Chapter 23

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 10-2

Chapter Title: Doubts at the Border Fortress

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Three days had passed since then.

Around noon, the imperial army finally arrived at the border fortress.

The fortress, which had once fallen to the Katago Tribe, was now little more than ruins, barely holding its shape.

The crumbled walls and half-collapsed keep bore witness to the ferocity of the battle that had raged there.

Count Hunt, who had arrived a day earlier, greeted the Crown Prince at the fortress gates.

Passing through the charred black gates scorched by fire, the imperial army set up camp inside the fortress.

Count Hunt led the Crown Prince into the keep.

Following behind were Makia and Glenn, Leona and Barts.

"We've cleared away the debris from the open space in front of the keep as best we could. We'll pitch tents there for the troops. Your Highness, please stay inside the fortress. There are a few undamaged rooms left, and I've prepared some for the commanders as well."

Hearing this, Makia, who stood behind the Crown Prince, spoke up.

"The enemy is still not far off. We can't let our guard down, so the other commanders and I will camp outside."

Kamin nodded and gave instructions to Barts.

"Barts, go pick out a few rooms. Once you've decided on mine, place Leona's room nearby. And set aside a separate one for Jahankun."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Barts bowed his head and quickly slipped away from the group.

Count Hunt eyed the Crown Prince's expression and subtly suggested,

"Your Highness, you've just arrived and must be tired. Why not rest for a bit?"

"No need. Is the meeting room intact?"

"Ah, the original one caught fire, so we've set up the dining hall as a temporary meeting room."

"Take me there."

"Yes."

Count Hunt guided him to the dining hall on the first floor.

The fortress dining hall had been built to accommodate large numbers, sprawling almost as vast as a banquet hall.

Currently, a single large conference table stood in the center, while the dozens of long tables and chairs had been pushed aside to one wall.

As Kamin headed to the table, he asked Count Hunt,

"By the way, what happened to that traveler? Did he die?"

Count Hunt's face lit up as he replied,

"No, he survived. A perfumer we met here by chance managed to neutralize the viper venom in his body."

Kamin stopped in his tracks and turned to face Count Hunt.

"A perfumer?"

Seeing the Crown Prince's icy expression, Count Hunt quickly added by way of explanation,

"He had certification from the Imperial Perfumery. His identity checks out."

"Why would a perfumer from the palace come all the way to the border?"

"He said there's an incense herb that blooms only in this border region at this time of year. He knew war was breaking out but insisted he had to collect it, so he came here out of necessity."

"A perfumer personally gathering herbs? That's a first."

"Yes. I was impressed by his dedication too. He has extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and even saved that traveler who was on the brink of death."

Kamin furrowed his brow.

He didn't like how Count Hunt was openly praising the perfumer.

Kamin glanced at Makia and Glenn, prompting them to share their thoughts.

"His sudden appearance feels too convenient to be pure coincidence."

"If he has papers from the Imperial Perfumery, he must be legitimate. Isn't this just needless suspicion?"

Makia and Glenn's opinions clashed.

"Where is this perfumer now?"

Kamin asked.

Count Hunt replied in a timid, uncertain voice,

"He went outside the fortress to search for the new incense herb..."

Kamin's gaze turned frigid.

"H-he'll be back before sunset, I'm sure. All his belongings are here. Besides, he said he'd have to wait a few more days to harvest the plant he came for... so he'll definitely return..."

Count Hunt broke into a cold sweat, stealing glances at the Crown Prince.

Under the Crown Prince's cold stare, Count Hunt's head dipped lower and lower.

At that moment, someone broke the heavy silence.

"What's the perfumer's name?"

It was Leona. Count Hunt seized on her question and shouted,

"Phil! Phil Mago!"

Leona's eyes widened at his answer.

"Do you know him?"

Leona bowed her head to Kamin and said,

"Yes, Your Highness. If it's Perfumer Phil Mago, I know of him."

"How do you know him?"

"I met him at the palace. But it's strange that he's here in the north. Just before Your Highness set out on campaign, I ran into him leaving the palace, and he told me he was heading south to search for new fragrances. So I'm not sure if this 'Phil Mago' is the same person I know..."

Count Hunt's face paled at Leona's words.

Fearing a reprimand from the Crown Prince, he couldn't even straighten his back properly.

But Kamin didn't scold Count Hunt. He simply ordered that the perfumer be brought to him upon his return.

Just as Count Hunt breathed a sigh of relief, Kamin asked about the traveler.

"Have you interrogated the traveler?"

"Ah, yes. I did it myself yesterday. He claims he was heading to the border fortress to find his younger brother, who was in the border guard. The guard roster was destroyed, so we can't verify it right now. I've had him confined to a room for the time being."

Kamin thought for a moment and looked at Makia.

The surviving border guards had been folded into Makia's unit.

"Makia, bring some border guard survivors to confront the traveler. Someone might know his brother's name."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Kamin leaned casually against the head of the table and gestured for the others to sit.

As the meeting was about to begin in earnest, Leona drew close to the Crown Prince and quietly asked,

"Your Highness, shall I prepare tea?"

"Mm... yes."

Leona bowed and hurried out of the dining hall.

Kamin signaled one of his guards.

Immediately, one of the Crown Prince's guards followed behind Leona.

Kamin scanned the faces of the commanders seated around the table and spoke in a measured tone.

"So, what now? The Katago Tribe has retreated from imperial soil. Should we withdraw too, since the enemy has pulled back?"

Makia immediately objected.

"No. The enemy hasn't fully withdrawn. They've disbanded their main force but are still garrisoned in the borderlands. If we turn back now, they'll cross again and invade our territory. We need to advance into Katago lands and wipe them out completely."

"Glenn, your thoughts?"

"Commander Makia has a point. But the enemy has lost half their strength since the start of the campaign. Given how they've avoided direct confrontation while heading north, it seems they've lost the will to fight."

Makia countered right away.

"If that were true, they'd have sued for peace or surrendered by now. Fleeing without any response is suspicious."

Count Hunt cautiously interjected,

"What if they've lured us here on purpose? They could have traps waiting in their territory. We shouldn't rush in blindly."

Makia pushed for immediate attack, while Glenn and Count Hunt advocated caution, sparking a heated debate.

In the meantime, Leona returned to the dining hall and placed tea before the Crown Prince and the others one by one.

As the Crown Prince lifted his cup, the argument ceased abruptly.

The commanders calmed themselves and sipped their tea.

Kamin downed the refreshing mint tea in one go.

The moment his cup was empty, Leona refilled it from the teapot she'd brought.

After three cups in quick succession, Kamin reached a decision.

"We'll garrison here for the time being. Glenn, send out scouts for a closer look at the enemy's movements. Count Hunt, bolster the defenses against possible raids. Makia, this plain is their favored terrain. Train the cavalry to counter Katago tactics."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

With that, Kamin ended the meeting.

Those who had received orders hurried off to carry them out.

Left alone, Kamin asked Leona for more mint tea.

As she refilled his cup, he savored it slowly this time.

"Your skills are better than Barts's, after all."

"Then let me handle Your Highness's tea from now on. Entrust it to me."

Kamin permitted her request after pondering over his cup.

After lunch, the Crown Prince set out to inspect the border region personally.

The elite guards, led by Casey, accompanied him.

Seizing the opportunity, Leona tidied the Crown Prince's quarters with Barts and Noel.

Once the room was cleaned and somewhat organized, Barts informed her of her room's location.

It was right next to the Crown Prince's.

"Where are your rooms, Barts and Noel?"

"Ours are on the floor above. We've put Jahankun's on the same floor."

"I see. Is Jahankun in his room now?"

"Yes. We took his meal there too... Oh, right. I forgot to collect the dishes."

Barts instructed Noel to retrieve the empty dishes from Jahankun's room.

But Noel still had to move the Crown Prince's belongings.

Leona volunteered to fetch them herself.

After learning the exact location, she headed for the stairs.

One of the Crown Prince's elite guards followed her.

He had been assigned to watch over Leona.

As she climbed, Leona turned and exchanged a nod with the guard.

"Sorry to make you work for my sake."

"No trouble at all."

They knew each other from the palace, so Leona chatted lightly with him about the border weather as they went to Jahankun's room.

Moments later, Leona lightly knocked on Jahankun's door.

"Jahankun, it's Leona. I've come for the breakfast dishes."

The door opened shortly after.

Leona greeted him warmly.

"Jahankun, how have you been? I'm sorry—I haven't had time to look after you lately. Is everything all right?"

Despite her gentle approach, Jahankun silently handed over the dishes.

Leona frowned at the leftover food.

"Oh dear, it doesn't seem to your taste. Shall I bring something else?"

Jahankun shook his head in refusal and shut the door.

Leona left the door with a dejected expression.

She sighed at the greasy remnants in the bowl.

Lately, she'd been by the Crown Prince's side all day, so Barts and Noel had handled Jahankun's meals.

She had tipped them off about his preferences when handing over the task.

But they apparently hadn't had the bandwidth to cater to him carefully.

She understood, but it still upset her.

Leona took the dishes to the kitchen area and personally asked the supply officer in charge to pay special attention to Jahankun's food.

Dusk fell over the land, and the Crown Prince returned to the fortress.

He headed straight to his room to change.

As Leona helped him with his clothes, Barts entered from where he stood outside.

"Your Highness, Commander New Moon requests an audience."

"Send him in."

"Yes."

With Kamin's permission, Makia entered.

Kamin beckoned him closer.

"What is it?"

"Your Highness, I've finished interrogating the traveler."

"And?"

"One of the border guards knew his brother. We cross-checked, and his story holds up—no lies."

"What about the traveler's brother?"

Makia replied gravely,

"He fell the day the Katago Tribe breached the fortress."

"Have you told the traveler?"

"Yes. He broke down sobbing and fainted from the shock."

Kamin thought briefly before speaking.

"We're still at war—we can't keep him in the fortress. Tomorrow morning, escort him out and send him back to the capital."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Makia left, Count Hunt came to see the Crown Prince.

Kamin was sitting on the sofa, having Leona brush his hair.

"Your Highness, I've brought the perfumer."

Leona, pondering how to deal with the Crown Prince's dust-caked hair, tensed at Count Hunt's words.

"Send him in."

At Kamin's command, the door opened, and a white-haired man entered.

Leona's mouth fell open at the sight of him.

"Greetings, Crown Prince. I am Perfumer Phil Mago."

Phil bowed deeply and respectfully to the Crown Prince.

Kamin, legs crossed, accepted the greeting and asked Leona,

"Well? Is this the one you know?"

Leona stepped forward at once.

"Yes, Your Highness. It's him."

Phil recognized her and showed surprise.

"Ah, Leona. What brings you here...?"

"It's been a while, Perfumer."

"This is a battlefield. How did a woman like you end up here?"

"I—"

"You knew it was a war zone—why are you here?"

Kamin cut their conversation short and questioned Phil.

Phil calmly replied to Kamin,

"There's a plant that grows only in this region at this time. I needed it for a new fragrance, so I had no choice but to come."

"Leona said you told her you were going south. Why lie to her?"

"It wasn't a lie. I initially planned to head south when I left the capital. But on the road, I ran into a supplier for the Perfumery by chance. That's when I learned of the Katago incursion."

Phil let out a small sigh before continuing.

"He told me war had broken out in the northwest, so he couldn't deliver the materials I'd requested. Missing this year meant waiting another, so I changed course and came here."

Even after Phil's explanation, Kamin remained silent.

Phil knelt and pleaded with the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I promise not to interfere with the war. Please allow me just a few days here. Seven days will do. That's when the plant is ripe for harvest. I beg your mercy."

Kamin had Count Hunt help Phil to his feet.

"How could I hinder a perfumer's work? You bear the vital duty of crafting scents for the imperial family."

Kamin granted his request and arranged for him to have an escort whenever he left the fortress.

Deeply grateful, Phil bowed repeatedly to the Crown Prince before withdrawing.

After Phil and Count Hunt left, Leona returned behind the Crown Prince.

She focused intently on untangling his hair, missing his attempt to speak.

"Leona, did you hear me?"

"Ah, forgive me, Your Highness. What did you say?"

"Tell Jahankun to come to my room after dinner."

"Understood. But, Your Highness."

"Yes?"

"When would you like your bath?"

"A bath?"

"You haven't washed in days. I checked—there's a well inside the fortress with plenty of water. Wouldn't it be good to bathe...?"

Leona carefully combed dirt from between the Crown Prince's strands.

"Am I dirty?"

"...It's more about hygiene, Your Highness."

Kamin snorted and shook out his hair with his hand.

A cloud of dust billowed over Leona.

She covered her mouth and stepped back hastily.

Kamin chuckled at the sight.

He grabbed the fleeing Leona and buried his nose in her crown, sniffing.

Leona yelped in surprise, clutching her head and sinking to the floor.

"Your scent's no better."

Kamin teased with a mischievous grin.

Blushing from neck to scalp, Leona protested,

"I-I was planning to wash today."

"Today? When? Where?"

"After dinner... in my room..."

Hearing this, Kamin adopted a stern expression and warned her.

"Lock the door properly when you bathe. Secure the windows too. Understand?"

"Yes."

"It gets cold at night—dry your hair thoroughly. Don't wander around with it wet like last time, or you could fall seriously ill. And..."

Sensing a lecture coming, Leona excused herself to prepare his bathwater and fled.

Soon after, Kamin bathed with Barts's assistance.

While the Crown Prince bathed, Leona went to Jahankun's room with his dinner, intending to relay the message.

"Jahankun, here's your dinner."

As soon as Jahankun opened the door, Leona held out the tray.

Though she'd tailored the food to his tastes, he showed no enthusiasm and tried to close the door.

Leona quickly delivered the Crown Prince's message.

Jahankun shut the door without a word.

Leona drooped in disappointment.

"What a cold fish."

Startled by the sudden voice, Leona whirled around.

Casey stood behind her, looking sullen.

"Vice Commander Casey?"

"Even with how kindly you treat him every time, he's like a stone."

Casey grumbled loudly at Jahankun's door, as if for him to hear.

"Vice Commander Casey, how long have you been behind me? You scared me."

"I just got here. I searched the whole fortress looking for you."

"Me? Did His Highness send you?"

"Yes. From now on, tell someone where you're going. His Highness worries. Should I assign one of my men as your dedicated guard?"

"No need."

Leona scratched her cheek embarrassedly.

"Why would I need a guard? This is our army's camp—it's safe. Don't worry about His Highness's overprotectiveness."

"True, but last time in camp, you were almost kidnapped..."

"Ah!"

Just then, Leona spotted someone vanishing around the corridor's end.

She chased after them in a hurry.

Casey, baffled, followed her.

Turning the corner, they saw a white-haired man not far off.

"Perfumer!"

Phil Mago stopped and turned.

"Leona?"

Leona rushed up and finished her greeting.

"So glad to see you again. I hope you've been well?"

"Of course. I never expected to meet you here. You look healthy— that's a relief."

"If you need anything while you're here, come to me. I'll help however I can with your work."

"Your offer alone is thanks enough. I wouldn't dream of troubling you while you're attending His Highness."

"How could your work be a trouble? You do vital service for His Majesty and the empire."

"Ha ha... thank you for saying so."

Phil downplayed his talents modestly, but Leona knew the feats he would achieve.

Next year, he would earn immense acclaim as a perfumer.

By recreating the "Guardian's Scent," known only from records.

It might not be the true original, but matching the descriptions was achievement enough.

For that, he earned the title "Perfume King" in her past life.

Leona hoped the fragrance he was crafting now was that one.

"I wish you success with this new scent."

"Thank you. I've developed a new extraction method... I'm excited too."

"Me too. So don't hesitate to ask me for anything."

"I will. Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

As they parted and Leona walked back, Casey, who had quietly trailed her, suddenly asked,

"How old is that guy?"

"Who? The perfumer?"

"Yeah. White hair, but such a young face... can't guess."

"You can tell by his vibe. He's definitely older than you, Vice Commander."

"Huh... 60?"

"Not quite."

"59?"

"...He doesn't look that old."

"58?"

"Stop."

"58 it is! Ha ha... turns out he's just an old man after all."

Leona thought to herself as she watched Casey puff up,

He's such a kid.

And as night fell, Jahankun slipped out of the fortress alone, unseen by anyone.

A fierce wind pierced into the Katago Tribe's camp under cover of the dark night.

Rasin, deep in sleep, snapped his eyes open at the feel of someone shaking him.

An unfamiliar figure loomed by his bedside in the darkness.

Rasin tensed.

[Who...!]

The intruder clamped a hand over Rasin's mouth.

As Rasin struggled to break free, the figure whispered urgently in his ear.

[The Crown Prince sent me.]

Rasin stopped resisting at those words.

The figure released him.

Rasin sat up properly on his bed.

[Are you the Crown Prince's envoy?]

The figure nodded.

Rasin listened for sounds outside.

He sensed Chahu's presence standing guard.

Chahu had personally kept night watch by his tent for days now.

Yet Chahu seemed unaware of this intrusion.

Rasin couldn't believe the stranger had slipped past Chahu to reach here.

[How did you get in undetected? Are my guards outside unharmed?]

[No one was hurt. More importantly, the Crown Prince's message: meet at the 'Scorpion Grave' tomorrow night.]

[Scorpion Grave? The rocky hill to the east?]

It was then, as the figure nodded.

Someone burst into the tent.

A sword whistled through the air.

The figure before Rasin vanished in an instant, replaced by Chahu.

Chahu spun immediately, positioning himself protectively before Rasin.

The envoy had somehow reached a corner of the tent.

[Who the hell are you?]

Chahu leveled his blade at him.

Rasin hurriedly stopped Chahu.

[Chahu, he's the Crown Prince's envoy.]

[Envoy?]

Then Taram entered the tent.

Taram drew his sword and aimed at the stranger too.

[Taram, hold.]

Rasin lit the tent's interior.

With light filling the space, the visitor's appearance became clear.

Rasin, Chahu, and Taram eyed him closely.

The stranger looked imperial but didn't feel like one.

Chahu and Rasin exchanged brief glances, sharing the odd sensation.

Even cornered, the man remained composed.

Finally, he spoke to Rasin, delivering the rest of the message.

[Eleventh hour at night. Bring as many as you like to the meeting spot, but avoid drawing attention. Farewell.]

[Wait—I have questions for you.]

Chahu reached to grab the envoy.

In that instant, a fierce whirlwind erupted from the man.

He vanished before their eyes, leaving only an intangible gust slipping through Chahu's fingers.

Chahu stared blankly at his empty hand in midair.

[What the... how...?]

Rasin was equally stunned, mouth agape.

Chahu asked Rasin,

[What kind of guy was that? Does the empire have people who wield wind like that?]

[Could it be...]

[Rasin, something ring a bell?]

[Can't say for sure, but that wind control... looks like a shaman tribe.]

[The Yetaku?]

Rasin nodded gravely and told Taram,

[Tomorrow night, I'm meeting the imperial Crown Prince. I'll take three escorts including you—prepare.]

[Three is too few.]

[Too many, and we'll be spotted. We move light.]

[But it could be an imperial trap.]

Rasin chuckled wryly at Taram's concern.

[If the Crown Prince wanted me dead, he'd have done it that day. Unnecessary worry.]

Taram looked to Chahu for support.

But Chahu agreed with Rasin.

Taram reluctantly obeyed.