Ch.3I’m Going With the Traitor Meta

How could I escape from these people?

I kept thinking about it endlessly as we headed toward Ordos, the capital of the Aishan-Gioro clan.

First of all, running away recklessly would be the worst choice.

During the journey, I gathered bits of information about them by overhearing conversations among warriors and servants.

They were like a personal guard unit assigned to me, a cavalry division consisting of two Centurions, twenty squad leaders, and two hundred warriors.

The 4th Guard Cavalry Division, was it?

The core of their strength lay in the twenty-two officers, while the regular warriors were merely supplementary troops.

Those who dared to point their swords at me were also newly recruited soldiers.

The gloomy-looking man who had spoken to me was also a Centurion.

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

Contrary to my expectation that they would be nomadic, only the warrior groups ventured outside.

Those who weren’t warriors typically farmed and lived their entire lives in their residences.

They despised cowards and favored warriors, taking pride in wealth and slaves obtained through plunder.

…And they had a habit of hunting down and killing deserters who left the tribe.

I also learned that my Clan Aishan was quite powerful among the Ka’har tribes.

And that the tribal chief, Aishan-Gioro Orhan, dreamed of unifying the tribes and called himself the Conqueror King—Ser Khan.

Of course, since other tribes didn’t agree with this, it was merely a self-proclaimed title.

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

Haschal was Orhan’s fourth child, with three older brothers and one younger sister, they said.

With three older brothers, why would Haschal become queen in the future? Do they all die or something?

Anyway, what matters is that if I run away now, I’ll be treated as a deserter who must be captured and killed, regardless of being a princess.

So I need Orhan’s permission to leave properly. I can’t live with these people.

…Then where and how should I go?

Let me think. If I’m going to leave anyway, I should get out of the eastern region entirely.

If I wander alone in such a barbaric land, I’ll eventually be captured by bandits and become a slave.

Since I’ve decided to escape from these people, I want to go to the west where there’s at least some guarantee of public safety.

The problem is that the people we plundered were clearly westerners…

This is why easterners are treated as half-monsters like werebeasts rather than people.

In the end, there’s only one way.

Given the situation, I have no choice but to enlist.

—-

Ordos, the capital of the Clan Aishan, was a city that Aishan-Gioro Orhan had painstakingly built over twenty years.

Long ago, Orhan arrived at the Barun River with his tribe and made this place their stronghold.

Abundant water sources, fertile farmland, and vast pastures.

It was a land with all the perfect conditions for a city to grow.

In its early days, Ordos was merely a fenced tent village.

However, twenty years was enough time to develop a crude tent village into a massive city.

So this is Ordos.

I stared blankly at the wooden walls that were more than twice my height.

Honestly, when they said it was a city of barbarians, I expected a collection of thousands of tents.

But this was already no less than a medieval fortress.

Warriors in armor stood vigilantly at watchtowers positioned throughout the wooden walls.

The man at the front of our group approached them, holding the unit flag.

“The black wolf emblem…! Is this Princess Haschal’s Guard Cavalry Division?”

“Open the gate immediately! Princess Aishan-Gioro Haschal has returned!”

The startled guards hurriedly opened the gate.

The warrior-like spirit they had shown just moments ago had completely vanished.

What on earth did the original Haschal do that made them panic just at the sight of her flag?

The main gate opened wide in less than ten seconds.

Beyond the gate, numerous guards knelt on one knee with bowed heads, lined up on both sides.

It was actually quite impressive.

Eventually, the troops at the front spread out to the sides, as if I should take the lead.

Well, unlike the outside where battles could break out at any moment, this was essentially a triumphal procession.

As their commander, I should march at the front.

I lightly guided my horse to the front of the group.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

“Everyone bow your heads! Princess Aishan-Gioro Haschal has returned!”

I looked around as we moved along the well-maintained road.

Farmland and residential areas were divided along the river that crossed the city, and beyond them, I could see walls built with bricks.

They really built walls with bricks. And they call themselves barbarians?

The vast farmlands were filled with unfamiliar crops, with shabbily dressed people tending to them while warriors stood watching over them.

They must be using slaves for farming.

Shabby buildings that seemed to be slave quarters were visible here and there.

Across the river was a space for residential living, filled with houses made of wood and baked clay.

…Despite my position as a princess, I had been living in tents until now and thought to myself that it was indeed barbaric.

But it seems I was the only one living like a barbarian.

Those tents weren’t mobile homes but something like military barracks.

As we entered the residential area, I could see various people.

Slaves being dragged around in rags, residents walking around in clothes woven from leather and cloth.

And warriors in armor that appeared occasionally.

They all panicked upon seeing my procession and moved away from the main road, bowing their heads.

I’m not sure if this is appropriate—it’s not like I’m a king on a royal procession.

Not knowing where to go, I continued toward the brick walls visible in the distance.

As we proceeded, Centurion Mersin quietly approached my side.

“Lady Haschal. Are you going directly to see the Ser Khan?”

Huh? Huh? Is there some separate procedure I should follow? I don’t know about that!

“Is there a problem?”

I calmly asked in return. Answering a question with a question is a superior’s privilege.

“Hmm… No. Since it’s you, Lady Haschal, I’m sure the Ser Khan won’t mind.”

What is it? Please explain in detail.

Since he seems to assume I already know, I can’t ask too many questions without raising suspicion. This is really frustrating.

“Then I’ll dismiss the warriors when we reach the inner fortress. I need to hand over the slaves, so Centurion Jahan will be your escort.”

“I leave it to you. You may rest or do as you please when your work is done.”

“I will do so.”

It’s good that they’re dispersing. It wouldn’t have helped to stay together anyway—it would only have raised more suspicion.

As Haschal’s personal guard, they must know the original Haschal well.

I needed to keep my distance from them as much as possible.

—-

The inner fortress wall made of baked bricks was much thicker than the outer wooden palisade.

How many slaves were worked to death to build this wall?

Upon reaching the gate, Mersin saluted, dismissed the warriors, and left with my horse and the slaves.

Regular warriors aren’t allowed to enter the inner fortress; only the Khan’s direct bloodline, guard captains, and the Khan’s close ministers are permitted entry.

Besides them, perhaps only servants who handle the castle’s miscellaneous tasks.

“Glory to Aishan-Gioro. Have you returned, Princess Haschal? It’s been a month.”

A middle-aged warrior guarding the gate saluted and opened it for me.

Unlike the warriors I had seen so far, he wore splendid armor befitting a royal guard.

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

“The Ser Khan? He should still be in the main palace. If you wish for an audience, you can go to the main palace.”

“I can go right now?”

“Yes. The council meeting has already ended, so the Khan won’t mind. If you wish, I can send a servant ahead to inform him of your return.”

Even if he’s my father, he’s still essentially a king, so it’s probably better to announce my arrival rather than barging in unannounced.

“Do so.”

The guard called a servant and ordered him to announce my return.

The servant hurried toward the main palace with quick steps.

It seems running isn’t allowed inside the fortress.

Well, I can follow at a leisurely pace.

“Will you enter the palace immediately?”

“Yes. You may rest as well.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, I entered the fortress.

The inside was truly no different from a palace.

Magnificent buildings stood proudly on neatly laid stone floors.

It ultimately felt similar to Gyeongbokgung or the Forbidden City, so it didn’t particularly impress me due to its familiarity.

Since the council meeting had ended, the fortress interior was quieter than expected.

The largest building located in the center—that must be the main palace?

I headed toward the main palace with Jahan.

The servants we occasionally encountered quietly bowed their heads before going on their way.

By the time we reached the entrance of the main palace, the servant who had received the order earlier approached me.

“Princess, the Khan has granted you an audience.”

“Good. Lead the way.”

Following the servant’s guidance, I headed to the inner chambers of the main palace.

In front of an elaborately decorated door at the back of the inner chamber, the servant knelt and spoke.

“My Khan, Princess Aishan-Gioro Haschal requests an audience.”

“Very well. Enter.”

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

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

As I entered the inner chamber, I heard the door closing behind me.

…It really feels like being locked in a room with a tiger.

I swallowed hard and raised my head to look at Haschal’s father, Orhan.

A muscle monster sat on an elaborately decorated seat, resting his chin on his fist.

A fierce face that looked old enough to be my father three times over.

A sturdy physique reminiscent not of a person but of a stone statue.

And piercing eyes that seemed capable of shooting beams.

He was such a ferocious-looking man that I wondered if he might actually be Jahan’s father instead of mine.

Save me.

“…It’s been three months, Haschal. To think you would seek out your father first. I heard you were busy swinging your sword around, trying to earn merit.”

“Ah, well, about that… I’m sorry, Father.”

I apologized first, bowing my head.

To think she lived three months without facing her own father once.

Haschal must have been a fire-attribute filial daughter.

Well, even I wouldn’t want to see that face often.

But from Haschal’s perspective, he’s still her father.

Were they on bad terms? Does becoming the Empress of Ka’har mean succeeding to the throne like Arthas?

“You’re apologizing? Father? Ha, I think it’s been ten years since I last heard you call me father. What are you plotting?”

I feel dizzy.

This wasn’t just being unfilial—she was closer to being a rogue.

I remained silent, not knowing how to respond.

“No intention to answer? Fine, let’s move on. So why have you come? Surely you haven’t suddenly come to inquire about your father’s well-being. Tell me your business.”

“I want to go to the Empire of the westerners. Please grant me permission.”

Orhan’s expression twisted strangely, as if he had heard an unfunny joke.

“…I must have misheard. Say that again.”

“I want to visit the Empire of the westerners.”

“Have you developed a death wish?”

Orhan snickered incredulously.

Well, from the westerners’ perspective, the Ka’har were nothing but savage butchers.

Going to the west alone was essentially asking to be captured and killed.

“I’m serious.”

“I cannot permit it. You might miss your mother’s homeland, but the Empire views us Ka’har as beasts. Do you think it would be any different for you, a half-blood? They wouldn’t even accept you in the first place. They would try to capture or kill you.”

Ah, so Haschal’s mother was from the Empire. So she was indeed mixed-blood.

Well, that’s not the important part right now.

“I have a plan.”

“Those who say such things usually end up losing an entire warrior band and being found as corpses.”

“…I’m not trying to spout nonsense.”

“They always say that too. Don’t you have something more plausible to say? Try to be more original.”

This is infuriating.

I can see why Haschal disliked her father.

What could I say to pique this man’s, Ser Khan Orhan’s, interest?

Yes. This should work.

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

Orhan’s demeanor suddenly changed from that of a father teasing his ill-tempered daughter to that of a conqueror commanding tens of thousands of warriors.

“……You know this isn’t something to be brought up as a joke. Very well, I’ll permit it. Go ahead and explain.”

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