Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 649

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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 649. Star of the Desert
“Greetings. I am Darsi, come from Toollun. Hehe.”
The laughter of the middle-aged woman introducing herself as Darsi echoed unusually loud through the conference chamber.
Eldetr and every advisor present found themselves unable to speak hastily. And with good reason—she bore little resemblance to what they had anticipated. For someone capable of overturning Hawanguk’s political situation in a single stroke and commanding the Ruswena Mages, she appeared far too ordinary.
“I seem to have arrived on time. Why does everyone look so troubled?”
“Oh, no. Countess Darsi?”
The woman’s hair was gathered into a single bundle, somewhat coarse to the touch. Her build was sturdy and substantial, and she carried about her the faintly sweet aroma of bread. In short, she bore the exact appearance of a housewife one might encounter anywhere.
“Forgive my asking, but you are indeed a Puppeteer?”
“Of course. I always carry my tools with me like this.”
Countess Darsi withdrew a sewing basket from her bosom. As expected, it contained nothing remarkable—merely needles, thread, buttons, and the like.
The advisors exchanged glances with Eldetr, uncertain whether they could truly trust Iza. If matters went awry and the plan failed, how could they possibly bear the wrath of a mage? And not just any mage, but one who had dared to touch forbidden magic. Surely the Royal Palace would crumble.
Eldetr studied the perpetually smiling Countess Darsi and asked her a question.
“You were also the one who dealt with Shatima in Hawanguk, were you not?”
“Yes indeed. It proved far easier than anticipated. I would have preferred to thread a needle through Shatima himself, but the opportunity never arose. So I was forced to seek assistance from those close to him instead. Even now, they remain well connected.”
With a soft chime, she rotated the pouch at her waist forward and withdrew several small dolls. Each was tiny and adorable—stuffed toys. They bore no resemblance whatsoever to what one might have imagined, whether woven from straw or covered in human skin. The woman smiled pleasantly and covered her mouth.
“Hehe! If you’re so worried, I can simply withdraw. I’d feel terrible if I overstepped and caused problems.”
“Not at all. It is not that I doubt you, but rather that I wish to be as certain as possible before the work begins. If you would be so kind, I would appreciate it if you could first ‘dispose of’ the mages of the Magic Department.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll be quick about it. Whatever else may be said, I have a talent for needlework.”
Giggle, giggle, giggle. On the surface, she appeared merely a compassionate and talkative woman. That was precisely why those close to Shatima had let their guard down.
Eldetr gestured to an advisor, instructing him to summon the mages.
“Once I thread the mages’ wills, we shall march forth immediately. I have information that Hielo is currently unoccupied.”
“Oh my, that is good news indeed. Then we can move from Hawanguk as well. If Hielo is vacant, it means Merelrof is essentially open too. My, my. Let us make haste. Where are the mages?”
“They should be gathered at the Magic Department, though do you require anything?”
She could lure them out one by one to request an audience, or alternatively, incapacitate them with Idgal and bring them here. She was willing to cooperate in whatever manner would facilitate smooth work.
However, Countess Darsi waved her hand dismissively, saying it was unnecessary trouble.
“Why complicate matters? Simply tell me where the Magic Department is located and how many mages there are in total. Let me see… I should be able to finish before the moon rises. After that, I shall also deal with the ‘problematic mage’ in question. Your Majesty need not worry about anything else—simply prepare for the expedition. We’re speaking of Hielo, after all. What will you do if the Minister of Magic comes chasing after you?”
Since mages could traverse great distances in a single breath, this was no idle warning. The single variable beyond the Central Army—the emergence of a mage.
Yet with the Puppeteer Darsi present here, and having secured the ‘forces’ who had dared touch forbidden magic, even should they face such opposition, Ruswena would not fall easily. Rather, they would write a new chapter in history.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Darsi offered a graceful farewell gesture and departed the conference chamber with a servant in tow. The advisors watched her receding figure and whispered with concern.
“Will this truly be alright, Your Majesty? Perhaps we should devise contingencies just in case.”
“There are no suitable contingencies to choose from. For now, we have no choice but to rely on Countess Darsi.”
“Yet Your Majesty, though Toollun and we currently share common cause and aid one another, we shall inevitably reach a crossroads. When that time comes, all of Ruswena’s mages will fall into the hands of the Torun Puppeteers. I find this deeply troubling.”
“That is a fruitless concern. The value of mages crumbles the moment the Bariel flag is lowered. Do you truly believe the mages will survive intact after confronting Bariel?”
Before falling into the Puppeteers’ grasp, the mages would complete their role and return to ash. It was wiser to research how best to contend with the Puppeteers themselves.
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty. The Minister of Defense has arrived.”
Ruswena’s Minister of Defense entered fully armed in armor, signaling his readiness to depart the Royal Palace and march to battle at any moment.
“Martin, you have come.”
“All preparations are complete. I have armed five hundred elite troops in black armor, and twenty Dragons are currently ascending from the outer regions for combat deployment. Once maintenance is finished during the night, we can march forth the moment the morning sun rises.”
Satisfactory. Eldetr patted his shoulder encouragingly.
“Hielo lies vacant. Coordinate with Hawanguk with the objective of seizing the territory. Together, repel the reinforcements coming from the center, and completely sever the borderlands from Bariel.”
“I shall obey unto death.”
Crash.
Martin saluted Eldetr and swore an oath to his homeland’s victory. No matter who stood in their way, they would push forward and pierce Bariel’s heart. No matter what.
* * *
Crunch.
With each step I took, something shattered beneath my feet. It could have been charred wood debris, or perhaps fragments of someone’s bones.
I paid no mind and walked slowly, using the occasional sparks flickering through the darkness as my guide. Haiman Bank, the clothing district, the avenue connected to the park—everything I remembered was completely negated by the reality before my eyes.
“….”
“….”
Berik, who followed behind me, witnessed the collapse of a tavern he’d frequented. The innkeeper had such excellent cooking skills. He must be dead too.
…Dead. Everywhere, without exception. All of them.
“…Berik.”
After walking in silence for some time, I stopped and turned back. The hope that perhaps someone might still be alive had completely shattered.
There was no way anyone could be alive in a place like this. Having made that decision, I took Berik and ascended roughly into the air.
Whoooosh—whirrr!
The world was dark. Except for the stars scattered across the sky, nothing shone. Not the oil lamps that lit the homes, not the verdigris of the blacksmith’s forge, not the cigarette flames that small groups had lit together.
All Berik could see was the back of my head, so even my golden eyes that always shone were buried in darkness.
Whoooosh!
The night wind was this cold. Berik narrowed his eyes against the sharp breeze. Far ahead, the desert at the edge of Hielo came into view.
“Huh? There.”
Scattered here and there, something caught my eye. I lowered my altitude and identified it by starlight. Celestial Warriors. They lay strewn about, having met their deaths.
I stopped flying and personally brushed the sand from their faces. The heat of the fierce battle hadn’t yet cooled, for my fingertips burned.
“…Nersaren?”
I flinched. At Berik’s murmur, I turned my head in surprise. Having discovered something, Berik ran across the sand and soon cradled a head in both hands.
“This can’t be….”
It was Nersaren. Like the other Celestial Warriors, he had died with his eyes still open. His withered pupils held a universe that seemed ready to spill forth.
“Hey. Nersaren, or rather, Nersaren. Wake up.”
Berik collapsed and muttered while striking his cheeks, but how could the dead hear him? He looked helplessly toward me, and then froze.
“Ian.”
My face had turned cold and desolate. Like a winter lake whose depths could not be fathomed. A black rage that seemed to swallow everything beneath the ice flowed across the sand. Along with my tears.
“….”
I finally collapsed with my head bowed.
It was my mistake. I should have prepared for everything, using the faint presence of Hielo in the future as a clue. The embers spread by Shatima’s death were so immense that I could not breathe.
Whoosh.
I grasped Nersaren’s hand. And in that moment, one person came to mind.
‘Mother. I’m sorry.’
Sorrow falls to those left behind. I could not even dare imagine what Philia would feel upon hearing of Nersaren’s death. It had been one of the few blessings permitted in her life. And I let it slip away like this.
“…That man was right. Hielo collapsed because of me. If it had been someone else… perhaps things would have been different.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Who can defeat a mage who uses forbidden magic? Whoever it was, the result would be the same.”
It torments me. People dying because of me—I can no longer bear it. Naum, the Magic Department, and now Nersaren.
What comes next?
“Ian, look at me for a moment. Collect yourself and breathe.”
Berik gripped Ian’s shoulders firmly and breathed in sync with him. It resembled the abnormal reaction Ian had shown during the Cliffford War.
No, this is far more dangerous now. Back then it was merely a magical side effect, but now it’s a reaction born from pure emotion.
“If your coming here from the future is God’s will and the flow of history… then death is too. It’s not because it was Nersaren—it would be the same if I had died instead.”
All life extinguishes eventually. The only difference is the timing. Nersaren fought to the end as a warrior and fell, so his final moment must have been one of satisfaction.
“So don’t crumble. If you fall apart… Nersaren’s death loses its meaning.”
Ian gently wiped his eyes. Then he grasped Nersaren’s hand once more. He realized, belatedly, that the last words he would leave were not an apology, but gratitude.
“Thank you for fighting for Bariel until the very end. I will not forget your valor, Celestial Warrior.”
The final words settled upon the warrior’s face. Ian slowly caressed his forehead, eyelids, nose, and lips with his fingertips while murmuring.
“And do not worry. I will protect your mother and Roel to the end. Whoever took your breath, I shall surely take their soul.”
Berik bowed his head and offered his final respects to Nersaren. Memories flooded back—from that day ten years ago when they first met at the manor, through all the times they crossed the great desert together.
“Farewell, Father. Let us meet again. Someday.”
Ian closed Nersaren’s eyes, and the two whispered in unison.
“Demosa.”

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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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