Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 771

“Aren’t you mages? What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know. They said they’re looking for bodies.”

“Bodies? What bodies? How?”

“I thought being a mage would give them some kind of advantage, but it seems like manual labor is the only way.”

“Oh my, look at these poor people.”

“They told us not to worry about it. They said it’s better than those mages carrying pickaxes.”

The sun of Toloon consistently rose and set. The mages assigned to the task diligently went outside, manually turning over corpses, and poking around everywhere with pickaxes and shovels.

Clang! Clang!

“That sounds good over there! Keep digging!”

“Captain, this seems like ordinary rock.”

“Is the brat deaf? The sound is different, the sound!”

“Huh? Captain, isn’t this Serlodronite [a type of mineral]?”

“Wow, shit! Why is that coming out here?”

Whenever he found a mineral he liked, Acorella would lift it with both hands and run around the camp, and each time, the soldiers would cheer and congratulate him as if they were used to it.

Swoosh.

“It’s the first time we’ve met like this, Banusa.”

“Indeed, Minister Tweller.”

“I deeply mourn the tragedy of your homeland.”

“…I hope that is sincere.”

“I swear, I do not wield weapons lightly.”

Banusa and Tweller also clasped hands.

During the two days Banusa had been hidden, she had gathered the spirit mages scattered around the capital, and she was not alone. Though their families were different, those who wished to rebuild Toloon stared at Tweller with determined faces.

“You know more about Toloon than I do. Tell me where we should start. I will do my best to help you.”

Banusa glanced at Ian, who was standing behind Tweller. Tweller instinctively felt their gazes meet. Banusa’s gaze returned to Tweller.

“We will discuss it while greeting His Majesty the Emperor. The current capital is beyond recovery. We are considering establishing a nearby city as a temporary capital. There will be quite a bit of opposition, but it would be best to unite quickly before the country becomes more chaotic.”

Tweller led the way as if to follow him, and Banusa brushed past Ian. Perhaps after Ian left, Minister Tweller would ask Banusa about the source of the ‘rumors’.

Ian quietly watched them leave, then turned his head at the commotion coming from somewhere.

“Aah! Again! It’s gone again!”

“Lady Chloe, what’s wrong?”

“The elixirs I secretly received from my family and stashed away!”

“If you say it so loudly…”

“No, some crazy bastard finds them no matter how well I hide them and steals them. What kind of guy is… This won’t do! I’ll stand guard myself from today!”

“Ah, that-”

“Do you know? Who the culprit is?”

“Well, you can just think of him as a bastard. Haha.”

“A bastard? Of course! He stole all my elixirs! You bastard!”

“Haha, that’s not exactly what I meant…”

Ian turned away as if he hadn’t heard. So, that’s where the elixirs he’d been bringing every other day came from.

At that moment, Siao Shi appeared, having heard the commotion. Then, Chloe, who had been raging, shyly twisted her body and lowered her voice. The sudden change of attitude was amusing.

‘Their relationship is going smoothly, that’s good to see.’

Then, what about Eirin?

“Haaap!”

“Oh my. You’re strong!”

“Don’t hold back!”

Even though Ian had subtly probed, Jin and Eirin showed no particular progress. Tsk tsk. What on earth is His Majesty doing? It seemed like a different approach was needed, besides time. Of course, that wasn’t Ian’s job.

Ian passed by Eirin, who was training with the soldiers, while thinking about various things. It was a day when the sunset was particularly red.

Meanwhile-

Neigh! Clatter clatter!

Tomi was riding his horse, keeping his upper body low and looking straight ahead. He had to hurry. Once the sun set, movement would be restricted.

He kicked the horse’s side and gently touched the letter he had placed in his chest.

‘It’s a strange message.’

The letter was not sealed in an envelope, but simply folded several times. This meant that it was okay for Tomi to read it. He checked the contents on the first day to relieve the boredom of the journey. He excused himself by saying that it was his duty to memorize the contents in case he lost them along the way.

-To Hasha of Astana and King Tokundai.

From your friend, Ian Hiel. The war is over. The flood of monsters covering the northern region will not happen, and the world will revolve around Bariel. I hope we can rejoice together.

And if you truly feel that way, please grant my request. Among the many sorcerers in Astana, there must be someone who can foresee fate. Please let me see that person. There is no need to come all the way to Bariel, and you can contact me in a way that is convenient for you. Please discuss it with the mage who delivered this letter.

A person who can foresee fate? Why are you looking for such a person? Especially when you have the oracle [a person believed to have divine insight], a closer means, and you’re going all the way to Astana.

He couldn’t understand it at all, but Tomi quickly accepted it. It wasn’t the first or second time he hadn’t understood Ian’s intentions. He just prayed that he wouldn’t encounter any useless bandits during his journey.

Flap! Flap!

Just as Tomi’s horse was running, time was also running without stopping. Carrier pigeons with silk cloths tied around their necks flapped their wings, following the energy of the magic stones hanging on their necks.

One of them arrived first in Calamat, the capital of Vergos.

“It’s over.”

“Is it the end of the war?”

“Yes. It’s Bariel’s victory. The Clifford carrier pigeon is to rest here for a while and then be sent to the south.”

Danit Holin showed the letter to Kyla. Her daughter’s legs were thin because she hadn’t walked for a long time, but her eyes were brighter than ever.

“When the Imperial Army returns, the new dynasty of Vergos will also be officially recognized.”

In addition, the life of Damon, the last king of the former Runkvis dynasty, will also come to an end. Vergos is truly starting anew.

“Yes. I’ll go when I get a call from the Imperial Palace.”

“No. I will go. I have some family matters to settle, and above all, it’s my coronation.”

Thank you for your words, but it’s my job, so I’ll do it. My leg is no longer a problem. Seeing her daughter refuse so firmly, Danit muttered.

“I wonder who she takes after.”

“Mother, by the way, it seems Vergos was the first to be contacted. When will we go to Bariel?”

“I don’t know. It will probably take about six more days.”

Danit’s prediction was accurate. While the carrier pigeons that arrived in Calamat were eating clean water and feed, the pigeons heading to the Imperial Palace flew for six more days.

Thus, it was around four o’clock in the late afternoon when the carrier pigeon carrying the victory news knocked on the window of the Imperial Palace in central Bariel.

“Ughaaahm.”

Romandro leaned back in his chair and yawned widely. The Imperial Palace was quiet. His Majesty the Emperor was not there, nor were the Imperial Defense Department and the Magic Department, nor was Beric, that little rascal.

Clatter clatter!

“Ro, Romandro-nim! Romandro-nim!”

Thus, the sound of footsteps rushing towards him, calling him urgently, made his heart beat faster. It must be good news or bad news, one of the two.

Romandro jumped up from his seat.

“What is it!?”

“It’s the end of the war! It’s Bariel’s victory!”

“……”

The two mages who had been nervous next to Romandro opened their eyes wide and then froze. A few seconds of silence. They simultaneously threw their documents and cheered.

Whoosh!

“Waaah! Yes, it’s Bariel after all!”

“Ba-riel! Ba-riel!”

“Then when will everyone return?”

“An emergency meeting has been called. You can hear the details when you go, but from what I’ve heard, they’re opening a portal at noon on the fifteenth day of the Bariel calendar.”

“A portal? From there?”

“Yes. It seems like they’ll return that way. Isn’t it amazing? That they still have such power after the war.”

“Huh, I guess so. Toloon is quite far.”

“When the portal opens, we just need to hand over the reconstruction supplies and provisions for the garrison here.”

“Uh, wait a minute!”

Romandro raised his hand as if he had realized something. His face was not normal. The mages, who had been intoxicated with joy, also stopped.

“Why, why are you doing that?”

“…Noon on the fifteenth day?”

“Yes, definitely, huh!”

“…Huuuh!”

Everyone realized. And everyone ran outside at the same time. Romandro to the conference room, and the mages to their respective departments.

…The fifteenth day! This can’t be!

Thump thump!

Crash!

“That’s tomorrow!”

* * *

“It’s already tomorrow.”

“It’s past midnight, so it’s today now.”

Jin chuckled, muttering, ‘Is that so?’

The night air was quite cool, but his cheeks were flushed as if he had a fever. It seemed that good wine had been served at the last dinner with Minister Tweller before returning to Bariel.

“Time flows so quickly. It felt like fifteen days would never come, but now it’s right in front of us.”

Ian stared at Jin quietly. Perhaps it was because of the full moon, but a bluish light was all over his body.

“……”

He didn’t realize it before, but the more he looked, the more he seemed to have similarities with himself. Ah, I mean, not Hiel, but comparing him to himself as Verosian [a person from Veros].

Feeling his gaze, Jin asked.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Are you happy?”

It was such an obvious question.

Jin smiled and turned to look at him. Over Ian’s shoulder, mages were drawing a huge magic circle on the ground. Under the vast night sky like the universe, the golden galaxy was gradually being engraved, which was truly a spectacle. Even the soldiers had gathered to watch it, not even sleeping. It was a bonus that the sound of pleasant singing could be heard here and there. Truly, isn’t it truly good?

“Of course, I’m happy. I’m happy. I feel like I have the whole world.”

Jin smiled brightly. The scar across his face seemed fainter today.

Ian wanted to smile along with Jin, but he couldn’t. Because he knew how much hardship would befall him in the future.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for saying this-”

Jin took a sip of wine and watched the mages. Something went wrong, and a light flashed with a bang.

“Your Majesty’s final battle is not over yet. Rather, it is more accurate to say that it is just beginning.”

The Shadow God was his enemy. This was the truth, whether Jin knew it or not.

Jin pondered Ian’s words, then nodded.

“…It’s just beginning. Yes, you are right. My history begins now.”

The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning. Now that the war was over, countless big and small problems related to it would come endlessly. Jin interpreted Ian’s concerns that way.

But what did it matter? If Ian was by his side, he wouldn’t be afraid of anything.

‘Your Majesty, I hope you will be whole.’

So, I believe you will definitely do well.

Ian buried his inner thoughts alone and turned his head, following Jin’s gaze. The mages were groaning repeatedly, and then, as if they couldn’t do it anymore, they called Ian. Their faces were tired, as if they had given up.

“Ian-niiim! Please help us!”

“It’s too difficult to match it on the bare ground.”

“Do it the way you always do. Just float it in the air.”

“Beric, if you don’t know, stay out of it. How are you going to get the soldiers up?”

“Ah. That’s right. You guys are empty shells right now, so you don’t have any strength.”

“Ian-nim! While you’re here, please kill Beric too!”

Ian got up from his seat and walked towards the magic circle that was flashing as if it was broken. The soldiers’ heads slowly turned, following his movements.

Finally, Ian stood in the middle of the ground. The child gently waved his hand, and golden light rose along its trajectory.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Beautiful golden streaks settled around Ian. Warmth that instantly erased the fatigue of war. It was as if a celestial melody had manifested.

Everyone there was mesmerized and watched Ian’s solo performance. It was truly an unforgettable sight.

“Wow……”

Everyone there intuitively knew that they would never forget this night. Jin was the same. Later, in many ways, he could not forget this night.