Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 767

Ian quietly watched Barsabe, who had frozen. He didn’t know why, but she was staring blankly at him, clutching the water glass with both hands.

Eventually, Ian broke the silence first.

“I am a being from the future. I witnessed the victory of Bariel firsthand. The Shadow God needed to weaken their faith, so he brought the rain.”

“Rain…”

Barsabe thought of the North Mountain shelter. Banusa had said that the strange rain was everywhere, making it impossible to go out. As she’d said, it wasn’t a natural phenomenon.

“They say that if you touch it, you’ll be erased soon.”

Ian’s tone was detached, as if he were discussing something that didn’t concern him. Barsabe looked at her own reflection in the water glass and asked carefully,

“Then, wouldn’t revealing it again be enough?”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

The question was so unexpected that Barsabe could only gape. She couldn’t understand the intention behind Ian’s question.

‘…Wh-Why? Why would he ask such a question?’

“Um, Minister Ian?”

“Don’t be so formal. I’m genuinely curious.”

Ian smiled, as if to say it was alright. He seemed genuinely eager to know. He was waiting for Barsabe to explain why revealing his identity was the right thing to do.

“There are many significant reasons why I shouldn’t reveal it.”

Ian was a being from another timeline. He would surely return to his original world someday, and the more traces he left behind, the more unpredictable the future would become.

Besides…

“Too much has already changed.”

“What… I don’t understand.”

“The me who was revealed during the war and the me who is revealed after the war cannot be the same.”

“They are not different!”

“Look, Barsabe.”

All three commanders were dead, and Beric alone was temporarily leading the Imperial Guard. The number of members had been reduced to less than half. The elites, known as the Emperor’s right-hand men, had died in battle.

Moreover, Minister Tweller would be retiring after this war. It would be good if Siao Shi took his place, but it didn’t seem easy, considering the responsibilities.

When the Emperor returned to Bariel, he would surely face a new phase in the midst of a chaotic process.

“You will understand when you return to Bariel.”

That is, if Barsabe remembered their conversation by then.

Ian smiled faintly, and Barsabe was speechless for a long time. Then, as if her insides were burning, she gulped down the water in her hand. Ian watched her with a wry smile.

“You said there are reasons why you shouldn’t reveal it. But conversely, there are reasons why you must reveal it.”

“Yes, there are. But they are too small and insignificant.”

“They are not insignificant!”

“If I reveal it, will everyone’s memories return?”

He was asking if it could be guaranteed that the memories the Undergod had erased would fully return.

What was the point of just ‘revealing it’? Ian was still alone in their memories.

“Then, what are you going to do?”

You couldn’t hold back rumors; they would have already spread. Right now, they were too busy dealing with the war to pay attention, but sooner or later, something would happen.

Unlike the worried Barsabe, Ian seemed relaxed.

“Well, whatever will be, will be?”

“Excuse me?”

Did she hear wrong? Minister Ian, whom she knew, would never say such a thing. Barsabe retorted in an absurd tone.

“I’m sorry, but-”

“Yes.”

“You’re not a demon, are you?”

Ian burst out laughing. Barsabe almost laughed along with him. But then she suddenly realized the water glass in her hand, and her face hardened.

‘Ah.’

…Rainwater.

The rainwater that the Undergod had brought seeped into the earth and lingered in the depths of human life for a long time. His power must be in this water too. Ian’s ‘whatever will be, will be’ wasn’t a silly joke, but-

“I’ll lose my memories soon too.”

Since she would lose her memories anyway, he meant he wouldn’t bother revealing it.

Barsabe pressed her forehead and leaned forward. Ian was cruel, cold, and truly lonely. Barsabe’s throat tightened without her realizing it.

“…It’s sad.”

And, I feel sorry for you. You are so pitiful that my heart aches deeply. As Barsabe said this with her head bowed, Ian replied. His voice was warm.

“Thank you.”

Thank you for cherishing the memories with me. And thank you for engraving me in your heart, for not forgetting me. In this world where I am left alone, you are a small gift.

“I will say this one last time, Minister Ian. Please keep this in mind.”

She didn’t know when her memories would be erased. Barsabe quickly added,

“Someone will surely remember Minister Ian. And someday, everyone will remember Minister Ian again. This is because of the Undergod’s power.”

Gaia [the world of the gods] was the world of the gods. Although a shadow dared to act up, this was a power that would be erased someday. Surely. They had fought against him and won, and they knew that light was always around them.

Instead of answering, Ian just gave a kind smile.

“……”

Expectations were sharp and beautiful sculptures. Their very existence made one excited and hopeful, but the moment they broke, they left behind a very deep wound. Therefore, Ian was grateful for Barsabe’s comfort, but he couldn’t hold onto it.

“And…”

Barsabe’s words, which had been continuing with concern, suddenly stopped. It felt as if a part of her head had been neatly cut off.

A strange and unfamiliar sensation. Barsabe looked at Ian as if she was flustered, and Ian met her gaze gently. His eyes seemed to say that he knew everything and that it was okay.

“Um, Minister Ian.”

“Yes.”

“What was I talking about?”

Swoosh.

The moonlight grew colder. The blue light that had been cast over Ian’s eyes disappeared into the distance, and now only darkness settled. But Ian’s smile remained the same.

“…It seems the aftereffects of the injury are severe.”

“I’m sorry. Um, I clearly came to discuss something, but suddenly, this, I’ve never been like this before.”

“You said you were worried about the rumors about me.”

“Ah!”

Barsabe covered her mouth as if she was dumbfounded. Was she really losing her mind? How could she forget what she was saying while conveying such an important matter? The head injury seemed to be more serious than she thought.

“Don’t worry. Rumors are just rumors.”

“Ah. But that…”

“You said that the clue of the woman in the water makes you suspect Banusa. I will investigate and handle it myself. So, Barsabe, you should put your worries aside and focus on recovering.”

“Yes, and it would be good to report to His Majesty.”

“As you wish.”

It was only a matter of time before Jin heard about it anyway. Ian readily nodded, and Barsabe awkwardly rolled her eyes. She had conveyed everything and even received an answer, but strangely, something felt uneasy. It felt like there was more to say…

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

“Ah, no, there isn’t.”

“Okay.”

Then, would you please leave? Ian’s gaze seemed to be saying that. Barsabe hesitantly got up, saluted, and was about to pull back the cloth to leave.

“Officer Barsabe.”

“Yes, Minister Ian.”

“…Thank you.”

For what? Wait a minute. Didn’t he say that just now too? Barsabe tilted her head and looked back, but Ian had already turned his gaze away.

Swoosh.

As she stepped out of the soundproof magic area, she could once again hear the snoring of the mages. Barsabe glanced at the direction where Ian was, then moved towards the Imperial Guard barracks.

The moonlight was truly beautiful that night. But why was one side of her heart so uneasy… It was a mystery. Barsabe shook her head and put on her uniform.

* * *

Meanwhile, Ian, left alone, just stared blankly at the bed. The water glass that Barsabe had drunk from was left there, and the world was silent as if it had stopped. Ian let out a deep sigh and wiped his face with his dry hands.

“They are not insignificant.”

“Someone will surely remember Minister Ian. And someday, everyone will remember Minister Ian again.”

Barsabe’s voice kept echoing in his ears. He kept telling himself that he shouldn’t have expectations, that he would be the one hurt, but it wasn’t easy. Her comfort seemed to have taken root somewhere in Ian’s heart.

‘This shouldn’t be happening.’

As he frowned, the area below his chest throbbed again. It was as if he was being whipped for having vain thoughts.

Ian coughed and endlessly vomited blood, and he froze as he saw the blood clots flowing through his fingers.

“Time…”

…How much time was left?

Was there even any time left? He had used all of the future of the current ‘Ian Hielo’ with the future-pulling magic, so it wouldn’t be strange if he died right away. Above all, that was Accorella’s opinion. Her suspicions were always sharp and accurate.

He chuckled and washed the blood away with water.

‘…Still, it’s okay.’

There was an unknown certainty. Now that he had achieved his goal, he believed that the god would allow him to settle everything that was left and meet the ending he desired. He believed that the god would surely show that much mercy.

Swish.

Ian put on his coat and stepped out of the tent. The night breeze was cool. The smell of earth, blood, and burnt firewood was mixed together.

Ian walked towards the water’s edge on the outskirts, his robe pulled down low. He couldn’t fly because his magic was depleted, but it wasn’t a problem. The time to feel and enjoy the ‘present’ was precious.

“Banusa.”

The patrolmen’s lights flickered in the distance. Ian hid his figure in the darkness and whispered as he looked down at the water.

“I believe my call will reach you. Show yourself.”

After a while, a faint figure appeared in the darkness. Banusa, filled with anger, was glaring at Ian as if she wanted to tear him apart. She looked like she wanted to rush at him and strangle him right away, but she knew how great a mage Ian was, so she was keeping her distance.

Ian lowered his head as if he was about to touch the water.

“I know you’ve been spreading rumors.”

“The Empire’s faith is truly amazing. That’s your first word.”

Swoosh.

It was the moment when Banusa came closer and tried to grab Ian by the collar.

“I’m sorry.”

Ian apologized readily. Just as he had given everything for the people of the Empire, Banusa was also someone who could give everything for the people of Tolun. Regardless of the intention, the fact that he had hurt an ally remained unchanged.

“Whether you believe it or not is your choice, but there was no other way. The Undergod is a being based on faith, and as long as there are believers, we couldn’t defeat him.”

“…That’s an excuse. There were mountains of corpses of children.”

“The younger they are, the purer and stronger their faith is.”

Banusa hardened her expression and turned her head. Although it wasn’t visible in the water, she was crying. She was mourning the deaths of her people with all her heart, as if her whole body was breaking.

“So, what’s your business? Our trust is already broken. I will take my revenge in my own way. If you want to stop me, you have no choice but to kill me.”

“Is it because you’re a water spirit? You noticed the properties of the rainwater, and you haven’t lost your memories.”

“Why, are you dissatisfied? That I used your existence to shake the Imperial Palace? Don’t try to find out my secrets. You have no right to do so.”

Ian smiled faintly. His face was reflected in the water and swayed. It was because of the wind.

“No.”

The moonlight shone again from behind the clouds. Unlike Ian’s figure, which was swaying with the waves, his voice was firm.

“That’s what I want.”

Keep going. Keep using me to ignite new sparks. I will burn, and the Imperial Palace will use that as a guide to embark on a long journey again.

Oh