Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 914

“What’s going on?”

Bariel’s camp was in an uproar. Messengers from the minor tribes arrived one by one, drawn by the unusual commotion, trying to figure out what was happening. However—

*Clang.*

The Bariel soldiers, who would normally have greeted them without suspicion, suddenly pointed their spears, a sharp change in attitude.

“……?!”

“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on?’ Do we have an obligation to report to you?”

And on top of that, their tone was hostile.

However, there was no murderous intent in their eyes, so it must be a ruse. The messengers stepped back, puzzled, and surveyed the Bariel camp.

“Our great Bariel Empire has a mage. If you do not surrender quickly, all the tribes in the north will be annihilated. Go quickly and tell your leaders.”

This information was delivered indirectly. Since the mages were here, they couldn’t meet with them as they had before. They were being told to quickly inform their leaders and act accordingly.

“Seriously.”

The messengers, realizing this, turned their horses around as if there was nothing else they could do.

The Bariel soldiers kept their spears pointed at the messengers as they returned north. They glanced back slightly.

“Hoo-”

A brown-haired man, smoking a cigarette, was sitting on a rock, watching them. Judging by the fact that he had seemingly fallen from the sky, he seemed to be a mage, but they didn’t know why he wasn’t returning to his tent and was instead looking around the camp.

Seeing the soldiers glancing at him, Hale waved his cigarette-holding hand dismissively, telling them not to worry about him.

“Just treat me like I’m not here. I have no intention of interfering with the soldiers who are risking their lives for the country.”

“What do you mean? How could we treat a mage like that….”

“I’m really okay. I’m not affiliated with the Imperial Palace.”

*Can I speak informally?*

His attitude seemed relaxed and carefree, but the soldiers could feel it. They could feel how sharply his gaze was scanning the soldiers and the north.

‘They’re in a bind.’

After the mages arrived, Crony and his subordinates ordered the soldiers to be on alert. If it was revealed that they had held several friendly meetings with the minor tribes, it would be quite troublesome.

‘They can’t report that the war is progressing through negotiation rather than force. If they’re covering it up this sloppily…’

Hale flicked the cigarette ash into the wind. The unkempt military boots, the land showing no signs of battle, the soldiers’ faces completely devoid of fear or tension. It was clear that there hadn’t been a single clash since they arrived in the north.

‘Are they trying to drag out the situation?’

This likely meant that Crony hadn’t found any traces of Idgal yet. And that meant that the minor tribes held the crucial clues.

‘Probably not all of them.’

If the entire tribe had access to Idgal, they would have already raised their voices to Bariel and asserted their demands.

Hale frowned slightly as he sorted through his chain of thoughts. His gaze was fixed on Ian, Ako, and the tent where Crony’s group had entered.

“Why is it so quiet?”

His top priority was Ian’s safety. Although Ako was by his side, he couldn’t leave Ian’s side for long. As he casually approached the tent, Crony’s subordinate stopped him with his hand.

“Please wait.”

“Is it not done yet?”

It meant that he couldn’t enter unless he was a member of the Imperial Palace. Hale thought for a moment, then plopped down next to the tent and took out a new cigarette.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for my client?”

“Then why here?”

“Because they won’t let me in.”

Hoo. Hale blew cigarette smoke into the subordinate’s face as if asking if there was a problem.

The subordinate was about to say something but turned away. Even if he looked like that, he was a mage. He wasn’t someone to mess with rashly.

“The view is nice here.”

Regardless, Hale watched the messengers from the tribes enter another camp. Hale tilted his head.

“But which camp is that?”

Why were all the messengers going there? Hale frowned and looked at the camp’s flag.

‘…Astana?’

* * *

Meanwhile, the messengers who had flocked to Astana reported to their respective chieftains one after another. They all had the same story. It seemed that a mage had been dispatched from the Imperial Palace, and after that, Bariel’s attitude had changed.

“If it’s an Imperial Palace mage, aren’t they hostile to the Imperial Defense Force?”

“Is there any department that’s friendly to the Imperial Defense Force?”

“No, then what will happen in the future? With the mages here, we won’t be able to have free talks, and we won’t be able to talk about money either?”

“Isn’t it called mutual support funds?”

“Aish! Is that what’s important now?!”

“Calm down, everyone. Just because a mage has come, what’s going to change? Crony’s side will take care of it and send them back. It’s not easy for mages to leave the Imperial Palace.”

“That’s right. I don’t know what’s going on, but they’ll just go back after seeing it.”

“Oh my, how is this going?”

“That’s why we should have gotten the money first!”

Amidst the noisy chieftains, the Astana representative secretly sighed in relief. At least the appearance of the mages had bought them time, hadn’t it? He was relieved.

‘Wait.’

Crony and the mages were hostile to each other? Among the constant chatter, the representative was struck by that part and his mind snapped to attention. A way to get rid of Crony without turning Bariel into an enemy had just fallen from the sky!

‘That’s right. That’s how it should be!’

By using the mages, they could carry out the king’s orders without putting Astana in danger. The probability of success was also much higher than if Astana carried it out directly. They were strong and absolute, and above all, they were ‘allies.’

“Astana representative, why is there a strange light in your eyes?”

A chieftain, noticing the change in his expression, asked in confusion. The representative immediately put on a serious face and replied.

“A strange light? Is it tears?”

“…Anyway. Are you going to cooperate with Idgal or not?”

Although it had been temporarily overshadowed by the sudden appearance of the mage, the reason they had flocked to the Astana camp was clear. The representative gestured for everyone to calm down.

“Now, now, our Astana has no intention of breaking the Northern Alliance. Of course, we will cooperate, but look. The mage is here right now, isn’t he?”

“So?”

“If the mages find out that Astana leaked information about Idgal to Crony, do you think they’ll leave us alone? And by ‘us,’ I mean Astana.”

Of course, they would be annihilated. And then it would be the turn of the other tribes in the north.

“If the mage threatens Astana, is there anything we can do?”

You guys aren’t going to help, are you? You’re all going to watch Astana get beaten up and then make your next plans, right?

The chieftains, understanding the Astana representative’s words, shut their mouths like they had swallowed a bug.

“It seems that Crony’s side is also refraining from contacting us, so let’s just wait and see for now.”

“Astana, we’re trusting you.”

“Of course. How long has our Northern Alliance been around!”

The representative reassured the chieftains, offering them drinks. They emptied their cups in one gulp and then left for their respective camps. After putting out the immediate fire, the representative clasped his hands together and muttered earnestly.

“Haa. God, thank you.”

The timing was perfect. The mages who had fallen from the sky felt like a gift from God.

He called a subordinate who was waiting at the tent entrance and gave him a secret order.

“Find a way to contact the mages secretly.”

“Without the Imperial Defense Force knowing, you mean?”

“Yes. And the other tribes shouldn’t know either. Can you do it?”

Was there a way? The subordinate pondered for a moment but then nodded firmly. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like Astana’s fate was hanging on this mission.

“Understood. I will try to contact the mages.”

* * *

“Uncle Ian, have a cup.”

It was warm tea that Crony had brewed himself. As Ian hesitated to pick up the cup, Ako gulped down his own and then drank Ian’s in one go. It was still steaming, was he okay? Ian’s eyes widened, but Ako wiped his mouth as if nothing had happened.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You’re welcome. But, what brings the Magic Department here?”

“How is the war situation?”

At Ako’s question, Crony raised an eyebrow. As if he didn’t know what to say.

“It seems the Imperial Palace is very worried.”

Otherwise, how would the Magic Department, which had flatly refused their request for support, be curious about the war situation?

It was a loaded statement, but Ako answered as if it was nothing.

“Is it just the Imperial Palace? All the citizens of the Empire who have sent away their families and lovers are paying close attention.”

“I see. Well, as you can see, we are continuing the standoff without major damage. The resistance of the Northern Alliance is quite fierce, so we are focusing on assessing their strength. Is everything okay at the Imperial Palace?”

That was it. He had changed the subject, meaning he couldn’t and didn’t want to say anything more.

Ako raised an eyebrow, mimicking Crony.

“Well. Has there ever been a time when nothing was wrong?”

“Oh. Really? You seem to know a lot. I heard you haven’t been in the Imperial Palace for long.”

“Oh. Are you very interested in our Magic Department? Or are you a fan of mine?”

“…You are indeed a mage. Your ideas are brilliant.”

Ian quietly watched Crony and Ako bickering with each other. The sparks of their war of nerves seemed visible.

Crony took a light sip of his tea and then turned his gaze to Ian.

“So, Uncle Ian. You want me to be your co-guardian.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Did you have a sudden change of heart? I am naturally delighted by Uncle Ian’s request, but I am curious.”

He had been constantly dodging him since the Hadel mansion, hadn’t he? Why was he trying to be tied to him as ‘family’ now?

Ian quickly exchanged glances with Ako and gave the prepared answer.

“The Magic Department is doing its best, but they cannot fully take care of me. There are not enough mages, and they are overworked. Therefore, I am asking for your care, nephew.”

“Isn’t Count Jack there?”

“There is a big difference between entrusting someone and protecting someone. My status as a member of the Magic Department is important, but I value my status as a Hadel more.”

“…Is that all?”

It seemed like he was asking even though he knew everything. His face seemed to say that he already knew his father was dead and that they were plotting to do an autopsy. But then—

“Of course? Is there any other reason needed? A child is asking for protection, and you’re asking too many questions. If you wish, we can have him commute from Count Jack’s mansion as before, and the Magic Department will take responsibility and teach him properly. Are we lacking in ability? We just don’t have time.”

Ako naturally interjected, fanning the flames. After all, the news of the death would be delivered a week later, just before the portal opened to return to the Imperial Palace.

‘A hit-and-run, so to speak.’

Since they had delivered the news of the death, the Magic Department had done its job. Even if Crony noticed something and sent a messenger to the Imperial Palace—

-Kyuuuuuu!

The dragon would catch up without a sound and swallow it in one gulp. Even if it was missed, it would be impossible for the news to reach them within a week. The central office was already ready to perform the autopsy as soon as the signal was given.

“Hmm.”

Crony neatly folded the guardianship application in half and smiled. It was a meaningful smile.

“I understand. I will consider this matter positively.”

“Consider?”

“Is there any need to rush? I also have things to discuss with Uncle Ian. So, please rest comfortably today.”