Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 579

Ian raised a hand to his aching abdomen. The healing mage’s treatment was gradually wearing off. He felt like if he didn’t get treated again within an hour or two, he’d be in considerable pain. But the meeting with those who claimed to represent the residents showed no sign of ending. In reality, it was just one side trying to persuade the other.

Because the meeting room’s door was practically falling off, their conversation outside was clearly audible.

“How can a person live without their beliefs? We are Burgos people. There’s nothing more humiliating than cooperating with the enemy.”

“Don’t be like that, change your mind. Otherwise, you’ll die. Haven’t you seen what war is like with your own eyes?”

“I have seen it. I saw my parents die with my own eyes. That’s why I can’t back down. I’d rather die than live without a soul.”

“You’re so frustrating. This isn’t just your problem. The fate and lives of everyone who wants to live are at stake. We’re not asking for anything else, just to report the fall of Agiar and advise other cities to surrender. Don’t think of it as humiliation, think of it the other way around. You can save countless lives.”

“That’s right. Honestly, what’s so great about a ruined country that you’re willing to risk your lives to resist? The leaders of Agiar have all fled. So why should we be responsible for the end?”

“Because this is our home!”

“Alright, alright, everyone calm down. Let’s lower our voices.”

“There will be another chance in life. Let’s cooperate with Bariel for now and save our lives. Please.”

Clink.

Tweller shook his head slightly and took a sip of his iced drink. If they were his own people, he would have admired their spirit, but these were the people of Burgos. If they didn’t surrender, they would have to be made an example of by death.

“It’s late. Shouldn’t we wrap things up soon?”

“Yes. Time has already passed so quickly.”

Ian also nodded in agreement with Tweller’s suggestion. There was only one chance. By giving them a choice, Bariel had already shown enough leniency.

Just as Ian was about to signal the soldiers, tapping his fingertips to the ticking of the clock-

“But, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

Tweller spoke up. He had been curious about it since they were at the castle, but it was such a sensitive issue that he had been observing the situation.

Ian smiled, indicating that it was okay to ask.

“Yes, please ask.”

“Ian, sir, I mean, how did your original parents pass away?”

It was an unexpected question.

Ian paused for a moment, then searched his memory. His father and mother hadn’t passed away with a large time gap between them. They had both died before Ian turned five, within a season of each other.

“Actually, I don’t know exactly how they passed away. According to my nanny at the time, my father’s illness worsened, and my mother rapidly weakened after my father’s death.”

“I see. Well, you were so young, you might not know.”

Perhaps it was an unknown epidemic. Young Ian hadn’t seen his mother’s face since she fell ill. He had only overheard her groans from outside the door.

“But, why do you ask?”

Tweller roughly rubbed his flushed face, then shrugged as if to say not to misunderstand. Then, he stroked his beard and wiped the drink from his lips.

“Do you know a man named ‘Pamadinia,’ who is praised as the greatest of all the Imperial Defense Ministers?”

“I’ve heard of him. He’s one of the people who pioneered the borderlands with the late Emperor in the early days of Bariel’s founding.”

“Do you know what he said when he died?”

“No. Did he die in battle?”

“It was a battlefield, but the cause of death was illness. It’s now presumed to be poisoning, but at the time, they didn’t know. Even as he was dying, he said with a piercing gaze.”

Tweller covered his mouth with his fingers and whispered softly, as if Pamadinia had actually said it.

“Everyone, stop crying. I can’t hear the laughter of those who rejoice in my death.”

Ian immediately understood what Tweller was trying to say.

Isn’t there an inevitable cause for death? Death given by God, which cannot be escaped, and death caused by humans.

Since the person involved cannot distinguish between them, Pamadinia had listened carefully. To find the faint laughter mixed in with the crying.

“When I heard Ian’s words, I thought that man Crony is very cunning and skilled at maneuvering. Usually, such people don’t just sit around waiting for an opportunity. They’ll create one by any means necessary. Ian, sir. Do you remember? What was Crony’s reaction to your parents’ death?”

Ian was speechless and froze. Not once had he ever thought that his parents’ death might be related to Crony.

He was clearly the one who had led him to ruin and given him a life like a storm. But Ian had unconsciously drawn a line, thinking that he was unrelated to his parents’ death. Coincidentally, their first meeting had been at the funeral.

“I remember Crony, but I don’t know well.”

“Yes, it’s not a conclusion, but just an old man’s small concern to keep suspecting and being wary. The dead cannot speak, so shouldn’t the living relentlessly dig into the truth?”

He had thought he was entangled with Crony by a twist of fate, but what if that wasn’t the case? What if everything had been in his grasp from the beginning?

Ian lightly swept his hair back. Tweller looked at the child with concern, but his expression was different from what he had expected.

“It must have been very easy.”

It was clear mockery. Directed at Crony, who was greedy and had tightly bound him.

“Isn’t that right? If he was even related to my parents’ death, Crony must have seen me as very easy. How foolish and funny it must have been to see a five-year-old orphan following him without knowing the truth.”

“Ian, sir.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve just opened my eyes to a possibility thanks to Minister Tweller. Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind and think deeply about it.”

Even if he wanted to investigate right now, there was no way. Crony wasn’t in the real Bariel.

As Ian wet his throat with alcohol, Tweller suddenly realized that it was quiet outside. The loud voices of the residents’ representatives had gone silent. He signaled his direct subordinate to check the situation.

Creak.

But before that, the residents of Agiar came in first. They had finished their conversation and bowed to the two men with stiff faces. As if to say thank you for waiting.

“Has the opinion been settled?”

“Yes. We apologize. As Bariel wishes, we will fully cooperate. We will also write a letter saying not to resist, so we earnestly ask that you protect the safety of the civilians.”

“Our Emperor does not go back on his word. You will live under the leniency of the Great Empire, so do not worry. Before that, who was the one who spoke so loudly earlier?”

To be precise, the one who had claimed he would rather be a prisoner of war than cooperate. People waved their hands, bowing and begging him to let it go just this once.

“We, we are sorry. That man is a member of the Agiar guard and the representative of the youth vigilante group. During the civil war, when the security was unstable, the residents of Agiar worked together, and he was a responsible person who took on the difficult tasks. It was a childish remark, so please let it go just this once. I will make sure to tell him off.”

As the old man begged with his hands clasped, Tweller lit a cigarette.

“He is a man who loves his country, so how can I add more to it? Very well. Instead, since he seems to have the trust of the Agiar residents, I will entrust him with the taxes to be paid to Bariel and the disposal of the Burgos soldiers’ bodies.”

The old man’s eyes widened as he listened. To collect the blood of his own people and hand it over to Bariel, and to collect the bodies of those who were his family and friends. Wasn’t that a cruel measure?

Tweller continued in a rather cruel tone.

“Is there a problem?”

“…No. I will convey it.”

As they bowed deeply, Tweller turned to Ian and nodded lightly. It was a kind of carrot and stick for propaganda.

The resentment against Bariel wasn’t limited to that one young man. Even those who said they would cooperate would have anger towards Bariel in their hearts.

‘For the next battle, we must clean up a place once it’s been captured without any issues. Especially now that we’re about to move south. If we leave a problem behind, we’ll surely be surrounded from both sides.’

The most effective way to manage public sentiment right now is to maintain balance. If the Imperial Defense Department whips them, the Magic Department will soothe them, so they don’t feel any bias.

Even though the Magic Department is also a Bariel force, they will be mistaken. That the ‘Magic Department’ is an independent force taking care of Agiar.

‘Wouldn’t young Ian be more advantageous for propaganda than a grumpy old man?’

Tweller’s smile seemed to say that.

Instead of answering, Ian lowered his gaze and instructed the bowing people.

“The taxes will be determined in detail after His Majesty the Emperor directly confirms your sincerity. I will prepare a messenger, so the person in charge should come this way. And is there anyone familiar with the double geography? There were conflicting parts in the map found in Agiar Castle, so it needs to be checked.”

“Ah, I’ll look at the map. I was born and raised in Agiar for 60 years. I can go to most places with my eyes closed.”

“We need tough leather and metal. Tell the residents to donate their goods.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

“And…”

They glanced back and forth between Tweller and Ian as they answered. With a young boy giving orders to an old man with white hair, they didn’t know what the hierarchy was. But judging by the atmosphere, Ian seemed much softer and more moderate than the tough warrior.

Sss.

Just as Ian was about to continue speaking, the wall shook very slightly. Was it an earthquake? The residents who had been affected by the wall explosion reacted sensitively and stiffened.

“Did you feel that, Minister Tweller?”

“Yes. It was faint, but there was definitely a tremor. Outside! Is everything alright?”

At Tweller’s fierce shout, a soldier outside rushed in. He swallowed hard, saying he didn’t know.

“N, nothing unusual!”

“Is that so?”

Hmm, that’s strange.

It could be dismissed as a simple natural phenomenon, but so far, every time the earth had shaken, it had been related to a specific event. Either a crack was distorted, or someone was engaged in an explosive battle.

Ian closed the documents and looked up at the sky outside. It was still pitch black and nothing could be seen.

“The Magic Department and the Imperial Guard have said they will conduct a night search in the vicinity.”

“I’ve heard about it, but- hmm. Then, the Imperial Defense Department will send out follow-up scouts.”

Not a search, but a scout. The purpose was clearly different. Ian nodded, saying he didn’t care, and Tweller called a soldier who was guarding outside.

“We will select scouts. Bring Siao Shi.”

“Yes, Minister.”

“Aylin! It’s your turn!”

Soldiers bustled past the open door, and among them, a youthful voice was heard. It was a familiar voice. Ian turned his head towards it and called out to her.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

“Yes? Are you talking to me?”

Soon, the two’s eyes met exactly.