Chapter 15

I returned to the star chamber with Nigel.

The maids must have tidied up, as the inside of the star chamber was spotless.

On the table beside the bed, the items I had brought were neatly arranged.

Though, to be honest, it was just a bow with its string loosened, a quiver of arrows, a pouch containing trinkets, and a box of magical herbs I received from Marquis Ludwig.

Ha-shal-leur’s longsword, which had been leaning against the head of the bed, remained untouched, with only a thin layer of dust on it.

Well, it’s incredibly rude to touch someone else’s sword without their permission, so it’s understandable.

The maids probably didn’t dare to touch it.

On the opposite stand, my armor was neatly arranged.

The shoulder cape, the scaled breastplate, the gloves, the skirt, and the greaves underneath.

The scales of the armor had all the dirt and rust removed, restoring the metal’s heavy luster.

The fur on the cape and skirt had also been cleaned, with the soft fur now smooth and glossy.

The musty smell of sweat and blood that had clung to it was completely gone.

How on earth did they get rid of that smell?

That was the most annoying part when wearing this armor.

I regretted not wearing it when I fought Nigel, but seeing it so clean now, I’m glad I left it here.

The leather outfit I was wearing at the time ended up being torn to shreds like my body, so I had to throw it away.

So, during my time in the infirmary, I only wore the white cloth garments provided there. I’m still wearing them now.

Since Ha-shal-leur’s body is so used to thick leather outfits, these flimsy clothes feel incredibly uncomfortable and awkward.

Luckily, a new set of clothes was placed on a small shelf next to the stand.

Well-tanned leather pants, a short top that covers from the collarbone to just below the chest, and a pair of sturdy leather boots with metal plates on the toes.

The design was similar to what I used to wear, but the quality was clearly much better.

Come to think of it, Marquis Ludwig, who saw my clothes in tatters, said he’d prepare something similar.

It feels oddly nice that he’s taking care of me like this. What’s he thinking?

Maybe I should ask him when I get the chance.

—

I threw off the patient clothes I’d been wearing for four days and changed into the pants and top the Marquis had prepared.

The familiar feel of leather wrapping around my legs finally gave me the reassurance of wearing proper clothes again.

Yeah, this is what real clothes feel like. Not some flimsy fabric that would tear along with my skin if I fell.

I still felt it was too burdensome to wear the full armor, so I left the rest, including the gloves, as they were.

Nigel, who had been organizing miscellaneous items in the corner of the room, glanced at me after I finished changing and put down his hands.

“Aren’t you going to wear your armor?”

“My legs are still a bit sore. I’ll probably just carry it on the horse for a while.”

If I push myself and slow down my recovery, it’ll just be a headache.

“Horse? Surely you don’t plan to ride a horse all the way to the capital?”

Nigel asked, sounding puzzled.

“What else would I ride? Don’t tell me I have to walk?”

This isn’t a world with teleportation gates or anything. Horses are the only option, right?

“Of course, we’ll take a carriage. It’s better not to show your face.”

“Ah, right. If a Ka`har were to openly roam the Empire’s territory, everyone who saw me would either scream and run or draw their swords and attack.”

It’s true that if I traveled on horseback from Randenburg to the Empire’s capital, all sorts of chaos would ensue.

I was being shortsighted.

“It’s worse than that.”

Nigel’s face hardened as he shook his head.

“If a non-human is discovered within the Empire’s territory, an extermination order is immediately issued. Ka`har are also considered non-humans, so every knight and soldier in the vicinity would target Ha-shal-leur.”

“Non-human? Ka`har are just humans with a different skin color, aren’t they?”

“Not by the Empire’s standards.”

Nigel began to explain the Empire’s stance in detail.

—

The Empire strictly divides non-human sentient beings into two categories.

Those who have signed peace treaties with the Empire and do not harm humans are considered “quasi-humans,” while those who reject the Empire’s order and attack humans are labeled “non-humans.”

Thus, the Empire is lenient toward quasi-humans but ruthless toward non-humans.

The wish of all humanity is to eradicate every last non-human from this world.

Countless non-humans have been exterminated by the Empire’s knights.

Orcs, giants, mermaids, minotaurs, ogres, trolls, and more.

Eventually, the non-humans scattered and fled outside the Empire’s borders.

A prime example is the beastmen of the northern snowfields beyond the Sky Mountains.

They established a nation in the harsh, perpetually frozen snowfields and continue to stubbornly attack the Empire by crossing the Sky Mountains.

Thus, any beastman encountered within the Empire’s territory falls into one of three categories:

A slave of the Empire, a corpse hanging from a pole, or a terrorist who has snuck in.

Non-humans who failed to escape hid deep in forests, caves, and dungeons.

The Empire dispatched knights to slaughter them whenever they were discovered.

A nation born solely to protect humanity. That is the Kal Ros Empire.

—

According to Nigel, Ka`har also fall under the Empire’s category of non-humans.

Because they are hostile to the Empire, repeatedly attacking and plundering Westerners.

It’s kind of funny when you think about it.

While races like elves and dwarves, who are fundamentally different from humans, are considered “quasi-humans,” Ka`har, who are essentially just humans with a different skin color, are treated as non-humans.

Though the Empire’s people in Randenburg, who frequently encounter Ka`har, do acknowledge that Ka`har are also humans.

The reason they’re recognized as humans is pretty absurd, though.

After constantly clashing and killing each other, they realized that aside from their darker skin, there’s no real difference between Ka`har and other humans.

—

So, me roaming the Empire’s territory is incredibly dangerous.

Even if the Emperor accepts Or-han’s peace letter and Ka`har are eventually classified as quasi-humans, it’ll take time for that news to spread throughout the Empire.

Seizing the opportunity, Nigel began lecturing me on the Empire’s common knowledge.

Since I had nothing else to do, I sat on the bed and listened to her lecture, passing the time.

Non-humans, huh? In the game, they were just monsters you’d hunt down for quests, but there’s actually a lot of backstory to them.

—

About two hours later, a maid came to the star chamber and summoned me to Marquis Ludwig’s office.

It seemed the royal response had finally arrived.

They’re not going to reject my admission now, are they?

—

“It’s been rejected.”

Marquis Ludwig delivered the shocking news.

I was so stunned that I stood there dumbfounded before hurriedly asking,

“Why? We’ve already compromised and made the first move. They should’ve accepted it. That’s how it’s always been. Are they really planning to fight Ka`har to the end?”

Does the Empire distrust and hate Ka`har that much?

This completely messes up the plan.

My mind was tangled like a ball of yarn.

I can’t go back to Ordos like this.

Living in constant tension, wondering when the human butchers will suspect my identity, and continuing to kill and plunder innocent people like them?

No way.

Besides, if I go back, I’ll either face the original story’s ending or be outright killed by my brothers, who’ve been wanting to get rid of me.

“Over 40% of the capital’s nobles opposed it. They said it’s hard to trust that Ka`har truly want peace.”

“They’re saying that now? Did you explain the full context properly?”

We even explained that the peace offer was a lie and that I’m actually here to seek asylum.

I even promised to publicly testify later that the peace offer was fake.

And yet…

Why on earth would they want to throw away the card of being a direct descendant of Ai-shan Gi-or, now in the hands of the Empire?

It was utterly incomprehensible.

Unable to bear the frustration, I pulled out a mana herb, lit it, and took a deep drag.

My leg wound ached a bit, but at least my mind felt a little clearer.

“…That part was only shared with His Majesty the Emperor and a few high nobles. If it had been made public, rumors would have spread throughout the capital that Ka`har would soon invade, plunging the Empire into even greater chaos.”

Marquis Ludwig, seemingly equally frustrated, rolled a mana herb between his fingers.

“If those high nobles had just agreed, it would have been over. But their opinions were split in half.”

“So, you’re saying they messed it up. It’s not what was promised.”

Hearing my sarcasm, Marquis Ludwig lit his mana herb and took a drag.

The deep wrinkles on his forehead cast a heavy shadow.

“It’s not my responsibility. It’s the lady’s fault, the lady…”

Why me?

“The lady’s infamy is too high. Far beyond what I expected. Just how many people did she kill back in Dein?”

I didn’t kill them. That was all Ha-shal-leur’s doing.

…Well, I did kill a lot too.

Memories of the deeds I had *no choice* but to commit after being possessed flashed through my mind.

But I really had no choice, right?

If I hadn’t killed those people, I would’ve been the one dead. Probably at the hands of my own subordinates.

“They said that Princess Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or would never choose exile, especially the high nobles connected to the southern Empire. They spoke with as much certainty as saying the night follows the day. Even priests seeking the gods would struggle to show that level of conviction.”

“So, you’re saying I should just go back?”

My voice grew rough on its own. After coming all this way, you want me to go back?

No way.

Absolutely not.

“Ah, that’s not it.”

What?

Suddenly changing his tone, Marquis Ludwig handed me a piece of paper.

It was covered in dense Imperial script.

“This is the negotiation proposal they presented. Read it.”

I took the proposal and tried to read it.

…I can’t read it.

I’ve only been learning Imperial for two days.

I could recognize a few sentences, but there were too many unfamiliar words.

“Ah, my apologies. I forgot you haven’t had enough time to properly learn Imperial. With so much going on, it slipped my mind. Here, let me explain it to you.”

Marquis Ludwig took the proposal back.

This is so inconvenient. I need to master Imperial as soon as possible.

“Leaving out the trivial rhetoric… here, I’ll just give you the main points.”

Marquis Ludwig summarized the key points of the proposal.

Under the following conditions, the exile and admission of Princess Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or to Remnant Academy are permitted.

*First.*

*Do not cause unnecessary conflicts with Imperial citizens or other races.*

“…This is obvious, so let’s move on. Just avoid bloodshed.”

*Second.*

*In case of causing trouble, agree to be arrested and punished according to Imperial law.*

“…This is also standard for special admission students.”

*Third.*

*If Ka`har attacks, immediately agree to join the Imperial Army under the mobilization order.*

“…Since you came under the pretext of peace negotiations, it’s only natural you’d take responsibility.”

*Fourth.*

*After graduating from Remnant Academy, serve on the northern front for five years as part of the Imperial Army.*

“…If you wish, I can change this to the eastern front.”

*Fifth.*

*Any damages caused by Princess Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or will be the responsibility of her guardian, Ludwig Wilhelm von Randenburg, Marquis of the Borderlands.*

“I’ll skip this one.”

*Sixth.*

*If any intention to return to the east after exile is shown, you will be considered a spy and subject to immediate arrest and detention.*

“You’d agree this is reasonable, right? You’d be caught before even crossing Berengeiria, so don’t even try.”

Considering how seriously he spoke, aside from the fourth clause, it was more or less what I had expected to endure.

Even the fourth clause, if changed to the eastern front, would just mean spending five years there.

Without hesitation, I stamped the document.

“Not as bad as I thought, right? The Empire made it sound like they’d never allow it, but these conditions are quite reasonable.”

For accepting a dangerous, untrustworthy individual into the Imperial capital, these terms were rather lenient.

I had prepared for things like always wearing restraints or living under constant surveillance, but the proposal only required basic compliance.

Essentially, if I served five years in the military, they’d readily accept me as an Imperial citizen.

I worried for nothing.

I was seriously considering living in hiding like the beastmen, avoiding the Empire’s eyes.

Why did they have to scare me like that?

When the Marquis handed me the proposal with such a stern face, I honestly thought it was some kind of body abandonment contract I’d only heard rumors about.

“If it was going to be like this, why did you make such a serious atmosphere? You could’ve just shown me this proposal from the start.”

“I wanted to see you flustered.”

“…What?”

Marquis Ludwig exhaled a thick cloud of mana herb smoke and smirked.

“Your current mood is exactly how I felt when I heard you and Sir Nigel were carried to the infirmary. Do you understand now?”

I was so dumbfounded that my lips twitched, and I clenched my fists in frustration.

“Are you messing with me?”

“Hmm? What’s with that hand? Are you planning to cause trouble in the Empire and attack your own guardian? It’d be problematic if you broke the agreement already.”

The Marquis tapped the proposal on the table and tilted his head slightly.

His cheerful, arched eyebrows were so irritating I wanted to punch them.

My trembling fist lost its target.

Fine. After all, he’s helped me a lot.

Thanks to him, I could even seek exile in the Empire. I can tolerate one joke like this.

“That said, it wasn’t just a joke. The Imperial nobles hold strong wariness and resentment toward you, and I wanted you to be fully aware of that. So, please be mindful of your conduct.”

Marquis Ludwig advised with a serious tone.

It wasn’t wrong, so I had to accept it.

“…I’ll try. So, as long as I follow these, I’m good, right?”

“There are other clauses about surveillance and miscellaneous matters… but those can be handled at my discretion, so don’t worry about them.”

The Marquis rolled up the proposal, put it in a drawer, and extended his right hand.

“Then, welcome to the Empire.”

I happily shook his hand.