Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 293

‘Your Highness, the Cliffopord carriage is in sight.’

‘Is that so? No time to rest. How long did they say it would take?’

The news reached Jin, who had returned to his residence to rest. He was wondering what to do about lunch since it was an awkward time, but if Cliffopord was arriving, it seemed like he could arrange a meal with Eriphony.

It was inconvenient, but what could he do? This was also Jin’s duty to bear. But strangely, there was no reply.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Well, it seems it will take a little while.’

‘Why is that?’

If the carriage was visible from the outskirts, it would take at most a couple of hours. Had something happened at the palace where Cliffopord was staying? When the attendant was urged to speak, he bowed awkwardly.

‘The carriage is moving very slowly.’

‘What? What’s the reason?’

‘Lord Ian is currently going to the outer walls with the mages to check. He said that if there was a problem with the carriage, it would be better for us to go out to meet them. But from what I hear, it doesn’t seem to be a physical problem.’

Not a physical problem? Jin tilted his head, completely puzzled. He looked at Sia, but he had no idea either. It would take a long time to go to the outskirts and back…

‘Since he went with the mages, he must have traveled by air, Your Highness.’

Siaoshi added, noticing Jin’s concern. It had to be that way. The streets were so crowded that it was difficult for even a single horse to pass.

The child looked up at the sky outside the window. Had they gone out without attracting attention?

‘Did only Lord Ian go?’

‘Lord Romandro and Lord Beric are with him.’

‘Those two…’

How could they fly in the sky?

The moment Jin was puzzled, he seemed to hear a piercing scream from somewhere far away. It was drowned out by the continuous popping fireworks, the cheers of the people, and the music in the streets.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the outer walls.

The soldiers stepped back, glancing at the group of mages.

Although the person who had been acting as a messenger all day, going back and forth between here and the Imperial Palace, was also a mage, it was the first time they had seen so many of them together, so it was fascinating. Moreover, they were all looking through telescopes in a fixed posture.

The soldiers whispered among themselves.

‘Is the blonde one the Minister of Magic? Who’s next to him?’

‘I don’t know. The person sprawled out behind them seems to be an aide.’

Ian was looking through a fixed telescope, tilting his head. And next to him, Beric was holding a small telescope upside down, imitating Ian. Romandro was collapsed on the ground, groaning continuously.

‘Can you see anything? Ian, I can’t see anything.’

‘Ugh, ugh…’

‘Lord Romandro, stop hyperventilating and get up.’

‘You, you bastard. We flew through the sky like a cannon, ugh…’

‘Is this broken?’

Beric said it was strange and held up his own, but the mages were also focused on the Cliffopord side and didn’t react. Ian took his face away from the telescope and asked the outer guard captain.

‘Did they stop there?’

‘They were crawling along, and then they just stopped right there.’

As Ian stepped aside, Beric quickly stuck his face in to check. In the distance, a huge carriage at the forefront could be seen.

There was probably a long line of carriages following behind the ridge, like Luswena. For some reason, they had stopped without being able to cross the hill.

‘I see it! Oh! I see it! A person came out. They checked the horse’s hooves and went back again?’

‘It would be better to go directly.’

‘Ian! Me! Me!’

At Ian’s words, Romandro jumped up, putting his hands together. Some might say flying is wonderful, but he was just an ordinary person. He couldn’t handle his heart pounding in all directions and the blood rushing to his head.

‘Lord Romandro, please wait here. We can’t fly all the delegation’s carriages, and since they will walk along the central side path when they arrive here, we can return together.’

‘R-right?’

‘Everyone else, follow me.’

‘Yes, Lord Ian.’

‘Ian! Let’s go!’

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Taat!

As the mages released their magic power, Beric was the first to jump off the wall. Without any hesitation, very decisively and coolly.

The surprised soldiers were about to run when the mages all ran and threw themselves down the wall.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

And in an instant, they soared into the air. Two mages grabbed Beric upside down and flew towards the Cliffopord carriage.

Even though the world looked upside down, it seemed fun. Beric waved his hands wildly and shouted.

‘Waaah! This is awesome!’

‘That, that crazy guy. He won’t live long.’

Swoosh.

Ian gave Romandro a look to wait, then lightly leaped.

As the mages disappeared into dots, the soldiers gave Romandro a look of sympathy. They were amazed that he was working among such people.

‘Oh? There’s something coming.’

‘Stop! We are the Cliffopord—’

‘They seem to be mages. They’re people!’

‘But who’s that flying upside down in the middle?’

‘It’s the Cliffopord delegation! Stop!’

‘Bring Lady May. They’re the mages of Bariel!’

As they got closer, the huge procession came into view. The delegation looked up at the mages in wonder, and the mages looked down at them.

They all had reddish hair. Since they were in important positions in the kingdom, it seemed they had selected only pure-blooded families with legitimacy for the delegation.

With Ian in the lead, the mages landed on the ground.

‘Who’s in charge?’

As Ian looked around and asked, a short-haired woman rushed forward. It was the person called ‘May’ that people had been looking for. She was the one who served Prince Noah and oversaw the delegation.

‘Ah, nice to meet you. I am May, the chief of the Cliffopord diplomatic mission and aide to Prince Noah.’

‘It must have been a long journey. I am Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic of Bariel. I came out to meet you to check on the carriage, as I heard there might be a problem.’

‘Oh, is that so? Thank you.’

Ian and May shook hands lightly and greeted each other. She looked around and shrugged awkwardly. It was as if she didn’t expect to meet like this in the middle of the street.

‘The carriage wheels got stuck in a soft spot and were delayed.’

‘Is that so?’

A smile flickered on Ian’s lips as he replied dryly.

It hadn’t rained for several days. Moreover, this was a road used all day by many people to enter the center. Knowing how hard the ground was, how could there be a soft spot?

‘Then let’s depart right away. His Highness is waiting. I will instruct them to open the outer gate in advance.’

‘Wait!’

As Ian was about to turn around, May urgently grabbed him.

‘I’m sorry, but would it be possible to rest a little after entering the palace before seeing His Highness the Prince?’

‘Is there a valid reason?’

‘The Prince has fallen ill due to the long journey.’

‘Oh dear. I will immediately summon the Imperial Palace physician.’

‘No. We have our own physician. It would be very grateful if you could just give us a little time before seeing His Highness the Prince.’

Cliffopord came to Bariel as guests. Since they were tired from the long journey, Jin could fully understand that.

However, something was suspicious.

Ian pondered for a moment, then found the carriage where Prince Noah was likely to be. It was a carriage that represented Cliffopord, with exotic decorations hanging all over it. The curtains were also tightly drawn.

‘I will inform His Highness.’

As Ian nodded, one of the mages flew back again.

Seeing this, the delegation could not hide their excitement and murmured. My goodness, it was indeed the great empire of Bariel. Humans flying freely in the sky!

‘You will hear the reply at the Imperial Palace. Let’s depart first. Everyone is waiting.’

If they were this late after saying they would come, they wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy the festive atmosphere when they entered the city. This would be a shame for Cliffopord, who had come a long way, and it was something that should not happen in Bariel, which should be filled with cheers without a moment’s break.

Until the sun rises and sets, until everyone is exhausted. The cheers of blessing for Jin must not stop.

‘I will guide you from the sky first. Inside the walls, the guards will be on your left and right, so please move as close as possible.’

‘Yes, I understand.’

‘Beric.’

‘Huh?’

Beric was poking at the unfamiliar decorations on the carriage when he turned his head at Ian’s call. His hair was a mess from flying in the air. As Ian gestured with his hand, he quickly ran over and sniffled.

Ian gave instructions so that no one could hear. Just in case, the investigation should be thorough.

‘While escorting the carriages, check if there are any wheels that are wet with mud. If there is anything suspicious, investigate it, and go back along the path the procession came from to see if there is any soft ground.’

‘Okay, okay. But when we go back?’

‘You like running, right?’

‘Wow, you’re really!’

‘I’m joking. I’ll send a cavalry to Lord Romandro.’

If he didn’t say anything, he would have to run all the way to that distant wall alone and then walk back to the Imperial Palace, wouldn’t he? Beric was horrified and opened his mouth wide, then breathed a sigh of relief at the word ‘joke’.

‘Okay. Let’s hurry.’

‘Lady May! Shall we prepare to depart?’

‘…Okay. Let’s go. As slowly as possible!’

‘Widen the distance between the carriages. We’re departing!’

‘Put the luggage back! Those who were resting, go back to your places!’

At May’s command, the delegation moved busily, preparing to depart. There was nothing particularly problematic, and the mages didn’t need to help. The Cliffopord group was heard here and there, apologizing for making them walk unnecessarily.

‘It’s nothing. You are our honored guests, so this much is natural. If there is any problem, please tell us immediately.’

‘Yes, yes. Thank you! The mages are amazing!’

Perhaps it was because they were the furthest country from the center. Unlike Luswena, they were not politically entangled, and their exchanges were the least frequent among the three countries. As a result, their basic attitude was one of goodwill based on curiosity.

Taat!

Squeak.

After watching the mages disappear, May got back into the carriage. She looked at Prince Noah, who was huddled on a makeshift bed, covered in a blanket. After tightly closing the curtains, May checked on him.

‘Your Highness. Are you alright?’

‘Was that a mage from the Imperial Palace?’

‘Yes. They came to see what was going on because the carriage stopped.’

‘Ah, this is really troublesome.’

As the blanket slipped down, a pointed animal ear twitched between the orange hair. It was impossible to tell where the hair ended and where the fur began. Noah muttered, stroking his ear.

‘I can’t show this appearance to another country.’

‘I said it was an illness caused by the long journey. The Minister of Magic, who is Jin’s right-hand man, is friendly. It seems we can postpone it.’

Even his pupils were split in the middle, making them completely fox-like eyes. May handed him the blanket again, calming her pounding heart.

It was fortunate that his tail hadn’t come out yet. Even if the request was not accepted, he could somehow hide his ears.

‘When we return to Cliffopord, I’m going to kill the shaman. That guy can’t even calculate the date of manifestation, and he’s always so stiff.’

‘Cliffopord and Bariel are different countries. Perhaps there was a problem with the cycle as we crossed the border.’

Bleh, Prince Noah clicked his long, animal-like tongue and frowned irritably. And then, he buried his face in May’s shoulder and yawned widely.

At that moment, the faint voices of guards and a stranger could be heard from outside.

‘Stop. This is the Prince’s carriage.’

‘Ah, is that so? My mistake!’

Noah’s ears perked up, but that was all. Whoever it was, they would surely be stopped by the guards.

‘Hmm.’