Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 473

The Abyss Sea

God was everywhere.

You could see Him in a single cloud in the sky, in an old man’s smile, in an ant being crushed, in someone’s yelling, even in the blood of war.

God was everywhere, but that alone wasn’t enough to guide the world justly. To move a single cloud in the sky, He had to become the wind; to become an old man’s smile, He had to become a child’s smile; to become a dying ant, He had to become someone’s footprint.

‘I exist because you exist,’ but as God became everything in the world, He lost Himself.

Thus, God decided to become small parts that could coordinate everything without becoming everything.

It was you, who existed without even knowing it, living with a will. The good and evil you possessed harmoniously intertwined and flowed naturally, making the world right.

The existence of the illegitimate son, Ian, was no different.

“Ian Verosian.”

The child whispered, hugging Ian Verosian. His breath was so warm and soft that the Emperor almost shed tears.

“If you call me God, I will be God, and if you call me just a small child from the countryside, I will be a small child. What’s important is that, whatever I am, your existence is meaningful and natural. This will not change. You are the Emperor of Bariel, who carries on my will.”

He had thought he was an existence that would be erased from history. He had ascended to the throne, but he believed he was destined to fade away without leaving any trace. But now, the world he stood on felt solid, as if it was the voice of God.

Ian shed a tear without realizing it and asked,

“If my existence is truly meaningful, will any decision I make and any action I take benefit Bariel? Under God’s will, within the boundaries that you deem right.”

“Of course.”

“Then what is right?”

“What is natural.”

“…If it feels like I’m about to collapse, may I resent you and lay down the burden?”

“Resent, but hope.”

The child tapped Ian Verosian’s cheek. It was the gaze of a parent looking at their child. Where had he seen that before? Ah, it was the same love that Philia had shown him.

Ian Verosian reverently covered the child’s hand and kissed his palm. His form was gradually fading. God was about to leave him. Ian Verosian hurried and asked,

“Rutherford says he is the one who coordinates himself with God. Is he also your will?”

“Ah.”

The child smiled, wrinkling one eyebrow. He looked troubled, yet also somewhat amused. To understand the meaning exactly, Ian Verosian looked at the child without wavering.

“No. It’s not my will, but it is natural.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Just as you have a shadow, I also have a shadow. The shadow cannot harm me, but it always lingers at my feet. They are pathetic and pitiful things that mistakenly believe they can become me.”

Ian suddenly thought of Arsen during the magic confirmation ceremony. The shadow of the demon that was completely erased by the light of the oracle. Because they usually remain as shadows, they completely lost their form in the face of the holy light.

“I acted as the illegitimate son Ian in the face of a natural but not righteous contradiction, and in that process, I heard Naum’s prayer. That’s why we met like this.”

*Squeeze.*

The child hugged Ian Verosian with his almost transparent arms and whispered,

“Even if the contract with Rutherford is overwhelming, do not worry. In the abyss, your body has already died and died again countless times. But your soul remains the noble soul of an Emperor.”

Was it all an illusion?

It was the sea of the abyss, where the concepts of space, body, soul, and even death were all mixed up.

If the body that was connected to Rutherford by contract had died and disappeared, then it meant that he was no longer bound by those restrictions. He didn’t know exactly what kind of contract had been made between the illegitimate son Ian and Rutherford.

‘It’s not important now.’

The fact that the birth of Idgal [a magical jewel] and everything that bound the illegitimate son Ian was God’s will. And the fact that it eventually reached Ian Verosian was what was meaningful.

More than anything, if he faced Rutherford again, he could find out directly, and for Ian Verosian, that was not a difficult task.

*Swish.*

The child disappeared into complete light. Following the small, fluttering sparkles, he turned his head and saw a very familiar scene unfolding nearby.

“Ian, please, please come to your senses.”

It was the day he had gained life because of Naum’s death. The underground prison of that day. Naum was scratching the rusty iron chains until they bled, shaking something that was presumed to be Ian Verosian.

‘I am here, but what are you holding onto?’ He remembered the voice saying, ‘Please, get a grip, we have to go to the magic department’s annex, God never gives unsolvable problems,’ and it was no different from his memory.

Ian Verosian slowly approached and looked at Naum. Even though he was close, Naum didn’t notice his presence at all. It was as if he was trapped in the moment of death.

‘Ah.’

Ian looked into Naum’s eyes and had to step back. They were eyes trapped in despair, but without a hint of resentment. Was he too tired and exhausted that day to see that?

Behind Naum, who was faintly smiling, Crony burst in.

“Ah! Naum!”

‘Be careful,’ Ian Verosian shouted, reaching out his hand, wanting to save him from the death he had already seen, even if just once. Naum, as if finally sensing a presence, was startled and looked straight ahead.

The two’s eyes met. Across time and dimensions, the two who had met again clearly recognized each other.

*Whoosh!*

But just like the waves that never stop, the flames that engulfed Naum did not stop either. His hand caught fire, and he screamed as he fell forward in pain.

“Naum!”

“Aaaah!”

‘I will save you here. So that you will no longer suffer in eternal death, I will save you.’ As Ian was about to throw himself forward, Naum stopped screaming and looked up at him.

“…It’s a relief to see you look whole, Your Majesty.”

He was grateful that his prayer had been answered, and he was in awe of actually meeting him, not just a phantom. And above all, he was relieved to confirm that his sacrifice had not been in vain.

Ian stopped, unable to fully extend his hand.

God said that what is natural is right. The fact that Naum, who used forbidden magic, was here was also natural, so it was right. He also said that his choice was His will.

But why did it suddenly feel like a stone had settled in a corner of his heart? Was it because he remembered the gypsy’s advice that taking Naum out was like taking the abyss out of Gaia [the world]?

If the abyss flowed out, what would happen to Bariel?

“Your Majesty.”

Naum couldn’t bring himself to grab Ian Verosian’s hand, and he crawled and knelt before him. Flames rose around him, his flesh was cut open, and blood began to flow. It was painful, but Naum endured it calmly, as if he was used to it, and said,

“Protect the name Ian Verosian. Our time has stopped here, so history has also stopped. It was not written, so it was not erased. Your Majesty. Protect it.”

Ian Verosian knelt and placed his hand on Naum’s hand. It wasn’t hot at all. It was a punishment that was only allowed for Naum, a punishment that burned in his place.

“…Time will pass, and you will be reborn. Then I will meet you again, and I will not fail then. I will keep the faith of all those who followed me. I swear, I swear on everything I have, I will achieve it.”

“Yes. Even if it is not the current me, that person will also be Naum, so he will be Your Majesty’s friend.”

“No, it will be you.”

If he went back and led the world rightly as God wished, their day would continue again, and your existence would have to exist undeniably, so he believed he could definitely escape from here. So, he told him to believe it too.

As Ian Verosian spoke firmly, Naum smiled brightly.

“Your Majesty. You have become stronger.”

“I have continued to live thanks to you.”

“I see. Ah, that’s a relief. I can gladly accept future deaths too.”

*Swish.*

Again, Naum was disappearing like a child. It was the process of one death ending and returning for the next death. Naum held Ian’s hand tightly and said goodbye.

“Then, I will be waiting.”

“Yes.”

“…Please be well.”

He wanted to say, ‘Don’t be in too much pain either,’ but Ian swallowed his words. He knew he couldn’t.

Naum turned to ashes and sank into the sea of the abyss. He would wander and wander like that, repeating that day.

*Squeeze.*

Ian clenched his palm, where no warmth remained.

He would get out of here as soon as possible, cut down everything that shook the history of Bariel, and move forward on the righteous path that God desired. Thus, he would open a new timeline where Ian Verosian and Naum Ovia lived.

*Swish.*

As Ian Verosian swam upwards, his appearance changed. His long platinum blonde hair turned into brilliant gold, and his sky-blue eyes turned into fresh green.

From Emperor to that small child in the borderlands.

“Oh my!”

The gypsy, who had come down to see what was going on, discovered Ian approaching and tried to retreat upwards in a hurry.

But was it a sin for eavesdropping on the conversation between God and the Emperor? Her belly swelled up as if it would burst, revealing its hideous form even under the loose cloth. Because her body was heavy, the gypsy struggled and couldn’t easily pick up speed.

“You have worse habits than I thought. Stealing something you’ve never given.”

“Ah, that’s-”

“Was it tasty?”

Ian grabbed the gypsy’s shoulder and pulled her close, and the gypsy just smiled, her gills gaping. It was a look that said, ‘What’s the point of saying it, hoho.’

“I’m going to get out of here.”

*Zzzing! Zzzing!*

Ian activated his magic and grabbed the gypsy’s nape. This was not Gaia, but the sea of the abyss. Even if the gypsy’s belly split open, there was no fear of the world falling into chaos. Because everything would be submerged below.

“Either we get out of here together, or we sink together. The choice is yours. Isn’t it right to pay as much as you took?”

“…I can only guide you. Getting out is solely your responsibility.”

“Good. And before that, there’s something I want to know.”

The gypsy looked at Ian’s eyes, which were gleaming with gold, and was reminded of the jewel that God had given him. The eyes of a beast that only predators possess.

“Just like you found me, can you find the others who fell here with me? Rutherford. And his gang.”

If Ian could get out, they could get out too. Especially Rutherford, who was the second person to enter the abyss. With his previous experience, he might have already succeeded in escaping.

The gypsy just sighed and nodded her head. Then, as if telling him to hold on tight, she vigorously moved her lower body and swam. Her speed was a bit slow because her belly was too full.