damon furrowed his brow while biting the cigarette.

Though it was a great empire, rumors about the young prince were hard to come by in the Kingdom of Burgos. After the imperial palace closed several times and the grown princes died off, that young one alone ascended to Bariel’s peak.

The only difference was that rather than showing prominence at the heir appointment ceremony, he showed his presence at the coronation ceremony.

The scar across his face.

Surely the person himself hadn’t changed…

‘The trunk of history is the same. But the branches are different. Did my actions influence things this far?’

Damon had encountered futures different from the ones he knew not just now, but several times. However, those were ripples created by the variable that was himself, and they eventually subsided.

That’s why he keeps creating disturbances. For Burgos’s change, and for his new destiny. Rippling and rippling until someday waves that move on their own are created. Until the vast sea that is Burgos fills the world.

“Tonight’s breeze is quite refreshing.”

At that moment, Eripony’s voice came from the terrace entrance. While sitting face to face earlier he hadn’t felt much disparity, but standing, her height was remarkable. For a woman to be slightly taller than Timothy.

“When the alcohol rises, even a modest breeze feels refreshing.”

As Damon responded thus while putting away his cigarette, Timothy stepped back. His Majesty had shown willingness to converse with Eripony. Timothy exchanged brief eye contact greetings with Eldert and left the terrace.

Creeak.

“Indeed, why didn’t you present tribute while being more mindful? The prince is angered, so here we are catching this cold wind.”

“You’re catching the same wind though.”

“Hmph. I just came out, so I’m fine.”

Unlike Burgos who lost their tax exemption opportunity entirely, Ruswena could still enjoy the benefits for the remaining period if they quickly crafted and returned home with the bow.

“Or will you go back and request warm tea from the prince? Being young, he’ll surely serve something very sweet.”

She was asking if he would bow his head and enter. It was essentially saying that if he returned home and presented new tribute like Ruswena, he would be granted similar benefits.

Damon looked up at Eripony and twisted his eyebrow.

“Nothing rots the insides like sweet things.”

“Hahaha. I share the same opinion.”

The three nations that couldn’t escape Bariel’s gaze throughout long history. That they could gather at this opportunity was entirely thanks to Burgos taking the lead.

Since they were turning their backs on Bariel and newly consolidating power, Burgos as the main actor needed to show some unspoken action as proof.

Like today’s presentation of noble tribute gifts. It was one of the measures strongly conveying Burgos’s sincerity to Ruswena and Clifford.

“Things are rather unsettled from day one.”

“But all historical beginnings were like this.”

Yet problems arose from the very first day they all faced each other for that resolution. Eripony whispered while lightly folding her fan.

“Are you troubled because of the jewels?”

“…”

“Same-day tribute passing to another country. Though King Damon might not feel hurt, the nobles seem likely to.”

How experienced.

Damon merely glared silently.

“Instead of that, why not have a calm discussion with Clifford? Haven’t there been many such cases between those two countries?”

She was referring to wars and battles both large and small. If Clifford wouldn’t give up the jewels, it was a proposal to deal with them first before touching Bariel. Not only would they expand their influence, but they’d also reduce the number of mouths to share Bariel with.

‘Right now, that seems like the only path available…’

But they can’t.

Leading to the dissolution of the three nations is exactly what the other side wants. If Burgos shows hostility toward Clifford, they’d be playing right into Bariel’s intentions.

‘Moving according to the opponent’s intentions would be walking toward a cliff of our own accord.’

Damon clicked his tongue while brushing back his disheveled hair. His violet eyes gleamed even more brilliantly.

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A Silent ResponseMBSE Chapter 228 - D-2MBSE Chapter 229 - The Demon's WhispererMBSE Chapter 230 - D-1MBSE Chapter 231 - What are You?MBSE Chapter 232 - Of Royal BloodMBSE Chapter 233 - D-DayMBSE Chapter 234 - The Owner of the VoiceMBSE Chapter 235 - The LastMBSE Chapter 236 - Consider it an HonorMBSE Chapter 237 - Leaving BehindMBSE Chapter 238 - Without IanMBSE Chapter 239 - Three Hours AgoMBSE Chapter 240 - WhisperingMBSE Chapter 241 - Calling NamesMBSE Chapter 242 - Ruswena DelegationMBSE Chapter 243 - Purge While on BedMBSE Chapter 244 - This is the BloodwindMBSE Chapter 245 - Central NobilityMBSE Chapter 246 - A Secret for RuswenaMBSE Chapter 247 - Melania's PleaMBSE Chapter 248 - Jin's RequestMBSE Chapter 249 - Pat-pat and Bicker-backerMBSE Chapter 250 - Opposition Noble's SignaturesMBSE Chapter 251 - Leaving the PalaceMBSE Chapter 252 - Mud PitMBSE Chapter 253 - RumorsMBSE Chapter 254 - PillarsMBSE Chapter 255 - Caught in a TrapMBSE Chapter 256 - The Trial of the Seven Families BeginMBSE Chapter 257 - Jin's BarielMBSE Chapter 258 - The VerdictMBSE Chapter 259 - Side Effects of the Mana Amplification StoneMBSE Chapter 260 - Before Preparing the Appointment CeremonyMBSE Chapter 261 - Introduction of Three Countries' FiguresMBSE Chapter 262 - The Reason for Remembering TimothyMBSE Chapter 263 - Each Person's ThoughtsMBSE Chapter 264 - A Side BranchMBSE Chapter 265 - EmancipationMBSE Chapter 266 - The First Secret InspectionMBSE Chapter 267 - Secret EaterMBSE Chapter 268 - Pretending to KnowMBSE Chapter 269 - Each Other's Well-beingMBSE Chapter 270 - Underground BrawlMBSE Chapter 271 - The Best BanquetMBSE Chapter 272 - The King's CircumstancesMBSE Chapter 273 - What Only Ian KnowsMBSE Chapter 274 - Selection ExamMBSE Chapter 275 - Who Rigged the Tournament Bracket?MBSE Chapter 276 - Each Other's PurposeMBSE Chapter 277 - CriticismMBSE Chapter 278 - Their Own ReasonsMBSE Chapter 279 - A Different WorldMBSE Chapter 280 - Head-onMBSE Chapter 281 - Beric Goes ForthMBSE Chapter 282 - After VictoryMBSE Chapter 283 - The Award CeremonyMBSE Chapter 284 - The Half Moon RisesMBSE Chapter 285 - Time to Trade SecretsMBSE Chapter 286 - Damon RunkvisMBSE Chapter 287 - Forgotten PageMBSE Chapter 288 - The Guests are ComingMBSE Chapter 289 - Young Lion CubMBSE Chapter 290 - A Queen's ProvocationMBSE Chapter 291 - A Peculiar TasteMBSE Chapter 292 - Things to EndureMBSE Chapter 293 - A Private Talk with JeiruttMBSE Chapter 294 - The Carriages StopMBSE Chapter 295 - Pointy EarsMBSE Chapter 296 - And Then, This and That HappenedMBSE Chapter 297 - ExaminationMBSE Chapter 298 - The Fox PrinceMBSE Chapter 299 - The VariableMBSE Chapter 300 - Inner ThoughtsMBSE Chapter 301 - Time to Change the MeaningMBSE Chapter 302 - The Taste of MagicMBSE Chapter 303 - Banquet of KingsMBSE Chapter 304 - The Whereabouts of the JewelsMBSE Chapter 305 - According to PlanMBSE Chapter 306 - This is an Opportunity🔒85MBSE Chapter 307 - Noah Gets Drunk🔒85MBSE Chapter 308 - The Appointment Ceremony🔒85MBSE Chapter 309 - Don't Look Down🔒85MBSE Chapter 310 - Just Ten Steps Please🔒85MBSE Chapter 311 - There are No Eternal Secrets🔒85MBSE Chapter 312 - Who Knows?🔒85MBSE Chapter 313 - Three Passes🔒85MBSE Chapter 314 - A Bond Woven by Secrets🔒85MBSE Chapter 315 - The Dilemma🔒85MBSE Chapter 316 - Through Alenara🔒85MBSE Chapter 317 - I Want to Go🔒85MBSE Chapter 318 - A Small Engagement Ceremony🔒85MBSE Chapter 319 - The Child with a Mask🔒85MBSE Chapter 320 - Time to Return🔒85MBSE Chapter 321 - Break of Dawn🔒85MBSE Chapter 322 - Formation of the Investigation Team🔒85MBSE Chapter 323 - Harboring Thorns🔒85MBSE Chapter 324 - Before Crossing the Border🔒85MBSE Chapter 325 - Stop🔒85MBSE Chapter 326 - Before the Border🔒85MBSE Chapter 327 - Secret Contract🔒85MBSE Chapter 328 - Discovering Ian🔒85MBSE Chapter 329 - To Meet the King🔒85MBSE Chapter 330 - Entering Clifford🔒85MBSE Chapter 331 - Those Who Hold Idgal🔒85MBSE Chapter 332 - On the Brink of Explosion🔒85MBSE Chapter 333 - The Mages' Grand Council🔒85MBSE Chapter 334 - Magic Amplification Drug🔒85MBSE Chapter 335 - We're Going Too🔒85MBSE Chapter 336 - Those Mages in the Vineyard🔒85MBSE Chapter 337 - Laughter Gathered in One Place🔒85MBSE Chapter 338 - An Unexpected Target🔒85MBSE Chapter 339 - The Popularization of Idgal🔒85MBSE Chapter 340 - That Which Cannot be Seen🔒85MBSE Chapter 341 - Bargos's Desperate Move🔒85MBSE Chapter 342 - The Signal