Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 16

It was instantaneous. Unable to withstand the sudden impact, the man’s body tumbled backward. Berric climbed on top of him and mercilessly pounded his fists down.

Thud! Thud!

‘Uh…’

The group standing beside them watched the scene in a daze for a moment. No matter how sudden the attack, he wasn’t the kind of guy to fall from just one punch. He was the kind of guy who looked like he’d grab Berric by the hair and throw him like before.

He was being unilaterally beaten.

‘Hey, stop him! Stop him!’

‘Crazy! What are you doing! Berric!’

‘Has this bastard gone nuts!’

But the reaction of the guy on the ground was strange. He was completely collapsed, not even twitching a finger, as if he had fainted. Only then did his companions panic and rush towards Berric.

‘Get out of the way-!’

‘Snap out of it!’

Berric’s breathing was rough and irregular. His momentum was fierce, as if he had taken some kind of drug. It took more than five trainees to finally pull him off.

‘What are you doing right now!’

‘What’s going on?’

Theo and the instructors rushed over at the commotion.

The sight of the sprawling giant and Berric, who was thirsting for blood, was unbelievable, especially since it had happened with just fists and no weapons. It would have been understandable if Berric had been the one who was knocked down.

‘Haa… haa… hahahaha!’

‘This guy is completely crazy! Instructor!’

‘Berric suddenly attacked!’

Berric burst into laughter while lying flat on the ground. The expression on his face was a sight to behold, as if he felt refreshed. The trainees who were holding him down grimaced in disgust. The instructor lifted his chin with his foot.

‘Berric.’

‘Ah. Damn, this is the taste.’

‘Berric!’

‘It’s the idiot who turned his back after the duel was over!’

The scream he let out was chillingly intense. The instructor, as if not worth responding to, kicked him in the face, and Berric’s painful groan soon followed.

‘Take that guy to the infirmary, and Berric, bind him and take him to the punishment room.’

At the instructor’s words, everyone moved in unison. Ian’s eyes met Berric’s as he was being dragged away. Unlike Ian’s indifferent expression, his eyes were excited, like an adventurer who had discovered a treasure. He seemed beside himself with satisfying pleasure.

‘He’s definitely a madman.’

Ian also agreed with the trainees’ words. He seemed to be one of the most difficult magic swordsmen he had ever seen.

On the other hand, it also meant that he had no fear in battle. There is no match for a warrior who does not fear death.

‘Ian, sir.’

‘Ah.’

Theo approached Ian, frowning.

‘What did that guy do?’

Unlike the content, his tone was not worried at all. It was closer to a formality. Ian dusted off his sleeves and replied.

‘No. I just got a mouthful of curses.’

‘…It’s a shame, but we’ll have to wrap it up for today. Considering Master Chel’s condition and the training ground being in disarray.’

Chel was sprawled out in the shade, catching his breath. His plump belly was rising and falling with difficulty. It was as if he was just making an effort to move.

Not only that, but there was blood all over the spot where the man had been lying, so it was clear that today was a bust. That is, if Ian’s only goal was training.

‘I see. But about that guy named Berric.’

Theo, who was turning away, stopped at Ian’s call.

‘What will his punishment be?’

‘He’s such a troublemaker, so we’ll have to have a meeting to decide, but he’ll probably be whipped and kicked out.’

And the wages he had been paid so far would also be confiscated under the pretext of compensation for damages. Ian moved with a blank expression, but inwardly, he smiled with satisfaction.

‘It wasn’t intentional, but it worked out well.’

Berric’s current status was as a private soldier of Derga Bratz. But if he was kicked out and became free, it would be much easier to form a relationship with him. He was a man who blindly pursued strength, so he would surely come to Ian because of the mysterious phenomenon he had just experienced.

‘With that kind of personality, he’ll probably crawl back even on the day he’s whipped.’

Ian shook his head, looking at the back gate of the training ground where Berric had disappeared.

He was like a flame. If a ‘contract magic’ [a type of magic that binds a person or creature to the caster] was possible, he would control him with that, but it was impossible for Ian right now. He would have to coax him around like a beast.

‘Huff, huff…’

‘Brother. Are you okay?’

‘…I, I can’t do it. I really can’t do it!’

Chel complained, almost crying. He hadn’t raised his voice since seeing Ian’s golden eyes. It seemed he was truly exhausted.

‘I understand. From now on, do as you please, brother.’

However, he showed a smile, implying that if the Count cut off his training opportunities because of him, he wouldn’t let it slide.

He didn’t know if he understood. Chel wiped away his sweat and slowly got up. The pool of blood on the floor was gruesome, and the sound of whips and screams coming from somewhere was frightening.

Chel realized once again that the training ground was not the place for him.

* * *

And the next day.

The third official luncheon with Molin began. The surrounding area was bright with the flowers in the garden, which were even more in full bloom. Molin, Mac, and Degore led the meal much more comfortably than before.

‘So, I asked the young lady at that time.’

‘Ah, I’ve heard that story before.’

‘I’m sure the madam would know too.’

They didn’t drop any more meaningful words like before, nor did they engage in a power struggle with Derga. The topic of conversation, which seemed to test Ian, had also disappeared, and they only talked about trivial gossip from the social circles, centered around the Countess Mary. It was a change that had clearly occurred because they had communicated with Ian behind the scenes.

Derga, who had been silent for a while, threw out a word.

‘Sir Molin.’

‘Yes, Count Bratz.’

‘Did Ian give you a good tour of the estate?’

There were suspicious aspects, but there were no traces of anything. Chel and Theo didn’t know anything, and he had checked the brooch three times while busy. But there was nothing to find fault with.

‘It was our first outing, so we went to the park after lunch. The weather was very nice, so it was fun to walk around. The academic discussion was also excellent, so the memories of that day are vivid.’

‘…Then that’s a relief.’

‘Oh, by the way, Ian. Would you show us the room you mentioned last time today?’

Room? What room? Ian briefly recalled the memory.

When Molin first suggested going out, didn’t he jokingly ask if he would like to see his room?

Ian glanced at Derga and smiled. The steak on his plate had been neatly cleared. If he got permission, it would be good to get up and finish the meal.

‘Would that be alright, Father?’

‘I would like to join you, but…’

Derga tried to accompany them, but the presence of his aide, who was lingering at the entrance of the garden, was strong. He seemed to be moving around like a whimpering puppy, which made it even more so. There was clearly urgent work left to do.

‘Madam, finish entertaining the guests.’

He clicked his tongue inwardly and looked at Madam Mary. His tone of command was forceful, as if he was giving an order.

‘Yes, I will.’

After their fight, the atmosphere was even colder. It was only because they were in front of guests that they were keeping up appearances.

Madam Mary wiped her hands with a napkin and smiled brightly. It was like an actor changing their expression on stage.

‘Shall we get up now?’

‘Alright. I enjoyed the meal today. It was a good meal.’

As everyone put down their utensils, the servants who were waiting behind them moved busily. One of them approached the madam as if they had been waiting and whispered something.

‘Ah.’

‘What is it? Madam?’

‘I’m sorry. The servant of Madam Mereloff is waiting at the front gate.’

‘Are you talking about Countess Mereloff of the neighboring territory?’

Mac asked back, a little surprised. Count Mereloff. Since it was a remote area, it didn’t seem like they would be very famous in social circles… Judging by Madam Mary’s attitude, she seemed to know her quite well.

Madam Mary also smiled, as if agreeing. It was a smile full of ridicule.

‘Yes. I have something to receive. Ian, would you take the guests to the room first? I’ll have the tea brought up first.’

The madam gracefully asked for their understanding. Derga also gave his final greetings and went up to his office, and Ian arrived at the annex room with the guests.

Squeak.

‘As they say, a room resembles its owner, it’s very bright.’

Mac praised as he looked around. The three of them sat around the sofa. Ian brought out parchment and a quill, pointing to his chest. Everyone knew what the red brooch meant.

‘Thank you, Sir Mac.’

‘I heard you were practicing your handwriting. May I take a look?’

‘Of course.’

Mac and Degore talked endlessly to fill the silence. There wasn’t much time left before Madam Mary arrived. Ian picked up the quill and wrote down a simple sentence.

-What should I do?

-Is it possible to access Count Derga’s study?

-I keep going up to regenerate the magic stone.

The search for the office. It was highly likely that it was a tax-related issue that Ian had expected. Molin paused for a moment, as if choosing easy words.

-You need to check the total harvest of crops harvested in the territory and the production of the coal mines in the Monne Mountains. Also, the tax confirmation for farmers from last summer to the present. It would be good to copy it, but if it’s difficult, just mark the numbers and stamp them.

So they did have a coal mine. But it was just coal, so it wouldn’t be a big asset.

Even if there wasn’t a detailed list, if it was stamped, it could be considered a report from an internal whistleblower and a forced search would be possible.

That was why nobles valued their seals so much, and that was why they entrusted their seals as a measure of common loyalty.

-Are you saying that the Bratz family embezzled taxes?

-I only have suspicions at the moment.

Ian asked, pretending to hesitate.

-Embezzlement is a serious crime that destroys a family.

He needed a pledge that they wouldn’t destroy the family.

If Bratz Castle disappeared, Ian’s place would also disappear. What’s more? Since he was mixed with Derga’s blood, there was a high possibility that he would become a slave of the Imperial Palace. He would have to spend his life to make up for the embezzled taxes.

-If I oppose your adoption, you will not be a member of the Bratz family. You will be spared the death penalty, and you won’t have to cross the border, so how great is that?

‘Look at these guys?’

As expected, Molin didn’t give the answer he wanted. He seemed to think that Ian wouldn’t know the subsequent process, and at the same time, he didn’t seem to care much.

It seemed that he thought that was enough compensation for an ordinary child from a brothel, even if he was a mana user.

‘It’s a natural choice, but it’s a bit difficult.’

Because of his position, he couldn’t openly demand the survival of the family. First of all, to bring down Derga, he absolutely needed the power of the Imperial Palace. But if he was caught being too thoughtful, it would be troublesome.

‘Ah.’

Ian, who was deep in thought, let out a sigh without realizing it. Mac and Degore turned around at the sudden voice.

‘Ian, sir?’

‘I’m sorry. I bit my tongue.’

‘Be careful. Small wounds can be painful.’

Molin’s kind concern didn’t sound kind. If he was dragged away like this, there would be no way to survive. Ian refined the plan he had just come up with and wrote down the letters.

-Then I have one suggestion.

-Please, as you wish.

A way to protect himself from the Imperial Palace’s execution and a way to protect the ownership of the territory. Isn’t it said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend? There was still a common enemy of Derga and the Imperial Palace.

-I will not be adopted, but I will meet the Cheonryeo tribe.