Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 275

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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 275
Who Made This Bracket?
Berik sat flat on the ground, glaring at the paper as if trying to bore holes through it. He paid no mind to the passersby casting curious glances his way.
He held the paper up to the light, his frown deepening with each attempt. Even if writing remained beyond him, he could at least read names and numbers—yet the supervisor’s careless scrawl made it utterly incomprehensible.
“Berik. That’s my name. 180 is my height, right? Then what’s this 177 underneath?”
It was the medical examination form from the first screening. With hundreds of candidates processed in rapid succession, the supervisor’s handwriting had devolved into barely legible scratches.
Berik, who couldn’t read well to begin with, found white to be paper and black to be letters—nothing more. Xiaoxi, who had been listening quietly beside him, shook his head.
“…Number 180, Berik. Height 177.”
“My height is 177? That can’t be right. What about you?”
Whoosh!
Berik snatched Xiaoxi’s examination form and compared the same measurements. His height was marked as ‘179.7’—even the decimal point was meticulously recorded. Berik jumped to his feet and waved the paper in protest.
“Are you joking? The height difference between me and Xiao is that big? And why didn’t they give me decimals? I want a remeasurement!”
The supervisor continued moving his pen mechanically, not even glancing at Berik. After all, the red-haired man was quite famous in the imperial palace.
The department overseeing the proceedings had warned several times to be careful around him, so it was easy to dismiss his complaints. With hundreds of people backed up, was he seriously wasting time now?
“Next!”
“Hey, wait!”
“There’s a reference chart in front. Please verify your examination form against the standard, and those with any disqualifying factors should exit through the right door. Thank you.”
“Over here!”
“Other races with mixed blood and notable physical characteristics must report separately and receive a new reference chart. Those without disqualifying factors may exit through the left door. Next!”
Bang!
The supervisor stamped the form decisively, as if telling him to get lost. One more word and he’d be disqualified on the spot.
Xiaoxi, sensing how close Berik was to that dangerous line, grabbed his upper garment and pulled. They needed to hurry through the left door.
“Those who have completed the physical fitness test, excluding those below the standard, please submit your name tags!”
“Place them here. Numbers 101 through 200, please line up first. If you don’t wish to participate in the matches, come over here and submit an application! The Imperial Defense Ministry will assign you to units. If you wish to join the Imperial Guards, matches are mandatory!”
“Even if you participate in the matches, those ranked below the cutoff will still be assigned to the Imperial Defense Ministry!”
“Think carefully! Once submitted, changes cannot be made! Match formats are being explained outside!”
The training grounds, normally one vast undivided hall, had been partitioned with temporary walls to create separate spaces according to procedure and necessity.
From the first floor, it appeared labyrinthine and confusing, but from above, the layout would be crystal clear. The two men slipped through the crowds moving about for their physical examinations.
Clang! Clang!
As a result, congestion began forming in certain areas—specifically in front of the makeshift arena where Mage Knights from the Imperial Guards competed for promotion. This was precisely why Ian had personally stepped in.
Safety control through magic. High-level combat always captivated people’s attention, stirred their blood, and that directly affected morale.
Not a single imperial palace employee called for the crowd to disperse. Instead, they cleared space so people could see better, allowing the masses to fully appreciate the Mage Knights’ combat.
“Wow. Incredible.”
“So this is how Mage Knights fight. Beyond imagination.”
“Mages must be even stronger, right? I heard they can tear the sky apart.”
“That’s nonsense. Even so, that’s impossible.”
“No way. If Mage Knights fight like that, what can’t Mages do? Impressive, truly impressive. The rumor that one Mage equals an entire army isn’t false. Hahahaha!”
“Well done! Wooooo!”
These are Mage Knights. Those who serve the Emperor, protect the empire’s safety, and guard the daily lives of its citizens. With them present, there is nothing to fear—let the citizens find peace and those destined for military service take pride. This was the imperial palace’s intention.
Without uttering a single word to inspire them, the crowd already felt something stirring within their hearts.
“What if he goes inside from there?”
“It’s fine! We still have a chance! Rei! Stay focused!”
“The honor of the Imperial Guards is within reach!”
The other Imperial Guards waiting on the sidelines joined in the fervor, each shouting their encouragement. Fight! Keep fighting! While there was certainly ambition for the captain’s position, the ultimate goal was to uphold the pride of the Imperial Palace. And to pursue endless strength in service of that goal.
“That’s just… so cool.”
“Right? How many Imperial Guards are they selecting?”
“The exact number wasn’t disclosed. But I’d guess you need to be in the top thirty, at least?”
“Thirty? That’s pretty competitive.”
“They’re supposed to be an elite unit anyway. Not just anyone gets in. If the number of applicants is low, there might be a chance. Hmm, it’s a tough call.”
They were always objects of reverence, but dressed in their uniforms like this, they stood out all the more. Dazzling enough to sway the hearts of those who had decided not to compete.
Boom! Bang!
Crash!
The Mage Knights’ blades collided, creating a massive explosion. Acrid smoke billowed in all directions, and a violent gust swept through—but it didn’t last long. It vanished without a trace before reaching the spectators’ feet. It was as if an invisible barrier stood between the crowd and the Mage Knights.
‘Magic! Did Ian do that?’
Zing. Zing.
Bang! Clang!
The Mages standing on the second floor maintained protective barriers with their magic, ensuring everyone’s safety.
Berik looked around for Ian but couldn’t find him. Had he gone elsewhere? After glancing about a few times, his eyes met Captain Jairot’s instead. Tch, what rotten luck.
Swish.
Berik drew his thumb across his throat with a menacing expression. Captain Jairot, just you wait. If I become captain after this selection, I’m really going to kill you.
But Captain Jairot simply ignored Berik cleanly, standing with his back straight as he recorded something on his documents. He was probably scoring the competitors.
“….”
“Ah, yeah.”
Xiaoxi tugged at Berik’s collar, urging him along. Leaving the Mage Knights’ battle behind, they headed outside. Now they just needed to take the basic fitness test, then wait while eating and resting until the bracket was announced.
Whistle!
It was Barsabe. Having nothing else to do, she had apparently volunteered to help since the staff was short-handed. Berik tried to be friendly, but Barsabe firmly ignored him, keeping work and personal matters separate.
“Line up!”
“L-Line up!”
Whistle!
“The basic fitness test will focus on the following: strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility! First, we’ll have two running events.”
Now it truly began. Now the scores would actually count. The other competitors stripped off their shirts, displaying their intimidating physiques and engaging in subtle psychological warfare.
Meanwhile, Xiaoxi simply bounced lightly in place to warm up, while Berik did nothing of the sort.
“Hyaaaah!”
He just let out bizarre battle cries with his arms and legs swinging. His appearance was so ridiculous that laughter erupted from various corners.
Barsabe ran her tongue over her empty molars and raised the whistle to her lips. If it were anyone else, fine—but Berik, who had made me like this, absolutely cannot fail.
Whistle!
“Hyaaaa!”
With the whistle’s signal, the men charged forward with all their might. It was midday at the Imperial Palace, and the sun beat down mercilessly.
* * *
Unlike usual, the second floor was occupied only by authorized personnel. Unable to cross the crowded first floor, employees moved through the upper level, Mages maintained protective barriers to oversee safety, and….
“The author certainly has decent skills.”
“Indeed. Especially his durability. Yes.”
“That technique just now was particularly impressive. I believe he deserves bonus points. It’s rarely used in actual combat, but it’s worth preserving the lineage. Ahem.”
The superiors of the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry were observing the sparring match. In truth, when it came to the upper ranks of the Imperial Guards, it was just Jairot and his right hand, while the Imperial Defense Ministry had as many heads as there were subordinate units, so the ratio difference was significant. Still, since priority lay with the Imperial Guards, everyone was busy adding their own comments while watching Jairot’s expression.
Someone among them frowned and pointed to one side.
“But that person over there…”
“Is that actually a sparring match happening right now?”
Despite the distance, something sounded particularly chaotic. While other sparring grounds were filled only with battle cries, that one was producing all manner of curses and noise. It was the kind of commotion only possible from a one-sided beating resulting from an overwhelming skill gap.
Thwack! Crack!
“Sparring? Yeah! This is what I wanted! You bastard!”
“Ugh, ah, ahhh…”
“Say what you said last time!”
“Y-you damn—”
“Yeah, I’m a damn bastard! Why are you calling me that!”
Boom!
Imperial Defense Ministry officers clicked their tongues and called for someone. With blood pooling on the ground like that, if left alone, a corpse would be carried out of the testing grounds.
“Hey, who’s that over there? The second sparring ground from the left.”
“Ah, that’s Hamp and Berik from the Imperial Defense Ministry’s 4th Army, Unit 294. Both have currently advanced with four victories.”
“From the Imperial Defense Ministry?”
They weren’t civilians but soldiers already enlisted in the Imperial Defense Ministry. Concerned that all the top-tier talented individuals would be absorbed into the Imperial Guards, they had selected promising talents and urged them to participate in the sparring tournament for the sake of maintaining face.
It was a strategy to gain the propaganda effect that the Imperial Defense Ministry also had such strong individuals gathered, or that strong individuals desired the Imperial Defense Ministry just as much as the Imperial Guards. However, the scene of them being beaten like a dog wasn’t part of the strategy.
“The man’s going to die. Let’s stop around here. And if it’s someone from the Imperial Defense Ministry, let’s keep it friendly. We asked them to avoid matchups carefully as much as possible. But who on earth—”
The officer paused mid-question about who had arranged the matchups like this. He had recalled the name Berik. The Magic Ministry’s right hand and the Mage Knight accompanying Prince Jin.
The Servant hesitated and glanced toward the other side.
“Oh yeah! Berik’s doing great! One-two, one-two punch! Ian, no wait! Ian! Look at that! That guy’s the one who made Berik’s nose bleed!”
“Yes. I’m watching. Romandro. But before that, look at this first. Compared to two years ago, the number of participants has tripled. It’s twice as many as expected. Do you have any idea why?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure. I haven’t heard anything separately. It’s probably because the Imperial Guards recruitment was conducted together, which is unprecedented. Since Imperial Guards salaries are significantly higher than the Imperial Defense Ministry, everyone might have been hopeful. We should conduct an investigation targeting the participants. If we know the reason, it will certainly help with future recruitment. Yes.”
“I share the same thought. We should report this to the Prime Minister as well.”
As Ian handed the report to the Mage, Jin gently tugged at his sleeve. The snack he was holding had run out. When Jin smiled sheepishly, Ian asked warmly.
“Your Highness. Does it suit your taste?”
“Can I have more?”
“Of course. Who would object?”
“Berik! Berik! Woooo! You bastard, that was really cool just now! One more! Oh man, all that meat I fed you is paying off! You’re doing great!”
Romandro thrust his fist into the air and cheered loudly for Berik. Jin also startled and clapped enthusiastically, while Ian continuously received reports coming up from the Magic Ministry and the organizing department.
Whoosh.
Ian quickly flipped through the matchup chart and calculated how many more times Berik and Xiaoxi would need to spar. Based on the scores currently assigned by the officials, Berik was definitely in the lead, and Xiaoxi was closely pursuing from behind.
“Hmm?”
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
When Ian asked as if puzzled, Romandro thrust his head toward the documents. Then, in an astonished tone, he muttered.
“Good grief, what is this? Who arranged the matchups like this? Berik and Xiaoxi are going to face each other, aren’t they? Why on earth?”
“Before the top ranks are finalized, eliminating one of the two candidates beforehand would be unsafe for both the Imperial Guards and the Defense Ministry, would it not? And….”
I didn’t need to guess who had orchestrated this. I lifted my gaze to Captain Jeirat. He was already looking at me, and our eyes met without hesitation.
‘Amusing.’
As I waved the document, Captain Jeirat placed his hand over his chest and offered a simple bow. A gesture that said he would not deny it.

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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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