Chapter 41. The Reason for Returning

The soldiers outside the main gate still held their swords, maintaining a defensive stance as they waited for orders from inside.

The atmosphere between the two opposing forces was starkly different. On one side, there were those who stood with trembling hands and feet, and on the other, the Tianli clan, who waited leisurely, chewing on leaves.

Creak.

The gate soon opened. They parted to the sides, allowing the strangers to enter.

"Only Ian and the clan leader can come in!"

"Come in?"

"Sounds good, doesn't it, fucker."

"......"

The soldiers belonged to the central army, and the others were barbarians from the frontier. Although their attitude and tone were expected, one of the warriors mockingly provoked them.

This made the other warriors snicker and join in, creating a rather intimidating and rough atmosphere. However, Ian did not stop them this time.

"Let the guards come in."

"That's not possible."

"Are you the captain or the commander?"

"...The order has already come from above."

"Maybe you should ask again. Your lord's mind might change, just as ours can."

Ian's calm words made the soldier's face pale. Although he said he had no intention of resisting, it also implied that things could go wrong if they continued like this.

The central army had already suffered significant losses in the battle against Derga, so they had to avoid any additional armed conflict as much as possible.

Moreover, the opponent was the aggressive Tianli clan, who posed a threat to Brats. While it was uncertain what would happen in the future, it wouldn't be difficult for them to raze this mansion to the ground right now.

Ian looked back at Kakantir and suggested,

"Kakan, Nerzarn, Su, and I—four of us should be enough to go in."

"Ian! I'm here too! There's Beric here, right?"

"Sure. Do as you please."

"Come on, go ask again."

"Ian! Are you deaf?"

Beric, who was hanging like a sack, wriggled his body, asking to be taken along, but he was excluded.

Under Ian's pressure, the soldier went back inside and soon returned with a satisfactory message.

"Please come in."

"I'll be back. Everyone, wait here."

"Yes, Kakan!"

Creak.

The main gate slowly closed. The Brats mansion, which he had returned to after a couple of months, had changed significantly from his memory. The serene and fresh atmosphere was gone, replaced by a heavy air of defeat.

The annex in the distance was pitch black, as if it had been completely burned. Ian looked at the shapeless piles next to it. What exactly were these...

"Are you Ian Brats?"

At that moment, a woman walked out of the main house, escorted by her subordinates.

Judging by her attire, she was the head of the investigation team. Her pink hair was tied in a single braid, and she had bandages wrapped around various parts of her body. It seemed there had been a fierce battle inside the mansion as well. She smiled and lit a cigarette.

"Ah, since you haven't been officially adopted, I should just call you Ian. I heard from Lord Molin. I'm Erika, the head of the investigation team."

"Are you Lord Molin's subordinate?"

"Subordinate? Well, you could say that. Come, let's go inside. It's not luxurious, but it's better than the ground, isn't it?"

Erika led the way as if the mansion belonged to her. Looking at her back, Ian guessed that she was the next lord appointed by Molin.

Her position as the head of the investigation team and her direct involvement in handling matters here made it a reasonable reward.

"What's going on?"

Upon arriving at the reception room, Ian pretended to be nonchalant and probed the situation. The inside of the mansion was filled with the smell of blood that hadn't yet dissipated.

"As you can see, there's been some bloodshed, but we're almost done. We've confirmed the tax evasion and found evidence. It's just a matter of cutting off Derga's limbs."

Ian raised an eyebrow. The execution of traitors was usually by hanging. Death by the blade was considered honorable for nobles, so most executions were done with ropes. The sight of them dangling and struggling in the air was a rare disgrace.

Erika laughed as if it were a joke. She hadn't even glanced at Kakantir from the main gate to the reception room, acting arrogantly.

"Well, it's just a metaphor. There are knights and the head of the house with him. Deora, was it? He's quite skilled. He keeps using these people as his limbs and avoids direct confrontation, so cutting off his limbs is inevitable."

Huff, Erika blew cigarette smoke in Ian's face. Then, she finally glanced at Kakantir with a puzzled look.

"So, what brings you here? I heard you have a deep grudge against Derga. Are you curious about the execution?"

This place wasn't safe with Ian around. The Brats family was on the verge of disappearing, and even though he hadn't been officially adopted, everyone knew that Derga's blood flowed through his veins.

"Or are you waiting for Lord Molin's letter?"

Just by informing Lord Molin, he received such friendly treatment. It was also a sign of leniency from those who had seized the upper hand.

Erika smacked her lips.

"What do you want? I don't have any specific instructions."

"I'd like to hear about Lord Molin's well-being, but I have other business."

"Hmm? Really?"

Erika seemed to think it was nothing significant. What could a slave sold to the Tianli have to do here?

"Brats is my hometown. When I heard about the trouble, I was so worried that I couldn't sleep. The Tianli clan, who had an alliance with Brats, felt the same way. That's why we came together."

Erika glanced at Kakantir. Then, she chuckled, tilting her head. She still didn't understand Ian's intentions.

"Aren't the barbarians on bad terms with Brats?"

At her words, Ian burst into laughter. It was a clear mocking laugh. Erika frowned and stubbed out her cigarette on the table, and her subordinates immediately gripped their sword handles.

"Brats and the Tianli clan have had friendly relations and exchanges for a long time. We are more than brothers."

"Brothers? Ha. That's a laugh. Everyone in the central administration knows that Brats and Tianli are eager to devour each other. Aren't you proof of that? A lowly body sold to the Great Desert alive."

"Your way of speaking is quite impressive. I'm surprised. These days, even the head of the investigation team can be from the lower class."

"What!?"

Erika screeched at Ian's calm words. It was as if he was indirectly insulting her for her lowly manner of speaking.

Kakan also showed his agreement with Ian's words through his laughter.

"Hey, head."

"Hey, head?"

"I am at the center of the Great Desert. Stop spouting such lowly words and hurry up with Derga's execution for tax evasion. We will take care of the aftermath in the Brats territory."

"Are you crazy, what are you saying!?"

"Erika-sama! There's no need to hear any more!"

Clang! Clang!

Erika's subordinates drew their swords. Kakantir, Nerzarn, and Su just stared blankly. Unlike the agitated soldiers, they remained calm.

"What do you think you're doing, you beasts' offspring!"

Swish!

One of the soldiers lunged at Kakantir, swinging his sword. Kakantir easily caught his wrist with one hand and began to apply pressure with a stoic expression.

"Huh...?"

Crack.

"Aaaaah!"

With one hand, he twisted the man's wrist. Not stopping there, Kakantir grabbed the man's hair and slammed his head into the table. The cigarette butt Erika had discarded was now embedded in the man's face.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Once, twice, three times. With each powerful strike, blood splattered, and soon the carpet under the table was soaked.

Erika, who had stepped back, shrieked like a bird.

"Are you crazy? I am the envoy of the royal palace! This is an insult to the royal palace!"

"Insult? You should speak more clearly. Being alive after facing me is an honor and an act of mercy."

It didn't seem like a lie. To reach the position of clan leader, Kakan had never lost a single battle, and all those he faced had to die.

Erika looked as if she was about to flip out. She glared at Ian and warned him.

"...Do you want to be beheaded with your father? Everyone knows Derga's blood flows through your veins! No one can hold me accountable for killing you!"

"As you said, I inherited Derga's blood, but I am not a member of the Brats family."

"Try saying that in the royal palace. See if your tricks work there!"

"Well, it's common for someone like me to end up as a royal slave, but I need to carefully assess the situation. Most importantly, I am the only 'Imperial citizen' who has ties with the Tianli clan on the border."

This place was a fortnight's distance from the royal palace. Whoever became the next lord, protecting Bariel's borders from external forces was a duty of the lord. In such a tense situation, who would be a better ally than someone with the Tianli clan's support?

Ian lifted his head, looking directly at her.

"Also, due to the alliance, my allegiance is not to Bariel's Brats but to the Tianli of the Great Desert. Ah, it would be wise to sheathe your swords. For your own safety."

They were monsters who could easily defeat dozens of opponents. Their size alone was intimidating. One of Erika's subordinates fainted from just a light gesture from Kakantir. No one could guess what kind of bloodbath would ensue if they drew their weapons.

"Most importantly, Erika Head's mission is to investigate and punish Derga's tax evasion, not to clean up the Brats territory. Isn't it unpleasant to stay here after completing your task?"

"I'm here to capture Derga!"

"You've turned the territory into a mess. It's excessive. The cries of the people are everywhere, when it should have been just Derga's blood."

"You're the one being excessive! Face your situation!"

Derga's bloodline, a commoner, and a mere offering to the Great Desert. If a formal trial were held for the viscount, Ian would be sold into slavery. They needed to recover the taxes Derga had embezzled.

"I know my situation."

At Ian's words, Kakantir pulled out a letter from his inner pocket and tossed it onto the blood-stained table.

"This is the Tianli's stance. Derga's affairs are internal matters of the empire, but we have an alliance with Brats. We desire peace for Brats more than anyone."

"Ha! You're shameless."

"You should be more polite. If you die here, who would be the most regretful?"

It was a simple but clear warning. Erika bit her lip and tightened her grip on her sword. Then, she realized that the Tianli hadn't even drawn their weapons yet. They thought they could handle it with their bare hands.

"According to the alliance, we should support Derga. However, Derga is a criminal, and Brats is a part of Bariel. Therefore, we want to help you..."

Kakantir glanced at Ian.

Everything was as planned.

"I think Ian is suitable to connect you and us. We want to delegate all the authority of Brats to Ian. What do you think?"

"...Did I misunderstand? It sounds like you're saying you want to become the head of the house."

Ian and the Tianli clan remained silent, just staring at Erika. She felt her words were stuck in her throat, but Ian smiled.

"Let's see how this goes."