Chapter 405: Abandoned Fortress Kingdom

The walk from the general’s hall into the heart of Delwig was quieter than Damien expected. Soldiers patrolled in ordered formations, smithies clanged in the distance, and the sharp scent of steel and smoke lingered in the air, but there was none of the noise and chaos that marked Greshan or other frontier cities.

Delwig’s streets were clean, its walls seamless, its gates fortified thrice over. Even the ordinary citizens who passed by walked with straight backs and measured steps, as though they, too, bore some silent discipline.

Captain Apnoch led them at a steady pace. His hand rested casually near the hilt of his blade, though Damien could tell the man didn’t walk so much as patrol. Every corner of his gaze measured exits, angles, and threat vectors.

“You’ve got questions,” Apnoch said suddenly, without looking back.

Damien raised a brow. “Do I?”

“You’re sharp-eyed. I can feel you sizing up the streets, the gates, the walls. Wondering why a place like this is called the abandoned fortress kingdom.”

Damien gave a small smirk. “If you already know, then answer it.”

Lyone, walking a step behind, tilted his head. “Why abandoned? It doesn’t look abandoned at all.”

For the first time since they’d met, Apnoch’s face softened slightly. There was pride there, but also a trace of old bitterness. He slowed his steps so they could walk more closely together.

“Then listen. Because if you’re to stay in Delwig—even for a day—you should know why we carry that name.”

He gestured around them. “A hundred and fifty years ago, Delwig was nothing more than a minor province in the empire. Small. Not particularly wealthy. Not particularly important. But our lord—the ruler of this province—saw what others didn’t.”

Apnoch’s voice carried like the rhythm of a soldier marching.

“The empire grew fat on trade, gold, and farms. Their cities were built on prosperity, not resilience. But our lord chose another path. He poured every scrap of resource into fortifications. Walls upon walls, layered with runes, reinforced by the greatest stonecutters and artificers of the age. Where other rulers bought luxury, he bought iron. Where others fattened their fields, he built barriers.

“The rest of the empire mocked us. Called us paranoid. Wasteful. Said we were building a fortress for ghosts.”

Lyone frowned. “But those walls…”

Apnoch nodded grimly. “They saved us. When the Great Horde of mana beasts descended—hundreds of thousands, powerful enough to wipe entire provinces—the empire panicked. They couldn’t defend every city. And so…” He clenched his jaw. “The emperor sacrificed us.”

Arielle’s eyes narrowed. “He left you to die.”

“Yes. His decree was simple: ’Delwig is expendable.’ The capital sent no reinforcements, no supplies. We were written off as bait to slow the horde while the empire rallied around its richer provinces.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Even Damien’s jaw tightened faintly.

Apnoch’s tone darkened, carrying the weight of memory handed down through generations. “Our lord rode to the capital, demanding answers. For his defiance, he was banished—stripped of recognition, stripped of titles. He returned to Delwig branded a traitor.”

Lyone’s fists balled. “That’s—”

“—the empire,” Apnoch interrupted flatly. “We expected to die. The horde fell upon us. Hundreds of thousands of beasts, claw and fang and essence enough to blacken the sky. But our lord had prepared for this. The walls held. Rune after rune flared to life. Arrow slits poured fire and lightning. The beasts crashed upon Delwig’s stones like waves against a cliff—and broke.”

His lips curved into something like a smile.

“The empire thought we would be erased. But when the dust cleared, Delwig still stood. Our walls unbroken. Our people alive. The horde, denied our blood, turned aside and ravaged the empire’s other provinces. Cities far richer than ours burned while we endured.”

Arielle’s voice was low, thoughtful. “So the empire abandoned you, but you survived.”

“Exactly.” Pride edged Apnoch’s voice. “Since that day, we’ve never once thought of ourselves as part of the empire. We are Delwig. The abandoned fortress kingdom. Left to die, but unyielding.”

They turned a corner then, and Damien caught sight of Delwig’s inner wall: a monstrous barrier of blackstone thicker than any he’d ever seen, etched with runes that pulsed faintly even in daylight. It was no mere wall. It was a statement.

Damien chuckled softly. “So that’s why the general called it that.”

Apnoch glanced back, meeting Damien’s gaze. “General Ivaan’s grandfather fought that day. Every man and woman here is raised with that memory. We build our lives upon the stones our ancestors defended.”

Lyone’s eyes shone. “It’s… amazing. You weren’t abandoned. You proved stronger.”

Apnoch’s smile was faint but proud. “Yes. And never again will we rely on another to protect us. Delwig stands alone. Delwig endures.”

They continued in silence for a while, each of them turning over the weight of the story. The streets narrowed as they neared the district set aside for honored guests.

Soldiers saluted Apnoch as they passed, and the captain acknowledged each one with the brief nod of a commander who knew every face.

Finally, Apnoch stopped before a fortified guesthouse. Stone walls, rune-etched doors, and windows reinforced with steel lattice. “Here. You’ll be safe here. Food, warmth, and guards at your call. The general meant his word.”

Damien regarded the building, then the captain. “You’re loyal.”

Apnoch inclined his head. “Delwig gave me life. My sword belongs to it. But I’ll tell you this too, mercenary—” His eyes narrowed faintly. “If your theory about these demon experiments proves true, and it threatens my kingdom, then I don’t care who you are or what you chase. You’ll stand with us. Or you’ll be against us.”

Damien didn’t flinch. He only smiled faintly. “That’s fair.”

Apnoch held his gaze for a moment longer before turning sharply. “Rest. Tomorrow, Delwig’s world will open to you.”

He strode away, boots echoing against the stone.

Damien watched him go, then exhaled softly. “An abandoned fortress kingdom…” He looked up at the towering walls, unbroken and defiant. “Seems to me, it was never abandoned at all.”

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