Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 197

The wind surged even farther and higher.

Everyone reflexively reached out their hands. They sensed that all their questions were contained in those white papers fluttering like flower petals and falling like the first snow. The city gates slowly opened, but they were preoccupied with reading the extras one by one.

Creak.

“Viviana!”

“Sir Ian!”

The tightly closed city gates were now wide open. She had never felt the starting point of the wind in her life, but this time was different.

This wind, the wind that had pierced straight through the cart, originated from the palace. More precisely, from Ian and his Ministry of Magic.

“The city gates are open!”

“His Highness Mariv and His Highness Gale incited rebellion?”

“If this is true, what will happen?”

“What will happen? Both princes will be beheaded. Tsk tsk.”

“Weren’t they known for their wisdom? How did this…”

“Come to think of it, the central nobles entered the day before the closure. If they participated in the clash, they won’t be unscathed either.”

“Wait, our business partner’s family also entered the palace that day!”

“Didn’t I say the gates are open? Everyone line up!”

Ian gestured to the gatekeeper while observing the chaotic scene. It meant to let the cart in first. Five in the afternoon. Everything was going according to plan. Except for Viviana being alone, which was outside the plan.

“Move aside! We’re letting the cart in!”

Clang! Chang!

The gatekeepers raised their spears to clear the way. The cart barely squeezed through and entered the palace. Ian supported Viviana as she stepped down and asked, “Viviana, are you all right?”

“Yes, yes. I’m not injured at all. Are you all right, Sir Ian? What about my husband? Beric said he was safe, but I’m worried…”

“Romandro is also unharmed without a single injury. He’s coming here from the 2nd Palace, so you’ll meet him soon.”

“Ah. That’s a relief.”

She sighed with relief, pressing near her chest. Ian frowned upon seeing the bloodstains on the cart wheels.

“What happened?”

“Ah! Sir Beric!”

Viviana shouted while wiping the sweat dripping from her chin. The last sight of him was miserable. He looked like he would have died long ago if he weren’t a swordmaster. Feeling her heart sink, she grabbed Ian’s sleeve.

“While printing the extras centered around Merry Daily, assailants in black armor attacked. Ba-Barsabe, was it? The knight who came to the mansion for the ring memento. She helped, but I don’t know if she’s alive or dead. Beric, too, he…”

He might be dead. Viviana bit her lip to hold back the welling tears.

Assailants in black armor. Ian immediately recognized them as Hayman’s remnants.

‘I thought the armor wouldn’t be able to move.’

If they were capable of rational judgment, that is.

The conspiring Gale was still alive, and the Duke was in a difficult situation in many ways. Yet they brought out the armor in full force and targeted Ian’s subordinates? This was a self-destructive blunder, clearly not Duke Hayman’s doing.

‘Moreover, with the gate closure, there’s no way Hayman’s separate orders could have come in. There’s a possibility that pre-issued commands were carried out without assessing the situation.’

It was a mistake to think Beric alone could sufficiently stop some small fry even if they put up a fight. Ian kissed the back of her hand.

“Viviana.”

It was a greeting filled with gratitude and apology. Despite saying she was unharmed, there was a long scratch. Ian hugged Viviana and comforted her.

“You did well.”

“I’m glad I could be of help. I’m also a person of Bariel, aren’t I? And someone who will one day work for the palace again.”

Viviana smiled brightly and fixed her hair. Romandro would surely worry if he saw her. She wanted to appear as unaffected as possible.

“Excuse me, are you Minister Ian Hielo? Is that correct?”

“I am.”

“I’m the president of Merry Daily that printed the extras! I have my business card, but things are so chaotic. Ahaha! Um, ma’am?”

At the man’s gesture asking her to introduce him, Viviana let out a small gasp. Now that they had come, it was time for them to go.

“A lot happened. But amidst that, Merry Daily printed the extras very swiftly. As a reward, how about granting them exclusive publishing rights to the inside story of the past three days in the palace?”

Viviana smiled a bit awkwardly. It must have been the best choice she could make amidst the circumstances she referred to as “a lot.” Ian smiled and readily nodded.

“Advise the palace not to deal with other media outlets. There’s a lot to take care of right now, so tell them to stand by.”

“Yes! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Viviana! Vivi!”

Tap tap tap!

As the man bowed deeply, Romandro’s shout was heard from behind. He ran hurriedly with his short legs and hugged his wife tightly.

“Oh, Vivi. I missed you!”

“Are you all right? You don’t look well.”

“I’ve been working day and night, that’s why. What about you, Vivi? Our baby?”

“We’re fine. I missed you so much.”

The couple rubbed noses, confirming their love and breath for each other.

Ian turned his back on the two of them. The palace guards saluted with discipline and awaited Ian’s orders.

“To the communication device.”

“To the communication device!”

“Call the healing mages at His Highness Gale’s residence and bring out the horses. We’re going outside.”

“Yes! Please wait a moment!”

It was the amplifying communication device Ian had used to announce the end of the situation from the Ministry of Magic. Outside the wide-open gates, a crowd that had gathered like clouds was looking inside.

The gates are open, so can we go in now? Are the people inside coming out too? They say Mariv and Gale clashed, is that true? The murmuring was muffled, but each had distinct doubts.

“Set it to reach as far as possible.”

“Yes, understood.”

The mage who brought the device carefully adjusted dozens of dials. Even if it didn’t reach every corner of the central area, it would resound in all nearby ears without fail.

Among them would be dying swordmasters and those who had fled in black armor.

Whirring.

Ian slowly whispered into the device.

[I am Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic.]

A clear and elegant voice spread through the device. Those who had been chattering stopped all movement and fell silent. They were startled by the unfamiliar sensation of being spoken to directly in their ears.

“Is, is this magic?”

“Shh! Be quiet, let’s hear what he’s saying.”

“It’s like it’s ringing inside my eardrum?”

Everyone could hear Ian’s voice, from those guarding empty stalls to children running on deserted streets, from those sprawled drunk to those going about their daily lives at home. Everyone near the palace.

[Three days ago, First Prince Mariv and Second Prince Gale clashed, throwing the palace into chaos. The list of officials and central nobles involved is not short, deeply saddening His Majesty the Emperor. The palace is the center of Bariel and thus the center of the world. Those who disrupt it shall never die in peace.]

“That’s right, that’s right. The big-headed princes really messed up.”

“Be quiet for a bit!”

[Therefore, under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness Jin, the Ministry of Magic subdued the two princes and protected the palace’s safety.]

“Who is His Highness Jin?”

“Isn’t he one of the twin princes? I heard he’s still young. Oh my.”

[Prohibiting entry to the palace was to effectively handle this situation, so His Majesty’s subjects can rest assured and return to their daily lives. As of now, entry to the palace is permitted. Those entering, maintain order. And-]

Ian paused for a moment. Those curious about what he would say next also closed their mouths. Then came a cold and chilling voice.

[Those who go against the will of the palace, listen.]

Those who seek to harm Bariel shall never crawl out from the depths of hell.

[Offer your necks and beg for forgiveness. Otherwise, you will be annihilated, and I will show you what true death is. You may hide if you can. Prove that there is no place in Bariel untouched by His Majesty’s gaze.]

There are no exceptions, whether a nobleman holding the purse strings of the empire or of noble imperial blood. Those who defy authority shall die. It was also for the well-being of the imperial subjects. Ian knew of countless nations that had crumbled due to civil war.

[On the other hand, those who bring glory to the palace shall have glory in their lives as well. Make your own destiny shine. That is all, from Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic.]

As Ian gestured to cut the connection, the light on the device faded. The gatekeepers organized the people in an orderly manner and began the process of granting entry and exit.

Ian put on his robe while looking around. The horses were ready, but where were the healing mages?

“Where are the healing mages?”

“I think they’re on their way.”

“Then let’s go first. Tell them to come to Merry Daily.”

A few mages and guards following him also grabbed the reins. Romandro, holding Viviana’s hand tightly, asked, “Sir Ian! What about me?”

“You stay here and handle things with Viviana. I’m going to get Beric, and those without mana won’t be of much help. Hurry and send out the healing mages.”

“Ah, I understand. Have a safe trip! And tell that bastard Beric, if he dies, he dies by my hand!”

Neigh!

Instead of answering, Ian struck the horse’s flank vigorously and exited the city gates. Perhaps because the closure was lifted, unlike when Beric set out, the attention wasn’t focused on him. Ian rode towards Merry Daily, guided by his escorts.

Tap tap tap!

“This way!”

“Make way! Clear the path!”

“Oh my, why are they riding the horses like that?”

How long had they ridden? As they entered the alley, the stench of blood wafted over. The horse’s speed gradually slowed. Aside from the clopping of hooves, no other sound could be heard.

“Over there, gasp!”

A pool of blood filled the front of the building. Shattered buildings were everywhere, but no sign of human presence could be felt. Ian dismounted and approached the collapsed Beric.

“Beric.”

“……”

Even the word miserable was too mild. A crushed left arm and a leg bent beyond the range of its joints. The skin was completely scraped off, soaked in blood, making it impossible to tell where the wounds began and ended.

Shocked by the gruesome sight, a guard covered his mouth and placed a finger under Beric’s nose.

“I, I don’t think he’s breathing.”

“Move.”

Ian pushed him aside and pressed his ear against Beric’s chest. Beric’s tightly closed eyelids were torn.

“Si-Sir Ian.”

“Everyone shut up. Don’t even breathe.”

The outside noise made it hard to hear properly. He would hear a heartbeat. Surely, surely he would hear it.

Ian unleashed his mana and poured it into him. Thump thump, something was beating. Ian realized it was his own heartbeat.

“Beric.”

“……”

“Beric.”

Zing. Zing.

Zing.

Ian lightly grasped Beric’s chin and shook it. While doing so, he endlessly gave him boundless mana. He’s the guy who survived with his guts turned inside out in the desert. He won’t die like this.

“Beric.”

Sweat dripped down the bridge of Ian’s nose. Dizziness crept up, but he didn’t stop. Sweat drops fell on Beric’s neck, leaving faint marks.

“Beric.”

“……”

Twitch, his eyelids moved slightly. Surprised, Ian focused on his chest again. Thump thump, thump. Heartbeats with a different rhythm could be heard.

“Try to come to your senses.”

“…It’s hard.”

“I know. Try to speak and open your eyes.”

“Ian, ah, it really hurts.”

“It’s okay. Hold on.”

Zing.

Other mages joined in, infusing Beric with mana. Beric muttered with his eyes closed.

“…It’s frustrating. I lost.”

“You lived, that’s enough. Remember what the Cheonrye said? If you don’t die, you haven’t lost. Since you lived, you’ll win someday.”

“Right? Ah, but I’m hungry.”

“You did well.”

“…Beef.”

“Okay.”

Finally earned the right to eat beef, Beric chuckled. After those words, he fainted again and remained unconscious for a long time.