Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 848

“To have such a grand send-off, I am truly blessed. Why didn’t I realize this before?”

As Ian lowered his hand and smiled, the mages approached and embraced him.

Held in their arms, Ian looked up at the night sky. His green eyes, illuminated by the moon, sparkled beautifully.

“Ian, we will surely meet again.”

“Travel safely.”

“Thank you. For your very existence, Ian.”

Ian nodded at the mages’ whispers. Yes, let’s meet again someday. Our bond transcends time, and nothing can easily sever it.

Hale, Nakina, and Tommy also bid farewell to Ian.

“Hale, take good care of Acorella with Romandro. You’ll have a very enjoyable life in the Imperial Palace.”

“Just thinking about it is thrilling. I will do my best for Ian’s future.”

“Nakina, Tommy, take good care of your health.”

“I should be the one saying that. You’re in your prime, so enjoy yourselves.”

“Ian, I, I, I-”

Just as Tommy stammered, trying to hold back tears, Acorella pushed his face away and interjected.

“I’ve also packed a magic amplification potion, just in case. Carry it with you as a first-aid item. You must be careful. It’s very likely to break if the carriage bumps around.”

“Thank you.”

Ian took the potion from Acorella and put it in his inner pocket, then turned to Siao Si and Barsabe. Siao Si frowned, looking regretful.

“…Ian.”

“What a shame I won’t be able to see the wedding.”

“I will never forget it. You are a major part of my life.”

“Bear fruit [have children]. Then I will have nothing more to wish for. Please send my regards to Lady Chloe separately. Live happily.”

Barsabe also bowed her head once more, showing her respect. Ian patted her shoulder and whispered.

“Take good care of Beric.”

Barsabe’s help was crucial for the reckless Beric to fulfill his role as the commander of the Imperial Guard. Barsabe showed a determined look, telling him not to worry.

“Ian.”

“Your Majesty.”

Ian turned to Jin. The two looked at each other silently before simultaneously reaching out and embracing.

Two hearts as one. Now, no words were needed. Ian bid farewell to Jin.

“Achieve the prosperity of Bariel.”

“I promise. For you.”

“It was truly a pleasure to have met you.”

“Ian, it was for me as well.”

The day his face was torn by Marib’s sword, the day he was abandoned by his mother, Dilaina, the day he entered the main palace alone to attend the meeting… He was truly grateful for all the times Jin had held his hand throughout his life.

“I will not forget now.”

Even if you forget us someday, we will remind you then. How great and beautiful the Bariel you stayed in was.

“Ian. You’ll be late.”

Beric opened the carriage door and urged him, and Ian turned around. He helped Ian into the carriage and checked the luggage compartment one last time to make sure everything was okay.

Ian called out to Beric to say his final goodbye.

“Beric.”

“It’s okay.”

But Beric refused outright. Then, as if it were nothing, he added.

“We’re going to meet again, aren’t we?”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

He looked like he had no doubt. He probably truly believed it.

Ian leaned against the window and smiled, and Beric frowned as if it were real.

“Barsabe will escort you to the outskirts of the central area. There’s a mercenary group heading west. They’re trustworthy, so go with them. They’ll help you settle down in the village.”

“Okay. I understand.”

“Contact me when you get there.”

“I will report.”

Beric’s eyes widened, and Ian burst into laughter.

The carriage slowly began to move. It was truly time to say goodbye. Ian looked back at the people and said his last words.

“I’m leaving now. Everyone, goodbye.”

Romandro and the mages followed the carriage, waving to Ian. It was late at night, and they quietly called out his name, trying to hold back their tears.

“Ian, Ian!”

“Ian!”

Ian peeked his head out and waved to them. The wind from the carriage ruffled his hair. Just like when he first entered the central area.

Jin, who had been watching him until the end, quietly gave an order.

“Barsabe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will go and return.”

She immediately mounted her horse and followed the carriage. The back gate of the Imperial Palace was secretly opened. The gatekeepers turned their backs, covering their eyes and ears, unable to guess who was leaving. They just grumbled quietly about the strange order that had been given.

Clatter, clatter!

Neigh!

The carriage sped down the main road. The central area was completely asleep. It was late at night, so there were no people passing by, and no buildings with lights on.

Ian leaned against the window frame and watched the scenery whizzing by. When he first arrived here, it was daytime, but when he was leaving, it was night. Back then, Beric and Romandro were with him too. Now he was alone.

‘…Ah.’

Was he not alone? Ian turned his gaze and looked around. He could faintly hear the sound of hooves following him. The coachman was said to be deaf, so he wouldn’t have noticed.

Then, what about Barsabe?

‘She’s too far away to see.’

She was a bit far away, and it was dark, so it was difficult to make out her expression. But if Ian could notice it, she must have felt the presence too.

Ian leaned back on the carriage sofa and sighed for a moment. Who could it be? Perhaps a central noble? Or maybe someone from the side of a minister about to be dismissed?

Clatter, clatter!

The carriage sped down the open main road. The wheels bumped heavily on the uneven paved road, and Ian pondered for a moment.

‘How many are there?’

It wasn’t that he was worried about Barsabe being alone. Even if hundreds of people attacked, could they properly stand against a single magic swordsman?

The problem was that he needed to know the exact number of opponents to deal with them all without missing anyone. It would be a disaster if the fact that he had secretly left the palace was revealed.

Ian looked back again. Barsabe was maintaining her distance and showing no reaction.

‘She plans to deal with them after leaving the central area.’

If they caused trouble in the city, the aftermath would be complicated. If the guards and residents gathered, Ian’s identity would be revealed as the opponents intended.

Conversely, the opponents would do anything to cause trouble before leaving the central area. Ian firmly secured his dagger and braced himself against the carriage to prepare for the shaking.

Screech!

At that moment, the carriage suddenly sped up. As if it had received someone’s instructions. There must be a prearranged signal system between Barsabe and the coachman.

The carriage passed through the central gate and entered the forest path. Then, Barsabe, who had been keeping her distance, sped up and approached Ian.

“There are pursuers.”

“I know. Can you determine their numbers?”

Rustle! Rustle!

At that moment, the sound of people moving in the bushes was constant. Barsabe frowned, as if she couldn’t gauge the number.

“I’d guess about 10 to 30 people.”

“That’s too wide of a margin.”

“Judging by the fact that they attached themselves right after we left the palace, there’s a possibility that they’re also lying in ambush outside the central area. I don’t sense any magical energy, but their movements are swift, so they seem to be skilled mercenaries.”

“Where will we meet the next escorts?”

“At the western valley, where the river splits. We have to drive for about two more hours. The password is ‘Black Lion’.”

It was then.

Whoosh!

An arrow flew from somewhere.

Barsabe easily caught it, snapping the shaft. She threw it back and gripped her sword.

“Ian, close the window and brace yourself for the shaking.”

“Minimize your use of magic. We shouldn’t even give them the clue that the carriage is being escorted by the Imperial Guard.”

“Understood. I’ll do my best.”

One by one, the opponents emerged from the bushes. Burly men with axes and swords grabbed the horse’s reins. The heavy horses moved quickly and approached the carriage.

“Hey, stop right there!”

“We want to see the face of the Imperial Palace lord!”

Neigh!

Clang! Clang!

More arrows flew. Barsabe responded by swinging her sword. She slowed down and moved behind the carriage, then threw daggers at the men who appeared from the left and right.

Thud! Thud!

Thwack!

The daggers flew left and right, piercing the pursuers’ necks and backs. The opponents staggered and fell from their horses, disappearing into the darkness, but only for a moment-

“They knew we were coming!”

After that, pursuers followed endlessly.

Ian quickly pulled his robe over his head to hide his face.

Crash!

One of them broke the carriage window with a hammer, forcing him to raise his head.

“Now’s the time!”

As one of the pursuers jumped from his horse to get into the carriage, Ian stabbed him in the shoulder with his dagger.

Slash!

“Aaaargh!”

“He’s near the window! Grab him!”

“They said we could bring back just his corpse!”

As the pursuers swarmed, Barsabe had no choice but to unleash her magic. In the darkness, her golden eyes flashed, briefly illuminating the surroundings, and the pursuers shouted.

“A magic swordsman! It’s definitely the Imperial Guard!”

“Evidence! We need evidence! Tear off a piece of his clothing!”

“If you can!”

“We have to! Look at the money!”

Barsabe got off her horse and charged directly. It was more convenient to move that way. In terms of speed and power.

Whirr! Whirr!

She dashed through the pursuers like the wind, swinging her sword. There were quite a few of them, but it wasn’t impossible…

“Hey!”

Suddenly, she noticed a rope set up on the road ahead. It was a trap to overturn the carriage.

Barsabe immediately shouted a warning, but the coachman seemed too preoccupied with fending off the pursuers coming from the side.

“Ahead, straight ahead! Damn it!”

Seeing the coachman in a panic, Barsabe ultimately condensed magic in her feet and released it to cut the rope.

Swoosh!

“They’re coming!”

“… !”

“Just stop the carriage! We’ll deal with it with our bodies!”

Neigh!

But a new group of pursuers, who had been hiding near the rope, appeared in droves and blocked her path.

It was a fleeting moment. Barsabe hesitated, the coachman was startled and pulled the reins, and the already agitated horse veered off the road and tumbled.

Crash!

Bang! Clatter!

The carriage rolled a couple of times and overturned. Barsabe was shocked and tried to run to Ian, but someone blocked her way.

“Was it Ian? Just now?”

“…Minister Rayburn?”

Rayburn, with a haggard face, panted and twisted his lips into a sneer. He trembled when he belatedly saw Barsabe’s blood-stained sword, but he shouted, pretending to be calm.

“Barsabe of the Imperial Guard! What are you doing here!”

“That’s what I should be asking you.”

Swoosh.

Now that it had come to this, she had to kill everyone, minister or not. That was the moment Barsabe made up her mind.

Rayburn sent a carrier pigeon flying into the sky with all his might.

Flap, flap!

“Do you know what that’s carrying?”

A small green magic stone was attached to the carrier pigeon’s leg. Barsabe frowned, looking puzzled, but soon realized Rayburn’s intention.

“Yes! It’s all recorded! That you and I were here!”

“Minister Rayburn. You really are something.”

She had to clean up this place first before chasing the carrier pigeon.

Barsabe glanced at the overturned carriage. One of the pursuers rummaging inside the carriage screamed.

“Aaaargh!”

Ian, who had crawled out of the wreckage, stabbed him in the neck with his sword.

Rayburn pointed at Ian and shouted.

“Ian Hielo! It’s him! Capture him!”

“Waaaaah!”

Ian staggered and leaned against a tree. The horse and coachman were dead, and the carriage wheels were completely broken.

There was no way out.

So, Barsabe made a decision.

Thud! Thud!

Slash!

Without hesitation, she beheaded Rayburn and then killed all the pursuers.

“…”

A few minutes later-

Barsabe, panting, straightened her disheveled posture. Dozens of corpses were scattered on the dirt road. There was no sound except for her rough breathing.

“Haa, ha, Ian, are you alright?”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard.”

Ian picked up a few coins from the carriage wreckage and put them in his pocket. What a mess under the moonlight.

“Hurry and follow the carrier pigeon.”

“Yes? But-”

“Although some time has been lost, you can surely catch up. Who knows whose hands it will fall into?”

Rayburn had died with his eyes wide open. Behind him were central nobles and other ministers, so finding and destroying the magic stone was the top priority.

“The western valley, where the river splits. The password is ‘Black Lion’. That should be enough. You can go alone, so hurry and leave.”

“Ian.”

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

Ian waved his hand as if to tell her to go quickly.

Barsabe finally gave him a final salute and ran in the direction the carrier pigeon had flown.

Thud!

As Barsabe moved away, the presence of people nearby completely disappeared. Ian let out a soft sigh and got up. From now on, he was truly alone.