Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Night of Extermination
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“If the lord’s seat is left vacant, it’ll only deepen the chaos.”
At the prime minister’s cautious rebuttal, Prince Marib offered a solution.
“Then dispatch an advisor on a temporary basis. We can monitor the results, tend to public sentiment, and appoint a proper lord later.”
“Erica, the investigation team leader, is already there. She’s probably handling the cleanup right now.”
Prince Marib burst into laughter at Wesley’s opinion. As if telling him not to spout nonsense. Wesley’s face stiffened at the blatant dismissal.
“The investigation team leader is the one who slaughtered their families from the territory folk’s perspective. And they’ve only captured three—two of them they couldn’t even identify.”
Thwack.
He tossed the documents down, making no effort to hide his displeasure with the team leader. It was all true, leaving no room for argument. The ministers nodded in agreement.
“This happened by imperial decree, so the empire needs to resolve it swiftly. That will uphold my father the emperor’s honor—and Variel’s.”
“…No objections.”
“A wise decision.”
Every word was impeccably logical.
On top of that, Bratz territory’s output was far below that of other regions. It was a bit remote from the capital? The ministers, unburdened by ulterior motives, didn’t care who governed such a place.
“Then we’ll dispatch the advisor and observe the progress. We’ll discuss appointing a lord afterward.”
“Bratz is far, so it’d be best to send a letter via messenger bird right after the meeting ends. To get them there as quickly as possible.”
“Agreed.”
Prince Marib left no room for Gail to interject. Everything was a reasonable proposal, so the prime minister raised his seal to finalize the agenda.
It paused in midair at Wesley’s remark.
“If it’s an advisor for reconstruction—”
She quickly interjected.
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Well, Romandro seems the most suitable. He just proved himself handling the earthquake damage near the White Temple.”
“Then send Lord Molin down with him.”
“Lord Molin?”
It was a tenacious intent to never let go. Prince Marib stroked his chin and muttered.
“Lord Molin only just returned.”
“But he’s certainly the one in the palace who knows that territory best. Ask him—if he’s willing, it’s only right to dispatch him too.”
At Wesley’s gaze, the ministers glanced at one another. Was this dragging on that long? There were mountains of state affairs to tend. Reading the mood, the prime minister slammed his seal down.
“No objections.”
Thud thud thud!
“Now, the next item...”
“The sea route to Blaster Sea...”
‘Damn it. What’s going on?’
She pretended nonchalance by lowering her eyes to the documents, but couldn’t clear her muddled thoughts. She’d attended the morning meeting too—if she had to go that far, Marib surely had some hidden agenda.
‘I blocked sending the advisor alone, at least...’
When Wesley glanced over, Marib just twitched his brow and smiled. The problem was, his smiles always meant bad news for them.
“…Then we’ll end today’s council here.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
“I’ll meet His Majesty this afternoon.”
Once the meeting ended, Marib left the chamber without lingering.
The ministers bowed behind him. Just as they tensed, wondering if they should offer tea, Marib quietly instructed his waiting subordinate outside.
“Call Romandro.”
“Romandro, sir?”
The subordinate asked, slightly troubled. Romandro had just returned to the center after cleaning up at the White Temple. It was his honeymoon phase, already separated from his wife for two months. If he learned Marib was summoning him again, he might really submit his resignation. Sincerely.
“Why are you just standing there gawking?”
“No, sir. Uh, yes. Understood.”
But what could he do? If ordered, he had to obey.
Convincing and bringing Romandro was the subordinate’s skill. Whether Marib knew his subordinate’s dark thoughts or not, he glanced at Wesley’s side and turned away.
* * *
“Are you sure you’ll be all right? Even without us.”
“Forget worrying about me and hurry on.”
Erica waved him off, reassuring the Central Army commander. She was part of the minimal force that had to remain at the mansion.
“Feels like leaving you in a beast den.”
“Disbanding the investigation team would be defying the capital. That Ian guy might be unlucky, but he’s sharp—he won’t do anything clumsy or vicious.”
Only five elites, including Erica, would stay at the mansion. One Erica was far more efficient than a hundred nameless grunts.
They weren’t central figures in actual combat anyway, making this the optimal strategy. All other troops were set to leave Bratz pursuing Mary and Chel.
“Then we’ll be off promptly.”
“Please, at least recover their bodies.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Depart!”
“Depart!”
The soldiers formed ranks and exited the mansion. Children ran along the streets gawking, while territory folk gathered in clusters, gossiping about the Central Army’s withdrawal-that-wasn’t.
“They’re going to fetch Madam and young master Chel? So the rumor they left the gates alive the other day was true.”
“Hey, watch your mouth. They’re rebels, aren’t they?”
“Oh! What a relief! Stay gone forever! Go back to the center—just go home!”
“Go! Don’t ever come back!”
“Get lost!”
Territory folk who’d lost family and homes to the fighting hurled stones and caused a ruckus, but the Central Army soldiers could only glare unpleasantly without acting. Because of the Cheonryeo tribesmen standing firm among them.
“Go far. Don’t come back soon.”
“Let’s pour molten iron on the gates once those bastards leave!”
“Then how do we get out, you idiot?”
“Rice-wasting, dog-spawn sons of bitches.”
“Hey, they’ll hear you.”
They couldn’t stir trouble right after departure—before even leaving the territory. It was true they’d depleted the folk’s food supplies while stationed.
Unlike the excited ones, some ran about purely joyful: the children.
“Waaah! The Central Army’s leaving!”
“Mom, Mom! The soldiers are all going back!”
Like defeated foreign troops. That was the territory folk’s view after the battle—and reality. Geographically, the Cheonryeo Tribe and Hawan Kingdom were far closer than the center.
“They’re all thrilled.”
Erica clicked her tongue, watching from the mansion. She turned toward the main gate to head to her room. But Cheonryeo warriors blocked her path.
“W-what?”
“We’ll use the main building from now on. You’re short on numbers, so pitch tents.”
“Have you lost your minds? Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Take it up with Kakantir if you’ve got complaints.”
Erica gaped in disbelief. The Central Army hadn’t even left the territory yet. And they were already drawing lines like this?
Just an hour ago, she’d come and gone from the main house freely—what the hell was this?
“Fine. Let’s see your leader. I’ll have words.”
“…Follow me.”
Guided by the warrior, Erica entered the drawing room. Kakantir and Ian were there.
Bam!
“You messing with me? Huh?”
“What’s the matter? Has the Central Army left?”
“Shut it. None of your business. You’re taking the main building? Don’t make me laugh. Aren’t you the ones pitching tents outside?”
Her shouting and flailing was a sight. Ian swallowed a sigh and stared at Erica.
Kakantir tsked as if accustomed, scanning her up and down. Long cohabiting-not-cohabiting, yet his face said he’d never get used to it.
“Hey. Want the main building? Reduce your household more. I could give you a room alone if you want. There’s a storage room at the end of the hall.”
“…Hey, you…?”
“By the way, if cutting your household’s tough, I can help. My sword’s getting rusty—time to slice some meat.”
At the blatant threat, Erica’s face paled. Savages were savages. Their attitude flipping the moment the Central Army left confirmed they were not to be trifled with.
Ian interjected between them, redirecting to the point.
“Anyway, good timing. The investigation team bundled up the reports and data for the palace—take them. Now, about executing Derga.”
Derga’s execution dropped out of nowhere. Erica crossed her arms in an X, refusing absolutely.
“Everything has procedures. Derga’s execution comes after securing Mary and Chel.”
“And if you don’t secure them? Gonna squat here forever?”
It was meant to nail down a deadline. One week, then one week; one month, then one month—show results in the set time or clearly leave the territory.
Erica bit her lip.
“…That’s too much.”
“Sorry. Seemed less offensive than ‘parasite.’”
As Erica opened her mouth to yell at Ian’s words, Kakantir smoothly interjected, flicking his dagger.
“One week. Don’t execute by then, and we’ll cut Derga’s breath ourselves.”
Two intents here.
First, a statement to the palace from the Cheonryeo folk. They’d opposed the investigation team and Central Army to drive them out, but not to defy imperial decree or save Derga—it was truly for the territory.
Second, a warning to Erica. Keep stalling, and your breath goes with Derga’s. Somehow.
“Hah.”
As Erica ground her teeth, debating a retort, commotion erupted outside.
“Lady Erica! Lady Erica!”
One of the investigation team members. He flung the drawing room door open without knocking, flinching at the murderous air.
“Lady Erica, it’s finally here, gasp!”
“…Here? What?”
Ian and Kakantir’s heads snapped around too. All eyes fixed on the subordinate. The youngest-looking one, face flushed with joy.
Erica felt hope bubbling unwittingly in her heart.
Maybe, no way, damn it, finally?
“…A letter from the capital arrived.”
“……!”
“……!”
“You fucking bastards, you’re all dead!”
“Congratulations, Lady Erica!”
“Congratulations!”
Erica pumped her fist in triumph. Her subordinates behind her smugly gripped sword hilts. The ultimate good fortune—the one card to boot Ian and the Cheonryeo in one go!
Lord appointment meant official ownership. She’d crush that lowly, unlucky lowborn bastard and beastkin scum at once.
“Capital letter! Where—let’s go down now!”
“Ah, no need to go down. Came by messenger bird.”
The heated mood deflated like a burst balloon. They all knew what a capital letter via ‘messenger bird’ meant.
Only Kakantir and the investigation subordinate puzzled over the inexplicable atmosphere.