What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 51

After the fierce battle with the rampaging dragon, the destination reached was an ancient castle.

Of the 32,000 regular Highserk soldiers who had been recruited from Myard, Kanoa, and the home country, 12,000, including Walm, had been deployed to Dandurg Castle, except for the forces of the Anti Liberitoa Army.

Around the castle walls, both soldiers and civilians worked together to form encampments, and in one corner, the corpses of monsters that had appeared ahead of the main force were piled up. From what Walm to estimate, there were over a hundred.

In addition to the moat around the walls, new moats and embankments were built on the outer edges. There were three castle gates, each with a raised bridge and equipped with double doors.

Walm’s attention was drawn to the castle gate surroundings, which served as the communication line with the Highserk homeland. In addition to embankments, there were anti-cavalry barriers. Some areas even had stacked tombstones, showing an unprecedented level of mobilization.

In one corner of the castle, a field kitchen was set up, and those who had fled with minimal belongings formed a long line.

For Walm, who had experienced the battlefield many times, it was a familiar sight, but the scale was abnormal. The entire Myard region was being engulfed in a great rampage, and it was inevitable that a vast number of refugees would emerge.

However, Walm felt a sense of unease as these refugees did not settle within the castle and were not retreating to the rear. Even though it was a renowned ancient castle known for its strength, there were hundreds of thousands of monsters approaching.

Perhaps it is that the symbol of power, the castle, and the soldiers have made the refugees feel at ease. They believe that it’s safe there—

The horse-drawn carriage, carrying the escorted individuals, passed through the castle gate and was guided to the keep where one of the lords of the former Myard territory had established a residence.

A room in the residential area was made of stone, with furnishings prepared. The escort party, including Walm, consisted of five individuals, and along with the escorted individuals, there were seven, but it wasn’t cramped.

Placing surgical instruments on the shelf, Walm proceeded to the headquarters as ordered. Leaving matters in the hands of Moritz in his absence ensured that nothing would go wrong.

Passing through a long corridor, he reached a grand hall sealed with heavy doors. Six guards were vigilant at the entrance.

After confirming his identity with the guards, Walm entered the room.

“Excuse me. I am Guard Commander Walm. Following orders, I have transported the escorted individuals from the Sarajevo Fortress.”

Walm straightened his posture, waiting for the response from the man in front of him.

The man with white hair, a mix of old age, was none other than Sigismund, the Imperial Army Brigade Commander in charge of Dandurg Castle. Old wounds were noticeable, suggesting that he had risen through the ranks after the battlefield.

“My thanks. It seems there was a battle on the way, but to take down a rampaging dragon single-handedly is quite something, fitting for someone known as the ‘Bonfire of the Underworld.'”

Walm received words of praise mixed with flattery but denied them.

“I appreciate your kind words, and it is an honor beyond my deserving. However, I was not alone. While the cavalry escorts used magic to immobilize the dragon, I merely clung to the it and kept burning it. Moreover, I sustained severe injuries and am undergoing treatment.”

Sigismund, after a brief pause, burst into laughter as if he couldn’t contain himself. Walm internally braced himself, wondering if something had offended the old commander. Sigismund spoke to the soldiers attached to the brigade headquarters who had been standing back.

“Did you hear that? It seems he just hugged the rampaging dragon and burned it. I’ve heard of heavy magical attacks, spear formations, and great swords for subjugation, but I’ve never heard of hugging and burning to death. Gerald must have sent us something special.”

The old general, having finished his laughter, continued speaking to Walm.

“We’ll continue to entrust a healing mage escort to your squad, but Guard Commander Walm, I need you to go to the front lines. We are short-handed, recruiting volunteers from refugees and prisoners. Despite the main force not arriving yet, we have already subjugated nearly a thousand monsters in the vicinity of the fortress. It’s been relatively easy so far, but the main force is coming directly. Work alongside that fallen hero of Craist, Ayane. You should rest in your room today to gather your strength.”

“Thank you. …If I may, could you provide some guidance?”

“Of course.”

“I apologize for my humble thoughts, but I am concerned that the number of refugees within the castle exceeds that of any battlefield I have experienced so far, and it may hinder our combat capabilities.”

Countless Myard citizens have gathered within the castle. Walm foresaw that if combat were to occur, the deployment of troops and emergency evacuations would become challenging.

Upon finishing his statement, Walm sensed a change in the expressions of some of the officers in the headquarters, and the atmosphere became tense.

“…The problem is, many don’t want to leave their homeland. But for now, don’t worry about it. Focus only on the task at hand.”

“Understood. Thank you for your response. Excuse me.”

Walm obediently stepped back in response to the unequivocal answer. There was no doubt that he had touched upon a topic that should not be discussed.

Walking through the corridor, Walm contemplated. There must be military secrets known only to a select few high-ranking officers. Despite being given the authority to lead a squad with the title of knight and guard commander, Walm’s real influence within the military was almost nonexistent.

Walm does not deny the necessity for limbs to follow the orders of the head in battle. It is recommended within the organization. However, if the limbs were to abandon their own thoughts, the organization would only decline.

What is the purpose of burdening the front lines with a large number of refugees? Recruiting volunteers, securing construction workers for fortifications—there are considerable benefits.

However, the consumption of food by citizens, more numerous than the military personnel, imposes a significant burden on the logistics. Military personnel are also occupied with guiding people.

“Surely, you don’t intend to actively guide them? Even a large-scale field kitchen—”

Refugees from other countries, one’s own soldiers, the sturdy Dandurg Castle—words connected, and Walm arrived at a single possibility.

“A lure for attraction…”

Walm swallows as he speaks the words. He wanted to believe that it wouldn’t go to such lengths, but the madness of war, the insanity of humans given immunity from rationality, is dark and deep.