Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 15

The atmosphere in the training grounds was a bit awkward. On the surface, it was as fiery as yesterday, but everyone’s attention was subtly focused on one place.

It was the young masters of the family they served.

‘You need to loosen up your body properly. Otherwise, the risk of injury is high.’

‘Ugh. Like this?’

The young masters’ physical training fell to Theo. He was the only one still playing around under the guise of injury, and above all, he was a skilled individual regardless of his personality, so Derga entrusted him with the task. His mission likely included monitoring Ian and executing him immediately if there was a problem.

‘Brother, extend your arm further back.’

‘Ah, I can’t? It hurts too much.’

However, Ian appeared to be helping Chel very diligently. With Theo around, wouldn’t all actions reach Derga’s ears? It was foolish to be misunderstood, and it was wise to invite carelessness.

‘We’ll start with basic physical fitness, and you can’t give up halfway. After running for about an hour, I’ll check your wooden sword stance.’

Chel’s face, with a damp nose, looked like he was about to die. As time went on, the sun would only get hotter. Theo checked his watch, observing the expressions of the two boys.

‘If I treat them too harshly, this will only last a few days.’

It wasn’t just that it was annoying, but in the long run, the two shouldn’t even be near the training grounds. Ian would be sold off to the Cheonryeo tribe [a fictional tribe], but especially Chel. As the years passed, wouldn’t that child be helping Count Bratz more and more? If he were to take over the command of the private soldiers, it would be like having his rice bowl stolen.

‘By the way, where are the knights?’

Ian, who was slowly loosening up, asked. He had thought about it yesterday, but most of the people training had a rough and crude feel. There wasn’t anyone with the refined atmosphere unique to knights.

‘It’s obvious since Theo isn’t a knight himself.’

Theo didn’t seem to have a title. All the servants in the house called him by different names. Among the many titles, he had never heard the word ‘knight,’ and he had never seen him wearing the family’s crest.

‘Those guys are too noble, so they live separately in their own training grounds. This side is just full of guys who went from holding pickaxes to holding swords. Why? Do you want to be taught by a knight?’

Theo chuckled, tapping the ground with a stick. His teeth looked particularly black today. His tone was so cocky, it was like he was just waiting for someone to pick a fight.

‘No, thanks. Each person has their own suitable teacher, right?’

He was indirectly saying that Theo was just the right level for beginners. But whether he didn’t understand that far, he just scratched his ear indifferently and turned away.

‘Alright. Let’s run then.’

There was no territory without knights. In any territory, the knights were the elite of the elite. The Bratz territory was no exception. They were clearly carrying out secret escort and orders.

Tap!

‘If I take the maximum, there would be about ten in this border region.’

The number of knights that nobles could keep was limited due to the imperial court’s control over the provinces. The knights that were commonly recognized were those who were certified by their skills and experience. Large and small monster battles, wars with other countries, and so on. They were a force that couldn’t be compared to a ragtag group of peasant-turned-swordsmen.

‘They must be quite skilled.’

They were in the border region, and they were the ones who faced the Cheonryeo tribe. And above all, he had been here for almost two weeks, but he had never felt their presence. It meant they were completely in Derga’s shadow.

‘Keep running!’

‘Haa… haa…’

Chel was dragging his feet, drooling. It had only been two laps. Ian was lightly catching his breath, moving ahead of him.

Theo, who was walking slowly, glanced at Ian.

‘He even knows how to control his breathing.’

He couldn’t say he had good stamina, but he knew how to move his body smartly. Unlike Chel, who was falling behind, Ian was steadily following behind Theo.

And on the opposite side.

Two boys were sparring with swords.

‘Uwaaaah!’

‘Berric, you crazy, no!’

Thwack! Thwack!

The boy swinging his sword like a storm was Berric. His opponent was stepping back, but it wasn’t because of the overwhelming difference in power, but simply a reaction to the relentless attacks.

Berric’s expression wasn’t pleased about that.

‘Shit!’

It was strange. Just last night, his body had felt as light as if he could fly. It felt like the effects of a drug he hadn’t taken had worn off after waking up. Berric desperately thrust his sword to hold onto the strange sensation that was gradually disappearing.

‘Hey! Take it easy!’

Thwack!

The comrade who was receiving his attacks couldn’t stand it anymore and shouted. At the same time, the swords collided and flew in a circle. Only then did Berric stop and catch his breath, and his comrade spat, saying he was unlucky.

‘That’s why I said I didn’t want to do it!’

‘You were the one who lost the bet this morning, Mayrel.’

No one wanted to spar with Berric. It was because he never did things half-heartedly. There were a few trainees who had been injured by Berric’s intensity, which was like a real battle.

The comrades giggled and teased Mayrel, and he muttered curses as he went into the break room. Berric, left alone, picked up the fallen wooden sword.

‘Berric.’

It was a familiar voice now. He looked at Ian with his red eyes. He was smiling brightly, covered in sweat.

‘What is it?’

‘You’re not telling me to get lost now.’

‘…When did I ever do that?’

‘You must have really been out of it back then. You don’t even know what you said.’

Actually, he had found out earlier. That it was the illegitimate son, Ian, who had poured water on him the other day. He had overheard it without realizing it, as everyone was gossiping about the young masters of the family coming to the training grounds.

Ian smiled brightly and patted his shoulder.

‘Well, it’s okay. Everyone goes blind under the scorching sun.’

Berric had no intention of responding. It was an attitude of ‘go ahead and scold me.’ In fact, what could a young illegitimate son do? As he slowly dragged his sword and moved into the shade, Ian followed him.

Berric frowned and looked back.

‘It seems like it’ll take a while for Brother Chel to come. I’m just going to walk slowly and rest.’

Behind them, Theo was roughly dragging Chel. He was in a daze, picking him up when he collapsed, and then falling again.

‘Want to eat some?’

Ian took out some well-dried jerky from his pocket. The servants had given it to him so he wouldn’t go hungry during training. Winning people’s hearts came from such basic things. Fulfilling their needs was the beginning, and the more basic it was, the more effective it was.

But.

‘I don’t want to. Yo.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because there’s no reason to eat it.’

Berric rejected it without hesitation.

It was unexpected. No matter how much Derga was focusing on expanding his private army, there was no way that a soldier from an orphanage would live lavishly. It was probably just enough to make ends meet compared to when he was outside.

‘Get out of my way. Sir.’

‘Your speech is strange. If you’re going to use honorifics, do it properly.’

‘……’

Still, he was resolute. Even though he knew that he was the illegitimate son, Ian, his actions didn’t change. It was an attitude of thoroughly rejecting kindness and goodwill.

He thought he was being picky for a moment. Ian realized that this was actually a good thing.

‘Right. I need a tool, not a confidant.’

If he wasn’t interested in personal matters, there was a high probability that he had his own beliefs. If he could just satisfy that, he could make a clean contract without any unnecessary complications.

Of course, the proper way was to gain a master-servant relationship based on trust and faith.

Screech.

Berric wrapped his right hand and wooden sword with bandages. And without hesitation, he opened the door to the break room and called out to his comrade. Specifically, to the one he had been sparring with until just now, Mayrel.

‘Mayrel. Come out.’

‘Did you eat something bad? Where do you think you are…’

‘We didn’t settle the score.’

Was he really not crazy? As Mayrel frowned, a giant man on the opposite side stood up instead. He looked twice the size of Berric.

‘…You’ve been acting up since yesterday. Huh?’

‘Get lost. I don’t have any business with you.’

‘Mayrel doesn’t have any business with you either!’

Thud!

The man grabbed Berric’s head and slammed it against the wall. It happened in an instant. Berric, as if used to it, didn’t hesitate and came out swinging his wooden sword.

‘Get lost!’

Whack! Thump!

Ian chewed on the jerky, watching the scene.

Berric’s personality was definitely not normal. He acted like he had no fear of violence. And on top of that, he was obsessed with strength and winning.

Whack! Thump!

What was unfortunate was that reality was cold, unlike his spirit. No matter how much Berric struggled, he couldn’t beat a man who was twice his size.

‘You crazy! Bastard! Stop it! Already!’

Thump! Thump!

Pow!

The man kicked Berric in the stomach as if he was kicking a ball.

Hmm. That must hurt? As Ian worried inwardly, Berric collapsed on the ground. The man dusted off his hands as if it was nothing and chuckled.

‘If you keep acting up, you won’t live long? It’d be great if you died early. Hahaha!’

‘Ugh…’

Berric was lying flat on his back, gasping for breath. Ian went to his face and squatted down. Golden hair fell down into Berric’s vision.

‘Should I punish that guy?’

At Ian’s whisper, Berric closed his eyes.

‘…Get lost, you bastard.’

‘Why? Don’t you want to win? There are many ways to win in this world.’

Even if he was an illegitimate son, Ian could easily deal with a trainee like that with just a word.

But Berric raised his middle finger.

‘That’s meaningless.’

Strong power. That was the only standard for living in the world. Even when his family knelt and begged for mercy from his father’s violence, even when his house was stained with blood from the ruthless knife of a robber, Berric couldn’t do anything. He could only watch.

Ian didn’t know the details, but he understood the meaning.

‘Okay. That’s your meaning.’

At that moment, Chel fell backward in the distance. Theo, looking troubled, and the men around him gathered and shook Chel’s body. Berric, still with his eyes closed, replied.

‘If you talk to me one more time, I’ll kill you.’

‘But you look like this… tsk tsk.’

‘Aish-‘

Ian put his hand over Berric’s eyes. He was squatting down, so his face wouldn’t be visible to others. Above all, everyone’s attention was on Chel, who had fallen backward.

‘I have a very good method, you know.’

He could feel Berric’s gaze under his palm. It was a spirit that was so hot it was burning. It seemed like his pupils weren’t red for no reason.

‘That strong power you want. I can give it to you.’

‘You’re talking nonsense. You crazy bastard.’

‘If I give you what you need, you must also give me what I need.’

It was a very serious voice. When Berric remained silent, Ian chuckled softly. It was unexpected that he couldn’t answer. Judging by how he couldn’t easily say even a passing remark, he seemed to have a serious personality, unlike his frivolous tone.

Zzzing.

Ian poured mana into him without hesitation. A little more than yesterday. But it was still not enough to awaken him. Since a magic swordsman served his master for at least a year, he would have to put in that much time as well.

‘……!’

Berric’s fingertips twitched. The pain that had consumed his body felt like it was being washed away by water in an instant. Something cool, even cold, awakened his mind. Berric listened to the sound of his heart pounding and jumped up.

‘Oh, oh.’

Ian, surprised, took his hand away. In that gap, his eyes met the boy’s golden eyes. It was only for a moment.

Berric slowly turned his head. Everything was sensitive, as if his dead nerves were coming back to life. The man who had knocked him down was watching Chel with his arms crossed.

‘Tsk tsk. If he’s like that from the start…’

‘That’s why Count Bratz…’

The voices lingered in his ears as if they were stretching out. Berric’s eyes sparkled, and he reflexively ran. It was like a beast leaping out after receiving a signal. He threw away his wooden sword, as if it was cumbersome, and threw a punch.

Tap!

‘Uwaaaah!’

‘……?’

The man turned his head at the shout. What he faced was Berric, covered in blood, charging at him. For some reason, even though there wasn’t a breeze, his hair was fluttering.

Only Ian knew that it was the flow of mana.