The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 111

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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 (111)

Step.

“Whew…”

Arteon, who had returned to Helikel Gorge, gazed at the massive base and let out an exclamation of admiration.

‘The scale is incomparable to before.’

His past life.

Even then, the Empire had attempted to advance north, but it wasn’t after securing three strategic points like now.

They had simply caught an opportunity by chance due to the Kar Tribe’s mistake at Elvarfiel Lake.

As a result, advancing into the Northern Region was possible, but didn’t they face a great crisis afterward when supplies weren’t properly maintained?

But this time was different.

Helikel Gorge, Aikuled, Elvarfiel Lake.

Now that they had secured all three strongholds, there was almost no possibility of problems with supply routes.

Confirming that the base had been completed on a tremendous scale, he stepped inside.

But then.

“Hey, Lieutenant Arteon!”

Arteon turned his head at the voice suddenly coming from behind.

A familiar face.

It was Isaac.

“Captain!”

Arteon, who had thought he had already returned to his assigned unit, stopped for a moment and showed a pleased expression. Isaac also approached with a big smile.

“I reported that I wanted to be in the same unit as you, but I didn’t expect it to turn out like this. Haha!”

“The same unit as me, sir?”

“Hehe, being with you brings good luck. We received a hefty reward at Aikuled this time too.”

Arteon smiled inwardly.

He knew it wasn’t because of money.

In his past life, the comrade he had shared hardships with the longest was Isaac.

At that sight, Arteon deliberately swept his bangs back exaggeratedly and acted cheeky.

“But what can I do?”

“Is there some problem?”

At Isaac’s question, Arteon grinned and said.

“This damned popularity never fades anywhere. There are already many units asking me to come. I’m contemplating whether to transfer to your unit or not. Come to think of it, I even got an offer from a knight order in Central this time.”

“What? From which knight order? No, are you really going?”

Isaac’s face immediately became serious.

Arteon had more than enough skill to receive offers from Central.

At those words, Arteon shrugged his shoulders.

“The conditions are so good. I’m contemplating it.”

“Hey, man! I came here because of you, and now you’re talking about going somewhere! Are you really going?”

“Haha, I’ll think about it.”

Arteon walked away while joking around.

Isaac shouted from behind, ‘If you go, I won’t let you off!’ but Arteon just smiled softly.

But then it happened.

Step.

“You two, it’s been a while.”

Seeing Claw who had suddenly approached them, Arteon saluted him with a proper posture.

Claw quickly waved his hands.

“Your rank is much higher than mine now. Please refrain from such behavior.”

“Sergeant Claw is a special person to me.”

“I’m grateful that you think of me that way, but I’m afraid of drawing unwanted attention.”

Claw said with a faint smile on his lips. Then he immediately got to the point.

“The Legion Commander is looking for you.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Soon, Arteon and Isaac followed Claw to Belkain’s barracks.

Belkain, who had been waiting there, greeted the two men.

“Come in, both of you.”

“Steel hearts!”

“Steel hearts!”

Belkain nodded at their salutes. Then he put down the documents he was holding and spoke.

“Since we’re in a busy situation, I’ll get straight to the point. Captain Isaac is appointed as the 3rd Company commander of the Main Base.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And Lieutenant Arteon will be the 4th Squad leader of the 3rd Company.”

“Yes, understood!”

When both men answered loudly, Belkain exhaled softly and said.

“Whew… There will be many things to prepare from now on. We haven’t even filled 30% of our full strength yet.”

“…”

Isaac’s expression hardened at those words.

The number of troops here alone was close to 10,000 soldiers.

But it wasn’t even 30%…?

However, unlike the surprised Isaac, Arteon looked at Belkain with a calm expression.

It was something he had sufficiently anticipated.

Moreover, unlike before, supplies for cold weather protection would need to be more thoroughly prepared.

The cold further north was on a completely different level.

“In any case, we’ll need at least three months to as long as six months or more. What you two need to do during that time is quite simple.”

Belkain’s eyes flashed sharply.

“When the northern advance begins… train the current company and squad even harder and lead the soldiers so they can perfectly carry out their assigned missions.”

Perhaps the most fierce war in the Empire’s history might unfold.

Both Arteon and Isaac were aware of this point.

Therefore, they too steeled their resolve.

“Steel hearts!”

“Steel hearts!”

Soon, Belkain nodded at their salutes.

And then.

“Ah, Lieutenant Arteon.”

“Lieutenant Arteon!”

When Arteon responded, Belkain looked at him and said.

“There’s a gift for you, so look forward to it.”

“…Pardon?”

At that question, Belkain and Claw only smiled with unreadable meaning.

*    *    *

The Imperial Palace.

The room draped with heavy red curtains was quiet.

Candles hanging on the walls flickered gently, creating long shadows and gradually illuminating the face of the man sitting at the center.

First Prince Sedrian Aurelian.

In his sharp gaze lay the weight of one who bore the Empire’s future, along with layers of fatigue from the ongoing competition with Second Prince Belkakrode.

However, he looked at the man standing before him and spoke.

“How are the preparations coming along?”

The man who received the question raised his head to look at Sedrian.

Albeus Krevan.

He was Sedrian’s most trusted confidant and a strategist of outstanding ability.

Albeus spoke.

“The forces currently deployed in Central have already begun moving north. Additionally, thanks to the great victory in the recent Western Front battle, it seems we’ll be able to move some troops north as well.”

“It seems General Melakan has put in quite the effort.”

“He’s such an outstanding person, isn’t he? If someone like that were stationed in Central, it would be a great help… but he only goes around battlefields…”

“Let’s leave that topic there. It’s because General Melakan is handling the outskirts that the Empire has peace.”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s continue.”

At Sedrian’s words, Albeus caught his breath and continued in a careful tone.

“And if you permit it, I intend to move the Golden Lion Knight Order to the Northern Region. If the northern advance begins in earnest, the Golden Lion Knight Order can’t be left out of such matters.”

The Golden Lion Knight Order was a knight order with such outstanding skills that it was called the Empire’s First Knight Order.

Moreover, they were those who followed Sedrian.

To this, Sedrian nodded and answered.

“Good. Do as you wish.”

However, deep shadows soon cast over Sedrian’s eyes.

As if there were unresolved problems remaining.

Sedrian sighed and said.

“And… how are things with Belkakrode? That guy won’t just sit still.”

Albeus narrowed his eyes for a moment, then answered in a low voice.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on him… but it seems he’s already making moves.”

At Albeus’s words, Sedrian let out a deep sigh and pressed his hand to his forehead.

He was well aware of that guy’s greed for the next Emperor’s position, but recently his schemes had become even bolder.

Thanks to this, so many people were dying that he could no longer simply work behind the scenes.

They say the path to becoming Emperor requires spilling enough blood to form a river… but he hadn’t thought it would be such a hellish path.

Moreover…

“Given that guy’s nature, he might even try to interfere with the northern advance. So we must prepare without leaving even an inch of opening. If this matter succeeds properly… then we might be able to completely end this tiresome fight.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Albeus bowed his head as he spoke and slowly turned around.

After he left, only Sedrian remained alone in the empty room.

Swoosh.

Sedrian rose from his seat and walked toward the window.

His eyes as he quietly looked outside were still sharp, but beneath them lay deep anxiety.

Sedrian knew it well too.

Right now, his faction and his younger brother Belkakrode’s faction were essentially evenly matched.

It was a balance where no one could tell which side would collapse first.

‘I need a variable… something that can overturn the board in one stroke.’

Sedrian quietly closed his eyes.

Countless calculations and scenarios intertwined in his mind, but there was nothing that could tie them together.

Just…

‘I have no choice but to stake everything on the northern advance.’

In the Northern Region where the situation was tangled in confusion…

Would the answer be there?

Sedrian’s mind was simply complicated.

*    *    *

‘What kind of gift could he be talking about…’

Pondering over the words Belkain had left at the end, Arteon slowly moved his steps.

 As he passed through the camp lined with barracks, cutting through the cold air, the sounds of soldiers training and weapons clashing echoed from various places. 

However, his heart was strangely quiet. 

‘What could he have meant? A gift…’

Just as he arrived in front of the barracks where his platoon members were, suddenly a sharp and resounding voice rang out.

“Unit, attention!”

Instantly, the movements of the soldiers inside the barracks stopped in unison.

Then a vigorous shout erupted.

“Toward the platoon leader, salute!”

“Steel hearts!”

At the sight of the platoon members saluting in perfect order with clenched fists placed on their chests, Arteon stopped in his tracks and opened his eyes wide.

“You guys…?”

Arteon’s pupils shook greatly.

Those who had put down their weapons and were saluting with right fists clenched and placed on their left chests.

Familiar faces came into view one by one.

They were the platoon members who had shed blood together in the Northeastern 4th Defense Line, Elvarfiel Lake battle.

All their gazes were directed toward Arteon, and their expressions held both joy and determination.

And along with them, one soldier from the front row stepped forward.

His steps were unwavering, and his voice was as steady as in the old days.

“Have you been well all this time, Platoon Leader?”

It was Sergeant Grain, who had been the deputy platoon leader.

At this, Arteon’s eyes, which had been shaking with surprise, gradually regained stability.

And…

“…Good to see you, you bastards.”

Arteon looked at the guys and grinned as he spoke.

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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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