Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 393

Tweller took a deep drag from his cigarette.

While the smoke that had sunk into his lungs swirled around inside him before rising again, Ian simply stared at him, unmoving. Time was of the essence, yet his gaze seemed to urge him to ask what he wanted to ask.

Tweller had to admit that Ian, whom he had seen in the moonlight just a few days ago, was vastly different from the Ian he saw now. He had seemed like someone who wouldn’t break easily.

This was why magic was dangerous and wondrous. It could change such a solid person in an instant.

“Sir Tweller.”

“About the crack under the Clifford land, I’m curious if that’s confirmed information.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You’re conducting geological surveys within Clifford, but isn’t it just based on suspicion?”

Ian pinched his forehead as if he had heard something foolish.

“The magical anomaly detectors we installed on the border have shown more severe readings than usual. There have also been several earthquakes, so circumstantially, it’s correct.”

“I find it even more peculiar that Sir Ian is using the term ‘circumstantially.'”

Ian was someone who, rather than considering circumstances, would make judgments based on something more accurate and certain. Just like King Damon’s actions now.

“We need to address how King Damon knows about the crack in Clifford. You mentioned the magical anomaly detectors, right? Those are under the jurisdiction of Bariel, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“If that information was leaked, we can’t rule out the possibility of a spy within Bariel, can we?”

The magical anomaly detectors were created by the Magic Department and then transferred to the Imperial Guard. That’s why the initial report came through Jaylutt.

In any case, the fact that Vergos knew about it was something to be wary of, as Tweller said.

“It would be good not to rule it out. But right now, we’re in a state of war. We don’t have the strength to spare for that. Sir Tweller, you seem curious about how King Damon is so certain about the crack.”

“Precisely.”

Tweller smiled and flicked his fingers. The cigarette smoke wavered faintly with the gesture.

“……”

Ian was silent for a moment.

Damon’s certainty must be the result of his experience. Since he had regressed, he must know what happened in Clifford.

Ian calculated whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to tell Tweller about it. This man had just gained the Crown Prince’s trust and was eager to make a name for himself. He was trying to seize this first opportunity to establish his position.

If he shared Damon’s secret, which could also be his weakness, what would be the outcome?

“Sir Ian, let me tell you one thing. I am a man of Crown Prince Jin. I am prepared to give all glory to His Highness, and I swear this on my life. On my fallen comrades, my sinful hands, and Bariel.”

Tweller sensed it. Ian knew something that the Bariel Imperial Palace didn’t.

“Damon knows.”

Ian decided to reveal only half of the truth for now. A fact that was neither a lie nor the truth, but something in that ambiguous boundary.

“There was someone named Timothy, who was seen in Bariel before. His Highness knows about him as well. He came all the way to Bariel looking for a footless gypsy, who is a seer. Damon is looking for him and plans to use him, but like any gypsy, he is elusive. Even the mages couldn’t stop her.”

“A prophet?”

“Something like that.”

Hmm. Tweller chewed on his cigarette.

Vergos was a country bordering the north, where shamanism was deeply ingrained in their culture. It wasn’t implausible, but something was still missing.

“I see. And one more thing.”

“Speak.”

“What will you do if not all the mages return? Our mission is, after all, the safe return of the Magic Department. To be precise, His Highness Jin wants Sir Ian to return to Bariel.”

What if not all the mages returned?

Ian pretended not to hear and turned his head to look at the shadows lurking outside. They were all waiting for Ian and Tweller’s conversation to end.

“…Is His Highness Jin doing well?”

“Yes, of course. There is no place in the Imperial Palace that His Highness’s authority does not reach. There is nothing he will not be able to accomplish in the future.”

He had already accomplished great things at a young age. He had replaced the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department with his own hand and was learning how to place his people in key positions. He could guarantee that when he grew up, Bariel would enjoy a golden age among golden ages.

Ian rested his chin on his hand and slightly lowered his eyes.

“I see. I’m relieved to hear he’s doing well.”

Jin, the path for that precious child was the path of an emperor. This was a fact that Ian knew and that history had laid out.

Then, what was the path for him?

Ian pinched his forehead and asked Tweller.

“Minister, I’m sorry, but I’d like to be alone for a moment.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll go with Commander Jaylutt. The Imperial Guard is working hard to rescue the mages in another country, and our Imperial Defense Department can’t just stand by and watch.”

Squeak.

Tweller put out his cigarette and got up from his seat.

Ian was left alone. He stood still and looked out the window. The moon was unusually bright. It looked like an exit he had to go through, as if he was trapped in a dark place.

‘Naum.’

If you were by my side right now, what advice would you give me? As he asked himself, Ian’s mind felt clearer.

The path he had to take.

It was something that could only be found within, not in the past or the future, and the center of the world was himself, so only he could decide which path to take. You would have said that.

‘If history has laid out Jin’s future, then mine must be laid out as well.’

Tap, tap.

Ian’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock.

A mage reached out through a small gap in the door. He looked very sorry for breaking Ian’s request to be alone.

“Sir Ian. I apologize. Um, there’s a message from the Imperial Palace. I’ll just deliver this.”

Squeak.

And the door quickly closed. Did they know? That he could see them all huddled together by the window.

Ian chuckled and picked up the message. He thought it would be a reply from Jin, but the sender was the Prime Minister.

-…Vergos’s Timothy envoy has defected alone.

After cutting out all the useless sentences, the content that caught Ian’s eye.

So it ended up like that. Ian leaned against the wall and continued to repeat Timothy’s name. Even if Damon regressed, even if he was reincarnated, what wouldn’t change wouldn’t change.

If anything changed here, it would be a small drop of water that wouldn’t hinder the great flow of history.

“…Berik.”

Bang!

Thud!

“Huh! Did you call me?!”

“Ugh, you crazy bastard! Why did you open it so suddenly?!”

Ian had whispered very quietly, but Berik had noticed and flung the door open. At the same time, the mages poured in. Ian stared at them in disbelief, and the mages also awkwardly smiled and stood up.

“Um, Sir Ian. We were worried. So we were guarding the door. Yes.”

“Ian! Why did you call me? Huh? Why? What should we do?”

“Should we go back out? You only need Berik, right? Um, Commander Jaylutt and Minister Tweller went into the operations room with Prince Noah.”

Everyone was scrambling to get up and move back, but Ian shook his head.

“No. Come inside. That’s why I called you.”

“Oh, is that so? S-Shall we bring out some food?”

“Yes. I think you must be hungry. I haven’t seen you eat anything recently.”

Ian tilted his head, staring at those who were worried about him. It felt strange to actually see them with his own eyes. As a leader, he had a duty to guide and care for them, but why were they following him?

As Ian continued to stare without saying anything, they all broke out in a cold sweat and met his gaze.

‘Is Sir Ian going to cry again?’

‘Ugh, that crazy Berik opened the door suddenly. Damn it.’

‘Someone say something. Or call Commander Hale. Or Commander Acorella.’

‘Are you crazy? Not Commander Acorella.’

“Are you alright?”

While they were all whispering with their eyes, an unexpected question was heard. It was Ian’s question. They stared at Ian with wide eyes.

“Yes?”

“Sir Ian, that’s what we should be asking.”

“That’s right. From facing the forbidden magic to the physical and mental fatigue, isn’t it severe? Why do you keep saying what we should be saying?”

“Yeah, Ian! It’s the guys who were just helping from behind when you were fighting alone who are the problem, why do you keep acting like that? What are you? You’re… ugh!”

The mages were shocked and gagged Berik. They knew he was crazy, but he had really gone off the deep end!

They all grabbed Berik’s limbs and dragged him away, making ‘Ugh’ sounds.

“Of course he’s something, you idiot! He’s Sir Ian!”

“Ah, why! It’s not wrong! No one needs to suffer, but if you suffer, we suffer too!”

“Sir Ian is having side effects from the magic, you idiot!”

“Ian doesn’t fall for that! Don’t you guys know Ian?”

“No, we do. Ah, why is this happening? Did we eat something wrong without knowing?”

“Sir Ian. We’re sorry. We’ll go out. Um, please rest well.”

Berik was properly pissed. From the fact that they were trying to send him under the Imperial Guard to his unusual behavior, it was frustrating and unsettling.

Ian blankly watched them and then nodded.

“…Food.”

“Yes?”

“Bring in the food. Let’s eat together.”

“Ah, yes! Yes, yes! I’ll tell them to bring it right away! Sir Ian, it’s said that when you’re hungry, your mind is also hungry. You made a good decision.”

Ian still hadn’t accepted it. Berik’s words that it wasn’t his fault.

But if everyone said it, even if he didn’t accept it, he needed to accept it. He was aware that mental problems were connected to the self, making it difficult to realize on one’s own.

“Berik. Am I acting strange right now?”

“Yeah. Very.”

“…I see.”

Berik’s eyes widened, and Ian calmly met his gaze. Then, he neatly folded the Imperial Palace letter and put it in his inner pocket.

At Ian’s order to find food, the mages ran excitedly and busily through the hallway.

“Eat and sleep more. I’ll tell you again. Whether you’re strange or not.”

“What if I’m still strange then?”

“Eat and sleep again.”

“Then when will we fight the war?”

“I’ll do it for you. I can do it really well this time.”

Ian didn’t know. That having small conversations and welcoming those who were coming closer was a way to share the burden.

He frowned at the feeling of a deep throbbing in his chest, and Berik pressed it with his fingertip.

“Don’t frown. It doesn’t suit you.”

* * *

“Ah.”

A short scream.

Jin opened his eyes, drenched in sweat. Siao Shi also noticed the movement and lit the lamp. He called out to the child with a worried tone.

“Your Highness?”

Did you have a bad dream? As Siao Shi prepared a wet towel and approached, Jin threw off the blanket and got up.

It was still early morning. There were many meetings during the day, and getting up so early could cause problems with fatigue.

“Your Highness. Please continue to sleep even if you’re tired. I’ll bring you some warm tea.”

“No, don’t.”

“Is there something you wish to command?”

“…The documents Timothy brought.”

“Yes.”

Jin wiped the sweat that was dripping down his chin and said.

“I need to send a copy to Sir Ian.”

“Now?”

In Jin’s dream, Riversaid appeared after a long time. His maternal ancestor and the mysterious being who had protected him from Arsen’s evil.

Siao Shi wiped Jin’s sweat, and Jin pushed his hand away and ordered.

“Immediately. As quickly as possible. Prepare the people.”

“…Understood.”

There was a mysterious message that if he didn’t, Ian would break. Jin ran to his study, ignoring the pounding of his heart.