Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Proof
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Nersarn quenched his thirst with alcohol as he looked Ian up and down.
White skin the complete opposite of theirs, golden hair, and green eyes. And what about his build? His gaze was one of fascination, as if he were observing an entirely different species.
“I thought you’d be younger, judging from the letter you sent.”
It was due to the childish scrawl. Though he spoke quite politely, Ian caught the implication.
“I still have much to learn. I’m doing my best not to bring shame to the Cheonryeo Tribe, so please forgive my shortcomings.”
He thought Ian was a fool. Nersarn arched an eyebrow slightly and glanced at his companions. A smile of pure amusement played on his lips.
“I heard your mother was the second wife. Is that right?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Deruga had disguised Phlia’s existence with a fake death. The story was that Ian’s birth mother had died when he was very young, and he’d been living in the estate ever since.
They’d never imagine she was alive, stripped of her son and relegated to concubine status.
“You must take after your mother quite a bit.”
“Indeed. For the count to have a face like that...”
“Su! Hold your tongue.”
“Ah. Sorry.”
She was the youngest-looking among the group. Su awkwardly raised a hand in apology. From the casual way she addressed the count, Ian could guess how they viewed House Bratz.
“That one’s Su, my wife’s niece, and this is Gansha, Mujurun.”
No apology offered. Nersarn roughly introduced his companions and changed the subject. If all went well—no incidents even after crossing the border—they would be the ones spending the rest of Ian’s life with him.
“It must be regrettable to leave your homeland sooner than expected.”
“Well, if I think of it as the joyous alliance through marriage being hastened, it’s an honor. Of course, Clan Leader Winchen’s illness is most unfortunate.”
Nersarn tried to latch onto his words but stopped. Thanks to Ian’s flawless addition. Even young, a noble was a noble. The empire’s characteristic eloquence was on full display.
“But Clan Leader Winchen fell ill suddenly?”
“He’s of such advanced age that ‘suddenly’ might not fit, but if we must pinpoint it, that’s all there is to it.”
“I hope there’s no misunderstanding. Since you’ve come this far, if Nersarn desires, I can summon the family physician.”
The Cheonryeo Tribe surely had their own medical system. But in a clan-based community, how advanced could it be? Likely just folk remedies and herbal brews. Even as a border territory, Bratz’s physicians would outclass them.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline. We have our own ways.”
It meant they followed traditions passed down for hundreds of years. Their bodies were resilient to begin with, rarely suffering serious injury, and they viewed death as the will of the gods.
“Or perhaps, Nersarn. What if you asked for that? The red herb...”
The man called Gansha interjected slyly, then shut his mouth under Nersarn’s piercing glare.
Red herb? What was that? Ian pondered with a neutral expression, but nothing came to mind.
“In any case, thank you for the warm welcome despite our sudden visit. Please convey my gratitude to the count as well.”
His thanks carried the nuance of dismissal. But Ian did not withdraw. The most important matter remained.
“Of course. And in truth, I sought you out because I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Truthfully, it would have been a hassle if they hadn’t come. To cross the border with Berik, he had no choice but to volunteer as an informant and watchdog to earn Deruga’s trust.
But the problem was ‘Berik’ himself.
He had no knack for cunning or manipulation, making it exceedingly difficult to gain Deruga’s favor. In the worst case, Ian might end up crossing the Great Desert alone to reach the Cheonryeo Tribe outpost.
“There’s a friend who wants to travel across the Great Desert with me.”
“Perhaps the servant from earlier and the redhead?”
Mujurun was the one who’d seen Ian with them. Ian shook his head.
“Just the redhead. He’s an orphan with no family.”
“Everyone in the world loses their parents eventually.”
“I didn’t mean he’s pitiable. I meant he has no attachments to Bratz, so he can work for the Great Desert.”
Nersarn’s face hardened coldly.
The Great Desert wasn’t just harsh in climate—their very way of life was brutal. Idling and freeloading was unthinkable.
That was likely one reason Ian wouldn’t be welcomed there. What could a noble, raised in luxury his whole life, possibly do?
“Work for us? Hmph. And what can he do? Swim through sand pits? Immune to scorpion venom? Or perhaps sprout seeds without water?”
A glimpse into the Cheonryeo Tribe’s life. From their perspective, dragging along a freeloader would be a nuisance.
But Ian did not falter.
“He’s skilled in combat and has excellent stamina.”
“Skilled in combat? Ha ha ha!”
Nersarn burst into genuine laughter for the first time. To discuss personal combat prowess before the Cheonryeo Tribe. They were a race impossible to match without weapons or magic.
“Now I see. Sir Ian enjoys a good joke.”
“It’s no joke.”
Ian met his gaze steadily, conveying his seriousness. Nersarn’s amusement faded, and soon he scanned Ian up and down again.
‘Small build, yet awfully bold.’
He had manners too.
He’d handled hospitality even the count hadn’t, and though annoying, offered a physician out of kindness for Winchen. It didn’t seem like mere sycophancy for survival. He’d simply done his duty without malice.
But that was a separate issue.
Ian Bratz alone was baggage enough.
“Ian Bratz. You may be the proof of alliance, but what use is that redhead to us? If he can’t earn his keep, we can’t take him.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“I can tell without looking. That little thing, skilled in combat? Ridiculous...”
“If it’s hard to believe—”
Ian cut him off. Still bold, showing no sign of backing down.
“How may I prove it?”
‘Well now.’
Nersarn pondered briefly, then turned to Su. She, who’d been chewing bread voraciously, widened her eyes. She sensed the hassle coming.
“Very well. You said he’s skilled in combat. If he beats Su in a spar, we’ll take him.”
“Why me? Gansha’s here, and Mujurun too!”
“Your builds match.”
“Ugh. Seriously!”
After days of riding without rest, now a spar.
Su glared, genuinely annoyed. But Nersarn and the others acted as if it were routine, unconcerned.
“How about it? Acceptable?”
“You’ve given us a chance. I’m grateful.”
“Sparring with the Cheonryeo Tribe always draws blood. Bear that in mind.”
“Berik likes spilling blood too. He’ll enjoy it.”
Ian replied while eyeing Su.
Small stature or not, she was one brought on a mission into enemy territory by Nersarn. No one to take lightly.
“Then we’ll see you after dinner. Rest well.”
“Meat! Lots of meat, please—no, I mean, if you would!”
“Understood. Su.”
Ian bowed politely and left the room. As he closed the door and turned into the hall, he spotted the servants clustered together.
“Sir Ian! Why so late?”
“We thought something happened.”
They’d been pacing worriedly. Ian just smiled, requested dinner preparations, then woke Berik, who was slumped asleep on the sofa.
“Berik.”
“Huh...”
“Dinner, then a spar with the Cheonryeo Tribe.”
At those words, Berik’s eyes snapped open as if electrified. What? Who with?
“There was a woman among them earlier. Beat her, and we go to the Great Desert together. Otherwise, you follow alone.”
Berik’s eyes sparkled. Solo desert trek? Irrelevant. He was thrilled at the chance to clash with ‘that’ Cheonryeo Tribe member.
“With a woman?”
“Underestimate her at your peril. She’s the clan leader’s sister’s pick, brought into Bratz. Looked plenty agile.”
Gansha and Mujurun were clearly escorts. Their warrior spirit and presence screamed lion’s den survivor.
But given the urgency of this mission—maximum speed required—they needed someone who could move fastest in a crisis. Su’s slight build gave that assurance.
Berik rubbed his face on the cushion, mumbling.
“Not a race, so what’s speed good for? Grab her and it’s over.”
“If you can grab her.”
“Huh?”
Ian gazed out the window, pondering briefly.
Yeah, if he could grab her...
“Berik. Listen carefully. I’ll teach you how to win.”
Ian sat opposite on the sofa, sharing every possible tactic. Until the sky darkened slightly and the estate’s torches illuminated the red flowers by the window.
* * *
Nersarn and his group ate in their room and stayed put. The soldiers guarding the annex outside made movement unwise.
Not that physical barriers posed a problem for them.
“How do you plan to sneak out?”
The rear garden, a bit removed from the annex. Shadows flickered in a lit fourth-floor window. With all soldiers at the annex, the garden was silent.
“Huh?”
The window opened, and a figure dropped straight down. Berik froze in shock, but Ian lifted his head knowingly.
He began timing. One second, two, three...
“Hi!”
Su popped her head from the bushes. She’d covered the distance in a dozen seconds. Practically beastly.
“Hmm. Nice spot. Haven’t smelled grass in ages.”
“And the others?”
“Resting in the room. Early departure tomorrow. Being the youngest sucks.”
With no one else around, Su spoke casually to Ian. That was the treatment awaiting him beyond the border. Even the group’s baby talking down to him.
Berik glanced at Su, then back at the annex.
“You jumped from that window?”
“Yep. Why?”
“How’ll you get back up?”
“Same way down.”
Her face said, what’s the issue? Berik chuckled, nodding in satisfaction. Yeah, proper Cheonryeo Tribe stuff!
“Time limit: five minutes. Knock me down within, and it counts.”
“Five minutes? Too short, no?”
“If you can’t in five, you couldn’t in a day.”
“Ha, ridiculous. You any good?”
Ian folded his arms and stepped back slightly.
No other spectators was a blatant disregard. But it benefited Ian and Berik.
“Berik. Here.”
Ziiing.
Ian grabbed the back of Berik’s head, pouring in mana. His golden-glowing eyes would be hidden by Berik’s head.
Mana activation was relatively easy now, and above all—
“Remember what I told you.”
It allowed tactics.
Su picked at her ear, as if asking when they’d start.