Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 108: Formatting

Brrr, its cold.

Beric barely stopped his body from shivering violently as he muttered. Riding out so boldly on horseback had seemed nice, but the winter night winds were more vicious than he expected. It probably wouldnt have been this bad if they had walked instead.

If we catch those bastards who stole our stuff, Im gonna beat them to a pulp. Brrr. If we had a carriage, huh? Then it wouldnt be this frickin cold!

If we had a carriage, we wouldnt have come out here in the first place.

Ah, right.

Beric sniffed his running nose again and again, as if he hadnt considered that. Ian looked around the intersection where they had left the carriage. The only thing illuminating the surroundings was the bright moonlight.

Beric. Where did you first see that dog?

Just up that way a bit. I went over there to take a leak. Oh yeah, why didnt we bring a lantern?

At his words, Ian blinked as if to say, what are you worried about when you have a mage with you?

Zzziing.

Dont let go and stay close. Its dark.

You can even do things like that?

Its basic skills. Condensing mana and holding it.

Wow, then why the hell have you been using a lantern all this time?!

When theres a lantern, you use the lantern. I thought you were only weak to heat, but it turns out youre also weak to cold judging by all the useless chatter.

With the condensed mana, Ian walked ahead to light the way. Wherever his footsteps landed, a bright light lingered for a moment before disappearing. The slumbering forest was silent, without even the usual sounds of frogs.

Here! This is the place.

Hmm.

Once they arrived at the familiar location, Beric brought both hands to his mouth and shouted.

You damn mutt! Come out here! I gotta talk to ya about earlier!

But all that returned was a powerless echo. Ian looked down at the other side of the slope they had climbed and gestured.

Looks like we should head into the village.

The village? Yeah, lets get out of this wind.

A small deer trail directly connected to the village. If the dog was staying in the village, it could have come up this way without taking the carriage road. Ian headed down without hesitation, and Beric quickly stuck to him as well.

Swish.

As they entered the village, Ian and Beric held their breath for a moment at the strange atmosphere. It felt like even the slightest stir of activity might awaken the villagers at any moment.

Despite looking abandoned for a long time, the village was oddly well-maintained.

Didnt you say no one lives here anymore?

Yes. It was left as is since demolition is difficult. By the way, why are you speaking so softly?

Dunno. Feels like were trespassing or something.

The Department of Magic had declared the cause of the mass deaths here as food poisoning. Perhaps that was why there were no signs of battle or assault damage anywhere in the village.

Beric.

Hmm?

After circling about half the village, Ian stopped in front of a tiered cottage. It was a cozy little house that gave off a lovely vibe. Ian cocked his head towards it.

Go inside and take a look.

Me? Go inside there?

Who else?

Well, hes not wrong. Gotta check it out if something seems fishy.

Gripping his sword, Beric entered the yard. As he grabbed the doorknob, he looked back at Ian.

But why this place specifically? Can I at least get a reason?

Ian elegantly cocked his head and looked down at Berics feet. There was an additional small door that would allow animals to freely come and go.

This is the first house that has an animal door.

Okay, I get it. Just the right size for that mutt. Should I open it?

Best to be cautious. Could be suspicious.

Creak!

Despite Ians warning, Beric threw the door wide open with all his might. He stuck his sword forward and took a guard stance, but it was empty as a mirror.

Theres nothing here?

Lets take a look. Might find something if we search around.

Beric plopped down on the sofa and glanced around the interior. There was no dust, but it was certainly clean. Then he suddenly noticed a photo hanging on the wall an old white-haired man and a young boy with light blue hair, smiling brightly.

Ian, look at this. Seems to be the people who lived here.

Ian narrowed his eyes and frowned. Aside from the unusual light blue hair, werent the ears oddly not pointy? Based on their clothing and overall looks

You fiends!

Wahhh!

At the sudden strange yet familiar voice, Beric was so shocked he shrieked and leapt to his feet. Ian calmly turned around. A single dog sat dignified before them.

How rude to trespass into anothers home!

Can you try making some sound before showing up out of nowhere?

Such impudence from intrusive rogues!

Ian noticed the voice was somewhat high-pitched. Placing the photo back on the table, he called to the dog.

Are you the guardian spirit of this place? The people in this photo seem to be the owners. They look quite lovely.

The dog kept a stern expression and did not budge. But he couldnt hide his wagging tail.

Please accept my apology for the discourtesy earlier today.

Im the one who got bitten, why are you apologizing?

Didnt you ask for some time to talk earlier? Perhaps you have a request? I also have something to ask you. I believe this could be a meaningful time for both of us.

Ian casually ignored Berics words and made a proposal. As the dog who had been silently listening slowly moved, his shadow stretched in the moonlight.

Human shadow.

Though in the form of a dog, the shadow was human.

Ian realized things were becoming more complicated than he had thought. It meant there was a soul residing within this creature rather than it being a spirit itself or simple magic cast on a dog.

First, I must ask. What business do you have with the Department of Magic?

Hostile feelings could be sensed in the tone as the Department of Magic was mentioned. Before Beric could say anything, Ian took the lead in responding.

I am a mage, but not affiliated with them. Rather, I walk a different path from theirs, you could say.

The dogs eyes narrowed, seemingly bothered by the fact Ian was a mage. So Ian intentionally showed the photo again to bring back the topic.

Were your masters perhaps from Astana by any chance?

When hostility was overt, it was important to find cracks. He hadnt missed how the tail wagged earlier when the owners were brought up.

You know of Astana!?

When Astana itself was directly referenced, the dogs eyes widened. He seemed surprised that someone in Baryel knew of Astana.

Yes. Seeing the light blue hair and clothing, I could guess. Rumors of its beauty made me want to visit at least once.

The tail wagged even more furiously.

Looks like he wont be too difficult to handle.

Is it true that those who live in the seemingly endless abyss known as the edge of the world are more carefree than the clouds and more natural than the winds?

Its true! You do know some things!

Unable to conceal his excitement, the dog bounced up and down repeatedly. Before he knew it, he had leapt onto Ians lap. Ian firmly held the dogs body and smiled thinly.

And your people inherit beast mastery as a tradition.

Ah.

Lets talk in more detail. Im Ian, and this is Beric.

Unsure of how to properly handshake a dog, Ian ended up taking his front paw and shaking it lightly. He had worried the dog might dislike it, but surprisingly, the courteous gesture seemed to satisfy him.

Hasharan Togundai. Call me Hasha.

Nice to meet you, Hasha. Let me ask first. Why did you guess I was associated with the Department of Magic? Did you see me using magic?

Yes. Through the eyes of the undead.

As I thought, that was yours. So are you a bandit then?

Nonsense!

So then your masters a bandit?

Its not! The boy in the photo is me!

Looking again at Berics photo, he slowly dragged out the dogs cheeks in disbelief.

Then why are you talking like some old geezer? How old even are you? Like ten?

Unhand me! Do you count and log every day you live!?

This punks crazy. Little f*cker. Remember when you bit me earlier? Come here. You got four legs so Ill let three go for now. Got it?

Beric. Time flows differently in Astana. With average lifespans of 300 years, his appearance should make him around 30 years old.

At Ians words, Beric immediately stopped pulling the dogs cheeks. The dog growled resentfully, baring his fangs, and once more bit down on Berics knuckles.

Thwack!

Owww sh*t!

As you can see, my fangs match even a tigers!

Ian barely managed to separate the two rowdy beasts and immediately switched topics.

So then Hasha, how did someone from Astana end up all the way here? And whats with your current form?

Hearing the questions, Hashas growls quieted down. As if recollecting his memories in detail, the black pupils shimmered in the moonlight. Looks like it would be quite a long story.

Its because of that Wesleigh.

Lady Wesleigh of the Department of Magic?

The name undoubtedly belonged to the lover of 2nd Prince Gale and current head of the Department of Magic. Surprised by the sudden yet clear reference, Ian couldnt hide his shock.

An invitation for cultural and academic exchange came to Astana. My grandma led the greatest faction in Astana, and we came to Bariel by royal decree. At first, everything was so novel and fun. I knew buildings could be as tall as the sheer cliffs, and sounds could be drowned by the winds howling along the rocks.

But the enjoyment did not last long.

It was because Wesleigh suggested trying beast mastery on a living person. She kept insisting on something that could never happen to my grandma.

I still dont get it. Explain, Ian or dog boy.

Beric flicked his ears and asked, seemingly hearing words like beast mastery and undead for the first time in his life. Organizing his thoughts, Ian mumbled.

The principle is that it should only be used on corpses. Using it on the living risks not just their life but defies the order of things, so who knows what might happen.

It lays the cornerstone of misfortune and becomes the source of ruin. Ahem! Unlike other shamans, my grandmother was wise.

When Wesleigh made her unreasonable suggestion, it was as if they had fled. I dont know why they came to the provinces instead of returning to Astana, but they must have had their reasons.

Stroking the scruff of Hashas neck, Ian asked,

I see. So thats generally why youre here. When you mentioned other shamans, you meant Wesleigh is still researching beast mastery?

Those obsessed with it have always brought bloodshed and war.

Quite perceptive. Since she was preparing a rebellion, it aligned reasonably well with my guess. But in the history of Bariel I remember, there were no records detailing the use of undead in Gales rebellion specifically.

So what happened afterwards then?

At Ians question, the swaying tail abruptly stopped. He clearly recalled that day when all the villagers started dying.

Wesleigh eventually found us.

From the brief response, Ian could infer a lot. Traces of the past flickered in Hashas glittering eyes.

And in the end, she confirmed what happens when beast mastery is used on the living. Im the evidence.

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