Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 103

Time flowed slowly, but surely. As the dawn moon rose on a winter morning, Ian blew a puff of air, watching the carriages lined up in a row. The weather was severely cold, perhaps because of the snow.

“Oh my, you’re heading out on such a cold day.”

“They say it gets warmer as you go towards the center, so that’s better.”

“The wheel’s rolling! There! Put a stone in front!”

“Good morning, Ian. It’s a good morning.”

“Ian! Ian! I want to take this too!”

“Beric, why bother with that? Leave it!”

“Eeeh. I don’t want to!”

Though there were less than ten people leaving the territory, nearly dozens were preparing for it. The mansion’s staff, as well as the territory residents who came to see them off one last time, were bustling about.

“Ian, please double-check if anything is missing. This is the last time. The coachman said he’ll depart right away.”

At Hanna’s words, Ian checked the carriages loaded with luggage. Luron magic stone chunks [a type of magical ore], the dripper machine Lien had given him, a jewelry box containing the alchemist’s necklace and ring, identification papers, and so on. Considering he came empty-handed, he had more luggage than he thought.

“I’m fine. What about Beric?”

“I’m fine too!”

Beric answered, holding up a sword. Aside from some shabby clothes, that was all he was taking. Ian chuckled in disbelief, as if he was amazed.

“Then the rest is all Romandro’s luggage.”

“Aish, what can I do? There are five subordinates going with me! Hahaha!”

Romandro answered with a hearty laugh at Hanna’s words. He seemed incredibly happy to be going home. Ian checked the carriages, then looked for Nersarn.

“Nersarn, I’ll be going now.”

“Please take care and may you have good fortune.”

If Ian received a title and became more active in the Imperial Palace, the position of Chunryeo [a political faction], who was allied with him, would naturally rise. It was an encouragement that considered various gains and losses, but Ian somehow felt a sincere kindness.

“Demosha.”

“Demosha.”

Under the blessing of the gods, the two shook hands. Ian slowly said goodbye to the mansion staff as well.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard all this time.”

“Hard work? What are you talking about?”

“Please travel safely. Don’t worry about us here.”

“The Imperial Palace! Make sure to keep it in your eyes and tell us about it!”

“Since Beric isn’t here, our food expenses will be reduced for a while! Hahaha!”

The servants surrounded Ian, expressing their regrets. Ian patted each of their shoulders and made a request.

“Everyone, please take good care of the mansion in my stead. I hope you can get through the winter well, with Hanna as the center.”

Butler, Hanna.

The servants exclaimed as if they expected it, and Hanna blushed and smiled brightly. It was an expression that looked both embarrassed and happy.

“Ian, I will protect the mansion! Since you’ve entrusted it to me, I’ll give it my all!”

“There’s no need to overdo it. Still, I’m grateful that you said that.”

She wasn’t perfect as a butler yet, but she had plenty of room to grow. Besides, Nersarn and Romandro’s subordinates would help, so there was nothing to worry about.

“Well then, let’s depart.”

Ian gestured to the coachmen, signaling the start of the departure. Philia, who had been standing hesitantly, carefully approached and hugged her son. Ian hugged her back and whispered gently.

“Mother, please be well. Whether it’s the mansion or anywhere else, live freely wherever you want.”

Philia shed tears and bit her lip. It might be the last time, so he wanted to leave her with an even brighter smile.

“Let’s go!”

“Depart!”

“Oh my, let’s run for about fifteen days!”

Click!

Ian got into the carriage and waved his hand out the window. Beric and Romandro on the opposite side did the same. The carriage carrying them led the way out of the mansion.

Hee-heeing!

“Goodbye!”

“Travel safely!”

“Ian!”

At the shouts of the mansion staff, Beric lightly pouted his lips.

“Everyone’s only calling for Ian. What about me?”

“You’re just… they seem to think you’re just going.”

“Hmph. They’ll miss me when I’m gone, you’ll see?”

Ian chuckled and was about to close the window, but stopped. It was early in the morning, but the residents of the territory, having heard of his departure, were all out on the streets.

“Congratulations, Ian!”

“Congratulations! Lord Ian!”

“Please bring back a new name for the territory!”

“Waaaah!”

The children ran as if trying to follow the carriage, and the bright morning sun was rising in the distance. It was truly a pleasant start. Ian waved back and gave his final farewell.

* * *

Clatter, clatter!

The carriage sped along the unpaved road. Beric stared out the window with a bored expression. Day and night, all he could see were bare tree branches covered in snow.

“It’s boring. It’s so boring I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“If you’re bored, why don’t you switch places with the coachman? You won’t have time to be bored. It’ll wake you up too.”

Ian chuckled at Romandro’s words.

It had already been four days since they left the territory. Except for stopping every three or four hours for the horses and coachmen to rest, they had to be confined in the shaking carriage all day, so it was quite uncomfortable. Considering Beric’s active nature, it was surprising he had endured this well.

“How much further do we have to go? I could bear it if there was at least some scenery to look at, but it’s just forest after forest. All white and white!”

“It’s been four days, so it should be about ten more days. If there are no problems, that is.”

“You’re crazy. Seriously.”

The snow slowed down the carriage, but thanks to the coachman’s skill, they kept moving without stopping. The carriage with the three of them led the way, followed by a line of carriages carrying luggage.

“But we’ll be able to stay in a village today. We’ll take a warm bath and rest in a soft bed, so just bear with it a little longer.”

“Really? Is it a big city?”

“It won’t be what you’re expecting.”

“What am I expecting?”

“Well, don’t expect a tavern with more than one floor, a gambling house, luxury accommodations costing several silver coins per night, or a large arena.”

Beric’s mouth dropped open in despair, as if he had expected all of those things. Romandro took out a small map from his pocket.

“We’ll be arriving at Karenna soon…”

“Karenna? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a small town with nothing particularly famous, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know it. The problem is the western plains area centered around Karenna.”

At Romandro’s words, Ian turned his head. He wondered what he was talking about, but then he understood when he saw the ‘Hyman Bank’ seal on the cover of the map he was holding.

“Karenna, Longin, and Zailkuf. Are you talking about these three cities?”

“Yes. When I went to trade with Count Mereloff and deposit gold coins, didn’t the bank manager tell you? That bandits were appearing in those three areas.”

At the word ‘bandits,’ Beric’s eyes quickly regained their sparkle. His pupils, shining like glass beads, were filled with anticipation.

“Bandits! Awesome. I’ve never seen one before.”

“You haven’t seen one yet?”

“We’ll see them soon, right? Those three areas are all nearby, so that’s why you mentioned them all at once, right?”

Beric moved next to Romandro and leaned in. When he was like this, he was incredibly quick-witted. As Beric said, the three areas were close enough to reach within a day’s travel by horse.

“We’re going in this direction now, so to get to Karenna, we have to cross the triangle area. We’re bound to meet bandits. Definitely.”

Ian wanted to retort, but this time, he had no grounds to argue. It was true that it was a bandit-risk area, and it was true that tonight was particularly dangerous.

“We have a lot of luggage compared to the escort. It’s best to pass through as quietly and quickly as possible.”

“Uh-huh. Yeah. I like that too.”

“Wipe your drool and stop lying. At least manage your expression.”

In fact, Ian was more worried about the delay in time than the physical damage caused by bandits. Even though they had left with plenty of time, no one knew when or what kind of variables might occur.

Being late for the New Year’s party was a problem, but when the festival started, the Imperial Palace would be crowded with outside guests. It meant he wouldn’t be able to explore the Magic Department’s annex at his leisure.

Click.

Whoosh!

Beric opened a small window and stuck his face out. The cold wind rushed in, causing Romandro’s map to flutter wildly.

“Beric! Say something before you open it!”

“Coachman! When will we arrive at a place called Karenna?”

“We should arrive before sunset!”

“Yay! Drive faster!”

“I’ll try. If the horses aren’t too tired.”

The coachman smiled and pulled the reins tightly. As the speed increased a little, Beric gave a thumbs up, as if satisfied, and expressed his gratitude.

Tap tap tap!

The sound of the horses’ hooves continued rhythmically. Beric fell asleep with his cheek pressed against the window, and Romandro scribbled gift phrases on a small piece of paper. Ian was killing time by watching the two of them when it happened.

Hee-heeing!

“Ian!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Ian opened the window at the coachman’s call.

“Is there another village between the forest we left this morning and Karenna?”

“A village? Wait a moment. Romandro, please give me the map.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll get the big one.”

“…Sss! Why? Have we arrived already?”

Beric wiped his drool and got up. Since the horse that had been running had started to walk slowly, he leaned his upper body out of the roof window without hesitation.

“We’re here!”

Beric thumped the carriage roof excitedly after discovering the village. But Ian and Romandro, who were looking at the map, couldn’t help but exchange puzzled glances.

“…That’s strange. There’s no village nearby.”

“When was this map made?”

“It was made last year. I came down using this map as well, so there’s no problem with its accuracy.”

No matter how they looked at it, the location on the map was in the middle of the forest. Beric waved his hand at the coachman, urging him to hurry.

“Whether it’s Karenna or here, as long as we can have a hot bath, it doesn’t matter, right? Let’s go!”

“No, Beric. Don’t act recklessly.”

“Ah, why!”

Beric got down from the roof and looked at Ian. It was a look asking for permission. But Ian was firm, and Romandro didn’t like it either.

“Do you not know what a village not on the map made by the Imperial Palace means? It clearly means it’s a community not reported to the Empire. And there’s also information that bandits are appearing nearby.”

“The probability is high. Very high.”

It could be a den of bandits. It was much better to turn back at this point than to get involved in unnecessary trouble. Ian pulled Beric down and then ordered the coachman.

“Turn the horses around immediately and go back. Tell them to pull out one by one from the back.”

“Ah, yes, yes. I understand.”

“Hey! In the back! Turn around from the very back!”

“We passed a fork in the road 30 minutes ago, right? We’re going back to that point. It seems we should have turned right instead of left.”

“Turn it, turn it! Slowly!”

Ian, Romandro, and Beric got out of the carriage and helped guide the procession out. The road they had come on was a narrow mountain path, so turning each one around was quite a struggle.

“Sss. Ah, it’s cold.”

Beric sniffled, or perhaps he was smacking his lips in disappointment. He kept glancing at the village and stamping his feet.

“Cold, cold, cold!”

“Beric. Be quiet.”

“Ian, it seems we need to disconnect the horses and turn the carriage bodies separately? There’s not enough space.”

It was chaotic trying to get ten carriages to move in an orderly fashion. Everyone was moving in unison. Beric, with his arms crossed, looked around and then slipped down the slope. He was thinking of taking care of his business since they had stopped anyway.

Rustle.

At that moment, he heard the sound of leaves being stepped on from behind. He looked around, thinking there might be a rabbit, but he didn’t see anything. Beric blinked, looking around at the surroundings, which were all white with snow.

It was at that moment.

Woof!

A white dog popped out of the bushes. Beric stared at it calmly, and the dog also looked up at Beric. Black eyes and nose, and a bright red tongue.

It was clearly a dog. A mutt at that.

“What’s this?”

Woof!

“What the…”

Was it a dog from that village? Beric pondered for a moment what to do, but then decided to ignore it and turned around. He was more urgent to take care of his business now.

-Hey, you.

“……??”

Beric rubbed his ear and looked around in disbelief. The only living thing was this dog…?