Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 860

“Is it over?” Jin asked, feeling the wind calm down. The mages, also noticing the magic energy had completely subsided, nodded slightly. “I, I believe so.” “Elder Ja-an! Is it all done?” Ja-an turned around, gulping down the prepared clear rice wine. Seeing this, Acorella and the mages slumped down in relief. “Ugh, I almost died not understanding a single thing they were saying.” “I know, right?” “You’re all so jumpy! Tsk, a bunch of scaredy-cats! Tsk tsk!” “You said you weren’t going to drink!” “Shut up, you brats! There’s nothing better to cool down the heat inside me. Oh, this is good stuff.” It was a spell that had occurred in the back garden of the Imperial Palace’s Magic Department, no less. The moment they saw the giant figure made of golden letters, their minds had gone blank. If, just if, Ja-an had other intentions, it would have been a disaster. They lowered their guard and turned to Hale. “Commander Hale, do you feel any different?” “…I felt something snap near my chest. It wasn’t physical, but something inside me.” “It seems it was successful.” “Ah, that’s a relief.” With this, Ian and Hale’s souls would be spared from erosion. The mages got up and paid their respects, bowing to Ja-an in the Eastern style, not the Gaia way. “Thank you, Elder Ja-an!” “Yes, thank you!” “Thank you for saving our Commander and Ian!” Ja-an waved his hand dismissively, still drinking from the bottle, as if to say, ‘Forget the formalities.’ “*Gulp*. It’s not like I did it for free. Alright! If that’s the case, shouldn’t I also receive something and say my thanks? Forget that and let’s finish up.” He tossed the bottle, and Acorella caught it with one hand. She must have chugged it down, as it was already empty. Jin, with his hands on his hips, looked at Ja-an and then gestured for him to follow. “You must be talking about the Dera tribe’s weapons?” “Is there a separate tribe that makes weapons?” “They were the originators, but it’s not a problem, so don’t worry. Most of the blacksmith work they do is now done by hired people. If we take the manufacturing method, it won’t be difficult to make them in the East. If things are really tough, we can just take the finished products.” Ja-an followed Jin out of the Magic Department. The mages began cleaning up the back garden and decided to release an official statement in case the imperial citizens who saw the golden phenomenon were worried. The mages moved swiftly under Acorella’s direction. Ja-an glanced at them and quietly added, “When I return, I’d like to take some technicians from the West with me.” “Are you talking about the Dera tribe?” “It would be good if they could come too. More than anything, I want to bring some of the Magic Department’s talent.” Jin raised an eyebrow, surprised. He thought Ja-an’s only interest was in eradicating the monstrous, but judging by his tone, he seemed to have developed an interest in cultural exchange. “Bariel is always welcome. If we can achieve better development through the exchange between the East and Gaia.” “Yes, I am deeply grateful for your words.” “We’ll formally select an envoy. First, let’s start with the Dera tribe’s weapons.” “But didn’t you say the smithy is outside the Imperial Palace?” “They don’t work at night, so there’s nothing to see if we go now. Pym!” From the main palace, the Dera tribe’s Pym came running at Jin’s call. Small in stature with haphazard features. Ja-an’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, seeing a new race for the first time. Pym saluted briskly and escorted the two dignitaries. “Have you arrived?” “The weapons?” “They are prepared.” Pym led them to a display. Well-polished silver weapons were laid out on velvet cloth. Ja-an rested his chin on his hand and carefully examined them. “They look no different from ordinary weapons on the outside? Are you sure you’re not scamming me? What was it called? ‘Run with the money,’ as they say these days.” “…It’s not easy to distinguish them by appearance. That’s why ordinary people can use them in their daily lives.” Jin tried to hide his bewildered expression as he continued. The Dera tribe’s weapons, which had been just a hammer, had been researched and developed into daggers, spears, and even farming tools, so it was understandable that he was suspicious. “Those who will use these are farmers who are likely to be attacked by monsters. The goal is to allow them to fight back just by holding them. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s still usable.” “Hmm.” Ja-an still looked doubtful, touching the silver blade with his fingertips. He couldn’t feel any magic… Could he really trust this? That’s when it happened. “Old man!” *Bang!* Berik burst through the door. He was supposed to be in confinement, but he looked lively, as if he had been on vacation somewhere. Ja-an glanced at Berik and greeted him. “Oh, it’s the little pony.” “You showed that secret or pillow or whatever to the kids, right?” “What? Ah, that.” He was talking about the purple orb Ja-an had shown Acorella. The secret to how he had lived for so long. Berik shouted. “Tell me too!” “You’d think I told everyone else. Mind your own business.” “What’s the point of living so long by yourself?!” “Exactly. What’s the point of living so long?” Ja-an muttered, carefully examining the Dera tribe’s weapons. He was serious. Aimless eternal life was no different from a curse. But Berik was adamant. “Just 100 years is enough.” “Are you going to see Ian Hielo?” “……!” Jin and Berik were both surprised and stopped in their tracks. Pym was also startled, having forgotten about Ian’s identity, and was surprised that the name of the ‘traitor’ was suddenly mentioned. Jin had Pym leave and then asked. “Ja-an, how did you know?” “How do I know? The Emperor called him family. I’ve never seen anyone in the Imperial Palace who doesn’t attach meaning to blood ties, so I know it’s not just words. Besides-” *Thump*. Ja-an picked up a light hammer and added. “Everything the people of the Imperial Palace want from me is related to that Ian Hielo, so I figured that Berik’s whining was also related to that.” “Old man, you’re sharp?” “Do you think I’ve wasted my years?” “But why did you just drink the wine Acorella gave you?” “…I can’t resist alcohol.” *Ahem!* Let’s not talk about that! Ja-an put the hammer on his shoulder and looked at Berik. His eyes showed a stubbornness that was not ordinary. “Anyway, I understand your will, but I can’t tell you.” “Why!” “Fate is not something that is made and broken once. If you are already deeply connected to him, it is the cycle of fate that you will meet again someday.” The reason he could continue to live without dying was because he had escaped that cycle of fate. Once he achieved his great work, he would scatter like dust and disappear from the world. He would never be able to exist again after that. “But you want to deviate from the cycle just to meet him? Is there anything more foolish? If you want the next time, diligently pray and focus on purifying your soul.” There might be a third, fourth, fifth, or even more meetings, but you’re going to give that up? How foolish. Ja-an’s attitude was firm, and Berik bit his lip and charged at him. “That’s for me to decide!” *Taa!* Berik reached into Ja-an’s inner pocket, but Ja-an lightly stepped back and hit Berik on the back of the head with the hammer in his hand. *Clang-!* “Cough!” “Oh?” Berik tumbled down with a clear sound. Ja-an was surprised by the unexpected power and his eyes sparkled. He had only swung it lightly, but the impact was considerable. “Is it really?” With this, ordinary people might be able to fight against the monstrous. No, at least they could avoid a helpless death. Ja-an was excited and kept swinging the hammer in the air. “Oh, this is something. Hehehe!” “Ugh, old man!” “Tsk! Shut up, you brat! If you want to meet him so badly, go meet him now.” Berik glared at Ja-an, holding his swollen head. He used to pass out immediately after being hit, but now he could at least stay conscious. “Now that the connection is severed, I can’t track Ian Hielo’s traces either. So, go meet him yourself before you go anywhere. You seem to know roughly where the Great Desert is?” Of course, he knew. It was definitely Cheonrye. Berik pouted and grumbled. “Do you think I’m a lazy old man like you?” “Oh? You brat? Come here!” “You think I won’t come if you tell me to?!” *Clang!* “Kya, the hand feel is great!” *Clang!* While Ja-an was hitting Berik’s head like a drum, Jin took out a well-bound bundle of documents from a drawer. “This is the record of the last ten days of the war.” “Oh! I see.” “Originally, the Imperial Palace’s records were missing information about Ian, so this is a newly edited version. Please be careful not to leak it anywhere in Gaia.” “Of course!” “In short, it can be said that it was ‘faith’ that defeated the Undergod.” Ja-an smiled as he received the bundle of documents. “I don’t know the details, but it sounds like a good thing.” “Well then-” Should we discuss the envoy now? Just as Jin was about to move on, the head attendant made his presence known outside. *Knock knock.* “Your Majesty.” “What is it?” “It’s a message from the Magic Department. The Eastern mage Eunrang says that the spell is shaking greatly.” “What?” Jin frowned and turned around. Berik also straightened up, trying to regain his senses. “What does that mean?” “Ah-” Only Ja-an understood Eunrang’s words and rubbed his chin. Then, he clicked his tongue and pushed Berik’s back with his foot. “It seems like the time has come.” “What, what are you talking about?” “Didn’t that Eunrang say she threw a piece of herself? It seems like if Ian Hielo dies like this, I’ll be the one to take the blame, so she’s telling the truth.” “Ian is dying?” “Literally.” Berik jumped up and grabbed Ja-an by the collar. But Ja-an met Berik’s gaze with a serious expression. “Everything that has fulfilled its role will be taken away. Don’t be too attached.” “Hey-!” *Tap tap tap!* At that moment, the sound of mages’ footsteps echoed from outside the palace. Their faces were all pale. “Y-Your Majesty!” “Eunrang is saying strange, strange things!” “Something is wrong, so, we went to, see, see it…” A moment that required a decision. Jin paused for a moment and looked back at Ja-an. No matter how urgent it was, he couldn’t leave the Eastern mage alone in the Imperial Palace. But could he open a portal to Cheonrye in the Great Desert from here? Not only would it consume an enormous amount of magic, but it was also uncertain whether he could calculate the coordinates correctly. “Your Majesty?” When Jin froze without giving any orders, Ja-an got up from the sofa with a *heave-ho!*. He stretched his arms this way and that, as if there was no other choice, and said nonchalantly. “There are so many rumors, I want to see his face. I’m going to see that guy now, anyone want to come?”