Chapter 57: Merelop

"What's the problem?"

"The target is difficult to adjust."

"Didn't we expect that?"

"I hoped it wouldn't be. It seems we'll have to opt for a less ideal solution."

Kakantir and the others nodded. Beric asked,

"Is there any support funding?"

"Yes. They didn't confirm it, but there is. I estimate about 3,000 gold coins."

"Wow, damn! That's insane!"

It's enough to support us for two months, so it should be around that amount. Even if the royal palace helps with reconstruction, a solid operating fund is essential for normal operations.

"Since we need to make contact with Merelop soon, we should prepare well."

"Hmm. Yes."

Romandor's gold coins. Merelop's food. And Ian, who would mediate between them. If we just wait for the right opportunity, a satisfactory deal will likely be made.

Kakantir nodded in agreement.

"By the way, that advisor Romandor. He seems to be quite friendly towards us. Do you think so too?"

"Yes. He was sent by Prince Marib to deal with the situation, so he will have a different disposition from Gail's side."

Moreover, Molin's initial hostility played a significant role. It seems he suspected that Derga's betrayal was a collaboration between Molin and Ian, so he must have thought they were on the same side.

But the atmosphere is so tense that it seems they're ready to tear each other apart. Romandor must have guessed to some extent that Ian is not on Gail's side.

"If we can pull Romandor to our side, everything will go according to plan."

"Yes. Honestly, I'm a bit surprised."

"What...?"

In response to Ian's puzzled question, Kakantir playfully held his hand, mimicking Romandor's earlier reaction.

"To think a mana user would be treated like this in the empire."

"Considering they are called the ones most similar to gods."

People in the borderlands often view the existence of magic as something mythical. Kakantir and Nersarn were no exception. Even after seeing Beric, they didn't fully grasp the immense power it entails. The flow of mana is like a river leading to a vast sea.

"Becoming a clan head is not an impossible dream."

Kakantir's words made Ian smile. It seems he only gained confidence after seeing Romandor's reaction.

"Let's drive the stake before autumn arrives."

"I'll make the preparations."

"Thoroughly monitor Molin and his group."

"Yes, Kakantir."

"Beric, did you do as I asked?"

"Hide the mana stones? Of course, of course."

"Good. Everyone, move out."

Following Kakantir's orders, the subordinates quietly descended the stairs. Ian returned to Romandor's room with Beric, and the corridor, as always, was shrouded in darkness.

Meanwhile, on the floor below.

"Teacher, what should we do?"

Mak and Degor looked at Molin after finishing their dinner. Their teacher sat by the window, lost in thought. Mak took out a cigarette and roughly pulled at his hair.

"I can't think of any solution."

"Mak, calm down a bit."

"I'm not as composed as you, Degor. Erica, or rather, it doesn't matter who it is, but the lord must be someone cooperative with us. Didn't you see Ian's attitude just now?"

Mak's outburst made Degor sigh. How could they defeat a mana user who had allied with the Tianli people? And in the borderlands, not the capital.

"If he were friendly towards us, things would be different..."

"It doesn't seem likely. He stood stiffly next to Romandor..."

Is he perceptive? He quickly realized that Molin's group and Romandor were at odds after arriving at the mansion. It's unclear if he knows about Marib and Gail behind them.

"I think it would be better to appoint someone other than Captain Erica."

"Who?"

"Didn't Hail of the Magic Department make significant contributions in the Roxan battle recently? The emperor might grant him a title, so how about suggesting he take this territory?"

"Hail is a key force in the royal palace. The emperor, who even denied his leave, wouldn't give him borderland territory. He wouldn't give us a reason to leave the capital."

Mak waved his hand, indicating it was absurd. The cigarette smoke at his fingertips scattered chaotically.

"And Degor, don't you know Captain Erica's personality?"

"...I do. I know it too well."

"Given her personality, I can't even predict how she would react to this situation."

Degor remained silent, fully agreeing. A commoner who rose to the position of investigation team leader, driven by ambition. More interested in the wealth and honor that come from it than loyalty to Lord Gail. His volunteering for this trip to Brats was likely for that reason.

Swish.

Molin, who had been looking out the window, approached the table and poured wine. He spoke in a heavy voice, like the night air.

"If the one blocking the path won't move, and there's no way to turn back or find another path, what should we do?"

His eyes, filled with the weight of life, muttered as he took a sip of wine.

"Eliminate the one blocking the path."

"Teacher."

"There's always a way."

Kill Ian.

Currently, that's the most certain and clean method. It's complicated because we're in the borderlands, but on the other hand, it's fortunate. In the capital, it would be much harder to deal with someone who has the title of a mage.

"If a mana user is hostile to us, it's best to cut them off before they grow any further."

"You're right. If a mage grows uncontrollably, it will soon become a burden to Lord Gail."

All we need is for Ian to be gone.

Without Ian, the Tianli beasts have no reason to be here, and Romandor, without a supporting force, will be powerless.

Erica was afraid for her life and couldn't act, but for Molin, failure was more terrifying than death. He couldn't tolerate the great achievements of Lord Gail being jeopardized by a mere commoner bastard.

"Let's stay for a few days and observe the situation."

"Yes, Teacher."

We'll wait for an opportunity.

This was the plan Molin's group set as soon as they arrived at the mansion. They rinsed their mouths with wine, as if to erase their words.

Under the bed, a red brooch, a mana stone, lay unnoticed.

* * *

On a clear morning with not a cloud in the sky.

A long procession from the Brats territory was passing through the forest. Ian, Beric, Romandor, and his subordinates, along with the Tianli guards, were all part of the procession.

Romandor muttered, looking out the window.

"The distance is farther than I thought."

"Once we're out of the forest, it won't take long."

"Is this side also connected to the Great Desert?"

"Merelop... it does touch the desert, but it has little impact. It's closest to the eastern Havwan Kingdom."

"Ah, right. The Havwan Kingdom is on this side."

Due to its friendly relations and active trade with Bariel, Merelop has benefited greatly as a trading hub between the two countries. The cloth that Mary buys from the East comes through the Merelop lady.

"Stop. Where are you from?"

"I'm from the Brats territory, and the advisor is here."

The guard at the outer wall checked the driver's pass and opened the gate. Inside, it resembled Brats but had a distinctly foreign atmosphere. Just as Brats was influenced by the Great Desert and the Tianli people, this place was influenced by the Havwan Kingdom.

"You haven't maintained continuous relations, right?"

"I don't know about Derga's lifetime, but since the investigation team arrived, they've closed their doors. Given the situation, it would have been troublesome to get involved."

However, after Captain Erica stepped down and Ian took over the territory, a letter arrived first. It was a formal inquiry about the situation. Whether Derga was really dead, and if so, whether the Tianli people had occupied the territory. As neighbors, they needed to know, but...

'If the royal advisor hadn't come, they might have been a nuisance.'

Isn't that the basic method of expanding influence in the borderlands? Devouring neighbors to grow. They must have been waiting for an opportunity, but the arrival of the royal advisor clearly threw them off.

Creak.

The carriage procession arrived at the mansion. The driver opened the door, and the advisor stepped out and looked around. Unlike the serene Brats, the landscaping here exuded a sophisticated and luxurious feel.

"Are you Advisor Romandor?"

"Yes."

"Please come inside. The viscount is waiting."

An elderly butler respectfully guided them. He glanced at the Tianli warriors following behind but said nothing more.

"Advisor Romandor?"

"Hello. Viscount Karl of Merelop."

"Welcome."

In the reception room, a