The Forgotten Field - Chapter 172

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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 172
I watched her, forgetting even how to breathe.
Between the dense foliage, strands of honey-colored hair gleamed like pure gold beneath the torrential sunlight. That dazzling radiance traced down her pearl-like face, clinging like spider silk to her wet nape and collarbone.
He stood frozen in place, then pushed through the thick trees. Each time her crystalline laughter rippled through the rustling leaves, a jolt of electricity shot down his spine as if he’d been struck by lightning.
Feeling a strange thirst burning in his throat, he passed the rhododendron shrubs obscuring his view. Then her figure came fully into sight—submerged waist-deep in the silvery spring water.
He stopped in his tracks, swallowing hard past the tightness in his throat.
She wore only a loose cream-colored silk dress. The damp, thin fabric clung to her body like a second skin, revealing without filter the delicate bone structure and generous curves beneath.
Before he could even feel anger at such an unguarded state, her delighted voice rang out through the air once more.
“Good boy. Stay still.”
The woman extended a slender arm across the water’s surface, pulling the massive wolf’s head toward her chest.
Only then did he perceive the existence of the enormous silver beast hidden by the undergrowth.
The wolf, with only its head above the water, resisted its master’s touch with a low growl, tilting its head back. The woman wrapped both arms around the beast’s neck, then seized its ash-gray muzzle with one hand and began vigorously scrubbing its stiff-furred nape and face.
The wolf’s resistance intensified, displeased with this treatment.
As the massive creature thrashed in the water, trying to escape the spring, she suddenly embraced it from behind.
“Not a chance!”
A playful, mischievous smile brightened her small, delicate face.
As he watched this scene, struck as if by a blow to the abdomen, the woman clinging to the wolf’s enormous body suddenly locked eyes with him, her blue gaze meeting his by chance.
Barcas watched bitterly as the smile vanished from her face and tension froze across her features.
The woman, stiffening as if she’d seen a ghost, slowly hid her body behind the wolf.
“I… I was told you wouldn’t arrive for another four days….”
“A problem arose, so I hastened my return.”
He replied in a voice utterly devoid of emotion.
The woman, who had appeared quite flustered by his sudden appearance, abruptly raised the corners of her eyes.
“There is no problem.”
She wrapped her wet, snow-white arms around the wolf’s robust neck, her eyes flashing with wariness.
“I don’t know who’s been spreading rumors, but it’s all lies. Someone’s just trying to drive Khan away with false accusations….”
“Khan?”
The woman, who had been speaking with heightened emotion, suddenly fell silent, her lips closing.
A faint blush rose across her cheeks.
“That’s his name. Khan….”
She murmured, toying with the wolf’s pointed ears.
Barcas exhaled a dumbfounded sigh. His head throbbed at his wife’s audacity in naming a mere beast with an Eastern Territories name.
He issued instructions in a flat tone.
“First, come out of there. Return to the castle so we can discuss this.”
The woman, who had been peering out with only her eyes visible, walked out of the water with the wolf leading the way.
He slowly examined the massive beast that had emerged onto the bank first.
The gray dire wolf possessed an overwhelming physique that seemed impossible for a creature not yet three years old. Long, powerful legs corded with strength, a muscular, robust neck, developed jaws and sharp fangs….
Its height from paw to head appeared to reach nearly six kuvets—approximately 180 centimeters—and its body length seemed to exceed seven kuvets by far, roughly 210 centimeters. Considering that the last time he’d seen it, it was merely a somewhat large stray dog, this growth was remarkable.
‘I thought there must be considerable exaggeration in the reports—that it was as large as a breeding stallion, as large as an ox….’
It was rather strange that a beast of this size could roam the territory without causing any problems whatsoever.
He ran his gaze over the beast’s long, luxuriant tail, water dripping steadily from its fur, then shifted his attention back toward the creature’s head. There, he met eyes brimming with hostility and malice, causing his brow to furrow.
The Wolf Beast had already lowered its upper body into a crouch, growling menacingly.
Sensing the killing intent, Barcas immediately moved his hand to the hilt of his sword. At that moment, the young woman who had emerged from the water stepped between him and the beast.
“Don’t, Khan!”
She then brought her palm down sharply against the creature’s snout, which was bared in a snarl.
Startled by such a reckless act, he seized her wrist roughly and yanked her away from the beast. He was about to rebuke her harshly when the sight of her drenched form filled his entire vision.
Barcas swallowed involuntarily. Before he could even think, his gaze traced downward along her perfectly rounded breasts and slender waist, following the delicate line of her navel before coming to rest on the triangle between her thighs.
The realization that she was nearly naked sent his blood boiling while an indescribable fury surged through him simultaneously.
He cast a sharp glance toward the Guards standing at some distance behind them, their backs turned. The mere thought that they might have witnessed this sight caused his temples to throb.
“Where is your outer robe?”
The woman, who had been frozen in place, seemed to suddenly become aware of her state. She covered her chest with one arm and pointed toward a tree standing prominently beside the Spring.
“I hung it over there.”
He immediately snatched the robe from the branch and wrapped it around her body.
“Do you typically go about dressed like this?”
He posed the question in a sharp tone, and she flushed crimson before responding curtly.
“I only removed my outer robe temporarily while washing Khan. Besides, when Khan is with me, no one else dares approach.”
“There may be those who observe from a distance.”
“Anyone foolish enough to try has been thoroughly intimidated by Khan.”
The woman snorted loudly, then seemed to catch his expression and hastily added.
“That’s not to say Khan has harmed anyone. He merely frightens them away so they don’t come near me.”
She then gently stroked the neck of the Dire Wolf sitting obediently behind her.
Barcas narrowed his eyes as he observed the beast wagging its tail toward its master. The creature that had displayed such killing intent toward him now adopted the docile demeanor of a loyal hunting hound toward her.
Judging solely by its current behavior, it hardly seemed a threat to her. However, one could never predict when the beast’s inherent demonic aggression might surface.
He remained vigilant, ready to draw his blade at any moment, and carefully pushed her behind him. At this, the creature that had been feigning docility bared its teeth once more. Seeing this, Talia raised her voice in alarm.
“Khan! You mustn’t do that. This person is…!”
The woman, who had been desperately trying to calm the beast, suddenly trailed off and studied his expression. She appeared anxious about what he might do to Khan.
“Khan has always disliked men. He nearly died at the hands of Soldiers when he was young, so I think that’s why. He’s simply frightened, that’s all….”
“I shall reserve judgment on this creature for now.”
Barcas cut off her desperate defense and fixed the beast with a cold stare. The creature returned his gaze with brilliant blue eyes that gleamed with equal intensity.
Perhaps angered that its master had been made anxious, the Wolf Beast appeared desperate to tear out his throat at any moment.
He kept his grip firm on his sword hilt, ready to respond instantly if needed, and gestured to her with a nod.
“Lead the way. We shall discuss the details once we return to the Castle.”
“Khan, come here.”
She made a beckoning gesture toward the beast with an anxious expression. He firmly stepped between them.
“No, you go first.”
“Khan becomes uneasy when separated from me.”
“Until I am certain this creature is truly harmless, I cannot allow it near you.”
The woman then shot him a look sharp with anger, wrenched her hand from his grasp, and dashed toward the beast. Before he could stop her, she pried open the creature’s jaws and thrust her hand inside.
“See? It won’t bite even when I do this. It’s all bluster—he’s actually a gentle soul.”
He felt his blood run cold as he wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted her up effortlessly. The Wolf Beast, startled by her sudden action, scrambled backward and began coughing and retching.

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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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