Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Priority Negotiation Rights
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While the physician peered into the flowerpot, the clansmen watched anxiously from behind. They seemed to be waiting desperately for the old man to declare it a Silask. After carefully inspecting the leaves this way and that, the physician finally made his pronouncement after much deliberation.
"It's a Silask."
"Damn! No way!"
"Gods above. Thank you!"
"Then hurry, let's brew it into medicine! Huh? Winchen's about to stop breathing!"
A short burst of cheers erupted at the physician's words. They embraced each other and offered prayers of thanks to the gods. The only one steadfastly holding the center was the clan leader, Kakantir.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Compared to the existing records, it's definitely a Silask. The number and thickness of the leaves, the color, the scent, the shape of the roots—all match expectations. And above all, as the outsider testified, it hasn't wilted since the flower bloomed, has it?"
The most crucial feature had already been confirmed through Winchen, so there was nothing more to add. The clan leader nodded and urged him on.
"Then hurry and brew it into medicine."
"However..."
A very slight hesitation. But it was enough to freeze the atmosphere inside the tent.
"The amount is the issue."
"The amount?"
"The records state that three roots are needed for a complete cure. Winchen is already greatly weakened, and this pot only has two roots. It will probably only put out the immediate fire."
The amount was insufficient. But they decided to focus on the positive reality.
"Putting out the immediate fire is thanks enough. Hurry and prepare the decoction. Just one root first."
"Yes, Kakan."
"And the outsider outside..."
He trailed off mid-command. Everyone looked at him curiously, wondering what was wrong. After some thought, Kakantir corrected his wording.
"Bring in Lord Ian Bratz."
In any case, he had brought the Silask here of his own accord to help their clan leader. Whatever his intentions, as clan leader and as a Cheonryeo tribesman, this was clearly a favor. They had an obligation to keep their promise.
Swish—
Ian entered the tent calmly. He seemed to have already heard the commotion from outside. He glanced at the flowerpot on the desk and smiled.
"It knows it's the last one, doesn't it? It's particularly red today."
"Lord Ian Bratz."
He placed a hand over his chest and offered a greeting. It was the same etiquette Nersarn had shown at the mansion. As Kakan greeted him, his subordinates had to bow their heads as well.
"We are truly grateful for your help."
"I hear the amount is insufficient."
"That doesn't change the fact that it helped. While we're at it, I have some questions. Please, have a seat first."
It was certainly a changed attitude. Not fully deferential, as he was the Cheonryeo clan leader, but laced with respect.
"Speak."
"Can you obtain more Silask from Bratz?"
If Winchen died, someone in the clan would take her place. That was an unchanging truth. And in time, that person would need Silask too. In the long run, cultivating the red flower was essential for the Cheonryeo Tribe.
"I cannot be certain."
"Please explain in more detail, so I can understand."
"The flowerpot is indeed mine. But to be precise..."
Ian hesitated for a moment. To explain the flowerpot's exact origin, he'd have to mention Philia, which would imply his status was only half-legitimate.
It was something he'd have to reveal someday, but whether now was the right timing was another matter. As Ian fell silent, everyone in the tent watched his mouth as if holding their breath.
"Lord Ian?"
"My apologies. I've had it since I was young, but I don't know how it came to me. There is someone who might know, but I can't meet them right now. It'll take about a fortnight to a month before I can make contact."
To obtain Silask, Bratz was advantageous over the uncertain southern lands, as it was just a few days' travel away.
"Does that mean even Count Derga doesn't know of the Silask's existence?"
"No one in the Bratz mansion knew of that flower. I only learned about it after coming here."
He had even planned to formally request it as a trade item, but if it wasn't circulated even within Bratz, that was troubling. Kakan tapped the desk thoughtfully.
"...But why does it take a fortnight to a month to make contact?"
It was a distance that could be reached in three or four days if one tried. Was the person who knew about Silask away somewhere else? As if confirming Kakan's guess, Ian nodded.
"There are circumstances making it hard to see them in Bratz."
"May I ask for details?"
"...Truth be told, I'd like to as well, but in that case, you'd need to make one more promise."
What now? They wondered if he was asking to be sent back to Bratz.
That would be rather inconvenient.
"Grant me priority negotiation rights over the Bratz Count."
"Priority negotiation rights?"
Murmurs rippled from the back at Ian's words. Weren't they all bound to the Bratz family? Priority rights between father and son. It implied internal strife.
Kakan furrowed his brow and asked.
"You intend to supplant your father, I take it."
"Isn't it the same for the Cheonryeo Tribe, where the strong take the leader's seat?"
True. They had no room to criticize. The Cheonryeo Tribe were the very embodiment of survival of the fittest. Kakantir realized this conversation was heading in an increasingly intriguing direction.
"My apologies, but I cannot grant priority negotiation rights. You can't move Bratz soldiers right now, nor increase the grain you'll hand over to us, can you?"
What reason did they have to make such a promise with someone who had nothing? But contrary to his denial, Ian noticed the smile tugging at Kakantir's lips. There was an expectation that Ian would satisfy his curiosity.
"Very well. I'll tell you first. But if you deem this information sufficient to determine priority negotiation rights, swear to the gods to honor your promise to me."
"I swear."
It was a no-lose situation. Kakantir leaned back in the soft woolen chair, gesturing for him to continue. But his body stiffened at Ian's very next words.
"An inspection team and army will descend from the imperial palace. The charge is treason via tax evasion. The Bratz name might completely vanish within a month."
"What? Treason?"
"Did that guy just say...?"
"An army from the palace?"
The bombastic statement sent everyone into disbelieving chatter. Kakan's deep brown eyes stared piercingly at Ian. Even without Winchen's gypsy abilities, he knew Ian spoke the truth.
"Is it true?"
"I swear to the heavens it is."
"How do you know this?"
"With the peace ritual approaching, someone came down from the central government to assess if I was suitable as the peace candidate. I heard it from them."
"If Bratz is exterminated, you won't escape unscathed either, will you?"
"That's why I came here. If Bratz falls, won't the Cheonryeo Tribe be in trouble too?"
The Bratz family and the Cheonryeo Tribe. They shared a border and maintained a precarious balance. Not friendly, but they respected each other's territories.
But if Bratz vanished and the emperor's central army garrisoned there? Would the empire's emperor fear peripheral barbarians like Derga did? Even if a new count was appointed? Would they deal with them?
It would be a seismic shift in the power dynamics.
"Does Count Derga know?"
"No. Even if he did, it'd just lead to pointless bloodshed. Treason means execution regardless of the emperor's mercy. I crossed the desert path to protect the territory with minimal loss."
"What does that mean?"
"After my father dies and the territory is vacated, please lead your warriors into Bratz territory with me."
"That's absurd! Kakan!"
An elder listening from behind cried out in shock. But unlike him, Kakantir and Nersarn's eyes sharpened keenly. They sensed Ian was hiding one more thing.
Kakan spoke as if calculating carefully.
"If Derga dies, the emperor's central army will be in the territory. Fighting them would put us in a bind."
"I know. But they will want to avoid clashing with you."
Because they were preparing real treason. They had no reason to pick a fight with peripheral barbarians, especially untested foes.
"Why?"
"You ask much of me, clan leader."
It was an answer that he couldn't reveal that.
The tapping of Kakantir's fingers on the desk quickened. A sign his thoughts were growing complicated.
"The Cheonryeo Tribe need only stand behind me. It would be great if you added a word like this: 'As long-standing allies of Bratz, we stand with Ian Bratz, who has become family to the Cheonryeo.'"
"Then the empire might turn its swords on us?"
"Against the Cheonryeo, who command the vast Great Desert and the strongest warriors? I doubt it. Quite the opposite, I'd say."
From the center's perspective, they would think Ian needed to manage the territory to effectively handle the Cheonryeo Tribe. It hinted that Ian could push for territory independence, even full-scale war if he chose.
If the territory went independent, all their efforts to purge Derga would be for naught.
"The empire's wars aren't always about drawing swords. They'll choose the easy, cheap way. And if a military incident arises and you don't want it, you can always retreat back to the Great Desert."
"Lord Ian. You speak of grave matters."
"I've thought this since before crossing the desert. Help me, protect Bratz—or rather, the territory—and I'll show you the power of a 'true alliance' the Cheonryeo Tribe has never enjoyed."
It wasn't exactly a lie. With peace, military grain stores would fill up, ensuring everyone ate their fill.
"Wait."
Nersarn, who had been listening quietly, raised a hand. He looked puzzled by something.
"Speak."
"You—no, Lord Ian—said treason equates to extermination, a grave crime. Your name is Ian Bratz, son of a traitor. Returning to the territory would be impossible, wouldn't it? Even if we vouched for you."
"As expected of Nersarn. Exactly. That's the crucial part."
Ian clapped lightly and smiled.
He emphasized once more.
"I am indeed Derga's blood son."
First establishing there was no issue with legitimacy.
"But not legally. I'm not yet registered in the family register. So my name isn't 'Ian Bratz,' just 'Ian.'"
"What?"
The tent buzzed. But Ian's following words were enough to silence them all.
"—Thus, the empire cannot legally apply treason charges to me. That's why I can become Bratz's new lord."
Of course, one slip and he'd end up a slave. No need to tell the Cheonryeo Tribe that.