Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 419

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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 419
Fire. First Negotiation
Upon the blood-soaked earth of Clipoford, a new change emerged. The unprocessed corpses were shifted aside, creating a vast open space.
From the hillside, the forces of Ruswena, Burgos, and third parties observed this development with bewilderment.
The King of Burgos had been captured. Surely the war was over then? What was Clipoford doing creating such a space?
The common soldiers, unable to comprehend, continued to caress the word “home” that they had carefully folded away in their hearts. Yet their confusion would not persist for long.
“Huh?”
Movement appeared from the Ruswena side. Soldiers escorting a magnificent horse with a yellow national flag held high. To anyone’s eyes, it was the gait of a king.
Had the color of defeat not been so deep, all would have gazed in awe. Now, even those dressed in rags merely stared with suspicion.
Whinnnnng!
And then movement appeared from the Burgos side as well. Precisely, the sorcerer from the north and a small number of tribal leaders. Each of them was a representative of their respective tribes, which is why they could answer Ian’s summons.
As they deliberated on how the situation might unfold, they did not hesitate and drove their horses toward the center of the earth.
A war fought to save their tribes. If it ended in defeat, not only their own safety but the very existence of each tribe would be threatened. The opponent was Bariel.
Creeeeak.
The Clipoford barrier gate opened. They erected a massive pale yellow tent, and soon discovered a golden-haired boy walking out on his own. It was Ian.
Numerous Mages following the small, young boy. As he turned his body, the Mages parted left and right to create a path, and soon the King of Clipoford slowly rode out. Ian directed the entire procession with gestures, giving signals to the barrier.
Originally this was work for Prince Noah, but the Prince harbored no particular objection and walked behind the King, following Ian’s instructions. His father, the King of Clipoford, had said nothing, so how could he add his own words?
Boooooo—
A buffalo horn sounded loudly, announcing their mutual meeting. The King kept his gaze fixed forward, refusing to look at the corpses piled like mountains on either side, and soon faced Eriponi, who had arrived first at the tent.
Eriponi descended from her horse with grace and greeted him first with merely a nod of her head.
“King of Clipoford. It has been quite some time since we last met. I thought your son, being the pride of Clipoford, would never show his face.”
“Queen of Ruswena. For an invader, your tongue is far too long. Even now, the stench of blood and the cries of crows turn my stomach.”
Eriponi was somewhat taken aback but concealed her expression without showing it. Despite her appearance, did she not have a sharp tongue?
In truth, this was inevitable in a sense. Eriponi acknowledged that she had made an arrogant mistake, operating under the belief that she could overcome the current situation by any means. Eriponi smiled faintly and shook her head.
“An invader, you say? I regret that we have inadvertently disturbed the beautiful lands of Clipoford. However, we too were deceived by Burgos and have come to this pass. In a sense, we are victims. To resolve such misunderstandings, this gathering has been arranged. Let us openly discuss the grievances of Your Majesty and the injustices we have suffered.”
She never uttered the word “sorry.” To do so would be to admit Ruswena’s fault and could prove disadvantageous in the negotiations to come.
Just as the King of Clipoford was about to add something.
Swish.
Ian parted the tent and entered.
With his appearance, the slack atmosphere among the northern tribal leaders and Eriponi instantly sharpened. Someone more agile than Clipoford had arrived.
Eriponi examined Ian’s appearance with her smile slightly faded. Overall he appeared pallid, but showed no signs of serious injury.
“Has everyone gathered?”
When Ian gestured to the King of Clipoford as if asking why he was standing, he sat down first. Eriponi and the northern tribal leaders followed suit. Ian stepped forward slowly before them and introduced himself.
“I am Ian Hielo, Viscount and Minister of Magic of Bariel. This gathering is convened to discuss the resolution of the invasion of Clipoford, its compensation, and measures regarding the rift. Though I am the Minister of Magic, I currently represent Bariel, and all words spoken in this moment shall be conveyed to His Majesty the Emperor, the master of the great empire. I ask that you exercise care and courtesy in every word.”
Swish.
As Ian spoke, he grasped the edge of the table.
“Should anyone wish not to engage in dialogue, I ask that you leave this tent now.”
The tribal leaders had no such intention and remained still, and all eyes subtly turned toward Eriponi. Eriponi lightly nodded her head, indicating her participation as if to say the proceedings could continue.
Ian clapped his hands together and gestured for a map to be brought.
Whoooosh.
“Based on the current battle, the damage to Clipoford is as follows: the border regions adjacent to Burgos and Ruswena, and various large and small settlements including Baki village. The estimated damage is difficult to calculate precisely, but we anticipate a minimum of one million gold coins or more.”
The clan leaders inhaled sharply without realizing it. One million gold coins or more? The average monthly wage for a commoner was roughly one gold coin. Yet one million coins? Even ten thousand coins was beyond the capacity of these ethnic minorities to repay.
“Regarding this, let Burgos bear half and Ruswena bear half. And the tribes that participated on Burgos’s side shall divide their share from Burgos’s portion.”
“Wait, wait.”
At my demand for war reparations, Eriponi raised her hand.
It was an absurd amount. The capital hadn’t even been breached. There had merely been a few days of fighting before the barrier. But what? One million coins? Wasn’t this excessive by any measure?
“I must object again.”
Eriponi alternated her gaze between the King of Clipoford and me, speaking her final sentence in a low, measured tone.
“Ruswena is also a damaged nation deceived by Burgos. King Damon misled Ruswena with false information, and this must be taken into consideration. Your Majesty, King of Clipoford. I say again: we deeply regret the unintended harm we have caused and offer our sincere condolences. Ruswena will make every effort toward Clipoford’s reconstruction, but I cannot overlook the fact that the reparations are excessive.”
“False information, you say?”
I interjected, crossing my arms.
“Isn’t it merely a difference in how we divide the spoils of war? King Eriponi. From Bariel’s perspective, Ruswena’s conduct admits no excuse. And there is something else I have not yet mentioned—this concerns reparations to Bariel.”
The clan leaders’ faces went pale. The mention of reparations to Clipoford implied that there would be separate reparations to Bariel as well.
“First, please continue listening to ‘our’ proposal.”
I subtly emphasized that Bariel and Clipoford were allied nations, asking Eriponi to remain silent.
Once Clipoford received reparations, a portion would flow back into Bariel’s coffers. It was a gesture of goodwill toward our allied nation.
In other words, all the gold coins and wealth exchanged in this room now flowed into Bariel like salt into the sea.
“While Clipoford suffered severe losses among its common soldiers, Bariel suffered grievous losses among its mages. Your Highness’s archery skills are quite remarkable, I must say.”
It was testimony that Eriponi had directly attacked the mages, and simultaneously, a mockery that she had failed to strike them down.
As Eriponi’s face hardened, my expression gradually softened.
“Upon returning to Bariel, there are mountains of work to be done for the imperial palace, but the current situation makes it impossible. Therefore, I shall receive ten million gold coins as reparations to Bariel. This too shall be divided equally between Burgos and Ruswena, with the ethnic minorities bearing responsibility from Burgos’s share.”
“Impossible! Ten million coins?”
“To be precise, it is 5.5 million coins, Your Highness. If your arithmetic is perhaps lacking, I can write it out for you.”
“Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that?”
“Then what exactly are you asking?”
A question implying that a defeated nation had no right to raise its voice. Eriponi bit the inside of her cheek with her molars, restraining herself.
“…5.5 million gold coins equals several years of Ruswena’s entire budget.”
“Pay in installments. In exchange, you may pay the appropriate interest.”
“I should speak with Prince Jin, not you. You have no intention of understanding Ruswena’s grievances.”
“Why should Bariel understand Ruswena’s grievances?”
Rustle.
I replied coldly and slowly turned the pages of the document. It contained a detailed list of reparations beyond the gold coins that the defeated nation must pay.
“Apart from the gold coins, you shall donate one thousand slaves and ten treasures from each royal palace to Clipoford and Bariel. This too shall be divided—”
“No. I cannot accept this. I cannot agree to anything here.”
Rather than pay such massive reparations, continuing the war might be more advantageous. It would be far better to withdraw Bariel and then circle around to occupy Clipoford.
Accepting that proposal would mean Ruswena crumbling without resistance. To participate in war, fail to use our strength properly, and receive the mark of a defeated nation? Upon returning home, public support would plummet, and opposition factions within the palace would grow louder.
Yes. Better to continue the war, to end that man’s breath through Alena, to absorb Burgos’s remnants, and to wage war….
Swish.
Eriponi observed the clan leaders’ expressions. Their minds appeared equally troubled. How could ethnic minorities readily accept what was difficult even for the nation itself to bear?
These men too had participated in the war to solidify their power in their own lands. If they returned like this, everything would end. Whether through death or some other fate. Then wouldn’t it be better to continue fighting and search for even a thread of hope?
“And you?”
I tilted my head languidly, asking the strangers from the north. They too seemed unable to comprehend the proposal from Clipoford and Bariel.
However, unlike Eriponi, they could not speak with such confidence. Ruswena was a smaller nation compared to Bariel, but they possessed vast territories, a large population, and mages. Their relations with neighboring countries were favorable, so if direct conflict with Bariel were to occur, there existed nations like Hawanguk that would mediate.
And above all, right here and now—did they not command a great army equipped with black armor and Idgal?
As for themselves?
“It is not a burden, but rather an impossibility. Should you present a proposal within feasible bounds, I shall direct all such honor to Bariel’s imperial palace.”
“I see.”
I nodded, having expected as much.
I knew that even if they shared Burgos’s burden, it would be beyond their capacity. This was about securing their position regarding the rifts that would emerge henceforth.
Eriponi rose from her seat and turned her body toward the tent entrance.
“Ruswena too finds this an impossibility rather than a burden. Allow me to consult briefly with my subordinates and return. King of Clipoford, I beseech your kindness for but a moment.”
It was the moment Eriponi, showing at least some courtesy to the king, reached her hand toward the tent flap.
Zzzzzing. Zzzing.
Whoooosh!
“Ahhh!”
I unleashed my mana, pouring torrents of flame across the tent entrance. Eriponi clutched her burned palm and turned to face me, while I merely shrugged my shoulders.
“I mentioned this before we began. If you wished to leave, you should have done so then. Allow me to speak with proper courtesy: Sit back down, King of Eriponi. You may have your great army outside, but here—you are alone.”

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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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