Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 27

So this is true tranquility.

The sun blazed fiercely, and the wind blew relentlessly. Even the sound of the Kushile’s [a type of domesticated camel-like creature] hooves was muffled and scattered by the sand. Ian gazed at the horizon shimmering like a mirage, feeling an inexplicable peace.

“Ugh…”

Occasionally, Berric’s dying groans could be heard, but no one paid them any mind. In the Great Desert, those who were meant to die would do so quickly, and those who were meant to live would find a way to survive.

Ian handed over the half-empty water skin and asked,

“Are you alright?”

“I feel like I’m dying…”

“Are you going to die from just this?”

“Well, not quite…”

It had only been a day since they entered the Great Desert from the border. The variable was Berric’s heat tolerance. His red hair, which seemed to absorb the heat, was drooping and damp. Su, who was ahead, approached from behind.

“If you’re going to die, I’ll leave you here. I feel sorry for your Kushile.”

Berric only frowned at Su’s sarcasm. This was the lawless zone outside the border, Su was a member of the Cheonryeo tribe, and, damn it, the master he was following was a ‘peace offering.’ Still, wouldn’t it be okay to flip her off? Berric pondered, groaning as he struggled.

“Wait.”

Hee-ing!

The wind direction changed. The guide leading the way stopped, and the procession halted as well. The guide shook a dry twig, gauging the wind.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sandstorm. It’s moving faster than expected.”

“How close is it?”

“We’ll encounter it in about four or five hours.”

The chief and other leaders gathered and looked up at the sky. Unfortunately, it was daytime, so the stars were not visible.

“Set up the tents for now.”

This meant the meeting would be lengthy. At Kakhantir’s command, a large shade was created, and everyone rested, giving water to their Kushiles. Ian did the same. He took care of his Kushile and then put water into Berric’s mouth.

“I brought you as an escort, but you’re quite something.”

“You didn’t say it would be this hot.”

“It’s also unexpected that you didn’t know about the desert.”

“I know the desert! I do! Ugh. Give me more water.”

Ian handed the water skin to Berric and then rummaged through a small bag. The map of the Great Desert and the list of expected weather conditions he had received from his teacher were neatly folded inside.

‘How far have we come?’

He had marked the map each time the route changed. They had come quite a distance. Berric was groaning, but the Cheonryeo tribe was urging the Kushiles forward without any consideration. It seemed they were worried about the health of Chief Winchen.

“…Sandstorm.”

Ian traced the map with his finger. A storm path labeled A12 overlapped where they were standing. Since their departure was yesterday, the margin of error was about four hours. Just as the guide had predicted.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

“Su. You’re not even sweating.”

Su grinned, chewing on a dried date.

“I’m a warrior born in the heat and raised in the sand.”

“Right. How long is the break?”

“About ten minutes. Start loading the luggage again.”

She seemed pleased that he hadn’t questioned her being a warrior. She handed him a couple of dates and turned away.

“Attention! We’ll be leaving in five minutes. We need to move quickly to avoid the storm!”

“Which way should we fix the Kushile’s head?”

“East.”

“Yes, sir.”

At the chief’s direction, everyone fixed their Kushiles’ heads to the right. Amidst the chaos, only two people remained still. Ian and Berric. Though, it would be more accurate to say Berric was half-collapsed.

“Is there a problem?”

“Did you just say east?”

“Yes.”

“…Not south?”

At the unexpected remark, the tribe members stopped and turned to look at Ian. What was this guy saying?

The guide was the one who protected the tribe’s safety, inheriting the wisdom of their ancestors. When it came to the desert, even the chief would usually agree with him.

“What’s he saying?”

“He’s barely stepped foot in the desert and he’s talking nonsense.”

“Leave him be. Isn’t that typical of nobles?”

“Hahaha! Well, yes! He’s from the great Empire, after all!”

Because they were speaking in their own language, Ian could only infer the meaning of their words except for the first one. The chief also seemed displeased. He didn’t seem like he would kill him right away, but if he caused trouble, he might go through the same procedure as Derga’s older brother.

The chief approached.

“Why do you mention south?”

Cheonryeo, the center of the Cheonryeo tribe, was located to the north. Going south would mean going around, taking more time and effort. So, he must be curious about the reason.

“There was a Great Desert researcher at the mansion. According to the information I received from him, it’s estimated that a storm is coming from the northeast at this time. Since it seems large, wouldn’t it be better to avoid it? I mentioned south because we can’t go back the way we came.”

They had crossed a huge sand mountain yesterday. The slope was so steep that two Kushiles had accidentally rolled down while descending.

“Chief?”

In this urgent situation, the chief just stared at Ian. At the tribe’s urging, he held out his hand.

“Give me that information.”

“Here it is.”

He seemed surprised that he gave it so readily. If he had wanted something in return, he would have abandoned it then. The chief looked at the paper and then called Nersarn.

“Nersarn, translate it.”

It was written in Bariel script. Kakhantir, Nersarn, and the guide gathered and put their heads together. Judging by their expressions, it seemed like they had something to discuss.

“Why are they doing that?”

Ian whispered to Su, who was nearby. She glanced at the tribe and then quietly replied,

“It was certain that the storm was coming from the north. But one of the Kushiles that rolled down yesterday was the guide’s. It seems the twig was damaged, and his energy was weakened.”

The world of the gypsies was truly mysterious. How could they know the weather with a mere twig? He wanted to interrupt and ask, but Ian patiently nodded.

‘Going south is safer, but it’s a lot of hardship. On the other hand, going east is a shorter detour. It’s uncertain whether we’ll encounter the storm or not.’

The urgency of Chief Winchen’s condition. The injuries of two Kushiles. The piled-up goods for exchange, and the outsiders unfamiliar with the desert. As a chief, he had made the most efficient choice. Not knowing that the east was also within the storm’s range.

“Alright. Then we’ll do that.”

After a long discussion, a conclusion was reached. Kakhantir looked around, searching for suitable people.

“Jangyarung, Tan, Turum! The three of you will go east and enter Cheonryeo first. Tell them that the schedule will be delayed due to the storm, and if there’s news about the chief, come back.”

They were the three strongest men in the group. Those who could push through the sandstorm.

As soon as they heard the order, they packed the bare minimum and mounted their Kushiles. In fact, the remaining people could also endure the storm, but they were not sure if the Kushiles and the goods on their backs would remain intact.

“Move with the widest angle possible. Don’t pass the Eternal Cactus and the Praying Rock. The storm is fierce inside there.”

“Yes, sir.”

“We’ll go ahead!”

“See you in Cheonryeo!”

Hee-ing!

There was no time for short farewells. They quickly kicked their Kushiles’ thighs and galloped away. In an instant, the three men disappeared into dots.

“Then we…”

The chief turned to Ian. And then folded the map as if to tell him to look at it and put it in his pocket.

“We’ll move south.”

“Move south!”

Everyone readjusted their Kushiles’ heads. Ian also grabbed Berric’s collar and pulled him up, and the chief helped him put Berric on the Kushile.

“Who is he?”

“Are you talking about the person who made the map? He’s my teacher.”

Kakhantir was expressionless, but honestly, he had just realized the difference between technology and academics. They had created the map by walking all over the desert. Some oases had been discovered only a few years ago, but the map had them marked as ‘85% probability of existence,’ not just as a simple mark.

“Drink water sparingly.”

He glanced at Berric’s face, which was wet with sweat and water, and then gave him advice. The journey would be longer, so water would be scarce.

“Yes, Chief.”

Ian nodded, thinking that he would have to infuse magic instead of water now.

The wind started to blow again. Unlike before, it was a low and short wind.

* * *

“Huh?”

Several days passed like that.

Just as they were getting used to the desert’s daytime heat and nighttime cold, the guide, who was walking in front, broke the silence. He was someone who rarely made a sound.

As a signal, Kakhantir behind him, and then Nersarn behind him, raised their heads, and soon the entire group was staring straight ahead.

“Trees?”

Ian did the same.

Something green was visible along the horizon. Soon, the Cheonryeo tribe’s horn sounded, and they shouted with joy.

“We’ve arrived! It’s Cheonryeo!”

“You’ve all worked hard.”

“You’ve done well! Demosha!”

“Demosha!”

Berric, who had been half-asleep on the Kushile, also rubbed his eyes and woke up. His already bronze skin had become even darker.

“Are we there?”

“Yes.”

As they got closer to their destination, the sand became harder. The Kushiles walked more vigorously than before, and soon they were able to reach their destination within an hour.

“It’s Chief Kakhantir!”

Ian scanned the land of the Cheonryeo tribe.

For a barbaric tribe on the outskirts, their architectural skills were quite advanced. Inside the walls built with white stones, tents were densely packed, the palm trees on the sand were large and lush, and the colorful cloths were faded to gray in the golden sand. The road conditions were also good. It seemed like they even had their own drainage system…

“Kakan! Welcome!”

“You’ve worked hard. This way!”

“Everyone, prepare water and food!”

“Is that Ian? Or that one?”

“It’s obviously the blonde one. The one next to him looks temperamental.”

Amidst the noisy welcoming crowd, everyone exchanged joyful greetings. The three men who had left earlier to inform the group of their arrival had also recovered from their journey and returned to their daily lives.

“How is Chief Winchen?”

“His condition has improved.”

“That’s a relief.”

Kakhantir nodded to Ian as if to tell him to follow. As he got off the Kushile and walked, everyone in the tribe stared at him, unable to hide their curiosity. Berric, rubbing his sleepy eyes, followed behind Ian.

Chaak-

As the beaded canopy was pulled back, the scent of cinnamon wafted up. The inside was cool and dark.

An old man lay on a bed in the center. The skin, bearing the marks of time, was tattered as if it would fall off at any moment.

“Winchen. Kakhantir has returned.”

“Ah… Chief. I am ashamed.”

“How is your body?”

That was the chief, Winchen, considered the root of Cheonryeo, a gypsy who revealed truth and lies. The old man slowly sat up.

“This is Ian, who will be with Cheonryeo through the treaty with Bratz.”

As Winchen stood up, a ray of light entered the room and landed on her face. Her pupils were cloudy, like mold. The rumor that she couldn’t see was true.

“I will confirm if Ian is a suitable person.”

“…Ian. Answer my question.”

“Yes, Chief.”

The old woman just mumbled, as if thinking about something, and then asked a question. It was a somewhat unexpected question.

“Did Ian Bratz come here by the will of God?”

…In the desert, unexpected things always happened, Ian realized.