Chapter 6: The Impregnable Fortress Drachensburg
“Valzen Ducal Calendar Year 10, July 15 — Outskirts of Drachensburg, Caledon Territory”
[Perspective of Glenn, a Former Foot Soldier Turned Baron]
The advance of the Duke of Valzen was astonishingly smooth.
At the mere sight of the Duke’s war banners, the nobles under Marquis Caledon opened their gates one after another and surrendered like a collapsing avalanche.
It seemed that Reinhardt, having lost his father, no longer possessed the strength to unify the nation.
From atop his horse, the Duke of Valzen looked down at the surrendered nobles and declared generously.
“Very well. I shall pardon you. Your lands shall be secured, so serve loyally under my banner.”
It was a measure almost excessively lenient.
Yet behind it lay cold calculation—to weaken the enemy while seizing territory without unnecessary bloodshed.
However, that rapid advance came to an abrupt halt before Drachensburg.
Towering walls that seemed to pierce the heavens and multiple layers of moats surrounded it.
The grandeur built by generations of the Caledon family was enough to crush the will of any attacker.
And then, the true nightmare crept in from somewhere other than the battlefield.
The “Black Death.”
Throughout the night camp, the agonized groans of soldiers and the sounds of them coughing up blood echoed without end.
Mixed with the smoke of cooking fires, the stench of death drifted in from somewhere.
It was no longer a matter of battle.
All we could do was maintain the siege around Drachensburg.
It was during such a stalemate, one afternoon—
The gates of Drachensburg creaked open slowly.
What appeared was a single rider.
On the mane of the white horse was a black mourning band, showing respect for the late marquis.
On the rider’s chest, the crest of the fading House Caledon glimmered faintly in silver thread.
“Oh? Bold indeed. Glenn, what do you make of it?”
The Duke of Valzen, who had fortunately avoided the plague, asked me from atop his horse.
Without taking my eyes off the approaching rider, I answered.
“Yes, my lord. It is certainly bold. I detect no hostility. I believe we should receive him courteously as a messenger.”
“Very well.”
The man halted his horse before our camp and bowed respectfully from atop it.
“It is an honor to meet you, Duke of Valzen. I am Gerhart von Caledon, acting guardian to the current Marquis, Lord Reinhardt.”
“And what business do you have, Count Gerhart? Have you come as a messenger of surrender?”
At the Duke’s provocative question, Count Gerhart quietly shook his head.
“No. As you can see, this land is now ruled not by men, but by disease. Any further battle will only spill meaningless blood on both sides. Would you not consider withdrawing your troops and agreeing to a truce?”
Hearing those words, the Duke of Valzen and I exchanged glances.
In the end, a ceasefire agreement was concluded.
The lands of the nobles who had surrendered before Drachensburg were formally placed under the Duke of Valzen’s control.
For House Caledon, it must have been a bitter decision.
They could not accept back those who had betrayed them, nor did they have the strength to overturn the Duke’s dominance.
As a compromise, it was the only option.
Thus, we withdrew our forces from Drachensburg.
On the return journey, we parted ways with the Duke’s main army at my town—though it was still too crude to truly be called a town—”Glennfilt.”
At parting, the Duke called me over and spoke in a low voice.
“Glenn. This war is not yet over.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Keep watch over Drachensburg and those nobles who surrendered. There is no guarantee they will not bare their fangs again. With that ‘luck’ of yours, find any signs of unrest before they surface.”
It was as if he was entrusting me with the defense of this land as a new border.
I silently watched as the Duke of Valzen’s black cloak disappeared into the distance.
(A frontier watchman… huh.)
From foot soldier to baron, and now to guardian of the border.
My life was being swept into a raging current at an unbelievable speed, regardless of my own will.
Yet, in the midst of that current, I could truly feel that I was alive.