Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 395

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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 395
Fire. Light the Flames
Samobo opened the door to the war room and ushered Noah inside.
The generals who had been studying the map stood to greet him, and they immediately noticed from his slightly furrowed brow that the prince was in a foul mood.
Samobo glanced at Jairot, who hadn’t followed them in, then closed the door. Since the Mage Minister seemed off, it appeared the Imperial Guards were conducting their own meeting before entering the war room.
He asked carefully.
“Prince Noah. What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“Count Ian proposed something. If the mages don’t return safely tomorrow, we won’t fight as allies with Clifford—we’ll fight for Bariel’s mages instead.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“I tried to buy time since he seemed not fully recovered from the side effects, but he was stubborn. Have Burgos and Ruswena’s forces shown any response yet?”
The generals quickly grasped what it meant to fight for them on Clifford’s soil—that they would disregard the cracks sleeping beneath Clifford’s earth, the sacrifice of their own people, and the territories that would be destroyed.
The generals nodded in confusion.
“Yes. It seems Ruswena’s forces haven’t finished establishing their camp yet. We were considering organizing more special task forces in case we missed something. The northeastern forest path, that is. We could make contact that way, but we weren’t sure if they knew about it, so we only went around the lower route.”
They were continuing to watch for gaps between Burgos and Ruswena in their own way. The problem was the lack of results.
Noah sat at the head seat and pressed his forehead. It was a posture similar to what Ian had shown earlier. Samobo, feeling sympathetic toward Noah, sat across from him and spoke.
“Prince. The conscription order is something even His Majesty deeply dislikes. The harvest season is approaching, and if we miss it, everyone could starve this winter. Moreover, reinforcements are coming from Bariel, so I believe it would be best to focus on persuading Count Ian. Once the side effects wear off, I think he’ll return to his previous stance.”
Noah shared that opinion. Didn’t Ian memorize the names of his fallen subordinates? Even with a sound mind, it would be difficult to bear, but the side effects of mental magic had amplified it.
If we could just buy time, it might be manageable, but the problem was the timeframe Ian had set. Merely one day. We couldn’t pray for the magic to lift within that single day, could we?
Noah sighed deeply and ordered paper and a pen to be brought.
“I’ll draft a message. If there’s no movement from Burgos and Ruswena by dawn, we’ll attempt contact first.”
Whether they’re holding the mages as prisoners, their condition, what could be offered in exchange for their release, and so forth.
Or perhaps there was room to discuss an end to the conflict. They had witnessed with their own eyes Ian’s power, the mages’ strength. They would have recognized the difference in military capability, so compromising at an appropriate level wasn’t a bad option for them either. Most importantly, this was a critical moment when the mages might turn their backs on Clifford.
Noah grasped the pen and frowned.
“I wish May were here.”
“Should I call her over?”
“No. Let her receive treatment.”
Noah hesitated briefly, then shook his head. It would be better to draft the message and have Ian review it. This was a plan for him and his mages, after all.
Samobo, realizing this, let out a heavy sigh.
“Prince. I still think it would be best to seek His Majesty’s assistance. Did you see Count Ian’s behavior earlier? I believe the relationship is already distorted. There are also strategic differences of opinion with Minister Tweller of the Imperial Defense Ministry, so wouldn’t it be wise to entrust the decision to His Majesty?”
“What His Majesty entrusted to me, I should entrust back to His Majesty? Truly a magnificent display of a prince.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Samobo. Enough. Stop speaking. Even if Father came now, nothing would change. So it’s better to settle this on my own terms.”
The line between them had been completely drawn. If Ian’s attitude and position didn’t change even with the King’s intervention, it would only become more problematic.
“Besides, I’m not ordering conscription immediately. There will be opportunities.”
As Noah spoke, sounds of movement came from outside. It was the sound of Captain Jairot entering the war room with several subordinates.
Creak.
Jairot greeted the prince and generals with a nod and identified his affiliation.
“Greetings. Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Jairot, one of the Three Great Commanders of the Bariel Imperial Guards. Setting aside Count Ian’s decision, we have been ordered by the Crown Prince to ensure the safe return of the Mage Division. We will cooperate with Clifford to the fullest extent, so please feel free to inform us of anything you need.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Well, that’s a relief. Several generals cheerfully extended their hands for a handshake and welcomed him warmly. While not as powerful as the mages themselves, they were an elite group of Bariel’s finest warriors. Since their duty was to protect the Emperor, they were expected to be worth a thousand soldiers each.
Jairot settled into his seat and casually glanced around the interior. Nothing particularly remarkable about it. He followed Noah’s gaze, as if asking why he was doing this.
“Before the Imperial Guards arrive, did Count Ian happen to tell you anything separately, Prince?”
“Anything separately?”
“Regarding the battle, future plans, or things like that. As you can see, Count Ian’s mental fatigue is severe, so I haven’t been able to properly receive information about those matters. Therefore, I’m asking if you happen to know anything.”
Jairot subtly probed through Noah what Barsabe had reported. Yet it wasn’t a lie either. The Ian who had awakened was certainly different from the one he knew, so he couldn’t mix in any words about it.
Noah shrugged with a puzzled expression.
“Not particularly. All the strategies and tactics we discussed were executed in today’s battle. The Mage Ruswena’s sudden action was an exception, though.”
“I see. Then we only need to discuss future matters. I heard you’ve formed a special task force—what if we assign one person from our side to it? Since they’re those who can sense magical power, they would be quite helpful in reconnaissance and combat.”
“I’d appreciate that. Count Ian gave us only one day, and it was a bit difficult to resolve everything on our own.”
“Please understand. And forgive my rudeness from earlier as well.”
“You fought for Clifford, so I don’t hold it against you.”
In truth, he did hold it against him. But if he carelessly said he held it against him, wouldn’t it only result in more of his own people shedding blood?
Just as Noah was about to dip his pen in ink and discuss the contents of the letter.
Knock, knock.
“It is Minister Maxim Tweller of the Imperial Defense Ministry.”
“Come in.”
“Pardon my intrusion.”
As the elder entered, Jairot and Noah’s eyes gleamed. They were curious about what conversation had taken place while he remained. But Tweller simply shrugged as if it was nothing and sat across from them.
“It seems Count Ian wanted to rest alone. Our conversation ended early, so I have nothing to report. It was all personal curiosity.”
The Imperial Defense Ministry and the Imperial Guards. Historically, the two departments were like spear and shield, water and oil. Until now, that is. But as Jin assigned his people to each, the relationship between them would gradually change.
Tweller, who understood this well, nodded to Jairot. As if swearing that there truly had been little conversation.
“So, what were you discussing?”
“Ah, we plan to deploy a Mage Knight to the special task force and move forward, and I’ll be drafting messages to send to Burgos and the Ruswena side. If there’s no news by dawn, I’m thinking of making contact first, but the problem is—”
“The problem is that we must write it so the other side doesn’t learn Clifford’s position. Isn’t that right?”
Tweller grasped the problem immediately. The fact that problems had arisen between Bariel and Clifford due to Ian’s magical side effects and various interests could not be revealed to the enemy.
While thoroughly concealing that fact, they needed content that would uncover the prisoners’ condition, gain the upper hand, and lead to exchange and negotiation.
As Noah awkwardly agreed, Tweller stroked his beard with his fingertips.
“Ah. Just a moment. A similar situation occurred before.”
“Minister. Are you perhaps referring to the Battle of Pluie? I recall that we failed to notice the enemy alliance had collapsed at that time. Of course, you seized the advantage, but I remember hearing rumors that you personally praised the enemy’s letter at the time, as it was well-written.”
“Ah, yes. The Battle of Pluie. That preamble went like this.”
Back and forth they went. Noah watched the conversation of these two seasoned men from the middle. He wondered what kind of situation this was, but soon realized it was goodwill and an opportunity he had no reason to refuse.
The two were fulfilling their respective roles while simultaneously apologizing for Ian’s rudeness. It was a point from which one could gauge Ian’s standing in Bariel. It was a matter so closely connected to the current power structure.
“Could you give me paper and pen as well? I’ll transcribe what I remember.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Here it is.”
“The priority is to convey that the alliance is solid. Of course, currently Clifford and Bariel are putting their heads together in the same war room, but who knows what tomorrow will bring, as Count Ian said. Rather than writing multiple sentences at length, showing even a single certain piece of evidence would be more effective.”
“Yes. For example, send the envoy as a Bariel person, or use Bariel’s style for how to tie the letter, or use their tube for the scroll.”
Noah listened carefully to the two men’s words and hurriedly recorded them. The generals moved quickly to find a Bariel-style letter tube and instructed the messenger to prepare Bariel clothing. Through the half-open door, the commotion outside came through clearly.
Tap, tap, tap!
Boom! Boom!
What was all that commotion about? Noah frowned, but Tweller’s advice continued without pause, so he couldn’t get up.
At that moment, a Servant appeared in a flustered state, perspiration streaming down his face.
“Your, Your Highness Prince Noah.”
“What is it? There’s quite a commotion outside.”
“The meal, sir. To prepare all the dishes the Mages have requested, we need to use fire. May we have your permission?”
“What do you mean?”
During the night, considering exposure to the enemy, we maintained only minimal light and remained hidden in darkness. Though the moonlight was bright, this remained an unchanging principle and rule.
The Servant bowed his head again, sweat pouring down his face.
“Please allow us to prepare the meal. Otherwise, the Mages say they will, will cook the meat using their mana.”
Tweller and Captain Jeirat exchanged glances—bewildered yet amused.
A meal? It seemed trivial, yet there was no clearer sign of hope than this. Appetite is an instinctive, primal desire. When such a desire blooms in one who is drowning, it means that even the smallest spark of will has surfaced.
“…I would be grateful if you would permit it, Your Highness.”
Tweller added with a subtle smile.
“We cannot waste the precious mana of the Mages on cooking meat, can we?”
“Ah, well…”
“Actually, I served the leftover dinner earlier, but Berik ate far too much. He said it didn’t even touch his palate. Sigh.”
At the Servant’s sorrowful expression, Captain Jeirat pretended not to hear, closing his eyes. Everyone in the Imperial Palace knew of Berik’s appetite.
Noah glanced around in confusion. Tweller and Captain Jeirat both seemed to welcome the sudden request. Though he didn’t fully understand their meaning, Noah sensed it was not an unreasonable favor.
“Very well. Light the fires.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And—”
“Yes?”
“Use good, quality meat.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Understood, sir.”
Crackle, crackle!
Bang, bang, crash! Clang!
As the Servant hurried away, loud noises erupted again—the sound of a Mage commandeering the kitchen, driving the cooks to work faster.
Noah slumped into his seat with a bewildered expression, and Tweller tapped the edge of his parchment to draw his attention back.
“Your Highness, shall we continue drafting the dispatch?”
“Ah, yes.”
War, hardship, wounds, all those things that destroy—sometimes they find solace in the smallest of moments. Tweller was certain, based on his battlefield experience, that those clanging sounds would soon transform into laughter.
“Iaaaan!”
“…My goodness.”
“Ahhhhh! Don’t eat it! That’s mine, don’t eat it!”
“Shut up! Have you no conscience? You madman!”
“Iaaaan! Stop him! Quickly, stop him! Ahhhhh! You’ll kill me!”
As expected, once the barrier lit up, vibrant shouts and cries filled the air. Ian’s voice was not heard, but he was surely woven into that chaos.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
Eriponi, who had been watching the Clifford barrier, lowered her telescope from her eyes and murmured. Fires suddenly ignite in the middle of the night? Inside the barrier?
“What are those fools scheming?”
“…I shall dispatch the Mages for reconnaissance.”
At Eldetr’s words, the King nodded his assent.
“The barrier grows restless, so we too should make haste. Send word to the King of Burgos that we wish to advance our meeting.”

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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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