Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 309

Ba-ri-el!

The beginning of glory that the gods embrace-

The heart of Gaia that turns golden when rain falls-

Raise your heads high, high, and you shall see-

That light in the heights, Bariel’s beacon-

As soldiers began the hymn while pulling the ropes, hundreds of Bariel imperial flags rose simultaneously, covering the castle walls.

The crowd waiting in front of the imperial palace recognized the start of the appointment ceremony and screamed in excitement.

Ba-ri-el!

Countless voices joined together to shout Bariel’s glory, showing strength enough to reach the main palace.

Philea noticed the commotion flowing to her ears and turned her head. Though nothing was visible through the window outside, the fervor reached her hotly. Like the noon sunlight beating down.

“What’s wrong, my lady?”

“I’m a bit nervous. I never dared imagine I’d attend an imperial event in my life. And the official heir appointment ceremony of His Highness the Prince at that.”

Viviana gently smiled while taking Philea’s hand. Though she was already too noble to use the word “dare,” she seemed unaware of it.

“You’re the birth mother of the Minister of Magic and someone cherished by His Highness Jin. Don’t say such things. The nobles gathered here would feel ashamed.”

“How could you say that…”

“Who else could receive a gift personally from His Highness?”

Viviana playfully nudged her arm while wrinkling her nose.

When Ian presented a small box saying it contained jewels His Highness had personally selected from the tributes, Philea truly thought she would faint. Her eyes reddened again as emotion welled up once more.

“My lady. You mustn’t cry. Everyone is watching us.”

Viviana whispered while covering her mouth with a fan.

First, their seats were right below the imperial family and foreign kings in the VIP section, drawing attention. Moreover, this woman’s beauty was extraordinary, and she even looked exactly like Ian.

Now, before the appointment ceremony began. They were receiving so much attention it was hard to tell who these seats were meant for. The gazes of the three foreign rulers were little different.

“Eldert. Does that lady remain in the center?”

“According to information, she’ll go down after the appointment ceremony.”

“Then it seems she came up for this occasion.”

Eripony asked while thinking the relationship between Ian and Jin might be closer than expected. But Eldert’s response was rather unsatisfying.

“My apologies. Everyone maintains silence regarding Lady Philea. Though there are unconfirmed rumors she formed ties with the Thousand Hunt tribe.”

“The Thousand Hunt? The predators of the Great Desert I know?”

“Lady Philea might have been behind the alliance between Hielo and the Thousand Hunt.”

Since Ruswena bordered the Hawan Kingdom, they occasionally received news about Great Desert affairs. Was she saying Philea played a central role in that process?

Eripony scanned Philea with curious eyes. Then suddenly, an ardent gaze felt from the lower tier.

Allenara.

Rustle.

Allenara slightly bowed her head as if greeting Eripony. Their first meeting since spending quite an interesting time on the banquet night.

When Eripony raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment, a smile settled on Allenara’s face.

“Everyone please rise!”

Just then, the announcement signaling the start of the appointment ceremony rang out.

The low orchestral melody grew heavier, drawing people’s focus. Through the large windows, cavalry and military bands could be clearly seen arriving and waiting before the main palace.

As Philea and Viviana rose while holding their dresses, the massive doors at the entrance swung open to both sides.

Creeak!

The first to enter was the Prime Minister of the Bariel Empire.

The Prime Minister in formal attire and numerous officials following behind. On a golden tray lay the crown permitted only to the official heir.

The title of Crown Prince, allowed only to one who would succeed the Emperor. Though some nobles unconsciously recalled princes who had vanished into history, they soon let it pass with applause.

The officials split and lined up on both sides, followed by continued entries of high-ranking officials.

“Now…”

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The Prime Minister spoke while pulling close the magical device supported by a mage.

“We shall conduct the appointment ceremony of the 14th Imperial Crown Prince of the Great Empire of Bariel. This is carried out under His Majesty the Emperor’s name.”

Everyone knew the Emperor’s remaining breath wasn’t even a handful. And most believed the Emperor would pass once Jin became Crown Prince.

But even with undisputed legitimacy, what could a young Crown Prince do? Whether ascending or sitting on the throne, he’d just hold Ian’s hand.

Rustle.

Next appeared the Ministry of Magic. Ian’s expression at the front was beyond solemn, rigid. His gaze seemed to see right through the minds of the disrespectful ones.

As he entered the hall and surveyed the nobles’ seats, gazes naturally scattered. The reaction of those who mistakenly thought their eyes had met.

‘Ian!’

Only Philea clapped enthusiastically with a bright smile. Viviana too. She didn’t hide her proud expression while gesturing to Romandro standing behind Ian.

“In line!”

“In line!”

Finally, the Imperial Guard entered and raised their swords. Beric standing at the end. Philea and Viviana covered their mouths in surprise.

Admirably, besides his red hair, there wasn’t much out of place. The power of a month’s worth of meat meals.

Boom! Thump thump!

Music that penetrated to the heart. The Imperial Guard stood with swords planted on the floor, and finally the protagonist of the day revealed himself.

With the thick Crown Prince’s cape trailing long behind.

Slowly-

“Good heavens.”

Eripony unconsciously ground her molars while muttering. Because she knew how heavy that was even for adults. Looking so hard to appear dignified!

‘…How cute.’

As attendants entered together arranging the cape’s end, the child’s steps became slightly lighter. With each step Jin took, the badges and jewels on his chest sparkled dazzlingly.

Rustle.

Jin facing the Prime Minister.

Though normally procedure would require kneeling, this was omitted due to the child’s small height. Eripony completely covered her lower face with her fan.

“Jin Verocion.”

Jin lightly clasped his hands together and brought them to his forehead as if praying. The imperial family’s traditional etiquette and thanks to the gods.

The Prime Minister, on behalf of the Emperor, removed the badges on his chest one by one. As he advanced from the position of Prince to Crown Prince, the previous ones were relics of the past.

“What I now speak are truly His Majesty the Emperor’s words. Answer the calling and swear, showing your will to all.”

“Anything, with all my truth.”

“Jin Verocion, 5th Prince of the Great Empire of Bariel, do you understand and respect your duties to the empire, and have you made the determination to make them your destiny?”

Duties to the empire.

Jin raised his right hand and swore.

“I, Jin Verocion, understand my duties to the empire. That is to fulfill my mission under the name Verocion for Bariel’s eternal glory and lofty pride, and to walk for the prosperity and stability of the imperial family and the complete and meaningful lives of the empire’s people. All living beings within Bariel’s borders are my other self, beings I shall love with all my soul.”

Jin spoke in a clear voice. A perfect oath without a single slurred pronunciation.

The child suddenly recalled the path he had walked and his eyes reddened. His father the Emperor, his mother Dilaina, and his brothers. Though all would have wished for this moment, none were here now? Only he had survived to stand here.

“For Bariel, I shall devote all my destiny. For Bariel, I shall offer my tears and blood. Those who defy this, I shall boldly cut down, and those who obstruct this, I shall sever without hesitation.”

Watching from the Ministry of Magic’s section, Ian too felt a strange ache in one corner of his heart. It felt like watching his own coronation.

He realized how peculiar it was that himself in Jin’s place, and Naum in his current place, were connected across one timeline.

‘Naum. When you watched me from this place, how did you feel? Did your heart ache like this? Or were you proud?’

Though Ian had good memory, strangely he had no recollection of meeting Naum’s eyes that day.

All that remained engraved was the weight of the crown placed on his head.

Crown’s embrace.

The heavy sound of nobles’ applause.

And the cape weighing on his shoulders…

“I swear to the gods, I shall do so.”

As Jin finished his declaration, applause erupted again. As if everyone welcomed the birth of the new Crown Prince.

The Prime Minister carefully lifted the golden crown, and the child bowed his head.

“Jin Verocion. In the name of His Majesty the Emperor, I appoint you as the 14th Crown Prince of the Great Empire of Bariel. This means permission for the next history book to begin with your name.”

Rustle.

Jin wore the Crown Prince’s crown. It fit perfectly, as if finding its rightful owner. New badges were pinned to the child’s chest, and in his left hand he held the Crown Prince’s scepter.

All nobles knelt to show reverence to the new Crown Prince. The kings of the three nations did the same.

“Congratulations, His Highness Crown Prince Jin Verocion!”

“Congratulations! Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

“May God’s blessing be upon the empire’s path!”

Jin smiled lightly at the congratulations bursting from everywhere. The Imperial Guard raised their swords again to escort Jin’s exit, and officials followed behind.

Now it was time to face not the nobles, but the empire’s people.

Neigh! Neigh!

“Everyone prepare for the procession!”

“Open all imperial palace gates!”

“His Highness Crown Prince Jin departs!”

Centered around the massive golden carriage, cavalry and military bands moved. As majestic trumpet sounds rang as if piercing the sky, the horses responded.

Jin boarded the open carriage and straightened his back firmly.

“Your Highness. We’ll depart now. Expected duration is about two hours, and defensive formations are in place for any possible situations. Please don’t extend your hand out this side…”

Ian hesitated while speaking out of concern. Because the child’s gaze as he listened while wearing the golden crown was different from before, more dignified. He even felt the child would handle everything well without his cautions anymore.

Did the Crown Prince’s oath have such power?

Was he himself this different before and after ascending?

“Lord Ian?”

Why did he stop mid-sentence? Jin asked with wide eyes. Though he couldn’t tilt his head due to the crown’s weight.

“It’s nothing. I believe you remember well.”

“Mm. I did keep hearing from Romandro and the Prime Minister.”

“Yes. Then we’ll depart soon.”

“Lord Ian.”

Just as Ian was about to turn at the mages’ call, Jin placed his hand on Ian’s.

“From being a shadow of the imperial family to becoming owner of the crown, I well know Lord Ian’s efforts.”

“Your Highness.”

“You’ve worked hard. And, thank you.”

“No. Your Highness…”

He was going to say you originally qualified for this, you were originally this noble. But he noticed Jin’s eyes were filled with tears, and his words were stopped by what followed.

“So Lord Ian. Please continue, helping me like this.”

Answer me, the child’s tightly gripped palm grew damp. Sweat seeping out from tension and anxiety. Ian looked up at Jin with a sympathetic expression.

“Your Highness. Don’t look down.”

“…Lord Ian.”

“We’re departing! Lord Ian!”

“Preparations complete! Military band to the front!”

Instead of answering, Ian gently whispered while handing over a handkerchief.

Please, don’t look down.

Because then…

“Your tears will fall.”

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