Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 378

Ian, arms crossed, gazed down at the map.

With Burgos advancing from the front and Luthweena from the rear, the situation demanded careful consideration. A cautious approach was paramount.

“Prince Noah.”

Ian’s call made even his subordinates turn their heads. His voice, clear after a period of silence and deep thought, naturally drew attention.

“What is it?”

“It’s anticipated that Luthweena and Bariel will clash in the east, specifically within the Clifford territory. Bariel’s soldiers are formidable, but Luthweena’s forces remain an unknown quantity, making it difficult to predict the outcome. Have the people of Clifford in the east begun to evacuate?”

“Those in areas invaded by Burgos have already fled, some bypassing the area to reach the capital. However, I’m uncertain about Luthweena’s side. Being surrounded by both Burgos and Luthweena is essentially isolation. Food is limited, so I don’t know how long we can continue accepting refugees.”

At these words, Ian finally raised his head. His absinthe-colored eyes gleamed warmly in the lamplight.

“Your Highness, do you believe we will be surrounded?”

His thoughts were the basis of his words. He must have been contemplating this deeply to voice such a concern. Noah flinched, and a general, who had been observing them, interjected.

“Actually, I think it’s almost certain. In any battle, being attacked from both the front and rear is a recipe for disaster. Or, at best, an indefinite stalemate.”

“…I was merely considering the worst-case scenario.”

Noah waved his hand, dismissing the general’s comment. Ian nodded, his arms still crossed.

“I understand. Sometimes, when you perceive a situation as dire, the solution can be surprisingly simple. Anyway, Bariel is not the main force but a support unit. Even if a battle occurs, Minister Tweller will prioritize minimizing casualties and securing supplies before joining us here. On the other hand, Luthweena will be traversing the eastern roads of Clifford alongside Burgos.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I believe it would be wiser to leave the path open and gather everyone here, rather than responding haphazardly.”

If you can’t stop it, let it flow. A stiff tree breaks, but reeds bend. Rather than resisting and wasting lives, he was suggesting they mobilize to evacuate the people in the east.

Noah frowned.

“Open the path? Does that mean surrendering Clifford’s land?”

“What are you talking about? Land is often occupied and recaptured during war. As you know, the mages’ power destabilizes the crust beneath Clifford. The same applies to the dead monsters out there. Since we can’t easily utilize it, I think it would be better to deal with everything at once.”

It was time to use the mages’ power carefully. He believed it would be better for the stability of Clifford’s crust to gather even Luthweena and resolve the matter in a single battle.

Noah pondered, resting his chin on his hand. This was merely Ian’s opinion. The choice, and therefore the responsibility, was his. He was acutely aware that the lives of countless people and the history of Clifford hung in the balance.

“And more importantly, there’s another reason why I think it’s better not to engage Luthweena.”

“What is it?”

“Are you aware that Luthweena also has mages?”

“I am. But I’ve heard that Luthweena’s mages are not very cooperative. Their participation is uncertain.”

“Is there anything that the King of Clifford cannot command within Clifford?”

No matter how reclusive they are, if the king of their country asks or orders them, they cannot easily refuse, unless they defect. He had heard they preferred seclusion, but for the sake of future peace, they would have to appease the king to some extent. And above all, they were also citizens of Luthweena.

“If black armor and mages are mobilized, Clifford will never be able to stop Luthweena with ordinary soldiers. So, I suggest again that it is wise not to respond. Even if you are attacked from both the front and rear, the tactics you can use will vary depending on the distance between those fronts. Defending the main gate and the back gate of the palace here versus defending the east and west of the border. There are pros and cons, but I would choose the former.”

Sending soldiers far away means you can’t know the situation immediately, and if you lose, it only leads to meaningless deaths.

But if they come close to the capital, you can respond immediately and flexibly, and above all, there are mages, making it a worthwhile fight. However, the fatal flaw was that if the capital was breached, it would mean the downfall of Clifford.

“Haa.”

Noah ran a hand over his face and sighed. Should he stop them just in case? Or should he gather the troops and strike a blow as Ian suggested?

The deeper Noah’s worries grew, the darker the officers’ faces became.

“Sir Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’ll ask you just one thing. In this war, will you consider Clifford as Bariel and do your best? Can you swear it? I heard that mages have a spell they recite when they swear, can you use that to help me make my choice?”

All eyes turned to Ian. Ian tilted his head as if he was being asked something strange.

“No. Why would I consider Clifford as Bariel? I only have Bariel, and being here is also for Bariel’s sake, Your Highness.”

If Clifford falls, or if monsters flood due to the cracks, it will negatively impact Bariel. That’s why he’s helping them without sleep. Everything was for Bariel, not for Clifford.

Ian denied it firmly, but for some reason, Noah felt a greater sense of stability in those words.

“Alright. I asked a silly question.”

If he had said he would do it for Clifford, that would have been a lie and the wrong path. It was because Ian was acting for Bariel that he wanted Clifford to remain strong.

Noah finally nodded.

“Leave the eastern path open for Luthweena to enter. Guide them through the Grapplin Forest. Move the refugees along the other paths-”

Noah paused and then gestured to his subordinate.

“Is the palace still manufacturing weapons?”

“Yes. It’s slower than expected.”

He was referring to weapons made with magic seal stones and Idgal [a magical metal]. Acorella, who had been listening quietly, clicked her tongue and muttered.

“Honestly, they can’t do anything without me. How many have they made? They even expanded the smithy in the middle. By now, they should have made over a hundred, right? That thing.”

“Ah, it’s just over thirty.”

“I’m going crazy. Heyl, you idiot.”

No, she had kindly told them how to do it, so what were they doing to only make thirty? Acorella rolled her eyes in anger, and Noah pretended not to notice her.

“It would be good to hurry. If Luthweena has also mobilized mages, those weapons will be very important. The other side probably already has something similar and will participate in the war.”

“Yes. I’ll urge them on.”

“They must be working hard too. It’s just that the results are like that. Sir Ian, should I go? How about I go to the palace and have Heyl come here? Ah, but I don’t know if he can even see the magic stone. Sir Ian! When we go back, let’s fire Heyl!”

“No!”

Berick immediately retorted at Acorella’s angry words.

“Why?”

“When Ian is having a hard time, there’s no one as fast as Heyl at drawing out magic.”

“Really? Then we can’t fire him. Hmm.”

The two of them stared intently at the magic stone that was moving slightly again. Their eyes were sparkling, like animals sniffing and poking their noses at something they found curious.

Ian gestured for them to ignore those two, and Noah and his subordinates immediately turned their heads.

“Send out scouts. It would be good to check in detail how Luthweena is coming.”

At Noah’s command, the subordinates ran out, and soon only Ian and Noah were left in the strategy room. Noah, following Ian, crossed his arms and slowly scanned him.

“If things go wrong after bringing Luthweena close to the capital, what will we do?”

“…Your Highness, may I offer you a piece of advice?”

Ian’s advice. Noah’s ear twitched slightly. He might have wanted it without realizing it. Not a diplomatic platitude, but a glimpse into the inner thoughts of this curious man.

“Whatever you think, Your Highness, you are right.”

“What?”

“If you believe you will win this war, you will win, and if you believe you will lose, you will lose. Whatever it is, Your Highness, you are right. Do you understand?”

Noah was speechless. It was an arrogant yet strangely piercing remark.

“This is not just about war. As you live, whatever it is, believe that you are right. Then, whatever path it may be, you will walk the right path. And as an aside-”

Ian rubbed his fingertips lightly and smiled. It was a gentle gesture that didn’t show any tension.

“I always believe that Bariel will find rest in eternal light.”

Whether it’s a hundred years ago or a hundred years from now, no matter who the emperor is.

At Ian’s firm and concise statement, Noah ran a hand through his hair. He felt like he had been hit hard, and he felt resentful, but on the other hand, he was also in awe. How could he explain this dual feeling?

Tap tap!

Knock knock!

“Your Highness!”

Just as Noah was about to answer, a soldier rushed into the strategy room. Tension filled the air in an instant, and Noah took a breath. What was it this time? Had Burgos moved? But those things outside the window were still rooted in place.

“The Minister of the Imperial Defense Department of Bariel has arrived.”

“What?”

“A mage sent by the Minister has arrived at the small eastern gate, outside the gate currently facing Burgos. They will quietly move the secured supplies, so they ask that you open the gate. They are expected to arrive within an hour.”

Noah quickly grabbed his coat, and Ian also straightened his collar and went outside.

It was getting dark, and the Burgos side, who were supposed to receive the supplies, would know that the supply route was blocked, but those sitting on their butts in front probably didn’t know how the situation was unfolding.

Ian and Noah quickly mounted their horses and headed for the small eastern gate.

Tap tap!

“Sir Ian!”

A mage standing with the soldiers on the wall. It was the one who had been sent to join Bariel. The mage jumped up and down as if happy to see Ian.

“It would be good to open the gate.”

“Slowly, open the gate as quietly as possible!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Taat!

The mage who had come down removed his hood and reported what had happened.

“Sir Ian, Minister Maxim Tweller is truly amazing. I only guided him from the sky, but it was as if he had a map in his head, and he caught the leading carriage first.”

“Is the entire Bariel support force coming in?”

“No. First, they say they will only move the secured supplies to Clifford. Minister Tweller also wants to see Sir Ian. More than anything, the Burgos side, who realized they were being tracked, have deviated from the route and are continuing to wander around. It seems they are trying not to reveal the supply point.”

“Then they’ll be going out again soon.”

“I’m not sure about that. Ah, they’re coming!”

A group of soldiers appeared at the mage’s fingertips. Quietly moving hooves and carriage wheels. They appeared from the darkness under the moonlight and quickly entered the city.

Taat.

Tweller recognized Ian immediately, and Ian also recognized Tweller. He got off his horse and immediately reached out his hand for a handshake. The blood that had not been wiped off was still hardened in blotches.

“You must be Minister Ian of the Magic Department. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Maxim Tweller, the newly appointed Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Minister Tweller. I’m Ian Hielo.”

“There was a lot of concern at the palace. I was worried that something might have happened to the Minister of the Magic Department. I’m relieved to see that you’re safe. His Majesty Jin will be too.”

It had been a while since he had met Jin through someone else. Ian smiled slightly and gestured for them to go inside.

“We have a lot to talk about. Come in, Minister.”