Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 601

Long ago, there was a girl who lived in poverty, all alone. The child endured a hard life, picking up scraps that others had thrown away.

Then one day, a mysterious purple deer appeared in Purpato! Staggering, the deer struggled to move its feet and collapsed in the middle of the square.

People offered the deer food, thinking it was hungry, but it didn’t move at all.

“If I die, all the nearby forests will die.”

People began to feel a little scared. It was as if the deer’s purple body was melting away.

It was death that was consuming the earth, the sky, and humans. People were in dire straits, so they emptied their storehouses and brought out food.

“Try this too.”

“And this!”

But the deer’s condition did not improve.

While everyone was lost in worry and despair, the girl cautiously approached. Then, she placed her own food among the piles of offerings. It was just some leftover bread and apple pieces that others had already eaten.

People were furious. How could she offer such meager scraps when even the best food was not enough for the sacred deer?

“Finally.”

But the deer’s reaction was unexpected. The deer, which had not moved even after eating so much precious food, regained its strength after eating the girl’s scraps.

Its purple fur became glossy, and the melting death turned back into life.

“Since you have given everything you have, I am satisfied to the depths of my heart. In return, I will eternally govern the nearby forest. And child, I will grant you the wish you truly desire.”

The purple deer said that and disappeared.

People were overjoyed. If they had continued to share food with the deer, they would have starved to death. They hailed the girl as a hero and treated her kindly, and the girl was happy with the warmth she felt for the first time.

But happiness did not last long.

Before long, people were worried again. Because they had given everything to the deer, they didn’t have much food to last through the winter.

Soon winter came, and they had no choice but to starve until the next spring.

“What should we do?”

“Let’s pray to the deer. This happened because we saved the deer, so it will surely help us.”

People joined forces and went to find the deer, but it was in vain. In the end, they faced the winter without a substantial harvest.

Starving in the harsh wind, people suddenly remembered the girl.

“How about asking the child to make a wish? To bring us plenty of food.”

“That’s right. She’s basically been living off of us anyway. She picked up what we threw away!”

“Let’s go! Let’s ask her to make a wish!”

The villagers rushed over. The child was perplexed when she heard the story, but she nodded and agreed.

“Yes. I will make a wish for you. To have a warm winter.”

“Thank you, please do it quickly.”

The child put her hands together and prayed, but there was no response.

People wondered what was going on and soon found the answer. The child did not truly want the people to be prosperous and warm. Enraged, the people beat the girl indiscriminately.

“How dare you do this? You beggar who used to pick up scraps, you ungrateful wretch!”

“Please save me, please save me!”

“Let’s offer the child as a sacrifice and pray. Then the deer will show itself. Let’s kill her!”

“Kill her! Strip her!”

The child was brutally beaten and then tied up and placed on a platform. Then, people who opposed the child’s death shouted.

“Put the child down!”

“The child is not at fault!”

“What right do you have to kill someone?”

The child watched the people fighting, tears streaming down her face. And after a while, she closed her eyes tightly and murmured. She wished for those people to die painfully. The child repeated the names of the people who were trying to harm her, and prayed to the deer.

Then-

Boom! Thud!

A bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky, and the people whose names the girl had murmured died on the spot.

The people who didn’t know what was going on were startled, but secretly thought it was a good thing. Because as people died, the number of mouths to feed also decreased. That way, they were able to safely get through the harsh winter.

Spring came again. People went to the girl’s dwelling to express their gratitude and apologies. But they could not find the girl anywhere in the village.

After that, no one knew where the child had gone.

* * *

Lautan paused. For a brief moment, the legend of Purpato flashed through his mind. There were many stories, but most of them did not deviate from that main thread.

“Shall I take your silence as your answer?”

Not Ian Hiel, but another name? Does that mean the Minister of Magic is using a false name?

The Bariel side showed no signs of agitation. It meant they shared the secret of that person. In response, Lautan told them to stop talking nonsense.

“…The guardian is a transcendent being. No matter what your name is, the fact that I will die because of you will not change.”

“Then let’s test it. I’m also curious about the result, so I’ll cheer for your death.”

He said that he couldn’t avoid the curse, but it was within a manageable range. Besides, what if there was really a loophole in the oath? Lautan couldn’t be sure if his death would have any effect.

With the fate of Purpato at stake, if he was going to die, he had to take the Minister of Magic’s life with him. But, he had a different real name…

“It seems like you’re overthinking it.”

Snap!

Ian flicked his fingers, drawing the attention of Lautan and his men. It was a gesture of generosity, suggesting they could go back if they wanted. Since no one had shed blood yet, there was still a way to turn back.

This was also a reasonable path for Ian. No matter how manageable the curse was, it was right to avoid it if possible, and it was also a courtesy to the guardian who had shown goodwill.

“I’ll give you two hours. In the meantime, gather your opinions and come back. Bariel will respect and follow whatever you decide. If you want death, I will give you death, and if you want survival, I will give you survival.”

“Lautan, sir. It would be best if we went back first.”

“Yes, we have achieved our primary goal. We found out that the guardian’s oath is involved.”

“It’s also advantageous for us to have time to reorganize.”

“Lautan, sir, put down your sword and come this way.”

As his subordinates pulled on Lautan, who was not moving, he lowered his sword as if he had no choice. He slowly pulled on the horse’s reins and turned toward the city gate.

“Take this.”

Ian threw a broken branch. It was a sign that the legendary forest existed, and a warning from Bariel. Lautan couldn’t bring himself to throw it away, so he put it in his pocket and rode his horse toward the city gate.

As they moved away, the mages who had been maintaining the barrier reduced their magic power with a sigh of relief, and the soldiers also breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ian, sir. Do you think they will surrender in two hours?”

“I don’t know. Whether it’s resistance or surrender, both are the right path for them. Which is more effective and fits their purpose is a matter to think about later. In the end, history will tell us what will happen.”

Ian looked back at Tweller, indicating they should take a break. Two hours wasn’t much, but it would be enough time to soothe the soldiers’ fatigue.

The mages gathered around Ian and whispered.

“By the way, Ian, sir. What exactly is that curse?”

“The guardian’s blessing was that good fortune would be bestowed upon those who prayed for me. Their good fortune also rubs off on me, so it’s like a beautiful virtuous cycle. The curse was related to that.”

It was that the good fortune they had gained and enjoyed would be converted into misfortune and repaid by Ian. That was the curse.

If someone’s good fortune saved their life in the face of life and death, then misfortune would surely be added to Ian’s moments of life and death. He could die even when he shouldn’t, and what he expected could go wrong.

It was impossible to predict what amount would come back because good fortune seeps into their lives invisibly and disappears.

“Then, wouldn’t it be better to break the oath first? Not much time has passed yet, so how much good fortune could those who prayed for Ian, sir, have enjoyed?”

“Yes, I agree. Good fortune grows over time. The burden of the curse will surely increase as well.”

“I understand that good fortune is needed during war. But the price is too high. You should just call it off.”

Ian did not respond to the mages’ concerns.

Unless it was triggered by the death of a Purpato person, he could not give up the blessing first. That was because the recipients of the good fortune were ‘those who prayed for him.’

‘Naum. And…’

“…Philia needs good fortune.”

“Ah.”

He didn’t know where or what they were going through, but they were the ones whose lives had been shaken because of Ian. So, this was the only way to add a little bit of good fortune to them.

“…I understand. If that is your will, Ian, sir. I hope news about Philia, sir, will be delivered soon.”

“It will definitely help Philia, sir. Small moments that go unnoticed can come together to create fate.”

Thank you for understanding, Ian lightly patted the mages’ shoulders.

Just then, in the distance, the Purpato city gates were seen opening wide to the left and right. It seemed that Lautan and his men had entered.

“They’ve entered! Two hours! I’ll start counting now!”

The mage said, checking his pocket watch.

Meanwhile, a hasty meeting was held behind the Purpato city walls. Before Lautan even got off his horse, the residents rushed over and spoke their minds.

“What happened? What did Bariel say?”

“It’s clear that there was a forest oath, but we can’t use it because we don’t know Ian Hiel’s real name. Damn it. Lautan, sir, what should we do?”

“Let’s surrender. If we fight with force, it will just be a pointless death. Purpato’s survival is guaranteed, so it seems wise to plan for the future.”

“But if we open the city gates here, it will affect other cities as well. What could be more dishonorable than giving up without a fight? It means we’re contributing to the fall of Vergos.”

“Yes, I agree. It’s better to die a meaningful death. And if you think about it, it’s not a pointless death. It’s showing our determination, and it’s protecting Vergos.”

Lautan suddenly thought that the scene the child in the legend had seen might have been similar to this. People arguing fiercely about life and death. The voices echoed in his ears, then stopped abruptly.

Lautan unknowingly raised his hand and focused people’s attention.

“Isn’t it everyone’s opinion that we should minimize the damage and show Purpato’s will throughout Vergos?”

That was the conclusion if they combined the opinions of those who wanted to surrender and those who wanted to fight.

Everyone looked at Lautan without saying anything, and he took out the broken branch from his pocket. Ian Hiel’s words came back to him vividly.

“Then let’s test it. I’m also curious about the result, so I’ll cheer for your death.”

“…Okay. Let’s do it.”

“Lautan, sir?”

“Those who wish to surrender, open the city gates and throw away your weapons. Pretend to accept their proposal on the surface and let Bariel pass through Purpato. I will kill myself in a place where no one can see me, while shouting Ian Hiel’s name.”

Lautan muttered, looking at the swaying Vergos flag.

“And if other cities criticize Purpato, then let them know of my death. That there were those who resisted with death in the given situation. And that opening the city gates was part of the plan and orders.”