Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 50

“If the lord’s position is vacant, the chaos will intensify.”

Mariv presented an alternative to the Prime Minister’s cautious objection.

“Instead, we can dispatch a temporary consultant. We can monitor the results and take care of public sentiment, and later appoint a lord.”

“Erica, the head of the investigation team, is already there. She’s probably handling the situation right now.”

Mariv burst into laughter at Wesleigh’s opinion, as if telling her not to talk nonsense. Wesleigh’s face hardened at the blatant disregard.

“The head of the investigation team is the one who killed their families from the territory’s citizens’ standpoint. Moreover, she was ordered to capture three and hasn’t even found the other two.”

Thump.

He threw the documents without bothering to hide his dissatisfaction with the investigation team leader. Since everything was true, there was no room for rebuttal. The ministers nodded their heads in agreement.

“This happened under the royal command, so a quick recovery is needed at the national level. That would be an honor to my father, the Emperor, and Bariel.”

“…I have no objection.”

“Your words are fair.”

There was not a single incorrect statement.

Besides, compared to other lands, Bratz’s territory has significantly lower production. The ministers, lacking foresight, saw the management of such a place as inconsequential.

“We will observe the progress after dispatching the consultant. We’ll discuss the appointment of the lord later.”

“It’s best to send a letter to Bratz as soon as the meeting ends. Let’s send a messenger bird, as quickly as possible.”

“I agree.”

Mariv decided not to give Gale a chance to interfere. As everything was a rational suggestion, the Prime Minister lifted the seal to finalize the matter.

Wesleigh’s words hung in the air, but then—

“If you mention a consultant for reconstruction—”

She quickly interjected.

“Who do you have in mind?”

“Well, Romandro seems to be the most suitable candidate. He recently showed his abilities in the earthquake-affected area near the White Temple.”

“We will also send Sir Molrin with him.”

“Sir Molrin?”

The woman’s determination was unwavering.

Mariv rubbed his chin, muttering, “Sir Molrin has only just returned here.”

“But he certainly knows the most about that territory in the imperial palace. It’s best to ask him if it’s alright, then send them both together.”

The ministers glanced at each other under Wesleigh’s gaze. Was this matter really worth dragging out? There were piles of national issues to attend to. Sensing the mood, the Prime Minister brought down the seal, replying,

“I have no objection.”

Bang, bang, bang!

“Now, the next issue is…”

“The waterway leading to Blaster Sea…”

‘Damn it. What’s going on?’

She lowered her eyes to her documents, feigning indifference, but she couldn’t clear her complicated thoughts. If Mariv insisted on attending the morning meeting, there must be something more.

‘I’ve stopped him from sending the consultant alone, but…’

Wesleigh glanced at him, and Mariv raised his eyebrows and smiled. The problem was, whenever he smiled, something bad happened to them.

“…So, let’s conclude today’s general meeting.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“I will see His Majesty in the afternoon.”

As the meeting ended, Mariv left the conference room without a second thought.

The ministers bowed behind him, and the tension in the room rose. Mariv quietly instructed his waiting subordinate outside.

“Call Romandro.”

“Romandro?”

His subordinate asked, slightly perplexed. Romandro had just returned to the center after managing the White Temple. He had been separated from his newlywed wife for several months. If he knew Mariv was calling him again, he might even resign. Seriously.

“Why are you standing there like that?”

“No, Your Highness. I, um. Understood.”

But what could he do? If ordered, he had to obey.

Persuading Romandro and bringing him was also within his subordinate’s capabilities. Mariv, knowing or not knowing his subordinate’s inner turmoil, glanced at Wesleigh and turned away.

* * *

“Will you be alright? Even if we’re not here.”

“Stop worrying about me and hurry on your way.”

Erica reassured the Central Army’s captain by waving her hand dismissively. She was included in the minimum force required to remain in the mansion.

“It feels like leaving you in a beast’s den.”

“If the investigation team is harmed, it’s like raising a rebellion against the Central. Ian may be unlucky, but he’s quick-witted, so he won’t do anything clumsy.”

They decided to leave only Erica and five elite soldiers in the mansion. Having one Erica guarding was much more efficient than a hundred unknown soldiers.

In actual combat, she’s not even a central figure, so this is the best strategy. All other forces are about to leave Bratz, chasing after Mary and Chel.

“We’ll be back soon.”

“Please, make sure to retrieve the bodies at least.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Move out!”

“Move out!”

The soldiers aligned themselves and left the mansion. Children ran around the streets in curiosity, and the locals gathered in groups, talking about the Central Army’s not-so-retreat.

“Are they going to find the lady and young master Chel? It must be true that they left the castle gates alive a while ago.”

“Watch your mouth, aren’t they traitors?”

“Ah, I feel so relieved! Go and never return! Go straight to the Central, all the way to your homes!”

“Go away! Never come back!”

“Get lost!”

The locals, who had lost their homes and land in the battle, threw stones and made a fuss, but the Central Army soldiers just looked displeased and did nothing, thanks to the Cheonrye tribe standing amongst them.

“Go far away. Don’t even get close.”

“Let’s pour molten iron on the castle gate when they leave!”

“How do we leave then, you fool?”

“Let’s feast and call those sons of b*tches.”

“Hey, listen.”

They couldn’t create a disturbance just as they were leaving, and not even before leaving the territory. They had indeed taken the locals’ food during their stay.

Unlike the excited ones, there were those who ran with pure joy. It was the children.

“Wooow! The Central Army is leaving!”

“Mom, Mom! The soldiers are all leaving!”

They were like defeated foreign soldiers. The perception of the locals was like that, and so was the reality. Geographically, the Cheonrye tribe or the Hawan Kingdom was much closer than the Central.

“Everyone seems excited.”

Erica watched the scene from the mansion and clicked her tongue. She turned towards the main gate to return to her room, but the Cheonrye warriors blocked her way.

“What, what’s going on?”

“We’ll use the main building from now on. Since you have fewer people, you’ll use tents.”

“Have you gone mad! Who do you think you’re talking to!”

“If you have a complaint, talk to Kakantir.”

Erica opened her mouth in disbelief. The Central Army hadn’t even left the territory, and now this?

Until a moment ago, they freely roamed the main building, but now she couldn’t understand the situation.

“Fine, let’s see. Your leader. I need to talk to him.”

“…Follow me.”

Erica followed the warrior into the reception room where Kakantir and Ian were.

Bang!

“Are you kidding me? Huh?”

“What’s the matter? The Central Army has left, hasn’t it?”

“Shut up. It’s none of your business. You’ll use the main building? Don’t make me laugh. Aren’t you the ones who should be outside in tents?”

Screaming and raging, she looked ridiculous. Ian sighed and stared at Erica.

Kakantir also looked at her up and down as if he was grinding his teeth, a look that said he wasn’t getting used to her despite their long cohabitation.

“Hey, if you want to use the main building, reduce the number of your members. If you want, I can provide a room just for you. There’s a storeroom left at the end of the corridor.”

“…Hey, you…?”

“By the way, if reducing the number of your members is difficult, I can help. It seems that the blade has rusted, so it’s time to cut the meat.”

Erica’s face turned pale at the blatant threat. Barbarians are truly barbarians. Realizing anew that he was someone she should never associate with, as his attitude changed as soon as he left the central army.

Ian intervened between the two, changing the subject.

“Anyway, welcome back. The report and materials to be sent to the Imperial Palace by the investigation team are bundled together, so you can take them with you. Now, I’m planning to proceed with Dergha’s execution.”

Suddenly, the subject of Dergha’s execution was brought up. Erica made an ‘X’ sign with her hand, indicating she would never allow it.

“There’s a procedure for everything. Dergha’s execution will proceed after the new pursuit team secures Mary and Chel’s bodies.”

“What if both Mary and Chel’s bodies are nowhere to be found? Will you sit here forever?”

He was trying to drive a nail in the coffin. A week would be a week, a month would be a month, and if they didn’t show results within a set period of time, they would definitely leave the estate.

Erica bit her lip.

“…That’s too much.”

“I apologize. I thought it would be less offensive than calling you a parasite.”

At Ian’s words, just as Erica was about to shout something, Kakantir naturally intervened, snapping his dagger.

“One week. If the execution is not carried out within that time, we will seize Dergha’s life ourselves.”

There were two intentions here.

One was to declare the position of those sent to the Imperial Palace. They had driven out the investigation team and the central army, but this was not to save Dergha against the emperor’s orders; it was to prove it was for the territory.

And the second was a warning to Erica. If she continued to resist, her life would be taken along with Dergha’s, whatever the way.

“Sigh.”

As Erica was grinding her teeth, pondering what to respond with, a commotion was heard outside.

“Erica-nim! Erica-nim!”

It was one of the investigators. He flung open the reception room door without a knock, flinching at the fierce aura.

“Erica-nim, they have finally arrived, gasp!”

“…Arrived? What?”

At the same time, Ian and Kakantir also turned their heads. Everyone’s attention was focused on the subordinate. The youngest one, his face flushed with joy.

Erica felt a bubble of hope welling up in her heart.

Could it be, perhaps, damn it, finally?

“…A letter has arrived from the central court.”

“……!”

“……!”

“These motherfu*kers, they’re all dead!”

“Erica-nim, congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

Erica cried out in joy, clenching her fist. Her subordinates, who had been standing behind her, also triumphantly raised their hands to the hilt of their swords. It was the greatest of great news, the one card that could instantly drive away Ian and the barbarians!

Once appointed as the Lord, she would officially become the owner of this place. She would easily crush those lowly and unlucky commoners and beastmen.

“The central letter! Where, go down right away!”

“Ah, no! There’s no need to go down. It’s come through the telegraph office.”

The atmosphere, which had been highly charged, seemed to deflate at those words. She knew exactly what it meant for the central’s letter to come through the ‘telegraph office.’

Only Kakantir and the investigator’s subordinate were puzzled by this incomprehensible atmosphere.