Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 947

“Man, it’s packed like sardines here.”

Berrick clicked his tongue, pulling his head back. The line to enter the Imperial Palace stretched endlessly. There seemed to be all sorts of people gathered from all over Bariel: huge giant women, sturdy dwarves, young boys, and even old men who looked like they could barely hold a spoon.

Berrick wiggled his ears and asked,

“This is the first gate, right? Damn, how are we supposed to wait here all day? My patience is going to run out.”

“Shut up. Just keep your mouth closed.”

Barsabe crossed her arms and glanced at Berrick. In a way, this could be the first gate for Berrick. The restless puppy had to wait patiently for his turn.

The man in front glanced back, and Berrick glared at him with rebellious eyes, picking a fight.

“What, huh?”

“What-?”

“You looked back. If your eyes are in the front, look forward.”

“Is this guy crazy?”

The man was beyond anger, his teeth grinding in disbelief. The test hadn’t even started, and he was already being provoked? Since the Imperial Palace was far away, no one would see them anyway.

As he rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight, Sioshi lightly grabbed his arm.

“I apologize for his rudeness. This friend of mine is always like this, so please forgive him.”

“I’m always like this too!”

“If you waste your energy before the test, it’s only your loss. If you’re a true warrior, shouldn’t you settle things in an official duel? If it’s a free duel, I’ll push Berrick into the arena for you.”

“Ah, me too. I’ll carry him to you, so why don’t you hold back for now? If we cause a ruckus here and get caught, we’ll have to go to the back of the line again.”

Barsabe’s addition made the man’s eyes widen slightly. Again? Had they already experienced this once?

The man frowned at Berrick, who was sticking his tongue out. Was this really the level of the great Bariel Empire? Even a back-alley thug was participating to become a soldier. The man cleared his throat a few times and turned back around.

Thwack!

Barsabe flicked Berrick’s head and glared at him.

“Ow!”

“Just shut up and be quiet. We could have been inside already, but you’re making us waste time.”

“It’s fine if you want to suffer alone, but don’t forget we’re with you.”

Berrick rubbed the back of his head and glared at Barsabe and Sioshi. Damn it, one was the granddaughter of the family that fed him, and the other was a noble that Ian treated with respect.

Well, it wasn’t just because they bought him drinks, anyway. It was frustrating that he couldn’t hit them back.

“Look, look at his eyes rolling around. What are you thinking about so hard?”

“I’m going to get a higher score than you no matter what and join the Imperial Guard. Then I’ll smack you on the back of the head.”

“…Berrick. Having a better score doesn’t make you a senior. Seniority is based on years of service.”

“Huh? Really?”

“This guy doesn’t know anything. You should be grateful you’re a magic swordsman. If it weren’t for Ian, you’d have starved to death.”

Judging by how he ate, that wasn’t far from the truth. If he couldn’t make a living, he would either starve to death before he turned thirty or get beaten to death for being reckless.

“Ah, right. Ian. Why hasn’t he been going home lately? The Magic Department used to let him leave on time. It’s been two weeks since I last saw him.”

“I don’t know. They said something happened at the Magic Department, but they didn’t tell me the details. And I don’t have the right to know.”

“You don’t know anything either.”

“Damn it. He does come back sometimes in the early morning, though. You were asleep, so you didn’t know, right?”

“What? Why were you awake then? Were you secretly training more?”

“…Get in line. Stand straight.”

“Tell me! You traitor!”

“Shut up before I kill you.”

The man in front was sweating and pricking up his ears. Imperial Guard? Magic Department? He didn’t know what it was, but he was glad he didn’t pick a fight.

Barsabe stretched, watching the line slowly shrink.

“Maybe we’ll see Ian when we get inside. Haaam.”

“I guess so?”

Berrick, who had been sulking, answered with sparkling eyes. Sioshi shook his head at Berrick’s transparent reaction and attitude. He had heard that those born with magic swordsman talent were all like that, but this was beyond the norm compared to Barsabe.

“Sioshi, you received a letter too, right?”

“Yeah. I was debating whether to bring it or not. It would be a pain if it got lost.”

Barsabe and Sioshi were of similar age and noble status, and they had become close friends through training and sparring.

But he still didn’t know how he had become friends with Berrick. When he came to his senses, they were already treating each other like close friends. It was like he had been possessed.

“Did you tell Ian? He would have rushed to the mansion.”

“No. If he can’t even come to the mansion, he must be very busy.”

“Berrick, if you want to see Ian, go find him.”

“It’s not that, you idiot. He was supposed to spar with me, but I haven’t heard from him!”

“Yeah, yeah, is that so?”

“Honestly, I beat all of you. Now, the only ones left are mages. And Ian is the best among the mages, right?”

“You crazy bastard, Sioshi is a civilian, and I only lost twice!”

“Yeah, yeah, good self-introduction, you loser.”

“Sioshi, grab this guy. I’m going to kill him right now.”

“…Please hold back. We’ll go to the back of the line again.”

Even now, if they entered the Imperial Palace, Berrick would be in the Imperial Guard, and he would be a lower-ranking officer in the Imperial Defense Force. In terms of affiliation, Berrick was actually his superior.

‘Is it because he doesn’t care about the difference in status?’

Or was it because of Berrick’s friendly personality?

If not that…

‘I don’t know.’

He didn’t know how to explain this strangely familiar and comfortable feeling.

Anyway, the three of them patiently waited to enter the palace, grabbing each other’s collars.

“This way!”

And a couple of hours later, the three of them were finally able to submit their documents and receive their numbers.

Berrick was already exhausted, lying on the floor and whining for food. Barsabe and Sioshi looked at the map, checking their respective test locations.

“Those with special abilities go to the left of the Imperial Palace, and regular soldiers go to the right. Sioshi, do your best.”

“You too. Don’t get hurt.”

“Even if I get hurt, I’ll do it right!”

“Berrick, make sure you get picked up too.”

“…I’m going.”

Barsabe dragged Berrick’s clothes and entered the left path.

Sioshi, watching the two of them leave, lightly touched the sword at his waist and sighed.

‘Finally.’

Finally, the test. If he failed here, he wouldn’t be able to face his parents. Especially Count Jack, who had even hired a new swordsmanship teacher to support him.

Sioshi turned to the right with determination.

‘There are a lot more people.’

Since it was a gathering of those without special abilities, the Imperial Palace was packed. People who appeared to be staff members were giving instructions through amplified magic tools.

“Numbers 300 to 1,200, please come inside. We will guide you to the waiting room!”

“The test is currently in progress for the earlier numbers. Please move quietly!”

“Hey, don’t get too close.”

“What can we do? There’s no space.”

“What? You’re being informal?”

Since it was a gathering of people full of competitiveness and vigor, there were skirmishes everywhere. Sioshi checked the number 1,221 on his chest and followed the staff’s guidance into the building.

* * *

Squeak.

The place where those with special abilities gathered was the training ground used by the Imperial Guard. Barsabe opened the door familiarly and was immediately met with the fierce gazes of those who had arrived earlier.

‘They’re all serious.’

There didn’t seem to be any mages… but were there any magic swordsmen? There were all sorts of participants, from beastmen to those of unknown races.

At that moment, Berrick, who had been listlessly sprawled out, suddenly perked up and shouted,

“Ian!”

Ian, who was on the second floor of the training ground, discussing something with documents in hand with the mages, turned his head at Berrick’s shout. Before Barsabe could stop him, Berrick jumped to the second floor and hung from the railing.

“Hey, why is it so hard to see your face?”

“…Berrick. Don’t acknowledge me. It violates fairness.”

“Huh?”

At those words, Berrick looked at the participants on the first floor. They were all whispering, trying to figure out if Berrick had connections with the Magic Department. Berrick waved his hand dismissively and shouted,

“Hey! Don’t worry! I’m going to beat all of you fair and square with my bare hands.”

“You cocky bastard. Who are you?”

“Me? Berrick. Who are you!”

“Hey, let me fight that guy. I think I can easily get a win.”

Ian sighed lightly and ordered everyone to be quiet.

“The match schedule has been determined according to the order. Please wait quietly without causing a disturbance.”

“You’re so strict. Who’s causing the most disturbance right now!”

Berrick smiled sheepishly and rolled his eyes. He had just greeted him out of happiness, but now he was about to get scolded by Ian.

As Berrick scratched his head and went down to the first floor, Hale, who was standing next to Ian, added quietly,

“Berrick is just happy, isn’t he? You’re being too cold.”

“…This is a test site. It’s better than causing unnecessary noise.”

“Most people here already know that Barsabe is participating. To be precise, they know that some magic swordsmen sponsored by Count Jack are also participating. Even if you greet a mage, no one would think much of it.”

He meant that even if they were murmuring, it was a commotion that would quickly pass. Ian glanced at Berrick, who was being scolded by Barsabe, and agreed.

“So, let’s not be too sensitive.”

It had already been two weeks since Arena had gone to the Red Forest with the mages. To fill that void, Ian had been practically living at the Magic Department for the first time. It was physically exhausting, but what was harder to endure was…

“What are you worried about? The Minister is still contacting us.”

“The problem is that her return is delayed.”

“She must have her own reasons. It’s Minister Arena, after all.”

They were still sending messenger birds every three or four days to confirm their survival and deliver reports, but the fact that she hadn’t returned was naturally worrying.

The reason was obvious. Even though they had searched the Red Forest thoroughly, they hadn’t found any monsters, so they were gradually expanding the search area.

“I don’t think she’ll come back until she catches them.”

“That’s her personality.”

“Haa.”

Ian frowned and focused on writing the documents. The immediate task at hand was more important than worrying about Arena. He told himself to focus, as the test was about to begin.

Hale, who was watching him, pressed Ian’s forehead.

“So, Ian, to be honest, there’s nothing you can do to help Minister Arena right now. The only thing you can do is to do your job well here, right? There’s nothing that will change by worrying, so try to relax a little. Berrick is still looking this way.”

Ian looked down at Berrick. As if he had been waiting for their eyes to meet, Berrick’s face lit up and he was saying something. Ian read Berrick’s lips.

‘Sorry.’

Did I cause you trouble because of me? Sorry!

After confirming Berrick’s apology, Ian covered his mouth with the documents and mouthed a short and simple word, making sure only Berrick could see it.

‘Do well.’

Berrick seemed to understand, giving a thumbs up as if to say not to worry. Soon after, he was dragged away by Barsabe to a corner of the training ground.