Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 720

“How peculiar,” Jin muttered after receiving Tweller’s report. The scout who entered the village had vanished without a trace, and there was that mysterious sparkle surrounding the area. According to the villagers, it seemed like the nation was managing something, but they didn’t know what it was. Jin looked at Tweller. “Minister Tweller, do you believe this to be the truth?” “…There are suspicious aspects, but as of now, I cannot be certain. A search is necessary.” “Commander Jerritt.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Though not as skilled as mages, they could also sense magical power. If there were traps around the village to restrain the enemy, the magic swordsmen would surely notice. “I apologize. I sense nothing.” However, Jerritt shook his head. It might be different if they got closer, but as of now, there was nothing unusual. “If that is not made of magical power but rather the trace of a sorcerer, it would be difficult for the magic swordsmen to perceive it. How about sending a search party as Minister Tweller suggests?” “Hmm. Minister Tweller, the sun has completely set. Do you consider this an enemy action?” “Even in broad daylight, the scouts disappeared. In terms of risk, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between day and night. I will send up a search party.” “Do as you see fit. I will watch with you.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jerritt rose from his chair and went outside the tent. The Imperial Guards, who were guarding the area, bowed their heads slightly to greet him. “Commander, what’s the matter?” “There seems to be a barrier around the village.” “I don’t see anything particularly strange.” “We’ll find out soon enough. Prepare yourselves. A search party will be deployed. Then it’s our turn.” At Jerritt’s command, the magic swordsmen saluted and straightened their posture. It would be great if Beric were here at times like this. He’s excellent as a meat shield, and his senses are far superior to theirs, making him a master at detecting the unfamiliar. “But he’s never around when you need him.” “Exactly. That good-for-nothing.” “Barsabe, what are you doing?” Barsabe was tilting her head towards an empty space, as if she sensed something. As if she felt a presence. However, Barsabe still had a cloth covering her eyes. She couldn’t see. She would probably have to maintain this state until she went up to the capital and opened the gates of the Toloon Royal Palace [a significant location, likely a royal palace]. “Barsabe?” “…It’s nothing. Let’s go.” As if it was nothing, she turned her head away, and the nearby soldiers moved busily. In a corner where the darkness was thick, no one paid attention. They didn’t know that the invisible person of Landarin village was crouching down, looking around. ‘There are no mages!’ The invisible person, a woman, watched as the man from the village was dragged into the barracks. The village chief had promised to save the man if anything happened to him, but the woman’s orders were completely different. “Check if there are any mages. Identify the Emperor’s face. If there are any unusual aspects or anything noteworthy, take it all in.” “And don’t save anyone?” “That’s for later. Don’t think about anything else, just remember what I told you.” “Understood, Village Chief.” The woman moved quietly through the barracks. She almost bumped into people rushing around, but she avoided it by watching her front and back. “Be careful not to bump into anyone. If you do, they’ll notice you right away.” “I will do my best.” “If you don’t see any mages anywhere, send a signal right away.” The signal was to send up smoke. The woman carefully looked for an opening, took a small ember from a torch, and went behind the tent. Sizzle! “Huh?” When faint smoke rose, a soldier turned around, puzzled. He was startled and quickly grabbed a water bucket and shouted. “The tent is on fire! Everyone, come here!” “What? What’s on fire?” “No, why is this happening all of a sudden?” “Water! Bring water or sand!” The dry cloth burned very quickly, and the flames spread rapidly. Meanwhile, the woman who was watching the Bariel camp from the village noticed an unusual movement and reported it. “New smoke is rising from a small tent on the left front of the Bariel army. It seems to be a signal.” “Good. Let’s report to the village chief.” “Keep watching.” When the woman ran to the village chief and told him the situation, he nodded as if to say it was just beginning. “If there are no mages, things will be easier. Go and tell the invisible people. Take light cloths and wait below the village. We will deal with the search party when they come up.” “Yes, Village Chief.” The invisible people had only two abilities. To make their bodies invisible and to make the objects they held invisible. However, this was only possible within the limits of what they could lift and handle. They had no other combat abilities, but they believed that was enough to protect the village. “They’re moving! They’ve sent soldiers from the main force again!” At the shout of a vigilante, people ran to the outskirts. It was true. Soldiers in armor were approaching. They maintained a certain distance to minimize damage in case of traps or other devices. The village chief signaled to the young men of the village with a nod. “They’re coming! Everyone, take up your weapons!” “Yes!” The villagers all held their weapons and held their breath. The soldiers slowly swung their swords as they approached the village, moving with tense steps. It was then. ‘Raise them!’ Whoosh! The invisible people who were waiting below raised the cloths behind the soldiers. To block the main force’s view. When the search party disappeared in an instant, Jin and Tweller, who were watching from the rear, paused. It was dark, so they couldn’t see clearly, but surely… “Minister Tweller?” “…Yes, Your Majesty.” “Am I seeing things?” Tweller couldn’t answer. With a stiff expression, he was only looking for the traces of the disappeared soldiers. “Should we keep going up?” “They told us to go into the village.” “Exercising in the moonlight, how fun.” Meanwhile, the soldiers continued up the hill, unaware of the invisible cloth behind them. Then, they suddenly faced the villagers looking down at them. Was it because it was dark? They all had quite fierce looks. “Ah, you’re the people of Landarin village, right?” The soldier asked, glancing behind him. He wasn’t afraid. The entire main force was watching them. If they did anything foolish here, the village itself would disappear without a trace. The villagers smiled coldly and greeted them gently. “Yes, we are. But why are you coming up this way instead of the road? We clearly said we would surrender.” “Well, the orders from above are different.” “Come back this way. The ground over there is soft and difficult.” The village women who approached offered their hands as if to be kind. The soldiers, without any sign of caution, readily took their hands, and- “Huh?” It was the moment they were puzzled by the rather firm grip. Thwack! “Ugh!” Suddenly, blood spurted from the neck of the soldier next to him. It was an attack by the invisible people. When the surprised soldiers tried to react, the women grabbed their arms and held on. In that gap, the men pushed daggers into the gaps in their armor. “Block their mouths first!” “Kill! Kill!” “No, these crazy bastards!” Whoosh! The soldiers swung their swords and fought back, but it didn’t last long. They had no choice but to be helpless against attacks from unseen places. In the short but long battle, the villagers were panting, covered in blood. “…Haa, haa.” “Do you think it’s done? Did the sound leak out?” “It doesn’t matter. The village chief said the sound will stimulate their fear. Is anyone hurt?” “I, I was cut.” “This guy bit me. My finger won’t move.” “Everyone, move the bodies to the village. Dispose of them the same way we did during the day. The injured should get treatment first, and the rest should hide underground under the village chief’s orders. If the Bariel bastards see them, they will think it’s strange.” They took a short breath and collected the bodies. The dark red blood would not be visible in the dark. It might be different if the sun rose tomorrow, but it didn’t matter. They couldn’t be sure if they would have a tomorrow. “Next, the magic swordsmen will come up.” The village chief muttered quietly in front of the bodies of the Bariel soldiers that people had carried. “All the invisible people, infiltrate the Bariel camp. When the magic swordsmen come up, there will surely be a gap in their defenses.” “Yes, Village Chief.” It was perfectly coordinated. Those who erased the bloodstains, those who burned the clothes, and those who chopped up the bodies and threw them into the fire pit. They moved as one to protect the village and prevent the enemy from entering. Meanwhile- “Wipe it clean.” Before infiltrating, the invisible people gathered at the well and wiped off the blood. Traces from the outside, like bloodstains, would naturally be absorbed and become invisible over time. Nevertheless, they wiped it so clean because they were worried about the smell of blood. Sizzle. Soon, the invisible people, who had cleaned their entire bodies, made themselves invisible again. They wished that this would be their last time becoming invisible. * * * “Do you have any idea what’s going on?” “…I apologize, Your Majesty.” Jerritt didn’t have anything to say either. After the soldiers disappeared before their eyes, faint screams and shouts were heard, but they quickly subsided. And no one had returned so far. Judging by the figures flickering in the village, it was clear that they were still watching them. “They themselves might be a trap.” A general quietly asserted. They said to be at ease and that they wouldn’t harm them, and they opened the way, but the soldiers disappeared without fail. Wasn’t this to lure the Emperor and the main force into a trap? From the start, it didn’t make sense that they would open the way without any resistance. Anyone who had a country would have pride, wouldn’t they? “It’s a trap, but…” Tweller trailed off. There was no other way now. The magic swordsmen had to go. He looked at Commander Jerritt, and Jerritt looked at the members waiting behind him. He was trying to see who was suitable for the mission. Shing. “Barsabe?” It was then. Barsabe, who had been standing still, drew her sword from its scabbard. Even in front of His Majesty, how could she draw her sword without her superior’s command? Jerritt frowned, and his colleagues also called out to her in confusion. “Barsabe, are you crazy?” “Don’t you feel it?” “What?” “The sound of footsteps. Very cautious ones.” “This is the Emperor’s residence. Everyone who comes and goes here walks like that.” “No. It’s not that.” There were too many people around. The attendants serving the Emperor, the officers, the subordinates, and even the low-ranking soldiers holding spears. Minister Tweller and everyone else were skilled in martial arts, but it was too noisy to immediately notice something invisible. Sizzle. Barsabe slowly turned the tip of her sword and fixed it on one spot. “Barsabe!” It was pointing directly at the Emperor. Her colleagues were horrified and called out to her, but Barsabe was unwavering. She had realized that she had been caught and had hidden near the Emperor. Jin gestured to calm the magic swordsmen and asked. “Does that mean there’s a rat?” “Judging by the clumsy footwork, it’s a trivial one.” “Can you cut it?” “Yes, I feel it.” “Barsabe, you lost your eyes and gained something more.” It was a signal of permission. Thud! Whoosh! Barsabe swung her sword without hesitation, and blood spurted from the air. And a woman slowly revealed herself. She was falling backward, a dagger in her hand. People were startled and paused at the sudden appearance of the figure. ‘…An invisible person?’ The word flashed through Tweller’s mind. He immediately turned around and looked towards the village.