Chapter 34: Departure

Erica, the head of the imperial investigation team, looked around her cluttered office, which was now a mess of scattered papers. It was only natural, given that even the temporary drawers had been overturned. Inside the office, her subordinates were gathered, drying the ink-soaked papers.

"Can they be restored?"

"We need to check the type of ink used. Still, it's fortunate that we managed to salvage half of them."

"The rest shouldn't be a problem!"

"Anyway, that guy. His actions are quick."

By 'that guy,' she didn't mean the servant who had been found dead with his throat slit in a corner. She was referring to Dergas, who had ordered the disposal of documents in that short time.

Although his guilt had not yet been confirmed and he still held the title of viscount, they didn't care. The woman standing before them, Erica Berti, was to become the next lord of this place.

"What about the tax report submitted to the capital?"

"It's here."

"Philip and Sarieng will calculate the production volume and the tax rate of the residents. The rest of you, extract the mining and trading records. We only need to look at about three years' worth. Can you do it within a week?"

Her subordinates smiled faintly at their superior's instructions. Erica's question was not a question but an order. It meant they had to complete the task within a week.

"Yes, Chief."

"Good. Derrick will be responsible for managing the annex. Move!"

"Let's go! Let's thoroughly search!"

"Uaaaaah!"

They shouted, determined to find evidence of tax evasion. If they succeeded, this place would become their territory! Their superior would become a noble, and they would all secure positions in the capital! This was the starting point of the career they had dreamed of, right here in Dergas's office.

'Damn it.'

Meanwhile, Dergas, who was confined in the room Ian had used in the annex, was fuming. Apart from a few servants who had been temporarily assigned to assist the investigation team, no one was allowed to leave this place. Dergas stroked his beard as if he were about to tear it out, muttering curses.

Mery and Chel still hadn't returned to the mansion.

"Viscount, what will happen now?"

"What will happen? What do you mean, 'what will happen?!' Shut up!"

The butler flinched at the viscount's loud shout but had no choice. His life was on the line, depending on the viscount's actions. He paced around the room, trying to clear his muddled thoughts.

'This is a direct investigation ordered by the emperor. But it's clear that Mollin is behind this. If I lose my head here, it will benefit the second prince. Then...'

Dergas rummaged through the desk and found parchment and a pen. After collecting his thoughts, he began writing without stopping. There was no time to correct any typos. Every second was crucial, almost desperate.

Swish, swish.

"Butler, there are two things I need you to do."

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Send a letter. One to the Tianli clan, and the other to the first prince in the capital. After sending them, contact Deo and tell him to prepare the soldiers for a full-scale departure."

The butler, feeling a surge of anger, began tying the curtains together to make a rope. It was as if this rope were his lifeline.

* * *

A lone horse galloped across the desert at dawn. Perhaps due to the relentless ride through the sandstorm day and night, steam rose from the beast's skin.

A Tianli warrior on guard duty noticed the presence. He also realized that the stranger was waving the flag of Bratz.

"Message...! A message from Bratz has arrived!"

"Sound the buffalo horn."

"Sound the buffalo horn!"

Buuu, Buuu

The clan, which had been preparing for the peaceful start of the day, looked up at the sky simultaneously. The sound signaled the arrival of a visitor from afar. It reached Ian as well, serving as a signal that the time had finally come. The knight from Bratz pounded on the outer wall, panting heavily.

"I bring a message from Bratz! It's urgent!"

Neigh!

At the same time, the horse collapsed to the side. The clan brought water to pour over the horse's body, and the warriors guided the knight inside, as if they had been expecting him.

Rustle

"A message from Viscount Dergas?"

Kakantir, half-dressed, sat up in bed inside the tent. The knight suddenly realized he hadn't revealed his identity at the entrance, but they had let him in without any questions, as if they already knew.

"Did you faint standing there?"

"Sorry, sorry. I am Bel, a knight from Bratz. The viscount has urgently requested assistance."

The knight quickly regained his composure and handed over the paper he had brought. Kakantir chuckled at the messy handwriting. It seemed the situation was truly urgent.

"Let's see. Due to a misunderstanding with the capital, we are in a dangerous situation. Since we are allies, we cannot turn a blind eye to each other's hardships. I humbly request your help as a friend, to lend the strength of the Tianli and fight together. Additionally, I ask you to... execute my son, Ian Bratz. If you consider his death a stain on your honor, the knight I sent will do it for you."

Kakantir hummed and nodded.

"What is this misunderstanding with the capital?"

"The viscount is being investigated for treason. This is clearly a false accusation, and a violent conflict is expected soon."

"Do you have proof that the treason is false? If it's true, we might end up at odds with the imperial palace."

"The proof is Ian Bratz himself. The viscount has vowed to prove his innocence by sacrificing his beloved son."

"Ahahaha!"

The knight stopped panting at the sudden burst of laughter, looking confused. Kakantir leaned back lazily, chewing on a leaf.

What a cunning and shrewd man.

They say he's the type who can clean his nose without lifting a finger, and here he is, using Ian's death to his advantage. Dergas's actions revealed what Ian meant to him.

'A tool. Nothing more, nothing less.'

"Chief?"

"I was just half-asleep."

"...I have also sent a letter to the imperial palace. Just two weeks, please. I ask for your support until the reinforcements from the capital arrive. We are allies, are we not? I've heard that the honor of warriors is as unshakable as a divine promise."

Kakantir exhaled smoke in agreement and gestured for the knight to wait. He quickly wrote a reply, roughly putting on a shirt.

"That's right. And we are warriors among warriors. Deliver this reply to your master. We will follow shortly."

"Thank you!"

Kakantir tied the leather cord around the letter to prevent the knight from peeking. The knight, who had just tucked the letter into his robes, glanced outside.

"Then, what about the execution of Ian Bratz?"

Kakantir was silent. As the silence stretched, the knight swallowed hard. He had expected an immediate answer, but the unexpected delay heightened his tension.

"Ah, that. As the viscount guessed, it is a symbol of peace, but Ian has been like family to us. I don't want to stain our hands with blood."

"...I understand."

"So, you'll handle it yourself. Is anyone outside?"

"Chief, you called?"

"Take this man to Sir Ian."

The knight felt a sense of unease. Perhaps due to his exhaustion, he didn't notice the difference between 'Ian' and 'Sir Ian.'

Kakantir and his subordinates led the way to Ian's tent. A nod, and the entrance was opened.

"Sir Ian, are you awake?"

"Chief."

Still with his gleaming blonde hair and green eyes, Ian looked healthier with his slightly tanned skin.

The knight placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"This man wants to kill you."

"Of course. As expected."

But he hesitated. The chief's words had again defied his expectations. He had thought Kakantir would immediately order Ian to be brought out.

The knight looked back at Kakantir, who was still watching Ian and Beric by his side.

"Ah."

Ian only blinked. He scratched his cheek and looked up at the knight. Then, his gaze slowly shifted to Beric. Even from behind, his face was clear. It was a look of intense eagerness to fight.

"...To kill me, you'll have to kill Beric first."

"......?!"

Despite the training with the Tianli clan and the sand dunes, he wasn't sure if he could handle a knight. Many of the imperial knights were like Beric, acknowledged as skilled swordsmen.

This man might also have some unknown abilities.

"I'm looking forward to it. Please, do your best."