Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 46. Leaving Bratz
“…I wish you were dead.”
Mrs. Mary continued muttering as if she were losing her mind. Chel seemed quite shocked by his mother’s state, standing rigidly behind the bed without moving. I glanced at him and instructed the warrior.
“Bring Chief Kakantir and Nersaren.”
“Yes, Ian.”
“I wish you were dead. I wish your body had been torn to shreds so completely that the world would forget you were ever born.”
“Mother, please stop. There are still investigators in the manor. If they find out, I’ll have no choice but to turn you over to them.”
At his words, Mrs. Mary faltered. Was the blood rushing to her head? It seemed as though I were telling her I would spare her life.
“Ian, are you saving us? What about Father?”
“Brother Chel, you look terrible. Father has already been captured by the Central Army—there’s nothing we can do. Do you have anything to pack?”
Upon hearing that Count Derga had been captured by the Central Army, Mrs. Mary’s legs gave out and she collapsed. Chel was the same. Though it was dark, it was clear he was in shock and on the verge of tears.
“I’ll save Father.”
“What?”
The words didn’t match his trembling voice at all. The moment I asked again, the Cheonrye people merely offered a faint smile. Who was saving whom, really?
“Brother Chel, get a grip. Don’t you understand the situation? Deo is dead, the butler is dead, and most of the manor servants are dead. That’s not all. The territory’s people blame Count Derga for the battle’s devastation. For you and Mother to survive in Bratz, this secret space is your only option.”
The harsh reality seemed unbelievable to him. Chel flinched repeatedly, looking back at his mother and the dark room. Live here for the rest of his life? Absolutely not. He could never live like this.
I turned my head at the sound of footsteps outside.
“Ian, Chief Kakan and Nersaren have arrived.”
“Good. I’ll be out shortly. Mother and Brother Chel.”
I deliberated for a moment, then flicked my hand as if I’d made a decision.
“It seems your only option is to go to her family home. Prepare to leave with the warriors. Once dawn deepens, we depart immediately.”
“Ian, where is that woman’s family home?”
“Who knows? I don’t know either.”
Mrs. Mary was shocked first by the term “that woman,” then again by my indifferent attitude. Unable to speak, Chel answered instead.
“…Pon, Pontrol.”
“Pontrol? Ah, that’s northwest of Bratz. We’ll have to go around Merelrof, so it should take about two weeks. The distance is one thing, but there are treacherous mountain ranges.”
“Why go around Merelrof? We could stop by and get some clothes and food…”
“Merelrof has completely sealed its gates. They’re the ones who killed the butler. They’ve declared a complete lockdown until the situation is resolved, not wanting to get involved.”
At my words, Mrs. Mary turned her head sharply in disbelief.
In truth, I could understand their not helping during the standoff with the Central Army. They could easily be implicated as traitors. But the fact that they killed the butler was simply unthinkable.
“Merelrof killed the butler…?”
“What’s wrong, Mother?”
“That woman, she shouldn’t have done that. She shouldn’t have done that to me…”
The sight of her gnawing at her fingernails and muttering was eerie and unsettling. The warriors exchanged uncomfortable glances with me, but even I had no idea what she meant.
“…I’m going to Merelrof.”
Mrs. Mary nodded as if she’d made a decision.
“Ian, before we leave Bratz, I need to stop by the main house.”
“What’s wrong with your mind, Mother?”
The implication was clear—stop talking nonsense. But the lady didn’t back down and expressed her will forcefully.
“If we go, Merelrof won’t be able to easily drive us away. We can borrow some funds and get various kinds of help…”
I couldn’t peer into her mind, but it was clear that everything inside was a complete mess. I stood with my arms crossed, watching as if to say, go ahead and spout more nonsense.
Mrs. Mary suddenly stopped speaking and asked in return.
“My husband—Count Derga hasn’t died yet, has he?”
“That’s correct. The execution was postponed thanks to Mother and Chel.”
At those words, color returned to Mrs. Mary’s face. Only Count Derga and Mrs. Mary knew about the letter sent to Prince Gail. If he could just stay alive until the imperial palace’s response arrived, there might still be a chance.
“Yes. Yes, yes….”
“If you understand, prepare yourself quickly.”
“Ian, let’s go to Merelrof! To Merelrof…!”
“Mother. If you don’t keep quiet, I’ll have you gagged.”
I turned my back without another word. The main residence had the investigation team camped out there. How Mrs. Mary thought she could just walk in and out was beyond me. I wondered who Chel took after with such poor situational awareness, but it turned out he took after his mother.
“Stay and guard this place. I’m going to see Kakan for a moment.”
“Yes, yes. Take your time with your work.”
“Hey, you there, kid. You really don’t have any luggage?”
“Uh, uh, I don’t…. And I’m Chel Bratz…!”
Hearing the pathetic conversation continuing behind me, I climbed the stairs. Kakantir and Nersaren, who had rushed over upon receiving word, held open the entrance disguised with grass and took my hand.
“Is everything inside?”
“Everything is in good order.”
They were moving only the unfortunate Kusile over here to avoid the investigation team’s gaze. The excuse was that the stable was cramped, but fortunately the investigation team didn’t seem to mind much since they could occupy the horses.
“We could send them off as early as tomorrow dawn.”
“Yes. Let’s do that. Who handles horses the best?”
At Kakantir’s words, the warriors eagerly volunteered to be sent.
“It’s me, Kakan.”
“Leave it to us.”
They had to escape the territory while deceiving the Central Army, and they had to do it while taking a woman and a child with them.
Not only that. They had to lure the Central Army far away so they wouldn’t be caught, which meant they needed not just skill in handling horses, but also excellent situational awareness.
“Shul and Naru. You two handle it.”
“Don’t worry, Kakan!”
“Wow. Finally getting to draw our swords?”
“Don’t act recklessly. Go as far as you can and dispose of Mrs. Mary and Chel. Bury them in heaven and earth so no one can ever find them.”
I couldn’t hand them over to the Central Army. That would become Erika’s achievement and could influence the imperial palace’s favorable evaluation.
But if Mrs. Mary and Chel were disposed of discreetly instead?
“Let those Central Army bastards wander the borderlands for years.”
They wouldn’t be able to return until they found the bodies. Since Mrs. Mary and Chel were traitors, they couldn’t abandon the search just because they “lost them.” Even if the operation were suspended, their credibility would hit rock bottom anyway, so this was a win-win situation.
“The sun will set soon.”
Kakantir nodded while looking at the sky burning red. The warriors assigned to handle Mrs. Mary and Chel gathered water and provisions, then changed into Cheonrye clothing.
“This is really uncomfortable. Why do we have to wear this?”
“Right. It’s going to tear.”
It was obvious that the tight fit was straining their bulky frames, but there was no choice. They had to thoroughly hide that they were Cheonrye warriors. If it became known that the Cheonrye tribe was involved, they would be implicated in treason and everything would come to nothing.
“Bring Mrs. Mary and Chel.”
“Yes. Understood.”
The warriors descended underground and dragged the two figures out. Their expressions bore the shock of witnessing how drastically the estate had transformed in mere days. The annex was charred and crumbling, and Kusile and the Cheonrye Tribe members surrounded them on all sides. They seemed confused, uncertain whether this was truly Bratz.
“It has been quite some time. Mrs. Mary, and Chel.”
At Kakantir’s greeting, the two turned their heads sharply. Mrs. Mary’s eyes narrowed with cold suspicion as she pulled her son close.
“I regret that matters have come to this.”
“The Cheonrye…!”
Mrs. Mary swallowed the curse that had been on the tip of her tongue, barely restraining herself. Count Derga was still alive, after all. She had to survive until Prince Marib sent his response.
She knew these people harbored no pure intentions in helping them, yet she had no choice but to thrust her head into the tiger’s jaws.
“I trust you understand that each of us has our own circumstances. I hope you’ll recognize that this is the last kindness we can offer.”
Mrs. Mary chewed her lips anxiously. So this was what it felt like to step forward knowing a trap awaited. She gripped her son’s hand tightly and nodded.
“Very well. Cover your faces with the hoods.”
“This way, please.”
“Hurry!”
Ian moved close beside Mrs. Mary and Chel as they approached the horses, whispering softly.
“The warriors will guide you through Fontrol, but they will not sacrifice their lives for you.”
In other words, cooperate fully and keep your heads down. It meant that if they deemed their own safety at risk, they could abandon the two at any moment. When Mrs. Mary glared at him with grinding teeth, Ian merely smiled.
“If you wish, you may withdraw even now.”
If they did not leave, only two fates awaited them. Either they would live like earthworms in the secret vault and die miserably, or they would be caught by the investigation team and executed alongside Count Derga.
Chel quickly tugged at his mother’s arm, urging her to move faster.
“Ian, you…”
“I shall never forget the warmth of your affection, madam. I am grateful. However, I do not believe I shall wish to see you again.”
“…”
Mrs. Mary regretted it all. She should have simply killed him when she first learned of his existence. Or she should have severed his limbs and burned out his eyes and ears before sending him to the Cheonrye. So many opportunities had passed, and regret weighed upon them all.
“Now, please depart.”
“Um, um… Ian. What about Father…?”
“Chel!”
Mrs. Mary glared at her son, silencing any further words with Ian. Mrs. Mary and Chel pulled black hoods over their heads and mounted the horses.
“The investigation team has begun their evening meal and conference.”
“Now is the time. Open the front gate.”
“Yes, understood!”
Neigh!
The horses carrying the two figures cut sharply across the center of the estate. A few soldiers reflexively glanced at the sound of the neighing, but that was all. Horses passed through dozens, hundreds of times a day, after all.
Clop clop clop!
The two horses quickly entered the town and galloped down a quiet street. In the darkness, a few residents of the domain caught glimpses of the shadows but paid them little mind.
“What’s the rush? They’re moving awfully fast.”
“Indeed. And the night is growing dark.”
The people’s attention was swallowed by the darkness and vanished without a trace. The Cheonrye Tribe members remaining at the estate watched the horses disappear safely, then hurried to clean up.
“Restore the grass naturally.”
“Should we place rocks on top?”
“No. That would only invite suspicion. Restore it so there is no difference from before.”
“Yes, understood.”
Meanwhile, I turned my gaze toward the lit annex. I was trying to discern why Mrs. Mary would need to return to her quarters even in such circumstances.
‘What could it possibly be… that made her think Merelrof would help her?’
But since Erika currently occupied that space, I would need to search it once the investigation team departed with Mrs. Mary.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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