Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 132

It is truly a meaningful honor for Beric that the Captain of the Guard personally requests a match, Ian remarked.

At his words, Captain Jeirutt lightly bowed his head in courtesy. Beric wiped his bloodied palm on his outer garment, then extended it to Jeirutt.

Hehe. Then shall we have a round? Hmm?

Perhaps it was because he took the praise at face value. He seemed genuinely delighted. Or it could be that he was satisfied with turning the man he had picked a fight with into minced meat. Jeirutt merely glanced down at Berics hand with a stiff expression, not shaking it.

You wont shake hands?

Do you permit the match? Baron Ian Hielo.

Ian gazed down at him, his chin lightly resting on his hand. Wasnt there murderous intent in his expression? Unlike starting with a bare-handed match, he was gripping the sword hilt as if he had made up his mind.

Hes trying to kill him.

The reason this fellow was acting this way was misunderstanding stemming from Petreio, just as it had been with Barsabe. They seemed to be similar in age to Petreio, and as a former deputy commander, they must have been comrades-in-arms for quite a long time.

Old man, you lack manners. I held out my hand!

Beric flailed his hand, throwing a fit in irritation. His impudent attitude and choice of words He needed to be put in his place at least once. Just like in the desert, after experiencing an intense crisis, Beric would grow a step further.

Moreover, if he realized there were numerous skilled people above him, wouldnt he learn humility and manners firsthand?

Very well. However, I have a condition.

Condition?

Jeirutt frowned deeply. There was nothing more dishonorable than betting on a match. But Ian, as if reading his thoughts, gently added.

Its not a bet, but do you perhaps want it?

How could that be.

Its clear that theres a definite difference in skill between you and my swordsman, so whoever wants it can end the match.

Ian No, Master! What difference in skill!

How about it, will you accept in the name of the Captain of the Guard?

Although Beric was raving like crazy below, Ian lightly ignored him. Unlike in the desert, there was no one here who could stop Beric even if he was panting for breath. So he had no choice but to use a trick in advance. Jeirutt stared at Ian with a calm gaze, then soon nodded.

Alright.

Ill just cut off that impudent fellows tongue first, Jeirutt vowed as he tried to draw his sword. However, when Beric, tired of waiting, pounced on him with his bare hands, he reflexively caught his fist.

Thud!

Oho, Old  man! Good reaction.

Huh?

Beric tried to pull his hand out, but it didnt budge at all. Jeirutts grip strength was tightening more and more. It was as if he would crush Berics hand itself. The flustered Beric flailed and threw a punch with his other fist.

Thud!

Let go! Wont you let go?

Dont act up.

But in the end, he ended up with both hands caught. Along with the cracking sound of bones twisting, Beric screamed.

Aaargh! Crazy!

When having a match, basic manners and respect are fundamental. Your reckless behavior is no different from a beast.

Bullshit. Get lost!

Crack!

Beric immediately changed the direction of the force trying to pull away and got close to Jeirutts neck. And without hesitation, he bit as if to tear off the flesh. The usually unflappable Jeirutt was startled and let go of Berics hands.

Did he just bite Captain Jeirutts neck? Really?

Wow, that bastard is insane. Hes the real deal.

He looked a bit rough, but that was a good move. If not, he wouldnt have been able to free his hands at all. They wouldve been crushed and he wouldnt even be able to hold a sword, right?

Heavens. Not all street rats are like that, right? It would be tricky to face him in real combat.

Now there was no one in the training grounds who wasnt paying attention to them. A match between the Captain of the Guard and the escort of Viscount Ian Hielo! Where else could you find such a spectacle? While Jeirutt rubbed his neck, Beric laughed and touched his lips.

Aha. As expected, the captain is different. I was really surprised!

Your actions are exactly like a stray dog.

Yes, thanks for the compliment!

Beric shook off his hands and pounced again. If there was one thing he was quick to learn about combat, it was his fighting instincts. In a short moment, through a brief clash, he realized how he should deal with Jeirutt.

If I get caught, Im screwed! Then I just need to not get caught! Good!

Beric focused his attacks on the lower body rather than the upper body. Lowering his body as much as possible and digging in from below made it difficult for Jeirutt to grab him one-sidedly like before.

Hes more clever than I thought.

Thud! Thud!

Jeirutt effortlessly received the attacks while observing his opponent. It could be called a kind of occupational habit. The habitual analysis that developed while leading subordinates.

Hes also vulgar but has innate talent. His strength and speed are impeccable. Above all, he has excellent guts. This is something thats hard to gain even through training.

Then suddenly, Petreios face came to mind. Right. Even if its a waste, this fellow

Lets stop now.

Huh?

Beric, who had been kicking with gusto, faltered. He thought he hadnt given an opening to attack, but with a single word from Jeirutt, it felt like the flow was changing. Upon realizing it, it was as if he was in the palm of his hand.

Bam!

Kwang!

At the same time, Jeirutts fist, like a boulder, slammed into Berics face. Along with the pain that felt like his skull would shatter, his vision turned pitch black. He felt his body floating up, and then the world turned upside down.

Damn, shit.

He was knocked down in one hit. Beric wiped the blood flowing from his nose and made a shocked expression. In all his life, this was the first time he had encountered such a fast and strong fist. It was incomparable to the Cheonryeo Clan.

Wow, he took a solid hit but didnt lose consciousness.

Isnt he unconscious with his eyes open? Or maybe it grazed him.

No, his body flew, so how could it have grazed him.

Gasp. That, that, bastard. Hes getting up.

The feeling of the world spinning. Beric staggered to his feet and started giggling. Ian was quietly watching that sight while leaning on the railing.

Ahaha. Haha. Wow, old man, youre really

Bam! Thud!

Before he could even finish his words, Jeirutts merciless attacks poured down. Jeirutt grabbed Berics neck with his left hand and pressed his solar plexus with one foot. Every time his right hand struck Berics face, blunt blood splattered up.

Sir Ian, isnt it okay to stop that? In a little while, hell stop breathing, you know? Ah, no matter how much hes worth just the price of meat dishes, he seems like a waste. Ahem.

Unable to watch any longer, Mallon sneakily glanced at Ian. But Ian, who had seen Berics lowest in the desert, knew that he hadnt been driven to the edge yet.

Iaaaan!

Beric, who had been beaten to a pulp, called out to Ian, wheezing. It was a gap where he had barely blocked one of Jeirutts attacks with both fists. At his voice that sounded like it would tear, everyone in the training grounds held their breath. It was like the scream of someone on the verge of death.

I, Ill kill this bastard!

Yeah. Do as you wish.

Uwaaaaah!

Ziiing!

Bang! Boom!

As soon as Ian gave permission, Beric opened up his magical power. In an instant, blade-like winds swirled around. Captain Jeirutt and the Imperial Palace guards were startled and hesitated.

A swordmage?

Thud!

Beric barely shook off Jeirutt with the power of his magic and panted while lowering his body. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The eyes of a predator whose pride had been wounded.

Ah, shit! That really f*cking hurts.

Whats going on? Is he a swordmage?

Why! Are you going to beat me less because Im a swordmage? Dont look down on me, damn it! I just got hit a total of forty-five times, you know? Ill return it right back. Wow, this is fun after a long time! Right? Its fun! Ahahaha!

Tap tap tap! Thud!

His movements were incomparable to before. The spectators could barely follow his afterimages and gauge his trajectory, and Jeirutt, who was facing him, constantly retreated backward to gain distance. Wherever Beric stepped, an explosive flow of energy erupted.

Ziiing!

Die!

Ugh!

Boom!

Jeirutt, who caught Berics fist, unconsciously let out a groan. The level was different. No matter how much it was the power of magic, wasnt this the level of being reborn? And he was rampaging and pouncing as if he had lost his mind

Damn it.

Ziiing.

Captain!

The captain is using magical power!

No way!

Jeirutt also opened up his magical power. The guards who were watching covered their mouths in disbelief. It was something that would only happen in battles against magic beasts for him to open up his magical power.

Everyone was so shocked and astonished that they couldnt utter a word. In the vast training grounds, only the shouts of Beric and Jeirutt resounded fiercely.

This bastard

Thud!

It felt like fighting a beast with his bare hands. Jeirutt pushed Beric far away, then drew his sword. A cold energy as chilling as the frost of midwinter spread along the swords trajectory.

In the end, you bring this upon yourself.

Aha. Using swords? Good, good.

Swish.

Beric also drew his sword with a grin. His red eyes glowing with magical power gave the illusion that lava was boiling in them.

I only cut chest hair earlier. Didnt get to see how well flesh gets sliced. Ah, Im so excited!

Crazy bastard. Youre out of your mind.

Didnt you know? You cant live in this world in your right mind!

Ziiing! Zing!

Crackle!

The sword reacting to Berics magical power ignited with a purple glow. In an instant, a hot heat filled the surroundings, and a thick smoke that seemed to invade even the lungs settled.

Small sparks flashing in the smoke. As it was a sword never seen or heard of before, Jeirutt faltered.

What in the world is that sword?

I dont know either! I picked it up on the way!

Beric!

Huh?

The moment he was about to swing his sword with all his might and charge in, Ian shouted loudly. Then Beric reflexively stopped and looked back.

Didnt I tell you not to put magical power into the sword?

Aaah. Right. But cant you let it slide just once?

No.

At least until the identity of the sword was revealed.

While Beric looked back and pleaded, Ian and Jeirutt exchanged glances secretly.

No, since I dont know what it is, let me just swing it first and-

Bam!

Jeirutt thought this was the moment and immediately struck Berics neck. As he had even wrapped magical power around his fist, an ordinary persons neck bones might have been broken.

Ugh!

But who was the opponent? Beric just let out a short scream and fainted on the spot. At the same time, the sword that had been reacting to the magical power also returned to its original black color.

An awkward silence filled the training grounds. The guards all rushed over to check on their captains well-being.

Captain. Are you al- alright?

What should we do with this bastard? Should we arrest him?

Wasnt it a match? What arrest?

Oh no, Captain. Youre bleeding!

Barsabe hurriedly took out a handkerchief and supported the captains neck. And very softly, as if reciting, she muttered.

Captain. And Ill tell you this while treating you. I, I already received my fathers keepsake.

At the unexpected words, Jeirutts eyes widened. But it didnt seem like a conversation to have here, true to her word. He left the training grounds while receiving concerns from his subordinates, and Ian also came down to the first floor.

Beric. Are you alright?

Mmm

Tsk tsk.

And he squatted down and touched Berics forehead. Just like in the desert, wasnt magical power the best for restoring stamina?

Ziiing.

As Ians eyes turned into golden pupils, Berics furrowed brows gradually relaxed bit by bit. Mallon, who had followed him down, couldnt even step on the floor stained with blood.

Is, is he dead?

No. Hes not someone who dies easily.

That, that sword earlier, what is it?

Ian also shrugged as if he didnt know well either. The heat from earlier was gone without a trace, and only the coldly cooled sword was lying on the floor.

Meanwhile, at Romandros residence.

Lady Viviana, who had been spending a peaceful time embroidering, felt a presence outside. Minnie was the same. She ran out in a hurry and opened the door, and wasnt it a postman standing there?

Hello. Is this the residence of Sir Romandro?

Yes, it is. Is there mail?

Yes. Its from Mayor Karenna, can I deliver it here? The recipient is listed as Sir Ian.

Yes, yes. Sir Ian is staying here. Please give it to me.

Please sign here

Minnie received the letter and firmly stamped the residence managers seal. It was quite a thick letter. Bibianna put down her embroidery and asked.

Minnie. What letter is it?

The postman said its from Mayor Karenna.

Lets see.

Unlike the illiterate Minnie, Viviana could read the words written on the envelope.

Bandit interrogation report?