Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 130

The Royal Training Grounds

‘Excuse me. Is this your first visit? Please show your identification.’

Clack!

The guard in front of the royal training grounds saluted and stopped Ian’s group. While Ian was taking out his ID, several knights passed by them, moving with practiced ease.

Most of them were burly. Beric, without realizing it, tried to follow them in, but Ian grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

‘You are Baron Ian Hielo, I see. Thank you for the confirmation.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Ian, did you see the size of those guys who just passed by?’

‘Let’s go. There will be even bigger ones inside.’

It was magnificent and imposing, incomparable to the old training grounds where they had rolled around in the borderlands. The spacious area could accommodate hundreds of people at once, and everything was pleasant and perfect. The lighting, temperature, and humidity were all ideal!

‘Wow, it’s real. They all look incredibly strong. Even in a place like this, there are guards. That guard looks like the weakest one here. Oh, my god. Look at that guy’s muscles. I want to hit him. Wow.’

Regular soldiers mainly trained in the outer training grounds, while those who gathered here were mostly knights escorting nobles. The Royal Guard was the same. It was a place where extraordinary people gathered to train, so naturally, the atmosphere itself was unique.

‘There’s a second floor too.’

‘That’s where the nobles watch the knights train. Sometimes, if they see a knight they like, nobles will trade them for a higher price, and the Royal Guard Commander will sometimes offer them a position.’

Everywhere in the royal palace, there were structures that allowed the upper floors to look down on the lower floors. Beric glanced at the nobles chattering above, then quickly followed Ian.

‘So, are we going to the first floor now?’

‘Yes. Go and watch how the skilled ones wield their swords, and naturally mingle with them.’

‘Ah, I’m very shy.’

‘Your jokes have improved a lot. Though they’re not very pleasant to hear.’

Squeak.

As Ian smiled and nodded, the guards opened the entrance to the training grounds. At the same time, the warriors who had been chatting in groups of three or five glanced at them and focused on the two.

‘Who are they? I’ve never seen them before.’

‘Ah. That’s Baron Ian Hielo.’

‘The first noble mage who’s joining the Magic Department this time.’

‘Then is that red-haired guy his escort?’

‘Oh, my god. They say he came from the borderlands, but he looks like some kid from the neighborhood…’

Perhaps because they made a living with their bodies, the atmosphere was rough and coarse. Beric pricked up his ears and looked at them, but they didn’t avoid his gaze, only sneering openly.

‘Are those bastards calling me a kid?’

‘Beric. Those guys are external knights brought by nobles. They’re vulgar, so don’t bother with them. The ones you should take as your teachers and examples are over there, those guys.’

As Beric rolled his eyes and glared madly, Ian turned his head away with his hand. In the distance, those wearing the Royal Guard’s training uniforms were checking each other’s forms and sparring with swords.

‘It is said that the spear thrown towards the sun flies the farthest. Since they are the ones who serve His Majesty the Emperor in the royal palace, there will be much for you to learn, Beric.’

Barsabe was also among them. Although she was still an apprentice and learning, her attitude towards swordsmanship was serious and exceptional.

‘She has teeth too.’

‘I’ll be going up to the second floor, so do your best. Don’t forget what I told you, okay?’

At Ian’s words, Beric just snorted and chuckled. He was not very reliable, but the gazes of the other nobles looking down at them from the second floor were sharp. For the sake of appearances, Ian couldn’t stay on the first floor any longer.

‘Watch me closely, master.’

‘Just don’t get too messed up. I can’t take you to the Magic Department like that.’

Today would probably be a meaningful day for Beric in many ways. He was someone who grew stronger every time he met strong people, so he would learn a lot by clashing with the best of the best in Bariel.

‘Especially, I hope he learns some humility and restraint.’

Whether Beric knew Ian’s thoughts or not, he winked one eye mischievously and stepped into the training grounds. Ian, who had gone up to the second floor, immediately greeted the other nobles.

‘Oh, Baron Ian Hielo. Good day to you. I thought it was a very nice day today, but it’s good to see you again.’

‘Good day to you. Of the Serio family…’

‘Marlon Hoff Serio.’

It was the noble Ian had first greeted at the New Year’s party. He requested a handshake as if he was happy to meet him again.

‘I heard you’re joining the Magic Department today.’

‘Yes, that’s right. Before that, my escort is such a belligerent fellow, so I came here.’

‘Indeed, it seems so.’

…Indeed, it seems so?

At Marlon’s meaningful words, Ian turned his head and looked down. Beric was striding up to the man who had been badmouthing him earlier and sticking his head out. He was whispering his greeting at a distance where their noses were almost touching.

‘Hello? I’m Beric, and, ah, damn it. Looking at you, you seem incredibly skilled. I’m so impressed that my mouth is hanging open. You seem to have a lot of time, so would you like to spar with me? I humbly ask for a match. Yes, if you refuse, I’ll just take it as a win.’

Ian couldn’t help but close his eyes. He had definitely taught him the correct greeting, but it had been distorted beyond recognition. Marlon, looking amused, rested his chin on his hand and pointed at Beric.

‘Hahaha. He’s adorable. Where did you pick him up?’

‘I don’t remember either. Where I picked him up.’

‘The owner of that guy is probably… ah, there he is. It’s Baron Tavienna. I don’t know if you know him.’

‘I don’t remember seeing him at the New Year’s party.’

‘Yes. You remember correctly.’

Marlon smiled at Ian’s answer. If a noble couldn’t enter the main banquet hall, it meant that they had no influence, despite their title. Perhaps he was someone who had recently bought a title with money.

‘He seems to have quite a few knights.’

There were more than a few people watching Beric and gathering around him. But Beric didn’t stop his momentum and kept rubbing his forehead against the forehead of the man he had picked a fight with. The way he rolled his eyes and turned them over like before, he seemed completely out of it.

‘He mainly does that business. He was originally a street thug from the back alleys, but he seems to have good business skills, and his mercenary agency has become quite successful.’

Perhaps he had obtained the title to gain access to the royal training grounds. Just having the word ‘royal palace’ in a knight’s resume would increase their value more than twice.

Ian took a sip of the drink Marlon offered and watched Beric.

‘You little punk, you’re so fearless…’

‘Damn it. So, are you going to fight or not? Chicken? Chicken?’

In the royal training grounds, especially in a place like this where everyone gathers to compete, mutual agreement was paramount. The man’s face turned red with humiliation, and he looked up at his master, Baron Tavienna.

‘Is it okay to fight?’

Tavienna glanced at Ian, then twirled his mustache. Originally, the goal was to show off their skills while maintaining dignity, but the opponent was Ian Hielo, the center of attention. If the rumor spread that he had defeated the mage’s escort, there would be no greater premium.

‘Are you okay with this, Baron Ian Hielo?’

‘Do as you please.’

As Tavienna asked as a formality, Ian waved his hand lightly. It was a way of handling things that showed a sense of class, even though they were both barons. As soon as his master’s permission was given, the man took off his shirt and pushed Beric’s head.

‘Good. You asked for it, so don’t regret it. With that red head of yours, even if you bleed, it won’t show.’

Fluffy chest hair, thwack! An arm muscle the size of a person’s head, thwack! As the man gritted his teeth, Beric spat on his palm and laughed.

‘I’ll learn a thing or two from you. You learn two things from me.’

‘Shut up! Let’s see how long you can keep talking!’

‘Don’t fall! If you fall, I’ll tear off all your chest hair!’

Whoosh!

The man threw a punch first. Since there were so many belligerent people gathered, hand-to-hand combat that started with a fight was common. But…

‘Isn’t the size difference too much?’

‘Still, that red-haired guy is a mage’s escort.’

‘Really? Then it might be worth a try.’

‘Oh my, look at how nimble he is. He’s pretty good.’

‘He must be from the streets? His footwork is raw.’

Because there were so many noteworthy aspects, everyone nearby stopped what they were doing and watched the two fight. In the distance, the Royal Guard was the same. They wiped away their sweat and laughed, telling each other to look at that.

‘They’re so vulgar. They call themselves warriors, tsk tsk.’

‘That’s why I hate coming out on free training days.’

‘Still, he’s pretty good, isn’t he? Barsabe, look.’

‘Puh!’

Barsabe spat out the water she was drinking. She had said she would come to the royal training grounds, but she didn’t expect him to come this quickly. She wiped her mouth and looked at Beric with a shocked expression.

‘Wow- ho! Ahahaha!’

Pow! Pow!

Thud! Thwack!

He was throwing punches as if he was playing a game, adding shouts of encouragement. Unlike his light attitude, his attacks were not light. Every time the man struggled to block, the dull thudding sound made it clear how powerful they were.

‘What’s wrong, mister? Did the mouth you were flapping earlier die?’

‘Y-you bastard…’

‘That’s why! People! Should be! Humble! Our! Master! Said!’

Pow!

Who is he telling to be humble?

While Ian shook his head in disbelief, Marlon laughed heartily. He even clapped his hands. Originally, sparring was meant for the participants to test their skills, and for the spectators, it was meant to provide entertainment. It was a perfect match in every way.

‘Hahaha! Baron Ian, he’s very useful! How much did you buy him for?’

‘Just the cost of meat side dishes will do.’

‘What? Ahaha! He’s cost-effective too!’

If he knew how much he ate, he would faint.

Pow!

The time they spent in the air clearly showed the difference in their skills. Beric kept flying around as if he wasn’t touching the ground, hitting the man. As blood dripped from his nose onto the floor, the opponent gasped for breath, holding his nose.

‘Y-you, you crazy bastard!’

Clang!

In the end, a sword was drawn. The atmosphere of the spectators, who had been watching it as a light entertainment, changed in an instant. To draw a sword in the training grounds, and not a wooden one. It was an implicit signal that they were going to go all the way.

‘Good. I’ll show you too. I just went to the blacksmith and sharpened the blade. It cuts paper just by brushing against it?’

Beric also drew his sword, his eyes shining as if he had been waiting for this. And he muttered, dripping with madness.

‘I wonder if it can cut off a person’s arm too?’

‘Another, another crazy guy…’

Clang! Clang!

While the two were exchanging blows again, Barsabe was just swallowing hard. Then, a man’s voice was heard behind her.

‘Barsabe.’

‘Ah, Commander.’

One of the commanders of the Royal Guard, Barsabe’s superior, and Petreio’s friend. It was Jayrut.

‘That’s Ian and his subordinate.’

‘Um, Commander.’

Swish.

He straightened his uniform and approached them. In that short time, Beric had cut the man to pieces. The man’s painful groans flowed with blood. Beric squatted in front of him and tapped his neck with his sword.

‘Tsk, tsk. If we were outside, it would have been a clean cut.’

‘H-help, please help…’

‘Aish! Of course. This is the royal palace, after all. Ahaha. Instead, I’ll cut some of your chest hair? Don’t take off your shirt so carelessly in the future. It looks like crap.’

Clack.

Beric turned his head at the presence he felt behind him. He was a middle-aged man who looked to be well over fifty, but his aura was solid and firm, and his dignity was exceptional.

‘Are you Ian’s subordinate?’

‘Subordinate? Hmm, yes! My master is Ian!’

Beric glanced upwards, then shouted confidently. Jayrut, having heard the answer, grabbed the hilt of his sword.

‘I am Jayrut, a commander of the Royal Guard. From what I see, you seem to be quite skilled, so I would like to spar with you. What do you say?’

What did he say? Beric looked at Ian with his eyes, just like the man had done earlier. As if asking for permission. Ian leaned half his body over the railing and looked down at the two. He had a smiling face.