Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 29

When his response was delayed, Kakantir turned to look at Ian. Ian lowered his head slightly to respond.

“Yes.”

Was it because they were a tribe that served the heavens that she asked such a question? Or did this woman ask because she knew that another Ian existed within Ian’s body?

Winchen seemed to savor Ian’s clear and concise answer, smacking her lips.

“You were born from Dergha Bratz’s blood, correct?”

“Certainly.”

“Does your existence signify peace?”

“I swear, peace is the sole reason for my existence.”

A smile crept onto the corners of Winchen’s mouth. Kakantir nodded and silently motioned to his attendants, who then laid Winchen back in her resting place.

“I will take my leave.”

“Rest well, chieftain. The desert storms have been harsh lately. It must’ve been because the sky has become hotter.” The old woman’s weak muttering echoed within the tent.

As Ian stepped out, the tense Cheonrye tribe keenly observed Kakantir’s expression.

“Provide a tent for Ian Bratz and his group.”

This was the indirect announcement that Ian was indeed a child of the Bratz family. And also that the cumbersome formalities had officially concluded.

Soo let out a sigh of relief and called out to Ian.

“Ian. Over here.”

“Me? Do we share the same tent?”

“Why? You think your precious self deserves a separate room?”

As Soo teased, Beric whispered to Ian, “She really has a short fuse for a warrior. Why is she treating me like that? After all, weren’t you the one who started mocking her that day?”

“Come on, Beric. You’re the one who threw the punch.”

“What? You’re going to back out like this?”

The tent assigned to Ian was better than expected. It wasn’t luxurious, but it didn’t feel like they were being belittled as offerings from a rival nation.

‘Odd. Wasn’t their relationship quite cold after Dergha’s second brother crossed the border and died?’

Of course, the chieftain back then and the present Kakantir were different people. Considering how easily leaders can change, he could be quite an ancient figure in their history.

Shouldn’t their perception and relationship change even more, then? They weren’t as ruthless as Ian had heard in the Bratz mansion.

‘Cold but not cold-blooded, free but not barbaric.’

This was Ian’s assessment. As Beric unpacked their sandy belongings, he inquired, “So, what’s the plan now?”

“First, we need to wash.”

“Not that. We’re not going to live here forever, right?”

True.

However, for Ian to return to Bariel, he would need Molrin to lead the inspectors from the central capital to slit Dergha’s throat.

The man had probably just reached the central capital by now. It would take anywhere from half a month to a month for him to come down here and finalize the affairs.

“Think of it as a trip. This place is filled with those you can’t defeat, so if you challenge one person a day, a year will fly by.”

“A year? You’re joking, right?”

“I’m just joking. Half a month, maybe a month at most.”

Grumbling, Beric sprawled onto the bed. He wouldn’t have minded the wandering life as long as there was a bed, but the desert heat was just unbearable to him.

“Ian.”

Soo rolled up the tent entrance and came in. She placed some clothes and simple provisions inside, glancing around the room, seemingly checking if they lacked anything.

“Eat first. Everyone’s busy recovering their strength. We’ll have a homecoming ceremony when the sun sets. I’ll come to call you then. Oh, and—” As she was about to leave hurriedly, Soo paused and turned back. “Jangyarung¹ said the storm was really fierce. The most massive and menacing he’s ever encountered. Since he went through it unarmed, nothing was lost, but if your group had faced it, it would’ve been troublesome.”

“I see.”

Is that a thank-you? Ian smiled, returning the favor to Kakantir.

“The chieftain’s judgment was truly wise.”

Hearing the praise for their leader, Soo’s face brightened, and she slipped out of the tent.

Watching her, Beric muttered annoyedly,“…She really does act like that only towards me.”

“Jealous?”

“Drop it!”

Beric flopped onto the bed without even brushing off the sand and immediately seemed to fall asleep. After days in the open air, he was exhausted. After some contemplation, Ian too unknowingly drifted into sleep.

* * *

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Awakened by the resonating drum sounds from somewhere, Ian opened his eyes.

The outside was dark. It was nighttime. The only source of illumination in the room was the Milky Way, shining like milk. Just as Ian tried to shake Beric awake, Soo pulled back the tent flap.

“Ian? Beric?”

“Uh….”

“Would you like to come out? Everyone is waiting.”

Still groggy, as if just awoken from a dream, Ian and Beric wobbled as they followed Soo. Within the garrison, there stood a white building. When Soo opened the door, an unbelievable sight awaited them.

“Hahaha!”

“Once more! Hey, aren’t you getting tired too soon?”

“Remember what I mentioned last time? I was right!”

People adorned with red and gold danced and celebrated. Enormous amounts of meat and wine were piled up between them. There was a faint smoky atmosphere, perhaps from burning incense.

A dancer brushed past with a smile, and the musicians played their songs even faster.

“Unbelievable.”

Neither had ever seen nor heard of such a feast. Everything looked free and unrestrained under the glow of the orange lanterns. Beric’s eyes sparkled, fully awake. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Ian. Beric.”

Seated in a prominent position, Kakantir called them over. A dried leaf was hanging from his mouth, burning like a torch.

‘That’s a Gureut leaf.’

As that realization hit, Ian took a deep breath. The scent was similar to what he had smelled in Winchen’s tent. It wasn’t cinnamon, but instead a Gureut leaf.

“Ah. Why do I feel like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“…I feel like I want to punch someone.”

“Keep your mouth shut.”

The two whispered to each other as they approached Kakantir. Nearby, high-ranking tribe members, including Nersarn, were indulging in the feast.

“Have you recovered from the fatigue?”

“Thanks to your generosity, Chieftain.”

“Good. Take a seat.”

Ian felt all eyes on him. But that feeling was fleeting. The crowd returned to their revelries, laughing and chatting. Kakantir poured wine into Ian’s cup.

“Just to be sure, does anyone in Bratz, including the Count, know about the map you gave?”

“No. The tutor secretly handed it to me and then immediately left Bratz, heading to Blaster through the northern countries.”

Kakantir laughed in satisfaction and with a friendly gesture, offered Ian some meat. He must have heard a report about the storm.

“Everything you possess is a gift from Bratz for the Cheonrye tribe. So, may we use this map for the tribe’s benefit?”

“Of course.”

The Cheonrye tribe would accompany them when they returned to Bratz. After that, there would be no need to cross the desert. It made more sense to give up the map and focus on the bigger picture.

“Count Dergha sure has raised a fine son.”

“My father will be delighted to hear that.”

Their conversation ended there, drowned out by the growing intensity of the music. As Ian pondered about the Gureut leaf, he felt a strange gaze on him.

‘Hmm?’

In a seat second to Nersarn’s, a man was staring intently at him. Their eyes met, and the man smirked, signaling something.

“Soo, who is that man?”

When the surrounding area blurred momentarily, Ian nodded toward the man and asked.

Soo, in return, responded while sipping wine. “Bumat? He’s Nersarn’s relative, and also my second stepmother’s cousin. He’s in charge of food management.”

While Ian didn’t entirely understand, it seemed that in their culture, they were considered family. Given his proximity to the high seats, he held a significant position. But is the man staring at him?

Unsettling.

Ian deliberately shifted his gaze and asked Soo, doing his best to sound innocently curious, as though no other emotion was involved.

“Is everyone chewing on something called Gureut leaves?”

Soo nodded. Ian wondered if he, too, might be able to sample it. However, his inquiry was interrupted as Kakantir extended a drink toward him.

“Ian, there are some rules you must follow if you wish to stay here safely.”

“Please tell me.”

“One of them is to show no interest in the Gureut leaves whatsoever. You are not allowed to ask questions about them. Inhaling the leaf’s smoke is inevitable in daily life, but everything else is forbidden.”

This meant that there was a significant difference between inhaling its scent and chewing it directly.

The festive atmosphere that had been heating up cooled down slightly. The people around, upon hearing Kakantir’s words, instinctively became more guarded.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Ian nodded in acknowledgment. Beric, sitting next to him, was preoccupied with the food, ignoring everyone else.

“Then, enjoy. To our return.”

“Aye, Chieftain Kakantir.”

Right. This gathering was a homecoming ceremony, not a welcome party for outsiders. Ian got a general sense of the atmosphere and thought of wrapping up his presence.

However…

“Chieftain!”

One of the tribesmen hurried over, whispering something into Kakantir’s ear. Kakantir immediately put down what he was eating and signaled to Nersarn. Most of the merry-making guests were too intoxicated to notice their leaders leaving.

‘What’s happening?’

Soo mumbled, gazing at the ground. “Seems Chief Winchen had another fit. I think a council member just followed behind Chieftain Kakantir.”

“Really? She must be in a bad state then.”

“They might be worried if they see the chief reacting like that.”

“Is there no cure?”

Soo gave a faint smile and shrugged. Everything was at the mercy of the gods; even the council couldn’t stop it. They could only hope that Winchen wouldn’t suffer too much.

“Beric, we should leave.”

“Eh? Why? I want to eat more…”

“Come on.”

If something happened to Winchen, it’d be less awkward if they weren’t present. Soo might not be able to look out for them then. It’s important to know when to leave a gathering. After all, they weren’t the main guests; their presence for this long was enough.

The decision proved to be correct.

The next morning, a commotion outside woke Ian. The atmosphere felt as tense as if a war was about to break out.

“Chief Winchen is in an unconscious state now?”

“Oh, my god. What should we do about this?”

“What about the chieftain? Did he say what we should do now?”

“He said he’ll send someone out again. Now that the illness is too evident, it seems he has no other choice.”

Send someone out? Perhaps to find a cure for Winchen’s ailment. Ian leaned against the window, closing his eyes. His mind drifted between wakefulness and sleep.

“They’re looking for Silasque, right?”

“But the ones who went earlier haven’t returned yet…”

“Where could there be a flower that blooms forever? I doubt its existence.”

Hearing this, Ian’s eyes snapped open.

What are they talking about? A flower that blooms forever? Silasque?

“That’s the flowerpot you bought at the park.”

“Its a strange flower. It seems to last a long time in full bloom.”

“Do the people in the mansion not know what it is?”

“Yes, they all say it’s the first time they’ve seen such a plant. We were worried it might be hazardous, but luckily, it seems that it’s not.”

[T/N: Chapter 13, when the flower was first mentioned, Chapter 18 – The dialogue excerpt above]

Ian recalled a conversation from the mansion he had been evicted from. He then took out the well-wrapped pot from a box and opened the paper. A red flower he hadn’t watered since he got it from the park.

“…What?”

Could it be?

Ian carefully placed the pot on the ground. Then, instinctively, he understood why he had reincarnated into the body of a boy named Ian. Everything was unfolding according to the gods’ plans.

1. Kakantir’s subordinate[↩]

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