Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Do You Know It's the Dead of Winter?
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An awkward silence settled inside the tent.
Sion stared at Zhan with a look of utter disbelief, while Risikida tensed up completely, wondering if she should grab one of the weapons rolling on the ground and bolt if things went south.
And Zhan just blankly stared down at the 'table' in her hands.
"...Ah, uh-huh."
Then, realizing that Sion and Risikida's gazes were locked on her, she hurriedly chucked it into the makeshift stove with a whoosh!
It flew perfectly into the flames without a single inch to spare—a clean hole-in-one as kindling.
"Ahem, ahem!"
...
No way she dragged me all the way out here just to show off that insane trick shot.
Sion figured that if they kept wasting time like this, he'd end up witnessing more absurd nonsense, so he decided to speak up first.
"By any chance, about that engagement..."
"From what I can see, this isn't just about relocating living quarters—it's got a heavy training vibe to it.
Like swiftly breaking camp, moving elsewhere, and securing an area to hold for a set period. That kind of drill, right?"
"Huh?
Well... yeah, something like that.
Our northern warriors move with our horses, so we often have to quickly abandon an area and pitch tents in a safe spot."
"You need space for the horses to rest, so it's not some temporary setup—it's got to be at least a minimal 'camp' structure.
Am I right?"
"...Yes."
At that, Sion smirked and said,
"So, what it boils down to is this.
You planned to shove me into something like military training for a stretch, making sure I couldn't even last the full week.
That's how it comes across."
"That's not—it's not like that.
The reason I called you here as Kalta is to discuss something else..."
"When a warrior's got a blade to your throat, it's hard to buy that line."
"...I have no defense for that part.
It was my mistake."
In the north, this was a woman who could get away with anything, and here she was apologizing.
If the tribe leaders or warriors saw this, they'd probably jump up and down yelling why she was doing this.
But Sion just kept his reaction at, so what if she apologizes?
Kill a man, and even then it's just a 'mistake,' huh.
Sorry, but my life's worth way more than you think.
If Sion died right now, the fallout afterward was something even he didn't want to imagine.
"Well, regardless, our deal's still on, right?
I'll stay here a week, do my best to sway the tribe folk toward talking with the kingdom.
And you'll hold off on any armed provocations while I'm here, deciding whether to fight Hispania to the end or find a way to coexist.
I trust you haven't forgotten, Zhan Temujin."
"...We'll both have to try.
I can't guarantee results."
"That's enough."
With that, Sion stood up.
He wasn't her subordinate or anything—just a guest—so leaving first posed no issue.
"Leaving already?"
"You seem awfully busy, Temujin."
As he said it, Sion subtly nodded toward the pile of junk shoved in one corner of the tent.
Zhan let out a groan of 'urgh' and cleared her throat awkwardly, as if embarrassed about the mess.
"Anything else to say?
You went out of your way to bring me to Temujin's tent, so it felt like something important was coming."
"No... actually, never mind.
That can wait a bit longer.
Head back and rest for today, Sion Klauzen.
See you tomorrow."
Zhan spoke in a calm voice, so Sion nodded as if he understood and left her tent without lingering.
As soon as he swept the entrance flap aside with a whoosh!
Sion felt all eyes in the area turning his way—it didn't take long.
Risikida was instantly on guard against their stares, but Sion pretended not to notice, ignoring them completely as he headed to his own tent.
'Northern barbarian warriors' trait: they bite anything that looks weak, family or not.
Gotta manage my expression and vibe here—that'll help win them over later.'
He had zero intention of charming the entire Kalta into chanting 'Long live the kingdom!'
What Sion wanted was just a slight crack in this alliance he could widen—a chance, and a reason for it.
The convincing was Zhan's job; his role was to set the mood and make it look like 'not all kingdom folk are trash.'
'...Come to think of it.'
Sion paused mid-step, glancing back as he said,
"We'll be sharing a tent for the next few days."
"Pardon?"
"Northern warriors don't separate men and women.
Marriages happen early too.
Meaning the tent they gave us isn't two separate ones—it's just the one, Risikida."
"R-Really?
H-How could I share a bed with Master!
I'm your escort knight!"
"Escort knight, got it.
No one's telling you not to.
Just that we've got no choice but to share."
Risikida's face flushed beet red at that, flustered beyond words.
The whole way to the tent, she twisted her body this way and that, as if her imagination was running wild with no idea what to do.
'...Don't get any weird ideas, Risikida.
This tent's nothing like the soundproof rooms back at the castle—zero privacy, so I'm not in the mood at all.'
Even the sound of his woman's breathing being overheard would piss off a man's possessiveness big time.
Thinking of those muscle-headed brutes gripping their junk and going at it inside their tents already had Sion resolving to live celibate for the week.
Plus, for Risikida it might suck, but for Sion it was a relief: water was scarce up north.
Especially during these military drills, they rationed it strictly for drinking—too precious for anything else.
Washing beyond basic face-rinsing? Impossible.
"S-Sorry.
Master.
If it's unpleasant..."
"I'm more worried you'll be the uncomfortable one."
Back inside, shedding the thick cold-weather gear let the trapped body heat burst out.
They'd given the guests a tent bigger than the average warrior's, plenty for two, but Risikida kept hugging the corner, fretting she'd get in Sion's way.
"Why hide in the corner?
Come warm up by the fire, Risikida?"
"I-I'm fine.
This spot's comfy for me."
"We've seen it all by now—what's there to be shy about?
Sit next to me."
Risikida hemmed and hawed a bit before cautiously settling beside him.
Still super careful not to touch, clinging to her escort knight mode.
But once they hit the bed and she turned 'woman,' she'd be all moans and cuddles like it was nothing.
Just then, a commotion outside—then a group of lightly armed warriors announced themselves and entered.
Risikida sprang up reflexively, gripping her sword, but Sion calmed her with a gesture.
"You're the guest of Temujin visiting Kalta, right?"
"That's right."
Sion quickly clocked that as Temujin's guest, he outranked these warriors.
Without even standing, he eyed them down like the chill kingdom noble he was. The warrior bowed politely and spoke.
"I'm Jalan, assigned to you for the week.
I command eight tents and thirty-two warriors in this area."
Like a squad leader.
Sion nodded, stood, and per northern custom, gave his name first and offered a hand.
He half-worried the guy might snub him, but luckily Jalan—clearly loyal to Zhan—accepted it like greeting a superior.
"Came to thank you for helping the warriors today."
"You're hosting me, and I've gotta earn my keep for the week.
Don't they say in the north: no work, no food?"
"...You know your stuff."
"I'll tag along with you warriors as long as I'm not in the way.
Since you're in charge around here, your permission?"
"You're Temujin's guest—no need."
"Told you: earning my keep."
Sion figured the scariest thing was free meals with no strings, and the most suspicious was sudden generosity.
Better cover bases in case they nitpicked later.
"...If you're set on it, I won't stop you.
But if you disrupt the warriors, as tent overseer, I'll have to ban it then.
Eat up, see you tomorrow."
Jalan bowed again and left.
Once the warriors were gone, Risikida finally relaxed and sat back down.
"The northern plains shut down at sundown—no activities.
You've been beat all day, so eat and rest early."
Risikida nodded at Sion's words.
Dinner? Just the dried meat, bit of water, and mare's milk the warriors provided.
Damn khan really dragged me on a drill, Sion grumbled inwardly but chewed the jerky without complaint.
To outsiders, it looked like a kingdom high noble roughing it hard, but honestly, to him it was just post-hard day's work rest.
'Just stirs up some golden oldie memories that piss me off a tad.'
Bro swore stairs were better than big drills, but when crunch time hit, they did it all.
Now he got why seniors teased: 'Once you go, who knows when next—makes me wanna die. But beats the sunny side.'
"Master."
Lost in thoughts, Sion blinked at Risikida staring at him.
When he looked her way questioningly, she carefully shed her knightly poise, revealing the woman Risikida.
"You okay?
I'm a knight used to harsh training, but you're not cut for places like this."
"What?
Worried I've never roughed it before?"
"Of course not!
I-I'd never insult you..."
"I know.
I get it, Risikida—all of it.
I know what you're worried about.
Truth is, yeah, it's a bit annoying even for me.
But it's the best way.
If these folks war with the kingdom, everyone loses big—terribly.
And tons suffer."
Among those suffering would surely be future Sion Klauzen—himself.
Fail to stabilize the north, and it'd be like the Blade Mountains' monster barrier wiped out.
For future me, tough it out a bit more, today's me!
That was Sion's honest mindset.
"Oh, and Risikida."
"Yes?"
"If I vanish at dawn, don't freak—just wait quietly."
"...Pardon?"
To her puzzled repeat, Sion chuckled and replied.
"Gonna patrol like the guards."
―
"Hey, up.
Shift change."
"Ah, yes."
Tars roused at the previous guard's call.
Right—dawn watch today.
The blizzard dumped snow everywhere, causing headaches galore; exhaustion maxed, but sentry duty during drills was par for the course.
Lightly armed and bundled in cold gear, Tars stepped out.
His partner was already getting the handover on notables.
"Tars, you too.
Nothing special—good luck."
"Yes, sir!"
Newly minted warrior, Tars replied with gusto.
But soon boredom and fatigue crashed in.
Chatting with his partner would've helped, but different tribes, age gap—no words exchanged all shift.
'Boring.'
That thought fogged his once-clear head instantly, body growing heavier despite prior tiredness.
Just moments ago he'd felt fine—now drowsiness flooded.
'No, can't.'
Reason vs. instinct? Instinct always wins.
Even top warriors struggle against sleep, one of humanity's big three urges.
He shook himself to fight it off, but only momentary.
'...Wanna sleep.'
Critical outer perimeter? Handled by other tents' warriors.
They just auxiliary-checked this tent's surroundings.
That rationale unleashed the dammed-up sleep like a tidal wave.
'No, really can't.'
Mind said no, but body and heart play separate games by nature.
Finally, Tars leaned on his spear haft, eyelids drooping as sleep overtook him.
Right as he let go and plunged into deep slumber—
Chin—.
"What're you doing."
Sion loomed behind, eyes gleaming with malicious joy at catching a slacker sentry.
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