Chapter 8

I crossed the barrier.

Since the Berengeiria Wall was completed, I might be the first Ka`har to cross it.

Passing through the wall, I was met with the soldiers’ gazes, a mix of fear, caution, and hostility.

Stop looking at me like that.

Ha-shal-leur’s instincts keep screaming at me to draw my sword.

As I stepped beyond the wall, a golden plain greeted me.

The dry smell of earth, the metallic scent of iron, and a faint whiff of sweat—the unique air of a military base tickled my nose.

Old memories rose like faded recollections, twisting my brow.

To the left of what seemed to be a training ground stood a row of old brick buildings, likely the soldiers’ quarters. Across from them was a large, weathered fortress with patches of peeling plaster.

Judging by how much more effort was put into building it compared to the soldiers’ barracks, that must be where the knights reside.

Next to the fortress, sturdy warhorses stood in a stable, chewing on hay.

Following Shane’s lead, I crossed the military camp.

As the alert status was lifted, soldiers who had been scattered around doing their tasks noticed me and began murmuring in surprise.

Some even hastily raised their weapons, but the knights silently stopped them.

Reaching the edge of the camp, Shane dismissed the soldiers following him.

“You all return to your units. I’ll personally escort this one to the Marquis.”

“Are you sure, Sir Shane?”

“No problem. Go back and calm the soldiers.”

After sending the knights away, Shane approached me.

I hadn’t noticed before because his face was hidden by his helmet, but up close, he looked like a middle-aged knight, at least twenty years older than me.

No need for formalities, I guess.

Ha-shal-leur already killed any Confucian manners in me.

“We’ll reach Rantenburg in about an hour. I’d appreciate it if you avoid causing any trouble there.”

“That’s up to you guys.”

I swear by Or-han’s name, I’ve never once started a conflict in my life.

It’s always the other side that comes at me first. Seriously.

Shane silently turned his head and moved forward.

Well, my answer probably wasn’t very satisfying.

Even I wouldn’t dare cause trouble in the territory of a great noble who rules the entire eastern border.

But you never know how things might turn out.

Two sturdy horses kicked up dust as they galloped down the road.

Toward Rantenburg, the border city ruled by Marquis Ludwig.

—

Rantenburg was unlike any typical marquisate—it was a cold, rigid city devoid of any flamboyance or liveliness.

The oppressive gray scenery, deliberately stripped of color, accompanied a somber silence that weighed heavily on visitors.

The grid-like structure, meticulously divided, revealed the ruler’s obsessive pursuit of efficiency.

Truly fitting for a border city.

The residents wandering about were either soldiers or those supporting the military, like blacksmiths.

The few ordinary-looking people I encountered were mostly soldiers’ families.

It was as if the city had been stripped of all unnecessary elements, leaving only what was essential for the military.

I could already guess what kind of person the border lord was.

—

“Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or. The princess of Ka`har, I presume? I won’t welcome you.”

“I didn’t expect you to.”

In the reception room of the lord’s castle, Marquis Ludwig was pretty much what I had imagined—a middle-aged man.

Instead of the extravagant attire typical of nobles, he wore a simple, military-style uniform that hugged his well-trained body.

His neatly trimmed gray hair and stern expression exuded a soldierly demeanor, while his firm lips and short beard hinted at his toughness and stubbornness.

Only the golden decorations on his coat hinted at his high status as a marquis.

The Empire’s shield.

Ludwig Wilhelm von Rantenburg.

A renowned general of the Empire with countless achievements to his name.

I sat on the sofa in the reception room, enjoying the soft cushion supporting my back, and calmly observed him.

-Of course, the keeper of the wall built to guard against our Ka`har forces wouldn’t welcome a royal. That would be suspicious.

“The master of the wall built out of fear of our forces. If you had welcomed me, I’d have been suspicious.”

“The duration of the translation magic is almost up, but it’s fine to speak in Ka`har’s language. I already know your tongue.”

Surprisingly, Marquis Ludwig spoke fluent Eastern language.

Come to think of it, the strange energy that had seeped into my mind had almost faded.

I replied in Eastern language as well.

“Thanks for the consideration. This translation magic is indeed annoyingly vague. Honestly, it was uncomfortable.”

“It’s a magic that still has much room for improvement. However, if you were to learn even a bit of the Empire’s language, the magic’s accuracy would improve.”

So, it’s because I don’t know a single word of the Empire’s language that the translation was so lousy?

I’ll learn the Empire’s language out of sheer spite.

Marquis Ludwig pulled something out of the table drawer, put it to his lips, and lit it with a match.

The thick white smoke of the minty aroma rose in a swirling dance.

It was tobacco.

Though it was in the form of a cigar, the sight of a rolled cigarette after so long naturally caught my eye.

“Curious about the magic herb? Come to think of it, I heard the magic herb doesn’t grow in the eastern regions.”

Ah, right, the magic herb.

A pseudo-tobacco that sharpens the senses and clears the mind.

It didn’t have the harmful effects of ruining the body, but it was said to have a strong addictive quality, much like nicotine.

Still, tobacco is tobacco.

“It’s definitely intriguing. Mind if I try it?”

“Sure, here you go.”

Marquis Ludwig pulled out another stick of magic herb and handed it over along with a match.

After lighting the magic herb, I took a deep drag.

How long had it been since I last smoked?

The effects, just as described, were clearly noticeable.

“Whoo—this is pretty good. Feels interesting.”

“If you like it, I’ll gift you a pack.”

“No reason to refuse.”

The Marquis handed over a small wooden box with a sly smile, and I quickly accepted it.

As we both exhaled smoke, the atmosphere felt a bit more relaxed.

“So, what brings the princess of Ka`har all the way here?”

It was a misunderstanding.

The Marquis cut straight to the point, his sharp gaze piercing through me.

Right. This was enemy territory.

I tightened my focus again.

“Didn’t the knights tell you? I’m here to deliver a letter from Ser Khan.”

“I heard you were a messenger from Ser Khan, but what’s Or-han, busy holding the reins of Ka`har, up to?”

“My father has decided to make a peace treaty with the Empire. If the Empire agrees, Ai-shan Gi-or will no longer attack you.”

Though it’ll only last three years.

“A peace treaty… What good would that do? As long as Berengeiria stands strong, your vaunted cavalry won’t be able to scratch the Empire.”

True, Ka`har’s military strength is based on their cavalry.

Unless horses grow wings and fly over 30-meter walls, breaching that barrier is impossible.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no way.

“You’re right. We can’t cross the wall. But isn’t there an obvious path? Right beneath you.”

“…You mean the Dain Kingdom.”

Berengeiria only blocks the Empire’s eastern border.

The Dain Kingdom, located in the southeast, is still directly exposed to Ka`har.

So, by swiftly cutting through Dain’s territory and heading north, we could easily bypass the wall.

There just wasn’t a reason to push into the Empire’s heartland that way.

“…Right. You’ve always attacked and slaughtered that country. I’ve heard even you have quite the reputation there.”

Perhaps uncomfortable with the topic, Marquis Ludwig tried to deflect.

“Is the Empire going to blame us for that? You’d be happy to see Dain plundered too.”

“Outrageous slander. The Empire was founded to protect humanity. How could we rejoice in Dain’s suffering?”

“Because Dain is the sacrificial lamb you created. You wanted to divert Ka`har’s attention, didn’t you?”

“That’s…!”

Indeed. The Dain Kingdom was originally part of the Empire’s territory.

But the Dain people were fierce and strong-willed, often resisting the Empire and causing disturbances unlike other regions.

The Emperor ruling the Empire at the time tried to placate the rebellious Dain people, but tired of the endless uprisings, he eventually gave up.

He knew a far better method than appeasement and made the decision without hesitation.

Not long after, the Empire officially relinquished control of the Dain region and withdrew.

All the Dain people took to the streets, cheering.

Finally, Dain had boldly won its independence from the Empire!

And then Berengeiria was built.

The Dain people, who had celebrated their independence, now faced Ka`har’s armies, which decided to attack Dain instead of crossing the wall.

If Dain hadn’t been an option, Ka`har would have poured its forces into breaking through Berengeiria.

But with a perfectly good target right next door, there was no need to waste effort smashing into the wall.

The gap the Empire deliberately left to lure Ka`har—that was the Dain Kingdom of today.