The Forgotten Field - Chapter 175

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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 175
“That will never happen.”
She spoke with absolute conviction.
Yet Barcas detected the uncertainty beneath her certainty. A telltale expression flickered across her confident smile—the subtle tell of someone bluffing.
He found himself wondering if she, too, harbored anxiety about the Dire Wolf’s inherent aggression.
‘Just in case the beast loses control, I should prepare magical restraint devices in advance.’
By protocol, any magical creature that attacked a human should be executed on the spot. But the thought of Talia witnessing such a scene filled him with dread. If the moment came when force became necessary, he would need to issue strict orders to his subordinates—capture alive, above all else.
He exhaled a weary sigh and withdrew from the window.
“Then I shall inform the retainers of your decision.”
“You’re leaving right now?”
Barcas, who had turned toward the door, stopped abruptly and looked down at her.
Talia, absently touching her damp, dripping hair, murmured awkwardly.
“You’ve only just returned. Shouldn’t you rest first…?”
Suspicion flickered across his narrowed eyes.
This was a woman who had suffered merely from sharing the same space as him. Over the past two years, she had frequented the castle sporadically, yet she had consistently avoided him. So why this sudden change in demeanor?
“As you say, I have only just arrived, and there is much that requires my attention. I’m afraid rest will have to wait.”
A flash of disappointment crossed her face before she twisted her lips into a smile, speaking tersely.
“Ah, I see. Then go ahead.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he grasped the door handle and pulled it open. A massive gray wolf, standing sentinel before the threshold, filled his vision.
The beast, resentful at having been separated from its mistress, fixed him with blazing blue eyes before shouldering its way through the open door with rough insistence.
Barcas, shoved aside by the creature’s massive bulk, glowered at the wolf.
The Dire Wolf crossed the Grand Duke’s chamber as naturally as if it were its own home, settling beside Talia. Her eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of it.
She wrapped both arms around the beast, which wagged its tail against her side, burying her face in its thick, fluffy neck.
Barcas stood watching the scene for a moment before closing the door.
* * *
“Your Grace is far too lenient with the Grand Duchess.”
Barcas, seated at the upper dais of the Council Chamber reviewing a petition, lifted his gaze to the elder councilman on his left.
The man, now in his fifties with a stern expression, served as the magistrate overseeing the various legal disputes that arose in Kalmor.
He polished his single-lens dwarven spectacles with a handkerchief and released a heavy sigh.
“Until now, I have overlooked the Grand Duchess’s actions in light of the misfortunes she has endured. However, I cannot indefinitely tolerate her reckless behavior. The wolf is causing unrest among many in the castle, and it is creating unnecessary friction with the Religious Order.”
“I intend to meet with the High Priest soon. I will resolve the conflict with the Religious Order myself, so let us not discuss this matter further.”
“But…”
“Since when have the men of House Sierkan become so timid? All this fuss over a single wolf.”
Barcas tossed a stack of petitions onto the council table with irritation, and the family’s senior members stiffened visibly.
One of them spoke, his displeasure evident.
“Your Grace, everyone seated here is a faithful adherent of the Imperial Church who has undergone the sacrament twice. According to doctrine, are not magical creatures abominations wrought by demons to bring harm to mankind? For the Grand Duchess, who should serve as an exemplar to all in the Eastern Territories, to consort with such a vile creature damages the authority of House Sierkan…”
“If I recall correctly, you have fathered three bastards by three different women.”
At his remark, the man’s face flushed crimson.
Barcas exhaled a weary sigh.
“Must I truly air such matters? I assure you, not a soul in this chamber has lived according to doctrine. So let us cease this petty finger-pointing among ourselves.”
A heavy silence descended over the chamber.
Barcas swept his gaze across the faces of his retainers gathered around the long table before continuing in a somewhat mollified tone.
“If you gentlemen are willing to overlook my wife’s minor indiscretions, I too am prepared to turn a blind eye to your own trivial matters. Is it not the duty of family to cover for one another’s shortcomings?”
The retainers’ faces tensed as they sensed the subtle threat woven into his words.
They exchanged nervous glances before awkwardly steering the conversation toward the next agenda. None of them wished to risk exposing their own vulnerabilities simply because of one Wolf Beast.
Barcas affixed his seal to several legislative amendments before rising from his seat.
As he departed the Council Chamber, Lucas, who had followed him out, spoke in a strained voice.
“Do you truly intend to leave that beast as it is?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Brother, I’m simply concerned about the Duchess Sierkan….”
Barcas stopped and turned to face him, prompting the man to hastily correct his form of address.
“I’m concerned about Duchess Sierkan. I don’t know what she said to convince you, but… that creature is dangerous. Surely, it will become a serious problem someday.”
“When that day comes, I will take responsibility for the aftermath. Stop dwelling on this. That is an order.”
At his cold words, Lucas’s mouth clamped shut.
He turned and began walking along the long Corridor.
Just then, a faint laugh drifted in from outside the window.
Barcas turned his head absently and stopped in his tracks upon spotting her seated on a long marble bench.
As always, the enormous beast stood steadfast beside Talia. The Dire Wolf, its shaggy coat matted with grass and flower petals from having ransacked the Garden, dropped something it had been holding in its jaws onto her lap.
Recognizing it as a bouquet of flowers, Barcas furrowed his brow.
The stems were crushed and the petals scattered in disarray from being clamped in the creature’s teeth, yet she embraced the bouquet with genuine delight. As he gazed down at the scene, Lucas approached his side and muttered in disbelief.
“That cunning beast merely feigns gentleness in front of its master. In truth, it’s quite savage….”
“Lucas.”
He cut off his brother’s words decisively.
“I’ve heard that Wolf Beast bares its fangs only to protect my wife. Have you ever threatened her?”
His brother waved his hand in flustered denial.
“Never! Of course, we do bicker from time to time, but… that’s only because I’m concerned about Duchess Sierkan in my own way….”
“It would be wise for you to stop lingering near her in the future.”
He spoke with quiet finality.
“Then the Wolf Beast will have no reason to display aggression toward you.”
His brother’s cheeks flushed crimson as he pressed his lips firmly together.
Barcas regarded him with eyes as cold and leaden as lead before turning to walk away once more.
* * *
After spending the afternoon touring Kalmor, Barcas secluded himself in his Study to compose a letter to Darian.
Since the Conservative Faction had taken the lead in the negotiations, the likelihood of complications was minimal, but it was best to be thorough nonetheless.
He drafted instructions to Duke Heimdal to maintain vigilance until the negotiations concluded, ensuring no unforeseen incidents would occur, then poured sealing wax and pressed his seal.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
“What is it?”
“Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace. I’ve come at the Grand Duchess’s behest.”
Barcas, wearing a puzzled expression, soon granted permission for entry.
Presently, the Healer in a flowing robe carefully opened the door and stepped inside.
“It has been far too long since we last met, Your Excellency. I am truly grateful to see you have returned safely….”
“Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me why you’ve come.”
The woman, her face taut with tension, moistened her lips and approached the desk, placing a small glass vial upon it.
“The Grand Duchess has instructed me to deliver this to you. It is a special tonic crafted from mandragora extract.”
Barcas, his eyes narrowed to slits, studied the vial before shifting his gaze to the Healer’s face.
“She asked you to give this to me?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Upon hearing that you have been attending to state affairs without respite since your return to the Castle, she grew quite concerned.”

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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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