Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 26

Finally, the day had arrived.

Ian sat on the bed, watching the sun rise outside. Since opening his eyes in the Bratz territory, he had been running only for this moment.

Knock knock.

“Ian, sir.”

Hannah called out to Ian and carefully entered. It was clear she had been crying yesterday. Her already small eyes were swollen, and she couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Hannah. Oh my.”

“Have you packed all your luggage?”

He wanted to laugh, but at the child’s serious question, Ian only nodded. There wasn’t much to pack. Just a few clothes, some miscellaneous books, and the only thing in the room that felt like ‘Ian’s’—a potted plant.

“…I almost wish I had more luggage.”

It would give those left behind in the mansion something to remember Ian by. Ian smiled and straightened his clothes. Just one shirt would easily be worth a couple of gold coins. The densely embroidered white patterns and gold leaf made Ian look like a precious ‘thing’.

“Where’s Father?”

“He just coughed. He told me to bring you to the dining room.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Ian passed by Hannah and was about to leave through the door. But then, he turned back and quietly asked.

“Hannah, if possible, I’d like you to quit working at the mansion after I leave.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“It will be hard, but it will be better for you. Tell the others too. Of course, without the Count, no, without the Count knowing.”

Hannah looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Ian moved on without answering. Beyond this, Hannah’s choice was important.

In the dining room, Derga, Mrs. Mary, and Chel were already seated, perfectly dressed.

“Sit down.”

“Yes, Father.”

It was their last meal together. But the atmosphere was no different from usual. To them, Ian was never a part of the family.

“You’ve memorized the order of the peace ceremony, right?”

“No problem.”

“Always remember why you’re alive.”

“Of course. For the honor and glory of Bratz.”

Ian seemed to be in a better mood than usual. He was about to cross the border, where his head could be chopped off at any moment, but where did he get such composure?

“If I come back on my next birthday-”

He said, cutting a piece of meat.

If he was alive, Ian would be given a short return visit around his birthday. Derga paused, stopping his chewing.

“May I see my mother?”

“…Ian.”

“I’m leaving far away, and I haven’t seen Molin, nor my mother.”

Molin had packed her bags in a hurry and went to the capital the morning the Chunryeo tribe left the Bratz mansion. Since the deal with Ian was going smoothly and was in its final stages, there was no need for a formal goodbye.

Their carriage was probably still racing across the fields. It would take a month to travel back and forth. By the time Ian returned from the Great Desert, they would be back as well.

“Hmm. Mother, you say.”

Derga mumbled, stroking his beard. He was clearly talking about smuggling Gurut leaves [a type of medicinal herb] under the guise of his mother’s request. Mrs. Mary’s eyes narrowed sharply, but Derga didn’t care.

“Alright. I’ll let you see her once around that time.”

“Thank you.”

Did Ian not know yet? That his mother, Philia, had disappeared without a trace? Some said she ran off with the stable keeper next door, while others said she was sold off due to gambling debts.

“Count, the carriage is ready.”

Just as the meal was almost over.

The butler’s announcement that everything was ready was heard. The Count wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

Derga led the way, and everyone went outside the main building. A small number of armed soldiers and knights stood proudly in front of them. It was the first time Ian had seen them here.

‘One, two, three… ten in total.’

At that moment.

Hannah and the other servants, with tears in their eyes, rushed to Ian. They held his hands tightly, unable to hide their sadness.

“Please, please come back alive.”

“I’ll make you something delicious on your birthday.”

“Ian, sir. Be careful.”

In just a few months, he had formed a deeper bond with them than with Derga’s family. Ian only smiled, without giving a proper answer. When Hannah started crying loudly, the Count scolded her.

“Tears on such a joyous day! Butler!”

“I’m sorry, Count. I’ll warn them.”

“Let’s depart!”

However, most of the mansion’s servants were surrounding Ian, so he couldn’t single anyone out for punishment. Ian held Hannah’s hand tightly and said goodbye.

“Thank you for everything, Hannah.”

“Young master! Sob…”

“See you again.”

‘See you again.’ At the words promising a future meeting, Hannah wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. Under Derga’s fierce gaze, Ian got into the carriage without delay. Derga grumbled as if he didn’t like the atmosphere of the mansion.

“Giddy up!”

Hee-heeing!

With the coachman’s whip, the mansion grew distant. The Bratz landscape flashed by through the small window. Ian glanced at Derga. The seal must be in his possession.

‘The aide still hasn’t woken up, has he?’

It had been over a week since he fell unconscious. It was safe to assume that the chances of him waking up were slim. Even if he did wake up, Ian would be in the desert anyway.

* * *

Clop clop!

After about three or four hours of travel, the lush green land turned desolate. They had reached the edge of the Great Desert.

“We have arrived, Count.”

Swoosh.

When the door opened, the coachman’s voice mixed with the wind, blowing roughly. The blue sky and golden sand mountains. Dozens of Kushiles [a type of horse-like animal] standing in the distance. And their owners, the Chunryeo tribe.

“That’s…”

Two huge rocks marking the border were placed there. Derga and his party passed between them, approaching the Chunryeo tribe.

‘I’ve crossed the border.’

In his life, had he ever crossed a border for anything other than war? Ian tried hard to hide his excitement.

Nearby, there was a small shrine built of white stone. Without any decorations, it existed simply as a space. The traces of time carved by the wind and sand were evident.

“Welcome, allies.”

It was a low but powerful voice. No one said he was the tribal chief, but Ian knew it instinctively. The absolute superiority of power. The aura of the man who possessed it was as great and heavy as nature itself.

“Kakhantiryo, chief of the Chunryeo tribe of the Great Desert.”

“I am Derga Bratz, Count of the Bariel Empire.”

The two slowly shook hands. Then, their wives and children also greeted each other with respect. The main figures sat around the shrine’s table, and their respective soldiers stood under the sun, watching each other.

“First, I express my gratitude for your kindness.”

“Isn’t this a place where we promise that your difficulties are our difficulties? Don’t worry about it.”

Back and forth, since it was an official occasion, Derga’s tongue moved as if it had been oiled. Kakhantir’s gaze reached Ian.

“This is the gift from Bratz.”

“It is an honor to meet you.”

“…The agreement.”

Derga quickly gave the order. Parchments of the agreement, written with the same content, were placed on the table. It detailed the prohibited clauses, the list of goods to be traded, and Ian’s situation.

‘Chunryeo receives a token of peace from Bratz and sends their token in return within three years… Chunryeo and Bratz will not invade each other’s territory from the moment they sign the peace treaty…’

It was a long document, about a dozen pages. Derga carefully checked the documents and then nodded.

“I have confirmed it. While the seal is being melted, let’s verify it.”

“Very well. However…”

What Bratz had prepared was a blood kinship potion. It was the most reliable way they knew to confirm if he was Derga’s blood relative. It wouldn’t mean much to the Chunryeo tribe.

“Chief Winchen is not able to accompany us due to his poor health. We will do our verification when we return.”

“As you wish. However, the registration confirmation from the Imperial Palace has not arrived yet, so we will send someone as soon as we receive it.”

Derga dropped his blood into the potion. Ian did the same. The clear liquid soon turned blue. The people from Bratz looked at them with eyes that said, ‘How is it? Do you acknowledge it?’ but the Chunryeo tribe was indifferent.

“Then, let’s proceed with the handwriting verification.”

Ian picked up the pen in front of him. And, stammering, he clumsily wrote the contents of the letter he had sent. His handwriting was too messy to be shown at an official event.

“Is it confirmed?”

“Nersarn.”

The chief nodded and called his younger brother, who was standing behind him. He approached with a bow and presented a dagger. He cut his palm without hesitation, drawing blood.

Swoosh!

Drops of blood fell from the blade. Kakhantir swore by writing his name in blood. Derga’s face turned pale as he watched.

‘Those barbarians.’

They’re drawing blood instead of using a seal!

The Count stamped the seal and waited for the wax to dry. The two exchanged documents and shook hands again.

“For the endless glory of Bratz.”

“Demosha, Gurun Tu (Happiness under God’s blessing).”

And with wishes for each other’s good fortune, they concluded the simple agreement ceremony. When the people came out of the shrine safely, the soldiers relaxed.

“Then, farewell.”

Ian looked at Derga. They would now return in their carriage, but Ian had to cross the desert with the Chunryeo tribe. Derga hugged Ian as a show.

“Ian. Take care.”

“Yes, Father.”

The hand that hugged his shoulder was rough, but Ian just went along with it. Derga’s party turned back without any regrets, heading back to the border rocks.

“Ian.”

It was Su. She looked down at the remaining luggage with her arms crossed. Kakhantir, Nersarn, and a few warriors were discussing something, looking at the sky.

“Is this really all?”

“Why? Is something missing?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

“I’m just kidding. It hasn’t all arrived yet. Ah, it’s coming now.”

As soon as Ian finished speaking, someone was running down the path where Derga had disappeared.

A red head visible through the rough, dusty sandstorm. He got off his horse and ran through the sinking sand. When the horse tried to follow, he kicked its rear to send it back.

“You’re right on time.”

“Ian. Are you ready to leave!”

At Nersarn’s shout, Su packed Ian’s luggage. She lifted what two soldiers had been carrying with ease.

“Yes. I’m ready.”

“Chief. That’s the guy I was talking about. We’ll use him as our slave!”

Su gritted her teeth and said to the chief. He chuckled and stroked Su’s head, then turned to look at Ian. From what he had heard, the chief was barbaric and quite violent…

‘He doesn’t seem like it.’

It seemed like the people of Bratz had created a monster. To Ian, he just looked like a reliable leader of a small tribe, nothing more. Well, he would have to live close to him to know for sure.

“We must hurry and prepare. We might encounter a sandstorm if we’re not careful.”

From here to the Great Desert, their base, it would take several more days. If they encountered a sandstorm, they could lose power, and the journey could be prolonged.

“Iaaaan-!”

Berric shouted from afar. Kakhantir handed two Kushiles to Ian and turned away silently.