A Mage Reborn: Legacy of the Fallen Emperor
Chapter 49. The Imperial Council

Chapter 49: Chapter 49. The Imperial Council

A letter arrived for Marib, the First Prince, penned by Count Derga Bratz himself. It was a desperate plea, written in haste.

Your Highness, First Prince Marib, I am Derga, Count of Bratz. Forgive the brevity, but urgency dictates my hand.

Scribe Molin, dispatched from the capital to oversee the legitimization of my bastard son, once conveyed to me the intentions of the Second Prince, Gale. He spoke of an alliance between His Highness and certain nobles, suggesting I join their ranks. As one whose life is sworn to the Imperial Palace, I understood the burden this would place upon you, Your Highness, and thus, I refused.

Now, I find myself ensnared in a perilous predicament. Molin, having returned to the Imperial Palace, conspired with the bastard to falsely accuse me of tax evasion. I am innocent, I swear it. If House Bratz falls, the Imperial Palace will undoubtedly send someone to govern this territory. And it is highly probable that Molin, who has visited Bratz before, and his cronies will seize control.

This, Your Highness, will undoubtedly be to your detriment. I implore you to show mercy to House Bratz, who has for generations stood guard against the barbarian hordes at the borderlands.

Sarak.

Marib finished reading the letter and slowly set it down. He idly adjusted the spectacles resting on the table, muttering to himself.

This was unexpected. Even his aide wore a grave expression, constantly monitoring the movements outside. In the Imperial Palace, even the faintest whisper could echo like thunder.

"Aide, read this."

The aide’s face, upon reading the letter, mirrored the prince’s somber mood.

"How much of this do you believe to be true, and how much is fabricated?"

"It’s a tangled web, difficult to discern the threads of truth from lies."

"Let’s break it down. It’s no secret that Gale maintains cordial relations with the regional lords. And though unnamed, it’s true that they have their own little gatherings."

The central and regional powers were always locked in a delicate dance of checks and balances. The First Prince, as the heir apparent, naturally sought to consolidate power, suppressing the nobility. The Second Prince, sidelined from succession, enjoyed more freedom to fraternize with them.

"But the claim that Count Bratz refused for my sake... that’s hard to swallow. We share no such bond."

"I agree. It would be more natural for the Count to welcome Prince Gale’s offer. Yet, he seemingly refused."

"Then there must be a reason he wishes to distance himself from Gale. A tax evasion accusation has been filed, and an investigation team has been dispatched... it’s likely connected."

His quiet analysis was sharp, insightful. From the confines of his seat, with limited information and just a letter, he pierced through the hidden affairs of the distant Bratz territory.

"So, the claim of innocence is likely false. And it’s true that if Bratz falls, Scribe Molin, who oversaw that region, would lead the aftermath. Who is the head of the investigation team?"

Marib’s question made his aide pause. Hundreds of names were mentioned daily in the Imperial Palace. How could one remember them all? But soon, he dredged up the answer from the depths of his memory.

"...Someone named Erica."

"Any connection?"

"None that I’m aware of. There was a case where one of Scribe Molin’s relatives was accused of illegal land development. I believe Erica testified in their favor, clearing them of charges. I’ll need to confirm this."

"No need. It’s not crucial."

"...Then it seems there’s some credibility to the notion that Prince Gale is plotting treason."

After all, Molin was Gale’s man.

At the aide’s words, Marib gave a playful shrug. He seemed unconvinced, but it was always prudent to act preemptively when matters were ambiguous.

In the intricate game of the Imperial Court, even the smallest misstep could lead to a precipitous fall.

"Tomorrow—no, is it this morning? I will attend the ministers’ council meeting. Inform them."

It was the morning council where ministers convened to discuss and vote on state affairs. Marib’s role was to listen to the report alongside the Emperor in the afternoon, so he rarely attended these meetings.

No doubt, they’ll be shocked when they hear the news in the morning.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"And since you’re back, let’s get some work done."

"...I came prepared."

"Thank you."

The aide, summoned in the dead of night, gave a faint smile and bowed his head. Marib carefully placed Derga’s letter in a drawer and gave his instruction.

"Bring me all the recent documents related to the Bratz territory. Especially reports submitted by Scribe Molin."

"Yes, Your Highness. Please wait a moment."

Creak.

The door closed softly. Marib returned his attention to the documents before him. But Derga’s letter, tucked away in the drawer, weighed heavily on his mind.

’Gale... I hope you’re not doing anything foolish.’

As the sun rose, the grand hall of the Imperial Palace buzzed with activity. Ministers from each department gathered, finding their designated seats. They noticed an unfamiliar setting, a new seat prepared.

"Is someone joining us today?"

"I heard the First Prince will be attending."

"Prince Marib?"

"You haven’t heard?"

"No! Why wasn’t I informed?"

"We sent a servant this morning."

The ministers’ council was a daily morning affair. While Marib could attend, it was essentially a meeting for the ministers to coordinate their positions before presenting them to the Emperor. His presence was undeniably awkward.

"Does anyone know what this is about?"

"I’m afraid not... I haven’t heard anything either..."

Even those close to Marib were bewildered, shaking their heads. Those who had aligned themselves with Gale felt a knot tightening in their stomachs at this early hour. They considered contacting Prince Gale, but the meeting was imminent.

"This is maddening. I feel sick already."

"Me too. What’s on the agenda that he’s coming in person? We’ll see him again in the afternoon anyway."

"So we’ll be seeing him twice in one day."

"I had a bad dream last night..."

"His Highness, First Prince Marib, is entering."

The ministers, who had been discreetly grumbling, rose to their feet and bowed respectfully at the servant’s announcement. Marib, too, bowed his head as he entered the hall.

"It’s good to see you all so bright and early."

"Your Highness, to what do we owe this..."

"Indeed. To what do you owe this? Hahaha."

The very act of this unexpected appearance was a clear indication that he had a hidden agenda. He neither evaded the question nor revealed his true intentions. The Prime Minister struck his staff, signaling the start of the meeting.

Thud, thud, thud!

"Ahem. Let us begin the meeting then."

"Yes. I’ll go first..."

It was a sweltering summer morning, yet the atmosphere felt like treading on thin ice. The ministers of departments unrelated to the power struggle hurriedly began their reports. They glanced nervously at Marib, but he simply smiled, offering no clues.

The meeting was in full swing when...

"Ah, yes. A carrier pigeon arrived from Bratz last evening. Sent by Investigator Erica."

At the Minister of Justice’s words, Marib raised his head.

"She reports that evidence proving Derga Bratz’s tax evasion has been found, and a portion of the estate’s assets has been seized. However, there was resistance from the Count during the process."

"Resistance?"

"It seems there was a battle between the investigation team, central reinforcements, and Derga’s private soldiers and the territory’s residents. They have emerged victorious and have detained Derga. They are currently restoring order. However, the Count’s direct lineage, his wife and son, are still being pursued."

"Not only tax evasion but also armed resistance! He deserves the harshest of punishments."

"Let us present this matter to the Emperor."

The scribes furiously jotted down the ministers’ words, their pens a blur. But they stopped abruptly at the sound of Marib’s voice.

"...However."

"Yes, Your Highness. Please speak."

"The execution list includes the Count, his wife, and one son, correct? What about the bastard, Ian? Wasn’t there a bastard son?"

"That one was deemed ineligible for legitimization based on Scribe Molin’s report. Moreover, he has already crossed the border, having made peace with the Cheonryeo tribe."

"Of course, strictly speaking, he should be demoted to a slave. But I hear it was the bastard who filed the initial complaint. Perhaps that will be taken into consideration."

"Is there any mention of the bastard in the investigator’s report?"

"...Ah. There is."

"Show me the report."

At Marib’s request, the Minister of Justice’s subordinate selected the relevant documents and presented them. As Marib swiftly scanned them, the Minister added.

"According to Imperial law, only those deemed part of a condemned house are to be executed. The bastard faces enslavement."

"Minister, I trust you. It’s not that I don’t believe you, I merely wished to confirm."

If Molin and the bastard conspired to betray Derga, does that mean the bastard has also sided with Gale? Then what about his relationship with the Cheonryeo tribe? It would be troublesome if the barbarians were to become entangled with Gale’s faction...

Marib fell silent, tapping his fingers on the table.

The ministers, too, naturally closed their mouths, their eyes darting around. Only after a considerable pause did Marib speak again.

"If Bratz is eradicated, how will the territory be managed? Now that the tax evasion is confirmed, the tax revenue from Bratz will increase."

"Perhaps sending someone from the Imperial Palace would be best. The borderlands already have strong autonomy. If absorbed by a neighboring territory, it will only empower them further."

"Indeed. The Imperial Palace must manage it. That way, we can collect more taxes. And demand the unpaid taxes as well."

"But given the situation, it might be best to set a deadline for the overdue taxes once a new lord is established..."

"Hasn’t Scribe Molin of the Ministry of Administration been overseeing Bratz? It would be best for the Minister to consult with him and select a suitable candidate."

The discussion flowed smoothly. And it was Marib’s head shake that brought it to a halt.

"I have some concerns."

"What troubles you...?"

"According to the report, the battle seems to have been quite fierce. And it mentions that even the residents joined in later. Regardless of Derga’s crimes, the central army has ravaged their land. If the new lord is from that faction, how will the residents react?"

"Do we really need to consider the peasants’..."

"It’s not about their opinions, it’s about productivity. Especially since Bratz borders the Great Desert. I doubt anyone here is unfamiliar with the characteristics of the Bratz territory."

It was indeed a challenging land. Barren, vast, bordering the desert, yet also flanked by steep mountains on the Empire’s side.

"And the Cheonryeo tribe. They have maintained relations with Bratz. Is there anyone here who can speak their tongue?"

"It is said that the barbarians are quite fluent in the common tongue."

"Then the advantage shifts to them."

The discussion, which seemed to be concluding with the simple appointment of a new lord, had become far more complex.

"Then, what is the solution?"

A clear voice rang out. It was Wesley, the Minister of Magic, seated in a corner. The woman rumored to be the hidden lover of the Second Prince, Gale. The only one here who could meet Marib’s gaze without flinching.

Marib smiled faintly.

"Let us postpone the appointment of a new lord for now."