Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 495

Behind the Crown Prince’s Palace, the training grounds.

Jin lightly tugged at his sweat-soaked top. Sio did the same on the opposite side. Both of them were dripping with sweat as if they had been doused with water, while Jeyrut, standing in the middle, only clicked his pocket watch.

“Your Highness, the break time is almost over.”

“Haa, haa…”

“Catch your breath slowly. The more urgent it is, the more important it is to breathe properly. Otherwise, you’ll lose your composure, and that means you’ll show an opening.”

“You’re relentless, Jeyrut.”

“It’s not me who’s relentless, but the sword.”

“Sio, come at me together this time.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sio took a big gulp of water and then gripped his sword tightly. It was a training sword with a dull blade, but its weight was the same as a real one. There was no problem in creating a real combat feel.

Jin lowered his stance and focused on the tip of Sio’s sword, and at the same time as Jeyrut pulled the pocket watch chain, he rushed in.

Clack, clack! Thwack!

Whoosh! Clang! Clink!

“Good, Your Highness. When deflecting the sword, push with more force. If you use your waist smoothly, you will be able to do it easily.”

Every time the blades collided, small sparks flew. Jin and Sio gritted their teeth and exchanged endless blows, while Jeyrut corrected their postures with hawk-like eyes. In fact, the main opponent was Jin.

“Sir Sio! There was a gap just now, wasn’t there? But why didn’t you go in? Is it because your opponent is the Crown Prince?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Sio! I told you clearly, didn’t I? It’s okay if I get cut!”

Screech!

As Jin pushed the blade with force, Sio stepped back and twisted his body. Then, a gap appeared on his side.

Jin swung his sword fiercely and attacked Sio’s side, and even as Sio fell, he thrust his sword at Jin’s right neck.

“Stop.”

At Jeyrut’s intervention, both of their swords stopped at the same time. The tips of the swords were almost touching each other’s vital points. Jin and Sio took rough breaths and glanced at their necks and waists, and then smiled brightly.

“It’s a draw this time.”

“You did well, Your Highness. You are growing day by day.”

“Yes. I will continue to grow, so you must also improve. If I ever win, Sio, I will hold you accountable.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Isn’t it impossible for an officer of the Imperial Defense Department, who protects the Empire, to lose to the Crown Prince in swordsmanship? Jin patted Sio’s shoulder and got up, and drank the water that a servant handed him.

Clack, clack!

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, a sound of footsteps was heard from afar. The scurrying footsteps seemed particularly urgent, so Sio and Jeyrut also turned their heads at the same time.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s a message that Prince Noah of Clifforde has entered the central area. He will arrive at the Imperial Palace soon, but we don’t know how to handle his entry…”

“Ah.”

The Imperial Palace had expected the Clifforde delegation to enter the palace for Jin’s coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow. But such a sudden unofficial visit?

Unlike the flustered servant, Jin raised an eyebrow as if he had an idea.

“Allow him to enter the palace. Treat him with courtesy, but if he wants to meet me, he will have to wait until my schedule is over. If it’s urgent, have him come here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Since today’s schedule would not be finished until late at night, he would probably come here. Jin personally wrapped a bandage around his hand, and Commander Jeyrut silently put on his protective gear.

“You seem to be overdoing it these days, Your Highness.”

“We are facing a war, and as the Crown Prince, I am trying to set an example.”

“Isn’t it also to pass the time quickly?”

“Surely not. The whole country is in a frenzy over the coming-of-age ceremony, how could I have time for that?”

At Jeyrut’s mischievous question, Jin chuckled and lightly denied it, but his tone had a hint of acknowledgment. He was eagerly waiting for the day after the coming-of-age ceremony, the day the Magic Department would gather. To be precise, the day the Minister of the Magic Department, Ian Hiel, would return to the Imperial Palace.

“Enough with the small talk.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I look forward to it.”

Jin vigorously extended his fist, and the next sparring session began.

Sio stepped back for a moment and watched the scene, and soon felt the sound of footsteps echoing in the hallway. It was Prince Noah.

“Your Highness, it is Prince Noah of Clifforde.”

“Haa, haa. Let him in.”

Bang!

Noah entered the training ground with a stiff face. His long hair, reaching his waist, was tied up in a single ponytail. May, who followed right behind him, had shorter hair instead.

Jin straightened his posture and smiled brightly.

“It’s been a while, Prince Noah.”

“Greetings to Crown Prince Jin.”

“But, what is so urgent that you arrived at the Imperial Palace earlier than scheduled? Has the situation in Clifforde improved recently?”

It was a question asking if the successor could easily leave the country, and at the same time, a rebuke for the sudden visit.

Noah bowed lightly and then looked straight at Jin. His thin, long eyes were particularly cold. If judged by emotion, it was anger.

“I apologize, Your Highness. As you know, Clifforde is still struggling in pain. The people are grieving for their lost future and living in fear of when monsters will appear.”

“Is that so? That’s truly unfortunate. But why is the Prince here?”

Asking again even though he knew. Noah wondered if the sly fox in front of him was really the same child from ten years ago. It was hard to believe that they were the same person.

“You have summoned all the mages to the Imperial Palace, haven’t you? How, how could you do that? Do you know what will happen to the rifts in Clifforde if all the mages withdraw? Have you forgotten the contract?”

The price Clifforde paid for transferring the right to claim compensation to Bariel in the Clifforde-Burgos War was exactly that. To dispatch mages to the south to investigate the rifts and, furthermore, to repair them.

But how long has it been since they are already taking back the mages? This could be a greater threat to Clifforde than war. If the mages left, no one knew how the Clifforde rifts would react right away.

“I haven’t forgotten. It’s a contract between countries, how could I?”

“Then why!”

“I said it was a temporary summons, didn’t I?”

“The period is not specified. Everyone in Clifforde is worried that temporary could become indefinite.”

“It seems the Prince did not read the contract clauses carefully. It is clearly stated that if there is a situation that threatens the security of Bariel, the mages can be withdrawn at any time. It was based on that that I summoned them.”

“How can we know whether it is a threatening situation or not?”

“You’re stating the obvious, Prince Noah. Did you think I would tell the kingdom about the Empire’s danger? It seems our relationship is closer than I thought. Huh?”

At Jin’s light remark, Noah bit his lip. Of course, it wasn’t like that, but wasn’t there some level of trust that had been built up over time? Noah took a deep breath and added.

“Your Highness. This is clearly a measure that is close to a notification from Clifforde’s perspective. As it is a matter of national importance, it is right for Bariel to show respect for Clifforde as an ally.”

“Therefore, I told you to come up after some time. Under the assumption that Idgal is sufficient, I judged that there would be no problem for about fifteen days to a month without the mages.”

There was nothing to say as he refuted each point. It was so annoying. This sense of déjà vu that reminded him of someone somewhere. It wasn’t long before Noah realized it was Ian.

“…Your Highness, is the rumor true?”

“What?”

“That you are preparing for war with Burgos. If that’s why you summoned all the mages to the Imperial Palace, please reconsider. Clifforde will provide you with the appropriate military force.”

“It’s ridiculous to equate the value of mages with a mere military force. Also, what if Burgos invades the country that has been emptied like that?”

“That’s how much Clifforde is willing to give everything. For the sake of the mages.”

Jin leaned back on the sofa and stared at Noah. If Bariel did not clarify its position here, how would Clifforde move? They could detain the mages, take them hostage, or seek a three-nation alliance as before. It wasn’t threatening, but it was clear that it would add to the headaches for Jin, who had just ascended to the throne and had to manage the country.

Jin gestured to Noah to sit down first, as if offering the sofa opposite him.

“Sir Ian has returned.”

Noah stopped awkwardly and turned to look at Jin.

Did he hear wrong?

“Sir Ian? That, Sir Ian?”

“He will come down from the north to the center with the Imperial Guard. The summoning of the mages is an order given by Sir Ian, so I, as the Crown Prince, have no justification to interfere. Nor do I have the authority.”

“W-wait a minute.”

“When Sir Ian returns, he will send support to Clifforde again under his judgment, so please inform the King. Oh, and the proposal for military support you suggested is very interesting. I will have my ministers discuss it positively.”

As if there was nothing more to add, Jin smiled contentedly. Just by shaking the contract that had been in place for a long time, Bariel had gained a new advantage. In the event of a war with Burgos, they would have the justification to demand military support from Clifforde.

Clifforde would naturally try to minimize the scale of the dispatch, so they would be able to get more support by mentioning the value of the mages.

However, Noah put aside all these situations and focused only on the news of Ian’s return.

“Wh-when will he come to the Imperial Palace? The coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow.”

After the coming-of-age ceremony, Noah was scheduled to return to Clifforde. But wouldn’t it be a shame to leave without seeing Ian? His appearance would create a storm throughout Gaia, beyond Bariel. It would be great if he could discuss the current situation with him.

However, Jin only shrugged his shoulders, saying that he also did not know.

“There’s no detailed contact.”

“Ha, haha. Oh my god…”

“Anyway, don’t worry too much about Clifforde and trust Bariel. I will let you know again when Sir Ian returns.”

Jin got up from his seat, recognizing Sio’s signal that it was time for the next schedule.

When was Ian coming? Jin was the one who was more curious than anyone else. He had even developed a habit of looking out the window, wondering if another messenger bird would fly in.

“Has there been no contact from the Magic Department yet?”

“Yes, I will ask again.”

“…It’s okay. They must be busy. After the coming-of-age ceremony, I will send someone directly to the north.”

If the return journey was slow, he would have to lead them.

Jin looked out the window, but he did not notice the cherry blossom petals fluttering beautifully. It was because of the thoughts of longing for someone.

* * *

“Lord Romandro!”

“Why again! Every time you call me, my heart drops!”

As Jin had worried, the Magic Department was so busy that they were running around like crazy. While other departments were preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony step by step, they had to find their scattered colleagues to carry out the Minister’s orders.

To fill the gap, the mages were processing work like crazy, so much so that they wouldn’t even notice if they were wearing their clothes inside out.

“Here’s the report you requested last time.”

“You’re giving this to me now? I’m going crazy!”

“I’m sorry. I have a mountain of things to do too.”

“Hey, Administration Department! Anyone going to the Administration Department! There’s no time to ride a horse. Go and come back quickly.”

“Ugh. There’s no time to ride a horse, but I don’t have the energy either.”

“What? Are you okay?”

“A little, yes, it’s a bit hard, but I’m okay.”

As the mage wiped away his sweat and smiled, Romandro looked at him in a flustered manner. He didn’t look well, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell him to rest. What should he do? At that moment.

Thud!

“Nyah!”

Akorella, who had been stuck in the lab, burst through the door.

Everyone froze. Romandro and the mages stared blankly at Akorella, and then simultaneously rushed at her and grabbed her by the collar.

“Y-you crazy captain! Everyone is busy to death, but you’re stuck in the lab and not coming out? And you call yourself a captain?”

“Oh my, you’re going to tear my collar, you idiot.”

“Captain Akorella, you’re going too far. What have you been doing all this time?”

“Aww. Look closely. See what I’ve been doing.”

Akorella shook a liquid in a glass bottle and winked. She knew she had done wrong.

“It’s a gift for Ian’s return. A mana recovery potion! If you’re so tired that you had to stop by the north, your condition must be terrible, but one glass of this will instantly fill your mana!”

“The last one didn’t have much effect.”

“Oh no, this is incomparable to that. This is a much-improved version. No matter how terrible your condition is, you can instantly recover to your original condition.”

“…What about the side effects?”

“Side effects?”

Whoosh!

Akorella grinned and grabbed a mage. There are some. But, it’s okay! It’s at a very cute level, so you can just ignore it.

So…

“If you’re curious, you should try it yourself. Right?”