Chapter 44

Chapter 44

In the history of Bratz, there may never have been a day as confusing and awkward as this one. As if it was not enough that the people who were once thought of as one nation drew swords against each other, the servant who was expected to die had returned. And he did so while being carried by the Cheonrye tribe, whom he had considered enemies for life, on their back.

Is the world about to end?

An old, decrepit man muttered, looking up at the Bratz mansion. Was this not a bizarre sight? The soldiers carrying the Imperial flag and the warriors of Cheonrye were stationed together. All in one place, in the mansions main building.

Shaking his head, the old man cleaned up a headless corpse and put it on a cart.

Squeak.

Inside the mansion was an even more complicated situation than what it looked like from the outside. There were the incompatible presences that mixed like oil and water, but the biggest problem was there.

I cant find Lady Countess Mary and Chels corpses.

Did you look at the mangled bodies properly?

I checked the clothing and even the tips of the nails, but there was nothing that seemed to belong to the nobility. The bodies that were washed down the river have not been retrieved yet, so perhaps they are mixed in there.

Erica bit her nails at her subordinates report. She had secured Derghas body, but there was no trace of his wife and child, Mary and Chel.

Check the ones that were torn apart.

Understood.

We must find the bodies. Search the mansion thoroughly.

If they were dead, she could finally claim to have completed her mission if the bodies were confirmed. Whats more, hadnt she turned the territory upside down? If the clean-up wasnt neat, the central governments trust in her could be shaken.

And if you find the bodies, you know?

Until the appointment letter comes from the Imperial Palace, well hide it well.

If Mary and Chel were dead, there would be no reason to delay Derghas execution. Then there would be no reason for her to stay in Bratz. It was uncertain whether she could re-enter the territory occupied by the Cheonrye tribe.

Damn it!

Erica bit her nails again. The finely chewed nail fragments rolled around in her mouth.

Meanwhile, in a small room behind the corridor.

Kakantir, Nersarn, and Ian sat in a circle. Nersarn was the first to speak.

Ian, its about Erica. Doesnt it look like shes waiting for a ceremonial appointment?

I feel the same way. Considering the forced march all the way to the edge of the border, it must have been internally decided when she was appointed as the head of the investigation.

Its almost been two weeks since Erica came down here. The appointment letter will arrive soon, and then it will be difficult for us to be stationed here.

Nersarns words made Ian shake his head. As Erica said, ceremonial appointments are the Emperors jurisdiction. No matter how much 2nd Prince Gale supports Erica, shouldnt there be results?

Dergha was just arrested today, and even if they sent a letter of appointment today, it would take almost two weeks. You dont have to worry about that part.

The Emperors command is weighty and valuable, so it cannot be sent by courier but only by horse rider.

Nersarn calculated the dates in his head, looking slightly relieved.

In any case, its a foregone conclusion that Erica will become the lord. Cheonrye has already invested a lot. And now were going to throw it all away?

By supporting Ian, they sought future benefits and the direct punishment of Dergha, among others. Cheonrye had conceded much in this plan.

No, Kakantir, the flow of the situation is good.

Will you explain?

First, Mary and Chels corpses have not been secured.

Thats good? Thanks to that, were stuck here in this mansion.

Didnt Erica herself blow this? Her mission is to annihilate the Bratz family, and to secure their corpses.

At this point, Nersarn, who had realized it first, exclaimed.

Ah then?

The investigation troop, remaining here, was predicated on the proposition that Mary and Chel were still within the territory.

However, if Mary and Chel were confirmed to have left, they were duty-bound to pursue them.

It was a trap.

Furthermore, the central government will never be able to drive me out.

On what basis?

Because of the very reason Kakan is curious about.

Investigate wheres Hannah.

Me?

Who else? Should I do it?

Hey, you passerby over there! Can I ask you something?

As Beric wandered around, stopping people to ask them questions, Ian also carefully looked around. But since it was such a chaotic and miserable sight, nothing caught his eye other than the pity.

However.

Ian! Over here!

Hannahs family, who had five siblings, was quite famous. Moreover, Hannah was a servant who worked at the mansion, so she seemed to stand out among the neighbors.

Go up the stairs to the 2nd floor.

As soon as he stepped on the stairs, the cry of a baby reached his ears.

Waaah!

Oh dear, why are you crying again?

Hannah?

Hannah, who was holding and soothing the newborn baby, turned around in surprise and then recognized Ian and Beric with a surprised smile.

Young master! Beric!

Im relieved to see you safe.

Youre back! Im so glad youre alive, Master Ian!

Is your family affected?

No, we dont have any family members who went off as soldiers Every night my parents are so thankful that they left the mansion.

But her slightly gaunt face seemed to have endured hardship. The wooden boards nailed to the windows, including the door Ian pushed open, had been prepared to prevent intruders during the heat of battle.

Ian smiled slightly and touched the babys hand.

This must be the sibling Ive heard so much about.

Yes. There are more besides this one. But

Hannah poured out words like a flood.

Are you here to find me? Is it okay for you to be back here? Arent you Count Derghas son, young master Ian? I thought the talk about coming back with the Cheonrye tribe was a lie

Yes. Its fine. I have something more important to ask you.

Hannah offered a chair to Ian while soothing the baby.

I wonder if there are any eerie tales or rumors secretly going around the mansion.

What? All of a sudden?

Im asking if theres a hidden passage or something.

For example, a ghost appearing at the end of the corridor or hearing voices from a forbidden room by the master. Most of these tales were derived from rumors of secret passages.

Hmm. I dont know. Ive never heard of such ghost stories. Especially about secret passages or rooms.

Of course. If you knew, would it still be a secret space?

Youre still the same, Beric.

Beric and Hannah exchanged playful glances, while Ian leaned back, looking puzzled with his arms crossed.

It would have been nice if the butler was here.

Sadly, he was found with his arm cut off. It wasnt by the Central Army but by a soldier from the neighboring territory of Merellof. He seemed to have entered the border by mistake while fleeing, and the Merellof side requested the body to ascertain the situation and then left.

Did the butler also pass away?

Ah. Yes.

Hannah smiled awkwardly, looking down at her sibling. Ian didnt miss that subtle change.

Why is that?

No? Isnt it just unfortunate? They said most of the people living in the mansion died

Was that really all there was to it?

Ian fixed Hannah with a sharp gaze, and she sighed as if she couldnt deceive him.