Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 366

“Us?”

Berik tilted his head.

You and me? And the mages here?

Akorella subtly bit her brooch with her front teeth and muttered,

“There hasn’t been any research on rifts in Bariel either. If it’s everything that uses and contains mana [a form of magical energy], does that mean our very existence could be a problem?”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. Didn’t Clifford also have mages in the previous generation? If so, it would be natural for the situation to have occurred before now.”

“So, using mana? If we activate it and stimulate the power beneath the crust, it will link with the earthquake and explode? Is that right, Ian?”

“That seems plausible. That’s probably why the Vergos side deliberately mobilized monsters for the war. Of course, there’s also the aspect of using their power, but monsters inherently possess mana, don’t they? Unlike us, who have to activate mana. So, they brought monsters to continuously stimulate the Clifford crust! Ah, I think that’s the answer.”

“I second that. If a mage gets involved and activates mana, it’s like adding acceleration. It’s a ploy to draw out the power of Gaia [the world’s life force] that’s currently lurking beneath Clifford as much as possible.”

“Then, did the Vergos side know we would come here?”

“No. ‘Killing two birds with one stone’ is what we call this. They probably would have mobilized monsters even if we hadn’t come. The alliance is complicated, and since we’re here now, they must think it’s a good thing.”

“Wow, killing two birds with one stone? If mages use their power, it’s good, and if not, they can devour us and advance to Bariel? That’s efficient. Hmm. I admit it.”

As a new perspective on mana emerged, the mages couldn’t hide their excitement and chattered among themselves.

It was natural, as they were destined to be ordinary humans without mana. This was an opportunity to take a step closer to the source of mana, so they couldn’t hide their instinctive curiosity.

Bang! Bang!

“Alright, everyone, don’t talk all at once, speak one at a time!”

The general slammed the table, and the mages stopped and looked at him.

“We’ve said everything we had to say.”

“Yes. End.”

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“We don’t know. We just made assumptions. Ask Ian for the answer, not us.”

At the mage’s nod, everyone at the scene, including the general, focused on Ian.

Ian sipped his tea and raised an eyebrow. He had only been in his position for about half a year. Even though he was a minister, the way the magic department was demanding answers from him was quite amusing.

“Ian, please explain it properly.”

“Everyone’s words are correct. For the power of Gaia lurking beneath the crust to erupt, the crust above must also be continuously stimulated. The existence of monsters, the power of mages, and even magic swordsmen with similar qualities, when things of the same nature are activated, even if it’s the same earthquake, the scale of the rift will be much deeper.”

“Ehh. Me too? Really? Then, I shouldn’t use my power?”

“The use of White Horns among the many monsters was also one of the reasons.”

It was useful in all aspects. It had explosive power, polluted fertile land, and even hid beneath it, so if they didn’t take action quickly, it would multiply in an instant.

“Th-then, does that mean mages can’t help us in the future?”

At the general’s question, Noah rubbed his forehead. It seemed that they could only respond to synthetic monsters with the power of mages, but the more they did, the more it could bring disaster to Clifford itself. They couldn’t move forward or retreat.

“We can help. We don’t know when the earthquake will occur, but everything has a limit, doesn’t it? The Vergos side will try to exceed that, and we just need to participate within the limits of protecting it.”

“Is it possible to estimate that in numerical terms? Can it be defined?”

Clifford’s fate was at stake, so how could they continue the war with such vague criteria? As the sharp-edged Noah muttered in a sharp tone, the atmosphere froze as if cold water had been poured on it.

“Bariel hasn’t conducted research on this, so how does Sir Ian know so well and make such a hasty judgment? If it’s a statement based on intuition-”

Even though the mages were helping Clifford, this was an unacceptable matter. The fate of the country was at stake, and it was a matter of history that had been built up from the past.

Noah barely swallowed his words and chose an appropriate term.

“There could be problems in the relationship between Clifford and Bariel. Since we have formed an alliance, let’s think of each other’s countries as our own. We cannot make a gamble-like decision by talking about an invisible limit. Please consider our position.”

The distinction between the superior and the subordinate was clear, but as the matter was serious, Noah’s side couldn’t just be led by the mages.

Ian put down his teacup and tilted his head.

“Of course. Your Highness. We have been moving for Clifford without a single deviation. It was also our subordinate who saved Prince Noah-”

Noah glanced away. The mage who had saved him in Baki Village avoided his gaze. He had disobeyed the order to stand by and saved Noah, so a report about it was necessary. Ian had just said it was good and moved on without saying anything else.

“It was also our mages who responded to the synthetic monsters.”

“Yes, yes. Look, our little puppy is smelling rotten!”

If they hadn’t been there, the camps of Clifford and Vergos would have been walking very different paths.

Ian smiled as he calmly pointed out their achievements. It was like a warning that there was a limit not only to the rifts but also to the mages, so they should stay still if possible.

“It is true that research was not conducted in Bariel, but it is not that there are no records. There are many in the imperial palace……”

Ian paused. Just as he was about to say that there were many past records and data, Romandro suddenly came to mind.

Before Romandro came down to Bratz, wasn’t he dispatched to restore the temple due to an earthquake? Besides that, there seemed to be minor earthquake news, but it was hard to remember. As Ian frowned, Berik crossed his arms and stepped forward, shouting,

“And Ian knows everything! …You know! If it were the King, he would have believed and entrusted it right away, huh? The prince is picky, really. I was just over there, fighting against the Vergos guys, and it was so hard! Why? Because Ian told me to! Why did Ian tell me to? Ah, to help Clifford!”

Thud!

It seemed like he was trying to say something to help Ian, but his words were strange. The mages looked up at the ceiling as if they had given up, and only Akorella kept fiddling with her brooch and shouted,

“That’s ridiculous! I saw you slicing them while giggling!”

“Didn’t you see me throw up? The smell of those monsters is really-”

“Ah, quiet, quiet. Ian and the prince are talking.”

Please, you two crazy people, shut your mouths. As the mages pulled the two people and restrained them, Ian crossed his legs and raised his chin.

“If you want us to withdraw from the front lines, we will do so immediately. Your Highness. Just give the order.”

“…That’s not what I meant. If there was any misunderstanding, don’t take it to heart.”

“Of course. However, there is one thing that must be officially documented.”

“What is it?”

Prince Noah’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. At Ian’s gesture to bring paper, a Clifford officer moved.

“It’s a contract stating that you acknowledge that the support of mages can accelerate the rifts, and that even if a rift occurs in Clifford, you will not hold Bariel responsible.”

“If Clifford is submerged by monsters, it is obvious that Bariel, which is adjacent, will also be in trouble, so why do you even do this?”

“Even if the world is overflowing with monsters, Bariel will be safe. That is the reason for our existence. You asked us to understand Clifford’s position, didn’t you?”

What? That line?! Remembering what Ian had said sometime ago, Berik shouted,

“So, Clifford, understand us too and sign the contract! …You know!”

Ian frowned with a smile. He covered his lips with his hand, telling him to stay still, and Berik kept winking one eye and stepped back.

“If you sign the contract, we will consider it an ideal alliance relationship as you said, and we will devise a strategy for Clifford as much as possible. Isn’t it a contract that is not a problem at all for Your Highness, no, for Clifford?”

Face reality. If the disaster of Gaia is lurking beneath Clifford, they have no choice but to receive the help of mages.

“…That’s right. I was a little rude.”

“No. Anyone can be like that in the heat of losing subordinates and in the extreme situation of war.”

But a leader shouldn’t be like that. Ian swallowed his words and smiled brightly. Then, he picked up the pen and pointed to the bottom of the paper with an elegant gesture, telling Noah.

“And one more thing.”

“……”

“During the war between Clifford and Vergos, if we achieve positive results with the help of our mages in the current battle, please give a separate reward to the magic department, not to Bariel.”

“A reward? What?”

The mages also perked up their ears. But Ian just tapped the paper with his fingertips as if telling them to write it down.

“I’ll tell you then.”

“That’s too vague of an answer.”

“I will also give Prince Noah the right to refuse. However, I will set the date for the proposal to be the date I want. I haven’t decided what to say yet.”

Noah frowned and scanned Ian. Judging by his sly response, it seemed like he had an ulterior motive, but he couldn’t figure it out at all.

But if he had the right to refuse, wouldn’t it be possible that no deal would be made? He could just refuse. Noah suspiciously fiddled with the pen and then began to write the contract.

Scribble.

Unaware that his siblings had told him the date of the next curse manifestation.

Prince Noah signed it firmly and handed it to Ian. He had done everything he wanted, so now he had a look on his face that said, ‘Now, show me your great strategy.’ A strategy that could suppress the Vergos side while minimizing the impact on Gaia’s rifts.

“Hasha.”

“Yes?”

“Describe in detail the appearance and information of the necromancers and the successors of each tribe who have been deployed to the front lines. I will subdue them first. I think it would be beneficial for Astana as well.”

They had been in a tiresome relationship, fighting each other in the north. If they could eliminate the leaders of other forces with Hasha’s help, it would be a good opportunity to increase their position within Astana and absorb the confused surroundings that had lost their leaders.

Hasha naturally took the pen from Noah.

“Of course. Although the formation and position change slightly, most of the necromancers will be near the synthetic monsters. However, there are no people hiding outside the army, and it won’t be easy to find them because they are wearing the uniforms of ordinary soldiers like me.”

“No. Since I brought you, Hasha, as a prisoner, they will think your identity has been exposed. They are likely to change their clothes and leave the formation. So, recognizing their faces will be important.”

“Hmm, that could be true. First, look at this.”

Hasha quickly moved the pen as he recalled his memories. Noah, who was watching him from the side, turned to Ian and asked,

“What are you going to do with the necromancers? We are already making weapons to deal with the synthetic monsters, so it seems like we just need to cut open the monsters’ bellies.”

“The power of mana is essential to cut open the bellies of those monsters. So, if we can eliminate them by moving only the troops, that would be the best for Clifford.”

Ian tapped his fingertips and pondered something.

“And we need one prisoner to send to Vergos naturally. We need an excuse to exchange him with Hasha and return him to the Vergos camp without suspicion……”

Tap tap!

It was then. The sound of footsteps from outside.

Soon, a soldier appeared with a rolled-up letter and shouted,

“Your Highness! It’s a letter from the Vergos side! They say they have captured Mei as a prisoner!”

At his words, Noah’s eyes widened. Snap! Akorella and Berik snapped their fingers as if it was a good thing, and Ian also nodded.

“That’s perfect. We have a suitable opponent to exchange.”