The Forgotten Field - Chapter 187

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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 187
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Several days later, the investigation team returned with evidence related to the Heretic Cult.
According to their findings, rituals worshipping Tiramer were being conducted regularly in the Village Outskirts.
Furthermore, reports indicated a high likelihood that the ringleaders were collaborating with Zrami. Over the past few months, the logistics trading volume of certain residents had increased noticeably.
It appeared they had been serving as intermediaries, concealing plundered goods and then transferring them to Zrami operatives disguised as traveling merchants.
The investigation unit immediately arrested those who had conspired with the enemy and imprisoned them in the dungeons beneath Laedgo Castle. After brutal interrogations accompanied by torture, they managed to extract some information regarding Zrami.
“It seems the raiders have been evading pursuit by disguising themselves as merchants or mercenaries and scattering in different directions during peacetime, only regrouping when conducting large-scale raids.”
Baredon, ascending the staircase connected to the underground torture chamber, spoke while removing blood-soaked gloves and discarding them.
“There appear to be contact agents scattered throughout the Eastern Territories. Within Kalmor alone, there are apparently three individuals cooperating with Zrami.”
“Did you learn the names of the collaborators?”
Lucas, sprawled across a hard wooden chair while flipping through a stack of parchment documents, asked in a disinterested tone.
Baredon shrugged.
“Two of them. One is a wool merchant named Tarnek who belongs to the Wool Guild, and the other is a medicinal herb dealer named Silvar. As for the remaining one, it seems even they don’t know his identity.”
“Ha! You believe that?”
“Judging by how they kept denying it even when their finger bones were completely shattered, it seems genuine.”
Baredon sighed, massaging the back of his neck with one hand as if it ached.
“Well, regardless, learning about two of them is sufficient. Now we just need to capture those two and force them to reveal the location and date where the raiders will gather. If we strike at that moment and eliminate them all at once… But what have you been looking at so intently this whole time?”
Baredon frowned and approached from behind, peering at the parchment documents. Then, upon seeing a portrait of a woman drawn with silver-point technique on yellowed paper, his expression became bewildered.
“What is this drawing?”
“Candidates for my betrothed, sent to me by my older brother.”
Lucas, tilting his chair at an angle and rocking back and forth, replied with a twisted expression.
For a moment, a delighted smile appeared on Baredon’s lips.
“Our Grand Duke certainly doesn’t drag his feet with anything. With such momentum, House Sierkan will soon have great cause for celebration, won’t it?”
“It would be wise to hide your teeth before I rearrange your face.”
As Lucas growled menacingly, the young man immediately pressed his lips together.
Lucas, glaring at him with irritated eyes, nervously flipped through the portrait again. This time, the face of a girl with a round face and large eyes appeared.
Recognizing the person, Baredon exclaimed with a pleased voice.
“A young lady from House Kalihof! She’s famous for being very kind and devout. She seems an appropriate age as well… She appears to be a perfect match for you, sir?”
“I’m not interested in women with such round features.”
Lucas answered indifferently and flipped through the parchment once more.
Baredon tilted his head in confusion.
“Then what kind of woman is your preference, sir?”
“Fair skin and a slender neck.”
He replied perfunctorily, then examined a portrait of a woman who appeared somewhat spirited, when he felt a peculiar gaze upon him.
Lucas lifted his head and met Baredon’s enigmatic expression, furrowing his brow.
“What is that look?”
“Well… with such specifications, I’d think you’d need to search for a spouse in Osyria or among the nobility families.”
Baredon spoke awkwardly, as if glossing over the matter with an uncomfortable laugh.
Lucas replied in an indifferent tone.
“It’s simply a matter of preference. Realistically speaking, taking a noblewoman from an Eastern house as my wife would be the most prudent choice.”
“Well… that would certainly help strengthen internal unity.”
The problem was that among the daughters of suitable families, not a single one stirred his heart.
Lucas clicked his tongue and flipped through the portraits dismissively, then rose to his feet. He wanted nothing more than to use them as kindling, but fear of consequences held him back.
For now, it was better to at least appear to defer to his brother’s wishes.
He rolled up the bundle of parchment and shoved it into the pouch hanging from his belt, then strode briskly out of the barracks. He issued orders to Baredon, who followed behind him.
“Summon the investigators at once and have them keep the heretics under strict surveillance. Make sure they’re warned to watch carefully so the criminals don’t catch wind of anything and flee.”
“And you, sir?”
“I need to report what I learned from the interrogation to my brother.”
Lucas replied with a troubled expression and turned to descend the staircase.
Barcas was likely in the Conference Hall right now, locked in debate with the regional lords over the reorganization of the Eastern Territories’ defense forces.
Just as well. He’d deliver the report to the servant waiting in the Office and slip away.
He walked briskly along the corridor atop the inner castle walls. Then a sharp voice reached his ears from somewhere.
Lucas glanced down absently over the railing and froze when he spotted Talia and Raina facing off on the garden path below.
The Wolf Beast was baring its teeth at Raina, who seemed furious and was speaking in sharp, clipped tones. The Guards quickly moved to position themselves between the two.
After a moment of tense silence, the Grand Duchess, her eyes as cold as ice, glared at Raina before leading the wolf away in the opposite direction.
Lucas, who had been watching the scene with bated breath, finally rushed down the stairs.
“Raina!”
His sister turned around as she headed toward the Castle Gate, apparently making for the Stables.
Lucas gestured for the Soldiers to step back, then grabbed his sister’s wrist and pulled her to a secluded spot.
“What did you say to the Duchess?”
“Is that why you stopped me—to ask me that?”
Raina wrenched her wrist free from his grip with a rough motion and let out an exasperated laugh.
Lucas looked down at his sister with a stern gaze.
“I’ve told you before—stop picking fights with the Duchess at every turn. Like it or not, Talia Roem Sierkan is the Grand Duchess of the Eastern Territories. If she wanted to, she could make your life miserable in countless ways. Don’t you understand that?”
“You say that as if you’re so concerned about me.”
Raina taunted him bitterly.
Lucas bristled and raised his voice.
“Of course I’m concerned about you! Who else would I worry about if not you?”
A smile played at Raina’s lips as she fixed him with an enigmatic gaze. Feeling as though she could see right through him, Lucas found his face growing warm and turned away.
“In any case, don’t go stirring up unnecessary trouble. I already have enough headaches as it is…”
“Don’t talk as if only you and your brother care about this House.”
Raina’s voice suddenly took on an edge.
“I worry about the Eastern Territories just as much as you do.”
“Then stop creating pointless problems—”
“I’m not the one creating problems—that woman is!”
Raina’s reddish-brown eyes flashed as she glared at him.
“Don’t you see that witch is the root of all our troubles? Ever since she arrived, everything’s been in chaos! And she’s even brought that monster into the Castle, causing nothing but discord—so why are you only blaming me?!”
He hastily covered his sister’s mouth.
“Please, Raina! Don’t you realize what will happen if my brother hears this?”
“Let go of me!”
Raina shoved him roughly with the firm, muscular forearms honed by years of horsemanship. Her eyes flashed with venom as she ground her teeth together.
“Do you think I’m doing this out of mere spite? That woman was behaving suspiciously, so I simply pressed her for answers!”
“Good heavens, what baseless accusation is this now? Can’t you be reasonable for once…?”
“I’m telling you the truth!”
Raina’s voice grew sharp and insistent.
“How many times have I witnessed that woman slipping out of the castle before dawn? Clearly, she’s engaged in something questionable every single night. The Healer’s death is suspicious too! On the very day that Mage disappeared, that woman sneaked out beyond the castle walls with a Wolf Beast!”
He regarded his sister with a skeptical gaze.
Every entrance to Laedgo Castle was sealed thoroughly as the sun set. Not a single rat could escape without the Night Guard’s permission. So how could the Grand Duchess possibly be leaving the castle?
“If what you’re saying were true, why is it that no one but you has witnessed Duchess Sierkan leaving the castle?”
“That’s because…”
Raina’s eyes wavered as she struggled internally, then her mouth snapped shut.
Lucas exhaled deeply.
“Stop spreading baseless slander. You’re an adult now. How much longer will you behave like a petulant child?”
His somewhat exasperated words caused his sister’s delicate features to turn cold. With eyes bloodshot from anger, Raina glared at him before spinning around sharply.
“Think what you will.”
She then crossed the Training Grounds beyond the inner castle gate.
Lucas stared after her retreating figure as though it were nailed to the ground, then roughly tousled his hair.

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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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