Chapter 27: Peace Ceremony

Finally, the day had arrived.

Ian sat on the bed, watching the sun rise outside. Since opening his eyes in the Bratz estate, he had been striving for this moment.

Knock knock.

"Mr. Ian."

Hana called out to Ian and cautiously entered. She had clearly been crying yesterday. Her already small eyes were swollen, making it hard to meet his gaze.

"Hana. Oh my."

"Have you packed your things?"

Despite the urge to laugh, Ian nodded solemnly at the child's serious question. There was nothing much to pack. A few clothes, a handful of miscellaneous books, and a single potted plant that was the only thing in the room considered Ian's.

"...I wish I had more to pack."

So that those left behind in the mansion could remember him. Ian smiled and adjusted his clothes. Even a single shirt was worth more than a couple of gold coins. The intricate white embroidery and gold leaf made Ian look like a precious 'thing.'

"Father?"

"He just coughed. He said to bring you to the dining room."

"Alright. Let's go."

Ian tried to leave the room, passing by Hana, but then turned back and whispered.

"Hana. If possible, I want you to quit working here after I leave."

"What? What do you mean...?"

"It will be tough, but it will be for your own good. Pass the message to the others. Of course, without the viscount, no, the viscount's knowledge."

Hana looked puzzled, but Ian moved on without a response. From here on, Hana's choice was what mattered.

In the dining room, Derga, Lady Mary, and Chel were already seated, perfectly dressed.

"Sit down."

"Yes, Father."

This was the last meal. But the atmosphere was not much different from usual. To them, Ian had never truly been part of the family.

"Have you memorized the order of the peace ceremony?"

"No problem."

"Always remember the reason you are alive."

"Of course. For the honor and glory of Bratz."

Ian seemed in better spirits than usual. Who knew where this calm came from, given that his head could be on the line as soon as he crossed the border?

"When I return for my next birthday—"

He said this while cutting a piece of meat and eating it.

If he survived, Ian would be allowed to return briefly for his birthday. Derga hesitated and stopped chewing.

"Can I see Mother?"

"...Ian."

"I'm leaving far away, and I won't be able to see Mother or even Molin."

Molin had hastily packed her things and left for the capital the morning the Tianli clan departed from the Bratz mansion. There was no need for a farewell since the deal with Ian had already been smoothly concluded.

Their carriage was probably still racing across the fields. It would take a month to come and go. By the time Ian returned from the desert, they would be back.

"Hmm. Your mother."

Derga stroked his beard, muttering. Pretending it was a request from his mother, he was likely telling Hana to smuggle gurul leaves. Lady Mary's eyes narrowed, but Derga ignored her.

"Alright. I'll let you see her once."

"Thank you."

Does Ian still not know? That his mother, Philia, has vanished without a trace? Some say she ran away with the neighbor's stable hand, while others claim she was sold off for gambling debts without anyone noticing.

"Viscount. The carriage is ready."

As the meal was almost over, the butler announced that all preparations were complete. The viscount wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.

"Let's go."

Led by Derga, everyone moved outside the main house. A few armed soldiers and a line of knights stood proudly in front of them. It was the first time Ian had seen this.

'One, two, three... a total of ten.'

At that moment, the servants, including Hana, ran to Ian with tears in their eyes, holding his hands tightly and showing their reluctance to let him go.

"Please, please come back alive."

"I'll cook something delicious for your birthday."

"Mr. Ian, be careful."

Over the past few months, the bond Ian had formed with these people was deeper than with Derga's family. Ian only smiled, not giving a specific response. When Hana sobbed loudly, the viscount cleared his throat.

"Crying on a joyous day! Butler!"

"I apologize, Viscount. I will remind them."

"Let's get going!"

However, most of the servants surrounded Ian, making it impossible to single out anyone for punishment. Ian held Hana's hand and said goodbye.

"Thank you for everything, Hana."

"Master! Sniff..."

"See you again."

'See you again.' A promise for the future. Hana wiped her tears with her palm. Under Derga's stern gaze, Ian didn't delay and climbed into the carriage. Derga grumbled, clearly displeased with the atmosphere.

"Let's go!"

Hee-haw!

With the coachman's whip, the mansion grew distant. The landscape outside the small window of the carriage changed from green to barren. They had reached the edge of the desert.

"We've arrived, Viscount."

Swoosh.

The coachman's voice mixed with the wind as the door opened. The blue sky and golden sand dunes. Dozens of kusilas standing in the distance. And their owners, the Tianli clan.

"Over there..."

Two massive rocks marked the border. Derga and his party passed between them, approaching the Tianli clan.

'Crossed the border.'

Ian tried to hide his excitement. Had he ever crossed a border for anything other than war in his life?

A small temple made of white stone stood nearby. A simple space with no decorations, its surface worn by wind and sand.

"Welcome, ally."

A deep, powerful voice. No one had to say he was the chief. Ian instinctively knew. The aura of absolute power was as great and heavy as nature itself.

"I am Kakanter, chief of the Tianli clan of the desert."

"I am Derga Bratz, viscount of the Bariel Empire."

They slowly shook hands. Their wives and children followed, bowing and greeting each other. The key figures sat around the temple table, while their soldiers stood under the sun, watching each other.

"First, I thank you for your hospitality."

"This is a ceremony to promise that your difficulties are our difficulties. Don't worry about it."

Formalities. Derga's tongue moved smoothly. Kakanter's gaze fell on Ian.

"This is Bratz's gift."

"An honor to meet you."

"...The treaty."

Derga quickly gave the order. Two parchments with the same content were placed on the table. They detailed the prohibited actions, trade items, and Ian's situation.

'The Tianli will send their token within three years after receiving Bratz's token... The Tianli and Bratz will not invade each other's territories from the moment the peace treaty is signed...'

The document was over a dozen pages long. Derga carefully checked it and nodded.

"I've confirmed it. While the seal is being applied, please verify it."

"Alright. However..."

The potion prepared by Bratz was a blood test. The most reliable way to confirm Derga's bloodline. It might not make sense to the Tianli.

"Chief Winchen couldn't join us due to illness. We'll verify on our side when we return."

"Suit yourself. However, the registration certificate from the palace hasn't arrived yet, so we'll send someone as soon as we receive it."

Derga dropped his blood into the potion. Ian did the same. The clear liquid turned blue. The Bratz side looked expectantly, but the Tianli were indifferent.

"Next, we'll verify the handwriting."

Ian picked up the quill and awkwardly wrote the content he had sent in the letter. His handwriting was a mess for such a formal occasion.

"Is it correct?"

"Nersarn."

The chief nodded and called his brother, who bowed and approached, offering a dagger. He cut his palm without hesitation, letting the blood drip.

Swish!

Kakanter wrote his name in blood, sealing the pact. Derga's face paled.

'These savages.'

Using blood instead of a seal!

The viscount applied his seal and waited for the wax to dry. They exchanged documents and shook hands again.

"For the endless glory of Bratz."

"Demosha, Gurun Tu (blessed and happy)."

They wished each other luck and concluded the simple ceremony. As people safely left the temple, the soldiers relaxed.

"Then, that's it."

Ian looked at Derga. They would return in the carriage, but Ian had to cross the desert with the Tianli. Derga gave a show of affection, hugging Ian.

"Ian. Take care."

"Yes, Father."

Derga's grip was rough, but Ian played along. Derga's party turned and walked back to the border rocks without hesitation.

"Ian."

Soo. She stood with her arms crossed, looking at the remaining luggage. Kakanter, Nersarn, and a few warriors were discussing something, looking at the sky.

"Is this all?"

"Why? Is something missing?"

"No, not really..."

"Just kidding. They're not all here yet. Ah, there they are."

As Ian finished speaking, someone was running towards them from the direction Derga had left.

A red-haired figure emerged through the rough, dusty sandstorm. He dismounted and ran through the sinking sand. When his horse tried to follow