Blood Moon Rising Over The Plains - Chapter 5: Zhongdu (3)

“What?! Has the Khan already moved?!”

As soon as I heard Yeojin’s words, I escaped late at night to avoid the situation, but the person who was actually needed wasn’t at their hideout. Odobo shouted in shock, and General Yiwi, standing next to him, also hardened his face as if embarrassed.

“…Yes. He rushed to Geumseong, saying he would infiltrate alone.”

Buka held his forehead and informed the shocked Odobo of the Khan’s whereabouts again.

“Good heavens, and alone…! I came to tell you that I was protecting that Western woman!”

“…What did you just say? You have her with you?”

“Yes, yes. Fortunately, I was in the Imperial Palace, so I managed to sneak her out. But this time, I was prepared to be caught, so I don’t know when I’ll be exposed. I came in a hurry because there wasn’t much time…”

Odobo groaned, holding his forehead. By now, his brothers would have noticed that Yiwi had moved and that he had taken the Western woman. It would be better if they were only searching his palace.

“Then you’re saying she’s safe?”

Come to think of it, wasn’t Prince Yi there in Geumseong? It wouldn’t be strange if he had protected her if he saw her first.

At first, he thought it would be difficult if a woman who could be used as a weakness was revealed, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Buka stroked his chin and racked his brains.

“She’ll be safe for now. But there’s no telling when that place will be discovered. I don’t have anyone on my side in the palace, so I hid her somehow and came out.”

Odobo blushed, revealing his weaknesses, but he couldn’t afford to be proud in a situation where he was risking his life.

“…Okay. As long as she’s not in immediate danger, it’s fine.”

Let’s just do whatever we can. At least it’s better than sending the Khan alone into enemy territory. With that body and personality, infiltration is nonsense; it would be a relief if he didn’t just run wild. It’s better this way. At least I’ll have an excuse to talk to him if I go to deliver this news.

Buka finished his thoughts and looked back at Huchite and Bayan, who were standing guard on one side.

“[What’s that guy saying?]”

Huchite still couldn’t understand a word of the language, so he half-heartedly picked at his ear and blew on his fingertip.

“[He says he protected the Khan’s wife.]”

“[Does that mean we can run wild to our hearts’ content?]”

Why did the Khan leave them behind in the first place? Wasn’t the reason that he was infiltrating enemy territory alone to save the wife who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere? Now that the cause has been saved, Huchite had no reason not to welcome it.

“[No time for long talks. He says we might get caught, so send out those who can leave immediately, and instruct the rest to pack up the camp and follow.]”

“[Good, good. I’ve been waiting for those words! Hey, you guys!! 1st unit, 2nd unit, 5th unit, rush to Geumseong immediately!! The rest of you pack up and follow as the rear guard!]”

Huchite chuckled and commanded in a beastly, thick voice. Bayan, who hadn’t said a word until now, also jumped on his horse and ran without hesitation.

Buka clicked his tongue at the rapid movement that ignored all tactics. That guy, who’s completely smitten with the Khan, has been holding back for too long.

“[Do we just rush in and attack?!]”

“[Wipe them all out without mercy!!]”

No, when did I say that? She’s in there too! The Khan’s wife is in there! Buka turned to Huchite in disbelief, but he ignored him and sent the troops off.

“Did you come up with a plan this quickly? You’re amazing.”

Odobo exclaimed, his eyes shining, but it was a great misunderstanding by someone who didn’t understand Mongolian. Buka didn’t feel the need to correct him and changed the subject.

“Let’s get going too. The Khan’s horse is exceptionally fast and has great stamina, even among Mongolian horses.”

I just hope he’s not running wild when we get there… Buka sighed heavily again.

***

The time on the clock I glimpsed earlier was 2:12 A.M. It was early dawn, too early for sunrise. As I stepped out of the prison, a chilly night breeze blew, so cold it was biting. And I was barefoot. My hands and toes were red, and my lips were chattering involuntarily.

—Body temperature is below the standard level. Warming is recommended.

“Wh-what is it?!”

“Who’s there?!”

Beep, the alarm sounded, and Noah’s voice echoed loudly through the night air. The soldiers surrounded the [Prince], drawing out long spears. I was slightly impressed by their actions, pushing sharp spears in all directions like a hedgehog.

I wondered why they were holding spears, but it was to push away enemies and protect the central figure. Certainly, a long spear would be better than a sword if used for that purpose.

Suddenly freed from the soldiers’ hands, I stood alone on the cold stone floor.

—Body temperature is below the standard level. Warming is recommended.

A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark and a couple of red screens floated around me, flashing. As Noah warned again and the screens floated around me, the [Prince] gestured wildly at me.

“Is, is this your doing?!”

“Wh, what is this…”

“A, a monster! It’s definitely a monster!”

Ugh, it’s cold. I turned my body, ignoring their shouts. Now that they were afraid and couldn’t easily touch me, it was an opportunity to create distance. Of course, I couldn’t run, but I frowned at the heavy shackles and took a step.

The cold from the cold stone floor flowed into my bare feet. What am I doing wearing such thin clothes, not even as good as underwear, in the middle of winter? It would be better if I could rub my shoulders, but the handcuffs restricted my actions.

In the first place, what kind of serious criminal am I that I’m tied up so tightly with heavy shackles instead of ropes?

“Wh, what are you doing! C, capture that woman immediately!”

“B, but isn’t she a monster!”

“We need to call an [exorcist] right away! An [exorcist]!”

“A monster in the Imperial Palace! It’s a, a disaster. A disaster…!”

I couldn’t understand them, who were making such a fuss without even speaking properly. A ‘monster’? There’s no such thing in the world.

Clang.

“Aish! You [stupid] fools! It’s sorcery, sorcery! What kind of monster can’t even break a shackle! I’ll have that woman killed immediately for [insulting the Imperial Family]! How dare she mock the Imperial Family! Capture her now! Or I’ll cut off your heads first!”

The [Prince]’s shout came from behind me. Clang, soldiers in armor drew out their spears and narrowed the distance to me.

Clang.

Fear filled the black eyes that were revealed in the middle of the helmet, and the closed lips below them trembled, creating white breath.

The sharp spear tips pointed at me trembled. They must feel heavier than usual because they’re holding the spears as far as possible, but the trembling of the spear tips isn’t because of the weight.

—Body temperature is below the standard level. Warming is recommended.

Noah’s alarm sounded again. The soldiers flinched and stepped back at Noah’s voice. If I had known they would be scared by something like this, I would have called Noah earlier.

I smiled slightly, curving my eyes at their ridiculous appearance. The laughter that slipped out scattered on the wind.

“Ugh, can’t you move?! Stab that woman to death right now!”

The [Prince] shouted again, urging the soldiers. Their superior was shouting behind them, and I, presumed to be a monster, was standing in front of them, so the soldiers hesitated, then closed their eyes and thrust their spears. However, because they had their eyes closed, the spear only grazed my clothes.

—Warning. Intent to kill the master has been detected. Please drop your weapons and step back one meter.

Ah, this is it. I looked up at Noah’s afterimage, which was floating as a 3D hologram.

The face, as big as my body, was connected by green network lines to create curves. The round face had features, but without the skin or pupils that humans should have, it stared at the soldiers standing in front of it.

“Eek—!”

“Wh, what is that!”

The soldiers were startled and grabbed their spears with both hands.

—Resistance is evident, so further sanctions are deemed ineffective. Issuing a Level 1 alert.

Kugugung—!

“Yeojin!!”

I quickly turned my head at the familiar voice. Temujin, who had drawn his sword…

‘Please note that when a Level 1 alert is executed, all nearby individuals with harmful elements will be targeted for elimination.’

“Temujin, drop your sword!!”

Flash—!

And light poured down from the sky.