Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 563

“Move it! Hurry! If the sun rises, the Bariel bastards will attack! We must protect Agiar!”

“This way! The black-armored troops from Ruthwena are starting to deploy! Hurry and receive them!”

“Gather the armor you were wearing and move it inside the barrier! If the third gate is breached, we will mobilize the residents! Prepare to supply them, so line up!”

“Here, take it! This is the last meal before the decisive battle!”

“Just a little more, huh?”

“No, you can’t! Next!”

The inside of the Agiar barrier was also quite chaotic, just like the Bariel camp.

The soldiers who would lead the defense were changing into the black armor provided by Ruthwena, and they waited at each barrier, holding their weapons tightly.

They were all people who were born and raised in Agiar. Even though Vergos was half-destroyed, their determination to protect their homeland until the very end was firm.

“Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic, will be at the forefront.”

Tap.

Rutherford placed a small stone on the map and spoke.

Vergos’s war room. Centered around Rutherford, there were Ruthwena mages, northern tribal chiefs, and-

“Can you handle it from Tolun?”

Reinforcements from Tolun were present.

The Ruthwena mages and northern chiefs glanced at them. All they knew was the name ‘Bagban.’ They didn’t know what his purpose or abilities were.

‘Judging by his physique and attire, he doesn’t seem to be a martial artist.’

While everyone was making assumptions, Bagban chuckled and shook his head slightly. His eyes were long and narrow, and his front teeth were particularly prominent. Every time he laughed, the corners of his mouth twitched strangely.

“Wouldn’t it be right for mages to face mages? I’ll take charge of the barrier. The entire Bariel army, including Emperor Jin, will be clinging to the barrier, which will make it easier for me to move around. What do you think, Ruthwena mages?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s easier for mages to fight each other, as you said. It’s annoying to get caught up in it unnecessarily.”

“But, I heard that Bariel has separate resources to support magic amplification. Does Ruthwena have that too? You have the experience of being beaten, no, defeated once in the Clifford-Vergos War, haven’t you? I think the king must be very worried. Heh heh.”

It was a statement that appropriately mixed worry and contempt.

The representative of the Ruthwena mages hardened his face and retorted.

“It’s different now than it was then. The entire mage corps has been replaced, and we also have personnel in charge of amplification.”

“Rather than replaced, isn’t it more like they were completely removed?”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do with that attitude.”

“Bagban.”

They were already on edge because of the upcoming battle, and Bagban’s attitude was quite disrespectful. Rutherford intervened as if to tell him to restrain himself, and Bagban bowed his head with a smile.

“Then, the Bariel magic corps will be handled by the Ruthwena side and the northern tribes together. Bagban will take charge of the barrier, but if Emperor Jin Verosian’s ‘location’ is identified, Bagban will handle it.”

“Very well. We will do that.”

“Understood. We will target the Emperor, but respond appropriately depending on the situation. But, by the way.”

Bagban seemed to agree, but then lightly asked back.

“Who owns the Emperor’s corpse?”

“We will decide based on the situation. Don’t think rashly.”

“Yes, yes. I was just wondering if anyone else was having strange thoughts.”

“Hey, you’re the one who’s likely to have such strange thoughts.”

“There are necromancers among the northern tribes, so you never know, do you?”

Tap.

Rutherford placed another small stone on the table, warning them to stop the idle chatter.

“Our goal is not just to protect Agiar, but to cut off the heads of the enemies and advance into Bariel. That should be the purpose of our gathering. Don’t forget. The enemy is not here. They are outside.”

If they couldn’t defeat Bariel, they would die.

No, perhaps those who died would be better off. The huge price would be the burden of those who survived.

Ruthwena would surely be on the path to destruction after two consecutive defeats following the Clifford-Vergos War, and the anti-royalist faction of Vergos would be annihilated, and the entire country would be absorbed into Bariel.

Was that all?

The other northern tribes, except for Astana, would also pay a heavy price for opposing Bariel.

“What about the countermeasures against the golems?”

“Since they don’t have cores, attacking them indiscriminately is inefficient. Killing the Astanans is the easiest and cleanest way.”

“Bagban.”

“Yes, yes. Understood. Likewise, only if the location is identified.”

That location. Why was he talking about it so much? The mages were puzzled, but they didn’t ask because his attitude was so annoying.

Bagban smirked and added.

“Don’t worry and fight. I have many subordinates. The most reliable one is in Bariel, but it’s still enough to protect you. This is what our king desires, so I will do my best to help.”

“In Bariel?”

It was the moment the mages reflexively asked back.

Boo-ooo-

Boo-

The water buffalo horns, signaling the dawn, echoed loudly from all directions. It was time. The Bariel camp would probably have the same reaction.

“Then, good luck.”

“Good luck.”

With Rutherford’s nod, everyone left the war room.

At the same time, his subordinate approached him quickly and whispered something to Rutherford.

“…Who is it?”

“Would you like to meet them? It’s dawning, but…”

“It doesn’t take a day or two to meet, what’s the fuss? Bring them. Isn’t it an unexpected, welcome connection? I will gladly greet them.”

“Yes, Lord Rutherford.”

Swoosh!

Rutherford roughly pulled back the curtain as he said that. The dark war room instantly brightened, and the movements of the soldiers moving in perfect order came into view.

And far away-

A blonde boy stood with the rising sun behind him.

Clench.

He grabbed the curtain tightly without realizing it. Why was God not answering in such a desperate situation? The path to trample over that was long and arduous.

Rutherford turned his head at the sound of footsteps behind him.

“Lord Rutherford.”

“Ah, yes.”

Then, he greeted his guest with a bright smile, saying he was truly glad. He couldn’t see the face properly because the guest was prostrated on the floor.

* * *

“The sun has fully risen.”

At someone’s murmur, Ian looked towards the barrier. The Vergos flag was still firmly in place. He gestured to the mages and was the first to fly into the sky.

Whirr! Whirr!

Thud!

The mages followed suit. They all took off their robes and followed Ian. Just then, the sunlight came in, and the entire view of Agiar was clearly visible.

Among them, there were two recorders who were tightly bound to the backs of dragons and flew with them. They were too busy recording, holding onto the fluttering papers, to feel dizzy.

“A little more, up, go up!”

“Can they understand?”

-Kyuuu!

“Eeeek!”

Whoosh! The recorders’ bodies swayed greatly as the altitude increased rapidly. Mages quickly passed between them. Then, a preemptive strike to signal the start of the battle followed.

“Let’s go, everyone!”

“Protect Lord Ian!”

Swoosh!

Ian quickly approached the barrier as if cutting through the waves. He was on high alert, not knowing what kind of attack might come.

As the distance narrowed to the point where they could see each other with the naked eye, the Vergos archers began their attack.

“All at once-!”

Thwack!

The amber color shining at the tips of the arrows. They were coated with Idgal [a magical substance]. Just like in the Clifford-Vergos War, it was the primary means to stop the mages who were cutting through the battlefield.

“Attack!”

Swoosh!

Hundreds of arrows shot by the Vergos soldiers flew in a gentle curve. It was a spectacular sight. It was as if an amber wave was alive and engulfing them.

“Idgal arrows!”

“Prepare!”

There was a slight commotion, but it soon subsided. Ian had lightly raised one hand. A huge Idgal barrier was created in front of the mages.

Thud thud thud!

Thud! Poof!

The arrows were blocked by the Idgal barrier and fell weakly. And likewise, Ian’s barrier, which was broken by the Idgal arrows, shattered and fell below.

Then, Acorella flew ahead, drooling, and Hale and the mages followed her with bored faces.

“You crazy bastards! This is so precious!”

“Captain, please slow down a bit. Don’t go ahead of Lord Ian. Okay?”

“Lord Ian! Just drop them all down! Let those bastards get crushed and die!”

Ian grabbed his right wrist with his left hand and turned his body. A huge flame began to flicker in his hand.

‘I’ll melt it all, barrier or not.’

The moment his gaze was fixed on the fluttering Vergos flag-

Swoosh!

Whirr! Whirr!

The Ruthwena mages, who had been waiting in various places on the barrier, flew up simultaneously.

They created a shield against Ian’s attack, and Ian’s flames disappeared without touching the barrier, as if blocked by an invisible sphere.

The heat flowed down smoothly in a curve. The mages shouted.

“We are Ruthwena mages!”

“Lord Ian! Be careful!”

Whirr.

Ian pressed the shield with his fingertips. The depth was solid, and its texture was straight. Judging by the level, it was quite high, but-

Crack!

Crack!

The part that came into contact with the Idgal that Ian was creating began to crack and break. It was only a matter of time. No matter how much magic power they poured in, how could a mage overcome the power of Idgal itself?

Boo-ooo-

Boo-

“Advance!”

“Break down the barrier!”

Tweiler, who had been watching, gave the order to advance.

Following his extended sword, the Bariel soldiers shouted loudly and clung to the barrier. Stones rolled down from above, and a rain of arrows poured down, but they could not stop the endless rush of soldiers.

“Ladders forward!”

“Waaaaaa!”

“Run! Keep running!”

“Golems!”

Thump! Thump!

The Astanans focused their minds and moved the golems. Since they were made of huge stones, they didn’t need to hold anything else; they just needed a fist.

“Break the gate!”

-Uooo!

The moment the golem was about to strike the gate with its huge fist-

It stopped just a hair’s breadth away. The Astanan frowned, wondering what was going on, and then noticed that his companion next to him was clutching his chest.

“H-hey?”

“Cough, s-something…”

Red blood gushed out between his fingers.

It was incomprehensible. How could he be in this state without any warning? After a moment of confusion, everyone regained their senses at Hasha’s command.

“Continue the attack!”

“Y-Your Highness!”

“I will find the cause!”

Was it the unknown attack that had injured Lord Ian’s cheek yesterday? At Hasha’s command, the Astanans refocused and moved the golems again.

Thump!

The golem’s left hand struck next to the gate, and soldiers began to climb over the barrier. Jaylut and the Imperial Guard watched the Astanans’ condition and strengthened their defenses.

“There is a suspicious attack. Everyone, focus carefully and find it, but prioritize protecting His Majesty.”

“Yes, we will obey!”

Crack!

Meanwhile, Ian, who was facing the Ruthwena mages’ shield in the sky, did not notice this flow. He was about to put more strength into it, thinking that it would break soon, when Hale shouted.

“Lord Ian!”

Swoosh!

A huge bird flew towards Ian from afar. Hale burst out with magic power and blocked it, and soon they could identify its identity.

“Ugh. What is that?”

“Captain Acorella, please have some dignity.”

“Is it one of the northern tribes?”

Half-human, half-beast. It was a northern minority tribe with wings on their shoulders. They continued to attack Ian, holding swords in both hands.

The mages spread a shield to protect Ian, but-

“Oh, dear.”

“Be careful! Idgal fragments are scattering!”

“Ugh! Yes, yes! Understood!”

Before the half-human, half-beast’s sword could even touch him, it was first broken by Ian’s Idgal. It was not only a threat to the Ruthwena mages, but also a considerable threat to their own side.

The mages lightly brushed off the shattered Idgal fragments and shouted, and Ian rolled up his sleeves.

‘I should use Idgal to neutralize the Ruthwena mages up close.’

It’s okay. No problem.

There were many ways.

“Don’t be annoying-”

Whirr!

He flashed his eyes and rushed towards the cracked shield of the Ruthwena mages.

“Hand over Rutherford!”

Flash!

KABOOM!

A huge explosion erupted in the sky.

The Bariel soldiers paused, but then continued to advance without caring.

Jin gripped his sword tightly and looked up at the sky with concern.

Oh