Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 42

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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 42. The Pursuit
“Absolutely insane… no, disgustingly mad.”
Erika couldn’t help herself and pulled out another cigarette, placing it between her lips.
But at the same time, her mind raced rapidly—she sensed something was deeply wrong with this situation.
What could bringing the Cheonryeo Tribe possibly mean?
It suggested they wouldn’t hesitate to resort to force if necessary. Unlike the central forces, half-broken from the aftermath of battle, the Cheonryeo warriors burned with fighting spirit in their bodies.
‘What’s truly infuriating is that aside from Ian’s bloodline, the situation is otherwise flawless.’
The moment we stepped beyond the mansion’s front gate, the screams of the territory’s people cursing the central forces filled the air. Those who had faced them were Count Derga’s private soldiers, but to the people they were family, friends, and neighbors.
‘The territory’s people will harbor deep resistance and hatred for some time. But if a descendant carrying Bratz’s blood steps forward openly, control becomes efficiently possible. And above all, with the borderland’s most crucial barbarian tribe now showing support… damn it.’
My head throbbed.
If additional central forces were dispatched, we could certainly drive out the Cheonryeo and seize complete victory in Bratz.
But whether Erika and her unit could stand alongside her in that moment of glory remained uncertain. They would simply receive faded tributes under the name of sacrifice and call it done.
Erika’s lips twisted.
“…The appointment of a lord falls under the Emperor’s authority.”
“I understand. Before the Emperor’s appointment, no one holds that authority.”
No one and yet everyone.
Erika could do it, but that meant Ian could as well. She chewed her cigarette while glaring at Kakantir, who leisurely continued expounding on Ian’s necessity.
“Ian was born and raised in Bratz territory, so he would be of great help in its reconstruction. Without Ian, the Cheonryeo Tribe would grant no preferential negotiation rights to any other force in Bariel, and achieving peace would require starting from the beginning, getting to know each other.”
It was essentially a threat of severing ties. And this differed little from a declaration of war. Coming from the lips of the Cheonryeo Tribe’s chieftain, the weight of those words was considerable.
“Cheap bastard. Damn it.”
“So Sir Ian was right—you truly are of commoner origin.”
“Can’t you shut that mouth? You borderland bastards really…”
Kakantir shot Erika a murderous glare. But she didn’t back down, lifting her chin defiantly.
How much hell had she endured to climb this far from the bottom? And now, with the position of lord right before her eyes, she was about to lose everything while fully conscious.
“…I’m telling you this out of kindness, but you know killing me is the same as declaring war on Bariel, right?”
“Oh. Thanks for the heads up. Otherwise I would’ve snapped your neck just now.”
“Ugh…”
Crack.
Kakantir pressed his foot against the fallen man’s neck and laughed. His subordinate instinctively gasped for breath, his body trembling. Cold sweat dripped down Erika’s back.
“Fine. I understand roughly what you all want.”
Erika stepped back and crossed her arms, changing the subject. She had been the internal candidate for this territory’s lordship since Mollin first suggested she take the role of investigation unit commander. It was clear her name was already written on the lord’s appointment document that Ian was after.
So she couldn’t back down here.
“But I haven’t yet secured Count Derga, Mrs. Mary, and Chel’s persons. I also have the duty to arrest all the soldiers who opposed us and uphold the Emperor’s authority.”
“Well spoken.”
“I cannot withdraw from the mansion until my mission is complete. If you truly wish to ease Bratz’s suffering, then act accordingly. But I hope you move only for peace. Otherwise, the Emperor’s blade will fly from the capital straight here.”
Until word arrives from the capital appointing Erika as lord of this territory. Until then, we simply endure. Once I receive that authority, I’ll smash every single one of those arrogant mouths.
“Very well. Then we shall lend our strength to Count Derga’s capture.”
Ian nodded as though it had been a satisfactory negotiation. His subtle maneuvering had succeeded.
Just as Erika said, capturing Count Derga and the mansion’s key figures would give us justification for the central forces to remain stationed here.
“Furthermore, we shall take the lead in recovery efforts. Haven’t the investigation unit and central forces already drawn the territory’s people’s resentment? Step back for the sake of efficient progress.”
Could it be that his true intention is to rescue Count Derga?
Erika’s eyes narrowed as the thought suddenly occurred to her. She flicked away the half-smoked cigarette butt and gestured to her subordinates.
“You’d better be prepared if you try any funny business.”
“Erika, it seems you and Mollin aren’t particularly close?”
“What?”
“I mean, you don’t seem to understand the relationship between myself and Count Derga. You needn’t worry about that. I’ll bring Count Derga here and prove it to you. I’ll show you just how sincere I am to the Central government.”
This was a crucial moment that would later solidify Ian’s position. Despite sharing Derga’s bloodline, he would firmly deny him. Having already laid the foundation with the denunciation letter he’d handed to Mollin, he needed to cement it even more securely.
“Ha. Bring Count Derga here? If you can manage it, go ahead and try. Even the Central Army is struggling with the pursuit, wandering lost in the mountains.”
Once the situation was roughly settled, Kakantir fastened his clothes and turned around. With a voice full of laughter, he declared with certainty.
“Hunting is our specialty, so you lot just stay here and attend to that woman.”
What Kakantir indicated with a nod was Erika’s subordinate with a broken neck. Ian also followed the Cheonryeo Tribe members out, giving a light nod.
“Then. I’ll see you again soon.”
Crash!
The moment the door closed, Erika spat out her cigarette and rushed to her subordinate, then ground her teeth furiously.
“Bring me a carrier pigeon at once!”
“Yes, Erika.”
At their lord’s sharp command, the subordinates moved busily. They had to send an urgent letter to the Capital immediately. The only thing that could protect Erika here was the provincial appointment authority stamped with the Emperor’s seal.
She could only hope that Mollin would handle his work well and promptly.
* * *
The next day, in a forest not far from Bratz.
Soldiers crouched between rocks, gripping their swords while swallowing hard. Rustling sounds came from all directions—whether from beasts or enemies, no one could tell.
Perhaps it was the tension of not knowing when the enemy’s attack would come pouring down. Count Derga’s entire body was drenched with sweat, and he trembled uncontrollably without realizing it.
“Count. This way.”
Deo, covered in blood from head to toe, led the way forward. Because he had crawled and pressed himself flat against the ground, his face was covered with marks from coarse grass.
“Haa, haa… how much further down do we have to go?”
“They say Merelov has completely locked its gates, so we’ll have to go around and enter the Hawan Kingdom instead.”
Though it was called heading to the Hawan Kingdom, it was no different from exile. Even after arriving there, he would have to hide his identity as much as possible for safety reasons. Everything—the land he’d lived on his entire life, his pride and honor as a nobleman—had been shattered to pieces.
“Damn it.”
The Count glanced back to confirm the soldiers following him. His forces had been reduced by more than half. And they were all battered, missing limbs here and there. It was hard to call it a good fight—the color of defeat hung heavy.
Crinkle.
The Count absently touched the bundle hanging on his back. He felt the emergency funds he’d secretly hidden away at his fingertips. Small and large jewels and gold coins. Important assets that would sustain everything for Count Derga going forward. If God was merciful, perhaps he could use these as a foundation to return to Bratz someday.
Rustle.
“Wait. Stop.”
“Stop.”
“Behind! Stop!”
Deo sensed a presence and froze. At the same time, the soldiers strung out behind him like sausages also lowered their stance and grew alert to their surroundings.
Screeeech!
The sound came from a large tree nearby. Count Derga and Deo both lifted their heads at once. A hawk the size of a deer was glaring down at them with fierce eyes.
“Haa.”
So that was it. Count Derga clutched his trembling heart and let out a sigh of relief.
That was when it happened.
Thwack!
The soldier escorting me collapsed as his head snapped to the left—a dagger had embedded itself in his temple.
‘What?’
Instant death. The fallen soldier never even realized he was dead, and neither did I standing beside him. It happened in a literal instant, faster than thought itself.
“Ugh… ugh…”
“Aaaahhh!”
“Enemy! We’re under attack!”
“Everyone, stay calm! Raise your shields!”
Deo shouted, but the soldiers who had already tasted death’s proximity scattered in panic, screaming. Only a handful of Knights with their wits intact managed to draw their bows and swords.
“From the right!”
“The attack came from the right!”
“Protect the Count!”
“Keep your head down!”
The terror that another blade could come at any moment—I trembled and hid my body behind the Knights.
“Hey. Derga.”
Whistle!
Clang!
An arrow flew toward me. A Knight quickly deflected it with his sword, protecting his lord.
Between the leaves, light streaked down like rain. Upon the ridge, figures in sand-colored hoods began to reveal themselves.
“It’s been a while. You’ve changed quite a bit.”
“K-Kakantir!”
“The Cheonryeo! It’s the Cheonryeo Tribe!”
The crimson dye made them look as though drenched in blood. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Hadn’t I rejected his aid outright? Even sending Knight Bel’s head as proof.
“Why… why are you here?”
“Curious?”
“Damn it! Count, run!”
“Alex! Form a defensive line!”
The Knights grabbed my arm and pulled me away, shouting. All the Warriors standing beside Kakan had drawn their bowstrings taut.
Kakantir laughed, gesturing behind me.
“If you’re curious, why not ask your son?”
In that moment, the tension drained from me and the soldiers like water. We all turned our heads toward the direction of the fierce wind.
“Father.”
Whoooosh.
Like a spirit dwelling in the forest. Golden hair gleaming strand by strand caught the wind, and green eyes curved beautifully.
It was Ian. My son, whom I had sold to the Cheonryeo.
“I’ve… returned.”
“Ian…! You! You bastard!”
The shock faded quickly as I remembered—it was Ian who had conspired with Mollin to reduce me to this state. The cursed blood of mine who had dragged me from my honored position as lord of my domain down to the depths. Ian was my past shame and my future hatred.
“I will kill you, Ian! I’ll tear you to shreds and feed your flesh to your mother! And I’ll throw you both alive into a fire pit! I’ll make living feel like hell itself!”
Count Derga’s fury tore through the forest in jagged, raw shrieks. Ian’s expression remained unmoved. That infuriating composure only made Derga’s blood pressure spike further.
“You bastard!”
“Count!”
Clatter-clatter-clang!
Without thinking, Derga gripped his sword and charged at Ian. Despite his exhausted and wounded body, he surged forward in a single burst, aiming for Ian’s neck. Behind him, Deo followed like a shadow, guarding his lord.
Clang! Ting!
It was Su who knocked Derga’s blade aside, and Berik immediately blocked Deo’s incoming strike.
“Ow.”
Berik winced slightly from the recoil, glancing down at his abdomen. But only for a moment. He grinned widely and waved at Deo.
“Hey there, you bastard.”
“…You… bastard?”
“Don’t you remember me? I remember you.”
Berik swung his sword in a wide arc and lunged at Deo.
“Back at the training grounds. You beat the hell out of me.”

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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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