Chapter 553
In front of the infirmary where Jarrett and Beric were.
Jin immediately noticed the unusual commotion coming from inside. He waved aside the attendant who was about to announce his arrival and personally lifted the tent flap to step inside.
Could it be that the wounds were so severe they were having seizures? Or perhaps the anguished sighs of those watching over them? Jin held his breath cautiously, then raised an eyebrow.
“Wow, that dog really is ugly.”
“Beric, you hearing this? He says you’re ugly.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. He tells me that all the time.”
“No, seriously, what does this guy think of his own body? It’s a miracle any of his organs are still intact.”
“Maybe all that eating is his body’s way of compensating? His stomach’s probably like, ‘I can’t live like this,’ and keeps demanding more food.”
“Enough noise! Go somewhere else and talk!”
“Anyone ready to take over?”
“How long have we been at this? A little longer.”
“Ah, I’m really out of energy!”
Ziiing! Ziiing!
The mages were gathered in a circle around Beric, channeling their magic into him, while Ian tended to Jarrett’s side.
What about the other magic swordsmen?
“Please give me more food.”
“Yeah, burp. Still not enough.”
They, too, had taken Akorella’s magic recovery potion and were replenishing their strength with food. Fortunately, aside from these two, there didn’t seem to be any other serious injuries, and Jin let out an involuntary sigh of relief.
The first to notice the unfamiliar presence was Barsabe. She froze mid-bite, startled.
“Your Majesty!”
“What? Where?”
“Ahhh!”
“Cough, choke.”
“Idiot, just swallow it!”
When did he arrive?
Everyone was startled by Jin’s sudden appearance, unsure how to react. Ian greeted him with a hand on Jarrett’s abdomen.
“You’ve come, Your Majesty.”
“I’m here to check on Captain Jarrett and Beric’s condition. Everyone, focus on recovery.”
“S-sorry, Your Majesty.”
The magic swordsmen mumbled with mouths full of food. They’d hastily swallowed, but still, was this the proper decorum before the emperor?
Jin pulled a chair beside Ian and asked.
“So, are they both safe?”
“Yes, no threat to their lives.”
“And you?”
“I am also unharmed.”
“That’s a relief. Glad you all returned safely.”
Jin’s gaze settled on Jarrett, who lay weakly on the bed.
It was surprising. Somehow, he had always thought the captain was strong and steadfast, someone who wouldn’t fall like this. Or perhaps, knowing the consequences the defeat of the three captains had brought to the imperial palace during the late emperor’s crisis, he was afraid.
As Jin quietly observed Jarrett, Ian calmly added.
“Do not worry too much. The captain’s condition is thanks to Bariel’s fortune. It was divine intervention.”
Had the brainwashing not been lifted, Jarrett would have died rather than just be injured. Ian’s golden eyes looked him squarely in the face.
“And above all, there are many capable people to fill Jarrett’s place.”
There were the other two captains, Bonita and Simon, and though Beric was in this state now, he would show monstrous recovery.
Like the late emperor, Ian himself had faced the blades of the three captains, but Jin would not. The gods willed it, and he would prevent it.
“I’ve also been briefed on the Idgal situation.”
“Yes, I recalled it unintentionally.”
Though faint, the memory had cleared his mind like a revelation. Ian smiled softly, recalling the warmth.
“You can rest assured about the Idgal supply. There are no magic restrictions, and no issues with the body.”
At his words, the mages all flinched simultaneously. They wanted to caution restraint just in case, but it wasn’t the time to interrupt the emperor’s conversation. They all groaned quietly, nervously tugging at Beric’s hair.
“…Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Jarrett’s voice broke through. The entire imperial guard forgot their manners and rushed to support him.
“Captain! Are you coming to?”
“How do you feel? Can you tell us what happened?”
“If there’s any problem, speak up immediately, understood?”
“…You all, how rude.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Jarrett frowned and muttered, and the magic swordsmen stepped back. He turned his head toward Jin and sighed softly.
“Sorry to show you such a state, Your Majesty.”
“No, it’s fine. You came back alive, and that’s what matters.”
“Maybe I’m getting old. To think I got taken down by someone like Beric, ha ha.”
Jarrett’s eyes lingered briefly in the air. He moved his lips as if to say something, then stopped.
Though he said nothing, Ian and Jin sensed the emotions coloring his heart.
“Later, Jarrett.”
Jin took his hand gently and spoke quietly.
“Later, after the war. I will sincerely bless you when you step down as captain and start a new life. But not now. Right now, your presence is needed by everyone.”
“Yes, understood, Your Majesty.”
Jin conveyed this with his eyes, and Jarrett nodded.
Ian glanced sideways at Beric, who had fallen asleep with his mouth open. When the war ends, a new era will dawn for the imperial guard. He had known it would come someday, but seeing the prologue with his own eyes felt strange.
“Don’t say anything to Beric.”
Ian warned the mages and swordsmen around him. He might get too excited and cause trouble.
“Of course, yes, yes. That guy’s antics are always a headache. We’ll keep our mouths shut.”
“Sigh, this is our chance. Let’s train while Beric’s down. We need to break him. If he’s going to be like that, I’d rather be the one in his place.”
“You do it, I’ll back you up.”
“No, I will…”
The magic swordsmen glared at each other with mouths full of meat. Hierarchy mattered, but skill mattered more. As if on cue, they all started shoveling meat into their mouths like mad.
“Your Majesty.”
From outside came the voice of Minister Maxim Tweller. The squad organized around the spearmen was ready. Jin acknowledged and stood, motioning the mages and swordsmen to stay put.
“Rest well and recover your strength. We have little time before crossing the border.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jin smiled faintly and stepped outside. The mages and swordsmen all exhaled tensely and collapsed. They had been so startled by his sudden appearance!
Ian thought they seemed surprisingly relaxed for such a surprise but didn’t scold them. He gestured to Akorella to bring more recovery potions.
“Akorella, give a recovery potion to Captain Jarrett.”
“Yes, understood.”
She smiled brightly, and even while fetching the potion, her affectionate gaze remained fixed on Ian. Ever since he showed her how to create Idgal, she had been like this.
The mages eyed Akorella warily and subtly blocked Ian’s path.
“Captain, your eyes have gone off.”
“What? Why? I’m perfectly fine. Feeling great. So, could you please leave? I can’t see Ian’s face.”
“Just because you speak politely doesn’t mean your words are kind.”
“Hmph. Fine, fine. Ian, if Captain Jarrett drinks that, won’t he need less magic infusion? Want to come to the lab with me? I’m curious about something. Hoho.”
“No! Ian! Akorella, this is the weirdest I’ve seen her.”
“Uh-huh. Shut up, shut up. Everyone, shut your mouths! Haha!”
Akorella was in such a good mood she hummed a tune while collecting the potions.
Ian checked his pocket watch briefly, then stood as well.
“Captain Jarrett and Beric’s conditions have stabilized. Return to your posts and rest fully. You must recover your magic completely within a few days. Understood?”
“Yes, understood!”
“No problem!”
“Ian! Where are you going?”
“Hey, grab him! Grab the captain!”
Swish.
Ian lifted the tent flap and stepped outside.
Down the distant hill, at the camp entrance, two severed heads hung side by side. Thick, curly-haired Fdiram and his subordinate Beno.
They were the ones who had led the vanguard and tried to stop Bariel. Ian was informing the soldiers of their fate: death was inevitable, and worse, a humiliating end awaited them.
Clack! Clack!
“Line up!”
Ahead, a reconnaissance unit of five hundred spearmen prepared to depart. Their mission was to check if any monsters had slipped past the imperial guard in the northern region.
“Forward, march!”
Clack, clack! The steps were solemn but confident. Ian watched quietly, then sensed someone approaching. It was Chloe.
“Ah, my lady.”
“I heard you handled a big incident in the north.”
She wore simple clothes, no jewelry, but the fabric and her hair looked carefully tended.
Ian only nodded and turned his gaze back forward. Nothing was as magnificent and beautiful as the line of Bariel’s soldiers marching into the sunset.
“Is something the matter?”
“I’ll be sending a letter to the main household. If there’s anything you need, I’ll request additional support. Please don’t hesitate to let me know. And if you could arrange a private audience with His Majesty, that would be even better.”
Her responsibilities were limited to managing the personal supplies provided by House Davion. Ian paused for a moment, then spoke quietly.
“Miss Chloe.”
“Yes, Sir Ian.”
“Do you have feelings for His Majesty?”
The question came out of nowhere, but Chloe quickly composed herself and answered without hesitation.
“Of course. I admire him deeply.”
“I see. Understood. When the meeting is held, we’ll discuss the supplies. But, Miss, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“…What do you mean?”
Ian recalled the words Roel had whispered before the campaign.
“His Majesty’s bond will reveal itself as fate. On the battlefield.”
Chloe was, after all, participating in the war, so she was qualified in that sense. Still, Ian smiled politely and added,
“Connections happen naturally. It’s just a small piece of advice—not to overexert yourself. Well then.”
Ian turned away, leaving Chloe standing there. She kept brushing her fiery red hair back, her expression troubled.
“Connections happen naturally?” No. The heart may be guided by the gods, but the hand must reach out on its own.
Chloe lightly touched her cheeks, steeling herself. Nearby, Xiaoxi happened to pass by and took in the scene with her eyes.
A scorched world.
The once-green grass was burned to ash, and the air was thick with an indescribable stench of death. This was the mark left by Bariel’s first victory.
The soldiers marched slowly up the northern hill, then raised the towering imperial banner, stabbing it into the sky.
“Look at that.”
“Wow, no way. Are those all jewels?”
“Did the mage create them?”
Between the wide cracks in the earth, massive amber gems had solidified. The soldiers couldn’t take their eyes off them as they walked, marveling at the monsters preserved alive inside.
A commotion broke out in the distance.
“Ahhh!”
“Captain Akorella! Captain! Wait!”
“Please, let’s keep some dignity!”
At the noisy voices, Berrick’s eyes snapped open. He sat up abruptly, forgetting even the hole in his torso.
Inside the carriage, Ian glanced sideways from across the table where he’d been reviewing documents.
“You’re awake.”
“Ian! What the hell!”
“What else? They moved you near the Rajasan area and then brought you back up.”
“And the old man?”
“The carriage behind.”
Thank goodness. He’s not dead.
Berrick lay back down, staring slowly at the wavering sky. Maybe it was the long sleep, but everything felt distant, like a dream.
Then, a soldier’s shout came from outside.
“We’re crossing the border!”
“We’ve left Bariel behind! Stay sharp!”
Oh, hell yeah. Berrick whistled and rubbed his belly. The wound was healing nicely after all.