Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 697

“Senior.”

Cedric poked Beric’s side with the end of his wooden sword. Was he dead? There was no movement at all.

What on earth had happened in just one night? He was the one who had been rolling around the day before. How could Beric be so exhausted?

“Senior, it’s training time. If you don’t get up, I’m starting without you.”

Good. I’ll beat him to a pulp while he can’t move. It wasn’t morally right, but he didn’t care. If he were the type to care about morals, he wouldn’t have pushed himself so hard when he first picked up a sword.

Just as Cedric was about to bring his wooden sword down on Beric’s back with all his might.

Whoosh!

“…I’m dead.”

“Ah. Senior, you’re awake.”

“You little brat, where did you learn that?”

“You wouldn’t wake up, so I was trying to wake you.”

“Trying to wake me up? More like trying to put me to sleep for good.”

Thud. Beric, who had slightly opened his eyes, lightly blocked the wooden sword with his index and middle fingers.

Even if Cedric had a natural talent, it was limited to ‘magic swordsman talent.’ A wooden sword swung by a kid who had never trained properly was no match for Beric.

“Agh, damn it. My head.”

Beric struggled to sit up and then gulped down the water next to him. Judging by his deeply hoarse voice, his condition wasn’t good.

“What time is it?”

“It’s past ten. By the way, training is at nine.”

“I know, you punk.”

“I thought you didn’t know since you were lying down.”

“Are you going to keep talking back when my head is killing me?”

Damn it. Should I beat him up or not? Just as Beric was glaring at Cedric, the boy’s eyes seemed to move to the back, and then a flick landed on the back of Beric’s head.

Thwack!

“Aaaah!”

“You’re the one who woke up late.”

It was Jayrut. Cedric immediately lowered his sword and saluted respectfully, while Beric glared at him, holding the back of his head.

“His Majesty summons you.”

“Huh? His Majesty? Why?”

How dare he question the Emperor’s summons. Jayrut frowned and tried to flick him again, but this time Beric blocked it with a hand strike. Once is enough, why twice?

Whack!

But the price of resistance was high. Jayrut turned Beric’s chin with his other fist.

Cedric, who had been watching the scene quietly, made a mental note. Never question an order. And if he wanted to beat Beric, he needed Commander Jayrut.

“Aoooh!”

“His Majesty’s intentions are known only to His Majesty. Whether it’s because of the trouble you caused yesterday or not.”

“I didn’t cause any trouble?”

“A magic swordsman of the Imperial Guard being carried back by soldiers of the Imperial Defense Force, and that’s not trouble?”

Tsk. So, the Imperial Defense Force brought him. I thought Ian had carried him. Beric yawned as if embarrassed and then got up and stretched. In all his life, he had never had such strong alcohol. He would never touch it again.

“Can I go right now?”

“Wash up a bit and change your clothes.”

“What’s the point between us-”

Swoosh, Jayrut’s eyes flashed as he raised his fist, and Beric went into the washroom without a word.

After a while, Beric noticed a strange carriage entering as he was heading towards the audience chamber.

‘Did someone come from outside?’

It wasn’t a carriage used by the Variel army, and it was too luxurious to be a carriage of residents selling food supplies. Beric wondered as he entered the audience chamber.

Squeak.

“Your Majesty, Beric, the magic swordsman of the Imperial Guard, has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Ian was already sitting in the audience chamber. And Minister Tweller, and opposite him-

“Taoma.”

“Ahem. How do you do.”

Even Taoma, the owner of the Hwarang [a type of tavern] he had met at the bar. He looked quite neat, considering how much he had drunk the day before.

That crazy man…. Beric stood there, marveling in disgust, and Jin gestured to the sofa.

“Sit down.”

“What’s going on?”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine, except for my head and stomach. Ian, how about you?”

I don’t remember the end, but didn’t we drink together until the middle?

As Beric asked worriedly, everyone cleared their throats awkwardly, changing the atmosphere. Those who knew the whole story of the previous night’s commotion were exchanging some kind of signal. Ian, the person involved, remained calm.

“I’m fine.”

“It’s good to be young.”

But why did you call me here? Except for Ian, I don’t see anyone I have any connection with. As Beric wondered, Jin opened his mouth.

“To cut to the chase, escort Lord Taoma to the north of Burgos. This also serves as the vanguard for the entire army’s advance, so your next goal is to identify the traces of the Osue investigation team that departed first and handle any nearby dangers until the main force arrives.”

“Huh?”

What is this all of a sudden? Is it because it’s the Emperor’s solemn name that I don’t understand? Ian put down his teacup with a clatter and added lightly.

“Lord Taoma visited the palace early this morning. Even though there are three days left.”

“I’m sorry, Lord Ian, but I know from experience that it’s better to handle these things quickly.”

Especially in the case of unfair contracts, demanding correction as soon as it’s recognized is the only way to minimize the damage. Even putting everything else aside, ‘execution’ as a condition… Taoma touched his neck and shook his head.

“That’s right. It’s a mutually beneficial contract, so the sooner it’s executed, the better. Still, I can say that your choice was truly right. Isn’t that so, Your Majesty?”

“Indeed. I deeply commend you.”

At Ian and Jin’s nonchalant replies, Taoma’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

Are they kidding me? It’s the Minister of Magic of the great Variel Empire, not just anyone. If he ignored them and ran away, it would be the same as turning Variel itself into an enemy.

‘Besides…’

You never know. Although it’s not visible, they might have cast a spell. Taoma had lost consciousness, so he couldn’t be sure of anything.

Beric then noticed two pieces of paper on the table. It was a contract that Ian had written and stamped with his seal.

“Oh, it worked out well. It seems Ian survived until the end? But what does that have to do with me going north?”

“Lord Taoma says that he needs to go through several picture-moving processes to get to the Southern Kingdom. The first picture is in a small town north of Burgos. It’s the opposite direction from Agiar, where we passed through.”

Taoma had no plans to return to the Southern Kingdom for the time being. It meant that the conditions for travel were not sufficient. Given the chaotic situation, there would surely be all sorts of bandits and vigilantes along the way. He needed a reliable bodyguard.

And the person designated for that role was-

“You want me to do that?”

It was Beric. He pointed at his face with his finger and widened his eyes.

Ian added.

“Lord Taoma knows the way, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Just take him there safely and wait. The departure date for the main force has also been set, so we’ll follow soon.”

“No, no. It’s not about getting lost, but why me?”

At those words, everyone except Beric smiled slightly. Jin was the first to speak.

“Beric, as you know, we can’t draw too many people from the Imperial Guard. It’s important to maximize efficiency with minimal personnel, and you are the right person for that.”

And then Ian.

“You broke all the glass in the Hwarang, so it’s only natural that you earn your keep.”

“No, that’s-!”

“Hahaha! And if you don’t want the journey to be lonely, you need someone like you! Hmm!”

That was Taoma. It seemed like he was looking for someone to drink with. He had met many people, but he thought that few could eat and drink as well as Beric.

Tweller watched quietly and thought to himself.

‘Beric is gone. We can save on military rations.’

He didn’t care about the burden Taoma would have to bear, and Tweller calculated the secured military rations in his head.

As the atmosphere became chaotic, Ian added briefly, saying it was a joke.

“And above all, you were one of the people who were there when the contract was written, so I thought it was appropriate for you to go.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t even know what I wrote.”

“Well, the person involved doesn’t know either, so it’s okay.”

Ian smiled at Taoma. The contract signatory stamped his seal without knowing the contents, so what’s the big deal?

Taoma awkwardly chuckled and then asked again.

“So, about that. I will pass on all the information about Laromedia that comes to my ears, but one gold coin for one strand of silask [a rare, valuable material] is really too much. If the trading partner in the Southern Kingdom knows it’s Variel, they could ask for at least 100, or even 1,000 coins.”

Because it has never been officially exported. The Southern Kingdom must be aware of the scarcity of silask.

Beric waved his ear, saying it was nothing.

“Then, can’t we just hide the trading partner?”

“Trust is the most important thing for people like us. You can do that if you don’t plan to do this for generations, but I don’t intend to. My deceased father would jump out of his grave.”

He was a merchant who went back and forth, selling everything that made money. If such a person had no trust, who would trade with him?

That’s why Taoma had rushed to Kalamat Castle as soon as he regained his senses. To gain the trust of the Imperial Palace.

“Lord Ian. So, please reconsider that part. I can bear some losses, but this is unbearable.”

Taoma bowed his head politely. It was an unfair and frustrating situation, but he had nothing to say. He was the one who proposed the bet, and he was the one who passed out and couldn’t control his fingers.

“Hmm.”

What should we do, Your Majesty? Ian pondered for a moment and looked at Jin. Jin looked at the two crumpled contracts and said to Ian.

“First, Taoma going to the Southern Kingdom is the priority, right?”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Let’s reconsider the silask sales price based on the information about Laromedia or other circumstances. How about that?”

It was a blatant hope torture that he might be saved depending on what he did in the future.

But even that was the only way for Taoma to survive. He bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.

“I am grateful for the grace of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Then, prepare yourselves.”

Prepare yourself, Beric.

At Jin’s gesture, Beric dropped his head behind the sofa. He had just woken up and was immediately going on a business trip. How unlucky can one be? If possible, he wanted to hide in a corner and get some sleep.

“Ah.”

Beric raised his head and asked.

“Can I take Cedric with me?”

“Cedric?”

“I’m his squad leader, so it’s okay if he comes with me, right?”

“Well…”

As you wish. Jin allowed it, saying it wouldn’t matter, and Beric smirked inwardly. That cocky brat. Once we leave the palace, there will be no one to tell him what to do, so I’ll give him a proper lesson in manners.

“So, when does the main force depart-”

“…”

“-?”

Beric asked Tweller with a grin.

Since that day 10 years ago, Beric’s attitude towards Tweller had been consistent. Tweller sighed as quietly as possible and answered.

“In four days. The Variel main force will advance north. The goal is to reach the border between Burgos and Toolun within a week at the latest. We may have to divide our forces at the border, towards the temple and the capital, but it’s not certain. We don’t have any information about the Osue investigation team yet.”