The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 63
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Approximately a hundred and fifty kilometers north of the Empire lies the Salt Desert.
Crossing the Salt Desert reveals a forest that resembles a vast jungle, marking the beginning of Kaluta’s territory.
Thus, the Salt Desert serves as both a border and an implicit neutral zone between the two lands.
Beyond the forest, a massive mountain range exists.
Kaluta’s terrain is indeed unique.
Surrounded by the sea to the north, desert to the south, and centered around mountain ranges, highlands, and plateaus, it’s a land of diverse landscapes.
Near the Salt Desert, another expansive jungle spreads out, ensuring that, at the very least, those who know how to hunt will not starve.
Presently, ‘Kaluta’ is located somewhere along the middle of this vast mountain range, but this location is not strictly the entirety of Kaluta’s nation.
Rather than forming a traditional nation-state, the people of Kaluta, owing to their nomadic heritage, periodically relocate their dwelling places.
One day they might settle in a snow-covered highland over 6,000 meters above sea level, and another day, they might be found in the middle of a forest.
This elusive nature, combined with the rugged terrain, serves as another shield for Kaluta.
Thus, even as Kaluta’s incursions into border territories continue, the Emperor remains silent, knowing well that any movement by them would inevitably provoke the Emperor’s direct military force, the ‘Labyth,’ into action, leading to a potentially endless conflict.
Indeed, in Roxelyn’s world, this was the reality.
To be precise, ‘Kaluta’ was unified by the strongest tribe of barbarians, the ‘Kaluta tribe,’ and now, their tribal name has come to represent a single nation.
Yet within this nation named Kaluta, various tribes still live separately.
Attacking one tribe only scatters the many others living independently, making them difficult to conquer.
“Welcome, you’ve traveled a long way.”
Arriving at the mid-slope of the mountain range by noon, Roxelyn was greeted by a young man.
He wore unique attire, with white pants and his upper body almost bare, the front wide open, and thick golden bracelets on both wrists.
“I am Baian, the Young Chief of Kaluta.”
The sun-kissed, muscular boy introduced himself as the successor, his striking green eyes and silver hair standing out.
‘Baian…?’
Roxelyn was slightly taken aback.
If he was indeed the brother Batar had mentioned, then he would be around seventeen years old now.
Yet his stature and demeanor were more imposing than a well-trained knight, his gaze arrogant but not rude.
“Ah! Skip the formalities and just show us the way. I’m exhausted and want to wash up and rest.”
Unlike others, the Second Prince, who had been the noisiest complainant throughout the two-week journey, continued to be noisy even as a member of the diplomatic envoy in a foreign land.
Baian glanced at the Second Prince before his gaze shifted to Arma beside Roxelyn, and then back to Roxelyn, eventually settling again on Arma.
“Are you leading this envoy?”
Arma nodded lightly.
“I am the Third Imperial Prince, Arma Diyanitas.”
Roxelyn, with her arms crossed, looked at Arma speaking quite nonchalantly and nodded internally, satisfied with the outcome of her intensive coaching for someone who was terribly bad at acting.
‘One of them should be pleased with this.’
Roxelyn thought contentedly.
“We hope for a good cooperation during this short period.”
Baian extended his hand, which Arma lightly grasped.
“……”
