Chapter 62


    Things seem unusually busy at the mansion today. Is something going on?


    The woodcutter, who hade to sell wood, asked as he nced around. In the midst of calcting money, the steward briefly looked up to eye him.


    No, its the same as always.


    Is that so? Ha ha


    <i>A lie</i>. The woodcutter scratched his nose with an awkward smile. Ever since the former Count passed away, the number of servants had drastically decreased, making the mansion usually quiet. Even after the advisor and his entourage joined, it had been rare for all the lights in the mansion to be on.


    But today felt different.


    Is this a bit damp?


    Its just dew from the morning. It will dry up as soon as the sun rises.


    Thatll be three copper coins in total.


    Thank you.


    The steward scribbled something as if issuing a receipt and took out three copper coins from his pocket to give to the woodcutter. Just as the woodcutter was about to bow and leave,


    Hold on.


    Yes?


    Do you have some time? Were currently doing some garden maintenance, and theres a tree standing smack dab in the middle. Were thinking of felling it unless its an old one.


    Ah, I see. Just leave it to me!


    Follow me.


    At the stewards words, the woodcutter slung his bag across his shoulder. He was nning to go straight down and have a drink, but well, it wouldnt hurt. Perhaps they might even give him an extra tip.


    So thats why the mansion was bustling.


    Somehow, the servants, who were almost invisible on regr days, were bustling about here and there.


    The woodcutter followed the steward around the mansion. The ground changed from weeds to grass. He had lived in Bratz all his life, but crossing this boundary was a first for him.


    Over here.


    Gasp!


    As soon as the woodcutter turned the corner, he took in a deep breath at the sight of the garden. His expectation that flowers, bushes, and trees would beautifully harmonize shattered instantly.


    Rows of nts were nted in a straight line as if it were a farm.


    Having profited quite well during the Gr harvest season, the woodcutter instantly recognized what it was.


    Theyre growing Gr, arent they? Even with a greenhouse.


    It was real. The rumors that were circting were actually true. The steward lightly tapped his shoulder with a sheet of paper.


    What are you looking at?


    Ah, I apologize. What kind of tree is this?


    Gelse.


    The woodcutter answered his subordinates question in detail, but his attention was elsewhereon the fields of Gr behind him. Meanwhile, Ian, who had been looking down from a window in the corridor, asked,


    How many people are there?


    Five merchants bringing food supplies, a second woodcutter, some tailors, and then somewhere else? Anyway, I think I saw at least ten.


    What about the food supplies?


    Weve reduced them, as nned. By half.


    Good job.


    Ian had proposed two methods for rationing at dinner.


    To spread rumors.


    And to maintainx security.


    The key was to stimte human greed for something precious. Now that they had even cut down on their regr supplies, the desire for Gr would only intensify.


    Should we set up a decoy or something now?


    No. Instruct the men under Romandro to keep a close watch. Fully armed.


    It was a slightly different directive from before. Beric, who had been looking down at the garden, turned his head to look, but Ian only felt his gaze and smiled.


    It may work in other territories or in the central area, but this is still an empty territory without an official ruler. If theft and looting be rampant, it will directly affect public security and significantly lower their quality of life. That, in turn, devalues the territory.


    <i>Once is hard, but twice is easy.</i>


    Especially if the mansion is burrized, the residents will easily consider looting their neighbors as well.


    So what should we do? Just let them watch?


    Beric. Worry about yourself. You will have to get up early for a while.


    Eh? Me? Why?


    In response to Berics question, Ian just smiled and closed his mouth. Then, tap tap, he knocked on the window and went up to his office.


    ***


    This the right way?


    I said its correct!


    Lower your voice, man. The guards will hear us!


    Two men approaching the mansion under the cover of predawn darkness.


    As food supplies dwindled, rumors had spread that the mansion was filled with Gr. Left with no choice, they had to sneak in under the cover of darkness to survive.


    Ugh.


    Ah, its so heavy.


    Quickly, lift it up.


    Thieves who had just barely managed to climb over the towering walls of the mansion. Rumor had it that within the outer garden of the building, not inside, there was a garden of Gr. Even if they stole just a few and took them to the city center, they could shake off this incessant poverty.


    Hey, is this it?


    The thieves cautiously peered over at the garden. It was all dark, but it was clear that something was nted in abundance on the ground. Imagining a rosy future, they carefully began picking.


    Who wouldve known that these are worth their weight in gold, and yet they offer them to the mansion. Tsk, tsk.


    Shut your mouth and keep picking.


    Shouldve brought another bag.


    As the thieves whispered and giggled while plucking Gr, Romandros minions sighed and watched them. They had just captured one guy and were on their way back from locking him up in the underground prison, and now there were more?


    Hey-!


    Eek!


    Aaargh!


    When a minion lit a lighter and yelled, the thieves startled and jumped. They threw the Gr into the air and ran through the garden.


    Where are you going? Youll wake everyone up.


    Pl-please spare us! Spare us!


    If anyone hears, theyll think Im the intruder.


    But what could they do? The thieves, caught within a short distance, fell to their knees and pleaded wildly. The two minions were tying the thieves arms with rope at that moment.


    You all had it tough.


    Ah, Master Ian.


    Ian appeared with Beric, both hooded. The thieves looked up at him, gulping. What were those golden eyes, even undiminished in the darkness?


    Did youe to steal?


    Uh, well thats


    We did wrong! Were struggling so much just to eat that we


    Ian looked at the thieves and clicked his tongue slightly.


    You shouldve waited a bit. Why did you have to do this?


    Eh?


    Lock them up in the underground prison.


    Yes, Master Ian. Will you not require any additional escort today?


    Thats right. Beric alone is enough.


    Ian and the mansions minions exchanged some iprehensible conversation. As the bewildered thieves were led away to the underground prison, Ian and Beric exited through the main gates of the mansion.


    It was their second day in a row going out.


    Haah.


    Take a nap or something.


    Instead of responding, Beric tapped the sack of Gr seeds on his back. The gesture indicated that he was as busy as Ian.


    Soon after, they arrived at a civilian residence on the outskirts.


    That house over there has twins, they say.


    Really? Then lets go there first.


    Since it waste, the lights were out. Ian cautiously knocked on the door handle as he stepped into the yard.


    <i>Knock, knock.</i>


    Is anyone there?


    No response. So, once again,


    <i>Knock, knock.</i>


    Could you pleasee out?


    A faint light then turned on from the window. Shortly after, a man with a deep, sleepy voice asked,


    Who is it?


    Its Ian.


    Who?


    Ian.


    <i>Creak.</i>


    Perhaps because he was still half-asleep, he seemed to be slow in understanding the situation. The door opened slowly. Blink, blink. Upon seeing Ian, the mans eyes widened and he recoiled.


    Master Ian?


    Shh. Youll wake the children.


    What brings you here?


    He knew Ian, but he had never thought Ian would know him. And why should he? The man was just an ordinary subject. It was shocking to hear someone he had no personal connection to mention his children.


    Did I do something wrong?


    Given the situation, it was natural for him to feel uneasy. As a look of fear momentarily crossed the mans face, Ian silently unsheathed the hilt from Berics sack.


    <i>Swish.</i>


    What is this?


    Gr seeds.


    Excuse me?


    It was a sack of Gr seeds.


    It may not be a miracle drug as rumored, but it is true that the imperial advisor enjoys it, and it is both delicious and nutritious. Right now, its strictly controlled in my residence, but I n to distribute it freely throughout the territory soon. Ive been continuously suggesting this to the advisor. So hold on until then, and if any neighbors want some, feel free to share generously.


    Master Ian!


    Since you have multiple children, Ill give you some first. I cant stay for long; the number of houses I have to visit is huge. You know that these are just seeds, right?


    Ah, of course. Everyone in the territory knows that now.


    Just have a little taste, and nt the rest. One seed can yield more than ten Gr.


    <i>What kind of midnight gift is this! </i>The man nodded repeatedly, deeply moved. As Ian patted him on the shoulder and left the yard, the man bowed repeatedly as he followed.


    Thank you!


    Everyone in the next house will wake up.


    <i>Hmph! </i>At Ians words, the man quickly covered his mouth. When Ian disappeared into the darkness, he cautiously returned home. The dimntern lit up brightly.


    Ian, youre really iprehensible sometimes.


    I understand you quite well. You look like you want to lie down right now.


    Beric squinted his eyes, as if tired. Distributing Gr in the middle of the night, and doing so personally. Ian understood that Beric could not understand this.


    While the pces emissaries monopolize and cultivate Gr, supplies will decrease. On a night where people are worrying about the harshness of theing winter, how would it look to them if I share these Gr?


    Theyd likely feel its a grace sent by God. They would then feel grateful, and that would soon bring support for Ian.


    Ah, Im so tired.


    Lets get moving. The next stop is where the children are. Kids are usually good at spreading rumors.


    There were households like the one with many children but also areas where the boundaries were blurred, like the red-light district where Ians mother, Philea, used to live.


    Whats going on? Not sleeping at this time of night?


    Mom, Mom. They say Master Ians here?


    What? Why is Master Ian here?


    Hes sharing Gr! Grs!


    As many people were active during the night, it was much noisier herepared to other ces. Ian, while handing out the Gr, warned the children in a whisper.


    Bratz people barely have enough for themselves, so never give it to outsiders. Understand?


    Yes! Can I eat it now?


    Me too!


    Alright, line up. Ill give you more.


    Ian exchanged greetings while patting the heads of children riding Gr.


    Following Ian and Beric stealthily was a man.


    <i>Swish.</i>


    The man confirmed that they returned to the mansion as dawn approached. After a time dy, he also entered the mansion, and the ce he arrived at was the guest room in the annex where Molrins group was staying.


    <i>Creak.</i>


    Youve arrived?


    Yes.


    The man was Dgor. He tossed his hood onto the bed and let out a baffledugh. Mack, who had been waiting all night without sleeping, sighed deeply.


    What were they doing going out in the middle of the night?


    Distributing Gr, and very openly at that.


    What?


    At Dgors words, Mack took a swig of wine. Molrin, who was sitting by the window, also chuckled.


    That guy really has a naive side.


    Surely, in Romandro, Ians name wouldnt be excluded from the discovery of the Gr. The pces operations were managed meticulously, and the support from the citizens of the territories was also perfectly managed.


    It looks like he will continue to go out only with Beric for a while in the early morning.


    At Dgors words, Molrin turned his deeply sunken eyes. It was an excellent opportunity to aim for Ians neck under the cover of darkness.