Altitude Sickness (1)
The carriage jolted along roughly. Landscapes slipped past the window. I sat facing Asella von Württemberg, with her head maid beside her and Tanya next to me. Leaning back against the plush cushion, I flipped through the documents handed to me.
"The First Princess's faction often heads to the front lines, right? Is that the plan—to join them?"
"Exactly."
"Northwest, Blücher County. Not far from here. Five days to arrival, and we'll probably link up with the First Princess's group around then."
"It's Moonlight Palace's first real battle deployment. Excited?"
"Oh, you bet."
I forced a smile. This was why Asella had tagged along all the way to the marquessate. Since we were heading to the county anyway, we'd used the nearby teleport gate and the Gotberg estate as a staging point. Our schedules lined up perfectly.
If she'd had this plan from the start, couldn't she have given me a heads-up? Let me prepare mentally or something.
"Blücher County has been fighting prolonged battles against the barbarians, and supplies are running low. The request for imperial aid came a month and a half ago."
"Heike started preparations the moment it arrived. One week for logistics, a month to march here."
"What about our forces? The Moonlight Palace Knights and the Second Battalion main unit are back at the Imperial Palace."
Asella didn't answer—instead, she lifted her chin with smug confidence.
"You already sent them on ahead during your vacation visit."
"Yep. As allies, Heike will welcome our participation in the subjugation."
It was a ploy to snatch external battle merits usually monopolized by Heike and Georg. Classic Asella. Who knew she'd schemed up something this bold?
I turned to the next page of the documents.
"The barbarian forces—are they the Thunder Tribe?"
"No reports say so. Barbarians have factions too, huh? Do you know much about them, Young Master?"
"A fair bit. Simply put, if they're wielding stone weapons, it's the Rock Tribe. Iron weapons mean Thunder Tribe."
"Then it's the Rock Tribe."
"Got it."
I scrolled through the ending list in my status window.
[No. 032: Corrupted Barbarians 17%]
[No. 035: Barbarian Invasion 8%]
…
The barbarians featured in a few bad endings. They were a massive force dwelling in untamed wilderness. With future events looming, they couldn't be ignored.
Especially the [Corrupted Barbarians] ending. Before the mage corps opened a teleport gate to the demon lands, the hero party defended the empire from invading demons. The demons attacked with every trick, including corrupting barbarians with demonic energy to turn them into minions.
But the invading barbarians were random each time.
Barbarian tribes varied. The Rock Tribe we were heading to subjugate now had low intelligence but immense physical might. If they fell under the Demon King's command, they'd be a nightmare to stop.
The Thunder Tribe, however, resisted full domination thanks to their chieftain's strong will. They could even negotiate.
[Corrupted Barbarians] triggered if the Rock Tribe won an inter-tribal war and grew overwhelmingly strong. [Barbarian Invasion] was empire extinction if we lost to either side.
If I'm lucky, weakening the Rock Tribe now benefits me.
We were subjugating Rock Tribe this time. With their random nature, we might even avert the tricky [Corrupted Barbarians] ending.
I asked Tanya, "Captain, any experience fighting barbarians?"
"Yes. While subjugating monsters in the northern forests, we occasionally ran into small units."
"And you won?"
"Of course."
Tanya answered Asella confidently.
"Rumors of your swordsmanship have been spreading lately, Lady Tanya."
"I am honored."
If word had reached Asella, Tanya's prowess must already stand out in the knights.
"Didn't the Second Regiment offer you a spot?"
"Ah, you knew."
The imperial knights' Second Regiment had shifted from Georg's faction to Moonlight Palace alongside the barracks. Tanya was using their training grounds lately. Frequent visits before the tournament had built rapport—even sparring with the regiment commander.
"Actually, I recently got an offer to leverage my experience as the Gotberg Knights' captain and take a battalion command."
"With your skills, you could aim for regiment commander too. Tempted?"
I kept it light, but Tanya responded gravely.
"I have my duty as your bodyguard, Teacher. I'm Moonlight Palace now, but I haven't officially left the Gotberg Knights. I'll focus on my mission for the time being."
Tanya wouldn't stay a bodyguard forever. Distant as it was, when the Demon King's army appeared and war broke out, Swordmaster Tanya would shine. I expected her to avert a few bad endings.
Her growth was what I wanted too.
"Sure, having you guard me is reassuring, but if it hinders your progress, that's putting the cart before the horse. I'll hire two more knights for my guard—run four shifts. Use the spare time at the Second Battalion."
"Hm."
Tanya pondered my suggestion.
"You want to hone your swordsmanship more, right?"
"Yes. But barracks training has limits."
"Really?"
"Yes. True mastery requires real combat."
"Perfect timing, then."
Asella nodded and said, "This is your chance to gain that combat experience, Lady Tanya. Plenty of barbarians to practice on—go wild subjugating them."
"My thanks for your consideration."
Fighting spirit gleamed in Tanya's eyes.
After that, our tedious journey continued. Three days in, conversation dwindled.
But I didn't want to waste time.
The northwest is high altitude. Rugged mountains, higher latitude than the marquessate—much colder.
We were detouring south around the range. The area grew oddly warmer. Glancing out, I spotted something and said, "Stop the carriage for a bit."
Stepping out, I checked the dense trees.
Coca trees.
Chewing a leaf confirmed it—not exact, but same lineage. The leaves from which drug components could be extracted. Un cultivable in Korea. Once used in cola.
"Young Master, that urgent?"
Ignoring Asella, Tanya and I gathered as many leaves as possible and returned.
"What's all this?"
"Medicine ingredients. We'll need them in the highlands."
Asella grumbled at the leaf-filled carriage while reading her book.
As motion sickness faded, a weight settled on my shoulder.
"Mm... "
Exhausted from the long ride, Asella had dozed off against me, breathing softly.
I had to pause my compounding.
Sniffing her crown absentmindedly, a soft cherry blossom scent wafted. I'd barely bathed yesterday in icy stream water—nearly gave me a heart attack. Yet she stayed pristine. Royals had to maintain dignity, sure, but couldn't she share some?
Her head maid must've slaved to provide hot water, a tub, and suds even here.
Infuriating.
Feeling petty, I rubbed my head against her hair. Now I'd smell perfumed too. Ah, felt cleaner.
"......"
Across, Tanya smirked lewdly at us. Too lazy to ask what it meant, I closed my eyes and leaned into Asella to nap.
Later I learned Asella could use bath magic. One wave, and she was fluffy dry. If such practical magic existed, teach me. Looked simple enough.
The expedition was inconvenient all around.
Exactly five days later, we entered Blücher County.
Not as vital as the marquessate, but crucial for border defense. The harsh mountains deterred invaders, lowering priority. Population was sparse, small villages dotting the ridges.
"Your Highness, any headaches?"
I asked Asella.
"Fine. Hands and feet feel less cold."
"Thanks to Teacher's new medicine, I believe. Your preparedness is exemplary."
Tanya added.
I'd made altitude sickness pills and frostbite ointment, distributing to all. Seemed effective.
Bundled tightly, we trudged through light snow into the southern fortress.
"Welcome! We've awaited your joining, Third Imperial Princess."
The First Battalion company commander—Heike's faction—opened the heavy iron gate.
"Where's Heike?"
"Waiting. This way."
Asella, Tanya, and I climbed straight to the tower top, no rest.
Knocking opened the door. Eyes inside turned to us—including Heike's.
A large table held a spread map; knights had been in strategy session.
"Asella, right on time."
"You look well, Heike."
They exchanged light greetings. Heike glanced at me with a faint smile.
"Long time, Gotberg."
"Are you well, Princess?"
"Of course."
Heike asked Asella, "Second Battalion main unit?"
"Arriving in two days."
"Hm. Must finish deployments meantime. Good timing—brief on the situation."
We gathered around the map. Nearby mountains, bases, units, and estimated barbarian positions marked.
"Forces favor us. First Regiment's 1,200 assembled, plus Asella's 400 from Second and archer knights—total 1,700. Barbarians estimated at 1,000."
"Individual combat prowess makes overwhelming subjugation feasible."
"One concern."
The regiment commander spoke.
"What?"
He addressed Asella. "Our First Regiment knights aren't acclimated to the terrain."
"This terrain meaning?"
"High-altitude mountains and cold."
Heike added, "Barbarians thrive here. But imperial knights don't. Bizarre headaches cause fainting; cold inflicts injuries."
"Healers have expended much divine power already. Combat strength weakens before true subjugation..."
Worry etched Heike and the commander's faces.
I stepped forward.
"Headaches are altitude sickness. Cold injuries are frostbite. Heavy armor in this environment breeds illness even where none existed. Heike turned to me. "Gotberg, know a solution?"
Of course. What she wanted was in my pocket.
"Naturally."
Relief bloomed on Heike's face.