episode_0181

“What you mean by saying you can’t wait and see… ?”

Jargal could not hide his anxiety. His lord, Aishangior Amin, had a personality that could hardly be called cool-headed by nature… .

After an incident when I was a boy, I had completely let go of reason when it came to things related to Princess Hashall.

“Jargal. Isn’t it suspicious? Do you understand that she is treated like a hero by Westerners? I thought I would definitely be treated as a traitor.”

“Isn’t this to buy time to conquer the Great Plains? Perhaps they are trying to avoid unnecessary friction in order to avoid suspicion… .”

“Avoid friction? Do you really think such a thing is possible for a ghost woman? With that demon-like personality?”

Although he was laughing mockingly, Amin’s fingertips were trembling slightly.

Amin would never admit it, but his hatred was based on fear.

The terrible pain I experienced when I was younger than ten years old.

The fear at that time filled the empty eye sockets and left a phantom pain that did not subside even after many years.

It didn’t take long for fear to decay into hatred.

Hashal, who committed the crime, did not receive any punishment and instead attracted Orhan’s interest, while Amin became a subject of ridicule simply because he was assaulted by a starving girl.

Things got a little better after he grew up as a warrior, but his father Orhan still discriminated against him.

Even if they participated in a war, they were rarely entrusted with the main army, and they were not easily allowed to fight on their own.

As if nothing was expected of him.

At least, Amin thought so.

Otherwise, would there be any reason to leave oneself behind to conquer the Great Plains, a long-held dream?

The two half-brothers are probably in the midst of building up their reputations and careers by now.

Only he had to stay here like a guard dog, excluded from all glory.

It was an infuriating thing for Amin, but… Now that things have turned out this way, it was actually a fortunate result.

No matter what he did here, there was no one who could stop him.

—-

“In the first place, from what I heard, it was definitely not at the level of trying to avoid friction. Don’t you know what it means to be treated like a hero? This woman who would cut down her subordinates just because she offended her, is actually being protected by the people of the empire with all their might. How dare you say that the martial arts bastards of the empires are praising themselves as warriors sent by God?”

“That’s for sure… It’s a strange thing.”

Jargal nodded.

It wasn’t every day that Amin made biased accusations against Hashal, but if what he said was true, it was definitely suspicious.

Princess Aishangior Hashall had a uniquely ferocious personality among warriors.

If there were any casualties in her unit, one or two out of ten were executed not by enemies but by the princess’s orders.

Most of them were new recruits, but they were in extremely cruel hands.

“I heard that right now they are obsessed with one prince of the empire. From what I heard, they are in a relationship where they even watch over their bed? Isn’t it a masterpiece? Looks like I learned how to do galbo properly from my mother.”

Amin sneered and leaned back on the throne.

“The way I see it, she must have betrayed us. If she was going to come back in three years and start a war with the empire like she told her father, then why would she do such a useless thing? Even if you work hard to sell your body, it will all be in vain when you come back. I had no intention of returning in the first place… . In my mother’s country, they are sharpening their claws targeting us.”

Is this the saying that the cow that was backing away caught the mouse is used in this situation?

Although it was an inference full of prejudice and speculation, Amin’s words were surprisingly close to the truth.

It was an unmistakable fact that the current Hashal had no intention of returning to the plains and that she was hostile to Ka’har.

“Are you saying that the princess is going to point a knife at Aishan? There’s a reason… .”

“That girl thinks we are her mother’s enemies. I still can’t admit that that prostitute got sick.”

Although he said so, Amin also did not think that Aimela’s death was caused by a soldier.

He was also half-convinced that it was his half-brothers or their mother who did it.

How annoying must it have been for a woman to be ungrateful even though she was a Western slave and loved by Orhan?

It was a shame that the child born was a daughter; if it had been a son, he might have surpassed his older brothers and become the heir.

“… If the rumors are true, it is certainly something worth mentioning to Ser Khan. If it’s true.”

Jargal took a cautious attitude for now.

It was also difficult for him to believe that Amin, who was wasting his time in Ordos, had a detailed understanding of the situation of the empire.

Considering Amin’s personality as a guard warrior, it could be that he was trying to piece together the rumors he had picked up at first glance and slander the princess with lies.

If a mantra was made hastily and later turned out to be false, it would be Amin himself who would take responsibility.

“What, you don’t believe me, Jargal?”

“It’s not like that. However, considering the distance between the Empire and Ordos, isn’t there a possibility that the rumor was wrong? Rumors tend to turn into nonsense when they pass through many people.”

“What else can I say? Do not doubt, Jargal. Because it’s a solid story. I’ve never really told you, but I’ve always had my ears open to the empire, right? This is information directly from the source.”

‘They’re not that trustworthy, though.’

Amin muttered to himself.

Although he was grateful that they brought him useful stories, Amin did not trust them either.

Because they had already failed to get things done once.

‘They were the ones who couldn’t even curse properly.’

Amin recalled meeting them a year ago.

—-

The ‘sources’ Amin spoke of were not ordinary people.

powwow.

They are also a group of shamans who are a mixture of westerners and easterners.

Around this time last year, they were the ones who contacted me saying they would make me Khan of Aishan.

When they first met, Amin also drew his sword and opposed them.

Being associated with martial arts or shamans was the biggest taboo for Ka’har warriors.

The only magical phenomenon recognized by the humans of the Great Plains was the strange power naturally ingrained in the weapons refined by subjugating spirits.

On the other hand, the shamans who used fancy tricks were so foolish that they were all exterminated hundreds of years ago.

Such people appear out of nowhere and offer to make him Khan.

It was extremely suspicious to anyone, and it was something that anyone would naturally reject.

If they were discovered to be in cahoots with shamans, it would not be surprising if the entire clan was executed.

However, Amin’s way of thinking was somewhat different from others.

‘Isn’t it okay if I don’t get caught? The power that our ancestors tried to exclude will be useful in many ways if I use it on my side.’

Certainly, it was an extraordinary idea that others would not even think of.

I don’t know if I should call it extraordinary.

Amin willingly took their hands.

Until then, it would have been a satisfactory result for both sides.

The shamans ‘naturally’ eliminated those whom Amin had a grudge against, and in return, Amin also granted their strange requests.

The close relationship that had lasted for nearly half a year became somewhat neglected when Amin requested a major project to use them in earnest.

The assassination of Amin’s enemy, Ayshangior Hashall.

It took a lot of preparation to kill a strong man of the level of a great warrior… Amin was happy to provide everything they asked for.

It was a bit too much for him to do, but he could endure it if it meant that that damn girl would disappear.

When all preparations were in place, the shamans confidently guaranteed success.

He said he would cast a curse that would be enough to kill not just one great warrior, but at least ten.

And they failed.

The ghost woman, who should have died, woke up fine and returned to Ordos.

Perhaps because he sensed something, he left for the empire right after that, leaving all his subordinates alone.

From then on Amin became somewhat distrustful of their abilities.

Even though hundreds of lives and various objects were sacrificed, they were unable to kill a single woman. They were more useless than he thought.

Amin declared that he would no longer comply with their demands until Hashal died, and after that the shamans remained silent.

– It looks like you have at least a little bit of shame.

Amin thought so… Only they knew what the shamans were thinking.

—-

It was a few days ago that they contacted each other again.

Those who came with information about the empire, saying that if they couldn’t get rid of it with magic, they would use another method.

Hashal’s actions, the state of the empire. Even what will happen in the future.

It was information that seemed quite useful to Amin.

“… So, do you plan to send a messenger to Ser Khan in the near future?”

Jargal’s voice stopped Amin from his thoughts.

Amin turned his head and looked at Jargal and smiled.

“No, that’s why it’s too late. By the time the message arrives from your father and he has made his decision, it will be time for him to take action. That girl will already be untouchable. Who knows whether she will be able to move her body well and become the empress of the empire?”

Smiling as coldly as a snake, Amin stroked his eyepatch.

“If you miss this opportunity, it will take over 4 years to punish that traitor. Even so, if we can’t destroy the empire, it will be completely impossible. We can’t leave it like that.”

“… What method are you thinking of?”

Jargal could not hide his rising anxiety.

It was common for Amin to make harsh remarks, but this time it seemed like it would not end up as a simple slander.

“The remaining defense forces in Ordos are about 5,000? My father ordered me to take care of the house, and everyone of higher status than me left for the east… Their command is mine. I will attack the empire with them.”

It was a statement that made me doubt my ears.

Jargal’s expression was filled with astonishment.

His lord, who had been causing trouble frequently by causing accidents, was about to commit a major accident that could not be undone.

“That’s crazy! There is no way that a barrier that could not be overcome with tens of thousands of troops could be broken through with just five thousand… !”

Amin must have been bothered by Jargal’s retort, and scratched the corners of his eyes nervously.

“This is crazy. Have you forgotten who you are talking to, Jargal? How dare you raise your voice in front of me?”

“I’m sorry… ! However, it is overly dangerous. If I’m not careful, Amin could be killed in action, so as a guard warrior, I have no choice but to oppose it.”

It was obvious.

Even if you were a famous general, it would be impossible to cross the wall with 5,000 troops.

Even though Amin was closer to a diploma, let alone a master, his skills as a warrior were quite decent.

However, Amin smiled calmly.

“Don’t worry about that. I have no intention of hitting the wall and oxidizing it. It would be enough to attack lightly and then step back and aim for the bottom of the wall. That alone would make it meaningless whether it was a peace agreement or not. That responsibility will fall on the ghost woman who came with the agreement.”

Surely, if they suggest a peace agreement and then backstab like that… Princess Hashal, who remained in the empire as a hostage, will be in great trouble.

Jargal could not know what kind of punishment he would receive.

“In that case, there will be no death in battle… What do you plan to say to Ser Khan? If the agreement with the empire is broken by war, you will have to take over the army that is conquering the Great Plains, but how can you bear the wrath of Khan, who has to withdraw his army right before his long-cherished wish? .”

This was an issue where Orhan, enraged, could have cut off Amin’s head.

I wonder if I would go that far, but it would be maddening for anyone to see decades of long-awaited wishes go in vain.

“What do you think? I’m a half-abandoned child anyway. If I continue to live like this, one of my brothers will take over Khan’s position, and I will be treated like a dog until the end. In that case, it would be better to at least repay the grudge and move on. It’s not like there’s nothing to say there. The last information I heard about the empire was more useful than I thought.”

“Useful information, what on earth did you hear… .”

“Are you trying to do something crazy like this?” was all Jargal muttered to himself.

If you say it out loud, Amin will try to kill you.

“They say the empire will soon enter civil war. It’s a fight between half brothers. Well, people are the same everywhere.”

Amin scoffed and shrugged his shoulders.

“Once a civil war breaks out, we won’t be able to send a proper corps to our side. So whether you come back or continue fighting on the Great Plains, that is up to your father to decide.”

“But… .”

Jargal still couldn’t hide his anxiety.

Because it was an overly radical and dangerous idea that relied heavily on speculation.

“Stop. I never asked you to judge. Your role is to obey, not to judge. Did you understand? Prepare your warriors, Jargal. As fast as possible.”

It was a firm tone that refused to be accepted.

Jargal had no choice but to lower his head.