Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 21

What..

Ian, who seldom lost his composure, was stumbling over his words. Beric strolled in, casually blowing a whistle. His behavior was as natural as water flowing down a stream.

You, I clearly told you to wait, didnt I?

I was waiting just fine. I came when I was called.

Who called you?

The butler.

What?

He came to the tavern and said I could enter the mansion anytime. As soon as he said that, I came right over. Is there a problem?

Ians expression became a little complicated. It didnt seem like Beric was lying. Given his character, he wouldnt have sneaked in. The very fact that he passed the main gate safely was proof.

Beric stood still, looking down at Ian.

.

Ians gaze subtly shifted to the left. Beric glanced at the fruits and bread placed on the table. Noticing this, Ian sighed and nodded his head.

Just eat.

Nice. I wont refuse.

Beric greedily shoved food into his mouth with both hands. Watching him, Ian began to grasp the turn of events.

Is that all he said?

He said to keep an eye on you and report.

You dont plan to take that seriously, do you?

Chewing noisily, Beric stared intently at Ian. What does he think of me? The one who held the sword never spoke twice, and the direction of the sword was invariably singular.

Anyway, tell me quickly. What was that thing that day?

Oh. Right.

He was so curious about whether it was magic or something else, he could hardly breathe. But what can be done? Ian spent the time as if dead when he told him to wait. Of course, the fact that there was no one around who could know about it, so it didnt help him either.

Alright. Listen.

Ian began to explain the astonishing power that Beric possessed.

An unknown energy daringly presumed to be the origin of the world and the existence of God. Berics red eyes sparkled brightly like sunlight.

Ridiculous.

Therefore, since the magic was blocking the vitality of your body, it couldnt be helped that you were lagging behind others. No matter how much you trained, you would have stayed the same.

So, youre saying you can break through it.

Dont you know what honorifics are?

Woah, thats really something.

Beric fidgeted, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his hands. His face was a mix of joy and excitement. The strange power he had felt in the training field was truly his own. He leaned his head against the wall and burst out laughing.

Youre impossible to communicate with.

Do we start now? Tell me what I need to do.

Ian stared at him in silence. He wished to give him the power right away, but it would be a problem if the boy caused a commotion here.

Whether he knew Ians concerns or not, Beric impatiently tapped his foot.

Hand.

Hand!

Berics hand was placed on Ians palm.

Ian tightly gripped it and warned, Learn to control yourself. Otherwise, Ill only train you to death for a few days.

Dont worry, hurry up!

Ziiing.

As soon as he heard Berics reply, Ian activated his power. His green eyes turned golden, his hair fluttering softly. Energy flowed through them where they touched.

And a moment later.

Boom! Thud!

Whoa.

What was that noise?

The servants attending to their tasks downstairs halted at the strange noise. It sounded like it came from Ians room

Knock, knock.

Master Ian? Is something wrong?

The answer was a bit late. Just as the servant was about to turn the doorknob, Ians irritated voice was heard.

Its fine. The table just broke.

What? How did that happen?

How on earth did a perfectly fine table break?

Creak!

When the startled servant opened the door, the scene before him was a spectacle. Shattered furniture, Ian stretching out, and a man with red hair sprawling on the floor. His face was upside down, but he was definitely smiling.

Excuse me.

Thats it. Clean up after yourself.

What in the world was this situation?

When Ian gestured as if to shoo him away, the servant backed away, sputtering like a broken machine.

Ian.

***

The next mornings breakfast.

Ian stopped his knife work and looked at Dergha. At the same time, the countess and Chel also watched them.

Seems like youve made a new friend.

What did he mean, asking again when everyone already knows? Ian smiled as he set his knife aside.

Yes, Father. His name is Berick. We met at the training grounds, and we seemed to hit it off well. Brother Chel would also recognize him if he saw his face.

He wondered how detailed and transparent his answer should be. Dergha raised his eyebrows as if encouraging him to continue.

I thought I wouldnt see him at the training grounds anymore after he got expelled. Thanks to you, Father, I had a great time.

Expelled? Why?

Countess Mary, who had been quietly listening, asked. Unlike Dergha, she seemed unaware that Beric had even entered the mansion yesterday.

He assaulted his comrade.

My goodness. How terrible. And to think youd keep such a person close. You must be quite a character yourself, arent you?

Despite the sarcastic undertone, Ian only smiled. He had succeeded in keeping Beric by his side anyway. When the time came, this boy would be the one to slit their throats.

If he cant remove the shackles within a month, Ill consider his playtime over and Ill twist his neck myself.

Yes, Father.

Hes planning to use it quite wisely. As if hed use the whip when shackles arent enough. To show his submission, Ian lowered his gaze. All he could see were Derghas thick fingers.

Fortunately, he didnt seem to know about the furniture I broke.

The servant must have covered for him. Although dividing food was one thing, because he got along well with Hannah, his standing among the lower ranks wasnt bad.

Hmm?

Suddenly, the diamond ring shining on his finger caught Ians eye. A thick gem with a flashy gold design. Dergha never seemed particularly interested in jewelry, yet strangely, he always wore that ring.

Is it a wedding ring?

Ian checked the countesss hand. However, there was no diamond on her left hand. There were opal, pearl, and ruby, but no diamond.

The cut is too crude.

Observing further, he noticed that the diamond cut was peculiar. A gems purpose is to reflect light and shine brightly, but Derghas was rounded in a way that seemed distant from that purpose.

Its almost as if its meant to be worn rather than displayed.

Clatter.

Tsk, tsk.

If you still make such mistakes, what will become of you?

Oh. I deeply apologize.

Ian had unwittingly dropped his fork. Faced with the stern gazes of the count and countess, he quickly apologized and turned his head.

Soon, the icy dining time ended and everyone left the dining room, but Ian didnt move. The servants approached with hesitation and asked.

Master Ian, was the meal insufficient?

The tutor will be here soon, well make sure to prepare a hearty snack.

They needed to clear the dishes, but since Ian was still lingering, they couldnt move. He looked out silently before murmuring.

The ring that father wears, its not a wedding ring, is it?

Such a random question. But the servants answered as much as they knew.

As far as we know, its not. The countesss ruby ring is said to be the wedding ring.

Thats why her magical brooch was red. Ian propped his chin and tapped on the table. The more he thought, the more certain he became.

The gestures of reaching under the desk, the mystery key the butler had, and this diamond ring.

It seemed not the type to insert and turn, but to press somewhere. Does the safe react only to the diamond? No, then the butlers key should also have a gem embedded.

The difference between the two would be

Material.

Dergha would never entrust the master key to anyone else. The key the butler carried was more a piece of a test than a symbol of trust.

The only thing that comes to mind considering its direct connection to security is that there might be electricity running inside.

Ha.

What a wicked and clever lock.

The servants glanced at each other and Ian, but he didnt move. It wasnt until much later, when the tutor was about to arrive, that he stirred.

Squeak.

Ian, who had opened the door, gave an instruction to Beric.

Get out.

Huh? Why?

Thump!

Beric, who was in the middle of doing push-ups, suddenly fell forward. Whether he fell or not, Ian began to tidy up his desk.

The private tutor will be here soon.

So what? Cant I stay a little longer? The room is so big.

I have important matters to discuss. When the servant brings snacks, you take them and go back.

If thats the case, fine!

Beric, who was hungry, grabbed his jacket and left the room. Shortly after, the tutor arrived on time. He peeked towards the door and asked Ian.

Young maste, who is that person just now?

Please, take a seat first. Theres something important I need to discuss.

The unusually serious Ian felt strange. The tutor sat on the sofa without even taking off his coat.

Now that I have found the key to the safe, all that remains is the plan.

He needed more people to help him, after Hannah and Beric. Someone close to Dergha, someone he could spend a long time with.

Whats the matter?

Sir. Are you perhaps acquainted with Sir Molrin?

The tutor stiffened at the sudden question.

Ah, ah, no?

I thought there would be a connection just because you graduated from Bariel University, but it turns out you were also close with Dergha.

I didnt know a normally calm person could make such an expression. Ian leaned back in his chair with a slight smile in his heart.

That, that cant be! Such a coincidence!

Then I can report this to my father, right?

No! Thats, thats not what it is!

A strong denial is often a confirmation. The tutor grimaced as he chewed his lips. If Dergha learned of this, it would be truly difficult. His life might not be at risk, but he would certainly lose his job, and he would certainly be kicked out of the Bratz domain in no time. There was no better place to study than the Great Desert.

It seems you have some misunderstanding, young master.

No. Its just that Im almost certain my father is spying on me through you, and behind the scenes, you spied for Sir Molrin.

Is this the same Ian who was always so slow and seemed uninterested in everything? The tutor could feel himself growing speechless in astonishment.

Moreover, you tried to break into the butlers room on Sir Molrins orders.

Wait! Thats not true! Ill explain everything, just calm down, calm down.

Sir, you are the one who needs to calm down.

Ian showed him a cup of tea and smiled faintly. The tutor began to defend himself, stumbling over his words, carefully choosing each one. It all started from the very beginning, when he first met Molrin in Bratz.

I did indeed discuss matters about Count Derga and you. But, thats a process every parent does. Initially, when I was in charge of young master Chel, I used to talk about him.

Hmm. Is that so?

He decided not to mention the letter. There was no need to reveal that much.

Then, you also started attending, and I found out that the central committees officials were coming. I really expect that Sir Molrin to come. He is my relative, but this was the first time Ive seen him since I left my hometown.

It must have been a while.

Its been almost 10 years.

Its as if he had been immersed in his studies for 10 years. He ruffled his hair as if something was wrong.

So, we exchanged greetings, and I couldnt help it. Research requires more money than youd think he said he would subsidize my living expenses if I relayed what happened in the house. There was no way for me to refuse, and I didnt really talk about anything important.

If it wasnt important, then it wouldnt matter if my father knew about it.

M-Master!

He felt dizzy. It was just a bluff to gain the upper hand, but the reaction was more intense than expected. Perhaps its because his research, to which he dedicated his life, is at stake.

Ian sighed and smiled. You seem like youre about to collapse if I say another word.

Please. Keep it a secret from the Count.

Sir, do you know why I didnt tell my father directly and brought this up to you

The tutors faded pupils trembled. He wasnt too sharp when it came to these matters.

Dont you understand it yet?

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