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----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Harry Potta Chapter: 8 Chapter Title: The Secret Treaty ----------------------------------------------------------------- At that moment, Kamin was facing the 13th Har inside a cave in a rocky mountain called the "Messenger's Tomb." Behind t...
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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Secret Treaty
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At that moment, Kamin was facing the 13th Har inside a cave in a rocky mountain called the "Messenger's Tomb."
Behind the 13th Har stood Chahu, Tarlam, and three guard warriors, while behind Kamin was only Jahankun.
[I've prepared the treaty myself. I've already affixed my seal to it.]
Rasin handed two copies of the treaty to Kamin, which he had prepared in advance.
The treaty specified that the Empire's Crown Prince had agreed to the previous negotiations, and thus the Empire would make no demands for war reparations from the Katago Tribe.
Kamin read the treaty and let out a scoff.
Rasin watched Kamin's reaction and added,
[If there's anything you want on your side, speak up. I'll hear it out and add it to the treaty if it's acceptable.]
[You haven't forgotten that you'll issue a formal declaration of surrender once the treaty is signed, have you?]
[Of course not.]
[Then we're good.]
Kamin pulled out his seal and stamped both copies of the treaty.
He then handed one back to Rasin.
Rasin had expected the Crown Prince to reject the clause on war reparations.
But unexpectedly, the Crown Prince accepted his terms so readily that it left him flustered instead.
The treaty being concluded so easily even left him feeling hollow.
Rasin confirmed the Crown Prince's seal on the treaty and said,
[Now that the treaty is signed, we'll formally declare surrender tomorrow and disband our forces. We'll also release the Empire's prisoners soon.]
[I'll look forward to it.]
Kamin tucked the treaty into his bosom and turned to leave.
Chahu hurriedly called out to stop him.
[Wait a moment.]
As Kamin ignored her and took a step, Chahu quickly racked her brain.
[Is Leona doing well?]
As Chahu predicted, the Crown Prince stopped dead in his tracks.
[Why are you asking about Leona?]
[We spent only a short time together, but I grew quite fond of her.]
[Fond?]
The Crown Prince's face twisted in anger.
Seeing his sensitive reaction, Chahu gleefully provoked him further.
[I received a lot of help from her while fleeing with her. She had a tender heart unlike most Imperials. She tended to my wounds as an enemy soldier so carefully, and at night, she hugged me tight so I wouldn't get cold.]
The Crown Prince's eyes grew icy.
Chahu drove the wedge home in a mocking tone.
[Oh, and we bathed together too—her skin was so soft.]
In an instant, a sword flew at her.
Having prepared himself mentally, Chahu swiftly dodged by tilting her head.
The blade grazed her cheek and thudded into the cave wall.
[Chahu!]
Before Rasin could intervene, Kamin threw a punch at Chahu.
Chahu barely dodged the fist and shouted,
"Hey! Why are you so mad? I'm a woman! Did you forget?"
Kamin snorted and kicked toward her abdomen.
Chahu reflexively pulled back, but couldn't fully evade the attack.
Her shoulder grazed by Kamin's foot, she tumbled across the ground.
Rasin, Tarlam, and the others drew their swords to rush at Kamin.
At that moment, Chahu yelled out.
[A man saw Leona naked!]
For a split second, every man froze in place.
Kamin asked in a low, sunken voice,
"...What did you just say?"
[While we were fleeing, some man spied on Leona bathing.]
[Who was he?]
[Who knows? Guess who?]
Chahu smirked mockingly.
Hearing their exchange, Rasin glanced sideways at Tarlam.
Tarlam struggled to maintain a blank expression, but cold sweat dripped down his back.
[Answer my questions, and I'll tell you who it was.]
Hearing Chahu's condition, Kamin gave a cold laugh.
[I don't need you to tell me. It'll be easy to find him anyway. A man we met during the escape? Obviously one of the men with the 13th Har back then.]
Kamin shot a glance toward Rasin and his guards.
The Katago warriors shuddered under his murderous gaze.
[You're right. But do you remember all of them? What if I never tell you? Are you going to hunt down and kill every single one?]
[Nothing I can't do.]
[Try it then. Wipe out everyone here, then slaughter all our warriors back at camp too.]
Kamin glared sharply at Chahu.
Then, suddenly changing his expression, he let out a chuckle.
[How ridiculous. Trying to bait me with Leona. As if seeing a maid naked is some big deal. You think I'd care about something like that?]
[Oh, really? I thought the Crown Prince cherished Leona so much, but I guess I was wrong. Oh well, can't be helped. Bye now.]
Chahu waved her hand.
Kamin ground his teeth in frustration. But soon enough, he turned on his heel without a backward glance and strode toward the cave entrance.
Seeing Kamin leave, Rasin helped Chahu to her feet.
Jahankun retrieved Kamin's sword from the wall in his place.
Suddenly, Kamin spun back around, snatched the sword from Jahankun, and hurled it at Chahu.
The blade whistled past her throat and embedded itself back into the wall.
[Tell me! Who was he!]
Chahu suppressed her twitching lips and replied calmly,
[Answer my questions first.]
[Fine. What do you want to know?]
[Just one thing. How to stop the Giant Tribe's curse.]
Kamin clamped his mouth shut.
Chahu pushed Rasin's hand away and stepped toward Kamin.
[Many tribesmen have died, and more are dying. Tell us. How can we save our tribe?]
Silence enveloped the cave.
At that moment, Jahankun broke the quiet.
[I'll answer that.]
All eyes turned to Jahankun.
Jahankun slowly walked to the cave wall, pulled out Kamin's sword, and handed it to him.
[You...]
[It's fine. The 13th Har is a successor of the Five Black Lions, so he deserves to know the truth.]
Kamin shook his head in resignation.
Jahankun said to the 13th Har,
[Send all your men outside the cave. Only you and your companion can hear this.]
Rasin promptly sent out Tarlam and the guard warriors without a word.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Leona hurried up the stairs.
Her pace wasn't as fast as she wanted, making her anxious.
'Today, of all days. Today.'
Leona had seen the secret pact herself in her previous life.
She remembered the date written on it.
It was definitely today.
But she hadn't heard any news of the Katago Tribe surrendering by today.
In her previous life, after the Katago Tribe surrendered, the secret pact was drawn up between the Crown Prince and the 13th Har in secret.
Was the date just delayed?
There were too many suspicious things to believe that.
It was the order the Crown Prince had given before retiring last night.
He had instructed his attendants not to disturb his sleep tonight, which was unusual for him.
Why had he given such an order?
Why tonight of all nights?
Could it be...?
A suspicion welled up in Leona's mind.
She decided to confirm it with her own eyes.
Leona stopped running just before the corridor leading to the Crown Prince's room.
Several guards from the Crown Prince's personal unit stood watch in front of his door.
Before approaching them, Leona took deep breaths to steady her ragged breathing and fixed her disheveled hair and clothes from the rush.
Then, she entered the corridor with a calm face as if nothing had happened.
The guards spotted Leona and greeted her with smiles.
Leona exchanged nods with them as she returned to her post.
She waited there a moment before letting out an "Oh!" of realization.
As the guards looked at her, Leona gave an embarrassed smile.
"His Highness told me to drop by tonight and lower the curtains, but I forgot."
"Really? Then go in now."
No one doubted Leona's words.
"I suppose I should. I'll be right back."
Leona carefully opened the door and slipped quickly into the Crown Prince's room.
She shut the door immediately upon entering.
The room was dark and quiet.
Leona held her breath and approached the bed.
The blanket on the bed was bulging, as if someone were inside.
But Leona wasn't fooled.
She knew the Crown Prince wasn't the type to sleep buried under covers.
She yanked the blanket aside.
On the bed lay only a large pillow and the Crown Prince's military command token, tossed there carelessly.
Leona rushed to the window.
It was closed, but the latch was undone.
Leona opened the window and peered down into the dizzying depths below.
How the Crown Prince had escaped the room was a mystery.
But more urgent was that he had vanished without the guards knowing.
Leona paced frantically around the room.
Suddenly, she recalled how the Crown Prince had summoned Jahankun for a private talk yesterday.
Leona dashed to the door, then veered back to the bed.
She grabbed the military command token from the bed and restored the blanket to its original state.
Then, she calmly exited the room.
Leona returned to her post and stayed quiet for a while.
Moments later, she clutched her stomach and hunched over.
"Ouch... Did I eat something bad...? What's wrong with me...."
"Are you alright?"
One of the guards asked worriedly.
"Yeah... My stomach's a bit...."
"Oh no, should we call the military physician?"
"No. I just need to use the bathroom... I'll be right back."
The guards gestured for her to hurry.
Leona clutched her stomach and hurried down the corridor.
Once out of the guards' sight, she ran straight to Jahankun's room.
And confirmed it was empty too.
Leona bolted outside the building.
She worried she might already be too late.
Soon, she headed to Nacha's stable, set aside in one corner of the castle.
Nacha greeted her joyfully.
"Nacha!"
Leona hugged Nacha happily.
But the Crown Prince was nowhere in sight.
"Nacha, where's His Highness?"
Nacha tilted its head, then nodded toward beyond the castle walls.
"He went outside the castle? Without me?"
Nacha nodded.
"No.... No.... What do I do? What should I do?"
Leona stamped her feet in anxiety.
Nacha lowered itself to the ground and pointed to its back with its chin.
"You want me to ride? To take me to His Highness?"
"Prff."
"Do you know where he is?"
Nacha flared its nostrils confidently.
As Leona tried to mount immediately, Nacha shook its head.
"Nacha?"
Nacha pointed to a saddle in the corner.
Understanding, Leona placed the saddle on Nacha's back and adjusted the stirrups.
"Better now?"
Finally, Nacha gave permission.
Leona mounted and took the reins.
"Nacha, take me there."
Nacha neighed once and galloped toward the castle gate.
Stan trudged wearily back to the training grounds.
His carefully planned scheme had fallen through, leaving him deeply dejected.
He resolved to swing his sword all night since sleep seemed impossible.
But as he neared the training grounds, he spotted Leona riding Nacha toward somewhere.
"Lady Leona?"
Leona vanished into the distance in an instant.
Suddenly, Stan recalled the desperate look on Leona's face when they parted earlier.
A foreboding feeling gripped him, and he dashed to the horse stables.
The gate sentries flinched at the sound and straightened up.
Hoofbeats echoed from inside the castle.
Thinking it an unannounced inspection by a superior, they braced themselves.
The border castle currently had no proper gate.
The original one had burned down, so a temporary wooden barricade was in place, guarded by sentries.
The hoofbeats grew closer, and soon a large shadow approached the gate.
Following protocol, the sentries thrust their spears forward and shouted,
"Who goes there!"
"It's me."
"Huh? Lady Leona?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected visitor, the sentries panicked.
They lowered their weapons and exchanged glances.
For the Crown Prince's maid to appear riding his horse in the dead of night was bizarre.
"Lady Leona, what brings you here at this hour?"
Leona beckoned the sentries closer.
They approached hesitantly with puzzled faces.
Leona leaned down from Nacha and flashed them the military command token.
"Gasp!"
Leona pocketed the token and spoke solemnly,
"I carry His Highness's secret orders. Clear the way."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The sentries flung open the barricade at her command.
With the path clear, Nacha pawed the ground, ready to bolt.
Leona stroked Nacha's neck and warned the sentries,
"My outing is top secret. Keep your mouths shut—no leaks."
Cowed by the token, the sentries nodded silently.
Leona straightened up and said, "Let's go, Nacha."
Nacha shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
As Leona passed the gate, the sentries tried to close the barricade.
But a horse suddenly appeared from nowhere and slipped through the gap.
The sentries' eyes widened as they peered outside.
"Who was that? Did you see?"
"It was Captain Stan."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, I saw clearly."
"What? Is he with Lady Leona?"
"...Probably? I guess...."
The sentries watched the two fading silhouettes uncertainly.
"Lady Leona!"
Leona was startled to see Stan catching up.
"Where are you going right now?"
"Don't worry about me—head back to the castle!"
"Where to? You even stole His Highness's horse!"
"I didn't steal it!"
Nacha sped up to shake Stan off.
The distance opened briefly, but Leona couldn't handle Nacha's speed and motion.
As Leona wobbled, losing her balance, Nacha slowed again.
Stan caught up once more.
"Lady Leona! Where are you headed?"
"It's His Highness's secret order—I can't say!"
"Don't lie! Does it make sense for His Highness to send you out alone at night? He even assigns guards inside the castle!"
Leona gritted her teeth.
She realized it would be hard to shake Stan now.
"Lady Leona!"
"Shut up! If you want to follow, do it quietly!"
At Leona's sharp rebuke, Stan clamped his mouth shut and trailed silently behind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jahankun's explanation was concise.
The Giant Tribe was trapped inside the ice wall in the Frozen Lands, but the wall had melted considerably. Its power was leaking out, spreading across the continent and contaminating the Katago Tribe's water source. But there was no way to stop it now.
Chahu and Rasin were stunned.
Jahankun gave them time to process.
Rasin recovered first.
[S-So, you're saying the Giant Tribe really exists?]
[Yes.]
Rasin gasped.
He had half-doubted the Giant Tribe's curse, so the shock hit hard.
Chahu, meanwhile, was more shocked by the ice wall melting than the giants' existence.
[Is... the ice wall still melting now?]
Jahankun nodded at Chahu's question.
Chahu pressed her pounding chest with her fist.
[What happens if the ice wall fully melts...?]
[Well...]
As Jahankun hesitated, Kamin answered instead.
[Isn't it obvious? The giants come out and eat all the humans.]
Chahu and Rasin paled.
Rasin asked in a trembling voice,
[Is that true?]
Jahankun confirmed calmly.
[They're still trapped in the ice wall, right? Then kill them before it melts completely!]
Kamin scoffed at Chahu's outburst.
[They're the ones even the legendary Guardian couldn't destroy. How do you plan to kill them?]
[Th-That's...]
[There's no way to kill them.]
Kamin stated flatly.
Rasin and Chahu felt despair darken their vision.
After a moment's silence, Rasin asked Jahankun,
[You're from the Yetaku Tribe, right?]
[Yes.]
[Why is a shaman like you at the Crown Prince's side? Could it be...]
Rasin glanced at Kamin and continued cautiously,
[Because the Crown Prince has the Guardian's power?]
Kamin sneered at the words.
Jahankun read the hope in Rasin's question and shook his head.
[It's true the Crown Prince possesses some of the Guardian's power, but it's not enough to destroy the giants. As he just said, even the legendary Guardian couldn't do it.]
[Then why are you with the Crown Prince?]
[That's personal. I can't tell you.]
Rasin's face twisted in anguish as he posed his final question.
[Then... when will the giants break free from the ice wall?]
[I can't say exactly, but it's estimated in about four to five years.]
[Four, five years...? Ha... That's too soon....]
Rasin looked sadly at Chahu.
Chahu ground her teeth. Then she shouted defiantly,
[I won't just sit here waiting to die!]
Chahu glared at Jahankun and asked,
[I heard your tribe set up the barrier spell on the Frozen Lands. Right?]
As Jahankun admitted it readily, Chahu asked how to pass through the barrier.
Rasin grabbed her arm in alarm.
[Chahu, what are you thinking?]
[I'm going to the ice wall.]
[Why? We already know the truth.]
[I need to see it with my own eyes. If the giants are really there. How much the wall has melted. Then figure out what I can do.]
As Rasin opened his mouth to argue, Chahu cut him off firmly.
[Don't try to stop me. I'm a Gauuda. Better to face the giants than cower in fear, clinging to life.]
[Chahu!]
Chahu shoved Rasin aside and approached Jahankun, begging again to be told how to reach the ice wall.
Jahankun replied,
[There is one way.]
[What?]
[Travel with a Black Lion.]
[Black Lion? What's that? Earlier you mentioned successors of the Five Black Lions.]
[The legend says: The gods sent down the White Sword and five valiant Black Lions to aid the Guardian.]
Jahankun glanced at Rasin and continued,
[The ancestors of the five western tribes—the Katago, North Lema, South Lema, Seyovi, and Saya—were those legendary Black Lions.]
[What?]
Rasin and Chahu gaped in shock.
[The barrier spell our tribe cast doesn't affect the Guardian or the chiefs of the five tribes. So if you want to go to the ice wall, your companion must formally inherit the 'Har' position and go with him. Or travel with another tribe's chief....]
Rasin raised a hand to interrupt Jahankun.
[Hold on. I've never heard such a thing. Our ancestor was a Black Lion...? I was taught that the Night Dew and Prairie Winds shaped our tribe.]
[When the gods gave revelation to the Guardian, they also chose five warriors to aid him. Those five were the legendary 'Black Lions.' Long ago, all five tribes knew this. But then...]
Jahankun paused.
Kamin, bored by the lengthy explanation, leaned indifferently against the cave wall.
Jahankun sighed and continued.
[...when the Guardian's descendant founded the Hamel Empire and crowned himself Emperor. He wanted to unify and rule the continent from the pinnacle. But the five tribes in the western continent refused. The Emperor tried to crush them by force, and the tribes resisted fiercely. Unable to subdue them, he distorted the legends. To deny that the Black Lions who aided the legendary Guardian were the ancestors of the five tribes, he erased all related records thoroughly. The five tribes, already seething with hatred toward the Emperor and Empire, began erasing the fact that their ancestors had aided the Emperor's forebear. That's why almost no one connects the Black Lions and the five tribes anymore, and each tribe has its own separate creation myth.]
Jahankun finished his explanation.
Chahu and Rasin were speechless for a long time.
Growing impatient, Kamin snapped,
[Got all your answers? Whether you go to the ice wall or not is up to you.]
Kamin pointed at Chahu.
[Hey. Now spill it!]
[Huh?]
[Who spied on Leona bathing.]
Chahu was dumbfounded.
With humanity's survival at stake, what kind of behavior was this from the Empire's Crown Prince?
[You... Is that important right now?]
[Don't say you made it up to lure me out. I'm in a very foul mood right now.]
Kamin muttered ominously while fiddling with his sword.
Rasin itched to defend Tarlam in his place.
As far as he knew, Tarlam had accidentally glimpsed the Crown Prince's maid bathing, but it wasn't intentional, and he hadn't seen her full body.
[He said he only saw her shoulder... That's too much.]
Kamin's eyes flashed at Rasin's inadvertent mutter.
[Who is he!]
Chahu quickly stepped in front of Rasin.
[The guy you're looking for isn't here. Even if I tell you who, you can't do anything about it right now. Do you really need his name?]
[Yes. So spit it out.]
Rasin grabbed Chahu's hand.
Chahu squeezed Rasin's hand tightly, signaling him to stay back.
[Fine. I'll tell you. Listen well.]
Chahu named one of Rasin's guard warriors who had died in the recent war.
[That name—you're sure? You're not fooling me?]
As Kamin pressed suspiciously, Chahu replied confidently,
[Why would I fool you? I have no desire to protect some creep who disrespected Leona. Truth is, he was a troublemaker in our tribe too. Bad behavior, caused problems a few times. If you deal with him, I'd actually thank you.]
Her plausible story convinced Kamin, and he committed the name to memory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Leona strained to peer into the distance from Nacha's back as it galloped.
She hoped to spot the Crown Prince or Jahankun first and hide before they noticed her.
But things didn't go as she wished.
When she finally spotted two silhouettes far off and halted Nacha, the Crown Prince's voice boomed from their direction.
"Leona!"
Hearing the angry tone, Leona flinched.
Stan, beside her, asked puzzledly,
"Did you come to meet His Highness?"
Leona eyed the Crown Prince from afar.
The man with him looked like Jahankun.
"You, come here now!"
The Crown Prince commanded.
Nacha glanced back at Leona.
Leona said weakly,
"Let's go, Nacha."
Nacha trotted toward the Crown Prince, and Stan followed.
Under the bright night sky stood the furious Crown Prince.
He scanned Nacha, Leona, and Stan in turn before scoffing.
Stan dismounted upon arrival and bowed.
But Leona remained mounted on Nacha, scanning her surroundings busily.
Where was the 13th Har?
"Why are you here?"
Even as the Crown Prince questioned her, Leona kept looking around.
"Leona!"
Leona startled and looked at the Crown Prince.
Seeing his suspicious gaze, she hesitated briefly.
Making up a lie would be easy.
But if she did...
Flashes of her previous life crossed her mind.
The Crown Prince framed for treason with the forged secret pact, confined in the palace, and ultimately deposed.
Recalling the day he was exiled, Leona's throat ached like she'd swallowed bitter water.
"...Your Highness, have you met the 13th Har?"
"What?"
The Crown Prince's expression changed.
Leona's heart grew heavy.
The trust she'd painstakingly built by his side would crumble tonight.
In the worst case, she might be thrown out of the Imperial Palace.
It didn't matter.
Determined to atone for her past sins against him, Leona asked again,
"Your Highness, where is the 13th Har?"
"You... what the... "
The Crown Prince faltered, at a loss for words.
Leona had no more time to wait.
She shouted toward Jahankun,
"Jahankun! It's urgent! Tell me where the 13th Har is!"
Jahankun pointed curiously in one direction.
Leona immediately kicked Nacha's sides.
Nacha surged forward at the signal.
"Leona!"
Leona didn't stop despite the Crown Prince's call.
Stan, flustered, reported to the Crown Prince,
"Your Highness, I'll bring her back."
Stan mounted swiftly before permission came and chased after Leona.
Kamin stared blankly at the departing pair.
Gradually, his expression turned chilling.
As Kamin moved to pursue Leona, Jahankun blocked him.
"Leave her be."
"Jahankun!"
"Just follow quietly and see. Aren't you curious what she's up to?"
"......"
"Lady Leona!"
Stan pursued Leona closely.
Leona had no time to worry about being followed.
"Nacha, faster!"
In her haste, Leona urged Nacha on.
Nacha picked up speed.
Leona leaned low, trying to adapt to the pace.
In her previous life, the 13th Har died on the day the treaty was made.
Barring surprises, he would die today.
Praying to arrive in time, Leona gripped the reins tightly.
With her posture stable, Nacha accelerated confidently.
The distance between Leona and Stan widened over time.
Stan whipped his horse relentlessly, desperate not to lose her.
How long had they ridden?
Leona suddenly halted Nacha.
Stan, following behind, relaxed seeing her stop.
But before he got close, Nacha bolted forward again.
Stan reached her stopping point and understood why.
Two Katago warriors and two horses lay dead on the ground, pierced by arrows.
Fresh blood still flowed from the corpses—they'd died recently.
Whatever was happening, it felt ominous.
Worried for Leona ahead, Stan spurred his horse urgently.
Nacha, galloping freely, suddenly slowed.
Leona quickly realized why.
The clash of weapons echoed from afar.
"Nacha, it's fine—go faster!"
Nacha whinnied and sped up again.
Soon, a group locked in fierce combat entered Leona's view.
Closer now, she clearly distinguished the sides.
About a dozen Imperial soldiers clashed with four Katago warriors, including Chahu and the 13th Har among them.
The 13th Har seemed unharmed for now, but the situation was dire.
The Katago side was outnumbered, and their horses, including Araha, were injured and grounded, hindering movement.
Chahu fended off several Imperials alone to protect the 13th Har, but she couldn't hold out long.
As Leona anxiously watched them, she spotted a sword lunging at Chahu's back and cried out,
"Chahu, behind you!"
Chahu spun reflexively and parried the blade.
The fight momentarily stalled.
Everyone there noticed Leona.
"Leona?"
Chahu frowned.
"Sent by the Crown Prince? What scheme now?"
Chahu glared and snapped at Leona.
Ignoring Chahu, Leona faced the Imperial soldiers directly.
She didn't believe they were real Imperials.
The Crown Prince had no reason to attack the 13th Har.
To clear Chahu's misunderstanding, Leona held out the military command token.
"By order of Crown Prince His Highness! Drop your weapons and return to the castle at once!"
If they were truly Imperial soldiers, they'd obey.
The men exchanged glances.
Suddenly, one lunged at Leona.
Nacha twisted and kicked him away with its hind legs.
The attacker flew off screaming his death throes.
Leona shouted to Chahu,
"Chahu, they're not Imperial soldiers! They're disguised to deceive you! They're..."
Before Leona finished, the men resumed attacking the Katago warriors.
Now they targeted Leona too.
Nacha nimbly dodged and crushed a nearby foe underfoot.
Leona clung desperately to Nacha's back.
One man hurled a dagger at Leona.
Chahu countered with her own dagger.
The two blades collided midair and fell.
Chahu moved near Leona to fend off enemies.
Even in the chaos, Leona kept her eyes on the 13th Har.
He was barely holding off two men.
Then a third joined them.
The 13th Har was instantly overwhelmed.
"Chahu! The 13th Har!"
Chahu slew one foe and rushed to the 13th Har.
She blocked a sword inches from his face, allowing him to drop one enemy.
Then Leona tumbled off Nacha.
Distracted by the 13th Har, she hadn't noticed Nacha rearing to dodge an attack.
Nacha checked if Leona was okay in alarm, exposing itself.
Enemies exploited the gap and struck at Nacha.
"Watch out! Nacha!"
As a sharp blade pierced toward Nacha's flank,
Stan intervened, knocking the sword away.
"Captain Stan!"
Leona was overjoyed at his arrival.
The enemies hesitated at the newcomer.
Stan swung his sword to create distance, then helped Leona up.
"Lady Leona, what's going on?"
"Captain Stan, help them quickly!"
Stan looked confused at Leona's pointed direction.
"Those foreigners?"
The enemies who had targeted Leona shifted to the 13th Har.
As Stan hesitated, Leona hurriedly explained,
"Look closely! They're not Imperial soldiers. They're disguised as us to do evil!"
Stan observed their weapons and movements, confirming Leona's words.
Still, aiding Katago warriors didn't sit well.
As the 13th Har grew endangered, Tarlam and the guards rushed to him.
The enemies focused fire on the 13th Har to eliminate the target swiftly.
They charged with desperate resolve.
Chahu, Tarlam, and the guard held them off together, but it wasn't enough.
The 13th Har's life hung by a thread.
In desperation, Leona pounded Stan's back.
"What are you doing? Hurry! Go help!"
Pushed by Leona's blows, Stan advanced toward the 13th Har.
With Stan's aid, the battle evened out.
Leona watched tensely.
Nacha circled Leona, stomping fallen enemies to ensure they were dead.
As Nacha went for the last one,
The man rolled away and thrust his sword at Leona.
Nacha tried to block in surprise, but the man was faster.
Leona stared blankly at the approaching blade.
Just before it touched her throat, the sword halted.
Kamin had appeared behind her unnoticed, clamping the blade between two fingers.
He spun Leona aside with his other hand and snatched the sword, plunging it into the man's gut.
The attacker collapsed dead.
Unaware of what happened behind her, Leona gasped at the Crown Prince's sudden appearance.
"Your Highness?"
Jahankun stood behind the Crown Prince too.
How had they caught up so fast?
But something more pressing came first.
Leona whirled around.
The man who tried to kill her was now a corpse.
"Huh?"
"What the hell is going on? Who are those guys?"
Kamin gripped Leona's shoulder tightly and demanded in a low voice.
"Th-They disguised as Imperials to kill the 13th Har..."
Leona stammered while scanning the fight. She gasped as one of the 13th Har's men fell pierced by an enemy blade.
The tide turned swiftly; the enemies regained the upper hand.
Seeing Chahu slashed while shielding the 13th Har, Leona instinctively lunged forward.
"Chahu!"
Kamin grabbed her by the scruff and scolded sternly,
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Leona fidgeted helplessly.
As her eyes welled up, Kamin sighed and drew his sword.
He still didn't grasp the situation.
He'd sort the chaos first, then hear her explanation.
As Kamin stepped forward, Leona clutched his arm urgently.
"Why?"
"Your Highness, it's dangerous. Don't go."
"Didn't you want to help Chahu?"
"Your safety comes first above all!"
At her words, Kamin's cheek twitched faintly.
Leona gripped the Crown Prince's arm and turned to Jahankun.
Scanning him, she noted the sword at his waist and said,
"Jahankun, you know how to use a sword, right? Go help!"
As Jahankun blinked blankly, Leona pressed,
"What are you waiting for? This helps His Highness—move!"
Leona shoved Jahankun's back hard.
Jahankun joined the fray with a bewildered expression.
Kamin gazed silently at Leona.
She watched the fight trembling with anxiety, yet clung tightly to his arm, as if refusing to let him leave her side.
A fond feeling stirred in Kamin; he patted her head.
As Leona turned, he said softly,
"Wait here obediently."
He gently pried her hand away.
"Your Highness...."
"Don't worry about me. They're no match."
Kamin entrusted Leona to Nacha and advanced.
Nacha stuck close to Leona, alert to all sides.
Kamin joined the battle, wielding his sword without revealing his full prowess.
With Kamin aiding the 13th Har, the enemies began to falter.
At the same time, the 8th Har watched from a nearby hillock.
Seeing his assassination squad losing ground, Yarin couldn't contain his rage and drew his sword.
Then, a subordinate returned from scouting.
[8th Har, no one else around. That's all on the 13th Har's side.]
[Good.]
Yarin grinned slyly, pulled a small vial from his bosom, and tilted it over his blade.
A pungent odor spread as transparent liquid poured onto the sword.
Yarin shook the blade twice in the air; the scent vanished without trace.
He sheathed it and mounted.
His dozen-or-so warriors mounted their horses too.
[You know what to do?]
[Don't worry. We'll wait for your signal, 8th Har.]
[Good. Let's go.]
Yarin spurred toward Rasin's position, his warriors following with whoops.
As they neared the fray, Yarin bellowed,
[Who dares touch my brother! Rasin, your elder brother is here—no need to worry!]
Rasin and Chahu lit up at the sight of their tribesmen and exchanged relieved glances.
Yarin and his men dismounted and clashed with the assassins.
In the melee of dozens, Yarin approached Rasin.
[Rasin, you okay?]
[I'm fine. But Chahu...]
Chahu clutched wounds on her arm and waist, barely gripping her sword.
[Damn. First, let's get Chahu to safety. I'll clear the way.]
Yarin coordinated with his men to cover Rasin and Chahu.
Seizing the chance, Rasin supported Chahu out of the fight.
Yarin handed his rear to a subordinate and moved with them.
[Let her rest over there for now.]
[Yeah.]
They carried Chahu to a spot away from the battle.
[Chahu, you alright?]
[I'm okay. How's the fight?]
[With 8th Brother here, we're gaining the upper hand.]
As Rasin sat Chahu down and stood,
Yarin twisted his sword and swung down at Rasin.
"No!"
Leona leaped in and shoved Rasin aside.
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