Chapter 32. Hidden Things

"To send a son who hasn't even been officially recognized? This is deceit!"

"That's right! How could you stab us in the back like this!"

Ian sat leisurely, watching the elders vent their fury. They seemed unable to believe they had been so thoroughly taken advantage of during the official peace talks.

"I will emphasize once again, I am indeed my father's son. That part is clear."

"Then what about your birth mother?"

"Well, now."

At Kakantir's question, Ian smiled bitterly. It was a silent answer, telling him to interpret it as he would. The situation was already tense; there was no need to bring up that she was from a brothel. It wasn't important anyway.

"I'd like to snap your neck right now."

"But the Chieftain is the leader of the Cheonryeo tribe. I'm sure you will make a wise decision."

Kakantir growled, an incredulous laugh escaping his lips. Having declared Ian a guest of the Empire, he couldn't simply kill him. It was a matter of principle.

'But can we attack Bratz? No. Knowing that the central army is coming, that too would be reckless.'

"You."

Kakantir chewed on a rolled-up gurute leaf, seeming utterly flabbergasted. The honorific 'sir' had long since fallen from his lips. Whether intentional or not, the fact that Ian's head was still attached to his body was proof that he was being respected, at least for now.

"Keep blabbering. Do you have more to say?"

"If the Chieftain has something he desires, then I do."

The murmuring of the elders behind them grew louder. Ian smiled brightly and continued.

"Ah. You do, don't you? More specifically, how things will proceed."

"I hope it's interesting. Enough to clear the noise in my head."

Kakantir's gaze bore intensely into Ian's neck. He seemed to be struggling to suppress the urge to act rashly.

"Let's imagine. If, with the help of the Cheonryeo tribe, I become the lord of Bratz, I will make it the most prominent territory in Bariel."

"Why?"

"Because that's the only way to support someone like me, an outsider from the frontier."

"And then?"

"Once I have accumulated enough power, I will go to the center, specifically to the Imperial Palace."

Kakantir's brown eyes gleamed. What was this little thing saying? He would go to the center? That meant willingly entering the jaws of the Empire.

Never mind what he would do there, did he not know how a territory left without its lord would fall? It would either rot from the inside due to the corruption of those left behind or be crushed by external invasion.

"This is all the reason why I, who hasn't even been recognized, crossed the desert without running away. Kakantir, we need to change now."

True alliance and peace.

It wasn't just a relationship where they exchanged goods and were bound by numbers and letters. A lord who could trust someone enough to show his back. It also meant that he would view the Cheonryeo tribe not as barbarian outsiders but as allies.

"I don't know about interesting, but it certainly cleared my head of idle thoughts."

"I'm glad to hear it."

As Kakantir rolled another gurute leaf to chew, Nersaren raised his hand.

"Lord Ian, there's one thing I'd like to point out."

"Speak."

"When the central army arrives, will Derga have time to spare? Time to send a message, I mean."

Wow. Ian felt like applauding. Kakantir, you have a pretty sharp one by your side. As befitting the Chieftain's strategist, his depth of thought was considerable. He had mentioned a point that no one else had thought of.

"Probably. An investigation will need to take place. That period is roughly fifteen days. In reality, the central army is coming down with certainty."

"Then that's even more of a problem."

"Nersaren, what is it?"

Kakantir and the other elders couldn't grasp the meaning.

"A cornered rat will bite the cat. If there's no chance of escape, all that's left for Derga is beheading. A complete extermination of his lineage, in fact. There's a chance he'll raise an army to resist. And..."

"He'll ask the Cheonryeo tribe for help, too."

After all, they were allies who had just signed a peace treaty a few days ago. Kakantir nodded, finally understanding.

"We can't refuse."

"That's right. Especially right after the peace treaty."

It was a politically unacceptable move, even before considering their principles. Breaking the peace treaty without justification would be like the Cheonryeo tribe declaring themselves barbarians.

This could also give the Empire a pretext later. Kakan found this situation unpleasant. Either way, they were dancing in the Empire's palm.

"The peace treaty is the problem. It's put us in a difficult position, so we need to resolve this first. Is there no way to nullify it?"

Nersaren shook his head.

"It won't be easy."

"Why? They deceived us. They sent a son who wasn't even officially recognized."

"Kakan, although he wasn't officially recognized, Ian is still Derga's son."

"That's right. That's a valid point."

Ian chimed in, agreeing with Nersaren.

"Moreover, my father stated that I was an illegitimate son before the peace talks. He wouldn't know that I colluded with the central authorities to postpone my recognition, so even if we object, it will be useless."

"It's like he's begging to be killed. Keep talking."

"I have a way."

At Ian's declaration, the tent fell silent. Even Kakantir shut his mouth, waiting for the next words.

"All history is built on justification. And all justification is created by people. I will create it for you."

"What do you mean?"

"The justification to break the peace treaty. And also the justification to refuse Derga's request for help."

And then, Ian picked up a gurute leaf placed at the edge of the table. His eyes, shining brightly, seemed to say that this was the answer.

"My father secretly instructed me. When I return to Bratz for my birthday next year, he told me to smuggle gurute leaves."

"Good heavens. Haha!"

Kakantir burst into laughter at Ian's smoothly flowing answers. He had said he decided before crossing the desert, and indeed, it didn't seem to be a lie.

"None other than the lord himself ordered smuggling. And of gurute leaves, an absolutely prohibited item, through the very person who is the symbol of peace. Isn't this enough?"

"It is. It's more than enough for such a blatant betrayal. Do you have proof?"

"Unfortunately, there is nothing visible at the moment. But this can also be confirmed through Winchen."

With this, they could strongly protest, even adding the issue of his non-recognition. Protest? No. Even if they unilaterally broke it off, the other side would have nothing to say.

"Of course, I had no intention of doing so."

"What you have said today is something you must swear not only to Winchen but also to the gods."

"If you wish, I will do so."

"This is insane. Bratz is truly..."

He thought that Derga, like Chel, would only have stupid people, unable to control his inferior bloodline. The handwritten letter Ian had sent reinforced that belief.

But look at the atmosphere now. A foreigner with blond hair and green eyes was leading the leaders of the Cheonryeo tribe.

"...Is that all you want? A statement that the Cheonryeo tribe supports you?"

"That's enough. I will handle the rest."

No matter how he looked at it, it was a deal with no real flaws. If anything, it could be considered slightly advantageous. In the worst-case scenario, Ian would lose his life, but the Cheonryeo tribe could simply return to the desert. If the central army invaded, they would fight as they always had, with the desert at their backs.

He tapped the table and added one last thing.

"We have no intention of shedding blood for you."

"I don't want that either."

"Are you not afraid of death?"

"Not at all."

Ian's bold attitude. Kakantir asked out of pure curiosity. He was much younger, yet his spirit overwhelmed the warriors of the Cheonryeo tribe.

"I've already died once and come back to life."

"A fine resolution."

It wasn't a metaphorical expression, but Kakantir didn't realize it. How could he? How could he know that Ian was living his second life and that it meant he was under the protection of the gods?

Besides, he still had a hidden card.

The fact that he was a magic user.

"Including the pursuit of Silas, write down specifically what the Cheonryeo tribe wants, without putting it on paper."

"There is plenty of time. There will be joy in the adjustment."

Ian smiled and expressed his gratitude. Then he looked back at the physician who was still standing blankly, watching the situation.

"Aren't you going to brew the medicine?"

"What? Ah! Yes. I'm going! I should go!"

The physician, startled, picked up the pot and stood up. He intended to feed him just one root first to observe the effect. They could decide what to do with the rest later.

Whether to cultivate it for future generations or to offer it to Winchen after seeing his improvement.

"Then I shall take my leave as well."

Ian also walked towards the entrance of the tent. Kakantir, half not expecting it, stopped him and asked. His rough tone had softened considerably.

"Lord Ian. Is your intention to go to the center related to the Emperor's mind?"

From Kakan's perspective, he was a truly curious child. His father was a frontier noble, but his mind was connected to the Imperial Palace? It seemed that there was a clue on his mother's side, given that he wouldn't talk about her. Ian realized that he wasn't expecting an answer and simply smiled.

When he stepped outside, the entire tribe had gathered, their ears perked up.

"He's out!"

"There were loud noises inside, but he's not dead."

"Ooh. He's really alive."

As Ian and Beric approached, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. Among them, he saw a familiar face. It was Soo. Ian approached her and asked.

"Soo."

"Huh? Uh, yeah."

"If you have some free time, could you help us with something?"

"With what...?"

Her eyes wavered, confused. But they soon shone like stars at Ian's words.

"Beric's training."

"Idiot! Slowpoke!"

"Shut up, will you?"

"Even a desert ant is faster than you!"

"Oh, really? If I catch you, you're gonna get it!"

Whoosh-!

Ian ate fruit in the shade, watching the sandstorm they were creating. It was the result of Beric's kicks and Soo's movements. They had been running in the scorching sun for two hours already, but neither showed any signs of fatigue.

"Beric! Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"...Never mind."

"Don't talk to me! F*ck!"

Whoosh!

He was definitely quick at learning and adapting. He seemed to have gotten used to the heat after a few days. Moreover, the environment made the training even more intense.

"Beric, you're really something."

"My feet keep sinking!"

"Oh? Really? Mine don't. Are your legs so fat that only yours sink?"

"This is muscle, you b*tch!"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure."

Swish! Swish!

While the two continued to exchange blows, Ian just munched on the sweet and cool fruit. He had planned to slowly and carefully win over the Cheonryeo tribe, but thanks to Silas, the situation had been resolved very easily and quickly.

Until he returned to Bratz, Ian could just enjoy the Great Desert. Ah! How long had it been since he had been able to rest so freely? He felt like this was the true gift from the gods.

"Lord Ian."

Just then, one of the tribesmen approached Ian. He was carrying a tray with new wine and Ian's pot.

"Winchen has finally opened his eyes."

"Oh. Has he?"

Winchen had fainted as soon as he greeted Ian. They had slowly dripped the water infused with Silas into his mouth, and although the progress was slow, it was definitely there. His heart rate stabilized, the seizures stopped, and his complexion improved.

"That's good to hear."

"...Thank you."

The nameless tribesman carefully expressed his gratitude. The atmosphere of the village was obvious. It must be like a festival. Ian simply responded by sipping his drink.

"They say they will hold a formal banquet to welcome you soon."

"Really? It's already like a banquet now."

"...Anyway, thank you very much. Everyone is grateful to you."

"Don't mention it."

"Oh, right. And we found this when we were moving the soil along with the pot."

He put down the pot. Inside the empty pot was a necklace. A silver chain with an amber gemstone.

"This is yours, right, Lord Ian? Did you hide it?"