Crimson Karma - Chapter 15

At the age of twelve, when Tasel met with his first assassination attempt, mobilizing everything he had, he made a group called ‘Shadow Walkers’. Though Tasel was but a child who was still green behind the ears, the experience of avoiding death by a hair’s breadth took away his childhood from him.

Shadow Walkers were started with the guards of Elena. As Tasel grew up, the group also grew step by step. It was very difficult to screen out loyal ones. But the people who became part of the group were the ones who saved Tasel’s and his family’s lives. Just like that the force of the group became broad and widespread. At that moment, they served as Tasel’s eyes and ears in the nooks and corners of the empire.

“One among the soldiers guarding Mother’s living quarters, two among His Majesty’s maids, two in the military garrison. They are all members of the Shadow Walkers. One among the guards guarding Mother’s living quarters has been continuously waiting for the moment to rescue her, but it is not easy. The maid who comes and goes out of the room is one of the maids under His Majesty. And whenever one enters the room they are escorted by the guards, so the soldiers can’t even think of getting closer to her. In a literal sense, he took away my mother’s eyes, ears and mouth.”

“Can we secretly inform them that I am going there? We never know, there might be a situation where I will need their help. And please instruct the soldier guarding the living quarters to take a leave on the day I go there. If the situation turns bad, he might get dragged into it and get hurt.”

“Mm, you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Then, before I leave, I would like to prepare some weapons…..”

“Say whatever weapon you want. I will ask Zeke to procure it.”

Hearing Kasia calming list the weapons she needed, the premonition that she is an assassin solidified in Tasel’s mind.

“Short sword, Dagger, throw knife, rope, poison, steel-string….. You seem like you really don’t plan to hide. Now I can’t even believe Knight Krone’s words that you guys grew up very ordinarily from your young age.”

“Krone is not related to this matter. Also, I also don’t know why I became like this. The only promise that I can give you is, that I will never betray your Highness.”

“Ha Ha. Didn’t I say it already? That I don’t care even if you are hiding something. Don’t get anxious. Then everything will be prepared before tomorrow evening. If you need anything else, ask it from Zeke.”

Kasia went out after greeting him with a proper salute. She went back towards her unit and explained to Krone that she will be going out as a support with the rear supply unit for the time being. She thought that she would need to talk with Krone for a long stretch of time, but rather Krone had a pleasant expression on his face.

“I am relieved since the supply unit is relatively safe. Still take care of your body.”

Towards Krone’s never ending affection, Kasia had no words.

‘Is this the so-called familial affection? But there is no blood tie between us… If not, is it different in this world?’

She didn’t know what was the real relationship between the original Kasia and Krone. Krone’s attitude towards her didn’t seem as looking at a companion since he didn’t show any physical intimacy. Seeing such Krone, she felt that his affection towards her must be familial love.

Kasia, who never had any family or friends, couldn’t understand how a person who didn’t even have any blood ties with her had such a deep affection for her.

She made up her mind to protect him as long as she can. But still, she couldn’t return the amount of affection he gave her. Because she never thought about emotions itself.

After talking with Krone she went to the medical barrack in search for Lunaen and found her.

Lunaen whom she met after a long time, was as always worn out at the end of each day. But after finding that Kasia especially went there for her she was so touched.

“I am so glad that you are going to the supply unit. Since no one can assure that madam knight won’t face a situation that can harm you, please take this with you.”

What Lunaen gave her was a pouch of dried herbs. When Kasia was bedridden, it was this same herb called ‘Centella’ that she ground with water, applied it on her body and secured with the gauze. The herb gave out a cool sensation which helped reduce the temperature around the wounded areas. It could also be used as a disinfectant. She thought that this herb was one of the medicines with a broad variety of uses.

It probably must be the best medicine Lunaen could find with her position. Following Krone, Lunaen also bid Kasia goodbye expressing her worry and concern. Kasia felt very strange towards it.

In terms of prowess, Kasia should be concerned, but because of their apprehension in the current situation, she felt that she will return safely. Something tickled her heart.

Kasia’s preparations for her departure proceeded smoothly.

Hearing the situation due to which Kasia was selected to be sent to the Karina Palace, Zeke was surprised. Still without any word of refuting he went to the weaponry and took out the best weapons for her. But compared to Zeke, the emotionally driven Mikhail with an agitated expression rushed to the rear mountain where Kasia trained and made a clamour.

“Oh, you are confident? Our Highness sees you almost like his last card….”

“I will try my best to succeed.”

“Hey look at me. Now there are only two days remaining, I will show you some moves.”

Mikhail guided her in her swordsmanship.

Though the brothers, Zeke and Mikhail either of them had a bulky build, their body bloomed with muscles. There was no place in their body which wasn’t adorned with muscles. So the strength compressed in each swing of Mikhail’s sword was very high. Even if she was the Kasia of her previous life, to confront head-on under such tremendous force would be difficult.

He taught her how to avoid and confront the attacks of stronger opponents. Though it was akin to teaching her his weaknesses, Mikhail went on without any bit of hesitation.

Mikhail was exceptional when it came to the long sword than the Kasia who only held a long sword for a short period of time. But when it comes to the short sword, Kasia was far ahead. This time Mikhail was really surprised by her.

“For a woman with a small stature and light body, the short sword is more advantageous. But it needs one to get close to the opponent which is dangerous. The speed that you move at right now is high and fortitude is also good. Whenever I see you, you always make me awed.”

As always, Mikhail was curious about how she reached such a stage. But since he was obvious to how she will answer even if he were to ask, he didn’t bother to ask.

They trained till midnight of the day before her departure. After finishing the impromptu training, he came to Kasia with a serious face, unlike him.

“I sincerely wish for your success. The only person who can save this rotten-to-the-core nation is His Highness Tasel. Apart from that, I don’t want to watch him struggling in agony any longer.”

When Kasia asked him in what sort of agony was Tasel reeling with, with a grumpy face Mikhail recited his past line by line to her. After hearing everything, Kasia understood more about the Tasel’s distressing circumstances.

‘Is he a saint or something? How can he not stand killing everyone?’

But at that moment she remembered how in her previous life, even with such an amazing talent, she was unable to kill the mastermind behind the Camp X. Not even an instructor there.

‘Learned to be obedient…’

Kasia smiled bitterly.

Kasia felt that if Tasel were to revolt, successfully breaking off his leash, then she will also feel refreshed.

*     *     *

The sky brightened. It was the day of Kasia’s departure.

Kasia was incorporated into the rear line supply. Along with the supply soldiers, she would able to get into the current imperial garrison with the Imperial Palace. She was planning to quietly disappear from there.

The weapons she prepared were loaded into the horse carriage along with the weapons of the soldiers. All were wearing the same dress, so it was difficult to distinguish who was who.

Kasia once again confirmed the route leading to the Karina Palace, carefully packed up the funds and emergency food and pulled up her robe.

‘If I go this time I will have to kill many….. Will I be in pain after my death?’

After her death, the death of all she murdered repeated again and again without a break in front of her in slow motion. She remembered that time when her soul struggled in pain as like being pierced with the grief and sorrow of the people she killed.

Because of that memory, she felt a little uncomfortable thinking of killing once again. Anyway, it was God itself that made her reincarnate as a Knight in the wartime. So Kasia decided to believe that it was not completely her responsibility and left her body to flow with the historical course of this world.

The soldiers selected to replace the rear supply line were like a unit. Since the supply lines were usually safe and don’t inflict many injuries, the female knights or the soldiers which don’t have much to contribute to the army were mainly assigned there. Kasia was also inflicted with grave injuries some time ago, so there was no issue with documentation.

Zeke gave the soldiers a pep-talk in lieu of Tasel. After hearing the talk and carefully assembling their things one by one, everyone had a bright face thinking that they were moving to the safe rear. Only Kasia among them held onto her usual indifferent face.

“I was so worried if I were not selected this time. I couldn’t even sleep properly for many days.”

“The same with me. In addition to the hard labour and being unable to sleep, the condition of my body, I can’t even mention it anymore.”

“Dame, you look the healthiest among us. How were you selected to the supply line?”

Some female Knights in the supply line were talking among themselves about how much they were nervous about the selection of supply line soldiers. One among them glanced at Kasia for some time and gathered her courage and asked her. In those ‘you looked healthy’ words, were hidden ‘have you got through the back door’. But Kasia didn’t care about it.

“I barely made it back after being in the Mist Forest incident.”

They all received a huge shocking hearing the words ‘Mist Forest Incident’.

Hearing Kasia’s words whispers began to emerge from the surroundings like “Then is she that infamous Mist Forest Survivor?”

“I know I am being rude, still is it for real? I heard that the Mist Forest survivor barely escaped death and was gravely injured….”

“My external injuries are almost healed but internal ones are still serious.”

“Ah…”

Hearing the words ‘serious internal injuries’ the surrounding people all shook her head. They all heard through rumours that all those who were attacked by Ernon in the mist forest had their internal organs burst. Shortly after their attention towards Kasia faded away and Kasia didn’t bother to explain anything about her any more.

The shift of these soldiers at the supply line would be spread out so there were almost no chances to meet those people. Still, no good would come from getting along with them and entering their eyes. She only needed them to remember her as a part of the rear supply line.

They were passing through the area recaptured by the imperial army. So from time to time, she could see common people approaching them with goodwill.

When the rebel army occupied the area, they plundered the houses for the military supplies. After the region was recaptured by the troop led by Tasel, they restored the wrecked fields, repaired their broken houses and fences and asked the Lords to reduce the taxes for the time being.

Albeit they were small or eaten by insects, they offered their most precious fruits bundled in sacks to the person in charge of the supply line.

‘Tasel is more popular among the common masses than the nobles.’

But the world she was now in was not a democratic society as her previous life. So having the support of the common people won’t be of any help to hold the regime.