Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 399

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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 399
Fire. A Suspicious Alliance
Those who moved covertly, concealed within darkness.
They were Ruswena Soldiers led by Eriponi, and they were approaching the forest where they had arranged to meet Damon. They remained alert to even the slightest sound.
Then, light and thunder erupted from the Clipoford Barrier. Eriponi turned slowly to look back, and Eldetr naturally produced a telescope and handed it to her.
“I tell them to be discreet, but they never listen. That’s children for you.”
To the left of the Clipoford Barrier. It was too distant to see clearly, but combat was unmistakably occurring in midair. It must be that boy Zaira. I had worried whether someone so young could manage it, but it seems he’s proving himself capable.
Eldetr bowed his head, easing the King’s concerns.
“Still, he has fulfilled his role.”
Eriponi and Eldetr had already anticipated that Zaira would not return discreetly.
Clipoford would certainly attempt to sever the contact between Burgos and the King of Ruswena, and among the scouts would be elite Mage Knights.
So creating such a commotion to briefly blind and deafen them was Zaira’s true mission. What was happening inside the barrier would be learned by the Mage who had gone to the left.
She clicked her tongue and turned away.
“Bariel will likely request an exchange—Zaira for the captured Mage?”
“Yes. If they take him alive, that would be their move.”
There was no loss in it. Even if Zaira were captured, I still had Jang.
The problem was uncertainty about how his value might change in coordination with Damon. Whatever happened, Ruswena would never come out at a loss.
“Did Burgos eat horses during the war? Why are they so late?”
Eriponi muttered with heightened irritation.
Late at night during wartime, in an unfamiliar place where nothing could be seen. Wouldn’t it be better to complete the contact while Zaira created a disturbance at the barrier? Just as Eldetr was about to check the time in response to her urging.
Rustle.
A presence emerged from the darkness. The soldiers stood alert with spears and swords drawn, and Eriponi likewise took up her bow. That cursed Mage Knight had damaged my personal bow, so the feel of drawing it was nothing like before.
“It has been a long time. King of Eriponi.”
Purple hair was revealed in the moonlight. His cheeks appeared somewhat paler than when I had last seen him in Bariel. Perhaps it was because his eyes had grown more intense.
Eriponi nodded in greeting.
“Not so very long. I am relieved to see you well. Though we have much to discuss, Clipoford’s scouts are being deployed in this area, so it would be best to share only what is essential and withdraw.”
It could not be helped. No matter how much an alliance had been forged, having a King enter each other’s territory carried great risk, and Clipoford’s scouts would continue to patrol the vicinity. If an attack by Mage Knights were to occur, it would certainly become very troublesome.
Eriponi received a bundle of letters from Eldetr and handed them to Damon.
“First, you are aware that Bariel has forbidden trade, yes?”
“Yes. I am aware. Thanks to it, there has been quite an uproar among the Ministers. Since all things have both gains and losses, the arguments supporting the war have gained some momentum as well. Ruswena is likely no different.”
Bariel, our largest trading partner, had closed its doors. With insufficient supplies and the need to respond, the desire to invade Clipoford had risen sharply.
Eriponi smiled with only a shrug of her shoulders.
“Since we primarily export, it is unfortunate but we have little reaction. Burgos, certainly, will respond hotly.”
“In any case, because of this, all supply routes have been cut off. The Bariel route is blocked, and pursuers have been placed even on the Dead Lands. I have received none of what you sent.”
So send new supplies—though Mage Knights are a thorn in my side, if I could be supplied with large quantities of black armor alone, I could certainly secure superiority in close combat.
Eriponi swept back her hair and laughed briefly.
“We have already faithfully carried out what was requested, so it is somewhat difficult for you to ask for new supplies simply because you did not receive them. King Damon.”
“The supply troops from Ruswena were cut off before they could even approach the Burgos border. Yet you claim to have faithfully carried out your duties? Do you truly mean what you say?”
“Do you not understand? Once war begins, supplies will disappear like melting snow—we cannot provide them indefinitely. Though if we were to revise the alliance treaty somewhat, that might be another matter.”
An alliance. Those who moved together over a single interest, yet when it came down to it, what mattered was who could take the larger share.
The smile faded from King Damon’s lips.
“When we occupy Clipoford, we agreed that Ruswena would manage five major cities in the northeast. Let us change that to seven. In exchange, I can provide the materials for black armor immediately. Bariel will be blocked, and the dead lands are useless anyway, so this is our only option.”
Ruswena’s need for new territories had grown as much as Burgos’. With barely enough supplies for their own nation, they had surrendered that position for their ally. They needed to secure proper compensation for this sacrifice.
“Seven cities….”
There was no room for negotiation. The light in Eriponi’s eyes made that clear. Damon pretended to deliberate for a moment before nodding in acceptance.
“Very well. However, you must choose from adjacent cities.”
“Of course. That arrangement suits us as well.”
The two men clasped hands.
Foolish. Once cracks opened in Clipoford, most of that land would crumble to dust anyway. There would be no fertile soil for Ruswena to claim—so what difference did five cities make compared to seven?
“And regarding the Bariel Mages. We have captured one alive on our side. What of yours?”
“We have four.”
Ah, the Burgos Soldiers had moved with impressive efficiency.
Eriponi glanced at Eldetr as if to say, look at that, reproaching him. He ignored the fact that Ruswena had faced relatively greater pressure from the Mage Knights due to the black armor.
“Are they all alive?”
“All but one.”
“I see.”
One was dead. Eriponi nodded with a completely unmoved expression.
“The one we’re holding is barely clinging to life as well. What shall we do? I’ve heard that Sorcerers can manipulate the corpses of Mages?”
“We’re still experimenting, but there seem to be some trial-and-error issues. It would be better if you kept yours alive for now.”
There was no problem with moving them like ordinary corpses, but considerable difficulty appeared in manifesting mana. Those who didn’t understand that mana was inscribed upon the soul rather than the flesh continued their crude experiments.
The moment Eriponi heard this, he gestured to Eldetr. A living Mage had greater value than a dead one. The command was to send word to the camp to share mana with the Bariel Mage.
Thud.
Neigh!
Two Soldiers bearing the royal command mounted their horses and rode out of the forest first.
The moon in the night sky was gradually sinking lower. Soon dawn would break, and it would be wise to put their heads together regarding the next battle.
Eriponi gazed at the Clipoford barrier, its light dimmer than before. Zaira had either escaped or been captured. It had to be one of the two.
“We will face the Mage Knights ourselves. It appears that if six of us strike together, even black armor will crack. We will reorganize our black armor users as elite forces and deploy them. If we can draw them into individual combat, victory seems certain. What if we redirect the Synthetic Monsters to our side?”
“One of our Sorcerers has already defected to Bariel. We destroyed the remaining monsters and shattered their cores, but that one will still contribute considerable strength to Clipoford. Particularly troublesome since he’s from Astana, renowned for sorcery.”
Layer upon layer of mountains. Observing the situation as a whole, there was not a single advantageous position for Burgos and Ruswena. This was problematic.
The strategy to neutralize Mages through Idgal’s supplies seemed to be progressing more slowly than expected. As Eriponi’s brow furrowed, Damon added:
“It is no matter. Reinforcements are coming from the north.”
“From the north, you say?”
“Countless. All manner of forces will gather.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of that. You’ve released monsters, I understand. It seems an unsuitable measure for Clipoford’s farmlands. Can you manage the aftermath?”
“It is limited to the western border regions adjacent to Burgos, so have no concern. And—”
Damon also gazed at the moon. Once it had descended, only a week remained. In warfare, that was remarkably brief, yet far too long to spend merely breaching a single barrier.
“We plan to breach the barrier and reach the capital within a week.”
“It is not as simple as words suggest, King Damon. Surely you know who stands within that barrier.”
“Thanks to the Ruswena Mages, a considerable portion of that power has been depleted. Once dawn breaks and battle commences, we will know more precisely. But what matters is the week itself.”
Eriponi could not fathom it. A week. What meaning did that carry? The quantity of supplies? Or could it possibly be some auspicious day favored by sorcerers?
If that were the case, I would immediately dissolve the alliance and return to my homeland. How could I trust and stand alongside someone whose mind has been consumed by superstition?
“An earthquake will occur.”
Damon explained as though he had read Eriponi’s very thoughts.
“An earthquake?”
“A massive one, at that.”
“Within the barrier?”
As Damon nodded, Eriponi’s brow furrowed. The logic didn’t align. It was as though a crucial piece of the puzzle had been displaced.
“Then rather than attacking within a week, couldn’t we simply endure until it happens? Buildings will collapse and soldiers will perish on their own—why shed blood for this?”
“The objective is to retrieve the royal treasures before everything turns to ruin. Dismantling the legitimacy of King Clipoford’s dynasty comes first, and placing gold in the hands of our northern allies comes second.”
Damon’s short hair swayed slightly. His head tilted as though what he was about to say held particular importance.
“And above all, we must settle this before Bariel’s reinforcements arrive.”
Hmm. Eriponi’s eyes narrowed. If a massive earthquake occurred, the royal treasures would certainly face the risk of being lost. There was also a necessity to satisfy the barbaric northern tribes before then.
Yet something still felt suspicious. Eriponi changed the subject to indicate she would not consent to the one-week timeframe. She could not participate until she was completely convinced.
“There is also a response from the Hawan Kingdom.”
The Hawan Kingdom. Small, yet the golden crossroads through which all things of this continent—including the great desert—passed.
Hawan maintained a friendly stance toward Ruswena and had sent word that they would assess the situation before joining the war. They may have sent similar letters to Bariel as well, but what mattered was that there existed a force willing to follow if momentum could be seized. Whether that force was Hawan or another nation entirely.
“It would be good to demonstrate short-term diplomatic gains. The larger the prey, the more forces we should gather. Now then, please sign here. These are the amended clauses regarding the alliance treaty.”
Crackle.
As Eriponi unfolded the letter and handed it over, an advisor received it and passed it to King Damon.
It was then that Eriponi realized something: the man named Timothy, who was always at her side, was absent. Her cyan eyes gleamed all the more brightly, and she slowly examined King Damon as he signed.
* * *
Crash!
“Whoa, you startled me!”
“What, what is it!”
The war room door suddenly burst open. Ian, having regained some of his strength, turned his head, and the Mages clutched their chests in surprise. It was Captain Akorella.
Berik sniffled as he observed her disheveled appearance. Why did her clothes have holes in them?
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Huff. Hehehehe….”
Akorella lifted a beaker with wild eyes. A viscous, unpleasant liquid sloshed inside.
The Mages swallowed hard and deliberately avoided looking at Akorella. That was definitely it.
“It is time to revere the great Mage Akorella! Wow, I actually did it. Captain Heil! This is the mana amplification potion you challenged me to create!”
“Captain Heil! Find the captain, quickly!”
“Ah, Captain Akorella… her eyes have gone wild again….”
Ian covered the rough map of Clipoford and called out to Akorella.
“Already? There weren’t even preparations in place. You truly are remarkable, Akorella.”
“Hehehehe, you’re awake, Ian! Kyahahaha! I am the great Mage Akorella, worthy of your recognition!”
“Then I should consume it?”
“Oh, you absolutely cannot, Ian.”
As Ian asked with a gentle smile, Akorella raised her other hand and firmly refused.
“This definitely has side effects. Come now, not you, Ian—who will try drinking this!”
“W-we’re allowed to drink this? Isn’t this too much?”
“Huh? You made eye contact with me. Come here.”
“What are you talking about? I-I’ve been looking at the ground the whole time.”
Berik suddenly raised his hand.
“That! Can’t I have a taste? It smells delicious.”
“Smells delicious? Really?”
“Yeah. It smells like meat.”
That was strange. It shouldn’t smell like that. Captain Akorella cautiously sniffed again, but only nausea welled up from within. She tilted her head toward me, seeking permission.
“Um, Berik wants to eat it. Would it be alright if he did, Ian?”

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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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