Bargun Fortress, a relay stronghold within the Flame Emperor Dragon Corridor, was a small but steadily fortified structure that also functioned as a kind of granary. After entering Bargun, the supply convoy replenished the consumables that had been stockpiled there. The purpose was to avoid consuming the provisions intended for delivery to the Mayard territory during the march. If they began dipping into the transport supplies simply because their own rations ran out, it would defeat the entire purpose.

Two days after departing Bargun Fortress, Walm did not miss the changes that had appeared within the corridor. The soldiers wearing equipment different from their fellow Highserk Empire troops were soldiers of Mayard. After the invasion of Aidenberg, the armor of friend and foe alike had become all too familiar, and there was no way he could forget it. The people they guarded were supply troops of the same type as those under Hody’s command, and judging by their appearance, the majority were hired civilians.

“They’re Mayard transport convoys. They trade goods purchased from the Archipelago Countries along with minerals mined from the Refun Mine in the former Felius territory.”

Noticing Walm’s gaze, Hody revealed their identity. Though Walm didn’t show it on his face, he was surprised. His homeland, which had long relied almost exclusively on war as its means of diplomacy, had now reconciled with a former enemy. Not only that but they were trading with them. Hearing about it and witnessing it firsthand were entirely different experiences.

Though the Great Rampage had forced the situation, it was still remarkable progress. As economic ties strengthened, factions that sought to avoid conflict would inevitably emerge. Walm was neither a destructive warmonger nor a naive pacifist blind to reality. What he hoped the Highserk Empire would strive toward was a long period of peace maintained under a gentle state of tension.

“Many of them can hardly be called regular soldiers.”

Friug evaluated them from the perspective of a commander of combat troops. Walm shared the company commander’s opinion. Though they carried short spears, many lacked gauntlets and greaves. Among those pulling the wagons were even people carrying farm tools such as hand axes and machetes.

“One of the Mayard men unloading cargo at Bargun Fortress told me that most of their main forces have been drawn away to the Refun Mine and the base of the Selta Peninsula. The units around here are mostly refugees or farmers who’ve lost their land.”

“The Crest Kingdom has been targeting the Refun Mine to secure resources, but Mayard scraped together troops from various regions and barely managed to hold the area. That said, since Mayard doesn’t have enough regular soldiers to spare, the Highserk army has taken the main role in maintaining security in the Flame Emperor Dragon Corridor.”

Walm searched his memory and pictured the map in his mind. When he had invaded the territory of Felius, Refun had become a familiar location. After all, when he was part of the Reglia Battalion’s light infantry, he had both captured the mine and fought a delaying defense there. At the time, resource-poor Highserk had considered it one of the highest priority targets.

“So Refun and Selta are lifelines for Mayard now.”

“Yes. Mayard still hasn’t managed to clear monsters from most of its granary regions. On top of that, Refun and Selta are crucial defensive positions because of the harsh terrain. Given the forces they have to keep there, they have little choice but to be indebted to us to get access to Highserk manpower and trust their backs to us.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say Highserk is in a position to complain either.”

Walm largely agreed with Friug but lamented the current state of the Highserk Empire. Having lost much of its army and territory, Highserk also could not stand without Mayard. The Archipelago Countries, which were strengthening ties with them, were too busy rebuilding after the upheaval in Labyrinth City. On top of that, they also had to deal with the Republic, which was suspected of involvement in the irregular warfare that had broken out there. Generous support could not be expected.

In that case, Walm even thought it might be preferable for Highserk and Mayard to deepen their mutual dependence until they became thoroughly bound together.

The Mayard people passing by were not on friendly terms with the Highserk soldiers, and there were no embraces or handshakes exchanged. Even so, they accepted reality and treated Highserk as neighbors. Their adaptability and resilience might simply be traits ingrained in the northern nations, where rival powers rose and fell as they repeatedly fragmented and unified.

◆

The moment the old castle came into view in the distance, Walm’s emotions began swirling like a storm. Memories that had been sealed deep within the darkness resurfaced. Just as when he had fled alone that day, the castle still stood there unchanged. The tens of thousands of piled corpses, the rotting stench that filled the nose, the dying screams still echoing in his ears… none of them were there now. As though everything had been an illusion from the beginning, all traces had vanished.

It was only natural as two years had nearly passed. Memories and wounds erode with time. Walm had rejected that erosion, drowning it in alcohol, but now the time had finally come to face reality. He repeated his breathing slowly, deepening it slightly, scolding his unreliable legs as he struggled to maintain composure.

Upon closer inspection the remnants of the past battle still remained.

The melted keep had only been repaired superficially. The temporary wall where Walm and his soldiers had fought their desperate battle had been abandoned rather than fully reconstructed. Instead, wooden stakes treated against rot had been driven into the ground in a box-shaped formation over the ruins of the wall, with earth packed inside them. It was a hybrid of wood and soil, a so-called boxed earthwork wall.

Compared with stone construction, its defensive capability was undeniably lower, but it was far superior in construction time and material procurement. It was likely a decision based on cost-effectiveness. Even so, compared to the temporary wall they had once defended to the death, it looked enviably reliable.

Passing through the castle gate, Walm found himself glancing at each part of the interior. In his mind flickered the shadows of soldiers and refugees who should no longer exist. He couldn’t afford to be distracted by ghosts and fall behind the formation. Shaking the phantoms from his mind, he planted his feet firmly and continued forward.

Fortunately, the supply convoy led by Hody halted at the storage yard. During the Great Rampage, this very place had also been crammed with all kinds of military supplies.

Without resting, Hody immediately began issuing orders. The supply troops hurried about, starting to untie the tightly fastened ropes securing the cargo. In the midst of this activity, the supply platoon leader turned to face Walm with a solemn expression.

“Guardian Chief, this is as far as my unit goes.”

“Mayard’s transport convoys will distribute the supplies from here?”

Walm had been told that the main role of Hody’s supply platoon was to travel back and forth through the unstable Flame Emperor Dragon Corridor. The Mayard convoys they had seen at Bargun Fortress served a similar purpose. Now that they had passed through the corridor, there was no reason to continue together.

“That’s right. Since Dandurg Castle serves as the central depot on the Mayard side, we’ll swap out our cargo and head back to the capital.”

“The entire area along the lakeshore is firmly secured by Mayard, so even Mayard merchants with minimal escorts should be able to take over from here.”

Friug supplemented Hody’s explanation. Unlike the corridor, which was secured only as a line, Mayard completely controlled the region from Dandurg to the lakeshore.

“Guardian Chief Walm, thanks to the protection of Company Commander Friug, the journey was much easier for us.”

“Don’t be so formal. A supply convoy already bears the burden of transporting cargo. It wouldn’t do to make them bear the burden of combat as well.”

Just as the supply troops took pride in their role, Friug, the commander of the infantry, also had his own sense of honor. Though their battlefields differed, both units had fulfilled their duties. And personally, Walm was grateful as well.

“Besides, I should thank you. I’ve been away from Highserk for a long time, so I don’t know the current situation and geography. Hearing your stories on the road was helpful. I never imagined the terrain had changed this much.”

Within the corridor, changes in the landscape had occurred that could only be described as earth-shattering. The nickname for dragonkind, living natural disasters, was no exaggeration. Local conditions and atmosphere were things only those who traveled the land could truly understand. It was valuable information to Walm.

“I’m glad to hear that. If you don’t mind a boring guide, I’d be happy to show you the way again on the return trip.”

With a sunburned, blotched face, the supply platoon leader smiled. Walm found himself smiling faintly in return.

“Well then.”

Though there was a sense of reluctance in their parting, the veteran Highserk soldiers switched gears quickly. Hody immediately joined his men in unloading cargo. Walm turned to confirm the next steps with the company commander, but it was Friug who spoke first.

“Perfect timing. Our welcoming party has arrived.”

Following his words, Walm turned his gaze in that direction. A group was approaching them. For something called a welcoming party, their equipment looked rather ominous. As the distance closed, a strange sense of discomfort and confusion crept in.

“Guardian Chief Walm, they are—”

“I remember them… They were part of the mixed battalion here at Dandurg.”

The fortress had once been packed with tens of thousands of people. It was impossible to remember everyone within that chaotic castle. But how could he forget those who had stood beside him on the battle line?

The group lined up with perfect precision and lowered their heads simultaneously. They were the Mayard soldiers and militia who had been incorporated into the mixed battalion. Though their affiliations and nations differed, and nearly two years had passed, they still showed him respect. Walm solemnly returned the gesture.

Few words were exchanged, yet somehow it eased something within him.

“Guardian Chief Walm of the Highserk Imperial Army. Welcome back to Dandurg.”

The commander who stepped forward from the ranks spoke in a hoarse voice. The voice sounded familiar. When the man raised his head, his single eye met Walm’s eyes.

They had fought together twice. Once in the forest along the border, and the second time here at Dandurg Castle.

“…Thank you for the welcome, Fleck. I can’t say I was waiting for such a grand reception. And what happened to that great shield of yours?”

“That thing’s a pain to haul around, so I left it somewhere to stand guard.”

Walm spoke the former adventurer’s name dryly. The man himself showed no trace of guilt, his single eye narrowing in quiet satisfaction.

Translator – Lyxxna