Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 572

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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 571
Fire. Your Bariel
Verosion.
A legendary existence born between God and man, who quelled Gaia’s chaos, founded Bariel, and is believed to have governed the empire with unwavering authority for over three hundred years.
Any Emperor of Bariel must bear the name Verosion, a mark of being chosen by Bariel and a glory unto itself.
Verosion.
Emperor of Bariel.
The heart of Gaia, the pinnacle of the empire.
“…Ian Verosion.”
Jin found myself unconsciously rolling the syllables after Ian’s words. The smooth flow of the name was beautiful and melancholic.
Just as joy glistened in Ian’s eyes, an indescribable emotion welled up in mine. Ian smiled brightly and clasped my hand.
“Your Majesty. Please compose yourself.”
This is a battlefield. How can you, the lord of all who stand here, display such raw emotion? This is what I have told you, and in truth, what you told me. Your will flowed and reached me a hundred years hence. Did it not?
“How? How on earth—”
“There are mountains of details I cannot explain in full right now. But if you ask me to put it simply….”
Ian trailed off and glanced around at those present. Everyone’s reactions were far too vivid. Most were so shocked they couldn’t even breathe properly.
“….”
“…!”
Heil dropped his cigarette with a flick, while Akorelra let out a silent scream, tearing at the hair of the mages on either side. The mages, their hair being pulled, remained frozen in place.
Ian made a small gesture to calm them and continued speaking.
“A hundred years hence, I became Emperor as a boy and faced rebellion before reaching adulthood. My opponent was an elderly nephew who had dominated my life since childhood. At the moment I was about to be imprisoned and executed, I was brought here by Naum Obia, my friend at the time and Minister of Magic.”
“…Such magic exists?”
“It was forbidden magic.”
The reason he had taken such interest in the abyss.
Everyone understood Ian’s answer. Zaira in particular covered her mouth in shock—she had never imagined Ian shared the same purpose as herself.
“This ultimately reached God. Concerned that shadows were disturbing Gaia, God arranged matters through the body of the illegitimate Ian, and in that process, I came to be here.”
“Arrangement?”
“The path we have walked thus far, and the path we shall walk ahead.”
Using Rutherford to create Idgal, bringing balance to the overflowing rifts, having one blessed by the imperial house deal with the corrupted creature Arcen, and Jin ascending to the throne in proper order—all of it.
Everything was accomplished through the intervention of God, who bears the name ‘Ian.’ Whether as the illegitimate Ian or the Emperor Ian.
“Just as God used me as an instrument, the shadow likewise used Rutherford as an instrument. Though his soul was weathered and carved away.”
A creature’s brainwashing that cannot be easily escaped without imperial blessing.
Jin thought of my mother, Deilaina, and frowned slightly for a moment. She had been like a parasite burrowing deep into the heart, seeking to topple both Gaia and Bariel. Wearing my own face.
“Simply put, that is all. However, as I have said, this is your Bariel, and I exist as God’s instrument, so I remain as before—Ian Hielo. Minister of Magic, Ian Hielo.”
Ian smiled softly and nodded.
As the answer settled, understanding dawned simultaneously in everyone’s minds.
“…So that’s why you knew about ‘that passage.'”
“Pardon? Captain Heil, what did you say? What passage?”
“Wana, wait. For something that came in so suddenly, I’m amazed how well this makes sense. This isn’t my delusion, right?”
“…Well, it’s right. It is.”
“What? You think I’m imagining things?”
“No, you madman. Remember when Count Ian told us to find and reference a precedent that even the Administrative Department didn’t know about? I thought it was strange at the time.”
“When was that? There have been so many incidents, I can’t remember.”
“Good heavens, so Count Ian, you… were you originally a Mage?”
“Of course I was. Otherwise, how could I have drawn that magic circle! At that age! Does that even make sense?”
“Are you perhaps an idiot? Count Ian just said so. He became that way before reaching adulthood.”
“Oh. Then—”
“There’s barely any difference between my original age and now.”
“Ah… I see.”
The Mages who had regained their senses approached me with endless curious remarks. They were the humans closest to God, believed to be loved by Him. The fact that my body belonged to God was something they found so astonishing and moving that they couldn’t contain themselves.
“Count Ian, are you both a Mage and the Emperor?”
“Yes. I was the first to become Emperor from among the Mages.”
Now these Mages worked respectably in the Imperial Palace and earned money, but most came from humble origins. That a Mage could even become Emperor—they all widened their eyes and let out endless exclamations of wonder.
“Was your magical power originally at this level?”
“No, originally my true body was incomparably stronger. But after meeting God in the abyss, it seems similar to that time, or perhaps even stronger now.”
“Insane, so that was the weak version.”
“W-what kind of person was God?”
“…Warm.”
As I murmured while vividly recalling the warmth of that day, longing flickered in the Mages’ eyes.
Ian Hielo, or rather, Ian Verosion. He had been great and remarkable before, but now it felt as though he had transcended those limits far beyond.
Similar to how the Mages were making a commotion, the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry were also turned upside down, filled with whispered conversations.
“Is this ‘future Emperor’ thing really true?”
“We saw it just now. The one with platinum hair and blue eyes.”
“We have no choice but to believe it, don’t we? How else would you explain that person?”
“Now everything makes sense from beginning to end. Back then, ten years ago, Haiman brought it up. That person carries the blood of the imperial family.”
“King Damon said the same thing. There are parts that align perfectly.”
“It wasn’t nonsense. How did they even find out, I wonder.”
“Haiman is dead and gone, but Damon remains, so it won’t take long to find the answer.”
“Yes, and before that, Count Ian might provide us with the answer himself.”
So that’s why there’s no smoke without fire? The moment when suspicions that had seemed utterly absurd for so long finally materialized into reality. Everyone gasped in astonishment, shock, and admiration all at once.
“Berik! Are you alright?”
One of the Imperial Guards poked at Berik, who was sitting blankly on Kyu. But there was no response. He stared at me with vacant eyes, then collapsed backward.
Thud!
“Berik! Damn it! Did this bastard pass out with his eyes open?”
“Before that, let’s treat him. Look at his legs. Really.”
“What if he can’t walk after this?”
“But what about Captain Bonita and Barsabe…?”
Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t tell what had happened to Captain Bonita and Barsabe. Were they beneath the collapsed Agiar barrier, or were they avoiding it and pursuing Rutherford?
As I pondered briefly and looked toward Agiar, the atmosphere around us suddenly hardened. Why were they acting like that? Feeling puzzled, I turned around, and my eyes widened slightly.
“…Your Majesty.”
A single tear fell from Jin’s impassive eyes. Unaware of it himself, he startled at Ian’s call and hastily wiped it away with his fingertips.
Everyone deliberately lowered their heads or turned away, casting down their gazes. The Emperor’s tears were not to be seen, nor could they be witnessed.
“Ah.”
Sensing Jin’s bewilderment at just a single tear, Ian stepped closer and grasped his hand once more.
“Forgive me, Count Ian.”
“There is nothing to forgive. You may wipe them away from this moment forward.”
“My heart is so turbulent and dizzy.”
“Yes. I understand. You must have been shocked.”
“Shocked, yes, but—”
Jin fell silent for a moment, collecting himself.
The first emotion he recognized was joy. The Ian who had guided his hand was in truth someone who shared the name Verosion with him—he was overwhelmed with happiness and didn’t know what to do with himself.
Next came understanding of all Ian’s actions, and with it, profound sorrow. How had Ian endured alone in the palace, carrying such a tremendous secret by himself? The weight of Ian’s heart, unable to answer when asked to stand beside him and lead Bariel toward the same future together, suddenly consumed him entirely.
“Everything you have done was truly for Bariel. This was not merely the name Verosion—God’s will walked alongside you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am genuinely grateful. Because I was able to serve you at my side, I have become capable of loving Bariel a hundred years hence with my whole heart.”
“Do not speak such words. I too am grateful, yet I cannot find the words to express it. You are the proof of my future—that I exist and will exist, are you not?”
“Indeed. Just as I am, so shall you be, Your Majesty.”
“I do not fully understand what transpired a hundred years hence, but remember this one thing. You are Verosion. Bariel’s Verosion. And thus, you created Bariel a hundred years ago.”
Ian was so moved that he could only smile. It was the greatest encouragement that Ian Verosion, as Emperor, could receive.
Watching him, Jin barely held back the tears that threatened to fall once more. Ah. Now I understand. Why it does not end with mere joy and sorrow.
‘Ian’s Bariel….’
This place was his Bariel, so Ian must always return to his own Bariel.
Before he could even fully comprehend it, he understood instinctively. That they could not remain together. Now that he had ascended to the throne of Emperor, each of them had their own distinct path to walk.
“…Yet I am still joyful.”
“What brings you joy, Your Majesty?”
“That you are my family.”
“Indeed. I feel the same. I am remarkably proud that someone such as you, Your Majesty, is my family.”
Squeeze.
The two clasped hands and nodded to one another.
“We shall have a longer conversation later.”
“Good. I have much to ask and much to hear.”
“I shall tell you everything, all of it.”
Ian looked around at those gathered and answered thus. It was a signal for them to awaken from their shock and fulfill their respective roles.
During the unintended lull in battle, Ruswena’s forces had regrouped and were retreating behind the Agiar Barrier, while simultaneously observing their movements. As if….
“What are those fools standing about for, one might wonder.”
Jin muttered and drew his sword wide.
“Forward!”
This was the moment Ian’s existence became newly recognized. A being from Bariel a hundred years hence. This was as though God Himself had directly shown that the Empire would endure and remain strong even after this war.
Following Jin, the officers raised their weapons, and the soldiers swiftly took their battle stances.
Whoooosh—
Whoosh—
“All forces-!”
“All forces!”
“Charge!”
“Charge!”
Whoooosh!
As Jin swung his blade, the Bariel Soldiers aligned their formation and surged forward once more. Beyond the piled rubble lay nothing but a clear path to the barrier. The soldiers roared with fervent battle cries.
“Aaahhh!”
“Chaaarge!”
Tap tap tap!
Thwack!
Among the soldiers pouring forth like grains of sand, Jin raised his blade and cried out.
“God stands with us!”

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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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