Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 856

“Ahem. Let’s see.”

Ja-an suddenly sat up, his eyes opening with a sly look. That rascal! He’s more cunning than I thought. Ja-an tapped the floor with his pipe and muttered.

“They said Ian Hielo is dead, right? Acorella said that earlier, didn’t she?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s obvious you guys want to find him.”

“Don’t call Ian ‘that guy.’ You’re a jinxing old geezer.”

“Aish, you’re such a rude brat. Anyway! If I find Ian Hielo and bring him here, it’ll be good for you guys, and if I can’t, I lose the bet, right?”

Barsabe, who had been listening, stuck close to Beric and poked his side. Ja-an was an unpredictable person. What if he really decided to find Ian Hielo? That would mean two losses. They would have to hand over the wish ticket to Ja-an.

“It’s okay.”

But Beric was calm, as if it didn’t matter what happened.

‘What’s important now is to let Ian know the situation.’

That there are side effects to the binding magic, and that if he dies like this, he might not be able to return to the future.

If Ian understands the situation, he’ll take care of the rest. Even if that sly old man is a great mage, Ian will eventually get what he wants.

‘But I win the second bet?’

Whether Ja-an gives up or fails to find Ian, it’s still good. Since it’s one win each, I just need to bet everything on the last bet and win. No matter what the game is, I’ll do my best.

‘Then, I’ll use the wish ticket to undo Ian’s binding side effects, and it’s over.’

“Easy peasy. Isn’t it?”

“You impudent brat!”

Ja-an chuckled, twirling his pipe, having gotten one over on them. He seemed to be pondering for a moment. Seeing this, Beric clenched his fist and asked.

“You know, don’t you? Where Ian is.”

“Kid, what good is knowing? I flew ten thousand miles following a piece of paper. I’m too tired to move!”

He patted his knees, feigning exhaustion. Barsabe and Beric both made annoyed expressions and bit their lips, while Ja-an laughed, holding his stomach, enjoying their reactions.

“So what? What are you going to do about it?”

“Hmm. It’s annoying, and since I’m the one who decides the next bet anyway, I’ll give up. I lost.”

“Tch. You have no guts.”

“Hahaha! I’m hearing such things in my life!”

Ja-an, drunk, looked dumbfounded. This side was fighting for their lives, but the other side seemed to be just having a drinking game.

Barsabe, who had been watching the situation, whispered in Beric’s ear.

“If that was the case, we should have made the winner of the second bet decide the next one.”

“I didn’t think that far.”

“Ha!”

What an idiot! Barsabe looked at Beric with a truly disgusted gaze. Regardless, Beric wiped his nose and raised his glass to Ja-an.

“One win, thank you for the meal.”

“Yeah. Eat a lot!”

“What’s the next bet? If possible, I’d like something other than luck.”

“Oh ho, you’re asking for a lot.”

“It’s boring.”

“What was that?”

Ja-an’s eyes narrowed. If he had added another lame excuse, he would have told him to go to hell, but Ja-an was swayed by the word ‘boring.’

He said, holding up his pipe.

“Alright. Then let’s do something really fun. The next bet is ‘breaking the pipe.’”

He tapped the floor with his pipe, and a golden magic circle appeared around that spot.

Magic that swept through the palace like the wind. Barsabe reflexively grabbed his sword, but it was too fast, and he missed it.

“What are you doing!”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just put up a barrier in case your shields break. It’ll last for exactly one day.”

As Ja-an spoke, an hourglass appeared in the air. The falling streaks of light indicated the passage of time.

“You can use any means. If you can break this pipe, I’ll consider it a win.”

“Ah, old man. I’ve been feeling this since earlier, but you seem to misjudge people?”

Beric’s eyes flashed as he rolled up his sleeves. If it was a physical fight, he was confident. He would gladly take this bet too! Beric ran across the table and lunged at Ja-an.

Thwack!

Shatter!

The food and dishes were overturned, and the musicians froze with their mouths agape. When the music stopped, time seemed to slow down.

Then, in an instant-

“Ebi!”

Ja-an’s eyes turned golden, and his pipe struck Beric’s forehead.

Thwack!

“……!”

Thud!

Crash!

Beric’s body, which had been flung backward in an instant, crashed into the corner. Beric, crumpled and blinking, looked like he had no idea what had just happened.

Barsabe stepped back in shock, and Ja-an righted the fallen wine glasses, grumbling.

“Jumping on the table like a beast.”

“What, what was that just now?”

“What do you think?”

Whoosh. Ja-an chuckled, exhaling smoke.

“It’s called a counterattack.”

“Ah. So you’re going to play it like that?”

Beric jumped up from his seat, lightly dusted himself off, and charged at Ja-an again.

“Beric! No!”

Barsabe shouted, but it was too late. When Beric drew his fire-like magic sword, flames engulfed the surroundings, instantly capturing Ja-an.

Ja-an, sensing Beric’s energy, was slightly impressed.

“You have non-human blood in you?”

“Shut up! I’ll smash your pipe and your head!”

“I knew it. Yes. I said you were like a beast.”

Whoosh!

Ja-an lightly dodged Beric’s sword, flying up, and then, thwack! He struck his forehead with the pipe again.

It was like a fight between a toddler and an adult. It was surprisingly one-sided, and just as merciful. Barsabe could instinctively feel it. If Ja-an wanted to, he could destroy the palace in one blow.

“Beric-!”

“Shibaal!”

Beric, who had been getting hit continuously, let out a scream. Blood was streaming down his forehead, as if it had been cracked. He roughly wiped it away with his hand and spat.

“Old man. I thought you were just old for nothing.”

“I’m not old, you brat.”

“Okay. Fine. Let’s do this.”

“Beric! Wait! Don’t rush in blindly!”

“That damn wooden stick!”

Swoosh!

Beric swung his sword, and a hot gust of wind blew. Sharp hooks of crimson flames flew towards Ja-an.

Ja-an, who had been sipping his drink, lightly deflected them by swinging his pipe.

Clang!

“……!”

Rumble! Boom!

Crack!

The hooks, having lost their trajectory, flew around, destroying parts of the palace.

Beric, surprised, paused for a moment. Ja-an, who had instantly appeared in front of him, mocked him, exhaling pipe smoke.

“Didn’t I tell you? Those who bet in front of me all end up in the gutter.”

“Y-!”

“But while playing, I got one thing. I’ll use your wish ticket very amusingly.”

Swish!

Ja-an raised his arm, and his sleeve fluttered like a waterfall.

And at the same time, the pipe slammed into the center of Beric’s forehead. The impact, like being hit by a rock, pierced through Beric’s entire body.

Crack!

“……!”

Beric, unable to even scream, fell backward with his mouth open. He then lay there, limbs splayed out, and fainted.

Ja-an stretched Beric’s cheeks, giggling, saying he was cute.

Tap tap!

Bang!

The magic division members, having noticed the commotion, rushed in. Acorella paused, seeing the mess. She had felt a sudden vibration and a surge of power, but she hadn’t expected it to be this bad. The furniture, pillars, and walls were all in ruins.

“What, what is this-”

“Ah! Don’t misunderstand! I was just standing here, and that guy attacked me.”

Ja-an raised his hand, pleading as if he was wronged. Meanwhile, Acorella looked back and forth between Barsabe and Beric, giving them a look that asked for an explanation.

“M-Minister. Just, just a moment, please-”

Just as Barsabe was about to drag her out the door, Ja-an shouted at the people trying to leave.

“Hey, you guys!”

“……?”

Barsabe turned back to him, looking tense.

Ja-an, who was now sitting at the head of the table, tapped the table with his pipe. He grinned.

“Bring me another table of drinks.”

* * *

“A bet?”

Acorella nodded at Jin’s question. Beric had caused a huge incident.

Barsabe bowed her head, apologizing repeatedly on his behalf.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty. I should have stopped him no matter what-”

“No, it’s not your fault. How is Beric?”

“He is still unconscious.”

He had completely subdued Beric with just a few swings of his pipe. He was on a different level, beyond the word ‘strong.’ He was definitely one of those who had reached the absolute realm that Ja-an had mentioned to Eun-rang and Ho-heun.

Jin pressed his temples, deep in thought.

“There was no other damage outside?”

“Ja-an put up a barrier. From the outside, it looks completely intact, without a single crack.”

“He is amazing in many ways.”

“And for some reason, it seems he knows all the conversations we had in the palace.”

Jin frowned at Barsabe’s report. That meant he also knew about the plan they had proposed to Eun-rang and Ho-heun. It was as good as showing one of their cards.

But if you interpreted it differently, it meant….

‘It doesn’t matter what happens.’

Also-

Swoosh.

It was also a golden opportunity.

Jin picked up a pen, asking casually.

“The current wins and losses are tied, which means only the last bet remains, right?”

-Beric’s recklessness can be dealt with later. Right now, let’s focus on seizing the given opportunity.

“…That’s right, Your Majesty.”

At Jin’s action, Barsabe and the mages all took out their pens and paper.

“He said that the pipe has to be broken within a day, and it doesn’t matter who does it, right?”

“Yes?”

Barsabe paused for a moment, trying to remember. Ja-an had definitely not specified that ‘Beric must break it.’

When she nodded, Jin stood up as if he had made up his mind.

“Then I’ll try it too.”

-Acorella, go back to the magic division and bring something that can be put in his drink. It must be colorless and odorless, and you must be careful in your actions, and it must not be life-threatening. A sleeping pill or an anesthetic, or even a stimulant would be good.

“Your Majesty?”

Acorella pretended to be surprised and drew a circle with her finger. Jin, having confirmed it, gestured for everyone to move.

“Yes.”

“Ah, I’m worried, but it wouldn’t be bad to try it together. Understood!”

Thwack!

Acorella flew towards the magic division, and Jin moved with Barsabe to where Ja-an was.

When the door burst open, Beric, sprawled out in the ruined dining hall, was the first thing they saw.

And, the hourglass floating in the air.

“Oh my, who do we have here! The Emperor himself has graced us with his presence!”

Ja-an, who had been drawing on Beric’s face with a pen, pretended to be startled and prostrated himself. He was quite drunk, his whole body swaying slightly.

“I have neglected my honored guest. I was having a fun bet with my royal guard captain.”

“Yes, yes. But this guy, he’s just lying here, not moving at all.”

Ja-an giggled, sticking vegetable pieces in Beric’s nostrils. Seeing this, Jin sat across from him and picked up a wine glass.

“As Beric’s master, I apologize. I have ruined the fun.”

“No, it’s very fun. Hahaha!”

Ja-an ostentatiously put his pipe in his mouth in front of Jin. Then, he rested his chin on his hand, tilting his head. It was as if he was asking, ‘Does the Emperor want this too?’