Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Imperial Palace Conference
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“Prince Marib, First Prince, I am Deruga Bratz. Please understand that I cannot write at length due to the urgency.
Lord Molin, from the Administrative Department who came down to the capital for the decision on registering the bastard son, once conveyed to me the intentions of Second Prince Gail. He asked if I would join the alliance between His Highness and the nobles. As one who lives for the Imperial Palace, I knew it would burden Prince Marib, so I refused.
As a result, I fell into danger. Molin and the bastard slandered me upon returning to the palace, framing me with tax evasion charges. I am innocent. If House Bratz is exterminated, the palace will surely send someone to govern this place. And with high probability, it will be Molin, who has visited Bratz, and his close aides who take control.
This will undoubtedly harm Your Highness. Please have mercy on House Bratz, which has blocked the barbarians at the border for generations.”
Rustle.
Marib read the letter and slowly set it down. He fiddled with the eyeglass frames on the table and muttered to himself.
This was unexpected content. His aide also wore a grave expression, constantly watching for sounds outside. In the palace, even the smallest breath could spread noisily.
“Aide, you read it too.”
The aide took the letter and read it, his face growing heavy.
“What do you think? How much of this is truth, and how much is lies?”
“It’s too aptly mixed to discern.”
“First, let’s go through it one by one. It’s certain that Gail maintains friendly relations with the provincial nobles. They haven’t named it, but they do have their own gatherings.”
The central nobles and provincial nobles checked each other.
As the First Prince and heir apparent, he naturally wanted to suppress the nobles, while the Second Prince, pushed out of succession, could mingle with them more freely.
“But I can’t believe the Bratz Count refused for my sake. What makes us so special?”
“I agree. From the Count’s position, welcoming Second Prince Gail’s offer would be natural. Yet he ultimately refused.”
“Then there must be a reason he wants distance from Gail. A tip-off on tax evasion came in, and an investigation team was sent, so it’s probably related to that.”
His quiet muttering as he sorted it out was truly astute. From his seat, with limited information and just the letter, he pierced through the inner workings of the distant Bratz territory.
“Then the claim of injustice should be dismissed, and if Bratz is exterminated, Lord Molin, who handled it, would lead the aftermath. Who’s the investigation team leader?”
At Marib’s question, the aide hesitated briefly. Hundreds of names were mentioned in the palace daily. How could one remember them all? But he soon recalled and answered.
“…A woman named Erika.”
“Any connection?”
“None that stands out. There was a relative of Lord Molin indicted for illegal land development, and Erika testified for his innocence then, I think. I’ll confirm this part.”
“Never mind. It’s not important.”
“…Then there’s credibility to the claim that Second Prince Gail is plotting rebellion.”
Since Molin was Gail’s man.
Marib shrugged playfully at the aide’s words, as if he couldn’t be certain of that much. But when in doubt, it was better to act preemptively.
In the palace, where moves intertwined chaotically, even a tiny mistake could lead straight to the bottom.
“Tomorrow—no, this morning? Tell them I’ll attend the ministers’ conference.”
Marib put on his glasses and gave the quiet instruction. It was a meeting where ministers set the agenda and voted in the morning. Marib usually only heard the report with the Emperor in the afternoon, so he rarely attended.
They’d probably be shocked out of their wits when they heard in the morning.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And since you’re back, let’s handle some work.”
“…I came prepared.”
“Thank you.”
The aide, who had come to work in the middle of the night, smiled faintly and bowed. Marib carefully placed Deruga’s letter in a drawer, then issued an order.
“Bring all recent documents related to Bratz territory. Especially centering on the report submitted by Lord Molin.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please wait a moment.”
Creak.
The door closed slowly. Marib refocused on the documents he had been reviewing. But he couldn’t help being bothered by Deruga’s letter in the drawer.
‘Gail… you mustn’t do anything foolish.’
And as the sun rose, in the morning at the Imperial Palace Grand Council chamber.
Ministers from each department gathered one by one and took their seats. They noticed a new seat prepared, unlike usual.
“Who’s coming today?”
“First Prince Marib is attending.”
“Prince Marib?”
“Didn’t you hear?”
“No! Why wasn’t I informed?”
“We sent a servant this morning.”
The ministers’ conference was held every morning. Marib could attend, but since it was for ministers to coordinate opinions before submitting to the Emperor, his presence made for an uncomfortable situation.
“Does anyone know what’s going on?”
“No idea. I haven’t heard anything…”
Even those close to Marib tilted their heads in confusion. Those aligned with Gail felt choked up from the early morning. They considered contacting Second Prince Gail even now, but the meeting was imminent.
“This is maddening. Already feeling nauseous.”
“Same here. What agenda could bring him personally? We’ll see him again in the afternoon anyway.”
“Now we’ll see him twice a day.”
“No wonder I had bad dreams…”
“Prince Marib arrives.”
The ministers, who had been muttering so as not to be overheard, jumped up and paid their respects at the servant’s words. Marib also nodded slightly as he entered the conference room.
“Nice to see your faces from the morning.”
“Your Highness, what brings you…”
“Indeed, what could it be? Haha.”
The sudden action itself proved hidden intentions. He neither spoke roundabout nor revealed his true thoughts. The Prime Minister struck his staff to signal the start.
Thud thud thud!
“Ahem. Then let us begin the meeting.”
“Yes. I’ll go first…”
It was clearly a hot summer morning, yet it felt like treading thin ice. Ministers from departments uninvolved in power struggles hurried their remarks. They glanced at Marib, but he just smiled.
As the meeting heated up.
“Oh, and a messenger bird arrived from Bratz last evening. Sent by Team Leader Erika.”
At the Judiciary Minister’s words, Marib looked up.
“They found evidence proving Deruga Bratz’s tax evasion and seized part of the mansion’s assets. But there was resistance from the Count.”
“Resistance?”
“There seems to have been a battle between the investigation team and central support forces against Deruga’s private soldiers and territory folk. They’ve won now, detained Deruga, and are cleaning up. However, the Count’s wife and son are being tracked.”
“Tax evasion wasn’t enough; resisting with soldiers! Beheading within beheading is fitting.”
“We’ll submit it to the Emperor.”
The clerks scribbled furiously to record the ministers’ words. They stopped abruptly when Marib’s voice sounded.
“…However.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”
“The execution targets are the Count, his wife, and one son? Isn’t there a bastard son named Ian?”
“He was deemed ineligible for registration per Lord Molin’s report. Moreover, he’s already crossed the border after allying with the Cheonryeo Tribe.”
“Of course, strictly speaking, demotion to slave fits, but I hear the bastard son filed the tip-off. Might there be mitigating circumstances?”
“No mention of the bastard in the investigation team leader’s report?”
“…Ah. There is.”
“Show me the report.”
At Marib’s words, a subordinate of the Judiciary Minister selected and handed over the documents. As Marib quickly scanned them, the minister added.
“By imperial law, only those fitting clan extermination will be executed. Slave punishment suits the bastard.”
“Minister, I trust you. It’s not distrust; I just wanted to confirm.”
If Molin and the bastard colluded to inform on Deruga, had the bastard joined Gail’s line too? Then what of relations with the Cheonryeo Tribe? If barbarians joined Gail’s faction, it would be trouble…
Marib tapped the table silently.
The ministers naturally shut their mouths and rolled their eyes. Only after a long pause did Marib speak.
“If Bratz is exterminated, how will we manage the territory? Tax evasion confirmed means more taxes from Bratz.”
“Shall we send someone from the palace? The border already has strong autonomy; absorbing into a neighbor would make them too powerful.”
“Exactly. The palace must manage it. That way we collect more taxes. Demand back taxes too.”
“But given the situation, overdue taxes can be set with a timeline once a new lord is appointed…”
“Didn’t Administrative Officer Molin handle Bratz? Minister, consult him and select a suitable person.”
Opinions flowed smoothly. Then Marib’s head shake blocked them.
“I’m a bit concerned.”
“What about, Your Highness…”
“The report shows the battle was quite fierce. And later, territory folk joined. Separate from Deruga’s guilt, if the central forces ravaged the land and the next lord is from their side, how will the folk react?”
“We don’t need to mind peasants…”
“It’s not about minding; it ties directly to production. Especially Bratz borders the Great Desert. No one here is unaware of Bratz territory’s traits.”
Somewhat tricky. Barren, vast, bordering desert, but toward the Empire, steep mountains abound.
“And the Cheonryeo Tribe, those who dealt with Bratz. Anyone here who speaks Cheonryeo?”
“They say barbarians use the common tongue well.”
“Then initiative goes to them.”
It seemed opinions would wrap at ‘appoint a new lord,’ but digging deeper made it more complex.
“Then what solutions are there?”
Then a clear voice rang out. From Wesley, Magic Department Minister sitting in the corner. Rumored hidden lover of Second Prince Gail. The only woman here who could meet Marib’s gaze.
Marib smiled brightly.
“Let’s delay the lord appointment a bit.”