Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 664

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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 664. Worry
The portal gradually shrank before vanishing entirely.
‘…It’s closed.’
As the passage that had flowed smoothly through the portal disappeared, the river’s water level rose steadily, and the gathered residents murmured among themselves, their eyes fixed on the top of the city wall. They knew that Bariel’s Emperor watched from that vantage point.
Jin pressed his brow with his fingers, examining the churning waters. Then he turned his head and issued orders to his subordinates.
“This seems too soon.”
“I share your concern, Your Majesty. Captain Heil stated that five days would be the baseline, with the operation likely concluding sooner, yet only two days have passed.”
Everything became clear. Ian’s failure to return signified a serious problem had arisen, and the mages were responding with all their strength accordingly.
Jin snapped his fingertips and issued his directive.
“Summon all the mages stationed at the mines. We must discuss this matter gravely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Akorelra and her direct subordinates belonged to the Mana Stone Management Division, making it difficult for them to abandon their field duties, but there was no alternative now. One must grasp at straws when drowning.
“If a Puppeteer is present there, they’ve surely noticed that most of the Magic Department’s forces have abandoned their posts. It’s safer to summon the mages and station them within Kalamata.”
“Your Majesty. Do you mean to suggest that Toollun might launch an attack?”
“Haven’t they already begun?”
Jin gestured toward the river with a tilt of his head. The murky waters grew increasingly dark. Whether it was mere imagination or not, the portions reflecting sunlight seemed to carry a reddish tinge.
“Your Majesty, what if we send Clark along with Bariel Soldiers northward?”
Jairot, who had been listening nearby, offered his suggestion.
Clark was preparing to head north alone according to Jin’s orders. Since they were sending someone anyway, and danger was foreseeable, wouldn’t it be safer to increase the numbers?
Of course, not for Clark’s sake, but to ensure the ‘situation report’ reached its destination safely.
“I believe a dozen or so cavalry would be efficient.”
“Minister Tweller.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
It was a summons indicating Jin’s acceptance of Jairot’s opinion. Tweller immediately bowed and descended the city wall.
Now was the time for decisions.
Jin stroked his chin while examining the Gaia map hanging to one side. With Bariel’s eastern region under attack, what could be done now?
‘If I withdraw the main force and move it toward the center, we could mount some defense. But then Burgos would be left unguarded, allowing Toollun to strike downward…. Yet if I keep the center vacant and remain here, the east troubles me. Communication through the center is also too slow.’
Whichever choice he made, the situation presented clear advantages and disadvantages. Jin swallowed a sigh and traced the border lines marked on the map with his fingertips.
‘The best outcome would be if Count Ian and the mages quickly resolve matters with Ruswena and Hawan, then return to advance toward Toollun.’
Then he could confidently move toward the center….
Swish.
At that moment, Jin unconsciously covered his nose with his sleeve. A foul stench rose powerfully from the darkened river, reaching even the top of the city wall. The residents had apparently vacated the area long ago.
“Your Majesty, it would be best to descend now. The stench is far too strong, and I am concerned.”
“Very well. Have we sent word to Cliffford?”
“We dispatched a messenger hawk, so it should arrive without excessive delay. However, for it to reach the Royal Palace from there, some time will be required.”
The distance from Kalamata to Cliffford was not great. But the journey from there to Frodhona or the Royal Palace would take nearly as long as traversing Bariel itself.
Jin rose from his seat, muttering with concern.
“I wonder if Cliffford can properly handle that filth.”
The Emperor’s worry met only bowed heads and silence from his advisors.
Along the path into Kalamata’s interior, the residents of Burgos emerged onto the streets, bowing their heads in desperate prayer.
“Your Majesty of Bariel, I beg you. Please purify that river. The lands of Burgos are drying up. And we are dying of thirst!”
“Show us the power of an almighty Mage!”
“Your Majesty! Please, I implore you!”
The pleas seeping into the carriage were truly earnest.
Jin felt uncomfortable and deliberately kept his gaze fixed outside the window. Though not his own subjects, as Emperor he could not help but feel sympathy for those pleading for his mercy.
When the carriage arrived at the castle, Tweller, who had been waiting, greeted him.
“Your Majesty. The cavalry is prepared. Once we complete the final preparations, we shall depart immediately. Would you care to receive a report?”
“…Very well. See that you encourage them in my stead—”
Jin, who had begun to wave dismissively, suddenly paused. He had spotted a familiar woman leading a horse in the distance. With her hair hastily tied back and her sleeves rolled up like a man’s, it was Eileen.
“Is that woman going as well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…Why?”
The cavalry are specially selected soldiers who have undergone extensive training. Yet Eileen is a foot soldier, is she not?
More puzzled than Jin by his question was Tweller himself.
“The poison mixed in the river is unmistakably potent. It is beyond the capacity of ordinary humans to handle, which suggests its source must be a magical creature or something of equivalent nature. Furthermore, the northern region borders the Toollun Temple, and if we cannot dispatch a Mage or Mage Knight, then surely…”
Sending a Holy Knight like Eileen is the appropriate choice.
As Tweller’s words trailed off, a brief silence fell. A horse that had been standing still whinnied, scraping its hind legs against the ground.
Whether Jin could not find the right words or had realized his own misstep, he closed his mouth with an expressionless face.
“So when I inquired of Eileen’s intentions, she stepped forward eagerly as though she had been waiting. Even in my judgment, her resolve is considerable. This is surely a blessing upon Bariel.”
“…I understand.”
Jin turned his head away in resignation. He shouldn’t be muttering inwardly about Clark this and Xiaoxi that. Now that Eileen was involved, Jin felt his nerves on edge as well.
Jairot, who had been following behind, sensed the Emperor’s mood and added carefully.
“Your Majesty. Please do not worry too much. Their mission is merely to investigate and report any abnormalities in the river, not to escort Clark or engage in combat.”
“Who said I was worried? I trust my noble Bariel soldiers, and I have no doubt they will execute their duties faithfully and flawlessly.”
“…Ah, yes.”
Ah, yes? Jin’s eyes narrowed, but that was all. He deliberately changed the subject and muttered.
“Rather, my concern now is Count Ian and the Mages. I suspect you are thinking of Berik.”
“…He is quite the troublemaker.”
It was a blunt response, yet affection was unmistakable in it. Not only Jairot but all the Imperial Guards felt Berik’s absence keenly.
Jairot pretended indifference, suppressing his longing for Berik with a deliberate cough.
* * *
“Damn it!”
Crash! Bang!
Whoosh!
Startled, Berik reflexively unleashed his mana, and the cottage was engulfed in flames. The worn furniture and time-weathered belongings ignited in an instant.
The Mage peered through the broken window and muttered.
“Ian Hielo isn’t here?”
“I’m not one to talk, but you look seriously menacing, honestly.”
Zing! Zing!
The Mage’s sharp eyes darted about restlessly.
Berik gripped his mana greatsword firmly and lowered his stance. The Third Forbidden Mage I had witnessed in battle was unmistakable. Not quite like X, but that bastard—the one even swarms of mages couldn’t defeat.
If Ian himself struggled against these creatures, what chance did I have?
‘Damn it.’
There was no way that could be true.
I shuffled backward slowly, my lips pressed tight. Honestly, I wanted to charge in regardless of the odds and settle this once and for all, but I had a mission to fulfill right now.
Namely, delivering the mysterious box I’d found here to the mages.
‘Without this, the kids will get crushed.’
If the mages held up their end, the danger Ian had to bear would diminish. Instead of standing alone and shouldering everything, I could lean on my colleagues’ shoulders.
I tucked the box into my garment and looked around.
‘Can I escape?’
Finding an opening was secondary—the real problem was whether I could outrun the mage’s mobility. If I wasn’t careful, I might lead him straight to Hielo’s mansion. If that happened, it would be better to flee toward the desert instead.
“Where did Ian Hielo go? Why are you here alone?”
“Ian went to your place, you fool.”
“That’s strange. No other mages around either. Why did you come this far alone?”
“You’re the strange one. Go eat shit!”
Crash!
I hurled myself out the window. After rolling once, I immediately pushed off and sprinted straight ahead without thinking about direction. I figured it was better to hide in the forest and shake off my pursuer first, then find my way from there. Either way, getting lost was inevitable anyway.
Tap-tap-tap!
Branches and leaves blurred past me in the darkness. I moved my body however the space allowed, then glanced back cautiously. The mage wasn’t visible—he didn’t seem to be following.
Was that fortunate? Had he been an idiot after all? As I turned my gaze forward with that thought—
“…Shit!”
Whoosh!
The mage appeared right before me, his mouth wide open with flames pouring forth.
I twisted my body in shock, but momentum made it difficult. I flailed my greatsword wildly as I tumbled, then immediately pushed myself up and ran with all my strength.
“Berik—!”
But before long, the mage blocked my path again. I finally gave up on escaping, dropped to one knee, and scanned him from top to bottom with an irritated expression.
“Where do you get off calling my name so familiarly like that? Damn, this is exhausting. How did you do that? Did you use a doppelganger technique like Ian?”
If so, that meant his power was split in half—maybe I could manage this?
“Where did Ian Hielo go? Why are you here alone?”
“Is it a doppelganger technique? Or something else?”
“The Mage’s Forest has business for you? What is it?”
“Since you’re from another country, your words really don’t make any damn sense.”
“Tell me. Or you die?”
“Yeah? Then want to make a bet?”
I conjured a crimson mana greatsword and grinned wickedly. I knew running was pointless, but maybe this worked out better. If I won here, the Magic Department bastards would finally show me proper respect going forward!
“Whoever dies first answers the question!”
Crash!
My greatsword erupted with flames, blazing brilliantly. The dark forest lit up in an instant, and small sleeping creatures scattered in alarm.
The mage laughed as if in agreement and made a light gesture.
“I like that.”
“Come at me! I’ll smash your head in!”
「Invisibility」.
As the Mage chanted the incantation, his form began to fade away gradually. The surroundings darkened in an instant, and soon only silence remained.
“What the hell is this?”
Berik stood bewildered. Soon he felt his flames scattering and dispersing. The flames transformed into the shape of walls, forming a small cabin.
“Again.”
A familiar space.
The cabin where I lived with my family when I was young. Unlike the time with Rutherford, the difference now was that I stood as “Imperial Guard Berik” without losing my sense of self.
“…What kind of nonsense is this. Damn annoying.”
Pitter-patter, the sound of rain striking the window, the smell of soup, the vivid scent of wood heavy with moisture.
Berik entered the inner room as if entranced and looked around. No one was there.
Or rather, no one should have been there.
“….”
A presence felt from beneath the bed and a faint breath coming from the storage room.
Berik bit his lower lip firmly and pulled the door handle, meeting someone’s eyes.
It was Berik. Young Berik, with reddened eyes, glaring at me.
‘This is really irritating.’
Berik sensed it instinctively. To break this illusion, I would have to kill this child. And perhaps, my sisters hiding beneath that bed as well.

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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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