Chapter 44: Secret Space

There had never been such chaotic and awkward days in the history of Bratz. Not only did the people who were once thought to be one Barieel draw swords against each other, but the bastard who was expected to die returned, carrying the very people he had considered lifelong enemies on his back.

"The world... is it about to end...?"

An old, withered man muttered to himself as he looked up at the Bratz mansion. What a truly bizarre scene, indeed? Soldiers with the royal flag and warriors of the Chanyeol were stationed together, and that too, in the main hall of the mansion.

The old man shook his head and loaded the headless corpse onto the cart.

Creak.

The atmosphere inside the mansion was even more complicated than it appeared from the outside. Not only were their presences as incompatible as water and oil, but there was a major problem.

"Lady Mary and Chel's bodies are not found."

"Did you check the decapitated bodies as well?"

"I confirmed everything, from their attire to the tips of their fingernails, but there was nothing that could be considered noble. The bodies that were washed away by the river have not been recovered yet, so they might be mixed in there."

At the subordinate's report, Erica bit her nails. While Derga's capture was secured, there was no trace of his wife, Mary, and his child, Chel.

"Check the bodies that have been torn apart as well."

"Understood."

"We must find the bodies. Search the mansion thoroughly."

If they were dead, the bodies had to be confirmed to claim the mission was completed. Moreover, if the territory was not properly turned upside down, the trust from the central government might waver.

"...And if you find the bodies, you know, right?"

"I will hide them until the appointment letter from the palace arrives."

If Mary and Chel were dead, there would be no reason to delay Derga's execution. If that happened, there would be no reason for her to stay in Bratz. It was uncertain whether she could re-enter the territory occupied by the Chanyeol.

'Damn it!'

Erica bit her nails again. The small pieces of nail debris rolled around in her mouth.

Meanwhile, in a small room at the back of the corridor.

Kakantir, Nersarn, and Ian were seated in a circle. Nersarn was the first to speak.

"Sir Ian. It seems Erica is waiting for the appointment letter, doesn't it?"

"I felt the same. Given the forced march to the edge of the border, it was likely predetermined when she was appointed as the investigation team leader."

"Erica has been here for almost two weeks. The appointment letter will arrive soon, and then it will be difficult for us to stay here."

At Nersarn's words, Ian shook his head. As Erica said, the appointment of a title was the emperor's decision. Even if Prince Gail II supported Erica, there had to be results.

"Since Derga's capture is today, even if we send a messenger bird immediately, it will take about two weeks. There's no need to worry about that."

The emperor's orders were heavy and precious, so messenger birds could not be used; they could only be delivered by couriers.

Nersarn calculated the dates in his head and showed a slightly relieved expression.

"Anyway, Erica becoming the lord is a fait accompli. Chanyeol has already invested a lot. But now it seems we might lose everything."

Through supporting Ian, they planned for future benefits and the direct punishment of Derga. Chanyeol had made many concessions in this plan.

"No, Kakantir. The situation is favorable."

"Can you explain?"

"First, Mary and Chel have not been captured."

"Is that a good thing? Because of that, they are squatting in this mansion."

"Didn't Erica create this situation herself? Her mission is the downfall of the Bratz family and the capture of their members."

At this point, Nersarn, who had already figured it out, exclaimed.

"Oh... then?"

Their presence here was based on the assumption that Mary and Chel were still in the territory.

But if it was confirmed that they had left, they would be obligated to chase after Mary and Chel.

They would serve as bait.

"Moreover, the central government cannot expel me."

"Based on what?"

"Exactly the reason Kakantir is curious about."

Ian being a mana user. Even though he was a commoner, he confidently claimed that he could push Erica out.

"Alright. I'll watch for now. We just barely captured Derga, so I'll keep an eye on things."

"Thank you, Kakantir."

"Then what should we do? Should we go to the village and search for bodies as the captain said?"

"No. Instead, please help the injured. The fighting has ended, so the focus will be on reconstruction for a while. The support of the territory's residents is also a crucial foundation in the border region, so please do that."

Kakantir's eyes narrowed.

The more he looked, the more he saw a clever kid. Without lifting a finger, he was using Chanyeol's power to provide all sorts of help to Barieel.

He was just sixteen, right? It was hard to believe. But like a child of that age, Ian smiled and met Kakantir's gaze.

'What are you looking at? It's not a lie, after all.'

Yes, it's not a lie.

From the central government's perspective, the border region was just a piece of land that paid taxes and guarded the border. It was independent from the royal court's influence.

Therefore, to run the territory smoothly, a capable and recognized head of the family was needed. In this case, it could be seen as work for the latter.

"Then what about you?"

"I have some business. I heard that Derga set fire to the annex and fled. It's likely that the 'disappearance of Mary and Chel' mentioned by Captain Erica happened at that time."

If they were not in the territory and had not left, they might be hiding somewhere in the mansion. Large mansions usually have secret passages. The problem was that all the servants who could provide clues were dead.

"I'll move when Beric returns from his errand. Kakantir, please rest with the warriors and then come down."

Kakantir drank a bottle of wine and looked at Ian. Since they were in the same boat, there was no other choice.

Time passed, and it was afternoon.

As soon as Beric, who had gone on an errand, arrived, he saw Ian leading two Kusilae.

"Are you back?"

"What are you doing? Going out again?"

"Do you know where I lived?"

The bastard Ian lived. He knew it was a brothel, but not the exact address.

"I know. But why? Filia was doing well in the forest. She was eating and sleeping well, and her complexion looked good."

"Shh. I told you to be careful."

"It's fine. No one's listening."

The Chanyeol didn't know that Ian's birth mother was alive. It wasn't a weakness now, but it was awkward to reveal it.

"Anyway, why there?"

"I'm going to look for Hana."

Mary and Chel, no matter how much he thought about it, the secret passage in the mansion was suspicious. How could a woman and a child break through the chaos? If they were dead, their bodies would have been found earlier.

It might be Erica's cunning trick, but he had to confirm while he could.

Tap tap.

"Is this it?"

"Um, probably."

Beric led the way, lightly pinching his nose. The back alleys were like a maze, isolated from the outside world to the point where even a clumsy person would have their pockets picked.

"Here."

"Here?"

Good grief. Ian managed his expression as best as he could and clicked his tongue.

Descending into the basement, rooms branched out like ant holes. One of them seemed to be where Ian and Filia lived. Rats swarmed, and the smell of mold covered the scent of war.

"Why? Are you talking about where you used to live? I didn't know that."

It seemed Ian had moved when he entered the Bratz mansion. Derga's rivalry had economically oppressed Filia, and this was the result.

"Tsk."

Ian clicked his tongue, turned around without any attachment, and nodded to Beric at the crossroads.

"Find Hana."

"Me?"

"Who else? You?"

"...Hey, you there! Can I ask you something?"

While Beric wandered around, stopping people, Ian carefully observed the surroundings. But the scene was so chaotic and tragic that nothing but sorrow caught his eye.

But.

"Ian! Over here!"

Hana's family, with five younger siblings, was quite famous. Moreover, Hana, who worked as a servant in the mansion, seemed to stand out among the neighbors.

"Go up the stairs to the second floor."

As soon as he put his foot on the stairs, the sound of a child crying reached his ears.

Waaah!

"Oh. Why are you crying again?"

"Hana?"

Hana, who was comforting a baby, turned around in surprise and smiled in shock when she recognized Ian and Beric.

"Master! Beric!"

"I'm glad you're safe."

"You're back! I'm glad Sir Ian is alive!"

"Is your home undamaged?"

"Yes. We're fine because we don't have any family members who joined the military... My parents thank God every night for getting out of the mansion."

But her slightly gaunt face suggested she had suffered. The windows and the door Ian pushed