Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 724

How many truly know their origins? Most, I’d wager, know their parents, but not the kind of people they were. It’s even harder to trace one’s existence back to their grandparents’ generation.

Perhaps the reason this man wouldn’t speak, even in pain, was the same principle? Not a matter of will, but something beyond his control. Siao-si considered this as he observed him.

“…Judging by how he’s suppressing his groans, it doesn’t seem like he has trouble speaking.”

Whack!

At Siao-si’s signal, the subordinate swung the whip again. The man’s body was becoming increasingly transparent, a sign they recognized.

They now understood this was a form of escape—being erased from the world. The desire to flee reality was literally dissolving their bodies.

“Your crime of attempting to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor is grave. If you wish to see even your sister’s corpse, it would be wise to speak truthfully.”

“…Why-”

“What?”

“Is it a capital crime for us to try to kill the Emperor, but justified for you to try to kill us?”

“That’s a foolish question. We were heading to the capital of Toolrun and had no interest in your small village. You were the ones who started the conflict.”

Shields, what a truly insignificant plan. And I resent myself for being manipulated by it and failing to properly serve His Majesty the Emperor.

Siao-si slowly stood and lowered himself, kneeling in front of the man. His gaze, however, was anything but submissive.

“Attempting to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor is a crime punishable by death. I know Toolrun also has a king, but I’m puzzled that you don’t understand the difference.”

Even if they lived in a remote area.

Suddenly, Siao-si had a vague feeling that these people had been out of contact with the royal palace for a long time. How else could they make such a statement?

“It’s because the village chief is their king,” Tweller, who had been listening quietly, interjected. He opened a bottle of alcohol, took a few swigs, and then disinfected his wounds.

“Seven people. They must be descendants of the village chief. Judging by their ages, it seems about two generations have passed. You don’t seem to call the village chief ‘grandfather,’ do you?”

“…We are all family. It doesn’t matter who is related to whom by blood.”

“Hmm, okay. Anyway, while you’re talking, tell me about your grandfather. Since I cut off his head, he won’t be able to speak, so his descendants can do it for him, and he’ll be grateful even in the afterlife.”

“Stop the insults and shut up!”

“Hahaha! Insults.”

Tweller chuckled softly.

“Considering what I suffered at the hands of your grandfather, isn’t this much okay? I met that man in Bariel. Definitely.”

“In, in Bariel?”

“Yes. But he chose Toolrun as a place to hide. It’s strange. Then or now, Bariel would have been a better place to live in many ways than here.”

How many people laundered their identities and lived on the outskirts of the Empire? There were definitely people in Bariel, and even the place where Tweller had encountered him was far from Toolrun.

Nevertheless, the fact that they passed through the northern region and settled here meant there was a ‘reason why it had to be Toolrun’ for them.

“…I really don’t know. The village chief never said anything. We are related by blood, but before that, he was the village chief who took care of the village. Other than the feeling that he seemed to long for somewhere in the east…”

“East?” Siao-si asked quietly. If it was east from here, it would be the northern end of Bariel or beyond the Great Desert.

Tears dripped from the man’s eyes, the moisture vanishing as soon as it touched the floor. Siao-si looked back at Tweller, wondering what to do.

“Choose. If you confess a little more, I will grant any request within the bounds of human decency. If not, you will die here.”

Even with Tweller’s cold warning, the man remained silent.

Then there was no other way. At Tweller’s nod, a soldier raised his sword, and Siao-si subtly turned his gaze away.

Swish!

The body, which had been becoming transparent, solidified. Blood poured from the man’s neck, and his shackled body could not fall properly.

Tweller declared firmly, “It’s not just anyone, it’s an invisible person. They’re difficult to manage, and if we’re negligent and miss them, we may never catch them again. We don’t leave any future troubles.”

Tweller looked at Siao-si, who had turned his gaze away, and said, “Prepare to report to His Majesty. The reason these people chose Toolrun may be found if we go to the capital. First of all, it’s suspicious that they mentioned the royal palace along with the false shield.”

They brought up the royal palace and linked it so naturally. It might not be related, but the probability of it being related seemed a little higher. And above all-

“There must be residents who have escaped to the capital.”

They must have sent people to inform them that the Bariel army was advancing north. Besides the invisible people, there must be someone who went to the capital with the village chief’s orders. They would know more than this young one.

“Clean up the body.”

“Yes, Minister.”

“Tsk, tsk, my body isn’t what it used to be day by day.”

Tweller struggled to get up, put on his armor, and looked at Siao-si.

“And Siao-si.”

“Yes, please give your orders.”

“You will take the lead in the next battle.”

At those words, Siao-si’s subordinates’ eyes sparkled. What did it mean to take the lead? The position where they would clash most fiercely with the enemy. It was an opportunity to achieve great merit. And that would bring them greater joy than anything else when they returned to their homeland.

To put it dramatically, it was also a statement that gave Siao-si hope for the next ministerial position. However, Siao-si’s answer was indifferent.

“Yes, Minister. I will do my best.”

“Good. Then go out.”

“Ah.”

When Siao-si hesitated, Tweller looked back at him with a puzzled look, as if asking if there was any problem.

Siao-si hesitated for a long time, then took something out of his pocket. It was the elixir that Chloe had prepared.

“Lady Chloe is worried about Minister Tweller and offers this. Please accept it willingly.”

“Haha!”

The situation was strange. It was not a thank you for being given the lead, nor could he ignore what his lover had taken care of.

Tweller laughed heartily and told Siao-si to come closer.

“Are you going to get married?”

“Yes.”

An answer without hesitation. Good. Tweller stroked his beard and made an amused expression, and his subordinates also subtly moved closer, pricking up their ears.

“Considering Lady Chloe’s family, the meeting of the two of you is significant. The Davion family has a strong influence in the imperial palace, and you are His Majesty the Emperor’s confidant. To put it positively, it is the harmony of a gentleman and a subject, and to put it differently, it is an opportunity for one side to swallow the other.”

“I will never do anything that would harm His Majesty.”

“I know. I know, but it’s just like an old man’s worries. Just in case. If Count Davion tries to do something foolish to you or tries to do something against your will, tell me.”

Tweller flicked his fingertips and signaled for him to bring his ear closer. Siao-si slightly leaned his upper body, and the subordinates also craned their necks, wondering what Tweller was about to say.

Whisper, whisper.

“… !”

Siao-si’s eyes widened. Then, he was startled and took his ear away, asking back, “Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s true. I don’t think even His Majesty knows about this. I’ve been rolling around in the bottom of the imperial palace for half my life, so I’ve seen and heard a lot. It’s very useful in times like this. Isn’t it?”

Tweller patted Siao-si’s shoulder with a benevolent face.

A baron who was born a slave. He cannot receive the welcome of the Davion family with the Emperor’s favor alone. Of course, His Majesty will grant him a new position after the war is over.

“But if it doesn’t work, come to me and tell me.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

“It’s in response to Lady Chloe’s kindness, so keep that in mind. It’s a very high-quality medicine, even at a glance. Siao-si, I took what was meant for you, so I have to give you this much in return.”

As if it was done, Tweller nodded, and Siao-si saluted and left. His subordinates followed behind him, very curious and adding a word each.

“What did the Minister say?”

“It seems that the Davion family and the Minister have a deep connection.”

“Be careful. If it was something to be talked about outside, would the Minister have spoken so secretly?”

It was the moment when Siao-si was about to smile faintly and tell them to stop. The flag in front of the barracks was shaking greatly.

Boo-oo-oo-

Boo-

A low and short sound of a water buffalo horn. It was a signal that the enemy had been found.

Siao-si and his subordinates immediately ran forward, and soon they were able to receive a report from the soldiers who were looking outside.

“Are they Toolrun soldiers?”

“Ah, well, I don’t know. It hasn’t been identified yet.”

“What do you mean it hasn’t been identified?”

“The scale is considerable, but the Toolrun royal palace flag is not displayed… and above all, the soldiers’ clothing is all different.”

What did this mean? Siao-si raised his telescope and looked towards the horizon.

Clatter, clatter!

The number of people riding horses towards them was considerable. Roughly hundreds. But as the soldier said, there was no flag symbolizing the royal palace, and the clothing was not that of the regular army. Rather, that was…

“Aren’t they bandits?”

“No way.”

Someone muttered as if dumbfounded, but it was the perfect description. Siao-si suddenly recalled the information that Ian had given him after visiting Toolrun.

“There was a large slave market in Toolrun. As a result, there were many bandits near the capital, and those related to the kidnapping of Philia were among them. I don’t know if the royal palace is not managing them specifically, or if they can’t, but-”

“…Prepare.”

“It’s certain that the scale is considerable. I don’t know what kind of decision the Toolrun royal palace will make. If the organization of the regular army is delayed and the Bariel army’s advance north is faster than expected, there is a possibility that they will use them. Amnesty is probably what criminals want the most. If the country gives them freedom, there is enough room for them to unite.”

“Prepare for battle!”

At Siao-si’s shout, the soldiers were startled and beat the drums and blew the water buffalo horns. Jin, who was reading a report inside the tent, heard the signal and raised his gaze.

“Is it the enemy?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“This time, the royal guards will also participate. We can’t let the Imperial Defense Department’s momentum push us back.”

It was too early for the regular army to push down at this time. Then it could be seen as another force. As Jin got up from his seat, the attendants prepared his weapons.

“It seems we are getting closer to the capital. From now on, they will keep coming endlessly. I will seize the opportunity to wield my sword myself.”

It was an important moment. It was time to show the Bariel soldiers that they were not here only by the power of magicians or others, but that the Emperor’s will was firm.

And in another sense, it was an opportunity. Now that there were no magicians, it was time to imprint his majesty on everyone.

Shing!

Jin drew his sword, and Barsabe bowed his head, meaning that he would obey the order.

* * *

Meanwhile, Eirin, who had been praying with her hands together, felt a presence and opened her eyes.

Cedric, who had been lying on the floor, glanced up at her. The magician was moved by hearing Ian’s voice, and he was holding onto a pillar and talking loudly. Even so, it didn’t seem like the people below could hear him.

“What’s wrong?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

An ominous feeling that pierced below her chest. It was strange and unsettling that she felt pain while praying, of all things.

‘It must be my imagination.’

Eirin shook her head and began to pray again with her hands together.

Oh