Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 178

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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 178. The Dark Side of the Moon
“Miss Philia, shall I bring some tea? Aren’t your hands getting cold?”
At the servant’s call, Philia lifted her head from her crouching position. Dirt clung thickly to her hastily tied hair and delicate skin. Though her appearance was a mess, her radiant smile remained unchanged.
“It’s fine. The soil is cold, but the air is warm, so my whole body feels invigorated. I’d appreciate it if you could bring me lemon tea instead.”
A greenhouse had been built behind Hielo’s mansion. It was a space Nersaren had personally created for his beloved, who spent every day tending to Gula despite the rain and wind. The servant crouched beside her and peered at the thick Gula stems.
“Wow, it’s already grown this much? This was only planted not long ago.”
“Surprising, isn’t it? When I removed all the leaves about four days after planting, it grew so vigorously. It seems the nutrients the leaves consumed are now concentrating in the roots.”
Philia clumsily scribbled something down. It was a journal documenting her observations and care of every plant in the mansion. Though most of it was drawings rather than words, the recorded information was so detailed that even the estate villagers sometimes came to consult her.
“I’ll bring a warm washcloth as well. Warm your hands. Nersaren worries when he sees them.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Nersaren was the sort who fretted every night lest her delicate hands be scratched. Philia laughed shyly and patted the soil. Celestial Warriors passed by outside and bowed in greeting.
“Miss Philia! Good morning!”
“Yes, good morning.”
Philia smiled faintly and clutched her apron tightly. The warriors who had departed for the desert after forming an alliance had returned to Hielo because of a single letter her son had sent.
-When the time comes and the thin ice here breaks, could you help me then?
What could breaking thin ice mean? Since he asked for help, it was surely something difficult. Nersaren seemed to suspect something, but he didn’t tell Philia.
-In the name of our alliance, and in the name of your father.
Fwoom. Philia’s face flushed as she recalled the words Ian had added at the end. Embarrassed and mortified, she merely poked at the soil with her spade.
‘You’re summoning the warriors to Hielo?’
‘We don’t know when Count Ian’s request will come, so we must be ready to move quickly.’
‘But we might go through all this trouble for nothing. I’d feel terrible about that.’
‘Philia, shall we hold the wedding then? So the warriors’ journey won’t be in vain.’
Fwoom again! Philia felt dizzy recalling her conversation with Nersaren. She never imagined such happiness could come to her. Above all, since her love was blessed under Ian’s permission, Philia felt for the first time that she possessed the entire world.
“Miss Philia! Miss Philia!”
Just then, the servant who had gone to fetch tea called out urgently. Wondering if he’d broken the cup, she stood up, and she could see the warriors hastily crossing the garden in disarray.
Tap-tap-tap!
“Is it a signal?”
“Wait, bring Nersaren here!”
“Everyone, gather plenty of Gruut leaves just in case!”
Philia opened the greenhouse door and stepped outside.
A black crescent moon hanging in the blue sky. The sight was so surreal it was hard to tell if one was dreaming with eyes open.
“Nersaren!”
At his subordinates’ call, Nersaren also came outside and looked up at the sky. The black moon was ominous. He wrapped his arm around Philia’s shoulders and pressed his lips gently to her forehead.
“Philia, stop your garden work today and stay in the mansion. It could be dangerous.”
“Nersaren, what on earth is that?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but those in Bariel who create such things are usually mages.”
Mages. That likely meant Ian. Philia’s face drained of color as she gripped Nersaren’s collar.
“I’ll stay here too. If something has happened to Ian, then I…”
“Calm yourself, Philia. Count Ian is your son, so he is strong. First, we should discover what that black moon means.”
But what could those on the ground do about something floating in the sky? The warriors released hawks to circle around it. As dozens of massive hawks wove patterns across the sky, the estate villagers one by one stopped their work and looked up.
Whoosh!
“It seems there’s no scent of the living.”
“Either something will pour out from there, or we’ll have to go in. One of the two.”
“Hasty conclusions are dangerous. For now, we continue to observe.”
The Celestial Warriors, the estate staff, and all those under Hielo’s protection fell silent, waiting for the moon’s transformation. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed.
“There!”
At Hena’s cry, the warriors lying in the grass lifted their upper bodies. The moon was growing fuller. It descended slowly, so very slowly, drawing a perfect round form—not falling to the ground, but descending nonetheless.
Philia tore off her apron and rushed toward it.
Perhaps Ian would come.
“Ian!”
“Philia, step aside! Warriors, hold me back!”
“I’ll do it!”
“Quiet. It is the leader’s duty to set foot first in the frontier.”
Nersaren pushed Philia back and approached the vast darkness. When he carefully extended his hand, a cool sensation touched his skin. It didn’t seem particularly dangerous. He drew a tense breath and stepped inside.
“Hold Nersaren firmly!”
“Don’t—don’t let go!”
Philia added her meager strength, gripping his left hand tightly. Shortly after, Nersaren emerged from the darkness and spoke to the warriors.
“It appears to connect to the imperial palace.”
“What? Where? Do you mean the central imperial palace?”
“Far in the distance, a single light shines very faintly. I’m not certain, but it resembles Bariel’s imperial palace dome. Warriors, gather your weapons and follow me.”
“Demosa!”
Then Philia grasped Nersaren’s arm and pleaded.
“Please, me too!”
“Philia.”
“Please take me with you. I miss Ian so much. And if you go to the imperial palace, we won’t see each other for at least a month or more. For me, that month will feel like decades.”
A beautiful confession of love from his beloved. The warriors deliberately covered their ears and finished their preparations for departure, while Nersaren laughed awkwardly. Then Hena draped a thick coat over Philia’s shoulders and persuaded him.
“Nersaren. Wouldn’t it be less awkward if you brought Ian’s mother? And we don’t know what’s happening at the imperial palace, but if frontier people suddenly arrive, they’ll be confused. We need an imperial citizen among you. Philia is Ian’s mother, so her identity is certain.”
Philia nodded repeatedly while fastening her outer garment. Nersaren burst into laughter as if he couldn’t help himself, then lifted her up effortlessly.
“Very well. But stay right beside me.”
“Yes, yes! Absolutely! Hena!”
“Go safely and slowly. I miss Ian too, but if I go as well, who will manage the estate? Please give him my regards, and send word through Jeonseogoo! Please, stay safe.”
Philia left a kiss on Hena’s cheek and gripped Nersaren’s neck firmly. As if to soothe her fear, Nersaren patted her back gently.
“I’m here.”
“I’m not afraid. Just a little nervous.”
With Nersaren and Philia at the lead, the warriors too plunged into the darkness.
“Woooah! Let’s go!”
“The one who shows courage first is a true warrior!”
“Let’s go! Anywhere—warriors survive!”
“It’s been a while since I smelled blood.”
“We’ll return! My friends!”
Hena waved her hand, bidding farewell to the warriors.
As they all vanished into the darkness, an astonishing silence settled over the surroundings. Hena and the household members clasped their hands together in prayer before them.
Please, let our precious ones return safely.
* * *
“Demosa!”
The sudden appearance of the warriors sent the imperial palace soldiers stumbling backward in confusion. The mages were no different. Without thinking, I released my mana and looked up at the sky in bewilderment. It was such a bizarre spectacle that everyone forgot they were in the midst of battle.
“Ian!”
In that moment, Ian immediately recognized who the woman with the flowing golden hair was.
He reached out both hands in shock.
Philia reached out as well.
The radiant golden-haired mother and son touched one another like a painting come to life.
Crash!
It felt as though we were defying gravity as we fell, but once I held her, it seemed like a mere optical illusion. I never imagined I would see Philia and the warriors here in the imperial palace.
Philia embraced Ian’s nape and whispered pitifully.
“My son, I missed you so much.”
“Mother. It has been a long time.”
“…What, mother!?”
“Did he just say mother?”
At Ian’s response, the mages’ jaws dropped and they froze.
‘Insane, bloodlines really do exist. Can’t fake it.’
‘I thought an angel was descending. Seriously.’
‘Count Ian’s mother? Damn, what do I do. I think I just fell for her.’
I had no idea what each of them was thinking, but Ian smiled faintly and separated from her. Prince Jin’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked between the two of them.
“Wow….”
A brief exclamation. From that sound, Ian realized what kind of situation this was. There was urgency in evacuating Prince Jin.
Whoosh.
“The portal is closing!”
“Ah, damn.”
The portal disappeared as though it had fulfilled its purpose. Then the soldiers quickly came to their senses and grasped their swords and spears once more.
“Hey, barbarians? Why are they dressed like that?”
“Hielo! Did you summon the barbarians with magic?”
“This is a deception of the great empire Bariel, and a disgrace to the imperial palace!”
Realizing weapons were pointed at Ian and the mages, the warriors lowered their bodies into attack stances. They all wore bloody smiles—they were clearly enjoying the situation.
When else would they get the chance to crush arrogant imperial soldiers? Though they had forged an alliance of fate with Hielo, the empire’s oppression passed down through generations still beat within the warriors’ hearts.
“How absurd.”
Marib let out a hollow laugh and drew an arrow. As the mages screamed and retreated, the warriors drew their swords.
“Arrows, if you’re hit by arrows—!”
Ping!
The arrow lodged itself in the forearm of the frontmost warrior. But he casually pulled it out and snapped the shaft. Since they were not users of mana, the amber gemstone was useless.
“Count Ian, it’s been so long! What should we do?”
“Do I just need to decapitate all these bastards?”
“You call us savages, you dog? I’ve been watching you. Your face looks more like a beast than ours. You piece of shit.”
This was no back-alley dog fight. This was a battle that would be written into history, moving under thorough justification and righteousness. There was a proper order to things, yet the warriors seemed unable to contain their boiling blood. Just as I was about to cry out for them to wait—
“Everyone, show restraint.”
It was Nersaren. He wrapped an arm around Philia’s shoulders and gave me a meaningful look. Whatever the situation, it seemed to say: issue the proper orders quickly.
I stepped forward and brought Philia’s hand to my lips.
“This is Philia, my mother, and this one here—”
The first thing was to make clear to everyone that there would be no problem with them entering the imperial palace.
“My new father, Nersaren. The warriors are his family, not enemies of the imperial court.”
“Ah, ah, father?!”
The mages gasped as if struck by an enormous shock all at once. His mother was a celestial being, but his father was a borderland tribesman. What kind of combination was this supposed to be?
“What a mongrel lineage.”
Prince Marib sneered and drew his sword, prompting the soldiers to regroup and shout their battle cry. I did the same, unleashing my power with all my might as I roared.
Zing! Zing!
“Those who would harm a mage shall answer to me!”
“Demosa!”
“Demosa!”
Crack! Boom!
Thud!
The warriors threw themselves into enemy lines and swung their weapons like madmen. In the warriors’ grip, the soldiers’ necks snapped helplessly, and their limbs bent like abandoned dolls.
Swords and spears stood against the warriors, but to those who had spent their lives contending with the great forces of nature, such attacks were no more than the thorns of a vine.
“Aaaaagh! Argh!”
“Wh-what are these things?!”
“Wait! Spare us, spare—!”
“Aaaaagh! XXX!”
Boom! Booom!
The soldiers who had pressed forward gradually retreated. In that gap, the mages used the warriors as shields to regenerate their barriers, and soon poured their strength into them.
Zing. Zing.
“Push forward!”
“Bring down Prince Marib!”
“Kill them! Kill every last one of those bastards!”
“You fools! The mages are—what?! How many of us have we lost already?!”
“If we can’t kill them, we die! Open up completely!”
Boom! Crash!
The tangled battle erupted once more. I released Philia’s hand, grinding my teeth. My gaze was fixed on Prince Marib.
“Mother. Please look after Prince Jin for a moment.”
“Ian!”
Whoosh!
A fierce torrent of magical power surged forth.
With eyes like a lion’s, I charged toward him.

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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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