Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 569

Ian’s heart, riding the secret, was surprisingly calm. So peaceful that he even doubted if he was truly in reality.

Taptap!

The massive secret tried to grab Ian with its other hand, but he lightly leaped over it and continued his stride. Though its form and nature had changed, this was ‘Ian’ himself.

‘Ian Verosian.’

Even though being a betrayed emperor cast a shadow over a part of his life, he was clearly the one to carry on the glory of Bariel. From Bariel, 100 years in the future.

‘Ian Verosian.’

Ian felt as if the heterogeneous secret was referring to his existence.

A massive, dark blue-green entity standing tall like a demon in the middle of Gaia’s land, not even in a rift zone. How bizarre was that?

Being in a place where he shouldn’t be, it was referring to himself living in a different timeline.

‘Ian Verosian.’

A chuckle escaped his lips.

What did reclaiming his name mean to him? What did it mean to reclaim the great secret he had given to the Gypsies?

“Keep the name Ian Verosian. Our time has stopped here, so history has also stopped. Because it wasn’t written, it wasn’t erased either. Your Majesty. Keep it.”

Naum’s words from the abyss, that was the answer.

Let’s keep the name Ian Verosian. And thus, let’s make the stopped history move again, and love the history that is written in my hands.

‘Like Jin Verosian.’

A life of living, protecting, and creating.

By reclaiming his name.

Swoosh!

Ian realized what the secret wanted.

It was trying to return to his body.

It didn’t care if its owner’s body was torn apart, its desire to exist as a secret, just like before, was clear.

‘I have to separate it. The original secret and the part that was tainted by the Gypsies.’

Ziiing! Ziiing!

He flew over his shoulder and slashed the secret from left to right with his sword. In fact, it was no different from running quickly with the sword stabbed in.

“…It’s no use.”

Jin muttered quietly as he watched the scene. The speed of the slashes was indeed transcendental, but the speed at which it healed was not to be underestimated, like cutting water.

“Sir Ian! Slicing won’t work! You have to deal with it all at once!”

Maxim Tweller shouted loudly, but it was uncertain if Ian could hear him.

Then-

Kuuung!

A red dragon fell from the sky with a dull roar. Its scales were peeled off, and the wounds on its neck and back were considerable.

Everyone looked up at the same time at the dragon’s fall.

Kiiiik!

The number of seven blue dragons was overwhelming for one red dragon to handle.

Looking at the roaring dragons, people suddenly pictured the past from thousands of years ago. The sources of powerful forces that were mobilized in wars and destroyed the world. Although the gods were worried and took away their abilities, they were still spiritual beings whose existence alone far surpassed human power.

“There are too many dragons!”

Boom! Boom!

At the same time as the officer’s cry, explosions erupted one after another. The Lusweena mages had joined their own dragon group. They used the dragons as shields and continuously launched attacks through the gaps.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

And it was the Bariel mages who blocked them. Hale, Nakina, and Tommy intercepted and destroyed the incoming attack magic in the air, and other mages created a protective barrier in front of the Bariel camp.

“Captain! Orders!”

“What orders are there to give! Amplifiers!”

“Yes! Understood!”

At Hale’s command, the mages simultaneously took out amplifiers.

The Lusweena mages, seeing this, couldn’t stay still either. They bit down on small pills, and Acorella smiled as if amused, showing her fangs.

“Oh, you think you’re something? Let’s see whose drugs are stronger!”

“Nakina! Tommy!”

“Imperial Guards, provide support!”

Swoosh!

Nakina and Tommy quickly weaved through the dragons, taking out Dera tribe weapons. They were useless against Lusweena mages, but it was a different story for dragons.

They rushed at the dragons and swung their weapons, and the dragons instinctively dodged. They realized that those were dangerous.

“Shibaal!”

Suddenly, a loud curse came from behind.

It was Beric. He crawled out of the collapsed debris, retching continuously. The explosion was secondary, the brain-piercing stench was quite something, wasn’t it? It seemed like the first time he had fainted from smelling something since Bratz.

Beric roughly swept his blood- and sweat-soaked hair back, looking down at his crushed leg. Damn it, it wouldn’t move as he wanted.

Boom! Boom!

And for some reason, Ian was facing a black entity, and on the other side, mages with dragons were fighting.

Beric continued to crawl forward, shouting.

“Kyu! Come here!”

At his call, Kyu, who was lying weakly and panting, raised his head. Then, ignoring the soldiers’ hands, he staggered and slowly began to flap his wings.

-Kyuuu!

“Yeah! You can’t fall down during a battle! Come and give me a ride!”

Swoooosh!

Thud!

As the dragon flew powerfully, Beric grabbed its leg, then climbed up to its back using only his arm strength. He also took out a Dera tribe weapon from his waist and shouted.

“Let’s goooo!”

Clang! Clang!

Boom!

Jin watched the incredible scene without missing a single detail from under the mages’ protective barrier. The Imperial Defense Force and the soldiers were the same. It was an awe-inspiring moment, realizing anew every second how weak humans were.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

And that became even clearer in front of a boy named Ian Hielo.

「Many Leaves」[A magic spell that creates a world tree].

Kugugung!

A world tree tens of meters high grew from the ground, firmly binding the secret’s limbs, and it stopped moving completely. Although it had no facial features, it was clear that the secret’s gaze was fixed on Ian.

Before even finishing Many Leaves, Ian quickly extended his hand as if commanding, drawing a new magic circle.

Swoosh!

「Hoirok」[A powerful fire magic spell].

A massive flame erupted from Ian’s palm.

Its momentum was so strong, as if it would melt anything in an instant. Even Jin and the people on the Bariel side, who were far away, couldn’t withstand the heat and turned their heads.

Kiiiik!

The dark blue-green aura surrounding the secret quickly faded as it collided with the flames.

In that gap, Ian discovered something sparkling near its chest and immediately sensed it. That was his pure secret, his identity.

Ian immediately pulled out the Idgal sword and plunged towards the newly updated target point.

Swoosh!

Where he passed, heat and dark energy scattered, leaving a deep trail. Ian had entered the secret in an instant.

Jin, watching this, shouted without realizing it.

“Sir Ian!”

The worry that he was in danger, that he should be careful as it was an order, faded without a sound. It was because of the stranger’s form.

“…What is that?”

“……!”

Inside the secret’s black body. It was clear that Ian was continuously firing Hoirok inside. The secret’s body, which darkened and brightened repeatedly, and the flickering bright light were proof of that.

Flash-!

Light golden long hair.

Blue eyes filled with coolness.

Again, flash-!

Sharp gaze and chillingly cold skin.

Flash-!

And elegant swordsmanship.

Each time the darkness faded and the light flashed, the stranger’s appearance became clearer. Jin, as well as everyone in Bariel, stared up at him, mesmerized with a blissful look.

They could intuitively tell.

That he was a precious being.

That he was loved by the gods and possessed all the glory of the world.

Swoosh!

Beric, who was cutting down the necks of Lusweena dragons, also turned around in surprise.

“…Ian?”

It was definitely Ian, but it wasn’t Ian. Was this what it felt like to be dumbfounded?

Even the mages froze, staring blankly at the familiar yet unfamiliar man.

“Ian!”

“Beric! No! Stop!”

Perhaps, was something going wrong? As Beric tried to run towards Ian, calling his name, Jin stopped him with a stern voice. Beric had an indescribable expression.

“Sir Ian said he would reclaim his name.”

“But-”

“Believe and wait. That is our part.”

Beric bit his lower lip tightly. What if the Ian we knew disappeared? Like when he went to the abyss, what if he got lost in his secret and disappeared? Look at that, he looks unfamiliar even now, he wanted to shout.

“…Oh my god. Sir Ian.”

The mages all gasped and covered their gaping mouths. The doubts that had been raised about Ian quickly flashed through their minds one by one, but that was all.

Because the light that Ian was showing was too bright for anyone to utter it.

Boom! Kwaaang! Bang!

Kiiiik!

Inside the secret’s body, Ian continuously slashed away the dark energy pouring towards him and moved forward.

His name existed close by. One, two, three times. His vision was blurred by the swirling flow of smoke, but even then, Ian’s heart was as calm as ever.

‘I will reclaim it.’

Thanks to the firm conviction that he would be able to find his name again.

Ian finally found the secret deep inside the body and snatched it without hesitation.

Squeeze.

The massive secret screamed as if its heart was twisted, but outside, a warm and soft silence instantly enveloped the world.

It was a light that they couldn’t dare to look at with their eyes open, so everyone turned their heads and endured a moment like an eon.

“……!”

“……!”

How much time had passed?

Ian’s secret, which had stood tall as if reaching the sky, had disappeared without a trace, and only dust storms filled the surroundings.

Everyone looked around to figure out what had happened, but the first to move was Beric.

“Ian! Ian!”

“Sir Ian!”

Following him, the mages. They waved their hands, trying to find the invisible Ian, and cleared the dust storm. There was no response. Everyone felt their hearts sink and were about to run towards the Agiar barrier when-

Thud.

A quiet footstep was heard.

Ian slowly appeared.

Radiant golden hair and fresh green eyes. The same appearance as a young boy. Everyone froze and stared at Ian, and Jin took a step without realizing it.

“S, Sir Ian……”

“I apologize. Your Majesty.”

“W, What for?”

“For being too late.”

Ian smiled brightly and shook his head. It wasn’t like he had been digging through a mud pit, but his appearance was a mess overall. But thanks to his bright smile, no one noticed.

“You’re not late. Sir Ian. You are always.”

Even the moment he saved him from Marib’s sword-

On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, even the 10 years that had been covered up-

It was never too late.

But Ian shook his head and added.

“No. It is very late, as I am only now telling Your Majesty my name.”

Ian placed his hand on his chest and took the imperial bow. His hair flowed down as he lightly bowed his head, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

“My name is Ian Verosian. From Bariel, 100 years in the future-”

Joy welled up in his eyes.

Ian whispered with a smile he was showing for the first time in his life.

“I am the Emperor.”