The Forgotten Meadow · 03. February 2026

TFM 43

Chapter 43

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Talia stared in utter terror at the black form revealed beneath the fading sunlight.

The massive, scaled body coiled like a volcano about to erupt, then shot skyward. Perched atop it, a huge reptilian head glared down at them, its red eyes flashing.

Talia's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. As the monster, which had been exhaling hot breath, spread its wings encased in black membranes, the entire world seemed enveloped in pitch-black darkness.

Varkas drew his sword and shouted in a sharp voice.

"Prepare the extermination equipment immediately!"

The moment his order fell, knights burst forth from the panicked, scattering crowd.

They surrounded the monster, drove iron stakes into the ground, and attached thick chains to their ends. Soon after, dozens of steel harpoons flew like arrows toward the monster's massive body.

Talia covered her ears. A thunderous roar erupted from the monster's mouth, its head raised high.

Each time the massive body, bound by dozens of chains, twisted violently, the ground shook. Several stakes, unable to withstand the force, were torn out and flew into the air.

"Everyone, get back!"

The cry echoed thunderously as the monster, having broken free, violently swung one wing.

Talia screamed. The monster's wingbeat swept away several tents, flinging a few unsuspecting servants like pieces of paper.

One of their bodies rolled toward her, twisted at an unnatural angle. It felt like a nightmare.

"Bring more equipment!"

Varkas's rough voice barely held onto her fading consciousness. Talia forced strength into her trembling legs and struggled to her feet. With a face drained of spirit, she watched as Varkas charged like a flash of lightning toward the savage, rampaging beast.

He was hurtling toward the enormous maw of a monster whose torso alone appeared to easily exceed thirty cubits (approximately 9 meters).

"Varkas!"

The cry of his name burst from her lips like a scream, the very instant the monster's wing lashed out toward Varkas like a whip.

Talia watched the scene with eyes frozen in terror.

A black wing, vast enough to cover the sky, instantly enveloped Varkas's body. His world turned completely pitch black. But in the next instant, the pale blade held in Varkas' hand sliced through the thick membrane like paper.

In a flash, Varkas severed the monster's wing horizontally, then cut through the thick bundle of muscles connecting it to the torso.

The creature, losing one wing in the blink of an eye, lost its balance and staggered violently.

Seizing the opening, Varkas drew a chain scythe from his waist and hurled its hook-shaped blade into the hideous maw, filled with jagged, needle-like teeth. He then slid sideways, flinging himself toward a stake fixed to the floor. He connected the chain to the stake and yanked it savagely.

The monster, its lower jaw impaled on the chain sickle, collapsed lifelessly like a fish hooked on a fishing line. Talia gaped in astonishment at the monstrous strength emanating from his body so slender and lithe it seemed impossible for such power to come from it.

Gripping the iron chain with both hands, Varkas shouted loudly to his men.

"Finish it!"

Dozens of harpoons instantly pierced the monster's body.

The beast, covered in black scales, writhed its house-sized body in desperate resistance, but it was helpless against the furious barrage of attacks.

In an instant, the creature, now resembling a hedgehog, hung limp on the ground, its tongue hanging out. Only then could Talia exhale the breath she had been holding.

"Are you all right?"

A guard knight, who had rushed over from somewhere, looked down at her with concern. He too held a sword in one hand, likely having rushed to the battlefield while searching for her.

The man hastily sheathed his blade and reached out to help her up.

Talia roughly pushed his hand away and approached Varkas, who was retrieving equipment from the monster's carcass.

Varkas, who had been winding a tangled chain around one hand, glanced up, his eyes alone moving to scan her from head to toe. Even though his gaze was dry, as if assessing the condition of the item he'd been handed, no anger flared in that moment. Talia found herself asking in an anxious voice.

"Are you... okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

As she scrutinized him with trembling eyes, she noticed a dark red bloodstain smeared across his neck.

Talia reached out and touched his neck. Fortunately, it didn't seem to be Varkas' blood. Just as she exhaled a sigh of relief, a sudden stinging sensation pricked the top of her head.

Lifting her gaze, Talia found Varkas staring down at her with slightly widened eyes and quickly lowered her arm.

His silence made cold sweat break out from her pores. Was it absurd that the woman who had spent every day hitting his face or throwing things at him was now pretending to be concerned? Stammering with a flustered expression, Talia muttered as if making excuses.

"If... someone you've known for nearly ten years were to... happen to something right before your eyes, it would make your dreams restless, wouldn't it? I don't want to have nightmares because of you."

"…………It's fortunate, then, that I won't be appearing in Your Highness's dreams."

His usual, irritatingly sharp retort somehow brought a wave of relief.

Talia, who had been overly tense, slumped her shoulders, complaining of stiffness.

Just as Varkas, watching her silently, was about to say something, screams echoed again from the distance. Talia turned her head and gasped sharply. The sky was completely covered by black monsters.

The guard knight muttered, his face blank with shock.

"Why would a wyvern swarm come at this time...?"

"No time for wondering! Get the extermination gear! Your Highness, come this way."

Varkas, regaining his composure immediately, barked orders in a sharp voice. He grabbed her wrist and strode briskly across the camp.

Talia pressed close to his back, moving her legs so fast her soles felt like they were on fire. The stench of blood and the smell of fire hung heavy in the air.

Chaos. The chaos she had waited and waited for had finally erupted.

But there was no room for joy. Only a terror that felt like freezing blood coursed through her veins.

"Shiokan! We've set up a defensive wall over there!"

As she watched in horror the monsters smashing wagons and tents indiscriminately, someone shouted loudly.

Varkas immediately turned toward the sound.

"Do not leave this spot under any circumstances."

Varkas led the half-fainting woman to the center of the camp and spoke in a firm tone.

Talia turned her head to look around. Dozens of supply wagons were lined up like a wall, and a group of people had taken shelter in front of them.

"Defensive magic devices are installed on the wagons. You'll be safe here."

"What about you? What are you going to do?"

Ignoring her question, Varkas turned away immediately.

Talia grabbed him urgently.

"Are you crazy? Where do you think you're going now!"

The defensive magic wouldn’t last long. They must deal with the monsters before it faded.