Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 758

Everyone felt it. It was as if something had changed. Ian’s light was clearly different from before, but no one could define it exactly. It was only natural; just like Ian, they had all changed.

“Sir Ian.”

“Ian!”

“Lord Ian!”

Kwaaaang!

Those who recognized Ian called out his name at the same time, but their voices were immediately drowned out by a huge roar. It was a fierce storm that shook the world. Gusts of wind swept sporadically, and the reverberation was so deep that it made their ears ring. Jin squinted one eye in his blurry vision and stared straight ahead. He couldn’t see Ian because of the hazy dust.

Saaah.

When the dust cleared, he saw Ian’s back standing firmly. The shadow’s tentacles, which had been rampaging, had disappeared without a trace. The shadow slowly straightened its back and looked down at them. It didn’t have facial features, but it was clear what the shadow’s emotions were right now.

‘It’s…’

‘It’s flustered.’

The shadow seemed quite surprised that Ian had ‘cut off’ a part of itself. Weren’t mages and magic swordsmen supposed to turn to ashes and disappear as soon as they touched it? The shadow’s movements became quite cautious.

“Ian-ah!”

Berick, surprised by Ian’s changed appearance, rushed over. The back of Ian’s hand was blackened. It looked like it had been burned, or infected with a deadly poison. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a normal reaction. But Ian lightly shook his hand as if it were nothing and asked back.

“Berick, are you alright?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

That wound on his waist. When Ian answered with his gaze, Berick laughed nonchalantly.

“Of course. I’m someone who was fine even when my limbs were crushed.”

“…I see.”

The stench of monster blood was strong from Berick. Even though he had been cut by the red Idgal [a type of monster], his magic power remained intact. Ian looked away again and looked up at the Shadow God.

“If you’re okay, then that’s enough.”

Ian could fully guess what choice Berick had made. So, he didn’t bother to add any words to his calm answer that he was fine. Ian counted the number of remaining mages and magic swordsmen and realized that there were too many unseen faces. His lips tightened.

“…Your Majesty.”

Ian’s gaze was fixed straight on the Shadow God, but its gaze was far away. The smoke and flames that kept rising, and the faint screams coming from the direction of the ramparts… It was seeing with its own eyes that its followers were dying without exception.

“Your Majesty!”

There was no time. If it realized its own crisis, the next moment would surely be fleeting. Even if a crack appeared in the current situation and a change was visible, it would be impossible to stop the Shadow God at once. Ian’s hand, where the skin had completely burned, was telling him that.

“From now on, listen carefully to my words! This is an issue to be conveyed to the Magic Department, the Imperial Guard, and the Imperial Army!”

Ssssk.

The Shadow God’s neck grew longer. It seemed to be stretching its neck out to get a closer look at its followers dying. Right now was probably the only chance for Bariel [the name of the empire].

“The Shadow God is not an opponent I can handle alone. So everyone, now we have no choice but to step forward for Bariel.”

“I’m ready! Sir Ian, I’m ready!”

“Lord Ian! Just give the order!”

“We will follow!”

“We will do anything!”

“For the Empire!”

Ian watched the Shadow God’s movements and took a moment to catch his breath. His head was spinning and he felt nauseous, but his face was calm and resolute. Everyone steeled their hearts at his unwavering appearance.

“Even though it’s said to be wicked, that is also a god. An existence based on faith, Sir Ian.”

“Yes, that’s right. And Your Majesty’s choice is also right.”

It was to boost the morale of the Imperial Army to annihilate Toloon [the enemy kingdom]. Without any hint, Ian was instinctively grasping the situation accurately. Berick also quickly added.

“And that bastard doesn’t seem to be able to come out of the palace. The monsters also seem to revert back when they come out to a certain extent.”

“The King of Toloon didn’t chase us either.”

Even now, the Shadow God was firmly planted on the palace grounds, only stretching its neck out. Ian nodded as if he was gradually getting a grasp of things.

“Acorella, do you have more amplifiers?”

“Yes. I do have some, but not many.”

“Have all the combat teams, including Hale, take them. And draw the ‘Gyeonhap (牽合)’ [a type of magic circle] magic circle in detail on the front lines. Is that possible?”

It was a new magic circle completed with a rare item from the East. It was a higher-level magic that gathered and deployed the magic power of mages, and because it was based on Ian’s power, it was the only way for ordinary mages to confront the forbidden creation. At the same time, it was also a means to maximize the power of each individual. A look of bewilderment briefly flashed across the faces of the mages.

“Ah.”

The magic circle was complex, tricky, and systematic. Moreover, they had awakened the Gyeonhap magic during the Ruswena War. Since then, they had been in a constant state of war, so they lacked the time to properly explore it. In other words, there were few people who could fully memorize the magic circle. But-

“I remember it.”

Hale raised his hand. Acorella wasn’t there at the time, so she was completely excluded. She smacked her forehead as if she was disappointed. If she, a genius mage, had seen it, she would have memorized it right away!

‘It’ll take some time.’

But that’s fine. I can do several people’s worth. Ian designated Hale and a few other mages and assigned roles.

“With Captain Hale at the center, set up the Gyeonhap magic circle around the palace. The other mages will help the magic swordsmen defeat the King of Toloon and buy time by drawing the Shadow God’s attention.”

Ian and Jayrut’s eyes met. Ian said.

“The Shadow God appeared as soon as the King of Toloon was in danger. It’s because the child’s existence itself is a means to unite the followers and proof of faith.”

Jayrut immediately understood what Ian meant. So, just taking the life of the King of Toloon could damage it. “Captain Jayrut, can you do it?”

Also, Jayrut knew very well what the words ‘buy time’ meant. Sacrifice was inevitable, and it meant to throw away their lives for even a few seconds. Jayrut’s answer to this was firm.

“I swear, I can do it.”

At the captain’s unwavering determination, all the guards saluted and strengthened their will.

Cheok!

“Of course!”

“We are ready!”

And Berick was the same. He saluted with his hand covered in monster blood, proving that he was an Imperial Guard. Ian smiled faintly and took a moment to breathe. Soon after, Hale and the mages bit into the amplifiers that Acorella had given them and swallowed them. Their bodies and minds were so tired that they felt like they would collapse soon, but the drug’s energy relieved some of the weight.

“And Your Majesty.”

Ian turned to Jin.

“I’m sorry.”

He was sorry for creating this situation even though he had gone back 100 years. It was absurd, but Ian wanted to convey those words.

“Sir Ian.”

“As Your Majesty said, faith is the key to victory or defeat. Reassure the Imperial Army and strongly imprint the conviction of victory and the existence of God. For this, any method is right. Do you understand?”

Too much changes with the command of a mere human. Ian, who was once an emperor, sometimes found it too overwhelming and frightening, but after enduring it, he realized that it was also inevitable. Jin too… someday, the day would come when he would realize it.

“…I understand.”

Ian raised his hand to his right ear. Then, through a telepathic spell, he conveyed his voice to all the nearby Imperial soldiers.

-Can everyone hear me?

When the mysterious beautiful voice was heard clearly, the soldiers’ faces lit up.

“Isn’t that, isn’t that the voice of the Minister of Magic?”

“It seems that it was Lord Ian who struck down the shadow earlier.”

“Y-yes! He’s not someone who would lose easily!”

“Hey! Everyone, look over there!”

The murmuring noise subsided in an instant. The shadow was reaching out towards the ramparts. As if responding to those who were praying, the Underworld God was moving directly to save the dying followers. Perhaps that was an act of trying to save itself.

‘The Underworld God also felt it. That Sir Ian is different.’

The crack in power. The Underworld God, who had felt it, had found the cause. The shadow of a demonic beast was cast long over Jin’s head. In the moment he was wondering what to do-

-Focus.

Taat!

Ian flew in and caught up with the demonic beast’s hand. It was a signal. A signal to the mages, magic swordsmen, and Jin to move quickly.

“Move!”

“Yes! Captain!”

“Captain Hale!”

“Go! Go now! I’ll take care of the magic circle!”

“We believe in you, Captain!”

“Let’s all meet again alive!”

Jiiing! Jiiing!

Chwaaaak!

Hale placed his hand on the ground and set the foundation for the magic circle, and the others ran back towards the palace again. Kill the King of Toloon, and buy time until Captain Hale completes the magic circle. This was the mission given to them now. One they had to accomplish no matter what.

-I am Ian Verosian. The bloodline of the Emperor from the future 100 years later, and an existence that can prove God. I clearly say, you have won. Bariel is eternal.

Chwaaak!

Ian flew towards the shadow and continued to spread the telepathic spell. To establish faith, he had no choice but to keep telling them of his existence.

-But why are you afraid? God clearly exists, and is with you even at this moment. Yet, if there is anxiety deep in your heart, look at me.

“Minister Tweller!”

Tweller, who had been indiscriminately swinging his axe, turned around, sensing a presence. Something black and something white were approaching. The old general, covered in blood, spat and firmly grasped the axe handle with both hands.

“They’re coming! Everyone, draw your swords!”

“Draw your swords!”

“A warrior does not show his back!”

-I fly in the sky, cut through the darkness, and create light. Can you still deny it? I can say this with my soul on the line.

With my soul on the line.

At this point, the mages who were running towards the palace stopped in their tracks.

“Lord Ian, could it be…”

Could it be that as a last resort, he was even thinking of using forbidden magic? Their hearts sank. Hale’s hand, which was drawing the magic circle, also paused for a moment, but it didn’t last long.

“Everyone, stay focused!”

Since Ian had put everything on the line, they would too. If Ian went into the abyss, they would also go in together and hold his wrist. It’s okay, it’s really okay.

Saaah!

As the demonic beast was about to plunge down towards the ramparts, Ian increased his speed and blocked its path. And again-

Puh-uh-uhng!

He punched and deflected the shadow’s attack. The world shook again, and a sharp wind burst out. The blood that had not yet dried formed waves and flowed far and wide.

Saaah.

The dust cleared. Ian was in the same position as when he had deflected the attack. His breath was rough and cold sweat was dripping down, but the soldiers didn’t notice. That the back of Ian’s hand was completely split open, revealing the white bone.

“Waaaaaa!”

“The future Emperor is with us!”

“The Great Empire of Bariel is eternal!”

“Ba-riel!”

Once again, the national anthem echoed from all over. The shadow tilted its waist and looked at Ian, then burst into laughter. Ian’s eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

-How laughable, how laughable! Your existence is faith? Is that even possible?

Saaah!

The shadow stretched out long into the sky. Then, dark clouds gathered and instantly covered the sky of Toloon. The shadow whispered so that only Ian could hear.

-Even if your existence is erased from the world, will that faith continue? Ian Verosian came from the future of Bariel, the proof of victory that you speak of! If that disappears, what will happen to them? Aren’t you curious?

-Let’s see.