Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 70

Ian reached out towards the window. The humid breeze was gradually drying out, carrying a distinct chill. The hot and intense summer was passing, and autumn was about to arrive.

Knock, knock.

“Master, are you awake?”

“Yes.”

“I will bring in your meal.”

Since the imperial decree of appointment had arrived from the palace, Ian’s position had become considerably more secure. His daily life hadn’t changed much, but he could feel the power in subtle ways.

For example, the title ‘Master’ that was used to address him just now.

‘Interesting.’

He had been born into a ducal family and even ascended to the imperial throne, but now, with just the title of Baron, he felt like he had overcome a great obstacle.

Ian sat across from Romandro and prepared for the meal.

“Good morning, Lord Romandro.”

“Ah, Lord Ian. Did you sleep well?”

“Thanks to you. Could I have some lukewarm water?”

“Yes, Master.”

While the servants bustled about, Romandro started the conversation while peeling gulla seeds from a small plate.

“And Ian, there’s something to sort out.”

“What is it?”

“The support funds we received from the Imperial Palace.”

“Ah.”

It was an amount of about 3,000 gold coins. However, due to the restoration of the territory and the purchase of gulla, a considerable amount had already been spent. And there would be more expenses in the future.

“Isn’t it customary for the remaining support funds to be returned?”

“It is, but it’s just a custom, isn’t it?”

It meant that he could freely handle it at Romandro’s discretion. He would process the ledger and put it here, specifically into Ian’s pocket.

Ian raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“If you would do that, I would be grateful.”

“No. I’ve thought about it, and I think this is right. You’ve done a lot of work in many ways. If you hadn’t discovered the gulla, the 3,000 gold coins would have been gone in one go. I believe you will use it more meaningfully.”

“Thank you. I will keep that in mind.”

“Also, thank you for letting me go up during the winter. Hmm.”

“Did you say it was your honeymoon?”

“I received news recently that she is pregnant.”

At the unexpected news, Ian clapped his hands. The servants who were moving the dishes also offered their congratulations.

“Congratulations, Lord Romandro.”

“You’re going to be a father. Congratulations.”

“When is the expected delivery?”

“Sometime next summer.”

“Wow. Congratulations.”

Romandro smiled, stroking his beard as if he was embarrassed. His face was filled with a bright smile, and it made one wonder if that was what true happiness looked like.

“Are the support funds and the statement in your office?”

“Yes, they are. I’ll hand them over right after the meal.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Ian nodded, roughly calculating the finances in his head. If his estimate was correct, the remaining support funds would be about 1,200 gold coins. The investigation team had confiscated anything of value from the Bratz mansion, so that was probably all there was.

“By the way, what about Kakan and Nersarn?”

“They went to the border observation post yesterday and haven’t returned yet. They said they were going to look at the stars… I don’t know the details.”

Ian immediately understood their intentions. The tutor who had studied the Great Desert also wanted to visit that place. He didn’t know much about it, but it seemed they had their own way of understanding the Great Desert through celestial observation.

“Alright. Tell them I want to see them when they return.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Lord Ian, a letter has arrived from Mereloff. Should I tell them to wait until you finish your meal?”

There was a lot of news coming in from the morning. Ian paused as he was about to cut a boiled gulla in half. Romandro did the same. He was about to open his mouth wide to eat but stopped abruptly.

“No. Let them in.”

At Ian’s command, the door opened again. A servant, dressed neatly, bowed politely.

“Greetings. I have brought a letter of congratulations from Count Mereloff and his wife on your inauguration.”

“Really? Is there nothing else? The order is a bit strange.”

It meant that the letter of protest about the assassination attempt should have come first, but why did they send a congratulatory letter first, completely ignoring that?

As the servant struggled to find an answer, Ian reached out his hand as if to say it was okay. A luxurious letter was placed on it.

“Once again, congratulations from the bottom of our hearts.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“And there is a gift from the Madam.”

Ian looked at the box behind him with a suspicious expression. Since she was a woman with a unique first impression, he couldn’t guess what she had sent in the name of a gift.

However, the moment the servant opened the lid.

Ian stood up from his seat without realizing it.

“It’s a recording device from a foreign land.”

“A recording device?”

It was Romandro who asked. Ian was just slowly approaching and examining the machine in detail.

Inside a small wooden box were complex gears. Below them was a space where paper could be inserted, and next to it was a handle for operation.

“What is this? What is it used for?”

“Actually, its use is not known, and its name is…”

Ian muttered without realizing it.

“Dripper.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. You called it a Dripper.”

“Oh, Lord Ian. Do you know about this?”

Of course, he knew.

A Dripper was a type of automatic recording device. It was a machine that automatically printed dots at time intervals when the handle was pulled. Although it seemed useless, it was a precursor to future automated machinery.

It was one of the major national projects that was being worked on until Ian’s death, and it was clearly a field of future revolutionary technology that was being researched to bring about significant social change.

“Y-you are indeed Lord Ian! You are so knowledgeable, there is nothing you don’t know!”

Ian lightly ignored the awkward flattery.

“The Mereloff lady sent this?”

“Y-yes, that’s correct.”

“What did she say when she sent it?”

“She said it would be helpful to Lord Ian, and, um, it’s a precious item, but you don’t need to feel burdened.”

The servant swallowed hard as he said that.

In fact, when they first took it out of the warehouse, it was so dusty that it took five or six people to clean it. That’s how much it was just a useless piece of junk that no one in the Mereloff mansion cared about.

‘Was this a gift to make a fool of me?’

It was something that couldn’t be eaten, and it just printed dots at regular intervals. What was the point?

However, judging by Ian’s unusual reaction, something seemed to be going strangely.

“Ha!”

Ian let out a hollow laugh.

…Or was it? Was it a gift to make a fool of him?

He didn’t know, and he couldn’t guess at all. The servant lowered his gaze, bowing deeply, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

Ian just stared at the machine with dry eyes, then walked around it, letting out a subtle sigh.

“Lord Ian, let’s sit down first. Let’s think about it while sitting down.”

Romandro, who couldn’t bear to watch any longer, got up and tried to comfort Ian. He thought that Ian considered it an insulting gift.

In fact, anyone would think so. In the present, about 100 years before Ian’s time, the Dripper’s design was shabby, its function was simple, and there was no recognition of it at all.

Even the current emperor would not know the value of the Dripper.

“Do you know that this Dripper is from the Laza Mountains?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“No, it’s nothing. Wait a moment. I need to write a reply to my wife.”

Ian muttered something, then folded his napkin completely. It was a signal that he was finished with his meal. Romandro was flustered and looked back and forth between the machine and Ian. They were about to start gulla operations in Mereloff, but this kind of provocation and response was not part of the plan.

“Wh-what are you going to write?”

“I’m going to say that I received the gift very well, that it seems like I’ll be able to use it as you said, and that I’d like to meet her.”

Romandro groaned and stroked his chin. In his eyes, it seemed like they were exchanging sharp attacks, but in reality, it was not like that at all.

‘Goodness. What on earth is going on?’

Ian ran his fingertips over the cracked wooden gaps. As if he was calculating the value and future that the Dripper would bring.

‘I need to check it out.’

Whether the Mereloff lady truly sent a worthless gift, or whether she also knew the meaning of the Dripper.

Ian gestured to Hanna.

“I’m done with my meal. Keep this safe. No one is allowed to touch it.”

“Ah, yes, yes. I understand.”

“Lord Romandro. Please finish your meal. I will write a reply and go on a brief inspection.”

“Ah, uh-huh. Okay, I will.”

Ian left the dining room, and soon after, the Mereloff servant who had received the reply also left Bratz. It was a few hours later that Ian went on his inspection.

“Lord Baron. The weather is very nice today.”

“Yes. The weather is getting cooler.”

He was checking the gulla that was sprouting day by day. Unlike the falling leaves, the territory was full of vibrant green leaves.

“We are going to harvest the gulla today.”

“Has it already grown that much?”

“I heard that Megan from the house next door started sorting the seeds yesterday. This area is well-suited for gulla and the soil, so it’s growing very quickly. It grows a hand span every time I wake up.”

“That’s a relief.”

The territory’s granaries were becoming full, and hunger was disappearing within the territory. Smoke was rising from the chimneys every hour, and the children were running around with pockets full of steamed gulla.

“Mister! Mister! Is it true that the pig is pregnant!”

“Really? Is it? I heard it was groaning since this morning.”

Oink, oink!

The livestock were the same. They were quickly gaining weight and getting pregnant. If things continued like this, no one would die in the winter, and no one would have to face the new year cold.

“Ah, Kakanthir.”

In the distance, the Cheonryeo tribe members who had gone out were returning. Kusile slowly slowed down and stood next to Ian.

“You’re out here again today.”

“It’s good timing. I have something to tell you.”

“I have something to say as well. Then, shall we take a walk?”

Behind the two people walking ahead, the subordinates slowly drove Kusile. Beric was the same. He was joking with a close warrior while pulling on the reins.

“I will be returning to Cheonryeo first by tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? That’s too sudden.”

“I will leave Nersarn behind, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Has something happened in Cheonryeo?”

“It’s not that, but after reading the stars, it seems like tomorrow is the right time, so I decided to do so.”

If Kakanthir left, more than half of the warriors would leave. However, the territory had gained some self-sufficiency, and there was no need for much labor other than gulla cultivation, so it seemed like there would be no problem.

“Then I should prepare to see you off.”

Since the leader of the alliance was returning, it was only right to show respect. Moreover, there was something to give to Cheonryeo in the name of a reward.

“What is it that you wanted to say?”

“Ah. Earlier, a servant from Mereloff came to the mansion. It seems like we need to start preparing for some behind-the-scenes work.”

“Ah, yes.”

The behind-the-scenes work that Ian was talking about was to drive Mereloff into a situation where they had no choice but to buy gulla. At Kakanthir’s words, Ian stopped walking.

“The only place Mereloff can rely on is the merchant caravan that comes in during the cold days. If we take care of that, things will become easier.”

“Hmm. Those who come from the Hwan Kingdom, right? I’ve never been to the mountain range, so it’s geographically disadvantageous. But it’s not impossible.”

He didn’t know the size of the merchant caravan, but there would definitely be many mercenaries for escort. Pushing through with force was not an efficient method.

“No. Fighting is not an option. We can’t let it be known that Cheonryeo was involved either. If anything goes wrong, it could give Mereloff an excuse.”

From Mereloff’s perspective, who was responsible for the safety of the caravan, they would naturally try to retaliate if the Cheonryeo tribe threatened them. This was a burden for Ian, who had formed an alliance with the Cheonryeo tribe.

“Do you have a plan in mind?”

At Kakanthir’s words, Ian smiled and nodded. His eyes were sparkling with confidence as always.