The Forgotten Field - Chapter 234

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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 234
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I had lost all sense of how many days and nights had passed in this relentless pursuit.
Though I stopped at the Priest’s Quarters intermittently to receive restoration magic, the ceaseless, grueling march had visibly worn down the cavalry warriors, and the war horses had begun to stumble, foam flecking their mouths.
In the end, Barcas divided the forces into two contingents.
While the vanguard—composed of the more mobile light cavalry—advanced along the shortest route, the remaining heavy knights pursued them, scraping together available forces from the lords of territories near Kalmor.
Thanks to this relentless gallop without respite, we arrived at the entrance of Armund Forest two days ahead of schedule.
“Please do not worry too much.”
Halfway through the birch-laden forest, Darian approached, breathing heavily, and spoke with grave deliberation.
“The Kalmor Guard Unit is not so easily overcome. Even if the Zrami attack en masse, if we seal the Castle Gate in time and transition to a defensive siege, we should be able to hold for several months.”
Barcas did not bother to respond. He knew the man’s words were little more than self-reassurance.
Bjorn Blodar Heimdal had been vouched for by the Grand Cathedral and disguised himself as a Holy Knight. That meant there was someone among the high clergy of the Central Church Authority who was collaborating with him.
If there were also traitors within the Eastern Sect, we could not guarantee even a single night, let alone several months.
He immediately spurred Torque’s flanks and crossed the dense forest in one breath. Before long, the charred remains of an outpost came into view.
As Barcas rode toward the collapsed palisade, his eyes narrowed at the sight of corpses scattered around the blackened watchtower.
Roughly twenty or so. Judging by the state of decay, at least two weeks had passed since their deaths. It appeared they had deliberately severed the communication network to isolate Kalmor.
He clenched his teeth. If the other outposts were in the same condition, Kalmor would now be completely cut off from all aid.
Barcas immediately whipped the reins like a lash to increase his speed further. The cavalry warriors, sensing the gravity of the situation, drove their mounts brutally and pursued him closely.
How much farther did we ride?
As we emerged from the forest and crested a gently rising hill, the sight of a village reduced to ruins came into full view. Beyond it, Barcas spotted thousands of invaders encamped and immediately drew his sword.
The enemy had established positions to both the south and north, launching simultaneous assaults from both directions.
Dozens of siege weapons arrayed along the field were hurling projectiles at the castle tower, and the knights’ mouths erupted in harsh curses at the sight.
Fortunately, the city did not appear to have fallen completely, but portions of the city walls were severely damaged, and enemy soldiers were pouring through the gaps in the collapsed ramparts like a tidal wave.
Barcas charged down the hill without hesitation.
Cutting across the burning village, he plunged into the enemy’s rear in a single breath, his blade cleaving the head from a soldier who was repositioning a siege weapon. In that same instant, fifteen hundred cavalry crashed down upon the enemy’s flank like an angry wave.
The siege forces, their attention wholly focused on attacking the city, could not respond swiftly to the ambush launched from behind.
The iron hooves of the surging war horses crushed hundreds of panicked enemy soldiers in an instant, and the enemy formation collapsed in a heartbeat.
Some of the infantry, belatedly grasping the situation, rushed to support the siege forces, but the elite knights of Wolfram had already swept through the enemy lines.
He let out a fierce cry as he charged forward, ruthlessly severing the neck of an attacking soldier before leaping directly into the breached city walls.
The marauders defending the position thrust forward with axe-headed spears, charging toward him. Barcas deflected their attack with ease and yanked the reins savagely. In an instant, Torque reared up on his front legs and trampled the spearman’s head mercilessly.
Seeing this, the barbarians faltered and retreated. Seizing the opening, Barcas entered the city streets, his gaze sweeping rapidly across the broad avenue where close combat was raging. Thick clouds of dust settled along the roadside, and the cacophony of fierce battle echoed from every corner.
“Grand Duke!”
An old veteran cried out loudly upon seeing him.
Recognizing the man’s identity, Barcas narrowed his eyes. Modrian, clad in heavy armor, was engaged in combat with two marauders.
Barcas immediately rushed forward and drove his blade into the enemy’s back.
The pierced man screamed and turned to face him.
Barcas slashed diagonally, tearing open the man’s flank, then beheaded the remaining attacker with a single, furious stroke.
Seeing two grown men cut down like butter in the blink of an eye, the enemy soldiers immediately fell back. But behind them stood the Wolfram Cavalry. Dozens of war horses surged forward at tremendous speed, swiftly occupying the avenue and sweeping away the enemy.
At the sight of this, an exclamation of joy burst from Modrian’s lips.
“You returned at precisely the critical moment! It seems the Divine has not yet abandoned Kalmor!”
Barcas didn’t spare him a glance, instead surveying the surroundings with meticulous care.
Though the outer districts had been ravaged by the enemy incursion, the central areas appeared relatively intact. This meant the invaders had not yet reached Laedgo Castle.
The moment I grasped this reality, relief—almost verging on euphoria—rippled through my entire being.
Barcas gripped his sword hilt with trembling hands, only now becoming aware of the extreme tension and dread that had consumed him.
Dizzy and drained, I steadied my breathing before collecting myself and turning back to Modrian.
“Give me a brief report of the situation.”
“It’s been three weeks now—or rather, two weeks and a few days. The barbarian raids began mere weeks after you departed, sir.”
The grizzled veteran drew a deep breath and continued his explanation in a far calmer tone.
“We managed to repel their initial assault by sealing the Castle Gate in time, but since then they’ve brought siege weapons and bombarded us relentlessly with projectiles, destroying much of the city’s infrastructure.”
“What’s the scale of casualties?”
“Civilian losses have been minimal. Some residents living outside the walls perished, but most evacuated to the city swiftly enough to avoid annihilation. We also evacuated the outer district inhabitants beforehand, which kept our total losses manageable.”
The man paused, wiping sweat from his brow before continuing.
“This is entirely due to the Grand Duchess’s efforts. Her swift decisions saved countless lives.”
Barcas, who had been scanning the embattled streets, stopped and turned to face him.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Immediately after the raids began, the Grand Duchess took measures to evacuate citizens into the city. Beyond that, she personally tended to the wounded alongside her Handmaidens and spared no effort in distributing relief supplies. Tens of thousands of citizens have survived this long entirely because of the Grand Duchess.”
Barcas stared at the veteran’s face, speechless. Reverence was unmistakable in Modrian’s voice.
This was the man who had been most critical of her. What could have happened in mere weeks to transform his attitude so completely?
Lost in inexplicable emotion, I stood frozen until a deafening roar shattered the air from the distance.
Barcas’s head snapped up. Black smoke billowed from the northern part of the city. He immediately spurred his horse forward, cutting through the devastated streets.
Passing through the empty Plaza and reaching the Northern Rampart, I saw the outer walls and Castle Tower beginning to crumble. Beyond them, thousands of Zrami warriors had established their encampment, and my expression twisted with fury.
There were easily four thousand of them.
I turned to look behind me.
The Cavalry Forces that had followed to support me numbered barely three hundred. The rest were tied down eliminating enemies positioned around the South Gate.
But if I waited for the main force to arrive, the invaders would pour into the city. I had to hold the line until reinforcements came.
Making his decision swiftly, Barcas vaulted over the rubble-strewn City Walls and charged toward the enemy.

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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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