Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 51

After overcoming a fierce battle with a rampaging dragon, Walm arrived at an ancient castle.

Excluding the forces facing the Libertoa Trade Federation, 32,000 regular Highserk soldiers gathered from Mayard Territory, Canoa Territory, and the homeland were deployed, including Walm, with 12,000 of them stationed at Dandurg Castle.

Around the castle walls, soldiers and civilians alike were busy forming positions, and in one corner, the bodies of monsters that had appeared ahead of the main force were piled up, numbering in the hundreds as far as Walm could see.

In addition to a water-filled moat, new dry moats and earthen ramparts were constructed along the outer edge of the castle. There were three gates, each with a drawbridge and double gates.

Walm’s attention was drawn to the fortifications around the gate, which served as the lifeline to the Highserk Empire. In addition to the earthen ramparts, there were horse barriers, and in some places, even tombstones were stacked up, indicating a total mobilization without regard for appearance.

In one corner of the castle, a soup kitchen was in operation, where people who had fled with little more than their belongings formed a long line.

To Walm, who had experienced numerous battlefields, the scene was familiar, yet the scale was extraordinary. It was inevitable that a vast number of refugees would emerge as the entire Mayard region was being engulfed in chaos.

However, Walm felt a sense of discomfort that they did not flee further back but settled inside the castle. No matter how strong the ancient castle was reputed to be, it was under threat from hundreds of thousands of monsters.

Perhaps the refugees felt safe because the castle and soldiers were a symbol of power.

The cart carrying Walm’s escort target passed through the castle gate and was directed to a tower where a former lord of Mayard Territory once resided.

The room set up in the residential area was stone-built and furnished. Including Walm, there were five guards and seven people with the escort target, but the room was not cramped.

Walm put down the surgical instruments on the shelf and headed to the brigade headquarters where he was ordered to report. Leaving Moritz in charge would ensure no mistakes.

Passing through a long corridor, Walm reached a spacious hall closed off by heavy doors. Six guards were keeping a vigilant watch at the entrance.

After confirming his identity, Walm entered the room.

“Excuse me. I am Walm, the Guardian Chief. Following orders, I have transported the escort target from the Sarajevo Fortress.”

Walm stood straight and waited for the response from the man in front of him.

The man, Sigismund, the brigade commander in charge of Dandurg Castle, was a middle-aged man with gray-streaked hair. His old scars were evident, showing that he had risen through the ranks from the battlefield.

“Well done. I heard there was combat along the way, but to single-handedly defeat a rampaging dragon is indeed worthy of someone called the ‘Hellfire Beacon’.”

Walm, receiving a compliment mixed with flattery, denied it.

“I am honored by your praise, but it wasn’t just me. The cavalry in my escort used magic to hold it off while I clung to the rampaging dragon and continued to burn it. Additionally, I sustained serious injuries and received treatment.”

Sigismund, unable to contain himself, suddenly burst into laughter. Walm braced himself, wondering if he had offended him in some way. Sigismund then addressed the soldiers and officers of the brigade headquarters.

“Did you hear that? He just clung to the rampaging dragon and burned it. I’ve heard of defeating them with heavy magical attacks, lance coverings, and great swords, but never of burning one to death by clinging to it. There’s a reason Gerald sent him.”

After a round of laughter, the old commander continued to speak to Walm.

“I will continue to entrust the escort of the healing mage to your group, but, Guardian Chief Walm, I need you at the front lines. We are short on hands, even recruiting volunteers from refugees and prisoners. Despite the main force not yet arriving, we’ve already slain nearly a thousand monsters around the fort. It would be easy if these small waves continue, and the main force will arrive soon. You will work alongside Ayane of Crest. It’s good for you to recuperate in your room today.”

“Thank you. Excuse me for asking, but may I seek a piece of advice?”

“Go ahead.”

“It might just be my foolish thought, but the number of refugees inside the castle is greater than any battlefield I’ve experienced, and it might hinder combat operations.”

Walm could foresee that if battle broke out, it would be difficult to deploy troops and evacuate in emergencies with countless Mayard citizens inside the castle.

After finishing speaking, Walm sensed a change in the demeanor of some of the brigade headquarters’ officers, and the atmosphere became tense.

“Many do not want to leave their homeland, which is troubling. But don’t worry about it now. Focus only on the task at hand.”

“Understood. Thank you for answering. Then, excuse me.”

Walm quietly backed down from the conversation. He was sure that he had touched on a topic that should not have been discussed.

Walking down the corridor, Walm mulled over his thoughts. There must be military secrets known only to a limited number of generals.

Walm, granted the title of knight and the authority to lead a squad-sized unit as a Guardian Chief, had virtually no real power in the military.

Walm did not deny the necessity of limbs obeying the head in battle. However, if the limbs abandon thought, the organization will only decline.

What was the purpose of holding a large number of refugees at the front line, and securing volunteers and workers for the fortifications? There must’ve been significant benefits.

However, the consumption of food by the citizens, outnumbering the soldiers, would place a considerable burden on the supply lines. Troops would also be diverted for crowd control.

“Could it be, they’re intentionally not guiding them? The large-scale soup kitchens…”

Refugees from other countries, soldiers from their own, and the sturdy Dandurg Castle, these words linked together in Walm’s mind, leading him to one possibility.

“…A baited trap disguised as shelter.”

Walm swallowed his saliva as he uttered the words. He wanted to believe that they wouldn’t go that far, but the madness of war, the insanity of humans granted the absolution of rationality, was dark and deep.