Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 25

Su lightly shook her body, then stared blankly at Berric, as if it were obvious he should make the first move.

“So, should we start the timer?”

*Click.*

Su set the pocket watch on her waist. At the same time, Berric rushed in, throwing a punch at Su.

“Don’t come crying after getting hit!”

“Yeah!”

*Whoosh! Swish!*

The sound of fists cutting through the air echoed chillingly. Berric’s every move was filled with killing intent. Compared to his desperate movements, Su was very relaxed, dodging all his attacks simply by stepping back.

“Okay. One minute has passed.”

“Damn it! No, how long are you going to keep running away?”

“If I don’t run away? Can you handle it?”

“What nonsense! Damn it! Do it properly!”

As emotion fueled his punches, his trajectory became erratic. Ian sat on a well-cut rock, watching the scene. He seemed to understand what Su was saying.

“I mean, this is what happens when I attack!”

*Whack!*

Su smacked Berric’s chin as if she was having fun.

The punch landed squarely. Berric’s center of gravity swayed greatly, and he barely managed to stay upright by tensing his thighs.

He paused and looked up at Su. Honestly, it seemed like the shock came more from the unexpectedness than the impact itself.

“You…”

“Isn’t it a bit much? Getting beaten up without being able to lay a finger on your opponent. Well, if you’re okay with it, I’m okay with it too.”

“This crazy, rude bastard…”

*Whack!*

Before he could even finish his curse, Berric’s head turned to the left again. Su relentlessly pushed Berric with quick attacks, giving him no time to breathe.

Ian could only sigh, resting his chin on his hand.

‘She’s met her match.’

With her personality, he wasn’t sure if this sparring would end cleanly. Berric could only stand there and take the blows raining down from all directions. It was as if dozens of bees were stinging him, with Su’s strikes exploding from everywhere.

*Thud!*

“Berric. Are you okay?”

“Damn it, don’t talk to me.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

He glared at Ian fiercely. If his concentration wavered even slightly, his opponent would exploit his weak points. For now, defense was his best option.

Ian also checked the pocket watch and glanced at the annex. A man, presumably Nersarn, was standing at the window.

“Two minutes left.”

*Whack! Thwack!*

At Ian’s cue, Su’s kicks became even more intense. She looked like she was enjoying herself so much that she was almost sad the time was running out. Although there wasn’t much time left, the three minutes of sparring had made one thing clear.

“Su. You’re really fast.”

“Of course. Do you think Nersarn-nim brought me here for nothing? No one in the tribe can keep up with me.”

“But do you know what?”

Was it because there was a hint of laughter in Ian’s voice? Su unknowingly turned her head back. Suddenly, she thought she saw Ian’s eyes turn gold in the darkness.

“You’ve been throwing dozens of attacks one-sidedly, but Berric is still fine. You’re fast, but you’re not very effective.”

Even with the power of magic and Berric’s good stamina, it was a one-sided fight. He was constantly getting hit, but Berric didn’t fall.

Su’s tanned skin flushed red as she was hit right on the mark. It seemed like she was aware of the problem herself.

“You…!”

“Normally, he should be a bloody mess by now.”

“Ha! I was holding back, and these guys are… !”

Su shouted in a shrill voice, getting agitated. At the same time, the axis of her kick wavered, and her attack became clumsy. Berric, who had been covering his neck, didn’t miss the opening and grabbed her ankle.

“Even if it doesn’t draw blood, it hurts like hell.”

“Hey! Let go! Won’t you let go?”

“Would you let go if you were me?”

With her leg awkwardly caught, Su tried to support her upper body by leaning in. But Berric was faster. He quickly struck her abdomen, pushing Su to the ground.

*Thud!*

“Ugh!”

“I told you before we started? Don’t come crying after getting hit.”

“Who’s crying? Are you crazy?”

And then, she spat! Her spitting skills were quite impressive. Berric climbed on top of her and pinned her face down.

“I’m going to show you what a bloody mess really looks like. Look forward to it.”

“Get off! Get off me! You red-headed jerk!”

“Shut up. I’ll make you look the same.”

He rummaged through one of his pockets and pulled out a red pigment. Su paused for a moment, not knowing what he was planning.

Ian checked the window and then slowly approached the two, crouching down. The shadow at the window had grown to three. Nersarn, Gansha, and Mujurun were all curious.

“Su. Don’t be too upset.”

Ian calmed Su, who was struggling while restrained.

“Although it’s a sparring match that was agreed upon, it’s not good for either of us to draw blood, is it? The reason Nersarn-nim sent you instead of Gansha or Mujurun is because you’re the youngest, and it’s his wisdom to ensure that you don’t inflict serious harm on your opponent.”

“That’s not it! Shut up!”

“Well. It’s your business to accept the truth, so I won’t say anything. But the important thing is that you’re on the ground because of Berric, and you would have died if it were a real battle.”

Su snorted, looking resentful.

Berric, with a smile of victory, smeared the pigment all over Su’s face. It instantly became a mess, as if she had been covered in blood.

“Go back and report. I didn’t defeat you for any external reason, but if you acknowledge our victory, I’ll give you a solution that will make you clean. If you leave the mansion like that, the Chunryeo tribe will be remembered as a laughingstock by the people of Bratz.”

*Beep beep beep!*

As Ian finished speaking, the pocket watch alarm went off. Berric, who had meticulously applied the pigment, relaxed his body, and Su kicked him in the stomach as she got up. She tried to wipe it off, but it was impossible to remove.

“Ugh! What is this!”

“It’s a special pigment that my mother uses. She likes it because it doesn’t wash off with water or sweat.”

Su looked up at Ian with a desperate gaze. Everything was red except for her white eyes. She bit her lip and punched Berric on the head one last time before running away to the annex.

*Thwack!*

“Ouch! That little… !”

Berric rubbed the back of his head, cursing at Su’s retreating figure. Ian comforted him by pouring more magic into him.

“Good job.”

“But is it okay to send her off like that? Shouldn’t we have beaten her up as much as she wanted so there wouldn’t be any complaints?”

“Your language is vulgar.”

“Shouldn’t we have crushed her, Master?”

“…It’s fine. If Su’s condition is bad, Derga will definitely notice. Even if they agree, the Count might interfere. And above all, aren’t the Chunryeo tribe known for their strong family bonds?”

If they beat her to a pulp, they might face retaliation after crossing the border. They needed a way to get their permission without bloodshed.

“But it’s really obvious, just like you said.”

Ian had mentioned two things before the sparring.

The first was to provoke the opponent into attacking when they were only evading. Instead of chasing an opponent you can’t catch, change the direction of the force to make them come to you.

The second was to endure. The Chunryeo tribe was a warlike race. He said that if they endured until they were intoxicated by the exhilaration of a one-sided battle, there would definitely be an opening.

Ian created the opening, but it was Berric’s role to seize it.

“It’s not just because they’re Chunryeo. It’s usually like that. Those who are quick on their feet are weaker than you think.”

Su had already climbed back into her room through the window. A red mark remained on the wall vines, but probably no one would care.

Ian nodded and signaled to go back.

“Ian-nim? Where are you coming from?”

“I was just in the main building.”

“The security is tight tonight, so please don’t go outside. And there was an order not to let any outsiders in.”

A guard stopped Berric and reported. It was unavoidable. Ian nodded, and Berric said he would come back tomorrow and left the mansion. Ian passed his room and went up one more floor.

*Knock knock.*

“It’s Ian.”

“…Come in.”

“No! Tell him not to come in!”

“Su. Be quiet.”

When he opened the door, it was a mess. Gansha and Mujurun were wiping Su’s face with cloths. But it only smeared the stains, not removing them.

“I’d like to offer you a solution to remove it, if you wish.”

“It’s like giving poison and then offering the antidote! Are you playing games?”

Nersarn raised a finger to signal them to be quiet. Then, he turned to Ian.

“I clearly allowed the sparring, but this is a prank. I feel insulted.”

“Is that so? If you feel that way, I apologize, but isn’t it better than leaving Bratz with a bruised and swollen face?”

“There are no ifs in a match.”

“But Su’s face makes ifs possible. If the pigment is applied to this extent, what more is there to say?”

Nersarn narrowed his eyes. Su was grinding her teeth as if she was about to explode with anger, and Gansha and Mujurun exchanged knowing glances.

“Ahahaha! Haha!”

It was Nersarn’s laughter that broke the silence. At the same time, Gansha and Mujurun burst into laughter, and Su was the only one who looked like she was about to cry.

“Okay. We lost. There’s nothing as pathetic as refusing to accept defeat. Berric, was it? Su was grinding her teeth. She said she’ll definitely take him to the Great Desert and make him her slave.”

He said that, but there was no slavery in the Chunryeo tribe. Everyone was family. Ian politely added.

“Please forgive the rudeness, and I would be grateful if you would consider that I understood Nersarn-nim’s intentions well.”

Someone’s injury and Count Derga noticing it. He didn’t know what kind of variables that would bring to their community relationship. If they were unlucky, Ian would be in trouble, and the Chunryeo tribe would be in trouble as well.

Nersarn smiled, putting a long pipe in his mouth.

“Alright. I’ll bring one more Kushile [a type of large, rideable animal] for the peace ceremony.”

He meant he would bring a means of transportation for Berric. Ian expressed his gratitude and took out a small container from his pocket.

“You can mix it with water when you wash.”

*Thump!*

Without a word, Su snatched the solution and ran into the washroom. Gansha and Mujurun clicked their tongues and laughed, and Nersarn offered Ian some wine.

“Would you like a glass?”

The Chunryeo tribe didn’t restrict children. Everything was free under responsibility. Ian felt a sense of bliss as he drank the wine after a long time.

* * *

“Nersarn.”

“Yes, Count.”

At dawn, as the first light of day broke.

The city was still asleep, but the Bratz mansion was as busy as midday. The guests who had come like the wind were preparing to leave.

They all gathered in the main building’s dining room and filled their stomachs. They had a long way to go.

“I will accept your request. The peace ceremony will be a week from today. It’s tight, so we’ll proceed with the schedule with minimal preparation.”

“On behalf of the Chunryeo tribe, I thank you for your understanding, Count.”

“Please convey my best wishes to the tribal chief.”

Derga had returned home a few hours earlier, while it was still dark. It seemed like he had a lot to discuss with the guards. He would probably leave for the capital with the guards within the next day or two.

It was for Ian’s registration, but they would probably show the emperor the whistleblower seal instead of the registration application.

“Then, until we meet again, Demosha [a blessing or farewell] (under the blessing of God).”

The Chunryeo tribe left their greetings and boarded the Kushiles. Su, who had become clean overnight, put on a hood and looked at Ian. When Ian smiled slightly, she bared her teeth in annoyance, though no one could see it.

“Let’s go!”

“Open the gate!”

*Hee-heeing!*

The sound of the Kushiles’ cries and hooves echoed loudly. Soon, they left the mansion as quickly as they had arrived.

Derga, the Countess, Chel, and most of the servants watched them leave. They still seemed to be in a daze from the early morning.

“The peace ceremony is in a week. It should be simple, but we must prepare without any setbacks.”

“Yes. I understand.”

It was the butler who urged them. The servants snapped to attention and looked at Ian. The child’s expression was not visible.