Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 281
Chapter 281
Jeirutt lightly vaulted over the railing to descend to the lower floor. Despite the height of several meters, his movements were light and precise. Imperial Guard members gradually gathered behind him. Each individual was imposing on their own, but collectively in their uniforms, they were overwhelming.
Naturally, all eyes were drawn to them. This was such a natural flow of the scene that no one found it strange. Not even those conducting the examination.
“That’s one of the Three Great Captains, right?”
“Aren’t we continuing the exam? He’ll be disqualified.”
“Come on, just wait a moment. Everyone’s stopped, haven’t they? Do you know how rare it is to see something like this? We might only see it during monster battles, if we’re lucky.”
“If we’re lucky? What if we’re unlucky?”
“If we’re unlucky, we die as soon as we join the battle.”
Whisper whisper, the murmurs grew louder. Isn’t the position of the Three Great Captains an honor bestowed upon the strongest in the empire? Even the battles of ordinary mage-knights were eye-catching, so how much more impressive would a captain be? The anticipation was hard to contain.
“Beric.”
“Why are you calling me? I won’t go easy on you even if you ask.”
Jeirutt rolled up his sleeves as he took off his uniform jacket. The way he rolled up each sleeve of his shirt was not just neat, but almost reverent. Though Beric was a ruffian, he was still an outside participant. Showing courtesy was the proper conduct for a host.
“I will go easy on you if you ask. Rein in your recklessness a bit, and try not to risk your life. Remember that you’ve only recently risen from your sickbed.”
“Ugh. What’s with the concern.”
Beric waved his hand as if gagging. It was clearly a rejection and mockery. The Imperial Guard members frowned and were about to snap at him, but Jeirutt raised his hand to stop them.
“Were you so angry about being pitted against Xiaoshi?”
“Yeah! It felt like shit!”
“Do you know why I did that, and why you did it?”
“Don’t know. What good would knowing do? It’s already happened.”
Ziiiing! Ziiiing!
Swoosh!
Beric raised his black sword as he dramatically increased his magical power. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as his red hair began to flutter.
Perhaps due to his slightly visible canines.
He looked like a demon born from a pit of fire.
“Beric, move back further! There’s no protective barrier there!”
“Damn it, is he even listening? Has he lost his mind? Expand the barrier!”
“L-Lord Ian!”
The mages watching from above shouted in panic. Some quickly turned their heads towards Ian, as if asking him to stop Beric.
But it was too late. Beric leapt into the air, swinging his sword. Once again, he shouted his determination.
“I’ll be the captain-!”
Bang! Kwaaang!
It happened in an instant. Jeirutt grabbed Beric’s face, released his magical power, and threw him backwards simultaneously.
Beric, propelled by the explosion, tumbled and crashed into the protective barrier wall. A small cloud of dust rose. Jeirutt slowly walked towards him.
“This is supposed to be an exam. I’d appreciate it if you followed the procedures, Participant Beric. Do not attack outside the boundaries, and unlike the duels so far, there are no restrictions on weapons. You can also forfeit, and if you become unable to fight, I’ll stop the exam at my discretion.”
“Yeah. Mumbling to yourself. I can’t hear a thing.”
As Beric stood up, dusting off his clothes, an Imperial Guard member behind him couldn’t hold back and berated him. Wasn’t this behavior beyond insolent and bordering on brazen? It was utterly intolerable.
“Shut up! How dare you keep trying to climb above your station, not knowing your place? You don’t even understand the dignity of the captain’s title, you ignorant fool!”
“Ignorant? If I’m ignorant, then you’re a blockhead.”
“W-what? B-block?”
To think he’d hear such words from Beric! Romandro and Jin burst out laughing simultaneously. That man probably doesn’t know. He has no idea how great an insult he just received in return.
Beric pointed his sword at the Imperial Guard and shouted.
“You should be cheering for me! Think about it! If the old geezer dies here, the captain position becomes vacant, right? Then three people can rise instead of two! Ah, you idiots, do I have to spell everything out for you? Tsk tsk.”
A miraculous twist of logic. The Imperial Guard members gaped in shock. His way of thinking was truly unique. Judging by his performance, he’d likely join the Imperial Guard, but do they really have to accept someone like him as a colleague?
The Imperial Guard members all looked at Jeirutt at once. Their expressions of disgust were identical.
“This won’t do. He’s insane. That’s grounds for disqualification.”
“Captain, please teach that bastard a lesson!”
“Yes, nothing else is needed. Just beat him half to death so he can’t join. I’ll work twice as hard to make up for his share. If possible, I’ll even give up my salary. I’m serious.”
Beric whistled and winked at the members. He gave two or three consecutive winks especially to the one who said he’d give up his salary.
“I’ll remember you well. When I become captain, you’ll work for free. I’ll use that money to buy meat.”
Peeeeep!
The whistle blew piercingly. As if trying to cut off Beric’s words. It was Romandro’s action, judging that further argument wouldn’t help either side with so many watching.
Beric said he’d been waiting, gripped his sword again, and charged at Jeirutt.
Tap tap tap!
“You know what?”
“……”
“The more holes in my belly, the stronger I get!?”
Kwaaaang! Bang!
Ziiing!
Once again, Beric’s attack stopped in mid-air. It was because Jeirutt had summoned his own sword.
The lightning seen in the Chetur district bloomed again from all directions. Flashing streams of light swirled and gathered in his hand, quickly taking the form of a sword.
Magical power dripping down.
The drops that touched the ground bounced up sporadically.
Crackle! Sizzle!
“Beric. Close your mouth. You’ll bite your tongue.”
“The old geezer should be careful! Popcorn!”
Jeirutt knows Beric well. Not just his skills, but his personality too. A spirit that won’t be trampled even when stepped on, won’t bend even when broken, and the talent to back it up.
He was certainly talented. The fact that Jeirutt unleashed his magical power without hesitation was indirect proof of his acknowledgment of Beric.
Kwaaaang! Bang!
Clang! Cheng!
Every time their swords clashed, it felt like heaven and earth were shaking. The transparent walls of the protective barrier vibrated, creating waves.
Those watching from up close gradually stepped back. They thought they might die if the barrier broke.
“A-amazing.”
“The weight is different. It’s, it’s clearly different.”
How is it that while they’re making the impact sounds, a deep resonance forms in our hearts? The spectators watched their exchanges without even blinking.
The inside was like a different world. Explosions of light and flame bloomed, and smoke obscured the view. The figures of the two appeared and disappeared intermittently.
Beric blocks, then Jeirutt blocks, Beric attacks, Jeirutt attacks…
“Romandro. I can’t keep up.”
“I-I can’t either, Your Highness.”
It’s exhausting just trying to follow with our eyes. Yet they’re exchanging blows multiple times in the blink of an eye. It’s a connection of sword to sword without any excess. In a way, it could be seen as a form of art.
‘No, damn it. How the hell is he enduring this?’
Barsabe leaned her elbows on the railing and held her forehead. Hasn’t it been a minute already? Having dueled with Jeirutt several times, she knew how long that time felt.
She had barely managed to receive attacks while running away, but Beric was even launching effective counterattacks.
Ah, how could this be.
“Damn. What the hell is that bastard?”
“Captain! Don’t go easy on him! You mustn’t!”
“He’s much lighter than when he first entered the palace. Is he really the type that gets stronger when he gets holes in his belly?”
“When he was injured, all the mages gathered to pour magic into him. That’s why, why are you seriously believing such nonsense?”
The fellow Imperial Guard members seemed to be wavering too. In hand-to-hand combat, weight class inevitably plays a big role, but hadn’t Beric already recorded a high rank among them? It was enough to bring a subtle tension to those who had been complacent about the top 10.
Kwaaaang! Bang!
That’s when it happened. Beric’s body flew out of the smoke and crashed into the barrier. Whether he was cut or not, he was tightly clutching his side where blood was gushing out. Blood trickled down, soaking the floor.
“…Ah, shit.”
“Beric!”
“Oh no, you fool! Your belly will split open again!”
Jin and Romandro, noticing his injury, clung to the railing and shouted. But Beric only frowned, glaring into the smoke.
Damn that old geezer. If he was this strong in his old age, who knows how much stronger he was when he was young.
Swoosh.
Jeirutt appeared from the smoke. He walked steadily and stood in front of Beric.
“…!”
“Captain!”
His left arm, the white shirt was soaked in blood. That wasn’t Beric’s blood.
“Just forfeit now, Beric.”
“Bullshit. Don’t look down on me.”
Do you want to take this to the end?
Jeirutt clenched his fist and exhaled roughly. Though he was trying to maintain his composure, it was clearly taxing. Beric was unpredictable yet reckless, quick, and on top of that, had good stamina.
Swish!
Jeirutt raised his sword as if cracking a whip.
An attack swung down with all his might. Beric barely avoided it by rolling to the side, but the relentless pressure made him feel dizzy. A trail of blood smeared on the floor following his movements.
“Ah, shit!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Every time Beric exerted force, blood gushed from his side. At this rate, he might end up rolling around the Ministry of Magic corridor for a while again. Just as Romandro was about to intervene and call for a stop—
Swoosh!
“Urgh!”
The sword Beric swung properly cut Jeirutt’s chin and ear. Not missing the chance as his opponent stepped back in surprise—
“Huh?”
“What’s he doing?”
Beric also stepped back. Then he quickly looked up, glancing around, and upon spotting Ian, he jumped up.
Everyone watched curiously, wondering what on earth he was trying to do.
“Ian!”
“…Beric?”
Beric clung to the railing and stretched his other hand towards Ian. And very boldly—
“Give me some magic power.”
Was he actually asking for magical power? The Imperial Guard members were shocked and collectively protested. They even rushed forward as if to pull him down immediately.
“That’s cheating! You, you coward!”
“Come down! Leaving the arena means disqualification!”
“Hey, disqualify him already! What are you all doing?”
But Beric just picked his ear, pretending not to hear. If anything, he just sniffled as if ignoring them.
“Hey, blockheads.”
“B-block!? Block again? You bastard!”
“Didn’t you hear what the old geezer said earlier? Don’t attack from outside the arena, right? I’m staying perfectly still. And he said to use any weapon we want without restrictions, right?”
“How is supplying magic power a weapon?”
“If it’s not a weapon, is it meat? Even a stick rolling on the ground becomes a weapon when you fight with it. If you’re jealous, you do it too.”
If only they could.
Beric gestured for Ian to come closer. If he enters the Imperial Guard, or even more so if he takes the captain position, there’s no need to mention how much Ian’s influence would grow. That’s tantamount to expanding the Ministry of Magic’s power.
In this situation, what mage would breathe magic power into the Imperial Guard?
“Ian, hurry. My side hurts.”
“Beric.”
“Come on. Hurry up. I’m dying here. The old geezer is surprisingly spry for his age.”
Even mimicking a solemn tone. Ian smiled wryly and shook his head. As if thinking he’s utterly incorrigible.
Swoosh.
Ian approached Beric and grabbed his arm. The mages nearby also followed, flustered.
“Lord Ian. Is, is this okay?”
“It doesn’t violate the rules.”
“No, that’s not what I mean…”
This action not only announces to the world that Beric, who will enter the Imperial Guard, is Ian’s subordinate, but also reaffirms it.
Moreover, it’s tantamount to a declaration of war, saying he’ll plant his influence in the Imperial Guard while risking controversy over preferential treatment.
Even though the Ministry of Magic has been drawing attention lately…
Ziiing. Ziing.
Ian resolutely activated his magic and transferred it to Beric. His golden eyes shone as his hair fluttered slightly. This wasn’t just for Beric’s victory. It was a fuse to provoke a check.
“Go, Beric.”
“It feels good eating this after so long!”
Whoosh!
Beric jumped down with a satisfied grin. He could see the top of Jeirutt’s head as he wiped away blood. Jeirutt reflexively raised his right hand to deflect the attack, but he could clearly feel that something was different.
Crackle! Boom!
Jeirutt’s lightning-like magic sword was broken and shattered. Through the sparkling sparks, Jeirutt and Beric’s gazes locked. Beric grinned and winked.
“Old geezer. I told you clearly earlier. I won’t go easy on you.”