Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Ghosts of the Past (6)
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The Assault Hall decided to close its doors for a while.
It was because they had narrowed down Frostblade's destination, and now they needed to pursue him.
A discussion broke out about how to chase after Frostblade.
"Considering the time since Frostblade left, he's put a significant distance between us. Even if we pursue now, we might be too late."
"At least we can predict the routes he'll take."
After much debate and counterarguments, the plan to send the majority after him was scrapped.
Moving as a large group wasn't efficient.
>Above all, speed was crucial, and traveling together would slow them down.
The conclusion was that sending small elite teams, each going alone, might actually be faster.
"Then we need to decide who's going where."
Sidor spoke up first.
"The paths have been narrowed down to a few, but we can't ignore any of them."
"The main road straight to the north is fast, but I recall monsters have taken hold there."
There were multiple routes from the south to the Empire.
The path Irena and I had taken to the south was along the main road.
We'd cleared monsters along the way.
Individually, they were laughably weak, but by southern standards, they were formidable foes.
"That said, he won't choose the mountain paths."
"He's dragging Luella along. He might like hiding, but the moment his mobility is hindered, he's in danger. Plus, mountain beasts would be a burden for him too."
Hugo, who had been silently crossing his arms, finally spoke.
"There's also the river route heading north by boat. But you'd need to charter a vessel, and waterways are easy to get lost on. He might buy time there."
As opinions flew back and forth, a brief silence fell over the room.
I slowly withdrew my gaze and summarized.
"Not just anyone can go. They need to be able to match Frostblade and subdue him if necessary."
If they encountered him, those who did would have to take him down.
Just spotting him wouldn't mean anything.
After some thought, I made my decision.
Divide into three teams.
It was an objective judgment based on Frostblade's forces.
"Sidor, Lu, and Gir—you three go first. Pick your partners."
In the end, they selected eleven people.
But scattering everyone individually was too reckless.
Considering his speed, blocking all routes was impossible.
I divided the personnel into three groups.
The vanguard would push their horses to the limit, racing ahead to block the paths.
The pursuit team would track traces and prepare to link up with the vanguard.
The support team would handle supplies and communications.
It was essential to ensure the chase didn't break even if they failed.
"This fight isn't about capturing him—it's about buying time. If one team can't hold him, the next must take over. We have to protect Luella that way."
By overworking the horses and riding day and night, there was a chance.
If they encountered him, they'd attempt to subdue him—but if they failed, others would pursue.
Time was short.
They had to depart immediately after selecting personnel to barely make it.
They packed only the bare minimum and finished preparations.
As I was checking the warhorses, Franz approached and casually spoke.
"Looks like you're moving in a hurry. Was she that important?"
That important.
We hadn't spent that much time together.
Yet if asked if she was important, I thought yes.
She wasn't someone I'd known for long.
Even so, Luella had done her utmost for me.
That alone was enough.
"Yeah."
To my response, Franz's reply was extremely simple.
"Human of you."
"I'm human."
Franz stared blankly at me, then chuckled and nodded.
A reaction like he'd heard an unexpected answer.
Hesitating as if choosing his words, Franz soon pulled a letter from his bosom.
"Take this to the Belfern Ducal House. It'll help you. If your guess is right, he's heading that way—the fastest route."
>Belfern Ducal House.
If the north had Nordelheim, the south had Belfern.
>I recalled that during the Ereveon subjugation in the north, the Belfern Ducal House had sent their knight order.
As a result, all but three regular knights had been wiped out.
Checking the letter, it bore Franz's personal seal.
I tucked it away and turned to him.
"Why give me this?"
Franz grinned even at that.
"Because I'm human."
The same words I'd thrown back at him earlier.
I studied his face for a moment, trying to grasp his true intent.
The tattoos covering half his face twisted like writhing shadows.
Truth be told, I didn't know Franz well.
Our connections were just a few intense encounters on the battlefield—nothing more.
I couldn't read his intentions perfectly, but I was certain there was no malice.
"No special reason. Just doing what I can. Maybe camaraderie from old frontline comrades."
"I'll repay this favor someday."
"No need. Instead, mind if I borrow your Assault Hall?"
"…"
I stopped what I was doing and stared at Franz.
Franz's face overlapped with that of the dead soldier.
For an instant, killing intent leaked out, chilling the air around us.
Realizing too late his explanation was lacking, Franz waved his hands.
"Ah, not for kid games. It won't be that tough."
Just raid the base, kill the leader, and done, Franz laughed.
"Just thinking of staying here until the signal comes. 'Borrow' was the wrong word—'stay' fits better. My mistake."
He didn't seem to have bad intentions, nor would it harm the Assault Hall.
A soldier's instinct from shared battlefields, perhaps.
I couldn't pinpoint it, but that's how it felt.
"Do as you like."
After saying that, I hesitated briefly before adding,
"Without causing damage."
Franz let out a small laugh.
I left him behind and mounted my warhorse.
In the distance, Irena and the other instructors were waving.
"If he's heading to the Belfern Ducal House, the Empress might be behind it. Belfern is an imperial family. Just a hunch from someone who was once a guest of Belfern."
As I set out, Franz muttered behind me.
His voice was so low, no one but me could hear.
"And… yeah. Don't take those things too much to heart."
Franz looked up at me, his gaze misaligned.
His focus was subtly off.
It was like he was looking at me, yet also at something else not here.
As if he knew it was there without seeing it, fixing his eyes on it.
I twisted my body slightly.
His gaze didn't follow.
Proof that even as he advised me not to dwell on it, he himself couldn't.
"…Advice?"
"Something like that."
"I'll keep it in mind."
I spurred my horse and joined the pre-prepared group.
The original plan was to divide into three teams to pursue Frostblade.
But after hearing Franz, I decided to tweak it slightly.
This plan was a gamble enough as is.
If it failed, there'd be no turning back.
I needed a contingency for failure.
'Knowing the destination and the backer should keep us from the worst.'
As I adjusted my saddle, I spoke one last time.
"The pursuit proceeds as planned. But I'm going to Belfern."
Silence fell around me as I finished.
Irena narrowed her eyes and asked,
"…Alone?"
I nodded, pulling out the letter Franz had given me.
The sealed emblem gleamed red in the torchlight.
"We need to prepare for if the plan fails. If we don't reach the Empire first, catching Frostblade won't matter."
Sidor immediately objected.
"Then at least take one or two—"
"No."
I cut him off.
"Vanguard, pursuit, support—none can be lax. Splitting further will collapse everything."
That was what I said, but my true reason lay deeper.
Luella's disappearance stemmed from her intent to help me.
The moment I thought that, I knew no one else could bear this burden in my place.
There were strategic and political justifications too.
Vanguard, pursuit, support—none could be lax.
Pulling more personnel risked total collapse.
Besides, Belfern was under the Empress's influence.
If the Empress was truly behind it, moving as a group was too risky.
Irena took a breath and said lowly,
"You haven't fully recovered yet."
"That's why I'm going."
Logic alone might not convince them fully.
But no more excuses were needed.
It wasn't mere choice—it was my stubborn resolve.