Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 55

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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 55. Romandro
“A bastard named Ian has brought the Cheonryeo Tribe under his wing and is claiming rights. Under the pretext of an alliance with Bratz, he’s occupied and managing the domain… I find myself at a loss for what to do.”
Mollin clenched his jaw tightly. Ordinarily, there would be no reason for him to descend personally. Wasn’t the plan supposed to be simple and straightforward—Erika would organize and govern the domain, then arrange the transfer of private soldiers?
Yet the appointment of lord had been indefinitely postponed, and Ian, who should have been in the Great Desert, was standing right here?
‘By now, the letter should have reached Erika as well.’
Marib’s interference seemed anything but ordinary. Suspecting that Ian must have some scheme behind this, Mollin was making his way down to eliminate him personally.
With Derga’s blood flowing through his veins, the boy was fit to be enslaved. Clever though he might be, he needed to be thoroughly taught what would become of him if he dared to act carelessly.
‘I cannot fathom why the Cheonryeo Tribe would take Ian’s side, but that boy is hardly worth such loyalty.’
How far had that honeyed tongue bewitched the beast-folk? Did he know his mother still lived? Or was it because of his lowborn origins?
Mollin continued grinding his teeth, his sharp gaze flickering with barely contained rage—all while unaware that his and Erika’s letters had crossed paths.
Clop-clop-clop—
“We’re almost there.”
At the coachman’s words, Romandro leaned his face toward the window. In the distance, he could make out what appeared to be the Bratz mansion. To all appearances, it looked so peaceful that it was hard to believe a battle had taken place here not even a month ago.
“There’s more vitality than I expected.”
“Indeed.”
Romandro murmured hopefully. At this pace, he might be able to return to the capital far sooner than anticipated. He reminded Mollin of his own position.
“As an advisor, are there any customs of the former Bratz domain I should be cautious about?”
“Well now, bordering as it does on the savage tribes, most of the folk here are dirty and crude by nature. And the land is barren, with food always in short supply.”
Mollin dredged up fragmented memories, muttering as he spoke. Unpleasant emotions were seeping into his thoughts, and his words came out anything but refined.
“Halt! State your affiliation and purpose!”
The carriage that had been rushing toward the mansion came to a stop. They had arrived at the domain’s entrance. The coachman informed the gatekeeper that they had come from the imperial palace, and the guards opened the gates as if they had been expecting them.
Creak.
As they passed through the town, Romandro suddenly wondered if his eyes were deceiving him. Weren’t there people in exotic clothing scattered throughout the streets?
Foreigners who weren’t Varielian? When one spoke of foreigners here, who else could there be besides the savage tribes on the border?
“Those… those aren’t the Cheonryeo Tribe, are they?”
“Indeed they are. The Cheonryeo Tribe is stationed here.”
“What is the meaning of this! Shouldn’t we have been informed? I received no report of this!”
Unlike the astonished Romandro, Mollin remained composed. It was only natural. The imperial palace—especially Prince Marib—must not learn of this, so of course he wouldn’t know either. It was merely a matter of time, and the matter would be resolved before then.
“Where have the investigation team and Central Army gone…?”
“They seem to have arrived at the mansion.”
“Sh-should we open the door?”
As Romandro gripped the carriage door tightly, the coachman asked uncertainly. The door creaked open slightly. What greeted him was a young man, younger than he had expected.
“And you are…?”
“Ian Bratz.”
It was Mollin who answered. He yanked the door open and spoke each syllable as if chewing on it.
“Derga’s bastard.”
“Greetings, Mollin. Oh, and Mac and Dgor have come as well. I was quite disappointed when you all returned to the capital without saying farewell back then.”
Ian placed his hand over his chest and offered a formal bow. Then he corrected them firmly.
“Please be careful with your words. There is no one in this place who bears the Bratz name.”
Mollin’s expression twisted with displeasure, but Romandro felt reassured. At least there was someone among the savages who observed proper etiquette. And he seemed to hold quite an important position among them.
“The distance has caused our correspondence to arrive quite out of sync. Please, come inside. I’ll explain everything.”
“Hmm. Well then…”
I led our guests inside. With fewer people around, the mansion had grown quieter, yet it maintained its warm atmosphere. Romandro, Mollin, and his entourage entered the reception room with me.
Click.
“Kakantir. We have visitors from the imperial palace.”
“You’ve traveled far.”
“Ah. Yes. Well…”
“This is Kakantir, chieftain of the Cheonryeo Tribe, and his younger brother, Nersaren.”
Romandro exchanged light handshakes with them, but Mollin said nothing, simply reclining on the sofa. It was presumptuous enough for these lowborn frontier folk to share a room with central administrators.
Romandro, having crossed countless battlefields and borders, harbored no particular prejudice regarding status.
“Bratz and the Cheonryeo Tribe are allied nations bound by peace. When I was in the Great Desert, word reached the domain of a great battle that caused considerable difficulty. The Cheonryeo Tribe, honoring our alliance, stepped forward to help, and through this, I learned of the former Count Derga’s crimes.”
Though I directed my explanation to Romandro, my gaze remained fixed on Mollin. Listen carefully to what I’m about to say, my eyes conveyed.
“The state’s judgment was inevitable, but the domain’s suffering is another matter entirely, is it not? The investigation team would only fulfill their investigative duties, leaving no one to handle the aftermath. Thus, the Cheonryeo Tribe, as neighbors, offered their assistance.”
“I see… The frontier is indeed distant. This information doesn’t appear in the reports.”
“Is that so? I assumed Erika would have submitted such an important matter immediately.”
“Ah. Erika…”
“She obtained information that Derga’s wife and son had fled, and is currently pursuing them.”
Tap.
At that moment, Mollin withdrew documents from his breast pocket. They were orders for my disposition. They bore no imperial seal, only the stamp of the relevant ministry.
“Aren’t you also Derga’s child? How did Erika leave you untouched? By national law, you should have become a slave, yet here you are, living in comfort. Unless the Captain has lost her mind, the only interpretation is that you’ve used force.”
I glanced through the orders briefly, then tossed them lightly onto the table. Mac and Dgor’s eyebrows furrowed involuntarily at the sight.
“I am one who has crossed borders. My heart may lie with Bariel, but officially, I reside in the Great Desert. Should you wish to execute me, I have no choice but to return to the desert.”
“Return? At whose discretion?”
“At the discretion of the Great Desert’s master. The domain has stabilized to a certain degree, and the Cheonryeo Tribe is gradually returning to their garrison. We’re leaving only a minimal force behind.”
A minimal force—for what purpose exactly? It was the manpower needed to safely escort me to their territory.
If we rode hard, we could reach it in merely four days. But the desert was no path for those who had only seen it in paintings.
“Now, there’s no need to make hasty decisions.”
Romandro interjected between us. With Erika absent, if these people had truly restored the domain, I needed their assistance as an advisor. Moreover, not knowing Mollin’s true intentions, it was wise to oppose him first. Yes.
‘Prince Marib warned me to be wary of Mollin. If Mollin is wary of this man Ian, then he must be useful.’
“If the Advisor says so.”
I smiled gently and bowed my head slightly. A gesture acknowledging that Romandro was the true center of this delegation.
“I’ve been eagerly awaiting the reconstruction specialist the imperial palace promised to send.”
“The situation looks better than I expected from what I’ve seen.”
“We overcame it all through hope and unity.”
“Listen here, Romandro!”
Crash!
Mollin, unable to contain his fury at being ignored, slammed the table. In that instant, I understood. Mollin and Romandro stood in opposing positions.
“Is this something to calmly observe? Merely bringing the Cheonryeo Tribe into Bariel borders on treason! How could you place the domain under the influence of outsiders—barbarians no less?”
“Treason?”
At Mollin’s words, I let out a quiet laugh. I didn’t speak it aloud, but wasn’t what you’re attempting the very preparation for treason? My gaze asked if I should say it.
Romandro interjected.
“Whether the Cheonrye Tribe helps or not, what difference does it make to matters of life and death? There’s no problem here.”
“The Advisor speaks wisely. As I mentioned before, the Cheonrye Tribe was allied with the previous Count of Bratz. We merely extended goodwill based on that amicable relationship. Speaking in such a manner would surely offend them. It is a clear diplomatic breach.”
At my words, both men’s attention turned to Kakantir. Though his expression remained unchanged, it was evident his mood had soured. Romandro swallowed hard and redirected the conversation.
“Right, yes. Thank you for your assistance.”
“But I must ask—are you perhaps a candidate to become the next lord?”
At my question, he shook his head. Then he produced a letter he had carried for half a month. It was an appointment document bearing the seal of the Assembly.
“My primary duty is to rebuild the domain. The goal is to restore public sentiment and meet last year’s tax quota by winter’s end. I anticipated it would be difficult, but as things stand, it seems possible.”
Restoring public sentiment.
The imperial palace clearly recognized the unique circumstances of the frontier. Had this place been closer to the capital, they would have simply appointed a capable administrator without concern for sentiment.
Since they could not immediately suppress foreign invasions or rebellions among the domain’s people, it was crucial to reassure them with the sense that they were citizens of Bariel.
‘Marib withheld the lordship appointment, while Gail sent Mollin in his place…’
I feigned ignorance and asked.
“Is this the will of Prince Gail?”
“Ah. How did you know? It seems Prince Marib takes considerable interest in this place.”
Prince Marib. The mountain that Prince Gail must overcome.
For me, this was truly fortunate. All power requires balance to achieve harmony.
“I see. It is an honor. I earnestly pray for the imperial palace’s grace to shine upon us. We shall assist you with utmost sincerity, Romandro.”
“No.”
It was Mollin who immediately objected.
Looking at this carefully, Ian’s schemes were formidable. Even if the domain’s restoration became somewhat more difficult, removing Ian first was what mattered. Only then would Erika return, would she not?
“Ian. If you are to remain on Bariel’s soil, you must abide by Bariel’s law. Even should you depart for the Great Desert immediately, I have no choice but to enforce the strict law of the realm.”
“Mollin.”
“Romandro! You attend to your affairs! I shall attend to mine!”
I crossed my arms and sealed my lips. Then, tapping my fingers as if contemplating something, I soon smiled.
“It would be quite troublesome for you if I returned to the desert.”
“Kakantir, was it? I shall certainly inform the imperial palace of the Cheonrye Tribe’s assistance. Do not fall prey to the cunning schemes of a lowborn bastard and withdraw from here—it would be better for us both. As Romandro said, much of the reconstruction has already progressed! There is no further reason for your presence here…!”
Mollin’s words came to an abrupt halt. He had met my gaze across the table.
A faint shimmer.
Gold light slowly spreading from my green eyes. I uncrossed my arms and reiterated.
“I said it would be quite troublesome for you if I returned to the desert.”

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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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