Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 734

“Execute the roll call.”

At Acorella’s low command, the merchants who had been kneeling and prostrating themselves raised their heads sharply. They had learned firsthand what it meant to be beaten helplessly. Each of them, with swollen faces, spat out saliva as they diligently repeated the orders.

“No matter what danger comes!”

“Good!”

“We will safely bring the wagons into the capital!”

“Good! Louder!”

“By any means necessary! The mages’ identities must not be exposed! Even if it means death!”

“How solemn! How wonderful!”

Acorella, who had been sitting on a rock, smiled and came down. The merchants instinctively trembled and watched her every move.

She had used that method to hit them in the back of the head dozens of times. On top of that, the golden magic circle had bound them tightly, preventing them from moving as they pleased, and had even given them shocks so strong that they felt their limbs might actually explode.

*Whack!*

As expected, Acorella struck one of the men on the head, making a satisfying sound. It was the man who had called her a ‘crazy bitch’ earlier. His face was three times more swollen than the others.

“I’ll say it again, we’ve placed a very powerful curse on your bodies. I won’t explain the final fate you’ll meet if you do anything foolish or fail your mission. But just one thing! Whatever you imagine, know that it will be beyond your imagination.”

Desperate pain that would make them beg for death! The merchants nodded repeatedly, tears welling up in their eyes. What a hardship it was to be caught by a devil like her! They should have gone straight to the capital without washing those slaves…

As they burst into tears and snot, Acorella smiled contentedly. Besides research, there were such enjoyable external activities! It was quite fun…

“Captain. Over here for a moment.”

Hehehe! It was the moment Acorella was about to burst into a sinister laugh. Tommy called her.

Most of the mages had already changed clothes with the slaves. There was no problem since they had burned all the robes and outer garments with the Bariel mark. But why?

“There aren’t many women’s clothes. Would you like to try one of these? This one seems to fit the best.”

“Ugh, do I have to wear it too?”

“Of course.”

“I’m a bit high up in the ranks.”

“Ian also wore it.”

“…Give me the big one.”

Acorella sniffed the damp clothes. This, a prestigious imperial mage, was going through all sorts of hardships. She sighed as she looked at the mages in their dirty, slave-like attire.

“Why the sigh? I saw you having fun just now.”

“Having fun, my foot. How hard do you think I worked alone to keep your hands clean?”

“You seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, Captain.”

“You should always enjoy your work.”

“I knew it! Acorella is perfect for this kind of job.”

As the mages whispered as if to show off, Acorella picked up a stone. From past experience, that was a warning. If they said one more word, she would throw it.

The mages shut their mouths and slowly moved towards Ian. If possible, it would be better to hide in a safe place.

“……?”

Ian, who was squatting down and examining the merchant’s identification, raised his head in bewilderment.

“Is something the matter?”

“Ah, no. Is there anything wrong with the ID?”

“It’s more like a pass. It seems to have been issued by the royal palace for a fee, but it was issued quite a while ago, which is strange. But Banusa says there’s no problem.”

“Then don’t worry, Ian. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Yes, these outer border entry checks can all be resolved with a little bit of money. I’ll set aside some funds in advance.”

Where from? From the merchant’s pockets.

Ian nodded and stood up, addressing the slaves who were standing there, unsure of what to do.

“You are lucky.”

“Ah…”

“Leave for wherever you want. It’s none of my business where you go, but it’s best to turn your back on the capital. If you must enter the capital, wait about fifteen days before moving.”

It sounded like advice, but also like a warning.

But the slaves knew well that distinguishing between them was meaningless. They were the ones who had freed them from slavery, and beings that ordinary people like themselves, with no power, could not dare to oppose. Unconditional obedience was their only way to survive.

“Line up and take some food and money.”

“Th-thank you!”

A man who had been watching cautiously rushed forward and bowed. Then, he took some dried meat, bread, wine, and a silver coin, and ran up the hill. He was worried that Ian might change his mind, or that the merchants might counterattack and the situation might change.

“Thank you… But is it okay to give us all of this?”

“These things are meaningless to us. And such worries are a luxury for you. Tommy, distribute it appropriately and dismiss them all.”

“Yes, Ian.”

“The shift change is at 5 PM, so we’ll enter around 4:30 PM. Prepare accordingly.”

The inspectors about to change shifts were always sloppy in their work. Ian knew this well and intended to take advantage of it.

Banusa, who had been leaning against the carriage, held out his hand to Ian, asking for the map.

“Once you enter the capital, find the road that leads directly to the small town. Turn right at the plaza, and there will be a building with a blue sign. It’s managed by the family, so you can avoid the guards’ eyes inside. Let’s meet there.”

“Good. Since we’re entering at 4:30 PM, if you don’t arrive by 8 PM, consider it a problem and send support.”

“Yes, I hope you get in safely. Then, I’ll go ahead. I hope everyone passes safely.”

“Yeah, you too.”

“Captain Acorella, please stop beating the merchants. What if the inspectors get suspicious looking at the kids’ faces?”

Acorella stuck out his tongue and replied nonchalantly.

“Just say the merchant beat them for not managing the slaves properly, what’s the big deal? Hurry up and go secure a spot, will you?”

Seriously, he’s not normal. Banusa shook his head as if he couldn’t take it anymore and jumped into the river.

*Splash!*

Banusa disappeared into the water in an instant. He must be planning to move quickly up the river to the checkpoint.

“But can’t Banusa just enter the capital by following the waterway without needing to be inspected?”

A mage muttered. It was a very good point. Ian told everyone,

“I heard there’s a magic detection device installed at the gate. The same must be true for the water gate.”

“Oh, then what about a mana detection device?”

A mage raised his hand quickly and asked. He understood the ‘magic’ detection device. But ‘mana’ was a different concept [Mana is a form of energy used by mages].

“According to Banusa, there isn’t a specific countermeasure for mana, but you never know.”

It was a reasonable guess. The Bariel army was invading with mages. If they had any sense, they would have emptied the royal palace’s storerooms to install something that could counter mana.

Ian created small Idgals [small magical items] in his palm and distributed them to the mages.

“Do not use mana under any circumstances, and keep your presence as low as possible. Once we pass the checkpoint, reaching the royal palace is a piece of cake. Do you understand?”

*Thump!* The mages put the Idgals in their pockets and saluted. It meant that they had to hide their identities, even if it meant temporarily erasing their mana completely.

“Yes, Ian. We will follow your orders!”

* * *

“Next!”

*Creak!*

The line at the immigration checkpoint was long. Very long. It was wartime, so everyone was trying to leave the capital, but what were these people thinking, trying to get in?

The inspector, who had been working all day, glanced at his watch a couple of times and frowned. There were still 30 minutes left until he could go home. And of all people, his replacement was always 10 minutes late.

“Next! Are you deaf!?”

He couldn’t help but be on edge.

He checked the pass and then looked at the cargo hold. It was full of straw. He took a long skewer and forcefully poked it. It was with enough force to kill someone if they were hiding there.

The carriage owner looked worriedly, then, unable to stand it, he approached and slipped a coin into the inspector’s hand.

“Well, you must be tired, please stop poking.”

“Oh? What’s this?”

“There’s a little wheat. The harvest was good last time, so there was some left over. Since it’s wartime, you know, to sell it for a little more, you know.”

The capital was full of rich and fearful people. They were hoarding food and jewels in preparation for the war. He was trying to sell to them at a high price.

Tsk! The inspector clicked his tongue openly but withdrew the skewer.

“You people are something else.”

“Please, just help me this once.”

“Get lost. Next!”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

If it weren’t for this kind of side hustle, I would have quit long ago. The inspector listlessly raised the flag, signaling the next carriage forward.

*Creak.*

“Pass.”

“Here it is.”

“A merchant guild, huh? Are you the guild leader?”

“Yes, yes…”

It was a guild I’d heard of a few times. There were no issues with the pass either…

“Ahem.”

The inspector grinned and shook his head. Oh, looks like I get to make some extra cash again!

“The stamp date on your pass doesn’t comply with the revised law. Those who received it at that time must also present their national identification. Do you have it?”

“N-national identification?”

“Do you have it?”

*Do you have the money, you idiot!* It’s not like this is the first time. Why are you acting so clumsy? You should just pretend you have it and hand over the money, right?

The inspector glared at him, annoyed, and then noticed something odd.

“But why do they all look like that?”

The coachman and the guild members beside him all had swollen faces.

“I was a little, a little careless with the slaves, so I had to whip them a bit. Nothing to worry about. I don’t have the national identification, but instead, how about this…”

“Ahem! Ah! I shouldn’t be taking this. Ahem.”

He quickly stuffed the coin pouch into his pocket and pointed to the back of the carriage.

“I’ll have a look.”

“Go ahead. It’s just slaves back there.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Slave traders often smuggled goods inside the slaves’ bodies. Judging by the weight of the coin pouch, he probably factored that in, but you never know.

“Ahem.”

He peered inside through the back window of the carriage. The slaves were all slumped over, buried in the darkness. One, two, three, four… He counted them under his breath.

“Hey- that pink-haired one’s eyes are messed up. You’ll have trouble selling someone like that. Hahaha!”

“…You son of a b…”

“Huh?”

Did I mishear? The inspector stopped laughing and carefully scanned the inside, but there was no particular reaction. *Am I hearing things because of overwork?*

He scratched his neck and was about to turn away. He was about to let them pass. Until he happened to spot a young boy.

“Oh ho.”

He was dressed in rags and covered in dust, but his beauty was striking. His golden hair and sparkling green eyes immediately captivated anyone who looked at him.

He asked the guild leader,

“Are you going to sell all of these guys as soon as you get there?”

“Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem. I just heard that the market lord’s daughter has been feeling lonely lately. I think I see a good one.”

“Ah, about that-”

The guild leader approached hastily, flustered. The inspector took out the coin pouch he had received as a bribe and offered.

“How about I buy him with this?”

“That…”

The inspector smiled and made the offer, but the guild leader froze, looking troubled.

He wouldn’t know. Behind him, those inside the carriage were all flashing their eyes in the darkness.

*’…Damn it.’*

Oh