Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 172

Silver hair, blue eyes, and a scar that ran from his left forehead to his right jaw. This was the face of the next Emperor that Ian remembered. The future of the twins, who had always been together since birth, had diverged at this moment. As if to mark Jin’s face.

‘Your Highness Marib, step back.’

Ian warned Marib. That child was of his bloodline. That child was the reason his future self was born. In another sense, he was a true family member, a dignified being that Marib could not harm.

*Swoosh*-

The natural wind and the flow of air created by Ian’s magic intertwined coolly. Ian stretched out his hands, looking at Jin. As if telling him to come to him.

‘…….’

Jin, who had been shedding tears, turned to Delilah. In her arms, still frozen in shock, was Arsen. In his mother’s arms, there was no place for him.

*Thud!*

‘…Jin!’

‘……!’

Ignoring Delilah’s cry, Jin ran past Marib’s sword. The sound of his heart pounding fiercely shook his mind. As if someone would grab him if he looked back, the child bit his lip and ran with all his might. His vision blurred with what might have been blood or tears, but it was okay.

The place where he could be embraced was firmly waiting.

*Squeeze.*

Ian knelt down to meet Jin, who was running towards him. The embrace that sank deep was desperate. *Please save me, help me who was abandoned by my mother and brother.*

‘Are you alright?’

Ian carefully examined the child’s face. The scar that ran from his left forehead to his right jaw was deep. Tears were constantly streaming down from his blue eyes.

‘…Sir Ian.’

‘Stop your tears. You are a precious person, Your Highness.’

At the gentle words of comfort, the child finally burst into tears. Ian’s touch, patting him, was particularly gentle. He had been like that too. Even an Emperor could not be without scars in his life. Just as Naum had comforted him when he cried in hiding, Ian could only soothe Jin’s tears.

‘Ian. Hand over Jin.’

Then, Marib’s sword pointed at Ian. Jin’s life was the price Delilah had paid. To boost the morale of his forces, and to further signal that there was no turning back, he had to end Jin’s life.

Jin flinched, sensing the murderous intent directed at him.

‘I cannot do that.’

‘Not only betraying me but also obstructing me?’

‘That is a misjudgment. Isn’t the current situation caused by Your Highness seizing His Majesty’s seal?’

‘Shut up. If you hadn’t conspired with Gail, I would have taken care of him long ago. There wouldn’t have been a need for you to come here.’

*Swish.*

Ian held Jin in his arms. At the same time, his hair swayed. Blonde and silver hair swayed together. As if to show that they were standing in the same place.

‘If it weren’t for me, wouldn’t Your Highness Marib have been taken care of instead?’

‘Insolent!’

‘Kyaaak!’

*Clang! Clang!*

At Marib’s shout, the soldiers drew their swords. Delilah crouched down, protecting Arsen, and Beric and Siao-si also took an offensive stance.

‘…….’

Siao-si glanced at Jin and Arsen, holding a dagger in his hand. Silver hair and blue eyes. He was definitely the child he had seen at Gail’s residence the day before. He was confused because they were twins, but the atmosphere they exuded was clearly different, so there was no problem distinguishing them.

‘Arsen, was it? That prince.’

He was wicked. Just by making eye contact, he could sense danger. Did Arsen recognize Siao-si as well? His expression was momentarily strange. Or maybe it was just his imagination.

*Swoosh.*

Marib, who had been in a tense standoff, suddenly sheathed his sword. Instead, he shouted at Jin, aiming for the nape of the neck of the crouching Delilah.

‘I must end someone’s life right now. Jin, if you don’t come, I will kill your mother instead.’

‘Kyaaaaak!’

Delilah screamed as if she was about to faint. Jin flinched, but Ian covered the back of his head with his hand, as if telling him not to listen.

‘S-Sir Ian.’

‘No one can replace you, Your Highness. Your safety is more important and precious than their screams.’

Jin’s eyes widened at Ian’s murmur. It was the first time he had heard such words. He had lived being regarded as a curse of the Imperial family.

Marib openly tempted Jin, flicking his sword.

‘If Arsen dies, it will be because of you, Jin. The oracle will come true.’

It was an absurd threat. Ian chuckled, and Jin felt strangely at ease. As if there was no problem at all, even though it was an emergency.

‘Your Highness Marib is the one holding the sword, so how can it be said that it is Your Highness Jin’s doing? You are trying to end the fate of Bariel with your own hands. How great you are, the people will truly praise you.’

Even as Ian said that, he thought that he should investigate the oracle again. It was Jin who was continuing the lineage of Bariel, but it was unknown why the curse of the oracle had fallen upon him.

Marib let out a hollow laugh and raised his sword without hesitation.

‘Is that so? It is your choice.’

But at that moment.

*Crash!*

The nearby wall was shattered, and dust swirled. Marib was forced to retreat, protected by his guards, due to the sudden impact.

What appeared in the hazy vision was a huge, matte black armor. Beric’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

‘That’s it! That’s it!’

It was the symbol of Hyman Bank, a magic stone armor responsible for security. It guaranteed more than a hundred men’s worth of power, a trump card that could firmly secure victory in any battle. It was unknown who was inside, but it was certain that they were Gail’s forces.

‘Your Highness Marib!’

‘Take cover!’

‘It’s Gail! Fight back!’

Just as Marib was looking for Gail, he seemed to be looking for Marib as well. The attack was immediately directed at Marib, and Liam, one of the three great generals, unleashed his magic to build a defensive line.

*Clang! Bang!*

*Clang! Clang!*

The earth shook every time swords clashed. Heavy vibrations quickly erupted, echoing in all directions, and screams of fear were buried.

Ian gestured to Beric and Siao-si.

‘Beric, Siao-si!’

‘Okay!’

‘…….’

*Thud!*

The goal of securing the twin princes, or rather, the next Emperor, was achieved. It was an order to quickly return to the Magic Department before getting caught up in the battle again.

The two immediately ran and grabbed the arms of the fallen Delilah.

‘If you don’t want to die, relax!’

‘Kyaaaaak!’

Beric picked up Delilah and ran, while Siao-si held Arsen. Meanwhile, Ian and Jin had already left the garden first. Marib’s soldiers blocked their way, but they could not stop them.

‘Where do you think you’re going!’

‘Your Highness, close your eyes.’

*Zzzing. Zzzing.*

*Boom!*

The head of a soldier was blown away in an instant. Jin closed his eyes tightly and buried his face in Ian’s arms. It was the same feeling as when he had touched the magic orb before. Soft, warm, and somehow fluffy.

‘Ian! This is too heavy!’

‘Beric! Come in front of me and run!’

‘Ugh, I said it’s heavy!’

It was to protect Jin from the front and back. Beric ran desperately in front of them, and Ian shot a light into the sky.

*Peeng! Bang!*

If Tommy and Nakina saw the signal, they would come to meet them.

While running like that for a while.

Jin slightly opened his eyes at an unfamiliar energy.

*Tap tap!*

Over Ian’s shoulder, he made eye contact with Arsen, who was being held by Siao-si and following behind. His brother was glaring at Jin with a cold look that made it impossible to know what he was thinking. The murderous intent was so strong that his heart felt like it was sinking.

Siao-si could guess Arsen’s gaze from Jin’s expression.

‘…Excuse me.’

So, he covered Arsen’s face with his hand, pretending to protect him. The child, whose vision was blocked, twisted his lips, but that was all.

‘Sir Ian!’

‘Tommy, Nakina! Check if there are any pursuers behind us!’

Tommy and Nakina flew into the sky and approached Ian’s group. They told them that there were no pursuers and then guided them to the safe zone of the Magic Department.

‘Sir Ian is coming!’

‘Sir Ian! This way! Oh my god, the princes too!’

‘Are you alright? Blood, there’s too much blood…’

‘Where did your coat go?’

‘The prince’s face! Doctor! Call a doctor!’

‘No. Beric, you idiot! Are you carrying Lady Delilah like that?’

‘What can I do, it’s heavy?!’

As soon as they entered the barrier, Beric threw Delilah down, and Ian took a deep breath. And while holding Jin, he went straight into the infirmary. The magicians were in a commotion, surrounding them and making a fuss.

‘Oh my, how could such a delicate face be…’

‘It’s His Highness Jin. Disinfect the wound.’

‘What kind of crazy bastard did this to His Highness’s face!’

‘It was the doing of His Highness Marib.’

‘Oh. I see. Well, um, come this way. Your Highness Jin.’

It was the first time. When something happened, he was taken care of before Arsen. Jin unknowingly grabbed Ian’s sleeve tightly. But soon, seeing his smile, he slowly released his grip.

‘It’s alright. Your Highness. Everyone here is trustworthy, I will wait outside.’

Jin nodded and was led away by the magicians, and Ian, stretching his stiff shoulders, came outside. Romandro was pouring water on Beric’s sprawled face.

‘Ugh, I’m really going to die!’

‘The meat you eat in a day is heavier than that.’

‘It’s all digested. Ah, really. Crazy. It would be easier to kill a hundred people.’

Ian looked around the inside of the Magic Department. In the meantime, the number of people who had taken refuge had increased even more. In the midst of the chaotic situation, Arsen was standing alone, looking blank. He approached as if to say something, but was blocked by Hale.

‘Minister Ian. The magic flow of the three great generals has been confirmed. Liam was last sensed near Lady Delilah’s palace-‘

‘I just came from there, so that’s right.’

‘It’s clear that Jaylot has not entered the palace. The problem is Beols.’

Hale frowned. The result was so strange that he couldn’t understand it.

‘He suddenly went from His Majesty’s residence to the 3rd Imperial Palace, then back to the 2nd Imperial Palace. He moved very quickly. It’s a route that he couldn’t have taken if he was with His Majesty, so it’s impossible to interpret.’

Ian was also puzzled. But that was only for a moment. He seemed to have realized something, and he let out a small exclamation and turned around.

‘Sir Ian?’

Ignoring Hale’s call, Ian looked around as if trying to find something.

Numerous paintings hung on the wall.

He rubbed his hands over them, checking each one.

‘A situation so urgent that his own son would steal his seal. An Emperor would naturally have a secret passage that only he knows about. Just like I did.’

Ian had also used his own secret passage when he was attacked by Crony. Since there was a gap of 100 years, it wouldn’t be exactly the same method. But the principle and structure would be similar.

‘What are you looking for?’

‘…Beric!’

‘Ah, why! Don’t tell me!’

‘Wake up and get your act together.’

Beric rolled around on the floor, but there was no help for it. While Ian whispered something to him and gave instructions, Arsen sat on one side and continued to watch Ian.

‘…….’

And Siao-si, who was watching him.

Intertwined gazes settled in the Magic Department, but no one noticed. Because the sounds of battle coming from outside were getting louder and louder.