Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 380

-Your Highness, are you at peace? This is Minister Ian Hielo of the Magic Department reporting.

I have just met with Minister Maxim Tweller of the Imperial Defense Department and shared our opinions. The Minister has blocked some of the supply routes from Luthweena to Burgos and is tracking others with shadows to find their supply points. His composure, which comes from years of experience on the battlefield, was reassuring to me and Clifford. I believe it would be beneficial for Your Highness’s peace of mind to entrust the supply routes entirely to Minister Tweller.

Your Highness, as you know, blocking supply routes gives Luthweena justification for action. There is a possibility of cracks forming under Clifford’s foundation, so we cannot use magic carelessly. Therefore, I am preparing a strike, and I would be grateful if you could send as many troops as possible from the Bariel Imperial Palace. Currently, the Burgos legions that have entered Clifford are encamped and not moving. A fierce clash seems imminent, so please dispatch the legions quickly. I will buy as much time as possible, so I ask that you continuously send our proud soldiers. This is what Minister Tweller, the Clifford royal family, and I all desire. I hope everything goes smoothly in the Imperial Palace.

…Your Highness. I must ask again, are you at peace? It seems many things have happened in the Imperial Palace while I was away. I worry that even a small cold wind might have hurt you. Listening to Minister Tweller’s words, it seems like a needless worry, but still. One thing I can say for sure is that the Imperial Defense Department seems to be finally finding its place. I hope you will work hard so that Your Highness will be deeply rooted in Minister Tweller’s heart.

Your Highness, Berik sends his regards. He’s rolling around in jealousy because Siao has received a title. I don’t know if it’s just simple jealousy or something else. Berik is always a difficult one to understand. I also wonder how Romandro is doing.

Your Highness, I will see you in Bariel. At that time, I think you can look down. I hope that by looking down, and I looking up at Your Highness, we can fill the time we’ve been apart. Then, I offer the boundless glory of Bariel to His Highness Crown Prince Jin, and I will end my letter here.

-Minister Ian Hielo.

Siao checked the time. Had about thirty minutes passed?

Jin read Ian’s letter again and again, as if engraving each word in his heart. Until now, only simple reports about the war had come, so this was the first time he had received such personal regards. Jin couldn’t even touch the paper, fearing it would wear out, and stared at the letter with a neat posture.

“Siao.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Sir Ian says I can look down now.”

He didn’t know what it meant, but it was clearly good news for Jin. The child’s dimples were unusually deep.

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“I thought I still had a long way to go, but it seems I’ve stepped back a lot. I guess I have.”

The right distance needed to serve Bariel. Wasn’t everything Ian did—leaving him, keeping him in check, and openly provoking attacks—all for that reason?

When he was crowned Crown Prince, Ian told him not to look down. But now he says he can, so Ian must think he has risen quite high.

“Shall I prepare a reply?”

“Ah, yes. Also, convene a meeting. Minister Tweller also wrote that he hopes for a request, so there shouldn’t be any major problems, but it’s good for everyone to follow the procedures. We will provide additional troop support. This time, not towards the Dead Lands, but towards the Clifford Royal Palace. The travel time will be shorter, right?”

“Yes. The Dead Lands require passing through Clifford territory, but the Royal Palace is not far from the Bariel border. They will arrive at the right time that Sir Ian wants. If we hurry, that is.”

“Good. Gather the officials while I write a reply.”

Siao bowed his head and went outside. Left alone, Jin couldn’t even think about taking out a pen and paper and continued to read Ian’s letter.

When Ian returns to the Imperial Palace, they won’t have to be apart anymore. He had made the Imperial Defense Department, the Imperial Guard, and even the Administrative Department into Jin’s forces, so their mere existence would be enough to keep the Magic Department in check.

He could return to the life he had before. Jin could visit the Magic Department without any ulterior motives, and no one would worry, nor would anyone attack the Magic Department for fear of upsetting the balance.

Like before, like before again….

Swoosh.

With a reverent heart, Jin picked up the pen and began to write the opening. But something didn’t feel right, and he crumpled up several pieces of paper. The child took a deep breath again and organized what he wanted to say in his head.

‘If Sir Ian returns safely after protecting Clifford, the benefits of that alliance will follow. This is an undeniable achievement. Upon his return, his title will be promoted, and those who fought on the front lines with him will also receive appropriate rewards. If Berik wants it, he can also be granted an appropriate title. But it is necessary to make him aware of the responsibilities that come with the title, so I will leave that to Sir Ian….’

It was the moment Jin smiled and put the pen to the paper.

Knock knock.

The sudden sound startled him, and the pen nib split, causing the ink to spread messily. He thought he could write it well this time. Jin frowned and told the attendant to come in.

“What is it?”

“Your Highness, the, the diplomat from Luthweena has said he wishes to return to his country.”

He was the one who came to protest the trade suspension, but suddenly he wants to go back?

The Imperial Palace had no intention of giving him an answer anyway, and he had been practically confined to a separate palace since his arrival. But now that he wants to leave, it’s highly suspicious.

However, if they were to stop him by force here, it would give Luthweena an undeniable justification. They could at least make the excuse that the supply route attack was because of Burgos, but this is purely a problem between Bariel and Luthweena.

“When?”

“As soon as his luggage is packed. And our Foreign Ministry has also contacted us, but it seems the problem has gotten a bit bigger.”

“Our Foreign Ministry, you mean the Bariel diplomats in Luthweena?”

“Yes. They say the military movements are unusual. It seems there’s a possibility that King Eriphony himself might get involved, so wouldn’t it be better to discuss it in a meeting?”

If Eriphony gets involved, Damon might as well. Jin stared blankly at the ink-stained letter and got up from his seat.

“Alright. I’ll go right away. Are all the officials gathered?”

“They are always on standby in the Imperial Palace, so they should be ready when you arrive. Sir Siao has ordered them to be brought.”

Damon and Eriphony. Jin was certain that there was more to this than just a simple war over Clifford; there was an unspoken purpose beneath it all.

Even if the kings from the other side came out, Bariel was an empire. It wouldn’t be fitting for Jin to step out, nor was there any reason for him to. He was still a child. So, Tweller and Ian would have to deal with both countries in place of the Crown Prince.

Tap tap!

Squeak.

“Your Highness. Have you heard the news?”

“News that turns the world upside down comes every day, so I don’t know what you’re talking about, but yes, I’ve heard it.”

Jin, having arrived at the meeting hall, sat at the head of the table and replied.

Siao quickly noticed the change in the child’s mood. He had clearly been happy after receiving Ian’s letter just a moment ago, but how could he be so downcast now? Siao didn’t realize that the child was acknowledging his own youth while also lamenting that he couldn’t go to the front lines like other kings.

“The diplomats from Luthweena and Burgos have said they are returning. They are packing their bags right now, so what should we do?”

“They say they are returning to their countries, so how can we stop them? If we hold them here by force, it will tarnish Bariel’s reputation in Gaia.”

“Still, it’s unsettling to send back those who have come to the Imperial Palace at this time. Wouldn’t it be better to hold them back by any means possible?”

“It’s an unspoken agreement not to touch diplomats. Your Highness, let them go their own way, but I believe it is right for us to support Sir Ian and Minister Tweller.”

The officials freely expressed their opinions, heating up the atmosphere of the meeting. But when Jin gestured for them to be quiet, they instantly fell silent.

“I also think it’s not right to touch the diplomats without any special justification. If there are any who do not want them to return, come up with ‘appropriate’ justifications and submit a report to me. After reviewing them, I will issue orders. And in the letters from Sir Ian and Sir Tweller, they asked for additional troop support—”

Jin glanced, and the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Defense Department bowed his head and met his gaze.

“It seems a long battle is not possible due to the situation in Clifford. Send out the currently available soldiers in sequence so that we can finish it with one strike.”

“Yes. I understand, Your Highness.”

“And Jaylott.”

“Yes. Please give your command.”

“It would be good to send some from the Imperial Guard Captains as well. Aren’t you a full-fledged Third Captain now? You can go, or you can give the new captains a chance to gain experience. I’ll leave the decision on this to you.”

“Yes. I will obey your command.”

Jaylott would not leave the Imperial Palace. He would probably send one of the other two captains. And since the Imperial Guard are there to protect the Emperor, Jin, they would send at most six or so people.

But they were as strong as a legion.

“And I’ve heard that the kings of Burgos and Luthweena are going to the battlefield themselves. Is it possible to confirm if this is accurate?”

Jin lightly put down the report and looked at the officials. He hoped that someone would give him a clear answer.

* * *

Tap tap!

Hee-hee!

The soldiers of Luthweena, wearing yellow insignia, pulled on their reins with all their might and rushed towards the walls of Clifford.

The soldiers of Luthweena, already armed in black armor, began to appear. They waved flags as a signal, and the soldiers slowly slowed their horses and joined them.

“Are there any problems?”

“Not yet, but—”

“But?”

“The Clifford soldiers on the walls have not been seen since yesterday. I thought it was just at night, but not a single hair has been seen yet.”

“What?”

The border gate was firmly closed. Normally, there should be soldiers on guard, but it was empty, like an abandoned place. They frowned, looked around, and muttered.

“His Highness Eriphony will be here in a few days.”

“What? His Highness?”

“So it’s good to clear the way in advance. When the sun is at its zenith, break down the wall and enter. Put the ones in black armor at the front.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

The soldier hurriedly returned to the camp and reported the situation, and soon the ones in black armor began to move busily. A warning sound came from a water buffalo horn.

“Clifford, listen up. We have come after hearing that Luthweena’s military carriage was ambushed, so we ask for permission to enter for investigation purposes. If you do not comply, we will also use force, and all the tragedies that occur in your land afterward will be your fault!”

But there was no reply. It felt like they were shouting into an empty space.

The soldiers looked puzzled and threw hooks at the wall, and soon they began to climb the wall using ladders and other means.

Thud!

“Ah….”

“What is all that?”

“I know, right? It looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.”

And the scene they faced. Meaningless branches stuck in various places in the empty field. They were tied with colorful cloths and swayed in the wind.

And a path that was open for them to pass through.

“Hey, you! You go forward and see.”

“M-me?”

It was a suspicious path, and they were telling him to go. Damn it. The soldier cautiously took a step forward, and the moment he moved forward.

Boom! Boom!

“Uwaaaah!”

Something nearby exploded, shaking the ground. The soldiers climbed back up the wall and muttered as they looked at the cloths and the path that still greeted them.

“Ah, we’re screwed.”

When His Highness Eriphony comes, he will tell them to go through first, but it looked like a trap set by magicians no matter how they looked at it.

They stared at each other blankly and slowly climbed down the wall they had climbed up.