Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 578

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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 577
Fire. A New Direction
Tweller drained the remaining liquor in one gulp, then let out a regretful sigh.
Emperor Jin Verosion held his position with such unwavering strength, and beside him stood those devoted to their duties.
Yet how could it be that Ian’s Bariel had declined as though the nation’s fate had run its course? What in the world had transpired in Bariel over those hundred years?
“Count Ian. A hundred years is certainly a considerable span in human terms, but in the context of history, it is but a fleeting moment. Since the reign of Emperor Jin, I cannot shake the feeling that something has gone awry. How did this come to pass?”
Ian simply shook his head lightly, as though he could only speculate.
“I’m uncertain. Since everything is interconnected organically, I cannot pinpoint the exact moment when things went wrong. The battle with the Atan Clan in the northern territories, the resulting loss of the Imperial Guards’ strength, the fall of Agiar, Rutherford slipping through our grasp, the emptiness of the current palace—all of these form part of history’s tapestry.”
He added, gazing at Jin. As I had mentioned before, my existence served as proof that Jin’s history existed, and Jin’s present formed the foundation for my future.
“However, there is one thing I am certain of. In God’s judgment, this moment—my being here with all of you—is the ‘opportune time.'”
“I agree with that assessment. Without Count Ian, we would have faced countless hardships.”
“In the face of such tremendous danger as the Arcen incident, you were a beacon of light. Now I begin to understand God’s will.”
“Count Ian. In your timeline, did this war not occur? It seems the fall of Bariel was due to God’s shadow, with Tooluun as its base.”
“There were traces of shadow that had burrowed into the palace, much like Arcen. Without that, Bariel could not have declined so drastically in merely a hundred years.”
Ian raised his hand briefly, signaling for calm.
“My intervention has certainly altered some details. However, history unfolds within a greater framework. The annihilation of the Atan Clan in the northern territories and the religious war with Tooluun are historically documented events. And the new religion that emerged from Tooluun exerted considerable influence across all of Gaia, save for Bariel.”
“…In other words, the Underworld Deity’s influence completely consumed Gaia a hundred years hence. Even if it could not directly enter Bariel, it surely had some negative impact in one form or another.”
“Yes, I share that opinion as well.”
Minister Tweller stroked his white beard repeatedly, then released a deep groan as though lost in thought. Before him, empty bottles of liquor were already lined up in rows, yet his complexion remained unchanged.
“In my view, Count Ian—”
“Please, speak freely.”
“The confrontation with Tooluun is recorded as a historical event, so surely God desires something more than that, does He not?”
“What are you saying? Explain it simply, will you? There’s a blockhead here too.”
When Berik, chewing on dried meat, interjected, Tweller cast him a brief look of disdain.
“What I mean is, since the confrontation with Tooluun has already occurred, that alone cannot serve as a turning point to save Bariel. But I suspect God guided you here because there is something more you can accomplish after that.”
“Ah, why didn’t you say so from the start? Ian, do you have any idea what it might be?”
“No, I have no idea. We’ll only know once we see it for ourselves.”
“Right, right, let’s just go then—!”
Crash!
Berik set down his cup roughly and drew in a sharp breath. From his ragged breathing, unmistakable fury was clearly evident.
“So we just need to strike down the Underworld Deity, right?”
Then there would be no problem in Bariel a hundred years hence, and Ian wouldn’t end up oppressed and dead by Chroni’s hand. The solution was elegantly simple and clear. The problem was that there was another problem entirely.
“Count Ian. I understand that slaying the Underworld Deity is God’s will, your will, and ultimately the greater good for Bariel. But if that comes to pass, what of you?”
Jin, who had been listening in silence until now, posed the question. This was not a question about ‘Ian Verosion.’ It was a question about ‘Ian Hielo.’
Just as Jin had his Bariel, Ian had his own Bariel, and so it was certain that he would depart one day. But before that—what of Ian Hielo?
“Ian Hielo was originally a being that did not exist in history.”
“What are you saying? Look at how much you’ve accomplished here.”
“Berik, it is the truth. The surname Hielo felt familiar, but that was all. In the era where I lived, the existence of Ian Hielo did not exist.”
Berik’s pupils trembled and widened gradually. What did this mean? Was Ian’s trace going to be cleanly erased from this world someday?
Berik’s words caught in his throat, and his mouth hung open vacantly, while Jairot gazed at him with concern, thinking quietly to himself.
‘So that’s why he had no hesitation in revealing it.’
The shocking fact that he had been Emperor a hundred years in the future—Jin must have disclosed it with the certainty that such an existence would eventually vanish.
Jin seemed to have anticipated this, but Berik appeared deeply shaken, his eyes blinking uncontrollably.
“Didn’t King Damon also live his life twice?”
“Yes, Minister Tweller.”
“Is there a connection?”
“I reversed time by divine will, but Damon is clearly linked to the Underworld Deity. If we wish to uncover the truth, we have no choice but to capture Rutherford.”
“Hmm. I see. That makes sense.”
Swish.
Jin quietly slid a sheet of paper and a pen forward. Despite the questioning look in his eyes, I reflexively grasped the pen.
“Why do you do this, Your Majesty?”
“Write down the names of all those who conspired with Chroni at that time, including Duke Hilron. And record as well the institutional shortcomings you remember and the state of affairs within the imperial palace.”
Since I had helped Jin until now, the roles should reverse. To completely eradicate the seeds of future corruption before they could take root.
I wanted to prevent Chroni’s very existence by annihilating his entire clan, but doing so might affect my own existence as well. After all, we two shared blood.
“Your Majesty. Bariel as it stands now is ideally stable and prosperous. The imperial house need only watch over the future while pouring all its strength into repelling the Underworld Deity. That alone will suffice.”
“…For now, I shall keep watch over only the Hilron family.”
“Yes, if that is your will, simply observe them.”
Having overcome the crisis of Abigar’s fall, everyone gained a new direction. To stop the Underworld Deity, achieve victory in war, and completely seize hegemony over Gaia. Burgos was merely part of the process; the true threat to be wary of was Toolun far above.
Tweller pledged victory as a warrior, and Jin embraced power as Emperor. The problem was….
“Berik?”
Jairot snapped his fingers before his eyes, but Berik remained unresponsive, his spirit seemingly absent. Whether he was deep in thought or had simply collapsed with his eyes open remained unclear.
Berik slowly lifted his gaze to me, then bit his lower lip.
“…Ian.”
“Yes, Berik.”
“You said you definitely met God.”
“My very existence is proof of that.”
Good. Berik clamped his mouth shut and nodded vigorously. If God exists, then surely there must be a way. A way for him and them to run on the same timeline. If not, he’d force it into existence, damn it all.
“Minister Ian.”
Swish.
Jairot poured wine, leaving Berik behind. My empty cup filled once more.
“You have endured much hardship. Though it was long ago, I sincerely wish to apologize for the misunderstanding I harbored toward you.”
It was an apology for the vigilance he had maintained decades earlier, fearing I might manipulate the young Prince left alone.
I shook my head and instead praised him.
“You did well. At that time, the Magic Department’s power was absolute, and His Majesty was far too young—the balance could have collapsed. I will speak honestly: had you not exercised such vigilance, I would have worried instead.”
Realizing the empire’s vulnerabilities stemmed from this very point, I might have undertaken a sweeping reorganization of the imperial palace. The vigilance toward me signified that those beside Jin—the Prime Minister, Jairot, and others—were trustworthy. I was actually grateful for it.
“Balance. Yes, it is vital.”
As I and Jairot lightly clinked our cups, Jin murmured with arms crossed. No matter how he thought about it, he saw no room for the imperial house’s decline.
Then there was only one answer.
The Underworld Deity. It must be the root of all things. The fundamental cause that bound me, oppressed me, and prevented me from smiling.
“We shall reorganize the troops at Abigar for two days and await word from Barsabe. Do not cease the search of the buried barriers. We will recover the remains of all missing subordinates.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall obey your command.”
“Once preparations are complete, we march southward to carefully observe the movements of King Burgos’s faction, capture the capital Kalamat, and then advance directly to Toollun. I believe it would be wise to station Jeonseogoo at the Imperial Palace to gather intelligence on the situation in Toollun.”
“Your Majesty. I humbly beg your pardon, but it would be prudent to also monitor the situation to the east of Bariel, as well as conditions in Ruswena and Hawan. Once we advance toward Toollun, we shall be at considerable distance from Bariel, and any crisis would be difficult to address immediately.”
“Do you speak thus even with Cliffford present?”
“Of course. It is our own soldiers who protect our nation. Though Cliffford is an ally, they will ultimately act in their own interests. To fully safeguard Bariel, we have no choice but to remain vigilant ourselves.”
“The pursuit forces are also searching for the Ruswena Mages, so this matter can wait for now until a decision is made. What say you, Count Ian?”
At Tweller’s question, Ian nodded in agreement.
“Yes. I believe we should focus on completely resolving Agiaar first, and then take time to steady ourselves before moving forward.”
“Very well. Let it be so. Tonight, I shall provide the soldiers with meat and drink to encourage them to rest and recover.”
“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”
“And Count Ian—”
A faint scent of alcohol drifted from Tweller’s sigh.
“I apologize.”
“For what do you speak?”
“Regardless of what the Underworld Deity has done, as Minister of Imperial Defense, I apologize for my responsibility concerning the future. I have no choice but to steel myself further and set my resolve aright. That is my apology to you.”
Beyond titles of Minister or Emperor, this was respect shown from one human to another. How had that young child endured and grown to become such a magnificent being?
As Tweller placed his hand over his heart and offered the imperial salute, Ian smiled and bowed his head in response.
“Our dear Ian. Ah, you’ve suffered so much because of that wretched bastard.”
“Akorelra!”
Akorelra, slightly drunk, wrapped her arm around Ian’s shoulder and rubbed her head against his sympathetically, while Heil swatted the back of her hand repeatedly to pull her away.
“That’s right, Ian. If I happen to see that bastard Chroni, I’ll give him a proper beating. The more I think about it, the madder it makes me, doesn’t it?”
“Exactly! Our stupid pup Berik is absolutely right!”
“Ako, you’re drunk, aren’t you?”
“Ah, drunk on sorrow, you bastard.”
Ian simply laughed and patted Akorelra’s back. Then he gently embraced Heil nearby, Berik who came rushing over, and Jindo who approached slowly, lightly patting all their backs.
It was warm and familiar. Ian recognized that this warmth resembled what Chroni had given him, but he immediately shook his head to deny it.
‘…No. It’s warmer.’
It was a gift that God had granted 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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