Chapter 32: Hidden Things

"To send a child who hasn't even been registered! This is deceit!"

"Right! How could you stab us in the back like this!"

Ian sat calmly, watching the elders vent their anger. It seemed he couldn't believe he had been treated this way at an official peace meeting.

"Let me emphasize again, I am indeed my father's child. That part is clear."

"Then what about the mother?"

"Hmm."

In response to Kakantir's question, Ian gave a bitter smile. It was a silent answer, telling him to interpret it himself. The situation was already tense enough. There was no need to mention that he was from a brothel. It wasn't important anyway.

"I want to snap your neck right now."

"But you are the leader of the Tianli clan. I'm sure you will make a wise decision."

Kakantir chuckled in disbelief, growling. Since he had declared that he would treat Ian as a guest of the empire, he couldn't just kill him. This was a matter of principle.

'Even if I wanted to hit Brats, I can't. Not now that the central army is on its way. That would be a futile act.'

"You."

Kakantir chewed on a leaf, clearly exasperated. The respectful title 'Your Excellency' had long fallen from his lips, whether intentionally or not. In any case, the fact that Ian's neck was still attached was proof that he was being respected.

"Keep talking. Is there anything else you want to say?"

"If there's something you want, there will be."

The murmurs from the elders behind him grew louder. Ian smiled and continued.

"Yes, there will be. More specifically, how things will progress."

"I hope it's interesting. Something that can clear my noisy mind in one go."

Kakantir's brown eyes fixed on Ian's neck, as if trying to suppress an impulse.

"Let's assume this. With the help of the Tianli clan, if I become the lord of Brats, I will make Brats the leading territory in Bariel."

"Why?"

"Only that can support me, a man from the frontier."

"So what?"

"Once I have enough power, I will go to the center, specifically to the imperial palace."

Kakantir's eyes gleamed. What was this little thing saying? Going to the center? That means voluntarily entering the empire's mouth.

Regardless of what he would do there, did he not know how a lordless territory would fall? It would either rot from internal corruption or be destroyed by external invasions.

"Interesting, but I've lost all my doubts."

"Good to hear."

As Kakantir chewed on another leaf, Nersarn raised his hand.

"Sir Ian, there's one thing I need to clarify."

"Go ahead."

"Will Derga have any time to spare when the central army arrives? Time to send a message, I mean."

Wow. Ian felt like clapping. Kakantir, you have a pretty good advisor by your side. As a clan strategist, Nersarn's depth of thought was considerable. He had pointed out something no one else had considered.

"Probably. An investigation will need to be conducted. The central government is coming down with confidence. It will take about a fortnight."

"That makes it even more of a problem."

"Nersarn, what do you mean?"

Kakantir and the other elders couldn't gauge the meaning of his words.

"A cornered rat will bite the cat. If there's no chance to escape, Derga's only option is execution. And not just execution, but extermination. There's a chance they will raise an army to resist. And..."

"They will also ask the Tianli clan for help."

They had just formed an alliance through the peace agreement a few days ago. Kakantir finally nodded, as if realizing something.

"We can't refuse."

"Exactly. Especially right after the peace agreement."

Politically, it was an action they couldn't take. If they broke the peace without a valid reason, they would be declaring themselves barbarians. This could give the empire an excuse later.

It was a frustrating situation. No matter what, they were being manipulated by the empire.

"The peace agreement is the problem. It has put us in a difficult position. We need to solve this first. Is there any way out?"

Nersarn shook his head.

"It's not easy."

"Why? They deceived us. They sent a child who hasn't even been registered."

"Kakant, although he hasn't been registered, Ian is still Derga's son."

"That's true. A valid point."

Ian agreed with Nersarn.

"Moreover, my father revealed I was a bastard before the peace agreement. They won't know that I colluded with the center to delay my registration. So even if we raise objections, it won't do any good."

"It sounds like you're urging us to kill you. Keep talking."

"I have a way."

Ian's declaration silenced the room. Kakantir closed his mouth and waited for him to continue.

"All history is built on justifications. And all justifications are created by people. I will create them for you."

"What do you mean?"

"A reason to break the peace agreement. And a reason to refuse Derga's request for help when they ask."

Then Ian picked up a leaf from the edge of the table. His eyes shone, as if saying this was the answer.

"My father secretly instructed me. When I return to Brats for a short visit on my birthday next year, I'm to smuggle in these leaves."

"Good grief. Haha!"

Kakantir burst into laughter at Ian's quick answers. He had said he had decided this before crossing the desert, and it seemed he wasn't lying.

"Even the lord himself ordered the smuggling. Of a strictly prohibited item, through the very symbol of peace. That should be enough, right?"

"Right. A slap in the back that even eating it wouldn't soothe. More than enough. What about the evidence?"

"Unfortunately, there's nothing visible right now. But this can be confirmed through Lord Vincen."

With this, he could strongly protest the registration issue. Protest? No, he could just unilaterally break the agreement, and the other side would have no grounds to argue.

"Of course, I had no intention of doing so."

"You should swear this to the gods, not just to Lord Vincen."

"If you wish, I will."

"Madness. What is Brats...?"

He thought they were all fools, like Derga, who only had dimwitted people. Ian's personal letter had reinforced that belief.

But look at the atmosphere now. Wasn't the outsider with blond hair and green eyes leading the Tianli leaders?

"...Is that all you want? A statement of support from the Tianli clan?"

"That's enough. I'll handle the rest."

No matter how you looked at it, it was a fair deal. In fact, it might even be a bit advantageous. In the worst case, Ian would lose his life, but the Tianli clan would just return to the desert. If the center invaded, they would fight as they always had, with the desert at their back.

He tapped the table and added, "We won't shed blood for you."

"I don't want that either."

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Not at all."

Ian's bold attitude. Kakantir asked out of pure curiosity. The young man's spirit was overwhelming, even for a Tianli warrior.

"I've died and come back to life once."

"Great resolve."

It wasn't a metaphor, but Kakantir didn't catch it. How could he? Ian was living his second life, and this meant he was under divine protection.

Moreover, he still had a hidden card.

The fact that he was a magic user.

"Write down everything the Tianli clan wants, including Silask's tracking, in detail on paper."

"We have plenty of time. It will be a pleasure to coordinate."

Ian smiled and expressed his gratitude. He then turned to look at the councilor, who was still standing there, dazed.

"Medicine, are you not giving it?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes, yes. I'm going! I must go!"

The councilor jumped up, startled, and picked up the pot. He planned to give one root first to observe the effects. He could decide later how to use the rest.

Would he cultivate it for future generations, or present it to Vincen based on the patient's condition?

"Then I'll be off."

Ian also moved towards the tent entrance. Kakantir, who had already calmed down, asked, half expecting nothing.

"Sir Ian, is your desire to go to the center related to the emperor's spirit?"

It was a truly curious question for Kakant. A noble from the frontier, yet his spirit was connected to the palace? Given that he hadn't mentioned his mother, there seemed to be a clue there. Ian, sensing that Kakantir didn't really expect an answer, just smiled.

As he stepped outside, his clan members were all gathered, ears perked up.

"He's out!"

"We heard a big noise inside, but he's not dead."

"Oh, really."

As Ian and Beric approached, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. Among them was a familiar face. Suh. Ian approached her and asked.

"Suh."

"Huh? Oh."

"If you have time, can you help us a bit?"

"Help...?"

Her eyes, which had been shaking in confusion, soon sparkled like stars.

"Beric training."

* * *

"Idiot! Snail!"

"Shut up?"

"Even desert ants are faster than you!"

"Hey, if you catch me, you'll really see blood!"

Swoosh!

Ian watched the sandstorm from the shade, eating fruit. The marks were from Beric's kicks and Suh's movements. They had been running for two hours in the scorching sun, yet neither showed any signs of fatigue.

"Beric! Are you okay?"

"What?"

"...Never mind."

"Don't talk to me! Damn it!"

Swoosh!

Clearly, they were quick to learn and adapt. After a few days, they seemed to have acclimated to the heat. Moreover, the environment made the training even more intense.

"Beric, you're amazing."

"It's because my feet keep sinking in the sand!"

"Oh? Is that so? I don't sink. How much muscle have you gained for your legs to sink?"

"These are muscles! Damn it!"

"Sure, sure."

Swoosh! Swoosh!

While they continued their sparring, Ian savored the sweet and refreshing fruit. He had planned to slowly and carefully win over the Tianli clan, but Silask had made the situation resolve quickly and easily.

Until he returned to Brats, Ian could just enjoy the Great Desert. Ah! It had been so long since he could rest this much. This might be the true gift from the gods.

"Sir Ian."

At that moment, one of the clan members approached Ian with a new bottle of wine and his pot on a tray.

"Lord Vincen has finally regained consciousness."

"Oh, really?"

Vincen had fainted while greeting Ian. After slowly dripping Silask's master water into his mouth, there was gradual but definite improvement. His heart rate stabilized, the convulsions stopped, and his complexion improved.

"Good to hear."

"...Thank you."

The unnamed clan member carefully expressed his gratitude. The village's atmosphere was clear. It would be like a festival. Ian simply sipped his wine in response.

"By the way, they plan to hold a formal welcome banquet for Sir Ian soon."

"Really? It's already like a banquet."

"...In any case, thank you very much. Everyone is grateful to Sir Ian."

"You're welcome."

"Ah, and one more thing. We found this when we moved the soil."

He handed over the pot. Inside the empty pot was a necklace. A silver chain with an amber gemstone.

"Is this yours, Sir Ian? Did you hide it?"