Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 405

“Selena is dead.”

Jang flinched at Ian’s murmur. Selena. Just the name brought her face vividly to mind, but the word ‘dead’ seemed so absurd.

Unbelievable, yet Jang understood. He himself had been on the verge of death in the Lusweena camp just moments ago. Selena had simply been unlucky. Her tragic end was solely the result of the war’s devastation and Damon’s decisions.

“That’s why we’re going straight to the Vergos camp. We’ll rescue our remaining comrades and make Damon pay dearly for harming the Bariel mages.”

“R-Right away? Now?”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian placed his hand on the back of Jang’s hand, infusing him with magic. Fresh air filled his lungs. It was as if he had thrown off waterlogged clothes, his whole body feeling light.

Ah, this is what it means to be alive. This is what it feels like to be alive. The thrill and relief that only someone who had been on the brink of death could feel filled Jang.

Ian smiled faintly, seeing Jang’s complexion noticeably improve.

“Yes, right away. Jang, you also can’t use magic because of the Idgal weapon, right? As far as we know, three people are being held hostage in Vergos. I’ll lead the rescue, and I’ll make sure Damon knows the price for daring to harm the Bariel mages.”

With those words, the magic flowing into Jang lessened slightly. He wanted to pour all his strength into him, but there were few mages available, and his own condition wasn’t ideal, so he needed to conserve his power. It was important to focus on getting through this immediate crisis.

“Um, Ian.”

As Ian pulled away slightly, Jang quickly grabbed his clothes.

“The, the Lusweena mages, they didn’t seem as loyal to the royal family as I thought. I was half-unconscious, so I didn’t hear everything clearly, but if we could persuade them, we might be able to break them apart-”

“Commander Jang. It’s too late.”

“Huh?”

“It’s too late. Ian will take care of everything, so you just rest inside the barrier. Ian, is it okay to move him now?”

“Huh? Uh, uh?”

This was pretty high-level information! Jang looked around, bewildered, but none of the mages seemed particularly interested. Jang didn’t know about Zaira’s situation.

Four soldiers carried Jang away on a stretcher, and even as they did, Jang shouted, looking towards Ian.

“Ian, you need to hear this! Uh, uh?”

“Well, it seems they did provide a medic from Lusweena. Look how he’s recovering after receiving magic. I guess they never intended to kill him from the start.”

“Yeah, that’s a relief. The mages inside the barrier are going to be noisy, aren’t they? Commander Jang loves to show off.”

He was the same as before, whether it was before or after Ian’s appearance, still claiming he would be the next Minister of Magic. Everyone chuckled at someone’s joke and straightened their clothes.

The sun had fully risen, and it was morning. It was a light that signaled the start of a new battle, but the atmosphere was solemn. In other words, it meant that those held hostage were facing another day of hell.

“Okay, how many are we?”

“Twelve, excluding Ian.”

Twelve. As time passed, some might regain their magic, but that was not certain. He had to move forward, thinking that these twelve were all he had.

As Ian put on his gloves, the mages also took out their gloves from their pockets.

“Good. Clifford.”

“Yes, Ian.”

“Tell Prince Noah to prepare for battle.”

Thwack.

The soldier saluted and then rode his horse towards the barrier.

Troops, along with the magic swordsmen, were waiting inside the gate. When Ian’s order, disguised as Noah’s, was given, they would pour out like a waterfall and push back Vergos.

“How long will it take for the barrier gate to open?”

“It won’t take long. About thirty minutes?”

“With the magic swordsmen in position, the ground battle should be fine. It all depends on Beric. Just Beric.”

“Ah, I’m worried about him. Commander Acorella fed him something weird. It’d be a problem if he suddenly went berserk.”

“It’s okay. Commander Acorella is right next to Beric, watching him. And, he seemed no different than usual?”

“That’s the problem, that he’s no different than usual.”

“What? Then everything’s a problem.”

The vast land. Only twelve mages, excluding Ian, stood there, facing the wind. Hale handed out cigarettes to his comrades.

“Ian, would you like to try one? The wind is refreshing, but sometimes this is nice too.”

It could be the last time. In wartime, everything was always like that. Even joking around like this, even feeling the wind.

As Ian reached for the cigarette, the mages let out small screams. And before it reached Ian, the cigarette was snatched away. The mages put their hands on their hips and confronted Hale.

“Commander Hale. Are you trying to introduce Ian to something bad, huh?”

“…No, I was just offering.”

“That’s the problem. Even that reckless Commander Acorella doesn’t let Ian eat anything bad for his health. I’m going to tell Commander Acorella about this.”

“Hey, Ian. Say something, please.”

Hale, cornered, asked Ian for help, but his gaze was turned the other way. A sound, very faint because of the distance. The barrier was slowly opening.

Screech.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

As Ian soared into the sky, Hale crushed the remaining cigarette and followed. As if it was a good thing. Soon, the mages also took off in a row, shouting to catch that commander.

Ian confirmed that the first person to emerge from the barrier was Prince Noah. The prince, heavily armed, led the way with a flag-bearing soldier and Clifford.

Led by him, Clifford’s soldiers poured out like grains of sand. The Bariel magic swordsmen and the Imperial Defense Force would be mixed in there.

Thump! Thump!

From the Vergos camp, a huge drumbeat sounded, seeing Clifford’s movement. It was an order for everyone to prepare and form ranks because the enemy was coming.

While Clifford took the lead, Ian and the mages guarded the rear right flank to see if there was any movement from Lusweena.

“No reaction from Lusweena yet!”

“They just exchanged prisoners, so they must be busy. Keep guarding the rear, and we’ll go to Vergos.”

“Yes, Ian!”

Ian and the mages split the sky, each staying in their designated scouting areas.

If Zaira mentioned the rift to Eriphony, Lusweena would have a lot to think about. Even if a battle broke out immediately, Ian calculated that they wouldn’t be able to join hastily.

Later, they would inevitably deploy additional troops to gain the upper hand, but for now, that would be the case. Eriphony needed time to verify if Zaira’s report was true.

Thud thud thud!

Thump! Thump!

Clifford’s soldiers ran out, shaking the earth. The huge footsteps that shook the heavens seemed to echo even in the sky.

Ian slowly moved towards the Vergos camp, following them. In the distance, the Vergos soldiers also quickly formed ranks.

Boooo-

Soon, they were within each other’s long-range attack range.

As the Vergos general stepped forward, the flag waved greatly, and in response, the Clifford flag also fluttered powerfully.

“Are you holding three Bariel mages!?”

It was Prince Noah’s cry. The general did not answer, only raising his head without any reaction.

“Damon, King of Vergos, listen! Release the Bariel mages immediately and leave Clifford’s land! We will thoroughly investigate the destruction of our fertile land and the trampling of our daily lives, and we will hold you accountable for your actions!”

“How dare a mere prince call the name of His Majesty so carelessly. We came to retrieve our envoy, and it is Clifford who has not responded. The envoy of our country is the embodiment of His Majesty’s will. If you have harmed him, it is an act against His Majesty, and furthermore, a provocation against Vergos! Clifford will bear the responsibility!”

Screech.

Both sides aimed their bows at each other. If someone started, the sky would once again be covered with arrows.

The Vergos general took a deep breath and then spoke as if he wanted the whole world to hear. The sound was so loud that even the Vergos soldiers next to him flinched.

“Clifford, immediately explain the situation of our envoy and open the way to receive us as honored guests! Otherwise, King Damon will personally tear down the barrier and advance to your capital, cutting you down. Then, only the sound of wailing will echo in Clifford!”

Thump thump! Thump thump!

The Vergos soldiers and the Clifford soldiers simultaneously slammed their spears into the ground. It was a sound that simultaneously expressed support and the absolute refusal to yield.

Swoosh.

Noah grabbed the sword at his waist. They were not people who could be reasoned with. What they wanted was only the downfall of Clifford and the resulting rise of Vergos. If there was anything else, they would never have sent the mage’s head when they sent the envoy.

He had known since there was no word or letter, but Noah realized again. Vergos was not a subject for negotiation. They were simply a target to be defeated, advanced upon, and destroyed.

“Wait.”

At that moment, Damon appeared on a white horse behind the Vergos general. In the Vergos camp, which was all black, his appearance was particularly striking.

It didn’t seem like he was on a white horse last time, Noah thought, and at the same time, Damon raised one hand. It was a signal to focus on him. It was not only for Noah but also an greeting to Ian, who was watching from somewhere in the sky.

“Prince Noah. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Very well, thanks to you.”

“As I said, we have the three Bariel mages. This is a war between Vergos and Clifford. It doesn’t seem necessary for other countries to intervene, so I’ll make a proposal. If you withdraw the Bariel forces right now, I’ll return the mages alive. Are you listening? Ian?”

Damon scanned the sky left and right with his hand raised. But Ian’s figure was not easily found.

“Right now, Bariel, retreat and return to your country. If you don’t, I’ll have to prepare more things similar in size to the box I sent this morning.”

If they didn’t listen, he would execute the mages. Damon threatened, but still, no answer came.

He eventually snapped his fingers, and then, Tommy, covered in blood, was dragged out from inside. Noah clenched his fist, signaling not to attack, and Damon spread his hand and lowered it, signaling that he could attack.

“The Bariel mage is here! If you don’t withdraw from the war, this man’s head will also fly. Is that okay? Huh?”

Swish!

“Aaaah!”

Damon laughed as he cut off Tommy’s thigh, and the blade, covered in blood, gleamed.

It was a sword made of Idgal. The blade, dripping with blood, was raised to the sky. Look, the Vergos army could cut down ‘that’ mage like this, he seemed to be declaring.

Whoosh!

Swish!

But then, a beam of light struck down in the blink of an eye. It cut Damon’s sword in two, and then a man with golden hair and green eyes was face to face with the king.

It was instantaneous. A speed so fast that he couldn’t even see the approach, let alone the signs. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Damon’s purple pupils were filled with surprise.

“I-!”

Boom! Kwaaang!

Crack!

As Damon swung his broken sword, soldiers charged in with Idgal swords and spears.

Ian unleashed his magic and reached for Damon’s neck.

…Kill him. Kill him.

Kill him miserably.

“Now!”

“Advance! Wipe out the Vergos army!”

“Waaaah! Kill! Kill!”

Noah ordered the soldiers to advance, and in an instant, the surroundings turned into chaos. Damon saw the magic glowing in Ian’s grasp and, in panic, tried to step back.

Kwaaaang!

Thud!

A huge roar and the surrounding area was covered in dust. The force pushed Ian away and protected Damon, but the power was somehow familiar yet different.

Ian looked towards the source. On that distant hill, the Vergos reinforcements from the north were swarming. The ones who stood at the front were human.

“…Atan.”

Damon muttered with a faint smile, and Ian frowned and charged at Damon again.