Chapter 217
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVELA) – Chapter 217
The man replied with a tone heavy with weariness and anxiety as he cast a somber glance at him:
“Your aorta ruptured. If we had delayed just a bit longer, not even the clerics would have been able to do anything.”
Varkas showed no significant reaction despite hearing that he had been on the verge of losing his life.
Instead, he raised his arm and began to repeatedly flex and stretch the knuckles of his fingers, as if examining the condition of any ordinary tool, then asked in a calm tone:
“How is the progress of the war?”
“We managed to recapture Amasek, but the eradication of the rebels remains stalled. We confirmed that the insurgent forces led by Bjorn Blodar Heimdal have established a new base in Jotunheim, but… the topography of the region is extremely rugged to such an extent that it obstructs the army’s entry, so we are maintaining a confrontational stance for the time being.”
Varkas listened to Darin’s report carefully while evoking the topography of the North in his mind.
Jotunheim was an abrupt mountain range that divided the North and the East. Narrow gorges and steep slopes intertwined like a labyrinth, making the march of a colossal army in formation practically impossible; it was an incomparable natural stronghold.
In addition to its abundance of resources, there would be no more suitable place than that to engage in a long-term war of attrition against hosts that outnumbered them several times over.
“Does he intend to buy time then?”
Varkas remembered those red pupils glowing with a fiery glare behind the steel helm.
He was a reckless and impulsive opponent, but his judgment for deciphering the course of battle was icy and of a frightening resolution.
As soon as the coalition of Northern nobles turned its back on him, he drew in the inhabitants of Balto and re-established his power.
It was highly probable that he himself had instigated the outbreak of insurrections throughout Balto.
He had certainly deduced mathematically that gaining another year or two would cause the Empire to gradually crumble from within.
At the current juncture, the Roim imperial lineage was exerting pressure on the lords and aristocrats of all territories to assemble a colossal army to suppress the Northern rebellion. And if the demand to provide additional reinforcements continued to drag on, the indignation of the nobles would reach a stage from which there would be no return.
In the end, the Empire would be forced to present middle-ground solutions.
“He used his head skillfully.”
Varkas let out a dry, ironic laugh, then slowly raised his upper body.
This time Darin did not stop him; he merely cast a glance at him that denoted weariness at his stubbornness.
Varkas ignored that look and sat on the edge of the bed, then exhaled the air from his lungs and asked:
“Where are we currently?”
“In Dolakan Castle.” The answer came from the direction of the door.
Varkas turned toward the source of the voice, discovering the second son of the Bliston family, so he narrowed his eyes.
The man entered the room with large strides without requesting permission, and continued his explanation in a fluent tone:
“I suggested to the warriors of the Sherkan house to transfer Your Excellency to this place. Given that the imperial delegation and the high priest of Oseria reside in this keep, I considered that it would favor your treatment.”
“I am in your debt.”
When Varkas offered him this formal gratitude, a subtle smile formed on the man’s lips.
“There is no need for gratitude. If Your Excellency had lost your life, our plans would have vanished, would they not?”
Darin furrowed his brow and looked at the man with suspicion. It seemed evident that Varkas had not yet revealed to him the proposal that had been presented.
Varkas let out a laugh tinged with disdain:
“So that is why you brought me here then. Do you intend for me to be the one to raise that matter in the negotiation room?”
“As you are aware, we are not in a position that allows us to dare to bring up that topic. However, if Your Excellency intervenes yourself, matters will progress with much greater fluidity.”
Varkas twisted the corner of his lips ironically.
It seemed clear that the man intended to consolidate this marriage as an indispensable and fundamental requirement to arrange the truce treaty.
“You are showing extreme urgency.”
“Nearly three years have passed since the start of the war. How could I not urge matters when the entirety of our North is turning into rubble?”
“If your desire had been to safeguard Balto, you should not have weighed rebellion from the very beginning.”
“Every human being is susceptible to error.” A bitter smile suddenly crossed the man’s face. “Is not what matters what will happen in the future? The Bliston family has made the determination to end this war right now. Even if we are forced to eliminate Bjorn Blodar Heimdal with our own hands.”
“……”
“I presume Your Excellency also wishes to conclude this war as swiftly as possible.”
Varkas did not reply.
And after fixing his gaze on his face for a moment, the man emitted a subtle sigh and took a step back.
“I do not intend for Your Excellency to head to the negotiation room immediately. Devote yourself first to restoring your health.” Act followed, the unwelcome visitor left the room.
Darin, who had remained aside listening to the dialogue in silence, immediately approached, raising a question:
“What kind of proposal is that which he mentions?”
“He requested me to propose the daughter of his lineage to become the consort of the Crown Prince,” Varkas said indifferently while taking the cup of water arranged on the shelf to moisten his mouth.
“Everything indicates that they require a guarantee so that the Empire does not turn against them after the signing of the truce treaty.”
Darin’s mouth opened in astonishment; he looked stunned at the insolence of the Bliston family. However, operating as someone provided with an extremely realistic judgment, he soon calculated the benefits that would derive from this proposal:
“At the current juncture, it represents the most peaceful solution to end the civil war. Besides being a measure to appease the indignation of the inhabitants of the North,” he said that while stroking his chin.
Varkas rested his head against the headboard of the bed upon feeling his body grow heavy, and exhaled a sigh of fatigue:
“So it would be, as long as the Crown Prince accepts the deal with simplicity.”
“On the contrary, he is obligated to accept.” The man’s features suddenly turned severe. “The Crown Prince carries an enormous responsibility for the outbreak of popular insurrections in Balto. And remedying this matter is a duty that falls to him as a member of the imperial family.”
Varkas raised an eyebrow upon perceiving the overt hostility in the tone of his voice.
The majority of the Eastern nobles professed an implicit affection toward Garis for being an offspring of the Sherkan lineage.
However, it seemed evident that his reckless behaviors witnessed during the course of the war had gradually worn away that affection. Darin continued in a cold tone:
“The Duke of the East cannot continue to make amends for the blunders of the imperial family forever. Let this matrimonial alliance represent the grand finale, and subsequent to that, I beg Your Excellency to return to Calmore.”
A subtle ironic laugh escaped from between Varkas’s lips:
“Do you intend to demand that I disobey the orders of His Majesty the Emperor?!”
“You were on the verge of losing your life, Your Excellency,” Darin said in a gloomy tone while examining his state. “If His Majesty retains a shred of conscience, he will not dare to push the Duke toward the battlefield any longer.”
“……”
“The time for your rest has arrived. From the instant you assumed the position of Duke until today, you have not enjoyed a single second to catch your breath.”
Varkas contemplated him with an expression that denoted a strange surprise. The man gave him a pat on the shoulder with a hint of compassion and then rose from his place.
Shortly after, the clerics presented themselves to inspect his condition.
Varkas contemplated the sun setting through the window while they removed the bandages and poured substances of unknown identity over his injury.
And upon concluding the treatment, an elderly servant lit a fire in a small censer, burning herbs that possessed a mitigating effect for pain. It was an unnecessary measure, but Varkas did not mind.
While inhaling the dense smoke, he weighed the vision he had witnessed during his state of unconsciousness. He thought of her, of the one who pierced him with looks full of reproach.
How would she react upon finding out the news of my injury?
“Leave and never return.”
He felt bitterness in his mouth as if he had swallowed ashes.
Would you perhaps experience disappointment upon confirming that I return alive and recovered? Or perhaps you……
His thoughts, which flowed diffusely, were interrupted as if an obstacle stood in his path.
And with his eyes overcome by the effect of the substance, he continued observing the firmament, which had been tinged with absolute darkness, then resting his head against the wall with fatigue.
The deep darkness absorbed the endless night.
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