Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Pursuit
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Mad... utterly fucking mad."
Erika couldn't hold back and pulled out another cigarette, lighting it up.
But at the same time, her mind raced. She sensed the situation was far from ordinary.
What was the point of bringing the Cheonryeo Tribe along?
It implied they wouldn't hesitate to use force if things went south. Unlike the Central Army, half-collapsed from the battle's aftermath, the Cheonryeo warriors were fired up with fighting spirit.
'Worst of all, the bastard's bloodline is spotless otherwise.'
The moment they stepped out the mansion's main gate, the territory folk's agonized curses against the Central Army filled the air. Deruga's private soldiers had clashed with them, but to the locals, they were family, friends, neighbors.
'Their resentment and hatred will run deep for a while. But if an heir bearing Bratz blood steps forward, he could rally them efficiently. And above all, with the border savages—who matter most here—backing him... Ha, fuck.'
Her head throbbed.
If the Central Army sent reinforcements, they could surely drive out the Cheonryeo and claim total victory in Bratz.
But whether Erika and her squad would share in that glory was doubtful. They'd likely end up as faded memorials to the "sacrificed."
Erika's lips twisted.
"...Appointing a lord is the Emperor's domain."
"I know. No one has the authority until the Emperor decrees it."
No one, yet everyone did.
Erika could, which meant Ian could too. She chewed viciously on her cigarette, glaring at Kakantir. He continued leisurely, expounding on Ian's necessity.
"Ian was born and raised in Bratz territory, so he'll be a huge help in reconstruction. Without him, the Cheonryeo Tribe won't yield priority negotiations to any Bariel faction. For peace, they'd have to start from scratch, getting to know each other."
It was tantamount to a declaration of severed ties. And that wasn't far from war. Coming from the Cheonryeo chieftain, the words carried heavy weight.
"Cheap bullshit. Fucking hell."
"As Ian said, you must be from the lowly slums."
"Shut that mouth of yours. You border fuckers..."
Kakantir shot Erika a murderous glare. But she didn't back down, lifting her chin defiantly.
How much hell had she endured clawing her way up from the bottom? And now, with lordship—her life's goal—slipping away before her eyes.
"...Just so you know, killing me is as good as declaring war on Bariel, got it?"
"Oh ho. Thanks for the heads-up. Or I'd have snapped your neck already."
"Urk..."
Crunch.
Kakantir pressed his foot on the fallen man's nape, chuckling. The subordinate gasped instinctively, body trembling. Erika felt cold sweat trickle down her back.
"Fine. I get the gist of what you want."
Erika pretended to yield, crossing her arms and changing tack. She'd been the de facto ruler of this territory since Molin offered her the investigation lead. Her name was surely on the lord appointment heading from the capital for Ian.
She couldn't back down here.
"But I haven't secured Deruga, Madam Mary, or Cheal yet. I have a duty to round up all the resisting private soldiers and uphold imperial dignity."
"Quite right."
"Until the mission's complete, I can't withdraw from the mansion. If you're truly here to ease Bratz's pain, handle it yourselves. But move only for peace. Otherwise, the palace blades will fly from the capital straight here."
Until word arrived appointing her lord here. She'd hold out till then. Once she had authority, she'd smash those insolent mouths.
"Very well. Then we'll assist in capturing Deruga."
Ian nodded, as if pleased with the meeting. His subtle push had worked.
As Erika said, nabbing Deruga and the mansion's key figures would give the Central Army reason to garrison here.
"We'll lead the cleanup too. Haven't you stirred the territory folk's ire enough? Step back for efficiency."
What if this was to rescue Deruga?
Erika narrowed her eyes at the sudden suspicion. She flicked her half-smoked butt and signaled her men.
"Better not try any tricks, or make ready."
"Erika, you don't seem that close to Lord Molin?"
"What?"
"You're clueless about me and Deruga, that's all. No need to worry. We'll bring Deruga to prove my sincerity to the capital."
This moment would later solidify Ian's position. Rejecting Deruga—despite sharing blood. The foundation laid with the tip-off to Molin needed firming up.
"Ha. Bring Deruga? Try it if you can. Even the Central Army's struggling, wandering the mountains."
With things somewhat settled, Kakantir straightened his clothes and turned.
"Savaging prey's our specialty. You lot stay here tending that woman."
Kakantir nodded toward Erika's broken-necked subordinate. Ian lightly tipped his head, following the Cheonryeo.
"Then. See you soon."
Bang!
The door slammed. Erika spat her cigarette and rushed to her subordinate, then ground her teeth.
"Send a messenger bird now!"
"Yes, Erika!"
Her shrill order sent her men scrambling. They had to rush an urgent dispatch to the capital. Only the Emperor's sealed lord appointment could protect her here.
She could only hope Molin processed it swiftly.
* * *
The next day, in a forest not far from Bratz.
Private soldiers crouched in rock crevices, gripping swords, swallowing hard. Rustles—beast or foe?—echoed from all sides.
Was it tension from not knowing when the enemy might strike? Deruga's body was soaked, trembling uncontrollably.
"Count. This way."
Blood-soaked Deo led. Crawling flat had left his face streaked with grass stains.
"Haa, haa. How far down are we going?"
"Merelrof's sealed their gates tight, so we loop around to Hawan Kingdom."
Hawan-bound meant exile. Even arriving, they'd hide identities for safety. Lifetime home, noble pride, honor—all shattered.
"Damn it."
The count glanced back at his following private soldiers. Forces halved, limbs mangled. Too stained with defeat to call it a good fight.
Clink.
He fiddled with the bundle on his back. Secret emergency funds touched his fingertips. Gems, gold coins. Assets to sustain Deruga henceforth. With divine aid, a springboard to reclaim Bratz.
Rustle.
"Halt. Stop."
"Stop."
"Behind! Stop!"
Deo froze at the noise. Sausage-like trailing soldiers dropped low, scanning.
Screech!
From a nearby massive tree. Deruga and Deo looked up. A hawk eagle-sized glared down.
"Haa."
It was just that. Deruga clutched his racing heart, sighing relief.
Then.
Thud!
A flanking soldier's head snapped left, collapsing. Throwing dagger in the temple.
'Huh?'
Instant death. Victim unaware, as was watching Deruga. Pure split-second.
"Wha-what..."
"Uwaaak!"
"Enemy! Enemy!"
"Calm down! Shields up!"
Deo shouted, but death-tasted soldiers scattered screaming. A few sane knights gripped bows, swords.
"Right side!"
"From the right!"
"Protect the count!"
"Duck!"
Fear of incoming blades anytime. Deruga shuddered behind knights' backs.
"Hey. Deruga."
Swoosh!
Clang!
Arrow at Deruga. Knight parried swiftly, shielding.
Light beams rained like arrows through leaves. Sand-hooded figures crested the mound.
"Long time no see. You've changed a lot."
"Ka-Kakantir!"
"Cheonryeo! Cheonryeo Tribe!"
Red pigment evoked blood-drenched. Deruga couldn't grasp it. Hadn't they rejected his aid outright? Even sent knight Bell's head.
"Why... why are you here?"
"Curious?"
"Damn! Count, run!"
"Alex! Form defenses!"
Knights yanked Deruga's arm, yelling. Kakantir's flanking warriors drew bows.
Kakantir nodded rearward, grinning.
"Ask your son if you're curious."
Tension snapped. They turned to the gusting wind's source.
"Father."
Whoosh.
Like a forest spirit. Glinting golden hair whipped in breeze, green eyes curved beautifully.
Ian. The son he'd sold to Cheonryeo.
"I've... returned."
"Ian...! You! You bastard!"
Shock faded; Deruga recalled Ian's collusion with Molin made him this wreck. From honorable house head to gutter, by this cursed blood kin. Past shame, future hate: Ian.
"I'll kill you, Ian! Hack you to bits and feed your mother! Then burn you both alive! Make living hell!"
Deruga's roaring fury echoed the woods. Ian's face unchanged. That smug smile spiked Deruga's blood pressure.
"You bastard!"
"Count!"
Thud thud thud!
Deruga gripped sword, charging Ian unthinking. Worn, injured body leaped, aiming nape. Deo trailed guard-like.
Clang! Clang!
Su deflected Deruga's blade; Berik blocked Deo's follow-up.
"Ah."
Berik winced at recoil, eyeing his gut briefly. Then grinned, waving at Deo.
"Hey, dog bastard."
"...Do-dog bastard?"
"Don't remember me? I remember you."
Berik swung wide, charging Deo.
"Training grounds. You beat me senseless, yeah?"