The Witch Appears
A few days later, I finally stepped out for some fresh air with Amber, heading to the outskirts of the imperial capital.
"Is it really okay to come out this far?"
"As long as I'm with you, it's fine, Your Highness. Just... don't try to run away all of a sudden. I want to live a long life too."
"That's exactly why I'm not running, right?"
"True enough. Oh, they've got apricot pie today!"
We loaded up on cakes, macarons, and pies from that upscale dessert shop where the owner, Madame Rene, and the staff were starting to recognize my face. Then we headed to the massive lake park on the edge of the capital to dig in.
The gentle lapping of the lake water and the warm afternoon sunlight filtering through the tall tree leaves felt so soothing.
To me, who'd been steeped in the stench of iron and sweat for days, this dazzling peace was sweetly unreal.
"Ugh... I feel alive again."
I opened the box and scooped a huge bite of chocolate cake, letting out a sigh of delight. The sweetness melting smoothly in my mouth was pure bliss.
"At least Second Prince Arthur isn't trying to control my diet too. How could anyone live on just chicken breast?"
"True, but if he knew I was stuffing you with sugar like this, he'd be horrified."
"Speaking of which, Amber, want to work out with me sometime?"
"If it's muscle training, I'll pass. I'm a soldier—I keep in shape regularly anyway."
She watched me polish off a pie in record time and start on the macarons with a faintly pitying look.
"By the way, among all the royals I've met, you seem to love desserts the most. Didn't they have them in Sterling?"
"Sterling's a poor country. We had plenty of fish and produce, but no spare resources for luxuries like this. Fresh fish was great, though."
"...Oh. My apologies."
"No worries. Honestly, getting captured has its perks—I get to eat stuff like this."
Life quality had definitely shot up compared to my days as a baron's second son. And frankly, even Joseph, a real royal, hadn't lived this well. I'd spent enough time hanging out at the royal palace to know.
"Anyway, Amber, could you tell me more about the Empire? Stuff that might be useful for me to know?"
This knight in front of me was surprisingly well-read and had a knack for interesting stories.
"Hmm, I already explained the Empire's territories last time, so no need to repeat that, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then... how about the Empire's history?"
"Sounds good. I love history."
I perked up my ears while munching on a strawberry macaron, and Amber gazed out at the lake before speaking quietly.
"Hard to believe, but the Empire started as a tiny nomadic tribe herding sheep and horses in a barren wasteland long ago."
"Shepherds? This massive empire?"
"Yes. They lived off the meat and milk, traded with neighboring tribes and nations, and occasionally raided a bit. Just your average small tribe—maybe five hundred people. Even now, plenty of folks in the Empire's annexed wastelands live like that."
"I knew they were nomadic originally, but I didn't realize it was such a small tribe."
"Everything changed when a peerless war hero named Uzarat was born as their chieftain."
Awe for the imperial bloodline colored Amber's voice.
"Uzarat was born with the eyes of a beast. Legend says he devoured his twin in the womb."
Not Scylla or anything.
"At fifteen, he single-handedly wiped out a hostile tribe threatening his own. They say in that war, he killed every man taller than a wagon wheel."
"Figurative speech?"
"Literal. Classic nomadic brutality."
"Good lord."
"With that overwhelming, ruthless might, Uzarat unified the entire central wasteland before he turned forty. That's the Empire's origin."
"Impressive guy."
"His most talented eldest son succeeded him, expanding the kingdom massively and spending his life toppling the continent's strongest rival empire back then. The imperial line kept pushing to unify the continent, and in the current Emperor's generation, they crushed the south. You know that part, right?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm here as a hostage."
"All that's left is the western Lorang Kingdom, but it's a natural fortress with treacherous passes. It'll take time. There's a massive, fertile basin between sheer mountain ranges—if they dig in, who knows how long. Might not happen in my lifetime."
"The Empire will win, though, right?"
"Obviously. The Empire can draw power from the whole continent; Lorang's just a valley basin, no matter how rich."
"Hope Lorang's king surrenders smartly if he knows that."
"The Empire offered him a duchy, but he refused. Politely, so no immediate war, but it's inevitable."
"War soon?"
"Probably not. They'll focus on pacifying the south first. The southern kingdoms fell easier than expected with minimal losses, but even for the Empire, a three-front war is a strain."
"Wait, three fronts? The west was Empire land originally, and south, east... uh, north too?"
"Always has been imperial territory. But whether it's ruled by those loyal to His Majesty... that's harder to say."
Amber's brown eyes turned cold.
"Who's ruling the north?"
"His Majesty's cousin, the Northern Archduke, Victor von Arzenheim."
Northern Archduke, huh. Of course a romance fantasy needs one.
"The previous Archduke—His Majesty's uncle—lost a council vote but refused to accept it, hunkering down in the far north with his forces. His son inherited and now rules the north."
Amber rubbed her chin as she continued.
"The Arzenheims are undeniably talented. The Archduke's called the continent's top general."
"How do you stack up?"
"Same forces, same frontline—I'd lose in a week. He's not just strong personally; he's a genius in tactics, strategy, and administration. Blocking endless trolls and monsters from beyond the northern wall while maintaining a full army proves it."
"Sounds amazing."
"If only he had no talented kids, but both are famous. His son, Eric von Arzenheim, is the Continent's Greatest Swordsman. His daughter, Ella von Arzenheim, is the Empire's top mage. They call her the White Witch."
"...Not sure if I should ask, but if Victoria and this Eric guy fought, who wins?"
"Well... Eric's the pinnacle of one-on-one sword duels, while Her Highness excels in army-vs-army. Different specialties, but in a clash, whoever's in better form that day wins. Once you hit a certain power level, it evens out."
Amber shrugged.
"They're imperial blood too, but I can't stand them. From my view—loyal to His Majesty, Her Highness, and the current court—they're all better off dead..."
Amber trailed off, clamping her mouth shut and suddenly gripping her sword hilt.
Wondering what was up, I realized seconds later what was wrong.
Crack, craaack.
The lapping lake water before my eyes started freezing from the edges inward at terrifying speed.
As a sudden chill made me shiver, a cool voice reached my ears.
"Is it okay to talk like that when the person's not here? 'Better off dead' and all... not exactly pleasant."
The air frosted white and shattered like ice shards. From the gap emerged a woman with white hair, gliding smoothly to stand before me.
Amber drew her sword, stepping between us, and shouted fiercely.
"The White Witch...!"
"Calm down, Knight White. I'm here as the north's official envoy, carrying a letter from my father. You'd better lower that sword."
The woman touched the blade with a pale finger and pushed lightly. It froze white and shattered with a sharp crack.
Stunned, Amber clutched the hilt as the woman stepped closer to me and smiled with her eyes.
"So you're... the southern prince with all the rumors."
"......"
"I'm Ella von Arzenheim. The Northern Archduke's eldest daughter and rightful heir to the archduchy. Pleased to meet you."