Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 418

On the blood-soaked land of Clifford, a new change was taking place. The corpses that had yet to be dealt with were moved aside, creating a wide open space.

Rusweena, Burgos, and third-party figures watched this with curiosity from the hillside.

The King of Burgos had been captured. Shouldn’t the war be over then? Why was Clifford creating such a space?

The ordinary soldiers, unable to understand, touched the word ‘homeland’ that they had cherished in their hearts. However, their questions were answered not long after.

“Huh?”

Movement was seen from the Rusweena side. Soldiers with a yellow flag held high, escorting a magnificent horse. It was clearly the king’s procession.

If the color of defeat hadn’t been so strong, everyone would have watched in awe. But now, even those dressed in rags simply stared with suspicion.

Hee-ing!

And then, movement was seen from the Burgos side. Specifically, the necromancers and small tribes from the north. They were representatives of their respective tribes, and thus, were able to receive Ian’s call.

They had been wondering how the situation would unfold, so they didn’t hesitate to spur their horses towards the center of the land.

A war they had joined to save their tribes. If it ended in defeat, not only their safety but also the very existence of their tribes would be threatened. Their opponent was Bariel.

Squeak.

The Clifford wall gate opened. They set up a large ivory tent, and soon, they spotted a blonde boy walking out. It was Ian.

Numerous mages followed the small, young boy. As he turned, the mages parted to the left and right, creating a path, and then the King of Clifford slowly walked out on horseback. Ian gestured with his hand, giving signals to the wall, directing the overall procession.

Originally, this was Prince Noah’s job, but the prince followed behind the king without any complaints, walking according to Ian’s instructions. If his father, the King of Clifford, had no objections, how could he add any words?

Boo-ooo-

The sound of a water buffalo horn, signaling their meeting, echoed loudly. The king tried not to look at the mountains of corpses piled up on either side, focusing only ahead, and soon, he met Eriphony, who had arrived at the tent first.

Eriphony elegantly dismounted from his horse and nodded slightly, greeting him first.

“Your Majesty, the King of Clifford. It has been a long time since I’ve seen you like this. Your son is the pride of Clifford; I thought you would never show your face.”

“Your Majesty, the King of Rusweena. For an invader, your tongue is too sharp. I am still sick to my stomach from the stench of blood and the cawing of crows.”

Eriphony was slightly taken aback but managed to hide his expression. Did he have a knife hidden in his tongue, unlike his appearance?

In fact, this was somewhat natural. Eriphony admitted that he had made an arrogant mistake, believing that he could somehow overcome the current situation. Eriphony smiled and shook his head.

“Invader? I apologize that we have unintentionally disturbed the beautiful land of Clifford. But we were also deceived by Burgos. In a way, we can be considered victims. This meeting has been arranged to clear up such misunderstandings, so let’s openly discuss your grievances and our unfair situation.”

He never said he was sorry. That would be admitting Rusweena’s fault, which could be disadvantageous in the upcoming negotiations.

Just as the King of Clifford was about to add something.

Swoosh.

Ian stepped into the tent, pushing the flap aside.

His appearance immediately sharpened the atmosphere of the northern chieftains and Eriphony, who had been relaxed. Someone who could respond more keenly than Clifford had appeared.

Eriphony slightly erased his smile and examined Ian. He looked pale overall, but there were no apparent injuries.

“Has everyone gathered?”

Ian glanced at the King of Clifford as if asking why he was standing, and he sat down first. Eriphony and the northern chieftains followed suit. Ian slowly stepped forward and introduced himself.

“I am Ian Hielo, Baron of the Magic Department of Bariel. This meeting is to discuss the settlement of the Clifford invasion, its compensation, and measures for the rifts. I am the head of the Magic Department, but currently, I represent Bariel, and all words spoken at this moment will be conveyed to His Majesty the Emperor, the owner of the Great Empire, so please be careful and respectful in every word.”

Swoosh.

Ian said this, grabbing the edge of the table.

“If there is anyone who does not wish to converse, please leave this tent now.”

The chieftains had no intention of doing so, so they did not move, and everyone’s gaze subtly turned towards Eriphony. Eriphony lightly nodded, as if to say it was okay to proceed, indicating his attendance.

Ian dusted his hands and gestured for a map to be brought.

Whirr.

“Currently, the areas damaged by the battle in Clifford are as follows: the borderlines adjacent to Burgos and Rusweena, and small and large settlements including Baki Village. The estimated damage is difficult to calculate precisely, but it is expected to be at least 1 million gold coins.”

Hiss. The chieftains involuntarily gasped. More than 1 million coins? The average monthly salary of an ordinary person was about one gold coin. But 1 million coins? They, as a minority, couldn’t afford even 10,000 coins.

“In this regard, half will be borne by Burgos, and half by Rusweena. And the tribes that participated on the side of Burgos will share from Burgos’s portion.”

“Wait, wait a minute.”

Eriphony raised his hand at Ian’s words about paying war reparations.

It was an absurd amount. The capital hadn’t been breached, and they had only fought for a few days in front of the wall. But what? 1 million coins? This was too much.

“I insist again.”

Eriphony looked back and forth between the King of Clifford and Ian, and spoke in a low voice.

“Rusweena is also a victim nation deceived by Burgos. King Damon deceived Rusweena with false information, so it is appropriate to take this into account. Your Majesty, the King of Clifford. I say again, it is very regrettable that we have unintentionally caused damage, and I offer my deepest condolences. Rusweena will do its best to restore Clifford, but I cannot help but point out that the compensation is too excessive.”

“What do you mean by false information?”

Ian interjected, crossing his arms.

“Isn’t it just that the criteria for dividing the spoils of war are different? Your Majesty, Eriphony. From Bariel’s perspective, there is no excuse for Rusweena’s actions. And there is something I haven’t mentioned yet; this is the compensation for Clifford.”

The chieftains’ faces turned pale. The mention of compensation for Clifford meant that there would also be separate compensation for Bariel.

“Please continue to listen to ‘our’ words first.”

Ian subtly emphasized that Bariel and Clifford were allies, and asked Eriphony to be quiet.

If Clifford received compensation, some of it would go back to Bariel. As a courtesy to the participating countries, to show their sincerity.

So, all the gold and assets that were exchanged in this place were like salt flowing into Bariel.

“Clifford suffered greatly from the damage to ordinary soldiers, but Bariel suffered severely from the damage to mages. Your Highness’s archery skills were quite impressive.”

It was a testimony that Eriphony had directly attacked the mages, and at the same time, a taunt that he had failed to hit them.

As Eriphony’s face hardened, Ian’s face slowly softened.

“There are mountains of tasks to be done for the imperial palace when we return to Bariel, but the current situation makes it impossible. Therefore, I will receive 10 million gold coins as compensation for Bariel. This will also be divided in half between Burgos and Rusweena, and the minority tribes will be responsible for their share from Burgos’s portion.”

“That’s absurd! 10 million coins?”

“To be precise, it’s 5.5 million coins. Your Highness. If you are not good at calculations, I can write it down for you.”

“Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that?”

“If not, what are you asking about?”

It was a retort, implying that he had no right to speak up now that he had fallen into a defeated nation. Eriphony bit his inner cheek with his molars, restraining himself.

“…5.5 million gold coins is equivalent to several years of Rusweena’s budget.”

“Pay in installments. But you will have to pay interest accordingly.”

“I should see His Highness Crown Prince Jin, not you. You have no intention of understanding Rusweena’s unfairness.”

“Why should Bariel understand Rusweena’s unfairness?”

Rustle.

Ian coldly retorted, slowly turning over the documents. There, a detailed list of compensation other than the gold coins to be paid by the defeated nation was written.

“Apart from gold coins, offer 1,000 slaves and ten treasures from each royal palace to Clifford and Bariel. This will also be divided-”

“No. I cannot accept it. I cannot agree to anything here.”

He had decided that it might be more advantageous to continue the war than to pay such enormous compensation. It would be better to bypass and occupy Clifford after Bariel left, in many ways.

If he accepted that proposal, Rusweena would be as good as collapsing in vain. To participate in the war, not even use his strength properly, and get the label of a defeated nation. If he returned home, the public’s support would plummet, and the voices of the opposition within the royal palace would grow louder.

Yes. Rather, the war, through Alenara, cut off that man’s breath, absorb the remaining Burgos soldiers, and wage war…

Swoosh.

Eriphony looked at the chieftains. They also seemed to have complicated thoughts. It was difficult for the nation to bear, so how could the minority tribes accept it willingly?

They were also people who had participated in the war to solidify their power in their own lands. If they returned like this, everything would be over. Whether it ended in death or somehow, it would end. Then, wouldn’t it be right to continue fighting and find even a sliver of hope?

“And you?”

Ian asked, tilting his head languidly. He was asking the unfamiliar people from the north if they also could not accept Clifford and Bariel’s proposal.

But they could not say it as confidently as Eriphony. Rusweena was a small country compared to Bariel, but they were a country with a large territory, a large population, and mages. Their relationship with neighboring countries was also friendly, so if a direct conflict with Bariel occurred, there were also countries that would mediate, including Hawan.

And above all, right here, they had a large army equipped with black armor and Idgal [a type of magical weapon], didn’t they?

On the other hand, what about themselves?

“It is not a burden, but it is impossible. If you give us a proposal that is within our means, we will return all the glory to the imperial palace of Bariel.”

“Okay.”

Ian nodded, as if he had expected it.

He knew that it would be impossible for them, even if they shared the burden of Burgos. This was to preempt their position regarding the rifts that would be discussed in the future.

Eriphony got up from his seat and turned towards the tent entrance.

“Rusweena also cannot fulfill it, not just a burden. I will discuss with my subordinates for a moment and attend again. Your Majesty, the King of Clifford. Please be kind and grant us some time.”

It was the moment when Eriphony, who was at least polite to the king, reached for the tent.

Zzzing. Zzzing.

Whoosh!

“Agh!”

Ian activated his magic and poured out flames that blazed at the tent entrance. Eriphony looked back at Ian, clutching his burned palm, and he just shrugged.

“I told you before we started. If you wanted to leave, you should have left earlier. I will say it again with courtesy. Please sit down again, Your Majesty Eriphony. Although your great army is outside, you are alone here.”