"Fucking hell... he’s not just mad, he’s goddamn filthy mad."
Erica couldn’t help herself. She lit another cigarette, the cherry glowing like a malevolent eye in the dim light.
But even as the nicotine hit her system, her mind was already racing, calculating. This situation was spiraling out of control. Bringing the Cheon-Ryeo tribe here? It was a blatant threat. A promise of violence if things didn’t go their way. Unlike the Central Army, battered and half-broken from the battle, the Cheon-Ryeo warriors were fresh, eager, their bloodlust a palpable thing in the air.
’Worst of all, the bastard’s got a legitimate claim, except for his shit bloodline.’
Just beyond the mansion gates, the screams of the territory’s people echoed, a chorus of curses against the Central Army. Though it was Derga’s soldiers who had t them, to the citizens, they were family, friends, neighbors.
’There will be backlash. Resentnt. But if a true descendant of the Bratz bloodline takes the lead, it will be easier to control. And most importantly, the borderland barbarians, the goddamn Cheon-Ryeo, are backing him... Fuck.’
Her head throbbed. If the Central Army received reinforcents, they could undoubtedly crush the Cheon-Ryeo and secure a complete victory in Bratz. But would Erica and her unit be there to savor that victory? Or would they be conveniently forgotten, footnotes in a glorious history, their sacrifices reduced to a faded morial plaque?
Erica’s lips twisted into a snarl.
"...The appointnt of a lord is the Emperor’s prerogative."
"I am aware. Until the Emperor’s decree, no one has the authority."
No one has it, and everyone has it. Erica could claim it, but so could Ian. She ground her teeth on the cigarette, glaring at Kakantir. He continued, calmly laying out Ian’s supposed necessity.
"Ian was born and raised in the Bratz territory. He will be invaluable in its reconstruction. Without Ian, the Cheon-Ryeo will not grant priority negotiation rights to any other faction in Barielle. For peace, a period of mutual understanding is needed."
This was practically a declaration of severed ties. And that was not far from a declaration of war. Coming from the mouth of the Cheon-Ryeo chieftain, the words carried significant weight.
"You’re protecting him. Fucking hell."
"Is it true what Lord Ian said? That you’re from the commoner stock?"
"Shut your mouth, you borderland savage..."
Kakantir’s eyes turned glacial, his gaze piercing Erica. But she held her ground, chin held high. She had clawed her way up from the gutter to get here. Now, with her life’s ambition, becoming a lord, within reach, she wasn’t about to let it be snatched away.
"...Just so you know, killing is the sa as declaring war on Barielle. You know that, right?"
"Oho. Thank you for informing . I almost had your throat slit just now."
"Ghk..."
Crunch.
Kakantir pressed his foot down on the neck of a fallen soldier, a cruel smile playing on his lips. The soldier instinctively gasped for air, his body trembling. Erica felt a cold sweat trickle down her back.
"Alright. I get what you want."
Erica, feigning a step back, crossed her arms and changed the subject. She was the intended successor of this territory from the mont Molin had recomnded her for the position of investigator. Her na was likely already inscribed on the very lord appointnt letter Ian was after. There was no way she could back down now.
"But I have yet to secure Derga, Lady Mary, and Chell. I also have a duty to apprehend the soldiers who resisted and uphold the Emperor’s authority."
"A righteous statent."
"I cannot leave the mansion until my mission is complete. If you truly wish to alleviate Bratz’s suffering, then do as you see fit. But I hope you act solely for peace. Otherwise, the Emperor’s sword will fly here from the center."
Until the ssage arrived from the Center confirming Erica’s appointnt as the lord. She just needed to hold out until then. Once she had the authority, she would crush these arrogant bastards and their insolent mouths.
"Very well. Then we shall assist in capturing Derga."
Ian nodded, satisfied with the eting. He had successfully wedged his foot in the door. As Erica said, capturing Derga and the mansion’s key figures would give the Central Army a reason to remain stationed here.
’Could they be planning to rescue Derga?’
Erica narrowed her eyes, a sudden suspicion rising. She flicked away her half-burnt cigarette and signaled to her subordinates.
"If you try anything, you’d better be prepared for the consequences."
"Erica, it seems you and Lord Molin are not as close as I thought?"
"What?"
"I’m saying this because you seem to misunderstand my relationship with Derga. You don’t have to worry about that. I will bring Derga to you and prove it. Prove how sincere I am to the Center."
This mont was crucial for Ian to solidify his position. He was of Derga’s blood, but he vehently denied him. He had laid the groundwork with the report he had given to Molin, and now he needed to build upon it.
"Ha. Bring Derga to ? Try it if you can. Even the Central Army is struggling to track him in the mountains."
As the situation seed to settle, Kakantir adjusted his clothes and turned. With a voice dripping with laughter, he declared:
"Hunting is our specialty. You just stay here and tend to that woman."
Kakantir gestured to Erica’s subordinate with a broken neck. Ian, following the Cheon-Ryeo, gave a slight nod.
"Then. I will see you soon."
Slam!
As soon as the door closed, Erica spat out her cigarette and rushed to her subordinate, her teeth grinding.
"Get a ssenger bird! Now!"
"Yes, Erica."
Her subordinates moved quickly at their leader’s sharp command. They needed to send an urgent ssage to the Center. The only thing that could protect Erica here was the lord appointnt right, sealed with the Emperor’s seal.
She could only hope that Molin was handling things swiftly.
The next day, in a forest not far from Bratz.
Hidden among the rocks, the soldiers gripped their swords, swallowing nervously. The rustling sounds, whether from animals or enemies, echoed from all directions.
Perhaps it was the tension of not knowing when the enemy’s attack would co. Derga, drenched in sweat, trembled uncontrollably.
"My Lord. This way."
Theo, covered in blood, took the lead. From crawling on the ground, his face was marked with rough grass stains.
"Haa, haa, how much further do we have to go down?"
"They’ve completely locked the gates at relophe, so we’ll have to go around to the Hawan Kingdom."
It might as well be called exile. Even if they reached the Hawan Kingdom, they would have to hide their identities for their safety. His lifelong ho, his pride and honor as a noble, everything was shattered.
"Damn it."
The Count glanced back, checking the soldiers following him. His force was reduced to less than a quarter. And those who remained were missing limbs, far from being in fighting shape. It was a defeat, no matter how you looked at it.
Clink.
The Count fiddled with the pouch hanging on his back. He could feel the ergency funds he had secretly stashed away. Jewels and gold coins of various sizes. These were the crucial assets that would determine Derga’s future. If the gods were kind, he might even use this as a foothold to return to Bratz.
Rustle.
"Wait. Stop."
"Stop."
"Behind! Stop!"
Theo halted, sensing a presence. The soldiers, who had been following like sausages on a string, also lowered their stances and looked around.
Screech!
The sound ca from a large tree nearby. Derga and Theo simultaneously looked up. A hawk the size of a deer glared down at them.
"Haa."
So that was it. Derga clutched his racing heart, sighing in relief.
It was then.
Thwack!
The head of the soldier walking beside him snapped to the left as he fell. A dagger was lodged in his temple.
’Huh?’
It was instant death. The dead man probably didn’t even realize he was dead, and neither did Derga, who was standing right next to him. It happened in a literal split second.
"Ahhh..."
"Aaaagh!"
"Enemy! Enemy!"
"Everyone calm down! Calm down and raise your shields!"
Theo shouted, but the soldiers, having tasted death once, scattered, screaming. Only a few knights with their wits about them gripped their swords and bows.
"To the right!"
"It ca from the right!"
"Protect the Count!"
"Get down, my Lord!"
The fear of another dagger flying at them at any mont. Derga trembled, hiding behind the knights.
"Hey. Derga."
Whoosh!
Clang!
An arrow flew towards Derga. A knight quickly deflected it with his sword, protecting his master.
Sunlight stread through the leaves like rain. On the ridge, figures wearing sandy hoods began to appear.
"It’s been a while. You’ve changed."
"Ka, Kakantir!"
"It’s the Cheon-Ryeo! The Cheon-Ryeo tribe!"
Their red war paint made them look like they were drenched in blood. Derga couldn’t understand what was happening. Hadn’t they rejected his help, even sending Knight Bell’s head?
"Why, why are you here?"
"Curious, are we?"
"Damn it! My Lord, run!"
"Alex! Defensive formation!"
The knights shouted, pulling Derga’s arm. All the warriors beside Kakan had drawn their bows.
Kakan grinned, gesturing behind Derga.
"If you’re curious, why don’t you ask your son?"
At that mont, Derga and the soldiers felt their tension snap. They turned to face the direction of the strong wind.
"Father."
Whoosh.
He looked like a forest spirit. His golden hair, each strand shining, fluttered in the wind, and his green eyes curved beautifully.
It was Ian. The son he had sold to the Cheon-Ryeo.
"I’m back."
"Ian...! You! You bastard!"
The shock subsided, and Derga rembered that it was Ian who had colluded with Molin and brought him to this state. The cursed flesh and blood who had dragged him, the honorable head of the territory, down to the gutter. Ian was his past sha and his future hatred.
"I’ll kill you, Ian! I’ll tear you to pieces and feed your flesh to your mother! Then I’ll throw you both into a fire alive! I’ll make you feel like living is hell!"
Derga’s rage echoed through the forest. Ian’s expression remained unchanged. His calm smile made Derga’s blood pressure rise even further.
"You bastard!"
"My Lord!"
Thud thud thud!
Derga, without realizing it, grabbed his sword and charged at Ian. Despite his tired and injured body, Derga leaped forward, aiming for Ian’s neck. Theo followed closely behind, as if to protect him.
Clang! Clang!
Su deflected Derga’s sword, and Beric blocked Theo’s follow-up attack.
"Ah."
Beric winced slightly, as if in pain from the recoil, and looked down at his stomach. But it was only for a mont. He grinned and waved at Theo.
"Hello. Dog."
"...Dog, dog?"
"Don’t you rember ? I rember you."
Beric swung his sword wide and charged at Theo.
"In the training grounds. You beat the shit out of , rember?"
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