Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Fate doesn’t require much time to change, just as Karenna, having tasted hell from the bandits’ attack, could look forward to peace by the time the dawn faded.

“Bandits? You mean their hideout was raided?”

“I’m not sure. I heard it from a friend in the guard. Apparently, that’s what happened.”

“So, a pursuit team was on their tail when they retreated!”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case. From what I’ve heard, it was a mercenary who came separately.”

“A mercenary? Did we even have the funds to hire one?”

“Whatever the case, aren’t all the bandits dead now? Huh? Except for that one leader!”

“Right. That’s what matters! Ah, those wretched scoundrels. If they were going to die, they should’ve done so without causing trouble tonight!”

“Let it be. What’s done is done. It means we’re safe now. The guard has finally done something useful for a change.”

“That’s not it. It wasn’t the guard, it was an outsider.”

“An outsider? If there’s such a person in Karenna right now…”

Groups of residents, chewing over last night’s nightmare, trailed off their conversation. They probably all remembered the same procession of carriages. How thrilled the innkeeper was, boasting about the generous guests who had arrived.

“Could it be them?”

“They did seem extraordinary, but to take down a band of bandits…”

Slowly, they turned their heads towards the center of the small city, looking in the direction of the inn where the outsiders had stayed.

Meanwhile, as the guards were moving the bodies, Ian’s group reclaimed their carriage and brought it back to the inn. They were a couple of horses short, but they felt lucky to have that much.

“Sir Romandro, have you checked all the luggage?”

“Yes, everything’s accounted for, including the documents.

Phew…

what a relief.”

Romandro had thoroughly checked each box, turning everything inside out. He gave a thumbs-up, his face radiating satisfaction.

“It’s a relief. We didn’t get delayed more than a day.”

They were supposed to leave Karenna early in the morning, but it seemed they would depart late in the morning due to needing new horses and a coachman. Ian asked Romandro and his men to finish up and entered the inn. The floor, stained with blood, was being mopped by the staff.

“Hey, Ian. Aren’t you hungry?”

Among them, Beric sat proudly, tearing into meat and bread. Hasha was seated opposite him, sharing a plate in a remarkably natural manner.

“You should eat up. You’ve used a lot of energy.”

“Ah, if you say it like that, I can’t refuse.”

Thud!

“Lord Ian, the captain of the guard has brought the mayor.”

“That was quick. Let them in.”

No sooner had Ian spoken than the mayor, revealing his crown, rushed into the inn. He bent over, unsure of what to do with himself. The employees, who had been mopping, also paused in confusion.

“Ah, greetings. I’m Onyx, the mayor of Karenna.”

He was a stout, short man with disheveled clothes, a flushed face, and an overly excited voice. Ian quietly sized him up from head to toe.

“Shall we introduce ourselves separately?”

“No need. I’ve been informed. You’re the noble attending the New Year’s celebration, and I hear you’re accompanied by an imperial advisor as well.”

Ian fell silent for a moment. Only Beric, who was diligently continuing his meal, looked around curiously, while the others felt their minds clutter under the intense pressure.

“While the bandits were wreaking havoc in the city, what exactly were you doing as its mayor?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. As I mentioned, there were issues in another city that…”

“Come closer.”

At Ian’s command, the mayor hesitantly stepped forward.

This much? Or a little more?

Unsure of the proper distance, the mayor looked up only to find himself caught in Ian’s green gaze. The rarity of such fine features was surprising enough, but his youthful appearance rendered the mayor speechless. To think someone of his age held a noble title seemed profoundly unfair.

“You smell of alcohol.”

“That is…”

This was a disaster. If luck could be shed, he had shed it in spades.

As if being attacked while deeply intoxicated wasn’t bad enough, now he had been caught by a noble and a central official. The mayor, hoping perhaps the smell of blood might mask it, pretended to apologize while repeatedly rubbing his forehead on the ground.

“I, I, I had a drink at an important family gathering, and this happened. My deepest apologies.”

Ian shifted his gaze from the mayor to the captain of the guard.

Truth be told, when discerning lies, it was more effective to observe the expressions of those around the speaker. While the speaker might desperately craft a false face to hide the truth, those listening nearby tended to be less tense and thus more revealing.

‘A lie.’

There was something peculiar about the captain’s mouth.

It was neither a smile nor a frown but a bitten lip that screamed discomfort. Ian crossed his arms and clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Enough. The smell of alcohol reaches here. According to Karenna’s laws, what happens to a captured bandit?”

Startled by the mention of alcohol smell, the mayor covered his mouth and cautiously recited Karenna’s laws.

“…Death is certain, but according to our city’s laws, those who commit robbery and murder, especially in groups, are punished with flogging.”

The law in Karenna involved whipping the back until the person passed out, then reviving them only to repeat the process until the flesh was torn, showcasing a living hell. When the culprit’s breath turned as thin as a thread, the gallows would be erected.

“Good. I have business with the bandit leader, so I’ll have this place cleaned up and head to the prison.”

“To the prison?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Uh…”

The mayor’s face twisted with discomfort, but he quickly shook it off and waved his hand dismissively.

“No, not at all! In the meantime, I will prepare a coachman and horses for your departure.”

His attitude wasn’t bad. Ian turned his back, indicating he could leave, and the mayor retreated, maintaining his tension to the very end.

Swoosh!

“Phew.”

It felt as if his heart had plummeted to the floor and then snapped back into place. The captain of the guard handed him a drink, offering some consolation.

“At least you seem busy with the New Year’s celebration. It’s a relief you’re leaving this morning.”

“Exactly. It would’ve been troublesome if we were heading down, not up. He seems quite temperamental for his age. He’s going to receive a title, isn’t he?”

“I think they might be those who distinguished themselves in the war.”

The captain still couldn’t believe Beric’s capabilities. It was inconceivable for a single person to annihilate so many bandits. The mayor, muttering to himself, wiped away his cold sweat.

“If they wield magic, that could explain it.”

“Are you referring to those who were investigated by Danil before?”

“Yes. Anyway, I can’t deny that I have nothing to say to them. It would be quite awkward if the advisor decides to report this. He wants to see the bandit leader but do you know why?”

The mayor asked, but the captain had no idea.

Ian hadn’t mentioned anything specifically about the undead, to avoid complicating a simple bandit incident and to prevent Wesleigh from discovering Hasha’s existence, which could lead to various complications.

“It seems there’s only one matter he’d be concerned with.”

“That must be it, right?”

They had lost their words, their coachman, and a night of restful sleep. The conclusion was that the noble lord wouldn’t let the bandit leader off easily.

“We can’t let this go. I’ll personally oversee the flogging.”

“I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Make sure the flesh tears well. Yes, let’s do that. It might appease some of the anger.”

It was an attempt to score points after a failing in security, albeit a completely misguided one, but no one realized it.

***

Beric rubbed his full stomach, smiling contentedly. It was natural to be hungry after moving around without dinner. Once the inn was somewhat in order, Ian turned to Hasha to start a conversation.

“So, what are your plans now, Hasha?”

—With no grandmother left and the bodies taken care of, it seems I must return to Astana. There’s really no other option at this point.

“Your grandmother was the head of the faction.”

Ian recalled the elderly woman in the photograph, trying to gauge the situation. If she was the head of a faction, there would be many allies but also significant opposition. There seemed to be another reason why she hadn’t returned to Astana to avoid Wesleigh.

—So, could you possibly take me to the Central? To get to Astana, I’d have to pass through there anyway.

“What do you plan to do in the Central, in your current state?”

Faced with Ian’s soft inquiry, Hasha clamped his mouth shut. It was a truly desperate and awkward situation. Ian lightly caressed his nape, offering a proposal.

“I’ll take you to the Central, and from there, help you on your way to Astana. In return, I’d like to officially record everything you’ve experienced.”

“You’re coming too? Ah, but the carriage is so cramped.”

“Beric. It won’t be an issue as long as you don’t lie down the whole time.”

Hasha’s eyes sparkled, while Beric, belching loudly, couldn’t hide his displeasure.

“Also, I want you to remember my name forever.”

It was a wish for Hasha to remember who was by his side on the day of his true demise, to remember that person’s name. Hasha murmured as if engraving it in his heart.

—Ian.

“Good.”

—Ian!!

Hasha whirled his tail around as if about to take off, hitting Beric’s arm repeatedly, but to no avail; it wouldn’t budge.

“We don’t have much time left. Make sure you’ve gathered everything you need.”

Morning had arrived. The goal was to depart before noon. As soon as Ian finished speaking, Hasha darted outside.

Thump!

Woof woof!

“It seems natural dog sounds come with a dog’s body.

Belch

.”

“Beric. Stop eating and follow.”

“That was just making up for the missed dinner, and now it’s time for breakfast! Oh? Breakfast!”

Ian ignored him and stepped outside into the street. As the view brightened, the chaotic state of Karenna seemed even more tragic. Residents awkwardly approached the two heading to the prison.

“Excuse me…”

A man covered in dirt and dust scratched his nose and bowed his head.

“We heard what you did. You caught those bandits.”

“You saved us even in the dead of night. How can we ever repay you?”

“Thank you! Here, it’s not much, but…”

“Ah, that’s alr-“

The residents bypassed Ian, who was trying to refuse, and approached Beric. Surprised by the unexpected warm reception, he kept nodding his head.

“Thank you! Thank you for saving us!”

“Yep, yep. I did save you. Saved you indeed. Haha! I used more strength than my master.”

“Huh? You have a master?”

“Ah. He’s got a master? That blonde gentleman over there!”

“So he’s the one who saved us!”

“Thank you!”

Beric’s remark quickly redirected the gratitude towards him. Flustered, Beric could only open his mouth in disbelief, while Ian smiled kindly and continued towards the prison.

“Ian!”

“Hurry up.”

“C’mon, seriously! I did everything but they…”

Beric grumbled as he scurried after Ian. Upon reaching the prison, Ian was greeted by the guard, who had been forewarned of his arrival, and was led inside.

“Ah! You’ve arrived!”

The mayor, drenched in sweat and holding a blood-stained whip, was bending over backward to show off the battered body of the bandit. It seemed he had given him a thorough beating.

“I’ve given him a good thrashing. He’s passed out, but if you wish, you can beat him more!”

Ian looked at the unconscious bandit leader and asked incredulously.

“I needed to ask him something, what’s the use if you’ve knocked him out like this?”

“Huh? What do you…”

“It seems you eat all subtle cues when you drink alcohol.”

“No, that’s not…”

Is this not it?

The mayor’s expression soured as he rolled his eyes in frustration. Ian, looking at the rising sun outside and the unconscious bandit, clicked his tongue. They were pressed for time…

“Bring me some paper.”

“Yes? Yes, yes!”

He wrote down Romandro’s mansion address on the paper and instructed,

“Once he wakes up, interrogate the bandit and send a reply. Ask him ‘how the blue-haired child ended up following him.’ You have a fortnight.”

It might have been a stroke of luck, after all.

Given that Beric had threatened with a sword and still the bandit hid the information, extracting the truth wouldn’t be easy. But with several torture experts here, they would surely elicit a confession somehow.

“If I don’t receive a letter within that time, I will report your negligence of duty to the imperial palace. Also, if you prattle about instead of staying silent, I will return here personally.”

Ian handed over the paper with a nod, implying that if he were to come back, it would mean the end for the mayor. The mayor could only tremble as he received the paper in both hands.