Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 695

“Silask.”

As soon as Ian heard Berrick’s words, a wave of clarity washed over him. That’s right. He’d been wondering where he recognized the scent, and now he knew. It was the red flower.

It was from the potted plant his mother had given him before he left for the Great Desert, the only thing that could save Chief Winchen. It was a trace that hinted at the connection between Ian, the illegitimate son, and Rutherford in the past, a phantom that had been impossible to find.

“Sniff, sniff, sniff… That’s it. No doubt about it.”

The more Berrick smelled it, the more certain he became. The scent of silask was deeply imprinted in his memory.

No wonder the final battle with Rutherford had taken place at Laromedia’s nest. He couldn’t forget the sweet smell of silask that had gently permeated the air.

“Berrick, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“That thing we suffered so much for. Hmm.”

“Are you drunk? After only a couple of drinks?”

“Those who are going to fall should just lie down and sleep. It’s a waste of good alcohol.”

The source of the smell was clearly Taoma. Ian refilled his glass and subtly asked him,

“Taoma, I smell silask coming from you.”

“Ah, how do you know about silask?”

Taoma didn’t deny it. He sniffed his sleeves and arms, chuckling.

“It’s something I’ve been handling recently, and the scent is so strong it seems to linger. Well, it’s fine. I don’t have to wash.”

“Ugh, did I really just hear that?”

“Hey, Taoma, let’s not talk about hygiene while we’re eating something delicious.”

Looking at his reflection in the window, Ian’s thoughts naturally drifted to Roel. She would become the leader of the tribe after Chief Winchen, and one day, she would walk the same path as her. Winchen had met his death because of the silask tribe, but Roel wouldn’t. If silask was readily available, he could save the child from suffering at any time.

“Are you interested?”

Smirk. Taoma’s eyes, already glazed with alcohol, narrowed even further. His instincts had picked up on the other’s desire.

The more someone wants something, the more its value increases. Ian’s eyes when talking about magic paintings and Ian’s eyes when talking about silask were clearly different. It was enough for even the drunk Taoma to notice.

“Yes, I am.”

Ian knew his inner thoughts had been exposed. He had no choice but to admit it. Taoma clearly held the upper hand regarding silask, so if he provoked him unnecessarily now, the deal would become complicated.

“You’re very straightforward.”

“However, there’s one thing you should know. Silask is a personal interest of mine, but the fairies called Laromedia who cultivate it are a national matter.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Am I too drunk?”

Laromedia, the fairies who cause hallucinations.

They were one of the ‘materials’ used in Toolun’s puppetry, and silask was found in the fairy colonies. In other words, the two were inseparable.

Also, since Laromedia was closely related to Toolun, it was naturally an issue that Bariel had to keep an eye on. So, in short-

‘Don’t try to make a business out of it, huh. Tsk.’

Taoma scratched his nose and put down his glass. His brain was swimming in alcohol, but he clearly understood Ian’s warning.

“Silask trading has mainly been done in the Southern countries. As you may know, fairy habitats are very rare, and little is known about them. Above all, they are very dangerous, so the price is quite high.”

It was nearly impossible to understand the hearts of fairies. They were fickle, shifting from one extreme to the other in an instant, unexpectedly bestowing curses and blessings. Sometimes they were so foolish you wondered if they even had brains in their tiny heads, and other times they were so mysterious that you had to acknowledge them as transcendent beings.

“Don’t worry about the price.”

But Ian smiled and answered immediately. Who would talk about price in front of Ian, of all people?

To him, the Minister of Magic and the owner of Hiel, price was just a number. And above all, it was a matter compared to the future of Bariel. No matter the cost, it was not a trivial price.

The wizards who were listening from the side nodded vigorously in agreement.

“That’s right! Don’t even mention the word ‘expensive’ in front of Ian. How rich is our Ian? Isn’t that right?”

“Can’t you tell by how he takes care of that glutton Berrick? It’s something that even a capable person would find difficult. Even the imperial chefs struggle!”

“No, no. You don’t even have to go as far as Ian. We can handle it ourselves. How much is it? How much would it be?”

“Ah, wait a minute. I had some gold coins earlier…”

“Owner! Give us the change!”

“Forget it, keep it! What are you being stingy about with small change!”

They were saying Berrick was drunk, but the wizards seemed half out of their minds. Well, they hadn’t fully recovered their stamina even after a good nap, and above all, they were on an empty stomach, weren’t they? No matter how skilled the wizards were, their bodies were still human. There was no match for alcohol.

“So, you only need silask?”

“It would be even better if you had information about Laromedia. As I said earlier, it’s a national matter.”

“Well, the guys who live here and the guys who live there are all the same. Alright. I’ll go get some silask and bring back some information.”

In the case of plants, infinite cultivation is possible, so the first transaction is the most expensive. Taoma advised him that he should be prepared, but Ian just waved his hand.

“Today is truly a lucky day. Because I met a noble person like Taoma.”

“Since you call me a noble person, I have no choice but to say the same. Hahaha! It’s a good thing that the lonely drinking session has become lively and fun. I like it too.”

Roel will live. She would wear Winchen’s clothes but walk a slightly different path. Ian was satisfied with just that. It felt like he could protect the last remaining member of his family.

“By the way, I heard that a country in the East is supplying goods to Hawan. Is that true?”

At Taoma’s question, Berrick, who was gobbling down the snacks, paused. The wizards did the same. They were all thinking of the fire cannons at the same time.

As the atmosphere became strange, Taoma smiled awkwardly.

“That’s just information I’ve heard, but there’s no way to confirm it.”

To confirm that, he would have to contact the Hawan leadership or be in the middle of the bloody Ruswena battlefield. It was beyond the capabilities of a merchant.

Berrick swallowed what he was eating and asked back,

“Why? Are you trying to wiggle your way into the East too?”

“It would be good if there was a way, but it doesn’t seem easy. I heard that the East is a bit of a strange place.”

“What is?”

“Hmm.”

Should he tell them or not? Information was money in this world. As Taoma hesitated, Berrick said he couldn’t take it anymore and shouted to the owner.

“Bring the most potent and expensive alcohol here!”

“The most potent?”

“Yes. Something so potent that you can’t tell if it’s alcohol or poison! Something that makes you curse the owner as soon as you take a sip!”

The owner quickly ran to the storage room. Good! He had been worried about how to dispose of one item in stock, and now they were asking for it themselves.

Soon, the owner brought a heavy jar and placed it next to the table.

Thud!

“I must warn you, our shop is not responsible if you drink and die.”

“Don’t worry about it. What kind of guys do you think we are?”

Thwack! Berrick raised his fist, and the wizards followed suit, crossing their fists on his wrist in response.

They were elites who had survived even with holes in their bellies! Even after squeezing out all their magic power! Even after facing forbidden wizards! Even after fighting giant and ferocious monsters! And this alcohol?

“Let’s take turns drinking a glass. Deal?”

“Deal!”

Taoma swept the table clean, then dipped an empty glass into the jar and scooped out a generous amount. Then, he gulped it down. It was a challenge to have a serious match without any snacks.

Berrick grinned and followed him.

“Cough! Oh, damn it, you owner! What kind of alcohol is this… Ugh-!”

“Cough, it is a bit strong.”

“Keep going?”

“Of course!”

Taoma and Berrick kept pouring and drinking. The wizards watched with their chins in their hands, and Ian waited quietly with his arms crossed. The smell was so strong that a winner would be decided soon.

“Cough!”

Thud! Berrick, who had poured and drunk his seventh glass, finally slammed his head on the table. Taoma staggered while sitting, then burst into laughter.

“You dared to challenge me, serves you right!”

“I’m next!”

“Oh ho?”

Then the wizards stepped up. There were five of them, so wouldn’t they be able to win? Besides, Taoma was already quite drunk. Ian, I will sacrifice myself to get favorable terms for the deal.

The wizards shouted, burning with determination.

“Hoorah! Let’s go!”

“Let’s gooo!”

Thud!

But sometimes, no matter how fierce the will, the body can’t keep up. That was the case now. The wizards slammed their heads on the table like dominoes.

“Heh, heh heh. These guys, they still know how to drink. Oh, my head is throbbing. It was fun to drink after a long time. Hmm.”

Ian stared at the wizards with a dumbfounded look, then turned to Taoma. He, too, was now struggling, unable to control his body properly. His pronunciation was also very slurred. He asked Ian with his eyes wide open.

“Last, will the Minister also join?”

“What.”

They had all fallen so spectacularly in front of him, it wouldn’t be right not to accept the challenge. It was a shame that it was a one-on-one match, so he couldn’t back out.

Swoosh.

“Let’s drink.”

“Heh, heh, good. Good.”

Taoma staggered and poured himself a drink. A full one. Ian also followed Taoma, dipping his glass deep and scooping it up, then gulping it down in one go.

The hot and stinging sensation flowed down his throat. But when he put down the glass, Ian was completely unfazed.

“One more glass!”

Thud!

“Ugh, le, let’s go.”

Thud!

“Ugh, ugh…”

Taoma’s vision blurred. He knew that if he let his guard down even a little, his consciousness would be cut off. But there was nothing he could do. He had reached his limit. His body gradually tilted to the side, and soon, with a thud, Taoma’s consciousness went completely dark.

“……”

Whew. Ian glanced around at his annihilated subordinates and called the owner.

“Some paper, a pen, and an inkpad, please.”

“Ah, just a moment.”

Then he wrote something down and even carefully took Taoma’s fingerprint. The owner looked at the empty jar and covered his nose. Ian was truly amazing. It was an alcohol that would knock out even a seasoned drinker after a couple of glasses.

Squeak.

“I enjoyed the drink.”

“Ah, what should I do with your companions?”

“I will send someone, so please wait a little.”

Ian said that and walked out of the shop. The owner was flustered and looked around the shop, then, with a ‘whatever’ attitude, turned off all the lights. He had made a lot of money, so he would close the shop tomorrow and clean up.

Creak!

* * *

“Cough!”

Taoma woke up, gasping for breath. The pub was empty, and he was the only one there. He felt like his skull was about to crack and his insides were all twisted in pain. It was driving him crazy.

…What happened yesterday? Ah, I think I met the Minister of Magic and talked about a deal…

“Ugh, ugh.”

Taoma vomited into the empty jar next to him and rubbed his face. Then, a piece of paper on the table fluttered and fell next to him.

“Wh, what is this?”

-Taoma promises to sell one strand of silask for one gold coin and swears to share information about Laromedia with the Imperial Palace without any omissions. And within three days, he will discuss the contents of the magic stone painting ledger with the Bariel Imperial Palace. If he violates this, he agrees to be executed.

O