Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 692

Tweller slowly wiped the axe blade with a dry cloth.

Numerous stains, indelible marks from countless battles, were scattered across it. Surprisingly, each one was vividly etched in Tweller’s memory.

This was inevitable for a warrior who lived by killing. It was proof of his existence; how could he ever forget it?

“Minister Tweller.”

“What is it?”

“Minister Ian has requested an audience.”

The hand that had been moving meticulously paused.

Tweller had a vague idea why Ian was seeking him out, but he couldn’t be sure. Ian was an enigma, someone hard to fathom.

“Let him in.”

As he roughly finished cleaning the axe, the door opened. Ian, dressed casually and holding documents, greeted him with a smile.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your rest.”

“Not at all. Rather, I should be asking you, Minister Ian, how you never seem to rest.”

Even though the Emperor had personally ordered him to recover his strength, Ian presented the documents to him.

“Rest is only possible when there’s nothing weighing on one’s mind, wouldn’t you agree? It’s no use if the body is comfortable but the mind is heavy. So, I’m finishing this up.”

What were the documents about? Nothing special. It was something his subordinates could have handled, yet he brought it himself. Tweller had a hunch. There must be something more to it.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I’ve already had some on my way here.”

Ian said, settling comfortably on the sofa.

The two looked at each other in silence. Outwardly, they appeared as a teenager and an old man, but they were both ministers. Moreover, Ian was—

“I know how much effort the Minister of Imperial Defense must put in during wartime. Is there anything troubling you? If there’s anything I can help with, I’d be glad to.”

The future Emperor.

Tweller’s lips tightened for a moment before he sighed. There was no need to beat around the bush, and he shouldn’t.

“I apologize. Has His Majesty been troubled by something?”

He was worried that his own thoughts might have somehow leaked out and become a concern for the Emperor.

Ian lightly shook his head.

“It’s hard to say. But if others besides me have noticed, perhaps His Majesty is also subtly aware.”

Tweller hesitated for a long while before politely taking out a cigarette, and Ian readily gave his permission.

Each time he inhaled, deep wrinkles on his face came to life, like an ancient tree breathing.

“I’ve grown old, haven’t I? I was already an old man when I took office as the Minister of Imperial Defense, and now another ten years have passed.”

“Please don’t say that. Your axe is still as sharp as ever.”

Tweller responded with a bitter smile before continuing.

“…And so, I’ve been thinking deeply. This war will be the last of my career as a minister, and there won’t be many days left for me to serve His Majesty.”

Jin was the Emperor who first took his hand and the last he would serve. He knew it was presumptuous, but he couldn’t help but worry about his future.

Even if he were to be swept away by the wind and become a handful of dust, he wouldn’t want to be in Jin’s path. He wished that there would be no obstacles in the path he would take.

“…Sir Ian.”

Tweller spoke cautiously. He was not his usual, bold, and composed self. The matter at hand was that serious and needed to be handled with utmost care.

“Will you return to the future?”

Tweller looked into Ian’s eyes. Deep green eyes. They held the world within them. The Bariel of the future and the Bariel of the present.

“Is that what worries you?”

Ian’s eyes narrowed. His face was calm, as if he had anticipated the question, but his gaze was firm.

Tweller didn’t answer immediately. He had already shown too much disrespect with that question. The heart of an old man daring to worry about two Emperors.

But the old general soon chose his words.

“Sir Ian’s presence is like a powerful light. You are an unparalleled master among mages and, at the same time, the future Emperor. This gives soldiers and the people of the Empire a strong belief that their sacrifices will not be in vain.”

But where there is light, there is also shadow. Unfortunately, that shadow was gradually reaching Jin’s feet.

Jin, standing alone, was undoubtedly close to being the perfect Emperor. He had overcome a sad past, seized control of the Imperial Palace, and was embracing Bariel without a single flaw.

‘But…’

It wasn’t the same when he was with Sir Ian. When he was with Ian, the Emperor’s dignity seemed somewhat diminished, and sometimes he was reminded of his days as a prince.

Could it be that Jin’s time was also being affected because Ian, who was disrupting the flow of time, was by his side? It felt like ripples were forming in the path the Emperor should be taking straight ahead. Regardless of Ian’s intentions, he felt like someone who created waves just by existing.

“It’s especially concerning during wartime.”

He was worried that when everything was settled and they returned to Bariel, the cheers of the people would be directed at Ian, not Jin.

Of course, Ian was also a sacred and noble being, but not here. Not here…

“This is my last war, but for His Majesty, it is the war that will be written in the first chapter.”

The ash from the cigarette Tweller was holding crumbled and slowly fell. He stubbed out the cigarette, which he had barely smoked, and stroked his beard.

“I apologize. I’ve gone too far.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Ian lightly shook his head, telling him not to worry too much.

“I am rather pleased.”

That there was someone by Jin’s side who only thought of his lord’s safety.

Even if Tweller were to retire from public service, if someone who inherited his spirit were to take over the Imperial Defense Department, the future of Bariel would be secure. Surely, they would be by his side in the future as well.

“Minister Tweller, I know very well what your concerns are. No, it would be more accurate to say that I’ve thought about it even more deeply than you have.”

Ian was also an Emperor. He knew too well the shadow cast when a greater light stood beside him.

“But for now, please focus on what’s in front of you. Toolun is right before us. It will be a difficult war even if everyone is focused on the same goal.”

What would happen if they had other thoughts in the middle of it? Misunderstandings and distrust would spread quickly, causing rifts. Even this time, didn’t Commander Jerritt, who noticed Minister Tweller’s unease, become deeply concerned?

Now, before a major event, it’s best to put aside anything that could hinder each other.

“I apologize.”

“It’s alright. Just be careful from now on.”

“It’s not that, I mean I’m sorry for asking about your fate.”

Will you return to the future?

Ian hadn’t come of his own will, nor was he staying of his own accord. Tweller knew that his story was filled with no less tears and blood, which made him feel uneasy.

“That’s alright too. Didn’t I say I was rather pleased? Please continue to do so. Fulfill your role as a minister and only think of His Majesty and the current Bariel. That is also the path for me.”

Ian smiled and stood up. Tweller naturally followed suit.

“Then, please let me know when the departure date is set. Until then, the Magic Department will be following His Majesty’s will and enjoying the warm days.”

Squeak.

As the door closed, Tweller slumped back onto the sofa and sighed.

And Ian was the same. The faint smile he had worn while walking down the hallway gradually disappeared. The sunlight streaming through the windows flickered on his face.

“Will you return to the future?”

A question that no one had ever asked before. But a question that had always been in his heart.

Ian shook off his thoughts and walked past the main hall, taking the stairs to the second floor. Halfway up, the boisterous noise of the Magic Department was already loud.

“Nooo! Please, Commander Acorella!”

“Wait, this guy doesn’t have a brain right now. He can’t feel pain, you know?”

“What if it explodes?”

“If it explodes, then the next experiment—!”

“Get that away! Get Darci’s eyeball away!”

It seemed Acorella had encountered Mrs. Darci. He didn’t think she would let it go quietly with her personality. Ian paused at the door, taking a moment to compose himself.

Creak!

At the sound, all the mages froze. Only Mrs. Darci’s eyeball, which had been flying in the air, rolled across the floor.

The mages waited anxiously for Ian’s instructions.

“S-Sir Ian. What did the Imperial Defense Department say?”

His Majesty had told them to relax, but the outcome would depend on how the two ministers interpreted it. Whether they would sleep soundly in bed or scribble on documents, and so on.

“They didn’t mention anything about the schedule.”

“T-Then, does that mean…?!”

“Rest well until further instructions are given. Those who leave the palace, don’t go too far.”

“Thank you! Thank you! Yay!”

“Cover it up, cover it up! Cover everything!”

“Don’t make a fuss, maintain the dignity of the Imperial Palace mages.”

“Of course, Sir Ian!”

As soon as Ian’s orders were given, the mages cheered and jumped around. Mrs. Darci’s eyeball rolled precariously between their feet and into a corner of the room.

“Ugh, I’m going to die. I’m going to die.”

“Let’s get some sleep. Anyone who wakes me up is dead.”

Most of them chose to lay down blankets on the spot. Although Ian had been gone for the past few days, they had their assigned tasks, so their lives were the same as before. Of course, they had the freedom to handle things on the chandelier or rest on the outer walls of the castle.

“Sir Ian, please rest too.”

“I will. Everyone, recover your strength and magic fully.”

As Ian was about to turn away, Tommy cautiously followed him. Why was he doing that? Ian looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Sir Ian, I’ve been thinking a lot. But I don’t know if I should tell you this…”

“If it’s a decision you’ve made after much thought, then it must be right. Speak without hesitation.”

Ian gently encouraged him, but Tommy kept biting his lip and hesitating. But then, he took out a small letter from his pocket.

“It’s a messenger bird from the Hielo Mansion. It seems Philia sent it to Nersarn. I was keeping it to deliver it to Nersarn later, but given the situation… I’m a little late.”

Ian’s eyes widened slightly. He wondered if Nersarn, worried about Philia’s safety, had sent it to prevent her from leaving Hielo.

“…Thank you.”

“Then, please rest.”

Tommy bowed his head and went back into the Magic Department. Ian stood there for a long time before going up to the highest railing.

Whoosh-

A place where the wind blew fiercely. And a place where no one was. He slowly unfolded the letter, and a sentence was visible through the gap.

-Dear Nersarn, this is Philia. Are you safe?

Ian neatly and carefully folded the letter. It wasn’t just because he was reminded of Philia’s appearance when she was alive. How could he carelessly read what a mother had sent to her father?

Buzz. Buzz.

Whoosh!

Ian set the letter on fire. The ashes rose into the sky, as if they would reach the endless world.

Ian leaned against the railing and watched it, then frowned.

Was it because the sunlight was too bright, or was it because the small smoke momentarily stung his eyes? Ian quickly wiped away the slight tears that were welling up and looked up at the sky again, certain that the letter had reached its destination.