Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 401

Tap, tap.

Ian tapped his fingertips, half-embracing the box placed by the window. The cold, chilly dawn was reflected in his eyes.

The mages, unable to bear the sight of their colleague’s head returned to them, stood a step away in silence. Ian wouldn’t let them have it. Even when asked what to do with the corpse, he didn’t answer, as if he had thrown himself into his thoughts, completely submerged in a deep universe.

At the end, as the sun began to rise, Ian murmured,

‘…What’s the likelihood that Lusweena handed Jean over to Burgos?’

‘Huh?’

Everyone turned their heads, startled by the sudden question. But Ian remained in the same position. The faint sunlight seeping through the window settled on his eyelashes.

Ian parted his lips again. It was more of a soliloquy than a question.

‘Did Lusweena hand Jean over to Burgos?’

‘Ah, well, I don’t think so, assuming the little one’s words are true.’

‘I think so too. They might hand over a robe for the sake of confusion, but securing a mage is an act directly targeting Bariel. They wouldn’t have easily handed him over to Burgos.’

Was he thinking about that all this time? The mages glanced at each other. From yesterday afternoon until this dawn, Ian had shed so many tears that he seemed to be sinking into himself. Although it was due to the side effects of magic.

With only the severed head of their subordinate returned, Ian’s words that broke the silence were inevitably puzzling.

‘Sir Ian.’

‘Has there been no reply from Lusweena yet?’

‘Yes. They said they would prepare it so that you can check it with Prince Noah when it arrives. You will receive it before anyone else, Sir Ian. But, are you alright?’

The mages cautiously approached Ian. The box he was holding, containing Selena’s head, seemed like a weapon trying to harm Ian.

Ian tilted his head with a cold gaze.

‘What?’

‘Well, about Selena.’

‘…’

‘If you’re okay, would you give her to us? We’d like to hold a funeral.’

‘No. How can we when Selena’s body is missing?’

Ian refused with a firm gesture. And as if nothing was wrong, he stepped down from the window sill and approached the mages. With a straight and unwavering posture, Ian placed his hand on the shoulder of the closest mage and said,

‘I’m fine. I’m feeling melancholic and a cold wind is blowing in my heart, but what I need to do now is to bring back my remaining subordinates safely and to behead Damon to show Burgos our sacred will. So, don’t mention my worries again. Your words reach me.’

Reach me, and change me. It meant to hide their petty emotions like worry, anxiety, and concern. His face and voice were calm and composed, but the hand gripping the mage’s shoulder was full of force.

Ian took a moment to catch his breath and turned his body.

‘Now. We’ll try again. If anyone has anything to add, feel free to do so at any time, without any burden.’

He knew his condition wasn’t good. So, if there was anything lacking or overlooked, he asked them to point it out without hesitation to make sure nothing was missing.

The mages hesitated and nodded. Ian had sworn to take Damon’s life himself. It was clear that this was the beginning of his revenge.

‘Haa.’

Tap!

Ian took a light breath and then flicked his fingertips again. His listless mind seemed to twitch slightly.

But it was still not enough. He needed to be calmer, more serene, and have a god-like perspective looking down from the sky.

‘It seems to be a given that Burgos and Lusweena have secretly made contact. But why is the response speed of the two countries so different?’

One of the mages raised his hand at Ian’s question.

‘If it’s this late, isn’t it possible that Lusweena won’t reply at all? Since they’re aligned with Burgos, they might have decided there’s no need to move.’

‘Rejected. No. If they are aligned with Burgos and leave the expression of their position to Burgos, they will be pushed to the back of the line in terms of war leadership and future priority negotiation rights. Given Eriphony’s personality, that’s impossible.’

‘Then, is it a matter of coordinating opinions?’

‘With whom?’

‘Um, with, with Burgos, or… or between King Eriphony and his subordinates.’

‘That makes sense.’

Ian nodded as if acknowledging it, and the mage smiled slightly, pleased.

They sat quietly and watched Ian move around. He paced around the table, as if gauging a world that only he could see in his mind.

‘We have Zaira with us. Judging by the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like the Lusweena mages have ever cooperated with the royal palace. With the old man dead and Zaira captured, the internal dissatisfaction must have reached its peak. It could be that the process of discussing that is taking a long time.’

‘Then, how about sending another message? Let’s exchange Zaira for Jean.’

‘That’s what they should propose. Not us. Because they have officially stepped into this war by detaining a mage. With Bariel’s neutral stance and retreat being crucial now, we have already fulfilled our role by sending one messenger.’

Ian knew. Now they, especially Damon of Burgos, would try to get what they wanted by taking the mages hostage.

Bariel’s declaration of neutrality.

Or the earth’s crack due to Ian’s rampage.

As if provoking his anger, and as if guessing and calculating his moves, they didn’t even send a single letter. Ian understood in his head that this was a clear provocation, a strong move by Damon.

Clench.

But does understanding it mean that it is entirely his own emotion? Ian paused for a moment, clenching his fist in his sleeve.

The mages, who had been enthusiastically throwing out various arguments, also noticed this keenly and held their breath.

‘…There is one thing I need to ask for your permission.’

‘Ask for permission? What do you mean?’

‘Why would Sir Ian ask us for such a thing?’

‘Yes. That’s right. It scares us when you say that.’

Ian gave a faint, pitiful smile.

‘No. I will ask for it.’

It was an ambiguous declaration because the object ‘what’ was missing. Was he asking for permission, or was he saving the remaining mages?

‘I can swear on everything I have. If Yen, Kanchi, Tommy, and Jean can return, I am prepared to bear everything. But we are the magic department. And also, the magic department of Bariel. Responding to the opponent’s demands during wartime is something that must be done from a country-to-country perspective, and it is the same as the will of His Majesty the Emperor, which cannot be decided by personal feelings. So, in that process, if someone else-‘

Even if they die and return, don’t be sad like me. Blame me for my lack of virtue, but don’t forget that you are mages of Bariel.

Ian would have a grand purpose. Like Damon’s death and the peace of the continent under Bariel.

The mages moved a little closer again.

‘Sir Ian. We’ve told you countless times. The danger to us is not something you should bear. It’s all our choice and will, so please respect it.’

‘And originally, you don’t negotiate with people’s lives. Yen, Kanchi, Tommy, and Jean are all suffering humiliation in enemy territory, but they haven’t forgotten. That they are mages of Bariel.’

‘So, we will only look at Sir Ian. What will you look at, Sir Ian?’

The mages gathered their hands one by one. They hugged each other and felt each other’s presence.

‘From the moment Selena returned like that, everything was foreseen. We dream of everyone returning alive, but we must not forget reality. Because we are at war now.’

Let’s do our best. But let’s not dwell on what can’t be done even if we do. Let’s have the attitude to accept sacrifice as a sacrifice for the greater good. The mages told Ian with their eyes.

Ian placed his hand on the back of their hands and murmured,

‘As the Minister of the Magic Department of Bariel, I will pursue the glory of Bariel and the Magic Department.’

‘We are with you.’

‘So, don’t blame yourself anymore. Otherwise, I’ll quit.’

‘Me too. I’m going to run away with my severance pay after the war.’

‘I understand. If Selena were here, she would surely join us and hold hands.’

Ian nodded amidst the playful comfort.

There were times when you had to desperately want something and let it go at the same time. Now was exactly that time. He wanted the four mages to return safely more than anyone else, but the more he did, the more important it was to firmly gain the upper hand in negotiations. As if they were not precious, as if the deaths of five mages were nothing to us. Could there be a greater irony than this?

Beric leaned against the wall, arms crossed, just watching Ian. Every time their eyes met, he glared and showed his front teeth.

‘I’m watching you. If you cry again, I’ll bite you.’

And next to him, Acorella, constantly checking his condition and recording something.

Ian picked up the leather gloves on the table. And with a reverent heart, he put them on firmly, and then checked his pocket watch.

‘One hour from now.’

If there was no reply from Lusweena within an hour, the mages, led by Ian, would launch an attack on the Burgos headquarters.

Although their numbers had drastically decreased and Ian’s physical condition was not optimal, Damon had crossed the line. It was right to cut off the foot that had crossed the line.

‘Damon’s attempt to provoke me with harsh methods means that the crack hasn’t been stimulated as much as he wants yet. It also suggests that the time of the earthquake is quite close. There’s only today. Without any frills, very simply, the enemy’s head-‘

‘Everyone, don’t take your eyes off Damon’s neck. And watch closely. I will crush his breath with Selena.’

Thud.

The mages placed their hands on their chests and bowed in the Bariel Imperial Court manner.

That was it, that was enough. Ian nodded and turned his back, continuing to adjust his gloves.

He was going knowing that the deaths of four mages were a possibility, but just thinking about it made it hard to breathe.

But he couldn’t show it. When the sun rose, he would be Ian Hielo, the Minister of Bariel. Just like in his days as emperor, he had to endure even if something broke inside his chest.

Knock knock.

‘Sir Ian.’

Everyone turned their heads at the message from outside. Had a reply come from Lusweena? The mages’ eyes were fierce and blazing, causing the servant to step back.

‘N-no, it’s not from Lusweena.’

‘Oh, it’s not? I tensed up for nothing.’

‘What is it?’

‘It’s about the young mage. The one who’s imprisoned.’

‘Zaira?’

‘Yes, yes.’

The servant bowed deeply and conveyed the message.

‘She said she’s been thinking a lot all night and wants to see Sir Ian. She wants to greet you formally… Should we bring her in with the magic sealing stone? I didn’t hear the details, but she said she has something to discuss with you about King Eriphony of Lusweena. She said she has a magic spell on her, and she will only tell Sir Ian directly.’

‘Let her in.’

She was still a clever child. Whether her actions would lead to wisdom was unknown, but Ian gestured to allow it.

The leather gloves, firmly grasping his will, moved smoothly.