The Blood of Traitors Runs Red (1)
“Does my presence make you uncomfortable?”
Brinhilte asked.
I made a face like I couldn’t believe it.
“Rikius!”
But the fool didn’t enter the tent. Were these idiots seriously thinking of offering this woman to me?
“Please wait just a moment.”
Brinhilte said.
“I’ve already given my answer on your tribe’s fate.”
“Yes. I know Your Excellency won’t go back on your decision. That’s why I asked the imperial officers here to let me see you, just once.”
“If you think you can persuade me, it’s hopeless.”
Brinhilte knelt down.
“I have no intention of persuading you.”
“No intention of persuading me? Then there’s no reason for you to see me.”
Brinhilte lifted her head. Her clear blue eyes gleamed with fierce determination.
“I just want to earn Your Excellency’s favor.”
“Earn my favor. That’s absurd. If you think I’ll fall for your seduction and show mercy, you’re gravely mistaken. I won’t succumb to your sweet words today any more than I did yesterday.”
“Do you think I’d dare try to seduce Your Excellency? No, that’s not it. I just want to show you that I’m a useful piece on the board.”
“A useful piece.”
“If I prove my worth, perhaps Your Excellency will show me favor. It’s the only lifeline I have.”
It was ridiculous. But looking into the beautiful princess’s eyes, filled with unyielding resolve, I couldn’t just laugh it off.
I leaned back in my chair.
“Fine. What is this value of yours?”
“My body.”
The princess said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. It was awkward for a woman to say it outright.
“Your body. And what would you do with it?”
“I’ll go to whomever Your Excellency desires and give myself to him.”
Brinhilte said in a trembling voice.
Her bold words made my eyes widen slightly.
“You’ll go to whomever I desire?”
“Yes.”
I clasped my hands together.
Judged as just a woman, Brinhilte wasn’t worth much. The value of one beautiful beauty was barely more than a few sturdy slaves.
But if the woman herself volunteered for a honey trap, that changed everything.
A beauty to topple kingdoms.
She could be a weapon capable of beguiling and destroying nations.
For the first time, I felt genuine interest in Brinhilte.
She’s that desperate, huh. But to volunteer her princess’s body as a tool for seduction. She’s got guts.
I softened my expression a bit.
“That’s intriguing. But you’re a princess. It won’t be easy to act on those words.”
Brinhilte bit her lip.
“When I think of my tribe’s survival, it’s not difficult at all.”
I liked her.
At first, I thought she was some empty-headed girl relying only on her looks to negotiate. But she had backbone and nerve. A woman like this was worth keeping.
Not as a woman, but as a subordinate.
I stood and approached her.
“Very well. I’ll show mercy to your tribe.”
“Thank you.”
“On one condition.”
A flicker of unease crossed Brinhilte’s eyes.
“The only ones I can spare are children small enough to fit under a wagon wheel. Agree to that, and I’ll take you in and let the children live.”
Brinhilte closed her eyes for a moment.
What would this gutsy princess say?
Her eyelids lifted. The wavering light in her eyes from moments ago had been replaced by steely resolve. Without hesitation, she answered.
“I accept Your Excellency’s condition.”
“Good. Rikius!”
I called again, and this time the fool slipped into the tent.
I glared at him briefly before issuing the order.
“Spare the children small enough to fit under a wagon wheel. Raise them as subjects of our province.”
“Yes, sir.”
I decided to take a slight risk to take Brinhilte under my wing. Some of the children might grow up harboring enmity toward us, but with proper education, most would become loyal imperial subjects.
I sent Rikius off and extended my hand to Brinhilte.
She hesitated a moment, then kissed the ring on my finger and bowed her head.
The military operation in the Sartia Great Plains lasted two weeks. During that time, we attacked the barbarians who had opposed the empire, utterly eradicating their seed.
Men were strung up on poles as examples, while women and children were buried in pits.
The brutal slaughter terrified nearby barbarians, who sent envoys pledging submission.
Some tribal chieftains even offered me their daughters in exchange for guarantees of safety.
The fools who had dared oppose the empire had vanished from the Great Plains.
For postwar processing, I summoned the tribes that had sent envoys first.
The barbarians knelt before my tent, cowed by my summons.
With them on their knees, I spoke.
“I called you here today because there’s one matter to discuss.”
Discuss?
The barbarians’ eyes lit up at my words. They knew we wouldn’t garrison here forever—we had to withdraw eventually.
“Who will rule this land.”
Gulp.
The barbarians swallowed hard.
“First, I want to hear your thoughts.”
At my invitation, they rushed to speak.
“This land is vast and rich in pasture. Naturally, it should go to a tribe friendly to the empire for the empire’s security. Entrust it to us, and we’ll offer 1,000 horses a year.”
“We can offer 2,000. And we’re willing to capture as many slaves as needed from the surroundings for the empire.”
“What use are horses to the empire? Our tribe will provide as many cavalry as you require.”
The barbarians competed eagerly.
The value of the Sartia Great Plains was that immense.
Whoever monopolized it could build a power base vast enough to found a great kingdom.
But I’m not about to hand it all to one of you.
I sneered inwardly.
Backing just one tribe would undermine the purpose of this expedition.
A powerful tribe would eventually grow uncontrollably. Better to tear it apart.
Hiding my intentions, I addressed them.
“Your proposals show sincerity, and I’m pleased. The problem is there’s only one land and many claimants, making it hard to decide. From our side, we want to leave a good impression on those who reached out before fighting, but favoring one would sour relations with the others, no?”
The chieftains nodded.
“So, here’s how I propose to handle it.”
Without mincing words, I declared we’d divide the Great Plains regions under our influence into three parts for three tribes.
The chieftains were slightly disappointed at the split but accepted it as land won through merit without much complaint.
In the empire’s name, I confirmed their dominion in exchange for hostages. They complied readily.
In the barbarian world of the law of the jungle, submitting to the strong was the established way of survival. Handing over their children wasn’t hard for them.
Of course, barbarians might sacrifice a child to attack the empire later. But hostages would reduce that risk.
By distributing the Great Plains land to the tribes pledging loyalty, I wrapped up postwar affairs.
All that remained was returning to the imperial heartland.
And,
Once back, I’ll slowly prepare for war with Shapur.
I clenched my fist, recalling the archenemy who had humiliated the empire.
The war begun in the first year of Alexius’s reign ended in January of the following year.
An unprecedented winter campaign in imperial history had drawn concerns from the military, but I led it to a splendid victory.
The rebelling barbarians were annihilated, and the waverers pledged loyalty en masse.
From the empire’s northwest to its northeast borders, only submissive barbarians remained.
Barring unforeseen variables, the north would see no war for at least a decade.
I escorted the emperor back to the capital. With countless imperials in tow, the citizens’ reaction was ecstatic.
The empire had finally won a proper victory!
I boarded the triumphal chariot prepared by the Senate, side by side with Erenia.
In the past, parading with a barbarian wife would have been unthinkable, but not anymore.
As if my popularity had never waned, the people cheered my name.
“Ain! Ain! Ain!”
I waved lightly from the chariot.
Normally, I’d ride with the emperor, but this time I brought Erenia to honor her. Without this chance, publicly acknowledging her as my wife would be tough.
We circled the capital’s main avenue, passed through the triumphal gate, and halted in the plaza.
Erenia took my hand as we dismounted, kissing my cheek. Her face was flushed with excitement.
“Thank you. I never thought you’d keep your promise like this.”
I offered her my hand.
“I can’t claim to protect the empire if I can’t even keep a promise to my wife.”
Erenia linked arms with me.
“True enough. But…”
She leaned to my ear.
“Who’s that woman you brought?”
Erenia nodded toward the hooded woman.
“A subordinate I took in.”
“A subordinate?”
“Yeah. She’ll be useful for the great game ahead.”
That’s how I described Brinhilte.
Erenia tilted her head, puzzled. Me, who waged war with relish, with a female subordinate? It didn’t quite fit.
And glimpsing Brinhilte’s beauty would raise suspicions.
But I’d shouldered the political burden to bring Erenia here and legitimize her as my wife.
She didn’t press further.
As we reached the palace, girls waiting with flower bouquets approached.
I didn’t take one, but Erenia accepted hers with delight.
Surrounded by the young girls, we ascended the steps slowly.
The young emperor had completed his triumph first, carpeting the stairs in petals.
As I reached the top, Senator Crusio approached.
“Congratulations on your northern victory, General.”
“It’s thanks to the empire’s soldiers giving their all.”
“Indeed. If special bonuses are needed for this victory, the Senate will cooperate.”
What’s with this sly fox?
I felt a twinge of suspicion. But thinking it over, I could guess why the Senate was wagging its tail.
My overwhelming winter campaign victory had made my position unshakeable for the foreseeable future.
For at least five years, my influence would span the empire. No wonder they were cozying up.
And.
The ones who manipulated grain prices during the war. If they’re in the Senate, their feet must be getting cold. Along with those who colluded with barbarians to stab me in the back.
I smiled and took Crusio’s hand.
“Much appreciated. The emperor and troops will be thrilled at the Senate’s cooperation.”
“Haha, no need. Just say the word anytime. The Senate is ready to heed the legions and the general.”
For the time being, that is.
I sneered inwardly.
But politics demands hiding emotions—unlike the battlefield, where open hostility rules.
I kept up the friendly facade with Crusio as we headed to the Senate hall.
But I don’t forgive traitors.
I hid a blade behind my smile.
(To be continued)