Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: What's in the Sack
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Clang!
Deo barely managed to block the sword Berik swung at him. No matter how much his skills had improved lately, with holes riddled through his side, it seemed the wound was balancing things out between them.
"Ow."
"Berik. You okay?"
At Ian's call, Berik turned his head. His grinning face looked utterly delighted.
"Nyeh nyeh nyeh. So don't talk to me, Master."
The spit he hawked out was mixed with blood, but who could argue if he said he was fine? He charged at Deo again like a bolt of lightning. His sword traced a massive arc, relentlessly targeting Deo's vital points.
Clang! Sching!
"Count!"
Deo barely dodged while still fretting over his master. Berik's smile slowly faded, the sight clearly irritating him.
Derka lunged at Ian again without a second thought.
"Die! Ian!"
Pew! Shweee!
The count's curse was the signal flare. The Cheonryeo warriors loosed their arrows in unison, while those gripping swords instead vaulted over moss-covered rocks.
They were unmistakably predators with prey right before their eyes.
Each arrow was powerful, precise, and devastating. The atmosphere felt utterly alien, as if they were reveling in the joy of slaughter.
Slash!
Puke!
"Uwaaaak! Spare me!"
"Yeah. You're jumping pretty good. Run away some more."
"Drive him that way! Herd him!"
"Gendal! I called dibs on that one!"
The warriors easily cut off the fleeing private soldiers scattering in all directions. They weren't people Derka would care about dying or living, after all. The damp soil soaked up the blood.
"Oh shoot. Didn't they say we need to bring the bodies?"
"Heads only. Can't carry the torsos. Too much hassle."
Clang! Clang!
"That one over there looks kinda decent."
"Bel, was it? Seems like the knight guy's buddy."
The small fry were cleaned up quickly. Cheonryeo warriors slunk around the knights considered elites, gathering like a wolf pack eyeing the prey's throat.
Meanwhile, Derka heaved ragged breaths, drool spilling from his mouth. Su merely parried the count's attacks without countering. He'd simply worn himself out.
"I... an...! Urk."
"You've got quite the repertoire, Father."
"You... how in the world..."
Su grabbed Derka by the hair and smashed his face into the ground. Derka flailed with a flushed face, now prone at Ian's feet, but it was futile.
Ian knelt on one knee and muttered.
"I can't tell if it's courage or greed. How could you collude with Bumart while Winchen holds the Great Desert? It doesn't matter to me either way, but as your son, it's hard to watch."
Slice.
At the sharp whisper of the blade, Derka's eyes bulged like they might pop out. Su calmly sliced off Derka's hair.
The arch-enemy who lured his family and tried to kill his mental pillar. The ultimate betrayer who forged an alliance while sharpening a knife behind his back.
"What... what are you doing! What the hell are you doing!"
"Cutting hair instead of your head. It's not time yet."
Sometimes you had to hold back for perfect revenge and strategy. To soothe boiling rage, anything had to be cut.
"You filthy wretch, think you'll get away with this!"
"Shut up. Feels like slaughtering a pig."
"W-what? You vulgar trash!"
"Hate the hair? Want me to take your head instead?"
Su pressed the dagger to Derka's throat and murmured. Her scorching fury dripped like venom. Derka gulped, eyes darting wildly, just in time to witness blood spurting from Deo's neck.
"Urk..."
"D-De... Deo...!"
Berik circled Deo leisurely, like it was a game. He stabbed vital points mercilessly, as if practicing. Deo's eyes bulged as he toppled forward.
Thud!
"Uwaaaak!"
Next, to the left. The knights surrounded by Cheonryeo suffered the same. The moment they showed an opening, their napes were bitten. Even the so-called elites collapsed helplessly.
"Ha..."
"Don't worry. This isn't where Father dies."
Ian caressed Derka's cheek with a bright smile. Su then yanked a black mask over Derka's head and tied it tight.
Thwack! Thwack!
"Uwaaaak!"
A merciless beating ensued. Warriors sorting corpses even stomped Derka's back and spat curses as they passed.
Thwack! Thud!
"You fucking bastard, daring to go after Lord Winchen..."
"When do we kill this pig, Ian?"
"Why not just do it now?"
Derka had passed out long ago, wetting himself below while his hands trembled. No wonder Chel took after someone—it was his father through and through.
Ian glanced at Kakantir and replied.
"Hand him to the capital first, then we'll make an opportunity later."
If they seized the initiative, they could handle Derka's execution however the Cheonryeo wanted. But for now, delivering him as the palace desired was key to gaining trust—not from Erika, but from Bariel's core, two weeks away.
Unlike the warriors smacking their lips, Kakantir nodded from afar. It meant everyone understood.
"Everyone, clean up."
"Yes, Kakan."
"Kakan! Central Army traces in the distance."
"We were a step late!"
Berik chuckled, wiping blood from his sword on his pants. It seemed a satisfying warm-up; his expression looked even lighter.
"Berik. Your wounds? It'll be hard to treat if they worsen here."
Medical staff was limited, and too many territory folk were injured in the battle. Adding Berik would be trouble.
But Berik snorted nonchalantly, lifting his shirt. The bandages from the Cheonryeo healer were intact.
"I'm really fine?"
"...How?"
"Dunno. Every slash relieves stress, maybe that's boosting recovery? Stress is the root of all evil!"
Shwick, swish! His sword swings were crisp, but his words pure mischief. Ian eyed Berik's wound closely but couldn't figure it out.
"Heading down!"
"Quietly spin the Central Army around!"
"You're the loudest. Ahaha."
A warrior slung the sack-bound Derka over his shoulder and yelled.
Ian passed the headless corpses toward the Bratz mansion. Cheonryeo hawks continued circling above them.
* * *
"Lady Erika, Lady Erika!"
"The Cheonryeo Tribe is back!"
Crash!
Erika rushed to the window at her subordinate's shout and drew the curtains. The crude barbarians marched grandly through the main gate. Covered in blood, they carried some unknown sack.
"The Central Army?"
"A messenger bird arrived. They'll camp in the forest. They found traces of Derka and his private soldiers."
Grind. Erika bit her nail, frowning. A bad feeling. The returning group's bright faces stood out after entering the same forest.
Ian dismounted his kusille and entered the main building with a few warriors.
"Halt, get Lady Erika's permission—!"
"Shut it. You rent the mansion?"
"Show some respect! We're the imperial investigation team!"
"Yeah? We're the heart of the Great Desert. Scram."
Corridor commotion suggested subordinates blocking Ian's group. Erika swallowed a sigh and opened the office door. The wide hall swarmed with men.
"What's the commotion?"
"L-Lady Erika."
Ian lightly smoothed his sweat-damp hair and bowed. A polite gesture, devoid of respect.
"I asked what the commotion is. Ian."
"Chased Derka and came back. What else would it be?"
At Ian's glance, a warrior hurled the sack to the floor. A heavy thud echoed through the hall. Erika's subordinate hesitated, then sliced the sack's mouth with a sword.
"Hik!"
Heads of private soldiers tumbled out. Some torn off, some cleanly severed. Erika covered her mouth, nauseous, as the warrior grinned shamelessly.
"Whoops. My bad. Figured after turning Bratz into a bloodbath, you'd be used to this."
"Shut your mouth! You think you can keep getting away with—"
"Ah, the real one's here."
Thud!
Another sack hurled. This one sounded heavier.
Erika herself opened it and peered inside. Derka, masked and tightly bound.
"D-Derka?"
"The real one?"
"Looks like it."
Unconscious but alive. Investigators glanced at Erika uncertainly.
"Trustworthy now?"
"...Hmph. Not entirely talentless. Take Derka to the basement cell!"
"Y-Yes!"
They tugged Derka, but his bulk wouldn't budge. Hoisted onto a back, he toppled forward after one step.
"Careful, careful!"
"Ugh!"
Thud!
Who could stifle a laugh? The Cheonryeo snickered.
"Need help? He'll roll to the basement at this rate. Die before Derka."
"Hahaha!"
"Good we caught him. How else would you haul him? 'We'll nurse him, then make him walk,' huh?"
Even silent Kakantir couldn't hide his laugh. As Erika's face flushed crimson, Ian smoothly changed the subject.
"So, with Derka caught, what's your plan? If possible, hold the execution quick and leave."
"Cheeky mouth, Ian. My mission isn't done. Must deal with all bearing the 'Bratz' name."
"Meaning?"
"Key figures like Countess Mary and Chel aren't found yet. If you're free, search the village. Stay there too."
"Chance they left?"
"Almost none. We pinpointed the disappearance day. No women left the walls then."
Erika flicked her ponytail and strode back to the office, subtly claiming the space. Helpless subordinates remained in the hall, fumbling with Derka.
"Help them move Derka."
"Yes, Kakan."
Kakantir instructed his man, then nodded at Ian. A look saying let's talk. Ian readily followed him down the corridor, then paused.
"Why?"
Berik had tagged along cluelessly.
Ian pretended to check surroundings, turning his head side to side, then ordered.
"Don't follow. Go to Phlia."
"Aaah! Right! Your real mom?"
"Yeah. You helped her hide, so you know the way."
"Yeah, sure."
His confident reply didn't match his flustered face. Hope he didn't forget? As Ian opened his mouth, Berik bolted out of the mansion.
"Lord Ian."
"Yes, Kakan."
Ian ignored Berik and faced Kakantir. His expression felt unusually stiff.