Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 396

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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 396
Fire. Do Not Disturb the Meal
The Ruswena Mages’ tent carried an unusually heavy atmosphere. An Elder who had fought alongside them until just this morning was dead, and in the process, they had captured one of Bariel’s Mages, now bound in a corner.
Jang, tightly restrained and bleeding, his entire body swollen with unintended bruises.
One of the Ruswena Mages sighed deeply, furrowing his brow. Even with the mana-sealing stones in place, why must we guard a prisoner? Simply because he is a Mage like us?
“The Prince goes too far, even for him.”
“…War has always been excessive.”
“He may be an enemy, but he’s still a Mage. What are we supposed to do, guarding someone in such a state?”
“He said it was a precaution in case problems arise. Because he’s a Mage, only a Mage can suppress him.”
“…Damn it, damn it, damn it!”
Crash!
Unable to contain his frustration, the Mage kicked a chair, and Jang’s body reflexively flinched. He wasn’t living—he was dying.
“Restrain yourself. Zaira is here.”
The Mages patted the child’s shoulder, muffling the sounds of violence.
But Zaira remained unmoved, as if detached from everything, sitting quietly and staring only at the tent entrance. It felt as though Grandmother would be standing there the moment she stepped outside, and nothing from the outside world could disturb Zaira’s focus.
The Mage who had kicked the chair righted it with his own hands and sat down.
“I never thought the King would be so ignorant of our identity. When we return, we will never venture out again. We will go deeper, disappear where even the King cannot find us.”
“Cough!”
As Jang suddenly coughed up blood, the Ruswena Mages lowered their heads, pretending not to hear. They wanted to channel mana into him, but the mana-sealing stone shackles made it impossible. And more than anything, the lack of the King’s permission was the greatest obstacle.
The Mage rummaged through his pocket and found a cigarette.
“If he dies, he’ll probably order us to dispose of the corpse too. I don’t understand how he can be so ignorant. He’s nothing like what we’ve heard.”
“The people only need to be full and warm. We were the same once.”
“At this rate, he won’t last until morning. A Doctor examined him, didn’t he? Should we call him back? Wouldn’t it be better to lay him down rather than leave him like this?”
“I went looking earlier, but only found a Military Doctor. I don’t know where the Military Doctor went.”
Ssshhh.
The Mage with the cigarette glanced at Zaira. The child neither wept nor moved, still sitting rigidly, staring into empty space. He carefully tapped the table, drawing the child’s gaze.
“Zaira. Tell me now. There’s no one here but us.”
“….”
“What else did you secretly learn? I know what you did to the Prince’s arrow earlier.”
The child’s feet, not touching the ground, swung pleasantly. Simply imagining the moment of revenge was enough to ease some of the melancholy.
“You’ll find out at the Prince’s most important moment.”
“Most important moment, what? Ugh, this is frustrating. Really.”
Tap, tap, tap.
Then, footsteps sounded from outside.
The Mages fell silent as if by agreement, and the tent entrance was pulled open. Eldetr had arrived with the Military Doctor to check on Jang.
While the Mages all stood to greet him, Zaira remained seated, staring up at him intently.
Whether he didn’t notice or simply ignored the child, Eldetr paid no mind and approached Jang directly, grasping his chin.
“What’s his condition?”
“There are no signs of improvement. Not unless we share mana with him. Has the Prince given no orders?”
“Not yet. It seems he intends to decide after reaching an agreement with Burgos. Since they have Sorcerers, he’s currently investigating whether anything can be done using the Mage’s corpse.”
It was horrifying. The Ruswena Mages tried desperately to dismiss the chilling plan from their minds.
Using a Mage’s corpse for necromancy? Then what of themselves? If they died, would they too continue to be exploited without ever finding peace? Unless they were utterly destroyed like the Elder, was there truly no escape from the battlefield?
‘Surely not. The Prince wouldn’t do such a thing to his own Mages.’
They all thought it unlikely, yet they could not be certain.
Ruswena was an ancient royal house, and Eriponi was a promising ruler who managed the kingdom with integrity. At least until they had faced her directly, the Mages had lived in seclusion believing as much.
But look now. The King drawing his bow resembled nothing so much as a merciless predator.
“Perhaps it would be better to keep them alive for now, even if we must kill them later. Please, allow me to speak. Honestly, it’s difficult to watch a Mage like myself perish in such a manner.”
The Military Doctor examined the wound while glancing at the Mages, and Eldetr too cast a questioning gaze. As if wondering what relevance their shared identity as Mages held.
It was a difference in how they perceived Mages. To the Mages themselves, it was their identity. To the royal house, they were merely individuals possessing the same ability. What difference was there between one who excelled in martial arts and became a warrior, and one who possessed mana and became a Mage?
“If it troubles you so, speak directly to the Prince. We’ll end this discussion here. I will requisition two Mages. Each will fly to the left and right sides of the barrier to assess the situation within.”
“You mean for us to scout, sir?”
“Yes. Fire has been lit inside the Cliffford barrier. Since I cannot immediately discern what this signifies, you will go and report back what you find.”
Fire igniting at night was no trivial matter. It meant there was movement from within, regardless of its nature. Understanding this was currently the most pressing concern.
“Two people…”
The Mages exchanged uncertain glances. Normally, the Elder would have stepped forward first or recommended a suitable candidate, but that position now stood vacant.
As silence settled for a moment, Zaira raised her hand.
“I’ll go.”
“Zaira, no. You’re too young. I’ll go instead.”
“That works. My brother and I can go together. We’ll go as a pair, Eldetr.”
When the Boy raised his hand first, everyone gasped in alarm and tried to stop him. He needed to talk sense. Sending a child to such a place would surely earn them a scolding from the Elder in the abyss.
But Zaira, for some reason, only widened her eyes and countered.
“Why? You uncles are weaker in mana than I am.”
“Zaira.”
“And I’m small in stature. Even if something goes wrong and I’m discovered, being a child means I can slip through without issue. That Minister Bariel, the one called Ian—he’s supposedly incredible. There might be barriers, right? We don’t sense any here, but there could be.”
“The enemy’s forces are too depleted to maintain barriers. There’s no need for concern on that front.”
“Besides, you uncles are too large. The moonlight is bright, and to see why fire was lit inside the barrier, a small frame suited for concealment would be perfect. Eldetr, I can do this.”
As a minor dispute broke out among the Mages, Eldetr simply watched them with his arms crossed.
Certainly, aside from her youth, Zaira was ideally suited for reconnaissance. That is, if one overlooked her earlier defiant behavior and the beating she’d received from the General.
“Is there anyone among you who is Zaira’s family?”
“We are all family. We lived together in the forest.”
“I mean blood relatives. Those who share her blood.”
The Mage’s argument held no sway with Eldetr. They hesitated briefly before mentioning Zaira’s Brother.
“Zaira’s brother is in the palace. He’s a boy, but he’s ordinary.”
“Good. Then Zaira will take the left side, and you will take the right.”
“Eldetr! Zaira is far too young. Please reconsider.”
“With such unwavering resolve, what problem could her youth present? She is a Mage who lent her strength to the Prince’s arrows. And this is a battlefield. Age matters little here.”
Zaira climbed down from her chair and picked up her robe—a small scrap of cloth to shield her in darkness. The child carefully tucked her hair into the hood as she asked.
“I just need to observe the situation inside the barrier and return, correct? Nothing else?”
“Simply report in detail once you return. Your primary objective is to come back undetected. Zaira, if you do not return, your brother too will go to Grandmother’s side.”
Eldetr knelt to meet the child’s gaze. The Mages pressed their lips together, but Zaira only smiled faintly.
“If we return victorious from this war, glory shall befall us all.”
“Of course. Your grandmother’s sacrifice, and all that suffering—the Prince will heal it and compensate you for it. Zaira. Do not forget that you are a proud Ruswena Mage.”
“Understood, Eldetr.”
“Then go. Report directly to the Prince, and depart for reconnaissance immediately.”
Eldetr entrusted Jang’s treatment to the Military Doctor, then nodded to the two of them. As Zaira moved to leave the tent without hesitation, the Mages rushed forward as one, blocking her path.
“Zaira!”
“What are you thinking? Huh? Why are you doing this?”
“Everyone, step aside. There’s no time.”
“If you leave, how are we supposed to see our grandmother?”
“See grandmother? What’s the point? Grandmother is in the abyss now. No one—not a soul—can see her anymore.”
Unless I used forbidden magic. Then perhaps I could.
Zaira passed through the protesting Mages and followed behind Eldetr. Soon, she could see the Cliffford encampment in the distance, its fires burning brightly beyond the barrier.
“They’ve lit fires openly.”
“Execute this without error, Zaira.”
Eldetr’s warning was met with only a nod from Zaira.
Black eyes that reflected moonlight perfectly. The girl massaged her swollen cheeks and tied her robe even more tightly.
* * *
“Meat! Next portion of meat!”
“Madman, where did that one in front of you go?”
“That? In my belly. Give me some alcohol too! Cliffford’s so stingy—if I coat my stomach with oil, I should be able to wash it down smoothly and quickly!”
“Who drinks like you during a war? Huh? Even the King doesn’t do this.”
“Ian, this guy’s been picking on me since earlier. Say something to him. Of all things, criticizing someone for eating is the most petty!”
“You beast! You should have some conscience!”
“Huh? What? He’s taking it again!”
“Berik. That’s not taking—that’s called sharing, you idiot. Is everything on this table yours? Huh?”
Crash!
Bang!
At the dining table Berik had claimed. Fruits flew about in all directions, water and drinks spilling everywhere—a chaotic meal.
Meanwhile, Ian sat dignified in the center, moving his fork and knife with elegant grace, cutting his meat into perfect portions.
It was as though an insurmountable wall stood between Ian and the others. While everyone else ate ravenously, he alone seemed to be enjoying a refined dinner.
Though there was no smile on his face, he didn’t seem bothered by the chaos. Rather, he seemed to be enjoying it somewhat.
“Give that back—”
Berik lifted his plate and shouted, then suddenly stopped. The Mages seized the moment to snatch the meat, but Berik’s reaction was unusual.
“…Berik?”
“Why did he suddenly do that?”
“Wow, he’s serious now. Fine. Eat it all.”
The Mage who had taken the meat placed food back in Berik’s hands, but he simply set it on the table and stared into empty space. Like a watchdog sensing movement outside the house.
“Huh.”
Sniff sniff. Then his ears perked up. Berik frowned and suddenly yanked the door open. He gazed out at the dark night sky, tilting his head in confusion.
“Berik. The meat will be here soon. Close the door! Ian is getting cold.”
“Hold on, hold on. Everyone stop eating and look. Don’t you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
More than half of the Mages had lost their mana due to Eldetr. Another half of those had developed problems with their mana. In other words, everyone’s condition was too poor to notice any abnormalities.
Clatter.
“I feel mana.”
“Right? Ian, this is the scent of mana, isn’t it?”
Ian set down his knife and muttered, while Berik asked cheerfully in return.
“What should we do? Ian, are you still eating? Should I take care of it?”
Zing. Zing.
As Berik activated his mana and drew his black sword, the Mages covered their faces with empty bowls and screamed.
“Ahhhhh! You madman, we’re indoors! If it explodes, we’ll be bedridden again!”
“Get out! If you’re going to do that, get out!”
“Huh? Ian, should I or shouldn’t I?”
Ian gazed quietly at the half-eaten steak. His appetite was beginning to fade, and he didn’t want to abandon this moment shared with everyone. He placed his hand lightly on the fork again and asked.
“Can you manage it?”
“I told you. I’m really going to do well from now on.”
“Then report to Captain Jeirat and handle it yourself. My meal won’t be disturbed, will it?”
“Of course not.”
Zing!
Boom!
Berik exploded with mana and leaped over the railing in one motion. Barsabe, who had been stretching below while holding her side, let out a silent scream.
“I’ll catch the flying thing! Captain Jeirat!”
Crash!
Captain Jeirat, who had been in conference with Noah and Tweller, closed his eyes once more. As if he heard nothing, saw nothing.
“Someone help me up!”
“Berik. Maintain your dignity as an Imperial Guard.”
“I’ll catch it! The flying thing!”
Flying thing? Captain Jeirat thought the man had finally lost his mind, but then he suddenly felt an unfamiliar mana approaching.
Something was drawing near.

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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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