PRKE 104

CHAPTER 104………………………………………………

“Whether there are more than ten priests or not, this is the first time a priest has ever come to the desert. If it weren’t for the fifth prince, it simply wouldn’t have happened!”

“So you think giving the Aision Desert to the kingdom was a good move?”

“It wasn’t a bad one either.”

Other chiefs joined the two shouting men.

The debate was evenly split: some insisted Giovanni had to make up for his mistake, while others argued that the kingdom’s priest was a valuable figure and that his judgment wasn’t necessarily wrong.

Disagreements were common in both the kingdom and here, but seeing chiefs with bodies draped in white bones and rough scars shouting at each other added an extraordinary intensity.

Still, the noisy atmosphere allowed me to observe my surroundings more comfortably.

‘It feels a little freer than in the royal palace.’

The chiefs who held power clearly exerted strong influence.

‘In the past, wise shamans and powerful warriors led the people of sun and fire.’

Back then, no single person monopolized power or pushed aside their kin for personal gain.

Everyone revered the gods in unity, maintaining peace.

Even in this palace-like setting, I could sense the passage of a thousand years.

But having experienced the constant struggles of the Amtein and the Count’s house, I was no longer naive. I knew how humans’ darker intentions could surface.

I understood perfectly what it took to win a power struggle.

Some supported the crown prince, some followed Giovanni, and some were neutral.

I observed each one carefully, imprinting them in my mind.

‘That’s the red-scorpion chief who remained neutral before returning to the crown prince’s side. He’s genuinely serious about undermining Giovanni.’

As the meeting dragged on and I began to discern the balance of power—

‘…When will this ever quiet down?’

“So you’re saying that’s wrong now, isn’t that right?”

A booming voice echoed through the hall. The problem was—it didn’t stop.

I thought that, at least in the imperial palace, it would be somewhat controlled—but I quickly realized I was wrong.

‘No one is mediating at all. What’s the emperor thinking?’

He even yawned. Clearly, he had no intention of calming this chaos.

I stopped analyzing individuals and scanned the hall.

Over the shouting chiefs, I could almost see wild, unbridled beasts growling.

‘This might turn into a fistfight.’

The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile.

“Enough.”

A hoarse voice pierced the cacophony of yelling like a sharp arrow.

It wasn’t particularly loud, yet the chiefs immediately fell silent.

My eyes widened.

‘That man…’

He was the eldest in the hall.

I had classified him as neutral before—he never spoke when the crown prince was praised, when Giovanni was insulted, or when Giovanni was defended—so I hadn’t paid him much attention.

But the moment he spoke, the atmosphere shifted.

I realized he was someone who, in the past, would have led his clan.

Like Giovanni, he radiated the energy of a powerful warrior.

“Watch carefully who you are raising your voices against.”

“…….”

“The Khan does not take kindly to such things.”

A glance.

The emperor blinked lazily, sitting half-reclined.

‘…Not at all?’

He looked drowsy.

In any case, the old man’s intervention worked. The previously rowdy hall became as quiet as if doused with water.

“Apologies, Grand Chief.”

A man with bulging arm muscles scratched the back of his neck.

One word stuck sharply in my ears.

‘Grand Chief?’

Kitchev had mentioned it in passing:

[There is a chief whom even the Khan respects.]

He had been the emperor’s childhood mentor and once the ultimate target of all warriors.

Chiefs of well-known tribes had once sought to challenge him.

Even now, in his old age, he commanded the unruly chiefs.

“What are you babbling on about?”

The Grand Chief moved the muscles of his liver-spotted face and smiled.

“The fifth prince bought people with his land. Everyone knows the fifth prince’s character. He judged that this woman would be useful to the empire.”

He looked directly at Giovanni.

One of the Grand Chief’s eyes was clouded with cataracts, but the other was clear as a young man’s, creating a striking contrast.

His lips were darkly tinted, almost black, tracing a precise line.

“Is that not so?”

“Yes.”

Giovanni replied calmly, as if nothing had happened, despite all the discussion surrounding him.

“This person will be of help to the empire.”

His unwavering tone made me stare without realizing. I had seen that back—the broad, solid, strong back—throughout the journey to the desert.

A smile formed.

Being trusted feels… remarkably good.

“Then that settles it.”

“But Grand Chief!”

The tooth-necklaced chief, still trying to belittle Giovanni, stepped forward but flinched under the Grand Chief’s sharp gaze.

“The rest is for the Khan to judge. The Aision Desert is imperial land. It’s not for other chiefs to argue over.”

“…….”

Though dissatisfied, the tooth-necklaced chief dared not protest further.

“The Grand Chief is right.”

The Khan, who hadn’t spoken during the loud exchanges, finally opened his mouth.

“As the father, I will judge the fifth prince’s actions.”

The Khan smiled slyly, as if he had been indifferent all along. He seemed like a seasoned wolf—no one dared challenge him.

Lord Rakki Koon, however, was different.

“I trust the fair Khan will make an appropriate decision.”

The implication caused the chiefs’ expressions to shift subtly—some frowned, others smirked.

Giovanni went to meet the Khan alone, while I returned along the path with Jenny and Kitchev.

The architecture felt foreign. Strange patterns adorned the palace walls. In corridors with awkward carvings, I could glimpse fragments of their history.

As I let the palace scenery pass, I organized my thoughts.

‘Clearly, we’re at a disadvantage in terms of power. Most in the hall sided with the crown prince. Giovanni’s supporters were just louder.’

Of course, I couldn’t judge solely by those present. But the visible reality was that far more chiefs supported Lord Rakki Koon.

‘The chiefs know of me. That’s intentional. Yet, since they haven’t seen me directly, they underestimate me.’

Unlike in the kingdom, it seemed better to display power quickly and decisively here.

My reputation would soon become Giovanni’s strength.

‘I need to expand influence. How many of those people can I bring to Giovanni’s side?’

The method was simple: provide them benefit.

‘If my side is strong, they’ll see it as advantageous to join.’

That’s why noble families form marital alliances with equal houses.

‘How to provide benefits…’

I pondered briefly and shook my head.

‘First, I need information.’

Ultimately, persuading others required understanding them.

I felt urgency.

“Let’s move quickly. There’s much to do.”

I quickened my pace almost to a run as we rounded a corner.

“Oh my!”

Someone coming from the opposite direction startled and stepped back.

“We almost collided.”

I narrowed one eye at the annoying reply.

But she didn’t look genuinely surprised, as if expecting to meet someone.

And she spoke bluntly.

I slowly observed her.

Her crimson hair was tightly braided and styled elaborately. She wore clothing that subtly revealed the curves of her body, drawing the eye to her smooth, prominent hips.

Her brown skin was taut and her black eyes, characteristic of the empire, had large whites—giving her a piercing gaze.

Despite this, she was undeniably a sensual beauty.

Her eyes scanned me from head to toe.

“You’re the kingdom’s priest, right?”

“…….”

“Not much to you, huh.”

She glanced at Kitchev.

‘Who is this woman?’

He lowered his gaze and bowed, removing any sign of difficulty.

“I am Malina Domikatun.”

‘Ah, so she’s that woman.’

I studied her again.

Kitchev had briefed me while we came here:

Malina Domikatun is one of the figures in the palace to be wary of.
[The one to watch most is the first consort Alaxia Katun, but the most troublesome is Malina Domikatun. She’ll try to seduce the prince whenever possible.]

Seeing her in person, I understood Kitchev’s distaste.

“You.”

“…….”

“What’s your relationship with the prince?”

‘Busy, busy…’

I exhaled internally and smiled faintly externally—calm, polite, the official smile I had used countless times in the kingdom.

“I, Egrain Hilda, am now serving as the fifth prince’s aide.”

“Aide?”

Malina crossed her arms and inspected me openly. She didn’t hide that I was her target.

“You, an aide? With what ability?”

“I have some skill in manipulating water.”

“Oh, you made it rain, right?”