The Forgotten Field - Chapter 232

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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 232
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The moment I emerged from the Castle Tower, a deafening roar shook the heavens and earth, assaulting my ears.
Turning toward the source of the sound, I witnessed the Northern Region’s City Walls engulfed in flames and halted my advance.
The Infiltration Team had successfully destroyed the Castle Gate mechanism. A massive battering ram surged through the gaping double iron doors like a tidal wave, its silhouette barely visible in the chaos.
Seeing the Outer Garrison swarm like clouds to block the enemy’s entry, I hastily changed direction.
“We should find an alternative escape route.”
I could have broken through the enemy lines and regrouped with the main force, but the risk was too great.
I glanced sideways at Gareth, who wore only a thin shirt beneath a hastily draped velvet coat.
In that state, dragging him into the thick of battle would turn him into minced meat within moments.
Clicking my tongue softly, I immediately circled the Castle Tower and bolted toward the southern outer wall. But the instant I rounded the corner of a building, I collided head-on with sentries carrying ammunition.
I drew my blade without hesitation and slashed the throat of the nearest Soldier.
As his helmeted head rolled to the ground, blood erupted from the severed neck like a fountain. The sentries who witnessed the sight screamed in horror.
“Intruder! An intruder is smuggling out the prisoner!”
Just then, the Imperial Army detonated artillery, and a heavy boom drowned out his cry before it could fully carry.
Yet it seemed to have succeeded in drawing the attention of the Soldiers patrolling the outer wall.
Seeing dozens of torches approaching, I shoved Gareth against the building wall and swung my blade horizontally at the Soldier closing in.
The lightened blade, designed to prevent arm cramps, pierced through the man’s armor and cleaved through muscle, organs, and bone in one fluid motion.
The man’s upper and lower body separated in an instant, and a scream of agony tore from his lips.
“M-Monster…!”
As if that terror-stricken cry were a signal, the Soldiers charging forward hesitated and froze.
I seized the moment and launched myself forward without delay.
My body, clad only in minimal armor for infiltration, moved with the lightness of a warhorse freed from its bridle.
My blade, moving with arrow-like speed, plunged deep into the torso of the spearman at the front of the formation.
I dragged the blade downward, splitting the man’s groin in one motion, then twisted the direction of my sword to sever the knee of a footman who belatedly raised his guard. The legless Soldier’s body crashed to the earth.
A spearman, watching in terror-stricken silence, let out a frenzied roar and charged toward me—a movement born more of instinctive desperation than tactical strategy.
I angled my blade diagonally downward. As the halberd descended toward my head, I deflected it upward, then pivoted my sword vertically and drove it between the Soldier’s neck and collarbone.
Three soldiers fell in rapid succession, and several others turned and fled at the sight.
I left the fleeing enemies behind and bellowed at Gareth.
“Stay close behind me!”
Gareth, who had been standing uncertainly, came stumbling forward.
I advanced, careful not to let the distance between us grow unnecessarily, breaking through the enemy’s encirclement. But the path toward the Back Gate was completely surrounded.
In this chaos, scaling the City Walls with rope was impossible.
It seemed I had no choice but to breach the main force.
As I rapidly calculated my options and scanned for escape routes, a familiar voice called out from ahead.
“Grand Duke Sierkan!”
I turned sharply and spotted the vanguard of the Imperial Army, which had already penetrated to the Castle Courtyard. I exhaled a small sigh of relief.
The fact that the main force had successfully infiltrated the heart of the Fortress meant the tide of battle had already turned.
I seized Gareth’s arm and rushed into the Inner Courtyard where the melee was unfolding.
“I’ve secured the Crown Prince! Provide an escort immediately!”
Half a dozen heavily armored soldiers rushed toward them without hesitation.
Barcas shoved Gareth toward the soldiers dismissively, then quickly surveyed his surroundings.
From both the Main Gate and the Back Gate, the Imperial Army poured in with unstoppable momentum, and the Northern Forces were scattering in all directions.
It was an inevitable outcome. Half of the Rebel Forces consisted of militia who had never received proper military training. Now that they had lost their geographical advantage, there was no way the Northern rabble could stand against the Imperial Family’s elite forces.
Having even lost their only bargaining chip—the hostage—they now had no breakthrough remaining.
“Take the Crown Prince out of the Castle at once.”
“Understood!”
The soldiers surrounding Gareth immediately changed direction toward the Castle Gate.
Barcas rushed to the front of the formation to open an escape route.
At that very moment, a sharp cutting sound accompanied a bluish flash that streaked directly toward him.
Barcas instinctively raised his sword. Simultaneously, a heavy vibration rippled from his wrist through his elbow and shoulder like waves.
He quickly corrected his center of gravity and looked up at the man pressing his blade against him.
The pale dawn light dimly illuminated the enemy’s massive silhouette. Though his face was hidden behind a black helmet, his identity was not difficult to discern.
“Bjorn….”
“What an honor. The Grand Duke himself remembers this humble one’s name.”
The man sneered and pressed his blade even closer. Barcas, gritting his teeth against the tremendous force, quickly channeled his full strength to deflect the opponent’s sword. He immediately thrust his blade toward the enemy’s chest, but Bjorn swiftly created distance between them.
Barcas hastily regained his stance and glared at him with cold eyes.
“The outcome is already decided. Surrender now.”
“I can’t end it so pathetically.”
The man burst into cackling laughter.
“If it’s all going to end anyway, shouldn’t I at least enjoy myself until the very end?”
It was not the bravado of someone cornered. Two eyes burning with madness that feared no destruction blazed like flames within the helmet.
“Everyone calls you immortal. Let me see if that’s really true.”
With those words, a massive blade rushed toward him.
Barcas immediately twisted his body to the side and swept his sword from the flank, deflecting the attack. But his opponent instantly bent the trajectory of his blade and unleashed a second slash. It was a nimble combination that belied his massive frame.
Rather than retreat, Barcas chose to press forward. Grasping the blade with his other hand, he deflected the incoming attack with the flat of his sword, causing the man’s arm to rise slightly.
Without missing that fleeting opening, he brought the cross guard down on the Northern soldier’s head. The man quickly twisted his head to the side, preventing a direct hit, but the impact from grazing the side of his helmet was enough to momentarily destabilize his stance.
Barcas immediately unleashed his next attack. Heimdal desperately corrected his center of gravity and tried to deflect the blade, but his response came too late. The long sword shot forward like an arrow and buried itself deep in his shoulder.
“This is payment for last time.”
“Ha…. You certainly hold a grudge.”
The man, gripping the blade embedded in his shoulder with one hand, spoke with a voice tinged with laughter.
Barcas immediately twisted the hilt to widen the wound. A faint groan finally escaped from within the helmet.
He watched the man desperately suppressing his pain, then pulled the blade downward, forcing him to his knees.
The enemy commander, gritting his teeth in resistance, finally collapsed. Even as he fell, Barcas mercilessly crushed the wrist of the hand still gripping the sword beneath his boot heel, and spoke in a low voice.
“Your games of war are over.”
The Imperial soldiers, who had been watching in silence, suddenly erupted in a unified cry of victory.
Meanwhile, the Rebel Forces, witnessing the defeat of their commander, instantly lost their will to fight and began to hesitantly retreat.

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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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