Lord of Caldera - Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Chapter 160

“The Barbarian King took two whole years to conquer this place.”

And it wasn’t as if he had been cautious about it, either. The Barbarian King had used the people from enemy barbarian tribes and northern lords’ territories as human shields. The sacrifices were massive, but that approach allowed him to progress quickly. Despite that, it had still taken two years.

“They probably think they’ve completed around 30% of the dungeon. They’ll be in despair once they know the truth.”

That 30% estimate was based on the assumption that this dungeon was structured like the others. But this dungeon was nothing like those of the past. After all, it was a dungeon designed to entomb an ancient dragon. The number and danger of traps, as well as the depth and length of the dungeon, were on an entirely different scale.

“All we need to do is watch and wish them luck,” Sylas said.

“And then strike when they’re worn down?” Toby asked.

“No.”

“What? Isn’t that the whole reason we baited them with the dungeon?”

Sylas chuckled at Toby’s confusion.

“We’re going to attack Beldaine’s stronghold.”

Lugues’ plan was successful. Though many soldiers had been sacrificed, the progress rate was as expected. Discontent was high, but he kept discipline with both enormous rewards and harsh punishments.

“Just a little more, a little more!”

With each step of progress, Lugues clenched his hands in excitement. In past dungeons, they would have been nearing the end by now. However, as days passed, everyone started noticing something strange.

“By now, we should have reached the treasure vault…”

“Did we miscalculate the length?”

“That can’t be! The distance measurements were accurate!”

They rechecked several times, but it was no mistake. They had ventured deep enough to have reached the vault by now, yet there was no end in sight. Trying to dismiss the creeping unease, someone said, “Maybe this dungeon is just a little longer than the others. We’re surely close to the end.”

“Right…?”

They tried to reassure themselves, especially since traps had become sparse, which usually indicated the end was near. But their hopes were soon shattered.

“Stairs! There’s a staircase leading underground!”

“So? Is the vault down there?”

“No! There’s just another path!”

“What?”

“The dungeon keeps going! There’s no end in sight!”

That was the breaking point. The soldiers completely lost their will to continue. How could they keep risking their lives in a dungeon without even knowing where the treasure was?

“Might as well kill us now!”

“We’re lying here, so go ahead, take our heads if you want!”

In complete despair, the soldiers lay down on the ground. Yet there was no punishment; it wasn’t just the soldiers who had lost hope. The one most devastated was Lugues, who had sacrificed so much.

“This… this can’t be happening. What did I waste all these troops for…?”

Half in a daze, Lugues muttered to himself. The number of trained soldiers was a lord’s strength. Losing so many soldiers meant losing power. He had sacrificed them, believing the rewards from the dungeon would be worth the cost.

“Yet how… how could this be?!”

“My lord, please calm yourself,” a knight urged.

“How can I stay calm?!”

“Now is not the time for despair. We need to withdraw immediately. Don’t forget about Biorn.”

The knight’s words felt like a splash of cold water to Lugues. He hadn’t forgotten Biorn. He had maintained patrols and prepared for any ambush. The problem now was the number of soldiers. Initially, he had an overwhelming force. But now?

“H-How many soldiers do we have left?”

“With the dead and those sent back with serious injuries, not many. The casualties have been heavy.”

Lugues’ face went pale. He still had enough soldiers to face Biorn head-on, but not enough to withstand another ambush as before.

“When did so many die? How did our numbers fall so drastically?”

He knew the answer. It was all due to his own greed, sending his soldiers to die in the dungeon. And now, this was the result. The overwhelming advantage was gone. If Biorn were to attack recklessly, it could even endanger Lugues’ own life.

With his eyes closed tightly, Lugues spoke in a trembling voice. “Prepare to retreat.”

It wasn’t too late. They could still make a stand at the castle. While it would be difficult for him to eliminate Biorn, Biorn wouldn’t be able to take the fortress, either. If he secured the castle and used the dungeon as a bargaining chip with other lords…

“My lord! My lord, urgent news!”

At that moment, a voice shattered his thoughts. Just as a knight was about to reprimand the messenger for his rashness, the messenger, sweating profusely, shouted out in desperation.

“Sir… the castle! Beldaine’s fortress has fallen!”

“What are you saying?” Lugues asked blankly. The news was so absurd that he thought he must have misheard. But the messenger, near tears, repeated the message.

“The fortress has fallen! Enemy forces are now stationed in the territory!”

“That’s impossible!” Lugues shouted, jumping to his feet.

“Even if Bjorn armed every single resident in the territory, it would still take years to breach that fortress! How could it fall in just a month?”

“It’s true, my lord! The banner flying above the fortress bears a different symbol!”

“Ridiculous! Nonsense!”

“My lord,” came a trembling voice. One of his loyal knights tried to calm Lugues down.

“Perhaps you should see for yourself. The fortress isn’t too far from here.”

“Fine! I’ll go see it myself!” Lugues barked, storming out of the tent. He ordered his men, “Prepare my horse! Guards, follow me! We’re returning to the territory for a moment!”

He couldn’t believe the fortress had fallen. Surely, it was just drunken nonsense. Suppressing his growing anxiety, Lugues mounted his horse. The truth would reveal itself soon enough.

“This… can’t be.”

Lugues stared up at the fortress in shock, his eyes trembling. The banner displayed on the walls was not the one he had chosen after becoming lord. It was the symbol his older brother, the former lord, had used—a symbol that Bjorn, his nephew, still cherished despite being exiled.