Episode 44

There had never been a time in Bratz’s history as chaotic and awkward as this. Not only had kin—once thought to be a single Bariel people—turned their swords against each other, but the bastard son, long presumed dead, had returned. And he came backed by the very Cheollyeo tribe they had considered their lifelong enemy.

“Is the world… coming to an end…?”

An old, grizzled man muttered as he looked up at the Bratz mansion. What a surreal sight it was—soldiers bearing the imperial palace’s banners and Cheollyeo warriors stationed side by side, all within the main building of the estate.

Shaking his head, the old man loaded a headless corpse onto a cart and moved it away.

Creak.

Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was even more tense than it appeared from outside. Like oil and water, the two sides simply couldn’t mix. But the biggest problem was this:

“We can’t find the bodies of Countess Mary and Chel.”

“Are you sure you checked even the decapitated ones?”

“We confirmed by clothing and even down to the fingernails, but there was nothing that could be identified as noble. The bodies that floated down the river haven’t been recovered yet, so they’re probably mixed in over there.”

Erika bit her nails as she listened to the report. They had secured Derga’s body, but there was no trace of his wife Mary or their child Chel.

“Check for any torn limbs as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We must find their bodies. Search the mansion thoroughly.”

If they were truly dead, confirming their bodies was the only way to say the mission was complete. Besides, had the estate been thoroughly searched? If the cleanup wasn’t meticulous, the central government’s trust could waver.

“…And if you do find the bodies, you know what to do, right?”

“Until the imperial appointment arrives, we’ll keep them well hidden.”

If Mary and Chel were dead, there’d be no reason to delay Derga’s execution. Without that, Erika would have no justification to remain in Bratz. And with the Cheollyeo tribe occupying the territory, it was uncertain whether she could even re-enter the estate.

‘Damn it!’

Erika bit her nails again, crushed fragments rolling around in her mouth.

Meanwhile, in a small room at the back of the corridor.

Kakantir, Nersarn, and Ian sat in a circle. Nersarn spoke first.

“Sir Ian, about Erika… doesn’t it seem like she’s just waiting for the appointment letter?”

“I thought the same. Considering the forced march to the border’s edge, she was probably already designated as the investigation leader when appointed.”

“Erika’s been here nearly two weeks. The appointment letter should arrive soon, and then it’ll be difficult for us to stay stationed here.”

Ian shook his head at Nersarn’s words. As Erika said, the title appointment was the emperor’s prerogative. No matter how much Crown Prince Gale II supported Erika, she’d need results.

“Derga was captured today. Even if the imperial edict is sent immediately, it’ll take nearly two weeks. No need to worry about that.”

Imperial orders were weighty and precious, delivered only by courier, never by dispatch.

Nersarn calculated the dates in his head and relaxed a little.

“Anyway, Erika becoming the lord is a foregone conclusion. Cheollyeo has already invested a lot. But it looks like it might all be wasted.”

By backing Ian, future gains and Derga’s direct punishment, Cheollyeo had conceded much in this plan.

“No, Kakant. The situation is actually favorable.”

“Explain.”

“First, Mary and Chel’s bodies haven’t been secured.”

“That’s a good thing? Because of that, those bastards are squatting in this mansion.”

“Erika herself said her mission was to annihilate the Bratz family and secure their bodies.”

Nersarn gasped, realizing the implication.

“Ah… so?”

Their presence here meant Mary and Chel were likely still inside the territory.

But if it was confirmed they had left, they’d be forced to pursue Mary and Chel.

They were bait.

“Also, the central government will never be able to dismiss me.”

“On what grounds?”

“Exactly because of what you’re wondering, Kakant.”

Ian was a magic user. Though of low birth, no one dared to challenge Erika’s backing, he asserted confidently.

“Good. We’ve only just caught Derga. Let’s watch and wait.”

“Thank you, Kakant.”

“So, what should we do now? Should we follow the leader’s orders and search the village for bodies?”

“No. Instead, help the wounded. The battle’s over for now, so reconstruction will be the focus. Gaining the support of the locals is crucial on the border. Please do that.”

Kakantir’s eyes narrowed.

The more he looked, the more he thought Ian was a clever kid. Using Cheollyeo’s power without lifting a finger, he was handing out all sorts of help to Bariel.

Only sixteen, was it? Unbelievable. But Ian smiled faintly, catching Kakantir’s gaze.

‘What are you looking at? It’s not wrong.’

Indeed, it wasn’t.

From the central government’s perspective, the borderlands were just a piece of land as long as taxes were paid and the border defended. It meant independence from the palace’s influence.

So, to run the territory smoothly, a capable and recognized head of the family was necessary. This was all for that purpose.

“And you, sir?”

“I have some business. I heard Derga set fire to the annex and fled. That’s probably when Mary and Chel went missing, as Erika said.”

If they weren’t inside the territory or outside…

There was a chance they were hiding somewhere in the mansion. Large estates always had secret passages. The problem was, all the servants who might have clues were dead.

“I’ll move once Beric returns from his errand. Kakant, you should rest with the soldiers before heading down.”

Kakantir took a swig straight from a wine bottle and looked at Ian. Since they were in this together, there was no other choice.

Later that afternoon.

As soon as Beric returned from his errand, he found Ian leading two Kusile beasts.

“You’re back?”

“What are you doing? Going out again?”

“You know where I lived, right?”

Ian’s childhood home—the worst of the red-light districts. He only knew the general area, not the exact address.

“I know. But why? Philia’s doing fine in the forest. She’s alone but eating and sleeping well. She looks healthy.”

“Shh. I told you to be careful.”

“No worries. No one’s listening.”

Even the Cheollyeo tribe didn’t know Ian’s birth mother was alive. It wasn’t a weakness now, but revealing it first was awkward.

“Anyway, why there?”

“I’m going to look for Hana.”

Mary and Chel—no matter how he thought about it, the secret passage in the mansion was suspicious. How could a woman and child have escaped the chaos otherwise? If they were dead, their bodies would have been found by now.

It might be Erika’s shallow trick, but for now, they had to check as much as possible.

Tap tap tap.

“Is it this way?”

“Probably.”

Beric covered his nose and led the way. The back alleys twisted like a maze. Even without magic, a careless person would have their pockets picked here. It was completely cut off from the outside.

“Here.”

“This place?”

Ian managed to keep his expression neutral but clicked his tongue.

Going down to the basement, rooms spread out like an anthill. One of them had been Ian and Philia’s home. Rats swarmed, and the smell of mold masked the scent of war.

“Why? You mean this was your old place? I didn’t even know about this.”

Ian must have moved when he entered the Bratz mansion. Derga’s power plays had economically squeezed Philia, and this was the result.

“Tch.”

Ian clicked his tongue again and turned away without hesitation. The abandoned nest held nothing worth taking. He stepped into the hallway and gestured to Beric.

“Find out about Hana.”

“Me?”

“Who else?”

“…Hey, you there! Stop and answer a question!”

As Beric wandered, stopping people, Ian carefully scanned the surroundings. The scene was so chaotic and tragic that all he felt was sorrow.

But then—

“Ian! This way!”

Hana’s family, with five younger siblings, was well known. And since Hana had been a servant in the mansion, she stood out among the neighbors.

“Go up the stairs to the second floor.”

As they stepped onto the stairs, a child’s cry echoed.

Waaah!

“Oh no, why are you crying again?”

“Hana?”

Hana, rocking a baby, turned around startled. When she recognized Ian and Beric, a surprised smile spread across her face.

“Master! Beric!”

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“You’re back! And Ian, I’m so glad you’re alive!”

“Is the house okay?”

“Yes. We don’t have any family in the army… My parents are so grateful every night that they got out of the mansion.”

But judging by her slightly gaunt face, she’d suffered. The windows and the door Ian had forced open were nailed shut. During the battle, they’d blocked entry from outside.

Ian smiled faintly and gently stroked the baby’s hand.

“So this is the little sister I’ve only heard about.”

“Yes. There are many more. But…”

Hana suddenly burst out, words tumbling like a flood.

“Did you come looking for me? More importantly, are you sure it’s alright for you to be back here? Ian, you’re also Derga’s son, aren’t you? I thought the story about you returning with the Cheollyeo tribe was a lie…”

“Yes. It’s fine. But there’s something I need to ask.”

Hana soothed the baby in her arms and pulled out a chair for Ian.

“I’m curious if there are any secret rumors or ghost stories circulating inside the mansion.”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“I want to know if there might be any hidden passageways.”

Like tales of ghosts appearing at the end of a hallway on a certain floor, or voices heard from rooms the owner forbade anyone to enter—most of these stories usually stem from people sneaking through secret corridors.

“Hmm. I can’t say I’ve heard any ghost stories. And as for secret passages or hidden rooms, I really don’t know anything about that.”

“Of course. If you knew, would it still be a secret?”

“Beric, you haven’t changed at all.”

Beric and Hana exchanged playful glances, while Ian folded his arms and leaned back, looking a bit uncomfortable.

“…It would have been nice to have a butler.”

Unfortunately, the butler was found with his arm severed. Not by the central army, but by soldiers from the neighboring territory of Merelrof.

Apparently, he got lost while fleeing and crossed into borderlands by mistake. The Merelrof soldiers stopped by Bratz under the pretense of returning the body and assessing the situation before leaving.

“Did the butler die as well?”

“Ah. Yes.”

Hana gave an awkward smile and lowered her gaze to her younger brother. Ian caught the subtle shift in her expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Nothing. It’s just… it’s tragic, isn’t it? Most of the people who lived in the mansion are dead…”

Is that really all there is?

Ian locked eyes with Hana, his gaze sharp. She sighed deeply, as if utterly defeated.