A Mage Reborn: Legacy of the Fallen Emperor
Chapter 46. Leaving Bratz

Chapter 46: Chapter 46. Leaving Bratz

"...I wish you were dead."

Lady Mary continued to mutter, almost out of her mind. Chell, apparently shocked by his mother’s deranged state, stood frozen behind the bed, petrified. Ian glanced at her and instructed a nearby warrior.

"Have Chief Kakantir and Nersaren come here."

"Yes, Lord Ian."

"I wish you were dead. Your body ripped apart until the very fact of your birth is forgotten."

"Mother. It would be best if you kept your mouth shut. The investigators are still in the mansion. If they hear you, I’ll have no choice but to hand you over."

His words seemed to jolt Mary. Was it the blood rushing to her head? It almost sounded as if Ian was offering to save her.

"Ian. Are you going to save us? What about Father?"

"Brother Chell. You’re a mess. Father has already been captured by the central army. There’s nothing we can do. Do you have any belongings to take?"

Hearing that Derga had been captured, Lady Mary’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. Chell was no different. It was too dark to see clearly, but he was undoubtedly shocked and on the verge of tears.

"I, I will save Father."

"What?"

The words didn’t match the trembling voice. As Ian questioned the statement, the people of Cheonryeo just let out faint laughs. Who was saving whom, really?

"Brother Chell. Get a hold of yourself. Can’t you grasp the situation? Theo is dead, the butler is dead, and most of the mansion’s servants are dead. And that’s not all. The people of the territory blame Count Derga for the battle’s destruction. The only place you and Mother can survive in Bratz is here, in this secret space."

The harsh reality seemed unbelievable. Chell flinched repeatedly, looking around the dark room and at his mother. Spend the rest of his life in a place like this? Absolutely not. He couldn’t live like that.

Ian turned his head at the sound of footsteps outside.

"Lord Ian. Kakkan and Nersaren have arrived."

"Good. I’ll be out shortly. Mother, and Brother Chell."

Ian hesitated for a moment, then snapped his fingers as if he had made a decision.

"It seems the only place you can go is your family’s estate. Prepare to leave with the warriors. We depart as soon as the night deepens."

"Lord Ian. Where is that woman’s family estate?"

"Who knows? I have no idea."

Lady Mary was shocked once by the way he referred to her, and again by Ian’s nonchalant attitude. Chell answered in place of his stunned mother.

"...Po, Pontrol."

"Pontrol? Ah, yes. North of Bratz. It will take about fifteen days, circling around Mereloff. It’s not just the distance; there’s a treacherous mountain range in the way."

"Why circle around Mereloff? We should stop there and get some clothes, food, and..."

"Mereloff has completely sealed its gates. They’re the ones who killed the butler. They issued a self-imposed lockdown until the situation is resolved, claiming they want no part in this."

At Ian’s words, Lady Mary turned her head sharply in disbelief.

It was understandable that they didn’t help during the confrontation with the central army. They could have been implicated as traitors if things went wrong. But to kill the butler was utterly unthinkable.

"Mereloff... killed the butler...?"

"What’s wrong, Mother?"

"That bitch... she can’t do this to me. She can’t do this to me..."

The sight of her gnawing on her fingernails and muttering was grotesque, even eerie. The warriors looked back at Ian with uneasy expressions, but he was just as clueless.

"...I’ll go to Mereloff."

Mary nodded as if she had made up her mind.

"Ian, before we leave Bratz, we need to go to my room in the main house."

"Have you lost your mind, Mother?"

The nuance was clear: stop talking nonsense. But the Lady wouldn’t back down, expressing her intentions strongly.

"If we go there, Mereloff won’t be able to easily chase us out. We can borrow some funds, get some help..."

It was impossible to see inside her head, but it was clear that her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Ian crossed his arms, watching her as if to say, go on, let’s hear more of this bullshit.

Lady Mary suddenly stopped talking and asked.

"My husband... Derga isn’t dead yet, is he?"

"No. The execution has been postponed thanks to you and Chell."

At those words, Lady Mary’s face lit up. Only Derga and Mary knew about the letter sent to the First Prince, Marive. As long as he stayed alive until the Imperial Palace responded, there might still be a chance.

"Yes. Yes, yes..."

"If you understand, then hurry up and prepare."

"Ian, let’s go to Mereloff! To Mereloff...!"

"Mother. If you don’t shut up, I will have you gagged."

Ian turned away, as if he had heard enough. The investigators were stationed in the main house. How on earth did Lady Mary think she could get in and out? He had wondered where Chell got his inability to grasp the situation, and now he knew—he got it from his mother.

"Keep watch here. I’m going to see Kakkan briefly."

"Yes, yes. Take your time."

"Hey, brat. You really don’t have any luggage?"

"I, I, don’t... And I am Chell Bratz...!"

Hearing the pathetic conversation behind him, Ian climbed the stairs. Kakantir and Nersaren, who had rushed over after hearing the message, lifted the grass-camouflaged entrance and took Ian’s hand.

"Were they inside?"

"They are safe and sound."

They had been moving the Kushile horses to avoid the investigators’ eyes. The excuse was that the stables were too cramped, but fortunately, the investigators didn’t seem to care much, as they could take the horses.

"We can send them off this very dawn."

"Good. Let’s do that. Who is the best rider among us?"

At Kakantir’s words, the warriors eagerly volunteered.

"It’s me, Kakkan."

"Just leave it to me."

They had to brazenly deceive the central army and escape the territory. And with a woman and a child, no less.

Not only that, but they also had to lure the central army far away, without getting caught. This required not only excellent horsemanship but also a keen understanding of the situation.

"Shull and Naru. The two of you will handle it."

"Don’t worry, Kakkan!"

"Whoa. Are we finally going to draw our swords?"

"Don’t be rash. Go as far as you can and dispose of Mary and Chell. Bury them so deep that no one can ever find them."

They couldn’t hand the two over to the central army. That would only add to Erica’s achievements and influence the Imperial Palace’s positive evaluation.

But if they disposed of Mary and Chell secretly...

"Let those bastards from the central army wander the borderlands for years."

They wouldn’t be able to return until they found the bodies. Since Mary and Chell were traitors, they were targets that couldn’t be abandoned just because they were ’lost.’ Even if the operation was called off, their credibility would be shattered. It was a win-win situation.

"The sun is setting soon."

Kakantir nodded, looking at the red sky. The warriors assigned to Mary and Chell gathered water, food, and other supplies, changing into Barielle clothing.

"This is so uncomfortable, why do we have to wear this?"

"I know, right? It’s going to rip."

It was obvious that the clothes were tight on their bulky frames, but there was no other choice. They had to completely conceal that they were warriors of the Cheonryeo tribe. If it became known that the Cheonryeo were involved, everything would fall apart, as they would be implicated in treason.

"Bring Mary and Chell."

"Yes, sir."

The warriors went down to the basement and dragged the two out. They were shocked by the completely changed landscape of the mansion in just a few days. The annex was scorched and on the verge of collapse, and everywhere were Kushile horses and Cheonryeo people. They seemed confused, wondering if this was really Bratz.

"It’s been a while. Lady Mary, and Chell."

At Kakantir’s greeting, the two turned their heads sharply. Lady Mary’s eyes narrowed viciously as she pulled her son closer.

"I’m sorry things turned out this way."

"The Cheonryeo...!"

Mary swallowed a curse, barely holding herself back. Derga was still alive. She had to survive until she received a reply from the First Prince, Marive.

She knew they weren’t helping out of the goodness of their hearts, but she had no choice but to stick her head into the tiger’s den.

"I trust you understand that we each have our own circumstances. Consider this our last act of kindness."

Lady Mary gnawed on her lip. So this was what it felt like to knowingly step into a trap. She nodded, holding her son’s hand tightly.

"Good. Cover your faces with the hoods."

"This way."

"Hurry!"

Ian whispered to Mary and Chell as they moved toward the horses.

"The warriors will guide you to Pontrol, but they won’t risk their lives for you."

In other words, they should cooperate and stay low. If they felt their safety was at risk, they would abandon the two without hesitation. Mary glared at him, grinding her teeth, but Ian just smiled.

"If you don’t like it, you can still back out now."

If they didn’t go out, they had only two options. Live like a mole in the secret warehouse until they died a miserable death, or be captured by the investigators and executed along with Derga.

Chell pulled his mother’s arm, urging her to hurry.

"Ian, you..."

"I will never forget your warm affection, my Lady. Thank you. But I don’t think I’ll want to see you again."

"..."

Mary regretted it. She should have just killed him when she found out about his existence. Or cut off his limbs, burned his eyes and ears, and sent him back to Cheonryeo. So many missed opportunities, so much regret.

"Now, go."

"W-wait, Ian. Father..."

"Chell!"

Mary glared at her son, as if telling him not to talk to Ian anymore. Mary and Chell mounted their horses, covering their heads with black hoods.

"The investigators have started their dinner and meeting."

"Now’s the time. Leave the front gate open."

"Yes, sir!"

Neigh!

The horses carrying the two galloped through the center of the mansion. The sound of the horses’ cries made a few soldiers turn their heads reflexively, but that was it. Horses came and went dozens, hundreds of times a day.

Clip-clop!

The two horses quickly entered the village and galloped down a deserted road. In the darkness, a few villagers glanced at the figures but paid them little mind.

"What’s the hurry, going so fast?"

"I know, right? Especially when it’s getting dark."

People’s interest was buried in the darkness and quickly disappeared without a trace. The Cheonryeo people who remained in the mansion, seeing that the horses were running without any problems, hurriedly focused on cleaning up.

"Make the grass stand up naturally."

"Should we put some rocks on it?"

"No. That might arouse suspicion. Restore it to how it was before, without any changes."

"Yes, sir."

Meanwhile, Ian looked toward the lit annex. He was trying to guess why Lady Mary had insisted on returning to her room even in this situation.

’What is it... that made her think Mereloff would help her?’

But Erica was currently using that room. Once the investigators left, following Lady Mary, he would have to search the place.