The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 126
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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 (126)
“…What?”
The cup placed on the table shook with a clatter, and a few drops of wine spilled down.
Along with that, the subordinate who delivered the news quickly knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
“Th, th, that is…”
His lips trembled at his master’s distorted expression.
Adrian Vallenrook.
He, who could be called the Second Prince’s closest confidant, twisted his expression at the news his subordinate had brought.
“Legion Commander Belkain… stepped forward as field commander himself?”
His voice was mixed with anger and bewilderment.
Wasn’t Belkain always the one who coordinated the entire Northern Region?
Since taking the position of legion commander, he had never personally led soldiers to the battlefield.
‘…I naturally thought he would call General Ulgrait to deploy. In the current situation… that method would be the best.’
Adrian tapped the table with his fingertips.
But soon, his hand stopped and deep wrinkles formed between his brows.
‘Did I think too simply?’
No, that couldn’t be.
Adrian immediately shook his head.
This assassination was a decision made after thoroughly considering every situation.
‘The forces gathered at Helikel Gorge base camp… the attention and gaze from Central looking toward the Northern Region, and… the timing when deployment could no longer be delayed.’
It was truly the optimal timing to kill General Brentaar.
But this situation arising was truly a variable that even he couldn’t predict.
Curses flowed through Adrian’s lips.
“This crazy bastard…”
He never even thought that guy would make such a choice.
At Adrian’s muttering, the subordinate in front carefully asked.
“…What should we do?”
“Huu.”
It felt like his mind went completely blank for a moment.
Even his subordinate’s question about the next plan was irritating enough.
However, Adrian calmed his excitement and closed his eyes.
In this situation, there was nothing he could do right now.
No, rather…
“From now on, stop all operations and focus on reporting. Right now, if we make any conspicuous moves, there’s a risk we might get caught.”
That much had to be prevented.
The moment this matter was traced back and the Second Prince was exposed, everything would turn to bubbles.
At Adrian’s words, the subordinate nodded.
“Understood. Until you give separate orders, we’ll stop all operations and stand by.”
“You may withdraw.”
Soon after the subordinate left the room, Adrian, left alone, sank deeply into his chair.
Fatigue washed over him, but his eyes flashed coldly.
‘This might actually be a good thing.’
Just in case…
If there was even the slightest chance that Belkain died on the battlefield, it would be beneficial.
Even if that didn’t happen, he could just reorganize the plan.
It was just…
‘Only a little time delay.’
Nothing would change.
The wine cup touched by Adrian’s fingertips sparkled with red light and filled his mouth as it passed his lips.
* * *
Along with the news that General Brentaar had died, the soldiers began to stir greatly.
“Wh, what do you mean…?”
“Who on earth…? He was perfectly fine until yesterday, how could…!”
Shock and anger erupted, and the training ground instantly became chaotic.
But that was only for a moment.
“Silence!”
When the shout infused with mana pierced the soldiers’ eardrums, they simultaneously shut their mouths and looked at Belkain.
As empty silence covered the formation again, Belkain looked down at the soldiers with a stern face.
“This deployment was more important to us than any other time. For them, our deployment would have been more fearsome than anything else.”
Belkain moved his horse and slowly looked at the lined-up soldiers.
“All those cowardly barbarians could do was launch a surprise attack and assassinate during the night.”
Though a tragic event had occurred.
“However, while we lost a brave general, that very incident made us clearly understand how much they fear us.”
All of this was the Kar Tribe’s doing.
Though he knew it wasn’t the truth, Belkain placed all responsibility on the Kar Tribe.
And…
Clang!
Belkain drew his sword.
The sharp metallic sound rang out coldly, and the soldiers’ gazes fixed on the tip of his sword.
“Listen, great soldiers of the Empire! We will now advance into the Northern Region’s land, where we have never set foot in all of history, and take everything from them and trample it! Over there, the bastards who killed our brave commander are cowering!”
Instantly, a flame-like energy flickered across the soldiers’ faces.
Anger surged up, driving away fear, and along with the humiliation of losing their commander, a thirst for revenge began to boil.
“They may have tried to tie our feet, but I have no intention of playing into their plans.”
Right now, at this moment.
“And at the forefront…! I will be there with you!”
“…!”
“Th, the Legion Commander?!”
“You don’t mean… you came out just to boost morale?”
Instantly, the soldiers’ eyes shook greatly.
No one present had expected this.
Surprised expressions mixed with bewildered words came out.
Since becoming legion commander, Belkain had never once come to the battlefield directly.
No, even looking at his wars so far, he had directly commanded armies only a handful of times.
But everyone knew.
What a great commander Belkain was.
Because of him, hadn’t the Empire achieved victory on countless battlefields?
In the training ground that had momentarily become chaotic, Belkain raised his sword high while looking at the soldiers.
“Soldiers of the Empireeeeee!”
When a roar-like shout burst out, the soldiers’ gazes fixed on Belkain.
It felt as if someone was strongly squeezing and pumping their hearts.
“You and I, from this place, will leave new footprints in the Empire’s history and carve names that will be remembered for generations!”
Each word struck their chests as hard as iron.
Soon, the eyes that had been colored with bewilderment changed to unwavering determination.
And along with that sight.
Clop!
Belkain turned his horse’s head toward the Northern Region.
The sword gripped in his hand sparkled in the sunlight, and from his back, tremendous aura seemed to spread, overwhelming tens of thousands of soldiers.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!”
Soon, with the long-spreading cry, the soldiers’ hotly burning fighting spirit was gathered.
There was no longer any confusion from General Brentaar’s death.
And in that atmosphere, Belkain thrust his sword forward and said.
“We march!”
As the lightning-like cry split through the base camp, the soldiers’ roar erupted like a storm.
“UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
That roar filling the gorge shook the ground, vibrated the sky, and spread like a massive wave.
And Arteon, who was watching that scene, unconsciously clicked his tongue.
‘…Did he turn the assassination incident that happened internally into the Kar Tribe’s doing.’
If the truth had been revealed as it was, the soldiers’ morale would have hit rock bottom.
Having a traitor within their own ranks targeting their lives would make it impossible to focus entirely on battle.
No, perhaps…
‘Before the war even began… they might have collapsed.’
But Belkain had instantly redirected that anger and anxiety that could become a source of trouble toward the Kar Tribe.
The effect he could gain from this was twofold.
He had completely destroyed the plan of those who killed General Brentaar, and made the soldiers’ anger focus entirely on the Kar Tribe, raising their morale and fighting spirit.
‘To catch two rabbits with one arrow… what a truly fearsome commander.’
Moreover, the fact that Belkain, called the Ogre of Benhard, had personally stepped forward as commander held tremendous meaning in itself.
To the soldiers, he would be the most reliable shield, and to the enemies, the greatest terror.
Arteon, watching that figure from behind, unconsciously clenched his fist.
‘This war…’
Though it had been rocky from the start, he could be certain of one thing.
‘We will definitely win.’ That this would become a war recorded as the most glorious victory in the Empire’s history.
Soon, among the tens of thousands of soldiers advancing.
Arteon and the 4th Squad members also began their advance with fierce eyes.
* * *
The air in the medical room was filled with the smell of blood and medicinal herbs.
And one person lying there.
Bowkartaon couldn’t even lift his head and flinched all over at the presence of someone who opened the door and entered.
Unlike before, his gaze looking down coldly approached as fear.
“…Lord Korzan.”
“How are your injuries?”
A low voice struck his ears.
“I apologize.”
Bowkartaon’s voice trembled slightly.
Himself and Ulk.
Despite mobilizing two elite units, hadn’t they let two rats from the Empire slip away?
On top of that, he was the one who got injured.
‘For the severed tendons to reattach…’
At least two weeks would be needed.
But compared to that, the Empire’s soldiers had already begun to move.
There was no way they would forgive him when he couldn’t even take the battlefield right now.
“…I apologize, Lord Korzan.”
Bowkartaon bowed his head once more and said.
Because he knew well that no excuse could undo this.
But…
“…”
Korzan looked down at him expressionlessly and said.
“If you cannot prove your usefulness, everyone will die. Not only you… but all your subordinates and tribesmen as well.”
“…!”
At those words, Bowkartaon’s eyes shook greatly.
“Th, that alone…!”
Bowkartaon tried to quickly raise his body, but the injury he received from Arteon was too severe.
Bowkartaon’s body swayed and fell from the bed.
Thud!
Red blood flowed out again from the wound area and soaked into the bandage.
But Bowkartaon grabbed Korzan’s trouser leg and said pleadingly.
“Pl, please give me one more chance…! It’s all my fault. They did nothing wrong!”
“Having the wrong chieftain is their responsibility. You know, don’t you. What decision Lord Krelmuuk will make when this task fails…”
“B, but…!”
“However, if you could get one more chance as you say… would you do it?”
Suddenly Korzan’s eyes flashed sharply.
Truly dangerous eyes, quite different from his usual threats.
Bowkartaon flinched at that sight, but soon nodded.
“If you give me one more chance… I’ll do anything.”
Bowkartaon had nothing he could choose.
And at those words.
Swish.
Korzan handed over something he was holding.
Bowkartaon’s eyes shook greatly at it.
“Th, this is…”
“I trust that you can control this power.”
What Korzan handed to Bowkartaon.
Because it was that thing… that turned prisoners into madmen.
Korzan said.
“Prove it, for you and your tribesmen.”
And at those words.
“…I understand.”
Bowkartaon put the medicine Korzan offered into his mouth.
Gulp.
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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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