Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 22

I have a favor to ask.

At Ians words, the tutor was taken aback. He had nothing to his name; he was destitute. Even Ian, merely an adopted child, had a higher standing than him. What could Ian possibly expect from him?

What kind?

Have a meeting with my father within the next week. The topic doesnt matter, but the location should be the garden, not his office. And the meeting should last about 30 minutes.

It was a generous amount of time, enough for him to sneak into the office. This also included the time it would take to melt the wax for the seal.

The tutor wore an expression of utter confusion.

You dont need to know the details.

So, youre going to keep my overbearing situation a secret in exchange for this?

Of course. Including the fact that you tried to ransack the butlers room.

No, thats not it! Its a misunderstanding!

The tutor jumped up, waving his hands in denial. Seeing his reaction in this already-exposed situation, it seemed he had a different intention all along.

So?

I wasnt trying to steal valuables

He choked on his words, the confession almost made it to his throat, but he couldnt spit it out. As Ian shot him a pressuring gaze, he let out a sigh and blurted it out reluctantly.

I needed a pass.

A pass?

The frontline of the Bratz territory is off-limits to civilians. From my perspective, its a place where I can see the desert, so I absolutely needed it. I especially need to observe between Tower 3 and Tower 4, but the Count wont allow it due to security reasons.

But if it were the butlers pass?

It had no restrictions because it was issued by Dergha himself. If something were to happen to the count, the butler would have to act as a representative. The tutor had intended to steal the butlers pass for the sake of his research.

Is that so?

Ian contemplated with his chin rested on his hand. He had seen many people obsessed with a single topic before. Even if their lives take a wrong turn, their will to research rarely ever wavers.

How far along are you in your research?

Ive been here for quite some time now. Ive almost finished measuring the climate change in the Bratz region, and I plan to move on to Blaster to continue my research.

His thesis topic was The Correlation between Climate Change in the Desert and the Sun of Blaster. Naturally, he would have to spend more unpredictable time over there.

A sudden interesting thought crossed Ians mind.

Is that so? Then, let me ask you something.

What would you like to know

I will have to migrate to the desert, the stronghold of the Cheonrye tribe, in late spring. Would you be able to calculate the climate during that time?

The desert isnt always hot, day and night, throughout the year. In the extreme temperature, how often do sandstorms blow?

At Ians question, the tutor mumbled in confusion, Its difficult to be precise. It will also take some time.

Thats fine. I only need to know until the time I leave. I suppose there would be a map of the desert as well.

I have one from 10 years ago.

Please prepare them separately. Then, Ill get you the pass.

The pass?

The pass needed a seal, so while making one for Dergha, he could just make another.

The tutor blinked in surprise at Ians confident attitude. He had heard Ian, but he didnt seem to fully understand.

How about it? If you can teach me everything about the desert, I think I can give you everything in return.

If you could do just that, I would be grateful.

Ian smiled brightly and reached out his hand.

Great. Then lets make a deal.

The tutor stared at the boys outstretched hand.

Should he take it? Could there be another hidden agenda? Ians life was in Derghas hands. If he were to cooperate with Ian recklessly, wouldnt he risk being executed instead of banished? As a scholar, he was clueless about these matters.

I just want to live my life, and you want to live yours. Youre going to cross the border as soon as you use the pass, arent you?

Yes.

Then theres even less reason to hesitate. Even if a problem were to arise, hed be crossing the desert.

The tutor, with a determined look in his eyes, took Ians hand. Who would have thought that a deal between a middle-aged man and a child could be so serious? Ian smiled faintly and pointed towards the desk.

Well then, tutor. Shall we discuss the details while studying?

***

The pretext for calling Dergha was settled.

The sudden resignation of the home tutor. Since he was going to leave Bratz as soon as he received the pass, it was not entirely a lie.

Ian carefully packed a wet handkerchief into his pocket, glancing at Hannah. The thick leather gloves were also essential.

Hannah. Did you get what I asked for?

Here it is.

Hannahs voice was hushed and cautious, despite Beric being the only one there. She produced a small wooden key that fit perfectly in her hand. One was for the office, and the other for the drawer safe.

I told the carpenter to come and collect the payment sometime next week. He said even if it gets delayed, a bottle of alcohol would be enough.

After that day, Hannah snuck into the butlers room again. She then made a mold of the key with clay, and requested its production from a wooden material. The surface was even coated with rubber resin.

Good job.

Well, Ill go now.

Creak.

Hannah left, and Ian checked the time. It was almost the time he had arranged with the tutor. During the time Derghas office was empty, he had to quickly make two seals.

Are you ready?

Sigh. Why am I doing this?

Click, click!

Beric, grumbling all the while, followed behind Ian. His skills at staying unnoticed were quite admirable. They didnt run into anyone as they left the outbuilding and went up to the main building. Part of it was due to their circuitous route, but it was also thanks to Hannah informing them of the servants schedules.

Hes there.

Beyond the window, the familiar back of a mans head could be seen. Leading the way was Derkha and next to him was the teacher. Even the butler had gathered perfectly. When the teacher stuttered something, Derkha showed discomfort in an instant.

Now, you stay put here. You cant let anyone come up until I come out.

Jiiing-

And the magic he sent flowing towards him. As Ians golden eyes lit up, his hair fluttered. Beric chuckled as he felt the fast flowing blood within him.

You look like youre hoping someone comes.

Do I look like that? Youre observant.

Its an important task, Beric. If something goes wrong, we wont be able to handle it.

Well, youre going to cut me down if we get caught anyway.

Beric waved his hand in a bored manner. If things went awry and someone approached, it was his role to create a scene and draw attention. The natural assumption would be that he was trying to steal gold coins from Chels room on the lower floor.

Ill be out soon.

For that reason, Ian infused Berics body with the maximum amount of magic he could handle. So he could escape easily or even if he was whipped, his recovery would be faster than before.

Tap-tap!

Creak.

Ian used the prepared key to unlock the office and enter. Though he hadnt been there in a while, nothing had changed.

Thump!

Without any hesitation, he headed straight to Derkhas desk and started inspecting the inside of the biggest drawer.

There it is.

There was a hole in the slot. A hole that was just in reach, where he could easily push a diamond in. Ian carefully pulled out the wooden key he had prepared.

Jiiing

And just in case, he gathered all the magic within him. Even if the wood was covered in rubber, it could be dangerous if the voltage was high. The idea was to reflexively cast a shield if he felt any other energy from his fingertips. He didnt know if it would work with his own body though

Click

The feeling of the key going inside the hole was clean. When he pushed it in all the way, a secret drawer appeared.

Ah.

Inside, there was a seal, a magic brooch, two gold bars, and some old letters. Ian knelt and inspected the contents. He placed a wax holder on the candle. While the spoon was heating up, Ian decided to look over the letters.

Is this correspondence exchanged with the Cheonrye tribe?

Damn it, everything was written in Cheonrye tribe language, so it was impossible to decode. There were some words he knew, but it was too fragmentary.

Next female king afterwards?

What on earth is it saying? It was beyond Ians ability to understand any other foreign language, let alone the language of a barbarian tribe on the outskirts. Instead, he copied the words onto parchment to figure it out later.

Swoosh swoosh!

The spoon mustve been heated enough because the chunk of wax melted into a liquid. Ian poured the wax and stamped the seal.

Kwang! Kang!

Once on the letter to be sent to the center, and once on the pass for the teacher. After that, he proceeded with cleaning the wax with skill. The point was to wipe it off with a wet cloth before it hardened.

Chiiik.

The heated iron spoon cooled rapidly, emitting a faint smoke. Derkha shouldnt feel the heat when he came back, so Ian cooled the iron with his breath.

Done.

Everything went smoothly. He put the things back in their places, checked that the seals were stamped well. Now he just needed to leave

Thud-

A noise from somewhere.

Ians body automatically froze. Was it a noise from outside the door? No, if that was the case, it shouldve been louder and more rowdy. That would mean Beric was causing a commotion. Then the only place left was

Count, are you in?

The secretarys office attached to the study. Ian killed his presence as much as he could and hid behind the curtains. He didnt know why the secretary was here. There shouldnt be a case where he stays in the room without Dergha.

Count?

Creak

The door to the small inner office opened, revealing the figure of a plump aide. Thankfully, it was a blackout curtain. Had it been chiffon, he might have been spotted immediately.

Thats odd. I thought I heard something

Eyes puffy as if he just woke up. He must have fallen asleep here after working late last night, of all times.

?

The aide, feeling something amiss, stared at the curtain where Ian was hiding. Then, carefully and cautiously, he took a step forward.

Rustle.

The parchment in Ians hand was too thin and even his breath made a sound. This put the aide on high alert and put Ian in a difficult situation.

Is anyone there?

Ian turned his head to look out the window. The sky was bright. Sunlight was pouring brilliantly. Strangely, everything was quiet. That was his habit and attitude.

Calmness instead of tension. Action instead of worry.

Mistakes can be corrected, but failures cannot be fixed.

Zzzing-

Ugh!

As soon as the aide grabbed the curtain, Ian struck him with magic. The condensed air exploded, swirling energy around them.

At the same time, the aide fell backward with a nosebleed, the curtain he let go of flew behind him, but he couldnt see who was standing there.

Thump!

Falling back, he lay sprawled out with his eyes rolled back. Ian neatly gathered the curtain, quietly left the office.

Done?

Beric, who had been sitting on the stairs, sprung up at the sight of Ian. Ian only shook his head slightly, leading the way as he sprinted down the stairs. Through the window, the backs of three men were still visible. Glancing up, the tutor met eyes with Ian.

The placid expression on the boys face was an answer that told him everything had gone well.