Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Brothers
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Marib pulled the bowstring to its fullest, pressing it tight against his body. He could feel the wind blowing, but he didn't pay it any mind and simply loosed the arrow. After all, he wasn't trying to hunt beasts.
Shiiik!
The arrow flew in an arc and struck some random spot before dropping. A deer startled and bolted far away, while the ministers watching from the side let out regretful chuckles.
"Oh dear, what a shame."
"Indeed. And with the wind picking up, of all times."
"Well then, that puts Sir Derencio in first place for now."
"Your Highness, shall I give it a try?"
It was an event held once a month, unofficially. The imperial family, key ministers, and a handful of nobles gathered under the guise of fostering camaraderie—a tedious yet crucial extension of politics.
"But isn't Second Prince Gail absent today?"
Marib paused as he reached for his bow. Everyone in the palace, down to the lowliest slaves, knew he and Gail didn't get along. To casually bring up that name like this.
A few subtly glanced at the First Prince, but Marib replied calmly.
"Isn't he, though. Wonder what keeps him so busy."
There had been one odd thing since the lord appointment fell through and Molin was demoted to the border. Gail had been conspicuously avoiding showing his face before Marib. No particular rumors were circulating, and from Father's offhand comments, it seemed Gail visited often enough.
Which meant he was deliberately dodging Marib.
Oblivious to the prince's furrowing brow, the minister drew his bowstring and muttered.
"His Majesty hasn't joined us in quite some time due to his health either. Quite a pity."
"...A pity, is it?"
"Well, yes. Back when Your Highnesses were young, it was so lively—truly enjoyable, they say. Though we often missed game amid the commotion..."
Shiiik!
Just as he was about to release, an arrow suddenly shot out from beside him. Marib had fired haphazardly. Soon, another deer fled into the distance.
"Like this?"
"Y-Your Highness?"
"I'm disappointed too. Seems like you're not satisfied with my performance. Is my hunting skill that lacking?"
"Oh, what are you saying? No, not at all. Absolutely not."
The minister broke out in a sweat, protesting desperately—even waving his hands—but Marib just smiled and turned away.
"Carry on. I need a break."
"Ah, yes, of course. Your Highness."
Marib removed his gloves as he left, and the ministers subtly chided the offender while urging him to take his shot.
Reclining under the tent, Marib pinched the bridge of his nose wearily.
"Are you alright?"
He hadn't slept due to a pile-up of work over the past few days. It was no wonder this outing to shoot arrows felt like too much. His aide poured cool water and watched him closely.
"A messenger bird arrived from the border."
"From Romandro?"
"It might make a fine gift for you, Sir Marib."
Marib looked up at his aide curiously. Confirming no one was nearby, the aide lowered his voice.
"First, Romandro reports discovering a crop that could resolve the famine. Ian is leading its distribution in Bratz, and they expect results by this winter. Even normal tax yields should match."
"This winter?"
Leaves were already turning yellow right now. What crop could show effects within the winter? The growth period would have to be under two months for the math to work.
"It's called gula."
"Gula? That poisonous weed I know?"
Marib shot back incredulously. Romandro must have lost his mind out there in the sticks. Wasn't it a toxic weed that grew in filthy places?
And that could solve a famine?
Sudden fatigue washed over him.
"I'll lose my mind."
"I thought the same at first, but the details are intriguing. Apparently, the seeds are edible. Surprisingly tasty, highly satiating, and they've already made progress on recipes."
Marib wasn't thrilled but flicked his hand anyway. The aide swiftly presented the official letter.
"Cultivation method? Ha! What's the difference from growing weeds?"
"The growth period is just one month—extremely short—and one seed yields ten or more. Soil and water quality don't matter."
Marib read through Romandro's report carefully.
Indeed, if it was as written, resolving the famine wasn't impossible. Among existing famine crops, its conditions were top-tier.
But thinking of gula still felt dirty. How could anyone eat that?
"Next? Is that all? Some gift."
"And also..."
The aide bowed even lower, dropping his voice further.
"A recommendation letter naming Ian as the next lord..."
A criminal's bloodline, but if he truly was a mana user, it hardly mattered. No—in fact, they should coax him gently and keep him from bolting. He'd clearly won over Romandro and the domain folk; with the recommendation here, no issue at all.
The real problem for Marib was...
"Lord Molin's ring was enclosed."
"What?"
His voice came out louder than intended, drawing a glance from a distant minister. Marib drew the tent curtain and asked in shock.
"Molin's ring?"
"Yes. According to Romandro, Molin tried to kill Ian. His subordinate Petreio gathered mercenaries for an ambush, but it failed. They're all in custody now."
Marib listened to the explanation while flipping to the report's back page. A fine ring lay on the table, and inside, he confirmed the inscription proving Molin's family crest.
"They leave the disposition to Your Highness."
"Ha."
Marib felt his mind sharpening. He'd thought so since the Cheonryeo Tribe got involved—this was proving quite useful.
"He realized the tie to Molin would block the lord recommendation."
And proved it with action. No connection to Molin—or precisely, to Gail's side—so make him lord with peace of mind. What clearer plea could there be?
Lost in thought, Marib's fingers drummed the table rapidly.
Tok tok.
"Your Highness?"
"Does Ian have any remaining family?"
"None that we know of."
His birth mother existed, but she'd gone missing before any conflict arose.
"Write a letter. As a mana user, coming to the capital would be easier—wonder what his plans are."
Keeping Bratz out of Gail's hands was priority one, but Ian's actions suggested even more gains.
'Perfect timing. Slot him into the Magic Department for utility.'
They were short on mages, and their tight-knit nature meant most served Gail.
Marib felt like he'd truly received a gift, as his aide said. In high spirits, he rose and took up his bow again. The emperor's approval was essential for the lord appointment, but the ministers' repeated pleas would push it through.
"Feeling better?"
"Ah, Your Highness. The deer are quite sharp today."
The moment Marib smiled and nocked an arrow.
Shiiiik—!
An arrow with a long tailing black cloth streaked past him from behind. It happened so fast that only the afterimage of the cloth lingered. Unlike the terrified ministers, Marib hardened his face and turned.
"Gail."
Black hair and sky-blue eyes. His long, sharply upturned eyes were as arrogant as ever.
Gail raised his bow from horseback.
"Sorry, brother. I rushed the shot."
"...Your skills have dulled considerably."
"Yet it hit clean."
Marib followed Gail's gaze. A deer with a pierced throat lay toppled nearby. The black cloth tied to the arrow fluttered in the wind.
Gail approached the ministers, nodding casually in greeting.
"Sorry I'm late. Got held up."
"Not at all, Your Highness. It's been too long."
"How have you been?"
Gail nodded to the ministers naturally. If not for the inherited blue eyes from the emperor, no one would believe the brothers shared blood.
"Brother, you're not upset I took the kill, are you?"
Gail raised his brows exaggeratedly, playing the fool. Knowing fights between them always escalated, the ministers backed away awkwardly, mumbling.
"Now, uh, shall we wet our throats too?"
"Shall we? Brother, it's hot. Yeah, awfully hot."
"Your Highness, why not rest a bit?"
"Hey! Fill this quiver here."
Amid the elderly clamor, Marib smiled faintly. Coming all this way meant he had business. Normally hard to guess, but Marib had just read the letter from Bratz.
"Well then. Showing up amid your busyness—should I thank you, little brother?"
"As if I'm as swamped as you. State affairs and all must have you run ragged, yet you never miss these trifling hunts..."
As the legitimate heir apparent, Marib handled the palace's heaviest workload. It had intensified since the emperor took to his sickbed.
Gail glanced at a chuckling minister behind and continued.
"Even fretting over the border like that. No one would bat an eye if you collapsed from overwork."
"But everyone would question your sudden interest there."
"Still getting reports from your advisors?"
"Any reason I shouldn't?"
Gail slowly scanned Marib's face.
Molin's reports had abruptly stopped. But from the look of things, Romandro's kept coming. Something must have happened to them in Bratz domain.
Marib smiled brightly and warned Gail.
"Whatever your scheme..."
Gail scoffed inwardly. He'd suspected since the assembly interference. Marib had noticed something too.
"Best drop interest in Bratz domain. A recommendation for next lord came up. I have no objections, so I'll push it forward."
Gail's face twisted. In contrast, Marib grinned wide and drew his bowstring hard. The arrow arced cleanly through the air and embedded straight in the neck of a dead beast.