Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 360

The Clifford soldiers were jolted into awareness. The rustling of their clothes, the clanking of their armor as they shifted, and the cacophony of unfamiliar voices had detached them from reality.

They faced the enemy, yet it was as if they were viewing a scene painted on a wall, not truly comprehending that swords were aimed at their throats and that they, too, had to kill. Even now, amidst the palpable tension and noise, the Vergos army in the distance seemed like figures in a dream.

Though their relationship was not friendly, the two countries had subtly influenced each other as neighbors. Like oil and water, they didn’t mix perfectly, but they kept a watchful eye on each other from their respective positions.

“Uwaaaah!”

“Let’s goooo!”

“Those who retreat will be severely punished under military law!”

“Lead the way! Behead the enemy!”

Who was shouting? Who yearned for their opponent’s death? And who would die, and who would kill? Despite their fierce appearance, the soldiers’ minds were as blank as a sheet of paper.

Perhaps this was how moths felt as they flew into the flames?

Knowing they would die but not fully understanding it, with a baseless arrogance that they would somehow survive, they were unaware that even they, once the center of their own worlds, were nothing more than grains of sand before the great wave of history.

Taptap!

“It’s the Clifford army! Everyone, reorganize the formation!”

“General! The troops that were waiting at the wall are charging! The front and rear are in chaos, so it would be best to quickly deal with one side.”

It was during twilight when the report came that there was trouble at the rear, just as the Vergos general was removing his armor. A small, elite group had suddenly attacked, disappearing into the forest, only to reappear elsewhere. They were repeating this pattern.

The general immediately realized these were the Clifford soldiers they had encountered in Baki Village. This meant the Vergos forces left in Baki were likely dead or missing.

“A small, elite group?”

“Yes. There aren’t many of them.”

What did a small, elite group signify?

If soldiers had survived the battle, it was natural for them to return and be grateful for their survival. But these soldiers had crossed the valley of death and jumped back into the fray.

This meant someone among them was capable of giving orders, and that person was likely an important figure from Clifford. Perhaps a general or someone of even higher rank. Maybe even royalty.

‘It could be Prince Noah. What’s his description?’

‘It hasn’t been identified.’

“General!”

At that moment, Timothy pushed open the tent flap and entered. He sought advice on handling the sudden situation.

“It seems those who attacked the rear are high-ranking Clifford officials. Judging by the movement of the troops guarding the wall, they are probably trying to draw our attention.”

“Then what should we do? You need to issue orders quickly. The soldiers are getting agitated.”

The general scanned Timothy, then tilted his head. King Damon had said putting Timothy at the forefront would minimize casualties. Though he didn’t know the exact meaning, it seemed best to heed the king’s advice for now.

“We will capture those who attacked the rear alive. I will send troops that way, so Timothy, you will block those coming from the wall. Retreat slowly to create more distance, just buy us some time.”

“Me? Am I commanding the soldiers?”

“Rather than commanding, think of it as you going out there to boost morale.”

The general’s subordinates kept rushing into the tent, giving Timothy no chance to protest.

On the battlefield, the general’s orders were law. Since the general had spoken, Timothy had no way to refuse. Above all, he was a Vergos man, there for the glory of Vergos.

Timothy nodded and replied that he would obey.

“Understood.”

“I will assign you subordinates, so don’t worry.”

“No. If it’s for my safety, please don’t. I have already entrusted my life to King Damon.”

Without hesitation, he turned and left the tent.

They could still identify the enemy, but soon the sun would set. It would become difficult to distinguish the Vergos soldiers in their black uniforms. It was the moment Timothy was about to give an order.

Thud! Thud!

“Something just fell from the sky!”

“A person in the sky, a person!”

“It’s a mage!”

An unidentified entity had approached much closer than the charging Clifford soldiers. Timothy shouted.

“Raise your weapons to fight!”

Clang!

The soldiers picked up their swords and arrows. Each was refined with amber at the tip [Idgal, a magical material].

It was Idgal. Damon, anticipating the mages’ intervention, had thoroughly prepared and distributed Idgal weapons mainly to skilled knights. Ordinary soldiers also had daggers infused with Idgal hidden in their pockets.

There was much more Idgal than Bariel and Clifford had anticipated. If Bariel’s side found out how much Vergos possessed, the tide of the war might turn. There was no need to sacrifice the mages for the sake of Clifford, a third country.

“I will deploy two monsters to the front!”

“Hurry!”

The Vergos camp was in chaos. Soldiers constantly fired arrows at the two flying mages, who flew higher to easily avoid the attacks. To hit them properly, Tiefe’s tongue was essential.

“Nahaaaaa!”

Then, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere.

Timothy placed his hand on his sword hilt and looked around. A laughter that seemed unhinged. And at the same time-

Thud.

Something fell into the middle of the camp. He was curious about the laughter’s owner, but in the darkening situation, it was more important to figure out what the mages had dropped.

But then.

Crash! Bang!

Boom!

“I said it clearly!”

Swish!

“I came to slay monsters, and I’m not interested in people’s heads! So, if you step aside, I’ll let you live! It’s okay if you block me too! Welcomeee!”

“Uwaaaah!”

“Kueok, eok!”

Timothy immediately recognized it. The mages had dropped Berik from the sky.

The madman who had fought dozens of thugs in the underground lair with an iron cage on his back. He remembered he was called a magic swordsman, so the soldiers wouldn’t be able to handle him. Timothy immediately urged.

“Pull back the soldiers! Don’t engage! That man is a magic swordsman!”

“Sir Timothy, what are you doing?”

But someone blocked his order. It was the general, trying to go deep into the rear. He had been told to block the troops coming from the front, but now he was being told not to engage?

Timothy urgently shouted.

“We can’t fight him! He’s a magic swordsman!”

“We knew there would be mages. Why are you suddenly acting like this? Enough, do as I ordered! Just because you’re walking ahead doesn’t mean you’re in the same position as me!”

Even as he spoke, the screams of Vergos soldiers being torn apart were heard from all directions. Timothy gritted his teeth and made up his mind, then rushed towards the commotion. Seeing this, the general added an order.

“Deploy the minimum number of monsters, not two, and put the rest at the front! And that necromancer from Astana, leave him at the rear, and everyone else to the front!”

“Yes. Understood.”

“We don’t know what will happen when the sun sets, so let’s hurry.”

The Vergos side had an advantage in terms of concealment because they wore black, but they were at a disadvantage because it was dark and they couldn’t see the terrain. If Clifford surrounded and ambushed them, they could be caught off guard.

Whether it was the front or the rear, it was urgent to open a path.

* * *

“Y-y-you, dieeee!”

“Oh, welcome, guest! Have a stab! It’ll only hurt a little!”

“Uwaaaah!”

“Don’t face him one-on-one! Surround him! All at once! All at once!”

Taptap!

Berik charged into the middle of the enemy camp. Blood dripped from under his red hair, running down his neck, soaking his collar. At first glance, he looked like he could die at any moment. If it was Berik’s blood, that is.

“One, two-!”

“Haaap!”

The soldiers surrounded Berik and thrust their spears at him simultaneously.

But at that moment, Berik lightly leaped into the air. He landed softly on the tips of the spears, which were neatly gathered, and made eye contact with a nearby soldier.

“You’re well-trained. Good teamwork. Yeah. You pass!”

“Uwaaak! It’s a monster! A monster!”

“Who are you calling a monster? Are you crazy?”

Clang! Clang!

As Berik swung his sword, the soldier barely managed to deflect it and tumbled backward. In that instant, Berik noticed that one side of the blade was amber.

‘Idgal.’

Berik was not a mage, but he knew the principle of using magic to generate superhuman strength was the same. He had to be careful of Idgal.

“Okay, okay, no problem!”

Swish!

Berik stepped on the chest of the fallen soldier and immediately beheaded him.

His brutal and merciless slaughter caused the watching soldiers to stop and step back. How could he show such a mad appearance? Was he even human? Everyone trembled and swallowed hard. At that moment.

“Berik.”

Timothy appeared, pushing through the soldiers. It was the first time they had seen each other in a while, but the location was not ideal. Berik waved his hand cheerfully and greeted him.

“Timothy! Ian was looking for you!”

“Drop your weapon and surrender. Or you will die.”

“When I came to Clifford a few days ago, I was looking for you then too. Aw, it was hard to see your face!”

“I’ll say it again. Drop your weapon and step back. This battle is between Vergos and Clifford.”

“Ian will be here soon, so he’ll be happy if I keep you here, right?”

The conversation was completely out of sync. Timothy had no choice but to draw his sword and face Berik. Berik wiped the blood from his face and grinned.

“I won’t kill you. Ian seems to need you.”

“I will kill you.”

“That’s a good joke!”

Thaaat! Thud!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The massive Timothy swung his sword with all his might, but Berik simply blocked it. It was as if he was proving he wouldn’t kill him, not attacking rashly and only blocking the sword. He was trying to find an opening to knock him out in one go.

While the soldiers hesitated and watched the fight, the officers shouted.

“What are you standing there like fools! Look ahead! The Clifford army is approaching! Advance!”

“A-advance!”

“Uwaaaah!”

Yes, there was no need to interfere in the fight between non-humans. The soldiers quickly reorganized their ranks and advanced towards the Clifford wall. For a point between the enemy and the enemy, and for the sake of the higher-ups’ cause. They would humbly accept the moment when they turned from the main characters of their lives into supporting roles.

Berik glanced at the soldiers running past him and pondered. What should he do? The mages had told him not to kill people as much as possible, but at this rate…

“As expected of a magic swordsman.”

Clang!

“Ah, Timothy doesn’t know? I’m Bariel’s number one. You should be honored.”

“If I beat you, does that mean I beat Bariel?”

“Hahahaha! You’re good at talking nonsense too! I’m good at it too!”

“Sir Timothy!”

They had been exchanging blows, but Timothy instinctively knew. He could never win. Berik was not attacking rashly, as if to prove he would not kill him, and was only blocking his sword. And he was doing it very leisurely.

What should he do? At the moment Timothy was pondering.

“Sir Timothy!”

Thud. Thud.

A voice calling Timothy was heard from behind. The stench of rotting corpses wafted over. Berik frowned and gagged. A synthetic monster was approaching.

“Ugh, this smell is awful!”

Berik unknowingly lowered his sword and covered his nose.

Timothy tried to take advantage of the gap. But there was something faster than that.

Swish!

Swish!

“Ouuuagh!”

Tiefe had instantly wrapped its tongue around Berik’s waist, which was dozens of meters away. It was so fast that the expression ‘in the blink of an eye’ was appropriate. By the time Berik realized it, he had already been caught and was being dragged towards it.

Chomp.

The lizard swallowed Berik in one gulp and closed its mouth. Its cheek twitched a few times, but that was all.

The throat bobbed, and the lizard moved its rotten eyes back and forth, clicking its teeth. It was an expression of satisfaction from being full. A primal satisfaction that still remained, even though it was a stitched-together corpse.