Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 660

Retreat.

Following Ian’s instructions, the mages slowly rose to their feet. They staggered, taking one step at a time, then grabbed their companions’ arms, supported their waists, and shared their magic.

The power I had given saved a comrade, and that comrade saved another. And then it returned to them, ultimately saving themselves.

They were one life. A cycle that would continue forever, brothers of fate.

“Berik!”

Nakina, riding a dragon, called out as she descended towards Berik. Berik, understanding the situation, nodded and immediately climbed onto the dragon. The two reached down, grabbing mages who couldn’t fly or were severely injured.

Taat!

“Grab on! We’re going back!”

Ian watched as the mages left one by one, slowly backing away. Crack! The Idgal [a type of magic that binds] that had trapped the forbidden mage began to crack.

Even with the power to nullify magic, it can’t completely handle a forbidden mage. There’s a limit.

Chwaak!

Still, it’s a relief. When I faced those two earlier, it was hard to even approach them, so I couldn’t even use Idgal, but now I can.

With almost no burden on his magic, Ian endlessly created massive Idgals, ensuring the mages could safely cross the Rusweena border.

“Ian.”

Hail grabbed Ian’s sleeve with his blood-soaked hand. He didn’t say anything, but Ian could feel his worry.

Just as he had done, he was worried that Ian might make ‘some sacrifice’ for the Magic Division, that he might stay here alone to ensure the mages retreated safely.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Ian said, turning his body toward Hail.

The mages who had gone ahead were all looking back at Ian and Hail. Their eyes seemed to say, ‘You’re following us, right? We’re not going alone, are we?’

When Ian stepped into the air, they finally relaxed and turned their gazes forward.

Swaaa-

The sandstorm raged across the desert. The portal had vanished without a trace, but the marks of the wastewater that had poured out of it were clear.

They cut through the hot desert wind and crossed the Rusweena border. Though unspoken, they all had one destination in mind.

‘Hiero Mansion.’

Just before crossing the Rusweena border, Ian looked back one last time. It’s a relief. The forbidden mage wasn’t chasing them. It seemed the other side also needed a truce.

‘When I return…’

I’ll show you what the real end is.

Ian resolved, following the mages as he flew.

A moment later-

In the distance, the mansion stood alone in the devastated Hiero territory.

Taat.

“Ugh, that hurts.”

“Oh, I’m so tired. Let me lie down for a bit.”

“Who was bleeding earlier?”

“Commander Hail?”

“Not the commander, haa. Wait, I’m bleeding here too.”

The mages landed on the lawn of the Hiero mansion, sprawling out as if they had rolled down a hill. Without exaggeration, it was as hard as dying. Physically and mentally.

“Huuu…”

One mage, looking at the blue sky, couldn’t hold back his tears. This was the start, and soon, sniffling sounds could be heard from all around.

Commander Hail tried to use forbidden magic. In front of them… The shocking scene wouldn’t leave their minds.

Thud.

When Hail landed lightly on the grass, the mages rushed towards him. Their faces, covered in tears, snot, and blood, were quite a sight.

Hail, unable to say sorry, patted the ones who embraced him.

“Huuu, huuu…”

“Commander, you’re too much.”

“You shouldn’t do that. Commander, you shouldn’t do that.”

They all cried and scolded Hail, but deep down, they understood his choice, which made them feel even more miserable.

They were called the closest to the gods, those who wielded power. They had gathered their strength, but in front of the forbidden mage, they were insignificant beings, unable to even leave a scratch, and their sense of defeat was immense.

“…The words ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘thank you,’ those are all words we should be saying, Commander.”

“We’re sorry for making you make that choice. And thank you. We know you did it for us.”

“But you can’t. Even if we all die together, forbidden magic is not an option. It’s a curse that destroys the soul.”

“That’s right, Hail.”

Ian, who had approached next, sighed. His face looked unusually pale. It seemed he had exhausted his energy fighting the forbidden mage.

But his steps were firm, and his tone was resolute. Ian wiped the blood from his face with the back of his hand and looked at the mages.

“As long as I am here, forbidden magic is absolutely forbidden. This is not just for Commander Hail, but for everyone who is with me.”

Engrave it deeply in your hearts. Even if not now, this will be a will passed down to the future Bariel, 100 years from now.

“You will die in peace, and I will live for that. So, for me, and for Bariel, do not give up on yourselves. That burden is mine. If you crumble, I will break.”

It was a request filled with sincerity.

At Ian’s words, Hail let out a small breath and nodded.

“…I apologize. I was short-sighted.”

“No. It’s okay since it could be reversed.”

The mages hugged each other tightly. They were alive. They were here. They were together. That alone was enough to comfort them.

Creak.

“You’re all crying and making a fuss. Why don’t you all come inside? How long are you going to stay out there?”

Then, Berik, who had gone inside the mansion, opened the door wide and called out to them. Although the decorations were broken here and there, it was still intact enough to serve as a temporary shelter.

“That bastard doesn’t understand emotion, and he has no tact.”

“It’s enough that he didn’t die. Everyone, follow me. It looks like Haena left some things for treatment and food.”

“Who’s Haena?”

“She’s the mansion’s butler.”

The mages followed Berik into the mansion. It was old and broken in places, but it still had a unique, antique charm.

Some of the mages showed signs of surprise. They were people who had lived in the imperial palace, so they weren’t surprised by the beauty of the mansion…

“Is this Ian’s mansion?”

“Ian, did you live here when you were young? Oh, you’re still young. I apologize.”

“I heard Berik lived here too.”

“Oh, yeah. I used to use the room on the second floor.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. It’s hard to believe this is Ian’s mansion. You’ve been living in a small office room or in Lord Romandro’s mansion, haven’t you? It’s so grand, it’s surprising.”

“This way, everyone! Follow me to the drawing room!”

It had been a long time, but Berik still remembered the structure of the mansion. He led the mages to the drawing room and took out the box that Haena had left.

Inside, things necessary for survival were neatly packed. It was left for the survivors of Hiero, or, though unlikely, in case Ian and Berik returned.

“Okay, those who are torn and cut, come this way. Nakina! You have the biggest stab wound on your back, right?”

“Apply it gently. I’ll kill you if you hurt me.”

“Then go back. Hey! Those who are hungry, eat a piece of jerky.”

“Oh my. Why is Berik telling us to eat first?”

“Why else? He’s already set aside his share, that’s why.”

“Eat one each, seriously. You’ll die.”

They treated each other and shared food, taking a rest.

Ian also wiped off the bloodstains with a wet towel and leaned back on the sofa, looking tired.

“Ian, are you okay?”

“You fought two forbidden mages alone, it’s amazing you held on. But…”

One of the mages trailed off. His voice sounded like he had made a decision.

“Ian. May I say something about the current situation?”

“Anything.”

Ian allowed it, still with the wet towel on his face. Was it because the tension had been released? He didn’t even have the strength to respond anymore.

“To be honest, I think we have reached our limit. We never imagined Rusweena would use forbidden magic. This means that, in some way, they are thinking one step ahead of us.”

What does it mean to be one step ahead? It meant that the Rusweena mages had grown over the past 10 years.

While the Bariel mages were split between the north and south, they hid Idgal, hired mage mercenaries, and developed black armor technology, improving their national power.

“We have certainly not been negligent in our training, but this time, we have clearly been defeated. I don’t think we can deny that.”

“Well, that’s not wrong. Even with Toolun’s intervention, we couldn’t even touch the forbidden mage.”

“It felt like a different dimension. Maybe it’s because the source of their power is a little different.”

“Besides that, the level of the Rusweena mages felt pretty good. Most of the magic they used was intermediate or higher, right?”

“Yeah. Some of it is thanks to the forbidden magic, but they can’t just cast magic they don’t know, right? Especially the mercenaries, they have different nationalities and experiences, so their movements were noticeably different.”

The mages agreed, adding their own thoughts.

After admitting defeat, they felt a little lighter. Lightening the heart. They could vaguely feel that it was the first step towards moving forward.

“There are many factors, but I think Commander Acorella’s reliance on potions was too high. It’s effective for temporarily boosting magic power, but it made us complacent. We hardly did any magic expansion training.”

“Commander Acorella would foam at the mouth if he heard that.”

“It’s not the commander’s potion itself that’s the problem, but my own reliance on it.”

At the mage’s reflection, others began to speak up.

“We kept using the same magic we always used.”

“Ah, me too. I was a bit flustered when I used the wind magic earlier. I thought I had read the magic circle wrong.”

“Nakina was cut by Idgal twice, too.”

“Right. I got hit from behind. I should have kept a shield up behind me.”

They began to review their shortcomings. This wasn’t just to blame themselves. It was to quickly make up for their weaknesses and prepare for the next battle.

They might not grow dramatically, but at least if they didn’t repeat the same mistakes, they would be better than before, right?

‘If I grow, my comrades won’t get hurt. If I become a pillar, my comrades won’t have to sacrifice themselves.’

When this war is over, I will train like crazy and get closer to the gods.

Berik, who had been listening quietly, asked, puzzled.

“Wait, what, what was it? Why, like, how the magic swordsman opens up their blood points, they say mages can also go up a level if they do something. Or not?”

“Magic swordsman. Where did you hear that?”

“Berik. Unlike you, we don’t open blood points or anything like that. It’s more accurate to say we expand our vessel.”

“No, I’m sure I saw it. In the mage’s forest…”

At Berik’s mumbling, Ian lowered the wet towel and frowned.

“Berik. You didn’t even go down to the study.”

“Not the books, there was something strange in the drawer?”

“What strange thing?”

“It’s strange, so I don’t know what it is.”

The mages’ eyes narrowed, and there was a moment of silence. Berik scratched his philtrum, looking embarrassed, and asked.

“…Should I go back and get it?”