Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 394

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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 394
Fire. An Invisible Problem
Tweller drew deeply on his cigarette.
As the smoke descended into his lungs and curled back up through his body, I remained motionless, watching him with eyes that betrayed impatience—there was no time for this, and my gaze demanded to know what he wanted to ask.
Tweller had no choice but to acknowledge that the Ian he’d seen under the moonlight just days ago was vastly different from the Ian standing before him now. The man seemed like someone who wouldn’t break easily under ordinary circumstances.
This was why magic was both dangerous and wondrous—it could transform such an unyielding person in a single moment.
“Count Tweller.”
“About the fissure beneath Cliffford territory. I’m curious whether that’s confirmed information.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’re conducting geological surveys within Cliffford, but don’t you only have suspicions?”
I pressed my forehead as though I’d heard something foolish.
“The mana anomaly detection devices installed on the border have shown readings far more severe than normal years. There have also been several earthquakes, so the circumstances align.”
“What strikes me as odd is that Count Ian would use the word ‘circumstances.'”
I would have expected someone like Ian to base judgments on something far more precise and certain, not on circumstantial evidence—much like King Damon’s current actions.
“How exactly King Damon came to know about the fissure in Cliffford needs to be clarified. You mentioned the mana anomaly device readings, correct? Bariel oversees that, doesn’t it?”
“That’s correct.”
“If that information was leaked, we can’t rule out the possibility of a spy within Bariel, can we?”
The mana anomaly devices had been created by the Magic Ministry and transferred to the Imperial Guards’ jurisdiction. That’s why the initial report had come through Jairot.
In any case, the fact that Burgos knew about it was indeed something to be cautious about, as Tweller said.
“It’s better not to rule it out. But we’re in wartime now. We don’t have the resources to pour into such matters. It seems Count Tweller is curious about why King Damon is so certain about the fissure.”
“Precisely.”
Tweller smiled thinly and flicked his fingers. The cigarette smoke wavered faintly with the gesture.
“….”
I fell silent for a moment.
Damon’s certainty likely stemmed from his experience. Having regressed, he would know what happened in Cliffford.
I calculated whether revealing this to Tweller would be beneficial or detrimental. Iza had just gained Prince Jin’s trust and was desperate to establish merit—grasping at this unprecedented opportunity to solidify his position.
What would happen if I shared Damon’s secret, and perhaps his weakness?
“Count Ian, if I may say so, I am Prince Jin’s man. I am prepared to give all glory to His Highness, and I swear this with my life. By the fallen comrades, by these guilty hands of mine, and by Bariel.”
Tweller sensed it. That I knew something Bariel’s palace did not.
“Damon knows.”
I decided to give only half the truth—a fact that existed on that ambiguous boundary between lie and truth.
“There’s someone called Timothy, who was spotted in Bariel before. His Highness knows of her too. She came to Bariel searching for a footless gypsy who can foresee the future. Damon is looking for her and plans to use her, but like any gypsy, she slipped away like the wind. Even the mages couldn’t stop her.”
“A prophetess?”
“Of sorts.”
Hmm. Tweller chewed on his cigarette.
Burgos bordered the north and had shamanism deeply woven into its culture. It wasn’t entirely implausible, but something felt slightly incomplete.
“I see. And one more thing.”
“Speak.”
“What if not all the mages return? Our mission is ultimately the safe return of the Magic Ministry. More precisely, Prince Jin desires your return to Bariel, Count Ian.”
What if not all the mages returned?
I pretended not to hear and turned my gaze toward the shadows lingering outside. Everyone was waiting for my conversation with Tweller to end.
“…How is Prince Jin faring?”
“Well. Of course. Within the palace, there is nowhere beyond his reach. In the future, there will be nothing he cannot accomplish.”
Already at such a young age, he had accomplished remarkable things. He had personally replaced the Minister of Imperial Defense with his own hand, and was learning through experience how to position his people in key positions. I dare say that when he comes of age, Bariel will enjoy the golden age of golden ages.
I rested my chin in my hand, lowering my eyes slightly.
“I see. I’m relieved to hear he’s doing well.”
Jin, that precious child—his path ahead was the path of an Emperor. This was a fact I knew and history had already written.
Then what path lies ahead for me?
I pressed my forehead and made a request of Tweller.
“Minister. I apologize, but I would like to be alone for a moment.”
“Yes. I understand. I shall follow Captain Jairot as well. The Imperial Guards are working hard to rescue mages in foreign lands, so our Ministry of Imperial Defense cannot simply stand idle.”
Creak.
Tweller extinguished his cigarette and rose from his seat.
Left alone, I stood quietly and gazed out the window. The moon shone unusually bright—like an exit I should move toward, trapped as I was in some dark place.
‘Naum.’
If you had been by my side now, what counsel would you have given me? As I pondered this, my mind became clear.
The path I must take.
It could only be found within myself, not in the past or future. The world’s center is oneself, so only I could choose my own path. You would have said as much.
‘If history has drawn Jin’s future, then surely mine is drawn as well.’
Knock knock.
The sound of footsteps broke my thoughts.
A Mage extended his hand through a small crack in the door, looking terribly apologetic for disregarding my request to be alone.
“Count Ian. My apologies. There is a message from the palace. I shall deliver only this.”
Creak.
And the door shut quickly. Did they realize their huddled forms were all visible through the window?
I chuckled softly and picked up the message. I had assumed it was a reply from Jin, but the sender was the Prime Minister.
-…Timothy, the envoy of Burgos, has defected alone.
Stripping away all the unnecessary sentences before and after, this was the content that captured my attention.
So it has come to pass. I leaned against the wall and continued to turn over Timothy’s name in my mind. Whether Damon returned or I was reborn, some things remained unchanged.
If anything changed here, it would only be small ripples that did not obstruct the great flow of history.
“…Berik.”
Bang!
Crash!
“Hey! You called for me?!”
“Ugh, you madman! What do you do opening it like that?!”
I had whispered very softly, but Berik heard me and flung the door open. At the same moment, Mages came pouring out. I stared at them in disbelief, and they too awkwardly laughed and scrambled to their feet.
“Well, Count Ian. We were worried about you. We were standing guard at the door. Yes.”
“Ian! Why did you call me? Huh? Why? What should we do?”
“Should we step back out? You only need Berik, right? Captain Jairot and Minister Tweller have already entered the war room with Prince Noah.”
They all scrambled to their feet and began backing away, but I shook my head.
“No. Come inside. That’s why I called you here.”
“Ah, I see. Should I, should I bring something to eat?”
“Yes. You look hungry. I haven’t seen you eat anything recently.”
I stared at those who worried about me, tilting my head in confusion. Seeing them with my own eyes felt strange. As a leader, I have the duty to guide and care for them, but why do they follow me?
As I continued to stare silently, they all met my gaze while beads of sweat dripped down their faces.
‘Is Count Ian crying again?’
‘Damn it, that crazy Berik suddenly opened the door. Hell.’
‘Someone say something. Or call Captain Heil. Or Captain Akorella.’
‘Are you insane? Captain Akorella won’t work.’
“Are you alright?”
They were whispering with their eyes when an unexpected voice reached them. It was my question. They opened their eyes wide and looked at me.
“Yes?”
“Count Ian, that’s what we should be asking you.”
“That’s right. From facing the forbidden magic to the physical and mental exhaustion you must be experiencing—why do you keep saying what we should be saying?”
“Right, Ian! When you fought alone, we just gave you support from behind. We’re the problem, not you. Why do you keep doing this?”
…This bastard.
The mages glared, but they couldn’t retort because he was right. If they had only been a bit more capable, I wouldn’t have had to bear everything alone.
“…Isn’t that something I should say?”
“No. Unless you’re twisting words to mess with them, that’s not something you should say. Damn it, think about it. Why would a smart guy act like this? Their injuries are because of the Ruswena Mages and that gloomy bastard Damon started a war. So why do you keep acting like it’s your fault? What are you—you’re… mmph!”
The mages gasped and covered Berik’s mouth. They knew he was crazy, but he’d really lost it this time!
They all cried out and dragged Berik’s limbs away.
“Of course you’re something—you’re Count Ian!”
“Why! It’s not wrong! Nobody needs to suffer, but if you’re suffering, we suffer too!”
“Count Ian, he’s experiencing magical backlash, you fool!”
“Ian doesn’t fall for that kind of thing! Don’t you know Ian?”
“No, I know. Ugh, why is this happening? Did he secretly eat something bad without us knowing?”
“Count Ian. We’re sorry. We’ll leave you be. Please, get some proper rest.”
Berik was genuinely furious. From the system trying to place him under the Imperial Guards to his unusually strange behavior—it wasn’t just annoying, it made me anxious.
I stared blankly at the scene before nodding slightly.
“…Eat.”
“Yes?”
“Bring food. Let’s eat together.”
“Ah, yes! Right away! Count Ian, when the stomach is hungry, the mind grows hungry too. You’ve made a wise decision.”
I still couldn’t accept it. What Berik said—that this wasn’t my fault.
But if everyone says the same thing, perhaps I need to accept it even if I don’t truly believe it. I’m aware that mental issues are intertwined with the self, making it difficult to recognize them alone.
“Berik. Am I acting strange right now?”
“Yeah. Really.”
“…I see.”
Berik’s eyes widened, and I calmly met his gaze. Then I carefully folded the Imperial letter and placed it in my inner pocket.
At my command to bring food, the mages ran cheerfully and busily through the corridors.
“Eat, sleep more, and wake up. I’ll tell you again then. Whether you’re strange or not.”
“What if I’m still strange then?”
“Then eat and sleep again.”
“When do we wage war then?”
“I’ll do it instead of you. This time, I can really do it well.”
I didn’t know that small conversations and meeting those who drew closer, one step at a time, were ways of sharing the burden.
My chest churned with an unsettling feeling, and Berik pressed it away with the tip of his finger.
“Don’t frown. It doesn’t suit you.”
* * *
“Ah.”
A brief cry.
Jin opened his eyes, drenched in sweat. Xiaoxi also noticed the presence and lit the lamp. He called out to the boy with concern in his voice.
“Your Highness?”
Had he been having a nightmare? As Xiaoxi approached with a damp cloth, Jin threw off his blanket and rose completely.
It was still dawn. There would be many meetings during the day, and waking up this early could cause problems from fatigue.
“Your Highness. Even if it’s difficult, please continue to rest. I’ll bring you warm tea.”
“No, don’t.”
“Is there a command you wish to give?”
“…The documents Timothy brought.”
“Yes.”
Jin wiped the sweat trickling down his chin and ordered.
“I need to send a copy to Count Ian.”
“Now?”
In my dream after so long, Roberside appeared. My maternal ancestor and the mysterious existence who had protected me from Arcen’s evil.
Xiaoxi wiped my sweat, and I pushed his hand away as I commanded.
“Immediately. As fast as possible. Prepare people.”
“…Understood.”
There had been mysterious words—that if I didn’t, Ian would shatter. With my heart pounding, I rushed toward the study.

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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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