The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 107

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (107)

“….”

Belkain silently looked down at the map spread wide before him.

Among it all, his gaze was fixed on Aikuled, located at the center of Helikel Gorge and Lake Elvarfiel.

If they could only break through the gorge and take that place, the Empire would be able to establish a bridgehead for advancing into the Northern Region.

However, despite shedding so much blood and making sacrifices until now, the Empire had never possessed all three of these regions at once.

“Huu….”

A rare sigh escaped from Belkain’s lips.

Though he was called the Ogre of Benhard and had only shown an iron-like appearance, even he couldn’t help but feel tense this time.

Just then, the barracks door opened and Claw entered.

“Are you alright, Legion Commander?”

At those words, Belkain briefly withdrew his gaze and nodded.

“Things just won’t fall into place.”

“This seems to be the first time I’ve seen you like this.”

He had been by Belkain’s side for a long time.

But this anxious appearance seemed to be a first even in Claw’s memory.

However, at those words, Belkain once again turned his gaze to the map where Aikuled was marked.

“How long has it been since the Special Unit entered that place?”

“A little over a month.”

“A month….”

Despite quite some time having passed, there had been no message or… signal whatsoever.

That meant the operation had a high possibility of failure.

“It’s not a place that changes just by wasting time.”

Belkain unconsciously muttered the words that were inside him.

He had been thinking about deploying large-scale forces even now to push through with strength.

But if that happened, the Kar Tribe would also respond immediately and concentrate their forces in Aikuled.

In the end, only more blood would be shed, and he couldn’t guarantee that the results could be completely changed.

If clashes occurred in the narrow pass of the gorge, or if an avalanche happened, they would have to bear all that damage themselves.

That’s why he chose the path of breaking through by striking the enemy’s weak points with a small number of elite troops.

Those who comprised this Special Unit were individuals with outstanding abilities that could be counted on one hand even in the Northern Region.

He believed that they would succeed, but….

‘If by any chance….’

If they failed, it seemed it would be difficult to find any more hope on this front.

Claw remained silent while watching Belkain, who was silently staring at the map.

Though heavy air pressed down inside the barracks, there was nothing they could do but trust and wait for now.

But just then.

“L-Legion Commander!”

An administrative soldier who had rushed in urgently was breathing heavily as he saluted.

His voice was trembling, and his eyes were extremely urgent, unlike usual.

Belkain turned his head and asked him.

“What’s the matter?”

At those words, the administrative soldier caught his breath and looked at Belkain.

“Th-that is…!”

And at his following words.

“…What did you say?”

The eyes of both Belkain and Claw who were present began to shake greatly.

*    *    *

In the quiet stillness.

Only the sound of the Imperial flag fluttering loudly along with the swirling snowstorm covered the gorge.

Even in the snow-obscured vision, the pattern carved on the flag was clearly visible.

The Special Unit.

Even those comprised of the most notable individuals in the Northern Region seemed unable to believe the current situation, as they caught their breath while looking at that flag.

“…Lord Lucael.”

Isaac called out quietly.

However, Lucael raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

“You don’t need to say it, Captain Isaac. This is… what we have actually accomplished.”

His gaze rested on the flag.

Finally, from Helikel Gorge to Lake Elvarfiel and even to Aikuled….

They had placed the three strategic points that penetrated the Northern Region under the Imperial flag.

This was an unprecedented triumph even in the Empire’s long history.

And the flag fluttering in the snowfall was proving this moment.

Step.

Then Lucael turned his head to look toward Arteon.

Lucael, who had taken a step closer to him, stood in front of Arteon.

“Lieutenant Arteon.”

Lucael bowed his head respectfully.

“All of this is thanks to you. You’ve accomplished something truly remarkable.”

Arteon blinked his eyes as if surprised, but soon shook his head and answered.

“No, sir. It was only possible because Lord Lucael arrived on time.”

“It was quite difficult. I had to catch that sound in the very brief moment when the signal flare went off.”

Hearing the sound of a distant signal flare inside a gorge where snowstorms were raging would be impossible with ordinary senses.

Especially if it was only for a short time of 1-2 seconds.

Then Iryakl’s eyes, who had been listening to those words nearby, wavered.

“…Was it not a mistake that the signal flare was cut off by Kereilkarun?”

“It was planned. That way those guys would definitely let their guard down.”

Isaac answered.

At his words, Iryakl couldn’t hide his surprised expression as he looked back and forth between Lucael and Arteon.

He never even expected that there would be such detail in this operation.

Wasn’t this truly insane?

Of course, that’s why they could succeed.

But just then.

Poke!

Pweril, who was beside him, firmly poked his side.

Iryakl said “ah” and respectfully bowed his head while looking at Arteon.

“Thanks to you, I was able to save Iruakan. I will definitely repay this debt.”

Arteon tilted his head questioningly.

“Where are you planning to go now?”

“We have to leave. We’re not welcome anywhere, neither with the Kar Tribe nor the Empire.”

The fate of the Chevilk Tribe had always been like that.

Though they were in the Northern Region’s Kar Tribe camp, they weren’t recognized as Kar Tribe, and from the Empire’s standpoint, they could only be enemies.

Arteon was well aware of Iryakl and Pweril’s circumstances.

And after seeming to contemplate something for a moment, he soon tore his sleeve and quickly wrote something there.

Then he handed the cloth with the memo to Iryakl.

“Go to the place written here and hand over this note. Then they’ll arrange a place for you to stay.”

“…Why are you showing me such kindness?”

“Being able to make this operation successful was because of your help.”

Without Iryakl, it would have been a method they couldn’t even attempt in the first place.

And honestly, aside from this method, he couldn’t think of any way to take Aikuled without such sacrifices.

At that, Iryakl stared intently at Arteon.

Whether Kar Tribe or Imperial Army.

He couldn’t trust either side, but.

‘This person though….’

He thought it might be okay to trust him just once.

Iryakl nodded his head.

“Thank you, if I get the chance to repay this later, I will definitely do so.”

“Thank you.”

Pweril also bowed her head deeply, expressing her gratitude.

Soon after the two disappeared into the snowstorm, the remaining unit members fell into silence for a moment.

Then Arteon turned his head uncomfortably and spoke.

“I’m sorry. I seem to have acted presumptuously.”

Lucael asked back with a puzzled face.

“What do you mean? What just happened? Didn’t Lieutenant Arteon magnificently succeed in this operation all by himself?”

Isaac smiled tactfully and immediately chimed in.

“Of course. The merit of jumping into enemy territory alone and holding out until we arrived must definitely be reported so he can receive a reward. Don’t you all agree?”

“That’s right!”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to the Lieutenant!”

As if they had collectively erased their memories of the Chevilk Tribe, everyone shouted nonchalantly.

Arteon looked at their faces for a moment, then bowed his head with a faint smile.

“…Thank you.”

Lucael raised his voice from where he stood.

“Now, there’s no time to be lost in sentiment. We must inform the other side of the gorge of this victory and completely secure this place before the enemies swarm in. Move out!”

“Yes, understood!”

At Lucael’s command, the soldiers began to move hurriedly.

And in the midst of that bustle.

“….”

One soldier caught Arteon’s eye.

He seemed to be limping slightly as if injured in the leg, yet was trying his best not to show it.

Arteon approached him.

“Are you hurt?”

“Ah, Lieutenant Arteon. I’m fine, it’s just a scratch.”

Teobalt stopped in place at the sight of Arteon and spoke hastily.

In response, Arteon.

Riiip!

Tore the fabric of his sleeve and tied it around Teobalt’s thigh.

It wasn’t deep, but it wouldn’t be good to leave a wound exposed in this kind of cold.

“Don’t overdo it and take care of your body first if you want to live long.”

“…What?”

“Never mind, get back to what you were doing.”

Arteon stood up and turned around.

He would have liked to take this guy with him. But….

‘Where I’m going now… there are too many dangerous things.’

It would repeat again.

He might not last long and die.

Then Arteon immediately headed toward Lucael.

“Captain Lucael.”

“What is it?”

“Shamelessly, may I ask just one favor?”

“…?”

Lucael made a puzzled expression and turned toward Arteon.

His serious expression suggested this wasn’t something to be heard casually.

Lucael said.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Could you take Corporal Teobalt under your wing?”

“…Corporal Teobalt?”

Lucael’s gaze turned toward where Teobalt was.

He was certainly a soldier he had been keeping an eye on as well.

‘I thought there might be some connection….’

It seemed like he and Arteon knew each other.

Lucael asked.

“Why is that?”

“He’s a soldier I owe a debt of heart to. Though he probably doesn’t know it.”

“Is there some story behind it?”

“Yes.”

Though he couldn’t tell it.

Lucael seemed to think for a moment at Arteon’s expression.

“Very well. He seems like a soldier with potential anyway.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

When Arteon bowed his head in greeting, Lucael shook his head.

“Not at all. I can’t give you a separate reward, but if this puts your mind at ease, I can do it gladly.”

Wasn’t he the greatest contributor to the recapture of Aikuled?

Lucael then looked at Arteon and said.

“I hope we can work together again later.”

“It was an honor to work together.”

Arteon clenched his right fist and lightly placed it on his left chest.

Soon after Lucael patted Arteon’s shoulder and left.

“…Is this it then.”

Arteon muttered while looking toward where Teobalt was.

He didn’t know what would happen in the future.

‘If he’s under Captain Lucael, he should be able to grow significantly.’

Then couldn’t they meet again someday?

Swoosh.

Arteon turned his head to look once again at the Imperial Flag planted in the center of the Kar Tribe’s Camp.

It struck him anew.

‘Did I really… pull it off?’

An absurd achievement that no one in the Empire’s history had ever accomplished.

Arteon had contributed all the merit in recapturing the three strategic points.

His past life.

And when he started his new life, he never thought he could do something like this.

Finally, the Northern Region where the Kar Tribe’s Main Base was located.

Now that he had laid the foundation to advance there.

‘Surely….’

‘They’ must have started moving from Central as well.

Arteon’s eyes looking north settled with complexity yet calmness.

*    *    *

The Imperial Capital.

A carriage quickly entered a magnificent manor in the Central Area.

Soon the person who got off the carriage secretly entered the mansion and immediately moved to a prepared room.

Click.

Thick curtains hung heavily, blocking even the wind.

These were two people who rarely had occasion to sit face to face, but given the urgency of the matter, they had to hurry.

Jaikl Mion, the head of the Mion Obdisia Trading Guild, and Count Basirio Rosenbarch.

In the silence that pressed down on the air, it was Basilio who spoke first.

“Helikel Gorge and Elvarfiel Lake… and finally even Aikuled.”

His voice was heavily subdued.

“All have fallen into the Empire’s hands.”

At his words, Jaikle’s eyes flashed, but he listened without speaking.

Basilio caught his breath for a moment, then spoke in an even lower, colder voice.

“Because of that incident, all of Central’s attention is focused on the Northern Region. Thanks to this, the First Prince’s forces are riding high and even trying to send additional troops to the north. At this rate, all the achievements will belong to the First Prince…”

He set down his cup and narrowed his eyes.

“In the end, we’ll completely hand over the initiative.”

Jaikle asked in a low voice.

“Have you confirmed… who made the greatest contribution in this Aikuled recapture?”

“It’s not certain yet, but from what I’ve learned, it’s Lukael Hargail. And Isaac Duraik, who distinguished himself at Helikel Gorge, formed a unit together with him.”

The corner of Jaikle’s mouth twisted subtly. Basilio continued.

“There’s one more… there was a boy soldier. He’s called Arteon, I hear.”

In an instant, thick veins bulged on Jaikle’s forehead.

And his expression hardened like stone.

“…Did you say Arteon?”

The name he had tried to eliminate directly by mobilizing Nocturne.

However, that incident had failed due to the intervention of a mysterious group, and in the process, over 30% of Nocturne’s forces had been lost.

That incident had left a deep scar on Jaikle’s pride.

“If we can’t eliminate them before it’s too late…”

Suddenly Jaikle’s voice dropped coldly.

“They will become an irreversible obstacle for us in the future.”

Basilio countered with a stern face.

“But I hear Lukael has already surpassed the 5th Star realm. The one who could face him is…”

Though his words trailed off, Jaikle shook his head firmly.

“We can’t wait any longer. And…”

He looked at Basilio with serious eyes.

“Lord Belakroad will not give us any more chances.”

The moment that name was spoken, Basilio’s shoulders trembled slightly.

The Second Prince, Belakroad Aurelian.

Though he had remained silent and watched until now, his brutal nature made it impossible to know when he might draw his blade.

A moment of silence passed, and the two men’s gazes clashed heavily.

“…We must hurry.”

“I’ll start preparations first. Count, please find someone who can face Lukael.”

Basilio nodded heavily.

The heavy tension that had settled pressed down on both men’s shoulders.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————