Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 721

‘An invisible person.’

In Tweller’s wavering eyes, the past surfaced.

Back then, Tweller was a low-ranking soldier, barely over eighteen years old. His family had been torn apart by poverty, and he had lied about his age to enlist. Now, three years into his service, he spent his days patrolling a small northern territory.

Some might call it peace, but for Tweller, it was an unbearable prison of time. What was he doing here? Was this all there was to life?

He had no choice but to ignore the frustration in his heart, and he often recalled those days.

“Tweller, it’s time for your shift.”

“Understood.”

“You’re reading again. Learning that stuff just makes life harder for guys like us, you know?”

‘Guys like us? What’s that supposed to mean? Your pathetic life has nothing to do with me.’

Tweller only thought the reply, then closed his book. His shift would be over soon. He didn’t want to waste time on pointless arguments.

“What are you saying? Learning is always right. It’s the only way to see the world clearly. Tweller is doing well, so you should all follow his example and try harder.”

It was a knight who served the lord closely. He treated even the young, low-ranking soldiers with respect and never hesitated to share his knowledge and offer encouragement.

It was thanks to him that Tweller had first encountered books.

“You have no one, do you? Always learn and read. If you’re afraid of where life might take you, hold on to it even more. Children of good families are surrounded by people who don’t hesitate to give advice. But you? Who will you learn from?”

“…Do I really have to learn?”

“No. You don’t have to. If you’re satisfied with your life, that itself is a complete blessing. But the way I see it, you don’t seem to be.”

He often brought books to Tweller. People around them would always comment on it, but he didn’t seem to care at all. Rather, he would smile and be happy whenever Tweller finished a book.

“Reading a book is like learning someone’s experience completely. And they are all sages who have transcended time.”

‘Ah, yes. He was a teacher.’

At the time, Tweller didn’t realize it and just thought of him as a ‘kind person,’ but the Tweller of the future could say it clearly. He was his teacher, and he was a benefactor who had neatly gathered the scattered pieces of his life.

So, it was only natural that he decided to become a great warrior like him.

“Tweller, swing your sword bigger! Your strength is good, but I can feel hesitation at the tip of your sword.”

“Yes, I apologize.”

“Again!”

It was just another ordinary day. Tweller was swinging his sword under the knight’s guidance. The territory was peaceful, and some light had entered his empty heart.

Until the sudden news arrived.

Taptaptap!

“Something terrible has happened!”

“What is it?”

“A scout who went up the mountain behind the territory has been found dead. It seems there’s an intruder.”

It was the first time something like this had happened. The knight grabbed his sword and gathered the soldiers. But they weren’t very alert until they reached the scene.

“Maybe he just ran into a bear?”

“But they said his neck was cut so cleanly.”

“Seriously. Why did he go up there alone?”

“Who knows? Maybe he was having a secret rendezvous with his lover.”

“He has a lover? No way!”

The soldiers were chatting and giggling, but Tweller quickened his pace in heavy silence. He was emulating the knight’s posture.

Soon, they found the body and confirmed that the report was accurate.

“Oh, no…”

His throat was split open, as if he had been cut from the front. Was he defenseless? There were no signs of resistance.

While the knight was examining the body, a sudden scream erupted from among the soldiers who had been distracted.

Swish!

“Aaaah!”

“W-what was that!”

“Hey! What happened?”

Something invisible flew and cut their throats. The soldiers fell, clutching wounds identical to the corpse’s, and the knight quickly drew his sword.

“Be on guard! It’s the enemy!”

“Ugh, cough!”

“Damn it! What the hell is this-!”

But the enemy was invisible. The knight focused all his senses, but the presence was confusing, and his men kept dying.

“Don’t be afraid! Stay focused!”

He tried to rally them, but the soldiers fell helplessly. Was it even possible for an ordinary person to fight an invisible enemy?

The mysterious attacks soon targeted the knight as well.

Swish! Swish!

He managed to block a few attacks miraculously, but there were no exceptions. The knight’s flesh was torn here and there, and blood splattered.

His painful groans were truly shocking. It was heartbreaking to see him, who had always stood so firmly, fall to his knees.

Thud!

Eventually, his body tilted backward.

At that moment, what could Tweller have done? Everyone was dead, and the enemy was invisible. Tweller instinctively fell to the ground and begged for his life.

“Please, stop!”

It was quiet. The forest was silent, not even the sound of the wind. Tweller kept trembling, his eyes tightly shut.

‘Did they leave? Are they still here? What is the enemy’s identity?’ Because he couldn’t see them, Tweller remained on the ground, endlessly afraid.

“T…Tweller.”

And then, a faint, dry voice. Tweller was startled and turned his head.

The dead knight’s eyes were staring directly at him. He had told him not to abandon the pride of a swordsman, but he was foolish. How could he kneel before the enemy? His eyes seemed full of reproach.

“Ah.”

Tweller shed tears and looked around. Everyone was dead, but he was alive. What did this mean? He had begged for his life in a pathetic way, and the enemy had accepted it. Even now, the enemy might be watching him from somewhere.

‘I’m ashamed.’

It was shameful. Embarrassing. He couldn’t bear how pathetic he was.

Tweller trembled and scanned the air. So this is what invisible fear is like, this is what it means to live as a swordsman.

Tap!

He quickly got up and ran away. He went down to the village and gathered the people.

The lord, realizing the seriousness of the situation, mobilized all the soldiers and sent them into the forest. Fortunately, the bodies were recovered safely, and the mysterious attacks did not continue. They had disappeared.

“What the heck was that?”

“Yeah. So, they don’t even know why they were killed?”

“They said they couldn’t see the enemy. It’s strange that they attacked first without even knowing if they were there. Don’t you think so, Tweller?”

“Hey, don’t ask him that.”

“Yeah, I guess. He must have been heartbroken to see everyone die in front of him.”

One survivor who saw everyone die in front of him. Only Tweller knew what that meant.

He couldn’t bear it. He realized he couldn’t live here anymore, and before leaving, he swore at the knight’s grave. He bowed his head, just like he had done to the invisible enemy, and muttered.

“I apologize. And I repent. From now on, no matter what happens, I will uphold the pride of a warrior. I was too foolish to know what it means to protect it with my life.”

Something that had been stifling in his heart boiled over. Tweller remained kneeling for a long time before leaving the village.

He went straight to the capital and reenlisted, building a new understanding of what it meant to wield a sword. The world was vast and chaotic, making the monotonous days of the past feel like a dream.

Tap!

Tweller willingly stepped into that blood-soaked place and ran forward. For over half a century, he used the vow he made at the grave as his guide.

* * *

“It was a long time ago, when I was not even twenty years old. I owe my life to someone, but I still haven’t found out who it was.”

Tweller’s gaze was fixed on the village of Landarin. His eyes were cold, but his voice seemed strangely excited.

“That’s a very old debt.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s so old that it has become a part of me now. Anyway, by chance, I heard about the ‘invisible people,’ and I became interested. I think it might be them.”

Tweller looked down at the woman who had fallen, bleeding. Even as she was dying, she seemed to have not given up hope, as the tips of her fingers were turning transparent.

But that was it.

Crack!

A member of the Imperial Guard stabbed his sword into her hand to punish her for the sacrilege of trying to harm the Emperor.

“Aaaah!”

Jin rested his chin on his hand and looked down at the woman indifferently. He wondered if she had any other abilities besides turning invisible.

“It is said that she is from a family of assassins from a certain kingdom, who for some reason, hid in Gaia. It’s not a reliable rumor, but since they suddenly appeared out of nowhere, I think there’s some room for consideration.”

“A family of assassins?”

“They are said to be masters of assassination.”

“A family of assassins. But it was said that her footwork was clumsy. And wasn’t she a native of Tooloon?”

She had also been easily defeated by Barsabe’s attack.

One of the officers grabbed the woman’s hair and examined her face. He was trying to confirm if she was of mixed heritage. Jerritt, who was watching this, added.

“She might have infiltrated the village of Landarin, where the indigenous people live, and established a base. It doesn’t seem like the entire village is made up of invisible people, so that seems natural.”

“So, the ability was passed down, but that’s all?”

Hmm. Jin stroked his chin.

At that moment, a sound of someone taking their last breath was heard. The woman had died. It was an expected result since Barsabe’s attack had accurately struck her vital point. There were many things to ask, but it couldn’t be helped.

“I’ve heard that their abilities have no physical burden or limits. It’s said that even the objects they hold become transparent, so methods like applying paint won’t work.”

“They’re tricky.”

The magic swordsmen sighed softly as they saw the woman’s dagger lying on the floor. It would be so much easier if there were mages at times like this. If they could set up a magical barrier, there would be no problem, but now they had to maintain a certain distance to protect the Emperor.

“They’re tricky, but that’s all they are.”

Barriers and all that were nothing. It was just their shallow trick. Tweller felt his heart pounding and bowed his head to Jin.

“Your Majesty, they have praised Your Majesty’s grace in front of you, but they have harmed the soldiers of Bariel behind your back, so their insolence must not be forgiven. Therefore, please allow me to personally go and punish them. I will resolve everything without any regrets or worries.”

‘Regrets and worries.’ Jin focused on those words. He vaguely realized that they were Tweller’s own. Jin readily gestured his permission.

“Do as you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He was truly grateful. This war was the last war Tweller could participate in. He had met his long-cherished wish at the end of his path as a warrior, so how could he not be happy? He could only die in peace after cutting down that invisible enemy.

If he went deep into that village, the end of his past would still be there. It was time to tie up the loose ends.

“I will go with you.”

Barsabe also stepped forward, grabbing her sword, and Tweller looked back at her with envious eyes. The courage and skill to cut down something invisible. He had once again seen with his own eyes how amazing the depth of those who possessed magic was.

But admiration was just admiration-

“Thank you, Barsabe. But wouldn’t it be better for you to stay by His Majesty’s side? This is a very important matter for me, so I will do it alone.”

Tweller drew a firm line.