Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 30

While the physician examined the potted plant, the tribe members watched anxiously from behind, seemingly waiting for the old man to declare it was Silask [a rare medicinal plant]. After turning the leaves over and examining them closely, the physician finally declared after careful consideration.

“It is Silask.”

“Damn it! Oh my god!”

“Thank you, God!”

“Then hurry, let’s brew it! Huh? Winchen is about to die!”

A short cheer erupted at the physician’s words. They hugged each other and offered prayers of thanks. The only one who remained composed was the chieftain, Kakhantir.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. Compared to existing records, it is definitely Silask. The number and thickness of the leaves, the color, the scent, and the shape of the roots all match what is expected. And most importantly, according to the outsider’s testimony, the flower didn’t wither after blooming, did it?”

The most important characteristic had already been confirmed by Winchen, so there was nothing more to add. The chieftain nodded and urged.

“Then hurry and brew it into medicine.”

“But…”

A very slight hesitation. But it was enough to freeze the atmosphere inside the tent.

“The quantity is the problem.”

“Quantity?”

“The records say that three roots must be brewed to be effective for a complete cure. Winchen is already very weak, and there are only two roots in this pot. It will probably only be enough to alleviate the immediate crisis.”

The quantity was insufficient, but they decided to focus on the positive.

“It’s a blessing just to alleviate the immediate crisis. Hurry and prepare the decoction. Just one root for now.”

“Yes, Kakan.”

“And bring Ian outside…”

He trailed off as he gave the order. Everyone looked at him, wondering what was wrong. Kakhantir hesitated, then corrected his address.

“Bring Ian Bratz here.”

In any case, he had brought Silask himself to help the chieftain. He didn’t know what his intentions were, but as a chieftain and a member of the Thousand-Eyed Clan, it was a clear act of goodwill. They had a duty to keep their promise.

Swoosh-

Ian entered the tent calmly. He seemed to have heard the commotion from outside. He looked at the potted plant on the table and smiled.

“Knowing it’s the last one, it’s especially red today.”

“Ian Bratz.”

He placed his hand on his chest and bowed. It was the etiquette that Nersarn had shown him at the mansion. When Kakan bowed, his subordinates also had to bow their heads.

“We are truly grateful for your help.”

“I heard the quantity is insufficient.”

“Even so, the fact that you helped remains unchanged. On that note, there are a few things I’d like to ask. Would you like to sit down first?”

It was definitely a changed attitude. He was the chieftain of the Thousand-Eyed Clan, so it wasn’t complete respect, but there was respect underlying his words.

“Please, speak.”

“Can more Silask be obtained from Bratz?”

If Winchen died, someone from the tribe would take her place. This was an unchanging truth. And in time, that person would also need Silask. In the long run, cultivating the red flower was essential for the Thousand-Eyed Clan.

“I cannot be certain.”

“Please explain in more detail, so I can understand.”

“The pot is mine, that’s true. But to be precise…”

Ian hesitated for a moment. To explain the exact origin of the pot, he would have to mention Philia’s existence, which would imply that his status was only half-legitimate.

It was something he would reveal someday, but whether now was the right time was another matter. As Ian remained silent, everyone in the tent stared at his lips as if they were about to suffocate.

“Ian?”

“I apologize. I’ve had it since I was young, but I don’t know how it came to me. There is someone who might know, but I can’t meet them right now. I’ll be able to contact them in about two weeks to a month.”

To obtain Silask, Bratz, which could be reached within a few days, was more advantageous than the uncertain journey to the south.

“Does that mean Count Derga doesn’t know about Silask’s existence?”

“No one at the Bratz mansion knew about the flower. I only found out about it after coming here.”

Otherwise, he was planning to formally apply for it as a trade item, but it was difficult since it wasn’t even distributed within Bratz. Kakan tapped the table as he pondered.

“…But why does it take two weeks to a month to contact them?”

It was a distance that could be reached in three or four days if one was determined. Was the person who knew about Silask somewhere else? As if Kakan’s guess was correct, Ian nodded.

“There are some circumstances that make it difficult to see them in Bratz.”

“May I ask for more details?”

“…Actually, I would like to, but then you would have to make one more promise.”

What was it this time? He thought he might ask to be sent back to Bratz.

‘That would be a problem.’

“Give me the first right of negotiation over the Count of Bratz.”

“The first right of negotiation?”

A murmur arose from behind at Ian’s words. Weren’t they all bound by the Bratz family? The first right of negotiation between a father and son. That meant there would be internal strife.

Kakan frowned and asked.

“It seems you intend to defeat your father.”

“Isn’t it the same for the Thousand-Eyed Clan, that the strong sit at the head?”

Yes. Actually, he wasn’t in a position to say anything. The Thousand-Eyed Clan were the ones who practiced the law of survival of the fittest. Kakhantir realized that this conversation was heading in an increasingly interesting direction.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot grant you the first right of negotiation. You cannot mobilize the Bratz soldiers right now, nor can you increase the amount of grain you give us, can you?”

He meant, what could he trust about him, who had nothing? But unlike his words of denial, Ian noticed a smile on Kakhantir’s lips. There was an expectation that Ian would satisfy his curiosity.

“Very well. I’ll tell you first. But if you think this is enough to determine the first right of negotiation, swear to God that you will keep your promise to me.”

“I swear.”

It was a situation where he had nothing to lose. Kakhantir leaned back on the soft wool chair as if to say, ‘Tell me quickly.’ But his body stiffened immediately at Ian’s next words.

“The army will descend from the Imperial Palace with the inspection team. The charge is treason due to tax evasion. The name Bratz may completely disappear within a month.”

“What? Treason?”

“What did that person just say?”

“The army is coming down from the Imperial Palace?”

Murmurs arose, everyone talking as if they couldn’t believe the bombshell. Kakan’s dark brown eyes stared intently at Ian. Even without the gypsy’s ability like Winchen, he knew that Ian’s words were true.

“Is it true?”

“I swear to heaven, it is true.”

“How do you know that?”

“A person came down from the central government ahead of the peace ceremony. It was to determine if I was suitable for the peace target. I heard it from them.”

“If Bratz is destroyed, you won’t be safe either, will you?”

“That’s why I came here. If Bratz is destroyed, won’t the Thousand-Eyed Clan also be in trouble?”

The Bratz family and the Thousand-Eyed Clan. They had been maintaining a precarious relationship, bordering each other. It couldn’t be called friendly, but they respected each other’s territory.

But what if Bratz disappeared and the Emperor’s central army was stationed there? Would the Emperor of the Empire be wary of the barbarian tribes in the borderlands like Derga? Even if a new count was established? Would they interact with them?

It would be a huge event that would completely change the political landscape.

“Does Count Derga know?”

“He doesn’t. Even if he did, it would only lead to unnecessary bloodshed. Treason is always punishable by beheading, regardless of the Emperor’s generosity. I took the desert road to protect the territory as much as possible.”

“What does that mean?”

“When my father dies and the territory is empty, I would like you to lead your warriors and enter my territory.”

“That’s absurd! Kakan!”

An old man who had been listening from behind shouted in horror. But unlike him, Kakhantir and Nersarn’s eyes gleamed sharply. They had noticed that Ian was hiding something else.

Kakan spoke as if calculating.

“If Derga dies, it means the Emperor’s central army is in the territory. We’ll be in trouble if we fight them.”

“I know. But they will want to avoid conflict with you.”

Because they were preparing for real treason. They would never fight a barbarian tribe in the borderlands, especially one whose strength was unknown.

“Why?”

“You are asking a lot of me, Chieftain.”

That was an answer that he couldn’t tell them.

The sound of Kakhantir tapping the table became faster. It meant his thoughts were becoming complicated.

“The Thousand-Eyed Clan just needs to stay behind me. It would be great if you could add a word like this. ‘As a long-standing ally of Bratz, we stand with Ian Bratz, who has become a member of the Thousand-Eyed family.'”

“Then, the Empire might turn its swords against us?”

“Against the Thousand-Eyed Clan, who possess the vast desert and the strongest warriors? I doubt it. It would be the opposite.”

From the central government’s perspective, they would think that Ian managing the territory would be the most effective way to control the Thousand-Eyed Clan. He could also imply that he could go to war for the independence of the territory, depending on his decision.

If the territory became independent, all the effort they had put into purging Derga would be in vain.

“The Empire’s wars aren’t always about wielding swords. The Empire will choose the easy and cheap way. Even if a military conflict occurs, you can return to the desert if you don’t want it.”

“Ian, you’re saying something incredible.”

“I’ve been thinking about it since before I crossed the desert. If you help me, and if I protect Bratz, or rather, the territory, I will show you the power of a ‘true alliance’ that the Thousand-Eyed Clan has never experienced.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie either. If military food supplies decreased due to peace, the territory’s warehouses would surely be filled to the brim. This would allow everyone to live well.

“Wait a minute.”

Nersarn, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand. He had a look on his face that said he didn’t understand something.

“Please, speak.”

“You, no, you said that treason is a serious crime punishable by destruction. Your name is Ian Bratz, the son of a traitor. Isn’t it impossible to return to the territory? No matter how much we protect you.”

“As expected of Nersarn. That’s right. It’s a very important point.”

Ian clapped lightly and smiled.

And he emphasized once again.

“I am indeed Derga’s biological son.”

He first pointed out that there was no problem with his bloodline.

“But not legally. I haven’t been registered yet. So my name isn’t ‘Ian Bratz,’ but just ‘Ian.'”

“What?”

The hall was in an uproar. But Ian’s next words were enough to silence everyone.

“-Therefore, the Empire cannot legally apply the crime of treason to me. This is why I can become the new lord of Bratz.”

Of course, if he made a mistake, he would become a slave. It was information that he didn’t need to tell the Thousand-Eyed Clan.