Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 599

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 598
Fire. The Inexplicable Forest
“Hmm.”
Maxim Tweller stood near the forest’s edge and extended his hand, seeking to locate the invisible boundary.
As I moved forward cautiously, step by careful step, I reached a certain point where something strange became apparent. The flow of air turned cold.
Whoosh.
And as expected, my hand, like those of the mages before me, was pushed back out. The space itself had twisted.
Berik approached from the side and let out an exclamation of wonder, then immediately began thrusting his fist repeatedly.
“Wow, what is this? It spits you out the moment you put something in?”
“Be careful, Berik.”
“What’s there to be careful about? Ugh!”
Smack!
His arm, which he’d been extending lightly and rapidly, ended up striking his own face.
As Berik retreated, clutching his nose, Maxim Tweller clicked his tongue and glanced toward the camp. They’d been bound securely until just moments ago—who had released them? Meanwhile, the Magic Department and the Imperial Guards appeared preoccupied, huddling together with their heads bent.
“We flew as high as possible, but the result is the same. Entry is impossible within a certain range!”
“As you mentioned, forests appeared on other routes as well. The problem is that they’re blocking all southern passages, but we’ll need to compare them against maps to determine whether these are original forests or not.”
“I’ll take care of that. I’m confident with maps. Count Ian, we should also verify whether only people are unable to pass through. Should we try firing some magical energy?”
“What if it comes flying back at us? Didn’t you see what just happened to Berik’s fist?”
“He got hit? Anyway, he’s certainly digging himself into a hole. But that’s him—we can just block it. We have several mages here with all their limbs intact. Why worry about that?”
“Because we don’t know how the magical energy will return. If it comes back amplified, it’ll be difficult to handle.”
The moment we departed Agiar, the Magic Department became busy once more.
An inexplicable phenomenon never before witnessed. Even the mages, called the epitome of wisdom, were floundering about helplessly, so the Imperial Defense Ministry had nothing special to contribute. Wouldn’t rushing in only bring chaos? It would be best to turn back, but they said conditions here were no different from there.
“Search the surrounding area. If this phenomenon appeared suddenly, there must be someone who knows about it.”
“Yes, Minister.”
At Maxim Tweller’s command, mounted soldiers scattered in all directions and began riding off.
The remaining members kept their distance, watching the forest intently, while Berik, showing no signs of fatigue, continued to charge toward it and retreat repeatedly. He seemed to believe that a solution would emerge through persistence.
“Berik! Get out here! We’re going to fire some magical energy.”
“Gyahahaha! Tch! Ugh, this is getting annoying.”
“Come out. I won’t take responsibility if you get buried.”
As the mage gestured with his hand, Berik lowered one eye mockingly, as if daring him to kill him if he could. The mage clicked his tongue once, then clasped his hands together and fired magical energy slightly upward.
Zing! Zing!
Boom!
A bright beam of light shot forward in a straight line, and the moment it touched the forest, it vanished without a trace and came back out.
Ian observed this silently, then furrowed his brow in puzzlement.
“The angle is maintained consistently as it returns. It’s like a massive mirror.”
It was a kind of ‘reflection’ concept—a colossal mirror forest that sent back whatever entered it unchanged.
Was it magic? But I’d never heard of magic operating in this manner. Neither the mages nor I had.
“If it’s not magic, could this be some form of illusion as well?”
“That can’t be it. There are tens of thousands of Bariel soldiers here, and it’s not easy to trap them all in an illusion. Moreover, the fact that it’s been continuously maintained makes it even more impossible. Rather than an illusion, wouldn’t it be more accurate to view it as something closer to a physical concept? Like a kind of barrier.”
“Count Ian, what should we do? We have no solution.”
“If we return, we’ll have to go all the way up to Agiar and cross the border. We’re looking at a delay of up to two weeks beyond our initial estimates.”
Supplies were secondary—time was the real constraint. There was the Rutherford situation, and then Philia’s disappearance. We couldn’t afford to waste hours on the road when so much was at stake.
I observed the forest entrance while listening to the Mages’ opinions.
“Count Ian, what’s wrong?”
“…Something feels off.”
“What do you mean?”
“The path and forest entrance connect too seamlessly.”
“Why would that be strange?”
“The forest rejects outsiders entirely. Yet this entrance is far too well-maintained. Given the circumstances, there shouldn’t be an entrance at all—it would be more natural that way.”
“Ah, now that you mention it…”
I was right. Unlike the constant repulsion we felt, the forest entrance stood wide open. The path was smooth, and traces of frequent passage were evident.
“Could it be waiting for someone specific other than us?”
“Who would that be?”
“How should I know? That’s what we need to find out.”
Clop clop clop!
Neigh!
That’s when we heard hoofbeats in the distance. A Soldier who’d been sent to scout the area under Tweller’s orders was returning—and cradled in his arms was a gaunt old man.
“Minister! A local resident!”
“There’s a settlement here?”
“Not exactly a settlement—more like a hermit living alone in a crude shelter. His hearing is quite poor; you have to speak loudly for him to understand.”
“Lower him down slowly and carefully.”
The old man looked less like a living person and more like a walking corpse. His eyes darted about in confusion, and his tongue swept across his missing teeth.
“Elder, can you hear me?”
“…What?!”
Despite his appearance, his voice was surprisingly clear and strong. Tweller bowed deeper and shouted again.
“Can you hear me?”
“Of course I can! Who are you?”
“I am Maxim Tweller, Minister of Imperial Defense for Bariel. I have a question for you. Do you know when this forest ahead appeared?”
As Tweller pointed to the forest, the old man blinked and answered.
“A forest is a forest—what do you want to hear? That we’ll all be fine?”
“It seems to have appeared recently, and an inexplicable force prevents entry. If you know anything at all, please tell us. In exchange, I’ll ensure you’re safely returned home with a small token of gratitude.”
“My hearing’s fine! I understand everything!”
The old man waved his hand dismissively while answering off-topic, and Tweller’s expression grew troubled. Was this the only civilian in the area? He looked barely capable of surviving alone.
“There must be a guardian nearby.”
It was an order to find more people.
Just as the Soldiers turned to leave, Berik approached and crouched before the old man. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.
“Grandma! What’s that over there?”
“Huh?”
Berik’s question rang out loudly, and the Mages covered their ears in irritation.
“If it’s not Burgosian, he won’t understand, you fool!”
“You wouldn’t understand anyway, no matter how I explain it. What’s the difference between saying it this way or that way? It’s all the same. Grandmother! We want to go over there—do you know anything about it?”
The Mages were about to click their tongues in disapproval, but to their surprise, the Elder clapped her palms together sharply and responded.
“You wretch! You’re not a Burgos Soldier!”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? I’m from Bariel.”
“That’s why the forest appeared! You wretched thing, you wretched thing! Because of you, Purpato was startled out of her wits, you wretch. Drop dead! Yap! Yap!”
The Elder seized Berik’s hair with her skeletal hands and began shaking it. It wasn’t painful, but it was irritating enough that she tried to pull away. Seizing the moment, the Mages joined in, grabbing Berik’s hair and shaking it alongside the Elder. It was a strategy to appease her.
“Grandmother, Purpato is a city name. What are you talking about? What do you mean it appeared because of Bariel?”
“Purpato foresaw her downfall and revealed herself! Because of you wretches! Return to Bariel at once!”
As the Elder fell backward while still gripping Berik’s hair, everyone rushed to support her waist in alarm. Her frail body seemed unable to contain such fury. Even as her consciousness faded, the Elder continued muttering ceaselessly.
“Go back, beg forgiveness from Lady Purpato… Go back, leave Burgos alone, you Empire bastards….”
“Sir Ian, she’s lost consciousness.”
“Damn it! Is everyone insane? Why did you all pull her hair together?”
“We were just going along with Grandmother. Did it hurt?”
“Whoever grabbed my sideburns and pulled them—I swear I’ll find that bastard! Ugh.”
Berik rubbed his head vigorously while bent over, and I alternated my gaze between the unconscious Elder and the forest’s edge.
I didn’t know the details, but it seemed clear that—
“The natives of Purpato appear to follow a guardian deity.”
“A guardian deity?”
“It’s called a guardian deity, but no one can know its true nature until they see it directly.”
It could be a spirit, a fairy, or even a monster.
In any case, the outline was becoming clear. A transcendent being protecting the surrounding region had revealed itself to block Bariel’s southward advance. To prevent further progress, to ensure Bariel could no longer ravage Burgos’s lands.
I suddenly recalled a case I’d heard of somewhere.
“It’s rare, but I’ve heard it’s a phenomenon often seen in nations facing destruction. There was even some commotion in Bariel because of it once.”
“In Bariel? Which Bariel?”
“…Bariel a hundred years from now.”
But back then, it wasn’t on this massive scale. Since it was wartime, countless unbelievable rumors had been swirling about anyway.
“Then what should we do?”
“Either persuade the forest’s master, or eliminate it.”
There must surely be someone the forest desires. Since it appeared to block the Bariel forces, if their master were to step forward, it might grant passage.
“By the forest’s master, you mean—”
All eyes turned toward Jin.
At this, Jin, who had been observing the situation from inside the carriage, opened the door and descended slowly. The Mages, as well as the Imperial Guards, shook their heads in disapproval.
“You mean me?”
“Your Majesty, that cannot be. There must surely be a trap hidden within.”
“Yes, we cannot know what might happen inside. Absolutely, absolutely not. Your Majesty cannot enter alone.”
“It would be better to take a detour, even if it costs more time and effort. Your Majesty’s safety cannot be exchanged for anything.”
“Yes, we should turn the horses around and depart right now….”
Jin gazed at me with her hand resting on her sword hilt. Her eyes were asking what should be done.
I thought for a moment, then lowered my head.
“Would it be acceptable if I attempted it?”
“Count Ian?”
Ian was also Bariel’s master. The forest’s master might deem him appropriate. Thus, if entry were granted, I would go myself to attempt persuasion, inducement, or elimination.
Of course, there were many other advantages. Going myself was safer and more reassuring than sending Jin, and opening the path quickly was the fastest way to reach Toollun.
“Of course, if His Majesty permits it.”
As Ian bowed respectfully, Jin urged him forward lightly.
“…There’s nothing to permit or refuse. It’s the truth, so how could I?”
“Then I shall return shortly.”
Ian walked into the forest without hesitation. The moment he reached the boundary in question, he whispered softly and spoke to the forest’s master.
“…I am Bariel’s Emperor, Ian Verosion. I wish to see the forest’s master. Dissolve the barrier.”
Whoosh.
Ian carefully extended his hand. Unlike before, he could now walk forward without being repelled.
The startled Mages and Berik rushed forward all at once—
Zing!
“Damn it!”
“Open the door, curse it! Let us go with you!”
“We serve Lord Ian!”
Those without the proper qualifications were mercilessly pushed back.
Ian turned to look back and nodded once to everyone. As if to say he would return shortly.
And soon after, he disappeared deeper into the forest.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————