Chapter 63. In the Alley

"Alright, let's take a look."

Romandoro scratched his nose and checked the documents. Ian and Kakantir, sitting opposite him, were flipping through papers together. They were planning to hold a meeting to wrap up the day after dinner.

He asked Ian,

"Is there nothing to reconstruct inside Gilssam Village?"

"Yes. It seems that the village was isolated due to the bridge being cut off first during the battle, so there was no damage. The bridge reconstruction is underway, so once that's completed, it will be almost done."

"Good. Then we should reduce the quarry orders a bit."

Romandoro felt good, as if he had overcome a major task by erasing the traces of the battle in the Bratz territory. He sipped wine and continued to ask,

"Supply of gulla?"

"It seems we can start soon. It's spreading rapidly through the residents we supplied earlier. We should announce it before it reaches Merelop."

"Hmm. Are you going out again today?"

"I plan to do it for about four more days."

"Working during the day and at night. They say magic users have exceptional talent, but it seems yours is stamina."

Surprised by the unexpected praise, Ian laughed. In the early days, when he stayed in Bratz, he would collapse after just one outing. It seems he has been gradually getting trained while traveling the Great Desert.

"Let's review the content again. Hmm, the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of gulla within the Bratz territory will be free, but all transactions with the outside must go through the manor."

More accurately, through the palace advisor, and even more accurately, through Ian.

Given the nature of gulla, this winter will likely be the first and last time Bratz monopolizes it. Since it is a crop that reproduces quickly and is common, once awareness improves, it will be consumed throughout Bariel.

Romandoro muttered to himself,

"Should we add the condition of Merelop...?"

"Not a good idea. It would give them an excuse. We are at a disadvantage right now."

"Hmm. Actually, they started it first."

"Those who strike first often forget."

"True. What about the related fines...?"

As they fine-tuned the details, the moon had risen to the center of the sky. Ian glanced at his watch and nodded.

"This should be enough. Is there anything else you want to add? Oh, Nersarn."

At Ian's words, Nersarn, who had been standing behind Kakantir, raised his hand. He had been relatively quiet throughout the meeting.

"There's been contact from the Great Desert."

"From the Great Desert?"

"The chief's health has worsened again."

The old man, who had been saved from a critical condition by the silask Ian had given him, had seemed to be recovering. However, it seems he couldn't withstand the pressure of impending death.

"So, we've decided to use the remaining silask."

"Oh dear."

"Even if we plant it, we don't know how to cultivate it or how long it will take without information."

"Wait. Can you explain a bit more? Who is the chief, and what is silask?"

Romandoro, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand. He didn't know any of it, especially the name silask, which he had never heard before.

Ian briefly explained what had happened so far.

"...So, to cure the gypsy's illness, we need a red flower called silask, which I happened to have. The Thousand Clan managed to get through the crisis with one, and we are considering whether to plant the other for future generations or use it for Chief Winchen."

"Silask? I've never heard of it."

"Do you really not know? It's a red flower that, once it blooms, never withers."

If even the palace advisor didn't know about it, it was a lost cause. In fact, even Ian, who had been the emperor in his previous life, found it unfamiliar, so it was probably hard to find in Bariel.

"Our decision is the most significant for Bratz's current situation. Do you know about our funeral customs?"

"Yes, I do."

When a clan leader or chief dies, the entire clan goes into seclusion for a year. If a family member dies, only that family would do so, but the leader is everyone's family. Especially someone like Winchen, who has held the position for a long time...

"Mr. Romandoro."

"Yes?"

Ian tapped the table gently and then called him. It was time to speak directly about something he had been hinting at.

"Has the prince's response to the report we sent to the palace arrived?"

"No. Not a single one yet."

"I'm asking about Prince Marib's response."

He knew that Marib was sending messenger birds every day. The First Prince was clearly keeping an eye on Molin's group, which was the same as keeping an eye on the Second Prince, Gael. Everyone knew he wouldn't be interested only in Bratz's reconstruction.

"...It came once."

"May I ask what it was about?"

"It wasn't much. Just to report the territory's situation in detail and... to keep an eye on you since I reported that you are a magic user. Ahem. That's all. Nothing much, right?"

From Ian's perspective, one of the main pillars of Gael's faction was the Magic Department. He remembered the incident where many mages, already scarce due to the failed rebellion, were purged. So, Ian being a magic user might be a bit problematic from Marib's point of view. Marib would also understand the power dynamics and might misinterpret Ian as being on Gael's side.

"Advisor, as you can see, my relationship with Molin's group is not good."

"Yes, I know. It seems that way. Hehe."

Romandoro chuckled awkwardly and took a sip of wine. He seemed a bit nervous about what Ian might say.

"Prince Marib probably wants a new lord for Bratz who is not related to Molin's group. Is that correct?"

"...There are some matters between the higher-ups."

"I agree with that. Advisor."

"Actually, I had a hunch."

"It's easier to say since you already have an idea. Mr. Romandoro, I know you want to return to the capital. If the lord is appointed quickly, it would be good for you too."

"Ian... you..."

"Please recommend me as the lord."

The authority to appoint a lord lies with the emperor, but the recommendation of the First Prince, who is the primary successor and the real power, would have significant influence. No matter how much he was a descendant of a criminal, as long as Ian was a magic user, it was a pointless restriction. Someone needed to hold him back for Bariel's development.

"Otherwise, I will have to return to the Great Desert. The new lord wouldn't leave me, a descendant of the previous family, alone, right? Also, the palace would try to monopolize my abilities as a slave."

"That's true, but..."

"It's the only way to ensure my safety and Bratz's peace. There is no one more suitable than me to win the hearts of the people, which the palace has been trying to win."

Moreover, the detailed reports he had submitted were a testament to his remarkable abilities. The discovery of gulla was also significant. Eliminating the empire's great famine alone made this border lord position seem inadequate.

Of course, things hadn't progressed that far yet.

Romandoro, as if making a decision, took a cigarette.

"Alright. I'll be honest."

"Please speak."

"Prince Marib doesn't understand the relationship between you and Molin."

From a third party's perspective, Ian had informed on his father through Molin, leading to the current situation. He had essentially laid the groundwork for Molin's people to become the new lords.

Moreover, being a magic user. If he entered the palace, he would surely be assigned to the Magic Department. The fact that Minister Wesley, the head of the Magic Department, was Gael's woman was an open secret.

In any case, Ian seemed to fit well with Gael.

"If that's the reason, I will prove it."

"How?"

"I will explain the details directly to Prince Marib. No matter how detailed the report, there are things that can't be conveyed through words alone. But I can immediately prove that I am on a different path from Molin's group."

By dying.

Romandoro, reading Ian's calm gaze, felt a slight chill at the back of his neck. Despite no words being spoken, he felt an eerie sensation.

"I, I'll convey that to Prince Marib."

"Thank you."

In fact, Romandoro also knew deep down that Ian was the right person for the job. But he couldn't easily bring it up due to Ian's background and the current situation.

Moreover, bringing it up would mean throwing himself directly into the unpredictable whirlpool of politics. Romandoro just wanted to finish the reconstruction quickly and return to the main house in the capital.

To the house where his beautiful wife was waiting!

"Alright, that's it for today."

"While we're at it, can I ask one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"Could you check if there are any merchants in the capital who deal with silask?"

The capital of the empire was the center of the world. If he wanted to find information, he would surely get something. Romandoro, not finding it particularly difficult, nodded readily.

"Alright. I'll check."

"Thank you."

"It's getting too late. You should also get some rest."

"Thank you. See you tomorrow."

Creak.

Romandoro and Nersarn tidied up and left the meeting room. Ian, rubbing his stiff shoulders, called out to Beric outside.

"Beric. Let's go back early today."

"Are you tired?"

"Yeah. I can't keep my eyes open."

Ian smiled, pulled his hood over his shoulders, and turned off all the lights in the meeting room. It was a pitch-black night, with no moon.

* * *

"Ian is here!"

"Shh! Lower your voice."

"Ian. We've been waiting for you."

"Everyone's still awake, I see."

"Of course. By the way, I tried roasting gulla seeds for the first time yesterday. They were really delicious!"

The rumor that Ian would distribute gulla at night had already spread. Even if they pretended to be asleep and locked their doors, they would rush out at the slightest sound to greet him. The excited atmosphere made it feel like a forbidden festival.

"What should we do? I didn't prepare much today."

"Already? I only got a handful..."

"I'll try to bring more tomorrow."

"Don't make it hard for Ian! He's helping us while avoiding the eyes of those palace brats!"

"Hey, keep your voice down. Those palace brats might hear. Lower your voice."

Despite the noisy scene, they didn't find it strange that the guards didn't come. Or rather, they didn't even think about it. They seemed to be intoxicated by the joy gulla gave them.

"Give me some first when you come tomorrow, okay?"

"Alright. Go to sleep now."

Beric shook the empty bag to show that the gulla was gone. The disappointed residents gradually dispersed, and Ian turned to leave.

Thud, thud.

As they left the alley, only the footsteps of the two men were heard. Perhaps because he was more tired than usual, Ian walked silently until he noticed Beric had stopped.

"Aren't you coming?"

"Ian."

Beric raised his eyebrows 'three times' playfully. Their gazes met in the cool breeze. Ian smiled faintly as he took off his hood.

"Let's go."

The footsteps following them were three.

Ian pretended not to notice and continued walking, and Beric swung his arms ostentatiously, as if to show he wasn't carrying any weapons.