Margrave's Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 105: Formatting

Excuse me but are you busy at the moment?

??

Beric kept blinking blankly. At the mutt sitting obediently yet panting with a wide grin looking up at him. Did this bastard just talk?

Pfft, preposterous. Ive gone mental. So damn bored my brains gone whack. Dammit. It popped, I swear.

Beric snickered patting his head. But on hearing the voice again, he snapped to and whipped around.

I was addressing you sir. Spare me a moment if it suits you. Ahem uniquely featured gentleman.

The dog still peered up at Beric seated calmly.

This punks calling me ugly?

Beric rolled his eyeballs seeking where the voice emanated from. But surrounded by nothing but snowscapes and ample terrain to conceal oneself, it was difficult.

Ta-tak!

The once amiable pup seemed to detect something off in Berics gaze. It carefully backpedaled before breaking out into a mad dash. Beric reflexively gave chase.

Woof woof!

Hey I heard you bark! Whatre you?!

Woof!

Having trouble backing a carriage, Ian frowned hearing the ruckus, unsure what accidents he was getting into now. The flaming redhead frantically sprinting around stood out conspicuously.

Beric!

Ian! Help me catch this mutt!

Why is that?!

The punk can talk! But hes got a smartass mouth!

Wildly scampering all over, he looked more a mess than the dog. Ian signaled Romandro and his men to ignore it, arching his brows.

Ive no idea why he acts like that.

Leave him be. How much hot blood could he have?

Romandro chuckled defending Ian. By the time Beric finished playing tag with the dog, his men had finished preparations to depart after turning all the carriages around.

Lord Ian, since weve stopped anyway, may we check the wheels thoroughly? The snowy path seems more slippery than expected.

Letting the horses rest some more would be good too.

Ian readily consented checking his watch. Even considering earlier sunsets in winter, they had ample leeway. They would reach Carrena by evening, even heading back a bit.

Right. No need to go too far.

By the way, do you really think thats the bandits hideout? Its too close to Carenna, isnt it? Its so blatantly visible, I doubt the local guards would just ignore it.

The coachman, lighting a cigarette, glanced toward the village and asked. His point was valid. However, prioritizing the avoidance of the worst-case scenario, Ian decided not to change their course.

Thats something well figure out in Carenna.

Caught you! Muttface!

Squeak.

Just then Beric shouted, lugging a white furball in one hand.

Ian! Look at this, this guy can talk!

The rest of the group, resting nearby, paid no attention, and Ian was no different. That is, until Beric shoved the dog right in front of his face.

It fearfully met Ians gaze.

Beric. Make sense, would you?

Why? Magic and crap makes sense but a talking dog doesnt seem likely? It totally asked if I got time!

Hmm. He seems quite adamant about it. Maybe he heard something wrong, or perhaps its actually true

Talk. Go on.

Squeak.

Ian murmured earnestly, holding the dogs eyes. Watching beside him, Romandro then burst out laughing, unable to restrain himself. Given Beric and now Ian too, what a sight it must have been.

Sorry, ahem. Yo, hey. Over thereMmm, give me a smoke too.

Romandro faked a cough fleeing to his men when Ian looked his way. The dog merely wagged his tail panting.

Stop wasting time and let it go already.

Maybe its a comedian? Ill just gobble him up in case.

As Beric muttered puzzled, the dog wore a shocked expression. The moment Ian noticed, it promptly bit Berics hand.

Yip!

Ow!

The dog bolted at full speed up the hillside. As Beric crouched writhing in pain, Ian calmly watched the creatures rear vanish from sight.

How impolite you brutes are! You misunderstand whom youre facing! You felt like godly presences yet behold! Tcht tcht! *ptui*

See that! It talked!

Ian also gaped slightly surprised. How adorable the tiny creature seemed shouting imperiously. Though Romandro and his men snuck peeks at the commotion, by then the dogs form had vanished.

What happened just now? A dog seriously talked?

Ahaha! Really Sir Romandro, your jokes go too far.

Now now, shall we set off?

Mmmnngh, wanna hurry and rest well.

As all busily prepared to depart, Ian and Beric dumbfoundedly squinted, scrutinizing each other before shaking their heads.

How bizarre

If you dont know then how should I? Damn it, it bit my hand properly.

My my. How perplexing.

A foreign species? Or a divine beast?

But its too shabby for the latter.

If neither, then maybe a monster, yet encountering such a deep inland of Bariel in this age was unlikely.

I cant figure it out.

The moment Ian moved to board the carriage, he felt a presence behind them again gazing back up the hill. Beric wiped his hands following Ians sight.

What is it?

Feels like someones there You dont sense it?

That damn mutt still not gone?!

Alright, lets get on quickly. The winds are getting fierce.

Ian hustled Beric aboard, shoving his back. As their procession traced back their entrada route, Ian remained vigilant. Noticing, a worried Romandro asked.

Whats the matter? Are you feeling unwell?

No, its not that. Just tense, knowing this area is prone to bandit attacks.

Neigh!

Clip-clop-clip-clop!

As the long line of carriages gradually disappeared, shadowy figures emerged from the forest, following in the carriages wake.

*

Just as the coachman had predicted, they arrived in Carenna at dusk. A quiet little town with nothing much to see. The locals, wrapping up their day, paused to watch Ians procession of carriages.

If this were Bratz, thered be an uproar about whos invaded now. Its quiet here.

Were close to the inland, so we dont worry about foreign invasions. And bandits wouldnt be dragging carriages into town.

Romandro glanced at Berics hand and clicked his tongue.

Anyway, are you alright?

My hand? Its nothing.

So why did you grab some passing stray like that?

It wasnt some stray! Im telling you it talked!

Beric was right. However much one thought about it, preposterous didnt cut it. Not only his first time witnessing a beast speak human tongue, but its soft appearance contrasted shockingly with the voice and manner.

Could it have been some sorcery?

Maybebut for a mere small town to have a sorcerer

No. It was possible.

If magic wielders like Ian existed on volatile national frontiers, then all the more sorcerers.

Squeak!

Weve arrived Lord Ian.

Good work everyone. Lets unpack and rest well tonight.

Ah, what a relief.

Huh! Are you planning to stay at the inn tonight?

Are you the innkeeper? Weve got quite a lot of carriages and luggage.

Please come in! Just a moment!

A woman sweeping the inn entrance hurried inside fetching workers.

The horses are a bit sensitive, so it would be best if they arent mixed.

We currently have no guests, so we should be able to accommodate you. Please come this way.

While his men stabled the horses and carriages, Ian entered the inn signing the ledger. The paper looked unused for days prior.

Business mustve been quite slow this winter?

Yes, indeed. Though truthfully even nice weather doesnt bring that many guests Theres nothing much to see or eat here. We only get occasional passersby like yourselves, but ever since the rumors of bandits, even thats stopped. Are you staying just for one night?

Thats right.

The innkeeper gave a forced smile as he checked the register. With twenty horses, ten carriages, nearly a dozen people, and plenty of luggage to store

The total, including meals and bathwater, comes to one gold coin.

Though feeling somewhat overpriced, there was nowhere else that could accommodate their entire party simultaneously. Unless they scatteredwhich would be more trouble than it was worth paying the gold.

Besides having agreed to lodge, they may as well receive the finest care for various benefits.

Clank.

Ian obligingly took out two gold coins extending them. Delighted, the innkeeper bowed deeply, thanking him.

Oh splendid! We shall serve you our utmost!

Its cold, so make sure theres plenty of firewood.

Of course! Shall I heat the bathwater now?

That would be great.

Im starving! Food! Food!

Yes, yes. Just wait a moment, and well have it ready. This way, please. Oh, just to let you know, we only have two rooms with attached bathrooms. How would you like to arrange that?

At the innkeepers words climbing the stairs, Ian looked to Romandro nodding.

Ill share with Beric. Please rest comfortably, sir Romandro.

Are you sure? Thank you.

Dont I get a say? I want a room to myself.

Really? Well, theres always the stable. Its empty.

Here we are! Mind your step on the stairs!

Creak.

The room was old but neatly kept. The smell of dry wood and cheap soap filled the air, and the lighting was dim, with only half of the bulbs working. Yet it was cozy, warm, and most importantly, the existence of beds was a blessing. They had all been sleeping on the cold, snowy ground for the past few days.

Yay!

Beric also catapulted into bed rolling all over. Once they hastily unpacked, the innkeeper swiftly brought light snacks.

If its alright with you, please have these to tide over your hunger before the meal.

Thank you.

No, we are the ones who are thankful. We were worried we might have to sit twiddling our thumbs this month.

Ian took the tray and inquired.

Has Hayman shut down by chance?

The bank you mean?

Yes. I heard theyve stopped operating at Carrena, Longuin, and Jalicove but Im not sure of the current state.

They closed altogether then reopened Longuin for abbreviated hours it seems. Folks here and Jalicove also have to go there to conduct business. Its nearby and bandits still havent been suppressed yet.

Still?

What exactly are the guards doing? Even though its a small town, the affected areas span three places. It would seem urgent enough to eradicate the source of the problem immediately.

We saw an unmarked village on the way here. We thought it was the bandits base.

The innkeeper stiffened at Ians words. As if the first time recalling it in forever.

Ah, you must mean Danil.

Danil?

Yes. It wouldnt be marked on recent maps. A few years ago, all the villagers died, and the place was abandoned. Demolishing it is a task in itself, so its been left as is.

Since it was a map for travelers, there was no reason to mark an abandoned village. Ian frowned, deep in thought.

Everyone died? What happened?

I dont know the exact cause, but they were all found lying down as if they had fallen asleep and died. It was a huge mess. The people from our village had to go there and drag the bodies out. Investigators from the royal palace came, and, um, what did they say? Was it mass food poisoning?

Beric, who had been lying down, sat up abruptly at the innkeepers words.

Does that make sense?

If the royal palace says so, it must be true. The Magic Department would have conducted a thorough investigation.

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