The Forgotten Field - Chapter 91

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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 91
Lucas let out a scoff of derision.
“Since when have the people of the Eastern Territories cared about something like peace?”
“Perhaps it’s time they started.”
A flicker of warning crossed Tyron’s face. The mounted warrior, whose narrow eyes pierced through him with an unwavering gaze, continued with grave seriousness.
“While His Excellency has been bedridden, the unity of the Eastern Territories has noticeably weakened. Meanwhile, the Zrami have steadily grown in strength. If they decide to attack in earnest, the Eastern Territories will become an inferno in an instant. This is not the time to quarrel over trivial matters.”
Lucas wiped away the crooked smile playing at his lips.
“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit? The Zrami are troublesome, certainly, but we possess the Empire’s most formidable cavalry force. What threat could barbarians driven to the borderlands possibly pose, no matter how much they multiply?”
“Even that cavalry force becomes nothing but a rabble without a strong leader.”
Tyron exhaled a sigh of frustration.
“While the Grand Duke has withdrawn from the front lines, lords throughout the Eastern Territories have each cultivated their own power. The warriors under their command pledge loyalty not to House Sierkan, but to their own lords. Should those lords unite in rebellion, even for a moment, the Eastern Territories will fragment instantly.”
Faced with this succession of dire predictions, Lucas’s jaw tightened.
He was aware that some of his retainers were showing suspicious movements. But he had never once considered the situation as serious as Tyron described.
Lucas shot back with a hard tone.
“If the retainers attempted treason, the Imperial Palace wouldn’t stand idle. House Sierkan is also a vassal of the Emperor, after all. Defying the Grand Ducal House is no different than rebelling against the Roem Empire itself.”
“You fail to understand my meaning, sir.”
Tyron clicked his tongue sharply.
“The point is that rebellion must be prevented from occurring in the first place. If matters reach the point where the Imperial Palace must intervene, the Eastern Territories will already be in chaos. Discipline must be restored before it comes to that.”
Lucas found no words to counter and fell silent. Tyron, regarding him with stern eyes, drove his point home decisively.
“The inauguration of the new Grand Duke will serve as an opportunity to reunite the Eastern Territories. As a member of House Sierkan, you must cooperate as well, young master.”
“…So in the end, you’re telling me to obey my brother’s wishes without question.”
“Is it not an unavoidable duty, having been born as the second son?”
Tyron delivered words with substance behind them.
Lucas, who had been watching him quietly, flicked his reins and shook off the tiresome nag.
I was only fifteen years old. I had no desire to concern myself with the complicated politics of the Eastern Territories or the duties that came with being a second son.
I spurred my horse forward deliberately.
As I raced across the steppe, vast pastures unfolded beneath the setting sun to the west.
Reining in my horse atop a hill, I surveyed hundreds of grazing horses scattered about before turning my mount’s head toward the sprawling campsite nearby.
As I approached a large tent that appeared to be an assembly hall, a powerfully built man in a flamboyant coat rushed out to greet me.
“Welcome! I’ve been waiting with bated breath for your arrival!”
He was a retainer of House Sierkan whom I knew well. I leaped from my saddle and called out to him with enthusiasm.
“Kun Badera! It’s been a while.”
“It has indeed, young master Lucas. You’ve grown quite tall in the meantime.”
“And you’ve put on quite a bit of weight.”
The man laughed heartily and roughly ruffled my hair.
“That bad habit of yours remains unchanged, I see.”
The bearded man, a gentle smile playing across his weathered face, suddenly glanced around.
“By the way, where are the others? I heard the newly inaugurated Grand Duke would be arriving with the mounted warriors…”
“They’ll be here soon.”
I gestured toward the hilltop and replied flatly.
“You’ve been nagging me so much that I decided to come ahead.”
The moment his words ended, hundreds of cavalry soldiers appeared over the ridge.
Kun Badera immediately instructed his servants to prepare to receive the guests. Lucas also moved toward the hill to fulfill his duties.
Just as they arrived in front of the Assembly Hall, Barcas descended from the traveling carriage.
Lucas, who had rushed forward to attend to him, suddenly stopped in his tracks. The Second Princess was cradled in his brother’s arms.
Barcas, effortlessly supporting the completely exhausted woman with one arm, slowly surveyed his surroundings and asked.
“Where should we stay?”
Kun Badera, who had been staring blankly at the two of them, hurried over and bowed his head.
“I-it is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke. I am Kun Badera, the one who manages your horses.”
The man, whose face was tense and stammering, turned his body and added.
“Please follow me. I shall guide you to the quarters where you will be staying.”
Barcas, pressing the limp woman’s head down onto his shoulder, followed the man’s lead. Lucas, who had hesitated for a moment, followed behind them.
The man led them to a large tent located in the center of the Campsite. Inside the conical tent, covered with bitumen-coated cloth, were a spacious bed and luxurious furnishings.
After slowly surveying the interior, Barcas laid the woman on the wide bed, then issued instructions to Lucas.
“Go and fetch an attendant. There should be a Quarter Dwarf among Her Highness’s Handmaidens.”
“…I was under the impression that my duty was to attend to you, brother.”
Barcas, who had been lowering the canopy over the bed, let out a dry laugh as if exasperated.
“So, did I not just give you an order?”
“What you’re asking me to do is the kind of errand servants would handle. My duty is to manage your horses and weapons….”
“Your duty is to follow my orders without question.”
Barcas rose from his seat and strode toward him. Lucas instinctively took a step backward.
Gripping his shoulder with one hand, Barcas brushed aside his disheveled hair and continued slowly.
“Lucas, you will learn obedience to me from now on. It is a virtue you should have learned from the moment you first mounted a horse.”
Lucas stiffened like a mouse before a serpent. Barcas, studying his face with cold eyes, spoke calmly.
“If you question my orders again, you will face appropriate punishment. Do you understand?”
Lucas swallowed hard and slowly nodded his head. Barcas gave a slight gesture with his chin.
“Then go fetch the Handmaiden.”
Lucas immediately bolted out of the tent.
It seemed this inspection tour was not going to be a pleasant outing after all.
He trudged along, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
* * *
A sharp pain that had been pricking her knees crept up toward her pelvis.
Talia, tossing on the thick sheets, struggled to lift her heavy eyelids.
The unfamiliar ceiling, flickering with candlelight, filled her vision.
Blinking, Talia slowly pushed herself up. Then, suddenly realizing she was wearing nothing but a thin linen dress, she gasped.
She hastily felt her legs and found the bandages she had wrapped that morning. It seemed only her outer garment had been removed. Just as she exhaled a small sigh of relief, she heard faint sounds of water nearby.
Talia turned her head sharply and froze upon discovering Barcas washing himself, his upper body bare.
He cupped water in his palm and swept it across the nape of his neck. Clear streams of water flowed slowly down the taut, defined muscles of his lean frame. Talia, staring blankly at the sight, barely managed to squeeze out her voice.
“W-what are you doing?”
Barcas, wiping his face with wet hands, turned his head toward her. His pale, water-soaked body filled her vision.
I flushed crimson, my face burning as I hastily pulled the blanket up to my chest.
“Why are you undressing like that?! You pervert!”
Barcas, who had been gazing down at me in silence, exhaled a heavy sigh.
“One cannot bathe while fully clothed, can one?”
“That’s… that’s not what I meant! Why here of all places?!”
My shrill voice cut off abruptly as Barcas leaned over the bed and covered my mouth with his hand.
“Lower your voice.”

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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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