Chapter 383: Defend the Frostgrave Fortress (3)

[Evrard’s POV]

Staring toward the northern horizon, Evrard watched colossal black flora loom in the distance, their twisted, grotesque silhouettes clawing against the sky. Witnessing the aberrant sight, an inexplicable dread coiled in his chest, primal and suffocating.

’What in the heavens is that...?’

Commander Fajarn stopped beside him and followed his gaze, his jaw tightening slightly.

"Those things first appeared three days ago, My Lord. According to the northern watch, there was nothing there the night before, but by sunrise... several of them had already broken through the ground."

Evrard slowly turned his head toward him, frowning.

"They grew that large overnight?" His voice remained calm, but the weight of Fajarn’s words slowly settled in.

"I’m afraid that is what the watchmen reported," Fajarn replied, his expression turning grim. "At first, we thought they were some manner of northern flora brought forth by shifting mana currents, perhaps nothing more than a rare natural phenomenon."

He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze hardening. "But afterward, the soldiers suddenly began falling ill, one after another."

"How soon after the plants appeared?" Evrard asked grimly.

"The first cases began the following morning," Fajarn answered, rubbing his thumb against the hilt of his sword. "It started with headaches, restless sleep, and difficulty focusing, then some of the men grew weak and strangely withdrawn."

His gaze hardened as he added, "By yesterday, even veteran soldiers were struggling to stay alert during their watches."

A cold silence settled between them for several seconds. Evrard looked back toward the northern fields, his eyes tracing each towering shape in the distance.

"And our healers found nothing?"

Fajarn shook his head.

"No, My Lord. Strangely enough, it was neither poison nor any known infection." His expression darkened. "Frankly, I wish it were. At least then, we would know what we were treating."

"I see."

Evrard fell quiet, his gaze lingering on the distant growths as he weighed the report. "What about the plants themselves? Do we know what they are?"

Seeing the commander’s expression, he already suspected the answer.

"We searched every record kept in the Averenthia Bestiary Codex, including the old northern field guides and the military archives," Fajarn replied gravely.

"Yet none of our scholars or field researchers have seen anything matching them, and there is no known species with that shape or growth pattern. As far as we can determine, those plants do not belong to anything currently recorded within this kingdom."

Evrard’s expression darkened further.

"We cannot keep guessing from behind these walls," Evrard said at last, his voice turning firm. "Prepare a scouting party and send them north to examine the nearest growth, but they are not to touch anything without proper protection."

His steely gaze remained fixed on the distant plants.

"I want samples if they can be retrieved safely. Before we make any further move, we need to determine exactly what those things are."

Fajarn gave a sharp nod and placed one fist against his chest.

"I have already selected six men from the northern scouts, all experienced with hostile terrain. They can depart within the hour."

Just then, before Lord Evrard could speak further, he sensed a formidable presence descending from above the fortress. Commander Fajarn noticed it as well, both men tensing as their gazes snapped upward.

Cutting through the cold northern air, two figures descended swiftly and landed upon the battlement a short distance away.

Evrard frowned.

"C-Calyra... what are you doing here!?"

*****

[Ruvian’s POV]

Ruvian’s expression had already hardened the moment he saw those enormous, baleful plants. They resembled grotesque, twisted trees, their swollen black trunks riddled with vein-like fissures while crooked branches writhed outward like grasping limbs.

The mere sight of them sent a chill crawling down his spine. Forget their appearance, even with his eyes closed, he could feel the malevolent aura emanating from those plants.

’Dark Mana...’ Ruvian thought grimly.

Landing upon the battlement beside Lord Evrard and Commander Fajarn, Ruvian barely acknowledged either man.

Calyra released his arm as the northern wind tugged violently at their clothes, while Evrard’s brows knitted at the sight of his daughter.

"Calyra, what are you doing here?" Evrard demanded, his voice carrying across the battlement.

Calyra met his stare without flinching. "Ruvian said something was about to happen at Frostgrave Fortress, so I came with him."

Hearing that, Evrard’s expression stiffened.

’Huh?’

His gaze shifted toward Ruvian, suspicion sharpening in his eyes.

’Something is about to happen at Frostgrave Fortress? How did he know? Did I ever mention it?’ℴ

Evrard immediately strode toward Calyra, his expression turning stern.

"Whatever he told you, return to the estate at once. This place is dangerous, and I will not have you standing here while we still do not know what those things—"

Before he could finish, Ruvian cut in, his voice cold.

"A Nightbloom Spawned, a Reaper-Rank Voidspawn."

His eyes never left the distant black growths.

"At least, that is what it should be. But those things are different. It looks like something has twisted the original species into something much worse."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Evrard stopped and turned toward him.

"What did you just say?"

The irritation on his face was gone now, replaced by a deep frown.

Ruvian finally looked at him, his expression hard as a faint glow stirred within his dark blue eyes. He ignored the question and went straight to what mattered.

"When did those plants first appear?"

Hearing the question, Lord Evrard hesitated. He had no intention of involving youngsters or an unfamiliar outsider in this matter, yet for some inexplicable reason, he felt compelled to answer.

And after Lord Evrard reluctantly gave the answer, Ruvian’s expression grew visibly more apprehensive.

Then, he spoke again, his tone grave.

"My Lord, we need to prepare every soldier we have and reinforce every defensive line. Recall the patrols too. Everyone is needed to be ready before nightfall," he paused, his voice dropping ominously.

"A stampede of unnatural Voidspawn is coming tonight." (+500PP)

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[Chapter 383: Defend the Frostgrave Fortress (3)

Plot Points = 303,500