The Forgotten Field

Leaving the High Priest's residence, Varkas led his men beyond the castle gates.

After passing over a series of gently rolling hills, he reached the crest of a broad rise, where the scattered villages surrounding the fortress came into full view.

He began inspecting them one by one, starting with the largest.

At first glance, everything appeared peaceful.

Whether that appearance reflected reality was another matter.

Village stewards and magistrates had a habit of downplaying problems within their jurisdictions, while local constables often turned a blind eye to petty corruption and crime.

If the High Priest had been telling the truth and heretical beliefs had spread among the local population, there was every chance the matter had been carefully concealed until now.

"Find people who know what's really going on inside each village and gather information from them. At the same time, dispatch trustworthy investigators to determine the full extent of the heretics' activities."

"Do you believe what the High Priest said?"

Bayrov, who had been following quietly behind him, finally spoke.

Varkas swept his gaze across the rows of wooden houses lining the road and the neatly divided vegetable gardens.

He could feel the farmers pulling weeds in the fields stealing cautious glances at him.

Reading unmistakable wariness in their eyes, his own gaze grew colder.

"He may have exaggerated."

He paused.

"But if the High Priest brought it up personally, it can't be nothing more than baseless rumors."

Even if it was merely the rambling of a senile old man...

He still had to pretend to take it seriously.

The High Priest of the East governed one of the largest dioceses among the Empire's countless senior clergymen.

If that old man truly resolved to brand Talia a heretic, even Varkas would struggle to suppress the matter.

More importantly...

Gareth might seize upon the accusation of Talia's apostasy.

He had to resolve everything before word spread beyond the castle.

"Increase the number of constables stationed in every village."

Turning his horse, he added,

"And announce °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° that all gatherings must receive prior authorization."

"I'm planning to organize a suppression force before long and conduct a large-scale search of the areas surrounding Kalmor."

His voice remained calm.

"Summon the mounted warriors."

"Understood."

After inspecting every village throughout the countryside, Varkas finally turned his horse back toward Laedgo Castle.

Crossing the broad hills and open plains, he approached the fortress enclosed by sandy-colored walls.

The gatekeeper immediately raised the portcullis.

Leading his horse inside, Varkas turned toward the guards lined up beside the entrance.

"Where is the Grand Duchess?"

One of the guards answered crisply.

"Her Highness is resting in the garden."

Handing the reins to a servant who had entered behind him, Varkas immediately crossed the courtyard.

Passing through the inner gate, he found himself surrounded by lush gardens overflowing with emerald shrubs and blooming flowers.

He walked through them with measured strides.

Then he stopped.

Beneath a white marble gazebo sat Talia.

As always...

The enormous beast was beside her.

She was chatting away to the gray predator curled obediently at her feet when she noticed someone approaching and looked up.

"Did everything go well?"

Varkas had intended to question her about the High Priest's accusations.

Instead...

The words caught in his throat.

The woman who usually watched him with wary eyes now smiled openly, the corners of her eyes curving ever so slightly in genuine pleasure.

In the end, he swallowed the question.

He didn't want to ruin her mood by repeating such absurd suspicions aloud.

"Yes."

He offered a faint smile.

"He won't be delivering any more sermons directed at Your Highness."

"Did he say anything else?"

She asked while scratching behind the wolf's ear.

There was something probing in her cautious tone.

Varkas narrowed his eyes.

What exactly was she worried about?

As he studied her suspiciously, a low growl sounded nearby.

Turning instinctively, he frowned.

The beast was practically buried beneath flowers.

"Don't do that."

Talia scolded the wolf before glancing at Varkas as though gauging his reaction.

"I left him alone all morning, so I think he's upset. He's only sulking. He doesn't mean to threaten you."

Without replying, Varkas looked down at the direwolf.

The creature wore a flower crown woven from roses and cornflowers.

A garland of marigolds hung around its neck.

Its vivid blue eyes radiated unmistakable humiliation.

Apparently oblivious, Talia stroked its neck proudly.

"Isn't he adorable?"

Varkas didn't miss the wolf's ears twitching ever so slightly.

Whenever it was beside its mistress, its tail never stopped wagging.

Now it hung limply against the ground.

Its ears drooped.

It looked exactly like a sulking house pet.

After silently watching the scene for a long moment, Varkas nodded.

"I suppose he is."

As though it had understood him, the wolf's eyes suddenly gleamed.

Pretending not to notice, he added,

"If he keeps looking like this, people will probably be much less afraid of him."

"Right?"

Talia smiled brightly.

"I'm going to keep dressing him up like this from now on."

The wolf's ears drooped even farther.

Meanwhile, relief blossomed across her face.

Apparently...

She had dressed him up like this specifically to show Varkas.

The realization left an indescribably complicated feeling twisting inside his chest.

She truly feared...

...that he would try to take the beast away from her.

A bitter taste spread across his tongue.

He deliberately changed the subject.

"More importantly..."

"I have a favor to ask of Your Highness."

"What is it?"

The smile faded from her face.

Choosing his words carefully, he replied,

"I've received reports that barbarian raiders have begun appearing around Kalmor."

"I'd like you to refrain from leaving the castle until we've eliminated them."

"...How long?"

Still gazing at her wolf with shadowed blue eyes, she asked quietly.

Without realizing it, both her arms had wrapped protectively around the wolf's neck.

Watching the sight for a moment, Varkas answered,

"It shouldn't take long."

"It can't be more than two months."

She gently stroked the beast.

"Khan gets restless if he's forced to stay inside the castle."

The wolf's feelings meant nothing to him.

Only her safety mattered.

Keeping that thought hidden, he nodded calmly.

"I'll finish everything before then."

"...After that..."

She hesitated.

"...I'll be free to take Khan anywhere I want?"

After a brief silence, Varkas slowly nodded.

A soft smile appeared on her lips.

"Then that's enough."

She added quietly,

"I'll trust you."

For an instant...

It felt as though an icy blade had sliced through his chest.

"I'll never trust you again."

The words she had once spat at him like a curse echoed inside his ears.

He looked away, swallowing against the sudden tightness in his throat.

Despite the turmoil churning inside him, his voice emerged astonishingly steady.

"Even in early summer, the evenings are chilly."

"Let's go inside."

"...My leg hurts."

She idly toyed with the hem of her skirt before suddenly complaining like a sulking child.

His expression immediately grew serious.

"I'll summon a healing mage at once."

He turned toward the castle—

Only for her to grab the hem of his coat.

When he looked back, she glared at him.

"I don't want to wait."

"I want to lie down right now."

"So carry me."

His entire body stiffened.

At this point...

There was no longer any other way to interpret her intentions.

She was trying to seduce him.

But...

Why?

Had his retainers been pressuring her about producing an heir?

As unpleasant possibilities flashed through his mind, she tugged on his clothes a little harder.

"What?"

She looked up at him.

"You don't want to?"