Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 730

“What do you wield your sword for?”

A monotonous voice echoed in his head. Who had asked that? Commander Jerritt?

No.

“Just what are you trying to get so strong for?”

It was Tweller. This was Tweller’s question.

Ten years ago, when he was chasing and being chased by stronger opponents, spitting blood in the training grounds, Minister Tweller had looked down at Beric and asked this.

He hadn’t answered. He didn’t want to, and more than that, he sensed that Tweller’s question wasn’t out of curiosity. It was merely a question for enlightenment.

Beric lay sprawled out, disgusted.

“…Get lost.”

He already felt like punching that old geezer, and when he spoke like that, it made his anger boil.

Tweller faintly shook his head, looking at the bloodied Beric and his sparring partner.

“If you don’t know that, you’ll only have a harder time.”

“I said get lost!”

There is only one purpose for wielding a sword.

That is, to protect.

Whether it’s protecting oneself or protecting someone precious, the fundamental purpose is to protect. If you wield a sword with any other intention, the sword will surely return one day and cut your own throat.

Tweller knew that very well. That’s why he didn’t turn away.

“Let me tell you one thing.”

“Why? Do you feel sorry? Well, damn it. Who do you think made Ian go like that?”

“…As a warrior, I have no desire to be the object of your resentment. But I can offer a small kindness. Especially if it’s you, Beric. Rather, this should be an opportunity.”

Beric, still lying down, narrowed his eyes. He looked like he was contemplating whether to get up and beat him up right now.

“If you want to stay in the Imperial Palace, now wield your sword solely for His Majesty the Emperor. Let Sir Ian fade into the past and start anew. If it’s too hard, you can start with yourself as a standard. You can survive even in the midst of upheaval.”

“What are you even saying, seriously? Won’t you get lost?”

“One thing to keep in mind is, don’t harbor another in your heart while serving in the Imperial Palace. That’s enough for the mages.”

Beric stared blankly at Tweller, then slowly raised his middle finger. Tweller chuckled and turned away as if he had done his job.

He didn’t know it then. Beric just dismissed it as the ramblings of an old man. How could Beric have known that the words of an old man contained the passage of time, and that was history and the physiology of humans?

Beric just lay there for a long time, rubbing his eyes. It was a spring day when cherry blossoms reached the training grounds on the wind.

* * *

Tweller was momentarily puzzled as he assessed the situation.

It wasn’t unusual for Beric to be strange, but the movements of the Imperial Guard and Commander Jerritt, who were with him, also seemed problematic. They had even released their magic power, causing a great tremor.

Jin, who had been watching quietly, muttered softly.

“It seems Beric is trying to protect the enemy.”

“…I apologize, Your Majesty. It appears so to me as well.”

At their conversation, Barsabe flinched. She couldn’t see and didn’t know what was going on, but what? Beric was trying to protect the enemy? Was he crazy?

As she slightly opened her mouth in disbelief, Jin’s question followed.

“Why is that?”

Beric was a rough and difficult person to handle, but he wasn’t someone who couldn’t be understood. There was also the belief that he would carry out orders in some way. But if Beric was acting like this, there must be a reason.

“Your Majesty.”

At that moment, the Imperial Guards, who had been perking up their ears, cautiously reported. They had maximized their senses through the release of magic power, and they had heard fragments of a very surprising conversation.

“Speak.”

“I apologize. From the faint conversation, it seems that the person is Beric’s sister.”

“Who? That ruffian’s?”

“Yes, the explosion was too loud, so it’s not certain, but it seems that way.”

Jin’s eyes widened in surprise. Tweller was the same. He had heard that he had no family, so a sister? And in a place like this?

Upon learning the whole story, Tweller frowned slightly, looking regretful.

‘Trouble.’

An Imperial Guard who does not follow the imperial order is worthless. Rather, they would be treated as dangerous individuals and become targets for elimination.

The Imperial Guards and Commander Jerritt were trying to kill that person to uphold the imperial order, while also trying to protect Beric.

‘What will you do, Beric?’

Tweller’s sigh scattered without a sound.

He knew that something like this would happen someday. It was impossible to serve two masters with one body, wasn’t it? If that happened, the body would be torn apart someday.

It wasn’t a metaphor. Especially in the Imperial Palace, such things were commonplace. He didn’t expect his sister to suddenly appear and cause this, but it was a foreseen fate.

“Your Majesty.”

Jin stood up and looked up at the battle between Beric and Jerritt. The Emperor’s mind seemed complicated.

“……”

Just as a crossroads had appeared before Beric and the Imperial Guards, countless choices were spread out before Jin.

He didn’t know about the others, but one thing was certain. If that sister died here, Beric would not be able to live as an Imperial Guard. And furthermore, he would resent Bariel itself and leave. Even if his body remained in the Imperial Palace, his heart would surely scatter like the wind.

‘…Even if Sir Ian was here?’

Jin was startled without realizing it. It was a question that had come up so naturally, but when he thought about it, it was absurd. Wasn’t this proof that even his subconscious recognized that Beric was Sir Ian’s man?

As Jin covered his forehead, his retainers approached to support him.

Thud!

But Jin roughly shook off their sleeves and breathed heavily.

An Imperial Guard who does not follow him cannot exist. But if he demoted Beric, it would clearly be a loss for Bariel. Especially in a time of war like now, Beric’s strength was essential. For himself, and for Bariel.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“Don’t worry. We’ll go and knock Beric down right now to bring him to his senses. So, please don’t be too angry and calm your mind.”

“I, I’ve seen Beric cry while calling his sister’s name when he was drunk. It was quite a while ago, though. It seems like there’s a deep story behind it, Your Majesty. Please…”

The Imperial Guards approached and pleaded with the Emperor. They were colleagues who had lived and worked with Beric for over 10 years. How could they throw him away in an instant after coming this far? They knew and acknowledged his contributions, which made it even more so.

“Your Majesty. You must not retract your order.”

At that moment, Tweller’s direct words pierced sharply from the side. He was composed. As if he had known that this situation would come. In fact, what he had expected was a conflict centered around Sir Ian, but this was not much different from that.

“The Emperor’s order is solemn and heavy. It is as high as the sky and worthy of reverence. But if the imperial order must be withdrawn due to the private circumstances of one Imperial Guard, what would the soldiers of Bariel think who are watching this?”

Only then did Jin notice the soldiers within the camp. They were flustered, but also glancing back and forth with surprised eyes.

“The imperial order must be applied equally to everyone. But now, Beric is trying to disobey it by prioritizing his private feelings. You must never retract the order.”

“But Minister Tweller, you also know that Beric is an essential presence in this war.”

“Your Majesty. He is just an Imperial Guard. How many Imperial Guard commanders have died in battle so far? We have won even without them, and we are still standing in the middle of the enemy territory like this. Do not overestimate him. It is only because you have been too close to him that his presence seems greater.”

“I-”

I don’t want to lose him. I don’t want to lose Beric. The Emperor’s eyes were saying that.

Tweller slightly nodded towards the back. At the end of it, Siao Shi was standing.

“Have you forgotten what happens when those who are not Your Majesty’s people fill the Imperial Palace? It was only 10 years ago. And, Sir Ian told you not long ago.”

Ian had directly told him how the Emperor’s downfall had occurred. Jin had heard with his own ears how easily Bariel could be destroyed by a person named Crony by his side. If he hadn’t heard it, it would be one thing, but could he ignore that advice even though he knew it?

Jin’s fingertips trembled slightly. Please, Beric. Calm down…

“May I dare to say a word?”

A clear, pure, and upright voice. Jin could easily recognize the owner of that voice.

“I thought it might not be a matter to decide with a simple cut, so I would like to add a word, though I apologize.”

It was Eirin. She had just arrived to report on what had happened at the Masantar Temple. The situation was so noisy that everyone had failed to notice her.

Tweller glared at Eirin. She bowed her head and apologized again.

“I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness.”

For a mere soldier to dare to interrupt the conversation between the Emperor and the Minister. Such insolence was immediately punishable.

Eirin knew this well, but she couldn’t just stand by. The Emperor seemed to trust him and not want to lose him, and above all, Beric was a comrade who had fought alongside her at the Masantar Temple, risking his life. If she could induce a slight shift in thinking, she would gladly speak up.

“Holy Knight Eirin, there is a hierarchy in words.”

“I know. But I was afraid I would regret remaining silent, so I took the risk. Your Majesty, and Minister. I wield my sword for Bariel. This is for the country, and furthermore, for Your Majesty. But the ultimate meaning that exists deep in my heart is, God.”

At Eirin’s bold words, Tweller’s eyebrows twitched. Of course, it wasn’t wrong. Holy Knights were originally generally affiliated with temples.

“Does that mean I am not Your Majesty’s person? I risked my life for Your Majesty.”

Jin and Tweller understood her meaning.

In other words, she was talking about directionality. As long as she was running while looking at the meaning of God, the Emperor would surely be on that path.

“It is said that the problem is that Beric follows Sir Ian more deeply, but if you look at the meaning of that Sir Ian, there is no problem. The Sir Ian I saw was someone who cared for Bariel more than anyone else. So, Beric will eventually become a swordsman who cares for Bariel more than anyone else.”

“Eirin.”

The words were right, but the consideration was lacking. Tweller tried to cut off her words, but he closed his mouth at the following words.

“The life of one Imperial Guard is equal to thousands of Bariel soldiers. I’m not saying which is more precious. It means that Beric can save the lives of thousands. Your Majesty, who is so heartbroken by the deaths of a few citizens who were beheaded over there, can you watch their deaths?”

Eirin looked far into the distance behind her. Beric had stopped attacking and was panting. And then, tears fell from his chin. Beric almost collapsed forward and sobbed.

“It’s an opportunity, Your Majesty. An opportunity to make Beric even more Your Majesty’s person. In addition, it will also boost the morale of the soldiers.”

“Eirin, the imperial order is solemn!”

“Yes, there is no need to retract it. Just interpret it differently.”

At Eirin’s answer, Tweller paused for a moment.

“What do you mean?”

As long as it doesn’t look wrong to the soldiers. If they just separate those excited people for a while and give them time, Beric will decide on his own. More calmly and rationally.

“The core of the imperial order is to save the people of Bariel. If that person is Beric’s sister, doesn’t that person also belong to the people of Bariel?”