Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 690

There were no problems at Calamat Castle.

Everyone thought so, except for the residents who visited the palace to sell food and daily necessities.

“……”

They paused, seeing a person dangling from a huge chandelier.

Judging by the long robe, it didn’t seem like a low-ranking employee, but why were they hanging there? Was it some kind of execution ritual performed in Bariel?

“Hello. I’m the purchasing officer.”

“Ah, hello.”

“You’ve come to sell wheat and barley?”

“Yes. 50 boxes each…”

“That’s perfect. It’s been a bit difficult to get wheat lately. The price will be the average value recorded in the Calamat Palace ledger. You can receive it in cash… What are you looking at?”

The purchasing officer followed their gaze to the ceiling.

“Ah. That’s a mage.”

“A mage?”

Why is a mage hanging there? Is everything alright? Unlike the bewildered residents, the purchasing officer seemed used to it and began filling out the transaction statement.

“Shall we go look at the goods?”

“Ah, yes, yes. This way.”

Thud! Bang!

Boom!

The residents, who had turned their backs, flinched and cowered. The impact was so great it felt like the palace would collapse. Had a war broken out with some unknown enemy?

But again, the purchasing officer nonchalantly led the way.

“That’s just the commotion from the temporary magic department. It’s like that all day when the sun rises, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“A-at this rate, the palace will collapse.”

“Hey, this is where His Majesty resides. They’ll take care of it.”

Since the palace was built on high ground, the residents were unaware of such disturbances.

‘Ah, Calamat Castle, which has stood proudly for hundreds of years! How painful it must be due to the defeat in the war!’ The residents wiped away tears and moved to the front yard where they were unloading goods.

‘Gasp, there too…!’

It wasn’t that far, but they encountered all sorts of strange sights along the way.

A mage stuck to the high castle wall, a mage offering passersby a terrible-looking liquid, a mage sprawled out on the ground, exhausted, and so on.

The officer, unable to bear it any longer, added awkwardly,

“Ahem. It’s been particularly like this for the past few days, haha. It wasn’t usually this bad.”

“Did something happen? It’s so different from the mages I imagined.”

“Well, I heard the Minister of Magic is temporarily away, but I don’t know the details…”

Just as they were about to open the boxes of wheat and barley, a sudden gust of wind swept in from the sky, and soon something black appeared.

The residents were shocked. They had seen it a few times, but this was the first time they saw it so close. Just by visiting the palace once, they were seeing all sorts of things…

“Get out of the way!”

Whoosh!

“Eek!”

“I said move!”

Tap tap!

Mages rushed past them at a crazy speed. Even a dog that hadn’t eaten for days wouldn’t react like that to the sound of a food bowl rattling.

Seeing the mages, who had been scattered everywhere, suddenly sprinting in the same direction, the officer muttered.

“Oh my, it seems the Minister has arrived.”

Whoosh!

The mages gathered below the portal, panting. Some had clear pillow marks on their faces, as if they had been sleeping, and someone was wearing their clothes inside out.

But no one cared. They all swallowed hard, waiting for a person to appear from the portal.

“There! It’s Ian!”

“Oh, he’s coming!”

“Ian! Commander Hale! Tommy, you rascal!”

“Welcome!”

“Huh? It looks like there’s one more person? Who is it?”

The mages, who had been waving their hands and jumping around, stopped abruptly.

Besides the healing mage, there was a strange child mixed in. At first glance, it looked like Roel, but it wasn’t. It was a boy.

Tap.

Ian landed lightly and adjusted his robe. Hale and Tommy followed behind him. The mages cautiously gathered, observing Ian’s face, Hale’s expression, and Tommy’s signals.

“Um, Ian. What about Philia…?”

Ian gave a wry smile. Hale shook his head, and Tommy mouthed that it wasn’t good.

The mages knew very well what those meant. Even when they were told she was critical, there was still hope, but in the end, she had met her fate.

“Ah, this is…”

The mages hugged Ian, looking distraught. One by one, the mages who embraced Ian let out pitiful groans. To them, Ian, on the contrary, patted their backs, saying it was okay.

“I’ll tell you the details later. Was there any problem while I was gone?”

“Yes, of course. We all did our duty to protect His Majesty and Calamat!”

‘Really! It’s just that everyone’s way of doing it was a bit…’

Ian looked around the outskirts of the castle and nodded slightly. On the surface, yes, it seemed like nothing had happened.

“Where’s Beric?”

“He went into the underground training ground with Commander Jerritt. He must have sensed our presence, but since he’s not showing up, it seems he’s been properly caught. But that guy needs it. No, that crazy bastard raided the warehouse again a few days ago, you know?”

“I’ve been holding back lately, but I guess he was so hungry that the damage this time is quite significant.”

“I think it’s time to send him back to the wild.”

“That’s right. It was arrogant of us humans to try to handle his appetite. Let’s return him to nature and leave it to them.”

Ian chuckled. He felt that the mages were joking to ease the news of Philia’s death, even though they were also somewhat serious.

“I understand. I’ll see His Majesty first. Tell Commander Jerritt to come up.”

“Commander Jerritt? Not Minister Tweller?”

“Yes.”

Hmm. Suddenly, the mages’ gazes focused on the unfamiliar child standing behind Ian.

‘Who is this?’

‘Why is he so calm?’

They didn’t know who he was, but they were sure of it. The child must have been on a portal for the first time, and it must have been his first time in the royal palace of Vergos. Not only that, he probably had never met so many mages before.

Yet, the child was calm without showing any surprise or fear. He was an unusual child.

“He’s a trainee magic swordsman.”

“A magic swordsman?”

“Huh? Where did you meet him?”

“You idiot, obviously in Karenna.”

Cedric looked up at the mages carefully. They were said to be beings close to the power of gods, but they all seemed a bit off.

“Hello, I’m Cedric.”

“Oh, yeah. Nice to meet you.”

“He’s polite. Ian, are you going up with Cedric?”

“Yes. This way.”

Squeak.

Ian gestured to Cedric to follow him. To think that the first palace he saw wasn’t the imperial palace but Calamat Palace. This was a valuable experience in itself.

The child looked at Ian, who had stopped in front of a huge door.

“Wait here for a moment.”

“Is His Majesty inside?”

Ian affirmed with silence and stepped inside first.

Through the crack in the door, Cedric saw it. Silver hair, blue eyes, and a large scar across his face.

Thud!

As the door closed, the child stood still and waited as Ian had instructed. The attendant next to the door didn’t even make a sound, making him wonder if he was even human.

‘Okay, let’s count the wallpaper patterns. One, two, three…’

“Who are you? Where’s Ian?”

Then, Beric, covered in sweat, appeared with Jerritt. He was walking far ahead of Jerritt, who had been summoned.

Cedric, who had been blankly counting, replied without realizing it.

“…Twenty-eight.”

“Huh?”

‘What the hell?’ Beric, who had been cursed at, looked down at the child with a dumbfounded expression.

Red hair and red eyes. And a somewhat sharply torn mouth. He didn’t seem like a nice person. Cedric carefully observed Beric and added,

“I was counting numbers.”

Jerritt, who arrived behind him, sensed a faint aura as soon as he saw Cedric. And then he understood why Minister Ian had summoned him.

‘A new recruit.’

‘Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness.’

The qualification for the Imperial Guard was only strength. Even if you weren’t a magic swordsman, you could join, but it was virtually impossible for someone who wasn’t a magic swordsman to become stronger beyond the limits of the human body. That’s why magic swordsmen were important.

But they were too rare. Jerritt knew how rare they were, and how much rarer a magic swordsman who joined the Imperial Guard as a new recruit was.

Nevertheless, the supply of magic swordsmen was absolutely necessary. Now, of course, and even more so after the war.

Squeak.

Just then, an attendant who had received a signal from inside bowed to the three of them and guided them.

“His Majesty and Minister Ian have finished their private meeting. Would you like to request an audience?”

“Tell them we’re here.”

“Your Majesty, Commander Jerritt has arrived.”

Jin and Ian were sitting on the sofa with a table between them. Commander Jerritt noticed that the atmosphere was strangely subdued as soon as he stepped in. And surprisingly, so did Beric.

“Ian. What about Philia?”

Cedric glanced up at him. The gaze that had been so freely extended was slightly wavering. Ian gestured lightly, stopping him, saying they would talk about it later.

“Beric. Later.”

Both Jin and Beric had a connection with Philia, but this was just a private, personal sorrow. Of course, it was also related to the fact that it was the work of Toallun-

“Commander Jerritt. Please confirm the events that happened in Karenna with a report. Toallun’s influence has spread throughout Bariel more than we thought.”

“…Yes, I understand. You’ve worked hard.”

That was a topic for the conference room.

Ian gestured for Cedric to come closer.

“Your Majesty. This is the child.”

Cedric took a breath for the first time and bowed. It was the Emperor, no less. The pinnacle of Bariel and the master of the world. The child didn’t even dare to look up, keeping his gaze low.

“I am Cedric, Your Majesty. It is an honor to meet you.”

“Raise your head.”

Jin crossed his legs and scanned the child. Then, he gave a meaningful smile and whispered to Ian.

“You were right. His eyes are good.”

“The future of Bariel is bright, Your Majesty.”

‘What is it? What’s going on?’ Beric, who was the only one who didn’t understand the situation, scratched his ear.

Ian introduced Cedric to Commander Jerritt and instructed him.

“This is Commander Jerritt, one of the three great commanders of the Imperial Guard. Learn much and be of help to Bariel and His Majesty.”

“I will do my best.”

“Commander Jerritt. As you already know, please take good care of him.”

“Yes, thank you for bringing such a valuable talent.”

Jerritt asked Cedric as a formality.

“If you become a member of the Imperial Guard, what is the first thing you want to achieve?”

It was a routine question, but the child hesitated for a moment. Then, he answered very carefully.

“Do you want me to tell you the truth?”

“Of course. Not even an inch of falsehood is allowed in front of His Majesty.”

Jin sipped his tea, watching Cedric closely. Even though he must be heavy-hearted after hearing about Philia’s death, Ian had brought this child. He had a feeling he would soon find out why.

Cedric hesitated for a long time, then finally opened his mouth.

“…I want to beat up a guy named Lehman.”

“Who?”

Jerritt’s eyes widened. It was the first time he had heard such an answer in his life. But Ian smiled as if he expected it, and Jerritt, who belatedly grasped the situation, turned to Beric.

“Beric.”

“What?”

“Cedric is your responsibility.”

“Huh?”

‘That’s an excellent decision.’ Ian nodded, and Jin also agreed. It was a rule that putting people with similar traits together would have a positive effect. They would have much to learn from each other.

Everyone else seemed to agree. Except for Beric.

“Me?”

“Yes. You heard that, right, Cedric? From now on, Beric is your mentor.”

“No, I’m not at the level to handle this kind of cleanup?”

“Shut up. Don’t argue.”

“I don’t want to! It’s annoying!”

Beric made an X with his hand, looking disgusted.

‘Such outrageous words in front of the Emperor. Was he a crazy maniac?’ Cedric made that assessment of Beric and bowed.

“Please take care of me. I’m Cedric.”

“No, I said I don’t want to, you brat.”

“Why?”

It was the same tone as when Beric had said ‘What?’ earlier.