Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 104. The Small Beast
Time flowed slowly, yet with inexorable certainty.
On a winter morning when the dawn moon rose, I examined the carriages lined up in a row and exhaled a breath of mist. The weather was bitterly cold, perhaps because of the snow.
“Of all times, why does it have to be such a freezing day to leave?”
“They say it gets warmer the closer you travel toward the Central regions, so that’s better.”
“The wheels are rolling! There! There’s a stone stuck in front!”
“Good morning, Ian. I hope you slept well.”
“Ian! Ian! I want to take this with me too!”
“Berik, why are you being such a bother? Put it down!”
“No, I don’t want to!”
Fewer than ten people were actually leaving the estate, yet nearly dozens were bustling about preparing for the departure. The household staff and the villagers who had come for one last glimpse of my face created quite a commotion.
“Ian, please check one more time to make sure nothing is missing. This is the last chance. The coachman said he’ll depart immediately.”
At Hena’s words, I inspected the carriage loaded with supplies. Chunks of Luron magic stones, the dripper machine Lien had given me, a jewelry box containing the alchemist’s necklace and rings, identity documents, and more. For someone who arrived with nothing, I had accumulated quite a bit of baggage.
“I have no issues. What about Berik?”
“I’m all set!”
Berik held up a single sword as his answer. Apart from some shabby clothes, that was the only thing he had to bring. I let out a hollow laugh at how impressive that was.
“Then the rest must all be Romandro’s luggage.”
“Ah, what can I do? I have five subordinates coming with me! Ahahaha!”
Romandro answered Hena’s remark with a hearty laugh. He seemed genuinely delighted at the prospect of returning home. I examined the carriage once more, then searched for Nersaren.
“Nersaren, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Please take care of yourself, and may fortune smile upon you.”
Once I received my title and became more active in the Imperial Palace, Cheonrye’s position—allied with me—would naturally rise as well. It was encouragement calculated with various gains and losses in mind, yet I sensed genuine warmth beneath his words.
“Demosha.”
“Demosha.”
Under the blessing of the divine, we clasped hands and shook them. I slowly bid farewell to the household staff as well.
“You’ve all worked hard during this time.”
“Hard work? What are you saying such things for?”
“Travel safely. Don’t worry about things here.”
“The Imperial Palace! Be sure to take it all in and tell us stories about it!”
“With Berik gone, we’ll cut food costs for a while! Hahaha!”
The servants gathered around me, expressing their reluctance to see me go. I patted each of their shoulders and gave them my parting words.
“All of you, take good care of the estate in my stead. I hope you’ll all endure the winter well, with Butler Hena at the center.”
Butler, Hena.
The servants exclaimed as if they’d expected as much, and Hena’s face flushed as she broke into a bright smile. It was an expression that seemed both embarrassed and genuinely pleased.
“Ian, I will protect the estate! Since you’ve entrusted it to me, I will burn with all my might!”
“There’s no need to overexert yourself. Still, I’m grateful you say such things.”
While she couldn’t yet be called perfect as a butler, she had plenty of room to grow. Besides, with Nersaren and Romandro’s subordinates helping, there was nothing to worry about.
“Well then, let us depart.”
I gestured to the coachmen to signal our readiness to leave. Philia, who had been standing hesitantly, approached and embraced me. I held her close and whispered tenderly.
“Mother, take care of yourself. Whether here at the estate or anywhere else, live freely wherever your heart desires.”
Philia’s tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her lips together. This might be the last time, and she wanted to leave behind only the memory of her brightest smile.
“We’re departing!”
“Departing!”
“Well then, let’s ride hard for the next fortnight!”
Click!
Ian climbed into the carriage and waved his hand out the window. Berik and Romandro across from him did the same. The carriage carrying them led the way out of the estate.
Whinnny!
“Goodbye!”
“Travel safely!”
“Ian!”
At the household’s farewells, Berik’s lips twitched slightly.
“Everyone’s calling only Ian. What about me?”
“You? They probably think you’re just going along.”
“Hmph. I bet they’ll miss me when I’m gone.”
Ian chuckled and started to close the window but stopped. Though it was early morning, the estate villagers had all come out to the streets upon hearing news of his departure.
“Ian, congratulations!”
“Congratulations! Count Ian!”
“Please bring back a new name for our estate!”
“Waaah!”
The children ran as if trying to follow the carriage, while the bright morning sun rose far in the distance. It was truly a joyful departure. Ian waved back in kind, leaving a final farewell.
* * *
Clatter-clatter!
The carriage raced down the unpaved road. Berik stared out the window with a bored expression. Day and night, all he could see were bare branches of trees covering the landscape.
“I’m bored. So incredibly bored I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
“If you’re bored, try switching places with the coachman. You won’t have time to be bored then. You’ll be wide awake and grateful for it.”
At Romandro’s words, Ian smiled faintly.
It had already been four days since leaving the estate. Except for stops every few hours to rest the horses and coachman, they had to remain trapped in the constantly swaying carriage all day. It was quite uncomfortable. Given Berik’s naturally energetic temperament, I was impressed he was holding up this well.
“How much further do we have to go? I could endure this if there was at least scenery to enjoy, but all I see is forest no matter how far we travel. Nothing but white, white, and more white!”
“It’s the fourth day now, so we should arrive in about ten more days. Assuming no problems arise.”
“This is insane. Truly.”
Though snow had accumulated and slowed the carriage’s pace, the coachman’s expertise kept them moving without pause. Behind the carriage carrying the three men, supply wagons stretched out in a line.
“Still, we should be able to lodge in a town tonight. You can bathe in warm water and rest in a soft bed, so bear with it a little longer.”
“Really? Is it a big city?”
“Not quite what you’re imagining.”
“What am I imagining?”
“Well, don’t expect multi-story taverns, gambling houses, luxury accommodations costing several silver coins per night, or grand arenas.”
As if he’d been expecting all of those things, Berik’s mouth fell open in despair. Romandro pulled a small map from his pocket.
“We should be arriving at Karenna soon….”
“Karenna? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s an unremarkable small town, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know it. The issue is the western plains centered around Karenna.”
At Romandro’s words, I turned my head. I wondered what he was talking about, but when I saw the “Haiman Bank” seal stamped on the cover of the map he held, I understood.
“You’re referring to Karenna, Longin, and Zailkup? Those three cities?”
“Yes. When you went to conduct business with Marquis Merelrof and deposit gold coins, didn’t the Bank Manager mention it? That bandits have been appearing in those three regions.”
At the word “bandits,” Berik’s eyes suddenly came alive. His pupils, gleaming like glass marbles, were brimming with anticipation.
“Bandits? No way! I’ve never seen one before.”
“You haven’t seen them yet?”
“I’m about to see them soon. Those three regions are all nearby, so that’s why he mentioned them together, right?”
Berik moved to sit beside Romandro and leaned his head forward. When he’s like this, his ability to read the room is genuinely supernatural. True to Berik’s words, the three regions were adjacent enough that one could reach them all within a day’s travel.
“We’re heading in this direction now, so to enter Karenna, we’d have to cross through the triangle zone. This is definitely bandit territory. Heh heh.”
I wanted to respond, but this time I had no grounds to argue. It was true that it was a dangerous bandit-infested area, and it was true that tonight was particularly perilous.
“We have too much cargo relative to our escort. It would be best to pass through as quietly and quickly as possible.”
“Mm-hmm. Yeah. I like that too.”
“Wipe your mouth and stop lying. At least try to control your expression.”
In truth, I was more concerned about time delays than physical losses from bandits. Even if we’d departed with plenty of time, no one could predict what variables might arise.
Arriving late to the New Year’s gathering itself was problematic, but once the festival began, the Imperial Palace would be flooded with outside guests. It meant we couldn’t leisurely explore the Magic Ministry’s annex.
Click.
Whoooosh!
Berik opened a small window and stuck his face out. Cold wind rushed in, causing Romandro’s map to flutter roughly.
“Berik! Say something before you open it!”
“Coachman! When will we arrive at Karenna?”
“We should be able to get there before sunset!”
“Oh yeah! Drive faster!”
“I’ll try my best. As long as the horses don’t tire out.”
The Coachman laughed and pulled the reins firmly. As the speed increased slightly, Berik gave a thumbs up in satisfaction and offered his thanks.
Clop clop clop!
The hoofbeats continued with such regularity. Berik pressed his cheek against the window and fell fast asleep, while Romandro scribbled gift inscriptions on small pieces of paper. I passed the time watching the two of them.
Whinny!
“Master Ian!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
At the Coachman’s call, I opened the window.
“Is there a village between the forest we departed from this morning and Karenna?”
“A village? Wait a moment. Romandro, let me see that map.”
“Ah, yes. Let me pull out the larger one.”
“…Huh? Why? Have we already arrived?”
Berik wiped his mouth with a swipe and sat up. Since the galloping horse had begun walking slowly, he had no qualms about leaning his upper body out through the roof window.
“We’re here!”
Upon discovering the village, Berik excitedly tapped the carriage roof. However, Romandro and I could only exchange puzzled glances as we examined the map.
“…That’s strange. There’s no village in this area according to the map.”
“When was this map made?”
“It was made last year. I used it when I came down as well, so there shouldn’t be any issues with its accuracy.”
No matter which way I looked at the map, the location was deep in the forest. I gestured to the Coachman to hurry forward.
“Whether it’s Karenna or here, as long as we can have a hot bath, does it matter? Let’s just go!”
“No, Berik. Don’t act on your own.”
“Ugh, why not!”
Berik climbed down from the roof and looked at me. His expression sought permission. But I was firm, and Romandro seemed equally displeased.
“Don’t you understand what it means when a village doesn’t appear on a map made by the Imperial Palace? It clearly means an unregistered community. On top of that, there’s even information about bandits operating in the area.”
“The probability is high. Very high.”
It could be a bandit’s den. It was far better judgment to turn back now rather than get entangled in unnecessary trouble. I pulled Berik down and ordered the Coachman.
“Turn the horses around immediately and head back. Have them detach one by one from the rear.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
“Hey! The back! Start from the very back!”
“We passed the fork thirty minutes ago, right? We’ll go back to there. It seems we should have turned right instead of left.”
“Turn around, turn around! Slowly!”
Romandro, Berik, and I climbed down from the carriage and helped guide the procession out. Since the path we’d come on was a narrow mountain road, turning each carriage was quite arduous.
“Sniffle. Ah, it’s cold.”
Whether Berik was sniffling or smacking his lips in regret, I couldn’t tell. He kept glancing toward the village while shuffling his feet restlessly.
“Cold, cold, cold!”
“Berik. Be quiet.”
“Ian. We need to disconnect the horses from the carriage and turn the body separately. There isn’t enough space.”
With ten carriages trying to move in orderly fashion, everything was chaotic. Everyone moved in perfect coordination. Berik, with his arms crossed, glanced around before quietly making his way down the slope. Since we were stopped anyway, he thought he might as well take care of some business.
Rustle.
Then came the sound of fallen leaves being stepped on from behind. I wondered if it was a rabbit and looked around, but saw nothing. Berik blinked, surveying the white expanse of snow covering everything.
That was when it happened.
Woof!
A white dog suddenly burst from the bushes. When I looked at it calmly, it stared right back at me. Black eyes and nose, and a bright red tongue.
Anyone could see it was a dog. A mutt at that.
“What is this?”
Woof!
“What the—”
Could it be from that village over there? I hesitated for a moment on what to do, but then decided to ignore it and turned away. Right now, taking care of business was more urgent.
-Excuse me.
“…??”
I rubbed my ears in bewilderment and looked around incredulously. The only living thing here was this damned dog….

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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