Episode 50

“If the lord’s seat remains vacant, it will only deepen the chaos,” the Prime Minister cautiously objected.

Marib offered an alternative. “Then we should dispatch an interim advisor. They can monitor the situation, manage public sentiment, and later appoint a proper lord.”

Wesley chimed in, “Erika, the head of the investigation team, is already there. She’s probably handling the aftermath as we speak.”

Marib burst out laughing, as if to say, “Don’t be ridiculous.” Wesley’s face stiffened at the blatant dismissal.

“The investigation leader is one of the very people responsible for the deaths of the locals’ families. And out of the three suspects caught, two remain unaccounted for.”

With a sharp slap, he threw down some documents, making no effort to hide his disdain for the investigation leader. The ministers nodded in agreement, unable to dispute the facts.

“This is an imperial matter. The Empire must act swiftly to restore order. That is the honor of my father, the Emperor, and of Bariel.”

“No objections,” came the chorus.

“Quite right,” another agreed.

Not a single word was wrong.

Besides, compared to other regions, Bratz’s production was abysmal. It was far from the capital, and the ministers, oblivious to the consequences, didn’t care who ruled such a place.

“Then we shall send an advisor and observe the progress. The appointment of a lord will be reconsidered afterward.”

“Since Bratz is distant, we should send the letter immediately after this meeting. Dispatch a courier post at once to ensure it arrives as soon as possible.”

“Agreed.”

Marib made sure not to give Gale any chance to interrupt. Since the proposal was reasonable, the Prime Minister raised his gavel to finalize the agenda.

But Wesley’s voice stopped him mid-air.

“If you say an advisor for reconstruction—”

Marib quickly cut in, “Who do you have in mind?”

“Well, Romandro seems the most suitable. He recently distinguished himself in the earthquake relief near the White Temple.”

“Then I’ll send Lord Molin along as well.”

“Lord Molin?”

It was a stubborn insistence that he absolutely could not give up. Marib stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Molin hasn’t been here long.”

“But he knows this territory better than anyone in the palace. Ask him, and if he agrees, it’s only right to send him along.”

The ministers exchanged glances. Was this really going to drag on? There were mountains of state affairs to attend to. Sensing the mood, the Prime Minister banged the gavel again.

“No objections.”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Next item…”

“The shipping route to Blaster Harbor is—”

‘Damn it. What now?’

Marib lowered her gaze to the documents, feigning indifference, but her mind was tangled. Since she had attended the morning meeting, she knew Marib had her own agenda.

‘At least I stopped them from sending the advisor alone…’

When Wesley glanced her way, Marib just raised an eyebrow and smiled. Whenever he smiled like that, it always meant trouble for them.

“…Then this concludes today’s assembly.”

“Thank you for your efforts.”

“I shall see Your Majesty this afternoon.”

As the meeting ended, Marib left the chamber without hesitation.

Behind him, the ministers bowed deeply. They were tense, wondering if they should offer tea or something. Marib quietly instructed the subordinate waiting outside.

“Summon Romandro.”

“Romandro?”

The subordinate asked hesitantly. Romandro had just returned from managing the White Temple’s aftermath. Newlywed and separated from his wife for two months already, he might resign if he knew Marib was calling him again. Truly.

“Why are you standing there like that?”

“N-no, I understand.”

But what choice did he have? When ordered, one must obey.

Convincing Romandro to come was the subordinate’s task. Whether Marib knew the turmoil brewing inside him or not, she glanced toward Wesley and turned her back.

---

“Are you sure you’ll be fine without us?”

“Don’t worry about me. Just hurry and depart.”

Erika waved her hand dismissively, reassuring the central army commander. She was among the minimal forces remaining at the manor.

“It feels like leaving them in a den of beasts.”

“If we disband the investigation team, it’s tantamount to rebellion against the central government. That Ian fellow may be unlucky, but he’s sharp. He won’t do anything reckless.”

Only five elite soldiers, including Erika, stayed behind at the manor. One Erika was far more effective than a hundred unknown foot soldiers.

Though not a frontline powerhouse, this was the best strategy. All other troops were preparing to follow Mary and Chel out of Bratz.

“Then we’ll depart quickly.”

“Please, at least recover the bodies.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Move out!”

“Move out!”

The soldiers formed ranks and left the manor. Children ran along the streets, watching with curiosity, while the locals gathered in small groups, gossiping about the so-called withdrawal of the central army.

“They say the lady and Master Chel went looking for someone? So the rumor about them leaving the gates alive was true.”

“Watch your words. Aren’t they traitors?”

“Ah, it feels good to say it! Go away and never come back! Just go straight back to the capital, you lot!”

“Go away! Don’t ever return!”

“Get lost!”

The locals, having lost their families and homes to the fighting, threw stones and caused a ruckus, but the central soldiers only glared back, unable to act. The Chenryo tribesmen stood firm among them.

“Farewell. We won’t go far.”

“When they leave, pour molten metal into the gates!”

“How are we supposed to get out then?”

“Just freeloaders, the lot of them.”

“Hey, I’m listening.”

They couldn’t afford trouble before even leaving the territory. It was true they had depleted the locals’ food supplies during their stay.

Unlike the angry crowd, some ran with pure joy—children.

“Yay! The central army is leaving!”

“Mom, mom! The soldiers are all going back!”

Like defeated foreign troops, the locals’ perception and reality of the battle were the same. Distance-wise, the Chenryo or the Hawan Kingdom were much closer than the capital.

“They’re all excited.”

Erika watched from the manor, clicking her tongue. She turned back toward the main gate to return to her room, only to be blocked by Chenryo warriors.

“W-what is this?”

“We will be using the main building from now on. Since your numbers are few, you’ll have to use the tents.”

“Are you crazy? Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“If you have complaints, take them to Kakantir.”

Erika gaped in disbelief. The central army hadn’t even left yet, and already they were making demands?

Until an hour ago, they had freely come and gone from the main building. What was this situation?

“Fine. Let’s see about that, captain. I want to have a word.”

“…Follow me.”

Erika was led to the reception room, where Kakantir and Ian awaited.

Bang!

“Are you joking?”

“What’s going on? The central army has left, right?”

“Shut up. None of your business. You want to use the main building? Don’t make me laugh. You’re the ones who live outside in tents.”

His shouting was a spectacle. Ian sighed and stared at Erika.

Kakantir clicked his tongue, eyeing her up and down. Though they’d been living together—more or less—he still looked uncomfortable.

“Look, if you want the main building, you should reduce your numbers. If you want, I can give you a room for yourself. There’s a storage room at the end of the hall.”

“Hey, you—”

“By the way, if reducing your numbers is difficult, I can help. The sword’s getting rusty; it’s time to carve up some meat.”

The blatant threat drained the color from Erika’s face. The barbarians were barbarians indeed. Their attitude changed the moment the central army left. She realized anew that these were people to avoid at all costs.

Ian stepped in to change the subject.

“Anyway, welcome. The investigation team’s reports and materials for the palace are all compiled. You can take them with you. Now, we’re about to proceed with Derga’s execution.”

Suddenly bringing up Derga’s execution, Erika crossed her arms in refusal.

“There are procedures. Derga’s execution will only proceed after securing Mary and Chel’s prisoners.”

“And if you don’t secure Mary and Chel? Will you just stay here forever?”

He was trying to nail her down. Whether a week or a month, if no results came within the set time, they were being pressured to leave the territory.

Erika bit her lip.

“…Your words are harsh.”

“Apologies. I thought ‘parasite’ might offend you more.”

Just as Erika was about to retort, Kakantir smoothly interrupted, flicking a dagger.

“One week. If the execution isn’t carried out within that time, we’ll end Derga’s life ourselves.”

There were two intentions behind this threat.

First, it was a declaration from the Cheollyeoin sent to the imperial palace. Though they had driven out the investigation team and the central army, it wasn’t to defy the emperor’s orders or to save Derga—it was truly for the sake of their territory, and they needed to prove that.

Second, it was a warning to Erika. If she kept resisting, her breath would be extinguished along with Derga’s—no matter how it happened.

“Haa.”

Erika ground her teeth, debating how to respond, when suddenly a commotion came from outside.

“Lady Erika! Lady Erika!”

One of the investigators burst into the reception room without knocking, then flinched at the fierce atmosphere.

“Lady Erika, the message has finally arrived—huff!”

“…Arrived? What message?”

At the same moment, Ian and Kakantir turned their heads. All eyes fixed on the subordinate, who looked like the youngest, his face flushed with excitement and joy.

Without realizing it, a spark of hope bubbled up inside Erika.

Could it be? No way. Damn it. Finally?

“The central government’s letter has arrived.”

“…!”

“…!”

“Those bastards are all dead!”

“Congratulations, Lady Erika!”

“Congratulations!”

Erika let out a triumphant shout, clenching her fist tightly. The subordinates standing behind her also gripped their sword hilts with renewed confidence. This was the best possible news—the one card that could instantly drive out Ian and the Cheollye.

Once the lordship was officially granted, she would become the rightful ruler here. She would crush that vulgar, cursed commoner bastard and the beast tribe in one fell swoop.

“Central letter! Let me see it at once—I’m heading down!”

“Ah, no need to come down. It’s come to the courier’s office.”

At those words, the charged atmosphere seemed to deflate instantly. Everyone knew what it meant that the central letter had arrived at the courier’s office.

Only Kakantir and the investigator’s subordinate seemed to grasp the strange, unspoken tension hanging in the air.