Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 662

The portal seemed to shrink little by little, and then it disappeared completely.

‘…It’s closed.’

As the passage that had been flowing coolly into the portal vanished, the river level gradually rose, and the gathered residents looked up at the castle walls, murmuring. They knew that the Emperor of Bariel was watching from there.

Jin pressed his temples, looking at the winding river. Then, he turned his head and spoke to his subordinates.

“It seems too early.”

“I think so too, Your Majesty. Commander Hale clearly stated it would be shorter than five days, but this is only two days.”

Everything became clear. The fact that Ian had not returned meant that a serious problem had occurred, and the mages were also responding with all their might.

Jin snapped his fingers and gave instructions.

“Tell all the mages at the mine to gather. We will discuss this matter seriously.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Although Acorella and her direct subordinates belonged to the Magic Stone Management Department and were not suited for field work, there was no other way at the moment. They had to grasp at straws.

“If there is a puppeteer on that side, they must have noticed that most of the Magic Department’s forces are absent. It’s safer to call the mages back and deploy them within Calamat.”

“Your Majesty, does that mean there might be an attack from Toloon?”

“Haven’t they already started?”

Jin gestured towards the river with his chin. The murky river was becoming even darker. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the part reflecting the sunlight seemed to have a reddish tinge.

“Your Majesty, how about sending Bariel soldiers with Clark?”

Jairut, who had been listening nearby, suggested.

Clark was preparing to head north alone, as per Jin’s orders. If danger was foreseen when sending someone anyway, wouldn’t it be safer to add more personnel?

Of course, this wasn’t for Clark’s life, but to ensure the ‘situation report’ was delivered safely.

“I believe a dozen or so cavalry would be effective.”

“Minister Tweller.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

It was a call to accept Jairut’s opinion. Tweller immediately bowed and descended the castle walls.

Now was the time for decisions.

Jin stroked his chin, looking at the Gaia map [a map of the world] hanging on one side. Now that the eastern region of Bariel had been attacked, what should he do?

‘If I recall the main force and move it to the center, it will be somewhat manageable. But if I do that, Vergos will be empty, and Toloon could strike from below… But if I stay here with the center still empty, I’m worried about the east. Receiving news through the center is also too slow.’

Whichever option he chose, the pros and cons were clear. Jin sighed and traced the border lines on the map with his fingertip.

‘The best option is for Sir Ian and the mages to quickly deal with Luswena and Hawan and return to head towards Toloon.’

Then he could head to the center without worry….

Swoosh.

At that moment, Jin unconsciously covered his nose with his sleeve. A strong stench was rising from the darkened river, reaching even the top of the castle walls. The residents had already left, it seemed.

“Your Majesty, it would be best to go down now. The stench is too strong, and it’s concerning.”

“Understood. Have you sent word to Clifford?”

“We sent a messenger bird, so it should arrive not too late. However, it will take some time for it to reach the royal palace again.”

It wasn’t that far from Calamat to Clifford. But from there to the Prodohona Royal Palace, it would take almost as long as crossing Bariel.

Jin got up from his seat, muttering worriedly.

“I don’t know if Clifford will be able to handle that sewage well.”

At the Emperor’s concern, the ministers could only bow their heads and remain silent.

On the way into Calamat Castle, all the residents of Vergos were out on the streets, bowing their heads and begging.

“Emperor of Bariel, please purify that river. The land of Vergos is drying up. And we are drying up!”

“Show us the power of an omnipotent mage!”

“Your Majesty! Please, please, I beg you!”

The cries seeping into the carriage were truly earnest.

Jin, feeling uncomfortable, deliberately avoided looking out the window. Although they were not the people of Bariel, as an emperor, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for those who were asking for his mercy.

As the carriage arrived at the castle, Tweller, who had arrived earlier, greeted him.

“Your Majesty, the cavalry is ready. They will depart immediately after a brief preparation. Would you like to receive a report?”

“…It’s fine. You can encourage them on my behalf-”

Jin, who was about to wave him away, suddenly stopped. He saw a familiar woman passing by, leading a horse in the distance. The woman, with her hair roughly tied up and her sleeves rolled up like a man, was Aileen.

“Is that woman going too?”

“Yes, she is.”

“…Why?”

The cavalry were specially selected and trained for a long time. But Aileen was an infantry soldier.

Tweller was even more puzzled by Jin’s question.

“What’s mixed in the river is clearly poison. It’s beyond human capability to handle, so it must be from a monster or something similar. Also, the north is close to the Toloon Temple, so if sending a mage or magic swordsman is not feasible, then it’s appropriate to….”

It’s right to send the paladin Aileen.

As Tweller trailed off, a moment of silence passed. The horse, standing still, just pawed the ground and neighed.

Jin, unable to find the right words, or perhaps realizing he had misspoke, closed his mouth with a nonchalant expression.

“So, when I asked Aileen, she said she would go as if she had been waiting for it. Even I can see her spirit is considerable. This is surely a blessing for Bariel.”

“…Understood.”

Jin turned his head away and answered as if resigned. He shouldn’t be internally criticizing Clark or Siao, should he? With Aileen involved, Jin also felt on edge.

Jairut, who had been following behind, vaguely sensed the Emperor’s mood and added.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry too much. Their mission is to confirm and report the anomalies in the river, not to escort Clark or engage in combat.”

“Who said I was worried? I trust the proud soldiers of Bariel, and I have no doubt they will carry out their mission faithfully and perfectly.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Ah, yes? Jin’s eyes narrowed, but that was it. Jin deliberately changed the subject and muttered.

“Rather, my concern right now is for Sir Ian and the mages. Perhaps you are thinking of Berik.”

“…He’s such a troublemaker.”

It was a blunt answer, but his affection was clear. It wasn’t just Jairut; all the Imperial Guard members must be feeling Berik’s absence.

Jairut pretended to be nonchalant, suppressing his longing for Berik with a cough.

* * *

“Shit!”

Kwaaaang! Bang!

Whoosh!

Startled, Berik reflexively unleashed his magic, and the hut was engulfed in flames. The worn furniture and aged items were instantly ablaze.

The mage glanced inside the shattered window and muttered.

“Ian Hiel is not here?”

“Not that I should be saying this, but your face is seriously terrifying, man.”

Zhiing! Zhiing!

The mage’s crazed eyes darted around.

Berik gripped his magic greatsword and lowered his stance. It was definitely the third forbidden mage he had seen in battle. That X-like bastard that even a group of mages couldn’t defeat.

Even Ian had struggled against those guys, so what chance did he have?

‘I’m screwed.’

No way.

Berik slowly backed away, biting his lip. Honestly, he wanted to rush in and finish it, whether he could or not, but he had a mission to carry out right now.

That was to bring the mysterious box he found here to the mages.

‘If I don’t have this, the guys will get destroyed.’

If the mages did their part, the danger Ian faced would decrease. Instead of standing alone and bearing everything, he could lean on his comrades.

Berik put the box in his pocket and looked around.

‘Can I escape?’

Finding an opening was secondary; the problem was whether he could outrun the mage’s mobility. If he messed up, he could end up leading him all the way to the Hiel mansion. If that were the case, it would be better to flee towards the desert.

“Where did Ian Hiel go, leaving you alone?”

“Ian went to your house, you moron.”

“That’s strange, there are no other mages either. Why did you come all the way here alone?”

“You’re weirder. Go eat shit!”

Chwaaaak!

Berik threw himself out the window. As soon as he rolled once, he immediately pushed off and ran straight ahead without thinking about direction. He decided it was better to hide in the forest and shake off his pursuer, and then find his way. Either way, he was going to get lost anyway.

Tap tap tap!

Branches and leaves in the darkness quickly brushed past him. Berik moved as he saw openings, and then glanced back. The guy wasn’t following, it seemed.

Was that a good thing? Was he just an idiot? As he thought that and looked ahead again-

“…Shit!”

Hwaaaak!

The mage, who had appeared right in front of him, opened his mouth wide with flames.

Startled, Berik twisted his body, but it wasn’t easy due to inertia. He swung his greatsword haphazardly and tumbled for a moment. Berik got back up and ran away with all his might.

“Berik-!”

But soon, the mage blocked his path again. Eventually, Berik gave up on escaping and knelt down, scanning the guy up and down with a frustrated face.

“Where did you get the nerve to call my name like we’re friends? Haa, this is so tiring. How did you do that? Did you use a clone technique like Ian?”

If so, that meant his power was halved, so was it doable?

“Where did Ian Hiel go, leaving you alone, here?”

“Is it a clone technique? Or something else?”

“You have business in the mage’s forest? What is it?”

“Is it because you’re from another country? You’re not making any sense.”

“Tell me. Or will you die?”

“Really? Then let’s make a bet?”

Berik smiled, creating a red magic greatsword. He knew that running away was pointless, but maybe it was for the best. If he won here, he could get the mages to treat him like a big brother from now on!

“The first one to die answers!”

Chwaaaak!

Berik’s greatsword burst into flames, spewing fire. The dark forest instantly became bright, and small animals that had been sleeping scattered in surprise.

The mage smiled as if agreeing and lightly gestured.

“That sounds good.”

“Come on-! I’ll smash your head in!”

「Invisibility」.

As the mage chanted the spell, his figure slowly began to disappear. The surroundings instantly darkened, and soon only silence remained.

“What the hell is this?”

Berik was bewildered. Soon, he felt his flames gradually scattering. The flames soon changed into the form of a wall, forming a hut.

“Again.”

A familiar space.

It was the hut where Berik had lived with his family when he was young. The difference from Rutherford’s time was that he was now standing as ‘Imperial Guard Berik’ without losing his ego.

“…What are you doing? It’s pissing me off.”

The sound of rain hitting the window, the smell of soup, and the damp smell of wood were vivid. Berik, as if possessed, went into the inner room and looked around.

No one was there.

No, no one should have been there.

“……”

He felt a presence under the bed and heard a faint breathing sound from the storage room. Berik bit his lower lip and pulled the door handle, and then made eye contact with someone.

It was Berik.

His younger self was glaring at him with red eyes.

‘This is really annoying.’

Berik had a hunch. To break this illusion, he would have to kill the child. And perhaps even his sisters hiding under that bed.