The Forgotten Field - Chapter 199

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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 199
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From the moment he rose from his sickbed, Barcas threw himself into an unrelenting schedule of external duties without a single day of rest.
It was necessary to demonstrate his vigor in various places to quell the vicious rumors swirling around Talia.
As though nothing had happened, Barcas reorganized the subjugation forces and immediately set about traversing the Eastern Territories to restore order, while simultaneously cracking down on heretic gatherings and pursuing the whereabouts of marauders with full force.
When his initial plan to covertly eliminate the Zrami fell through, he shifted strategy and launched a large-scale crackdown instead.
The hardline approach proved effective—the frequency of marauder sightings diminished noticeably, and the clandestine gatherings of the Great Spirit Church occurring throughout the Eastern Territories also subsided.
Rather than the heretic forces being completely eradicated, they had merely sunk beneath the surface, yet at least the immediate chaos had been brought under control.
“The heretic hunters appear to be returning to the Capital shortly.”
Beirov, who had placed the report on his desk, spoke with evident relief.
Barcas picked up the yellowed parchment and scanned it rapidly. The document contained detailed records of the Holy Temple Guardian Order’s movements over the past several weeks.
“It seems the Holy Knights have concluded that the Heretic Sect members fled eastward. They appear to have determined that further pursuit is unnecessary.”
Barcas, lost in thought, stroked his chin.
After obtaining his approval for their investigation, the Holy Temple Guardian Order had swept through the Kalmor region without restraint before moving westward not long after.
This was based on the assessment that the heretic forces had likely hidden themselves in the Netherland Mountains, which divided the Eastern and Central Regions.
After lingering there for some time and combing through the southeastern region, the investigation unit eventually moved northward following traces of the Heretic Sect members. However, it appeared they ultimately failed to apprehend those who had fled.
“Would it not be prudent to gradually withdraw the units we stationed for surveillance?”
Beirov broached the subject cautiously.
Barcas pressed his throbbing forehead and repeatedly clenched and unclenched his stiffened fists.
In the current situation where available manpower was already scarce, having the Wolfram Elite Unit trail behind the Holy Guardian Order was a clear waste of resources.
After inquiries from multiple quarters, Roman Talis’s identity had been confirmed. Further surveillance was unnecessary.
Though his mind reached this conclusion, Barcas found his vigilance difficult to release.
It was an instinct bordering on primal sensation—the intuitive sense of danger one feels upon encountering a predator that has invaded one’s territory.
After studying the report for some time, Barcas finally shook his head.
“Tell them not to relax surveillance until those men have completely left the Eastern Territories.”
“But, sir. Surely there is no pressing need——”
“The Eastern Territories’ security is already reasonably stable, is it not? Allocating personnel for a few more weeks will not cause any serious problems.”
Barcas firmly dismissed the Young Aide’s objection and rose from his seat.
Having completed all the accumulated administrative work, it was now time to attend to his afternoon schedule.
He left the Office, mentally mapping his next destination, when a sharp cry suddenly pierced the air from somewhere.
Barcas halted abruptly in the corridor and glanced out the window. In the open space adjoining the Garden, his half-sister was hurling accusations at someone.
Upon recognizing that the target was his wife, Barcas’s body went rigid.
She stood wrapped in a pitch-black robe of unknown origin, her face bearing an expression of half-absent consciousness as she stared at Raina.
With a stern expression, Barcas observed the scene from above before turning away. He rushed down the staircase and stepped beyond the Back Gate, when Raina’s sharp voice struck his ears.
“Just confess! What scheme are you plotting this time? The entire castle is in turmoil because of you—how could you possibly——!”
“What is the matter?”
His sister, who had been interrogating his wife so harshly, flinched and fell silent.
Barcas crossed the open space in a single stride and approached them.
“I asked what is the matter.”
His sister, who had shown a moment of confusion, soon adopted a confident demeanor and pointed her finger at Talia.
“Look at that! That woman is trying to sneak out of the castle again! She’s definitely trying to lure the raiders in once more!”
Barcas, whose eyes had turned glacial as he stared at his younger sister, slowly shifted his gaze toward his wife. Over the past weeks, she had grown noticeably gaunt.
The woman, whose face looked as though it might crumble at any moment, cast a timid glance toward him.
“That’s not it. Khan has disappeared….”
She continued anxiously, gnawing at her cracked lips with fingernails blackened by bruises.
“Khan hasn’t been seen since dawn. So… I was only trying to find him.”
Standing rigid, I looked down at her and drew a deep breath.
A scorching, heavy fury crawled up my spine and reached the crown of my head.
It was unclear what exactly I was so angry about.
Was it her pitifully emaciated appearance? Or was my stomach turning at the sight of her helplessness before my young, sharp-tongued sister?
Or perhaps it was the fact that she, looking as though she might collapse at any moment, had attempted to sneak out of the castle.
I swallowed down something rising from within and opened my mouth coldly.
“Did my order for confinement seem amusing to you?”
She flinched and cast her eyes downward.
I could see her hands trembling as they gripped the robe. For some reason, her cowering figure only made my blood boil further.
She was a woman who had always held her head high, no matter the circumstance.
An indescribable displeasure washed over me at the sight of her—the woman who used to speak boldly despite her own mistakes—now trembling like a criminal.
As if to shake off that emotion, I turned my head and barked at the soldiers standing awkwardly in the open space.
“What were you doing while the Grand Duchess slipped out of her chamber?”
“I-I apologize, sir.”
The guards hastily bowed their waists.
I fixed them with a cold stare and gestured with my chin.
“Take her to her chamber at once. If this happens again, you’ll have to forfeit your heads.”
The ashen-faced soldiers rushed over and surrounded my wife.
Just as they were about to lead her away, the anxious woman, biting her lips, suddenly seized my forearm.
“W-wait, I’ll just go out for a moment and come back. I think Khan must have escaped the castle. I need to find Khan….”
I stood rigid, looking down at that desperate face.
It felt as though flames were spreading from where her hand touched me.
Denying that sensation, I coldly removed her hand and urged the soldiers on.
“Why aren’t you taking her away?”
Talia, looking up at me with vacant eyes, finally turned away helplessly.
Talia, who had been looking up at him with vacant eyes, finally turned away without strength.
As I deliberately averted my gaze from her retreating figure, Raina’s face came into view—smug and smirking.
In that instant, I was seized by a violent urge to snap my sister’s neck, which was so nicely tanned by the sun.
“Raina Laedgo Sierkan.”
Sensing the fury in my voice, the smile that had lingered on my sister’s lips vanished completely.
I stepped close to her and spoke with menacing coldness.
“Do you find the title of Grand Duchess amusing?”
Raina, looking up at me with frightened eyes, quickly raised the corners of her eyes.
“Grand Duchess, my foot! That woman is a terrible witch. She poisoned your cup and lured the raiders into the castle! So why are you protecting such a woman? Because of her…!”

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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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