The Forgotten Field - Chapter 47

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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 47
Edrick shouted urgently toward them.
“Your Highness is wounded! She needs healing magic immediately!”
Upon hearing this, Sir Hart ordered the Knights following behind to bring the mage.
Moments later, the Imperial Mage came rushing over.
While he examined the Princess’s condition, Edrick set about clearing away stones alongside the Knights.
As they lifted the boulder crushing her knee, the tattered hem of her dress fell away to reveal a leg completely shattered—her knee and calf pulverized beyond recognition.
Edrick swallowed a groan upon seeing bone fragments jutting through the skin. In such a state, even healing magic might leave her permanently unable to use her leg.
“If we simply close the wound as it is, her leg will become completely twisted and deformed. First, we must realign the bones after moving her to the campsite.”
The mage spoke in a grave, heavy tone as he examined the Princess’s injuries with a serious expression.
Edrick regarded him with a darkened expression.
“Can she endure until then?”
“I’ve cast a recovery spell, so she should be fine for now.”
The mage replied with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he continued.
“Still, it would be wise to splint her leg to prevent the wound from opening further. Do you have any suitable tools?”
“Will this work?”
Sir Hart unfastened his scabbard from his belt and offered it.
The mage accepted the scabbard and tested its weight with a gentle shake before slowly nodding.
“Then I’ll bind her leg—please support it from underneath.”
Edrick immediately followed the mage’s instructions, carefully cradling her swollen calf.
In that instant, a cry of agony tore from the woman’s slack lips.
Edrick started violently and lost his grip. Her leg with the protruding bone fell to the ground, spurting crimson blood. As he stood paralyzed by the horrific sight, Barcas, who had been watching from a distance, wrapped both arms around the Princess’s upper body and held her firmly.
“Stop the bleeding!”
Snapping back to his senses, Edrick frantically seized her leg.
Meanwhile, the mage tore his cloak and applied pressure to the long wound extending from her thigh to her knee. The Princess buried her face against Grand Duke Sierkan’s chest, uttering bestial groans while her crimson nails raked desperately across his neck.
“That’s done! Now secure the splint!”
Following the mage’s urgent cry, the Knights bent down and fixed her leg against the long scabbard, securing it in place.
At last, the emergency treatment was complete. Grand Duke Sierkan lifted her into both his arms.
Edrick reached out toward him urgently.
“I’ll carry her, Commander. You should tend to your own wounds—”
Just as his hand was about to make contact, the man’s arm pulled the woman’s body firmly against him. At that defensive gesture, Edrick froze.
Barcas narrowed his brow as though irritated and jerked his chin.
“Enough. Lead the way. We have no time to waste.”
“I… I apologize.”
Edrick found himself muttering an apology and quickly took up a torch to light their path. In her condition, they could never ascend the steep hillside, so they would have to circle around the cliff face to reach the campsite.
As he walked along the dark forest path, Edrick glanced back at Barcas.
The torchlight held by the Knights cast a faint glow across one side of the man’s face—a visage so cold it bordered on ennui. Edrick stared at it intently before straightening his head. This was not the moment to wonder about that man’s inner thoughts.
Banishing the swirling distractions from his mind, Edrick quickened his pace and emerged from the dense forest.
* * *
Her legs felt as though they were burning.
Talia groaned as her skin burned with searing pain, her heavy eyelids—sticky as if coated with glue—finally lifting with immense effort.
Through her blurred vision, flickering firelight danced across the ceiling. Her confusion lasted only a moment before bone-deep agony seized her, and she twisted violently, releasing a sharp cry.
“Hold her down so she cannot move!”
Following the unfamiliar voice, I lowered my gaze and saw a well-built middle-aged man leaning deeply over my legs.
With one hand pressing down on my thigh, he probed at my blood-soaked knee with what looked like small forceps.
Watching this scene with terror-stricken eyes, I twisted my body to escape the man. Then someone standing at my head roughly pressed down on my shoulders.
“Your Highness! Please, calm yourself!”
I gasped roughly, staring up at the dark shadow looming over me.
The gaunt face etched with deep exhaustion seemed vaguely familiar. Only seconds later did I recognize her as one of the handmaidens Senevir had assigned to me. Yet I felt no relief whatsoever.
With dilated pupils, I stared alternately at the handmaiden’s rigid face and the man probing my knee, then reached out and raked my nails across the woman’s face.
The handmaiden, her sun-darkened muscular arms pressing down on my body, cried out and hastily withdrew her hands. Seizing the opportunity, I tried to crawl away across the bed, but a powerful hand suddenly shot out and pinned my wrist to the mattress.
Like a trapped beast, I thrashed violently.
“Let go! I said let go!”
“Please, calm down! We are treating your wounds right now. You cannot move like this!”
The man cried out desperately, pressing his armored chest down on my upper body.
I began to struggle even more violently. The excruciating pain felt as though it were tearing my entire body apart. Yet the terror that I must escape immediately overwhelmed every other sensation.
“No! Don’t touch my body!”
“Bring the sedative at once!”
The man shouted loudly.
I looked up at the rough face shadowed in darkness with frightened eyes. My Guard Knight, who always acted like a simpleton, now had a fierce, hardened expression as he held me down.
Familiar terror and helplessness tightened around my throat.
I reached out to scratch his face.
“Get away! Leave me alone!”
Between rough sobs, I screamed, and a brief curse escaped the man’s lips.
I twisted my body even more desperately. The man then gathered my wrists in one hand and brought a cold glass vial to my lips.
“Take this. When you wake, everything will be finished.”
I clamped my mouth shut.
But he did not give up easily. Pressing the vial’s opening firmly against my lower lip, the man spoke pleadingly.
“It is not poison! It is medicine to help you feel no pain while we treat your wounds. So please….”
Despite the knight’s desperate appeal, I held firm, gritting my teeth.
I could trust no one.
They all surely intended to commit unspeakable acts while I was defenseless.
I knocked the vial away with my elbow and stubbornly forced myself upright. Then, struggling to escape from the beasts holding me, I thrashed my blood-soaked legs—and saw a slender shadow abruptly enter the tent.
Upon recognizing his face, my body went rigid.
The man, carrying the deep scent of rain, seized my upper body with arms like a snare.
I had no chance to escape. Barcas, positioned behind me, held my torso firmly with one arm and gave the knight a nod.
“Bring the medicine.”
The knight obeyed the command immediately.
Taking the fresh vial, Barcas pulled the cork stopper out with his teeth and pressed the vial’s opening to my lips.
I stared at it with trembling eyes, then shifted my gaze to his expressionless face.
Barcas urged me with an impatient tone.
“Drink.”

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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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