Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 782

“That’s right. We’re looking for an Eastern treasure.”

The one who stole the artifact of the Great Magician, the absolute master of the East and teacher of all magicians, had fled across the Blaster Sea to the West.

His name was Yeonmok. What name he might be using here, how his appearance might have changed, or whether he might have died somewhere—nothing was known.

“That’s why we came to Hawan. The others went to Luswena.”

“Then you should go to Bariel even more.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it is the center of Gaia [the world]. Moreover, all the magicians from the region are gathered there. You will surely find a clue about the artifact. No, I assure you, you will find it if you come with us.”

“Ah ha ha ha!”

Eunrang, who had been snickering, couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It was clear she found them amusing.

Caetano, flustered, blushed but continued to look at them confidently. If he backed down now, it would be over. To get help from Bariel, he had to lure them to the palace.

“Hohun, did you hear that? The more I listen to these guys, the more ridiculous they become.”

Unlike the mocking Eunrang, Hohun didn’t react. He waited until Eunrang’s laughter subsided before replying.

“We refuse.”

“Oh, why?”

“It’s a secret that we came to the West to find something. Our goal is to investigate and retrieve it discreetly. But if we enter the palace gates, rumors will spread immediately.”

“Currently, our master is in the midst of a meditative retreat. Therefore, the best course of action is to return to the East, put the artifact back in its place, and resume our daily lives as if nothing happened. If our master were to find out about this mess…”

“We can’t handle it.”

Eunrang pressed her temples as if just thinking about it gave her a headache. That’s why no matter how much they tried to entice them, they wouldn’t budge. If they left a trace, their master would surely find out someday.

“Given our circumstances, we refuse.”

“Then-!”

Caetano stammered before urgently shouting,

“Could you give us more fire cannons?”

“Fire cannons?”

“Yes. Although it’s chaotic now, Hawan was originally a gateway for new goods to enter the empire. It’s a place where all sorts of news and items come and go. If the Eastern magicians could help us a little more, we will surely find the artifact for you. We already know you, don’t we?”

“Hmm.”

Eunrang hummed and leaned her head on Hohun’s shoulder.

“You haven’t even paid for the previous transaction, and now you’re asking for more fire cannons. How should we interpret this? You’re looking down on us.”

“No! That’s not it!”

The two began whispering to each other, exchanging opinions. They looked like two black foxes under the moonlight. Caetano was lost in thought, but then he flinched at the sight of Eunrang’s gleaming eyes.

“Hohun. Should we kill them?”

“Is it necessary?”

“They’re being arrogant. Since earlier.”

“Hmm.”

Even though he couldn’t understand exactly what the two were whispering, he knew it wasn’t good. Just as Caetano was about to step back and signal his men, it happened.

“Let’s wait and see for now.”

“Why?”

“Someone else is coming.”

Hohun nodded towards Eunrang.

Tap tap tap!

A figure, having concealed their presence, was running hard from afar and was now getting closer. Only then did Eunrang raise an eyebrow, looking behind her.

“……!”

Clang! Clang!

Caetano and his men also reacted, instinctively drawing their weapons, thinking it was an enemy attack.

But the number of footsteps was too small for it to be an attack. They lit a torch to see who it was. The robe looked familiar.

“Lord Caetano, that woman…”

“It’s the merchant’s daughter.”

Melania was overwhelmed as soon as she recognized the Eastern magicians. She had wondered if it was them from afar, and it really was! She threw off her cumbersome robe as if she no longer needed it and knelt down to greet them.

“I am Melania!”

It was a clear and firm shout.

“That crazy woman, what is she doing following us here?”

“L, Lord Caetano.”

“It’s too loud. I’ll take care of it.”

Swish.

Caetano’s men approached Melania with their swords drawn. Thump thump, her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst. The Eastern magicians were briefly interested, but that was it. They quickly adopted a look that suggested they didn’t care whether she lived or died. They seemed curious as to why she had run all the way here, but that was all.

Melania, on the other hand, became calm.

‘The one who gives what is desired eventually gets what they want. There’s no need to add anything else.’

Melania, her hands trembling, blurted out,

“I know you are looking for an Eastern artifact.”

“Shut up! I don’t know what your intentions are, but-”

“Is it perhaps a triangular box? Containing white paper and three beads!”

“You’ve come to the wrong place!”

Whoosh!

Just as Caetano’s subordinate was about to swing his sword, Eunrang and Hohun’s eyes widened.

At the same time, Melania froze, seeing something flash in front of her. A sword blade? Reflected in the moonlight?

Ziiing!

Boom!

“Eek!”

“L, look at this! This!”

The man’s head exploded in an instant. The corpse, with only the body remaining, lost its balance and fell to the side. Splatter, pieces of the corpse scattered everywhere.

Eunrang nodded at Melania, as if telling her to speak more.

“W, what are you doing?!”

“Quiet. Act accordingly.”

Caetano protested, but Eunrang silenced him with a single rebuke.

Melania lightly brushed off the pieces of flesh that had fallen on her cheek and the back of her hand, regaining her composure.

‘They are cruel. Different from the Bariel magicians I’ve seen.’

Therefore, she would willingly bow her head and approach them humbly.

“What are you doing? Did I accidentally cut your tongue off?”

‘They are also impatient-‘

“Or what? Do you need fire cannons too?”

‘They prioritize their interests.’

Eunrang approached the frozen Melania and bent down. Following her movement, her long black hair flowed down smoothly. An unbelievably soft and sweet fragrance wafted from her, as if they were not in the middle of a civil war.

Melania, facing her smile, became even more alert. There are those who are more dangerous the more they smile, and this woman was one of them.

“Looking closely, your skin is fair. And your hands are slender.”

It was a roundabout way of saying, ‘Even though you’re covered in dust, you were born into a noble family.’ Melania stammered, trying her best to compose her voice.

“I have Bariel and Luswena blood mixed in me. Please forgive me for not being able to tell you the details.”

“Yes. That’s not important. You’re certainly more interesting than those guys trying to deceive us with trivial words. You, did you see it?”

“I didn’t see it, but I heard about it.”

“From whom?”

“Ian Hielo.”

Ian Hielo?

Wait, where had she heard that name before? Eunrang looked back at Caetano, slightly surprised. Wasn’t that the magician who created Idgal, the Minister of Magic of Bariel?

“I heard that Minister Ian and his subordinates saw it when they fought a decisive battle in Luswena. It was something that a magician from another country had, and they found it hidden in the magician’s forest.”

It was Yeonmok. Eunrang moved even closer to Melania and lowered her head.

“Is that guy dead?”

That was the most important thing. That bug-like guy who dared to betray them. She wished he had died unnoticed on the street, but if that happened, they wouldn’t be able to find the box, so that wouldn’t do.

Melania pondered.

‘What should I do? Should I tell the truth?’

She was sharp and sensitive like a thorn. Every single conversation felt like a choice that would determine her fate. After a moment of contemplation that felt like an eternity, Melania nodded in affirmation.

“Ah ha ha ha ha!”

Fortunately, Eunrang was pleased. It was a shame she couldn’t tear him apart with her own hands, but she couldn’t hide her satisfaction that he was already dead.

“I know that Ian Hielo and his subordinates took care of him. I heard that the battle was fierce and caused a lot of damage.”

“Yes. That guy is quite intriguing. Can we see him if we go to Bariel?”

“Yes. I also know about the item you are looking for.”

In fact, Melania knew that she had already used the item, but she didn’t bother to add that. There was no need to risk her life unnecessarily, right? That was something she could hear directly from Ian.

Eunrang winked at Hohun.

“It’s easily resolved.”

“Fortunately.”

“Good. If we follow you, we can meet Ian Hielo, right?”

“That’s right.”

A light of relief flickered across Melania’s face. With this, she would be the first to guide the Eastern magicians to Bariel. The opportunity was now, and it was just the beginning. The future Melania desired became a little clearer.

“Wait a minute!”

At that moment, Caetano intervened, waving his arms. What was going on with this woman who had suddenly appeared?

“You, you’re going to follow that woman? We don’t know her identity or anything, how can you make such a choice?”

“She may not have an identity, but she has information, right? We don’t want to establish diplomatic relations with Bariel, we want to find the whereabouts of the item.”

“No, think about it! Ian Hielo is the Minister of Magic. You can meet him even if you come with us. We have the same destination, so why choose an unknown path?”

Eunrang tapped the tips of her fingers on her folded arms as if pondering. Then, Melania quickly retorted, adding a little lie to the truth, as she was just as desperate as Caetano.

“If it’s a formal diplomatic relationship, it means that the administrative or diplomatic departments of Bariel are behind them. They are all close aides of the Emperor. But the Magic Department is different. The Magic Department has its own independent method of selecting ministers, and it is one of the forces that the Emperor is keeping in check, as it is the department that handles major affairs of Bariel.”

“So, you’re saying that those guys are on the opposite side of the Magic Department?”

“Yes. If you want to meet the Magic Department, specifically Minister Ian Hielo, you must come with me. This is the truth.”

“Indeed. The behavior of the powerful is the same, regardless of East or West. Hohun, what do you think?”

Hohun didn’t answer, as if he was annoyed. Instead, he just looked at Melania.

Caetano, realizing the meaning of that silence, made a decision.

Whoosh!

If he couldn’t change their minds, he had no choice but to eliminate the options. Caetano’s sword drew a swift and decisive arc. It was a lightning-fast movement. As expected of someone who had survived the brutal civil war while leading the revolutionary army.

But-

Ziiing!

A sound of something tearing was heard.

Melania slowly opened her eyes, which she had tightly closed, and looked up at Caetano, who was standing still. She couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Swoosh!

A clean cut of the neck. Following the severed section, a blue thread flickered like a trace. It was connected to Hohun’s fingertips. It was magic.

He then began to take care of Caetano’s men one by one.

Swish swish!

The magic stretched out like a whip, then penetrated the people and instantly wrapped around their necks. Thump thump, their necks were cut off like soft fruit.

“Now, don’t do that-”

Eunrang reached out her hand to Melania, as if telling her to get up. From her palm to the inside of her arm, unfamiliar characters were densely engraved.

“Get up. Don’t worry about those guys.”