Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 939

Ian held the Black Order business card he’d found at Chrony’s mansion in one hand and blew on it.

The card, spinning like a pinwheel, was nothing special except for its paper material. Just like the other mages had said, he couldn’t feel any magical power from it.

‘So, it’s related to sorcery.’

Does that mean the head of the Black Order is a sorcerer?

Ian frowned slightly. It would be easier to understand his opponent if they were a mage. After all, they were mages too. Whether he liked it or not, he could somehow obtain information about his opponent through the connection formed by his sixth sense.

‘But if they’re a sorcerer, things change.’

The world of sorcery is as deep and rich as magic.

That meant sorcerers were also unknown entities. He had felt it before when he met the northern sorcerers; each one of them was like a flower blooming in a field. They each bloomed in their own color, and there were hundreds and thousands of types, so if the petals were mixed, it would be hard to recognize them.

‘On the other hand, a mage is like a tree.’

Magic and sorcery were similar yet completely opposite.

At that moment, someone placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder. It was Naum. He smiled kindly and gestured towards the clock with a nod.

“Aren’t you going home?”

It was already a little past six in the evening. Ian, realizing this, quickly put the business card in his drawer and got up. More than anything, if he stayed after work hours, Arena would get furious.

“Your friend is still waiting outside.”

“Friend?”

Who? Berik?

Ian frowned openly, causing the other mages to burst into laughter. They didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, still buried in their paperwork and chattering away.

“That guy is hilarious. He eats everything you give him.”

“When I went out earlier, he was sleeping on the floor with his belly up.”

“He kept asking when Ian would come out, chirping away.”

“It reminds me of when we first brought our puppy home? He was exactly like that. He eats whatever you give him, sleeps with his belly up everywhere, and keeps grumbling about everything… But those kinds of guys are surprisingly obedient.”

Ian had informed them that Berik was a magic swordsman, but the mages didn’t seem too impressed.

And why would they be? Was the lack of manpower in the Imperial Guard a problem? The Magic Department had always been short-handed, and it was still the same now, and it would be in the future! They were working overtime like this because they were short-handed. So, when they heard he was a magic swordsman, not a mage, they just went, ‘Oh, okay,’ and moved on.

“Then, I’ll head out first.”

“Okay, see you later.”

“See you tomorrow, Ian.”

“Good work today.”

Ian bowed and went outside, where he immediately ran into Berik, who was rolling around on the bare floor. The lobby was empty because the guy had smashed all the furniture.

“Finished? Finally finished?!”

“Starting tomorrow, though.”

“Geez, you’re so laid-back. My body is bursting with energy, and you’re telling me to just sit still?”

Berik followed Ian closely, chattering loudly. He had wanted to introduce him to Count Jark’s mansion during the day, but since he was being so stubborn, he had a feeling that things were going wrong from the start.

When Ian got into the carriage, Berik naturally sat opposite him and thumped on the driver’s seat.

“Hey, driver! Let’s go!”

The driver glanced at the seat, bewildered, but when Ian shook his head as if giving up, he reluctantly cracked the whip. Berik stretched repeatedly, happy that they were finally leaving.

“I don’t know what kind of work you do. I thought I was going to die waiting.”

“You should have.”

“Hey, I can’t do that! I’m destined for great things! Hahaha!”

“…Did you contact your family?”

“It’s okay. I often don’t go home for days once I’m out.”

Ian leaned his forehead against the window, feeling tired. On the other hand, Berik was fascinated by the bustling scene in the center of Rugerspell, as if it had been a long time since he had been outside.

When the entrance to the Count’s mansion came into view, Berik’s eyes widened.

“Is that really the main gate?”

“Behave yourself in front of Count Jark. Otherwise, you’ll be severely punished.”

“By you?”

“By anyone.”

*Screech.*

The carriage passed through the main gate and arrived in front of the mansion, where the servants came out to open the door. They were momentarily surprised by the appearance of the unfamiliar red-haired man, but they greeted him politely.

“Welcome, Master Ian. Is this your guest?”

“Yes. Where are Count Jark and Lady Barsabe?”

“They are both in the training grounds.”

“Good.”

“Shall we prepare a meal…?”

“Later.”

Ian gestured for Berik to follow him. As the sun set and the garden lights came on, the mansion’s antique grandeur became even more pronounced.

As they got closer to the training grounds, Barsabe’s shouts grew louder.

“Hap! Haaap!”

“Again!”

“Haaap!”

Barsabe was swinging her sword diligently, and Count Jark was watching her with his shirt sleeves rolled up. Both of them noticed their presence and looked towards Ian at the same time.

“Ian?”

“I’m back, Count.”

“Good, you’ve worked hard. You have a guest.”

Berik peeked out from behind and grinned. He didn’t know much about counts or anything, but he was told to make a good impression, so he just smiled.

“I met this person while I was out on Magic Department business. He has the potential to be a magic swordsman, so I brought him here to seek your advice.”

“A magic swordsman?”

At Ian’s words, both Barsabe and the Count’s eyes sparkled. Barsabe seemed happy that the Imperial Guard was gaining new talent, while Count Jark seemed to be thinking about strengthening his faction within the Imperial Guard.

Although they were magic swordsmen loyal to the Emperor, factions clearly existed among them. If a new recruit, other than Barsabe, were to align with Count Jark’s mansion, that alone would be a great source of power.

“Is that true?”

“I confirmed it myself.”

“Well, that’s amazing! Young man, what’s your name?”

“Berik.”

“Berik, yes…”

Judging by his appearance and attitude, he was clearly from the back alleys. He was raw, but the feeling wasn’t bad.

Ian stepped Berik forward and asked,

“The Imperial Joint Recruitment period is coming up soon. I would like to have Berik apply, but he has many shortcomings. I hope Lady Barsabe and the instructors can teach him a lot.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Barsabe reached out her hand to greet him. Berik reflexively grabbed it, but he looked suspiciously at Ian.

“Is this right?”

What am I supposed to learn from a girl my age? Barsabe, who had heard Berik’s muttering, froze with a smile on her face.

Count Jark, noticing his granddaughter’s rising temper, subtly picked up his jacket.

“Well, let’s finish the greetings and go inside. Let’s all have dinner together. Oh, and Ian, didn’t you say you were going to send a letter to the Great Desert?”

“Yes, that’s right. About Romandro’s wedding.”

Philia had crossed the Great Desert with Nersarn. They had a small wedding, and recently, they had a beautiful child, but since they were so far away, news didn’t reach them immediately.

If Romandro were to get married, he would probably come up to the center after a long time. It was a letter asking whether he would open a portal or come by carriage.

“I’ll send it tomorrow. And you, Berik?”

“Yes?”

Count Jark smiled as he watched Barsabe, who was silently choosing a sword. She was clearly thinking about what weapon to use to teach him a lesson.

“Even if you have the talent of a magic swordsman, you must do your best. There isn’t much time left until the selection test date. If you want to pass then, you must learn diligently.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Barsabe, be gentle so he doesn’t get hurt. He’s just starting to bloom.”

At Count Jark’s words, Berik openly burst out laughing. She seemed to have some training, but still, she was a girl, wasn’t she? He was a professional fighter who had been in all sorts of fights since he was a child…

*Thwack!*

“What are you laughing at?”

Barsabe punched Berik directly in the jaw, causing his body to float lightly.

Ian stepped back, knowing that would happen, and Berik blinked, not knowing what had just happened. As he quickly sat up, Ian and Count Jark turned around, saying they should go inside first.

“You don’t even need a weapon. I’ll beat you with my fists.”

“What, what was that just now?”

“Don’t you know? Should I show you again?”

*Thwack! Pow!*

Barsabe’s sturdy fists relentlessly beat Berik.

Berik, who had been getting hit in a daze, finally snapped out of it. This, this isn’t a girl! Where did she get this strength and speed-!

*Thwack!*

“I didn’t like your eyes from the first impression. I’ll knock out all your teeth!”

“Wow, damn. Hey, are you a magic swordsman too?”

“Hey? Heyyyy-?”

“This is insane. It’s been a while since I’ve been this surprised.”

“Just surprised? You should be crying in fear!”

*Taaat!*

Berik barely dodged Barsabe’s attack and counterattacked her side.

“Oh? Just- oh?”

Barsabe easily blocked it with her other hand, but she frowned at the tingling magical power she felt. What? Didn’t they say he was just starting to bloom? But why?

“Hey! Ian! Did you give him magic power?!”

“Yes. I injected it earlier today, so it’s been about four hours since it opened.”

“That’s why. There’s no way he could use magic power already-”

Ian answered as he walked away.

Then, suddenly.

‘Wait, what? Four hours?’

But he’s already using magic power?

But there was no time to be surprised. Barsabe headbutted Berik’s jaw as they continued to fight.

“Damn it!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“You’re dead today!”

“That’s what I should be saying!”

*Thwack! Thud! Crack!*

Before entering the mansion, Ian and Count Jark watched the two fight for a while. The instructor for swordsmanship and combat would come tomorrow morning, so until then, they could get to know each other and become friends. Count Jark smiled contentedly as he watched the two exchange punches.

“That’s raw combat. Yes.”

Not many grandfathers would be able to smile while their granddaughter’s nose was bleeding. Ian politely gestured to go inside, and he chuckled and instructed the servant.

“We have a precious guest, so take care of the dinner.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Ian, go wash up and come down. I have a good feeling about this Berik guy.”

Count Jark smiled with satisfaction, and Ian smiled along. He felt good that he had been of some help to his benefactor.

While the Count walked down the hallway, Ian returned to his room on the second floor, changed his clothes, and washed up briefly. Then, he sat at his desk for a moment, thinking about the work he had done today…

*Knock knock.*

“Master Ian, dinner is ready.”

“…?”

Ready? So what? It was an unclear message whether he should come down or not.

“Um, well- the guest already started eating.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, it’s fine. I’ll go down.”

Thinking that he should teach them proper table manners, Ian left his room and headed to the dining room. And as soon as he opened the door, he saw a bizarre sight.

“You, you bastard, let’s have another round later.”

“That’s what I should be saying. Once I fill my belly, you’re really dead.”

Berik and Barsabe, with their eyes swollen and traces of nosebleeds, were tearing into the meat.

Count Jark was just sipping his wine, watching the two of them with a pleased expression.

“Oh, Ian. Come and sit down.”

“Ian, this meat is amazing. It melts in your mouth.”

“No, but why is this bastard eating so much?”

“You said I could eat as much as I want. Right? Count?”

“Ah, yes, yes. You can eat more.”

“Another bowl here!”

There were already a dozen or so plates piled up next to Berik. Berik was gobbling down the meat and handed over a piece of paper.

“Ian, the Count said this was some kind of pledge, and I stamped it with my fingerprint, but can you check if I got ripped off?”

“…You usually check those things before you stamp them. And don’t be rude in front of the Count.”

Ian took the paper from Berik and glanced at the Count. Fortunately, he had a face that was just enjoying the situation.

There was nothing special in the pledge. In exchange for supporting training and meal expenses, he would participate diligently and focus on growth. Instead, when he became a member of the Imperial Guard, he would wear the Jark family’s insignia. That was all.

“Ripped off?”

“…It’s not that.”

“Not that?”

“You stamped it upside down.”

The black is the letters, and the white is the paper. He had just stamped it haphazardly anywhere.

Whether Ian sighed or not, Berik was happy as long as he wasn’t ripped off and stuffed a large chunk of meat into his mouth.