Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 671

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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 670. First Meeting
Heil found himself smiling without realizing it. Though a battle between life and death loomed before us, the pure and transparent confidence radiating from my subordinates was genuinely heartwarming to witness.
Conversely, I could well imagine the despair and helplessness they must have felt from their previous defeat, and my heart ached for them.
The Mages synchronized their voices once more and shouted toward the main Ruswena force.
“Forbidden Mage, come out!”
“Eldetr, you’ve truly made a grave mistake! Do you understand what the Abyss of Hell means to a Mage? Do you comprehend what it signifies when those who serve God’s will fall into the abyss?”
“Y-you impudent Imperial dogs!”
“How dare you speak so carelessly of the Prince!”
“Shut it! You’re next after the Forbidden Mage, so get ready!”
The Ruswena Officers stiffened at the Mages’ provocation, clicking their tongues in frustration.
But that was all they could do. Even wielding Idgal weapons, they remained merely human. How could they possibly contend with Mages hovering in the sky, looking down upon them?
Zing, zing!
“…They’re coming.”
“…!”
As the Ruswena Mages descended simultaneously, Heil muttered under his breath.
They closed the distance in the blink of an eye and locked gazes with the Bariel Mages. Their eyes were murky and devoid of emotion, yet the malice within was unmistakable—the intent to kill the Mages and crush them to their very core.
Heil parried the incoming attack while holding a cigarette between his lips.
Boom!
‘Where is the Forbidden Mage?’
Only ordinary Ruswena Mages had engaged the Bariel Mages. The last remaining Forbidden Mage was nowhere to be seen—the one who had clashed with Berik in the Forest of Mages.
“Ian!”
A blurred figure materialized behind Ian. The Forbidden Mage. Attempting such a cowardly strike from behind—Heil tried to turn his body, but Ian’s reaction was faster.
Whoosh.
Ian lightly touched his fingertip to the Mage’s forehead and unleashed his mana. Boom! A violent gale swept through, and the nearby reeds swayed beautifully in waves.
“Y-Your Highness!”
An Officer witnessed this and called out to Eldetr. The momentum of the Bariel Mages was extraordinary. Had they fully recovered their stamina in just a single day? The Ruswena Mages had replenished their mana as well, yet something was different.
At Eldetr’s gesture, the Officers fastened their helmet straps and surged forward with a shout.
“Bring forth the Dragons!”
“We shall cut them down with our own hands!”
Mounted on Dragons, clad in black armor, wielding Idgal weapons—the balance was now relatively even. If they didn’t reinforce their position soon, they might miss their opportunity.
Just as the Officers were about to command the Soldiers to charge.
“Stop!”
Boom!
Rumble!
A massive inferno tore across the earth. It was Kyu. Berik leaped down from his back, landing with his sword planted firmly in the ground. Dust billowed upward, followed by the shimmering heat of scorching air.
“I’ll handle the ones squirming on the ground. Get off those Dragons, you bastards.”
“M-Mage Knight!”
“Charge! Forward!”
Kyu rammed his body against the Ruswena Dragons diving toward the Mages, blocking their approach. The enraged Dragons opened their massive maws wide in threat, but Kyu’s eyes widened as he unleashed his breath.
Kyuuuuu!
As the fierce battle erupted, Eldetr nocked an arrow to his bowstring, ready to shoot down the enemy should an opportunity arise.
Minister Martin, reading that signal, swung his command baton in a wide arc.
“Charge! Charge forward! Defend our land!”
“Waaah! Waah!”
“Drive out Bariel!”
The Ruswena Soldiers thundered forward, shaking the earth. In response, the Bariel Mages spread their formation wide and took flight.
And moving in coordination with them were the branches of the World Tree. The interconnected tree they created was both one and not one. Since each individual Mage’s will dwelled within it, the branches’ movements were far more complex and fluid.
In essence, the Mages had summoned the interconnected World Tree together and wielded its branches as their own weapons.
Zing! Zing!
Boom!
My movements and Heil’s, having consumed the mystical orbs, were swifter and more graceful than usual. It seemed our physical condition truly had improved. The Mages breathed a sigh of relief while steeling themselves, exchanging glances with one another.
“Let’s go, everyone!”
“Tear them apart!”
Half turned to support me while half supported Heil, and they swiftly dove toward us both.
Whoosh—whoosh—!
Meanwhile, Heil was locked in combat against the Ruswena Mages. His fists, infused with magical power, swung sharply, yet they cut only through empty air. They evaded quite skillfully. Despite their attention being entirely fixed on “Ian Hielo,” their movements remained agile.
Crash!
At that moment, countless branches shot forth from behind him. They were the Subordinates who had just joined the fray.
The branches seized the ankles, arms, and waists of the Ruswena Mages. They tried to sever them instantly and escape—
“…!”
No matter how hard they tried, the branches would not break under any attack.
This made sense, for these branches were anchored in the magic circle formed by my power and Heil’s. Moreover, since all the Bariel Mages had united to activate it, each individual branch contained the concentrated power of every single Bariel Mage. There was no way an ordinary Mage, let alone a Forbidden Mage, could break through it alone.
Slash! Slash!
Crash!
The leaves whirled violently, lacerating the skin of the Ruswena Mages. They screamed in agony, but their cries reached no one’s ears. There was already far too much chaos erupting all around.
The roars of Dragons colliding with thunderous force. The battle cries of Soldiers filled with fear, rage, and exhilaration. Berik’s curses. And the explosive sounds of magical detonations erupting from all directions.
“Lord Ian!”
The Mages who rushed to support me each extended their hands. As they did, five or six branches connected to them surged forward toward the Forbidden Mage with purpose.
Once they succeeded in binding his limbs and firmly grasping his waist, the Mages threw their hands up and cheered.
“Kyaaah! Success! It works! We’ve got him!”
“Yes! Lord Ian, we’re supporting you! Finally! We can finally help Lord Ian!”
“You bastard, those days are gone! Sob!”
“Stop crying and focus, you fool!”
“You’re crying too!”
“Kill him! You—! Are you listening! King Toolun! We’re not afraid of Forbidden Mages anymore! Sniff!”
Even for a battlefield, Berik was unusually loud, yet even he wasn’t quite at this level. Since most of the Mages were experiencing actual combat for the first time, they chattered excitedly, unable to hide their exhilaration.
Now that I think about it, that’s true. During the attack of the great demon in the north and the battle at Agiar, it was primarily the Imperial Guards who fought on the front lines. For Mages like those not in field positions, unlike Heil, this was essentially their “first real battle” since ten years ago.
“Ugh…”
The Forbidden Mage twisted his hands and feet, trying to break free, but quickly realized it wouldn’t be easy. What had happened in just a single day? So that mad Mage Knight had a separate reason for hiding in the Mage’s Forest.
-Move. Cut him down.
Kumasha, who was controlling the Forbidden Mage, continued issuing commands. He clenched his teeth so hard that blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, yet he did not relent. It was a reaction impossible for someone with their own consciousness.
Crack.
Whether it was teeth shattering or some other bodily organ breaking, I couldn’t tell. With a sickening and eerie sound, the Mage twisted his body and broke free from the restraints.
“Ah!”
“It’s fine! We’ll just grab him again!”
The Bariel Mages moved their vine stems while keeping the Forbidden Mage encircled.
Until now, they had believed that their very existence alone contributed to Bariel’s glory. But directly confronting enemies, stopping them, and engaging in combat where their entire bodies collided—that was a different kind of exhilaration.
Even if they were injured, they would leave behind the satisfaction of having done their best. Even if they died, they would fulfill their duty as members of the Magic Department. May it be meaningful….
Zing! Zing!
Then, the Forbidden Mage’s pupils gleamed with golden light. As the wooden stems surged forward again, King Toolun whispered.
-Dispose of them quickly. By any means necessary. Otherwise, you’ll experience the same pain as before, won’t you?
It was a reaction born of fear.
He spread both hands wide and generated a magic circle.
「Late Arrival」.
It was a time-series magic that Ian and Berik had experienced before. As the magic circle transformed into a clock shape and began to emit light, the Mages hesitated. What was that?
Whoosh!
It was Ian who blocked the path of those Mages. His eyes too gleamed with golden light as he confronted the Forbidden Mage.
“I won’t fall for it twice.”
「Silk Curtain」.
From Ian’s palm, a long and enormous bolt of silk rose up. It was a kind of barrier. It protected Ian and the Mages from the light and isolated them from the effects of time’s flow.
As the Mages looked bewildered at this magic they had never seen before, Ian smiled and gave a light nod.
“What are you doing? Don’t just stand there.”
I will protect you all from this strange light, so move as you wish. I will ensure no shadow falls upon your steps.
Feeling Ian’s strong resolve, the Mages pressed their lips together, then responded.
“…Yes! Ian! We leave it to you!”
Whoosh!
As the Mages rushed forward in unison, the silk barrier swiftly followed alongside them. And soon, cascading light poured down. It was blocked by the silk Ian had created and dissipated.
However, the clock of Late Arrival did not stop and slowly rotated its angle, and eventually the light reached not the Bariel Mages but the Ruswena forces on the ground below.
“Uh-!”
“No, this can’t be!”
The Soldiers touched by the light froze in their fleeing postures. So the magic’s effects were halted! The Soldiers scattered in panic, and the tightly formed formation collapsed in an instant. Chaos spread. The Officers tried to regain control but couldn’t contain it.
“Calm yourselves! It’s our own magic!”
“Ahhh! Fall back, retreat! Get into the shade!”
“Stop! Those who don’t obey orders will face military law—!”
“It’s coming this way again!”
“Damn, this is madness!”
What did it mean for movement to stop in the middle of a battlefield? Especially now, with Bariel’s mad Mage Knight rampaging right before them, so close!
The Soldiers could not be easily controlled, and eventually Eldetr frowned and stepped forward. In times like this, only the King could calm the Soldiers by displaying his authority.
Twang!
Eldetr fixed an arrow toward the sky. Then, pulling the bowstring with all his might, he closed one eye.
The target of the Idgal Arrows was singular: Ian Hielo.
Whiiing—!
Craaash!
A long arrow streaked toward me in a perfectly straight line.
But a single branch of the World Tree knocked it away without mercy.
The Bariel Mages, having noticed the assassination attempt, displayed their palms and glared toward Eldetr. As if to say there were limits to audacity.
Ziiing! Zing!
Mandō was indeed a heavy spell. The Forbidden Mage’s movements had noticeably slowed. If I avoided the light for one full rotation of the clock, it would become an opportunity instead.
Taat!
I wrapped myself entirely in silk curtains as I approached the Forbidden Mage.
With brilliant fabric fluttering in all directions, the Forbidden Mage’s vision was restricted. Where? Where is he coming from? His eyes darted frantically around, but all he could see was the rippling silk fabric.
‘The situation has grown dire, yet unlike Countess Darsi, there are no signs of attempting to forbid other Mages. Why? Is it too soon, or…?’
Was some side effect preventing him from attempting it easily?
As I parted the fabric and appeared, I was right before the Forbidden Mage’s face. I grabbed his face with my left hand and condensed magical power in my right.
“…King of Torlun.”
…I will kill you. You who dared to desecrate the sanctity of a Mage and bring ruin upon Gaia… I will tear you to shreds.
Ziiing.
The boy’s eyes blazed like molten gold. Beyond the Forbidden Mage, I stared directly into Kumasha’s eyes and asked.
“Is it finished?”

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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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