Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 336

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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 336
Fire. The Mages in the Vineyard
Ian regained consciousness only briefly. Soon after, the doctors administered sedatives and sleeping draughts, and he slipped back into deep slumber. The Mages took turns standing guard outside his door.
Now that they understood the communication failure stemmed from magical disturbances, there was nothing left but to send someone in person rather than rely on the transmission crystal.
The Mages plucked grapes one by one, their worries spilling forth with each handful.
“Even if we manage to reach Bariel, will we be able to move Count Ian? In his current state, he can barely take a single step outside his bed.”
“You saw his condition. It’s a miracle he’s alive at all.”
“The only option is for the remaining Mages in Bariel to come here and replenish his magical reserves.”
“How long will that take? At least two weeks.”
“Well, it would be even better if Count Ian recovers before then.”
Having weathered that terrible crisis, jokes had begun to slip out. The Mages gazed across the vineyard sprawling beneath the clear sky, each lost in their own thoughts.
Green grapes specially cultivated within the royal palace harmonized with the blue leaves, embodying the very essence of freshness. One Mage thought Cliffford was a more pleasant kingdom than expected, while another wondered what was moving between the rows of vines.
One Mage pressed himself against the window to peer outside, then pressed his forehead.
“Good heavens. Berik, that’s….”
“Leave him be. Perhaps because the Prince and Princess are young, Berik gets along so well with them.”
“That’s not quite right. It’s not that they get along so well—it’s more that they find him fascinating.”
Three children surrounded Berik, offering him grapes as though feeding a beast. With food disappearing into him as if his belly had a hole in it, how could it not astound young eyes?
“Try this one too, Berik.”
“And then this one. They’re sweetest when they’re soft.”
“This is a grape too? Ah, I’ve eaten so many grapes I’m getting tired of them. Don’t you have any meat? Meat? Ugh.”
“Meat? Of course! Finish all of these and I’ll give you some. Eat them like you did before. All at once.”
“Okay. Watch carefully. This is the last one.”
“Wooow!”
He popped it in his mouth and pulled it out, leaving only the bare stem. If that wasn’t a talent, what was? The Mages watched from the window in utter disbelief.
Normally at this hour, the Magic Ministry would be bustling with activity, but standing here like this made everything feel peaceful, as if they were on holiday. If Ian hadn’t awakened safely, it would have been hell.
Then, someone appeared.
Whoosh.
“Where is Count Ian?”
“Welcome. He has been sleeping continuously since the doctor left earlier. Even the slightest movement is still too much for him—the physician said he requires sufficient and prolonged treatment.”
“I see.”
It was Prince Noah.
He surely must have received a separate report, so why ask such a question? He didn’t appear to have business with the sleeping Ian. The Mages quickly realized Prince Noah had business with them instead.
“Is there something you wished to tell us….”
“A soldier carrying a letter has just departed from the royal palace.”
“I see. Thank you. When Bariel learns of this, they will be deeply moved by Cliffford’s consideration and kindness.”
In truth, the soldier was not sent to save Ian. Rather, it was a measure to prevent war from breaking out due to misunderstanding. Prince Noah pulled up a chair and sat, gesturing for everyone to be seated.
“If there is something you wish to discuss….”
The situation was somewhat complicated. More precisely, it would be accurate to say it was complicated for the Mages to handle without Ian. Cliffford had sought to secure Idgal while turning its back on Bariel’s alliance, and when discovered, had attempted to forge a contract with Ian through magic.
But as it stood, everything was at a standstill. The Mages tensed, waiting to hear what Prince Noah would say.
“There is a Mage among you named Philic.”
Prince Noah, fully understanding the Mages’ inner turmoil, displayed a leisurely smile. Though his expression was naturally inclined toward smiling, the crinkle at the corners of his eyes lent an air of profound significance to the moment.
“Finally, he’s opened his mouth.”
“Is that true? What did he say?”
“Why on earth did he betray us and approach Cliffford—”
“Now, now, now.”
“Right, anyway, please tell us what he said.”
It was admittedly awkward to mention why the Department of Magic was betrayed and how they approached Cliffford right in front of the person responsible. Prince Noah shrugged his shoulders, making it clear he didn’t care.
“Before that, I’m not sure how credible it is.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“Idgal said he has a connection to Count Ian.”
“Pardon?”
Silence fell. The Mages stared blankly at Noah, unsure if they’d heard correctly. But he continued speaking only facts, thumping his chest once more as if swearing an oath.
The silence shattered in an instant. Several Mages shot to their feet, rolling up their sleeves.
“The crazy bastard—kill him right now.”
“Hold on, hold on. Is he even in his right mind after the torture?”
“No, damn it. If his tongue is still intact, he should be apologizing, not spouting nonsense. Count Ian connected to Idgal? That’s absurd.”
“I agree. If that story gets back to Bariel, it’ll only cause trouble for Count Ian. Let’s kill him.”
“Calm down a bit. We’re not alone here.”
Prince Noah watched the Mages’ confusion with interest. Their reaction clearly demonstrated how problematic it would be if Philic’s testimony reached Bariel. He tapped the table and instructed them all to sit back down.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. Would it be possible for us to see Philic directly?”
“Of course. But before that, I have a request as well. I’d like it to be a small gift in return for treating Count Ian and your Mages humanely.”
“We… don’t know what you’re asking for, but we cannot decide without Count Ian.”
“Hmm. It’s nothing much. When reporting to Bariel, please refrain as much as possible—as much as possible—from mentioning any connection between Philic and Cliffford—”
In other words, he was asking them to conceal Cliffford’s attempt to secure Idgal. It seemed unlikely that Ian would agree to this.
As the Mages bit their lips in discomfort, Noah continued.
“There are places throughout Cliffford where the Mages’ power is needed. If possible, I’d like you to help while you’re here.”
They had poured all their magical power into saving Ian, and whenever it accumulated even slightly, they channeled it back into him. Both requests were currently difficult matters for the Mages.
However, they couldn’t refuse either, since Cliffford was entirely responsible for Ian’s treatment. They exchanged only glances, contemplating how to overcome this predicament.
‘This is troublesome, truly.’
‘Should we perhaps request an audience with the King of Cliffford? He seemed to have more compassion than Prince Noah.’
‘Would Prince Noah allow that to happen?’
‘Let’s just pretend to accept and move on.’
Being colleagues who had endured much together, the meaning was conveyed through mere glances. Just as one Mage was about to agree on behalf of the group.
“Ahhhhh! Disaster! Disaster!”
Berik came running—he’d been playing outside with the Prince’s younger siblings. That fellow always acted this way, Noah thought irritably as he turned around, and he spotted a younger sibling slung over Berik’s side. An ear…
Thud-thud-thud!
“Ear, ear sprouting! Sprouting!”
“Crazy, Berik! What do we do if you come here like this?”
“Then what should I do? I didn’t see anyone from the palace, so I came here.”
“Brother, I became like this too. Waaah.”
“Don’t cry. It’s alright. Come here.”
The Mages exchanged bewildered glances, tilting their heads this way and that. Prince Noah had completely shielded his younger brother in his embrace. The other boys scrambled over on their short legs and clung to Noah.
Though startled by the sudden turn of events, the Mages breathed sighs of relief—they had managed to evade giving an answer.
“Berik, what’s wrong?”
“Yeah. There is. You know, how do I put it. Family sorrows that cannot be spoken of? But I know, right? Well, let’s leave it at that.”
“What are you talking about, you idiot….”
His self-satisfied head-shaking was absurd. Berik squeezed through the crowd of Mages, pushing his rear end forward awkwardly. He plopped onto the sofa, craned his neck backward, and muttered.
“Ugh, I’m starving. When is Ian supposed to wake up?”
“Berik. I saw you eating grapes under the vines.”
“Grapes aren’t a meal. Because of that sudden ringing in my ears, I couldn’t even eat meat. Damn it. I don’t understand why people in this neighborhood suddenly act like that.”
Berik gazed blankly up at the blue sky. Then he spotted a tiny speck. Was it dust on the window? But it grew larger and larger, eventually becoming the size of a pinky nail.
Ah, it was a bird.
He blinked his eyes without much thought….
“Huh?”
Whoooosh!
In an instant, black expanded to cover the entire sky.
The Mages also followed Berik’s gaze upward. They all knew what it was—the magical black moon that connected point to point.
Everyone pressed themselves against the window in surprise, and their expressions were soon colored with delight, joy, and relief.
“What, what is it? How did you all open that?”
“My goodness. Everyone! Everyone!”
“Wow, they must have used quite a bit of power! What happened!”
“Let’s go out! We need to tell them to come this way!”
The people of Cliffford also stopped what they were doing and gazed only at the sky, witnessing something they had never seen before.
Prince Noah, who was carrying his younger brother, felt the same. Knowing that Mages would emerge when the black moon opened, he tilted his aching head back and sighed. The boy in his arms whimpered and tugged at his brother’s neck.
“Brother, what is that? I’m scared.”
“It’s alright. It seems more guests are arriving.”
Whoosh!
Just as he said, people soon began falling from the black moon. Those with golden eyes gleaming descended smoothly. The Mages cheered with exhilaration and set their landing point at the Cliffford royal palace.
“Did we make it properly this time?!”
“Kyaaaah! This is killing me!”
“Everyone, slow down! We’ll crash into the palace!”
“I can’t hear! I can’t hear! I can’t heeeear!”
“Akorelra! Calm down, you crazy woman!”
“Ahahaha! Where could Count Ian be?”
“Oh, there! There, I can see our children!”
The Mages came outside, waving their hands continuously. They bounced up and down, expressing their joy.
Golden traces faintly remained from the elegant spiral curves descending downward. Otrik, who had been excited, paused as he counted them. One, two, three, four….
“Why, why do they keep coming endlessly?”
“Could it be….”
Boom! Crash!
Had the entire Department of Magic arrived? Just as everyone gasped in shock, they began landing one by one. Directly onto the vineyard that the royal palace had so carefully cultivated.
Crash! Bang!
Screech!
Leaves scattered in all directions, and the earth trembled as if the heavens themselves were shaking. Heil and Akorelra stood in awkward positions, glancing around for a moment before their eyes met with the startled Mages.
“Hey, is everyone alright?”
“That’s, that’s what we should be asking. Are you all safe?”
“…Of course.”
“Hey! You bastards! You damn fools!”
“You took so long to come that we came ourselves! Damn it! You idiots!”
“You, you crazy maniacs! Argh!”
As Heil brushed dust from his upper garment, they rushed toward each other, embracing tightly and sharing their joy. They had been separated for just over a week, unable to know if the others were alive or dead, so their longing had been intense.
After hugging one by one and bouncing around excitedly for a moment, Akorelra had already popped a bunch of grapes into her mouth and was chewing contentedly.
“So, where is Count Ian right now?”
“He, he’s on the third floor of this building….”
“Okay! Lead the way! Akorelra is going!”
“What’s Count Ian’s condition? We only heard that he was on death’s door. We’ll share our mana with you. Your conditions don’t look good at all.”
“Ah, that was quite taxing for us. This way!”
“Kyaaah! Pardon us!”
As the Mages rushed toward Ian’s bedroom, Heil only then realized they had completely destroyed the vineyard.
At that moment, a small, plump man stood staring at them helplessly with a sorrowful expression.
“My, my grapes….”
“We apologize. But who are you….”
“That’s what I should be asking, but I’m the king here.”
“…Ah.”
The King of Clipoford, tears brimming in his eyes, gestured for them to go up and see Ian first, and Heil nodded while slowly backing away.

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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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