Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor Chapter 76

Ian-nim, Ian-nim!

Hannah shouted as she crossed the garden. Ian, who had been cutting Grula sprouts, turned his head, and she, panting, presented him with a letter. The seal was not stamped, but the envelope was of high quality due to its durability.

A letter has arrived from rellof!

Oh, is that so.

Ian took off his gloves and accepted the letter. It seed unlikely to be from the count In that case, the one capable of writing at the mansion was obvious.

It seems to be from the butler.

What? Not from the count?

If theres no seal, its unlikely. If it were from the count, he wouldnt have passed it through you.

Probably, the count would have co out to the front gate himself and ordered Ian to receive it directly. Regardless of the situation, the disparity between a count and a baron without an official title ceremony was clear.

Ian elegantly tore open the envelope and read the contents on the spot. Hannah, who was illiterate, rolled her eyes, trying to gauge Ians expression.

Is it the content you were waiting for, Ian-nim?

Not what I was waiting for, but its welco news.

Ian lightly folded the paper and patted Hannahs shoulder. Then he instructed Beric, who was lazing under a tree shade.

Beric, stop playing around and go downstairs.

Downstairs? Why there?

Bring Sir Romandro too. Contact the kitchen to mix a little flour and appropriate ingredients to make a lump.

The butler was inquiring whether it was possible to trade Grula on behalf of the count.

Greetings, Lord Ian. Please forgive for addressing you simply and for writing in place of the count. Currently, Count rellof is not in a position to respond.

The simple address was due to Ian not yet receiving a surna. The counts inability to respond was an obvious lie. The initial ssage sent to rellof was about an assassination plot, yet there was still no formal reply.

Probably, the butler wrote the congratulatory ssage regarding the title award too.

Regarding the conspirators you inford us about, rellof is conducting thorough investigations. Please wait a little longer. The reason for writing this letter is to inquire if you could open up Grula trade.

Its heard that you strictly prohibit trading Grula with outsiders. We respect that decision, but considering the upcoming winter, I took up the pen.

This is my personal proposal, unrelated to the count. However, if you permit, Lord Ian, I will ensure a satisfactory trade for both parties.

I hope for your generous understanding, and I conclude this letter.

Butler of rellof Mansion, Samon.

Ian slowly waved the letter, pondering the butlers na, Samon. Bariel is a land of diversity, but each territory has its distinct characteristics. It seems unlikely that Samon is a native of rellof.

What are you planning to use this for?

Youre quick to act, Beric.

Making a flour lump isnt hard.

In just a mont, Beric held a dough lump the size of a thumb. The color was odd, and it was unclear what he had mixed in it.

Not that he particularly wanted to know.

Bang bang!

Ah! Ian!

Sir Romandro, be careful not to fall.

Oh, my. It hurts. A letter from rellof, you say? A proposal for Grula trade? I ca running as soon as I heard.

No, unfortunately, its not from the count but his butler. It seems the count isnt hungry yet.

Ian handed the letter to Romandro and smiled. Romandro quickly scanned the letter with his eyes moving fast. If there was still a slope to leverage, it ant that there was a place to procure food, excluding Bratz.

Is it Sherion?

Ians eyes changed to golden, faintly emitting mana. In a windowless space, his hair fluttered, and Collins body stiffened, feeling the power of mana for the first ti.

What you just swallowed will dissolve into your body, becoming blood and flesh. As soon as I confirm that my plan has gone awry, Ill release this energy without restraint. Then, your blood will turn to poison, and your body will lt away into the ground.

Ugh, ugh!

Ians voice, whispering softly like a warning, was chilling. Collin started to retch, but Beric quickly gagged him and bound his body.

However, if things go well, I promise you freedom. I will personally revoke the magic Ive cast on you. Compared to your comrades who have already departed to the other world, youre quite fortunate, arent you?

It was a warning not to harbor any foolish thoughts. Collin nodded vigorously, his expression filled with fear, feeling as if what he swallowed was choking him right then.

Creak.

Co on out.

Ian opened the door and turned his body. Through the half-opened crack, stairs and the bright light pouring from above were visible. It was daylight, sothing he hadnt seen in a long ti.

You cant go ho looking like that, can you? Beric, tidy him up.

Im not just a swordsman, my shaving skills are also killer.

Just dont cut off his head.

Yikes!

Its a joke, just a joke.

Collin clasped his neck at Ians jest. Beric, chuckling, dragged him out, and Collin was intoxicated by the outside air he hadnt breathed in nearly a month. It felt like he was sensing life again after standing on the brink of death.

Romandro, who was observing, suggested to Ian.

Should we assign soone to watch him, just in case?

Yes. Please provide a suitable person.

Hmm. Lets see, Ill find soone.

It was obvious. The thing fed to Collin was just a crude lump of flour, so it was proper to place another real precaution.

If youve decided to go to Sherion, it must be nearly the end.

The guy who calculates everything so precisely Hm, no. If that ticulous count is willing to pay extra to go to Sherion, then yes, it must be quite desperate.

We should start gathering Grula.

Crows flew across the sky. Against the high, blue sky, their blackness seed especially stark. It appeared to be ti to wrap up the last hope and prepare for winter.

If we do strike a deal, would one sack of Grula for one gold coin be appropriate? Romandro, leading the way, turned back to ask.

Ian was curious about the price they planned to sell the Grula for if the trade was successful. Though it felt extravagant to put a price on things that grow in the mountains and fields, they had already set a standard price of one gold coin for three sacks.

One coin?

Ian waved his hand dismissively, as if the idea was absurd.

Im thinking, at the very least, really the minimum, to receive ten gold coins for each sack.

The opportunity was one-ti only.

He had already reported to Prince Mariv that Grula was edible. In the central regions, rumors were spreading that Grula was a health food, and for all he knew, this might already be happening at the top levels.

After this winter, especially after the New Years celebration, the value of Grula would beco known throughout Bariel.

By then, there will be too much supply to sell, so I need to make a big profit this ti.

Honestly, if possible, he wanted to completely empty the rellofs storehouses. The trade guild would co back to rellof anyti, and spring would return as well. Just because rellofs mansion storehouse might be a bit empty this winter, would it stay that way forever?

That seems like an excessive amount. Do you think its possible given the counts nature?

If hes on the brink of death, Count rellof will realize it. No matter how abundant, one cannot eat gold coins.

Ian smiled broadly and turned his gaze to a pile of boxes on one side of the garden. They were lumps of Grula collected as taxes.

Romandro felt an indescribable sense of intimidation from Ians bright smile, thinking that life would be tough if he ever crossed this man.