Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 852

The Great Mage of the East, Ja-an, was truly a peculiar individual. His smile was like that of an innocent boy, his deep eyes resembled those of an old man who had mastered the ways of the world, and his long hair seemed to hold the moonlight, yet his spirit was more intense than the summer sun.

Even in his relaxed demeanor, smiling gently at Nakina and Tommy, one could sense an immeasurable difference in stature.

“A letter-”

“Huh?”

“Did you come because you received a letter?”

Ja-an tilted his head, as if wondering what she meant. His hair flowed down like a river with his head movement.

He was so much like Ian. The overwhelming difference in power, the inexplicably noble aura, and the unfathomable depths of his inner thoughts.

Ja-an tapped the barrier, muttering.

“So, if I don’t have a letter, I’m not treated as a guest?”

Nakina sensed danger in his dry question, as if nothing mattered. It seemed that obstacles did not exist for him in the first place.

“That is not the case, but this is the Imperial Palace of Bariel. It is where His Majesty the Emperor, the center of Gaia, resides. There are strict procedures, and you are no exception.”

Nakina answered politely yet firmly. How could even the Great Mage of the East dare to fly into the sky above the Imperial Palace?

Ja-an pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin.

“Then what should I do?”

‘What do you mean, what should you do?’ Just walk through the proper gate. Nakina pointed to the main gate with her finger. The gatekeepers were staring up at them, half out of their minds.

“You can enter after registering your visit.”

“The West is so fussy.”

“I believe the East wouldn’t be much different.”

“Hahaha! I suppose so?”

Ja-an turned slightly. Magicians had already flown into the sky from all directions, surrounding him. It seemed they had a decent system, though their skills seemed mediocre.

Ja-an tilted his chin as if asking, ‘Shall I go to the main gate?’, and Nakina sent Tommy.

“T-this way.”

“It’s so hard to see the faces of my foolish disciples!”

*Swish!*

Something like a cloud gathered at Ja-an’s feet, and then he disappeared towards the main gate.

Nakina first let out a sigh of relief, then signaled to the magicians. Jin, Siao-si, and Beric had also come outside, waiting for the Magic Department’s report. Acorella came hobbling over.

“Nakina!”

“Minister Acorella. It’s the Great Mage of the East.”

“What? Who?”

“He says he came to find Eunrang and Hohon, but he’s not easy to deal with. Someone as strong as him-”

Nakina paused for a moment, about to say, ‘-is the first I’ve seen besides Ian,’ and then changed her words.

“-it’s been a long time.”

“Tch. What a temper. We were just talking about that. Anything else?”

“We didn’t talk about anything else. Tommy is helping with the entry registration. He’ll be here soon, so you should prepare immediately.”

“Understood. No, damn it, does the East not have a main gate? Why is he ramming into a perfectly good barrier? Your Majesty, we will announce to the people that there was a minor issue with the barrier.”

There was no need to stir up trouble. Jin nodded and commanded the officials hiding behind him. It was louder than thunder.

“What are you doing! Move!”

“Ah, yes, yes! We apologize!”

“S-sorry!”

The officials rushed outside, and the ministers moved busily to greet the unexpected guest.

The magicians were the same. A person whose level they couldn’t even fathom had appeared in the Imperial Palace, and they couldn’t just stand by. If something happened here, not only the Imperial Palace but also the people of the central empire would be in danger.

*Tap tap!*

They wondered what his intentions were… Those who were running around muttered, and without realizing it, they recalled the existence of ‘Ian Hielro’.

‘If only former Minister Ian were here-‘

‘Is he stronger than Ian Hielro?’

‘Judging by how the magicians are reacting, he must be incredible. I’ve never seen the barrier shake like that in my life.’

If Ian Hielro were here, they wouldn’t be so anxious.

But they quickly shook off their thoughts to regain their composure. How foolish to honor someone who had already died for treason.

“Your Majesty.”

“…Let’s go. Minister Acorella, go to the Magic Department and bring Eunrang and Hohon.”

“Yes! Understood!”

But this was a very natural reaction. Jin was also confused by the sudden arrival of the Eastern magician.

Jin calmly gathered his thoughts and moved to the main conference hall.

‘Focus.’

He couldn’t rely on the shadow of Ian forever. From now on, no matter who the opponent was, it was he who would protect Bariel.

Besides-

‘It’s okay.’

Jin knew that his Bariel would be safe and would eventually reach Ian after a golden age. It was a kind of self-assurance. No matter what trials came, he would overcome them.

“Beric. Summon all three commanders.”

“Yes, understood.”

Jin sat on the throne, crossing his legs. The footsteps of the busy attendants echoed chaotically.

And soon after-

“He has arrived!”

The surroundings went silent at the news from outside.

*Creak*, the door slowly opened. A man with his long hair roughly swept back appeared. Everyone was surprised. They hadn’t noticed when they were looking up, but he was quite burly. His clothes rustled with each step he took.

“Oh ho, the Son of Heaven [Emperor] of the West is indeed different. The Sons of Heaven I’ve seen so far were all withered old geezers, but this one is such a handsome young man.”

Beric reflexively grabbed his sword hilt. His attitude was not only rude but also unrestrained. Siao-si also frowned, glaring at Ja-an.

However, Jin, the person in question, simply observed Ja-an with his chin held high, as if trying to memorize every detail.

“Ah. I am Ja-an.”

“Jin Berosian, the master of Bariel.”

A smile played on Ja-an’s lips. The young one was quite strong-willed. He didn’t seem afraid or shaken at all, even after seeing him. The Sons of Heaven in the East were always begging for help, so they had no dignity at all. Should he have brought them along?

Jin realized that Ja-an’s smile was not malicious.

“I was about to send an envoy to the East anyway.”

“Why is that?”

“I sent a letter regarding a matter involving an Eastern magician, but I received no reply. What else could I do?”

“Ah, you contacted us.”

“…It seems you didn’t receive it.”

Ja-an put his hand on his hip and laughed.

“As I said earlier, I just finished my meditation and flew here. I came to track down the traces of those two sly foxes, Eunrang and Hohon, after confirming that my precious artifact had disappeared. There was one more, but it seems he’s been dead for a long time…”

At the mention of the artifact, the magicians swallowed hard. The theft was Eunrang and Hohon’s fault, but the magicians of Bariel had used it without permission.

It was truly awkward if they were held accountable for this. Everyone felt that he was not someone they could deal with by force.

“Traced the traces?”

“No, but why is the hospitality here so poor! In the East, it is customary to serve fine wine and food. Should I consider it a difference in customs?”

Eh, tsk! Ja-an clicked his tongue and plopped down on the floor. It was just a habit from being used to sitting on the floor, but Jin and the officials were taken aback.

“I am Minister Acorella of the Magic Department.”

“Hmm?”

When Acorella stepped forward and spoke, Ja-an raised an eyebrow.

“The Magic Department will host you, Ja-an. Please come with me. There are also matters to discuss regarding that artifact.”

“Discuss? What? That you used it first?”

“……!”

While everyone froze, Ja-an scratched his ear and muttered.

“Everyone here has the aura of a ‘precious object,’ so if you have eyes and ears, you can see and hear it. Well, I’m hungry, so shall we go eat? I haven’t eaten anything for years because of my meditation, so please prepare plenty.”

Jin’s eyes widened slightly. Was it possible to meditate without eating for years? He was truly a mysterious person. The more he looked at him, the harder it was to guess his age.

At that moment, the door opened, and Eunrang and Hohon were dragged in, bound.

“Let go of me! Damn it!”

“Eunrang!”

The two, who were resisting fiercely, froze when they saw Ja-an. Ja-an waved his hand as if he was happy to see them.

“Oh! My disciples!”

“M-m-master.”

“How can you greet your master like that after so long? You look like a dog that needs to poop!”

*Zhiing. Zhiing.*

Ja-an opened his golden eyes. Unlike his smiling face, which revealed his fangs, his aura was as fierce as the scorching sun. It was so intense that it stung their eyes. The entire Magic Department tensed up, on guard.

However, his magic was focused solely on Eunrang and Hohon. The golden, swirling power quickly flew and grabbed Eunrang and Hohon by their necks.

“Cough!”

“……!”

Overwhelmed by the power, the two were bent backward. Their foreheads were slammed into the floor, making them lie flat.

Ja-an smiled with satisfaction.

“Yes, yes. You must greet properly.”

“M-m-master…”

“I told you to train, but instead, you fell in love and caused all this trouble. Tsk! You can throw away your absolute mastery.”

Eunrang and Hohon trembled, struggling with all their might. If they released even a little bit of their power, they felt like they would be buried in the ground without a trace.

Ja-an, unconcerned, stood up with a ‘Heave-ho!’ and then patted his disciples’ heads.

“Stay like this until I finish my meal. Do you understand?”

“We’re s-s-sorry, Master…”

“Yes. If you’ve done wrong, you must pay the price. This master will teach you that.”

*Squeeze.*

When Ja-an put strength into his fingertips and flicked them, Eunrang and Hohon screamed in pain again, as if they couldn’t overcome gravity.

The magicians were aghast at the sight.

‘He’s using magic without incantations.’

There was no one else who could do that except Ian. Until now, that is.

When Ja-an turned his body, his clothes swirled in an arc.

“Your Majesty, may this old man have a meal? I am truly curious about the delicacies of the West.”

“……”

“It would be nice if Minister Acorella here could join us! With the precious object and the stories of our lovely disciples, it would be a very interesting appetizer.”

At Acorella’s signal, Jin nodded slightly. It meant that they should accommodate Ja-an’s wishes for now.

“Very well. The Magic Department shall treat our honored guest lavishly. Ja-an, you may rest while you wait.”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

‘Long, what?’ Acorella frowned in annoyance. What a crazy old man.

“Please come this way.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Ja-an, who was strolling and looking around the Magic Department, stopped in front of Hale and gave an inscrutable smile.

“The people here all have good eyes.”

“…You flatter us.”

“But it seems like there are a few people missing.”

“Yes?”

Ja-an passed by Hale without answering. Whether he meant that there were few magicians or if it had another meaning, it was unknown. In any case, as the Great Mage of the East, he was a very important figure in terms of magic and cultural exchange.

Acorella glanced at Eunrang and Hohon, who were still writhing in pain, and whispered to the magicians.

“Everyone, stay sharp. He may look like that, but he’s like a stubborn old man who’s lived for hundreds of years.”