Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 98

The vigor of the Monne Coal Mine was half dead.

The main reason was the miners had all set down their picks during the summers turmoil in the domain. They went down to the villages to protect their families and secure food, and before they knew it, winter had arrived.

Although working in the winter was easier than in summer, there was no need to return as the storehouses were full thanks to Grulas rations.

Coal revenue isnt that significant, and mining only depletes the resource. Its better to hold onto it and exert strength at the right time.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The carriage rattled harshly as it was night. Mae, sitting quietly beside Ian, tilted her head, seemingly wondering why she had to be in this carriage.

Im sorry. But I cant follow you, nor communicate with you. Ill send you off at the mine.

If he let her fly from the mansion, hed undoubtedly lose track of her. The pocket watch showed that it had been an hour since departure. It seemed about time to arrive

Creak.

Ian-nim, from here, the road is too rough for the wheels. Its dangerous. We need to walk up.

Is that so? Understood.

As Ians carriage stopped, the soldiers following him also stopped and dismounted their horses. While everyone was preparing lanterns, Ian released his warriors hawk into the sky.

Lets hurry. We just need to follow the hawk.

Into the forest! Follow me!

Stay close to the lanterns!

It was a strange commotion in the moonlit night. Fortunately, the sky was cloudless, so it wasnt pitch black. Ian and the soldiers followed a path that existed in form only.

Is that the coal mine over there?

Yes, it seems we have arrived.

Ah, there!

Whistle!

A figure standing at the entrance of the mine whistled, stretching out his arm. The hawk, soaring in the sky, gently landed, spreading its wings.

Ian-nim, youve arrived.

Wheres Beric?

Ian looked around for Beric first. None of the other warriors were visible. It seemed urgent, but the expression of the warrior who came to greet him was simply astonished, nothing more or less.

Hes inside, busy hammering away

Hammering? At what? A knight?

Im not sure either. Youll understand when you see.

As they entered, the air quality noticeably changed. Ian covered his lower face with his sleeve and followed the warrior.

Have you been here before? Its my first time.

Ive only heard reports. This is my first time inside too.

He was surprised at how spacious the mine was. The ceiling seemed high compared to similar-sized mines. It looked like there wouldnt be any problem for the workers to move around.

But why are they doing that inside? If it gets too hot, it could be dangerous. Given Berics temperament, Im worried he might even bring down the ceiling of the mine.

Ians playful question made the warrior laugh heartily. The sound of laughter echoing through the mine relieved the following soldiers. Entering the mine at night was no ordinary feat, filled with dread. At least now, they felt reassured that they wouldnt meet their end.

As they moved further in, where the cold winter wind was no longer felt, the warrior pointed towards one side.

Here it is.

The entrance was as narrow as a dog hole. It looked more like a crack formed by a collapsed wall than a normal passage.

Boom! Bang!

Clang!

Haa, haa

Beric. Stop it and come out. Let me try.

Ah, seriously! What is this!

Come out, will you? It seems like you exert more force when youre shouting and pulling.

Conversations between Beric and another warrior he was with echoed from inside.

The light was so dim it seemed like it might go out any moment. They must have come in with just one emergency lantern.

Beric.

Ah! Ian!

Clang!

Beric was striking at something with his sword. As the soldier holding the lantern moved forward, Ian grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

Ian-nim?

Give the lantern to me and the warrior, and the rest of you go back and guard the entrance of the mine.

Beric must be just a bit further inside. It seemed right to send the soldiers back in case of any unforeseen situations. They wouldnt be much help if something went wrong.

Uh, okay, understood.

Although the situation didnt seem dangerous from the sound of their voices, the order was sudden. However, the air was foul and smoky, so the soldiers werent exactly reluctant to leave.

Hey, lets start heading back, from the rear!

Leaving? Really?

Its an order! Hurry up, move!

The soldiers retraced their steps back the way they came, while Ian and the warrior ventured deeper.

Thump, thump.

Ian felt his heart beating. It wasnt a physical reaction from tension, but a kind of external stimulation from a strong magical force.

It doesnt make sense. Why would I feel such energy here.

Clang! Clang!

Argh! Damn it!

The sword will break at this rate, Beric.

Oh? Ian!

What Beric was striking with his sword was a semi-transparent, glowing purple object. It appeared to have a liquid nature due to the bubbles inside, but the sword couldnt make even a scratch on it.

Ian, what is this?

You think I know everything, dont you?

So, do you know or not?

I do.

The lower half of a man, who seemed to be the leader of Merellofs Three Knights, was half-engulfed inside it. Judging by the lack of wounds, it was clear that the cause of death was related to this strange ore.

It appears to be a type of Magic Stone.

Couldnt Beric sense the magical energy? Ian held the lantern up to Berics face, but couldnt tell if his flushed cheeks were from the exertion of wielding his sword or something else.

Magic Stone?

Remember the brooch we used in Bratz? Like that, its a type of ore that resonates with magic and possesses special abilities.

But this isnt just a stone. There are bubbles inside it.

What we see isnt everything. We would know more if we could cut it open, but anyway, its definitely a Magic Stone.

There are many types of Magic Stones. From the Sealing Stones that sealed Emperor Ians power, to those capable of recording voice or tracking location, creating extra-dimensional spaces for storage, or even enhancing magical waves. Like the endless possibilities of magic, so were the varieties of Magic Stones.

How did the knight end up like this?

Ian gestured for Beric to stop and back off, indicating that enough damage had been done to the Magic Stone. Beric, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead, answered.

We pursued him here. The hawk is really good at tracking prey. The trail broke off midway, so I thought he might have hidden here, and sure enough

Was he still alive when you found him?

Yeah. At first, I thought he was unconscious, but he died quickly.

So, we dont know how he got stuck in it.

There are traces of something having flowed down below. It seems like this was liquid before and solidified due to some stimulus.

As Beric crouched down and murmured, Ian pulled his neck back and lightly flicked his head.

Thwack!

Ouch!

Stop pretending it hurts. You all are fearless. What if you had ended up engulfed like that man?

Come on. Its so hard.

It could suddenly melt and engulf you, or keep emerging from somewhere. Tsk tsk. Anyway

As Ian turned sharply, the warriors awkwardly averted their eyes. He wondered how they could all be so similarly reckless and fearless.

You will report this to Lord Nersarn.

Ah, Ian-nim. We did say we should go back. It was Beric who was stubborn and wouldnt budge.

Beric rubbed his forehead, frowning.

But if thats a Magic Stone, its worth a lot, right?

Its priceless.

So if more keep appearing, this mine is a jackpot?

We need to investigate

Ians response trailed off. To assess the extent and probability of Magic Stone deposits, assistance from the Department of Magic was essential.

Which meant, only the Department of Magic could estimate the extent of the Magic Stone deposits.

Ian?

Ian felt like he had been hit on the back of his head as he looked at the Magic Stone with the knights corpse embedded in it.

Right. Somehow it makes sense.

What does? What does?

Were going back to the mansion immediately. Close the mine. Dont let anyone in and seal the entrance completely.

What about the body?

Theres nothing we can do for now. We need to return.

Ian turned swiftly, indicating they should hurry. Beric, who had been crouching, looked bewildered, glancing between Ian and the knights corpse. But soon, he lit the way for Ian and the other warriors.

Are you scared all of a sudden?

One of Prince Gales main supporters is Minister Wesleigh of the Magic Department, isnt it? Somehow, it all makes sense now! I had a feeling they were overly interested in this region among many others, and now I know why!

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

They knew. Or at least, they had a strong suspicion. They targeted the Bratz domain, presumably guessing the presence of Magic Stones in the vicinity. The stakes were too high for them to ignore.

It all makes sense now.

The conditions couldnt have been more perfect for them. The accumulated forces due to the bordering barbarians, the needed intervention of the royal palace under the guise of peace, Derghas tax evasion, and the Magic Stones buried nearby!

It also explained their desperation to save Molrin. With Bratzs value being so high, losing Molrin, who was in charge of the area, was not an option for them.

Return to the mansion! Close this place immediately, and some stay back to inform the miners nearby about the situation.

Ian shouted as they left the mine shaft. There was a temporary residence not far away, where miners who had moved away from the village were living.

The guards, who had been chatting in groups, were startled into action.

Yes, understood!

Its dark and difficult, but lets move quickly.

Ah, yes, yes. Please, get on.

The quiet forest suddenly became bustling. The lantern lights, which had been concentrated in one place, scattered in different directions. Ian, his mind clouded with complex thoughts, pressed his forehead. Beric, sitting opposite him, glanced at him slyly.

Thinking hard?

About what?

The swordplay.

Never mind. But didnt you feel the magic? I sensed it as soon as we entered.

Huh? No, I was fine.

Even as a magic swordsman, his essence was that of a warrior. Plus, there were still immature aspects to his abilities, so it made sense.

Creak.

They arrived back at the mansion, having ridden as fast as they came. Hanah, who hadnt gone to bed, welcomed Ian. She handed him his outerwear and asked.

Will you be heading to the bath? Lord Romanndro is still in the office, though he did doze off after having some soup earlier.

No. Im going to the basement.

The basement?

It was a path long untraveled. Ian, without hesitation, descended the basement stairs and soon stood in front of the dungeon at the end of the corridor.

Open it.

Click.

The dungeon, always lit by lantern light due to its lack of windows, buzzed with sudden activity as Mack and Dgor jolted awake. Molrin was sitting on the sofa, reading a book.

Whats going on?

Macks face was marked with confusion. Their continued existence in this state had been due to Ians indecision on how to deal with Molrin and his company.

Sir Molrin, a letter has arrived from the imperial palace.

Dont you dare touch the teacher! You brute!

It was regarding the disposition of sir Molrin.

Ian stared intently at him, tossing out a lie. The elderly mans eyes, usually pale, seemed to shine with a particularly ashen hue.

What does it say?

It said that since youll soon be moved to the capital, I should make arrangements.

Molrin calmly fiddled with his book, seemingly deep in thought. While one could never truly know whats in anothers heart, Ian felt he could read Molrins expression.

Impossible.

That attitude of utter disbelief.

Ian was certain.

Molrin knew the true nature of the Magic Stone.

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