Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 648

Clatter.

Elderht slowly moved a wooden piece on the map, then paused, his hand hovering in mid-air.

“……”

Starting from the royal palace, crossing the wizard’s forest, and heading north would lead to Hielro. Going west would allow direct access to the inland through the city of Karenna.

However, Karenna had been unstable due to bandit activity, meaning it would likely have a larger garrison than other cities.

‘There’s no need for that when Hielro is undefended.’

Tap.

The wooden piece was moved to Hielro. Simultaneously, the horse stationed in Hawan entered Mereloph.

Mereloph was a strategically vital area. Separated from the center by the Denba Mountains and bordering the Great Desert, securing it would eliminate the threat of a rear counterattack.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness.”

“Enter.”

A servant cautiously opened the door, a sliver of light escaping the crack. Dawn was breaking.

The war was set to begin in just a few hours. Elderht knew the preparations were complete, so the servant’s news likely concerned the puppeteer. He gestured for a quick report, his cheeks pale from a sleepless night.

“It’s Madam Darci.”

“Let her in.”

Creak.

The door opened fully, and Madam Darci entered briskly. Wearing arm covers to protect her sleeves, she proudly held up a string of dolls.

One, two, three, four… Elderht counted them, nodding in satisfaction as he recalled the number of wizards.

“You’ve finished them all.”

“It was easy. Perhaps because the wizards come from such diverse backgrounds? There’s no real unity among them. Ho ho.”

Most of them were unaware of the puppeteer from Toolun. Even those who knew failed to grasp the implications of her presence.

Madam Darci manipulated the dolls with deft movements, creating a scene reminiscent of a children’s puppet show.

“…Even the forbidden wizard?”

“Yes, this one. He was the most difficult. Very sharp and sensitive. But isn’t that typical of those who are unwell?”

Tap tap. Madam Darci smiled, holding up a doll marked with an X.

Elderht finally sat down, visibly relieved. He had successfully ‘weaponized’ all the wizards. Now, he wouldn’t have to worry about depleting the treasury or the royal palace collapsing. He rubbed his forehead, letting out a sigh of relief.

“…Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

“You’re welcome. It’s all for the greater good. Ho ho!”

“What about the wizards’ will?”

“It’s gone. It would be disastrous if problems arose before such an important task. It’s best to eliminate potential risks from the start.”

Elderht nodded, and Madam Darci carefully put the dolls away. Looking at the clock, it was already seven in the morning. He had hoped for a nap, but it was too late. She stretched contentedly and then asked Elderht.

“Oh, if possible, could my personal carriage be the largest and widest? I need space to effectively move the dolls. They take up quite a bit of room.”

“I’ll see to it.”

“Thank you. Your Highness won’t be departing immediately, will you?”

“I will lead the main force after securing Hielro. We’ll meet there.”

Time was short, so he was sending Minister of National Defense Martin ahead. It was prudent to assess the situation in Bariel before entering.

“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll be going.”

Madam Darci bowed lightly and turned to leave. Sunlight streamed onto her face. The sun had fully risen.

The view from the window was vibrant. The brickwork mimicking wood grain, the reeds swaying in the morning breeze… When autumn arrived, the world would be painted gold, a truly beautiful sight.

“How wonderful! That’s why I enjoy exploring other countries. Ohohot.”

She cupped her plump cheeks, exclaiming in admiration. Her bouncing movements were reminiscent of a young girl.

The servants watching from a few steps behind clicked their tongues.

‘…Crazy.’

They had witnessed it all: her humming as she sewed up the wizards’ flesh, treating them like objects, and then mocking and playing with them after dominating them.

The servants lowered their heads, hiding their contempt. They didn’t know where Toolun was, but it was clearly a disgusting place.

“Oh my, Minister Martin!”

At the end of the hallway, Madam Darci recognized the minister and waved enthusiastically. He bowed slightly in respect and approached.

“How many wizards are you taking to Hielro?”

“His Highness instructed me to take only half. Why? Ho ho.”

“I understand. I was just confirming that all wizards are accounted for. Let’s go together. This way.”

As they left the royal palace, Madam Darci was captivated by the sight and clasped her hands together again.

The yellow armor, reminiscent of the golden reed fields she had seen earlier, and the heavily armored black soldiers. The flags of Luswena fluttering majestically. And beyond that-

“Oh my!”

The dragon she had only seen in books!

She continued to fuss and giggle. Oh, right, the most important thing! And my lovely dolls!

“Good morning-!”

Darci’s excited greeting was directed at the wizards. Their lifeless, pale eyes couldn’t register the bright morning light.

They stood in a row next to the carriage like scarecrows, unresponsive to Madam Darci’s greeting, staring blankly ahead.

“Ugh, the smell. I need to do something about him. Minister! Can I move him to the back of the carriage?”

It was Bitor, the wizard who was deteriorating from using forbidden magic. His appearance was ghastly in the light.

Madam Darci frowned, covering her nose, and the minister gestured to make space. She quickly moved her fingers as if playing the piano, moving Bitor out of sight.

“If necessary, I should use him first. Judging by his condition, he won’t last long.”

“If you assess and advise, Madam, I will take it into consideration.”

“Okay. Well, I am the owner of the dolls.”

The minister paused at Madam Darci’s response, but said nothing further and moved on. It was a sensitive topic, and he couldn’t comment without his lord’s approval.

Boo- boo-

The sound of a water buffalo horn signaled the time for departure. The soldiers on the left and right drew their swords, thrusting them into the sky, and the vanguard moved forward with flags.

Following them, the inner castle gate slowly began to open. From the high vantage point, even though it wasn’t fully open, the vast plains stretched out in the distance.

Swish. Swish.

It was the royal palace’s hunting ground, where deer, bison, and rabbits roamed freely. The animals raised their heads at the commotion and then quickly fled, as the military band gradually increased the volume of their instruments.

Thump-! Thump!

On one side, golden farmlands stretched endlessly. The wind made the blades of grass sway like waves. Below the hill, there was a village where the people lived.

In front of the four gates in the east, west, south, and north, soldiers from each barracks gathered to bless the departure.

“Advance-!”

“Advance!”

The people also gathered in the streets to watch the soldiers move in unison. They had sensed the war clouds, but even yesterday, they had been living peaceful lives. This morning, they were advancing to Bariel.

They whispered among themselves, encouraging their soldiers who were going to the battlefield for the first time since the Clifford War.

“Come back safely! Please live and win!”

“We wish you victory! Let’s avenge the humiliation we suffered in the Clifford War! This time, it’s Bariel’s turn to kneel before us!”

“That’s right! Avenge the late king!”

“Let’s retaliate for the trade sanctions!”

As the people cheered, waving flags, Madam Darci responded with a greeting.

“Ohohot. Everyone, don’t worry! Victory is ours!”

“Who is that woman?”

“I don’t know. Judging by her accent, she seems to be a foreigner.”

“Who cares? Just make sure we win!”

Creak! Thud!

Finally, the huge inner castle gate groaned and opened completely. As the men in black armor gestured, the dragons quickly took flight.

The soldiers on the outer walls, spread out in concentric circles, waved their flags as they watched the dragons take off. Then, the outer castle gate opened.

‘There must have been a sense of crisis during the Clifford-Burgos War. There are multiple layers of walls.’

Madam Darci thought, resting her chin in the rattling carriage, and then looked lovingly at the wizards who were creaking and following her.

“Oh, right, Minister! What is the route?”

“If we pass through the wizard’s forest, we can enter Hielro immediately.”

“How long will it take to get there?”

“The dragons will arrive in a day, and the infantry will take more than a week. We will send the black armor and dragons as the vanguard first.”

“I see. Just in case, take the wizards with you. Since I can see what the wizards see, it will be easier to grasp the situation.”

“I understand, Madam.”

At her words, the minister looked at the wizards who had lost their will. As Madam Darci flicked her hand, the wizards playfully stuck out their tongues and tilted their heads back.

Madam Darci giggled, clutching her stomach, but the minister only gave a perfunctory smile and moved his horse forward. She was a disturbing woman, no matter how he looked at her.

* * *

“It’s like a forest has grown in the desert.”

Berik muttered, looking at the dense forest in the distance.

The place where they stood was strange. To the right, grass grew on moderately wet ground, and to the left, there was a completely dry sandy desert. But in front of them was a forest. It felt like they were standing on the border of a land torn into three parts.

“But this is the border, right? Why aren’t there any border guards?”

“You’ll find border guards if you go east. This place borders the desert and was the residence of wizards. Unless you were someone special, you wouldn’t even think of coming here. And above all-”

Zing. Zing.

Ian raised his fingertips, stroking the air. There was an invisible barrier. The wizards must have all gone to the royal palace, so it didn’t seem to be maintained by magic power…….

“It’s a magic stone.”

“I see. If there’s something like this, it’s no wonder ordinary people can’t approach it. It’s more effective than barbed wire.”

How far did the border extend? Berik tapped the invisible wall.

“So what should we do, Ian? Should we take out the border guards first and go in? Or should we dig a hole here? Wait, can this even be broken?”

Berik rolled up his sleeves and threw a punch with all his might. Whoosh-! The air vibrated visibly with the sound of air bursting. But that was all.

Berik shook his aching fist and glared at the wall irritably.

“It didn’t even crack, damn it! Ow, it hurts!”

He started banging his head again, swinging his fists, and kicking with his feet. The transparent barrier seemed to shake a few times, but it only became more solid.

“Move.”

“No, let me try. I think I can do it.”

“It seems to be a material that gets stronger the more it’s impacted.”

“That means we just have to break it in one go?”

Wham!

“Aaaah!”

Berik turned his waist and threw a punch with all his might, but all that came back was an annoyed scream.

Ian ignored the tumbling Berik and placed his hand on the ground.

Zing! Zing!

Was he trying to break the wall? Berik lay on his stomach, watching what Ian was doing. But the flow of magic was strange. Not the wall, but the ground…….

“Huh? Huh?”

“That’s why I told you to move.”

“Ian, wait a minute!”

Wham! Bang! Pop!

An explosion burst in front of Berik’s eyes. The ground shook as it exploded, and dirt and rocks rained down. This was to remove the magic stone buried underground.

Zing- Zing!

Clang!

Several sharp cracking sounds followed.

…Is it all over?

Berik peeked out and found Ian, who had dusted off his hands and was entering the territory of Luswena as if nothing had happened.