Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 560

“That child’s form is here.”

Hale was captivated by the words.

He silently watched Ian’s back, awaiting orders, while the other soldiers glared upwards, weapons gripped tightly. It was as if they would charge with all their might at the slightest signal.

However, Ian remained silent, then lightly raised his hand, signaling a retreat.

“Until tomorrow’s sun rises. Those who follow Rutherford, consider your decision deeply. This is Bariel’s last mercy.”

‘I knew it,’ Rutherford thought, narrowing his eyes with a smile. He knew that these great nobles of the Empire couldn’t go back on their word.

The mages growled, baring their teeth, while Acorella and Berick flipped them off, causing a commotion.

“Ian, sir?”

“It’s fine.”

A thin scratch marked Ian’s cheek as he turned away. Everyone was about to make a fuss, but Ian firmly stopped them. His eyes were unusually serious and dignified.

“Refrain from empty words.”

Whether he was an emperor or not, Ian was the same. He knew his position well and was deeply aware of his responsibilities. If it became known that he had been the first to bleed, the atmosphere among the soldiers would be unpredictable. To maintain their momentum, Ian lightly wiped his cheek and whispered.

“Rutherford has something hidden.”

“Are you referring to the attack just now?”

“We need to discuss this with everyone, let’s go back. Hale.”

“Yes, Ian, sir.”

“Select a mage to accompany the sentries.”

Hale nodded in understanding and gestured to Nakina and Tommy. Without a word, they understood and straightened their armor.

Looking up, Rutherford, with a subtle expression, was still watching Ian. But that was only for a moment, as he disappeared behind the barrier, his hair fluttering.

Tap tap!

“Minister Ian.”

“Minister Tweller. Did you see it?”

“I confirmed it with the mages’ magic tools.”

“They said they would give us until dawn, but considering the opponent’s nature, we cannot overlook a night raid.”

As Ian returned to the camp, Jin, Tweller, and the Imperial Defense Force officers approached. Their eyes were all drawn to his small wound, but no one mentioned it, remaining silent. Jin was the same.

“…What about the forces inside?”

“We couldn’t confirm. It seems like we should be able to see inside the barrier from the sky, but it’s not easy to fly. It seems…”

Something Rutherford possessed. Not until they figured out what it was.

Just as Ian paused, something fluttered and approached him.

“It’s a messenger bird!”

Whistle!

At Ian’s whistle, the messenger bird slowly landed on his fingertip. It was a letter from Romandro, sealed with the magic department’s insignia.

Ian excused himself to Jin and unfolded the paper. His eyes moved quickly as he read Romandro’s report.

“What is it, Ian?”

“…There was an intruder in the Imperial Palace.”

“What?”

Unlike the surprised Jin, Tweller closed his eyes as if he had expected it. Ian handed the letter to Jin and added.

“There’s no need to worry, Your Majesty. It was expected, and the magic department will handle it quietly. Rather, this is a green light. Rutherford’s side tried to break the bond between Bariel and the royalists, which proves that their situation is not so relaxed.”

But the problem here and there was the unknown power. Tweller, after sharing the content, muttered questioningly.

“The Magic Tower, especially the top floor where King Damon is, is quite high, and an attack that reaches the iron bars there. It’s hard to gauge.”

“That’s right, Minister Tweller. So, I have a proposal. I would like to be at the forefront of the battle.”

“You, Ian?”

“I believe it is the easiest way to respond, understand, and prevent unnecessary sacrifices. If Your Majesty permits, could you grant me the honor of being the vanguard of the first battle?”

Tweller stroked his beard for a moment. It wasn’t just any war, but the first battle of the first war since the Emperor’s ascension.

There had already been trouble in the north, but well. Symbolically, this was the first battle, wasn’t it? And now he was asking to hand over that position to the magic department.

“Of course, if Your Majesty permits.”

He was silent for a moment, but readily accepted. He knew it was a rational judgment and decision. It was a bit of a shame, but he wasn’t the main character of this war.

“That child’s form is here.”

In the past, they might have suspected it was a monster, but now they knew better. Ian was a trustworthy person, an indispensable existence for Bariel, and even if he wasn’t human, he was a blessing from the gods.

Jin nodded immediately and ordered Ian to take the vanguard.

“Very well. Do as Ian wishes.”

“I accept your command, Your Majesty. And Minister Tweller, that was a very thoughtful decision. I will only confirm what Rutherford’s weapon is and then pass the glory to the Imperial Defense Force.”

Tweller shook his head as if to say it was fine.

“From Bariel Empire to here, do you think Rutherford moved directly by portal?”

“I don’t think so. The report doesn’t mention the Black Moon, only that they are looking for an intruder.”

“Then, it might not be Rutherford’s unique ability.”

Rutherford in Burgos and the intruder in the Bariel Imperial Palace couldn’t be the same person. It was probably a weapon or, like the other races in the north, there were several people with the same ability.

Ian reflexively touched his cheek.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, surprisingly so.”

It was just a scratch. Ian felt the stinging pain and carefully checked if there were any problems.

Just as Ian was about to shake his head, thinking there was nothing unusual-

“Your Majesty.”

Siaosi appeared, opening the tent flap.

He reported, placing a wanted poster distributed by the Imperial Palace. It was a paper with simple portraits of the secret-eating gypsy, Melania, and Clark.

“After inquiries, some residents said they saw these three.”

“I was right. This is the place. Where did they go?”

“The last sighting was them entering the barrier.”

“Inside the barrier, towards Rutherford’s side?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

At Siaosi’s answer, everyone turned their heads towards the barrier. Inside there, Ian’s secret lived.

“There’s the center of Agiar inside the barrier. It’s said there are five or six times more civilians than on the outskirts.”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. But the gypsy is a being who can freely travel the abyss, so human physical threats are not a problem for her. She probably went in to do her work.”

“To do her work?”

At Jin’s question, Ian muttered softly.

“To eat secrets, she must have gone to find someone like me.”

The only person who had rolled and tumbled in the abyss with Ian. And the bait about the secret that Melania had probably thrown to survive.

‘Rutherford.’

She must have entered the barrier to meet Rutherford.

* * *

“Move, move!”

Tap tap!

Hee-hee!

Inside the Agiar barrier.

Carriages moved endlessly through the dirty, narrow paths.

For the war that was right around the corner, all supplies were being moved towards the barrier. The residents of the center each armed themselves and locked their latches tightly, gathering to protect their families.

“What was that black moon from earlier?”

“It seems to be a path used by mages. They say that’s how the Luswena reinforcements came.”

“The power of magic, indeed.”

“Luswena is Luswena, but they say there are especially many on the Bariel side? Because many Luswena mages defected during the Clifford-Burgos war.”

“I heard their minister is especially a genius. He’s only ten, twelve years old? Anyway, he’s very young, but they call him a genius of the century. They say everyone in Bariel knows him.”

“Haa, that guy is holding King Damon, so the country is in this state. I wish he would bite his tongue and die right now. Then we could unite with the southern region and fight back, right?”

“Does this person not know? King Damon’s tongue was cut off a long time ago. Tsk tsk. He doesn’t even know what’s going on in the world.”

“Geez, whether his tongue or arm was cut off, is that important? What’s important is that he’s alive! Even if the country is a mess, the king is alive! Huh? That!”

“Aigo, are you drunk? Why are you yelling like that?”

An old man in a robe brushed past the drunken men. They had never seen him in the neighborhood, so they blocked his path with a stick.

“Uh-uh. Just a moment.”

“What is it?”

“Are you a resident of Agiar? I haven’t seen your face around here. You know everyone is sensitive these days because of the war, right? How long has it been since we decided to protect our own areas? Huh? Show me your pass. Let me see where you live.”

“What pass, when you’re not even soldiers…”

“Uh-uh? This old woman is suspicious.”

As the men spat phlegm and got up, the old man paused for a moment. Soldiers, noticing the commotion, also began to watch.

Hmm. What to do. While the old man was pondering, someone lightly wrapped their arm around her shoulder.

“Mother. You shouldn’t be doing this here.”

“Excuse us. Here are our IDs. It’s our fault for not managing our mother, who is not in her right mind.”

A young woman and man. The two, who seemed to be a couple, presented their Burgos IDs and shielded the old man.

The men checked the passes, rinsed their mouths with alcohol, and nodded. It was a signal to go home.

“Take good care of the old woman.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Mother, let’s go.”

With the help of the two, the old man slowly moved. But as soon as they reached a secluded place around the corner, they separated.

The old man opened his gills wide and retorted in disbelief.

“What? Not in my right mind?”

“Then what else could we do? Why do you keep running away?”

Melania took off her robe and replied irritably.

“Why would I stick around with those swindlers?”

“Swindlers? That’s harsh.”

“They said they’d give me a secret if I came from the abyss! The contract between Ian and Rutherford! But it’s been days, and instead of a secret, they’re just babbling nonsense!”

Melania tied her hair up tightly and looked around. Clark also scanned sharply to see if anyone was eavesdropping.

“When did I say I wouldn’t give it to you? I just added more conditions. First-”

“To exchange it for another secret? No way! I was supposed to get it as a transportation fee, why would I?”

“And second-”

“I don’t want that either! Whether you guys return to the Imperial Palace properly or not, it’s none of my business!”

Melania was a survivor of a traitorous family, and Clark was a member of Rutherford’s group, accused of murdering a noble. They didn’t know what would happen to them if they went to find Ian, so they were observing the situation as carefully as possible.

Of course, Clark wanted to return to Merelop as soon as possible…

‘It’s not yet time to help Ian.’

“But! How do you guys know about me and keep following me?”

At the old man’s shout, Melania briefly averted her gaze.

The royal treasure that had fallen into the abyss with them. She hadn’t known, but one of them was a magic stone that allowed location tracking. She had secretly hidden it by adding a lining to the inside of her robe.

“This is already the second time, right?”

“I don’t know. I just followed my gut.”

“Bullshit. Get lost! Let’s go our separate ways, huh? I’m giving up on that contract!”

“Don’t do that, let’s go meet Ian together. The only way to resolve this tangled situation is that.”

Whistle! Judging by the way the old man was touching his body, it seemed like they would be discovered soon.

The old man mumbled, touching his stiff, dirt-caked clothes.

“I’m done there. Now, is there only one more secret left?”

“If you mean that side…?”

“I’m going to Rutherford’s side to devour it.”