Episode 48

“But are those guys really knights?”

“What?”

Erika reflexively shot back at Ian’s question. Of all people, Ian was the last one who should be asking that right now—especially when they were already suspicious of the Cheollyeo tribe! For Ian to say something like that was practically an admission.

“Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

“Of course I do. When we captured Derga, I thought we’d wiped out all his knights in the forest. So how is it that knights suddenly appear out of nowhere?”

“Hah!”

Erika couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. But it was short-lived.

“Could it be that one of your subordinates has betrayed you, Lady Erika?”

The words hit Erika like a hammer to the head—not because she believed there was a traitor, but because she understood the implication behind Ian’s suggestion.

“The rumors that Mary and Chel survived and fled beyond the territory have spread like wildfire. And with supposed accomplices nearby, everyone assumes they escaped safely.”

“You… you…!”

“But what if those so-called accomplices are actually traitors, trying to trap you, Lady Erika? Wouldn’t they hide the two without a trace?”

Since she was acting under the imperial palace’s orders, Erika had a duty to track those two down thoroughly.

But what if they vanished halfway?

She was supposed to at least confirm their survival and submit a report—preferably with some concrete evidence, like pieces of a corpse.

“You’d better hurry and send your full force after them. Who knows what might happen to those two?”

To an outsider, it sounded like Erika was being warned for her own safety. But to her ears, it was something else entirely.

“If you don’t pull your soldiers out of the mansion immediately, they’ll kill Mary and Chel and hide the bodies. Then you’ll be wandering the mountain ranges for years, chasing shadows.”

“You damn bastard…”

With a growl, Erika drew her sword. But there’s a saying: getting angry means losing. Instinctively, she realized she’d fallen perfectly into Ian’s trap.

“Why get so worked up? I’m only giving advice because I’m concerned for you, Lady Erika.”

“Where did you find Mary and Chel?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Ian, do you really think you’ll get away with this? I’m the head of the investigation team, appointed by the imperial palace. Interfering with me is the same as defying the palace’s solemn orders!”

Erika huffed and spat out her words, but then immediately realized her mistake and frowned. She’d just admitted it herself—she was acting under the palace’s command.

So her true duty was to chase after Mary and Chel beyond the territory, and doing otherwise was neglecting her responsibilities.

“Yes, I know that well. So you’d better hurry and arrest those who helped Mary and Chel escape.”

The only way to prove Ian’s connection to those people was through that.

As Erika bit her lip and glared at Ian, one of her subordinates returned.

“Lady Erika, the stablemaster says two of the Bratz family’s horses have gone missing…”

Ian, noticing Erika’s presence, quickly trailed off, but it was too late—he’d already heard everything. Ian smiled brightly, as if to say, “See?”

“That’s right. They’re the mansion’s horses. It’s clear there’s a traitor.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think I don’t know you’re in cahoots with the Cheollyeo tribe? Where do you get off shamelessly stirring things up?”

“Me? With the Cheollyeo? How can you accuse an innocent person?”

“Just by looking at their inhuman skills, it’s obvious!”

“If you want, you can check the Cheollyeo forces that entered here. See if two are missing.”

“You… you…”

“Could it be you haven’t even checked the Cheollyeo forces? The palace’s investigation chief seems more lax than expected.”

Ian’s words were a clear insult, but Erika had no comeback. Even if she had a handle on things, how could she know if outsiders had been brought in separately?

“You’re dead meat.”

“Please don’t. I’m scared.”

“I’m serious. I’m going to kill you.”

It was almost a curse. Erika gritted her teeth, vowing to behead that arrogant lowborn brat herself someday. Then she grabbed her cloak and stepped outside.

Bang!

Left alone, Ian shrugged and glanced around Lady Mary’s room. She’d said there was something to take from here…

The drawer slid open halfway, mostly empty. The investigation team must have confiscated the valuables—jewels and ornaments. With the unpaid taxes piling up, all the mansion’s treasures would be claimed by the palace.

“What could it be…?”

While Ian clicked his tongue in thought, Erika and her men rushed down the corridor and out. She could feel the Cheollyeo tribe’s sidelong glances but had no time to respond.

“Gather the soldiers.”

“How many?”

“Leave only the bare minimum behind. The rest will form the pursuit squad.”

“But if we do that…”

Knowing they were dealing with the Cheollyeo, ordinary forces wouldn’t suffice. They had to strike hard and fast to prove Ian and the Cheollyeo had smuggled out the Bratz family members.

“Right. I’ll crush your trap.”

“Keep an eye on Ian and Kakan.”

“Yes, understood.”

“If you notice anything suspicious, report immediately.”

No matter what, things wouldn’t go smoothly. The moment they caught those two Cheollyeo who called themselves Derga’s knights, they’d wipe out all the strangers in the mansion, including Ian.

“Mobilize!”

As Erika and the central army stirred into action, the Cheollyeo tribe, who had been watching quietly, began to move discreetly. One warrior approached Nersarn to report.

“Lord Nersarn, as Ian said, they’ve started moving. It’s time to strike.”

“Good.”

Nersarn nodded with satisfaction. With the pursuit squad’s strength at its peak, it was a signal to deal with Mary and Chel.

He scribbled a short note in Cheollyeo and handed it to a subordinate.

“They say the mountain range is rugged. I wonder how they’re managing—kids used to only sandstorms.”

“Don’t you trust your own people?”

“Of course I do. They’re warriors. I’m just worried.”

For a warrior, defeat doesn’t exist. Defeat means death, and once dead, you can’t even realize you lost. Even in danger, they don’t fear sacrifice. They’d rather rip out their own hearts than give the enemy an opening.

“Send the hawk.”

“Yes. Oh, by the way, the remaining hawk belongs to Kakan.”

The warrior glanced at Nersarn’s bed. Kakanthir was casually enjoying a peach. He nodded in approval.

“Then I’ll send Jeno.”

“Before you do, feed him some sweet fruit. His temper’s been odd lately.”

“Understood. Rest well.”

The subordinate left, and Nersarn turned back. Kakanthir was still staring blankly out the window, enjoying the calm. Though it was mid-summer, compared to the desert, it felt cool.

“Kakan, once the central army leaves the territory, it’s time to kill Derga and clean up. We can’t leave the Cheollyeo here too long.”

“Right, that’s true.”

With the incident at Bumat and the shortage of troops guarding the desert outpost, it was a concern. The great desert’s blessing eased worries, but leaving home too long wasn’t good.

“But Nersarn, Ian is a magic user. If he catches the palace’s eye, he’ll have to go to the capital someday. Who will manage this place then?”

“Hmm. I think Beric will go with him.”

“Even if you leave him behind, he’s not enough.”

Kakanthir glanced at Nersarn. Having been close for so long, a look was enough to understand his meaning. Nersarn frowned.

“I don’t want to.”

“What?”

“You’re telling me to stay here.”

“Oh? That’s how it feels?”

“If I stay, it benefits the Cheollyeo in many ways. But whether Ian will allow it is uncertain, and more importantly…”

“More importantly?”

Nersarn glanced at Kakanthir, then turned away.

“…I hate the cold.”

“Ah, that’s important.”

“It snows here. It’s bitterly cold.”

Kakanthir chuckled, biting into the last of his peach. No need to wait for winter. In a couple of months, when the autumn wind chills, the Cheollyeo warriors’ homesickness will deepen. Everything had to be settled before then.

“The title commission should be arriving about now.”

“Likely.”

“Do you really trust Ian?”

“Trust? You mean because he’s a magic user? Didn’t you see how Beric fought the knight?”

“I mean, is being a magic user enough to overturn a title commission?”

I’d heard of the empire’s magic worship. Just as they believed in Winchen, the Bariel people revolved around their magicians.

But having never experienced it firsthand, I wasn’t sure. Besides, this was the frontier. Most locals didn’t even know what magic was.

“Who knows? He doesn’t seem to be lying. If someone from the palace comes down, we’ll find out immediately.”

“Still, it seems to be delayed.”

Nersarn muttered, counting the days on his fingers. It should have arrived by now, but there was no sign.

“What on earth is the palace doing?”

---

Knock, knock.

The office of the First Prince, Marib Veroshion, never went dark, even in the dead of night. The prince sat there in light clothing, his long hair tied back in a single knot.

At the sound of footsteps breaking the silence, he set his glasses down.

“Come in.”

“Your Highness Marib, there’s something you need to see.”

“At this hour? What is it?”

Marib sipped the cold tea in front of him as he asked. The aide presented a crumpled, dirty letter. The seal was broken, as if the prince had already glanced at its contents.

“It’s a secret message from Count Bratz of Derga on the frontier. It was deliberately sent to me, not directly to Your Highness.”

“Count Bratz?”

Marib blinked lightly. Bratz—the same count the emperor recently sent investigators to, on suspicion of tax evasion. Marib had only met him a few times at official events; they had no personal connection.

And now a letter from him?

Curious, suspicious, and intrigued all at once.

“There’s no seal.”

“Instead, there was a ring inside, engraved with the Bratz family crest. A diamond ring estimated at ten carats.”

“Hmm.”

Marib let out a low whistle as he looked at the ring resting on the table. Not because of the gem’s value, but because the count must be in desperate straits to offer something so precious.

“If he were pleading for mercy, he’d send it to my father. Since he didn’t, this must be about something else.”

“Exactly.”

The aide carefully laid the folded letter down.

A moment later, Marib’s eyes sharpened as he read with growing interest.

“This is… quite something.”