Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor -
Chapter 55
“Sir Ian has come, claiming his rights, carrying the members of the Cheonrye tribe. He’s occupying the territory under the pretext of the tribe’s alliance with Bratz… I’m at a loss as to what to do.”
Molrin clenched his teeth tightly. Originally, he had no reason to be involved in this matter. Wasn’t it a simple and clear plan for Erica to tidy up the territory and have the mercenaries move in?
However, the lordship appointment was indefinitely postponed, and Ian, who should have been in the desert, was brazenly present.
‘By now, the letter should have reached Erica.’
It was unsettling that the 1st Prince Mariv was playing tricks with him. Molrin suspected Ian had some sort of strategy and was on his way to personally punish him.
Since Dergha’s blood flows in him, it’s fitting to make him a slave. Even if he’s exceptional, if he misbehaves without knowing his place, he should be made to understand the consequences.
‘I don’t know why the Cheonrye tribe is siding with Ian, but he’s not worth it.’
How far had his sweet tongue charmed the beast tribes? Does his mother know he’s alive? Or is it because of his lowly origin?
Molrin continued to grind his teeth, flashing a sharp gaze, unaware that his letter had crossed paths with Erica’s.
Clatter, clatter—
“We’re almost there,” said the coachman.
Romandro brought his face close to the window. Far away, he saw a building presumed to be the Bratz mansion. It looked too peaceful to believe that a battle had occurred less than a month ago.
“More lively than I thought.”
“That’s true.”
Filled with hope, Romandro mumbled. With this atmosphere, they might be able to return to the capital much faster than expected. He reminded Molrin of his position.
“As an advisor, is there anything about the former Bratz territory’s customs that I should be cautious of?”
“Well, let’s see. They are barbaric and coarse as they are at the border with the barbarians. Also, it’s a barren land, and food is always scarce,” Molrin muttered, lost in fragments of memory. His displeasure was evident, and his words were far from courteous.
“Halt! Identify yourselves!”
The carriage came to a stop at the entrance to the territory. The coachman informed the gatekeeper that they had come from the imperial palace, and the gate opened as if they had been waiting.
Creak.
As they drove through the town, Romandro rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. Aren’t there people dressed in exotic clothing blending in right now?
“Not Bariel people, but foreigners? Who else could be here other than the barbarian tribes at the border?”
“That, that, isn’t that the Cheonrye tribe?”
“Yes. It seems the Cheonrye tribe is stationed here.”
“What! Shouldn’t we be notified about this? I never received such a report!”
Romandro was agitated, but Molrin remained calm. It was a matter of time; they just needed to resolve it before Mariv found out.
“Where are the investigation team and the central army…?”
“It seems we’ve arrived at the mansion.”
“Sh, should I open the door?”
As Romandro firmly gripped the carriage door, the coachman asked, puzzled. The door opened just a crack, and Romandro found himself facing a young man.
“You are…?”
“Ian Bratz,” Molrin answered, opening the door wide, muttering each word as if chewing them.
“The descendant of Dergha.”
“Greetings, Sir Molrin. Oh, Sir Mac and Sir D’gor are also with you. I was quite disappointed that you returned to the central without a proper goodbye last time.”
Ian raised his hand to his chest, giving a formal greeting, and then corrected himself.
“Be cautious. No one here uses the name ‘Bratz.'”
Molrin frowned as if displeased, but Romandro felt a sense of relief. At least there was someone who maintained some formality among the barbarians, and he seemed to hold a somewhat important position among them.
“The distance is long, so the timing for letters must have been significantly off. Please come in. I’ll explain everything.”
“Hmm. In that case…”
Ian took the lead in guiding the guests. The mansion, quieter with fewer people, still maintained its warm atmosphere. Ian, Romandro, and the group with Molrin entered the reception room.
Thud thud
“Lord Kakantir, guests have arrived from the palace.”
“You’ve come a long way.”
“Ah. Yes. So…”
“This is Chieftain Kakantir of the Cheonrye tribe, and his younger brother, Nersarn.”
Romandro casually shook hands with them, but Molrin threw himself onto the sofa without replying. It was audacious enough that these marginalized nobodies were in the same room as central government officials.
Romandro had crossed many wars and borders, so he didn’t have much of an aversion to differences in social standing.
“Bratz and the Cheonrye tribe are friendly neighbors. When I was in the desert, I heard news of a difficult battle in the territory. The Cheonryeo tribe stepped in to honor their obligation, and we learned of the crimes of the former Count of Bratz.”
While he was explaining this to Romandro, Ian’s gaze was fixed on Molrin as if to suggest that he should pay close attention.
“Though his punishment was inevitable, the suffering of the territory is another matter, isn’t it? The investigation team could only fulfill their mission, so there was no authority to rectify the situation. Therefore, the Cheonrye tribe helped as neighbors.”
“Indeed… it’s certainly far from the central regions. Such details are not in the reports.”
“Is that so? I thought Commander Erica would have reported this important matter right away.”
“Ah. Commander Erica is…”
“She has acquired information that Dergha’s wife and son have fled, and is in pursuit.”
Clank
At that moment, Molrin took out a document from his belongings. It was an order directing Ian’s disposal. It was not stamped by the emperor but issued by the responsible department.
“Aren’t you also a child of Dergha? Why did Commander Erica leave you untouched? By empire’s law, you should have been reduced to slavery. And yet here you are, treated hospitably. Unless the commander is out of her mind, there’s no other way to interpret this except that you used force.”
Ian glanced at the order and casually tossed it onto the table. Seeing this, Mac and D’gor automatically furrowed their brows.
“I am one who has crossed the border. While my heart is in Bariel, officially, I reside in the desert. If you intend to execute me, I have no choice but to return to the desert.”
“Return? At whose discretion?”
“At the discretion of the master of the desert. Life in the territory has somewhat stabilized, and the Cheonrye tribe is gradually returning to their base, leaving behind only a minimum number of people.”
A minimum number of people—for what exactly? It was the manpower needed to bring Ian safely into their area.
“If you’re going to follow, you could reach there in no more than three days. But the desert isn’t a place for those who’ve only seen it in pictures to follow.”
“Look, there’s no need to make decisions hastily.”
Romandro then intervened between them. With Commander Erica absent, they needed the assistance of Romandro, acting as an advisor, to manage the territory. And above all, he didn’t know what Molrin’s intentions were, so it was wise to oppose for now.
‘His Highness 1st Prince Mariv advised me to be wary of Molrin. A person like Ian, whom Molrin is wary of, must have some uses.’
“If the advisor says so.”
Ian smiled lightly and gave a slight bow. In this group, the pivot was undeniably Romandro—an acknowledgement that moved the conversation along.
“I have been looking forward to the reconstruction experts you said would be sent from the palace.”
“From what I saw on the way, the situation is better than I thought.”
“Everyone rallied with hope and prevailed.”
“Listen, Sir Romandro!”
Kwaang!
Unable to contain his anger, Molrin slammed the table. At that moment, Ian realized that Molrin and Romandro stood on opposite sides.
“Is this a matter to be calmly discussed right now? Just bringing the Cheonrye tribe into Bariel is grounds for rebellion! How could you think of leaving the territory under the influence of foreigners, let alone a barbaric tribe?”
“Rebellion, you say?”
At Molrin’s words, Ian burst into a stifled laugh. Though he didn’t say it aloud, he sent a look that said, ‘Aren’t you all the ones preparing for treason?’
Romondro interrupted.
“People live and die. What does it matter if we receive aid from the Cheonrye tribe or not? There should be no issue.”
“What the advisor says is correct. Let me reiterate, the Cheonrye tribe were allies with the previous Count Bratz. Offering goodwill due to a friendly relationship is not something to criticize. It would be a clear diplomatic faux pas.”
At Ian’s words, the two men turned their attention to Kakantir. His expression didn’t change, but it was clear that he was uncomfortable. Romondro hesitated before speaking again.
“Uh, well, thank you for your help.”
“But may I ask, are you, Romondro, the next lordship candidate?”
Ian’s question prompted him to shake his head. He then took out a sealed letter he’d been holding onto for a month. It was a letter of appointment with the Assembly’s seal.
“The main mission is territory reconstruction. Including winning public sentiment, the goal is to match last year’s tax amount by this winter. I anticipated difficulty, but it now seems possible.”
Winning public sentiment.
It was clear that the palace recognized the unique circumstances of this remote area. If this area had been closer to the capital, they would have immediately appointed someone competent, public sentiment be damned.
The key was to console the people with the perception of being citizens of Bariel since they couldn’t immediately suppress foreign invasions or revolts.
‘Mariv has put off the lordship appointment, and Gale has sent Molrin…’
Pretending to be ignorant, Ian asked, “Is this the will of His Highness 1st Prince?”
“Oh. How did you know? It seems 1st Prince Mariv has a great interest in this place.”
1st Prince Mariv; a mountain 2nd Prince Gale must climb.
For Ian, this was truly fortunate. After all, all forces must be balanced for harmony.
“Indeed. It’s an honor. I had sincerely hoped that the palace’s grace would descend to this place. We will wholeheartedly assist you, Sir Romondro.”
“No.”
The immediate negation came from Molrin.
Seeing that Ian was no slouch in cunning, it was important to drive Ian out, even if it made territory management a bit more difficult. Wasn’t that necessary for Erica to return?
“Ian. If you wish to remain in Bariel, you must follow Bariel’s laws. Even if you return to the desert right now, I must follow the national laws scrupulously.”
“Sir Molrin.”
“Sir Romondro! You do your job! I will do mine!”
Ian folded his arms and firmly closed his mouth. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he smiled.
“It would be problematic if I returned to the desert.”
“Kakantir, was it? I will certainly report the aid from the Cheonrye tribe to the palace. Don’t fall for the cunning schemes of this wretched bastard and back off. As Romondro said, the reconstruction is mostly complete! There’s no reason for you all to stay any longer…!”
Molrin’s excited words were abruptly cut off. It was because he met eyes with Ian sitting across from him.
Zing.
A golden hue slowly spread from his pupils. Ian unfolded his arms and reiterated.
“I’ve told you clearly that it would be problematic if I returned to the desert.”
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