Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 42

“You’re thoroughly… no, disgustingly insane.”

Erica couldn’t hold back and lit another cigarette.

But at the same time, her mind was racing, sensing that the situation was far from ordinary.

What could be the meaning of leading the Cheonrye tribe?

It implied that they would not hesitate to use force if necessary. Unlike the Central Army, which was half-dispersed due to the aftermath of battle, the warriors of Cheonrye were heated with fighting spirit.

‘More than anything, the damn thing is, apart from Ian’s lineage, the situation is flawless.’

As soon as they stepped out of the mansion’s main gate, the screams of the territory’s people cursing the Central Army resonated. Facing them were Dergha’s soldiers, but to the people, they were family, friends, and neighbors.

‘The resentment and hatred of the people of the territory will be deep for a while. However, if a descendant inheriting Bratz’s blood takes the lead, efficient command will be possible. And most importantly, since the border barbarians, who are the most important in the frontier, have come out in support…. Ah, f*ck.’

Her head throbbed.

If the Central Army had been additionally deployed, they could have undoubtedly driven out Cheonrye and achieved a complete victory in Bratz.

But whether Erica and her troops would be part of that glorious moment was uncertain. They would probably end up receiving faded commemorations as “sacrifices.”

Erica’s lips twisted.

“…The appointment of the lord is the Emperor’s jurisdiction.”

“I know that. Before the Emperor’s appointment, no one has the authority.”

No one has it, and everyone has it.

Erica could do it, but that meant Ian could do it too. She chewed her cigarette grimly, glaring at Kakantir, who continued to prattle on about Ian’s necessity.

“Ian was born and raised in Bratz territory, so he will be of great help in rebuilding. If it’s not Ian, Cheonrye will not give priority negotiation rights to any of Bariel’s forces, and for peace, we’ll have to go through the initial stages of understanding.”

It was tantamount to breaking off relations. And this was not much different from meaning war. The words, coming from the chief of Cheonrye, carried weight.

“Cheap talk. F*cking hell.”

“It seems the this knight is indeed a commoner.”

“Can’t you shut that mouth? You shitheads are really……”

Kakantir glared at Erica with cold eyes. But she did not flinch, lifting her head.

She had struggled like hell to climb up from the bottom to this point. The goal of her life, being a lord, was about to be snatched away entirely.

“…Just to let you know, if you kill me, it’s as good as declaring war on Bariel, you know?”

“Oh, thank you for telling me that. Otherwise, I might have cut your throat right away.”

“Grrr……”

Crunch.

Kakantir stepped on the neck of a fallen man, laughing. The subordinate instinctively gasped for breath, trembling. Erica felt cold sweat run down her back.

“Alright. I think I roughly know what you want.”

Erica pretended to back off, folding her arms and deflecting the conversation. She had been the internal candidate for this territory since she was offered the role of investigation team leader by Molrin. It was clear that her name was on the lord’s appointment letter Ian was eyeing.

So she couldn’t back down here.

“But I haven’t secured Dergha or Countess Mary and Chel’s bodies yet. I also have a duty to arrest all the rebellious soldiers and establish the majesty of the royal command.”

“You are right.”

“Before completing my mission, I cannot leave the mansion. If you truly want to ease Bratz’s pain, do as you wish. But I hope you act only for peace. Otherwise, the imperial sword will fly here from the center.”

Until the revelation from the center appointing Erica as the lord of this place arrived. Until then, she had to endure. Once she receives the authority, she’ll smash those arrogant mouths that babble on.

“Fine. Then we’ll help in arresting Dergha.”

Ian nodded as if satisfied with the conversation. Sneaking the foot in had been successful.

According to Erica, capturing Dergha and other key people in the mansion would be tantamount to giving the Central Army a reason to garrison here.

“We will also take the lead in the reconstruction. The investigation team and Central Army have incurred the wrath of the people of the territory. Step aside for efficient progress.”

Perhaps, is it an ulterior motive to save Dergha?

Erica’s eyes narrowed at the suddenly occurring assumption. She flicked the cigarette butt she had just smoked and signaled to her subordinates.

“You’d better be prepared if you try anything funny.”

“Lady Erica, it doesn’t seem like you’re that close to Sir Molrin or know much about the situation?”

“What?”

“I mean, you seem not to know much about the relationship between Dergha and me. You don’t have to worry about that. Let’s bring Dergha here and prove how sincere I am to the central power.”

This moment would later play a crucial role in solidifying Ian’s position. Though of Dergha’s bloodline, he strongly denied his lineage. Having laid the foundation by passing a secret message to Molrn, a further step was needed to solidify it.

“Ha. Bring Dergha? If you can, then go ahead and try. Even the central army is struggling to track him and wandering in the mountains.”

As the situation started to clear up, Kakantir buttoned his clothes and turned around, then asserted with a voice full of amusement.

“Hunting is our specialty, so you all just stay here holding that soldier’s hair.”

Kakantir gestured toward Erica’s subordinate, whose neck had been broken. Ian also followed the Cheonrye tribe, nodding his head lightly.

“Then, I’ll see you again soon.”

Bang!

As soon as the door closed, Erica spat out a cigarette and rushed to her subordinate, grinding her teeth fiercely.

“Bring the official document right now!”

“Yes, Commander Erica.”

The subordinates hustled in response to their lord’s urgent command. They had to send a message to the central authority promptly. The only thing protecting Erica here was the Emperor’s seal on her domain appointment.

Molrin had to handle the documents properly and promptly.

* * *

The next day, in a forest not far from Bratz.

Soldiers crouched in the cracks between rocks, gripping their swords, only swallowing saliva. Rustling sounds came from all around, whether from beasts or enemies, no one knew.

Perhaps it was the tension of not knowing when the enemy’s attack would pour down. Dergha was unknowingly trembling all over, soaked in sweat.

“Count, over here.”

Deo, covered in blood, led the way. Because he was crawling, his face was marked with thick grass stains.

“Haa, haa, how much further do we have to go down?”

“Since they locked the castle gates in Merellof, it seems we’ll have to go around to the Hwan Kingdom.”

It was a journey to Hwan Kingdom, but no different from exile. They would have to hide their identities there for safety and live in secret. Everything, including the land he’d lived on his whole life and the pride and honor of being a noble, was shattered.

“Damn it.”

The Count glanced back, checking on the soldiers following him. More than half of the original force was gone, and what remained were men with missing limbs. The color of defeat was too strong to consider this a good fight.

Creak.

The Count fumbled with the bundle on his back. He could feel the emergency funds hidden away. Small and large jewels and gold coins, significant assets that would take responsibility for everything about Dergha from now on. If God helped, he could use this as a stepping stone to return to Bratz.

Rustle.

“Wait. Stop.”

“Stop.”

“Stop at the back!”

Deo sensed a presence and paused. At the same time, the soldiers trailing like a string of sausages also lowered their stance, keeping a lookout.

Screech!

It was a noise from the nearby chestnut tree. Dergha and Deo simultaneously raised their heads. A hawk as big as a deer was glaring at them.

“Haah.”

That’s what it was. Dergha, clutching his trembling heart, let out a sigh of relief.

That’s when it happened.

Whack!

The head of the soldier escorting him twisted to the left and fell. It was because a dagger had flown and stuck in his temple.

‘Huh?’

It was instant death. The deceased wouldn’t even know he had died, and the same went for Dergha watching from the side. Literally, it had happened in a split second.

“Eh, eh, eh….”

“Aaaah!”

“It’s the enemy! The enemy!”

“Everyone calm down! Calm down and raise your shields!”

Deo yelled, but the soldiers, who had once tasted the fear of death, were scattered, screaming. Only a few knights with their wits about them grabbed their bows and swords.

“It’s from the right!”

“It flew from the right!”

“Protect the count!”

“Bow your head!”

The fear that a sword might fly in again at any moment. Dergha trembled and hid behind the knights.

“Hey, Dergha.”

Shiik!

Chang!

A flying arrow aimed at Dergha. A knight swiftly deflected it with his sword to protect his master.

Between the leaves, beams of light began to rain down like rain. Above the thud, figures with sand-colored hoods started to appear.

“It’s been a while, you’ve changed a lot.”

“Ka, Kakantir!”

“It’s the Cheonrye! Cheonrye tribe!”

The red dye made it look like they were wearing blood. Dergha couldn’t understand what was happening. Hadn’t he defeated me in one blow? Even sending the head of the knight Bell.

“Why, why are you here?”

“Curious?”

“F*ck it! Count, run!”

“Alex! Form a defensive line!”

The knights shouted, pulling Dergha’s arm. All the warriors standing next to Kakantir had drawn their bows.

Kakantir smirked at Dergha’s back.

“If you’re curious, ask your son.”

At that moment, Dergha and the soldiers felt a sudden release in tension. They turned their heads towards the direction of the strong wind.

“Father.”

Swoooosh.

Like a sprite living in the forest. Each strand of shining golden hair fluttered in the wind, and his green eyes were beautifully curved.

It was Ian. His son, whom he had sold to the Cheonrye.

“I’ve, returned.”

“Ian…! You! You bastard!”

His surprise only momentary, Dergha remembered that Ian, in collusion with Molrin, had made him like this. The one who had dragged him, living honorably as a lord, down to the ground, that cursed piece of his flesh and blood. Past humiliation and future hatred were all Ian.

“I’ll kill you, Ian! Dismember you and feed your meat to your mother! Then, throw you both into a burning pit alive! I’ll make you feel like you’re living in hell!”

Dergha’s roaring rage filled the forest. Ian’s expression did not change. In that relaxed smile, Dergha felt his blood pressure rise even more.

“You bastard!”

“Count!”

Tadadadak!

Without knowing it, Dergha grabbed a sword and rushed at Ian. Though his body was tired and injured, Dergha leaped up and aimed at Ian’s neck. And Deo, escorting him like a shadow.

Clang, clang! Clang!

Soo deflected Dergha’s sword, and Beric blocked Deo’s coming right after.

“Ah.”

Wincing as if slightly hurt by the recoil, Beric looked down at his stomach. But that was only for a moment. He grinned and waved at Deo.

“Hi. Doggy.”

“…Dog, doggy?”

“Don’t you remember me? I remember you.”

Beric swung his sword widely and charged at Deo.

“At the training ground. You beat the hell out of me, didn’t you?”

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