Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 376

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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 376
Fire. Everyone’s Mission
Noah gazed out the window for a moment. Before the barrier at the capital’s entrance, the Burgos Legion still remained encamped in the distance, unmoving.
From an invading position, they should have pursued a swift war to achieve meaningful results, yet it seemed impossible that they had merely destroyed two villages.
If this turned into a prolonged conflict, the tide would inevitably shift toward Cliffford. Yet I wondered why there was no response.
“It seems reinforcements are delayed. What are your thoughts, Count Ian?”
Noah turned to look at his side and asked. Ian, who had been observing the outside with him, nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Their objective was to enter before the great earthquake occurs, but their movements are faint. We can infer that while they await reinforcements, internal problems have arisen.”
Timothy’s desertion, precisely.
Even if rumors of a common soldier’s desertion would cause unrest, what would the atmosphere be like if a high-ranking official from the diplomatic ministry who had been leading the charge fled on horseback in the dead of night? The soldiers’ morale would be dampened, and the Burgos royal court would have one more entity to worry about.
‘Timothy. What will your fate be this time?’
I hoped that Naum existed. That he existed and lived his life fully, even without me.
So while I hoped Timothy would come alone and walk the same path as in his previous life, on the other hand, in that distant future that would not change, even if Timothy’s entire family came, I felt I could accept that as fate too. That was why I had issued three travel permits.
Where was Timothy now, and what was he doing?
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness.”
Then a soldier knocked and entered, holding a letter in one hand. It was an interim report stating that the palace had dispatched personnel to cut off supply lines, as I had suggested.
Noah immediately untied the string and unfolded it on the table, while I adjusted the angle so he could see it clearly.
“It says they’ve just departed southward with the three mages you provided, Count Ian. In the dead lands, there are only three routes where transport is possible. If the mages traverse the sky, we should hear news soon enough.”
“Yes. Good. Is the border standoff between Cliffford and Ruswena being maintained?”
“Yes. They’re just standing off against each other, passing time. Since we’ve shared information about the black armor, our side will adopt defensive tactics and avoid provocation as much as possible.”
Ian, who had been carefully examining the report slowly, raised his eyebrows slightly.
He had read the part about Bariel indefinitely suspending trade between Ruswena and Burgos. More precisely, it was a matter of more strictly limiting Ruswena’s imports and Burgos’s exports.
“Ah.”
Only one person in Bariel could make such a decision. The most honored in Gaia and Bariel’s only future—the young Prince himself.
A smile appeared on my lips, and Noah looked at me suspiciously. The smile soon became laughter, and the more I laughed, the more serious Noah’s expression became.
“I-Count Ian?”
Why? Why does it feel frightening when he laughs like that? It’s a beautiful smile without a trace of malice, yet I can’t understand its meaning, so I can only be flustered.
I suppressed my laughter and shook my head.
“No, Your Highness. My apologies.”
“If you’re going to laugh, I wish you’d laugh with me.”
“This is a measure regarding the choice of Bariel instead of the dead lands as a supply route from Ruswena to Burgos. My liege is showing considerable concern for this war. Please engrave this honor in your heart, Your Highness.”
“Surely, would Ruswena really make such a choice?”
“Who knows? Based on the King of Eriphony’s temperament, I believe it’s possible. In any case, Bariel has decided to help Cliffford at great cost. I trust you understand what this means, Your Highness.”
It was a decision made in anticipation that the damage from war would be greater than the financial losses from imports and exports. It meant Cliffford’s survival was desired that much, and furthermore, it was evidence of prioritizing the safe return of the mages.
“I know. I know very well.”
“Ah, this is truly unexpected good news.”
It was a decision that could only be made because he had good officials around him—the Prime Minister, Romand, and Quintana among others—but in any case, Prince Gin’s growth was undeniably remarkable.
I smiled and finished reading the report, then raised my eyebrows again.
“What is it now?”
“It seems Bariel has sent reinforcements. They say they’ll come down through the border between Ruswena and Cliffford….”
The Minister of the Imperial Defense Ministry was not Volb but Maxim Tweller. The Imperial Defense Ministry itself was the force I had built to check Jairot and others. Yet in the midst of all this, the minister of the Imperial Defense Ministry had changed?
Upheaval. I realized that tremendous upheaval had occurred in the imperial palace during my absence.
“Good heavens.”
Your Highness. I seem to have overlooked something. That you are one who ascended to the Emperor’s throne just as I did. I failed, but you succeeded and remained in history….
“Count Ian?”
Noah tapped the edge of the table repeatedly to draw attention. His expression was indescribable, but I quickly returned to myself and smiled brightly.
“The reinforcements from Bariel are coming properly, aren’t they?”
“Of course. The Imperial Army’s objective is likewise to prevent Ruswena’s intervention and to join with the Mage. Furthermore, it is to prevent a rift from occurring here. Let Cliffford simply stand there stubbornly and face Burgos. We will handle the rear.”
Reinforcements are coming from Burgos, but reinforcements are also coming from Bariel. The more their momentum intensifies and the greater the number of participating nations, the safer it becomes while simultaneously moving toward greater catastrophe. This paradox.
“Since we have blocked Bariel’s trade, Ruswena’s side will have no special choice outside the routes we have calculated.”
There is no avoiding the Mage’s eyes, which means armed conflict is equally unavoidable.
I called for Tomi.
“Yes, did you call for me?”
Tomi, who had been in the small room next to the tactical chamber.
Behind him, I could see Akorelra and Berik eating. One’s gaze continued to rest on the mana stone, while the other held rice in both hands.
“Do you know a man named Maxim Tweller?”
“Maxim Tweller? Ah, yes. Yes, I do.”
“I heard he became the Minister of the Imperial Defense Ministry this time.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I said. Volb has stepped down and the minister of the Imperial Defense Ministry has been replaced.”
At the unexpected words, Akorelra’s gaze shifted slightly. Berik too perked up his ears with interest. Yet his appearance suggested little would change.
Tomi seemed flustered, stroking his chin and clicking his tongue as if impressed.
“I’ve seen him a few times during the monster battles. It seems he had some connection with the Prime Minister, but since he wasn’t from the military academy, his promotions kept being overlooked. However, he has that much experience, and above all….”
“Above all?”
“He is strong.”
This did not mean physical strength, but rather strength of spirit.
A true warrior who traversed the battlefield amid contempt and scorn yet never laid down his weapon to the end. An old veteran who wielded as his primary weapon that most fundamental yet easily overlooked truth—that to kill an opponent, one must also be prepared for death.
Each time I saw him coming and going, Tomi remembered that his bearing was considerable.
“I see. His Highness has appointed talent with precision.”
“Wow, the Imperial Defense Ministry will be quite turbulent. This is probably the first time someone not from the military academy has risen to the position of minister. Such an unconventional appointment in a place with such clear hierarchy.”
Tomi shook his head without realizing it. It felt as though the bloodshed that had descended upon the imperial palace—more precisely, the Imperial Defense Ministry—was reaching even here.
‘Tomi called it an unconventional appointment. The ability to carry out such an act demonstrates His Highness’s standing. He has brought the Imperial Guards to his side. Otherwise it would be impossible. He has persuaded Jairot.’
I tapped the table at regular intervals. As if sunk deep into the abyss of thought, my eyes did not move.
‘That the Imperial Guards have begun to follow not the Emperor but the Crown Prince must mean His Majesty has signaled his abdication. If so, then currently, there are only four people who know this fact, including myself.’
“I will dispatch additional Mages.”
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
To empower Crown Prince Gin, Minister Tweller must successfully complete his mission. Therefore, it is right to discover the supply route even one hour faster.
I gestured to Tomi and ordered him to requisition additional suitable personnel.
“Move three more people, including Nakina, to the east. Share this matter with them as well, and ensure they follow the new Minister’s orders faithfully.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Noah also flinched at the sudden command. Hadn’t Ian already calculated the maximum effect achievable with minimal personnel before dispatching the Mages? Yet now he was adding more?
For Cliffford, it was welcome news, but curiosity was unavoidable.
“Count Ian. Will you be alright?”
“Yes. Of course. Above all—”
I glanced down at my own hands and murmured.
“I can feel my strength gradually returning. I will send more of my subordinates.”
* * *
The Cliffford-Bariel border.
A massive legion could be seen charging in the distance. Armor gleaming in the earth’s light, the Bariel imperial flag billowing grandly. The border soldiers, who had been given advance notice, threw open the barrier gates and shouted.
“Reinforcements from Bariel arrive! Open the gates!”
“Let them pass without delay!”
“Hurry and push! Push!”
“One, two, three!”
Screeeech!
The firmly sealed barrier swung wide open, and they watched the approaching soldiers from atop the gate. Though a foreign army was entering their homeland, there was an oddly reassuring feeling about it.
“They say we go straight through here to the southern end?”
“And from there, cross another border to the Deadlands.”
Clatter-clatter!
Whinny!
At the same moment, Bariel’s soldiers passed through the Cliffford barrier. Horses galloped powerfully forward, followed by soldiers marching with steadfast bearing. All wore armor with blue ornaments on their shoulders.
“Gentlemen! We are grateful for your support!”
“We are grateful! Welcome!”
Mooooo— Mooo—
The soldiers cheered loudly, but even their voices were swallowed without a trace by the majestic sound of water buffalo horns.
A Bariel military officer approached Tweller and asked.
“Minister! We have entered Cliffford! Shall we divide the legion now?”
“Not yet! There is a forest ahead—we will divide at that point as our marker. Everyone remembers this, yes?”
“Yes, Minister!”
“Gero, you take the route that continues directly from the southern city of Ruswena. Piz! You take below that. I will go to the very bottom!”
“Understood!”
“Prince Gin said that the Mages will scout ahead first and wait for our arrival! Once you make contact with the Mages, each of you send word to me!”
“Have no worries!”
“Do you remember how long we have ridden like this!?”
Tweller drew a deep breath and roared out.
“Those years are beyond measure! But one thing is certain! We rode for this very moment, right now! We will complete this mission without fail! If we do not, I will take my own life, so prepare yourselves to follow!”
“We will succeed no matter what!”
“Minister! The forest is in sight!”
Clatter-clatter!
Tweller drew his hand back and retrieved his weapon. It was an axe with a crude, elongated handle. While suitable for close combat against armored foes, it was above all the weapon that symbolized him.
“Forward!”
“Ahhhhh!”
Whoooosh—
Bariel’s legion entered the forest. Though it was their first time in these woods, they moved with perfect coordination, splitting into three groups. It was a movement born from traversing countless battlefields over long years.

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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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