Chapter 69: The Discipline of the Royal Family

A carriage entered the mansion gate with great pomp. It was similar to when the investigation team had burst in before, but there was a clear difference. Even a blind person could tell from afar that it carried good news.

The townspeople followed the carriage's path out of curiosity.

"What is it? Another carriage from the capital?"

"No way! The investigation team can't be back, can they?"

"The flag is different from last time. And the carriage looks too expensive, doesn't it? What's going on, hmm?"

"Carriages are expensive, idiot."

"Hey? It's heading to the mansion!"

All the servants working at the mansion rushed outside, and Ian, brushing off the dirt, walked to the main gate.

Creak.

A long procession followed the large and ornate carriage. Palace guards stood at attention, holding ceremonial swords. The imposing sight prevented anyone from making loud comments.

An elderly man then stepped out of the carriage.

"Oh. It's Administrator Chiellonia."

Romand recognized her, thinking she must be in a similar position to Molin. Despite her deep wrinkles, her eyes shone sharply. She elegantly surveyed the surroundings and immediately found Ian.

"Are you Ian?"

"Yes, I am."

"I bring a message from His Majesty the Emperor. Everyone, kneel."

Ian carefully knelt, and soon everyone in the mansion followed suit, bowing down. The woman read the letter in a dignified and weighty voice.

-"The recommendation of Marius Verosion, the First Prince, and Romand, the advisor, has been approved by the council. In recognition of the contributions to the reconstruction and protection of the territory, Ian is hereby appointed as the new Viscount of the former Bratz territory. However..."

The servants, who had no knowledge of the religious rites, lifted their heads sharply at the mention of being appointed as a lord. The people gathered outside were no different, straining their ears to overhear what the palace had to say.

-"You are the illegitimate son of Derga Bratz, a mark that will never change in any situation. Therefore, I propose a conditional offer. If you, as the lord, pay the taxes that Derga Bratz failed to pay and the opportunity cost of your treatment to the palace, the glory of your new family will continue to the next generation."

'Hmm.'

Ian raised an eyebrow and smiled. In short, it meant a term-limited lord. If he paid, he could continue his position without issues, but if he failed, everything would fall under the palace's control.

Including Ian's status and all the estate's assets.

"That concludes the message from His Majesty the Emperor. There will be a formal lord appointment ceremony at the palace at the end of the year. If you agree, please come on the designated date."

At the lord appointment ceremony, one would receive a new surname and officially declare the family crest. Ian nodded lightly.

"Was there no mention of the payment period?"

"The period will be one year from the appointment ceremony, and the amount to be paid is 10,000 gold coins."

"Whew!"

An unknown servant gasped. It was the first time they had heard of 10,000 gold coins, and how could they possibly come up with such an amount? Especially separate from the regular taxes.

Chiellonia rolled up the letter and handed it to Ian.

"You also have the right to refuse."

"That would be inappropriate. How dare I refuse the words of His Majesty the Emperor?"

It really would be inappropriate. The letter mentioned 'opportunity cost of treatment,' which likely referred to the possibility of Ian, a mana user, being reduced to a slave and annexed. Refusing the appointment would be no different from asking to be made a slave. Even if he fled to the Great Desert, the palace could easily hunt him down if they decided to.

"I will accept it with infinite honor."

"The appointment ceremony will be held with the New Year's celebration. The detailed schedule will be communicated separately, and please prepare the family crest to be announced."

The surname is given by the Emperor, so Ian had no choice in the matter.

"Yes, I understand."

"Congratulations, Sir Ian."

Though not officially proclaimed, the Emperor's command had reached him. Chiellonia lightly bowed to Ian and offered her congratulations.

"Thank you."

"And one more thing."

She paused, choosing her words carefully.

"Yes?"

"Is Sir Molin safe?"

They were in the same administrative department and of similar age. They must have been long-time colleagues. Romand's report confirmed that Ian and Molin had conflicts, but there was no mention of his well-being, which was a significant concern.

"He is safe."

"Now, I will convey a message not from His Majesty the Emperor, but from His Highness Gail, the Second Prince."

She stepped forward from the carriage and pulled out another letter from her inner pocket.

-"Secure the custody of Molin, Mac, and Degor and return with them."

Snap!

Chiellonia lifted her head and gestured for him to act quickly. Ian crossed his arms and looked at her.

"What are you doing?"

"That's what I want to ask. What are you doing?"

Her eyebrows slightly twisted at his unexpected attitude. At a time when he should be bowing in acceptance, he was questioning her? But the information Ian added was enough to surprise even Romand.

"The Emperor is like the sun. Just as the sun never stops moving, the carriage should minimize stops, and just as there is only one sun in the sky, only the Emperor's commands should be conveyed. Surely, Administrator, you know this."

"..."

The Emperor's commands should not be embellished. The imperial decree must be conveyed purely, without any additions. This was an old palace etiquette. How could she add Gail's message?

"This is truly disrespectful. If the Emperor finds out, you could be dismissed, Administrator, don't you know that?"

Romand, standing beside her, looked flustered.

"Is that true? Ian?"

"It's the most basic of basics. Didn't you know, Romand?"

"You would only know if you've received the Emperor's command directly..."

In most cases, the imperial decree was finalized at the council, especially for distant places. This was a kind of implicit rule that Ian knew because he had once been the Emperor.

Chiellonia's face hardened.

'How does a lowborn illegitimate son from the frontier know this...'

Even many nobles who didn't care wouldn't know this, and he not only knew but also countered her. She pondered what to say next, but Ian beat her to it.

"This seems very disrespectful to His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness Marius, Administrator Chiellonia. I can 'confirm' that Molin and his companions are safe, but anything more is impossible."

Etiquette aside, Molin and his companions were loyal subordinates of the enemy. They could turn into daggers at any moment.

'Is the administrative department, along with the magic department, on Gail's side? Or is it just Molin and Chiellonia? Regardless, I'm sorry, but I can't hand over those three.'

Ian firmly observed Chiellonia's expression. It seemed Gail was trying to take responsibility and rescue them, but no one could touch them until Marius gave the order.

"...Sir Ian. This is a special case."

"Special? How? By the way, everyone here will hear what you say. Be careful."

Lies beget lies. Ian nodded, urging her to speak. He knew the etiquette of conveying the imperial decree well; how could he not know more?

Chiellonia bit her lower lip and wore a troubled expression.

"...First, let's confirm the safety of Molin and his companions. This will be reported to the palace."

"Very well. I will guide you. Beric!"

"Yes, sir."

"Since the carriage has been here for a while, it's best to hurry, Administrator Chiellonia."

Chiellonia ignored Ian and entered the main building. As Ian was about to follow, he met the eyes of the servants standing in a row, looking at him. Their eyes sparkled like stars. They quietly whispered, clenching their teeth.

"Congratulations, Sir Ian!"

"Goodness, you've become a noble. This is unbelievable..."

"Sir Ian is going to receive a viscount title!"

"A viscount, that's above a baron, isn't it?"

They celebrated Ian's rise in status with one heart. It meant that Bratz, their hometown, would return to normal, and the mansion's employment security would be more solid.

Ian smiled in gratitude and followed Chiellonia into the underground prison.

"This way."

Beric's guidance quickened Chiellonia's steps, but Ian's words stopped her.

"Be careful what you say."

"What?"

"Molin is suspected of conspiring with outsiders to kill me. As the newly appointed lord, I have the authority to detain him for my safety."

It was a threatening warning that any rash actions would result in their deaths. Chiellonia felt the situation was veering off her planned course. The picture she had drawn for the past two weeks was not this.

'I've been feeling like I'm being held back...'

There was a good method for such times: speak as little as possible. Chiellonia looked straight ahead and remained silent, and Ian, after scanning her, ordered the Thousand-Eyed.

"Open the door."

Creak.

The door opened, and a strange musty smell poured out. Despite daily cleaning, the lack of windows made it inevitable.

"Molin!"

"...Chiellonia?"

"Administrator Chiellonia!"

"What are you doing here? No, more importantly, let us out! That scoundrel has locked us up..."

Mac, who had been