Episode 112
It doesn’t take long for fate to change. Just like how Karenna, who had tasted hell during the bandit raid, was able to promise peace by the time the dawn moon faded.

“Bandits? They raided their base?”

“I don’t know for sure. I heard it from a guard friend—apparently, that’s what happened.”

“So the bandits were chased during their retreat?”

“Doesn’t seem like it. I heard mercenaries showed up separately.”

“Mercenaries? Did we even have the taxes to hire mercenaries?”

“Whatever it was, all the bandits are dead now, right? Except for that one leader!”

“Yeah, that’s what matters! Damn those bastards. If they were going to die, they could’ve at least waited until tonight!”

“Enough. It’s already done. It means we’re safe now. The guards actually did something for once.”

“No, I’m telling you, it wasn’t the guards. It was outsiders.”

“Outsiders? Who in Karenna could be outsiders like that…?”

The townsfolk, gathered in small groups, trailed off as they recalled the nightmare of last night. At the same time, they must have remembered the same procession of carriages. The innkeeper’s excitement over the distinguished guests was still fresh in their minds.

“Could it be them?”

“They looked unusual, but how could they have taken down the bandits…?”

Slowly, they turned their heads toward the town center—the direction of the inn where the outsiders had stayed.

Meanwhile, as the guards moved the bodies, Ian’s group retrieved their carriage and brought it back to the inn. They had lost a couple of horses, but having some was better than none.

“Romandro, have you finished checking the cargo?”

“Yes. All the documents are intact. Ah, I can finally relax.”

Romandro had just finished unloading every box and turning them inside out. He gave a thumbs-up, clearly satisfied.

“Good. At least the delay didn’t last more than a day.”

They had originally planned to leave Karenna early in the morning, but since they needed to find new horses and a driver, departure would be later in the morning. Ian asked Romandro and his men to handle the arrangements and stepped into the inn. The floor was still stained with blood, and the staff were busy scrubbing it clean.

“Hey, Ian, aren’t you hungry?”

Among them, Beric sat confidently, tearing into meat and bread. Hasha took a seat opposite him, sharing a single plate as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You eat plenty. You’ve earned it.”

“Ha, I can’t say no when you put it like that.”

Clatter!

“Ian, the captain of the guard has brought the mayor.”

“That’s quick. Send him in.”

No sooner had Ian spoken than the mayor hurried into the inn, bowing awkwardly, clearly unsure how to act. The cleaning staff froze in surprise.

“Ah, greetings. I am Onyx, mayor of Karenna.”

He was a short, stout man, his collar disheveled, face flushed, voice high-pitched and agitated. Ian quietly appraised him from head to toe.

“Do we need formal introductions?”

“No, I’ve heard about you. They say you’re a noble attending the New Year’s gathering. I was told the royal court advisor is accompanying you.”

Ian fell silent for a moment. Only Beric, still eating heartily behind him, tilted his head in confusion. Everyone else was overwhelmed by a crushing pressure, their minds tangled.

“While the bandits invaded and wreaked havoc on the city, what exactly were you doing, Mayor?”

“I—I’m sorry. As I mentioned, there was trouble in another city…”

“Step closer.”

The mayor hesitated but took a step forward. How close? Too close? He didn’t seem to know the proper distance. When he looked up—

‘Gasp.’

He met Ian’s green eyes. The pale color was rare, but what stunned him more was how young Ian looked. Receiving a noble title at such an age—it struck him as profoundly unfair.

“You smell of alcohol.”

“That is…”

He was doomed. Not only had he been caught drinking heavily during the attack, but now he was exposed to a noble and a central official. The mayor, perhaps hoping the scent of blood would mask the alcohol, kept bowing his forehead to the floor in apology.

“I—I only had a drink at an important family gathering. I deeply regret this.”

Ian shifted his gaze to the captain of the guard.

In truth, when detecting lies, it’s more effective to watch the person beside the speaker rather than the speaker themselves. The liar desperately tries to mask the truth with a false expression, but those listening tend to be less tense.

‘He’s lying.’

The captain’s lips twitched in a way that was neither a smile nor a frown—more like a grimace. Ian crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.

“Enough. The smell of alcohol is overpowering. According to Karenna’s law, what is the punishment for captured bandits?”

The mayor’s eyes widened, and he covered his mouth in shock. Then, recalling Karenna’s laws, he cautiously answered.

“…Execution is certain. But under Karenna’s city laws, those who commit robbery and murder, especially in groups, are punished by flogging.”

Karenna’s law meant whipping the back repeatedly, waking the victim if they fainted, and continuing until flesh was torn away—a living hell. When the victim’s breath grew faint, the gallows would be set up.

“Good. I have business with the bandit leader. Clear this place and take me to the prison.”

“To the prison?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Uh…”

The mayor’s face twisted awkwardly but then shook his head.

“No! I will prepare horses and a driver so you can leave afterward.”

His attitude wasn’t bad. Ian turned his back, signaling he could leave, and the mayor retreated, still tense.

Clatter!

“Phew.”

It felt like his heart dropped to the floor and then was put back in place. The captain handed Ian a drink and offered some comfort.

“Still, it’s fortunate you’re busy with the New Year’s gathering. They say you’ll leave by late morning.”

“Exactly. It would’ve been a problem if they were coming up here instead of going down. That kid’s got quite the temper. Going to receive a noble title, huh?”

“I think they’re veterans of the war.”

The captain still couldn’t believe Beric’s abilities. How could one person have wiped out so many bandits alone? The mayor muttered nervously, wiping cold sweat.

“If they’re magic users, maybe it’s possible.”

“You mean those Danilo mentioned during his investigation?”

“Yeah. Anyway, I can’t argue with what they did. If the advisor files a report, it’ll be troublesome. You want to see the bandit leader—do you know why?”

The mayor asked, but the captain had no idea.

Ian hadn’t mentioned anything about the undead. It could complicate a simple bandit case, and if Wesley found out about Hasha, it would cause all sorts of problems.

“There’s only one reason I can think of.”

“Of course.”

They had lost their horses, their driver, and a peaceful night’s rest. The conclusion was clear: the noble lord would never let that bandit leader go easily.

“This won’t do. I’ll go and personally administer the flogging.”

“I’ll prepare.”

“Make sure the flesh tears clean off. That should ease my anger.”

Having lost face with the guards, Ian planned to regain some points this way. It was a completely misguided judgment, but no one noticed.

---

Beric rubbed his full stomach, smiling contentedly. After all the running around without dinner, it was no wonder he was starving. Once the inn’s interior was roughly cleaned, Ian looked at Hasha and spoke.

“So, what do you plan to do now, Hasha?”

-Without my grandmother and after cleaning up the bodies, I suppose I should return to Astana. There’s really no other option right now.

“Your grandmother is the head of the faction, right?”

Ian pictured the elderly woman in the photo and tried to gauge the situation. Being the faction leader meant many allies but also plenty of enemies. There must be a reason she hadn’t returned to Astana to avoid Wesley.

-That’s why I was wondering—could you take me to the capital? To get to Astana, I have to go through there anyway.

“And once you reach the capital, what will you do in that frail body?”

Ian’s quiet question made Hasha clench his lips. His situation was truly bleak and difficult. Ian gently patted the back of his neck and offered a proposal.

“I’ll take you to the capital and help you get to Astana from there. But I want to record your experiences officially as proof.”

“You’re coming with me? Ah, the carriage is cramped.”

“Beric, just don’t lie down, and it’ll be fine.”

Hasha’s eyes sparkled. Beric just burped loudly, clearly unimpressed.

“Also, I want you to remember my name forever.”

He meant that on the day Hasha truly died, whoever helped him, the name of that person, should be remembered. Hasha muttered as if engraving it on his heart.

—Ian.

“All right. It’s settled.”

—I! An!!

Hasha wagged his tail as if ready to take off. He tapped Beric’s arm repeatedly, but no matter how much he hit, Beric didn’t budge.

“There’s not much time left before we leave. Make sure you pack everything properly.”

Morning had broken. Their goal was to set out before noon, at the very least. No sooner had Ian finished speaking than Hasha dashed outside.

Thud!

Whimper!

“Guess a dog’s gotta bark like a dog, huh? Ugh.”

“Beric, enough eating. Time to move.”

“That was just a missed dinner. Now it’s breakfast! Huh? Breakfast!”

Ian ignored him and stepped out into the street. As his eyes adjusted to the light, the ruined landscape of Karenna looked even more devastating. The townsfolk awkwardly approached the two as they headed toward the prison.

“Um…”

A man, covered in dirt and dust, scratched his nose and bowed his head.

“We heard what you did. You caught those thieves.”

“You even saved us in the middle of the night. How can we ever repay you?”

“Thank you! It’s not much, but here…”

“Oh, no need—”

The villagers bypassed Ian’s polite refusals and turned to Beric instead. Grinning from the unexpected attention, Beric nodded repeatedly.

“Thank you! Thank you for saving us!”

“Ha! I was the one who saved you. No doubt about it. Heh heh! I even outdid the master.”

“Excuse me? You have a master?”

“Oh, you mean the master? That blonde fellow over there!”

“Then he’s the one who saved us!”

“Thank you!”

Beric’s words sparked a wave of gratitude. Left standing dumbfounded, Beric gaped in disbelief while Ian smiled kindly and continued toward the prison.

“Ian!”

“Hurry up and come.”

“Seriously, this is ridiculous. I did all the work!”

Beric grumbled as he trailed after Ian. Upon reaching the prison, Ian was met by the guards who had been alerted in advance and escorted inside.

“Ah! You’re here!”

The mayor, soaked in sweat and clutching a bloodied whip, bowed repeatedly and proudly displayed the captured thief’s battered body. It looked like he’d given the man a thorough beating.

“I gave him a proper thrashing. He’s unconscious now, but if you want, I can give him another round!”

Ian looked at the passed-out thief leader and asked incredulously,

“I have a question. What do you plan to do with him if you just knock him out like this?”

“Uh? What do you mean…?”

“Sounds like you only pay attention when you’re drinking.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Ian’s words clearly missed the mark. The mayor grimaced and rolled his eyes. Ian clicked his tongue, glancing between the rising sun outside and the unconscious thief. They had a long road ahead…

“Bring me some paper.”

“Y-yes! Right away!”

The mayor quickly scribbled the address of Romandro’s mansion on a sheet and Ian gave his instructions.

“As soon as he wakes, interrogate the thief and send a report. Ask specifically how the blue-haired child managed to follow them. You have two weeks.”

In a way, this might work out well.

Since Beric had hidden this information even when pressed, it wouldn’t be easy to get answers. But with several expert interrogators here, they’d find a way to make him talk.

“If I don’t receive that letter, I’ll report your negligence to the palace. And if you start gossiping instead of keeping quiet, I’ll come back here myself.”

Ian handed over the paper with a nod. If the mayor failed, he’d be as good as dead. It was a clear warning to get the job done right. The mayor just hiccupped nervously as he took the paper with both hands.