The Forgotten Field Novel - Chapter 228

## Chapter 228

“A direct assault is nothing short of suicide,” said one of the subordinate commanders of the Imperial Alliance, pointing with his fingertips at the map spread out across the table. “The moment the army enters the slope, a barrage of stones and arrows will rain down on us from the top of the walls. And there are no other suitable routes to flank them.”

“They are not entirely nonexistent, are they?” spoke Darin, who was closely observing the complex terrain detailed on the map with his arms crossed, and continued: “What do you think about mobilizing toward the north and approaching from the rear of the fortress, just as His Highness the Crown Prince attempted? If we are cautious of ambushes, isn’t this route the most realistic solution? If we manage to establish a camp behind the fortress, we will be in a far superior geographical position.”

“That would be the case if we manage to enter safely,” Kailias added sharply, pointing to a gorge on the map; he was sitting with a stiff face at the far end of the long table. “To approach the rebels’ base, one must cross a narrow mountain path where two wagons can barely fit with great difficulty. Furthermore, a dense fog often forms in the mountains of Jotunheim, even in broad daylight. And if bad luck accompanies us, we could end up trapped in the middle of a fog that does not allow us to see even a hand’s span in front of us.” The man pronounced each word with emphasis, as if venting his rage, while staring fixedly at Varkas: “And that is the reason why we found ourselves helpless when we fell into the ambush.”

Varkas did not respond with a single word and remained silently looking at the map that accurately described the terrain of Jotunheim.

The fortress where the rebels were concentrated was supported on the east by an extremely steep rock wall that made approach impossible, and to the south extended a relatively gentle slope, but its narrow entrance made it unsuitable for deploying large contingents of troops. Just as Darin had said, flanking toward the northwest and aiming at the rear side of the fortress was the most realistic method.

The problem lay in the fact that the enemy was undoubtedly aware of this fact as well.

Varkas placed his hand on his temple as he remembered his cousin’s reckless march. If Garis had handled his troops with a little more caution and had taken into account the possibility of ambushes on the flanking route, this catastrophe would not have occurred.

‘He likely concluded hastily that the possibility of an ambush was minimal, thinking that he was the one taking the enemy by surprise.’

He let out a heavy sigh.

Even if we leave aside Garis’s imprudence, which is nothing new, the fact that things marched with such a degree of favor for the rebels makes it difficult to consider it a mere coincidence. Considering how the bait was thrown to Garis—who was furious over the news of the engagement—to drive him to this sudden act, and the mathematical precision of the timing of the ambush, the possibility of an internal collaborator existing seems very large.

His suspicions immediately turned toward the person who might be most rejoiced by this situation. If that woman is the one behind all these events…

Varkas held his forehead, which was splitting with a headache like stabs of a knife. If his conjecture was correct, that woman could not be described as anything other than a madwoman. If her collaboration with the rebels were discovered, having caused the disintegration of the Empire and pushed the Crown Prince into the trap, she would not escape the gallows. And the punishment would not stop there, but would reach her family and even her children…

“What is Your Excellency’s opinion?” The threads of his complex thoughts were abruptly interrupted.

Varkas turned and looked at the man who had formulated the question. Theodoric Hart, one of the central figures of the ‘Roim Knights’, was looking at him with an expression lost in thought.

“Instead of attempting a reckless attack now, wouldn’t it be better to block the gorges leading to the fortress and wait? Regarding the matter of His Highness the Crown Prince as well…” the man continued cautiously, choosing his words with precision: “I believe it is advisable to leave room for negotiation. For Your Excellency could end up being held responsible for the safety of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“There is no turning back on the decision. I will assume full responsibility for this choice,” Varkas pronounced firmly as he stood up and leaned on the table. Then he took the iron pen with his other hand and marked a sign on the map. “We will divide the army into two sections; the main force will establish a camp here in the south. The rest will flank toward the north to approach from behind. At first, they will camp at the foot of the mountain leading to the entrance, and as soon as the signal is sent, they will mobilize immediately through the route.”

“As I have repeatedly mentioned, the flanking route carries the risk of suffering a surprise attack…!”

“Enough unnecessary meddling,” Varkas interrupted Kailias’s objection brusquely, and added: “I do not believe the opinion of a defeated soldier who handed the Crown Prince over as a hostage to the enemies is worthy of being listened to with attention.”

The faces of all the ‘Roim Knights’ present in the room, and not just Kailias’s, stiffened as a result of this biting criticism delivered in a serene tone. He continued speaking calmly, indifferent to the charged atmosphere:

“I will send a reconnaissance unit in advance to comb the surroundings of the fortress thoroughly. Choose an adequate number of personnel.”

“I will send my own division as scouts,” said Darin, who had remained silent, raising his hand slightly.

Varkas nodded his head.

“It seems the general outlines have been defined. Dismissed now.”

He concluded the meeting unilaterally, so the commanders began to stand up one after another while exchanging sidelong glances. Varkas watched the knights disperse leisurely, and then left the tent. In that instant, he heard Darin’s voice behind his back.

“Your Excellency.” He turned and saw the face of his assistant, covered by features of worry. Darin made a gesture with his head toward the edges of the camp and said: “Can we speak for a moment?”

Varkas did not argue, but instead headed toward the indicated direction. They crossed the settlement crowded with tents until reaching the edges of the basin where provisional defensive barricades had been placed, becoming enveloped by a dense darkness. Varkas stopped in front of the fence that the soldiers had finished repairing and turned toward his assistant.

“What is it that you want to say?”

“Do you really intend to leave His Highness the Crown Prince that way?” the man finally spoke in a low voice after a long silence, as if ordering his complex thoughts.

Varkas did not respond, limiting himself to looking at the sky tinged with black.

Darin continued anxiously:

“The fact that His Highness the Crown Prince is an extremely impulsive and immature person is undeniable. But the second prince is no less dangerous either.” Darin’s voice became gloomier: “Behind the second prince stands Snefyer Tarin. The current Empress will represent a danger that will surpass that of the Crown Prince.” The man kept silent for a moment while minutely examining Varkas’s face, and then added cautiously: “Furthermore, didn’t you swear to the late Empress Bernadette that you would protect the Crown Prince? If it became known that you broke a sacred vow in which you pledged your soul, it would be a fatal stain on Your Excellency’s honor.”

“Is that all you have to say?” Varkas asked in a dry voice while taking out the canteen from his side to moisten his throat.

Darin continued with a sharp tone full of annoyance:

“You know very well that public opinion toward you is already not good due to the unilateral cancellation of the engagement with the first princess and having taken the second princess as your Duchess. And in the midst of this, if it became known that you ignored the safety of the Crown Prince and continued the attack, it will be considered that the Duke’s family has leaned completely to the Empress’s side.”

An ironic and dry laugh erupted from between Varkas’s lips, who was listening in silence to his extensive speech.

“It seems you fear it will be said that Duke Shirkhan has been bewitched by the Empress’s daughter, breaking his vow and his honor.”

Darin pressed his lips tightly without confirming or denying. Varkas closed the cap of the canteen and straightened his posture after having been leaning on the fence.

“Do not worry. I will do nothing that stains the family name.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Varkas ignored the question and turned toward the place where his tent was erected.

“I will go rest now. We must save some strength if we want to mobilize as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow.” Then he gripped Darin’s shoulder tightly just once before letting go, and walked with firm steps in the midst of the camp submerged in darkness.

The next day, Varkas led the army toward the north, and when the sun reached its zenith, he halted the march at the foot of the mountain. Then he divided the forces just as had been decided the previous day; he placed the main force in front of the fortress and arranged for the rest of the troops to flank the mountain range surrounding the fortress to move to the rear. Shortly after, approximately fourteen thousand soldiers began to mobilize with rigorous order.

While they built the camp and installed the siege engines, Varkas led about thirty soldiers and headed toward the east along the steep slope. The terrain was extremely harsh and the mountains steep, not suitable for the settlement of large contingents of troops, but it was an ideal place for the movement of a small unit away from the eyes of the enemies. He leaped with agility over the mountain slope that was almost a gorge, guiding the soldiers who followed him with hand signals.

After a long march…

When the sun began to tilt, they managed to reach a position that overlooked the enemy’s fortress. He stopped on a large rock and examined the internal structure of the fortress with a cautious gaze.

“You could have left the task of scouting the fortress to the scout unit. Why does Your Excellency take this trouble in person?” complained Edric Robon, who was out of breath from following him, as if he did not understand the reason.

Varkas pointed toward the steep mountain path instead of responding:

“We will move a little further.”

Then he began to climb the steep rock wall again. When he finally reached a suitable point, he ordered the soldiers exhausted by fatigue to rest, took out a parchment from his chest, and began to record the internal structure of the fortress.

The enemy’s bastion enjoyed an extremely solid structure. And the size of the forces concentrated there far exceeded expectations; furthermore, the defensive installations were firmly constructed.

‘It will not be easy.’

Varkas clicked his tongue slightly and passed his hand violently through his sweat-soaked hair. Then he felt a strange gaze and turned. Edric, who had sat on the ground to catch his breath, was looking at him closely. Varkas frowned upon noticing that his gaze was fixed on his side.

“What are you looking at in that way?”

“Nothing. I felt worried because you were cold until the day of your departure… but I was wondering if she had handed it over to you in the end.”

Varkas narrowed his eyes at the words he did not understand, and looked sideways toward his side. Hanging from his belt, arranged by the servant, was a small bag embroidered in the oriental style.

Chapter 228

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