Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Alcohol and Water
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Haina came in carrying a tray of dried fruits and such. And as if she intuited there was a specific reason she’d been called, she clasped her hands in front of her and looked at Ian. He was still savoring the bright weather outside the window.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Haina. How are your younger siblings doing?”
Ever since they’d started taking meals in the dining hall, there had been far more leftovers. Enough to fill not just Haina’s pockets but those of the other kitchen servants as well.
“Thanks to you, they’re doing wonderfully. They’re running around nonstop, but that’s fine.”
The girl smiled with all her heart. With full bellies, the smiles never faded, and the family bonds grew deeper day by day. It was all thanks to Ian. The servants knew he was the one setting aside food for them.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Do you have a task for me?”
Haina took a step closer to Ian. It was her determination to not let even the slightest breath escape. Ian continued speaking, still showing only his back.
“Haina. I have a message for Mother.”
Ian kept infusing mana into the brooch. To ensure this secret conversation wouldn’t reach Deruga. Both children were officially and practically illiterate, so there was no helping it.
“Yes. Tell me.”
At last, a chance to repay him!
Haina clamped her mouth shut, urging him to give the order. The window flashed brightly, but she dismissed it as just sunlight.
“Tell her to come to the lake in Portroga’s 3rd District Park for lunch tomorrow. And to disguise herself.”
“Is that all?”
“…And that I received the pouch safely.”
This would probably be their first rendezvous. If Ian’s mother suspected it was a trap by Deruga and didn’t show, that would be trouble. Haina firmly etched the brief information into her mind.
“Yes. I’ll do it without a mistake.”
“I’m sorry. I promised not to send you into such places, but I have no other choice in this hurry.”
It was tomorrow, of all days. There was no time for another method. Haina nodded eagerly as if to say leave it to her, then took a step back.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Take the snacks too. Consider it payment.”
“Thank you! Master Ian!”
Even as Haina stuffed the dried fruits into her pouch, Ian didn’t turn around.
What could be out the window to hold his attention like that? The girl pictured the view outside and soon smiled as if she understood. All that was visible from here was the main house and the private soldiers’ quarters.
“Tomorrow, when you go out with Young Master Chel, Uncle Deo will be accompanying you.”
“Deo?”
Ian’s head turned slightly, but not enough to show his eyes. Haina patted her plump pouch contentedly and replied.
“Yes. Of all days, he has night training scheduled tonight. Uncle Deo’s the only one off duty. His left arm’s still bothering him, but he said it’s no problem escorting you two.”
“What happened to his arm?”
“Oh. You don’t know, Master Ian? Two weeks ago, he got blackout drunk and broke his left arm. He claims it was a fight with some thug he passed by, but everyone knows it was actually the tavern wall. Who knows how many times it’s happened now.”
Haina giggled as if it were the funniest thing. Ian gave a faint smile too, but he could guess that this Deo fellow was no pushover.
To pull off such antics and not get fired? And to be assigned to escort two boys even with an injured arm?
It meant he was someone Deruga trusted greatly, yet also possessed considerable skill. Ian lightly rubbed the window and nodded.
“I see. Good to know.”
“Yes. Call me if you need anything else.”
Clack.
The girl left with light footsteps. Only then did Ian withdraw his mana and turn around. His golden eyes shifted from absinthe, and the brooch’s light faded.
‘Hm. Deo, huh.’
Chel might be a nonentity, but Deo could potentially create a variable if played right. Ian sat on the sofa and fiddled with the pouch his mother had given him.
* * *
One week and one day.
That was how long it took for Ian to leave the Bratz estate. The carriage sent by Lord Molin arrived precisely at noon, waiting for the two boys.
“Young Master Chel. Master Ian. This way.”
And there was the man called Deo. The scars thick across his face hinted at his temperament. His build was so imposing it made one worry if he could even fit in the carriage.
Whether intentional or not, he addressed them with subtly different honorifics.
“Riding together?”
“That’s right.”
Sitting across from him, their knees might touch….
Ian shot him a displeased glance before boarding. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the horses seemed to strain under the weight.
Clop clop.
Only the quiet sound of hooves echoed. Chel and Ian stared out opposite windows in silence. The boy felt like he was being dragged to a slaughterhouse rather than going to school, but Ian was full of admiration.
‘Oh ho.’
Being a border region—and not far from the desert—the scenery was strikingly different. He’d spent most of his life in the capital, and the war he’d fought in was on the opposite side. He’d never gone on vacation like other nobles.
To think Bariel had a place like this. It felt more like galloping through a foreign land than anything, beyond the unfamiliarity. And then there was the century-long gap.
“Do you know any good spots in Portroga by chance?”
Ian finally spoke after a long while of sightseeing. Chel turned at the sudden question, and the man just blinked.
“The administrator asked me to show you around the area, so I should at least pretend for appearances’ sake. But as you know, I don’t know a thing.”
He’d been a slum kid too busy surviving.
“Isn’t that right? Brother? No matter what, showing you the alleys from where I grew up wouldn’t do.”
“…Y-yeah.”
The guests might be curious, but he couldn’t actually take them there. It wasn’t anywhere else—it was the red-light district. How could the count’s heirs parade guests through there? Madness.
Deo scratched his nose awkwardly and answered.
“Well, there are plenty of taverns, but I don’t know any spots fit for central nobles. The places I go are always rowdy.”
“…Have you forgotten I’m a minor?”
“Well, that’s the gist of it.”
Even at Ian’s rebuke, Deo just grinned brazenly, a foul stench seeming to rise from his black teeth.
‘A thoroughly shady character.’
It wasn’t just hygiene. The constant fiddling with his dagger tip, the sinister glint in his eyes—it was inhuman.
“Never mind. Guess we’ll have to stroll the park instead.”
This was precisely Ian’s goal. Laying the groundwork. He had in mind the possibility of Deo reporting back to the count. Since he’d arranged to meet his mother at the park, everything needed to seem natural and certain.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Young masters, please step down.”
The pace slowed, and the coachman opened the door.
Portroga was undoubtedly an upper-class residential area. Even setting aside the well-paved stone paths and street trees, the ‘Haiman Bank’ standing prominently along the main road was proof.
The third sanctuary, handling Bariel’s entire financial infrastructure. They had branches in every territory—without them, taxes would have to be carted around in wagons.
Thud!
When Deo dismounted last, the carriage rocked heavily. Mac approached with a friendly wave at the sight.
“Oh! Master Ian!”
“Lord Mac. You came to greet us. Thank you.”
“No need for that. Even better to see you from outside. Ah. Young Master Chel too. Tough journey, huh.”
Mac welcomed Ian and Chel while glancing warily at the guard behind them. His smile hid strong caution. But Deo just picked at his ear and ignored it.
“Please, come in.”
They seemed to have the whole building to themselves. Not as grand as the Deruga estate, but the interior finished with luxurious materials exuded antique elegance.
“Is this an official residence?”
“Yes. It’s for officials dispatched from the capital. It’s so clean and comfortable, we treat it like home.”
The inner room was fully prepared.
Trays piled with food, even grape wine—perfect. It looked no different from a lunch at the Bratz count’s estate.
“Is the escort coming in to eat too?”
“Is that a problem?”
When Mac asked at the parlor door, Deo raised his brows as if it were odd. It was quite rude, but Mac just crossed his arms. Pondering how to shake him off.
“I’ll just sit in the corner while you dine and discuss studies. That’s fine.”
At the man’s words, Ian spun around to look up at Mac. He twitched his brow ever so slightly—a signal.
“We left the estate together; I can’t have him just watch us eat. Could you set an extra place setting and wine glass, perhaps?”
Ian emphasized ‘wine’ deliberately. A guy who lived off his body and broke his arm from drunken stupors multiple times. He surely couldn’t live without booze.
Mac hesitated a moment, then spoke.
“…We didn’t prepare any wine.”
Both guests were children. With no Deruga or Lady Mary present at lunch, why would they? Ian surely knew that….
“Do you enjoy alcohol by any chance?”
“Hm? Well, denying it would be a lie.”
“Then come with me to the basement. There’s a wine cellar there—pick what you like. I didn’t expect it, but with a place setting, you’re a guest anyway.”
…Is this right? Mac glanced at Ian and trailed off. Perfect communication. As the boy smiled faintly, Mac got it and egged Deo on.
“There’s quite a variety.”
“Right below?”
“Building basement.”
Deo sniffed sharply, then looked down at Chel and Ian. They’d be inside the building, so safe. As long as Chel and Ian stuck together, a moment wouldn’t hurt. And it was the official residence’s wine cellar, no less! Racks of liquor he’d never even seen.
“Well. I won’t refuse.”
“Wait a sec. Drgor!”
Mac opened the parlor door and called Drgor. He whispered something, then instructed Deo to follow.
“Young masters. Please come in.”
Drgor took over Mac’s role and led the guests inside. Molin regarded them with his usual gentle gaze.
“Please sit. I hope it suits your tastes.”
It felt like the venue had simply moved from Deruga’s backyard to here. They exchanged the same greetings as yesterday and began eating.
“Oh ho. So Young Master Chel’s school is nearby?”
“Yes. About ten minutes by carriage.”
One difference: the target of the questions. They showered Chel with attention openly. Ian knew it was a clumsy ruse, but it might work on Chel.
‘Father. They barely spoke to Ian. No other intentions apparent. And today’s conversation…’
He’d been told not to miss a single word, so the boy was probably straining to memorize their words. Ian couldn’t help chuckling at the image of Chel’s obliviousness. Deruga would check the brooch anyway.
‘Now. When will they get started?’
Ian quietly chewed his meat. Truth be told, he was as curious as Deruga. What on earth was the intent in luring him outside? He had guesses, but they were just that.
“Ah!”
Splash!
Then, Drgor spilled the water pitcher. Precisely onto Chel’s pants. Classic, but perhaps reliable. Ian knew it was the signal.
“Oh no! Are you all right?”
“Ah. Yes….”
Chel’s face flushed reflexively. His thighs were soaked, looking like he’d wet himself. Ian calmly popped another bite of meat into his mouth, unmoving, and anticipated Drgor’s line.
‘Shall I get you a change of clothes?’
“You should change.”
“I-it’s fine.”
“Please wait. I’ll have a servant hurry and buy something suitable. There’s a good tailor right next door.”
Munch munch. Ian continued eating with a bored expression, as if he’d seen it coming.
“Don’t—go yourself, Brother. They won’t know your size if it’s not your usual place.”
If sent a servant, they’d come back saying Chel needed to go in person. Obvious. Molin moistened his mouth with water and looked at Ian.
“Isn’t that right, Lord Molin?”
So stop wasting time and let’s have our real talk. The boy knew how to speak with his eyes.