The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (108)

“We did it! We actually did it!”

Belkain’s fist slowly but firmly clenched.

It was the moment he heard the news of Aikuled’s recapture.

Though he was always calm and coldly perceptive of the battlefield, this time he couldn’t suppress his emotions as they burst forth.

Claw, who was beside him, looked at Belkain with a surprised expression.

It was the first time he had seen the always composed legion commander rejoice so passionately.

It was a scene that proved just how important this achievement was to the Empire and the Northern Region.

Belkain, having caught his breath, asked.

“Has this news reached the Imperial Palace as well?”

Claw immediately answered.

“The messenger stationed at Aikuled departed immediately… They should be aware of the situation by now.”

“I see.”

Belkain’s gaze slowly swept across the map.

Helikel Gorge, Elvarfiel Lake, and Aikuled.

The three points connected in a piercing line, drawing a formation as if the Empire’s hand was extending deep into the Northern Region.

He muttered quietly.

“Now that the Imperial Family knows this fact, they will dispatch reinforcement forces to the Northern Region. Future advances will push forward centered on Helikel Gorge and Elvarfiel. Quickly organize the reporting system.”

“Understood. However, Legion Commander…”

Claw continued speaking while hesitating.

“Regarding this matter, we need to urgently move supplies to Aikuled… There’s a merchant group that has been making contact with us beforehand.”

“…What?”

Belkain’s head slowly turned.

To push forces up above the Northern Front would require unimaginable amounts of supplies.

Weapons and armor, food and drinking water. The Northern Region was a place that required more massive supplies than any other battlefield in the Empire.

It would be impossible to even bring up the topic without considerable quantities.

Belkain asked.

“Have you received a report on what scale of supplies they have secured?”

“It’s enough to immediately supply at least 2 divisions.”

“…”

Having supplies prepared for over ten thousand people was impossible without stockpiling materials for at least several months beforehand.

Moreover, in a situation where even the outcome of the Aikuled battle couldn’t be certain, such an undertaking was nothing short of gambling for a merchant group.

Belkain’s eyes narrowed coldly.

“…Incredible.”

His voice contained both admiration and suspicion.

If it was that scale, it must be a renowned merchant group even within the Empire.

First, he needed to hear what they were demanding.

Soon after, Belkain nodded.

“Let me meet with their representative.”

“You mean personally?”

“This could have a considerably significant impact on future battles.”

Moreover, if they had prepared in advance, their demands might be somewhat excessive.

Proper coordination would be most important…

But soon Belkain asked Claw as if something had occurred to him.

“By the way, what’s the name of that merchant group?”

Claw hesitated for a moment before answering.

“That is…”

Belkain’s expression hardened at the merchant group’s name he had never heard before in his life.

*    *    *

Shadowteon Merchant Guild.

It was a name created by mixing their predecessor Shadow Fang with the name of their benefactor, Arteon.

When starting the merchant group, there were various names, but Rishiven insisted on mixing in Arteon’s name.

Because more than anyone, she felt great gratitude and respect toward Arteon.

She had settled her past of buying and selling information based on thievery and began living a new life.

Moreover, in the early stages of running the merchant group.

Based on Arteon’s advice, she was able to rapidly accumulate funds.

Weapons bought cheaply from the Eastern and Western Regions could fetch quite decent prices in the Northern Region.

Through Arteon’s advice, she paid the greatest attention to the routes for moving supplies to the Northern Region, and above all, she profited by being able to sell at the right timing.

But…

“…”

Rishiven closed the mountain of ledgers and let out a deep sigh.

As heavy silence pressed down on the room, Keyton, who was nearby, quietly spoke.

“…Master, are you alright?”

Rishiven felt the wind passing by outside the window and gazed at it for a moment.

Then, keeping her gaze fixed, she quietly asked back.

“How much… funds remain in the merchant group now?”

“That is…”

Keyton trailed off.

Everyone already knew.

The reality that was too frightening to even confirm with numbers.

They had hired professional personnel to systematize the merchant group’s operations, but that alone couldn’t solve the current situation entirely.

Of course, before the situation reached this point, there had been objections from the professional staff.

‘…It was reckless.’

Rishiven had chosen to trust Arteon’s words and charge straight ahead, looking only forward.

She had certainly thought they could quickly move the inventory like before.

But the result was devastating.

The warehouse was already piled with so many supplies that it couldn’t accommodate any more.

As a result, their funds were already hitting rock bottom.

Keyton carefully continued.

“If by any chance we can’t properly move these supplies… the entire merchant group could collapse.”

Rishiven closed her eyes heavily.

Because she already knew this fact as well.

‘I pushed too hard. It’s all my fault.’

But along with such regret.

‘…Lord Arteon.’

Her faith in him remained unshaken.

Arteon’s words that the Northern Front would change dramatically before long.

When the Empire advanced further north than the current front lines, enormous amounts of supplies would be needed.

Because of this, Rishiven had been steadily gathering information related to the Northern War.

But with the information currently available, she couldn’t guarantee when that would happen.

“Whew.”

Rishiven let out a long sigh.

While the situation wasn’t good, it was true.

“Still, I trust Lord Arteon. Let’s hold out as long as we can.”

“…Understood.”

Keyton bowed his head heavily.

But that was the moment.

“M-Master!”

The door suddenly burst open as a boy came running in.

It was Milo, his chest heaving with breathlessness.

Keyton’s brow furrowed.

“Milo! How many times have I told you to enter politely when you have business with the Master!”

His voice rose as the frustrating situation piled up.

However, Milo didn’t back down and shouted with wide eyes.

“The… the army has contacted us!”

Rishiven shot up from his seat, his voice cracking sharply.

“The army?!”

Milo swallowed hard and continued with difficulty.

“But… a legion commander named Belkain… says he wants to meet the Master directly.”

In an instant, the air froze.

Rishiven’s expression hardened, and Keyton and Milo’s gazes simultaneously focused on Rishiven.

The Ogre of Benhard.

Wasn’t he now called the Iron Legion commander who commanded the entire Northern Region?

But such a supreme commander…

“He wants to meet me directly?”

Milo nodded at that question.

In this unbelievable situation, Rishiven’s mind became complicated about what expression he should make.

*    *    *

The snowstorm between Iculed’s Gorge had subsided.

Of course, the cold that penetrated their bodies remained, but just having the wind blow a little less made it feel much more bearable.

“This way! Move it this way!”

“Put it straight on the left there! It’s about to collapse!”

The Imperial soldiers had crossed over to the opposite side of the gorge where the Kar Tribe had been and were hurriedly constructing a base.

In case the Kar Tribe forces attacked this place again, building a minimal base was the priority.

Among the Imperial soldiers moving busily, Arteon was also sweating as he lifted stones.

“Hup!”

Arteon, who had lifted a large rock several times the size of his head, gritted his teeth and moved toward where they were building the wall.

When he finally set down the stone he had carried, Isaac, who had been watching, approached and spoke to him.

“Does the Hero of Iculed need to do such menial work? We were excluded from this task.”

Arteon wiped his sweat and smiled broadly.

“It’s work that needs to be done quickly. It’s also training at the same time… It’s fine.”

After finishing his words, Arteon lifted another stone and set it down on one side of the base.

Isaac smiled faintly at those words, then silently began carrying stones with Arteon.

“Sh-should we help out a little too?”

“Well… it seems better to move around for training rather than just staying still like this.”

The actions of the two instantly spread to the Special Unit members as well.

Those who had been watching from a distance also came out one by one with shovels and pickaxes to break rocks and shovel dirt.

“…What’s this?”

“Weren’t the Special Unit members excluded from the work?”

When those excluded from work worked harder than others, the existing soldiers also put in more effort and focused on their tasks.

As the work continued, fatigue accumulated, but a strange sense of solidarity was spreading within the base.

“…”

Lucael watched them silently.

Though they had achieved victory, everyone in the Northern Region had no choice but to be cold and indifferent.

The reason was simple.

They couldn’t predict when another battle would break out, and it wouldn’t be strange for anyone to die at any time.

How could there be hope for those who had no tomorrow?

But…

“He’s really quite an unusual fellow, isn’t he?”

Isaac approached and spoke to Lucael.

Lucael nodded at those words.

“He really seems to be.”

However, there was a strange concern reflected in his eyes.

Isaac didn’t miss that expression and asked.

“Is there some problem?”

Lucael hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

“…Captain Isaac.”

“Yes, Sir Lucael.”

Isaac still used honorifics despite being the same rank.

Lucael was already a legendary figure in the Northern Region.

In terms of ability, he was already more than qualified to receive a general’s position.

Wasn’t he someone who had been sacrificed to the Northern Region’s absurdities along with Central Command’s containment?

Perhaps that’s why he knew so well.

Lucael exhaled deeply and brought up a serious matter.

“I don’t want to expose Lieutenant Arteon as much as possible this time.”

Isaac’s face hardened.

“…What do you mean by that? Are you going to take away his achievements?”

“That’s right.”

Lucael nodded without hesitation.

“I’ve already told all the other unit members. Since I know you particularly care for Lieutenant Arteon, I’m telling you last.”

Isaac’s eyes flashed sharply.

“May I hear the reason?”

If it was something he couldn’t accept, he was prepared to confront even Lucael.

The achievements Arteon had made were clearer than anyone else’s, and erasing their value was unacceptable.

Lucael looked at Isaac with a serious expression.

His voice was low but firm.

“Captain Isaac… can you believe that there are forces in the Imperial Capital who want this Northern Region’s fighting to continue?”

“…Excuse me?”

Isaac’s pupils shook greatly.

Forces that wanted the Northern Region’s fighting to continue… what on earth did that mean?

And…

“It seems they’ve already started moving.”

“Who are ‘they’?”

“…”

Isaac’s expression grew seriously grave at Lucael’s continuing words.

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