Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 600

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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 599
Fire. The One Who Hears Prayer
Silence. A forest so quiet that even the rustling of leaves could not be heard.
As I continued forward, I paused, sensing my presence being erased. Unlike the forest entrance that welcomed outsiders, the interior had no proper path. One wrong step and I could easily lose my way.
‘Rather than me advancing further, it would be better to make the forest’s owner reveal themselves.’
Whoosh.
I leaned against a suitable boulder and sat down. The world felt as though time itself had stopped, with not a breath of wind stirring. I let a spark dance at my fingertips, then whispered softly.
“Show yourself, master of this forest. As you can see, we do not have much time afforded to us.”
If the situation deteriorated to its worst, I would have no choice but to burn this entire place to ash and clear a path through it.
Though I had already entered the creature’s domain, I felt no instinctive sense of oppression. I was confident I could suppress it sufficiently and without difficulty.
Click.
Just as I was about to pull out my pocket watch to check the minute hand, I felt a rustling movement in the forest where no sound had been heard before.
When I turned my head, there stood a small deer shimmering with blue and violet light. Though I hesitated momentarily at this unexpected sight, I quickly offered an Imperial salute and spoke to it.
“Are you the master of this forest?”
It didn’t seem to be a fairy, perhaps a spirit? Yet its aura was too pure to be called a monster.
The deer moved its long legs slowly toward me. Despite the warm and gentle energy it radiated, its voice carried tremendous power.
-Those who disturb this domain must turn their horses’ heads and leave at once. You will not be able to pass through this forest.
As I listened, I gently patted the space beside me, beckoning it closer. The deer, which had been cautious until then, slowly approached me step by step.
“I apologize for disturbing your domain. However, this is a command given by God. We have come to bring order to Burgos, which is in turmoil from civil war. If you are not a monster, do not act against the will of God.”
-…The cries of nearby humans continue to reach me. They pray to me, beseech me, and wail for salvation, which pains my heart. From the very beginning of my existence, I have been the master of this domain and the heart of these people. For any reason, I cannot open a path.
The deer’s attitude was quite resolute. Seeing no sign of retreat, I was about to consider my options when I realized the deer had not mentioned “Burgos.”
“What are the boundaries of your domain? The borders upon the earth have changed and disappeared hundreds, thousands of times throughout human history. It seems unlikely you would place meaning in something so finite.”
-Everywhere this forest exists is my domain.
I nodded briefly and recalled the map in my mind. The forest that the Mages had identified through reconnaissance was positioned throughout this region. That meant most of the surrounding area was under this deer’s jurisdiction. I gazed into the mysterious golden eyes of the deer and spoke.
“What you seek to protect is not Burgos itself, but those who live their lives, is it not? Bariel’s forces treat them humanely and do not desire unnecessary bloodshed. This has been true until now, and it will remain so. I swear this upon my name and everything I possess.”
This deer was surely the guardian deity revered by the Elder and the residents of Purpato. If I could only obtain its permission, entering the castle would proceed very smoothly.
“The choice is yours. Will you open a path and quell the disturbance, or will you hold firm and make their screams grow louder?”
The deer seemed to understand the situation unfolding, its ears perking up as it looked at me.
-Since you speak of making an oath, I will set a condition.
“I will hear it. But remember this—the situation is not so lenient that I can accept every demand.”
-…Not a single Purpato resident must die by your command. They are those who have spoken to me for a long time.
Hmm. That is difficult. Two great nations are at war—how could such a thing be possible? To fulfill this condition would mean no combat could occur at all, which was essentially the same as saying to bypass Purpato entirely.
As I pondered, the deer continued.
-And do not damage any region where this forest exists. If you keep only these two conditions, I will permit Bariel to pass through and will grant you appropriate recompense.
“Recompense, you say?”
The deer drew closer to me and whispered.
-I am known by many names: Purpato, the Land, Burgos, and the Deer Who Hears Prayer. If you keep these conditions, I will bestow upon you the “Blessing of Purpato.”
“What happens if I receive this blessing?”
-I will grant fortune to those who pray for you.
I made my judgment. If fortune would be granted to those who pray for me, then this was equivalent to fortune for myself. It was a proposal to grant me a virtuous cycle of fate.
Ian’s eyes narrowed to slits. When dealing with transcendent beings, one must exercise even greater caution, must one not? They were creatures who could toy with human fate through mere wordplay alone.
“To be precise, the condition is that ‘Purpato must not die by the command of Ian Verosion,’ correct?”
-Correct.
“Then, what is the definition of ‘damaging the forest’?”
-It refers to ‘flora and fauna departing without surviving to the next season.’
It was not an unfavorable proposal. Just as I was about to accept, the deer thrust its head forward with golden eyes gleaming, pushing it toward me.
-However, should you violate this, I shall bestow upon you the ‘Curse of Purpato.’ The curse is….
My expression twisted subtly as I listened to the deer’s whispered words. But I quickly weighed the gains and losses, and made my decision.
“I accept the proposal.”
I judged it worthwhile. Compared to the withdrawal of tens of thousands of Bariel troops and the resulting waste of time, it was acceptable.
As the deal was struck, the deer pressed its lips to the back of my hand. As if a seed of contract had been planted, verdant leaves unfurled in an instant, obscuring my vision.
Whoooosh!
Soon the surroundings fell silent. The deer vanished without a trace, leaving only a quiet world behind. Was it over? Had the path opened?
‘I’ll know once I turn back.’
As I rose to my feet, straightening my collar, I suddenly noticed the majestic trees stretching before me. To avoid conflict with the Purpato, I would need proof that I had received the deer’s permission.
Swish.
Just to be safe, I should break off a few branches from this mysterious forest to carry with me. If possible, rare flowers or fruits would be ideal for persuasion, but all I could see were leaves and branches.
The moment I snapped a branch, everything around me scattered like a mirage and vanished, and immediately a wind came rushing through. I was connected to the outside world.
* * *
“Damn it. How long has Ian been in there?”
“13 minutes and 34 seconds. And let me add, you bastard. You’ve been asking every minute. If you’re going to do that, take the watch with you!”
“I hate looking at watches, it’s hard for me. So how much time has passed now?”
“44 seconds! You thick-headed fool!”
Smack!
Captain Akorella couldn’t hold back and punched Berik on the back of his head. Normally everyone would have told them both to stop, but the atmosphere wasn’t right for that now. Everyone stood anxiously waiting for Ian, their eyes fixed on the forest entrance.
“What if it’s something like the Abyss?”
“Why are you spouting such unlucky nonsense? Besides, the Abyss is down beneath the ground, and this is standing right here on the earth!”
“Space gets twisted, so couldn’t time do the same?”
“Captain Akorella! This bastard keeps spouting pessimistic crap! Please shut his mouth!”
“Everyone, shut up and wait!”
“Knock knock knock. Are you there? We’re the subordinates of our Lord Ian. Could we enter together? Knock knock knock. Can you hear us? We’ll enter respectfully. Hello?”
“If you won’t let us in, at least show us what’s happening inside!”
“Damn it, yeah! Owner, come out right now!”
“Berik, well done! Shout louder!”
“Didn’t you hear me say to shut up and wait?!”
“Open up! Damn it!”
Whoosh!
Regardless of what Captain Akorella said, Berik, his patience exhausted, drove his fist straight forward. If an attack came back, he’d dodge. After getting hit a few times, he’d gotten the hang of it.
But then—
“Huh?”
This time, an arm stretched out straight and true.
As Berik stumbled back in surprise, the Mages all turned their heads at once. They had sensed Ian’s presence.
“Ian!”
Ian approached lightly, swinging a few branches in his hand as if he’d merely returned from a casual stroll. The Mages shoved Berik aside and rushed over in a clamor, surrounding him. The barrier that had hung over the forest had vanished.
Upon realizing this, the dense foliage disappeared like a mirage, and the surroundings brightened.
Whoosh!
“Are you alright? What happened inside?”
“I, I’m sorry, but how old are you exactly?”
“What’s with the branches? Why are you carrying something like that? It’s frightening.”
“You’re not injured, are you? Was there a forest owner inside? No, but you’re quite stubborn! We asked so many times to be let in!”
“Did you, did you deal with it?”
Amid a flood of questions, Ian only smiled. Then, after calming everyone down and soothing them, he sought out Jin. A report took priority over pleasantries.
“Your Majesty.”
“Count Ian! Are you unharmed?”
“Yes, I am unharmed. Fortunately, the forest’s owner possessed a clear and pure nature. As expected, it appeared to be a transformed version of the native deity once worshipped in Purpato, though I cannot definitively classify its existence—it was not a demon.”
“Is that so? That’s fortunate. The forest has disappeared. Did you open a path?”
“Likely so. However, there were conditions.”
Ian relayed to Jin the conversation he had shared with the Deer. Do not kill the Purpato people. And do not damage the remaining forest.
Jin’s reaction to this was identical to Ian’s.
“Do not kill the Purpato people? How is that possible during wartime?”
“Yes. It seems it will suffice if the killing is not caused by the orders of ‘Ian Verosion.’ Still, as a gesture of respect toward a being that has shown us favor, I believe it would be wise to simply pass by Purpato without incident, Your Majesty.”
“I am concerned that we may be leaving our rear too exposed when we advance the capital toward Kalamata.”
“Then, what if we reinforce Agiar with additional troops to monitor and watch over Purpato? Above all, they seem to be those who genuinely serve the native deity, so if we convey his will to them, we can avoid conflict.”
“That makes sense.”
“We shall move in that direction first.”
Jin nodded in acknowledgment.
Truly, what a strange world this is. The massive forest that had blocked their path just moments ago vanished in an instant, and a transcendent being that seeks to protect humans even amid war has manifested itself.
As Jin thought this and tightened his reins, the banner of Bariel rose high once more.
Boooooo!
Boo!
The rest was over. At the signal to move again, the Soldiers rose and reformed their ranks. The Mages approached Ian once more with a jingling sound and received the branches from his hands.
“But Ian, what is this?”
“I broke it off from inside the forest. Since I broke it before the forest disappeared, it remained. Show it to the Purpato people as proof, and keep it safe.”
“Yes, yes, understood.”
“Ian, you’re alright, aren’t you?”
At Berik’s final question, Ian nodded with a bright smile. He carried both blessing and curse simultaneously, but yes. He was alright. Ian gestured to him and ordered him to rejoin the Imperial Guards.
“We shall depart!”
“The obstacle blocking Bariel has vanished!”
“Let’s go! Waaaaah!”
The Soldiers raised their weapons and shouted, advancing into the path they had been unable to enter. Jin continued to remind himself of that condition: the Purpato people must not be killed.
Before long, I could see what appeared to be the fortress walls of Purpato in the distance.
“Your Majesty.”
Then came the report from the Imperial Guards, who had dispatched scouts to assess the situation ahead.
“They are waiting in Purpato, fully armed and ready.”

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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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