Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 197

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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 197
Opening the City Gates
The wind swept higher and farther than ever before.
Everyone instinctively reached out their hands. Those white papers fluttering like flower petals and falling like the first snow carried all the answers to their lingering questions. The city gates opened slowly, but everyone was too absorbed in reading the extra editions as they came down.
Creeeeak.
“Viviana!”
“Ian!”
The city gates that had been firmly shut were now wide open. She had never felt the origin point of wind in all her years of living, but this time was different.
This wind—the wind that had pierced straight through the carriage—had originated from the imperial palace. More precisely, from Ian and his mage division.
“The city gates have opened!”
“Did Prince Marib and Prince Gail rebel?”
“If this is true, what happens now?”
“What happens? Both princes get beheaded. Tsk tsk.”
“Aren’t they people of sound judgment? How did this happen…”
“Come to think of it, the central nobles entered the palace the day before the closure. If they participated in the clash, they won’t escape unscathed either.”
“Wait, our trading partner’s family also entered the palace that day!”
“The city gates are open, I said! Everyone, form a line!”
I observed the chaotic scene and gestured to the gatekeeper. It meant to let the carriage through first. Five o’clock in the afternoon. Everything was proceeding as planned. Viviana being alone was outside the plan, however.
“Make way! Let the carriage through!”
Clang! Clang!
The gatekeepers raised their spears to clear a path. The carriage barely squeezed through the gap and entered the imperial palace. I helped Viviana down and asked.
“Viviana, are you unharmed?”
“Yes, yes indeed. I don’t have a single injury. Are you alright, Ian? And my husband? Berik said he was safe, but I’ve been worried…”
“Romandro is also completely unharmed. He’s on his way here from the Second Prince’s Palace, so you’ll see him soon.”
“Ah. Thank goodness, thank goodness.”
She pressed her chest and exhaled a breath of relief. I frowned when I saw the bloodstains on the carriage wheels.
“What happened?”
“Ah! Berik!”
Viviana cried out as she wiped away the sweat dripping from her chin. The last image she had seen of him was devastating. If he hadn’t been a Mage Knight, he would have died long ago—with that thought, she felt her heart sink and grabbed my sleeve.
“We were printing the extra editions centered around 【Maelidaeili】 when assailants in black armor attacked us. Was her name Barsabe? The knight who came to the residence that day to retrieve the ring heirloom. She helped us, but I… I don’t know if they survived. Berik and that…”
They might be dead. Viviana bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.
Assailants in black armor. I immediately recognized them as remnants of the Haiman faction.
‘I thought the armor wouldn’t be able to move.’
If they possessed sound judgment, that is.
Prince Gail, who had conspired, was still alive, and the Duke was in a precarious situation in many ways. Yet to bring out the armor and target my subordinates? This was a self-destructive blunder, making it clear this was not the Duke’s strategy.
‘Moreover, with the city gates closed, there’s no way the Duke’s separate orders came through. It’s possible that previously issued commands were carried out without reading the situation.’
It was a mistake to think that even with some stragglers, Berik alone could handle them sufficiently. I brought her hand to my lips.
“Viviana.”
It was a greeting full of gratitude and apology. Contrary to her claim of having no injuries, she bore long scratches. I embraced Viviana and soothed her.
“You did well.”
“I’m glad I could be of help. After all, I am Bariel’s person, am I not? And one day, I will serve the Imperial Palace again.”
Viviana smiled softly and tidied her hair. If Romandro saw her, he would surely worry. She wanted to appear as composed as possible.
“Excuse me, Minister Ian Hielo? Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m the president of the 【Mailidale Daily】, the newspaper that printed the extra edition! I don’t have my business card—things have been so hectic. Ah ha ha! Say, Countess?”
At the man’s glance asking her to introduce herself, Viviana let out a small exclamation. Since something had come, now it was time for something to go.
“There were various circumstances. But in the midst of it all, the 【Mailidale Daily】 printed the extra edition very swiftly. How about we grant you exclusive rights to publish the inside story of the four days of events at the Imperial Palace?”
Viviana laughed somewhat awkwardly. It was likely the best choice she could make within the constraints of those “various circumstances.” Ian smiled and nodded readily.
“I will issue a recommendation that the Imperial Palace not contact any other media outlets. For now, there is much to attend to, so wait.”
“Yes! Thank you! Thank you!”
“Viviana! Vivi!”
Patter patter patter!
As the man bowed deeply, a cry came from behind. Romandro rushed over on his short legs and embraced his wife tightly.
“Oh, Vivi. I missed you so much!”
“Are you well? You don’t look good.”
“I’ve been working day and night. How about you? Our little one?”
“We’re fine. I missed you so much.”
The couple rubbed noses, confirming their love and breath for one another.
Ian turned away, leaving the two of them behind. The Imperial Palace guards saluted sharply and waited for Ian’s command.
“To the front of the Mage Tower.”
“To the front of the Mage Tower!”
“Summon the healing mages at Prince Gail’s quarters and bring out the horses. We will depart outside.”
“Yes! Please wait a moment!”
This was the amplification mage artifact that Ian had used when announcing the end of the situation at the Magic Ministry. Beyond the wide-open castle gates, crowds that had gathered like clouds of dust stared inward.
The gate had opened—could they go in now? Would the people inside come out? Prince Marib and Prince Gail had clashed, but was that true? The murmuring sounds were muffled, yet each person’s doubts were clear.
“Set it so it can be heard as far as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
The mage who brought the artifact carefully adjusted dozens of dials. Even if it didn’t reach every corner of the city center, it would certainly ring in all the nearby ears.
Among them would be dying Mage Knights, and surely those who had fled in black armor.
Whiiiing.
Ian whispered slowly into the artifact.
-I am the Minister of the Magic Ministry, Ian Hielo.
A clear and elegant voice spread through the artifact to the surroundings. Those who had been chattering here and there suddenly stopped and fell silent. They were startled by the strange sensation of someone speaking directly into their ears.
“Is… is this magic?”
“Shh! Be quiet and listen to what he’s saying!”
“It sounds like it’s ringing inside my eardrums?”
Those guarding the fly-ridden stalls, children running through empty streets, those sprawled out drunk, those going about their daily lives in their homes—all those adjacent to the Imperial Palace could hear Ian’s voice.
-Four days ago, Prince Marib and Prince Gail clashed and threw the Imperial Palace into chaos. The list of officials and central nobles who participated in this is not short, and His Majesty the Emperor was deeply troubled. The Imperial Palace is the center of Bariel, and thus the center of the world. Those who disturb this shall never die in peace.
“That’s right, that’s true. Those big-headed princes really did something terrible.”
“Be quiet!”
-Thus, the Mage Division, under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor and Jhin, subdued the two Princes and safeguarded the Imperial Palace.
“Who is Jhin?”
“Isn’t he one of the twin princes? I heard he’s still quite young. My goodness.”
-The restriction on entry to the Imperial Palace was necessary to manage this situation effectively. Citizens of the Empire, set your minds at ease and return to your daily lives. As of this moment, entry to the Imperial Palace is permitted. Those entering must maintain order. And-
I fell silent for a moment. Those wondering what would come next held their breath. Then came my voice, cold and chilling.
-Hear this, all who would defy the will of the Imperial Palace.
Whoever seeks to harm Bariel shall never crawl out from the depths of hell.
-Offer your own necks and beg for forgiveness. Otherwise, I will annihilate you and show you what true death means. If you can hide, then hide. Thus prove that there is nowhere in Bariel where His Majesty’s gaze does not reach.
Whether you are a nobleman holding the purse strings of the great empire or one of noble imperial blood, no one is exempt. Those who stand against authority shall die. This is also for the well-being of the Empire’s people. I have witnessed countless times how civil war destroys a nation.
-Conversely, those who dedicate glory to the Imperial Palace shall find glory in their lives as well. Make your own destinies shine. This concludes the statement of the Minister of the Mage Division, Ian Hielo.
As I gestured to cut the connection, the light of the magical artifact faded. The Gatekeepers methodically organized the crowd and began the process of permitting entry.
I looked around and pulled my robe over myself. The horse was ready, but I couldn’t see the healing mages anywhere.
“Where are the healing mages?”
“They appear to be on their way.”
“Then go ahead. Tell them to come to Maelidaeli.”
Several mages and guards followed me, grabbing their horses’ reins. Romandro held Viviana’s hand tightly as he asked.
“Ian! What about me?”
“You stay here with Viviana and handle things. I’m going to fetch Berik, and those without magical power won’t be of much help. Hurry and send out the healing mages.”
“Ah, understood. Please be careful! And tell that bastard Berik that if he dies, he’s dead to me!”
Whinnying!
Instead of answering, I struck the horse’s flank hard, and we shot through the gates. With the closure lifted, attention wasn’t focused on us the way it had been when Berik left. I rode toward Maelidaeli under the escort’s guidance.
Clop clop clop!
“This way!”
“Move aside! Clear the way!”
“Good heavens, what’s all this commotion?”
How far had we ridden? As we entered the alley, the stench of blood hit us hard. The horse’s pace slowed gradually. Nothing could be heard except the rhythmic clop of hooves.
“There—gasp!”
Pools of blood filled the area before the building. Structures lay shattered in every direction, yet not a soul was present. I dismounted and approached the fallen Berik.
“Berik.”
“….”
Even the word “gruesome” was too mild. His left arm was mangled beyond recognition, his leg bent far beyond its natural range. His skin was completely scraped away, soaked in blood so thoroughly that it was impossible to tell where one wound ended and another began.
Faced with the horrific sight, a guard covered his mouth and placed a finger beneath Berik’s nose.
“He… he doesn’t seem to be breathing.”
“Move.”
I pushed him aside and pressed my ear to Berik’s chest. The skin around Berik’s tightly closed eyes was torn.
“I-Ian…”
“Everyone be quiet. Don’t make a sound.”
The noise outside made it hard to hear properly. There had to be a heartbeat. Surely, surely there had to be one.
I opened my magical power and poured it into him. Thump-thump—something resonates. I realized it was his heartbeat.
“Berik.”
“….”
“Berik.”
Whirrrr. Whirr.
Whirr.
I gently gripped Berik’s jaw and shook it. Even as I did, I poured endless, boundless mana into him. This was a man who had survived with his insides turned inside out in the desert. He wouldn’t die like this.
“Berik.”
Sweat dripped down the bridge of my nose. Dizziness crept upward, but I didn’t stop. As the droplets fell onto Berik’s nape, faint marks remained.
“Berik.”
“….”
Twitch—his eyelid moved slightly. I was startled and refocused my attention on his chest. Thump-thump, thump. A heartbeat with an irregular rhythm echoed.
“Come to your senses.”
“…It’s hard.”
“Yes. Try to speak, try to open your eyes.”
“Ian, ah, it really hurts.”
“It’s alright. Wait.”
Whirrrr.
The other Mages joined together and breathed mana into Berik. With his eyes closed, Berik murmured.
“…Annoying. I lost.”
“You’re alive, so that’s enough. Do you remember what Cheonrye said? If you don’t die, you haven’t lost. Since you’re alive, you’ll win eventually.”
“Right? Ah, but I’m hungry.”
“You did well.”
“…Beef.”
“Yes.”
Finally, I had earned the right to eat beef, Berik chuckled softly. With those words, he lost consciousness again and didn’t wake for a long time.

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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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