Chapter 30


    Ian stared at the red flower inside the tent. Beric was still snoring, fast asleep, and outside was noisy.


    To summarize the situation, Winchens illness required a nt called Ssque, and several expeditions had apparently been sent out to find it. But none had returned.


    <i>But is this really it?</i>


    Ssque. The identity of a potted nt that nobody in the Bratz mansion knew about. Ian frowned as he gently brushed the petals. How on earth did <i>this </i>Ian obtain this during his lifetime?


    Im sure Ian said he grew it himself. If Philea were nearby, I could have asked.


    Could it be a panacea only found in a hidden corner of the bazaar? Like <i>gr </i>. If someone were to discover it, it could lead humanity to a new leap.


    With that thought, Ian could feel his heart pounding.


    Hmm.


    Then, Beric woke up. His face was swollen from the meat and alcohol he had consumed the previous night. Ian hastily threw a towel at him, signaling him to get ready, and Beric, still half-asleep, left the tent.


    Ah. Its the foreigner.


    Shush. Hes a foreigner.


    Werent you at the feast yesterday?


    Hey! Did you have a good dream? What went into your bellies was top-notch!


    Pushing through the murmuring crowd, Ian found a somewhat familiar street. It was Winchens tent, where they had gone immediately upon arrival yesterday. With a stronger lingering smell of <i>gureut </i>leaves in the air, Nersarn turned his head quizzically when he spotted Ian.


    What business do you have?


    Good morning. I followed themotion and ended up here.


    This matter doesnt concern you. Stay in the tent until theres a message from Kakantir.


    Now, Ian would earn his keep here. Given his position, hed likely be tasked with spreading Barieleannguage and culture to the higher-ranking officials.


    <em>As for Beric, who knows?</em> Maybe hed be treated like a ve, as Soo had said, or perhaps hed be recognized as Ians assistant.


    Chief Winchen seems to be in critical condition.


    Ian Bratz. You talk too much now.


    The mere mention of Chief Winchens name silenced the surroundings in an instant. Some clicked their tongues in disbelief, others sent angry nces. If Ian had been dealing with someone other than Nersarn, a fight might have broken out right then and there.


    I couldnt help but hear, given all the noise this morning.


    Sorry, but you


    They call it the flower that never withers once it blooms, Ssque. Is that all it takes for Chief Winchens health to be restored?


    Nersarn, who knew Ian not to be one to miss the mood, looked at him for a long time. Ian nced around and whispered quietly.


    I have something to discuss; please let me speak to the chieftain.


    This much attention should be enough. If what he had was indeed Ssque, then credit would surely seep into the rtionship between them like the wind. It was a situation where he needed to elicit friendly feelings, so a little attention was necessary.


    <i>Creak</i>


    Nersarn took Ian not to Winchens room but to the next tent, where the leaders, including Kakantir, were discussing an expedition.


    But he just had a son.


    His fifth. With four grown children, the remaining family should have no problems, I believe.


    And hes particrly good at shooting arrows


    Kakan¹.


    At Nersarns call, Kakantir turned his head. A rolled-up leaf still hung from his mouth.


    What is it?


    Ian Bratz has something to say about Ssque.


    To be precise, Id like to ask about it.


    Sit.


    Ian took his seat amid the thick smoke. The elderly men sitting next to him looked at him with various expressions.


    Please exin what the nt Ssque is. I have a guess, and Id like to see if its correct.


    A guess? Ahh. You dont know about Ssque?


    Ian answered with silence.


    Kakantir exhaled a puff of smoke and gestured to a councilor, who took out a piece of paper. It looked like part of a botanical guide, written in an unfamiliarnguage.


    Ssque is what we call the disease that afflicts those, like Chief Winchen, who directly receive the will of the gods. Its as if their lifelong energy shatters when they grow old and can no longer contain it.


    The councilor continued:


    There are records that long ago, merchantsing up from the South were rescued from the desert by our people, and we obtained Ssque seeds but it has be difficult to see these days.


    The depth of long ago that they spoke of was hard to gauge, as nobody in the present Cheonrye tribe knew about Winchens younger days.


    While she had endured for a long time, the records about Ssque had faded, and they had only now managed to grasp a thread of it.


    Ian offered a consoling word, It seems that in Bariel, there are not many who receive the will of the gods.


    He almost slipped and called <i>them </i>gypsy. To them, Winchen was an important figure, but in the Bariel Empire, she was just one of many old gypsies. At least she was talented among those swindlers. <i>That much is true.</i>


    Moreover, gypsies wandered their entire lives, so no one knew what happened to them in theirter years. It would be more urate to say that there was no interest in them


    The councilor furrowed his brow.


    somehow, the Ssque has disappeared, and well, now you see the situation.


    Is Ssque by any chance the red flower that never wilts once it blooms?


    If theres no mistake in the records.


    Then, Kakantir frowned slightly. I can smell the scent of Ssque in your words.


    <i>What a keen nose.</i>


    Ian smiled and nodded. Actually, I have seen a flower that was suspected to be Ssque in the Bratz territory. It was red, and it never seemed to wither once it bloomed.


    <i>Even the sun sets once a day, let alone a mere flower that doesnt wither. Surely a special case.</i>


    Kakantir was taken aback by Ians words. Is that true?


    I was surprised as well. Thats why Ivee here as soon as I heard about Ssque.


    <i>Lets see. What should I do? </i>If the timing was right, there could be a way for him to lure them to Bratz.


    <i>When the Emperors central army is devouring Bratz, the power of wisdom can not only save ones life, but also acquire territory.</i>


    But


    <i>The problem is Winchens current situation.</i>


    <i>Will she able to endure until the central army arrived in Bratz? I doubt it. Since the chieftain left the banquetst night, it wouldnt be strange if the old woman stops breathing immediately.</i>


    Tell me more.


    Before that, I have a favor to ask first.


    <i>In that case, theres no choice for me but to use a different approach.</i>


    Kakantir didnt hide his displeasure at Ians words. Especially, at Ians attitude of bargaining with their tribal Chiefs life at stake.


    A favor? Before Winchens breath stops, your neck will fall too?


    Please treat me not as a hostage but as a guest of the Bariel Empire.


    Since there was no imperial decree, words like envoy or representative couldnt be used. But the intention of his arrival was not much different. Ian wanted assurance of his groups life and respect.


    Bratz is one piece of the grand Bariel. The imperial court knows of Bratzs alliance, and my presence here is also, in a way, the will of the imperial court.


    Kakantir slowly lifted the corners of his mouth at Ians honeyed assertion. With a look that said, Look at this, of course.


    Really? In that case, let me ask you: if your neck were seized, would the imperial court deploy an army here? If what youre saying holds true, that would be the fitting response, wouldnt it?


    I may be uncertain about them deploying an army here, but it will undeniably pose a problem. After all, the enduring essence of the imperial pce is embodied within me.


    <i>Crash!</i>


    As soon as the words were spoken, an elder mmed the table. They were speaking theirnguage, so what he was saying wasnt clear. <i>Something about a snakes tongue or the like</i>


    Others remained silent, but they seemed to believe Ians words were empty.


    The essence of the imperial pce?


    <b><i>Is Ian asserting that he belongs to the imperial lineage? Isnt Dergha Bratz his father?</i></b>


    I cant exin in detail. What I can say is that while I inherited my physical body from Dergha Bratz, my essence is that of the imperial pce. I dont think this is a matter the chieftain should be concerned about.


    Fine. Alright, good. Its because of people like you that the gods gave us Winchen-<i>nim</i>. Anyone!


    At Kakantirs shout, two warriors grabbed Ians arm. Beric, who was waiting outside the tent, started to rush over, but Ian raised his hand to stop him.


    <i>Its done.</i>


    They were taking Ian to Winchen. Ian nced at Beric, signaling him to wait, and then reentered the chiefs tent.


    Winchen-<i>nim</i>.


    Ah


    Her breath was ragged, but her consciousness had returned. The attendants slowly helped her up, and her clouded eyes were still fixed on the sky.


    This guy said that he knows something about Ssque.


    Exactly, he said he has a guess.


    He had a guess? Is it true?


    Saliva trickled down the corner of Winchens mouth. Instead of speaking, she answered by nodding her head. At the same time, the attendants burst into joyful cheers, and the following Nersarn also brightened as if they had found a ray of light.


    And this guys essence is also said to be that of the Bariel Imperial Pce.


    Kakantir looked down at Ian, his voice trailing off. In this situation, if Winchens head bowed, the n was to cut off Ians legs. Since the brat had talked about Ssque, Kakantir thought he must make sure of the execution, if needed.


    Ah.


    Then, Winchen inhaled sharply. Her body trembled, and she closed her eyes, something she had never done while lying.


    !


    And soon, everyone fell silent. Winchen, with hands as dry as twigs, ced them on her chest to show respect, and she bowed forward as much as she could. To anyone watching, it was clearly a salute to someone noble.


    Winchen?


    Ugh.


    And the chief copsed to the side. A councilor rushed to check her pulse, and attendants ran to fetch warm water.


    Ian stared at her and murmured, Ssque is in my tent.


    At his words, Kakantir was taken aback. When the chieftain did not give an order, Nersarn, who had been listening, ran out and yelled,


    Go to the foreigners tent! Find the red flower!


    What? Why?


    Hurry! Theres no time!


    Ian! What now? How do we do this? Should we grab our stuff and run?


    At Berics cry, Ian smiled softly.


    Its done. This is my first gift to them, as Bariels guest.


    Ian informed Beric with a dignified voice. In Winchens tent, filled with the scent of <i>gout </i>leaves, Ian stood on equal footing with Kakantir for the first time.<ol><li>It seems that those who are close with Kakantir calls him Kakan here.[]</li></ol>