Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 562

Have you ever felt the passage of time with all your senses?

Ian suddenly thought as he looked up at the sky.

The damp wind brushing his hair, the clouds that never stayed still, the shouts of the reporting soldiers, the increasingly thick scent of grass. All his senses told him that the night was passing its midpoint. And at the end of all this, there would be a fierce battle with the dawn.

“Lord Ian.”

Tap!

The mages who had surveyed the inside of the barrier from high in the sky shook their heads.

“There’s nothing special besides the regular soldiers.”

“We couldn’t identify any new weapons or mages either. It’s too dark, and they’ve intentionally set up long tents. We might see something if we approach closer at a lower angle, but it’s a bit dangerous.”

“The problem is, we don’t know if the black armor of the regular soldiers is from Ruthwena. Since Vergos armor is generally dark, it’s hard to distinguish at night.”

“Alright, you’ve done well.”

At Ian’s gesture, the mages bowed their heads and retreated.

Jin, Tweller, and the officers were gathered around a map, sitting under the almost completely burned-down candles. After listening to the mages’ report, they shifted their gaze to the map, hiding their disappointment.

“We’ve somewhat grasped the surrounding terrain, but we have no idea about the structure inside. It would have been easier if it were the capital, Kalamat, but Agiar has never directly interacted with Bariel, so we know nothing.”

“Is there a central area inside the barrier?”

“We’ve pieced together testimonies from civilians, but it’s hard to fully trust them. They are, after all, Vergos people.”

Agiar was made up of three layers of barriers.

The outermost third gate that the Bariel army was currently facing.

The second gate, which was about half as high as the third gate.

And finally, the first gate, which was twice as high.

“The structure is such that the entrance gets narrower, making it easier to defend as you go deeper.”

“It’s safe to say that we have almost no chance of winning a ground battle. Regular soldiers wouldn’t even dare to attempt it.”

“I see why Rutherford chose this city as his base. Lord Ian, are you alright with this?”

Ian carefully examined the map and replied.

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s actually a good thing. As you said, if we were to break through with a ground battle, there would be too many unnecessary sacrifices. I heard there’s a river nearby called the ‘Vergos’ Milk’.”

“It’s around here.”

“Cut off the water supply in a way that doesn’t pollute the river. They won’t be able to hold out for long, even if it’s just a temporary cut. Minister Tweller.”

“Hmm. Understood. I’ll bring a golem to take care of it. Will we be able to grasp the structure inside the barrier when dawn breaks?”

“I can’t be certain, but yes.”

“Since Minister Ian and the mages will be at the forefront, this means an aerial battle. If we push forward with the golems from the outside while also applying pressure from the inside, it seems we can enter more easily. Your Majesty, what do you think?”

There were a total of five golems. One of them would be moving towards the river, leaving four.

“I think it’s very appropriate. Since Agiar is on high ground and the barrier is quite tall, it’s right to use the golems first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I will order them to prioritize securing the defensive forces, understanding the structure of the city center, and neutralizing the barrier.”

Just as Ian was about to respond to Jin’s decision, the outside of the tent became a bit noisy.

Was it a night raid? Tweller reflexively rose from his seat, but the report from the soldier who had entered with Jin’s permission was fortunately something else.

“Excuse me, Lord Ian.”

“What is it?”

“A woman wishes to see you. Her identity is unknown. She also said she would reveal her name only when she meets you…”

What was this about?

Ian, Jin, and Tweller exchanged glances, looking puzzled. Someone wanted to see the Minister of Magic, and they hadn’t even revealed their identity? In this kind of war situation?

Tweller scolded with a stern tone.

“How dare you bring up such trivial matters!”

“Ah, yes. We, we thought she might be crazy, so we were about to send her away, but what she showed us seemed unusual.”

The soldier carefully placed half a jewel on the table. Even to his untrained eye, it looked extraordinary, which was why he had reported it.

Ian and Jin recognized the jewel immediately.

‘It’s an imperial jewel.’

A woman with an imperial jewel, but unable to reveal her identity. The two simultaneously thought of the same person.

“Bring her here discreetly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the soldier left, Jin gestured to the officers to leave as well.

After confirming that the surroundings were quiet, Ian told the puzzled Tweller.

“It’s Melania.”

“Melania? Of Haiman?”

“Yes. As a survivor of a destroyed family, she cannot easily reveal her name anywhere. The jewel is also one of those that disappeared into the abyss during the incident ten years ago.”

Soon, a woman deeply covered in a robe entered the tent. The soldiers showed a guarded attitude, but at Ian’s gesture, they had no choice but to step back.

Melania bowed deeply to Jin.

“I humbly greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Is it Melania?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am sorry that I cannot reveal my name so easily.”

When Melania took off her robe, Jin and Tweller widened their eyes in surprise. She looked exactly the same as she did ten years ago.

The two covered the candle holder to dim the light. It was not something that should be known that a survivor of a destroyed family was here.

“What happened?”

It was a question that contained a lot. How did Melania reach Agiar, what happened to the gypsy and Clark, and why did she come to the Bariel camp?

Melania prostrated herself, her forehead almost touching the ground, and slowly recounted what had happened.

“I was able to safely escape the abyss by making a deal with the gypsy who eats secrets. I was with a man named Clark from Mereloff, and since our goals were somewhat aligned, we have been together since then.”

“Goals aligned?”

“Your Majesty. You will remember the past wrongdoings of my family. All the disloyal incidents that occurred under the name of Haiman.”

“Of course. I remember how much danger the imperial family was in due to the manipulation of the Haiman family. If you think about it, this scar is also engraved in the flow of that history, isn’t it?”

At that reply, Melania slowly raised her head.

Ten years was such a long time. How could that small prince have grown so much and possess the dignity of an emperor? Melania prostrated herself again and continued.

“I survived under Lord Ian’s guidance. He wanted to track Rutherford’s location through me, and I moved to find a way to survive.”

“Minister Ian.”

When Tweller turned to him with a surprised look, Jin raised his hand and defended him.

“It’s something I already know. It was done with my permission, so there’s no problem.”

“Only a very few in the imperial family know about it.”

Melania carefully added, gauging the atmosphere.

“In the process, I did meet Rutherford, but I unintentionally fell into the abyss along with the imperial family’s raid. Your Majesty. Please understand. I have never once denied that I am a Bariel person.”

“It cannot be denied that you are a survivor of a destroyed family. Time is limited. State what you want and what you can offer. Then I will judge.”

Melania paused for a moment, then proposed in a low voice.

“Please grant me a new identity. And give me a chance to start anew in Bariel.”

“What will you pay as a price?”

“As Lord Ian initially wanted from me, I can tell you Rutherford’s whereabouts.”

“What do you mean?”

“Clark will approach Rutherford with half of the jewel. He was someone who worked closely with Rutherford, so he can join him without any problems. All of Rutherford’s future movements will be in Bariel’s hands.”

Tweller’s fingertips twitched. It wasn’t just a jewel. If a tracker was attached to Rutherford, the possibilities for its use were endless.

Ian also seemed to agree, looking at Jin with a positive gaze.

“And-”

Melania’s delivery was not yet over.

“The gypsy who eats secrets will go to find Rutherford. To hear his secrets. If you wish to stop the deal, move urgently.”

“Does Rutherford have a secret?”

“I don’t know, and neither does the gypsy, Your Majesty. However, since Rutherford occupies a significant part of Lord Ian’s life, the gypsy seems to have judged it that way.”

A meeting between the gypsy and Rutherford.

Ian pondered for a moment.

It was a problem if Rutherford’s secret was eaten, and it was an even bigger problem if Rutherford were to cut open the gypsy’s stomach.

“Lord Ian. What’s wrong?”

“If the gypsy who eats secrets has her stomach cut open, the world will fall into chaos.”

“In what way?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I felt it clearly when I faced the gypsy on the street before. She had no fear of my death and even had some kind of conviction.”

“Then, Rutherford will be very pleased.”

Tweller quietly interjected.

“Isn’t he the one who wants to create chaos?”

If the world becomes chaotic, who would be hit the hardest? Vergos, which had already fallen to the bottom?

No, it was Bariel. Bariel, which stood firmly at the center of Gaia. This was just another way for Rutherford’s group to achieve their goals.

“Clark will be next to Rutherford. He will do his best to carefully observe the situation and prevent the worst-case scenario, but even he doesn’t know what will happen if the gypsy’s stomach is cut open.”

At Melania’s words, Ian lightly tapped his forehead.

“It seems I have one more task.”

“To prevent the gypsy’s stomach from being cut open?”

“Yes, I wish she could move as nimbly as before. I don’t know.”

Whether that would work on Rutherford.

While Ian was silent for a moment, the sound of a water buffalo horn echoed grandly from outside.

Boo-ooo-

Boo-

It was a signal that dawn was breaking.

Jin completely extinguished the candlelight and ordered Melania.

“You will wait here for now. I will discuss your status with Lord Ian and decide. Until then, if there is anything that can help Bariel, don’t hesitate to speak.”

Melania remained prostrate until everyone left the tent. Ian passed by her and looked at the dawn sky, which was turning blue.

“What about the barrier?”

“There’s no reaction yet.”

The edge of the sun was slowly rising. At most, thirty minutes. Ian clicked his pocket watch and told the mages.

“Prepare for departure.”

“Yes, Lord Ian.”

“I will bring back Rutherford’s head.”

“We will follow you to the end.”

Ian put on his gloves tightly, and the mages took off his robe from his shoulders.

The day of the final battle had dawned.

Oh