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“Good morning, Sultan,” Alice said, nodding at Suleiman as she passed by him in a hall. She was wearing a light garment and baggy pants. Burc was draped over her shoulders, pressing down her messy hair.
“Just call me Suleiman, Alice,” Suleiman said and shook his head. “Your Turkish is getting much better.”
“Thank you.” Alice rubbed Burc’s head, causing him to purr. “It’s all thanks to him.” Two months had passed since she arrived in this world, and it took a while, but she managed to learn the local language—parts of it, at least. Luckily, the language was easy to read after learning the alphabet, and with Burc acting as a dictionary, it wasn’t so troublesome. If Burc wasn’t here, or if she hadn’t developed the mysterious ability that involved talking to cats—which she suspected to be from that genie she had once trapped in a jar—she’d probably still be confused as heck.
“Come to my study after breakfast,” Suleiman said. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Alright,” Alice said, continuing down the hall. She had never been called into his study before. Was there something important? Perhaps one of her companions had been located. Alice sighed. In the two months she was here, she hadn’t caused any ruckuses at all; it made sense for her to still be alone. There wasn’t any way for Tafel to find her. However, Alice did request Suleiman to keep an eye out for her companions, but despite the enormity of the empire and her companions’ unique characteristics, there weren’t any hints of them. She even got the nagging feeling that her companions didn’t follow her into the portal after that bumbling dragon threw her into it. What if she was stuck her alone forever?
Alice shook her head and focused on getting her breakfast instead. The Padishah treated her pretty well, housing her in his palace without asking for payment. Occasionally, she’d spar with his soldiers, the Janissaries. Of course, they were too weak, and after finding out there wasn’t any magic that could instantly restore a broken bone, Alice had switched to beating them up with a sock filled with stiff cloth instead. The Padishah had even offered her a position as captain of the Janissaries.
After a breakfast of mostly fish, Alice found her way to the Padishah’s study. It reminded her of her own office back in the Adventurers’ Guild. The Padishah was waiting for her and put down his book when she arrived. There were pictures on it that caught Alice’s eye. They reminded her of a military formation. All it was missing was a few arrows. It was a shame she wasn’t literate enough to read the alphabet while it was upside down. “You needed me?” Alice asked, tearing her gaze away from the image.
Suleiman leaned forward while putting his elbows on his desk. He intertwined his fingers and furrowed his brow while meeting Alice’s gaze. “I’m going to war,” he said. “I wish to seek your help.”
“A war?” Alice asked and raised her eyebrows. “Who, what, where, when, why?”
Suleiman’s brow furrowed. “My kingdom against the world.” Upon seeing Alice’s slightly concerned expression, he chuckled and lowered his arms. “That was a joke. I simply wish to expand northwards. I’m departing soon. Would you like to join me as captain of the Janissaries?”
Alice pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. War wasn’t to be made light of. Sure, there was that one time she had accompanied Nate on a war because she thought it would be interesting, but that was just one time. There’d be death and turmoil and unrest along with the very real possibility of the people around her dying. “Do you have to go to war?”
A slight smile appeared on Suleiman’s face. “Yes. Right now, my empire is too weak. To become strong enough to defend ourselves, we need more resources, more land. This war of expansion is necessary for my empire’s future survival. Of course, I can choose not to wage war, and eventually my empire will be conquered within four to five generations.”
Alice sighed. It seemed like the law of the jungle applied to this world too. “Alright, I’ll help.” She needed the Padishah’s support to find her companions, and besides, wasn’t waging war causing a ruckus too? If she became famous and acquired a title like guardian of the battlefield, surely Tafel would take notice. As for the deaths and turmoil and unrest? It was going to happen anyway whether she participated or not, so she might as well ensure that the winning side was the one she knew the language of. She’d rather not have to learn a whole new language if Suleiman lost. Alice petted Burc’s head before gazing at Suleiman. “What do you need me to do?”
“You just need to protect me on the battlefield.”
“Just protection?” Alice asked. “You don’t need me to lead the charge?”
Suleiman shook his head. “My Janissaries are infantry who act as my bodyguards. The sipahis are the horsemen in charge of leading the attack.”
“I know how to ride a horse,” Alice said. She snorted. “I can run faster than one too.”
A bleak smile appeared on Suleiman’s lips. “Yes, I believe you can,” he said and sighed, thinking back to all the times he watched the tiny girl in front of him beat up his greatest Janissaries. “However, as a bodyguard, you’ll be exposed to less combat. Leading the charge is dangerous.”
Alice crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s why the strongest person should do it.”
“But you’re just a girl…, woman! You’re a woman.”
“And? What’s that supposed to mean?” Alice asked, raising an eyebrow.
Suleiman leaned back in his seat and averted his gaze. “T-think about it,” he said. “What would my enemies think of me if I let you lead the charge?”
Alice tilted her head. “Does it matter what they think of you? What are they going to do? Declare war on you again?”
“No, that’s….” Suleiman lowered his head. The girl in front of him had a point, but still … why did it feel so wrong?