Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 89

Count Mereloff poured the valuables the butler had retrieved onto the table. Madam Rien, sitting across from him, began to put on the jewelry again, one by one, just as she had the day before. The amber ring in question was among them.

“Look closely. Since he liked it, he might have tried to steal it.”

“Don’t joke around.”

The Count subtly probed, watching Madam Rien’s reaction. Was the suspicious atmosphere he had felt earlier just his imagination? At that moment, the butler cleared his throat to speak.

“Ahem. But, Count, there’s a problem.”

“A problem? What problem?”

“When I was leaving Bratz Territory, there were many more residents than usual. When I asked, it seems Sir Ian has opened a Gula trade for the residents.”

“Gula trade? Does that mean he’s been managing my territory’s share as well?”

The Count was missing the point. How could he have imagined that the residents’ trade would be open just a day after the Gula sale? The butler bit his lip, looking troubled. Then, the Count’s face gradually turned pale.

“…No, could it be?”

“The residents of Bratz Territory were selling Gula to the residents of Mereloff Territory. The rumor spread quickly, and it was very successful.”

“That, that damn bastard!”

Clang!

The Count unknowingly threw the teacup on the table. The Madam, the butler, and even the servants who were attending from behind all flinched and focused their attention on the Count.

“Please calm down, Count.”

“Calm down? Did you just say calm down?”

“The residents are selling roasted Gula. It’s only for consumption and cannot be cultivated, so it shouldn’t be a big problem for the territory’s operation.”

Thirty-five gold coins per sack. To break even, they had to pass on the Gula they cultivated to the residents. Either use it as a justification for a large tax cut next year or sell it for money as well.

“Right now, there’s a food shortage in the territory, so it’s not all bad. It’s just that it was too sudden without any consultation…”

That’s right. If you think about it, it’s something to be grateful to Ian for. It’s keeping the residents alive until the Gula can be cultivated. However, the Count couldn’t help but feel strong displeasure at the action without consultation, and it even felt like a threat.

“What if he releases raw Gula during the supply period after cultivation?”

Isn’t that a clear intention to screw them over? The Count kept tapping the desk, frowning. He should have been wary from the moment they started talking about freedom of economic activity.

“That bastard…”

“It’s better to calm down, as the butler said. There’s still plenty of time, and more importantly, we can’t be sure of Sir Ian’s intentions.”

Madam Rien, who had been listening quietly, gestured to a servant. It was a signal to quickly clean up the broken teacup. If there was something sharp nearby, someone might actually get hurt.

“And, um, he made a personal proposal to me.”

“What? Ian did?”

“Yes. He asked for my help in training the mansion’s butler during my personal time. I indirectly refused, saying that I needed the Count’s permission. Then, he said he would pay me separately and even return Clark if I wanted.”

“That’s ridiculous. What’s the big deal about a mere slave?”

The Count dismissed it with a scoff, but it resonated with Madam Rien. Did he mean to send the butler if she wanted Clark back? Or after everything was over?

‘I can’t figure it out. Really.’

Because of the incident where she sent a gift and a congratulatory message to Ian, the Count had become very sensitive about sending letters. There were many things she wanted to ask separately, but she couldn’t act rashly.

“Send another letter.”

“To Sir Ian?”

“It would be good to invite him to the mansion for dinner.”

It was partly to express gratitude for the Gula trade on the surface, but the real intention was to give a proper warning. His behavior, relying on the central power, was very unsettling.

“Understood.”

“Madam, you should also prepare.”

“I will.”

As the Count stood up, the servant who was cleaning up the broken pieces paused. Fortunately, he went outside to check on the Gula cultivation work, and a sense of relief filled the room.

“Haa.”

The Madam and the servants breathed out at the same time. They made eye contact and then awkwardly looked away from each other.

* * *

“No way.”

Beric rubbed his eyes and muttered. It had only been a day since he allowed the Gula trade in Mereloff. He had felt that the town outside the mansion was noisy, but he didn’t expect it to be this much.

“Is this how much money you made in just one day?”

“It seems everyone is more resourceful than I thought. Dealing with those who make a living through commerce.”

Ian smiled as he looked at the chest full of coins. Most of them were silver and copper coins, but there were also some gold coins mixed in. They were probably taxes paid by those who had large farms.

“Is this why they say passive income is so good?”

“Wherever you go, those with land and houses take it all. Well, it’s funny for me to say this.”

The profits from the residents’ trade came in as taxes. Of course, since it was the first day of implementation, there would be omissions or trial and error. But if you think of it as a supplementary income, it was more than just substantial.

“And it’s only like this on the first day. It will gradually decrease in the future. Many residents will have bought in bulk, and the surplus will eventually run out.”

The residents of Bratz Territory were making profits while setting aside their own share to eat through the winter. Not many people had greenhouses. In case there was a shortage of Gula, Romandro’s subordinates were constantly patrolling the village to check the transactions.

“How much is all of this?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Beric, how much do you think it is?”

“I don’t know? Shouldn’t we count it?”

“That’s right. Go ahead and count it.”

“…Ha, hey, Master?”

“Separate all the gold, silver, and copper coins and put them aside. If you don’t have enough hands, ask for help.”

“From whom?”

“Clark, I heard you’ve been using him like a servant these days?”

“Ah, him? Nah. He’s not fun.”

They say that those who have used people before are good at it, but since Beric had never had anyone under him, his enjoyment lasted only a day. The biggest problem was that he couldn’t use him as a sparring partner.

“But Ian.”

“Yeah?”

“When you go to the capital, will you take me with you?”

Beric squatted down and began to sort the coins in the chest one by one. The sight was both funny and pitiful, so Ian sat across from him and shared the coins.

“That’s up to you.”

The deal between Ian and Beric was simple.

Ian would awaken Beric’s potential as a magic swordsman.

Beric would protect Ian’s safety.

In fact, now that Bratz had been destroyed and an alliance had been formed with Chunryeo, there was almost no threat to Ian’s life. When he went to the capital, his status as a magic user would also be a shield.

‘Shield or not, who knows what will happen if I go to the Magic Department’s annex, so there’s no need to bring a lot of people.’

“What else can I learn there?”

“Of course. Beric. It’s the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace. All the best people who are said to protect Bariel will be gathered there.”

“Compared to the Chunryeo tribe? How strong are they?”

“Hmm…”

Ian pondered for a moment. There were too many criteria to determine the superiority of power.

First of all, the mages who directly engage in combat within the Magic Department are almost unrivaled if they don’t have a control stone, and physically, there would be the Imperial Guard.

“It can’t be compared. When was it? It’s hazy, but in the north…”

“In the north? Why are you stopping mid-sentence?”

He almost made a mistake. He had mistaken something that hadn’t happened yet for something that had. Beric asked back irritably, but Ian kept his mouth shut.

“Why! Why! Say something!”

“I heard that even the northern warriors can’t compete with the Imperial Guard captains.”

“Wow, you’re making it up so casually.”

“Was it obvious?”

“If I didn’t notice, I’d be an idiot.”

“Sorry. I actually forgot.”

The incident that happened in the north of the Bariel Empire. It was a major shock to the empire, which had been almost free from monster attacks. At that time, even though the descendants of the Atan tribe, known as the blood race, had greatly increased their power, they were defeated and killed by the Imperial Guard captain.

‘Right. That’s going to happen soon too.’

In addition to that, there were also several major wars, battles, and rebellions.

Ian began to count the years instead of the coins. Beric’s eyes sparkled as he watched the fingers counting one by one.

“Are there that many?”

“Huh? What is?”

“Are there that many captains?”

“Ah. There are three Imperial Guard captains in principle.”

That is, except for chaotic situations such as the emperor being dragged down. The Imperial Guard captains that Ian remembered were all left with their backs to him. Either leaving him, or fighting and dying to protect him.

“The Imperial Palace is amazing.”

“It’s not just because it’s the Imperial Palace, but there are many talented people in the capital. The outskirts are not the outskirts for no reason.”

“You talk like you’ve been to the capital before?”

“…I’ve heard things here and there.”

“Then I’ll go too.”

Beric made a firm decision. If he went to the capital, he felt like he could take a step up from where he was now. As they say, swordsmanship, like strength, only improves when given stronger stimuli.

“I’ll go! Take me!”

“Okay. I got it.”

He didn’t seem to have thought about what he would do there, but it was good for Ian too. It meant that the road to the capital would be safer. If nothing else, he could trust Beric’s skills. He was the one who had cut down dozens of people in an unexpected attack situation not long ago.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to put him in the central army.’

A magic swordsman is one of the most indispensable talents for the empire. It would be a good choice for the future of Bariel and for Beric’s stable life.

Knock knock.

“Sir Ian. A letter has arrived from Mereloff.”

“Again? That old man has a lot of time on his hands.”

“It’s probably because of the Gula trade permit. I thought he would come directly, but it’s unexpected.”

Ian smiled and received the letter. It stated that they would like to have dinner together sometime today or tomorrow.

“What does it say?”

“He’s inviting us to dinner.”

Ian handed the letter to Beric and stood up.

“If you finish sorting the coins by the afternoon, I’ll take you to the dinner. Beric. It’s a formal invitation, so there will definitely be good food.”

“Heck yeah. Leave it to me.”

Beric quickly moved his hands and focused on the work. However, when Hanna brought two more heavy pouches, saying it was additional income, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

“Sir Ian, are you going out for dinner tonight?”

“Yes. I received a dinner invitation from Mereloff.”

“I’ll prepare your change of clothes.”

Hanna immediately took out a neat set of going-out clothes and placed them on the bed. While changing his clothes, Ian suddenly realized that he was wearing the necklace. He had never taken it off his body, so he often forgot about it.

“Are you going to wear the necklace too?”

“Yes. I’m too worried to leave it outside.”

“Then, change into something with a high collar.”

“Why?”

Hanna answered while rummaging through the closet.

“Didn’t you say that Count Mereloff has a strange personality? That he has something like a jealous husband?”

“I did.”

“If he says something because you’re wearing the same jewelry as Madam Rien, it will be unnecessarily troublesome.”

“Surely not.”

Ian smiled faintly, not believing it. No matter how crazy someone was, they wouldn’t make a fuss over something like that. But Hanna was calm as if it was obvious.

“Surely not? The mentally ill always go beyond ‘surely not.’ Wear this.”

Ian changed his clothes again as Hanna said, and pondered over her words.

“Hanna.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

“I should take Clark with me. Get him ready.”

“I’ll get him ready right away.”

Creak.

Clark, for Ian, was a means to control the Madam, but for her, he was the only ally in the mansion. It seemed right to send him back for safety.

“Iaaaan! I’m done!”

Thump! Thump!

From afar, Beric’s cheers echoed through the hallway. Ian chuckled and neatly fastened the remaining buttons.