Chapter 33: Imperial Investigation Team

The necklace held the sunlight within it. Ian could define it as nothing but 'amber.' It was a gem he had never seen before, even though he had lived his life surrounded by treasures.

"Ian, what is this?"

How could a bastard from a brothel have raised a Silask and kept something like this inside it? No, wait. From the beginning, Ian might not have known about it.

"It's not just a matter of status, but of behavior. If he knew the value of it, considering his mother Filia's hardships, he would have sold it to help the family."

And most importantly, the necklace hidden in the soil. It was clear that whoever planted the Silask had buried it.

"Did someone ask him to take good care of it?"

That was the only plausible guess for now. Then, does it make sense? He cherished it, but it wasn't important enough to bring when entering the Brats mansion.

Clack.

"I can't figure it out. Truly."

The most puzzling thing with his eyes open was the existence of the bastard, Ian. The only one who always made him ponder was this little boy.

"What can't you figure out?"

"Is it all broken?"

"Who broke it! It was a close call!"

"Yeah, yeah. Got it."

Ian replied while putting on the necklace. No matter what it was, he had no intention of letting it leave his body now that he had found it. Chienli, who had brought the pot, added:

"And after resting, you should go see the chief."

"Really? Then I'll go now. Since it's all broken."

"It's not broken! I'm not broken!"

"Clean the sand off your mouth. Beric."

Ian chuckled and stepped out of the tent. With Wincen regaining consciousness, Ian's purpose was to verify if there was any falsehood in his words. Moreover, the detailed negotiation of the priority negotiation rights between the Chienli and Ian needed to be adjusted.

"…?"

"Ah!"

Ian, who was about to lift the tent, hesitated. The reason was the Chienli people gathered at the entrance. Beric, who followed him out, also poked his head out to look around.

After an awkward silence, they put down what they were holding. Soft Kushile covers, sturdy baskets, and other items that would enrich their lives.

"What are all these?"

"…These are things needed to survive in the desert. Compared to what was given for Chief Wincen, they are trivial, but the Chienli warriors never forget a favor or a grudge until death."

Perhaps because there was an order to treat Ian as a guest, he heard the honorific for the first time. He smiled and nodded.

"Thank you. I'll use them well."

"Th-Then…"

They scattered hurriedly, looking embarrassed, and Ian couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Aren't they cute? Even those who think the world is savage have humanity when you look closely. They are human, after all."

"You're acting like a sage."

"Beric, you sort out the items until I return."

Damn it! Ian, cancel the sage comment, Beric thought, fuming as Ian left for Wincen's tent. Inside, the old man lay in a state not much different from the first day.

Rustle!

"Sir Ian, welcome."

Kakantir was kneeling close to her, whispering something. Looking at him, the old man's status was evident. The leader of the tribe kneeling without hesitation.

"Chief Wincen, I'm glad to see you improving."

The old man smiled faintly and looked toward the entrance. The wise man's smile, who had been to the brink of death, brought peace to the heart just by looking at it.

"I called you to conclude our previous conversation."

"Agreed. Everything I told Chief Kakantir is true, and I swear to the heavens to keep it. Of course, there are a few things I haven't mentioned yet, but they are unrelated to the Chienli."

Ian smiled and preempted. Kakantir also wore a satisfied expression at his unhesitant attitude. Wincen clasped his hands and greeted Ian again.

"The God…"

A strained voice. His condition was poor, and he was thought not to speak again. The attendants pressed their ears to catch the old man's words.

"…He said to change everything about you."

"Huh?"

"…Even if it is an existence."

Ian looked at Kakantir in surprise. Wincen was delivering a divine message. It was impossible to hear the word of God outside a temple, but Kakantir nodded as if it was normal.

"The Empire wouldn't understand. You think you need a temple to discern the will of God."

"That's true. Only those who can interpret the temple can convey the will of God."

The Pope might dismiss it as a cult if he knew. Regardless, Ian bowed in gratitude for hearing the word of God.

"But the message isn't very pleasant."

"How can that be? It's always meaningful."

Ian immediately disagreed. Truth doesn't disappear just because humans don't know it. Kakantir realized that this blond outsider was increasingly to his liking. As a warrior, he had everything.

'He is broad-minded, courageous, and as calm as a deep-flowing river.'

"I heard the brothers brought you a gift."

"Thank you, I received it well."

"Now, before we negotiate the details of the priority negotiation rights, is there anything special you need?"

It was a roundabout way of saying he wouldn't give in to anything, no matter how minor, once the negotiation started. But it was also a quite generous offer. After a moment's thought, Ian answered.

"The Chienli are a warrior tribe, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are the rulers of the Great Desert."

"I want you to teach everything about being a warrior to the red-haired one I brought. He thinks he's the strongest in the world, but he still has a lot to learn."

"His name is Beric, right?"

Caring for subordinates is a virtue of a leader. It wasn't a difficult task, so Kakantir readily agreed.

"I'll let him know."

"Thank you."

"Bring paper."

Rustle!

At Kakantir's call, attendants outside brought paper and a brush. They began to create a genuine contract, leaving Wincen behind.

* * *

Bang! Bang! Crash!

The sudden noise made Derga's pen go off course. He had almost finished, and now he had to start over.

"Lord! Lord!"

"What's all the fuss about!"

Bang!

Derga reflexively threw the ink bottle as soon as the door opened. What was he doing like that when the sky wasn't even split in two! He was already suffering from calculating taxes!

The servant, hit directly by the bottle, wiped his pants in confusion.

"Sorry. But you should come out right away. Someone has come from the capital."

The registration document was expected to arrive, so it was natural, right? But the servant's behavior was strange. Derga hid behind the curtain and looked out the window.

"…?!"

If the purpose was just to deliver documents, two people would have come. But there were many carriages from the main gate to the entrance, and at the forefront was a familiar flag.

"Is it the Imperial Investigation Team?"

"The butler is receiving the guests for now…"

It didn't feel good. Derga gathered the documents on his desk and shouted.

"Move these documents to the secretary's office immediately! Lock the door from the inside and wait. There are plenty of ink bottles in the left cabinet. If anything seems off, pour them all. Got it?"

"Wh-What? Yes, I understand."

"Damn!"

Derga firmly instructed and went down the stairs. The servants were gathered at the central entrance, looking uneasy.

"L-Lord. What is this…"

"Move!"

He straightened his clothes and stepped forward. The butler stepped back with a troubled look, and Derga faced the leader of the Imperial Investigation Team.

"Are you Lord Derga Brats?"

"Yes, but I don't understand what's going on."

"I am Bertie Erica, the leader of the Imperial Investigation Team dispatched from the palace. This is the permit signed by the Emperor himself. I am dispatched to investigate tax evasion and treason, and I swear to conduct a thorough and honest process."

Tax evasion and treason.

Upon hearing the reason for the dispatch, Derga felt his heart drop. How did these brats find out? How? But his words were brazen and confident.

"I find this extremely unpleasant. I'm defending against those barbarians on the frontier for the sake of Barial! What? Treason due to tax evasion? Nonsense!"

First, he denied it. Until the crime was confirmed. Derga was a lord, and this was his territory. Although a dozen carriages had arrived, it meant he had the upper hand in terms of manpower.

Erica pulled out another document from her bag.

"Is this the Brats seal?"

The pattern of the boar and laurel, clearly stamped on someone's crest.

- I report the tax evasion of the Brats family. My Lord, please investigate without any doubt.

As Derga tried to grab the letter, Erica firmly pushed his hand away. If it was a denunciation with a seal, they had no right to complain even if they ransacked the mansion.

"We will manage the mansion for the time being. Please follow the deputy leader's instructions, including the lord and all servants. The infantry will arrive soon, so please clear the garden for them."

It was a warning not to act