Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor-Chapter 324

All the mages summoned by Ian had gathered.

In their light attire, they kept examining the ground so intently that from afar, they might have been mistaken for researchers checking experiment results. Some crossed their arms, others rested hands on their hips, while several clicked their tongues while repeatedly running fingers through their hair.

“Strange. The location points south correctly, but we can’t pinpoint the exact spot.”

“Could the final formula be wrong?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe the line above it.”

“Let’s try once more, then call Lord Ian if it doesn’t work.”

The mages turned their heads to look toward the garden entrance. Ian was discussing something with officials from other departments, and the meeting was dragging on. Just when it seemed about to end, someone from another department would arrive – at this rate, they might not even be able to leave today.

“Other departments. They were like this the day before his holiday too.”

When news first came that Ian was taking his first holiday, the mages had hugged each other and cheered. Though it was only two days, what did that matter?

The excited anticipation of Ian’s departure lasted only briefly. Other departments visited with urgent work as if their feet were on fire. Even for just two days, Ian’s absence would cause disruption in the Imperial Palace.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

“How long is this field work supposed to be?”

“Don’t know. It says allowance undetermined.”

No one had heard whether it would take hours or more than a day. A mage tossed a staff to Felix with a nod.

“Felix. Take care of the rest. I’m dying here.”

“Just drew a magic formation, what’s the big deal.”

“But you’ve looked unwell for a while now. What’s wrong?”

As Felix turned away saying not to worry, his eyes met Ian’s approaching gaze. He slowly placed his hand on his hip and examined the magic formation. Like a teacher checking homework and students, a strange silence fell between them.

Ian read through the formulas with just his eyes, seemingly performing mental calculations.

“Well done.”

Tick tock tick tock. Though it was a very brief moment, it felt like several minutes. The mages exhaled in relief and started chattering about details.

“Whew, thank goodness. But Lord Ian, the location setting isn’t working properly. No matter what we try, we can’t get close to the southern border. It’s like there’s a magnetic field – whenever we try to pinpoint that spot, we get pushed away.” Ꞧ₳𐌽Ɵ𝐛ЁŜ

“How far?”

“About five kilometers from Border Guard Post Four in the south.”

Resting his chin in thought, Ian seemed to realize something. But before giving the answer, he probed subtly around – or more precisely, at Felix before him.

“Any guesses why?”

If Felix had contacted Clifford during his break, he would have used similar transportation magic. Ian wanted to confirm if similar anomalies had occurred then.

But Felix just scratched his head with a simple smile.

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Me neither. This is my first time seeing something like this. There might be answers in previous records, but we don’t have time to check.”

Ian took a staff from a nearby mage and refined the magic formation precisely. Rustle, light flickered along the smoothly drawn lines.

“Recently, there was a report of magical anomaly reactions from the south bordering Clifford. I suspect that’s the cause.”

“How high were the readings?”

“About three times normal levels.”

“That is definitely unusual. That level could certainly cause problems with magic formations.”

“We should adjust the position as close as possible and start activating it soon. Felix.”

Ian clicked his pocket watch and beckoned to Felix. Beric and Barsabe would arrive soon. Better to start infusing magical power gradually.

“M-me first?”

“Keep going until I tell you to stop.”

The mages exchanged glances and stepped back. Why was Lord Ian doing this? Even if Felix was in good condition, starting alone was inefficient.

Recognizing he couldn’t back down, Felix released his magical power.

Zing. Ziing.

The palm touching the magic formation glowed brightly. The light spread slowly like watercolors, soon filling everything around. Huge patterns spanning several meters in width and length.

Felix’s chest rose and fell increasingly higher. Evidence he was taking deep breaths.

“Huff…”

Don’t show it, they might get suspicious.

Felix had resolved this as soon as he started, but before long he staggered. Only the bare minimum of magical power remained in him now. How could traveling between the center and border be easy?

Felix awkwardly glanced at Ian, but he was just staring at his watch. Like a child curious when someone holding their breath underwater would surface.

Zing. Ziing.

No order to stop came. Though he was starting to feel his limits, Ian remained detached as if it wasn’t his concern. Even the watching mages started murmuring first.

“Felix doesn’t look good.”

“That’s why he should eat properly.”

“Lord Ian, should I take over next?”

Someone volunteered, but Ian just raised his hand to stop them. A clear signal not to step forward. Felix finally collapsed, supporting himself with both hands on the ground while panting.

“Continue, Felix.”

But Ian showed no mercy. The order to keep inputting magical power, to offer everything he had, wasn’t withdrawn. Finally, blood burst from Felix’s nose.

“Felix!”

“Lord Ian, Felix’s condition-“

“Not normal indeed.”

Ian murmured while stopping his stopwatch. Even setting aside his poor physical condition, this was an abnormal result. It meant Felix had almost no magical power left in his body.

“Everyone input magical power simultaneously now. We’ll depart as soon as Beric and Barsabe arrive.”

“Is Felix coming too? In this condition?”

“He seems to have reached his limit. Even if he goes, I’m not sure he can be deployed for work.”

“Felix, what did you do to get like this? Indigestion aside, having blood rush to your head means you’re almost out of magical power, right?”

Though colleagues asked with concern, Ian seemed rather satisfied. The subtle smile on his lips showed as much.

“Get ready.”

A firm decision to take Felix along. How satisfying that the traitor had become unable to use even a single bit of magical power.

In the distance, Beric and Barsabe appeared with Romandro. Beric waved while carrying a backpack almost as big as himself.

“Iaaan!”

“What’s that behind you?”

“This? Lunch boxes. I asked for extra since I heard the border area is barren.”

Too much. As Ian smiled with furrowed brows, Romandro approached and whispered. He kept watching the back of Felix’s head warily.

“Ian. Everything’s ready. Once you take Felix, we’ll start searching right away.”

“Thoroughly.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. We’ll shake out even a single coin under the bed. Leave this to us, and return safely.”

One reason for removing Felix from the center was for the search. They might find clues about who connected him with Melania, or what he was hiding, and furthermore about the Clifford issue.

“Well then, shall we depart?”

“Understood, Felix, step back.”

“I’ll take the left side. You go to the right.”

“Lord Ian. We’re starting.”

Zing. Ziing.

Whoosh!

The magic formation that had barely responded to the tantalizing magical power. When the mages and Ian joined in, the sky split. A sharp and elegant curve appeared as if cut by a sword. The framework of the portal.

“Wow, it’s been a while.”

Beric made a shade with his hand and looked up. Though much smaller than during the civil war, it was still amazing.

“The black moon isn’t a pleasant memory for imperial citizens, so hurry.”

Flash!

When the black moon appeared, hadn’t the Imperial Palace faced unprecedented lockdown? The darkness deepened at Ian’s urging. A complete moon.

“We’re off, Lord Romandro!”

“Take good care of Lord Ian, don’t cause trouble, don’t get hurt, okay? Listen well, please! Don’t act up!”

“Ahaha! What’s that about, am I a child?”

“You’re worse than a child!”

Beric ignored Romandro’s concerns and clung to the mages, who groaned while pushing away his bag with their knees.

“Why did you bring such a heavy thing?”

“What do you mean ‘such a thing’? Apologize to the lunch boxes! Now!”

Led by Ian, the mages leaped up. Slowly rising figures. Romandro couldn’t help but gape in admiration. Through the falling sunlight, they looked like benevolent deities.

Romandro’s farewell wishing them a safe journey clung persistently. Until everyone disappeared into the portal.

“Right! I was curious! They say the Cheonrye people felt really weird riding this.”

Darkness where surroundings couldn’t be distinguished. Beric kept jumping and rolling around in fascination. Like travelers following the North Star, the group moved forward using only the faint light visible in the distance as their guide.

“Ugh…”

“Felix, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just support me a little.”

Stumbling along, Felix asked a colleague for help. Except for earlier, Ian hadn’t checked on Felix even once. The mage whispered to Felix with an utterly confused expression.

“You did something wrong to Lord Ian, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“Lord Ian wouldn’t act like this otherwise. Be honest. What did you do wrong? If it’s something I can help with, I will.”

Felix hesitated with an incredulous expression. Objectively speaking, wasn’t Ian’s treatment too harsh? His subordinate bled from unreasonable orders, and he forced through the schedule without any consideration for physical condition.

Yet here they were asking what he had done wrong. Felix frowned while continuously wiping his nose.

‘This isn’t what I wanted.’

To be honest, he had complied with the orders to evoke colleagues’ sympathy and create discord in the investigation team. No matter the superior’s orders, magical power was an extremely personal force. He could have stopped if he wanted.

“Felix?”

The colleague asked again while examining his complexion.

Can’t be helped if this is the situation. After composing his expression, Felix murmured pitifully.

“Then please help me with that…”

“Iaaan! Look, I can see it clearly!”

Thanks to Beric’s booming shout drowning out their already quiet voices, he could convey it secretly. Barsabe narrowed her eyes while adjusting her sword.

“Could that be the Clifford delegation?”

Judging by the location, the portal’s entrance must be in the sky. The vast land, thick weeds, and barren roads were visible at a glance. Above all, there were Clifford’s carriages they’d seen several times before.

“Seems we got the position right?”

“Indeed. Looks like Clifford has almost reached the border. We’re lucky.”

The mages brightened and patted each other’s shoulders.

But something was strange.

“…Are the carriages getting faster?”

“…Huh? What?”

The large carriages that had been rattling along suddenly picked up speed and began racing at full force. Ian rushed past the mages who had stopped in confusion.

“Hurry.”

“What?”

“Since they’ve also detected the portal-“

Clatter clatter!

“They’re trying to quickly cross the border.”

They too started running after Ian. When they threw themselves forward with all their might, tremendous wind greeted them. The group falling like they were flying in.

May of Clifford confirmed this through a telescope and shouted.

“Kyaaah! That’s right! That’s it! Your Highness, it’s magic! Mages came out of a black circle! This is crazy. Why are those bastards coming from there, damn! Let’s just go home, shit!”

“Hurry!”

At May’s scream and Noah’s added command, the drivers’ whips cracked in succession.

Clatter clatter!

Neeeigh!

“Increase the carriages’ speed further! We must reach the border in one go!”