Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 402

“You better watch your mouth. Ian’s really pissed right now.”

Berik warned Zaira as he opened the door.

The child raised her bound hands with a sulky look, then defiantly tilted her chin. Her wrists were bound by a magic sealing stone [a device that suppresses magical abilities]. Unless she was a fool, she knew to watch her mouth, so it was a silent reply telling him to mind his own business. Berik didn’t seem to understand, but whatever.

Creak.

As the door opened, mages were visible, divided to the left and right, with Ian at the center.

Their gazes were fixed on the child, and the atmosphere was distinctly different from the night before. More hostile, sensitive, and sharp. Yet, there was also a sense of grim determination.

“Sir Ian. We’ve heard from the Lusweena mage.”

Before the resentment from their clash during the day could even fade, Burgos had sent back a colleague’s severed head. It was only natural that Lusweena, who had allied with Burgos, would receive a thorny gaze.

Zaira hesitantly stepped forward and knelt before Ian, who was sitting by the window. Ian didn’t say a single word as he looked at Zaira. Under his cold gaze, the child carefully bowed her head in greeting.

“Minister Ian Hielo. I greet you formally once again. I am Zaira, a mage of Lusweena.”

‘Be respectful when we meet next time,’ Zaira had faithfully carried out Ian’s order.

Ian’s gaze lowered to the child’s neatly folded hands. There wasn’t even the slightest tremor. Whatever the child proposed, he had to acknowledge her spirit, regardless. Not trembling in this situation meant that the size of her vessel [a metaphor for her potential] was extraordinary.

“Yes. Zaira. I heard you have something to say.”

“I wish to speak with Sir Ian alone.”

“I refuse. All future operations and executions will be carried out with the entire Magic Department moving as one, so everyone will hear your words together.”

Ian was aware that there was a problem with his judgment, and he knew that he needed the help of his colleagues for his decisions. Therefore, Zaira’s message had to be shared.

Zaira bit her lip and straightened her posture. Then, she carefully spoke the words she had thought about and mulled over all night.

“Frankly, I don’t care how the war ends. As long as the mages, the Lusweena mages, are safe, and my family in the royal palace is also safe.”

“Are many people held in the royal palace?”

“All those who are considered to be related to me, including my younger sibling, have been captured. At first, I was invited to a celebration for the mages’ departure, and I thought I was just being welcomed. But now that I’m out here, I know that’s not the case.”

When she left the royal palace, she was happy. She thought that by going to the battlefield, her family would live comfortably in the royal palace.

But that wasn’t the case. It was nothing more than a binding disguised as a good facade.

Zaira bowed deeply again, as if pleading.

“If I don’t return, my sibling in the royal palace will die.”

“That’s unfortunate. But it’s none of my concern. Surely, you didn’t come alone, but I don’t sense the presence of the other scout mage. This means that our information has leaked to Lusweena.”

“…If Lusweena wants me, please send me back.”

“I’m willing to trade you for Jang. But what to do? Your king is too busy, and we still haven’t heard from him. Pray in your heart. If anything happens to Jang, we will use you as a guide to Jang’s location.”

Clench.

Zaira pressed her palm firmly against the floor.

Although Lusweena’s response was delayed, she had faith. If the scout mage had returned, then the fact that she was captured would have been conveyed.

If so, her fellow mages wouldn’t stand still. They would ask the king to save her by any means. It was only a matter of time, and there would be no other problems beyond that. Surely.

“…The war is outside of my interest, but forbidden magic has entered deep into my life. If you help me, I want to dedicate my entire life to researching ways to undo the forbidden magic.”

“That’s quite different from your earlier outburst. Since one can never know what’s in a person’s heart, I’m rather distrustful now.”

What makes you think we’d accept you?

Ian opened the door for her to easily talk about matters related to Eriphony. Zaira was a smart child. She didn’t miss the opportunity Ian offered and quickly grabbed it. Just one side for now.

“I cast a spell on Her Highness Eriphony.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“Before that, please promise me first. No matter what happens, I must return to Lusweena first. And I heard Sir Ian’s words about accepting the mages and my family. And above all, I have things I’ve researched and accumulated in my residence in Lusweena. I need to bring them.”

Research results? Acorella’s ears perked up. She quickly calculated in her head if there were magic stones that only grew in Lusweena.

Ian was the same. The Lusweena mages seemed skilled, but they seemed quite primitive compared to Bariel, and their nature was different.

From using the cold magic that didn’t harmonize well with other mages as their main force, to not knowing the basic elemental magic, etc. They had developed in their own history and time, but their directions were quite different.

“Where is your residence in Lusweena?”

“It’s in the forest northeast of the royal palace. It’s about a three-day ride by horse, but you can move faster using magic.”

“You’re going to bring all of that to Bariel?”

“To be precise, I’m bringing it for my research. If I say it’s for Bariel, I’d be lying to get out of the current situation, so I won’t answer that.”

Look at this? Ian looked down at the child with an intriguing smile.

She showed promise. From the depth of her magic to her clever mind and boldness. If nurtured well, she could become a key talent for Bariel’s future. What was the king of Lusweena doing, leaving such a child behind?

Ian tilted his head to one side and asked Zaira.

“So, you’re saying you want to be sent back first. But, little one. Even if you return safely, King Eriphony will suspect you and prevent you from achieving what you want. A proper process is needed. We can create that, and if your current groveling is sincere, we are willing to help you.”

So, tell me. What did you do to King Eriphony?

Zaira, noticing that Ian’s tone had become a little more lenient, confessed with a tense breath.

“…I cast ‘Dazzle’ (眩耀) [a type of magic].”

Dazzle? The mages glanced at each other, as it was a magic they had never heard of. Their gazes circled back to Ian.

Ian’s expression was a little new, showing pure surprise and curiosity.

“You used Dazzle?”

“Yes. Of the three arrows that were shot at Sir Ian. All of them took someone else’s life, so the magic will surely activate.”

The mages simultaneously raised their hands, as if asking to join the conversation. Ian let out a small ‘ah’ of exclamation and then kindly explained.

“Dazzle is a type of trap magic. There is a time lag until activation, and an activation condition is needed. In line with its meaning, it activates when the target feels strong joy or happiness.”

“Ah, so what does Dazzle mean?”

“It means ‘shining,’ Berik. It’s practically the closest thing to a curse among existing magic.”

Both in this era and in the future.

Death at the most brilliant moment. The moment you feel you’ve achieved a step and envision the future, your own mistake announces that there is no tomorrow.

“Eriphony will receive the arrows she shot back at the most brilliant moment she faces in her remaining life.”

If what she shot pierced a soldier’s neck, she too would have her neck pierced, and if it pierced a heart, she too would have her heart pierced.

No matter how much they investigate the suddenly appearing arrows, they would be hers, and by then, the mages of Lusweena would also have sought their own ways to survive.

“That’s a very appropriate measure in many ways.”

Ian murmured in admiration. It was a revenge without any loose ends, considering everything in the future. But the fact that this small child could use it was the most surprising.

“Little one. Do you know the price of Dazzle?”

“Yes. I know. My grandmother told me about it. My grandmother-”

What is that again? The mages blinked as if curious, but Ian remained silent about it. Zaira also slowly lowered her eyes, as if she didn’t want to say that much.

“…Hail. And Acorella.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

“Why?”

Ian called the two and nodded.

“The development of Lusweena’s magic is certainly different from Bariel’s. What do you think? If we accept these people and merge our knowledge, we might be able to dream of a better future. What are your thoughts?”

“Sir Ian’s thoughts are our thoughts. We will follow.”

“Little one, did you also research magic stones? As far as I know, there are only five types of magic stones that come from Lusweena. Is that correct?”

“Magic stones are outside of my interest. There is a suitable person, but that person is currently in the Lusweena camp.”

“Ah, I need to see that face soon. Sir Ian. I’m in favor. It seems like there’s a lot we can use.”

Zaira frowned at Acorella’s blatant remark, but it wasn’t exactly wrong. Zaira was currently kneeling, and they were standing and looking down at her.

“Good. Zaira. In one hour. If we don’t receive a message from Lusweena, we will immediately attack Burgos and open the prelude to the second great battle.”

They’re going to save the mages. Zaira swallowed hard and listened intently. The mages in Lusweena had to be safe. Otherwise, the process of her and the Lusweena mages belonging to Bariel would be difficult.

“I’ll create a suitable opportunity for you to escape then. You can return to your camp. However, you must make an oath to us before you go.”

“An oath?”

“Who will step forward?”

“I will. You, don’t you know the magic of oaths?”

“…What is that…”

It was as if they were back-to-back, the magic they had been dealing with was so different.

One of the mages volunteered and held out his hand to the child. As if telling her to hold it, he urged her with a small shake. Zaira looked at Ian and took his hand.

“It’s an oath made with magic. It’s made with your life on the line, so breaking it means death. Little one, can you swear to the gods that all the conversations we’ve had are true and will become reality?”

“Yes. But Bariel must also protect me. And you promised to support my research on undoing the forbidden magic.”

“I welcome that and promise my active support. Zaira. I say again, I support your faith.”

As Ian spoke kindly, Zaira pouted her lips very slightly. He could have been like this, so why was he so cold earlier?

The mage hesitated as he was about to activate his magic.

“Sir Ian. It’s a little difficult because of the magic sealing stone.”

“You may release it.” As Ian closed his eyes and allowed it, the soldiers approached and handed over the key.

Clink, the sound of the key turning was heard, and at the same time, the mages secretly released their magic behind their backs. So that they could respond immediately if Zaira acted up. Ian was the same.

They hadn’t turned golden-eyed, but everyone’s gaze was focused on Zaira. The child, on the other hand, frowned as she rotated her numb wrist.

Buzz. Buzz.

“Let’s begin.”

Zaira grabbed the mage’s hands with both of hers and proceeded with the oath contract. Amidst the grim determination and the relief of overcoming a huge mountain, the commotion outside was heard.

Tap tap!

“Sir Ian. Excuse me. A message has arrived from Lusweena.”

Buzz. Buzz.

The messenger had returned. Zaira, who had completed the contract, waited anxiously for his words.

“They proposed an exchange of Bariel mages and Lusweena mages. But they want Sir Ian to come out in person. It seems they want to discuss specific negotiations. Uh, what should we do?”

“Wow, ha!”

“It’s done, Sir Ian. We’ve saved Jang.”

“What do you mean, you fool! Bring him here right now!”

“Is Prince Noah in the war room?”

“Yes, yes. He said he supports all of Sir Ian’s decisions.”

Ian stepped down from the window frame and met Zaira’s gaze. A small sense of satisfaction was felt in his beaming smile.

“There’s no need to wait an hour. Little one, let’s go. As we bring Jang, I’ll tell you how to deal with Eriphony in the future.”

Zaira nodded, and Ian put his arm around the child’s shoulder and stepped outside. Then, he instructed the mages.

“Everyone, finish preparing for battle and come out. When we meet with Lusweena, the sun will be fully up. We’ll be able to see Burgos directly.”

“Yes, Sir Ian!”

“Let’s get ready! Let’s go get the kids!”

“Move quickly!”

Crash! Clatter!

While the mages were moving noisily, Ian put the magic sealing stone back on Zaira. This time, not painfully, but a little loosely. Zaira looked back and forth between her clinking wrist and Ian.

Ian had said that the balance of her life was far away. Zaira felt that it was moving just a little, just a tiny bit. Towards a new world called Bariel.