Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 40

In Cheonrye, those who called themselves warriors were all galloping across the desert. With Kakantir at the forefront, a fierce sandstorm arose. Ian, too, closely pursued him with his hood drawn over his head.

Beric was

Uhe. Uhehehek.

Quiet. Shut your mouth.

Beric kept bursting into laughter, tightly stuck behind the warrior escorting Ian. He seemed pleased that they didnt leave him behind. Though he was wrapped in a cloth like a piece of luggage and secured with a rope.

Sir Ian, are you sure we can carry this?

What can we do? If we leave it behind, itll cause trouble.

What a madman. Even when told to rest, he refuses.

Is that called resting? Its called being ostracized!

Though Beric was miraculously able to lift his upper body, walking was too much for him. While everyone was debating whether it would be better to leave him, he made a bombshell declaration.

He would bite his tongue and die if left behind.

Though it was absurd, everyone felt that Beric might actually do it, so there was no choice.

Then will you participate in the battle? Youll only be hanging on to Kusilre and being carried around. Well, if an arrow comes flying, you can act as a shield.

Nope. I dont want to. I think this will heal in two days.

Youve lost your mind.

Really. I can feel it.

Ian, overhearing Berics conversation with the warrior, shook his head. Surely that guy, the magic swordsman, must have some hidden secrets. Even the Cheonrye tribe, who were known for their natural healing abilities, didnt show that level of recovery.

Ian kept an eye on Beric, and Beric, noticing this, chuckled smugly. He seemed to be in high spirits.

Clip, clop.

Kakan! Bariel is in sight!

Lets go!

One of the warriors ahead yelled. A small shrine, where they had made a friendly pact, began to appear. Upon Kakans call, they all increased Kusilres speed.

Hiing!

In a flash, they passed the shrine and two rocks considered as the border. Beric chewed on a leaf and shouted jubilantly.

Weve returned!

Happy, Beric?

Hell yeah! It feels so awesome!

The warriors all laughed together. Kakantir, who was glancing back, did the same. He gently pulled Kusilres reins to slow down. It was the agreed meeting place with Soo.

Everyone! Over here!

Soo!

Greeted by Soos appearance, everyone joyfully approached. She hugged her colleagues for a moment, then immediately briefed them on the situation.

The Bratz soldiers are quite useful. Despite losing ground, they utilized terrain well to hold back. Of course, thats all they have, so the tide inevitably turned. If they had abandoned the mansion and retreated into the forest, wouldnt that have been the end? They fought desperately, almost bursting with rage.

What about Dergha?

The most crucial point for the Cheonrye tribe. Kakantirs question, filled with anger, was met with a smile from Soo.

Hes still alive. The central army hasnt stopped pursuing, and it doesnt look like they plan to enter the mansion.

Good, Soo. Join us. Were heading into Bratz.

At Kakantirs command, everyone nodded. They galloped closer to the center of Bratz. The river cutting through Bratz was stained with blood, and unrecognizable corpses littered the surroundings.

And that wasnt all.

Fields awaiting autumn harvest were a mess, strewn with the debris of destroyed houses. Screams and wails mixed, creating the most horrifying sound a human could make. It was indiscernible where it was coming from.

Aaahhh!

Someone help me! Help!

Wait, wait! A thief! Thief!

You bastard! Give back my bread!

Thump! Whack!

Where swords sliced, the depths of humanity flowed. Stepping on someone else to survive seemed natural, and the weak oppressed the weak in a continuous chain of events.

Its more horrific than I thought.

Is it? I think its just as horrific as I thought.

At Kakantirs words, Ian replied. Though familiar to Ian, who had experienced countless wars, it was still unsettling. Even if it was an unavoidable part of historys flow.

Nersarn muttered as he gazed at the rising smoke in the distance.

This seems like a fatal blow to both sides.

Yes. Its exactly so.

The soldiers of the Central Army and Dergha. The best outcome for Ian and the Cheonrye tribe was for both forces to annihilate each other to the brink of collapse. Only then would the existence of the Cheonrye tribe become more prominent, and lend power to Ian.

Gasp! Look, look over there!

That was when it happened. The local civilians who were clearing the streets pointed and yelled. They had noticed the procession of the Cheonrye tribe.

Its the barbarians! The barbarians have invaded!

Oh, my God! Why, why this!

Everyone run! Run!

Aaah!

Everyone began to flee, holding their children. Some were so terrified that they gave up everything and simply prayed.

That was understandable, as the area was already devastated due to the battle with the Central Army. To make matters worse, now the barbarians were joining in. All that remained for them was despair.

You heartless creatures! You think this is the time to attack? You animal-like brutes! Get lost! I said go away!

Honey! Dont do that! Please!

Yeah, kill them! Kill them all! Lets see them judged by God! Kill them!

The Cheonrye tribe has invaded! Its the Cheonrye tribe!

Those bastards even rob banks; hurry, keep running! Run!

It was complete chaos. Kakantirs expression remained calm, but the warriors couldnt hide their discomfort. They were not here to help, but they werent exactly attacking either. They were slowly driving the Kusilre towards the mansion.

Uwahh!

Thump!

In the midst of the fleeing civilians, a child fell. The parents who had let go of the child were nowhere to be seen. Kakantir stopped the Kusilre and looked down at the child.

Sniffle.

The childs eyes welled up with tears, but as they quivered and sobbed, Kakantir simply looked down in silence. The fleeing civilians also watched the situation from a distance.

Theres a child in front. Drive the Kusilres carefully.

Yes, lord Kakantir.

Clopping.

There was no kindness in offering to help the child up or asking about their condition. However, they guided the Kusilre around the small child, leaving them unharmed. The child simply stared in shock.

Come on. Get up. The ground is cold.

Ian extended his hand as he passed by. The face under the hood was not that of a Cheonrye, but the familiar sight of blonde hair and green eyes. The child instinctively grabbed Ians hand.

Youre a good kid.

Ian carried the child and slowly drove the Kusilre. Then he gestured to the bewildered local civilians in the distance.

Come and take your child. Is the parent there?

I, I, I am! Im the father!

A father would not just stand there.

At Ians call, a man rushed over, trembling, and took the child. The glimpse of the face under the slightly lifted hood seemed familiar.

Young master Ian?

You know me?

I, Im the stable keeper. Dont you remember?

Ah, yes. You.

Ian couldnt remember the name but recognized the face. Covered in dirt and grime, he was hard to recognize. Ian patted the stable keepers shoulder and smiled.

Its been a while. Im glad youre alive.

Wha, whats going on?

Later. Im a little busy right now. Just tell your neighbors not to fear the Cheonrye tribe; were here to help Bratz. Now, take care.

Turning his head, Ian saw the Cheonrye tribe waiting for him, including Beric, who was bound and hanging in their midst. Ian drove the Kusile as if returning to his original spot.

Hey, hey, what did he say?

Do you know him?

Who? The one who went to the desert?

What did the young master say? Huh? He spoke for so long.

Everyone who had forgotten about the young masters existence gasped in realization. The stable keeper held his child tightly, following Ians disappearing figure with his eyes. Before crossing the desert, he had asked him to quit his job at the mansion as if knowing the future, had he not?

Its not just because of that, but

Anyway, those who left the mansion mostly avoided disaster, and those who remained were killed by the investigation team.

In a situation where the life and death of the countess and the young master were uncertain, the servants flimsy lives were so insignificant they were rolling on the ground.

They said the Cheonrye Tribe will help

The Cheonrye Tribe will help?

What?

The local people snorted with incredulous expressions, but no one dared to openly object because the reality was that desperate.

Where else was there a force that could stop the nation of Bariel and their own lord Dergha in this situation?

Get out of the way. You have nothing to do with this.

Charge, keep moving forward!

Its the barbarians! The barbarians have invaded!

Ah, those bastards keep calling us barbarians, barbarians. Cant we just kill them and go?

Kyaaa! Its the beastmen! Save me!

Shut up. Dont get distracted.

The mansion is in sight!

Meanwhile, the Cheonrye Tribe, which had been crossing the village, finally arrived at the Bratz mansion. Instead of the familys flag, the scorched flag of the investigation team was fluttering, clearly indicating who was the winner of the battle.

Hee-ying!

Kakantir pulled the reins of Kusile, stopping completely. The soldiers guarding the mansion hastily brandished their spears. Their helmets and armor were covered with blood, and there were no intact places.

Who, who are you?

Are you barbarians from the borderlands? How did you get here?

Crunch!

Looking lame as he hobbled and shouted. One of the worn-out warriors tried to draw his sword and step forward, but Ian stopped him and stepped forward with an apologetic look.

I am Ian, the second son of Count Bratz. This is the Cheonrye Tribe, the great warriors of the desert. We are not here to oppose you, so tell your master of our presence.

The soldiers paused at the sight of Ians blonde hair and green eyes. Clearly, those features belonged to a person from Bariel. Their eyes then shifted to the warriors standing firmly behind Ian.

They were beings that captured the wild essence of nature, with an untamable aura of predators. The soldiers muttered and hesitated.

Pl, please wait a mo, moment.

If told to back off, he seemed ready to squeeze his own head. The soldier staggered back and soon ran inside to report.

His remaining colleagues held their swords in an awkward stance.

Hee-ying!

Although they flinched at Kusilres cry and broke out in cold sweats, they still held their ground.