Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 765

“Barsabe! You’re alive!”\n\n”Ugh!”\n\nWham!\n\nBarsabe’s upper body lurched forward as she was wrapping her bandages. Someone had suddenly hugged her from behind.\n\nThe medic, looking pale as if about to faint, supported Barsabe’s body, and she turned around in surprise. She saw the faces of her delighted royal guards. They all had various cuts and wounds.\n\n”Of course. I don’t die easily.”\n\n”Oh my, your left arm is a mess. Can you feel anything?”\n\n”…A little.”\n\nBarsabe hesitated for a moment, then managed a smile. It wasn’t a situation to smile, but she didn’t know what expression to make.\n\nThey fell silent, and then the guards pressed their foreheads against hers. Barsabe apologized, her voice trembling.\n\n”…I’m sorry. I couldn’t be of help.”\n\n”It’s okay. There’s a lot to be sorry about.”\n\n”I tried to do something while you guys were fighting-“\n\n”Everyone did their best. We know you as much as you know us. Don’t say things like that. Commander Jayrut wouldn’t want that either.”\n\nAt the mention of Commander Jayrut, Barsabe closed her eyes tightly.\n\nAfter her father passed away, Jayrut, her father’s close friend, had taken even better care of her. He had been generous with his teachings, and he was a senior who walked ahead of her, more confidently than anyone else, on the path she should take.\n\nA father, a mentor, a person she admired. Commander Jayrut’s absence would be like a lifelong ache.\n\n”Anyway, this day has finally come.”\n\n”Yeah. The war is over.”\n\n”No, not that!”\n\n”Then?”\n\n”Look, look over there!”\n\nThwack!\n\nThe guard pointed to Beric in the distance. Then, as if dumbfounded, he shook his head.\n\n”Beric, that guy, is the commander.”\n\n”You know what’s annoying? He’s doing a decent job. Did that crazy bastard eat something wrong?”\n\n”It’s also infuriating how well it suits him.”\n\n”Damn it. I’m going to apply for the commander position when I get into the royal palace. I can’t stand working under that guy, it’s a blow to my pride.”\n\n”Beat me first before that.”\n\nThe royal guards lightened the mood with playful jokes. As Barsabe wiped away her tears and smiled, the guards called out to Cedric, who was chatting with someone in the distance.\n\n”Cedric!”\n\n”Yes, I’m coming.”\n\nThe boy said something to the person he was talking to, then quickly ran to the guards.\n\n”How does it feel to have your direct senior become the commander?”\n\n”I don’t feel much. If I had to say, it’s more like, I could do that too.”\n\n”Tsk, tsk, you cocky brat! Just like Beric’s junior!” The guards stretched Cedric’s cheeks and tilted their heads.\n\n”Don’t wander off and stick right next to Barsabe.”\n\n”…Yes, I will.”\n\n”Once the bandages are done, take her to Commander Acorella of the Magic Division. She seemed busy with emergency patients earlier, but I don’t know about now. Barsabe, just stay put for now. See you later.”\n\nCedric was also a magic swordsman, but he was still lacking in training and couldn’t participate in the field recovery. He was also clumsy in handling magic power, and his physical strength was lacking due to his young age.\n\nCedric stared blankly at the direction the guards had disappeared, then stuck out his tongue at Barsabe, as if not caring whether she saw it or not.\n\n”You’re really something.”\n\n”Medic, is it just bandaging?”\n\n”Ah. Yes, yes. That’s right.”\n\n”Then I’ll do it. Go take care of your work.”\n\nThe number of medics was limited, and there were countless injured. He gladly entrusted the bandaging to Cedric and hurried into the royal palace. People were still being carried out on stretchers.\n\n”I’ll take care of it carefully, senior.”\n\n”Okay. Do a good job.”\n\n”But does becoming a magic swordsman strengthen the body? If an arm is this wrecked, usually you’d be crippled or dead.”\n\n”It depends on the level of training.”\n\nCedric carefully wrapped the bandages with clumsy hands. As if sewing stitch by stitch.\n\nBarsabe waited leisurely with her chin propped up, and Cedric kept glancing at her.\n\n”What?”\n\n’Is there something you need?’ Barsabe asked, fixing her chin in place as she felt his gaze. Yet, Cedric hesitated, fidgeting with the bandage in his hand for a long time. Sensing something was amiss, Barsabe frowned.\n\n”Cedric?”\n\n”Um, Senior Barsabe. You’re close with Senior Beric, aren’t you?”\n\n”Well, it depends on the definition of ‘close’.”\n\n”I heard a strange rumor, and I’m not sure if I should report it.”\n\n”A rumor? What kind?”\n\nWith a nonchalant look, Cedric suddenly raised both hands. And with eyes that seemed to say, ‘Boo- scary!’, he quietly muttered.\n\n”A woman has been seen in the water.”\n\n”Water? Where?”\n\n”In the well that supplies drinking water.”\n\n”…That’s odd.”\n\nSuch strange rumors were common on the battlefield. It was an environment where one could easily encounter the deaths of allies, enemies, or even unrelated individuals.\n\nWasn’t it the same in Burgos Castle? Rumors spread that guards were simultaneously hearing auditory hallucinations and seeing spirits, and it lasted quite a while.\n\n’But the war is over now.’\n\nAnd it was a victory.\n\nIt was a time when the sense of liberation and accomplishment was higher than ever. The Shadow God was too wicked to have compassion, and frankly, apart from the sacrifices of the mages and magic swordsmen, the damage to ordinary soldiers was not that severe. In Barsabe’s experience, it was unusual for ghost stories to spread in such encouraging situations.\n\n”So? Why are you hesitating about whether to tell Beric?”\n\n”Because it’s related to Minister Ian of the Magic Division. The two of them are close friends.”\n\n”Minister Ian?”

“Yes.”

Cedric sniffled and finished wrapping the bandage. His touch was surprisingly meticulous for a child. He glanced around as if checking for eavesdroppers, then carefully whispered to Barsabe.

“There’s a rumor going around that Minister Ian is of royal blood.”

“What?”

Barsabe frowned, wondering if she had misheard. What nonsense was he spouting?

At her strong reaction, Cedric raised both hands again, proving his innocence. He was just relaying what he had heard.

“I know it’s a bizarre rumor, but that seems to be why it’s spreading so quickly. If Captain Jerrit were here, I would have told him, but unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Senior Beric is in charge now.”

Should she tell him or not? She figured he would find out eventually, so she wondered if she should avoid getting involved in something troublesome.

As Barsabe’s face clearly showed her bewilderment, Cedric nodded.

“I was the same at first. I wonder which crazy bastard started such a rumor.”

“No, wait a minute.”

Barsabe snapped her fingers, drawing Cedric’s attention. Wasn’t the child’s reaction strange? It was as if he didn’t know that Ian Hielo was the emperor from the future. Barsabe was at a loss for words.

‘…This is it.’

The strange disconnect she had felt when talking to Beric earlier. She now knew what it was.

Barsabe pondered for a moment, then abruptly stood up. She took off her Royal Guard uniform jacket and ran towards the barracks. Her leg was not fully healed, so she limped, but her pace quickened.

Tap tap!

“Could it be Toloon’s last desperate act?”

“Nah, no way.”

“Then that means he’s still alive.”

“No. It must be another force.”

The soldiers’ chatter echoed loudly in Barsabe’s ears.

“I think it’s possible. It’s been a rumor in Bariel for a while. Even though the Magic Division actively denied it, nothing has been proven.”

“Are you crazy? Why would they bring up that issue? It’s a problem whether it’s true or not.”

“Shush. Everyone, shut your mouths. We barely survived the war, don’t go doing something stupid and get killed.”

“Yeah! Everyone, shut up. Anyway, we won because of the mages. So what if he’s of royal blood? Isn’t that a blessing? It’s the first time a mage has come from the royal family.”

“Ugh, I just want to go home and rest.”

“Do you think the mages will open a portal for us when we leave?”

“I doubt it. The Minister of Magic isn’t doing well right now.”

Tap tap!

Wasn’t it something everyone had witnessed, that Minister Ian was of royal blood? How could they all act like they were hearing it for the first time? She had no idea who had brazenly spread such rumors in the midst of the chaos.

And more than anything…

‘A woman who appeared in the water.’

…Could it be Banusa?

Barsabe pushed aside her confused thoughts and ran towards the Magic Division’s barracks.

* * *

Deep into the night-

Banusa opened her eyes. She didn’t know when or how she had fainted, nor how long she had been there. She tried to move, but her leg was trapped under debris, making it impossible.

She turned her head. In the distance, she could see a dark blue head of hair that she thought might be Barsabe, but she wasn’t sure. It was too far away.

Swish.

Banusa turned her body into liquid and escaped the ruined palace. What had happened? Had Bariel won? Other than the fact that the rain had stopped, Banusa knew nothing.

It was the same even after she got out of the rubble. Everyone was lying on the ground as if they were asleep.

‘What is this…’

The Emperor, the mages, the magic swordsmen. Just like those who had lost consciousness underground, they were all sprawled out on the muddy ground, unconscious.

“Excuse me. Over there…”

She tried to shake them, fighting off the dizziness, but there was no response. Banusa had no choice but to stagger away.

Even in the darkness, she could clearly see the half-destroyed capital. The palace was completely ruined, and there were many houses that were charred or burned by the fire.

‘It must have been a fierce battle.’

Banusa pressed her forehead with a troubled expression.

She had wanted to destroy the palace, not Toloon. Seeing the capital she had loved so much in ruins, Banusa’s nose stung.

She continued to move, looking for anyone who had regained consciousness. But…

‘Something’s wrong.’

Red handprints that hadn’t been washed away by the rain. Bloodstains were everywhere. They weren’t from the Shadow God, but from humans.

Banusa followed the stream of blood and turned a corner. Instantly, the stench of blood hit her. Banusa’s body froze.

“Ah…”

The corpses of Toloon residents were piled up like mountains.

…This couldn’t be happening. What had they done wrong? They were all beheaded, their eyes open in death. The wounds all over their bodies clearly showed intent.

‘…Massacre.’

It didn’t make sense. Why would Bariel do this? Ian Hielo had clearly spoken of an alliance with her. He had promised to protect Toloon.

“I-!”

Banusa couldn’t contain her rising anger and drew her sword. Since everyone was unconscious, she could easily cut them down. First, the one closest to her…

…This person’s face was familiar. Wasn’t he Minister Tweller?

“Ugh…”

But then, a groan came from somewhere. Banusa reflexively turned to follow the sound.

A child was dying, wheezing in a trash can in the alley. Banusa quickly pulled the child out and poured water into his mouth.

“Ugh…”

“It’s okay. I am Banusa.”

“B-Banusa-nim?”

“Yes. Take slow breaths.”

The child couldn’t open his eyes. Instead, he clung to Banusa’s arms and spoke his last words with all his strength. It was a very faint and labored voice.

“The Bariel army massacred everyone. They cut down anyone they saw. My parents and I weren’t even holding weapons. They killed everyone. They cornered us…”

Banusa’s eyes trembled.

“Please punish them. Banusa-nim. The Bariel bastards…”