The Forgotten Field - Chapter 161

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 161
My mind went blank for a moment, but I deliberately lowered my voice and mimicked the manner of speech used by the handmaidens.
“Yes, I’m a handmaiden. Can’t you tell at a glance?”
“Which household do you serve?”
“I work at the Main Castle.”
Despite my composed reply, the soldier did not easily relinquish his suspicion.
The man bent forward as if to examine my face more clearly and continued his interrogation.
“Why would a handmaiden from the Main Castle be leaving the castle at this hour?”
“I’m heading to the market on an urgent errand for the Head Handmaiden.”
I turned my head away from the soldier’s gaze and shot back with an irritated tone.
“So stop being such a nuisance and let me through. It’s urgent! If I’m late because of this, are you going to take responsibility?”
“Just remove your hood first. I can’t let you through without verifying your identity….”
“Ugh, seriously! If you’re so suspicious, just ask Areta the Head Handmaiden to confirm. Tell her it’s Ivon—she’ll know. I’m already annoyed enough with this tedious task…!”
The moment I mentioned the Head Handmaiden’s name, the soldier’s suspicion seemed to dissolve. He sighed and nodded.
“Geez, you’re quite sharp-tongued. Fine. Go on.”
I immediately turned away.
But as I began to move, I grew anxious that he might notice my unnatural gait.
I took each step as naturally as possible while watching the soldier’s movements from the corner of my eye.
Fortunately, he had already lost interest in me and seemed preoccupied with inspecting a cart. I seized the opportunity and hurried down the slope with stiff legs.
Soon a wide road leading to the Walled City and a field of green grass spread before me.
As I walked along the well-maintained gravel path and judged that Laedgo Castle had receded sufficiently, I turned my direction southward.
After treading through grass for some distance, a vast steppe dotted with grazing sheep and horses came into view, along with a pristine Birch Forest. Because it was late in the day, there were few people about.
I pressed forward, parting through the grass that reached my knees, feeling the damp breeze against my skin.
Beyond the open field, the gray sky drew ever closer. The sun, pouring red light through swirling clouds, sank toward the west.
In another hour or two, it would be completely dark.
Only then did fear grip me. I had no idea where I would spend the night.
‘…Should I head toward some inhabited area?’
Perhaps I could find shelter in a barn or somewhere similar for the night.
I turned my steps toward the castle walls that loomed faintly beyond the hill. I intended to find a place to stay in the small village formed outside the city.
But before I could reach any inhabited area, the surroundings began to darken rapidly.
I suppressed my mounting anxiety and dragged my heavy legs forward. Sharp pain began radiating from my pelvis and knees, and my pace grew increasingly sluggish. By the time I neared the castle walls, the sun had already set.
I felt my breathing grow labored and desperately scanned the darkness for any light.
In the distance, I could faintly see soldiers carrying torches on patrol.
After limping toward that light for some time, my eyes, now adjusted to the darkness, caught sight of a small vegetable garden and a barn that appeared to have been built for storing farm tools.
I staggered toward it. I felt as though I would collapse at any moment if I didn’t lie down somewhere.
As I fumbled through the dim space searching for a place to rest, I discovered a pile of straw heaped in one corner and crawled toward it, collapsing onto it.
The dried hay released a musty, dusty smell, but at that moment I scarcely cared.
Curled up in a space that might harbor rats and insects, I lay gasping heavily, staring up at the dark ceiling.
From the sudden exertion, the muscles in my calves and thighs throbbed painfully. My knees and pelvis ached more intensely than usual.
As I lay groaning in the darkness, I reached beneath my tunic and gingerly felt my thighs.
My fingertips brushed against the jagged scars left unbound, feeling every ridge and imperfection.
I traced the poorly mended skin, then pressed firmly into the knotted muscles, attempting to massage away the tension. Yet once the spasms had begun, they showed little sign of relenting.
‘I should have brought the medicine.’
Frustration washed over me, and I bit my lip.
Then the surroundings grew chaotic, and hurried footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby.
My neck prickled with alarm, and I hastily pushed myself upright. I tried to crawl into the shadows to hide, but a blinding light suddenly flooded across my face.
I looked up with terror-stricken eyes. A burly Knight in full armor stood holding a torch.
He tilted the light to examine my face more closely, then shouted over his shoulder.
“Found her!”
My heart hammered wildly. Like a cornered mouse, I curled myself as small as possible and quickly scanned my surroundings.
Another exit was visible on one side of the cluttered space where farm tools lay scattered. Without time to think, I lunged toward it, but a heavy footfall and a dark shadow cut off my escape.
In that instant, an icy chill seized my entire body.
I looked up at the man silhouetted against the torchlight, my expression twisted with fear.
Feet encased in black sabatons approached with deliberate slowness. For some reason, that measured gait amplified my dread tenfold.
“Talia Roem Sierkan.”
His voice was disturbingly soft.
I barely managed to lift my eyes to meet his.
The torch held by the Knights cast a faint glow across one side of his cold face.
I could not discern what in his otherwise composed demeanor made me hold my breath.
The man spoke with chilling indifference.
“It is time to go home.”
I instinctively recoiled.
A cruel glint flashed in his eyes as he watched me.
“Do you wish to test my patience further?”
His quiet voice scraped against my spine.
I searched desperately for an escape, but finally let my arms fall limp at my sides.
* * *
Throughout the journey back to the Castle, he did not speak a single word. Neither did I feel compelled to. I had no desire to make excuses.
As he carried me like cargo, I kept my eyes closed, shutting out all the commotion around me. At some point, I seemed to lose consciousness entirely.
When I stirred from my light sleep, I realized I was lying on Barcas’s bed and looked around in confusion. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my legs.
Clutching my cramped calf, I groaned and fumbled my arm toward the shelf above. Soon I found a glass bottle of painkillers. Just as I was about to uncap it, a large hand suddenly emerged from the darkness and seized my wrist.
I flinched and went rigid, only then realizing that someone had been sitting in the corner of the room.
I turned with startled eyes and made out Barcas sitting in perfect posture in the deep shadows.
He gazed down at me with an unnervingly composed expression.
“Are your legs in pain?”
I kept my lips sealed and lowered my eyes instead. In response, the hand gripping my wrist tightened painfully.
“I simply cannot help but ask. In that condition, where exactly were you trying to go?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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