episode_0003

How can I escape from them?

I thought endlessly as I headed toward Ordos, the capital of the Aishangior tribe.

First of all, recklessly running away is the worst option.

During the journey, I listened to the chatter of the warriors and servants and occasionally found out about them.

These are like a bodyguard unit given to me, a cavalry unit consisting of two White Tiger commanders, twenty Ten Tiger commanders, and two hundred warriors.

Did you say it was the 4th Guards Cavalry?

The core of the force is the twenty-two generals, and the general warriors are said to be mere supplements.

The guys who dared point a knife at me were also newly recruited recruits.

The gloomy-looking man who spoke to me was also Chief Baekho.

Mersin. Unlike Jahan, it was a name I had never heard of in the original work.

Contrary to my expectation that they would be a nomadic people, it is said that the only ones going out are warriors.

Those who are not warriors usually farm or live in their homes for the rest of their lives.

They despise cowards, give preference to warriors, and take pride in the goods and slaves obtained through plunder.

…and they had a habit of chasing down and killing fugitives who left the tribe.

In addition, the Aishan tribe I belong to boasts quite a strong force even among the tribes of Ka`har.

We also learned that the tribal leader, Ayshangior Orhan, dreams of national unification and calls himself Ser Khan, the Conqueror King.

Of course, other tribes did not agree to this, so it was only a self-proclaimed name.

That’s why when the warriors called me, Orhan’s daughter, they called me a princess rather than a princess.

Hashalr is Orhan’s fourth child, and it is said that he has three older brothers and one younger sister.

She has three older brothers, so why will Hashal become queen in the future? Will we all die?

Anyway, the important thing is that if you run away like this, you will be treated as a fugitive who should be caught and killed, regardless of whether you are a princess or not.

So, you must get Orhan’s permission and leave with confidence. I can’t live with these guys.

…So where and how do we leave?

Let’s think about it. If you are going to leave anyway, you have to get out of the eastern part of the country altogether.

If you wander alone in this barbaric land, you will eventually be captured by a band of magic bandits and become a slave.

If I decide to escape from these guys, I want to go to the West, where there is at least some level of security.

The problem is that no matter how I look at it, the people I plundered with these guys were Westerners…

This is why Easterners are treated not as humans, but as half-monsters, just like beastmen.

In the end, is that the only way?

Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to enlist.

—-

Ordos, the capital of the Ayshan tribe, was a city that Ayshangior Orhan worked hard to create over twenty years.

A long time ago, Orhan arrived at the Varun River with his tribe and made this the tribe’s headquarters.

Abundant water sources, fertile farmland, and expansive pastures.

Because it was a land perfectly equipped with all the conditions for a city to grow.

In the early days, Ordos was simply a fenced tent village.

However, twenty years was enough time to develop a clumsy tent village into a huge city.

So this is Ordos?

I looked up blankly at the wooden castle wall, which was more than twice my height.

To be honest, since it was a city of barbarians, I expected to see a few thousand tents gathered together.

It was no exaggeration to say that this was already a medieval fortress.

At each watchtower located here and there on the wooden castle wall, warriors wearing armor stood guard with their eyes wide open.

The man who was at the front of the group approached them holding the unit’s flag.

“Black wolf symbol…! Is this Princess Hashal’s personal guard cavalry?”

“Open the door right now! Princess Aishangior Hashall has returned!”

The startled guards hurriedly opened the door.

The warrior-like spirit he had shown just a moment ago seemed to have completely disappeared.

No, what on earth was Hashal doing so he freaks out just by looking at the flag?

Not even ten seconds later, the front door of the wooden fence was wide open.

Beyond the main gate, I could see numerous guards lined up to the left and right, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads.

Honestly, it’s kind of cool.

Eventually, the leading unit members widened the gap to the left and right, as if I had to take the lead.

Well, unlike outside, where you never know when a battle will break out, this is a kind of triumphal procession.

As their commander, I must march at the forefront.

He spoke lightly and went to the front of the group.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

“Everyone, bow your heads! Princess Aishangior Hashall has returned!”

I moved along the well-maintained road and looked around.

Farmland and residential areas were divided along the river that runs through the city, and beyond was a brick wall.

No, the wall was built with real bricks. They say they are barbarians.

The vast farmland was full of crops of unknown origin, and shabby-looking people tended to the crops and several warriors stood as if watching them.

They’re probably using slaves to do the farming.

Shabby buildings, presumed to be storage rooms for slaves, were occasionally visible.

The area beyond the river was full of houses made of wood and baked earth, perhaps a space for full-scale residential life.

…Despite my status as a princess, I had always lived in a tent, so I thought I was a barbarian.

I guess I was the only one living barbarically.

That tent was not a mobile home, but something like a military barracks.

As we entered the residential area, we could see a variety of people.

Slaves being dragged around wearing rags, residents walking around wearing clothes made of leather and cloth.

Even warriors wearing armor are occasionally seen.

As soon as they discovered my procession, everyone was horrified and walked away from the main street, bowing their heads.

It’s not the king’s journey, and I honestly don’t know if this is right.

Not knowing where to go, I continued towards the brick wall visible in the distance.

While I was moving on for a while, the Mersin White Tiger quietly came next to me.

“Hashall. Are you going straight to Ser Khan?”

uh? uh? Is there a separate procedure that needs to be done? I don’t know about that?

“Is there some problem?”

First, I asked back calmly. It is the privilege of superiors to be able to answer questions with questions.

“Hmm…no. Since you are Hashall, Ser Khan will not have any problem with it either.”

No, what is it? Please explain in detail.

Of course, he seems to assume that I know, so I can’t ask him questions to avoid arousing suspicion. It’s really frustrating.

“Then, we will disperse the warriors after arriving at the inner city. I will have to hand over the slaves, so I will use Chief Baekho as my escort.”

“I leave it to you. After work is over, you can rest on your own.”

“I will do that.”

It turned out that it was a good idea to disperse. If we stayed together anyway, suspicion would only increase.

If you are Hashal’s personal guard, you will be familiar with the original Hashal.

I had to stay as far away from these guys as possible.

—-

The inner wall, made of baked bricks, was much thicker than the wooden fence of the outer castle.

How many slaves were used to build this wall?

When we arrived at the gate, Mersin saluted and dismissed the warriors, then left with my horses and slaves.

It is said that ordinary warriors are not allowed to enter the inner palace, and only the Khan’s immediate blood relatives, the head of the guard, and the Khan’s close associates are allowed to enter the inner palace.

Other than that, are they just servants who are in charge of the castle’s chores?

“Glory to Aishangior. Have you returned, Princess Hashall? It’s only been a month.”

The middle-aged warrior guarding the gate saluted and opened the gate.

Unlike the warriors I had seen so far, the ornate armor befitting a royal guard stood out.

“Has it already been a month? Anyway, I want to see my father. Do you know where he is?”

“Are you referring to Ser Khan? You will still be in the main palace. If you wish to have an audience, you can go to the main palace.”

“You mean I can go right now?”

“Yes. The political meeting is already over, so Khan won’t mind. If you wish, I will send an attendant in advance to inform you that the princess has returned.”

Even though my father is like a king in his own way, it would be better to tell him that I came first rather than meeting him recklessly, right?

“So be it.”

The guard called an attendant and ordered him to announce my return.

After receiving the order, the attendant quickly walked towards the main palace.

Looks like you shouldn’t run around in the castle.

Well, I think you can just follow along leisurely.

“Would you like to enter the palace immediately?”

“Okay. Good luck to you too.”

After exchanging brief greetings, we entered the castle.

The inside was literally like a palace.

Gorgeous buildings stood proudly on the smooth stone floor.

In the end, it felt similar to Gyeongbokgung Palace or the Forbidden City, so I was overly used to it, and it didn’t convey any particular majesty.

The political meeting was over, so the inside of the castle was quieter than expected.

The largest building located in the center. That’s probably the main palace, right?

I took Jahan with me and headed to the main palace.

The servants we occasionally encountered quietly bowed their heads and went their own way again.

When I arrived at the entrance to the main palace, the attendant who had been ordered earlier approached me.

“Princess, the Khan has granted an audience.”

“Okay. Guide me.”

Following the guidance of the attendant, we headed to the inner room of the main palace.

Inside the inner room, in front of the richly decorated door, the servant knelt and opened his mouth.

“Khan, Princess Ayshangior Hashall has requested an audience with you.

“Yes. Come in.”

It was a low, harsh voice, like a tiger growling.

The servant who carefully opened the door stepped to the side of the door, and Jahan also quietly headed to the side of the door.

As I entered the inner room, I heard the door close behind me.

…I feel like I’m trapped in a room with a real tiger.

I swallowed dryly and raised my head to look at Orhan, Hashall’s father.

A muscle monster was sitting on a richly decorated seat with his chin resting on his fist.

A grim face that made my father look about three years old.

A strong body reminiscent of a rock sculpture rather than a person.

Even the wide eyes that seem to emit rays of light.

He was such a fierce-looking man that I thought he might actually be Jahan’s father, not me.

help me.

“…It’s been three months, Hashal. I never thought your side would come looking for this father first. I heard that he was frantically waving his sword around, saying he wanted to do something.”

“Ah, that’s…I don’t deserve it, father.”

First, I lowered my head and started digging into the apple.

I never thought I would have lived for three months without seeing my father once.

It seems that Hazalr was a fire attribute filial daughter.

Well, even if it’s just me, I don’t want to see that face often.

Still, from Hashal’s perspective, he is his father.

Did you have a bad relationship? Does becoming Empress of Ka`har mean inheriting the throne like Arthas?

“Are you apologizing? father? Ha, it feels like I’m hearing my father again after ten years. What was your intention?”

I feel dizzy.

This isn’t just an unfilial daughter, she’s closer to a motherfucker.

I didn’t have anything to say in response so I stayed silent.

“Are you not planning on answering? Yeah, that’s good. Let’s move on. So what brought you here? I’m sure you didn’t come just now to ask about my father’s well-being. Tell me your business.”

“I want to go to the empire of the Westerners. Please allow.”

Orhan’s expression became strangely distorted, as if he had heard a dull joke.

“…I guess I heard wrong. Say it again.”

“I want to go to the empire of the Westerners.”

“Have you ever wanted to commit suicide?”

Orhan chuckled as if it was absurd.

Well, from the Westerners’ perspective, the Ka’hars are nothing more than barbaric butchers.

Heading to the West alone was like asking to be captured and killed.

“I’m serious.”

“Permission is not permitted. It seems like you long to see your mother’s homeland, but the Empire regards us Ka’har as beasts. Do you think it would be any different if you were mixed race? They wouldn’t even accept it in the first place. I don’t know if they try to capture me or kill me.”

Ah, I guess Hashal’s mother was an imperial citizen. It was true that he was of mixed race.

Well, that’s not what’s important right now.

“I have a plan.”

“Guys who say things like that are usually found dead after blowing up an entire squadron.”

“…I don’t mean to spread nonsense.”

“They always say that too. Is there anything more plausible to say? Try being a little more innovative.”

I’m pissed.

I think I know why Hashal hated his father.

What can I say to interest this man, Ser Khan Orhan?

okay. If this is it.

“-Don’t you want to conquer the Great Plains?”

Orhan’s sarcastic expression suddenly changed.

From a father teasing his ill-tempered daughter to a conqueror with tens of thousands of warriors.

“……You know this is not something I would say as a joke. Okay, good. I allow it. Recite it somewhere.”

It was a cold, heavy voice reminiscent of the deep sea on a winter night.