Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 57

“What’s the problem?”

“It’s hard to adjust the target figures.”

“Isn’t that what we expected?”

“I was hoping otherwise. It seems we have to opt for a second-best solution.”

Everyone, led by Kakantir, nodded their heads. Beric inquired, “Is there a subsidy?”

“Yes, there is. They haven’t confirmed for sure, but there should be around 3,000 gold coins.”

“Wow, sh*t. That’s insane!”

Considering it’s enough to support for two months, that’s a ballpark figure. Even though the palace is helping with the reconstruction, a solid operating budget is essential for regular operations.

“We probably have to contact Merellof sooner rather than later, so we should prepare well.”

“Hmm, agreed.”

Romandro’s gold coins, Merellof’s supplies. And Ian acts as the mediator between them. If they catch a glimpse of an opportunity, a satisfactory deal can be made.

Kakantir nodded as if to say he understands.

“Speaking of the advisor Romandro, he seems quite friendly towards us, don’t you think?”

“Yes, he was sent by Prince Mariv to deal with the situation, so he’s likely opposite in temperament to the Gale side.”

Moreover, the initial hostility shown by Molrin seemed to play a big role. Since the push from Dergha was a joint effort with Molrin and Ian, Romandro probably assumed they were on the same side. But judging from the atmosphere, Romandro seemed to guess that Ian wasn’t from Gale’s side.

“If we can get Romandro on our side, everything will go according to plan.”

“True. I was frankly a little surprised.”

“About what……”

At Ian’s incomprehensible question, Kakantir jokingly grabbed his hand, mimicking the reaction Romandro had shown earlier.

“I didn’t expect that a magic user would receive such treatment in the empire.”

“Well, they do say we are the beings most resembling gods.”

People from the frontier often consider magic as something mythical. Kakantir and Nersarn were no different. Even after seeing Beric, they didn’t realize how powerful it could become. The flow of magical energy is like a river flowing into a vast sea.

“Becoming a lord isn’t an impossible task, it seems.”

Ian simply smiled at Kakantir’s words. Only after seeing Romandro’s reaction did he become certain.

“We should hurry and secure our position before autumn comes.”

“I will make preparations.”

“Keep a close eye on Mollin and his group.”

“Yes, Kakan.”

“Beric, you did as I asked, right?”

“You mean hiding the magic stones? Of course, of course.”

“Good. Let’s get moving.”

Kakantir’s subordinates stealthily descended the stairs upon his command. Ian, too, returned to Romandro’s room with Beric, leaving the corridor enveloped in its usual darkness.

Meanwhile, on the floor below,

“Master, what should we do?”

After finishing dinner, Mack and D’gor looked at Molrin. Their mentor sat by the window, lost in thought. Mack lit a cigarette and roughly pulled at his hair, saying, “I can’t think of a way out.”

“Mack, calm down for now.”

“I’m not as composed as you, D’gor. Erica, or, well, it doesn’t matter who it is, but the lord must be someone cooperative with us. Didn’t you see Ian’s attitude earlier?”

Upon hearing Mack’s outcry, D’gor also sighed deeply. How were they going to deal with a magic user who had joined forces with the Cheonrye tribe, and that too, not in the central lands but in their own stronghold?

“It would’ve been a different story if they had been friendly towards us…”

“That seems unlikely. He’s sticking close to Romandro, holding his chin up high.”

Is the boy’s intuition that keen? He seemed to have quickly caught on to the tension between Molrin’s group and Romandro since arriving at the mansion. Whether he knew that Mariv and Gale were also behind this was uncertain.

“In my opinion, it might be better to appoint someone else other than Erica as the lord.”

“Who?”

“Didn’t Mage Hale from the Magic Department contribute significantly in the recent Roxan battle? It’s likely the emperor will reward him; how about recommending him for this territory?”

“Hale is a major force in the Imperial Palace. Why would the Emperor grant him this remote land when he even rejects his leaves? The Emperor won’t give him a reason to leave the capital.” With that, Mack dismissively waved his hand. The smoke from his cigarette swirled chaotically.

“And D’gor, you know Erica’s character, don’t you?”

“…Yes, too well, in fact.”

“I can’t even begin to predict what she would do if things went south.”

D’gor remained silent, fully agreeing. Erica, who was the very embodiment of tenacity, who had risen from commoner origins to the position of an investigation team leader. More than being loyal to Gale, she was more interested in the tangible wealth and honor that came with it. That was probably why she volunteered for this Bratz expedition.

Swoosh.

Continuing to look out the window, Molrin walked over to the table and poured some wine. He spoke in a voice as heavy as the night air.

“What would you do if the one blocking your path has no intent to yield, and you can neither go back nor find another way?”

With eyes that carried the weight of life’s experiences, he took a sip of wine and mumbled, “One can only remove the obstacle and proceed.”

“Master.”

“There’s always a way.”

Let’s kill Ian.

For now, that was the most certain and cleanest solution. This place being remote does have its drawbacks, but looking at it another way, that’s also a good thing. If this were the central region, or if Ian had achieved the title of a mage, it would be even more difficult to handle him.

“If a magic user is hostile towards us, it’s only right to cut them off before they grow further.”

“Indeed, Master. If he becomes a mage and grows uncontrollably, he will soon become a burden to Prince Gale.”

Eliminating Ian would solve everything.

Without Ian, the Cheonrye tribe wouldn’t have a reason to be here, and Romandro wouldn’t have any faction to rely on, hence would be powerless.

Erica might be afraid for her life, but what Molrin feared more than death was failure. He couldn’t tolerate the grand achievements of his own lord, Prince Gale being jeopardized by a mere bastard from the lower class.

“Let’s lay low and observe the situation for a few days.”

“Yes, Master.”

They’ll wait for an opportunity.

That had been Molrin and his team’s plan as soon as they arrived at the mansion. They washed their mouths with wine, as if wanting the words they’d spoken to disappear.

Unbeknownst to them, a red brooch made of a magic stone was hanging under the bed.

***

On a cloudless and clear morning.

A long procession from the Bratz estate was passing through the forest. The caravan included not only Ian and Beric, but also Romandro and his subordinates, as well as the escort warriors from the Cheonrye tribe.

Romandro mumbled as he looked out the window.

“It’s farther than I thought.”

“We’ll be there soon once we get out of the forest.”

“Does that place also border the desert?”

“Merellof does… border the desert in some parts, but it’s mostly unaffected. Instead, it’s closest to the Hawan Kingdom to the east.”

“Ah, right. The Hawan Kingdom is in this direction.”

Thanks to its friendly relations and active trade with Bariel, Merellof reaped many benefits as a trade hub between the two nations. Even the fabric for Mary’s clothing from the East came through Contess Merellof.

“Stop. Where have you come from?”

“I have come from the Bratz domain as an advisor.”

The gatekeeper who was guarding the outer wall checked the coachman’s pass and opened the way. The interior resembled Bratz but also carried exotic traces. Just as Bratz was influenced by the desert and the Cheonrye tribe, they were also influenced by the Hawan Kingdom.

“Have you been trading continuously?”

“I don’t know about Dergha’s lifetime, but since the investigation team came, we’ve locked the doors. It would have been complicated for them to get involved, given the situation.”

But after Commander Erica had left and Ian began managing the estate in earnest, a letter had arrived. It was for a routine situation check—whether Dergha had really died, whether the Cheonrye tribe had seized the estate, and so on. These were matters they should rightfully know as neighbors, but…

‘Maybe if an advisor hadn’t come down from the imperial palace, these people would have been a hassle.’

Wasn’t it a basic method to expand one’s influence by taking over neighboring territories? They must have been eagerly waiting for an opportunity. The advisor coming down from the imperial palace had definitely caught them off guard.

Squeak.

The procession of carriages arrived at the mansion after much travel. As the coachman opened the door, the advisor stepped down first to survey the surroundings. Unlike the tranquil Bratz, the landscape exuded a more refined and luxurious feel.

“Are you Advisor Romandro-nim?”

“Yes.”

“Please come inside. The Count is waiting for you.”

An elderly butler courteously guided them in. He glanced at the Cheonrye warriors who followed, but that was it.

“Advisor Romondro?”

“Greetings. You must be Count Carlo Merellof.”

“Welcome.”

Sitting in the reception room was an extremely gaunt middle-aged man. He had a lifeless and rigid impression, like a piece of wood. Exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke, he looked at Ian.

“So you’re Ian.”

His gaze was cold, as if he were peering through Ian’s very core, subtly exuding arrogance.

“I am honored to meet Count Merellof.”

“You don’t look like Dergha at all.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“…Please, have a seat.”

Around the large round table sat Merellof, Romandro, and Ian. The Count began to get to the point as he offered them tea.

“I heard you’re in need of food supplies.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Our territory is already barren, and the food situation for the next month is uncertain. That’s why we want to ask for help from our neighboring territory, Merellof.”

“Seems like everything else is fine then.”

“Our recovery is better than expected. If we can solve the problem for the next couple of months, we should be able to normalize by the start or end of winter.”

Count Merellof tapped the table with his fingers, clearly deep in thought. Eventually, he nodded and gave an order to his servant.

“Bring the prepared documents.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I’ve given it some thought since receiving your letter. While I can’t ignore the suffering of my neighbors, neither can I cut my own flesh to save others.”

If it hadn’t been for the presence of an imperial advisor, he probably wouldn’t have even given Ian the opportunity for this trade. Besides with his own lack of funds, his priority had been his own territory, not his neighbors.

“This is the list of what we can offer and the prices we’ve set.”

Romandro frowned as he slowly went through the characters. Essential items like wheat and corn were omitted, and the remaining auxiliary ingredients were priced at more than five times the market value.

“…Pardon me, Count Merellof.”

“Yes, Advisor?”

Romandro, with an imposing aura, called for the Count, but the latter remained unfazed. He had agreed to deal with the imperial advisor but not without subtly expressing his reluctance.

Romandro, who had been idly touching the edge of the documents, reluctantly sought permission as his eyes met with Ian’s.

“Could we have a moment to discuss among ourselves?”

“Oh! Hahaha! You say ‘among ourselves’?”

The ‘ourselves’ Romandro referred to included Ian. Count Merellof burst into loud laughter for the first time. The idea of an imperial advisor from the palace holding a meeting together with a lowborn bastard seemed ridiculous to him.

“People from the central capital really are different.”

It was a blatant act of disdain, but Ian didn’t even blink. He was solely preoccupied with the numbers presented before him.

Merellop, too, was a count of the newly-formed Empire but was well-fed from sweet trade deals. It meant he was in a position to act this brazen. This was also entirely within expectations.

“Thank you for the courtesy.”

Ian turned his head away with a smirk.

After all, no matter how loud the laughter, it eventually comes to an end.