The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief in Exile - Chapter 27

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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 27
‘Ian.’
A true genius who rose from the humblest origins to join the Imperial Guard through sheer talent alone, and eventually became the royal prince’s Swordsmanship instructor.
What’s more, his difficult family circumstances—raising a widow mother and two young siblings—only served to highlight his integrity and diligence.
His noble-born superiors found themselves surprisingly fond of Ian.
Molle Rebus, by contrast, who came from equally noble stock, was never called by his name at all—only “Hey, you there!”
That juvenile jealousy had festered into something far darker, twisting an innocent colleague into a villain worthy of banishment to the Exile Territory.
Molle Rebus had never once regretted that choice.
Not even apologized for it.
“You harbor no feelings of remorse toward Ian, do you?”
The Chief Chamberlain read Molle Rebus’s true nature.
“Well, if I had, I’d never have made it this far.”
…….
“That was meant as praise. You’re welcome to smile.”
But Molle Rebus knew perfectly well that if he actually smiled, his throat would be cut on the spot.
‘No openings at all…….’
He’d heard rumors that the Chief Chamberlain’s skill rivaled even the Commander of the Imperial Knight Order.
But he felt no jealousy.
Because the Chief Chamberlain came from a distinguished noble house and was the Emperor’s trusted companion of many years. He had earned the right to be a genius.
The Chief Chamberlain spoke.
“His Majesty desires only one thing of you.”
Confirmation that Hebennia Clavis is alive.
If she is, capture her.
“And should she be dead…….”
* * *
The first day I infiltrated Desteé Manor.
Berity had planted Eavesdropping Devices throughout the place.
[……Well, it’s hardly a pleasant situation.]
[What about the other prisoners?]
[Which tutor did you study under, Captain Rebus?]
[I beg your pardon?]
[You seem incapable of independent thought. Should I ever marry and have children, I trust I won’t be expected to contact them for their education.]
“……Wow.”
We exchanged nothing but glances in the Underground Dungeon as we eavesdropped on the conversation between Molle Rebus and the Chief Chamberlain.
‘Where do I even start being shocked?’
There was so much to be shocked about that I couldn’t figure out what to be shocked about first.
First of all.
“Ian wasn’t joking around.”
I knew Ian was strong, but I had no idea he was such a genius that even the Chief Chamberlain said it was a pity to miss him.
Apparently, even the head of the Clavis Family coveted his talent.
“I’d better be careful about mouthing off to Ian from now on…….”
Libi genuinely reflected on all those times she’d been cheeky with him.
I, too, lamented those days when my nerve had been pushing the limits.
And second.
“Hebennia, you’re in real trouble.”
Pex’s face had gone hard.
“I never imagined the Emperor desired you so desperately…….”
“Please don’t phrase it like that……!”
I spoke with utmost seriousness.
It wasn’t wrong, exactly, but it was the first time in my life a turn of phrase had made my stomach churn quite so violently. If not for the Village residents present, I’d have cursed him out for being out of his mind.
Berity spoke up.
“It seems they know you’re alive, after all.”
“Damn the Emperor, that bastard.”
“Ah, that’s shorthand for ‘damned worthless son of a—.’ Our young mistress coined the term.”
And then the third thing.
“The new Desteé Earl is Ian’s former colleague at work, isn’t he?”
“And worse—he’s the traitor who framed Ian and sent him to the Exile Territory…….”
“Blast it, I was planning to take this territory!”
“Hebennia, that’s supposed to go to Dalis and Flora…….”
It was then.
“Wait, Clavis…?”
The Herb Merchant Owner, who’d been unconscious moments before, stared at us with clouded eyes.
As expected, the Herb Merchant Owner was imprisoned in the Underground Dungeon beneath Desteé Manor. When we found him, he was beaten half to death and passed out cold.
‘Elba’s first aid worked!’
I spoke to him with relief.
“Old friend, are you alright?”
“Ah, so it was Clavis. No wonder you talk so strangely……”
“Your head doesn’t seem fine at all.”
“Only Clavis could speak like a seventy-year-old pervert who’s achieved enlightenment at such a young age. You’ve got the same annoying streak as the head of the Clavis Family.”
“I’ll just have to leave this old fool behind.”
Remarkably, the Herb Merchant Owner had some acquaintance with the head of the Clavis Family—my grandfather.
The Herb Merchant Owner seemed to be reaching back into memory.
“There’s no Eccentric quite like an Eccentric.”
“Old friend, I’m curious too, but this isn’t the time.”
What kind of old man beaten and locked in an underground dungeon talks this much?
Still, since he was regaining his spirit, it seemed we didn’t need to worry too much.
“Shh.”
At that moment, Berity pressed a finger to her lips, demanding silence.
The Eavesdropping Device broadcasting the Office conversation had activated again.
Molle Rebus spoke.
“Is there a time limit?”
“Yes, spending too much time just to capture one small Clavis would be rather inconvenient.”
“Chief Chamberlain, then……”
“How long until the mercenaries become corrupted?”
The Chief Chamberlain’s voice was as still as a motionless lake. And like stagnant water, it was repugnant and foul.
‘He’s using the unjustly dead again……!’
How could someone even conceive of such a thing?
At this moment, the Chief Chamberlain was worse than the Emperor himself.
“They are Undead created by the Tower Mage. Not merely Curse Magic, but Preservation Magic is also applied.”
“…So they’ll last a year then.”
“Can you achieve meaningful results within that time with your own skill?”
“……”
“I’m joking. Five years easily, I see. That’s quite a long time, isn’t it? Of course, I’ll come back after a year to check progress.”
With those words, the sound of a door opening sharply filled the air.
The Chief Chamberlain and Molle Rebus seemed to be leaving.
Berity slipped the Eavesdropping Device into the Spatial Pocket inside her cloak.
“Miss, so what now?”
“What do you expect from a seven-year-old with amnesia?”
“A seven-year-old who pays her own way like a twenty-five-year-old. And this is a decision you have to make.”
At her serious tone, I simply pressed my lips shut.
Unfortunately, she was right.
In the end, all this chaos had erupted just to catch me.
“But……”
Libi carefully interjected.
“Why target Hebennia specifically?”
“Hmm?”
“All the men of the Clavis Family died, but the women were all sent alive to the Exile Territory.”
“Oh, didn’t I mention it?”
At my offhand remark, everyone flinched.
“The Clavis didn’t die.”
“What?”
“I’m not certain, but they’re all alive and hiding somewhere. That’s why the Emperor is so obsessed with me now. Ugh, saying it out loud makes me feel so disgusted and pathetic……”
“I’ll rub your back, Miss.”
Berity gently stroked my small back to comfort me.
“…You’re right though.”
The villagers quickly accepted my explanation.
But I could clearly read a certain subtle current in their eyes.
‘They seem to think the Clavis abandoned their youngest seven-year-old in the Exile Territory to save themselves.’
It was exactly like the look my high school friends had given me back then—that awkward face that said, “Still, they’re your parents, so we can’t bad-mouth them.”
And I didn’t bother to correct that misunderstanding.
‘I did leave him behind, after all. He’s earned the right to misunderstand me a little. We can sort it out if we meet again.’
The thought of my brother in that dream, smiling sadly at my recklessness, tugged at something in my chest.
But it hardly mattered now.
‘So then—what do we do next?’
Our plan to secure the Desteé Territory and sell Dulthebia had hit a snag.
I had to acknowledge my own carelessness.
I’d thought the Emperor was nothing—some pushover I could drag down and pummel whenever I pleased.
As of today, I was discarding that arrogant delusion.
From now on, I would keep my guard up. The Emperor could strike at any moment.
‘……Ah, so this is what they call a sense of crisis.’
If I’d been alone, I would have ignored it. But with the Village people depending on me, I had to move carefully.
Which is why.
“Herb Merchant Owner.”
I made a proposal to the old apothecary.
“Are you good at acting?”
* * *
Molle Rebus had suggested to the Chief Chamberlain that he stay a few days longer.
But the Chief Chamberlain refused.
“I get insomnia sleeping in places with bad feng shui.”
After confirming the Chief Chamberlain’s carriage had departed, Molle Rebus grimaced and made his way back to the Manor.
He began mentally cataloging everything he needed to do next.
‘First, I should interrogate the old apothecary.’
The materials in the medicinal herbs the old apothecary had distributed had been confirmed as Dulthebia.
When the Chief Chamberlain saw the rare plant, thought to be extinct, he’d assumed it came from Hebennia Clavis.
Truthfully, Molle Rebus didn’t believe Hebennia Clavis was still alive.
He didn’t think interrogating the old apothecary would yield any meaningful information either.
‘But if the younger Clavis really has survived…….’
It would mean the other prisoners held with her were alive too.
‘Ian has to die.’
Molle Rebus had no interest in impressing the Emperor.
His vow to advance and succeed had crumbled on his first day in the Knight Order.
So then, that commoner who’d made himself a laughingstock beside nobleman and diligent me through sheer talent alone—that villain Ian—had to be brought low.
‘The Desteé Territory is famous for Magitech. Five years should be enough to amass a fortune to live on forever. Then I slip across the border and run…….’
That was when.
“Baron Desteé!”
A knight rushed toward him, flustered. He was a face Molle Rebus had never seen before, but the ring of “Baron Desteé” felt too good to let pass.
“What is it?”
“Something’s wrong with the Herb Merchant Owner. He’s coughing up blood—he’s in convulsions!”
“What?”
Molle Rebus hurried toward the Underground Dungeon.
As he descended, the old apothecary was trembling violently, crimson blood spilling from his mouth.
“Damn!”
An opportunity to kill Ian—right here!
The moment Molle Rebus opened the iron gate door.
Click.
“Release.”
A voice he shouldn’t have heard rang out, clear and cold.
Molle Rebus instinctively tried to pull back.
But a muscular arm, veins bulging with rage, had already seized his collar and wrenched him forward.
Molle Rebus’s vision shifted in an instant. Instead of the damp, dreary Underground Dungeon, a bright, elegant Office spread before his eyes.
A familiar face greeted him.
“Senior.”
Ian stared down at the traitor in his grip.
“How have you been?”

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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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