Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 88

‘Seriously, how could I not have known when it was this close?’

Ian looked at the ring and chuckled in disbelief. It wasn’t like he had any reason to pay close attention to the madam’s fingers or her jewelry.

The hand the madam had gestured with earlier was the opposite one, and there were already more than half a dozen pieces of jewelry on the table besides the mysterious ring.

“Is something the matter?”

“Do you know what kind of gem is set in this ring?”

The madam looked at Ian with a puzzled expression, as if asking why he was suddenly asking about that. However, she didn’t know the answer either, so the question was immediately directed back to Count Mereloff.

“No. This, it was a gift from the Count, so…”

The more he looked at it, the more certain he became. Ian was wearing the necklace under his shirt right now, wasn’t he? It was the same kind as the one hidden under the Silask flowerpot. The yellow gemstone, which seemed to hold the sunlight itself, was precisely crafted.

“Count?”

“Hmm, I don’t remember exactly, but I think I received it as a gift from a merchant group heading to the capital. It was the first spring after I married my wife, so maybe…”

The Count tapped his temple, trying to recall the name of the merchant group. But strangely, he couldn’t seem to say it out loud, only letting out a frustrated groan.

“Ugh. Anyway, it’s definitely from a merchant group. I remember there was an alchemist with them.”

“An alchemist?”

“Yes. I asked them to make gold, and they came up with something strange… I can’t tell if it was a failure or intentional. But they said it was popular in other countries beyond the Hawan Kingdom, so I kept it.”

Ian was speechless at the unexpected words.

An alchemist, a possibility he had never considered. Those who sought to turn base metals into gold by exploring the truths of nature, not magic. Some considered them charlatans or madmen, or even heretics trying to imitate magicians.

“It’s surprising that a merchant group would have an alchemist.”

“It’s not that surprising in foreign countries. An alchemist is like a living, breathing precious metal factory. I’ve never seen a master alchemist, but even these half-finished ones look good. It’s common for them to move around under contract with merchant groups. Don’t you know that?”

“How would I know that?”

“Well, I suppose you wouldn’t. Those kinds of people wouldn’t be found in the brothels of Bratz.”

Count Mereloff unintentionally uttered an insulting remark and then flinched in surprise. Wasn’t he in a situation where he was asking to postpone the payment for Gula and even offering collateral?

His tongue had made a mistake.

“Ahem.”

The Count cleared his throat and glanced at Ian, but he seemed too engrossed in examining the ring to notice.

‘So, it was the work of an alchemist. But why was it hidden in Ian’s flowerpot?’

The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together.

If Philia was right, Ian had gotten the flowerpot after running an errand for a merchant group. It must have been the same group the Count was talking about.

“I see. Thank you for telling me.”

“The ring…”

Ian and the madam’s eyes met. Ian wanted to buy it with money, and the madam seemed willing to give it as a gift. If only Count Mereloff wasn’t watching them.

“Is this enough as collateral?”

“Of course, madam. If you send the check by sunset tomorrow, I will return your valuables. I hope our mutual trust will not be shaken.”

“Hmph. I don’t know what you think of Mereloff.”

“If you were offended, I want to say that it wasn’t my intention.”

Knock knock.

“Count. We’ve moved all the sacks.”

At that moment, Mereloff’s servant announced from outside in a dying voice. There were a whopping 100 sacks. Now, all that was left was to move them back and forth by carriage about six times.

“Alright. I’m coming. Madam, please go back to the mansion first. I’ll finish up here with Sir Ian and then go.”

“Yes. I understand.”

The madam grabbed her coat and lightly bowed her head to Ian. It wasn’t intentional, but there was a kind of eye contact shared between people who shared a secret. It was very brief and subtle.

“Sir Ian, thank you for today. You made an excellent choice for the boundless future of Mereloff and this territory.”

“You’re welcome. It was a satisfactory deal for me as well.”

It was an ordinary greeting that seemed perfectly normal, but the Count felt a strange hunch. Was it because of the brief silence that had occurred over the ring earlier? The Count glared at Ian for no reason as he followed the madam out.

Thud!

“Why the stink eye?”

As soon as the door closed, Beric grumbled irritably. Ian just shrugged with a bewildered smile. He took out a small pouch and put the madam’s jewelry inside.

“By the way, that’s not even a real gem.”

“What’s so special about a gem? If it’s shiny and has popular value, it’s a gem.”

“What if the Count doesn’t give us the check tomorrow after saying he would?”

“You worry about everything. If he does, we should be grateful.”

Ian laughed and handed the pouch to Beric. It was a sign for him to take care of it.

“Since we’ve signed a contract, we can file a formal complaint with the Imperial Palace if he doesn’t fulfill it. Most of the margraves [a noble title] hate getting involved with the Imperial Palace, so they’ll pay to avoid that.”

And if he didn’t pay? It would be taken to court, and they would receive the principal and compensation. It was like selling Gula for more than 3,500 gold coins.

“And as soon as Count Mereloff and his group leave the territory, spread the word that we’re allowing Gula trading in the territory. For now, only roasted Gula.”

“Only roasted?”

“Yes.”

It was important to time things well and set the order correctly.

“If we sell raw Gula now, no one will buy roasted Gula. They can just buy it and cook it themselves. Besides, in a month, they’ll have their own power and won’t want to buy raw Gula either.”

But if they said they would sell roasted Gula first, those who wanted to eat it would have no choice but to keep buying it.

And a month later, when Count Mereloff started distributing Gula, if they sold it at a slightly lower price, they could make another profit.

“Above all, even though we signed a contract, it’s obvious that the Count will make a fuss, so we need a justification to stand on for liability purposes.”

They had agreed not to interfere with economic activities, but if they released the goods as soon as the deal was made, they couldn’t predict how they would react. It was certain to be a very tiring situation.

“Since it’s roasted Gula, it’s not related to the Count’s profits for now, and later on…”

“Later on?”

Beric asked, curious, but Ian just smiled and shook his head. It meant he had no intention of telling him.

“Never mind.”

“Ah, why! Tell me!”

“Go help with the work. That way, we can leave sooner. Oh, and tell the territory residents that we’ll be imposing a 10% tax on the profits from the sale of roasted Gula.”

“Okay. 10%. One out of ten. I know that much now!”

He didn’t know how much it would be. The additional profit would depend on the residents’ sales skills. Beric was about to leave, following Ian’s instructions, but he stopped.

“What about that guy, Clark?”

“Ah, just leave him be. He has connections with the madam, so he’ll be useful in some way.”

“Don’t even use him?”

Ian turned his head at Beric’s words. He didn’t seem to like the fact that he was just staying in his room all day, eating and playing. Clark must have felt like he was in prison.

“Well, if you want to use him somewhere, feel free to do so. But make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“Awesome!”

Thump thump!

What was he going to do?

As soon as Ian gave his permission, Beric happily ran out. When he pulled back the curtain, the Gula sorting work was almost finished.

* * *

“Sir Ian!”

“Yes, Hanna. It’s noisy again today.”

“The butler from Mereloff has come in person. He says he’s brought the payment for the Gula.”

“Ah, is that so?”

With Ian’s permission, Mereloff’s butler entered the office. His elegant gestures and gaze seemed better than the Count’s.

Creak.

“Welcome.”

“I greet Sir Ian. This is the payment for the Gula that we couldn’t pay yesterday. It’s a check guaranteeing 2,500 gold coins, excluding the 1,000 gold coins we paid in advance. Please confirm it.”

The butler placed an envelope on a silver tray at the edge of the desk. Ian checked the check paper with the Hyman Bank seal, and then examined the Count’s seal and signature.

“It’s fine.”

“I’m relieved.”

“I’ll have the valuables that the madam entrusted to us brought here. Hanna, tell Beric to bring the items.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

“Please sit down and wait. Do you have any urgent business?”

“No, I don’t. Then, excuse me.”

The butler sat down, flustered. He had spoken about his business before the other party had even offered him tea, which was a breach of etiquette.

But it couldn’t be helped that it was an uncomfortable situation.

Previously, the butler had sent a Gula sales request in his own name. Of course, he hadn’t received a reply from Ian, but when he thought about it carefully, wasn’t that like revealing Mereloff’s situation to the outside world? It was like handing over the advantage in the deal.

If the Count were to find out about this…

“You said your name was Samon.”

“Yes, that’s correct. You remember.”

The butler barely shook off his worries and answered. He didn’t know why he was asking such things.

“Well, I’ve read the letter you sent me several times.”

Damn it. He’d been caught. The butler felt his heart drop, but he maintained a blank expression on the outside.

“Looking at your name, it doesn’t seem like you’re a butler who has been passed down through the family. Where are you from? How long have you been working?”

The butler remained silent, trying to gauge Ian’s intentions. He had no idea why he was asking such things.

“It’s nothing, but we need a butler too.”

“I intend to be buried in Mereloff.”

“Oh, okay. Be buried then. I want some education.”

“Yes? Education?”

He wondered if it was a scout. Butlers were key figures in mansions, so it was not uncommon for nobles to try to entice them.

“Of course, I would need the Count’s permission, but I’m telling you this to let you know our intentions.”

“…I will discuss it with him.”

“Okay. You’re a diligent and smart fellow, so it’ll be fun to teach you. Of course, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated. If you want, I’ll even return that Clark fellow you had before. He has a lot of experience working in that mansion, so he’ll be more helpful, wouldn’t he?”

It was obvious what the answer would be. The Count would strongly refuse. But this wasn’t about asking the Count for permission, it was a message to the madam. It meant that if she wanted to get Clark after causing trouble, she should ask to borrow the butler.

“Yes. I understand. I will convey it as is.”

Knock knock.

“Sir Ian. Beric has brought the pouch.”

“Ah, okay. Hanna, come over here.”

“Yes?”

Hanna placed the pouch on the table, and Ian smiled as he introduced her to the butler.

“This is Hanna.”

“Ah, hello?”

“…I see. I understand.”

Hanna would be the next butler of this territory.

Hanna, who didn’t know what was going on, awkwardly fidgeted with her fingers as she greeted him. The butler checked the valuables in the pouch and then stood up.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Okay. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Ah, I’ll see you out!”

Creak!

Ian watched through the window as the butler left the mansion. Then, he chuckled as he looked at the check for 2,500 gold coins on the tray.

Tap tap!

Meanwhile, the butler Samon’s carriage was not speeding up, but slowly starting to move. It was because there were more people on the street. He looked out the carriage window and muttered.

“It’s cold, but what are they all doing…”

While wondering what they were doing.

The butler frowned, wondering if what he had seen was real.