A Mage Reborn: Legacy of the Fallen Emperor
Chapter 57. Mereloff

Chapter 57: Chapter 57. Mereloff

"Problems?"

"They’re saying it’s difficult to control the output."

"We expected that, didn’t we?"

"I was hoping we wouldn’t have to. Looks like we’ll have to go with the backup plan."

Kakantir and the others nodded in agreement. Beric spoke up.

"They said there is some funding, right?"

"Yeah. They didn’t give a firm answer, but there’s something. I’d guess around 3,000 gold coins."

"Damn. That’s insane!"

That was enough to cover two months of expenses, give or take. Even with the Imperial Palace aiding in the reconstruction, a solid operating fund was essential for normal operations.

"It seems we’ll be meeting with Mereloff soon. We need to be prepared."

"Hmm. Right."

Romandro’s gold. Mereloff’s food. And Ian, brokering the deal between them. If they played their cards right, a very satisfactory deal could be struck.

Kakantir nodded. "Understood."

"By the way, that Romandro advisor. He seems friendly, but... do you think he’s truly on our side?"

"He is. Prince Marib sent him to deal with the situation, so he’s likely opposed to Gale’s faction."

Besides, Molin’s immediate hostility had probably played a significant role. Romandro likely assumed that Ian and Molin were working together, given Derga’s tip-off.

But the atmosphere... it was beyond tense. It was like they were ready to tear each other apart. Romandro probably guessed that Ian wasn’t on Gale’s side.

"If we can pull Romandro to our side, everything will go according to plan."

"Right. I have to admit, I was a little surprised."

"By what...?"

At Ian’s puzzled question, Kakantir playfully clasped his hand, mimicking Romandro’s earlier reaction.

"To think a mana manipulator would be treated like this in the Empire."

"They’re said to be the closest to gods."

People on the frontier often viewed magic as something from myth. Kakantir and Nersaren were no exception. Even seeing Beric’s abilities, they didn’t fully grasp the potential power. They didn’t understand that the flow of mana was like a river leading to a vast ocean.

"Becoming the head of the family might not be impossible after all."

At Kakantir’s words, Ian just smiled. It seemed he was finally convinced after seeing Romandro’s reaction firsthand.

"Let’s drive the wedge in before autumn arrives."

"I’ll make the preparations."

"Keep a close watch on Molin and his group."

"Yes, Kakan."

"Beric, you did as I asked?"

"Hiding the mana stones? Of course, of course."

"Good. Move out, everyone."

At Kakantir’s command, his subordinates silently descended the stairs. Ian, along with Beric, returned to Romandro’s room. The hallway, as always, was shrouded in darkness.

Meanwhile, on the floor directly below...

"Master. What should we do?"

Having finished dinner, Mac and Dgor turned to Molin. Their master sat by the window, lost in thought. Mac pulled out a cigarette and lit it, roughly tugging at his hair.

"I can’t think of a single way to handle this."

"Mac, calm down."

"I don’t have your composure, Dgor. Erica... no, it doesn’t really matter who. The lord needs to be someone cooperative. But did you see Ian’s attitude earlier?"

At Mac’s outburst, Dgor sighed. How could they possibly defeat a mana manipulator allied with the Cheonryeo tribe? And in their own territory, no less, far from the capital.

"If he’d been friendly, it would be a different story..."

"I doubt that. He stood there, chin held high, sticking close to Romandro..."

And he was sharp, too. He’d quickly realized that Molin’s group and Romandro were at odds, despite not having been at the mansion for long. Whether he knew that Marib and Gale were behind them, respectively, was another question.

"I think it would be better to install someone other than Commander Erica."

"Who?"

"Didn’t Hale of the magic division achieve great merit in the recent Roxan battle? The Emperor will likely grant him a title. What if we recommend him for this territory?"

"Hale is a key asset of the Imperial Palace. The Emperor refuses to even let him take leave. Why would he give him land on the frontier? He won’t give him any excuse to leave the capital."

Mac waved his hand dismissively. The smoke from his cigarette scattered haphazardly.

"And Dgor, don’t you know Commander Erica’s personality?"

"...I do. I know it all too well."

"With her personality, if things go this way... I can’t even imagine what she’ll do."

Dgor remained silent, in complete agreement. A woman who had risen to the rank of investigation commander from a commoner background, she was the embodiment of ambition. It was less about loyalty to Lord Gale and more about the tangible wealth and prestige that came with it. That was likely why she’d volunteered for this trip to Bratz.

Swoosh.

Molin, who had been staring out the window, approached the table and poured himself some wine. He spoke in a voice as heavy as the night air.

"If someone blocks your path and refuses to move, and you can’t go back, and there’s no other way... what do you do?"

His eyes, etched with the marks of life, held a chilling glint. He took a sip of wine and murmured.

"You remove the obstacle and move on."

"Master."

"There’s always a way."

Kill Ian.

That was the clearest and most certain solution. It was troublesome because this was the frontier, but conversely, it was also fortunate. If this were the capital, and he had the title of "magician," it would be much harder to deal with him.

"If a mana manipulator is hostile to us, it’s best to cut him down before he grows any stronger."

"You are correct. If he were to become a magician and grow uncontrollably, it would become a burden to Lord Gale."

All they needed to do was eliminate Ian.

Without Ian, the Cheonryeo beasts would have no reason to be here, and Romandro would have no power base to rely on.

Erica was too afraid for her life to act, but for Molin, failure was more terrifying than death. He couldn’t tolerate a mere illegitimate commoner causing problems for the great Lord Gale’s ambitions.

"We’ll stay here for a few days and observe the situation."

"Yes, Master."

They would bide their time and look for an opening.

That was the plan Molin’s group had made as soon as they arrived at the mansion. They rinsed their mouths with wine, as if wishing to wash away the words they had spoken.

Unaware that beneath the bed, a red brooch was attached, a mana stone pulsing with faint light.

On a clear morning, devoid of clouds.

A long procession, originating from the Bratz territory, was passing through the forest. Ian, Beric, Romandro and his subordinates, and even the Cheonryeo guard warriors were all part of the procession.

Romandro murmured, looking out the window.

"It’s further than I thought."

"It’ll be quick once we’re out of the forest."

"Does this side also border the Great Desert?"

"Mereloff... it does border the desert in some parts, but it’s mostly unaffected. To the east, it’s closest to the Hawan Kingdom."

"Ah, right. Hawan Kingdom is this way."

Being friendly with Variel and having active trade, Mereloff benefited greatly as a trading hub between the two countries. Mary had obtained fabrics from the East through Mrs. Mereloff, after all.

"Stop. Where are you from?"

"The advisor from the Bratz territory has arrived."

The gatekeeper guarding the outer wall checked the coachman’s pass and opened the way. The interior was similar to Bratz, yet it was filled with exotic traces. Just as Bratz was influenced by the Great Desert and the Cheonryeo tribe, they were influenced by the Hawan Kingdom.

"You haven’t been in constant contact?"

"I don’t know about before Derga’s time, but since the investigation team arrived, they’ve closed their doors. Given the situation, they likely didn’t want to get involved."

But after Commander Erica had stepped down and Ian had taken over the territory, a letter had arrived first. It was a routine inquiry to understand the situation. Was Derga truly dead? If so, had the Cheonryeo tribe occupied the territory? These were things a neighbor should know, but...

’If the advisor from the Imperial Palace hadn’t arrived, these people might have caused trouble.’

It was the basic way to expand power on the frontier. To grow by swallowing up your neighbors. They must have been waiting for an opportunity, but they were clearly flustered by the arrival of the advisor from the Imperial Palace.

Creak.

The carriage procession continued and finally arrived at the mansion. The coachman opened the door, and the advisor stepped out first, surveying the surroundings. Unlike the serene Bratz, the landscaping was sophisticated and flamboyant.

"Are you Advisor Romandro?"

"I am."

"Please come inside. The Count is waiting for you."

An elderly butler politely guided them. He glanced at the Cheonryeo warriors following behind, but said nothing.

"Advisor Romandro?"

"Greetings, Count Carlo Mereloff."

"Welcome."

In the reception room sat a very thin middle-aged man. His appearance was bloodless and stiff, like tree bark. He blew out a puff of smoke and looked at Ian.

"You’re Ian."

His gaze was cold and scrutinizing. It felt as if he were trying to see through to his very core, a subtle arrogance radiating from him.

"I greet Count Mereloff."

"You don’t resemble Derga at all."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"...Please, sit."

Mereloff, Romandro, and Ian sat around a large circular table. The Count offered them tea and got straight to the point.

"You wish to purchase food."

"That’s correct. Our territory is already barren, and we’re in a situation where even next month’s food is uncertain. We’re asking for help from our neighboring territory, Mereloff."

"There are no other problems?"

"The recovery is better than expected. If we can just solve the next two months, it seems we can return to normal around winter."

Count Mereloff tapped his fingers on the table, tap, tap. He was clearly deep in thought. He nodded and ordered the butler.

"Bring the prepared documents."

"Yes, Count."

"I’ve been thinking about this since receiving your letter. As a neighbor, I shouldn’t ignore your suffering, but I can’t cut into my own flesh to save another."

If the Imperial advisor hadn’t been present, he likely wouldn’t have even given Ian a chance to negotiate. It was obvious that Ian had no funds, and as he said, the important thing was his own territory, not his neighbor’s.

"This is a list of what we can offer and the prices."

Romandro’s eyebrows furrowed as he slowly read the document. Wheat and corn, considered essential, were excluded, and the items that could be used as substitutes were priced more than five times the market rate.

"...Excuse me, Count Mereloff."

"Yes, Advisor."

Romandro, exasperated, called the Count, but he remained unfazed. He had agreed to the negotiation because the Imperial advisor had requested it, but he was subtly showing his reluctance.

Romandro, fiddling with the edge of the document, hesitated. He made eye contact with Ian and asked for his understanding with difficulty.

"May we have a moment to discuss this amongst ourselves?"

"Oh! Hahaha! With him?"

Romandro’s "we" included Ian. Realizing this, Count Mereloff burst into laughter for the first time. An advisor from the Imperial Palace consulting with a lowborn bastard. It was ridiculous.

"Those from the capital are certainly different."

It was blatant disrespect, but Ian didn’t even blink. He simply stared at the numbers presented, lost in thought.

Mereloff was also a frontier count, but one who had grown fat on sweet trade. He was in a position to be this bold. This was all within expectations.

"Thank you for the kind words."

Ian smirked and turned away.

Even the loudest laughter eventually fades.