Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 606

“We’re leaving!”

After a moment, Tweller’s command echoed.

The waiting soldiers stirred into action, while the people of Purpato, gathered along the roadside, watched with apprehension.

They had been promised a reward for their surrender in the Emperor’s name, but could they truly believe it was a genuine surrender?

Nearly half of Purpato’s population secretly wished for the Emperor’s demise. There was a strong possibility that they might reverse their decision and seek to destroy the city.

“What should we do? Everyone is moving so quickly.”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry. If they intended to harm us, they wouldn’t have helped put out the fire in the first place.”

Someone muttered, clutching their child tightly. Their words were a mix of hope and denial of the grim reality.

The soldiers organized their ranks, leaving the murmuring Purpato residents behind.

“Those guys are creepy, tsk. Where’s the garrison stationed here? They’re so pathetic. It’d be better to be in half-destroyed Agiar.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything special.”

“What do you mean?”

“The garrison. Everyone’s getting ready to move. I don’t know about the rear, though.”

“Huh? You’re right?”

“Hey! Stop chatting and move out!”

“Yes, yes, we understand!”

They were puzzled, but there was no time to linger. A flag was waved at the front, signaling the start. Tens of thousands of soldiers marched through the back gate and onto the road leading to Kalamat.

Mages also observed from the sky, managing the troop movements.

“It’s definitely a route connected to the capital, isn’t it? The slope is gentle, and the road is wide. We’ll arrive in a few days.”

“Probably. But, is it true that there’s no garrison?”

“Yeah. They said that all the soldiers belonging to Bariel should leave without exception.”

“What are they thinking? Hmm. They were so worried about the rear.”

It was Jin, Ian, and Tweller’s decision, so there must be a reason. The mages shrugged and flew with the wind. There was something ahead of the vanguard.

Swoosh!

“Huh? Who’s that?”

“Wasn’t he called Lautan?”

It was Lautan’s corpse, sitting in the middle of the road as if to block the path to Kalamat.

His back was straight, his mouth firmly shut, and his hand still gripped his sword even in death. One of the vanguard looked up at the sky and asked.

“Mages! What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? We have to move him. Take him off the road and hide him. The Emperor will be passing by, and there shouldn’t be anything unholy.”

“Yes, I understand!”

The soldiers grabbed Lautan’s corpse and tossed it into the bushes.

Even though the residents of Purpato had called out their guardian and fought, what meaning did this man’s death have? The mages turned their heads, thinking of Lautan, who would have called out Ian’s name until the very end.

“The vanguard should finish up and keep moving forward. We will watch from above to make sure there is no danger.”

Neigh!

The soldiers who had dealt with Lautan’s corpse spurred their horses forward. Just like the mages flying in the sky, they too galloped smoothly without any obstacles. They intuitively knew that Purpato was the last hurdle to overcome on the way to Kalamat.

Tap tap.

Meanwhile, Jin slowly passed through the road cleared by the mages and vanguard, looking back at Purpato. On the ramparts, the residents were watching the Bariel army’s procession leaving.

“…Ian, did you send a letter to Agiar?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have conveyed the current situation and asked them to drive the bandits towards Purpato. The news will spread to nearby cities by tonight. At the earliest, by dawn, and at the latest, within a few days, Purpato will have visitors. I have ordered the scouts to continue operating in Agiar, so I will report as soon as I receive any news.”

“What about the gates?”

“I have broken the locking mechanism. It will be easy to open if they have the will.”

It would be difficult for bandits to come if Bariel soldiers remained in Purpato. But the Emperor did not leave a garrison. Moreover, the gates were not locked, the city was half-destroyed, and the surviving traitors were weak. Could there be a better feast for bandits? Ian was confident that the reaction and news would come quickly.

“How long will it take to get to Kalamat?”

Jin’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, but the question was directed at Tweller. He bowed his head slightly and answered.

“Three days.”

“If there are no problems?”

“No. Even if there are any problems, we will arrive within three days.”

At Tweller’s pledge, Jin turned to look at him. Although Ian had mediated, there had been a disagreement. When Tweller yielded first, Jin also responded with composure.

“Don’t overdo it. The soldiers’ stamina and morale are paramount.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep that in mind. Kalamat is a region controlled by pro-Bariel royalists, so we should be able to reach a smooth agreement rather than engage in reckless resistance.”

“If they are not harboring any vain thoughts.”

Vain thoughts of unifying Burgos in this gap, now that the anti-royalists have been defeated, and building up power to oppose Bariel. Judging from the letter they sent last time, it didn’t seem very likely, but nothing could be certain.

Ian, who had been listening to the conversation, added.

“Even if they have other plans, they won’t reveal them outwardly, Your Majesty. I will keep a close watch. And-”

Ian paused for a moment, looking back at the supply wagon train following behind. Chloe Davion was probably in one of those. She had set out to meet the conditions of becoming Empress, but she had only narrowly escaped death without any clear achievements. Still, she had exceeded expectations by not demanding to return to her home country.

“Lady Kayla is in the south. She will surely have results. Please do not worry.”

If she had successfully supplied the royalists with low-quality weapons, they would not be able to compare their power with Bariel.

Jin nodded in agreement, recalling Kayla’s sharp and piercing eyes.

* * *

Tap tap!

Dawn in Kalamat.

Kayla’s mother, Danit, frowned, noticing the presence of someone. It was still before dawn, but she was already up and getting ready. Her hair was perfectly styled, and she wore a green velvet dress…

Danit got up first and opened the door. She saw a servant running hastily down the hallway.

“What’s going on?”

“It is said that the Bariel army is advancing towards Kalamat after passing through Purpato. The, the estimated arrival date is within two days, and the royalist leaders have urgently requested a meeting.”

“Purpato?”

Danit immediately thought of the map and bit her lip. Wasn’t their southward speed too fast? She quickly checked the view through the window.

“Alright, I understand. What about the meeting schedule?”

“Th, they are all gathered downstairs right now.”

“They have no manners… It’s pathetic. Call Kayla too.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As the servant ran towards the opposite hallway, Danit bit her upper lip, anticipating and organizing what was about to happen. In response to Bariel’s southward advance, the royalist leaders would surely put her and Kayla forward.

‘The supplies are all low-grade, and it’s only a matter of time before they realize it. If we contact the Bariel army and join them, our safety can be guaranteed, but the outstanding balance will be impossible to settle. And above all, if they find out about our betrayal, there’s a high chance that the royalists won’t acknowledge the debt later. It’s also unclear if Bariel will help.’

They would either stand by to check the family or demand a portion of the debt in exchange for help.

However, staying here, which would soon become a battlefield, would not guarantee safety and could even give Bariel a reason to call them traitors.

“Mother!”

Kayla was also up early, looking neat. Danit put her arm around Kayla’s shoulder and nodded.

“The time has come. The Bariel army is right in front of us. Do you remember what I told you back then?”

“Yes, of course. I will do well.”

“Good, my daughter. You look so beautiful today.”

Danit kissed Kayla’s forehead and shared a look. With blades closing in from both sides, the only way to survive was to disrupt one side.

And that target would be the chaotic Burgos.

Squeak.

As Danit opened the door and entered, the leaders all stood up to greet her. It wasn’t out of courtesy, but because the matter was so urgent that they acted first.

“Oh, Madam. How did it come to be this early… It has come to this.”

“Yes, I was surprised to hear about it too. How far has Bariel come down?”

“The last confirmed location is northeast of Kalamat, at this point. If they are fast, they will be within 70 kilometers by this morning. I would like the Madam and the young lady to leave immediately and meet them around here.”

It was almost a forced order.

The place they pointed to was a small city they would pass through before entering the capital of Kalamat. The Madam maintained her smile and replied that she understood.

“Yes, as you said before, I will go out and greet His Majesty the Emperor. But before that, there is something I need to say.”

“What is it?”

“First, my daughter, Kayla, will stay here. I cannot move with all of the Hollinga’s assets. And secondly-”

She looked over the leaders. And she pointed with her eyes at the youngest man among them. His name was Chandet. As he was young, he had the least say.

“Someone must accompany me. If we are to appeal to His Majesty the Emperor for the unification of Burgos, you must show that much sincerity, wouldn’t you?”

“Hmm. That’s true, but it’s too dangerous since we haven’t grasped Bariel’s exact position.”

What about me and my daughter, Kayla?

When Danit only smiled without answering, the leaders coughed lightly. Then, one man subtly pushed Chandet forward.

“Then, how about Sir Chandet goes? He’s young, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to move.”

“I agree.”

“Please go and listen carefully to Bariel’s opinion.”

More than anything, it was a sign to go and monitor whether that woman, Danit, was doing anything foolish.

The man was displeased, but he had no reason to refuse, so his expression only hardened. Danit clapped her hands as if to say that was enough and got up from her seat.

“Then, let’s get ready and leave right away. We will leave within the next two hours. Please prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Danit went outside with Chandet and winked at Kayla.

Due to the special circumstances of the civil war and the war, Danit and Kayla had rarely faced the leaders one-on-one. The atmosphere was so wary of each other.

But this was good. Dividing the royalist leaders into two was the first step in all of their plans.

“Sir Chandet, do you smoke cigars?”

“Yes, Madam. It would be more comfortable if the carriage had a window.”

“I enjoy smoking too. Don’t worry about it. We have a lot to talk about on the way. Let’s make sure to bring plenty.”

“What do you mean, talk?”

“Oh my, the carriage is already ready. Please get in. I’ll tell you the details on the way.”

Danit got into the carriage first and then gestured for him to hurry. Chandet hesitated, feeling uneasy, but then straightened his jacket and got into the carriage.

‘I’ll be back.’

‘Yes, Mother. I’ll be doing well.’

The two mothers and daughters exchanged greetings with their eyes, and the hastily prepared carriage set off without delay.

Danit smiled at the awkward Chandet.

“Relax, Sir Chandet.”

“I can’t help but be nervous…”

“I will take responsibility and introduce you to His Majesty. As a very important person in the Burgos royalist faction.”

At Danit’s words, Chandet turned to her with wide eyes. It was a very meaningful statement to let slip, wasn’t it? Danit also smiled back at him.

‘An important person? That’s right. He’s going to be a hostage that Bariel can’t refuse to take.’

“The road is a bit long. We’ll have a lot to talk about.”

Chik. As Danit lit a cigar, Chandet also took out his own without a word.

Meanwhile, Kayla turned away from the carriage that was getting further and further away. Now, the royalist leaders left here were entirely her responsibility. Each of them had cold eyes that scanned her up and down.

Oh