86. Foreign Prince (2)

Darius acknowledged the identity of the foreign prince who suddenly appeared.

〈If you’re preparing for winter, you’ll need me. The northern mountain range is the domain of monsters. Even if you gather knights and go on an expedition, you’ll be limited to the foothills. No one knows the paths through those blizzard-ridden areas.〉

The northern mountain range was famous for being inaccessible to everyone.

Every year, armies were organized to climb the mountains, but they could only clear out the monsters that lingered at the mountain’s entrance.

But foreigners, those originally called mountain people because they lived in the mountains, were different.

“He must have his own reasons for making this proposal to us, but with a guide, we could climb higher this year.”

Catching more monsters inside meant fewer monsters would come down to the foot of the mountain.

This much sounded good.

“The problem is that we don’t know his intentions.”

“Come on, let’s take the good as it is. We’re neighboring countries, but we can’t even interact comfortably because of this damn mountain range, right?”

At that moment, Arshama spoke shamelessly while cutting and eating his steak.

“By the way, the food here is delicious. I’ve been traveling too uncomfortably until now. After all, I am a prince.”

As soon as his identity was recognized, Arshama insisted that he had been through too much hardship and needed a formal dinner. So we had no choice but to gather in the dining hall to talk, where he continued speaking with a bright smile, unconcerned that we were suspicious and wary of him.

“And think simply. Being mixed with foreign blood, I have limitations in pursuing my ambitions in my homeland. That’s why I crossed the mountain range alone to find allies who could support me. Even though it’s difficult for our countries to bring armies to each other, there’s no harm in establishing a marriage alliance with a foreign royal family first.”

“Why are you speaking so informally……”

Come to think of it, he briefly used formal speech earlier because his princely identity hadn’t been proven yet. Whether he was a flexible person or not.

“Inkheart is mistreated because it’s essentially isolated like a fortress due to the northern mountain range.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because of the mountain range, there’s no land to cultivate, and you have to import grain from inland. Knowing this, those kingdom folks make Inkheart take the hits without showing any gratitude.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s nothing bad about us interacting with each other. If you want, you could even abandon everything and come over to Hershma; we’d welcome you.”

“This is why we’re wary even when sensible words come from a foreigner’s mouth. You’re subtly portraying us as rebels harboring treasonous thoughts. If there are any royal spies here, listen well. Despite this harsh treatment, Inkheart remains a loyal subject of the kingdom.”

I cut off Arshama’s words with a warning.

“People follow their interests. What matters about treasonous thoughts or loyalty? If someone treats you well, you follow them.”

The man, neither fully foreign-blooded nor fully settler-blooded, laughed.

That’s probably 99% sincere. Judging by his face, he’d immediately try to sow discord with a smile if we were tempted.

“What kind of country is Hershma?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you’re mixed with foreign blood. Half of your bloodline is foreign, so I’m curious where the other half comes from.”

“With the mountain range as a border, Hershma is completely different from here. Different climate, different culture. So the food and races are different too.”

Arshama paused suddenly while speaking, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, I just thought I shouldn’t say more.”

“Why? Is it too difficult to explain because it’s so different from here?”

“Isn’t it the basic principle of proper espionage to dig for others’ information while revealing as little as possible about your own country……”

“Interestingly, there seems to be no difficulty in communication, Prince.”

Darius interrupted my conversation with the prince. Arshama’s smile, which had been a half-moon grin all along, faded slightly.

“Foreigners speak your kingdom’s language. I learned it from my mother.”

“I understand why you’re being cautious with your words. You can’t help the information that slips out unintentionally.”

Darius smiled. Unlike me who engaged in energy-draining verbal sparring, he simply observed and struck the foreign prince with a single necessary comment at the right moment.

“Did you change your clothes before coming? It would have been better if you had attended the banquet wearing Hershma’s clothes. If you have anything to wash, I’ll tell the castle maids.”

The clothes from Hershma, with its different climate and culture, would reveal much information.

Arshama quietly put down his knife.

“Please continue your meal.”

“I’ve eaten enough to satisfy my hunger.”

“Oh my, then we should stop too. The host cannot eat more than the guest. Even with different cultures, courtesy is the same.”

Arshama smiled back at the smiling Darius. Since the guest smiled, it was an excellent dinner.

* * *

After dinner, I returned to my room but couldn’t stop thinking about Arshama.

“Who is he exactly?”

Arshama, Arshama. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t remember. Even less about the country beyond the mountain range he claimed to have left.

Basically, those who have regressed, transmigrated, or reincarnated don’t like events happening outside of what they know. Literally, it’s a situation beyond expectations.

‘I didn’t know about the northern mountain range defense either.’

But that was something that could have been in the original story. It’s not strange.

“I wish we could just send him away……”

〈I came to ask if my sister would be suitable as your wife.〉

〈In Hershma, we practice polygamy, and I myself was born to my father’s fourth wife.〉

It’s not particularly because of that story that I dislike him!

〈Since it’s come to this, I might as well aim for the position of crown princess. The crown prince doesn’t have a wife yet, right?〉

Come to think of it, the reason I married Darius was originally for the groundwork of the “Make Caitlyn Crown Princess” project. To enter what was called the golden lineage that could be completed through the Grand Duke’s household, a slightly more perfect family tree.

‘Anyway, whether it’s the crown prince or Darius, everyone’s salivating while the person who would give the rice cake has no such intention.’

Suddenly, I felt sorry for the crown prince whom I had never met. Having seen Caitlyn’s level of trouble, it wasn’t hard to imagine the average level of trouble from women the crown prince might meet.

That person must be scared every night when pulling back the bed sheets.

How would you know who might be hiding with what intentions, ready to jump out? Someone you thought was a lover might be an assassin, and someone you thought was an assassin might be a lover. Every day might be a thrill-filled roulette.

* * *

“Ah, ah. I’m finally lying on a proper bed after so long.”

Arshama was resting in the private room assigned to him.

“It’s not like I haven’t rested or eaten since starting my journey, but of course a lord’s castle bedroom is better than a tent.”

It was a private room provided for comfortable rest, but they were surely monitoring him. Arshama didn’t mind, though. Foreigners were naturally skilled at moving around undetected by others.

Just as he had crossed into Inkheart without the landowner’s permission, it would be no problem for Arshama to evade surveillance and go outside if he wanted.

〈You.〉

〈Could it be? The person who was in front of us at the slave market?〉

“It’s you. The person I need to meet.”

The woman with wide eyes, clinging to her husband’s arm. The Grand Duchess of Inkheart who didn’t know about Hershma.

The elder of the foreigners had said:

〈Our prophecy is real. Inkheart is nothing but thieves who stole our land.〉

“But Elder, she also has a prophecy. I’m going to bet on that.”

* * *

“What? A guide has appeared?”

Alexei frowned.

“Ah, Count, you might not know what a guide is. Since you’re not from the North.”

“Do you think I don’t understand the language? It’s literal! Just bring in some mountain man or herb gatherer and use them!”

“That’s not possible in the northern mountain range. It’s special because monsters come out there. If ordinary people just step in…… Count, Count! Where are you going? People just don’t listen even when you explain.”

Alexei left his seat irritably, trying to organize his confused thoughts.

‘Why are these heavy-bottomed folks suddenly getting involved? They usually don’t care a nail’s worth about others’ business unless it’s their own!’

Foreigners were inherently selfish. Alexei didn’t believe that the foreign guide had appeared with genuine intentions to help the northern army.

However, it was also true that he felt uneasy about someone with unknown motives interfering in his affairs.

First, Count Spinel’s change of heart after being believed to be a reliable enemy of Darius, and now the appearance of a foreign guide. Variables in his plan kept increasing.

* * *

As if the careful preparations had been a lie, once the guide joined, the army immediately planned to depart for the mountain range.

‘Let’s think positively. With a guide, Darius will get better results.’

I heard that mountain range defense operations usually take about two weeks. Most of the army would follow Darius, while I would stay to guard Castle Inkheart with a small force.

That was certainly the original plan.

“The blacksmith’s performance is excellent. Looking at the production volume, I should give a certificate of appreciation in the name of Castle Inkheart.”

Boyer, whose blacksmith operation had been disrupted by the grief of losing his daughter, specifically requested to meet me.

His blacksmith shop, which had once faltered, was now producing at a significantly higher rate since he had pulled himself together.

‘……I did wonder if something else was going on.’

“I’m just doing as usual, but I’m embarrassed to receive such praise from you, my lady, haha.”

“Are you really doing as usual?”

“Pardon?”

“No, never mind. Um……”

In the blacksmith’s forge where iron melted, something like a burning dragon had taken residence.

The fire spirit Salamander, invisible to ordinary people.