Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 397

‘Your Majesty is the center of the world, and your belief is the truth.’ Amidst the child’s wailing, Ian suddenly heard Naum’s whisper. How to view the world as an emperor. His friend’s small advice, reaching even Jin through him. Zaira continued to scream, but Ian, lost in thought, did not respond. Soldiers fearfully bound Zaira’s limbs, and in that gap, a dagger flew and struck Ian’s chest. ‘I thought the Minister of the Bariel Magic Department knew something, but you’re nothing special! You’re a fool, an idiot!’ ‘Someone, please shut her up.’ ‘How dare you speak so disrespectfully in front of His Majesty!’ ‘There’s nothing impossible in this world! It’s just that you don’t know! Say it exists! Admit that you don’t know!’ Zaira lay down and sobbed, constantly cursing Ian. Calling him a fool, a fool who makes conclusions without knowing anything. The leader of the mages, the light of Gaia and the salt of Bariel, yet knowing nothing. ‘Your Majesty is the center of the world, and your belief is the truth.’ This time, it wasn’t Naum’s voice. It was Ian’s own. The teaching he had given to Jin that day, gentle yet firm. Ian leaned on the railing and carefully called out to Zaira. It was a very small voice, but thanks to the silence of even the wind, everyone could hear it. ‘…Child, do you believe you can save someone who has fallen into the abyss?’ Knowing something poorly is poison. It felt as if the knowledge of his previous life and the convictions of his current life had unknowingly set limits. A wall built in the name of orthodoxy. Ian was clearly looking at it. Forbidden magic is an end in itself. Therefore, it cannot be reversed. But in Zaira’s world? If Zaira truly believed that forbidden magic could be broken, wouldn’t that become the truth for the child? In the world of Gaia, the Bariel Emperor is the center, but in each person’s life, they are the center. If there is a way to reverse forbidden magic in that child’s blank slate of a world, it might exist. At least there. ‘…….’ Zaira’s eyes widened as tears streamed down her face. Then Ian asked again. As if asking for a clear and definite answer. It almost sounded like a plea. ‘Do you think you can undo forbidden magic?’ ‘…Yes. Even if you don’t know, someone else will. And if no one knows, I’ll find it myself. So I can bring my grandmother back from there.’ The mages who were listening clicked their tongues inwardly. They felt sorry for the naive words of a child who knew nothing. If they were to use that ignorance as a guide, it was clear what kind of storms they would face in their short and long lives. Foolish, stupid, and in a way, laughable. But Ian’s reaction was different. ‘…Amazing.’ Amazing. Truly amazing. The child possessed a world that he had never dared to imagine. Ian rested his chin on his hand, his eyes showing genuine wonder. And he wanted to reproach himself for having said earlier that there was no way to break forbidden magic. He shouldn’t have said it so easily. He shouldn’t have concluded it so simply. It’s easy to find something if you believe it exists, but wouldn’t it be difficult to create something if you believe it doesn’t? Everyone turned to him with puzzled expressions at Ian’s reaction. Zaira was the same. The child let the last tear fall and looked up at Ian. Swoosh. The silent wind blew. Ian’s hair fluttered like moonlight. Beneath it, his green eyes flickered. Was it an illusion? Zaira thought it was because of her tears, and the others didn’t dare notice Ian’s small change. ‘Zaira… was it?’ ‘…….’ ‘I misspoke. Let me correct myself. There might be a way to reverse forbidden magic.’ Although it didn’t exist in Ian’s world yet, if he gradually changed his perception, he would eventually encounter a world where it did. Because Ian’s belief is the truth. ‘No, it must exist somewhere. It’s just a shame that I don’t know it. Zaira, make your belief firm so that time cannot erode it. Cherish it, and I hope you move forward. Please.’ Zaira’s mouth slightly opened at Ian’s sincere encouragement. She looked very surprised. In Luswena and everywhere else, there were few who treated a child like her so gently. Especially in such an extreme situation. Didn’t a general dare to slap a mage’s cheek? To a mage with power close to that of a god, how dare they? ‘…Why, why are you saying that?’ ‘I hope you find it. And I want us to live in a better world. That’s all.’ A better world. Zaira realized that it was similar in meaning to the farther world her grandmother had told her about. Ian clicked his pocket watch and checked the time. There wasn’t much time left before sunrise. ‘Sending a mage instead of a scout is to check the internal situation. They must be aware that the fire has been lit, so there will surely be movement.’ Whether it would be contact between kings or a night attack, the former was more likely. This was Clifford, so other countries couldn’t move easily in the dark. ‘Zaira. Let me ask you one thing. Does Luswena have our mage?’ ‘They said they have one! One! They said he’s alive!’ Berrick, who had rushed up, answered instead. One. Everyone sighed complexly at that information. It was good news that he was alive, but the fate of the other four was still unknown. ‘What’s his condition?’ ‘…Not good. Her Majesty Eriphony didn’t allow him to receive mana. They said they’ll decide after a meeting with Vergos.’ ‘Those crazy bastards, what if he dies!’ ‘Who is it? Describe his face and appearance.’ ‘He lost consciousness, so I couldn’t talk to him. A man who looks to be about thirty. With brown hair.’ ‘It’s Captain Jean. The only men are Tommy and Captain Jean. Ah, this is driving me crazy. Really.’ ‘Hey! How bad was his condition?’ ‘The doctor treated him! But they just didn’t share mana. I don’t know the details!’ The mages threw in a word each, creating a commotion. Although his presence had weakened since Ian became minister, Jean was the former captain of the magic support unit. It was only natural that their confusion was intense, as one of their key forces was dying. Ian lightly raised his hand to calm them down. ‘Zaira. I don’t think you came to scout alone.’ ‘…I don’t know.’ Zaira bit her lip as if she would not speak about it. Just like the Bariel mages, the Luswena mages also had their own strong bonds. It was clear that he would be flustered by Zaira’s independent action, and there was a high possibility that she would be held responsible when she returned later. So, Zaira thought it was best not to mention that side as much as possible. ‘Captain Jayrut.’ ‘Yes, Ian-nim.’ ‘Reinforce the guard on the right side of the barrier.’ There was no way Eriphony would have sent a child alone. Especially not to approach the enemy’s barrier and gather information. Moreover, Zaira was a child who had lost her grandmother during the day. There were many things that made it difficult to choose her just because she was suitable for hiding her presence. Ian turned his gaze to Zaira. ‘Zaira, do you have more family?’ ‘Why are you asking that?’ ‘If not, I propose that you naturalize to Bariel.’ ‘Ian-nim!’ The mages gasped and covered their mouths. Their condition was like this because of the Luswena mages, and five of them were missing, yet he was talking about naturalization! And look at her condition. She was someone who had lost her grandmother at their hands. She was also an unusual child with a fiery personality, so how could he make such a proposal? But Ian added, ignoring the opposition. ‘Unlike Luswena, Bariel has abundant information about magic, and the imperial palace also provides generous support, so research is actively underway. Above all, all the citizens respect the greatness of magic. Zaira. If you want to break forbidden magic, it wouldn’t be a bad choice to get help through the Bariel Magic Department.’ ‘I am a Luswenan.’ ‘The center of your life is still far away. Someday when you die, you might call yourself a Barielian.’ Ian coaxed her sweetly, but Zaira couldn’t even dare to mention the word naturalization. Didn’t she have a younger sibling held captive in the royal palace? Besides, the mages in Luswena were like family to her. Ian noticed that there was no change in Zaira’s complexion and raised an eyebrow. ‘She seems to have a sense of antipathy towards King Eriphony, but she’s not even considering it. She has more family.’ ‘If there is anyone you want to bring, I will fully accept them as well. Bariel is a country overflowing with mercy and recognition.’ ‘Ian-nim—’ As someone was about to shout that they didn’t want to mix with the Luswena side, who were the enemy, some mages covered their mouths. That was a foolish thing to say. In this war, wasn’t the best way to weaken Luswena’s forces to entice their mages? Ian was trying to achieve that through the child. He knew that it was not a problem that could be dealt with emotionally just because they had lost a comrade and were injured. Zaira stared at them blankly and shook her head. ‘No.’ ‘Not ‘I don’t want to,’ but ‘No,’ that’s good to hear.’ As Ian smiled, Zaira activated her mana. Her eyes turned golden. She was planning to escape. The soldiers, with their spear tips pointed sharply, looked at Ian in surprise, and those who could use mana immediately unleashed their power. Ziii. Ziii. ‘Zaira. Don’t be clever, be wise.’ Amidst that power, Ian stood leisurely leaning on the railing. His advice went out powerfully. ‘We can kill you here, and that would mean the failure of our mission, and ultimately, it would disrupt the safety of your precious people left in your homeland.’ Kill her? Zaira snorted inwardly. She had been caught off guard and hit by the magic swordsmen, but she hadn’t used all her power either. It was nothing to break through the groggy mages and fly into the sky…. Ziii! Ziii! Thud! 「Restraint」 Light beams that quickly rose from Ian’s feet plunged down towards Zaira. Densely and sharply. Zaira lay down and stared at it with wide eyes. ‘Ian! I told you not to use magic! You’re going to be weak again! Bring meat! Meat!’ ‘Berrick, eating meat doesn’t cure everything. Do you think Ian-nim is the same as you? Call Captain Acorella! Let’s do something about the amplifier!’ ‘Hey! Captain Acorella said it’s not allowed! If you open the door during the experiment, you’ll die. Forget it, Ian-nim. Release the restraint. We’ll do it instead.’ ‘Ah, of all things, he got hit by Idgal…….’ ‘Those who are just shells, step back!’ ‘You speak so nicely. You bastard.’ ‘Those with mana, come forward! Let’s gather the restraint!’ After a commotion, the mages who could use mana rolled up their sleeves, but Ian lightly shook his head to stop them. ‘It’s not efficient.’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Zaira’s mana is quite strong. Even if many gather their strength, they can never overcome it. It means that it’s better for me to build one layer alone than for many to build multiple layers.’ ‘Then, should we give you our mana again?’ There was no way to help. As the mages stamped their feet, Ian smiled. It was faint, but clearer than before. ‘Go and finish your meal.’ ‘See! Ian also likes meat! Let’s go, you eat all the leftovers, Ian. And give me one bite.’ ‘Along with reinforcing the right side of the barrier, the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Defense Forces will assist Clifford in carrying out the operation. You can withdraw the soldiers.’ ‘Ah, yes. I understand!’ Clack! The soldiers carefully saluted and removed the Idgal spear. Then Zaira jumped up like a beast, but Ian’s light pillar immediately sealed it completely, like closing a lid. Thud! ‘What is this!’ ‘Don’t you know restraint? Well, it was strange from the start that your grandmother used cold magic.’ ‘Don’t act like you know everything! I’ll break it!’ Ziii! Ziii! Boom! Zaira went berserk and unleashed her mana, but the wall made of light was solid. Those who were anxious were relieved to see that and gradually relaxed their bodies. ‘Zaira. If you don’t naturalize to Bariel, that is, if you don’t cooperate with us, you are a precious sacrifice to save Jean. Wait there for a bit. After assessing the situation, I will think about how to dispose of you.’ Ian tilted his head and said. ‘If you have anything to say, I can listen anytime. Cool your head there and then call me. And then, it would be better for you to treat me with respect.’ And without looking back, he went inside. Berrick looked back and forth between Zaira and Ian, then quickly ran after Ian. ‘Ian! You’re not going to lock me up there, are you?’ ‘Why, did you do something wrong?’ ‘No, no. I was just asking in case. Just in case.’ ‘Yaaah! Release this!’ Thud! Thud! Zaira created light and shouted, but no one listened.