Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 61

“The mansion is bustling today. Is something going on?” A woodcutter, who had come to sell wood, asked while looking around. The advisor’s subordinate, who was calculating money, glanced up at him. “No. It’s the same as usual.” “Is that so? Haha…” The woodcutter scratched his nose awkwardly, forcing a smile. After the former Count’s death, the number of servants had drastically decreased, and the mansion was always quiet. Even after the advisor and his group joined, there had never been a day when all the lights in the mansion were on. But today was a little different. “This is a bit wet?” “It’s wet from the morning dew. It’ll dry right up when the sun rises.” “That’s three copper coins in total.” “Thank you.” The subordinate wrote something as if issuing a receipt, then took out three copper coins from his pocket. The woodcutter was about to bow and leave when he was stopped. “Wait a moment.” “Yes?” “Do you have some time? We’re currently maintaining the garden, and there’s a tree standing right in the center. If it’s old, we’ll leave it, but if not, we’re going to cut it down.” “Ah, of course. Just leave it to me!” “Follow me.” At the subordinate’s words, the woodcutter patted his pocket. He was planning to go down and have a drink, but oh well. It might even mean he’d get paid extra for his trouble. ‘So that’s why the mansion was so chaotic.’ No wonder. The servants, who were usually nowhere to be seen, were walking around everywhere. The woodcutter followed the subordinate around the mansion. The ground changed from weeds to grass. He had lived in Bratz his whole life, but this was the first time he had crossed this boundary. “It’s this way.” ‘Gasp!’ The woodcutter gasped as soon as he turned the corner and saw the garden. His expectations of a beautiful blend of flowers, bushes, and trees were immediately shattered. Rows of weeds were planted in a line, like a farm. The woodcutter, who had made a good profit during the Gula collection, immediately recognized what it was. ‘…They’re growing Gula? And they even built a greenhouse.’ It was true. The rumors circulating in the market were true. The subordinate tapped his shoulder with a piece of paper. “What are you doing?” “Ah, I, I’m sorry. Which tree is it?” “This one here.” The woodcutter answered the subordinate’s questions in detail, but his mind was still focused on the Gula field behind him. Meanwhile, Ian, who was looking down at it from the window in the hallway, asked, “How many are there?” “Five merchants who came to get food supplies, the woodcutter is the second, the clothing store, and there… where was it? Anyway, I’d say at least ten people have come and gone.” “How about the food supply?” “I reduced it as you said. By half.” “Good work.” The supply method Ian had mentioned at the luncheon was twofold. Using rumors. And setting up lax security. The key was to stimulate people’s greed for valuable things. Since even the distributed supplies had been reduced, the desire for Gula would only intensify. “Now, do we just need to put up some random guard?” “No. Have Romandro’s subordinates stand guard, taking turns. Fully armed.” It was a slightly different instruction from what he had said before. Beric, who was looking down at the garden, turned his head to look, but Ian just smiled, sensing his gaze. “You can use that method in other territories or in the capital. But this is still a vacant territory without an official ruler. If theft and looting become rampant, it will directly affect public safety and greatly lower their quality of life. That’s the same as lowering the quality of the territory.” Once is difficult, but twice is easy. Especially if the mansion is robbed, they will easily think of stealing and will also enter their neighbors’ houses. “Then what should we do? Just let them watch?” “Beric, worry about yourself. You’ll have to wake up early for a while.” “Huh? Me? Why me?” At Beric’s question, Ian smiled and closed his mouth. Then, he tapped on the window and went up to his office. * * * “Is this the right way?” “I told you it is!” “Keep your voice down. The guards will come!” Two men approached the mansion under the cover of the early morning darkness. With supplies reduced and nothing to eat, rumors spread that the mansion was full of Gula. Inevitably, they had no choice but to sneak in under the cover of darkness to survive. “Ugh.” “Oh, it’s so heavy.” “Hurry up and lift it.” The thieves barely managed to climb over the high mansion wall. They had heard that the Gula field was not inside the building but in the outer garden. Since it was a valuable item, even stealing a few and taking them to the center would be enough to shake off this wretched poverty. “Is, is this it?” The thieves peeked their heads out and looked at the garden. It was all dark, but they could clearly see that something was planted all over the ground. They carefully began to steal, imagining a rosy future. “It’s a shame, they didn’t even know this was gold and just brought it to the mansion. Tsk, tsk.” “Shut your mouth and fill the bag.” “I should have brought another sack.” While the thieves were whispering and giggling as they pulled out the Gula, Romandro’s subordinates were sighing as they watched. They had already caught one guy and thrown him in the dungeon, and now there were more of these pests? “Hey-!” “Eek!” “Aaaah!” When the subordinate shouted while lighting a cigarette, the thieves were terrified and flipped over. They threw the Gula into the air and ran through the garden. “Where do you think you’re going? You’ll wake everyone up.” “P, please save me! Please save me!” “If anyone heard you, they’d think I was the one who broke in?” But what could they do? The thieves, who were caught by the neck before long, knelt down and begged frantically. While two subordinates were tying the thieves’ arms with rope, it happened. “You’ve all worked hard.” “Ah. Lord Ian.” Ian appeared with Beric, both wearing hoods. The thieves looked up at him, hiccuping. What was that golden eye that couldn’t be hidden even in the dark? “Did you come to steal?” “Ah, well, that is…” “We’re sorry! Food! It was too hard to beg for food, so that’s why…” Ian clicked his tongue softly as he looked at the thieves. “You should have waited a little longer. Why did you do this?” “Yes?” “Lock these people in the dungeon.” “Yes, Lord Ian. Are you not going with an escort today either?” “Yes. Beric alone is enough.” Ian and the mansion’s subordinates were only having conversations that no one could understand. While the bewildered thieves were being dragged to the dungeon, Ian left the mansion gate with Beric. It was the second day of their outings. “Haaam.” “I told you to take a nap.” Instead of answering, Beric patted the sack of Gula on his back. He was showing that he was just as busy as Ian. After a while, the two arrived at a house on the outskirts. “I heard that house has a lot of kids.” “Really? Then let’s go there first.” Since it was still dark, the lights were off. Ian entered the yard and carefully knocked on the door. Knock knock. “Is anyone there?” When there was no response, he knocked again. Knock knock. “Come out, please.” Then, a faint light turned on in the window. Soon, a man with a sleepy voice asked, “Who is it?” “It’s Ian.” “…Who?” “Ian.” Squeak. He must be half-asleep, so he didn’t seem to understand the situation. The door opened very slowly. The man, who was blinking at Ian, widened his eyes and flinched. “Lord Ian?” “Shhh. You’ll wake the kids.” “Wh, what brings you here?” He knew Ian, but he never thought Ian would know him. After all, the man was just an ordinary territory resident. He was surprised that someone he didn’t know was talking about his children. “D, did I do something wrong…” So, it was natural that he felt anxious. When a hint of fear crossed the man’s face, Ian silently rummaged through Beric’s sack. Swish. “Wh, what is it?” “It’s Gula.” “Yes?” It was a sack of Gula seeds. “It’s not a miracle cure like the rumors say, but it’s true that the advisor enjoys eating it, and it’s also true that it’s tasty and nutritious. Right now, it’s strictly controlled at the mansion, but I will soon release it freely in the territory. I’m constantly suggesting it to the advisor. Until then, hold on, and if your neighbors want some, share it generously.” “L, Lord Ian!” “I’m giving it to you first because you have many children. I have many other houses to go to, so I can’t stay long. You know that you only eat the seeds, right?” “Y, yes, of course. There’s no one in the territory who doesn’t know that now.” “Just taste a little and plant the rest. One seed will produce more than ten Gula.” What was this midnight gift! The man was so moved that he kept nodding. When Ian patted him on the shoulder and left the yard, he followed him out and bowed repeatedly. “Thank you!” “You’ll wake up the neighbors.” Hiss! At Ian’s words, the man covered his mouth. And when Ian disappeared into the darkness, he carefully returned home. The dim light became bright. “…Ian. You’re really hard to figure out.” “I know you well. You look like you want to lie down right now.” Beric rubbed his eyes as if he was tired. Giving out Gula in the middle of the night, and even going around doing it himself. Ian understood what Beric didn’t. “While the imperial envoys are monopolizing and cultivating Gula, the supplies are decreasing, and it must have been a night of worrying about the harshness of winter. But if I distribute Gula like this, how will it look to them?” They would feel it was a blessing sent by God. Then they would soon feel gratitude, and that would lead to support for Ian. “Aaaah. I’m tired.” “Hurry up and move. Next is a place with children. Rumors spread well among kids.” There were houses where people lived alone, like the house with many children, but the boundaries were vague in the red-light district where Ian’s mother, Philia, had lived. “What’s going on? Why aren’t you sleeping at night?” “Mom, Mom. They say Lord Ian came?” “What? Why is Ian here?” “He’s giving out Gula! Gula!” Since many people lived with their days and nights reversed, it was much noisier than other places. Ian handed out the Gula he had brought and whispered to the children as if warning them. “There’s not enough for the people of Bratz to eat, so you must never give it to outsiders. Understand?” “Yes! Can I eat it now?” “I want to eat too!” “Okay. Line up. I’ll give you more.” Ian patted the heads of the children who were taking the Gula and said goodbye. A man secretly followed Ian and Beric. Swish. The man confirmed that they were returning to the mansion as the morning moon set. And after a time lag, he also entered the mansion, arriving at the room of Molin’s group in the annex. Squeak. “Did you come?” “Yes.” The man was Degore. He threw his hood on the bed and let out a ridiculous laugh. Mac, who had been waiting all night without sleeping, urged him. “What were you doing out in the middle of the night?” “He was giving out Gula. Very openly too.” “What?” At Degore’s words, Mac sipped his wine. Molin, who was sitting by the window, also chuckled. “That guy… he has a bold side.” Romandro must have mentioned Ian’s name when he discovered Gula. He was taking all the praise from the Imperial Palace and also securing the support of the territory’s residents. “It seems that he will be going out with Beric alone in the early morning for the time being.” At Degore’s words, Molin turned his sunken eyes. It was a very good opportunity to target Ian’s neck under the cover of darkness.