Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 391

As twilight descended, so did the silence.

The corpses of those who hadn’t survived were strewn about, leaving no space to step, and broken spears, arrows, and swords stood upright.

A flock of crows flew in over them. They circled in the air a few times, then, deeming the land completely lifeless, slowly descended.

The land before the wall was filled only with the stench of blood and the cries of crows. The fertile soil and lush grass had been trampled and crushed, losing their form.

A Clifford soldier watching the scene from the wall sighed. Even when the war was over, there was the problem of how to deal with all those corpses. Among them would be foreigners of unknown origin, as well as abominations that defied the laws of nature. Either way, Clifford’s home would be defiled with a cesspool full of impurities.

“Any movement?”

“Ah, Your Highness.”

Prince Noah slowly approached and picked up a telescope. Directly ahead was the Vergos camp, and to the right was the camp of Luthweena.

If only it were winter, there would be no worries about crops, and Clifford’s cold winds would have become soldiers and taken the lives of those people. But as summer approached, even the night breeze began to feel humid.

“Has there been any contact between Vergos and Luthweena?”

“We have not yet identified any contact from our side, but we are continuing to patrol.”

“The kings will surely meet under the cover of night. The content of their conversation will be put into action by morning. Prepare the special forces. The night is when they huddle, but it is an opportunity for us.”

Even if a truce had been called, fighting would resume again during the day. The tide of the war would shift depending on who started first.

It was better for Clifford, who was familiar with the terrain, to cut off contact between the two countries and initiate the second battle. The mages and magic swordsmen, who were the main force, were another matter.

Noah patted the soldier on the shoulder and then descended from the wall.

Creak.

As the door opened, the gazes of the mages and magic swordsmen fell upon Noah. But no one uttered a greeting. They had neither the strength nor the mood to do so.

“How is Sir Ian?”

“He is still sleeping.”

Ian was sleeping soundly, breathing steadily.

Beric was still lying next to him, and the mages were sighing as they changed their bandages.

“It hurts, be gentle.”

“Has everyone returned?”

“No. Five people have not returned. We don’t know if they are alive or dead. The magic swordsmen rescued everyone they could see, but they either missed them or… they are in that pile of corpses.”

Jaylutt exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke.

Five people. Frankly, they thought they had completed their mission. They had brought back everyone who had been tossed around on the battlefield safely.

But when they counted, five were missing. This was because it was impossible to keep track of the magic division personnel in the chaos. Jaylutt put out his cigarette and said,

“The magical energy felt outside the wall is faint, so there must be someone alive.”

“Could it be from a Luthweena mage?”

“We can tell exactly. Just like we can guess each other’s country of origin when we meet.”

Maxim Tweller appeared behind Jaylutt. He was wiping his face with a wet towel, but the bloodstains stuck in his wrinkles were not easily removed.

“The inability of the Bariel magic division is an opportunity for them, so they will take action during the day. Sir Ian is also mentally and physically exhausted, so it will be difficult for him to give orders. That, what was his name, Captain Hale?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Hale, who had been pouring magic into Ian, raised his body halfway.

“Until Sir Ian wakes up, you will take over and command the magic division. We need a leader who can share opinions with each other.”

The key figures of the Imperial Defense Force, the Imperial Guard, and the magic division were all gathered.

Maxim downed a glass of warm liquor in one gulp, then looked at the mages with a bitter expression.

“So, how many mages are ready to fight tomorrow?”

“We can’t say for sure yet. Those who suffered external injuries were all due to Idgal weapons, and the recovery rate varies depending on the severity of the injury. Captain Acorella is also creating a new amplifier, so please wait a little longer.”

“Captain Jaylutt. Can’t the Imperial Guard provide more support?”

“Impossible. The Imperial Guard is a department that protects and serves His Majesty the Emperor. His Highness Crown Prince Jin has granted special permission for them to be dispatched, but this is the maximum. Two of the three commanders cannot leave the Imperial Palace.”

Jaylutt said, looking at Barsabe. She was sweating profusely and staunching the bleeding from her side. When their eyes met, she gave an awkward smile, but the pain was evident on her face.

“Okay. Then, the best thing to do now is to wait for the Bariel reinforcements to arrive. It would be good if they came from behind Luthweena. In my opinion, we should be more concerned about the presence of mages than synthetic monsters. It would be better to cut off Luthweena first.”

Maxim muttered, putting a cigarette in his mouth.

“Besides, isn’t Luthweena farther from the homeland than Vergos? If supplies are cut off, Luthweena will have the hardest time.”

Swoosh.

At that moment, a Clifford general raised his hand.

“I am General Samobo of Clifford. The minister’s opinion is valid, but I disagree. A long supply distance means that it will take time to carry out the war, so it is not an immediate threat. Therefore, we should postpone Luthweena for a while and deal with Vergos. Above all, I am concerned that other monsters, including synthetic monsters, will be introduced.”

“Ah, tell me more about that. I heard there is a rift under Clifford? Is the royal palace conducting a separate investigation, Your Highness?”

“That’s right, but the traces of magic have long disappeared for us. Experts in geology are conducting research at the royal palace, but there are no special results.”

Maxim closed his eyes for a moment as if thinking about something.

Even the people living in the mainland did not know about the existence of the rift, and experts had begun their investigation, but the results were not immediately available.

But how did King Damon know about it? Considering that he even started a war, he seemed to be certain, but what gave him such certainty?

“King Damon’s actions are suspicious.”

“He is clearly not in his right mind.”

“The fact that Bariel intervened but did not back down means that he has his own chances of winning, but it’s strange. It’s just strange.”

The most dangerous moments he had experienced in his half-life on the battlefield were exactly like this. Those who approached with only one side visible, like crocodiles living in a swamp.

Since he had no idea what was underneath, it was difficult to avoid significant damage in such cases, based on his experience.

“Captain Jaylutt. A moment.”

Barsabe gestured to the captain, requesting a private conversation. The mages glanced at them and then focused on their treatment again, while Maxim kept smoking his cigarette.

“You’re not well, what is it?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Anything.”

Barsabe’s purpose in accompanying them was to guard the mages and watch over Ian.

She clutched her throbbing side and looked around. Other than the tired guards passing by, there were no unusual people.

“Sir Ian’s words and actions are a bit strange.”

“In what way?”

Jaylutt’s eyes sharpened instantly. Thanks to Jin, he knew about the Emperor’s freeze and the Crown Prince’s will, but regardless, the magic division was always a subject to be wary of.

Barsabe shook her head, signaling him to release his killing intent.

“No. It’s not that kind of strangeness. I didn’t hear it properly, but I’ve noticed him acting as if he’s trying to leave the Imperial Palace a few times.”

“Leave the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. It’s not detailed, but he often made remarks to Hale and Acorella that implied the following. I don’t know if it was intentional or not. However, it is clear that he conveyed his intentions to Hale and Acorella. I don’t know their answers either.”

“Anything else?”

“No. Sir Ian took the lead in trying to form an alliance between Clifford and Bariel, and then helped without fail. He acted as the representative of Bariel in everyone’s eyes.”

Jaylutt stroked his beard and sighed. Judging by Barsabe’s report, it was not a baseless story.

Ian was trying to leave the Imperial Palace? Why?

Was it because of the hard work? He suddenly remembered the child working day and night, but Jaylutt shook his head.

Ian had done his part perfectly, as if he had been in his place from the beginning. He had blended in well in a short period of time, as if the Imperial Palace was his home and his home was the Imperial Palace, but he was leaving the Imperial Palace?

‘Perhaps, is it for His Highness Crown Prince Jin?’

Just as Jaylutt was rummaging for a cigarette in his pocket, a small commotion broke out inside.

“Sir Ian, are you coming to your senses?”

Creak.

Ian had opened his eyes.

The doctor was flustered and gave him a brief examination. According to the amount of sleeping pills he had administered, he should have woken up late tomorrow, but it was strange that he had only slept for a few hours.

The doctor snapped his fingers to check Ian’s mental state.

Tap.

“Can you hear me? Sir Ian. Please speak. If you don’t feel like speaking, you can just nod your head.”

Ian nodded blankly. He looked dazed and weak, as if he had just woken up.

“How do you feel?”

“……”

“I heard that the magic you used was mental, so the side effects came out that way. If you are uncomfortable, it would be best to sleep more and rest. Can you hear me?”

The doctor glanced at Ian as he wrote down the examination results. He was alive, but his atmosphere was not that of a living person. He bit his lower lip slightly and recorded the symptoms.

‘If he woke up now after taking that many sleeping pills… it’s hard to expect any effect even if I administer more. If we only consider it medically, excluding magic, it means that he is full of strong stress that makes it difficult to fall asleep.’

“Ian-ah!”

Beric pushed aside the doctor who was diligently writing something and stuck his face in front of Ian. He had finally woken up! His eyes were sparkling, and he smiled as if to say something.

The other mages were the same. They all smiled awkwardly and waited for Ian to speak.

They had agreed to pretend they didn’t see him cry, to erase the memory of his hard time, but when they faced Ian, they felt awkward and only gave strange smiles.

“Sir Ian?”

Swoosh.

Ian slowly got up and looked around.

Minister Maxim Tweller watched Ian with interest, a cigarette in his mouth. The child’s head was moving very slightly. He was surely counting numbers.

“…Five people are missing.”

“Ah, that is…”

“Selena, Yen, Kanchi, Tommy, Jang.”

He had pinpointed it exactly. Ian sighed, having identified the mages who had not returned.

“Sir Ian. At dawn, the magic swordsmen will search the area in front of the wall. There is still a little magic being felt, so there is a possibility that they are being held as prisoners by the other side. They, they are not dead. We can tell, can’t we?”

A mage hurriedly added, rambling. It was unclear whether he was trying to soothe or comfort him.

But Ian sat down on the edge of the bed and continued to stare into the air. He wasn’t crying anymore. He had already shed enough tears, and his eyes were as dry as if they had been parched.

Frankly, that wasn’t good for his colleagues to see either. Ian’s eyes were always clear and sparkling, like a jewel.

“Ian-ah. Let’s rest a little more and go out again when the sun rises. They said they might contact us first. So we’re waiting, okay? If we fight again, I’ll do really well this time. I’ll really cut off all those bastards’ heads. Okay?”

Beric grabbed his sleeve and fidgeted, but Ian still stared at the empty air in front of him. The child thought about something for a long time. Ian turned his gaze toward the door and ordered,

“…Bring Prince Noah. The plan is changing.”

The plan is changing?

Maxim Tweller raised his eyebrows with interest, and Jaylutt, who was watching the situation from outside the window, frowned with concern. That was not the Ian he knew.