Chapter 50. The Crimson-Haired Man
“We likely won’t have to worry about assassins for a while.”
We fled the assassins, crossing wide plains and a gorge deep like a swamp.
After a frantic ride across the river, Leonard finally said we had escaped danger.
“Really?”
Since the encounter with the assassins disguised as merchants, we had survived three assassination attempts.
Fortunately, Leonard and Cedric were skilled enough that no one got hurt, but every moment had been full of danger.
If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve accepted Jerome’s offer to send a knight escort without hesitation.
That regret lingered.
“Who do you think they were?”
“Well…”
Leonard pondered for a moment before answering.
“It’s hard to guess who for certain. There’s no shortage of people who bear a grudge against the royal family.”
“There wasn’t any useful information in the assassins’ memories either.”
Cedric had tried examining the memories of some of the assassins.
Unfortunately, they had no knowledge of who was behind the orders.
Still, one thing was clear.
‘The assassins were after me.’
To my shock, I was their target.
‘Why would they be after me?’
Had I done something that bad—enough to be assassinated?
Well… technically, yes.
Before I possessed her, Helena von Schwaben had.
Would anyone benefit if I disappeared?
If I had to guess, yes.
I’m the Empress.
If you searched the Empire, there would probably be thousands of people eager to take my place.
‘Wow. This really isn’t easy.’
Once I thought about it, there were too many possible motives. I couldn’t even begin to guess who was behind it.
“But are we really safe now?”
“At least for a while, it’ll be harder for them to make a move. From here on, we’re in the Kingdom of Kalus.”
Leonard gestured toward the massive snow-capped mountain range in the distance.
‘We finally arrived.’
The muggy air had turned crisp and refreshing.
It was now the sixth day since we left the Imperial Palace.
At last, we had arrived in the Kingdom of Kalus.
Technically speaking, it was illegal entry.
We hadn’t gone through official immigration, so if we were caught by border patrol… we’d be locked up instantly.
“The Kingdom of Kalus is home to the tallest mountains on the continent, the Kalon Mountains, and the vast Kamaran Grasslands. It’s a country with dramatic seasonal changes,” said Leonard.
“I’ve heard the people here are more rough around the edges than the Empire’s citizens.”
To that, Cedric, riding the carriage, added,
“Until a few hundred years ago, they were nomads with no unified state. Before the first King of Kalus founded the kingdom three centuries ago, tribal conflicts were an everyday affair.”
I nodded slowly.
Faint memories of reading the original novel resurfaced.
The Kingdom of Kalus had appeared in the later part of the story.
‘There was a scene of war between them and the Empire.’
I remembered reading that a major battle took place at the border near the river we just crossed.
But I couldn’t recall who won.
Since it was a romance novel, the focus quickly shifted back to love stories, even before the war ended.
There had also been a civil conflict within the Empire, which caused the plot to spiral quickly.
Still, there was one piece of information from the book that was useful.
The trigger for war between the Empire and the Kingdom of Kalus.
The reason we traveled all the way here.
The Kingdom of Kalus had dammed off one of the water sources shared by the two nations.
Due to ongoing territorial disputes, such a conflict had been inevitable.
Cedric continued explaining.
“When you consider its territory, population, and national strength, the Kingdom of Kalus is strong enough to be called an Empire.”
“I knew it was powerful, but I didn’t realize it rivaled the Empire. With that much power, why haven’t they declared themselves an Empire?”
Leonard answered,
“The Kingdom of Kalus began as a confederation of tribes. There’s still a lack of unity among the populace. Even conscription often fails as tribes hide their young men. They only gained this level of national power during the reign of the previous king.”
Cedric added,
“More precisely, since the current King of Kalus began acting as regent while he was still the crown prince. That was about a decade ago.”
“I heard that the new King of Kalus recently visited the Empire.”
Though I didn’t get to meet him because he left unexpectedly the day before the event.
“I wonder what kind of person he is.”
“They say he is a brilliant king skilled in both governance and warfare. While the former king was bedridden, he led with overwhelming authority and united the scattered tribes.”
“I heard he’s called the ‘Crimson Monarch’ for his fearsome combat prowess.”
Crimson Monarch?
That was a chilling title.
“To be called something like that… he must be extremely ruthless.”
“Oddly enough, he’s said to be very beloved within the Kingdom of Kalus.”
“Then why the dreadful nickname?”
“They say he’s endlessly kind to his people but a demon to his enemies. His blood-stained crimson hair only added to the rumors.”
The young king of Kalus.
The Crimson Monarch.
Listening to them speak, my heart strangely began to race.
I didn’t know why, but it felt like a fateful encounter was drawing near.
***
Having illegally entered Kalus, we rested near the river, letting the horses drink.
As I lay in the carriage, the sound of flowing water tickled my ears.
‘The Empire’s rivers are drying up…’
Unlike the Empire, the Kingdom of Kalus had plenty of water.
How wonderful would it be if that abundance could reach the Empire?
I peeked out of the carriage.
In the distance, I could see the levee.
“Your Majesty the Empress, are you really going to go through with it?”
Leonard, polishing his sword, suddenly spoke.
I nodded.
“I must. No, I have to.”
“But…”
Leonard looked toward the levee with a serious expression.
That’s how dangerous and reckless the plan was.
My plan was clear.
Among the several levees within the Kingdom of Kalus, we would destroy the one located at higher elevation.
Then the massive torrent released from the breach would flow into the river that cuts through the Empire’s heartland.
The dam to be destroyed had been carefully selected by Cedric’s precise calculations.
Of course, destroying one levee wouldn’t solve the entire drought afflicting the Empire.
But it could alleviate urgent issues like the drinking water shortage, at least temporarily.
‘Cedric said this…’
If the levee is properly destroyed, we might even be able to redirect the water source itself.
That could solve the Empire’s recurring droughts that strike every decade or so.
Still, we shouldn’t aim too high yet.
“Your Majesty, destroying a levee in Kalus… this is essentially an act of terrorism.”
“They were the ones who blocked the waterway first. They may now claim they lack water too, but soon everyone will know the truth.”
This plan wasn’t just for the Empire.
It would benefit the Kingdom of Kalus as well.
If this levee wasn’t destroyed, a massive war would break out between the two nations in a few years.
“But… how do you even know about this levee in the first place?”
“Just lucky, I suppose.”
I gently diverted Leonard’s sharp question.
Then I crouched down and began sketching a rough plan on the ground with a twig.
“I’m not suggesting we blow up the levee without thinking. I’m going to try negotiating first. I’ll find the official in charge and attempt a compromise.”
If necessary, I might need to use fists instead of words.
“They won’t agree.”
“Of course not. If they intended to let it flow freely, they wouldn’t have built the dam in the first place. That’s why I need Cedric. My idea is…”
While discussing the details with them—
“Shh.”
Leonard raised a finger to his lips.
“I hear hoofbeats.”
We quickly hid behind the trees.
“Could it be… assassins?”
They actually crossed the river? Whoever it is, they’re persistent.
Why are they so obsessed with killing us?
Leonard sharply observed the uniforms of the approaching riders.
“Judging by the insignia, they’re knights from the Kingdom of Kalus.”
Knights from Kalus?
As they drew closer, the insignia that had been hidden by darkness became clear.
On their armor, a crimson embroidered dragon stood out.
“They seem to be border guards. It appears they’ve found traces of us.”
We’d dragged a heavy carriage, so of course we’d left tracks.
“We can’t stay hidden much longer. While I lure them away, the rest of you should run.”
At Leonard’s signal, the three of us sprang from cover.
Sensing our presence, the knights blew their whistles and gave chase.
The problem was, they were much faster and more agile than we expected.
Before Leonard could even start the diversion, we were surrounded by dozens of armed knights.
The heavily armed knights circled us tightly.
“Kneel!”
The one who appeared to be the captain shouted.
“How dare you. Do you even know who this is…!”
“This is Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire of Pentrian.”
Leonard and Cedric declared one after the other.
Even at the mention of the Empress, the Kalus knights didn’t lower their weapons.
In fact, they didn’t even seem to believe it.
‘What do I do now…’
Leonard and Cedric are both capable.
If it weren’t for me, they probably could’ve escaped safely.
Yes, from the start, I was the problem.
And I knew—these men would never abandon me.
Damn it.
The hated “nuisance villainess” was back again.
No. Anything but that, please!
I had to come up with another move.
“Sir Leonard, put down your sword.”
“But…”
“Hurry.”
If we weren’t careful, this could escalate into an international incident.
…Not that someone planning to blow up a foreign dam had much right to talk.
With no other option, I had to use the third plan—one I swore I’d never use.
“Pleased to meet you, knights of Kalus. I am the Empress of the Empire of Pentrian.”
I smiled brightly.
“I crossed into your lands due to urgent circumstances. Could I ask you to inform your king of my arrival?”
It was unfortunate we were caught, but there was no helping it now.
At this point…
“I’ve come to negotiate with the King of Kalus.”
A full-on frontal approach.
***
In the royal palace of Kalus, at the training ground.
Scarlet-red hair fluttered in the wind, glowing vividly under the sunlight.
Hair so red that it looked soaked in blood on the battlefield now gleamed like a dazzling ruby.
The red-haired man lowered his sword and asked the aide behind him,
“Who did you say came?”
Turning his head slightly, his broad back and shoulders stood out.
His bare upper body was sculpted to perfection, without a single flaw.
It was the kind of figure that could instantly seize the attention of passersby.
His muscular build was tightly woven with fine muscles, like the work of a master sculptor.
When he turned fully, even the chiseled lines of his abs came into view.
Sweat rolling down his body traced every contour, proof of intense training.
He casually raised a hand.
An attendant standing by handed him a towel.
“They say it’s the Empress of the Empire of Pentrian.”
“Oh?”
He wiped his sweat with the towel and spoke.
“She’s not an impersonator?”
“I assumed so too, but… her demeanor is unusually confident. We’re still investigating, just in case.”
“Anything unusual?”
“There were two men with her.”
“Men?”
“Yes. One knight, and one magician.”
“Hmm… Only two companions? For an Empress?”
“Yes.”
The aide nodded.
“The Empress of the Empire, huh…”
The red-haired man pondered for a moment before asking,
“What does she look like?”
“Sorry?”
“The woman claiming to be the Empress. What does she look like?”
“Oh—blonde hair, and! Her eye color was unusual. I think… violet.”
“Oh really?”
A mischievous smirk curled the man’s lips.
“Where is she now?”
“Who?”
“The one claiming to be the Empress.”
“She’s in the dungeon, of course.”
“The dungeon? You said she’s the Empress.”
“She can’t really be the Empress, can she?”
At that, the red-haired man let out a soft chuckle.
“I think she might be.”
“Pardon?”
“That woman. She might actually be the Empress.”
“How do you know that?”
“Just… a gut feeling.”
“Again with these random hunches… Wait, where are you going all of a sudden?”
“I want to take a look at this ‘Empress’ person’s face.”
“Wait a moment!”
The aide called out frantically, stopping him.
“What?”
“Are you really going dressed like that…?”
“This outfit?”
The red-haired man gave himself a once-over.
Then, raising a brow, he asked,
“Why not?”
“Of course you can’t!”
“Is it that strange?”
‘Of course it’s strange, you madman!’
The aide, holding back frustration, made his 101st vow to someday smack this man on the back of the head.
“Please, Your Majesty Karsen, have some decency. You can’t go anywhere with your whole upper body exposed!”
—
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