The Forgotten Field - Chapter 219

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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 219
The commotion filling the hall intensified.
Indifferent to the chaos, the Chief Attendant fixed an unwavering gaze upon the Grand Duke Sierkan, who tilted his cup to his lips, before probing with a carefully measured question.
“Do you have a particular young lady in mind, Your Excellency?”
“Must I personally dictate such matters?”
The Grand Duke Sierkan set down his empty cup with an air of indifference.
“The Northern Noble Alliance can select suitable candidates for Crown Princess directly.”
“Should His Majesty grant his approval, I shall immediately compile a list of worthy prospects.”
The leader of the Northern Noble Alliance stepped forward as though he had been waiting for this very moment.
The Emperor’s Chief Attendant maintained his silence for a time, stroking his chin thoughtfully. His gaze betrayed the calculation of advantage and disadvantage.
“I cannot offer any definitive answer at present.”
“I do not expect an immediate response. You need only convey my proposal to His Majesty.”
The Grand Duke Sierkan spoke with measured gentleness.
The Chief Attendant, regarding that unhurried countenance with displeasure, finally rose from his seat.
“Very well. I shall relay your words to His Majesty precisely as spoken.”
* * *
The betrothal between the young lady of Bleston House and the Crown Prince was concluded with remarkable swiftness. The Imperial Delegation, too, harbored private anxieties about the seething discontent spreading through the Northern Region.
They immediately dispatched messengers to the Capital to seek the Emperor’s counsel, and ere long, a favorable response returned.
Bleston House swiftly disseminated this news throughout the Northern Region, hoping that word of the next Empress emerging from Balto would quell the populace’s fury.
The effect exceeded all expectations. Scarcely had the betrothal news spread when the fervent uprisings erupting across Balto began to subside. This was aided in no small measure by the Balto Nobility Alliance’s deployment of propagandists to shape public sentiment.
Before long, the people of Balto came to regard the betrothal of Lady Bleston and the Crown Prince as a harbinger of peace. The currents of peace, spreading like wildfire, swiftly isolated the rebel forces. The militia bearing arms against the Imperial Army began to disband one by one.
Now, the only forces arrayed against the Empire were scattered regions on the Northern periphery and the army of Bjorn Blodar Heimdal entrenched in Jotungar.
“This is all thanks to Your Excellency’s intervention.”
The Second Son of Bleston House, who had come to his tent, spoke in a cheerful tone.
Given that he would soon face his longtime ally in battle, his voice possessed an almost disconcertingly bright quality.
Barcas, seated before the brazier and oiling his weapons, glanced upward with his blue eyes toward the man.
The man who had led the Northern Alliance forces to Jotungar cut a remarkably immaculate figure for one who had marched hundreds of leagues. Barcas’s impassive gaze swept across his gleaming armor and velvet cloak before lowering once more.
“The betrothal ceremony preparations are proceeding smoothly, then?”
“Thus far, all goes well. Though some nobles have voiced objections, the majority of the Imperial Central Council’s senior members appear to regard this marriage favorably. A grand betrothal ceremony shall be held immediately upon the Crown Prince’s return.”
The man replied in his characteristic unhurried manner, then surveyed the crates stacked near the entrance.
“Will you be returning to the Eastern Territories, Your Excellency?”
“Orders have come down for the Imperial Allied Forces to withdraw to the rear once the Northern Alliance forces arrive.”
Barcas sheathed his meticulously maintained blade and rose to his feet as he spoke.
“We shall establish camp near the Jotungar Mountain Range for the time being, but we shall see no further action on the front lines. The suppression of the remaining rebels now falls to the Northern Alliance.”
“That was the condition for Anistair to become Crown Princess, after all. There is no help for it.”
The man exhaled softly, then regarded him with suddenly earnest eyes.
“In any case, I wish to express my gratitude once more for your efforts in bringing this betrothal to fruition. Thanks to you, the peace treaty should be concluded smoothly as well.”
“Your thanks are unnecessary. I pursued this course because I judged it advantageous to myself.”
Barcas accepted the man’s gratitude with indifference, retrieved his discarded overcoat, and stepped outside.
Beyond the densely arrayed tents and the towering palisades rose jagged peaks of dark grey stone. Surveying the snow-laden ridges and the valleys nestled between them, he turned his steps toward the periphery of the encampment.
As I reached the edge of the barracks, the sight of Northern Region soldiers constructing their camp came into view.
The moment they established their fortifications, I planned to lead my forces southward to the Jotungar Mountain Range.
From there, I could simultaneously monitor the territories of the Eastern Territories’ outer regions, including Tarlin, while remaining poised to respond immediately to developments in the Northern Region. Above all, since it was just over ten days’ journey to Kalmor, I would be able to receive news from Laedgo Castle far more frequently.
I draped my arm over the fence and withdrew a flask from my waist, wetting my lips with strong wine. It wasn’t as though I particularly enjoyed drinking, but at some point it had become a habit I fell into without thinking.
Feeling the scorching heat flow down my throat and esophagus, I exhaled a long breath.
Then, amidst the wind that swept in harshly, the thunderous sound of hoofbeats mingled with it.
I was on guard, wondering if it was an enemy ambush, but only briefly—I spotted a cavalry unit in golden armor pouring down the northwestern slope of the mountain range and furrowed my brow.
An imperial decree had been issued for the main force led by the Crown Prince to move immediately to the southwestern region of Balto. The person who should have been heading toward Sebron by now—why in the world had he appeared here?
I immediately cut across the barracks and approached the checkpoint entrance.
As I passed through the gate, the figure of Gareth sitting atop a golden horse came into view. Confirming his fierce, murderous expression, I swallowed a sigh. It seemed he had ridden this long distance to unleash his fury.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
As I approached the front of the long line of cavalry and offered a bow, the Crown Prince leaped down from his horse with a flourish and leaned his head close before me.
“You look perfectly fine.”
Deep dark green eyes slowly swept over me.
I could read the fury on the verge of explosion in those eyes. Gareth, twisting his lips into a savage smile, added menacingly.
“I wondered if perhaps your mind had been damaged by the aftereffects of being pierced by a poisoned blade.”
“I am deeply sorry to have caused Your Highness such concern.”
I replied flatly. Gareth, glaring at me as though he would kill me and working his jaw, suddenly spun toward the checkpoint entrance and growled.
“There are already rumors that things between you and me are not as they once were. There’s no need to add fuel to that fire. Come with me at once.”
With that, he immediately crossed the barracks and made his way to the large tent positioned in the center of the campsite. I followed quietly behind him.
The moment I stepped into the tent, a large bronzed hand with prominent tendons seized me by the collar. At the same time, breath like that of an enraged bull poured down upon my face.
“I won’t even bother asking what possessed you to commit such foolishness. Right now, submit a petition to His Majesty the Emperor opposing this marriage. Then I’ll forgive you for acting on your own whims like this.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible.”
I gently removed his hand and answered respectfully. At my composed demeanor, veins bulged across the Crown Prince’s bronzed neck.
“Are you defying my words right now?”
“Yes, I am.”
I straightened my disheveled clothing and spoke calmly.
“This marriage was approved by His Majesty the Emperor. At this point, even if I were to submit a petition, the likelihood of it being reversed is slim.”
“Don’t make me laugh! This entire situation is a game you orchestrated! Rumors of you playing matchmaker have spread across the entire Robiden Continent—how dare you try to deceive me!”
“While it is true that I proposed this marriage arrangement, the authority to approve it rested with the Empire’s Council and His Majesty. Had it been determined that this union would bring no benefit to the Empire or to Your Highness, no scheme I could have devised from the shadows would have brought it to fruition.”
Now the Crown Prince’s face had gone beyond merely flushed—it had turned a dark, mottled red as though it might burst.
With his muscular long legs, he viciously kicked a stack of cargo boxes piled in one corner of the tent and roared.
“For my sake? Stop spouting nonsense! You just want to end this war as quickly as possible! I know your body is burning with the desire to return to the Eastern Territories where she waits for you!”

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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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