Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Romandro
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The Border Bastard Ian had come riding in with the Cheonryeo Tribe, claiming his rights. Under the pretext of an alliance with Bratz, he was occupying the territory and sorting things out... There was nothing I could do about it.
Molin ground his teeth hard. Normally, there would have been no reason for him to go down there himself. Wasn't it a simple and clear plan for Erica to tidy up the territory and hand over the private soldiers?
But the lord appointment had been indefinitely postponed, and Ian, who should have been in the Great Desert, was standing there bold as brass?
'By now, a messenger bird should have reached Erica too.'
Marib's interference felt far from ordinary. Molin, suspecting some scheme by Ian, was on his way down to deal with him personally.
With Derga's blood flowing through him, it was a body fit only for slavery. Clever or not, he needed to be taught in no uncertain terms what happened to those who got cocky without knowing their place.
'I don't know why the Cheonryeo Tribe is backing Ian, but that kid isn't worth it.'
How far had that sweet tongue beguiled the beastkin? Did they know his mother was alive? Or that he was born from lowly trash?
Molin continued to gnash his teeth, his sharp gaze flashing. Unaware even that his letter to Erica had crossed paths.
Clack-clack, clack-clack—
"We're almost there."
At the coachman's words, Romandro pressed his face to the window. Far off, he could see what was presumably the Bratz estate. It looked so peaceful that it was hard to believe a battle had taken place there. And not even a month had passed.
"It's more lively than I expected."
"Indeed."
Romandro muttered hopefully. In this atmosphere, he might return to the capital much sooner than anticipated. He reminded Molin of his position.
"As an advisor, are there any customs in the former Bratz territory I should be cautious of?"
"Well... Being on the border with barbarians, the people there are mostly filthy and rough in nature. And barren, always short on food."
Molin muttered fragments from memory. As unpleasant feelings took hold, no gentle words came out.
"Halt! State your affiliation and purpose!"
The carriage racing toward the estate stopped. They had reached the territory entrance. The coachman informed the gatekeepers they were from the Imperial Palace, and they opened the gates as if expecting them.
Creak.
As they crossed the village, Romandro rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. Weren't there people in exotic attire blended in everywhere?
Foreigners who weren't Barielians? Here, foreigners could only mean the bordering barbarians, right?
"Th-those are Cheonryeo tribesmen, aren't they?"
"Indeed. The Cheonryeo Tribe is stationed here."
"What is this! Shouldn't we turn back? I didn't hear about this!"
Unlike the astonished Romandro, Molin remained calm. It was only natural. The Imperial Palace, especially First Prince Marib, shouldn't know about it, so of course he didn't either. It was just a matter of time, and they needed to resolve it within that window.
"Where are the investigation team and the Central Army...?"
"We've arrived at the estate, it seems."
"Sh-should I open the door?"
With Romandro clutching the carriage door tightly, the coachman asked in bewilderment. The door cracked open just wide enough for a hand.
"Who might you be...?"
"Ian Bratz."
Molin answered, flinging the door wide open and muttering each word as if chewing them.
"The bastard son of Derga."
"Greetings, Lord Molin. Oh, Mac and Lord Drgor are with you too. I was quite disappointed when you returned to the capital without so much as a farewell back then."
Ian placed a hand over his chest and offered a formal greeting. Then he firmly corrected them.
"Please be careful. There is no one here who bears the Bratz name."
Molin scowled unpleasantly, but Romandro felt relieved. At least there was someone upholding decorum amid these barbarians. And he seemed to hold a fairly important position among them.
"Messages take time to reach such a distant place. Please, come inside. I'll explain everything."
"Ahem. Very well..."
Ian led the guests ahead. The now quieter estate retained its warm atmosphere with fewer people. Ian, Romandro, and Molin's group entered the reception room.
Click.
"Kakantir. Guests from the Imperial Palace have arrived."
"You've come a long way."
"Ah. Yes. Whatever..."
"This is Kakantir, chief of the Cheonryeo Tribe, and his younger brother Nersarn."
Romandro lightly shook their hands, but Molin ignored them and sprawled on the sofa. It was insolence enough for these lowly border folk to share space with central officials.
Romandro, having crossed many wars and borders, had little aversion to matters of status.
"Bratz and the Cheonryeo Tribe are allied friends bound by peace. While I was in the Great Desert, news came of a major battle in the territory, putting it in dire straits. The Cheonryeo Tribe stepped in to honor their bond, and that's when they learned of the crimes of the former Bratz Count."
He explained to Romandro, but Ian's gaze was fixed on Molin. As if telling him to listen carefully from here on.
"It was the state's judgment, so unavoidable, but the territory's pain is another matter, isn't it? The investigation team fulfilled only their investigative duties, leaving no one to handle the aftermath. So the Cheonryeo Tribe, as neighbors, stepped in to help."
"I see... The border is indeed far. It's not in the reports."
"Is that so? I thought Captain Erica would have submitted it immediately as a major issue."
"Ah. Captain Erica..."
"She obtained information that Derga's wife and son had fled and is in pursuit."
Thwack.
At that moment, Molin pulled documents from his bosom. It was an order directing Ian's disposition, issued not by the Emperor's seal but by the relevant department.
"Aren't you Derga's child too? Did Captain Erica just leave you be? By national law, you should be reduced to slavery, yet here you are living in luxury. Unless the captain has lost her mind, the only conclusion is that you used force."
Ian skimmed the order and lightly tossed it onto the table. Mac and Drgor's brows furrowed automatically at the sight.
"I am one who has crossed the border. My heart is with Bariel, but officially, I reside in the Great Desert. If you intend to execute me, I will have no choice but to return to the desert."
"Return? By whose permission?"
"By the will of the Great Desert's master. The territory has stabilized to a degree, and the Cheonryeo Tribe is gradually returning to their garrison. Leaving only the minimum personnel."
Minimum personnel—for what, exactly? It was the manpower to escort Ian safely back to their domain.
Three days' hard ride away. But not a path for those who had only seen the desert in pictures.
"Look, there's no need to rush decisions."
Romandro interjected then. With Captain Erica absent, and these people having sorted the territory, he needed their help as advisor. And above all, not knowing Molin's intentions, it was wise to oppose him for now. Of course.
'Prince Marib warned to beware of Molin. So this Ian that Molin distrusts must be useful at least.'
"If the advisor says so."
Ian smiled brightly and bowed his head lightly. A greeting underscoring that Romandro was the key figure in this group.
"We've been eagerly awaiting the reconstruction expert from the Imperial Palace."
"On the way here, the situation looked better than expected."
"We overcame it all united by hope."
"Hey, Romandro!"
Bang!
Ignored, Molin could no longer contain his anger and slammed the table. In that instant, Ian realized. Molin and Romandro were in opposing positions.
"Is this something to watch calmly? Bringing the Cheonryeo Tribe into Bariel territory alone raises suspicions of treason! How can you think of leaving the territory under foreign influence—barbarians, no less?"
"Treason?"
Ian let out a scoff at Molin's words. He didn't say it outright, but wasn't what they were trying the very preparation for treason? Ian shot a glance asking if he could say it.
Romandro cut in.
"People live and die—whether with Cheonryeo Tribe help or not, what does it matter? No issue there."
"The advisor is correct. As I said again, the Cheonryeo Tribe was allied with the previous Bratz. They extended goodwill based on friendly ties, so speaking this way is unseemly. It's a clear diplomatic discourtesy."
At Ian's words, the two men turned to Kakantir. No change in expression, but he certainly seemed displeased. Romandro swallowed hard and changed the subject.
"Y-yes. Thank you for your efforts."
"By the way, may I ask if you, Lord Romandro, are a candidate for the next lord?"
Ian asked, and he shook his head. Then he pulled out the letter he had carried for a fortnight. It was an appointment document stamped by the Grand Council.
"My main duty is territory reconstruction. From pacifying public sentiment to matching last year's tax quota by this winter. I expected hardship, but seeing it, it seems possible."
Pacifying public sentiment.
The Imperial Palace clearly acknowledged the border's peculiarities. If this were near the capital, they'd have installed a suitable lord immediately, public sentiment be damned.
Unable to instantly suppress foreign incursions or territory rebellions, fostering a sense of being Bariel citizens was key.
'Marib holds off on the lord appointment, and Gail sends Molin...'
Pretending ignorance, Ian asked.
"Is this the will of First Prince Marib?"
"Oh. How did you know? Prince Marib seems quite interested in this place."
First Prince Marib. The mountain Second Prince Gail had to overcome.
A truly fortunate thing for Ian. After all, balance was needed for all powers to create harmony.
"I see. An honor. We earnestly pray for the Imperial Palace's grace. We will support Lord Romandro with utmost sincerity."
"No."
Molin denied it outright.
From what he could see, Ian's cunning was no small thing. Even if territory recovery became a bit harder, driving Ian out first was priority. Only then would Erica return, right?
"Ian. To stay on Bariel soil, you must follow Bariel's laws. Even if you return to the Great Desert immediately, I must enforce the solemn national law."
"Lord Molin."
"Romandro! You do your job! I'll do mine!"
Ian crossed his arms and clamped his mouth shut. He tapped silently, as if pondering, then smiled.
"It'll be quite troublesome if I return to the desert."
"Kakantir, was it? I'll surely report the Cheonryeo Tribe's aid to the Imperial Palace. Don't fall for the sly schemes of this lowly bastard and withdraw—it's best for everyone. As Romandro said, reconstruction is well underway! There's no more reason for you to—!"
Molin's excited outburst cut off abruptly. Because he met the eyes of Ian sitting opposite.
Zing.
Golden light slowly spreading from green eyes. Ian uncrossed his arms and repeated.
"I said it would be troublesome if I return to the desert."