Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 727

The nation is a mess. It wasn’t like she, a former merchant in the slave market, was in any position to say that, but it was the reality. She should have known when they turned the market upside down looking for the Bariel Magic Minister’s mother. But what could she do? It was clear that Hwan and other countries were also going through a period of upheaval. Helna tucked a dagger into her waist and glanced back. “What are you glaring at?” If their heads weren’t working, they should at least think about moving their bodies. Helna spat out in annoyance, and those gathered at the table burst into laughter. It was ridiculous to see such a small thing chirping away. “Such bad manners.” “Leave her be. Don’t waste your energy.” “Helna, was it? You said you’d step forward first, so make sure you keep your word. Okay?” Helna grabbed her coat and then pulled back the tent flap. Outside, their respective subordinates were lined up, waiting for them. The men who saw Helna come out first looked at her with a ‘that’s what I expected!’ gaze. “Who are you telling to keep their word? What a load of crap.” “What?” Swish! She turned her back without hesitation, and her subordinates followed behind with worried looks. “Boss. Why are they reacting like that?” “We’re going to be the first to step up. Get ready.” “…Yes? No way!” The terrified subordinate jumped in front of Helna, blocking her way. Was she crazy? The opponents were the main force of the great Bariel Empire. The Emperor was leading them, and beside him were mages who could turn the world upside down. No. They didn’t even need to go as far as the mages. The swordmasters, who could cut down hundreds of enemies at once, would be there under the Emperor’s command. How could they, a group of shabby slaves, possibly stand against them? “What do you mean, ‘no way’? Did you come here to play?” “To be honest, weren’t we half here to kill time?” It was the order and proposal of the To’olun Royal Palace. If they took charge of the defense for a certain amount of time while the Bariel army was invading from the south, they would be generously recognized for their contribution. ‘Most of them have lived in the shadows, so they have a deep desire for a new life. It’s a good thing for everyone. The Royal Palace can buy time, and we can get an opportunity.’ Helna clicked her tongue and checked the edge of her dagger, and her subordinates wondered if she was serious. The enemies would be charging with long swords or spears, so what could she possibly do with such a dagger? Despite her subordinates’ questioning gazes, Helna didn’t waver. “Okay. Let’s say we’re here to kill time, like you said. It’s a situation where we’re killing each other, so we need to kill time well to survive, right? Stop the chatter and bring all the Bariel guys here in a line.” “Wh-what are you going to do…?” “You know the saying, ‘It’s better to be hit first’? The Royal Palace has entrusted us with the defense. That means the longer we stay behind, the greater the burden of defense will be.” Even after that explanation, her subordinates still looked confused. But what could they do? If the boss said to do it, they had to do it. They shrugged their shoulders and brought all the Bariel slaves as Helna had instructed. They looked around, their wrists and ankles shackled. They had no idea what was going on, so they looked terrified. “Hey, everyone, snap out of it.” Helna spoke Bariel fluently. Some people were very surprised that she could speak Bariel, and they had a small glimmer of hope. “A-are you from Bariel? Please, save me. I ended up like this because of my parents’ debt, but I’m not a slave.” “Most slaves end up like that because of money. Anyway. Hmm.” She flicked her well-sharpened dagger and lightly cut the man’s cheek. Snikt! “Aaaah! Aaaah!” “It hurts if you move. You’ll get seriously hurt.” “P-please don’t do this, please- please!” “Uh-huh. I’m trying to get you back to Bariel, so shut up and stay still.” Why did the words ‘I’ll get you back to Bariel’ sound so scary? Was it because her tone was cold, unlike the kind words? While the slaves paused for a moment, Helna mercilessly cut their flesh. Swish! It was a bloodbath. She roughly wiped the dagger on her coat and smiled as she looked over the slaves. “Yeah. Keep looking miserable like that. That way, the Emperor will feel sorry for you. Right?” * * * “Sia.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “What are the enemies’ movements?” “There’s no particular reaction yet. Upon checking, it seems that the reinforcements sent by the Royal Palace are insufficient. They seem closer to a vigilante group…” “For that, there are quite a few of them, and more than anything, they look fierce.” Jin said jokingly. Indeed, looking at the figures of the guys they could see from time to time, it was hard to tell if they were a vigilante group or a band of thieves. It was the moment when Siaoshi also smiled lightly in agreement. “Someone is coming this way!” A soldier shouted. They glared sharply, thinking it might be a preemptive attack, but the opponents were only a few dozen. What were they trying to do? Jin frowned, and Siaoshi and the other officers immediately realized that the situation was strange. Except for those on horseback, most of them were walking along, tied up with ropes. “…Ha!” “…Please! Please! Please!” And faint cries could be heard. It was partly because they were far away, but also because the voices of those crying out didn’t sound well. The soldiers stationed in the barracks turned their heads at the metallic, mixed cries. At that moment, Siaoshi’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at the front through his telescope. “……!” Save us! Save us, Your Majesty! Please! Please save us! Covered in blood-stained rags, they were crying out and moving their feet with difficulty. “Sia?” Should he show this to the Emperor? Siaoshi hesitated for a moment, but then handed the telescope to Jin. Jin also saw the same thing as Siaoshi and froze. Thump! Thump-! It was something like a drum used in To’olun. Helna vigorously beat the drum three or four times, making the Bariel main force focus their attention on her. “Ah! Can you hear me! Guests from the great Bariel Empire!” Helna was also covered in blood. But it wasn’t hers, it was from the Bariel slaves. The bright smile amidst the dark red stains was truly impressive. Commander Jerritt felt a faint sense of déjà vu when he saw that. ‘Where have I seen that before?’ She definitely looked like someone, but he couldn’t remember right away. It wasn’t just Commander Jerritt who thought so; all the Imperial Guard members had their gazes tangled in confusion. “I am Helna, the mad dog of the To’olun slave market! I was active in the capital, but after the market was closed due to the poor state of the country, I came to this outskirts to look for opportunities! You all know the details of that process without me having to say it!” At her cry, an officer whispered a question. “What does the poor state of the country have to do with the closure of the slave market? The slave market is more active during a recession.” “I don’t think she’s talking about something that simple. Maybe she’s referring to Lady Philia?” “Ah!” She was referring to the incident where Philia was kidnapped and ended up in the slave market. The To’olun Royal Palace had taken the extreme measure of closing the slave market to find her, and the aftermath was still ongoing. That was because, with the war against Bariel just around the corner, they couldn’t spare the already insufficient soldiers to maintain security in the slave market. Closing the market was a natural step. ‘Well. Once the war is over, it will be a boom like never before.’ War orphans, the disabled, prisoners of war, residents, etc. The survivors would once again vividly taste heaven and hell. Helna cleared her throat and shouted loudly. “These are all from Bariel. They lived most of their lives as Bariel citizens, but they ended up like this due to bad luck. They vividly remember the grace of His Majesty the Emperor and are desperately hoping for it.” Siaoshi immediately understood what Helna was trying to say. “How could it not be their blessing to meet the Emperor, whom they cannot see even in their homeland, in a strange foreign land! It must be the work of the gods, so they cannot help but be amazed! Hear me, great Bariel Empire!” Helna roughly struck the back of one of the slaves, making him kneel. Then, she took out her dagger and raised it high into the sky. “One week. If you don’t move from that spot for exactly one week, I will send all of them back alive. But if you move even one step closer, I will cut off their heads and send them rolling.” “Th-that, that insolent-!” “Are you threatening us now!” “Sir Siaoshi, there’s no need to listen to this. I’ll shoot an arrow right now and pierce that thing’s mouth.” The enraged officers grabbed their weapons and shouted, but Siaoshi stopped them with a gesture. The Emperor’s gaze on those people was unusual. His eyes were coldly frozen, and his breath was sharp. Thwack! Helna kicked the slave in the back, and he cried out as if he couldn’t help it. “I, I am Sandro from the Haphim village in northeastern Bariel! It’s unfair! I’m not a slave! Please save me, Your Majesty! Please, please!” “I, I was sold by my father because of debt. I was a child preparing to enter military school. My father paid the price by cutting off his finger, but I, I had my life cut off! Your Majesty!” “If you can hear my voice, please! Please!” “Please save us. Please save us. Your Majesty, aren’t you the father of Bariel…?” It was truly heartbreaking to see them pleading, even shaking their shackled arms. The officers, as well as the soldiers, turned their heads, trying not to look at them. “Ha.” But Jin was different. He couldn’t turn away from the Bariel people lined up in a row. Their fate depended on his one nod. “It’s one week! No more, no less, and after exactly one week, I will send them back safely and retreat. I don’t really have a strong desire to defend the capital. I’m just doing this because I have something I want, so please think of it leniently.” Helna and her subordinates held their swords close to the slaves’ necks. As if to say that if an arrow or other attack suddenly came, they would die together. “Your Majesty.” Siaoshi called him quietly. Hundreds of soldiers had been injured and killed so far, but they had been running forward, looking only ahead. They were already prepared to sacrifice themselves for the country. But what about them? ‘They are the country itself that we are trying to protect.’ Jerritt quietly watched the Emperor’s back and pondered. He could feel the Emperor’s dilemma, unable to do either. Jerritt wanted to make a suggestion first to ease his burden. “Your Majesty-” I will save them. If you are saddened by the death of innocent people, I will gladly do it. “Your Majesty!” On the other hand, other officers urged him. They are just a few dozen lives. There is no proof that they are from Bariel, and even if they are, we must not stop here. The capital of the enemy country is right in front of us. To prevent greater sacrifices, you must think strategically! “Everyone, stop!” Jin rubbed his forehead as if his head was throbbing. Nevertheless, he couldn’t take his eyes off his bloodied people. What should he do? What on earth should he do…. Swish! At that moment, a black moon opened in the sky. Jin’s eyes widened. That was definitely- “Oiya-!” It was the mage’s black moon, sent by Ian’s side. Sure enough, three figures appeared from within the black circle. Beric, Cedric, and Erin.