Chapter 61: Rumor

"…You said you had a conversation?"

"Do you not remember? The words, 'I will use the rumor.'"

At Ian's meaningful words, Mollin recalled the conversation he had with Ian during their second luncheon.

He had said that any food would be a blessing as long as it could solve the famine, and they had even shared ideas on how to improve the perception of it.

"……!"

Could it be that from that moment on, he had this moment in mind?

Ian calmly changed the subject.

"The one gathering the goura is none other than Lord Romand, who has come directly from the palace."

Everyone's gaze turned to Romand.

They were not just anyone; they were people who served the emperor in the palace. If they took the lead in recognizing goura as food, the perception would not be an issue.

"Let's write a little scenario. The palace has been actively researching alternative crops for a long time. During this research, they discovered that while goura is highly toxic, its seeds are rich in nutrients and taste good. Lord Romand preemptively gathered this information and collected the goura."

"Can you really do that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Not that…"

"What's the problem? It's just words. The rumors from Bratz don't reach the palace. They only spread through your pens. Don't you know that?"

Romand scratched his chin with an awkward smile. As he had said that day, the report would accurately highlight Ian's contributions, but the rumors to be spread among the people would be handled as he instructed.

"Will it be enough just to spread that rumor?"

"Of course not. We need to add some research results. What about saying it improves skin and hair, and is effective for longevity?"

"Hahaha! That's too far-fetched."

"What's the problem? To lure someone, you have to exaggerate. And Lord Romand and Sir Mollin should often go out to eat, openly enjoying dishes made from goura. Then I'll wrap it up."

At Ian's words, Mollin lightly slapped the table, a gesture of refusal, indicating he could not agree.

"Ridiculous! Using the palace in a rumor is unacceptable. It concerns the dignity of His Majesty."

If they spread rumors about a non-existent study and something went wrong later, wouldn't they blame the palace? It was a reasonable concern, but Ian did not agree.

"…At the time, Sir Mollin seemed to view solving the famine as a leader's destiny. You didn't seem like someone who would oppose for such trivial reasons."

"Trivial? Trivial? Are you saying the palace's honor is trivial?"

"In the face of immediate death, everything is trivial!"

It was almost the first time. Ian had never raised his voice like this before. He usually just smiled and countered. As Mollin hesitated, opening his mouth, Ian put down his napkin.

"Sir Mollin. It seems there's a misunderstanding. I'm not asking for permission."

A refusal was a refusal, a one-sided declaration.

"If you intend to oppose and interfere, leave the territory immediately. I will order the soldiers to escort you."

"…What impudence!"

"Sir Mac. Look at the situation clearly. Who is being impolite here?"

To save the territory and its people, Ian had proposed a plan, while Mollin and his group opposed it just because they were envoys from the palace.

Mac's face turned red at the insulting words. Though not comparable to dukes or marquises, they were still of noble birth and had never been treated this way.

Romand, who had been listening quietly, interjected to lighten the mood.

"Ahem. Calm down. Sir Mollin. I've tried it, and it's quite delicious. The cooking methods are diverse, so it will add variety to the table."

At that moment, Beric slipped into the dining room, winking with his left eye and subtly signaling. It meant he had recovered the mana stone.

"I've made my intentions clear. This is important, so I won't tolerate any interference."

"Ian, how dare you be so arrogant!"

"Then, everyone, enjoy your meal. I'm done."

Ian said this and entrusted the follow-up to Romand. As they stepped into the corridor, Beric handed him the mana stone.

"But Ian, you really know how to talk."

"What do you mean?"

"You said you wouldn't tolerate interference, but it's like saying you'll kill anyone who gets in your way. Classy. Very classy."

Beric whistled in admiration, and Ian chuckled.

They headed to the office Derga had used. The investigation team had taken all the paper, but they left the mana solution. Ian filled a glass bottle with the solution and dropped the mana stone in.

Plop!

The red gem began to glow and emit a sound. Ian listened with one ear while reading the reports, and Beric sprawled on the sofa, chewing on a leaf.

It could be considered a somewhat peaceful break.

[Given her personality, how she will react to this… I can hardly… predict.]

Rustle, rustle.

Amid the buzzing of the three men's conversation, Ian's writing was the only quiet sound.

[If the one blocking the way… refuses to move, and there's no way to turn back, and no… other path, what… will you do?]

At that moment, Ian paused, finding the content quite unsettling. Beric, who had been half-asleep, also stopped chewing and lifted his head slightly.

"What did you just say?"

"Shh."

[Remove the one blocking the way… and proceed.]

[…Teacher.]

[There's always a way.]

Ian tapped the table with his pen, amused. Beric, who had moved closer, flipped his thumb and made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Are you saying you'll kill them?"

"Ah, yes. Well, it's not a bad option."

If Ian were in their position, he would have considered it. The best option would be to abandon the Bratz territory, but it would be easier and more convenient to cut off Ian's lifeline after months of effort.

Most importantly, it would be safer in the long run.

"What will you do? Kill?"

Beric calmly drew his sword, speaking as if he were picking flowers.

'It seems they've been waiting for an opportunity…'

Unfortunately, he had rarely been alone. He was always with Beric, and his sleep schedule was erratic, with only brief naps during the day.

"Kill? Or not?"

"Don't. Wait. This is too flimsy to be evidence. If I had known, I would have embarrassed them more earlier."

Ian chuckled and took out the mana stone. The faces of Mollin and his group from the dining room came to mind, filled with shame and humiliation.

They might send an assassin tonight.

"What's so funny?"

"Ah, no, just… old memories."

He had been with the emperor for a short time, but the emperor was the emperor.

He could confidently say he knew better than anyone the darkness of the emperor's chambers, the sound of venomous scorpions climbing the curtains, and the eyes of those who drew daggers and rushed in.

"Beric, you need to be more alert."

"I'm always alert."

"A bit more. Be on high alert."

Ian tapped Beric's cheek, asking him to be vigilant. Of course, he also instructed him to keep an eye and ear on Mollin's group.

* * *

In a village not far from the mansion, Romand was inspecting the construction progress with his subordinates. The sun was high, and a subordinate casually asked about lunch.

"Let's call it a day for the morning."

"Should we?"

"Lord Romand! What about the remaining oak trees?"

"Line them up and move them to the entrance of Gil-sam Village. Didn't the suspension bridge there break? We'll build a high bridge, so we'll need them."

"Yes, understood."

"Lord Romand!"

"Wait a moment. Let's eat first."

"I'm sorry, but it's urgent. The large rock you asked to remove is actually a tomb."

"What? This is frustrating."

Romand rubbed his temples and gestured to his subordinate to lead the way. He felt like he might miss lunch. He put his hand in his pocket and stuffed something into his mouth.

"Did you see that?"

The local residents whispered, watching him.

"He keeps taking something out of his pocket and eating it."

"Yes, and he won't tell us what it is."

"Tsk. Haven't you heard?"

A man interjected, pretending to know.

"It's goura seeds. Goura seeds."

"Eww? That's ridiculous. Why would the advisor eat that?"

"Seems you really don't know. Didn't they collect goura for money at the mansion?"

"That's right."

The collection period had ended, and even if they continued, there was no way to get more goura seeds. The goura plants had dried up, and even deep in the forest, not a single leaf could be found.

"Actually, Lord Romand was collecting it to eat!"

"Are you serious? That's a ridiculous claim!"

"No, it's true. News is slow here in the borderlands. In the capital, they already eat goura seeds like peanuts."

"Is he eating goura? He must be delirious from the poison."

"Goura is toxic on the outside, but the seeds are very tasty. They say it makes your skin tight and fair. In the capital, they can't get enough of it!"

At this point, the gathered people looked at each