Ch.8Can I Have a Cigarette, Mister?

I crossed the wall.

Since the completion of the Wall of Berengaria, I’m probably the first Ka’har to cross it.

I passed through the fortress walls while receiving the gazes of soldiers—a mixture of fear, vigilance, and hostility.

Don’t look at me like that.

Haschal’s instinct keeps urging me to draw my sword.

Beyond the wall, an ochre plain greeted me.

The distinctive air of a military base tickled my nose—dry earth, the metallic scent of iron, and a hint of sweat.

Old memories surfaced like faded recollections, making me furrow my brow.

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

Judging by how much more effort went into it compared to the barracks, that must be where the knights stay.

Sturdy war horses were lined up in the stable next to the fortress, chewing on hay.

I crossed through the garrison following Sean’s lead.

As the alert status was lifted, soldiers who had been gathered in small groups doing their own tasks noticed me and began murmuring in surprise.

Some tried to hastily aim their weapons at me, but the knights silently stopped them.

When we reached the edge of the garrison, Sean dismissed his subordinates who had been following.

“Return to your units. I will personally escort this person to Lord Landenburg.”

“Are you sure, Sir Sean?”

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

After sending the knights away, Sean approached me.

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

Well, I don’t really need to be formal with him.

My Confucian spirit was already killed by Haschal.

“We’ll reach Landenburg in about an hour. I ask that you avoid causing any disturbance there.”

“That depends on you people.”

I swear by Orhan’s name, not once in my life have I willingly caused conflict with others.

It’s always been the other party who came at me first. Really.

Sean silently turned his head and moved forward.

Well, my answer probably wasn’t very satisfying.

Even I wouldn’t think of recklessly causing trouble in the territory of a great noble who governs the entire eastern border.

But you never know what might happen.

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

Heading toward Landenburg, the border city ruled by Lord Ludwig.

—-

Unlike typical marquisates, Landenburg was a cold, rigid city lacking in splendor and vitality.

The gray landscape, obsessively devoid of color, pressed upon visitors with a gloomy stillness.

The grid structure, strictly divided by district, revealed the ruler’s tendency toward relentless efficiency.

I suppose this is fitting for a border city.

The residents walking about were either soldiers or related workers like blacksmiths who supported the military.

Even the few seemingly ordinary people I encountered were mostly families of soldiers.

It was as if all components of a normal city had been cut away, leaving only functions necessary for the military.

I could roughly guess what kind of person the Margrave would be.

—-

“Haschal Aishan-Gioro. The princess of Ka’har, I presume. I won’t welcome you.”

“I didn’t expect you to.”

Lord Ludwig, whom I met in the reception room of the lord’s castle, was a middle-aged man not far from what I had imagined.

Instead of the lavish formal attire typical of nobles, he wore a simple navy uniform closer to that of a commander, which wrapped his well-trained body.

His gray hair, neatly trimmed at the sides and back, gave him a military appearance, while his firm lips and well-kept short beard conveyed strength and stubbornness.

Only the golden decorations on the coat draped over his shoulders revealed his high status as a marquis.

The Shield of the Empire.

Ludwig Wilhelm von Landenburg.

A renowned general of the Empire with numerous military achievements.

I sat on the sofa in the reception room, enjoying the soft cushion supporting my back while calmly looking at him.

-The caretaker of a wall built to guard against our Ka’har forces would naturally be suspicious if he welcomed a member of our royal family.

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

“The translation magic won’t last much longer, so feel free to speak in the Ka’har language. I already understand your tongue.”

Surprisingly, Lord Ludwig spoke fluent Eastern language.

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

I also answered in the Eastern language.

“Thanks for the consideration. That translation magic was indeed quite ambiguous. Honestly, it was uncomfortable.”

“It’s a magic that still has much room for improvement. However, if the lady would learn even a little of the Imperial language, the effect of the magic would become more accurate.”

So it was because I didn’t know any Imperial language that the translation was so poor?

I’ll learn the Imperial language if only out of spite.

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

A hazy mint-scented white smoke rose in billows.

A cigarette.

Though it was in the form of a cigar, I couldn’t help but stare at the sight of a cigarette I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Are you curious about the Mana Herb? I’ve heard it doesn’t grow in the East.”

Ah yes, Mana Herb.

A tobacco-like substance that sharpens the senses and clears the mind.

It supposedly contains no harmful substances that damage the body, but like nicotine, it’s highly addictive.

A cigarette is a cigarette, after all.

“It is indeed interesting. I’d like to try it myself?”

“That much I can offer. Here, take one.”

Lord Ludwig took out another Mana Herb and handed it to me along with a match.

After lighting the Mana Herb, I took a deep drag.

How long has it been since I last smoked?

I could clearly feel the effects as described.

“Whew—this is quite nice. An interesting feeling.”

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

“No reason to refuse.”

I smiled slightly and quickly accepted the small wooden box the marquis produced.

With both of us blowing smoke, the atmosphere seemed to have softened somewhat.

“So, what brings the princess of Ka’har here?”

I was mistaken.

The marquis sharply cut to the point and glared at me.

Right. This was enemy territory.

I gathered my relaxed mind once again.

“Didn’t you hear from the knights? I came to deliver a letter from Ser Khan.”

“I did hear you were a messenger from Ser Khan, but what business does Orhan have, busy as he must be holding the reins of Ka’har?”

“Father has decided to make a peace agreement with the Empire. If the Empire agrees, the Aishan-Gioro will no longer attack you.”

Just for three years, though.

“Peace agreement… what meaning could that possibly have? As long as Berengaria stands, your vaunted cavalry can’t inflict even a scratch on the Empire.”

Indeed, Ka’har’s military power is based on cavalry capabilities.

Unless horses grow wings and fly over a 30-meter wall, it’s impossible to overcome that barrier.

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 to trample the Empire? Right below you.”

“…You mean the Kingdom of Dane.”

Berengaria is merely a wall that cuts off the eastern border of the Empire.

The Kingdom of Dane, located in the southeast, still faces Ka’har directly.

So by quickly passing through Dane’s territory and heading north, one could easily bypass the wall.

There simply hadn’t been a reason to go that far toward the Empire’s heartland.

“…Yes. You people have always attacked and massacred that country. I’ve heard the lady herself has quite a notorious reputation in that regard.”

Finding the topic distasteful, Lord Ludwig tried to subtly change the subject.

“Is the Empire going to reproach us for that? The plundering of the Kingdom of Dane benefits you as well.”

“That’s an outrageous slander. The Empire was originally created to protect humanity. How could we welcome Dane’s suffering?”

“That’s because Dane is your sacrificial lamb. You wanted to divert Ka’har’s attention elsewhere, didn’t you?”

“That’s…!”

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

However, the Dane people were fierce and strong by nature, and unlike other regions, they often caused trouble by resisting the Empire.

The Emperor who ruled the Empire at that time tried to appease the rebellious Dane people, but tired of the endless revolts, he eventually gave up.

He knew a much better method than conciliation and made his decision without hesitation.

Not long after, the Empire officially abandoned its rule over the Dane region and withdrew.

All the Dane people came out to the streets and cheered.

Finally, Dane had proudly won its independence from the Empire!

And then Berengaria was built.

The Dane people, who had been rejoicing in their independence, found themselves facing Ka’har forces that had decided to attack Dane instead of crossing the wall.

If the option of Dane hadn’t existed, Ka’har would have somehow tried to break through Berengaria by pouring in a large army.

However, with perfectly good prey right next door, there was no reason to struggle against the wall.

The current Kingdom of Dane was a gap deliberately left open by the Empire to lure Ka’har.