Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 608

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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 608. Kalamatro
“We depart!”
After a considerable wait, Tweller’s command rang out.
As the soldiers on standby moved with purpose, the Purpato residents gathered along the roadside watched with concern.
They had obtained the price of surrender in the Emperor’s name, but would these people truly accept it as genuine surrender?
Nearly half of Purpato’s population had offered their breath in prayer for the Emperor’s death. There was ample possibility they would reverse course and annihilate the city.
“What should we do? Everyone is moving about so busily.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry. If they intended such a thing, they wouldn’t have helped us suppress the fire in the first place.”
Someone murmured while clutching their child tightly to their chest—words half-mingled with hope and denial of reality.
The soldiers gathered their ranks and moved forward, leaving the whispering Purpato residents behind.
“Creepy bastards, tsk. What unit is stationed here anyway? Poor souls. I’d rather deal with half-destroyed Agiar.”
“I’m not sure. Doesn’t seem like there’s anything special.”
“What do you mean?”
“The garrison unit. Everyone’s preparing to move, aren’t they? I can’t speak for what’s further back though.”
“Oh, really?”
“You there! Stop chattering and move out!”
“Yes, yes, understood!”
Though puzzled, there was no time to survey the surroundings. A flag waved dramatically from the front, signaling departure. Tens of thousands of soldiers marched through the rear gates and ascended the path leading to Kalamatro.
The Mages also monitored the advance from the sky, managing the troop movement.
“It must be because this connects to the capital. The slope is gentle and the road is wide. We’ll arrive within days.”
“Probably. But really, no garrison unit left behind?”
“Right. All Bariel soldiers were ordered to depart without exception.”
“I wonder what they’re thinking. Hmm. After being so concerned about the rear.”
It was a decision made by Jin, Ian, and Tweller, so there must be intent behind it. The Mages shrugged and cut through the wind. Something lay ahead of the vanguard.
Whoooosh!
“Huh? Who is that?”
“Wasn’t his name Raudan?”
It was Raudan’s corpse, sitting in the middle of the road as if refusing passage to Kalamatro.
His back was rigid, his lips firmly sealed, and even in death, his hand would not release the sword. One of the vanguard looked toward the sky and asked.
“Mages! What should we do?”
“What else? Clear it away. Move it to the side of the road and hide it. The Emperor will be passing through, and we cannot have anything inauspicious in his path.”
“Yes, understood!”
The soldiers grabbed Raudan’s corpse and hurled it into the brush beside the road.
The Purpato residents had called upon their Guardian and struggled to the end, but what meaning did Raudan’s death hold? The Mages turned their heads, remembering Raudan, who would have cried out Ian’s name until his final breath.
“The vanguard should continue forward after finishing here. We will watch from above to ensure there are no dangers.”
Neigh!
The soldiers who had disposed of Raudan’s corpse spurred their horses forward with vigor. Like the Mages flying through the sky, they too galloped smoothly without any obstacles. By intuition, Purpato had been the final hurdle to reaching Kalamatro.
Clop clop.
Meanwhile, Jin slowly passed through the path cleared by the Mages and vanguard, looking back at Purpato. On the city walls, residents watched the departing Bariel column.
“…Count Ian. Did you send word to Agiar?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve informed them of the current situation and ordered the bandits driven toward Purpato. Word will spread to nearby cities by tonight. Guests should arrive in Purpato by dawn at the earliest, or within a few days at the latest. I’ve instructed scouts to continue operating around Agiar, and I’ll report as soon as information comes in.”
“What of the city gates?”
“I’ve sabotaged the locks. They can be opened easily if there’s a will to do so.”
If Bariel Soldiers remained in Purpato, bandits would have difficulty approaching. But the Emperor had left no garrison. Moreover, the gates were unlocked, the city was half-destroyed, and the power of surviving traitors was negligible. Could bandits ask for a more lavishly prepared feast? Ian had assured me that reactions and news would come swiftly.
“How long to Kalamata?”
Jin’s gaze remained fixed ahead, but the question was directed at Tweller. He bowed his head lightly and answered.
“Four days.”
“If there are no problems?”
“No. Whatever problems arise, I will ensure we arrive within four days.”
At Tweller’s pledge, Jin turned to regard him. Though Ian had mediated, there had indeed been disagreement between them. As Tweller yielded first, Jin responded with equal composure.
“Do not overexert yourselves. The soldiers’ stamina and morale are paramount.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep it in mind. Kalamata is controlled by Royalists with pro-Bariel leanings, so we should be able to reach a peaceful agreement rather than face reckless resistance.”
“Assuming they harbor no foolish notions.”
The anti-Royalists had been crushed, and there was the foolish idea of seizing this opportunity to unify Burgos and build strength against Bariel. Based on the letters they’d sent before, it didn’t seem particularly likely, but nothing could be certain.
Ian, who had been listening to the conversation, added his thoughts.
“Even if they harbor other plans, they won’t reveal them openly, Your Majesty. I will watch carefully. And—”
Ian turned to look at the supply wagons following behind, pausing briefly. Chloe Davion was likely riding in one of them. She had set out to meet the Empress’s conditions, yet achieved nothing clear and merely survived a brush with death. Still, the fact that she hadn’t complained about returning home exceeded expectations.
“Princess Kaila is in the south. If it’s her, there will surely be results. Do not worry.”
If she had successfully supplied the Royalists with inferior weapons, the military comparison with Bariel would be entirely different.
Jin recalled Kaila’s sharp and brilliant eyes and nodded in agreement.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap!
Dawn in Kalamata.
Danit, Kaila’s mother, frowned upon hearing the commotion. Though dawn had not yet broken, she had already risen and completed her preparations. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and she wore a green velvet dress.
Danit rose first and opened the door. She could see a servant hurrying urgently across the corridor.
“What is the matter?”
“The Bariel forces have passed through Purpato and are advancing toward Kalamata. They’re expected to arrive within two days, and the Royalist leaders have urgently requested a meeting.”
“Through Purpato?”
Danit immediately recalled the map and bit her lip. Wasn’t their southward advance faster than expected? She quickly checked her reflection in the window.
“Very well, I understand. When is the meeting?”
“They’re all gathered downstairs right now, madam.”
“Such lack of courtesy… it’s deplorable. Call Kaila as well.”
“Yes, madam.”
As the servant rushed down the opposite corridor, Danit bit her upper lip and anticipated what would unfold. The Royalist leaders would certainly position herself and Kaila at the forefront against Bariel’s advance.
‘The supplies are all inferior quality, and it’s only a matter of time before they notice. If I make contact with the Bariel forces and join them directly, safety could be guaranteed, but the outstanding balance I’m currently bound by would become impossible to settle. And above all, if they discover the betrayal, the Royalists likely won’t acknowledge the debt later. Whether Bariel would help is also unclear.’
They would either ignore the situation to check the family’s power, or demand a donation of part of the debt as the price for assistance.
Yet if I remain here where war will soon erupt, safety cannot be guaranteed, and I might even give Bariel grounds to call me a traitor.
“Mother!”
Kaila had also risen early and looked neat. Danit wrapped her arm around Kaila’s shoulder and nodded.
“The time has come. The Bariel forces are nearly at our doorstep. Do you remember what I told you then?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll do well.”
“Good, my daughter. You’re so beautiful today as well.”
Danit left a kiss on Kayla’s forehead and exchanged a glance with her. Blades were being drawn from both sides, closing in slowly—to survive, I had no choice but to create chaos on one front.
And that target would be the confused Burgos side.
Creak.
As Danit opened the door and entered, the executives rose in unison to greet her. It wasn’t mere courtesy—the matter was so urgent that their actions came before protocol.
“Ah, Countess. How did things come to this at such an early hour?”
“Yes, I was shocked to hear of it as well. How far has Bariel advanced at this point?”
“Northeast from Kalamata—this location is our last confirmed sighting. If they move quickly, they’ll be within seventy kilometers by this morning. I would prefer if you and the Princess departed immediately to rendezvous around here.”
It was nearly a forceful directive.
They were pointing to a small city that would be passed before entering the capital of Kalamata. The Countess maintained her smile and acknowledged their words.
“Yes, as you mentioned before, I shall go forward to receive His Majesty the Emperor. However, there is something I must say first.”
“What is it?”
“First, my daughter Kayla will remain here to guard this place. I cannot move about carrying all of Hollinga’s assets. And secondly—”
She swept her gaze across the executives. Then her eyes fixed on the youngest man among them. His name was Shangdet, and being young, he had the least say in their discussions.
“Someone must accompany me. If we are to appeal to His Majesty the Emperor for the unification of Burgos, shouldn’t we demonstrate at least that much sincerity?”
“Hmm. That may be true, but we haven’t grasped Bariel’s exact position, so it’s quite dangerous.”
And what of me and my daughter Kayla?
When Danit answered nothing and only smiled with her eyes, the executives let out small coughs. Then one man subtly pushed Shangdet forward.
“What if Lord Shangdet went and returned? Being young, he should have no trouble with the journey.”
“I agree with that.”
“Go and return. Listen well to Bariel’s intentions while you’re there.”
Above all, it was clear they wanted him to keep watch and report back on whether this woman Danit would do anything reckless.
The man was displeased but had no grounds to refuse, so his expression merely hardened. Danit clapped her hands as if to conclude matters and rose from her seat.
“Then, since we’re on the subject, let’s prepare immediately and depart. We’ll leave within the next couple of hours. Please have a carriage prepared.”
“Yes, Countess.”
Danit exited with Shangdet and gave Kayla a meaningful glance.
Until now, due to the special circumstances of civil war and wartime, Danit and Kayla had rarely faced the executives one-on-one. The atmosphere of mutual wariness between them had been too strong.
But this worked well. Dividing a Royalist executive into two—that was the first step of all her plans.
“Lord Shangdet. Do you smoke?”
“Yes, Countess. A carriage with windows would be more comfortable for you.”
“I enjoy it as well. Don’t worry about it. We have much to discuss on the way. Let’s pack generously.”
“Much to discuss?”
“Oh, the carriage is already prepared. Do get in. I’ll explain the details on the way.”
Danit boarded the carriage first and gestured for him to hurry. Shangdet felt uneasy and hesitated, but soon straightened his jacket and climbed aboard.
‘I’ll be back.’
‘Yes, Mother. I’ll do well.’
The two exchanged farewells through their eyes, and the hastily prepared carriage departed without delay.
Danit looked at the uncomfortable Shangdet and smiled softly.
“Relax, Lord Shangdet.”
“How can I not be tense about this….”
“I will take responsibility and introduce you to His Majesty. She is someone of great importance to the Royalists of Burgos.”
At Danit’s words, Shangdet’s eyes widened as he turned to look at her. Wasn’t that quite a meaningful statement to simply let pass? Danit met his gaze with a subtle smile.
‘An important person? Indeed. A hostage to be forced into Bariel without question.’
“The journey is rather long. We’ll have much to discuss.”
Crackle.
As Danit lit her cigarette, Shangdet wordlessly produced his own.
Meanwhile, Kayla watched the carriage grow distant before turning away. The Royalist officials remaining here were now entirely her responsibility. Their cold eyes swept over her from head to toe.

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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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