Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 917

[…I feel you, and you are looking at me, so this is the day we have been hoping and longing for.]

…It was a truly strange first greeting.

Ian pondered for a long time what would be a good response before cautiously asking,

“Do you know me?”

The green fire had a form, but it was unidentifiable. It looked like an old man’s face, or a long-snouted beast, or perhaps just a distorted light.

But one thing was certain: it was smiling.

[Was there anyone who didn’t know you?]

Ian realized that the king’s answer was a bit odd. ‘Was there?’

But there wasn’t much time to dwell on such trivialities. The night was short, and Chrony would be watching their tent. Although they had set up countermeasures, they couldn’t be completely at ease.

[I am Hasharang Tokundai. I lived a long time ago, but with lingering attachments and the ties of fate, I have been governing Astana until now. Ian…]

The king paused for a moment.

[Hadel?]

It was as if the surname Hadel was quite awkward.

“Yes, please speak.”

Ian bowed politely, anticipating the king’s next words. They would reveal their purposes and seek cooperation. He didn’t know how much could be decided here, but…

[Are you alright?]

Ian looked up in surprise at the unexpected question. Alright? Ako and Hale also tilted their heads slightly, as if the situation was unfolding unexpectedly.

But as if their reactions were unimportant, Hasha asked again,

[Are you at peace, body and mind? And do you laugh often? Are you enjoying the morning sun every day, and fully savoring the quiet charm of the night… I’m curious.]

“Your Majesty?”

Ian glanced at Ako and Hale in confusion. The representative also seemed a bit perplexed, rolling his eyes as if he was seeing this side of the king for the first time.

But Hasha continued to look at Ian, waiting for an answer. As if begging him to say yes.

“…Yes, Your Majesty. I have many good people around me, so every day is enjoyable. Coming to the north wasn’t what I wanted, but as you can see, I am at peace in body and mind with my companions.”

Hasha looked back at Ako and Hale. Then, a low laugh escaped him. The king seemed quite pleased.

[Yes…. It is you all.]

The ties of fate reconnected after transcending a hundred years. He had foreseen this before his soul was weathered away and disappeared, so this was a blessing like no other.

Ako and Hale exchanged unknowing glances at Hasha’s soliloquy.

[Ian. There have been many prophets in Astana since ancient times. They can glimpse into someone’s life as if they had experienced it themselves.]

Hasha took a breath, as if it was a bit difficult. The urge to reveal everything had seized his heart. Ian Hielo, you are my friend, a golden mage, a hero who saved the world a hundred years ago, and a blessing from God.

But-

“Hasha. Even if you meet me again in the distant future, please keep this to yourself.”

“Why?”

Hasha recalled Hielo’s still vivid request. A free spirit who had escaped the palace under the moonlight and wandered throughout Gaia. He had smiled with a blanket over his shoulders. His white face, flushed red by the bonfire, had been particularly striking.

“I have erased all of my life here. If the future me doesn’t remember, that too must be God’s will. Let it flow naturally, but help me a little. Not too much, so that nothing is regretfully missed.”

“But-”

“And, wouldn’t it be hard to believe even if I told you? If it were me.”

The king looked at the child. Five-year-old Ian was waiting for Hasha’s words with a polite and composed posture.

[…….]

Ah, Ian, I didn’t know your childhood would be this cute. Hasha once again stirred the flames and moved closer to Ian.

[Be careful of Chrony.]

“……!”

Ian was surprised and slightly parted his lips.

[That man will devour you and swallow Bariel, ultimately endangering Gaia. That is why I want to solidify the friendly relationship between the Northern Alliance and Bariel and eliminate Chrony.]

The representative, who had been listening quietly, shut his mouth and looked around. Even so, Chrony was the commander of the great empire of Bariel. Even if he was hostile to the Magic Department, was it okay to show such open hostility? What if the Magic Department used this as an excuse to threaten Astana? The king was wise, but this situation was incomprehensible.

“So that’s why you wanted to see us.”

But fortunately, the mages’ reactions were calm. Ako rested his chin on his hand and made a ‘hmm’ sound, while Hale and Ian were quiet, as if they were thinking about something.

‘Amazing.’

The agreement was surprisingly perfect. Astana had its reasons, and the Magic Department and Ian, of course, wanted to eliminate Chrony. It felt like the last piece of a well-made puzzle was naturally falling into place.

“Do you have a plan?”

Ian asked back. It was an affirmation and a response. An agreement that they also wanted to eliminate Chrony. Only then did the representative release his tightly clenched fist and rub it on his thigh. It was soaked with sweat.

[It is difficult for Astana to assassinate a commander of the great empire. That is why I need your help.]

“But we are officially affiliated with the Magic Department. If we harm Chrony, we risk being branded as traitors, and more importantly, we will harm the entire Magic Department.”

“Ah, there’s a mercenary here.”

Hale added, raising his hand, but that didn’t change the situation. If Hale killed Chrony and was caught, he would most likely be executed. Even if Arena used its power to save his life, he wouldn’t be able to avoid rotting in prison for the rest of his life.

And a life of wandering and running away? There was no reason for Hale to sacrifice himself that much for the Magic Department.

“It would be best to kill him by disguising it as an accident.”

Ako suggested, snapping his fingers.

“It’s better to avoid casualties for both Astana and Bariel, right? They are innocent. If we’re just going to take out Chrony, an accident is the best way.”

But it wasn’t easy to disguise Chrony’s death as an accident in this open field, where he was protected by his subordinates. Moreover, Ako added, as if something else was bothering him.

“But before that, before we kill him, there’s something we need to find out through Chrony. It’s called Idgal, a forbidden magic stone, and I found evidence that Chrony is looking for it.”

“Ah! If it’s Idgal, don’t worry.”

The representative, who had been listening quietly, brightened up.

“Astana has clues about the Idgal burial site. Chrony’s side has been constantly demanding it, which has been quite troublesome. The interests of the Northern Alliance are also intertwined.”

“You know the location of the Idgal burial site?”

“Ah! Of course, don’t worry. It’s just something that has been passed down like a legend, and sealing the rift is the way to achieve peace in the north. Astana has no intention of damaging it at all.”

The representative quickly added, worried that the mages might misunderstand. Judging by the way Ako’s eyes were sparkling, it seemed to be of little use.

“Anyway, that means Chrony doesn’t know where the Idgal burial site is yet, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right. The three of you suddenly appeared before we could proceed with the talks about it.”

That’s a relief. There’s still a chance.

Ako crossed his arms and asked again,

“Any thoughts on sharing it with other tribes?”

[No.]

“Oh my, I didn’t ask Your Majesty. I’m ashamed that I spoke informally when you so graciously answered.”

She’s still the same, that woman. Hasha thought, adding firmly,

[Astana will keep all information about Idgal secret. But Ian, if you wish, I can give it to you.]

“……!”

Confusion settled on the faces of the three mages.

Hasha thought Ian would ask, ‘Why?’ But his wise friend always defied expectations.

“…What do you want?”

To tell only him about the Idgal burial site meant that he could pay a corresponding price.

Hasha chuckled again and looked at Ian. Ah, this is good. The child’s eyes look green because of the green light. It’s as if I’ve returned to that time, blurred and faded.

[I want nothing.]

“I apologize, but if you say that, I will have more thoughts.”

What is his intention? What is he plotting? Is it a trap? As Ian raised his eyes warily, Hasha shook his head.

[You might be able to find the truth after all those thoughts. That is also what I want, so I am happy, Ian.]

The king continued to call the child by his first name, affectionately. Just Ian, as naturally and warmly as he had called him for a very long time.

“…It’s hard to believe. Please tell me the truth.”

[The truth?]

Ian reached out and wrapped his hand around the green flames. It wasn’t hot at all. Rather, it was warm and soft, making him want to hug it.

[The truth is… everyone missed you.]

He couldn’t understand anything. The king’s riddle-like answer was frustrating. But strangely, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

The flames were fading little by little. As Ian reached out to grab them, feeling regretful without realizing it, the flames wrapped around Ian’s hand first.

[Ian.]

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

[Will we be able to meet again?]

Hasha knew that he didn’t have much time left. A body that should have died and disappeared over a hundred years ago. But for Astana, and to see this day, he had changed his body dozens of times, gnawing away at his soul.

If the moment comes when Ian regains his memories, will Ian call him ‘Hasha’ then? And will he hug him like he does now?

“…If you wish.”

[I wish, and I wish again. Ian.]

It was the last greeting. Hasha gently hugged Ian and slowly disappeared.

[Go forward without fear, Ian. There are so many blessings with you.]

*Swoosh.*

My dear friend. I hope you achieve a peaceful and happy life in this life.

Ian reached out to grab the slowly fading flames, but they quickly disappeared. A moment of silence. The representative cleared his throat and coughed.

“I apologize. It was a spell, so the connection time wasn’t long, and His Majesty’s health isn’t good either.”

Ako and Hale exchanged glances again. Were the king’s seemingly meaningless words all because of that? But the conversation was smooth despite that.

“Anyway, since His Majesty has allowed it, I will give you the clues to the location of the Idgal burial site if you wish. But before that, I would like to discuss again how to deal with the Chrony issue.”

“Ah, good. This is going to be a very productive meeting?”

Ako rolled up his sleeves and asked for a pen and paper. Hale also asked for a cigarette to plan the next operation, muttering that his head wouldn’t work if he didn’t have something in his mouth.

“Ian.”

Ako called the child. But Ian was still standing there blankly, looking down at his palm. The warmth of the flames was still vivid. A warm and soft touch even now…

“Ian?”

Ian turned his head abruptly at the repeated call. Ako and Hale paused in surprise when they saw him. The child’s eyes were wet.

“…It’s strange.”

While everyone was speechless and just looking at the child, Ian said,

“It felt like I met an old friend. Someone I missed so much.”