Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 330

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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 330
Fire. Entering Cliffford
How long had we been riding?
As the sunset descended upon the sky, Berik’s expression darkened from the endless gallop. All I could see were dense thickets stretching endlessly, and I questioned whether we were even heading in the right direction. Though no one voiced it aloud, I suspected everyone shared the same doubt watching Prince Noah’s figure ahead.
Philic, bound and draped across a horse, showed no signs of regaining consciousness.
“Excuse me, how much further—”
The moment the Mage began asking May, Prince Noah pulled back on the reins, slowing our pace. We had emerged from the thicket.
Below us stretched endless vineyards. The grapevines stood in perfectly straight lines as if drawn by ruler, their thick vines and plump grapes hanging abundantly.
The green leaves were drenched in the sunset’s glow, as if a crimson wave were washing across portions of the fields.
“This is Cliffford.”
Prince Noah’s hair too had deepened to a richer orange hue from the sunset. Behind him, the royal palace of Cliffford came into view. The tall cream-colored domes caught the sunlight beautifully, gleaming with radiance.
Dong—
As the bell chimed from somewhere, people appeared throughout the fields. They were greeting the divine. Having completed another day of sacred and holy labor, they raised their voices so the divine would witness and rejoice in their hearts.
Ah— O-ah—
They raised their hands and hummed. Though the melody and lyrics were simple and repetitive, there was something oddly soothing about listening to them.
Walking along the path between the fields, Berik glanced around. Farmers who caught my eye occasionally removed their hats in greeting.
“But why are there only fields? Where do people live?”
“This is the outskirts. In Bariel, residential and commercial areas are mixed around the imperial palace, but Cliffford is different. Everything outside the city walls is used for agriculture. It’s for efficient use of limited land.”
May answered with a sidelong glance. Guest or not, this was an important visitor who would determine Cliffford’s fate. As she explained earnestly, several farmers recognized Prince Noah and bowed deeply with joyful expressions.
“Stop and identify yourselves.”
“Royal travel permit. Open the gates.”
“Your Highness? But where is your carriage…?”
“Circumstances required it.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment!”
The gatekeepers atop the walls moved about busily. Soon the massive gates swung open to both sides. Through the gap, Cliffford’s life unfolded before our eyes.
Creak—
The outside had been quiet, sacred, and natural, yet how did crossing a single gate reveal such a different world?
Through crowds of people dancing and twirling in the streets, merchants carrying wine barrels, elderly men smoking on arched roofs, laughter and incomprehensible songs, building walls covered entirely in vines, and the fresh scent of grapes vibrating through the air.
“Wow, what is this!”
“Don’t get distracted and follow immediately. Everyone has finished their day’s work and is resting. The streets are flooded with people—newcomers easily get lost here.”
“Ian! Let’s finish our work and come back here for a drink, yeah?”
“Berik. Keep hold of the reins properly.”
A merchant who recognized us as outsiders gestured welcomingly, offering wine. Only Berik among our group actually accepted it.
We soon arrived at the royal palace. They had been worried about the delegation’s late arrival. Their welcome was brief before they cast questioning glances behind us.
“Your Highness! What is the meaning of this?”
“Where is the carriage? And the other envoys—why are you alone…?”
“Who are these people?”
“First, I must see Father. These are Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic of Bariel, and his subordinates.”
“A, a Mage!”
“The Minister, you say? You mean that Minister?”
The servants stepped back in surprise. When Ian and the mages nodded in greeting, they bustled about to welcome their guests.
“This way, please.”
As they were being guided to the main hall, Berik giggled and whispered to me. He hadn’t noticed it much when he’d only seen Noah and May, but somehow all the Cliffford people seemed to look alike.
“Ian. Everyone here really does look the same, don’t they? The hair color and the narrow eyes and everything.”
“Shh. Berik.”
The moment I cautioned him to restrain himself, the servant opened the reception room door. What appeared before us was….
“Noah, why are you coming now?”
“Brother. Why did you take so long?”
“Elder brother. You came without a carriage? What’s the matter?”
Children who looked to be less than ten years old, spitting images of Noah. They rushed over and nestled into the prince’s arms, and soon the King and Queen appeared.
“Whoa.”
Just as Berik was about to say something in surprise, Barsabe quickly covered his mouth.
A small stature reaching only to the chest, round cheeks, narrow eyes, and the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile. For a king, his impression was far too approachable and warm. The Queen looked like a mirror image of him.
Would Noah become like that as he aged? His younger siblings were quite adorable, though.
“I am Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic of Bariel.”
“It is my first time meeting you, Your Majesty. I must apologize for this breach of etiquette, but the matter is quite urgent. I beg your forgiveness.”
As I placed my hand over my chest and bowed, the mages followed suit. The King of Cliffford gestured toward the sofa and ordered his servants to attend to his guests.
“The Minister shall be seated, and let the subordinates rest and recover for a moment.”
“We shall show you to the adjoining room.”
The mages followed the servant out. Noah’s younger siblings, noticing the cue, scurried after them as well. Since there were no mages in Cliffford, how could they not be curious?
“Well then, Noah, did you have a good journey? I’m not sure what the matter is, but you seem a bit thin, and I was worried.”
“No, Father.”
“Now then, tell me quickly. What has brought the Minister of Bariel all the way here? Hmm?”
The King of Cliffford spoke with the same gentleness as his appearance suggested. He felt more like a caring father than a king. Looking at Noah’s younger siblings gathered earlier and the atmosphere of the royal family, one could sense that it was quite harmonious.
Unlike Bariel, where brothers drew swords against each other, sons threatened their fathers, and mothers tried to kill their children.
“Actually….”
Noah recounted the events that had occurred during the appointment ceremony one by one. The King, nodding and listening intently, suddenly stood up involuntarily at the mention of the curse being exposed.
“Father.”
“…So, Count Ian now knows of the royal family’s curse?”
“To be precise, I and my close associates know of it, but we are ‘still’ maintaining the secret, so there is no need to worry too much.”
Everyone in the room understood how much the word “still” implied. As the King’s expression grew troubled, Noah lowered his head and apologized.
“I apologize, Father.”
“No, no. We cannot discuss that now. So? What happened after that?”
There had been many events. The broken alliance with Burgos, the fertilizer contract, the golden diamond bestowed by Jin and the attack, and even Idgal. The King’s complexion darkened, then paled, then whitened, changing without pause and providing quite a spectacle.
When all the reports were finished, silence hung over the reception room. Whether he was considering how to handle the situation or his mind had simply stopped, I couldn’t tell.
Eventually, I broke the silence first.
“Your Majesty.”
The King hesitated and turned to me. The more one considered it, the more serious the situation truly was. If Cliffford severed ties with Burgos and then became enemies with Bariel, the kingdom would be truly isolated.
“…Speak.”
“I find this situation truly regrettable. I do not fail to understand the prince’s heart in thinking of his own country, but as I am a person of Bariel and a servant of the imperial palace, I cannot simply overlook this matter.”
“I acknowledge your apology. Cliffford will do its utmost to demonstrate its sincerity to Bariel.”
At the King’s words, Noah squeezed his eyes shut. He had tried so hard to succeed, yet his father’s mouth had uttered such words. It was truly sorrowful, pitiful, and lamentable beyond measure.
“I too have no desire for problems to arise between Cliffford and Bariel. We have only just begun to walk together, and surely we cannot allow ourselves to be torn apart by a mere small obstacle.”
“To hear you speak thus… truly brings me joy.”
“Therefore, I humbly request. Let us forge a contract magic with Bariel.”
Contract magic.
They say a single word carries more weight than gold. To give that weight form through magic, to inscribe it upon one’s heart, and to honor it until one’s final breath—thus demonstrating absolute trust.
Its effects were tremendous, but one had to be equally cautious. A single vow. One oath that bound a person’s eternity. Of course, it could be dissolved by mutual consent, but with magic binding it so firmly, that would hardly be simple.
“What say you? If the alliance has your commitment, it seems quite a favorable proposal from Cliffford’s perspective.”
It was not an unreasonable statement. If Cliffford swore to friendly relations and cooperation, Bariel would naturally do the same.
“With me, you say?”
“How could I presume to ask the King for a contract? My liege resides in the imperial palace. First, let us forge a contract regarding the contract itself—with me and with Prince Noah as well.”
A contract for a contract. Ian smiled faintly and gestured to Noah. In but a short time, Noah would inherit the throne, so it was only natural to bind him as well, was it not?
“…What are the terms?”
“Might you provide me with paper and pen for a moment?”
At Ian’s request, the King gestured with his eyes.
Ian ran his hand across the crisp, fine parchment and began writing without hesitation. It was the contract regarding fertilizer that he had discussed with Prince Noah—perfect in every detail, without a single error.
“This was the original contract, but modifications are necessary. Since you are aware of the circumstances, I need not explain further.”
“…To what extent?”
“We shall adjust the price. We will export at a lower rate than Burgos, but the previous price is no longer feasible. While not detailed, the duration may also require adjustment.”
He held back on specifics, deferring to discussion with the imperial palace, but they understood. Everything would proceed according to Ian’s intentions.
“I merely inform you in advance that the main contract may take this form. Should the Crown Prince show mercy, much could differ. Next is the matter of military alliance. The emergency situations defined by each nation are as follows. Should foreign powers enter without permission…”
With each stroke of Ian’s pen, the King and Prince could only moisten their dry lips. Finally, unable to bear it, Noah raised his hand to stop him.
“Enough. Did you not say the main contract would be made with the Crown Prince? Do not speak of future matters—tell me what you would do with me now.”
Ian smiled faintly and set down his pen. Then the matter was quite simple indeed.
“That Cliffford shall forge a friendly alliance with Bariel.”
Should this not be honored, the King and Prince of Cliffford would face consequences. An alliance is a mutually agreed relationship. In the process of negotiation, absolute positions of strength and weakness would be determined.
But should they refuse the contract here…
‘Not only would they face isolation among neighboring nations, but Bariel especially would secure justification through the jewel matter. In any multi-nation conflict, movements to seize Cliffford first could emerge.’
Refusal meant endless chaos. Noah stepped forward and pleaded once more.
“Would it not suffice to make the contract with me alone? My father is the King of Cliffford, so it is more fitting that he contract with the Crown Prince.”
“That will not do. Your Highness, your sense of responsibility is far too strong.”
So strong that he could unhesitatingly sacrifice his life. If he made the contract and then took his own life, would that not be a disaster?
“Instead, Cliffford must also gain something. After all, this is a contract. If you swear to forge a friendly alliance with Bariel, then I promise absolute silence regarding the curse upon the royal house.”
The King pondered briefly, then nodded. Ian smiled as if approving of his decision, elegantly rolled up his sleeves, and extended his hand.
“Will you entrust your hand to me?”
“Ah, does it hurt?”
“How could it?”
Zing. Zing.
As Ian channeled his mana, bright light seeped from their clasped hands. Unlike the tense King, Ian smiled continuously and patted the back of his hand. And just as he was about to activate the magic—
“…!”
Crack!
Thousands of needles pierced my heart—such excruciating agony flooded through me.
Without thinking, I thrust the King’s hand away and collapsed forward. I couldn’t breathe, the shock reverberating through my entire body was overwhelming.
“C, Count Ian?”
“Gasp, gasp….”
“Why, why is this happening?”
“Outside! Is anyone outside?”
“Go fetch a Mage! Why, why so suddenly….”
The agony of my organs being torn asunder.
As my consciousness grew hazy, I realized the cause. The illegitimate Ian had already entered into a contract magic with someone long ago.

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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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