"The bastard, Ian, ca in claiming his rights with the Cheonryeo tribe in tow. Under the pretext of an alliance with Bratz, they’ve occupied the territory and are consolidating their position... There’s nothing I can do."
Molin bit down hard on his molars. Normally, he wouldn’t have needed to co down here personally. Wasn’t the plan for Erica to organize the territory, govern it, and then transfer the private soldiers? A simple, clear plan.
But the appointnt of a new lord was indefinitely postponed, and Ian, who should have been in the Great Desert, was brazenly here.
’By now, the ssenger bird must have reached Erica.’
The way Marive was interfering felt ominous. Molin suspected Ian’s hand in this and was on his way to deal with him personally.
Since the blood of Derga flowed in his veins, he was fit to be enslaved. He might be clever, but he needed a harsh lesson on what happens when a whelp gets too big for his britches.
’I don’t know how the Cheonryeo tribe ca to be on Ian’s side, but that boy is not worth it.’
How far had his sweet tongue bewitched the beastn? Did he know his mother was still alive? Or that he was of lowly birth?
Molin continued to grind his teeth, his sharp gaze flashing. Unaware that his correspondence with Erica had gone awry.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
"We’re almost there."
At the driver’s words, Romandro leaned closer to the window. In the distance, a building presud to be the Bratz mansion ca into view. From the outside, it looked peaceful, almost unbelievable that a battle had taken place there less than a month ago.
"It’s more lively than I expected."
"Indeed."
Romandro murmured, filled with hope. With this atmosphere, he might be able to return to the capital much sooner than expected. He reminded Molin of his position.
"As an advisor, are there any customs of the forr Bratz territory that I should be aware of?"
"Well, they border the barbarians, so most of them have foul tempers and are rough around the edges. And it’s a barren land, always lacking in food."
Molin mumbled, dredging up fragnted mories. As unpleasant emotions took over, his words turned sour.
"Stop! State your affiliation and purpose!"
The carriage, which had been racing towards the mansion, halted. They had reached the territory’s entrance. The driver announced their arrival from the Imperial Palace, and the gatekeepers, as if they had been expecting them, opened the gates.
Creak.
As they crossed the village, Romandro rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had seen a hallucination. People in exotic clothing were scattered throughout the area.
Foreigners who weren’t from Bariel? Who else could it be but the barbarians they bordered?
"Are those... are those not the Cheonryeo tribe?"
"They are. The Cheonryeo are stationed here."
"What is this! Shouldn’t we turn the carriage around? I wasn’t inford of this!"
Unlike the startled Romandro, Molin remained calm. It was to be expected. This was sothing that should not be known in the Imperial Palace, especially by the First Prince, Marive. It was only a matter of ti before it was resolved.
"Where are the investigation team and the central army...?"
"They must have arrived at the mansion."
"Sh-should we open the door?"
As Romandro clutched the carriage door, the driver asked, bewildered. The door opened slightly, revealing a gap. What he saw was a surprisingly young man.
"You are...?"
"Ian Bratz."
Molin answered. He flung the door open and muttered, as if chewing on each letter.
"A bastard of Derga."
"Greetings, Lord Molin. Oh, Lords Mac and Degorr are with you as well. I was quite disappointed when you returned to the capital without a word last ti."
Ian placed his hand on his chest, offering a formal greeting. Then he firmly corrected them.
"Please be careful. There is no one here who uses the na Bratz."
Molin frowned in displeasure, but Romandro felt a sense of relief. Among the barbarians, there was at least one who knew etiquette. And he seed to hold a rather important position among them.
"The distance is great, so the timing of the correspondence must have been quite off. Please co in. I will explain everything."
"Hmm. Then..."
Ian took the lead and guided the guests. The mansion, quieter now with fewer people, maintained its warm atmosphere. Ian, Romandro, and Molin’s party entered the drawing room.
Click.
"Lord Kakantir. We have guests from the Imperial Palace."
"You have co a long way."
"Ah. Yes. Well..."
"This is Lord Kakantir, the chieftain of the Cheonryeo tribe, and his younger brother, Nersaren."
Romandro lightly shook hands with them, but Molin simply reclined on the sofa without a word. It was presumptuous for these lowly people from the outskirts to be in the sa room as central officials.
Romandro, having traversed many wars and borders, was not particularly averse to differences in status.
"Bratz and the Cheonryeo tribe are allies who have made peace. When I was in the Great Desert, I heard news of a great battle in the territory and that it was in trouble. The Cheonryeo tribe, in keeping with our bond, ca to help and discovered the cris of the forr Count Bratz."
Although he was explaining to Romandro, Ian’s gaze was fixed on Molin. As if to say, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.
"His punishnt by the state was unavoidable, but the suffering of the territory is another matter. The investigation team was only to carry out its investigation, and there was no force to handle the aftermath. So, the Cheonryeo, as neighbors, offered their assistance."
"I see... It seems the frontier is indeed far. This was not in the report."
"Is that so? It’s an important matter, so I thought Commander Erica would have sent it up imdiately."
"Ah. Commander Erica..."
"She is pursuing the wife and son of Derga, who were reported to have fled."
Thud.
At that mont, Molin pulled out a docunt from his pocket. It was an order for Ian’s disposal. It didn’t bear the Emperor’s seal, but it was issued by the relevant departnt.
"Aren’t you also a child of Derga? Did Commander Erica simply leave you be? According to the law, you should be enslaved. Yet, you live in luxury. Unless the commander has lost her mind, the only explanation is that you used force."
Ian skimd the order and then casually tossed it onto the table. Seeing this, Mac and Degorr’s eyebrows automatically furrowed.
"I am one who has crossed the border. My heart lies with Bariel, but officially, I reside in the Great Desert. If you wish to punish , I have no choice but to return to the desert."
"Return? By whose authority?"
"By the authority of the master of the Great Desert. The territory’s affairs have largely returned to normal, and the Cheonryeo are gradually returning to their own encampnts, leaving behind only a minimal force."
A minimal force, for what purpose? It was the force needed to safely escort Ian back to their territory.
If they ran, they could reach it in just three days. But for those who had only seen the desert in paintings, it was an impossible journey.
"There’s no need to rush things," Romandro interjected, stepping between them. Since Commander Erica was absent, if they had indeed stabilized the territory, their help was essential to him as an advisor. And most importantly, he didn’t know Molin’s true intentions, so it was best to oppose him for now.
’His Highness Marive warned to be wary of Molin. If Molin is wary of this Ian, then he must be of so use.’
"If the advisor says so."
Ian smiled faintly and bowed his head slightly. It was a gesture that acknowledged Romandro as the leader of this party.
"We have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of reconstruction experts from the Imperial Palace."
"On the way here, I saw that the situation is better than expected."
"Everyone has co together in hope to overco this."
"Look here, Romandro!"
Bang!
Unable to contain his anger at being ignored, Molin slamd his fist on the table. At that mont, Ian realized that Molin and Romandro were at odds.
"Is this a matter to be taken lightly? The re fact that the Cheonryeo have been brought into Bariel is grounds for treason! How can you think of placing the territory under the influence of a foreign power, especially barbarians?"
"Treason?"
Ian let out a dry laugh at Molin’s words. He didn’t say it directly, but weren’t they the ones preparing for treason? Ian sent a look to Romandro, as if asking if he could say this.
Romandro intervened.
"People were dying, so what does it matter if it was the Cheonryeo’s help or not? There’s no issue."
"The advisor is right. As I said before, the Cheonryeo were allies of the forr Bratz. They offered their help in accordance with our friendly relations. It is a clear diplomatic discourtesy to speak like this."
At Ian’s words, the two n turned their attention to Kakantir. Although his expression remained unchanged, it was clear that he was displeased. Romandro swallowed hard and changed the subject.
"R-right. Thank you for your efforts."
"But I have a question. Is Lord Romandro a candidate for the next lord?"
At Ian’s question, he shook his head. Then he took out the letter he had been carrying for fifteen days. It was an appointnt letter bearing the seal of the council.
"The main task is the reconstruction of the territory. The goal is to stabilize public sentint and match last year’s tax revenue by this winter. I expected it to be difficult, but after seeing the situation, I believe it’s possible."
Stabilizing public sentint.
It was clear that the Imperial Palace recognized the unique circumstances of the frontier. If this place were closer to the capital, they would have imdiately installed a suitable candidate, regardless of public sentint.
Since they couldn’t imdiately suppress foreign invasions or rebellions by the territory’s residents, it was important to appease them with the recognition that they were citizens of Bariel.
’Marive is postponing the appointnt of a new lord, and Gale sent Molin along...’
Ian asked, feigning ignorance.
"Is this the will of His Highness, the First Prince?"
"Oh. How did you know? It seems His Highness Marive has a great interest in this place."
First Prince Marive. The mountain that Second Prince Gale had to overco.
This was a fortunate turn of events for Ian. For all power needed balance to be harmonious.
"I see. It is an honor. We earnestly hope for the Imperial Palace’s grace. We will do our utmost to assist Lord Romandro."
"No."
Molin imdiately denied it.
From what he could see, Ian’s sches were formidable. Even if it ant making the territory’s recovery a bit more difficult, it was important to get rid of Ian first. Only then would Erica return.
"Ian. If you are to remain on Bariel’s soil, you must abide by Bariel’s laws. Even if you were to return to the Great Desert imdiately, I am bound to enforce the strict laws of the nation."
"Lord Molin."
"Romandro! You do your job! I will do mine!"
Ian crossed his arms, his mouth shut tight. He tapped his fingers, as if lost in thought, and then smiled.
"It would be quite inconvenient for you if I returned to the desert."
"Kakantir, was it? I will certainly report the Cheonryeo’s help to the Imperial Palace. It would be best for both of us if you withdrew from here, rather than falling for the sches of a lowly bastard. As Romandro said, the reconstruction is largely complete! There is no longer any reason for you to be here...!"
Molin’s outburst sputtered and died, his voice failing him as he t Ian’s stare. Ziiiing. From the green eyes, a golden light slowly spread. Ian uncrossed his arms and reiterated, "It would be quite inconvenient for you if I returned to the desert, I believe that’s what I said."
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