Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 552

At the medical tent, where Jayrut and Beric were, Jin noticed the commotion inside was particularly loud. He waved aside the attendant who was about to announce his arrival and personally pulled back the tent flap to enter.

Could their injuries be so severe that they were having seizures? Or were those the sounds of onlookers’ pitiful sighs? Jin cautiously held his breath, then his eyebrows twitched.

‘Wow, he’s seriously ugly, isn’t he?’

‘Beric, are you listening? He says you’re ugly.’

‘Yeah. It’s okay. He tells me that all the time.’

‘No, but what does this guy think his body is? It’s a miracle his insides are still intact.’

‘Maybe it’s because he eats so much? Since he’s always getting holes poked in him, his stomach must be like, “I can’t live like this,” and keeps demanding more food.’

‘It’s noisy, go somewhere else to chatter!’

‘Who’s next to take over?’

‘You’ve barely done anything, already? Do a little more.’

‘Ah, I’m really out of energy!’

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Magicians were sitting in a circle around Beric, injecting him with mana, while Ian was tending to Jayrut beside him.

Then, where were the other magic swordsmen?

‘Please give me more rice.’

‘Yes, burp. I’m still very hungry.’

They were also replenishing their energy with food after taking Acorella’s mana recovery potion. Fortunately, there seemed to be no other serious injuries besides the two of them, so Jin unknowingly let out a sigh of relief.

The first to notice the unfamiliar presence was Barsabe. She was about to eat a handful of meat when she stopped, startled.

‘Y-Your Majesty!’

‘What? Where?’

‘Uwaaaak!’

‘Cough, cough. I-I’m choking.’

‘Idiot. Just swallow it!’

When did he arrive?

Everyone was flustered and didn’t know what to do at Jin’s sudden appearance. Ian greeted him with his hand still on Jayrut’s abdomen.

‘Have you arrived, Your Majesty?’

‘I came to check on Captain Jayrut and Beric’s condition, so everyone focus on recovering.’

‘S-Sorry, Your Majesty.’

The magic swordsmen mumbled with their mouths full of food. They hastily tried to clean up, but it wasn’t a proper demeanor to show in front of the Emperor, was it?

Jin pulled up a chair next to Ian and asked,

‘So, are both of them alright?’

‘Yes, their lives are not in danger.’

‘And you?’

‘I am also unharmed.’

‘That’s a relief. I’m glad everyone returned safely.’

Jin looked at Jayrut, who was lying down listlessly.

It was a bit surprising. He had subconsciously thought that the Captain was always strong and steadfast, and would never fall like this. Or perhaps, knowing the consequences of the Three Great Generals’ defeat during the late Emperor’s incident, he was afraid.

As Jin quietly looked down at Jayrut, Ian calmly added,

‘Please do not worry too much. The Captain being like this is Bariel’s good fortune. It is something the gods have helped with.’

If the brainwashing hadn’t been undone, he wouldn’t have just been injured, but would have died. Ian’s golden eyes looked straight at him.

‘And above all, there are many talented people to fill Jayrut’s void.’

There were the Three Great Generals, Bonita and Simon, and even though Beric was in that state, he would show his monstrous recovery ability.

Just like the late Emperor, Ian himself had faced the swords of the Three Great Generals, but Jin would not have to. The gods willed it, and he would prevent it.

‘I’ve also received a report about the Idgal matter.’

‘Yes, I unintentionally remembered it.’

It was a faint memory, but it was an experience where his mind cleared as if he had received a revelation. Ian smiled faintly, recalling that warm feeling.

‘You can rest assured about the supply of Idgal. There are no mana restrictions, and there are no problems with the body.’

At his words, the magicians flinched simultaneously. They wanted to tell them to refrain just in case, but they couldn’t interrupt while the Emperor was talking, could they? They all groaned and just tugged at Beric’s hair.

‘…Your Majesty.’

At that moment, Jayrut’s voice leaked out. The Imperial Guard all forgot their manners and rushed to him.

‘Captain! Are you coming to your senses?’

‘How are you? Can you recognize us properly?’

‘If there’s any problem, tell us right away, okay?’

‘…All of you, how disrespectful.’

As Jayrut frowned and mumbled, the magic swordsmen stepped back. He turned his head towards Jin and sighed softly.

‘I apologize for showing you such a sight, Your Majesty.’

‘No, it’s alright. It’s enough that you came back alive.’

‘I guess I’m getting old too. To be defeated by someone like Beric, haha.’

Jayrut’s eyes lingered in the air for a moment. He didn’t say anything, but his lips moved and then stopped.

Although he didn’t say a word, Ian and Jin knew what kind of emotions were stirring within him.

‘Later. Jayrut.’

Jin held his hand and spoke softly.

Later, after the war is over, he would listen. He could sincerely celebrate his retirement from the captaincy and the start of a new life, but not now. Right now, his presence was needed by everyone.

‘Yes, I understand, Your Majesty.’

Jin conveyed it with his eyes, and Jayrut nodded.

Ian glanced at Beric, who was lying next to him, mouth agape and fast asleep. When the war ended, a new era would begin for the Imperial Guard. He knew it would happen someday, but seeing the beginning of it with his own eyes felt strange.

‘Don’t say anything to Beric.’

Ian warned, looking around at the magicians and magic swordsmen. They might get carried away and act recklessly.

‘O-Of course. Yes, yes, if that guy gets cocky, there’s no hope. We’ll be careful.’

‘Haa, the only chance is now. Everyone, let’s train while Beric is lying down. We need to break him down. I’d rather be the one than him.’

‘If it’s you, then I’d rather be the one.’

‘No, I…’

The magic swordsmen glared at each other with their mouths full of meat. The hierarchy between seniors and juniors was important, but what they valued more was skill. As if they had all made a promise, they began to devour the meat like crazy.

‘Your Majesty.’

Maxim Tweller’s voice was heard from outside. It was a signal that the unit organized around the spearmen was ready. Jin nodded in acknowledgment and got up from his seat, gesturing for the magicians and magic swordsmen who were about to follow him to stay put.

‘Everyone, rest well and recover. There isn’t much time left before we cross the border.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

Jin gave a small smile and went outside. Then, the magicians and magic swordsmen simultaneously let out a tense sigh and collapsed. They had been so surprised by his sudden appearance!

Ian thought they had all acted quite comfortably considering, but he didn’t scold them much. Ian gestured to Acorella to bring out more mana recovery potions.

‘Acorella. Recovery potion for Captain Jayrut.’

‘Yes. Understood.’

And then, a bright smile. Even while taking out the recovery potion, Acorella’s loving gaze was fixed on Ian. She had been like that ever since he showed her how to generate Idgal.

Seeing this, the magicians became wary of Acorella and subtly stood in front of Ian.

‘Captain. Your eyes are gone.’

‘What? Why? I’m very normal right now? I’m in a good mood too. So, can you get lost? I can’t see Ian-nim’s face.’

‘Just because you speak politely doesn’t mean your words are polite.’

‘Uh-huh. Okay, okay. Ian-nim. If Captain Jayrut drinks that, we don’t need to inject more mana, right? Would you like to go to the temporary lab with me? I have some questions. Hoho.’

‘No! Ian-nim! Captain Acorella, you’re acting the strangest I’ve ever seen you.’

‘Uh-huh. Shut up, shut up. Everyone shut your mouths. Kya-ha!’

Hong, hong, hong. Acorella was in a very good mood, humming a tune as she collected the mana recovery potion bottles.

Ian checked his pocket watch for a moment, then got up from his seat as well.

‘Captain Jayrut and Beric’s conditions have stabilized, so you all go back and rest. You need to fully recover your mana within a few days. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, understood!’

‘No problem!’

‘Ian-nim! Where are you going!’

‘Hey, grab her. Grab the Captain!’

Swoosh.

Ian pushed aside the tent flap and went outside.

Down on the distant hill, at the entrance of the encampment, two severed heads were hanging side by side. The thick curly-haired Efdram and his subordinate Beno.

It was a way to show the soldiers what happened to those who had harmed the advance party and tried to stop Bariel. That they would not escape death. That they would meet a humiliating end.

Thwack! Thwack!

‘Line up!’

And in front of them, a reconnaissance unit of five hundred spearmen was preparing to depart. It was a unit to check if any monsters had slipped through the Imperial Guard from the northern region.

‘Forward, march!’

Thwack, thwack! Their steps were solemn but confident. Ian quietly watched them, and then felt someone’s presence. It was Chloe.

‘Ah, Young Lady.’

‘I heard you did great things in the north.’

She was dressed plainly, without any jewelry. However, her clothes and hair seemed to have been carefully attended to.

Ian only nodded and looked straight ahead again. There was nothing as magnificent and beautiful as the procession of Bariel soldiers walking into the sunset.

‘It was nothing special.’

‘Everyone was saying it was a great monster attack.’

When the name used in history came out of her mouth, Ian smiled for a moment. He had suddenly realized that all of this existed in history.

‘What brings you here?’

‘I’m going to send a letter to my family, and if there’s anything you need, I’ll ask for more support. Please feel free to tell me. It would be even better if you could arrange a meeting with His Majesty.’

What she managed was limited to personal items supported by the Davion family. Ian thought for a moment and then spoke softly.

‘Young Lady Chloe.’

‘Yes, Sir Ian.’

‘Do you have feelings for His Majesty?’

It was a sudden question, but Chloe immediately composed herself and answered.

‘Of course. I adore him.’

‘I see. Understood. I will discuss supplies when the meeting is held. But, Young Lady. Don’t try too hard.’

‘…What do you mean?’

Ian recalled the words Roel had whispered before he left.

‘His Majesty’s destined partner will appear. On the battlefield.’

Chloe had also participated in the war, so she was qualified, but still. Ian gave a polite smile and added,

‘Fate connects naturally, so it’s a small piece of advice not to overdo it. Then.’

Ian turned away, leaving Chloe standing there, and the woman kept brushing her red hair back with a frustrated expression.

Fate connects naturally? No. The heart is connected by the gods, but the hand must be extended by oneself.

Chloe lightly patted her cheeks and renewed her determination, and Siao Shi, who happened to be passing by, saw it all.

* * *

A scorched world.

The lush grass had been burned to death, and the surroundings were filled with an indescribable stench of corpses. It was the mark left by Bariel’s first victory.

The soldiers slowly walked up the northern hill, and soon, they raised a tall imperial flag that pierced the sky.

‘L-Look at that.’

‘Wow, is that all jewels?’

‘The magician made that?’

And the huge amber-colored jewels that had hardened in the gaps between the large cracks. The soldiers couldn’t take their eyes off them as they walked, marveling at the monsters that were preserved alive inside.

Behind them, a commotion arose.

‘Kyaaaa!’

‘Captain Acorella! Captain! Just a moment!’

‘Please, let’s keep our dignity!’

At the loud noise, Beric’s eyes snapped open. Then, he jumped up! Forgetting that there was a hole in his torso.

Inside the carriage, Ian, who was looking at documents across from Beric, glanced up.

‘You’re awake.’

‘Ian! What’s going on!’

‘What do you think? You were transported near Laza Mountain and then brought back up.’

‘Is the old man okay?’

‘In the carriage behind us.’

That’s a relief. He didn’t die.