A Mage Reborn: Legacy of the Fallen Emperor
Chapter 48. Derga’s Secret Letter

Chapter 48: Chapter 48. Derga’s Secret Letter

"Are you sure those guys are really knights?"

"What?"

Erica reflexively questioned Ian’s words. Of all people, Ian shouldn’t be asking that question right now. They were in the midst of suspecting the Cheonryeo tribe! For Ian to say that was practically a confession.

"Do you even realize what you’re saying?"

"Of course. I do. When we captured Derga, I thought we had dealt with all his knights in the forest. But now, suddenly, knights appear out of nowhere?"

"Ha!"

’This little...’ Erica’s breath hitched, a humorless laugh escaping her lips. But the moment passed quickly.

"Is it possible there’s a traitor among your own men, Lady Erica?"

It felt as though a hammer had slammed into Erica’s skull. Not because she believed Ian’s words about a traitor, but because she understood the implication.

"Rumors that Mary and Chell escaped the estate are widespread. With talk of an accomplice, everyone will assume they’re fleeing safely."

"You, you...!"

"But if those so-called accomplices are traitors, aiming to put you in a difficult position, wouldn’t they hide those two without a trace?"

Sent by the Imperial Palace, Erica had a duty to pursue the two diligently.

But what if their existence simply vanished mid-pursuit?

She needed to report at least some confirmation of their survival. Evidence, perhaps a piece of a corpse, would suffice.

"We should mobilize all our forces to pursue them immediately. Who knows what might happen to them?"

To an outsider, it might sound like concern for Erica’s well-being, but she heard it differently.

’If you don’t pull your soldiers out of this mansion right now, I’ll kill Mary and Chell and hide them. Then you’ll be wandering the mountains for years searching for a trace.’

"You son of a bitch..."

Screech.

Erica swore, drawing her sword. But as they say, losing your temper is losing the battle. Instinctively, she realized she had fallen perfectly into Ian’s trap.

"Why are you getting so agitated? I was simply offering advice out of concern for you, Lady Erica."

"Where did you find Mary and Chell?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Ian, do you think you’ll get away with this? I am the investigator appointed by the Imperial Palace. Obstructing me is the same as obstructing the Emperor’s decree!"

Erica spat out the words, but immediately regretted it, her face contorting. She had just reiterated it herself - that she was acting under the Emperor’s orders.

Therefore, her duty was to chase after Mary and Chell outside the estate, and staying here was a dereliction of duty.

"Yes. I’m well aware. That’s why you should hurry and capture those who helped Mary and Chell escape."

That was the only way to prove Ian’s connection to those people. As Erica bit her lip, staring daggers at Ian, the subordinate she had sent on an errand returned.

"Lady Erica, the stable master says two horses belonging to Bratz are missing..."

Seeing Ian, he quickly trailed off, but it was too late. Ian smiled broadly, as if to say, ’See?’

"There you have it. It’s the horses from this mansion. It’s definitely a traitor."

"Don’t bullshit me. Do you think I don’t know you’re in cahoots with the Cheonryeo? How dare you keep up this act?"

"Me? With the Cheonryeo? How can you accuse an innocent man?"

"The fact that they’re skilled fighters unlike ordinary people is proof enough!"

"If you wish, check the Cheonryeo forces that came here. You can see if two are missing."

"You, you..."

"Unless... you haven’t been keeping track of the Cheonryeo forces? It seems the Imperial investigator is rather lax in her duties."

Ian’s words were a clear insult, but she couldn’t refute them. Even if she had been keeping track, how could she know if someone had been added from outside?

"You... I’ll kill you."

"Please don’t. I’m scared."

"I’m serious. I will kill you."

It was a declaration close to a curse. She would behead that insolent commoner herself, someday. Erica gritted her teeth, then grabbed her coat and stormed out.

Thump!

Left alone, Ian shrugged and glanced around Lady Mary’s room. The Lady had said there was something she needed to take from here...

Creak.

The inside of the drawer was half empty. It seemed the investigators had confiscated valuables like jewels and ornaments. The amount of unpaid taxes was considerable, so all the valuables in the mansion would be seized by the Imperial Palace to cover the debt.

’What could it be? What...’

As Ian clicked his tongue in thought, Erica rushed out with her subordinate, running down the corridor. She could feel the Cheonryeo’s sidelong glances, but she had no time to deal with them.

"Gather the soldiers."

"H-how many?"

"Leave only the bare minimum. The rest will be formed into a pursuit team."

"B-but if we do that..."

Knowing they were Cheonryeo, an ordinary force wouldn’t be enough. They needed to overwhelm them in one fell swoop to prove that Ian and the Cheonryeo had spirited away the Bratz family members.

’Yes. I’ll crush you. And your trap.’

"Keep an eye on Ian and Kakan."

"Y-yes, I understand."

"Report immediately if you notice anything suspicious."

Whatever it was, it wouldn’t go as they planned. The moment she caught those two Cheonryeo bastards who called themselves Derga’s knights, she would wipe out all the outsiders in the mansion, including Ian.

"Assemble!"

As Erica and the central army became agitated, the Cheonryeo, who had been observing the situation, also moved discreetly. One warrior went to Nersaren and reported.

"Nersaren. They’ve started to move as Lord Ian said. It’s time to send the hawk."

"Very well."

Nersaren nodded in satisfaction at the warrior’s words. They had maximized the pursuit force, so now it was time to signal that Mary and Chell could be dealt with.

He wrote a short note in the Cheonryeo language and handed it to his subordinate.

"I wonder how they’re doing in that rugged mountain range. They’re used to only sandstorms."

"Do you not trust our kin?"

"Of course not. They are warriors. It’s just... concern."

For a warrior, there is no defeat. Defeat is death, and after death, one cannot acknowledge defeat. Even in a crisis, they were those who did not fear sacrifice. They would sooner take their own hearts than give the enemy any leverage.

"Send the hawk."

"Yes. Ah, the only remaining hawk is Kakan’s."

The warrior glanced at the bed behind Nersaren. Kakantir was enjoying a peach in light clothing. He nodded in approval.

"Then, send Jeno."

"Before you send it, feed it some sweet fruit. The creature’s been acting strange lately."

"Understood. Rest well."

Creak.

After his subordinate left, Nersaren turned around. Kakantir was still staring out the window, enjoying his rest. They were in the middle of summer, but compared to the desert, it was refreshingly cool.

"Kakan. Once the central army leaves the estate, we should deal with Derga and wrap things up. We can’t leave Cheonryeo unattended for too long."

"Yes. Indeed."

With Bumat’s situation and all, the desert garrison was currently undermanned. Though they were under the protection of the Great Desert and had little to worry about, it was never good to leave one’s home for too long.

"But, Nersaren. If Ian catches the eye of the Imperial Palace and ascends to the capital someday, who will manage this place?"

"Well. I assume he’ll take Berik with him."

"Even if he leaves him behind, that one’s not capable enough."

Kakantir glanced at Nersaren. Having been together for so long, he could understand what Nersaren was implying just from his gaze. Nersaren’s eyebrows furrowed.

"I refuse."

"What is it?"

"You’re suggesting I stay here, aren’t you?"

"Oh. Is that how it sounded?"

"It would be beneficial for Cheonryeo if I were here. But it’s not certain that Lord Ian would allow it, and more importantly..."

"More importantly?"

Nersaren glanced at Kakan, then turned away.

"...It’s too cold here. I hate it."

"Ah. That is important."

"It snows here. It’s freezing."

Kakantir chuckled, taking another bite of his peach. Even without going into winter, in just a couple of months, when the autumn wind turned cold, the Cheonryeo warriors’ homesickness would deepen. They had to tie up all loose ends before then.

"The title appointment should be arriving by now, right?"

"It should be."

"Do you truly trust Ian, Kakan?"

"Trust? Do you mean that he’s a magic user? Didn’t you see it yourself? How Berik fought that knight."

"What I mean is, is being a magic user worth overturning the title appointment?"

He had heard of the Empire’s worship of magic. Just as they believed in and followed Winchen, the people of Variel revolved around mages.

But he had never experienced it firsthand, so he couldn’t be sure. Moreover, this was the frontier. The estate was full of people who didn’t even know what magic was.

"I’m not sure. He doesn’t seem to be lying. If someone comes from the Imperial Palace, we’ll be able to confirm it right away."

"Still, it does seem to be taking a while."

Nersaren muttered, counting the days on his fingers. It should have arrived by now, but there was still no sign.

’Just what is the Imperial Palace doing?’

Knock knock.

The office of the First Prince, Marive Verosion, was lit even late at night. The Prince was dressed casually, his long hair tied back.

At the sound breaking the silence, he put down his glasses.

"Come in."

"Your Highness, Marive. There’s something you should see."

"What is it? At this hour?"

Marive asked, moistening his lips with cold tea. The aide presented a crumpled and dirty letter. He had already checked the contents, as the seal was broken.

"It’s a secret letter from Count Derga Bratz in the frontier. It was deliberately sent to me instead of directly to you, Your Highness."

"Count Bratz?"

Marive blinked. Wasn’t Bratz the place the Emperor had sent an investigation team to recently for tax evasion? He had only seen Derga a few times at national events, and they had no personal relationship.

But a letter from him?

He was puzzled, suspicious, and curious all at once.

"There’s no seal."

"Instead, it contains a ring engraved with a phrase proving it’s a Bratz family heirloom. It’s a diamond ring, estimated to be 10 carats."

"Hmm."

Marive let out a small sound, looking at the ring on the table. He wasn’t surprised by the jewel, but rather because he realized how desperate the Count must be to offer it.

"If he wanted leniency, he should have sent it to my father. Since he didn’t, it must be something else."

"That’s correct."

The aide placed the neatly folded paper down.

A moment later, Marive’s eyes narrowed as he read the letter with growing interest.

"This is..."