Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 359

The king was in despair, but he didn’t show it outwardly.

Faced with the unfamiliar threat of synthetic monsters, the surprise that Vergos possessed an unexpectedly sharper blade, and the fear that they had reached the gateway to the capital, he composed himself and listened to Ian’s information.

The courtiers were the same. With their heads bowed, they racked their brains about how to overcome this desperate situation. In reality, they knew nothing, so it was like trying to find an answer on a blank page.

“I’ve deployed some of my men to the outer walls. There shouldn’t be any problem in buying time, so it would be best to prepare in the meantime.”

“Yes, what were they called again?”

“Bergman and Tiefe. Not all monsters have tough hides, but those two are known to be particularly tough among their kind.”

“Even ordinary bear hides are like that, so it’s likely that monsters with similar traits would be too. The problem is that there’s a core inside. What should we do?”

“We have weapons coated with magic-sealing stones.”

A kind of measure to counter Bariel. Prince Noah had also visited Bariel with one. It was unclear how many there were, but it was certain that a small number within the kingdom possessed them.

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“Do we have enough to give to all the mages?”

Everyone fell silent. They hadn’t properly grasped the meaning of Ian’s words.

“Even though they are corpses, they have magic-infused hides. It will be easier to cut them than with ordinary swords, and above all, Tiefe’s tongue is very long and can be used freely like its hand. Its regenerative power is also excellent. With the help of magic-sealing stones, we should be able to lead the battle very advantageously.”

“Your Majesty!”

It was a proposal to hand over the magic-sealing stones the kingdom possessed to the mages of Bariel. A terrified courtier interrupted the conversation and called out to the king.

He couldn’t continue his words because Ian was watching, but his eyes clearly conveyed his message. It was something that absolutely could not be done. More than anything else, the magic-sealing stones were the key to Clifford’s fate.

The deal with Idgal had also been blocked, and if they handed over what they had to Bariel here, Clifford would be completely empty-handed. Even if they managed to repel the Vergos army and overcome the danger, it would be no different from becoming a vassal state of Bariel.

“The battle hasn’t started yet, and there hasn’t been a report on the synthetic monsters. I believe it is right to make a decision carefully after assessing the situation.”

“I agree, Your Majesty.”

“It’s uncertain whether weapons imbued with magic-sealing stones will even be effective against the monsters. It’s just Sir Ian’s speculation. Your Majesty, please make a wise decision…”

A group of them bowed their heads to the floor, showing their firm opposition. Then, the courtiers on the opposite side, watching Ian’s reaction, retorted.

“Think about it logically. Magic-sealing stones, as the name suggests, seal magic. The power of monsters is also magic, so wouldn’t it be effective? That’s why Sir Ian wants us to give them out.”

“That’s right. It’s not just a normal monster, but one made by combining two. Without the help of the mages, we are bound to lose. If we lose, Clifford will be gone too. What are you all worried about? We have someone from another country who is working so hard for us!”

“Yes, excuse us. Everyone, please get up. Your Majesty, it is right to grant Sir Ian’s request. If the walls are breached, everything will be lost. It’s only a matter of time.”

“It’s not Sir Ian’s speculation, but rather an expert’s opinion!”

Opinions were divided among the courtiers. They were incredibly expensive and rare, not easily obtainable. Even setting aside the situation, it was natural that they couldn’t be given away so easily.

Ian, Hale, and the mages watched the courtiers argue loudly and waited for a while. The king hadn’t moved since earlier, wondering what he was thinking.

“Ian, it seems like there’s going to be a division within the ranks.”

“Shh. It’s okay. The king will allow it.”

Hale raised an eyebrow. How did Ian know that? The courtiers’ opposition was so fierce. But Ian also raised an eyebrow, showing confidence.

‘Since Prince Noah received an Idgal [a magical substance] trade offer from a mysterious outsider, it can be assumed that Idgal has already been released in large quantities in other countries. It has a similar effect to magic-sealing stones, so its value can’t be the same as before. It’s only right to give it out now and receive help from the mages.’

As Ian thought this, the king raised his hand. The courtiers, who had been fighting with all their might, stopped and turned their heads. The king, having made up his mind, gave a firm order.

“Give all the magic-sealing stones owned by the royal palace to Sir Ian, and provide him with weapons coated with them as well.”

“Your Majesty! That cannot be!”

“That is wise!”

“Since it is my choice, my courtiers should follow me with one mind. I will not accept any objections. Sir Ian, is there anything else you need?”

The reactions of the courtiers, divided into left and right, were stark. One side was relieved, while the other looked as if the sky had fallen.

Ian raised his hand to his chest and lightly expressed his gratitude.

“We will also collect the Idgal you possess.”

“Very well. Do as you wish.”

“And I would like to borrow the royal palace’s smithy for a while.”

“Of course. They are the best craftsmen in Clifford, so they will fulfill your wishes immediately. Hey, guide Sir Ian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Will that be all? Sir Ian.”

As a courtier opened the door, the king added a question. Ian, who was about to turn away, seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled.

“When the work is done, please prepare plenty of meat.”

“Meat?”

“Beef, if possible.”

The king blinked at Ian’s cryptic words.

Cattle were the most important animals for farming, but if it could save the country, what was a little cattle? It seemed like a joke, so the king laughed heartily and promised.

“Of course. I’ll give you as much as you want!”

You might regret those words. Hale sighed worriedly, bowed his head, and followed Ian.

“Where’s Acorella?”

“She said she’d be down soon-”

“Kyaaah!”

Screech!

No sooner had he spoken than Acorella’s piercing laughter was heard from above. She was sliding down the stair railing like a slide. In the meantime, she had packed a lot of things from the royal palace, with a bundle on her back.

“You didn’t steal anything, did you?”

“No, I didn’t! Just some odds and ends that came out while making the Siltham potion. I couldn’t just leave them behind. But Ian, where did the others go, and where are we going?”

“We’re going to the smithy.”

“The smithy sounds great! But why?”

“We’re going to liquefy the magic-sealing stones and Idgal and combine them with weapons. Even though it’s called combining, it’s just burying them near the blade so that magic can’t regenerate at the same time as the attack…”

Thud.

Clang!

Ian couldn’t continue speaking and turned to look at Acorella. She was standing there blankly, staring at Ian, and then blood trickled down from her right nostril.

“Acorella?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

Hale, surprised, grabbed her shoulder and asked. Unidentifiable objects that had spilled out of the bundle were scattered everywhere, but she just kept staring at Ian.

“So, what Sir Ian is saying is, it’s okay to melt the magic-sealing stones?”

“Yes. In cooperation with the blacksmiths.”

“A-and, melt the Idgal too?”

“Of course. Clifford probably doesn’t have many magic-sealing stones.”

Acorella closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists. Then, blood burst from her left nostril. Soon, a loud shout. A beast-like cry, filled with joy, cheers, and excitement, exploded.

“Kyaaah! XXXX! XXX!”

I’m living to see this day! The day I get to break, melt, and even combine magic-sealing stones with other materials with my own hands! Idgal had also been researched in Bariel, but the quantity was limited, so it didn’t satisfy her desires.

Acorella grabbed Ian’s hand and asked. Her nose was bleeding, her eyes were teary, and her teeth were grinding. She was clearly out of her mind.

“C-can I lick it?”

“The magic-sealing stones? You might lose your magic.”

“Ah, that’s right. Then who will…”

Acorella looked at the mages, and they all instinctively avoided her gaze and subtly moved behind Ian.

“Berik and the other mages are holding off the synthetic monsters. Once the weapons are completed, we will go directly to supply them. Therefore, I permit you to experiment on the monsters, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the battle.”

“Let’s go! Let’s go! Hey, Clifford courtier! Lead the way to the smithy quickly!”

“Yes? Ah, yes, yes. This way.”

“Run!”

“I-I will run!”

Acorella wiped the blood from her hand and shouted, and the attendant started running with an almost tearful expression.

The mages ran off in a flurry. Ian slowly followed behind them and instructed Hale.

“Hale, you clean up this mess and come.”

“Huh?”

Acorella’s dropped bundle and miscellaneous items were scattered all over the place. Hale pointed a finger at himself in confusion, and Ian shrugged.

“You’re Acorella’s handler, aren’t you?”

“Me? Since when?”

“Hurry up.”

Since he had designated Hale and Acorella as the next heads of the magic department. Ian chuckled and disappeared, and Hale stood there blankly before picking up the items.

* * *

“Heh, they stopped right there.”

Berik tilted his chair and watched the front with a telescope. The Vergos army, which seemed like it would charge at any moment, had stopped and was setting up tents. They had decided that further advance was impossible as the sun was setting.

Thanks to that, a crude but long trench was created along the wall without any problems, and then it was filled with a lot of adhesive to stop the White Horns. The Clifford soldiers kept a close watch on the Vergos side without letting their guard down.

“General, they’re not coming. Can’t we go?”

“That won’t do. The purpose is to protect the wall, and the farther we get, the more variables there will be. And above all, the sun is about to set. We have the advantage in terms of terrain, but you never know. There might be nocturnal monsters.”

Besides, there had been no word from the royal palace yet. Ian, the head of the mages, had said he was looking for countermeasures, but there was no answer. They couldn’t move rashly.

Berik yawned widely and kept tapping his toes. He was planning to just cut them all down if they came close! Ah, geez. It’s frustrating.

“What’s Ian doing? Is he eating meat by himself?”

“Are you Ian? And you ate all the jerky here. Why are you always talking about food?”

“We’re doing this to live. But you’ve been talking informally since earlier? How old are you?”

“Thirty-five.”

Berik pretended not to hear and sniffed.

The sky was darkening. The sunset dyed the clouds red, and various shades of blue blended together. It was a moment when everyone in the Clifford camp, from the old veterans to the lowest-ranking soldiers, felt at peace.

Thud! Bang!

A loud noise was heard from somewhere. The startled soldiers flinched and gripped their swords, and Berik and the mages also leaned out of the wall and raised their telescopes. It was a loud noise from the Vergos side.

“What is it? It sounds like something exploded on their side?”

“Is it the White Horns?”

“Surely, they wouldn’t have failed to manage what they brought.”

“Wait, the soldiers are moving.”

The general noticed the unusual movement and paused. It seemed like there was a problem in the rear, and if that was the case…

“Prince Noah?”

The surviving Prince Noah’s side had bypassed the collapsed bridge and was heading towards the capital when they encountered the Vergos side.

In other words, it was like dropping into the middle of the enemy camp. If Vergos divided their left and right wings to capture them there, it would be difficult to survive unless they could fly.

The general quickly summoned the commanders.

“Attention everyone! The 2nd Corps will immediately approach the Vergos side and divert their attention! Beat the drums loudly! We must create an opening for the prince to escape!”

Boo-oo- Boo-

The general’s order was soon spread to the entire army through the water buffalo horn and the military flag. At the sudden order to sortie, Berik jumped around, running around the mages.

“Let’s go, let’s go too!”

“They said we’re just drawing attention.”

Berik gestured as if he was about to jump off the wall, and the mages pulled on his clothes.

But Berik knew. If he fell, the mages would use magic to make him fly. He grinned and threw himself down without hesitation.

“That’s my specialty!”