Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 604

Eirin

A Holy Knight.

They didn’t possess special powers like magic, but were chosen for their pure and righteous souls to uphold order.

Most resided in temples, guarding them, which made them quite unusual to the average person. They weren’t as skilled in martial arts as magic swordsmen, nor did they offer direct prayers like priests.

However, those who served the gods knew the significance of the Holy Knights very well. If an internal force, not an external one, were to defy providence, only a Holy Knight could punish them.

“Uwaaah! Over there!”

“It appeared! I don’t know what it is, but it appeared again!”

“Isn’t that a deer? Is it Purpato’s guardian?”

“Damn it, don’t push! Maintain the formation!”

When the giant purple deer appeared, Eirin’s heart pounded wildly. It was a sensation she had never felt before, a surge of energy erupting from deep within.

While the Bariel soldiers retreated in fear, Eirin moved forward as if compelled, like swimming against a strong current.

-Eirin.

A warm voice echoed in her ear.

Eirin unconsciously touched her left shoulder. The cross she had carved with her sword during the great monster’s attack felt like it was burning.

She moved without thinking, breaking from the formation and crossing the center of the plaza. It was a sudden movement, but given the situation, no one stopped her.

-Eirin.

Whose voice was calling her? Who could it be?

Eirin ran as if in response, and soon spotted a familiar man in the distance. The silver-haired man who had been following her in the back alleys of Bariel.

She briefly wondered why he was here, but instinctively knew.

‘He’s the Emperor.’

And that the one who betrayed the gods would try to kill the Emperor.

Without hesitation, Eirin drew her sword. The soldiers guarding the Emperor tried to block her, but they stopped, overwhelmed by the imposing divine aura.

Eirin lightly passed them and rushed in front of the Emperor.

Shwaaaak!

It was a common sword supplied to the Bariel soldiers. But the moment she faced the attack threatening the Emperor, she felt goosebumps all over her body.

This is what it means to cut through light. This is what it means to read the wind. And this is what it means to answer the call of God.

“…You are.”

Eirin turned at Jin’s murmur.

The cross she had carved herself was visible, and her abundant brown hair flew wildly. Eirin wouldn’t know that her current appearance was like a lion that had conquered the plains.

“…I apologize.”

Eirin bowed to the Emperor but didn’t lower her sword. Her heart continued to burn fiercely. It was a glorious pain that would continue until she had dealt with her opponent.

“Eirin. You shall guard His Majesty!”

Everyone except Ian was bewildered by Eirin’s appearance. Who was she to suddenly appear and deflect the guardian’s attack? And how did Ian know her?

They all had a mountain of questions, but they had to postpone them due to the deer’s renewed attack.

Shwaaak!

“It’s coming!”

“Put up the barrier!”

“Uwaaah! It’s breaking right away, damn it!”

“Keep putting it up, whether it breaks or not!”

Though temporary, the mages’ barrier had the effect of slowing down the deer’s attack.

While Ian charged at the deer, Eirin stood in front of the Emperor, constantly deflecting the attacks. With each swing of her sword, her brown hair swayed powerfully.

Shwaaa.

Jin watched Eirin’s back, mesmerized. She had a small, slender body, but her movements were those of a swift warrior. She possessed a much warmer aura than he had seen in his dreams.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

「Hwirok」.

Ian’s magic, which had paused for a moment, was cast again. A huge flame enveloped him, and soon it burned away all the rustling leaves that had been binding him.

The target was the deer’s golden eyes.

Ian flew in quickly and punched the creature, and flames erupted, piercing the deer’s head.

Shwaaaak!

-……!

It was a single blow. The deer staggered without even screaming, and then collapsed.

A huge tremor shook the earth. Just like the legend written on the stone tablet, its purple fur began to fall off. It was a sign of death.

Tadak! Tadak!

The trees that had caught fire turned to ashes and scattered into the air. The sky regained its blue color, but the once intact city was instantly filled with acrid smoke.

The Purpato people, who had rushed out in a panic, looked around their home with blank eyes. Everything… was burning.

“Oh my god, the city…”

“Is that… is that Purpato’s guardian?”

“The guardian is dead. It’s dead…”

“Don’t just stand there, go get some water!”

“No, no…”

“Get a grip! It’s okay! We can protect what’s left!”

They fetched water from all over and poured it on the flames, while the Bariel soldiers watched, perplexed. They wanted to help out of a sense of duty, but they couldn’t move without orders.

“…Organize the situation.”

Jin commanded quietly, seeing the scene. It wasn’t just an order regarding the deer. The situation was too chaotic, so organization was needed first.

First of all-

“Where are you going?”

Eirin, who was trying to slip away, stopped. Not only the mages but also the magic swordsmen were looking at her with curious eyes.

‘…Oh no.’

Belatedly, a feeling of embarrassment washed over her. As her wound subsided, so did her excitement. She had left the formation without permission, a grave offense.

“…Yes?”

“Eirin?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Jin frowned and ran a hand through his hair.

Not only had she appeared in his dreams several times in place of Roberside, but now she had drawn her sword and rushed in front of him. Moreover, she had deflected attacks that even the mages couldn’t withstand. Was this even possible? What was her true identity?

As Jin’s sigh deepened, everyone silently rolled their eyes, sensing the mood.

‘Why, why? Why is he sighing?’

‘Is it because we couldn’t stop the attack?’

‘Hooong. What can we do if we can’t?’

‘I don’t know. It’s our job to make the impossible possible.’

Thud.

At that moment, Ian landed lightly, and everyone’s gaze turned to him. They all welcomed his appearance with sparkling eyes.

“Your Majesty. I apologize. I will order the mages to extinguish the fire and collect the bodies. Acorella.”

“Yes! Sir Ian! Acorella is ready!”

“Go and clean up the deer’s corpse-”

“Yay! Thank you! I’ll do my best!”

“Acorella! Me too! Let’s get some meat!”

“Did you get a sword stuck in your head? Beric, fill your belly with other meat. That’s for research.”

“Ugh, why do you talk like that?”

“The other mages should focus on putting out the fire.”

“Yes! We’re going! Leave it to us!”

Taat!

The mages seized the opportunity and hurried away.

Meanwhile, Jin, who had been watching Eirin quietly, asked Ian.

“Sir Ian. Did you know this person’s name?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I remember her as one of the soldiers who survived the battle against the great monster.”

“She was one of the advance soldiers in the northern region?”

Jin asked back as if he couldn’t believe it. That was because Jin had personally met and praised all the surviving soldiers. If he had met her, he would have recognized her.

‘Ah.’

…That’s right.

The female soldier who had been covering her body and treating her wounds beyond the veil was Eirin. Jin let out a hollow laugh at the absurd misunderstanding.

Ian observed Jin’s reaction for a moment, then spoke cautiously.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I was not certain, so I did not mention it.”

“No, it’s not your fault, Sir Ian. I wouldn’t have said anything either if I were you. Besides, we are in the middle of a war.”

What were the Emperor and the Minister of Magic talking about, discussing her? What did they mean by ‘mention’? Eirin bowed her head and listened to their conversation.

“Raise your head.”

She quickly straightened her posture at Ian’s command.

The valiant warrior from just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen, and only a soldier who looked uncomfortable was standing there. Well, how could a low-ranking soldier feel comfortable in front of the Emperor and the Minister of Magic?

“If you are a Holy Knight, there must have been strong opposition from the temple. Despite that, what is the meaning of enlisting as a regular soldier?”

Ian asked, assuming that Eirin knew her identity. But she smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

“I apologize. I cannot explain the situation earlier. The wound on my shoulder burned hotly, and someone called my name kindly in my ear. I had no other purpose than to punish the betrayer of God. I will not make excuses for leaving the formation.”

At the unexpected answer, Ian and Jin looked at each other. Eirin didn’t even seem to know what a Holy Knight was.

“……”

The three of them fell silent at the same time, glancing at each other.

From Jin’s perspective, he couldn’t easily say that she had appeared in his dreams in place of Roberside, that they had met in the center, and that he had been looking for her all along.

On the other hand, Eirin simply had nothing to say because she didn’t know anything. She had only guessed this much.

‘…A Holy Knight? Does that mean I’ll be moved to the rear?’

Being called by God was a glorious thing, but she didn’t want to be transferred to the rear because of it. She wanted to fight at the front for Bariel.

‘This is awkward.’

Similarly, Ian couldn’t easily interject because it was a matter between Jin and Eirin. What would a third party do in their connection?

As a rather long silence continued, Ian, unable to bear it any longer, coughed and winked at Jin.

“Your Majesty. Leaving the formation does not seem to be a problem. The discovery of a Holy Knight will boost the morale of the soldiers. Above all, she was the one who stood before Your Majesty, wasn’t she? It would be right to give her a generous reward.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Is there anything you desire?”

“You mean, something I desire?”

“Anything is fine.”

After a moment of thought, Eirin shook her head.

“No, there isn’t.”

“There isn’t?”

“Yes, it is natural for a Bariel soldier to protect His Majesty, and above all, there is really nothing I desire. If I had to say something… I would like you to reconsider changing my assignment. I want to fight in my current unit.”

Jin opened his mouth, but couldn’t bring himself to say anything and closed it. Then, he gestured as if to give his permission.

“…I understand. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you. Then, I will excuse myself.”

Is it okay for me to go? Eirin glanced around, and then, with a nod from Tweller, she bowed and stepped back.

How could her retreating figure be so innocent? Jin felt a sense of helplessness, but at the same time, he was dumbfounded by himself. He had seen her often in his dreams, so he must have built up some kind of intimacy on his own.

“Sir Ian. The fire has been extinguished. But the deer’s corpse has melted away, so there’s nothing left to salvage. It seems to have completely disappeared. What will happen to the contract?”

At the report from the mages who had flown in and landed, Ian shrugged.

“It must have been terminated.”

The period during which the contract was valid. Luck would have gone to the one who prayed for him, but now that the deer was dead, it was all over.

He could only hope that Philia had gained luck during that short time.