Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 330

How long had they galloped?

As sunset settled in the sky, Beric frowned, bored from the constant riding. With nothing but dense thickets in sight, he wondered if they were really going the right way. Though none voiced it, they all likely thought the same while watching Noah’s back ahead of them.

Felix, still bound and slung over a horse, showed no signs of waking.

“Say, how much longer-“

Just as the mage was about to ask May, Noah pulled his reins to slow down. They had emerged from the thickets.

Below stretched endless vineyards. Trees lined up in perfect straight lines as if drawn with a ruler. Thick vines hung heavy with luscious grapes in abundant display.

Green leaves stained by sunset. Like a red wave washing in, it dyed portions of the fields.

“This is Clifford.”

Prince Noah’s hair also took on a deeper orange hue as he nodded. Behind him, Clifford’s palace came into view. The tall coral-colored domes caught the sunlight, sparkling beautifully.

Dong-

As a bell rang from somewhere, people appeared throughout the fields. It was time to offer greetings to the divine. Having completed another sacred and holy day of labor, may the divine see and rejoice deeply.

Ah- Oah-

They hummed while raising their hands. Though the sounds and lyrics were simple repetitions, somehow listening to them brought a sense of peace.

Walking along the main road between fields, Beric looked around. Occasionally, farmers who caught his eye would remove their hats and bow in greeting.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

“But why are there only fields? Where do people live?”

“This is the outskirts. Unlike Bariel where residential and commercial areas blend around the imperial palace, Clifford is different. Everything outside the city walls is agricultural land. It’s for efficient use of limited territory.”

May replied with a sidelong glance. Despite everything, guests were guests. And these were important guests who would determine Clifford’s fate. As she explained earnestly, some farmers recognized Noah and bowed deeply with delighted faces.

“Halt and identify yourselves.”

“Royal pass. Open the gates.”

“Prince Noah? How come without carriages…”

“There were circumstances.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment!”

The gatekeepers moved busily atop the walls. Soon the massive gates swung open left and right. Through the gap, Clifford’s life came into full view.

Creeak

While outside was quiet, sacred, and natural, how could crossing just one gate lead to such a different world?

Merchants carrying wine barrels through groups dancing in circles in the streets, old men smoking on arched roofs, giggling laughter and incomprehensible song lyrics, buildings completely covered in vines, and the fresh scent of grapes permeating from all directions.

“Wow, what’s all this!”

“Don’t get distracted and follow closely. Everyone’s taking their rest after finishing the day’s work. The streets flood with people, and first-time visitors easily get lost.”

“Ian! Let’s have a drink out here after we finish our business. Hm?”

“Beric. Just hold your reins properly.”

A merchant who noticed they were foreigners gestured welcomingly while offering wine. Though among the group, only Beric accepted.

They soon arrived at the palace. People had been worried since the delegation’s arrival was delayed. Their joy at the return was brief before giving way to puzzled glances behind them.

“Your Highness! What in the world happened?”

“Where are the carriages? How come you’re alone without the other delegates…”

“Who are these people?”

“I’ll see my Father first. These are Bariel’s Ministry of Magic Minister Ian Hielo and his subordinates.”

“M-Mages!”

“The Minister, you say? That Minister?”

The attendants stepped back in surprise. When Ian and the other mages nodded in greeting, they bustled about to receive the guests.

“This way.”

As they were guided to the main palace, Beric giggled while whispering to Ian. He hadn’t noticed when only seeing Noah and May, but somehow all the Clifford people seemed to look similar.

“Ian. Everyone here really looks the same. Right? Their hair color and narrow eyes too.”

“Shh. Beric.”

Just as Ian signaled him to restrain himself, an attendant opened the reception room door. And what appeared was…

“Noah, why are you here now?”

“Brother. Why were you so late?”

“Elder brother. I heard you came without carriages? What happened?”

Children who looked barely ten years old, identical to Noah. They ran up and threw themselves into the prince’s arms, and then the king and queen appeared.

“Hup.”

As Beric tried to say something in surprise, Barsabe quickly covered his mouth.

Small stature reaching only to the chest, round cheeks, narrow eyes, and smiling upturned lips. Wasn’t it too friendly and warm an impression for a king? The queen also looked like his mirror image.

Would Noah look like that when he aged? Though his younger siblings were quite cute.

“The Ministry of Magic Minister of Bariel, Ian Hielo.”

“An honor to meet you, Your Majesty. Though I deeply regret this breach of etiquette, the matter was most urgent. I beg your forgiveness.”

As Ian placed his hand on his chest and bowed, the other mages followed suit. The Clifford king gestured toward the sofa and ordered refreshments for the guests.

“Minister, please be seated, and let your subordinates rest from their journey.”

“I’ll show them to the adjacent room.”

The mages followed the attendant out. Noah’s siblings also watched carefully before scampering after them. With no mages in Clifford, how could it not spark their curiosity?

“Well. Noah, did you have a good journey? Though I don’t know what happened, you look a bit thinner, which worries me.”

“It’s nothing, Father.”

“Now then, tell me quickly. What could bring Bariel’s Minister all the way here? Hmm?”

The Clifford king’s manner was as gentle as his appearance. More like a caring father than a king. From Noah’s siblings gathered earlier too, one could tell the royal family’s atmosphere was quite positive.

Unlike Bariel where brothers crossed swords, sons harmed fathers, and mothers tried to kill their children.

“Actually…”

Noah recounted everything that had happened during the appointment ceremony period one by one. The king, who had been nodding and listening intently, unconsciously stood up at the part about the curse being exposed.

“Father.”

“…So you’re saying Lord Ian knows about the royal family’s curse?”

“To be precise, my associates and I know about it, but we’re keeping it secret ‘for now,’ so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Everyone present understood how much that word “for now” encompassed. As the king showed a bewildered expression, Noah lowered his head and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“No, no. Now isn’t the time to discuss that. So? What happened after that?”

There had been so many events. The failed alliance with Burgos, the fertilizer contract, then the golden diamond bestowed by Jin and the attack, up to the Idgal. The king’s expression changed constantly without rest, turning dark, then pale, then white, providing quite a spectacle.

When all the reports finished, silence fell over the reception room. It was hard to tell if they were thinking of ways to handle it, or if their minds had simply stopped.

Finally, Ian broke the silence first.

“Your Majesty.”

The king hesitantly turned to Ian. The more he digested it, the more serious the situation seemed. If they alienated Bariel after cutting ties with Burgos, Clifford would truly be isolated.

“…Speak.”

“I find this matter truly regrettable. While I understand the prince’s heart thinking of his country, I too am a person of Bariel and servant of the imperial palace, so I cannot easily let this pass.”

“We acknowledge the breach. Clifford will do its utmost to show its sincerity to Bariel.”

As the king said this, Noah squeezed his eyes shut completely. Though he had tried to handle things well, in the end he had made his father speak such words. It was truly tragic, miserable, and utterly lamentable.

“I don’t want problems arising between Clifford and Bariel either. Just as we’re about to take our first step together, how could we let a mere small obstacle divide us?”

“I-I am truly glad you say so.”

“Therefore, I humbly request. Make a magic contract with Bariel.”

Magic contract.

They say a single word weighs heavier than a thousand gold. To shape that weight into magic carved into the heart, to fulfill it until one’s last breath to show complete faith.

The effect was tremendous, but it required equal caution. Just once. One oath would bind a person for eternity. Though it could be cancelled by mutual agreement, that would hardly be easy when magic was used to bind it.

“What do you think? If you’re committed to an alliance, it seems quite a good proposal from Clifford’s position.”

It wasn’t wrong. If Clifford swore friendly relations and cooperation, naturally Bariel would do the same.

“Me, with you?”

“How could I presume to request a contract with Your Majesty? My lord is in the imperial palace. First, make a contract with me about making a contract. And Prince Noah as well.”

A contract about a contract. Ian smiled and nodded to Noah. Since Noah would inherit the throne soon enough, it was only natural to bind him as well.

“…The terms?”

“Could I have paper and pen for a moment?”

At Ian’s request, the king signaled with his eyes.

After smoothing the crisp high-quality paper once, Ian wrote down letters without hesitation. It was the fertilizer contract terms he had discussed with Prince Noah. Perfect, without missing a single detail.

“This was the original contract, but it needs revision. You know the reasons for liability, so I needn’t explain separately.”

“…To what extent?”

“Let’s adjust the price. Though we’ll export lower than to Burgos, the previous price is impossible. Though not in detail, the period may also be adjusted.”

Though he stepped back saying details should be discussed with the imperial palace, they knew. Everything would go according to Ian’s intentions.

“I’m just informing you in advance that the main contract could be like this. Though much could change if His Highness the Crown Prince shows mercy. Next are matters regarding military alliance. Each country’s defined states of emergency are as follows. When foreign powers without permission…”

With each stroke of Ian’s pen, the king and prince only wet their dry lips. Finally, unable to bear it, Noah stopped him with his hand.

“Enough. Didn’t you say the main contract would be with the Crown Prince? Don’t discuss future matters, tell us what we’ll do with you now.”

Ian smiled and put down his pen. In that case, what he had to say was very simple.

“That Clifford will form a friendly alliance with Bariel.”

If this wasn’t fulfilled, problems would arise for the lives of Clifford’s king and prince. An alliance was a mutually agreed relationship. The absolute superior and subordinate would be determined during negotiations.

But if they refused the contract here…

They would be isolated among neighboring countries, and especially Bariel would secure justification through the jewel incident. During multi-national war, movements to take Clifford first could arise.

Refusal meant endless chaos. Noah stepped forward and pleaded again.

“Wouldn’t a contract with just me be enough? Father is Clifford’s king, so making it with the Crown Prince would be more appropriate.”

“No. Your Highness’s sense of responsibility is too strong.”

So strong that he could readily give his life. If they made the contract and he committed suicide, wouldn’t that be troublesome?

“But Clifford should gain something too. This is a contract, after all. If you swear to form a friendly alliance with Bariel, I promise absolute silence about the royal family’s curse.”

The king pondered briefly before nodding. Ian gracefully rolled up his sleeve and extended his hand, as if pleased with the decision.

“Would you entrust your hand to me?”

“Ah, will it hurt?”

“Of course not.”

WhiiineWhiiine

As Ian activated his magical power, bright light leaked from their clasped hands. Unlike the tense king, Ian kept smiling while patting the back of his hand. And just as he was about to activate the magic.

“…!”

Crash!

Tremendous pain rushed in as if thousands of needles were piercing his heart.

Ian unconsciously pushed away the king’s hand and collapsed forward. The shock throughout his body was so intense he could barely breathe.

“L-Lord Ian?”

“Huff, huff…”

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Outside! Is there no one outside?”

“Go call the mages! Why, why suddenly…”

Pain like all his internal organs were being torn apart.

As his consciousness grew distant, Ian realized the cause. That the illegitimate son Ian had already made a magic contract with someone else.

Story Arcs

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