Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 394

Samo Bora opened the door to the operations room and guided Noah inside.

The generals, who had been looking at a map, stood up to greet him, and soon noticed the prince’s displeasure from his subtly furrowed brow.

Samo Bora glanced at Jaylott, who wasn’t following, and then closed the door. Since the Minister of Magic seemed to be in an unusual state, it seemed the Imperial Guard was holding their own meeting before entering the operations room.

He cautiously asked,

“Prince Noah, what is wrong? Did something happen?”

“…Sir Ian proposed that if the mages do not return safely by tomorrow, we will not fight alongside Clifford, but for the Baryl mages.”

“What? Suddenly?”

“He seems to be still suffering from the aftereffects, so I tried to stall for time, but he was adamant. Is there still no response from the Vergos and Luswena camps?”

The generals quickly understood what it meant to fight for them on Clifford’s land. It meant they would not consider the rifts sleeping beneath Clifford’s land, the sacrifices of their own people, or even the destruction of their territory.

The generals were flustered and nodded.

“Yes. It seems Luswena has not finished setting up their camp yet. We were even considering organizing a special task force in case we missed something. The northeastern forest path, that is. Contact is possible that way, but we went around below because we didn’t think they would know.”

They had been trying to exploit the gaps between Vergos and Luswena. The problem was that there were no results.

Noah sat at the head of the table and rubbed his forehead. It was a similar gesture to what Ian had shown earlier. Samo Bora felt sorry for Noah for some reason and sat across from him, saying,

“Your Highness, the conscription order is something His Majesty is extremely reluctant to do. The harvest season is coming soon, and if we miss it, everyone could starve this winter. Above all, Baryl is sending reinforcements, so I think it would be best to persuade Sir Ian. Once the aftereffects subside, he will likely return to his previous stance.”

Noah agreed. Ian was someone who remembered the names of his lost subordinates. It would be hard to bear even in a sound mind, but the aftereffects of mental magic had amplified it.

If they could just buy some time, they might be able to do something, but the problem was the time Ian had given. Just one day. They couldn’t just pray for the magic to wear off in one day, could they?

Noah sighed deeply and ordered paper and a pen to be brought.

“I will draft a message. If there is no movement from Vergos and Luswena by dawn, we will attempt to make contact first.”

Whether they were holding the mages as prisoners, what their condition was, and what they would give to release them, etc.

Or even further, there was room to discuss an armistice. They had seen Ian’s, the mages’, power with their own eyes. They would have realized the difference in power, so it wouldn’t be a bad choice for them to compromise at a reasonable level. Above all, this was a crucial moment when the mages might turn their backs on Clifford.

Noah frowned as he picked up the pen.

“I wish May was here.”

“Shall we call her over?”

“No. Let her rest and recover.”

Noah hesitated for a moment and shook his head. It would be better to draft a message and have Ian review it. This was a plan for him and his mages.

Samo Bora, realizing this, sighed deeply.

“Your Highness, I think it would be best to get His Majesty’s help. You saw Sir Ian’s behavior earlier. In my opinion, the relationship is already strained. There is also a difference in strategic opinion between Minister Tweller of the Imperial Defense Department and us, so how about leaving the decision to His Majesty?”

“To have my father take back what he entrusted to me? What a splendid prince I am.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Samo Bora, enough. Take back your words. Even if my father comes now, nothing will change. So, it’s better for me to handle this myself.”

The power dynamic was completely drawn. If Ian’s attitude and position didn’t change even with the king’s intervention, it would become more difficult.

“Besides, it’s not like he’s ordering a conscription right away. There will be a chance.”

As Noah said that, they heard a commotion outside. It was the sound of Commander Jaylott entering the operations room with some of his subordinates.

Creak.

Jaylott nodded to the prince and generals, introducing his affiliation.

“Greetings. I formally greet you again. I am Jaylott, one of the three commanders of the Baryl Imperial Guard. Regardless of Sir Ian’s decision, we have been ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince to ensure the safe return of the Magic Department. We will cooperate with Clifford as much as possible, so please let us know if there is anything you need.”

“Ah, thank you.”

That was a relief. Some of the generals shook hands heartily, welcoming them. They might not be as powerful as the mages, but they were the best of the best in Baryl when it came to combat. Their duty was to protect the emperor, so they were expected to be more than a match for a thousand.

Jaylott sat down and glanced around. Nothing particularly special about the interior. Noah followed his gaze, asking why he was looking around.

“Did Sir Ian say anything to you separately before the Imperial Guard arrived, Your Highness?”

“Separately?”

“About the battle, or future plans, or anything like that. As you can see, Sir Ian is extremely mentally fatigued, so we haven’t been able to properly share information. So, I’m asking if you know anything.”

Jaylott subtly probed Noah about what Barsabe had reported. It wasn’t a lie either. Ian, who had woken up, was definitely different from the man he knew, and he couldn’t even exchange words with him.

Noah shrugged with a puzzled look.

“Not really. All the strategies and tactics we discussed were carried out in today’s battle. The Luswena mage’s sudden actions were an exception.”

“I see. Then we only need to discuss future matters. I heard you’ve formed a special task force. How about we assign one of our people to each team? Since they are able to sense magic, they will be of great help in search and combat.”

“We would be grateful for that. It would be a bit difficult for us to solve it ourselves within the day Sir Ian gave us.”

“Please understand. And also, my rudeness earlier.”

“You were fighting for Clifford, so I don’t mind.”

Actually, he did mind. But if he said he minded out of spite, it was obvious that it would only cause more bloodshed for his own people.

Just as Noah was about to ink his pen and discuss the contents of the message,

Knock knock.

“This is Maxim Tweller, Minister of the Imperial Defense Department.”

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

As the old man entered, Jaylott and Noah’s eyes sparkled. They seemed curious about what they had talked about while they were alone. But Tweller just shrugged as if nothing had happened and sat across from them.

“It seems Sir Ian wanted to rest alone. The conversation ended early, so there’s nothing to tell you. It was all personal curiosity.”

The Imperial Defense Department and the Imperial Guard. Historically, the two departments were like a spear and shield, like water and oil. Until now, that is. But as Jin placed his own people in each, the relationship between them would gradually change.

Tweller, well aware of this, nodded to Jaylott. As if swearing that there was nothing to talk about.

“So, what were you talking about?”

“Ah, we’re planning to deploy magic swordsmen in the special task force, and I’m going to draft a message to send to Vergos and Luswena. If there’s no news by dawn, we’re thinking of making contact first, but the problem is-”

“The problem is that you have to write it in a way that the other side doesn’t know Clifford’s position. Isn’t that right?”

Tweller quickly grasped the problem. Due to Ian’s magic aftereffects and various conflicts of interest, they couldn’t let the enemy know that there was a problem between Baryl and Clifford.

While thoroughly hiding that fact, they needed content that would find out the condition of the prisoners, and further, take the lead to lead to an exchange and negotiation.

Noah, bewildered, agreed, and Tweller stroked his beard with his fingertips.

“Ah, just a moment. There was a similar situation before.”

“Minister, are you perhaps talking about the Battle of Pluie? I remember that we didn’t realize that the opposing alliance had collapsed at that time. Of course, you seized the victory, but I remember the rumor that you praised the other side’s message as excellent.”

“Ah, that’s right. The Battle of Pluie. The preamble was like this.”

Back and forth, back and forth. Noah watched the conversation between the two experienced men. He wondered what was going on, but soon realized that it was a favor and an opportunity that he had no reason to refuse.

The two men were fulfilling their respective roles while indirectly apologizing for Ian’s rudeness. It was an indication of Ian’s position in Baryl. It was that closely related to the current power.

“Could you give me paper and a pen too? I’ll write down what I remember.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Here you go.”

“It’s important to show that the alliance is strong. Ah, of course, Clifford and Baryl are currently working together in this operations room, but we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, as Sir Ian said. Rather than writing many sentences, it would be more effective to show even one piece of solid evidence.”

“Yes. For example, send a messenger who is from Baryl, or use the Baryl way of tying the message, or use a Baryl container.”

Noah listened carefully to the two men and hurriedly wrote it down. The generals moved quickly to find a Baryl-style message container and to tell the messenger to prepare Baryl attire. The commotion outside could be heard through the half-open door.

Tap tap!

Thud! Thump!

What was all that noise? Noah frowned, but he couldn’t get up because Tweller’s advice didn’t stop.

At that moment, a servant appeared, flustered. He was sweating profusely as he reported.

“Um, P-Prince Noah.”

“What is it? It’s noisy outside.”

“The meal, I mean, to prepare all the meals the mages have requested, we need to use fire. May we have your permission?”

“What do you mean?”

At night, considering the possibility of being exposed to the enemy, they kept only the minimum amount of light and held their breath in the darkness. The moonlight was bright, but today it was still the same common sense and rule.

The servant bowed his head again, sweating profusely.

“Please allow us to cook. Otherwise, the mages say they will cook the meat with their magic.”

Tweller and Jaylott exchanged glances, looking curious and amused.

A meal? It seemed like nothing, but there was no better green light than this. Appetite is a primal and fundamental desire. For such a desire to arise from those who are sinking, it was like a clear sign of will, no matter how small.

“…I hope you will allow it, Your Highness.”

Tweller added with a slight smile.

“We can’t waste the mages’ precious magic on cooking meat, can we?”

“Ah, that……”

“Actually, we gave them the leftovers from dinner, but Beric ate too much. He said it wasn’t enough to fill him up, oh my.”

Jaylott closed his eyes, pretending not to hear the servant’s tearful face. Everyone in the Imperial Palace knew about Beric’s appetite.

Noah looked around in confusion. Tweller and Jaylott seemed to welcome the sudden request. He didn’t know the exact meaning, but Noah also felt that it wasn’t a bad request.

“Okay. Light the fire.”

“Thank you.”

“M-!”

“Yes?”

“Make sure it’s good, good meat.”

“Ah, yes, yes. I understand.”

Tap tap!

Crash! Bang! Thump!

As the servant rushed out, they heard the loud noises again. It was the sound of the mages who had taken over the kitchen, scolding the cooks.

Thud, Noah sat down with a bewildered face, and Tweller tapped the edge of the paper, drawing his attention.

“Your Highness, let’s continue writing the message.”

“Ah, right.”

War, hardship, wounds, all the things that destroy someone, sometimes they are comforted by very trivial things. Tweller was sure, based on his experience on the battlefield, that the thumping sounds would soon turn into laughter.

“Ian-ah!”

“…Oh dear.”

“Aaaah! Don’t eat it! Don’t eat mine!”

“Shut up! Don’t you have any conscience? You crazy bastard!”

“Ian-ah! Stop them! Stop them quickly! Aaaah! I’ll kill you!”

As expected, the area around the barrier brightened, and lively screams and shouts were heard. Ian’s voice was not heard, but he was surely among them.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time.

Eriphony, who had been watching the Clifford barrier, took the telescope from his eyes and muttered. Fire suddenly rising in the middle of the night? Inside the barrier?

“What are they up to? Those guys?”

“…I will send mages to scout.”

The king nodded at Eldert’s words.

“The barrier is noisy, so we should hurry too. Send a message to King Vergos to meet earlier.”