Episode 55

—The illegitimate son, Ian, barged in with the Cheollyeo tribe and laid claim to the territory. Using the pretext of an alliance with Bratz, they occupied the land and began managing it… I’m at a loss as to what to do.

Molin clenched his teeth tightly. Under normal circumstances, there was no reason for him to come down here. The plan was simple and clear: Erika would organize and govern the territory, then transfer the mercenaries. That should have been it.

Yet the appointment of the lord had been indefinitely postponed, and Ian—who was supposed to be in the Great Desert—was brazenly occupying the land?

‘By now, Erika must have received the imperial dispatch.’

Marib’s interference felt ominous. Molin suspected Ian had some scheme behind this and was on his way to deal with him personally.

Since Ian bore Derga’s blood, he was a body fit to be enslaved. Though clever, if he acted recklessly, Molin intended to make sure Ian understood the consequences.

‘I don’t know why the Cheollyeo tribe is siding with Ian, but that boy isn’t worth it.’

How far had that sweet tongue bewitched the beast tribes? Did he even know his mother was alive? Or that he was of illegitimate birth?

Molin ground his teeth harder, his sharp gaze flashing—unaware that Erika’s and the imperial letters had crossed paths.

Clack, clack, clack—

“We’re almost there.”

At the coachman’s words, Romandro pressed his face close to the window. In the distance, a building presumed to be the Bratz mansion came into view. From the outside, it looked peaceful—hardly the scene of a recent battle. Not even a month had passed.

“There’s more life here than I expected.”

“Indeed.”

Romandro muttered with hope. If things were like this, they might return to the capital sooner than anticipated. He reminded Molin of his position.

“As an advisor, are there any customs of the former Bratz territory I should be aware of?”

“Well, since it borders the barbarians, most of the locals are rough and unrefined. The land is barren, and food is always scarce.”

Molin muttered, dredging up unpleasant memories. His mood soured, and polite words failed to come.

“Stop! State your affiliation and purpose!”

The coach halted at the entrance to the territory. The coachman informed the gatekeeper they came from the imperial palace, and the gates opened as if they had been expecting them.

Creak.

As they passed through the village, Romandro rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. People dressed in exotic clothing were scattered throughout.

Foreigners, not Barielin? Who else but the barbarian tribes at the border could they be?

“Isn’t that the Cheollyeo tribe?”

“Looks like the Cheollyeo are stationed here.”

“What is this? Shouldn’t we be informed? I haven’t heard a thing about this!”

Unlike the flustered Romandro, Molin remained calm. Naturally—this was something the imperial palace, especially Crown Prince Marib, was not supposed to know. It was a matter of time, and they would resolve it internally.

“Where are the investigation team and the central army…?”

“They must have arrived at the mansion.”

“Sh-should we open the door?”

Romandro clung tightly to the coach door, and the coachman asked nervously. The door cracked open just enough to reveal a young man.

“And you are…?”

“Ian Bratz.”

Molin answered, bursting through the door and enunciating each word as if devouring it.

“I am the illegitimate son of Derga.”

“Greetings, Lord Molin. Oh, and Lord Mac and Lord Dego are with you as well. It was regrettable you left for the capital without saying goodbye.”

Ian placed his hand over his chest in a formal salute, then corrected himself firmly.

“Be cautious. No one here uses the Bratz name.”

Molin frowned in displeasure, but Romandro felt relieved. At least among the barbarians, there was someone who observed some formality. And it seemed Ian held a fairly important position among them.

“The timing of the letters must have been off due to the distance. Please come inside. I will explain everything.”

“Ahem. Then…”

Ian led the guests inside. The mansion, quieter now with fewer people, still retained a warm atmosphere. Ian, Romandro, and Molin entered the parlor.

Click.

“Kakantir, guests from the imperial palace have arrived.”

“You’ve traveled far.”

“Oh, yes… well…”

“These are Kakantir, chief of the Cheollyeo tribe, and his younger brother, Nersarn.”

Romandro shook hands lightly with them, but Molin, without a word, sank into a sofa. The very idea of these lowly border barbarians sitting alongside central officials was presumptuous.

Romandro, having crossed many battlefields and borders, had little issue with status.

“Bratz and the Cheollyeo tribe are allied friends. When I was in the Great Desert, news came of a major battle in the territory causing trouble. The Cheollyeo entered to uphold their loyalty and uncovered the former Count Bratz’s crimes.”

Romandro explained, but Ian’s gaze remained fixed on Molin, as if to emphasize what he was about to say.

“It was a matter of state justice, unavoidable, but the territory’s suffering is another matter. The investigation team only fulfilled their duty; there was no one to stabilize the region. So the Cheollyeo, as neighbors, stepped in to help.”

“I see… the border is indeed far. This wasn’t in the reports.”

“Is that so? I thought Captain Erika would have reported such an important matter immediately.”

“Ah, Captain Erika…”

“She’s pursuing the wife and son of Derga, who fled.”

Thud.

At that moment, Molin pulled a document from his coat. It was an order concerning Ian’s disposition. It wasn’t stamped by the emperor but issued by the responsible department.

“You’re also Derga’s child, aren’t you? Did Captain Erika really leave you be? According to the law, you should have been reduced to slavery. Yet here you are, living comfortably. Unless the captain has lost her mind, this can only mean you used force.”

Ian skimmed the order and lightly tossed it onto the table. Mac and Dego’s eyebrows automatically furrowed.

“I am a man who crossed the border. My heart lies with Bariel, but officially, I reside in the Great Desert. If you intend to punish me, I will have no choice but to return to the desert.”

“Return? Who gave you permission?”

“The master of the Great Desert. Life in the territory has somewhat normalized, and the Cheollyeo are gradually returning to their garrison, leaving only a minimal force behind.”

Minimal force—minimal for what purpose? It was the manpower needed to safely escort Ian back to their lands.

It was a journey of barely three days if they hurried, but no one who had only seen the desert in pictures could follow.

“Now, there’s no need to rush decisions.”

Romandro stepped between them. With Captain Erika absent, if these people had stabilized the territory, their help was necessary from an advisor’s standpoint. Above all, since he didn’t know Molin’s intentions, it was best to oppose for now.

‘His Highness Marib warned to be wary of Molin. If Molin is wary of Ian, then Ian must be useful in some way.’

“If the advisor says so.”

Ian smiled lightly and bowed his head slightly. He acknowledged Romandro as the true leader of this group.

“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the palace’s reconstruction experts.”

“From what I saw on the way, the situation is better than expected.”

“We all united with hope and overcame it.”

“Hey, Romandro!”

Bang!

Molin, feeling ignored, slammed his hand on the table. Ian noticed immediately—Molin and Romandro were on opposite sides.

“Is this something to discuss calmly? Just letting the Cheollyeo into Bariel is treason! How can you leave the territory under foreign, barbarian influence?”

“Treason?”

Ian laughed at Molin’s words. Though he didn’t say it outright, he seemed to ask if what Molin and his group were doing wasn’t treason itself. He glanced at Romandro, as if seeking permission to speak.

Romandro intervened.

“People’s lives are at stake. Whether the Cheollyeo help or not, it doesn’t matter. There’s no problem.”

“The advisor is right. Again, the Cheollyeo were allied with the former Bratz. Their aid was a friendly gesture. Your words are harsh and a clear diplomatic insult.”

Ian’s words drew the attention of Kakantir and the others. Their expressions didn’t change, but their discomfort was evident. Romandro swallowed and changed the subject.

“Y-yes. Thank you for your efforts.”

“By the way, may I ask, Romandro, are you the candidate for the next lord?”

Ian’s question was met with a shake of the head. Romandro then pulled out a letter he had carried for two weeks—a certificate bearing the council’s seal.

“My main task is to rebuild the territory. Restoring public order and matching last year’s tax revenue by winter are the goals. It’s harder than I thought, but now I see it’s possible.”

Restoring public order.

The imperial palace clearly recognized the border’s unique circumstances. If this place were closer to the capital, they would have appointed a suitable lord immediately, regardless of public opinion.

Since they couldn’t swiftly suppress foreign invasion or local rebellion, it was important to soothe the people by reminding them they were Bariel citizens.

“Marib has postponed the appointment of the lordship, and Gale sent Mollin along with it…”

Ian feigned ignorance and asked casually,
“Is this the will of His Highness, the First Prince?”

“Oh? How did you know? It seems Prince Marib has taken a keen interest in this place.”

Prince Marib, the First Prince. Gale, the Second Prince—both formidable obstacles Ian had to overcome.

For Ian, this was actually fortunate. After all, every power needs balance to maintain harmony.

“I see. It’s an honor. I sincerely hope the grace of the royal palace will be bestowed upon us. We will wholeheartedly support Lord Romandro.”

“No.”

Mollin immediately interrupted.

Judging by Ian’s cunning, Mollin knew this wouldn’t be easy. Even if managing the territory became more difficult, it was crucial to push Ian out first. Only then could Erika return.

“Ian, if you’re in Bariel’s land, you must abide by Bariel’s laws. Even if you return to the Great Desert immediately, I have no choice but to enforce the strict national laws.”

“Sir Mollin.”

“Romandro! You do your part! I will do mine!”

Ian crossed his arms and sealed his lips tightly. After a moment of silence, as if pondering something, he finally smiled.

“If I return to the desert, it will cause you some trouble.”

“Kakantir, was it? I will definitely report the help of the Cheonryeo tribe to the royal palace. It’s best for both sides if you don’t fall for the scheming tricks of a lowborn bastard and just withdraw from here. As Romandro said, the reconstruction has already progressed significantly! There’s no reason for you to stay any longer…”

Mollin’s excited words suddenly caught in his throat. It was because his eyes met Ian’s across the table.

A faint golden light slowly spread from Ian’s emerald eyes. Ian uncrossed his arms and repeated firmly,

“I said clearly, if I return to the desert, it will cause you trouble.”