Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 132

Initiation Ceremony

Flash!

Beric, who had been knocked out, opened his eyes and sat up at once. His last memory was of the Royal Palace training grounds and Ian, but now he was on an unfamiliar bed.

‘Ah.’

Even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through his muscles, as if they were tearing apart. And his skull? Considering Jayrut had focused his attacks on his face, it was a miracle he could even open his eyes. Beric cautiously touched his nose.

‘Wow, thank goodness. My nose is still attached properly.’

Beric was about to go look for Ian when he heard voices coming from behind the curtain next to the bed. Peeking through a gap, he realized he was in the infirmary. The rows of empty white beds, the warm sunlight, and the smell of alcohol gave him a strange sense of calm.

‘Is your injury alright?’

‘It would be best to ask the Baron’s physician about that.’

‘As much as the one who is hit feels pain, the one who hits also feels it.’

Jayrut tapped his knee with his bandaged hand and remained silent. Then, he brought up the name of his friend from his memories.

‘…Petreio, I heard from Barsabe that you were there at the end.’

‘It seems the rumors have already spread through the Royal Guard. He fulfilled his duty, and I simply acted according to my position. Any foolish revenge is out of the question.’

Clink.

Ian lightly scolded him while holding a teacup. Though one was a middle-aged man and the other a boy, it was clear who was in charge from their words and actions.

‘So, how was his skill?’

‘Are you referring to the Baron’s swordsmanship?’

Beric, who was eavesdropping from behind the curtain, perked up his ears while hiding his presence. Honestly, he was the best of all the warriors he had seen so far, so he was curious about their evaluation of him. If they were harsh, he would immediately challenge them again to change their minds, Beric’s eyes sparkled.

‘For someone with such poor fundamentals, he was usable. He has a lot of natural talent. Though his ability to hide his presence is terrible.’

As Jayrut turned his head and muttered, Beric yanked the curtain open. His face was flushed, as if he was embarrassed.

Whack!

‘Hey, why are you eavesdropping?’

‘How absurd. You were the one eavesdropping.’

‘Beric, it’s good you’re awake. If you had been any later, I was going to leave you behind. The initiation ceremony is almost starting.’

Ian smiled brightly and clicked his pocket watch. It had already been three hours since he had passed out in the training grounds. It was almost admirable how perfectly he had woken up.

‘Leave who behind? How am I supposed to find my way home?’

‘You’re not a child, surely you can find your way home.’

‘And it’s not over yet! It was interrupted because that old man cowardly attacked me from behind, so we have to fight again.’

‘Beric, that’s what you call losing.’

‘No, I didn’t lose!’

Beric stubbornly insisted, but Ian’s expression remained calm and unwavering. Jayrut could only sigh as he looked at Beric. Although he was displeased, wasn’t it the duty of the Royal Guard Commander to take in even someone like this to ensure the safety of the Imperial Family?

‘Beric, as the Commander of the Royal Guard, I have a proposal for you. Join the Royal Guard and serve His Majesty the Emperor…’

‘No way.’

‘…We have good meat dishes.’

‘…Still no.’

‘Why not?’

Even the trump card he had heard from Ian was met with a lukewarm response. Beric wiped his face with a wet towel on the table and answered.

‘Why would I learn anything under a commander who cowardly attacks from behind?’

‘Such insolence…’

‘Eeeen insolenccce~ If it wasn’t for that, I would have won. Seriously.’

Beric stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes as if mocking him. Jayrut looked like he had seen something he shouldn’t have at the childish insult. As sparks flew between the two again, Ian intervened to stop them.

‘Alright, alright, that’s enough. Beric, you can think about joining later, but I also recommend that you train at the training grounds. It’s not easy to do at the Romandro mansion.’

It was difficult to do physical training in the small front yard. Besides, there was a pregnant woman at home, so any violent actions were forbidden. Beric seemed to be slowly persuaded, scratching his chin and nodding.

‘Besides, there are many skilled people there, though not as skilled as Commander Jayrut, which would be good for you. I also have to commute to the Imperial Palace regularly once I join, so we can go together.’

‘Really? Then okay. I’m not good with strangers.’

Beric smiled brightly, and Jayrut looked at him with a ‘what a mess’ expression. Ian stood up and nodded to Beric.

‘Then, behave yourself from now on. While you’re at the training grounds, Commander Jayrut will help you.’

‘Behave?’

The commander saw Beric’s potential, so this was a negotiable matter. To train Beric and make him a talent for the Imperial Palace. On the other hand, Beric would be given the opportunity for personal growth, so it was a good deal for both sides.

‘Behave. Hmm hmm.’

Beric’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t sure if he could even see properly with his swollen eyes, but he glanced at Commander Jayrut and then bowed his head. He was clearly greeting him, but there was no sense of respect.

‘He has a long way to go.’

The commander pinched his forehead, and Ian also stood up.

‘Let’s discuss the details later, and that’s all for today. Don’t forget what I asked you to do.’

‘Understood.’

The mysterious black sword and Beric, who was too strange to be called a magic swordsman. As the Commander of the Royal Guard, it would be easy to access information. As Ian left the infirmary, Beric quickly followed him.

‘A request? What request?’

‘It’s nothing you need to know. Is your nose okay?’

‘Yeah, yeah. I can breathe fine.’

Clatter! Thud!

Jayrut shook his head as he watched the closed door.

‘Just as the Baron said. It’s questionable how he can get up and walk around in that condition.’

If he was a magic swordsman with high-level abilities, it was possible to heal his wounds with magic. But even for magicians, healing magic was the most difficult, so how much could a swordsman do? Clearly, there was something more to him than just being a magic swordsman.

‘If he becomes an enemy, he will be a burden to Bariel someday. That’s for sure. So, it’s for the good of the Empire to keep him in check from the start.’

Tap.

‘Huh? Did Baron Ian and that crazy guy leave?’

‘Left? With that body? Can he move?’

Barsabe entered from the storage room inside the infirmary with a doctor. Jayrut shook his head from side to side as if he didn’t know either.

* * *

At that time, in the main conference room of the Magic Department.

It was a place that was not often used except for irregular conferences, but it was the perfect place to introduce new members and hold an initiation ceremony.

‘Did you hear? They say Commander Jayrut released his magic power at the Imperial Palace training grounds today.’

‘What? Why? Did a monster appear?’

‘No, I heard it was during a duel with an outsider knight. They say it was quite a sight.’

‘An outsider? Haha. That guy is on the fast track now. If he did that well against Jayrut, he can join right away, can’t he?’

‘I don’t know if his master will let him go so easily. The Magic Department has been getting a lot of budget lately, so the Royal Guard and the Security Forces are always complaining. Those magic swordsmen, they don’t even think about how much they eat.’

‘By the way, Baron Ian Hielo is joining today, right?’

‘It’s almost time…’

Thud!

It was the moment when the magicians gathered and looked outside. The door burst open, and the people from the Magic Operations Department entered. The leader, Hale, and the main members, Tommy and Nakina. As they entered, whispers were heard again from the surroundings.

‘What did they say about Baron Ian Hielo being assigned?’

‘They didn’t say anything? You know Hale’s personality.’

‘He has the skills but doesn’t know how to get in with the higher-ups.’

Tommy frowned and looked back at them, but the magicians didn’t stop whispering. Hale just chewed on his cigarette indifferently and checked his watch.

‘Commander Hale, have you seen the new recruit’s face?’

‘Yeah. At the New Year’s party. He was pretty.’

‘Tommy! I thought the newbie was finally escaping, but a noble came in. How can we properly act as seniors?’

‘Better than you do.’

Sharp jokes were exchanged between the Magic Support Department and the Magic Operations Department. The other departments just watched from a distance. As time passed, the front door of the conference room opened wide.

Clatter!

‘Minister Wesley is entering.’

At the aide’s announcement, everyone became quiet and looked ahead. And following her was a blonde, green-eyed boy. Those who had seen him at the New Year’s party were once again impressed, and those who saw him for the first time just rolled their eyes and gave awkward smiles. Why didn’t anyone tell them he was so handsome?

‘Has everyone gathered?’

‘Yes, Minister.’

‘As you all have heard, a new recruit has joined the Magic Department today. Baron Ian Hielo. He is said to be the first noble magician in Bariel’s history, but we will have to see if he lives up to his reputation.’

It was a rather lackluster voice for introducing a new recruit who had joined after several years. The magicians openly sneered, but Ian had a calm expression as if he was deaf.

‘If you have anything to say, say it.’

At Wesley’s words, Ian stepped forward and looked around. And he easily found Hale, who would be his direct superior. Ian looked at him and slowly opened his mouth.

‘Please don’t be uncomfortable because I am a noble, and I ask for your guidance and support.’

There was no point in adding flowery words, as the response would be the same. Everyone was silent and had dumbfounded expressions at the concise greeting. The first to clap was Nakina.

Clap clap clap.

‘Welcome.’

It was a truly awkward atmosphere. Wesley also clapped perfunctorily, and soon the other magicians also sent their obligatory applause. Wesley gestured for him to step down from the platform and then instructed Hale.

‘From now on, Hale of the Magic Operations Department will be in charge of Baron Ian Hielo. Do your best.’

‘Yes, Minister.’

And he was about to add something, but he just left. Tommy and Nakina approached and extended their hands.

‘Nice to meet you. I’m your senior, so speak comfortably. I’m Nakina.’

‘Nice to meet you. Thank you for the other day.’

‘I’m Tommy. Ask me anything you don’t know.’

‘Yes, I will. Thank you.’

As they were chatting, the magicians from the Magic Support Department approached and scanned Ian. They were clearly the ones who had tampered with the magic circle.

‘We’ll be seeing each other often, right? Huh?’

‘I see you’re from the Magic Support Department.’

‘Yeah. Shall we shake hands?’

A man grinned and reached out his hand. Ian was about to reflexively grab his hand, but he paused at the magical energy he felt at his fingertips. There was clearly a magic circle drawn on his palm.

‘Why? You don’t want to? Is it because you’re a noble, and you don’t want to shake hands with the lowly?’

‘What, he’s got a temper on his first day.’

‘I don’t know if we can work together like that. The Magic Operations Department is already full of stubborn people.’

‘Commander, Commander Hale can hear you.’

‘I’m saying it for him to hear. What’s with the new recruit?’

Wasn’t this a very classic and childish trick? But for the sake of public image, it was right to shake hands. Instead of grabbing his hand, Ian smiled, ready to release his magic power and reflect it.

‘I look forward to working with you.’

But at that moment.

Sizzle.

‘Aaaah!’

Hale put out the cigarette he was holding in his mouth on the magician’s hand. Unlike his violent action, there was no emotion on his face.

‘Your palm is dirty.’