Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 379

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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 379
Fire. A Meeting Under the Moonlight
I gazed down at the map with my arms crossed.
With Burgos pressing from the front and Ruswena from behind, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down against either side—this situation demanded nothing but the most careful deliberation.
“Prince Noah.”
When I called out to Noah, even his subordinates turned their heads in unison. Who wouldn’t pay attention when someone who had been silently contemplating suddenly spoke with such conviction?
“What is it?”
“I anticipate a clash between Ruswena and Bariel’s forces in the east—within Cliffford territory itself. Bariel’s soldiers are formidable and proud, but Ruswena’s military strength remains unmeasured, so I cannot easily assume superiority. Have the people of eastern Cliffford begun evacuating?”
“Those from regions invaded by Burgos have already begun fleeing, and some are taking alternate routes to continue entering the capital. But regarding Ruswena’s side, I’m still uncertain. Above all, if we’re encircled by both Burgos and Ruswena, we’ll be isolated. Our food supplies are limited, so I don’t know how much longer we can accept refugees.”
At his words, I finally lifted my head. My absinthe-colored eyes gleamed warmly in the lamplight.
“Prince, do you believe we will be encircled?”
Thought is the foundation of speech. Since he harbored such thoughts in the depths of his mind, those were the words he spoke. Noah flinched, and a general who had been observing cautiously added a comment.
“In fact, I believe this is nearly certain. In any battle, simultaneous attacks from front and rear mean collapse. Otherwise, we can only endure indefinitely.”
“…I was merely assuming the worst-case scenario.”
Noah raised his hand to stop the general, saying it was fine, and I nodded again with my arms still crossed.
“I understand. When we view reality as difficult, problems often feel surprisingly simple. In any case, Bariel is not the main force but reinforcements. Even if battle occurs, Minister Tweller will choose to minimize casualties, secure supplies, and join us here. Meanwhile, Ruswena will traverse the eastern roads of Cliffford alongside Burgos.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Rather than respond inadequately, I believe it would be better to open the path and gather everyone here.”
If we cannot stop them, let them pass through. A rigid tree breaks, but a reed does not. Instead of pointless resistance that spills meaningless blood, why not use them to evacuate the eastern people?
Noah’s expression darkened.
“Open the path? Are you saying we should abandon Cliffford’s lands?”
“Not at all. During war, territories are occupied and reclaimed constantly. As you know, the mages’ power destabilizes the fractures beneath Cliffford’s surface. The same applies to the dead monsters outside. Since we cannot use it carelessly, I believe it would be wise to consolidate and resolve everything in one decisive strike.”
This was a time to use the mages’ power carefully. Therefore, I judged that gathering Ruswena’s forces and deciding the outcome in a single battle would better stabilize Cliffford’s foundation.
Noah rested his chin in his hand, contemplating. This was merely my opinion; the choice was his to make. And with choice came responsibility. He was acutely aware that countless lives hung in the balance, that Cliffford’s history itself was at stake.
“And there is another reason why I believe we should not engage Ruswena.”
“What is it?”
“Are you aware that Ruswena also has mages?”
“I am aware. But I’ve heard Ruswena’s mages are not particularly cooperative. Their participation remains uncertain.”
“Your Majesty, is there anything the King of Cliffford cannot accomplish?”
No matter how powerful a mage may be, they cannot easily refuse when the king of their own nation makes a request or command—unless they choose to go into exile.
I’ve heard they pursue a reclusive life, but for the sake of future peace, they will have no choice but to appease the king appropriately. And above all, they too are Ruswena’s citizens.
“If both the black-armored soldiers and mages are mobilized, Cliffford cannot possibly stop Ruswena with ordinary soldiers alone. So I propose again: not engaging is the wisest choice. Even if we’re attacked simultaneously from front and rear, the tactics available depend on the distance between those fronts. Defending the palace’s front and rear gates versus defending the eastern and western borders—both have merits and drawbacks, but I would choose the former.”
Sending soldiers far away means we cannot immediately assess the situation, and defeat only leaves meaningless deaths.
But if they approach the capital, we can respond immediately and flexibly, and with mages present, we can put up a fight. However, the fatal weakness is that if the capital falls, it means Cliffford’s destruction.
“Sigh.”
Noah wiped his face and exhaled heavily. Should I still try to intercept them just in case? Or should I follow your advice and gather all forces for a single strike?
As Noah’s deliberation deepened, darkness settled over the officers’ faces.
“Count Ian.”
“Yes, Prince.”
“I ask you one thing. Will you treat Cliffford the same as Bariel in this war and do your utmost? Can you swear to it? I’ve heard mages recite an incantation when taking oaths—can you help guide my choice through such an oath?”
Everyone’s gaze converged on me. I tilted my head as if to ask what was so strange about their question.
“No. How could I regard Cliffford the same as Bariel? I have only Bariel, and my presence here alongside you is for Bariel’s sake, Prince.”
If Cliffford fell, or if monsters flooded through the rifts, it would negatively impact Bariel as well. That’s why I was helping them without sleep. Everything was not for Cliffford’s sake, but for Bariel’s.
Though I denied it firmly, Noah felt an odd sense of reassurance from my words.
“You’re right. I asked a foolish question.”
Had I said it was for Cliffford’s sake, that would have been a true lie, a wrong path. Because I moved for Bariel’s sake, it meant I wished for Cliffford’s survival all the more.
Noah eventually nodded his head.
“Leave the eastern path open where Ruswena enters. Guide them to pass through Graplin Forest. Move the refugees through other routes—”
Noah hesitated, then gestured to his subordinate.
“Are they still manufacturing weapons at the royal palace?”
“Yes. It’s progressing slower than expected.”
He meant the weapons made with mana-sealing stones and Idgal. Akorelra, who had been listening quietly, clicked her tongue and muttered.
“Honestly, without me, they can’t do anything. How many have they made? They even expanded the smithy in the middle of it. By now, shouldn’t there be over a hundred? But that…”
“Ah, we’ve just barely passed thirty.”
“I’m going insane. Heil, you blockhead.”
She had kindly explained how to do this and that before leaving, so what were they doing to produce only thirty? Akorelra rolled her eyes and vented her anger, while Noah pretended not to notice her.
“We should hurry. If mages have been mobilized on Ruswena’s side, those weapons are quite important. The enemy likely already possesses something similar and will participate with it.”
“Yes. I’ll urge them on.”
“They’re probably working hard too. It’s just that the results are like that. Ian, should I go? What if I go to the royal palace and have Heil come here instead? Though I’m not sure if he can even see these mana stones. Ian! When we return, let’s fire Heil!”
“No way!”
Berik immediately countered Akorelra’s angry words.
“Why?”
“When Ian is exhausted, no one drains mana as quickly as Heil does.”
“Really? Then I can’t fire him. Hmm.”
The two stared intently at the mana stone moving slightly again. Their eyes sparkled like animals that had discovered something fascinating, sniffing curiously at it.
I gestured for them to be ignored, and Noah and his subordinates quickly turned their heads away.
“Send out scouts. We should get detailed information on how Ruswena is advancing.”
At Noah’s command, his subordinates rushed outside, and soon only Ian and Noah remained in the war room. Noah followed my lead, crossing his arms as he slowly examined me.
“If we let Ruswena approach near the capital and things go wrong, what then?”
“…Prince. If I may be so bold as to offer you counsel.”
My counsel. Noah’s ears twitched slightly. Perhaps he desired it without realizing it—not diplomatic propriety, but a fragmentary statement that could peer into the inner workings of this enigmatic person.
“Whatever you think, Prince, you are always right.”
“What?”
“If you believe you will win this war, you will win. If you believe you will lose, you will lose. Whatever it becomes, Prince, you are right. Do you understand?”
Noah was at a loss for words. It sounded arrogant, yet it was a sharp statement that inexplicably pierced his chest.
“This applies not only to war. As you live, regard whatever you choose as right. Then, whatever path it may be, you walk the correct one. And to add further—”
I laughed lightly, rubbing my fingertips together. It was a soft gesture with no trace of tension.
“I always believe that Bariel will find rest in eternal light.”
Whether that be a hundred years ago or a hundred years hence, regardless of who becomes Emperor.
At my resolute and unadorned words, Noah ran his hand through his hair. It felt as though he’d been struck, and he felt frustrated, yet at the same time, awed. How could one describe this contradictory emotion?
Tap tap tap!
Knock knock!
“Your Highness!”
Just as Noah was about to respond, a soldier rushed urgently into the war room. Tension flooded the space in an instant, and Noah drew a sharp breath. What now? Had Burgos made a move? Yet those forces beyond the window remained rooted in place, unmoved.
“The Minister of Bariel’s Imperial Defense has arrived.”
“What?”
“A mage sent by the Minister has arrived at the small eastern gate outside the city walls, where we’re currently facing off against Burgos. He asks that we open the gate so he can quietly transport the secured supplies. He’s expected to arrive within the hour.”
Noah hastily grabbed his coat, and Ian straightened his collar as they hurried outside.
In the gathering darkness, those on Burgos’s side would know their supply lines had been cut off, but those camped out there ahead had no idea how the situation was truly unfolding.
Ian mounted his horse alongside Noah, and they galloped swiftly toward the eastern side gate.
Tap tap tap!
“Minister Ian!”
A mage stood atop the barrier among the soldiers—the one I had sent to rendezvous with Bariel. Upon spotting Ian, the mage bounced excitedly with delight.
“It would be best if you opened the gate.”
“Slowly, open it with as little noise as possible!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Thud!
The mage who had descended pulled back his hood and reported what had transpired.
“Minister Ian. Minister Maxim Tweller is truly remarkable. I merely guided the path from above, yet it’s as though he has a map in his mind—he even caught the lead carriage before it could go astray.”
“Are all of Bariel’s reinforcements entering?”
“No. For now, the Minister intends to move only the secured supplies into Cliffford. Minister Tweller also wishes to meet with you. Most importantly, Burgos has realized they’re being tracked and has deviated from their route, wandering aimlessly. They seem intent on not revealing the supply depot.”
“Then he’ll be departing again soon.”
“I’m not certain about that. Ah, there they are!”
The mage’s fingertip pointed to a group of soldiers. Hoofbeats and wagon wheels moved silently. Bathed in moonlight, they emerged from the darkness and swiftly entered the gates.
Thud.
Tweller recognized Ian immediately, and Ian recognized Tweller in turn. The moment he dismounted, he extended his hand for a handshake. Streaks of blood, unwashed and dried, remained caked on his skin.
“You must be Minister Ian of the Magic Ministry. It’s an honor. I am Maxim Tweller, newly appointed Minister of the Imperial Defense.”
“The honor is mine, Minister Tweller. I am Ian Hielo.”
“The palace has been deeply concerned. We feared something might have happened to you, Minister. Seeing you safe brings great relief. Prince Jin will feel the same.”
After so long, I meet Jin through another. Ian smiled faintly and gestured for him to come inside.
“We have much to discuss. Please, Minister.”

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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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