Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 392

An uncomfortable and uneasy atmosphere filled the conference room. The mages leaned against the walls, glancing at each other, and occasionally meeting the gazes of the Imperial Defense Forces or the Sword Masters. They, too, seemed no different.

In the center of the conference room, Ian, Jaylutt, and Tweller sat waiting for Prince Noah.

Tap, tap.

Ian sat slouched on the sofa, tapping the armrest. His unfocused gaze seemed to reach nowhere, and Tweller and Jaylutt, sitting close by, couldn’t gauge where it was directed. They hoped it wasn’t too far away.

“Sir Ian.”

When Tweller called out to Ian, Ian only turned his eyes to look at him. It was quite disrespectful for someone addressing a minister and a seasoned veteran, but Tweller didn’t point it out.

The child seemed to have drawn an invisible line. And now that he was stepping over it, the others naturally lowered themselves.

“Before Prince Noah arrives, how about we discuss the changes? I think it would be good for us too.”

“……”

However, Ian seemed to let it go in one ear and out the other, returning his gaze forward. Some of the Imperial Defense Force subordinates were about to flare up, but they soon subsided.

The atmosphere Ian was exuding was overwhelming. Even the ministers shrugged and let it pass. Who in this room could say a word to Ian?

‘It’s like a watercolor that has completely faded.’

Jaylutt watched Ian, turning an unlit cigarette between his fingers. There was nothing wrong with his external wounds, but something significant had clearly changed within him. They said it was a side effect of magic, but somehow, it felt like more than that.

Was the side effect just the breaking of a shell, and wasn’t there some kind of change that had been dormant within? Otherwise, there was no way to explain Ian’s calm yet strange atmosphere.

Beric repeatedly got up and sat down, and soon he was the first to notice that Prince Noah was arriving.

“He’s coming.”

At his murmur, the Bariel people all tensed up. More precisely, they tensed up towards Ian.

Creak.

“Sir Ian. Are you awake?”

Noah, who had opened the door and entered, first checked Ian’s condition. It was a miracle that there were no problems other than a few minor scratches. It must have been thanks to Beric catching him right away.

As he pulled out a chair, he sensed an unfamiliar atmosphere. Everyone was watching Ian and him. It was natural, but somehow the feeling was different. Noah slowly sat down and casually asked,

“Why are you all like that? Is there a problem?”

“Is there a problem?”

Ian chuckled and repeated Noah’s words. Tweller pretended not to hear and put a cigarette in his mouth, while Jaylutt tried hard to remain calm.

“Sir Ian.”

“Look at my current state. Does it look like there’s no problem?”

A short nod indicated the injuries of the mages. The mages covered their injured parts and smiled awkwardly, as if asking the prince to let it slide since Ian was acting strange.

“I express my condolences for the injuries of the mages.”

“Expressing condolences is not enough.”

“Sir Ian. What are you trying to say?”

“I-”

Ian was about to say something but swallowed it with a sigh. He repeatedly rubbed his brow and frowned.

If he hadn’t been in the body of the bastard Ian, if he had trained a little more when he was in the Imperial Palace, or even before that, if he had made better choices and decisions, wouldn’t the five mages who had come here for him be here with him?

Ian closed his eyes tightly and controlled his emotions. He wanted to destroy and collapse everything, and turn it all back. Ah, is that why Damon regressed?

“…Five mages have not returned. I consider this a great regret, and I think Bariel has paid too high a price to consider it the cost of Clifford’s support.”

Prince Noah swallowed hard. It was such an obvious statement that no one could object.

Even if Clifford were to be occupied by Burgos, it would be the same as Bariel’s first line of defense being breached. The flood of monsters would directly harm Clifford, and Bariel could come up with their own countermeasures then.

“Everyone in Clifford is grateful for the sacrifice of the Bariel mages, and they have engraved that grace in their hearts. We will express that intention without reservation in our official alliance with Bariel.”

“With what? Wine?”

Ian tilted his head and sneered. Even if Clifford showed their gratitude, how much meaning would that have for Bariel? And what glory would it bring him?

As Prince Noah’s face hardened, his subordinate shouted,

“Sir Ian! Your words are excessive!”

“It is your words that are excessive. Where did you learn to interrupt the conversation of your superiors? Look. Your voice is the loudest here.”

Even Jaylutt and Tweller, who were sitting down, were silent, yet he was reprimanding a mere general for daring to raise his voice.

Prince Noah raised his hand and pushed his subordinate back, then calmly asked,

“Sir Ian. Tell me what you want. As you know, morning is coming, and we don’t have time.”

“Do not consider the location and return of the mages from Clifford to be under Bariel’s jurisdiction.”

It was true that the Sword Masters and mages were more advantageous in finding their missing comrades. Therefore, Clifford was naturally preparing for battle rather than securing the mages.

Stung, Prince Noah quickly managed his expression and shook his head.

“What are you talking about? We are also focusing on finding the whereabouts of the mages. We are closely monitoring the contact between Burgos and King Ruthwena. We have formed a special task force to scout, so if information comes in, we will definitely take action.”

“That is not enough. Only mages can deal with mages, so even if we concede a lot, I think Clifford’s number of soldiers is far from enough. Especially considering Ruthwena’s participation and their continued support.”

“I heard that reinforcements are coming from Bariel as well.”

“Those are Bariel troops.”

Ian retorted firmly, telling him to talk sense. He sighed, touching his left temple, and then warned in a stern tone.

“I will give you one day.”

“One day?”

“If there are any mages held as prisoners by Burgos or Ruthwena, Clifford must accept that position to the fullest extent and bring back my subordinates.”

Bariel is Bariel, and Clifford is Clifford. Ian had no intention of losing his people while looking out for another country’s situation. No, he had no intention of losing them.

“Prioritize the safety of the mages in battle. If Ruthwena’s participation makes that difficult, issue a conscription order. Isn’t Clifford a country with a large population?”

A conscription order. To order even those who are not soldiers to participate in the war. Most of the people living near the wall were already participating, but most were holding their breath, waiting for news of the end of the war.

Noah stood up from his seat as if protesting.

“That is not possible.”

“Why not? The number of those subject to conscription should be known even in the royal palace.”

“That is-!”

“Why? Did you calculate that the people of Clifford could shed less blood because the Bariel army is coming?”

“Sir Ian!”

“If it is difficult to fight, Clifford must squeeze out their lifeblood to close that gap. Until the mages’ safety is confirmed, and until they all return to my arms, Bariel will not fight to help Clifford, but will fight for us.”

Ian looked at Tweller and Jaylutt and nodded. It was a nod to confirm that there were no objections. In fact, since both the Imperial Defense Forces and the Imperial Guard had come with orders to return the mages, there was no room to object to Ian’s decision.

“I said one day.”

Tap, tap, Ian warned, lightly tapping the table.

“If it is still impossible to secure the mages after that, I will personally step in and let everything flow away.”

It meant that he could stimulate the cracks sleeping beneath the land of Clifford. From now on, at least until his subordinates returned, he would recognize Clifford not as a breakwater against Burgos, but simply as another country at war.

Cracks? Monsters? Even if everything is covered in disaster, Bariel will be safe. Ian could swear on everything that he could.

He swore to the god watching from the sky, to his Bariel that existed in the past and future, and to everything that resonated with Naum [a significant figure or concept] and his heart.

Prince Noah rubbed his face dry and couldn’t hide his sigh.

“Sir Ian. It seems like you are making this decision because of the side effects of magic. How about resting a little more and talking again?”

“You were the one who said that morning is coming and there is no time, which doesn’t make sense.”

He would not go back on his word. Ian refused firmly and crossed his legs.

An unknown surge arose deep within his chest. Ian did not realize that it was sadness and an overwhelming burden.

His mind was filled only with the faces of the five mages. The ones who had supported him when he faced the old man. The ones who had told him to hold on if he wanted to, and to retreat if he wanted to.

They had fulfilled their duty, so what was he doing now? How had he lost the ones who followed him?

“…I can’t do it twice.”

Ian muttered, covering his face with both hands. Seeing someone die just because they were his people was something he really couldn’t do twice.

“Sir Ian?”

Jaylutt called out to him, holding a cigarette in one hand. Was the side effect of the magic getting worse? He quickly looked for Acorella, but she was holed up in the temporary lab and didn’t show herself.

Instead, Hale approached Ian and asked,

“Sir Ian. Are you alright? Should I ask for more sleeping pills?”

“No.”

Ian pushed away Hale’s hand and shook his head. He told her not to come any closer, and with his eyes, he also refused Beric, who was following behind. You shouldn’t come closer either.

“Beric. You are part of the Imperial Guard, so in battle, follow Commander Jaylutt’s orders.”

“What? No way!”

“You have no choice. That’s the system.”

“Old man, no, Commander Jaylutt! I’ll stay by Ian’s side. Look at his condition! It’s a bit weird… no, damn it. I mean, I’ll do my best to assist him. Commander Jaylutt.”

Beric raised his hand and pleaded with Jaylutt. Judging by the way he was baring his fangs, it would be a problem to bring him along. Jaylutt put out his cigarette and nodded.

“Yes. Sir Ian. Keep Beric with you. He is not well-trained, so he won’t be of much help in carrying out operations.”

“Huh? That makes me feel a little bad in its own way? Can’t you say it nicely? Huh?”

Only a few could handle and endure Ian. It was a pity that one of them was Beric. It might have been a little better if Romandro had been there.

“……”

Ian responded with silence, and everyone in the conference room keenly watched Ian’s changes in mood.

But that was only for a moment. Ian got up from his seat and straightened his coat.

“Prince Noah. I hope that everything will be clear when morning comes. It may be difficult to see the sun in Clifford in the future.”

If he gave everything to save the mages, and if cracks appeared and monsters flooded, Clifford would become a land where the sun does not rise.

Prince Noah stood up abruptly to meet Ian.

“So, I understand. If you bring back the mages, you will cooperate as before. I will also ask for help. Sword Masters, would you follow me for a moment?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“We will send a message first.”

Whether there were any prisoners, what their condition was, and how they could be handed over. Prince Noah decided to gather messengers and left the conference room.

Jaylutt completely put out his cigarette and then gestured to the Sword Masters to follow the prince, while Tweller sat still and looked up at Ian.

“…Sir Ian.”

The weight the child was carrying seemed considerable. How could a young one who had just come up from the border, how could he? Tweller smiled at Ian, who was looking down at him indifferently.

“Would you talk to me for a moment? There are many suspicious things about King Damon and others, but I can’t find a clue. I would like to seek answers with Sir Ian’s insight.”

Ian sat back down, indicating that he would gladly accept, and Nara gave a nod to everyone. Tweller did the same.

The subordinates left the conference room with reluctant steps, and soon, only the two of them remained in the quiet space.