Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 940

The carriage, moving across the golden desert, cast long shadows behind it.

It had been two days since they departed from Cheonryeo towards the Bariel border. The carriage was heavily laden with gifts for the allied Enrow family and goods for consignment, which slowed their pace.

Nersarn, riding a Kushile [a type of desert animal], leaned slightly into the carriage window.

‘Philia, are you alright?’

Even the strong desert sun couldn’t tan her white skin. She still shone with a clear, bright, jade-like beauty. Philia smiled softly, holding their newborn child, who had just fallen asleep.

‘I’m fine.’

‘If your arm gets tired, I’ll come in.’

‘No, it’s okay. He just fell asleep, so there’s no need.’

Their first child together. His skin was tanned like Nersarn’s, but his hair and eyes were golden and green, like Philia’s. His features were so delicate and beautiful that everyone who saw him couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.

‘We’re almost there, so please bear with it a little longer, even if it’s uncomfortable.’

No sooner had Nersarn finished speaking than a whistle sounded. In the distance, they could see the Enrow family members who had come to greet them.

They waved their flags in welcome, and the people of Cheonryeo waved back in response. Two hawks soared high, circling in the sky.

‘Oh my, you must have had a long and tiring journey.’

‘It’s been a while, Butler.’

‘Yes, yes. You’ve arrived at the perfect time. It rained quite a bit just a few days ago.’

‘Where is the Baron?’

‘He’s at the manor. He’s been eagerly waiting for his dear friends to arrive!’

Nersarn chuckled softly. The butler greeted Philia inside the carriage, and his expression softened.

‘Lady Philia, belated congratulations on your safe delivery. Oh my, as rumored, you have a very beautiful baby.’

‘Thank you, Butler.’

‘The Baron will be very pleased. Does he like babies? Oh, and there’s also a letter from the capital.’

‘For Cheonryeo?’

‘Yes. It’s from ‘Ian Hadel,’ they said.’

Pigeon messengers couldn’t withstand the heat and dryness of the desert. Therefore, if they wanted to send a message to Cheonryeo, they had to send it to the nearby Enrow family.

Nersarn’s face hardened, fearing that something serious had happened.

‘What is it about?’

‘I haven’t checked. It’s for both of you, Nersarn and Philia. But don’t worry. It’s on good quality paper with a pretty ribbon. I think it’s good news.’

The butler instructed the servants to move the luggage and added.

At that, Nersarn sighed in relief and helped his wife transfer to the Enrow family’s carriage. Philia carefully boarded the carriage, holding the baby in her arms.

‘Recently, there’s been a lot of interest in Cheonryeo’s crafts in Hawan. The payment for the items you consigned last time was 50 gold coins, and we’ve also received the items you requested. You can take them when you return to the desert.’

‘Thank you as always.’

‘You’re welcome. The Baron values the long-standing relationship with Cheonryeo.’

They drove the carriage to the Enrow manor. The farmers drawing water and tilling the fields on the outskirts of the territory looked peaceful, and the center was also prosperous and as splendid as any other city. This change had occurred as the role of bridging the gap with Hawan, which Mereloff had held, shifted to Enrow.

Squeak.

‘Master! Guests from Cheonryeo have arrived!’

As the carriage entered the manor, the servants called out happily. Some of them had lovers in Cheonryeo, and some were separated from their spouses due to circumstances.

The Baron of Enrow, wearing light clothing, came out to greet Nersarn and Philia himself.

‘Welcome, my friends!’

‘How have you been?’

‘Great, great! Oh my, look at that! It’s clear that the child looks just like you, Philia. There was a reason you kept him hidden!’

‘The weather wasn’t good. There was a sandstorm.’

‘I’m glad you came now. Come on, let’s go inside. I’ll have the servants take care of the payment and goods. You’ll be staying the night, right?’

Nersarn nodded. There was no need to rush, especially considering Philia and the baby’s condition.

They sat around the sofa in the drawing-room and drank tea, and the Baron lifted the baby and asked.

‘What’s his name?’

‘We haven’t named him yet.’

‘Why not?’

‘…Usually, the chief of Cheonryeo names the children, but as you know, that position is vacant. We’re discussing whether to wait until the chosen one of the gods appears or find another way.’

‘What about the names of the other children so far?’

‘Usually, they take their parents’ names.’

‘Was it Roel? The chief’s name?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Then, how about continuing that name?’

At the Baron’s suggestion, Nersarn and Philia paused for a moment. It was something they had never considered.

It had been over ten years since the chief passed away, but the one with the ‘eyes of the gods’ had not yet appeared. Everyone was uneasy, but since there were no problems with Cheonryeo’s development externally, the atmosphere was one of quietly burying the issue.

‘If it’s a name given by the Baron, we’ll gladly accept it.’

‘Look at those deep green eyes. He’s like a flower blooming in the desert. Doesn’t it feel like a blessing from the gods? Roel, I think it’s a good name. Didn’t the previous chief live a long life?’

‘Well, yes.’

‘I recommend it. Roel, it’s a beautiful name.’

The Baron poked the baby’s nose and chuckled.

At that moment, a servant handed Nersarn a letter. It was a letter from Ian Hadel.

Rustle.

Nersarn’s eyebrows suddenly furrowed in confusion as he unfolded the ribbon and read. Philia moved closer to Nersarn, her gaze filled with worry and curiosity.

‘What does Ian say? Is something wrong?’

She knew that Ian and the Magic Department had been struggling with the monster outbreaks. So, she was worried that something might have happened.

But Nersarn soon smiled and handed her the paper.

‘Romandro is getting married.’

‘Oh my! Really?’

‘The bride is an employee of the administration, and he says he’d be happy if we could attend. Will you go?’

‘Of course! That’s wonderful news!’

‘He says we can either take a carriage or he’ll open a portal…’

‘A portal would be better.’

‘I think so too.’

With a newborn baby, it was impossible to travel for nearly two weeks by carriage. As Philia couldn’t hide her joy, the Baron interjected.

‘Romandro?’

‘Ah, he’s an employee of the Magic Department, and we have a connection. He’s also someone who assists Ian.’

‘Then, are you two going to the capital?’

‘I think so.’

‘Then, wait a moment!’

The Baron raised his hand, signaling ‘freeze.’ Philia, who was sipping her tea, widened her eyes, and the baby in the servant’s arms also stopped with his mouth open.

‘If you’re going to the capital, could you take our second son with you?’

‘Siaosi?’

Siaosi Enrow II. He received the name because his eye color was the same as Siaosi, the founder of the Enrow family.

In the Enrow family, which adopted the eldest son succession system, the second son had to forge his own path in life. Fortunately, he showed talent in swordsmanship and was considering joining the Imperial Defense Force.

‘Isn’t the Imperial Joint Recruitment period coming up soon? I was planning to send him to the capital anyway, but if you’re going, I’d like to send him with you.’

Using a portal would be less physically demanding than traveling by carriage, so he might get better results on the exam. And it would be good for him to establish connections with the Magic Department through Nersarn and Philia, rather than being alone in the capital.

The couple readily nodded.

‘Of course. If the dates match.’

‘When is the wedding?’

‘Hmm, in two months.’

‘Perfect! You’ll be going up a little early anyway, right?’

‘I suppose that would be better?’

Philia turned to Nersarn, seeking his agreement. It would be better to go earlier than to arrive just in time for the wedding, to catch up with old friends and check the situation in the capital. When Nersarn nodded, the Baron gestured to a servant.

‘Tell Sia to come down.’

‘Yes, Master.’

Other than the Baron and his wife, he wasn’t close to his children. Both the first and second sons were immersed in their studies, leaving early and returning late. They would occasionally see each other when they stayed overnight, but it wasn’t frequent.

‘Sia is very good with a sword.’

‘He’s a talent who will become a sword of the Empire.’

‘Yes, that’s right! Hahaha!’

The Baron laughed heartily.

Soon after, Sia, who had been studying upstairs, made his presence known outside.

Knock knock.

‘Did you call for me, Father?’

‘Ah, yes, yes. Come this way. My friends from the desert have arrived.’

‘Yes, I heard, but I couldn’t come out because my tutor was here. I apologize.’

He was a handsome young man with heterochromatic eyes of brown and blue, gray hair, and a refined manner of speaking.

Philia recalled the portrait of Siaosi I hanging in the center of the manor lobby and covered her mouth in surprise.

‘Madam, I guess blood is thicker than water.’

‘Yes, he really… looks just like his ancestor.’

‘I don’t know about anything else, but just imagining Sia riding a horse across the battlefield makes my whole body tingle. Our son will grow up to be a pillar of the Empire! Hahaha!’

What a fool. Nersarn smiled faintly, but he certainly understood. A warrior had a spirit that flowed out even without holding a sword. He had a strong aura that was hard to believe came from someone who had just passed his coming-of-age ceremony.

‘Anyway, could you please take our son with you when you go to the capital?’

At the Baron’s request, Nersarn nodded as if it were a given. Philia greeted Siaosi with a welcoming nod.

‘Let’s go to the capital together. I’ll introduce you to many good friends. Ian will be a great help.’

‘Yes, Madam. I look forward to it. Thank you.’

Siaosi bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude. It was a gesture that clearly showed the bearing of a proper noble son.

* * *

On a day off from work, Ian, dressed in light clothing, sipped tea on the terrace. In the distance, he could see Berik diligently training in the training grounds.

‘Hap! Haaap!’

He was swinging his sword with Barsabe, and then repeating running drills at the instructor’s signal. They had been repeating this for hours, but neither of them showed any signs of fatigue. Or rather, they were biting their lips, not wanting to show any signs of fatigue, and were keeping each other in check.

‘…It’s strange.’

According to Barsabe, Berik seemed to be converting the magic power he had given him into energy and using it. Even if he was a talented magic swordsman, was that possible so soon after his awakening?

‘Indeed. It’s very strange.’

‘Ah, Count.’

Count Jark, who had approached him unnoticed, agreed. Like Ian, he was watching Berik.

‘His healing ability is also strange, and there’s something more than just his talent as a magic swordsman.’

Count Jark seemed to have similar thoughts. He was constantly pondering with a dark expression.

‘It’s strange. I can’t figure it out.’

‘Count.’

‘You have the same thoughts as me.’ Ian turned his head to share his insights about this variant, but the Count muttered with a serious look.

‘…He eats too much. Too… much to be considered human… too much…….’