Chapter 737

Ian lightly tugged at the ribbon on his tie and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. Aside from when he was very young, he hadn’t worn anything like this before. People really are unpredictable.

Just as he was thinking it was fortunate he had come alone without the wizards, the door opened.

“That suits you well!”

It was Mer, the immigration inspector.

He had delegated his inspection duties to a subordinate and immediately brought Ian deeper into the capital. By now, the wizards had probably found the building Vanusa had told them about without trouble.

Ian gave a small nod, and Mer’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Where did you come from?”

“I’ve been wandering all over, so it’s hard to say just one place.”

“Your posture is good. And your fingertips are delicate.”

Though it sounded like a brief compliment, there was a deeper meaning behind it. A slave who had been sold around wouldn’t have such a refined posture or delicate hands. Ian instinctively sensed Mer’s suspicion.

But there was no need to explain further. Not all slaves are relegated to menial tasks.

“Let’s go. When you meet the market lord, bow immediately.”

“…Yes.”

Ian hesitated for a moment.

If the wizards had joined Vanusa, the path to the royal palace should have been secured by now. Was it really wise to waste time here? He could have easily tossed aside the ribbon and disappeared if he wanted.

Tick-tock. Ian turned his head, trying to locate the source of the ticking. What time was it? The sun was still up, but it would be safer to move under cover of night.

“He’s a nobleman, you see. Not just any market lord.”

In a way, the market lord was like a king within his own jurisdiction. Immigration inspectors often extorted bribes for the market lord.

Ian let the words wash over him as he scanned the surroundings. So, the way out is…

“The market lord is actually Kuma’s father.”

“…?”

Ian froze at the unexpected revelation. Kuma was the king of Toorun. And this man was his father?

Seeing Ian’s surprise, Mer chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“No need to be so shocked.”

“Is he royalty?”

Ian asked, pretending ignorance. Mer gave a slight nod to passing attendants and muttered,

“Not exactly royalty.”

In other words, he was a man who had changed his fate by selling his daughter. When Kuma was dragged from the slums to the palace by the king’s retainers, this man silently watched from the sidelines.

After that, simply because he was Kuma’s blood relative, he was granted the market lord position on the outskirts of the capital and lived quite comfortably. Meanwhile, his daughter was trapped in the palace, unable to see anyone.

“Well, it’s not something you need to know deeply.”

Mer cut off the conversation. There was no need to burden a pawn with unnecessary details.

Ian fiddled with the ribbon’s end, thinking,

‘Since he only mentioned the father, he must have remarried.’

It was best to decide before entering the main mansion. If he was related to Kuma, there was a chance he was under some kind of puppet magic.

What if Kuma saw Ian through his father’s eyes? All the effort to infiltrate would be wasted.

But—

‘Maybe I could get some information.’

Secrets of the king that no one else knew, perhaps.

Ian paused in front of a cart loaded with goods, playing with the ribbon.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Does that mean I could go to the palace?”

At the bold question, Mer let out a dry laugh. He had expected as much. Ian was well-mannered for a slave, but clearly different from the others. There was something inside him—hope, or maybe ambition.

“That won’t happen. Better to wake up from that dream.”

“Is that so?”

Neither of them truly existed to the other.

The father had mentioned her name occasionally, but the king had never sought him out. He treated him as if dead, drawing a clear line.

Rumor had it the king harbored ill feelings toward the father. Though he hadn’t sold his daughter and had been chosen by the retainers to ascend the throne, no one knew why. Only those above knew the details. Ian was just an immigration inspector on the outskirts.

Creak.

Mer opened the main door and gestured for Ian to enter.

This was the moment of choice. Mer’s words suggested the relationship between the market lord and the king wasn’t close. If it had been, Kuma wouldn’t have given himself away to a slave girl but to the market lord’s daughter as a plaything.

So, it was unlikely the father was under puppet magic.

‘Keeping distance despite blood ties means there’s a deeper rift.’

Hatred, or something beyond that. Or maybe this father was Kuma’s weak spot.

Ian decided it was best to meet him first. If he got caught…

‘…then all this effort was for nothing.’

Now that he was inside the capital, he could push forward to the palace faster.

With that resolve, Ian brushed past Mer. As the door closed, Mer led the way.

“Never raise your head without the market lord’s permission. Behave politely. Remember, your life depends on his slightest whim. Stay alert at all times.”

Mer continued giving instructions as they climbed the stairs. He glanced back at Ian’s face, but no matter how he looked, Ian showed no sign of nervousness.

He must have been a slave serving a noble somewhere else before. Otherwise, how could he walk so naturally and confidently? Well, as long as the market lord’s daughter was pleased, it didn’t matter.

“Inspector Mer, welcome.”

“Where is the market lord?”

“He’s inside. Ah, so this is the gift.”

“Quick with words, aren’t you?”

“I overheard the children who went to deliver clothes to the annex making a fuss. I told them not to cause trouble, but that was my mistake. I didn’t realize Mer’s eye for quality was so sharp.”

“Ha ha. Please, come in.”

“Yes, sir. This is Mer, the immigration inspector.”

“Come in.”

The permission came easily. As the door slowly opened, Ian pictured the market lord sitting at his desk working. But—

“Oh, Inspector Mer?”

The market lord was sitting on the floor, building a house of cards. Kneeling reverently, he focused all his attention on a single thin card, not even looking up.

Ian glanced at the spotless desk and realized his mistake. Would a man who bought his position with the king’s name actually work properly?

Crash!

“Ah!”

The card tower collapsed, and the market lord flopped down, forgetting all dignity.

Mer bowed his head in a familiar way.

“Have you eaten, sir?”

“Of course. There’s still plenty of meat you sent last time. What brings you here now?”

“I heard rumors that your daughter has been lonely lately. I happened to have something suitable.”

“Oh my! Mer, there’s no one who cares for Aris as much as you do. Hmm, she’s quite lovely!”

“She speaks the common tongue well and shows signs of education. Perfect for you to keep.”

The market lord jumped up and circled Ian, inspecting him carefully. This was easily the finest ‘gift’ Mer had ever brought.

Satisfied, the market lord nodded and sat on the dusty desk again. The sight was oddly out of place.

“What should I give in return this time? Hmm?”

“Oh, no. Your kindness is enough.”

“That won’t do! There must be something in return for what comes.”

Not only shameless, but thoughtless too. Bargaining openly in front of subordinates. Ian lowered his eyes slightly. They should be grateful this wasn’t Bariel.

“Since you say so, ha ha. Actually, the inspectors’ salaries have been frozen for three months now.”

An outrageous claim. Probably the kingdom had been fracturing gradually since Bariel’s main force was in Burgos.

The market lord waved it off.

“You should have said something sooner, man.”

“Your duties keep you busy, so it’s hard to meet you.”

“Hmm, don’t say that.”

At that moment, a small door inside the office quietly opened.

A little girl, about five years old, peeked in. She had dark eyes and hair and looked at Ian with curious eyes.

“Oh, Aris!”

So that was the market lord’s daughter. Ian compared her features to Kuma’s. Since they shared blood, there must be some resemblance.

“Daddy?”

“Come here. Inspector Mer has brought a gift for you.”

Aris hesitated but then approached and stared intently at Ian. Her eyes sparkled like stars in a night sky. She must have liked him.

Mer smiled approvingly and suggested to the girl,

“Aris, if you like, why don’t you give him a name and go play with him in the garden?”

“Can I really?”

“Of course. He belongs to you now. Play pretend or house, whatever you like.”

The child’s nostrils flared with excitement, cheeks flushed from the thrill of having gotten a truly fun and beautiful toy.

“Let’s go!”

Grabbing Ian’s hand, the child hurried off. Ian wanted to linger and listen to the adults’ conversation a bit longer, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.

Following the child, Ian stepped out into the garden, all the while continuing to take in the layout of the mansion.

“Look at this!”

Aris proudly showed off his toys stacked beside the garden, clearly fishing for Ian’s reaction.

What should I do? Ian pondered for a moment, then lightly clapped a couple of times in praise.

“…Nice collection.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’ve gathered things you like.”

“Oh! Using big words now, huh? Acting all high and mighty, Demon Lord?”

The child crossed his arms and lifted his chin with a smug grin. Well then, from now on, you’re part of that collection! Aris pointed confidently at the ground with his finger, issuing a command.

“Let’s play horsey first. Get down on all fours!”

But Ian just stared at him without moving. After a brief pause, Ian’s arm came to rest around the child’s waist.

“What are you doing? Don’t you know how to play horsey?”

“I do, but I’m not going to.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said no.”

Ian shook his finger firmly, and Aris blinked, confused by the unexpected refusal. He was about to call the servants to deal with this guy…!

“Instead, let’s play family.”

This guy…!

“Tell me about your family. I heard you’re from a very noble line.”

This handsome guy…!

“You’re siblings with the king?”

Aris wanted to shout, “Hit him hard!” but he was completely captivated by Ian’s charming smile. Before he knew it, he was nodding obediently.

“…Yeah. My half-sister is the queen. Our father said so.”