Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 772

The heat in the capital hadn’t subsided. Since the Imperial Palace officially declared the end of the war through the Mailydaily [a fictional newspaper] the night before, fireworks had been exploding for over twelve hours.

Pop! Pop!

People danced, shouting with joy, and pubs were overflowing with beer.

Flower shops were also thriving. Everyone was buying armfuls of flowers and scattering them on the streets. It was truly a festival of festivals.

“Hmm.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It feels surreal.”

“You’re drunk. The Imperial Palace officially acknowledged it. What lie are you talking about? If you’re going to be a downer, go inside!”

“No, it’s just that we didn’t hear any news until yesterday. It’s hard to believe they’re suddenly arriving in just one day.”

“Magic! That’s what magic is, you know.”

“Right? At noon, it’ll suddenly flash, right?”

“Hehe, I’m curious. How did it happen? Did the mages create a sea of fire in one blow? I bet it was a sight to see. Hahaha!”

The war had taken place in another country. The people in the capital hadn’t witnessed the war firsthand, so they didn’t know how Bariel had achieved victory. They were unaware of the countless deaths, the ruined landscapes, and the twisted fates that surely existed.

“Mom! Can we finally see Dad?”

“Of course, they’re coming today, so let’s go out and wait.”

“Yay!”

As noon approached, the streets were packed with crowds. Except for the main road, there was barely any room to move. The excitement for the victory parade celebrating the Emperor’s triumph was reaching a fever pitch.

As the cheers for Bariel grew louder, Romandro anxiously rubbed his cheeks. He was positioned at the Imperial Palace entrance, a spot that offered a direct view of the central gate.

“Smile, Romandro-nim. It’s a joyous day.”

“Shall I get you some water?”

“Uh-huh, thanks, but I’m fine. I want to smile too, but I’m uneasy. I’m not sure if this is the right way to welcome His Majesty.”

The Imperial Palace had only declared the end of the war and set off fireworks; they hadn’t prepared anything else. There were only two mages left in the capital, and since they had only received the news the day before, there was absolutely no time to prepare a proper welcome.

He knew it! But still! Romandro’s heart ached, and he pouted.

“There’s nothing we can do. We don’t have the manpower or the time. The letter only instructed us to keep the central road open, nothing else.”

“Yes, that’s right. They’ll praise us just for managing to keep the supplies flowing.”

“It’s His Majesty’s first victory in war, but, sigh.”

“Gathering all the fireworks we could find and setting them off is the best we can do. Smile! It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him.”

“It’s almost noon!”

“Oh, really? Does anyone have a watch with a second hand?”

“Me! I do.”

Romandro quickly pulled out his pocket watch. Tick-tock, his nostrils flared with anticipation as the second hand moved.

“10.”

They’re coming, finally.

The master of the Imperial Palace is returning!

“9.”

“Beat the drums! Set off more fireworks!”

“His Majesty the Emperor is returning!”

“Everyone, shout!”

The Imperial Palace orchestra, having received the signal, beat the drums with all their might. The vibrations that resonated deeply mixed with the people’s cheers, shaking the surroundings. 8… 7… Romandro continued to count, but it was so loud that even the person next to him couldn’t hear.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Tick! As the second hand passed 12 o’clock, Romandro sharply raised his head and looked straight ahead. The crowd also fixed their gaze there. The huge Bariel emblem drawn on the gate began to distort.

And then, a black portal opened.

Whoosh!

The first to appear was a standard-bearer holding the Bariel flag. He was in a shabby state due to the grueling war, but his eyes were full of pride. It was the pride of having brought victory to his homeland.

“Oh, they’re here.”

“Waaaaah!”

“Bariel! Bariel!”

Next to appear was the Emperor. His golden armor shone brilliantly, exuding majesty itself. He wore a gentle smile as he looked kindly at the people who had come to greet him.

‘So this is what it feels like to return.’

He hadn’t even entered the Imperial Palace yet. He was still wearing heavy armor, his back straight, slowly riding his horse and marching.

But as soon as he saw the familiar scenery, the tension that had been hiding in the corner of his heart seemed to snap. He thought all the tension had been released right after the declaration of the end of the war, but it seemed that the place where he was born and raised was different.

Jin whispered to Siao Shi.

“It would have been nice if Minister Tweller had been here too.”

“I agree.”

It was Jin’s first war, but it was Tweller’s last. It would have been perfect if he could have ended it amidst the cheers of the people of the Empire.

Jin waved his hand amidst the flower petals flying from all directions.

“Your Majesty, you’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve truly done your best.”

“You trusted and entrusted me, who had nothing to offer but experience, so this is a great fortune that has come to me in the twilight of my life.”

“Don’t say that. I was also fortunate to have met you.”

Jin recalled the dinner he had with Tweller the night before. He poured Jin a drink and cautiously said,

“…Your Majesty, may I speak as a soldier and an old man?”

“Of course. Your words are full of wisdom.”

“Your Majesty, do not ignore even the smallest doubt. The reason I survived on the battlefield for decades was only that.”

“You’re trying to talk about Ian again.”

“When Your Majesty leaves, I will investigate Banusa.”

“Banusa?”

“Yes, it seems that the strange rumors that have been circulating recently are related to her. I will focus on confirming whether there was any kind of deal between Banusa and Minister Ian and submit a report.”

“Tell me if something comes up. Don’t keep trying to plant doubts in my mind.”

Jin put down his glass, but Tweller didn’t back down.

“Because I don’t know when I’ll die.”

“Minister.”

What if Banusa and Ian had made a deal? And that’s why they left Tweller here and took the Emperor? Was there any force left in the Imperial Palace to keep the Magic Department in check? With Jaylut also dead.

Jin firmly dismissed Tweller’s assumption.

“That can’t be. When I look at you, you’ll live longer than me.”

“Your jokes are too much.”

“You worry too much.”

“If it can end with an old man’s worries, then I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Enough. Have another drink. Today, I’m going to keep pouring until you can’t say anything.”

“Oh my, this is…”

The Imperial Guard appeared behind Jin. They weren’t widely known to the public, so he didn’t know the details, but it seemed like their numbers had decreased significantly.

In particular, in the place where the three commanders should have been, there was only one man with roughly tied red hair. At that sight, the people’s cheers gradually subsided.

“Ah……”

They thought it was an overwhelming victory, but had so many of the Empire’s best swordsmen died? Their faces hardened.

They quickly looked for the soldiers. The voices of people calling out for their families, lovers, and friends gradually grew louder.

“Dad! Dad! Where are you?”

“Jen! Oh my god! Oh my god, you’re back alive!”

“I missed you. I really missed you.”

“Mister, what about my father? He went with you.”

“Honey! Here, I’m here!”

“Thank you, thank you……”

“I can’t see him, I can’t see my child.”

“Calm down, they haven’t all come out yet.”

For those who recognized each other, heaven unfolded. They hugged each other and pressed their foreheads together, confirming each other’s existence. And they whispered the words they might never have been able to say: that they were glad they returned safely, that they missed them, that they loved them, that they were so precious.

“Thank you for that time. I survived thanks to you.”

“Oh, hey, you’re the friend who shared a barracks with me!”

“Nice to meet you, you must be his wife. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“See you again!”

“Yeah, let’s have a drink!”

The soldiers who had built camaraderie embraced and returned to their respective lives. They took off their helmets and armor and mingled with the crowd.

Even amidst all of this, there were still those who stood in place, waiting for someone. As the procession continued, they gripped their hands tightly with anxiety. Their gazes wavered aimlessly, and some even pushed into the ranks of soldiers to find their loved ones.

“He’s not here, he’s not here……”

“Jade! Jade! Please!”

“Has anyone seen my son? My son……”

It was then.

Shimmer.

A sparkle arose from somewhere. It moved here and there like a firefly in the middle of the day, and then gradually gathered to form the shape of a person.

“Ah……”

Those who had not found their families were drawn to it as if possessed and caressed it. It had no features, just a cluster of light, but at that moment, it was the precious person they had longed for.

As low sobs broke out here and there, everyone put their hands together and prayed for the noble sacrifices.

Whoosh.

The light they had embraced slowly rose into the sky, as if trying to leave the world. As the shape scattered, the light disappeared with the wind. Everyone watched it until the end with regret.

“Your Majesty, please stop here for a moment and turn around.”

Ian, who had approached, whispered to Jin.

He turned his body as Ian had said, and then met the gaze of the crowd focused on him from the light. The Emperor raised his fist with a resolute and solemn look, as if to comfort them that the sacrifices of the fallen were noble.

Squeak.

The tightly closed gates of the Imperial Palace were pushed open to the left and right. Everyone was waiting for the return of their master. They lowered their bodies at the same time, and Ian quietly watched the scene.

‘…The master of the Imperial Palace.’

“Ian-nim.”

At that moment, Hale approached and signaled. It was time to send the supplies to Tolun.

Ian nodded and regained his composure.

* * *

“Your Majesty! Are you unharmed? I was truly worried.”

“Prime Minister. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“You’ve lost a lot of weight. Oh my, thank you for returning safely.”

The Prime Minister and other imperial officials approached the Emperor with joy. Jin lightly embraced them, and the officials who hadn’t seen each other for a while exchanged greetings.

The Prime Minister smiled at Ian and praised him.

“Minister Ian. You’ve had a lot of work.”

“It’s nothing, Prime Minister.”

“Your Majesty, please come inside quickly. You must be tired.”

As Jin ascended to the main palace, Ian looked back at the mages. He hadn’t noticed it when they were in Tolun, but now that they were in the Imperial Palace, they looked like a group of beggars.

“Everyone has a three-day vacation. Go home and rest without exception. I’ll take care of the Magic Department. His Majesty will be giving a speech on the end of the war soon, so recover your strength as much as possible until then.”

“That’s impossible!”

“Ian-nim, don’t do that, you should rest with us-”

They would have been thrilled with the extraordinary paid vacation under normal circumstances, but today was different. It was the moment when the mages worriedly suggested he rest.

“Ian! Oh my god, you guys!”

Romandro came running from afar. He immediately hugged Ian and the mages and burst into tears.

“Oh my, you’ve all worked so hard. You’ve all done so well. Sob. I missed you all so much.”

“Romandro-nim! You’ve gained more weight.”

“I missed you too.”

“Are you all okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Romandro noticed that there were quite a few faces missing, but he didn’t bring it up. It was time to be grateful for those who had returned alive.

Ian smiled and patted his back.

“Romandro-nim, you’ve also worked hard.”

“I, sob, sniff, didn’t do anything! You guys did all the big things!”

Ian gestured for the mages to step back, then walked with him towards the Magic Department. While half-listening to Romandro’s endless chatter, Ian casually asked,

“By the way, Romandro-nim.”

“Uh-huh?”

“Did it rain in Bariel about 20 days ago?”

“…20 days ago?”

Instead of trying to remember, Romandro took out his notebook and checked. The simple daily log was densely written.

“Oh, it’s here. It says that it suddenly rained, so they postponed cleaning the exterior of the Magic Department. But why?”

‘So that’s what happened.’ Ian smiled as if he understood and shook his head.

“It’s nothing. I was just curious.”

Romandro looked at Ian’s back as he walked ahead with a puzzled expression. That workaholic. He was worried about what he was planning to do as soon as he returned.