The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 127

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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 (127)

The Imperial Banner raised high fluttered in the cold wind.

Thirty thousand soldiers gathered beneath that banner entered the plains before Helikel Gorge.

Thud, thud, thud.

That massive movement alone already filled the entire plains with tense anticipation.

The soldiers’ breathing, the clanking of armor as they walked.

The hoofbeats of horses ridden by commanders all blended together to create a great resonance.

And the supreme commander of those forces.

Belkain narrowed his eyes coldly from atop his horse.

“Divide the troops into forward units and rear support units. The forward units should focus on advancing while watching for enemy positions and ambushes.”

“Understood.”

“The rear units should protect supplies and stand ready to join the forward units the moment orders are given.”

“Yes, Commander.”

The four Battalion Commanders beside him responded and spread the orders to their subordinate officers.

With the orders spreading like waves, changes began to occur in the formation of thirty thousand troops.

Clatter, clatter, clatter!

As Lieutenant Ruocal rode his horse swiftly, his Adjutant asked with a puzzled expression.

“Is it really necessary for the Battalion Commander to go personally? If you just give the order, I’ll go and return.”

“Still, how could I do that.”

Ruocal made a bitter expression and eventually moved to where the 3rd Company soldiers were located.

When Ruocal and the soldiers finally arrived, Isaac, the 3rd Company commander who was leading the soldiers, approached.

“Steel hearts!”

“How is the situation.”

“All normal. We’re ready to give our lives whenever you give the order.”

“Reassuring.”

Ruocal nodded and spoke to Isaac.

“Our 1st Battalion is assigned to the forward units. From this moment, we move to the center of the plains while conducting operations to confirm enemy forces or ambushes. And among them, the 3rd Company… will move to the center of the plains to work on establishing a temporary base.”

“I’ll have them prepare.”

“…Are you alright?”

At Isaac’s unwavering response, Ruocal asked.

Recently, Isaac and Arteon.

Hadn’t both of them just returned from performing excessively difficult operations?

The fact that this large army could advance was because those two had succeeded in their reconnaissance mission.

Yet even in this situation, he had no choice but to send them to the very front of the advance.

“I feel sorry for giving you such excessive missions. Your injuries probably haven’t fully healed yet.”

But at those words, Isaac firmly shook his head.

“We can’t always go to the battlefield in perfect physical condition. I’ve learned that what’s important is creating the best situation no matter the circumstances.”

Then he glanced toward one side.

“I think the 4th Platoon leader shares the same opinion as me. So please boldly send us wherever we’re needed.”

If they had been assigned to rear units or given special consideration due to injuries, that would have been even worse.

Both himself and Arteon… were that kind of people.

At Isaac’s response, Ruocal gave a bitter smile before nodding.

Soon his face bore the stern expression of a commander.

Clank.

Ruocal adjusted his helmet and turned his horse around.

“I’ll remember those words. Continue to do your best and contribute to victory.”

“Steel hearts!”

After receiving Isaac’s salute, Ruocal immediately turned and moved to the center of the forces.

Looking at the soldiers who had finished all preparations, he spoke quietly.

“1st Army, advance!”

Hoooooooooooo!

As Ruocal’s order fell, soldiers began moving with the horn sound announcing the advance.

On both flanks, cavalry spread out like wings for reconnaissance, while organized soldiers moved forward like war chariots.

And beyond the center of those plains.

“…So they’re moving.”

Along with Kar Tribe Warriors who had already assembled their forces, Krelmuuk’s gaze was directed toward that place.

*    *    *

“Platoon leader, are you alright?”

“Don’t worry.”

The moment the forward units began their advance, the 4th Platoon that Arteon belonged to also moved together.

The forces advancing forward looked ahead with stern expressions and raised the shields they were holding.

A precise advance.

These were soldiers who had not only mastered basic formations but had long training ingrained in their bodies.

Moreover, thanks to regular army units joining them, the atmosphere was heavier and more solemn than usual.

Thud, thud, thud.

The pace wasn’t fast, but the eyes of the commanders leading the soldiers held caution.

After all, wasn’t this territory the Empire was setting foot in for the first time?

However…

‘There’s no great need to be on guard yet.’

The entrance area of the plains had no suitable places for enemies to ambush, and it was open enough to see at a glance.

‘The dangerous part… is from the middle onward, where the reed beds and small hills appear.’

That’s why how far they made their initial entry was quite an important factor.

Of course, if it was Corps Commander Belkain, he would pay attention to such detailed aspects.

‘…There shouldn’t be any major incidents.’

Arteon simply moved forward with a small sense of unease.

And…

Swoosh.

“The sun is setting.”

The sun that had risen overhead began to set and had fallen about halfway.

Considering the situation in the Northern Region, darkness would arrive within three hours.

Belkain spread out his map.

‘Haven’t we crossed the center yet?’

It wasn’t that their speed had been slow.

Rather, they could say they had moved faster than expected.

However, to establish a temporary base, they had to start preparing from now.

“Let’s stop here.”

“Understood.”

Claw, who was standing beside Belkain, nodded and immediately gave orders to a soldier.

Hoooooooo!

The horn sound to halt the advance echoed throughout the entire plains.

As orders were issued along with that horn sound, officers from each unit hurriedly spread the word.

“We’ll establish a temporary base here! We’ll advance again as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, so proceed with maximum simplification!”

“Understood!”

“Yes!”

When the advance stopped, soldiers hurriedly began building temporary barracks.

If they spent the Northern Region night with bare bodies, they could freeze to death in a single night.

Barracks to block the wind were absolutely essential.

Arteon called Bartell, the 1st Squad leader.

“Bartell, work with the squad members to quickly construct barracks. And Keron. You go with the squad members to get food first. We’ll finish barracks construction and meals as quickly as possible and enter rest.”

“Yes, understood.”

“It’s the Platoon Leader’s order! Move quickly!”

Grain rapidly spread the command and moved the squad members.

Seeing this, Arteon approached where Bartell was and began helping to build the barracks.

‘In the Northern Region, it’s important to protect your body by being exposed to the cold as little as possible.’

Moreover, this position.

‘As expected of the Corps Commander.’

Arteon began building the barracks while inwardly hiding his amazement at constructing temporary barracks in such an appropriate location.

If they went just a little further forward from here, it would be convenient to see the enemies’ positions.

‘But conversely, our position could also be easily exposed.’

Furthermore, if they crossed the middle area, there was a high possibility of encountering enemies ambushed in the reed beds and swamplands.

This was truly the optimal place to build temporary barracks closest to their camp.

Thus, Arteon began building temporary barracks together with his squad members.

But then…

“Stop! Stop!”

“…?”

The 4th Squad members looked puzzled as they saw a messenger suddenly riding and shouting.

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

“What are we supposed to stop?”

Bartell, the 1st Squad leader, frowned as he looked toward the messenger.

Then…

“We’re advancing again! Recover the temporary barracks and prepare to advance!”

“…What are you talking about?”

They had just unpacked all the tents and poles, and now they’re supposed to pack them up again?

The expressions of Bartell and the other 4th Squad members became distorted with anger.

Then Grain, who had moved to handle meal supplies, hurriedly approached Arteon.

“Platoon Leader, they say we’re moving again now.”

“We just heard too. But what’s going on?”

“They say we’re establishing a base camp on a small hill about 1 kilometer ahead instead of here.”

“…What?”

Arteon’s expression hardened instantly.

Moving about 1 kilometer wouldn’t take too long.

‘But establishing a base camp on the hill side?’

That’s insane.

It was a low hill with a wide area, so establishing a base camp was possible.

However, if you actually went in, the path wasn’t smooth, so if they were attacked even once, it wouldn’t be easy to escape.

‘Rather, they could end up isolated on top of the hill.’

It was a place with too many risk factors to choose just for the single advantage of being able to easily see enemy movements.

In his past life.

Hadn’t they suffered great damage when they established a temporary base camp on a hilltop for the same reason?

“Please move quickly. We need to arrive and establish the base camp before it gets dark.”

“…Damn it.”

There was no way to reverse an order that had already been given.

Although he had many private meetings with Belkain, going to him now would completely destroy the chain of command.

‘This probably wasn’t something Lord Belkain decided alone… which bastard was it.’

Arteon frowned as he hurriedly recovered the tent cloth and wooden poles and began preparing to advance again.

And at the same time.

“Hehe, an excellent decision.”

Hardmel, the 4th Battalion Commander, burst into laughter as he watched the moving troops.

If they formed up in the terrain discovered by the reconnaissance unit belonging to Hardmel’s 4th Battalion, it seemed they would be able to ensure safety and clearly identify enemy positions.

‘It was worth strongly advocating to the Corps Commander.’

Wouldn’t this choice allow him to receive some recognition for his achievements later?

Seeing the large army moving again, Hardmel hurriedly mounted his horse and began advancing with his soldiers.

But then.

“…They’re crossing the center of the plains?”

“It seems they’re moving toward the hill beyond the center.”

“Foolish bastards. They’ve fallen right into this plains’ trap.”

Marhuldan, a Kar Tribe general who was monitoring the Empire’s army from the front, raised the corners of his mouth long.

He had been monitoring from here just in case, but who would have thought they would actually move toward the hill.

Moreover, considering the remaining distance from them, they would arrive around sunset.

“The sun will set before they occupy the hill and begin forming up.”

Night comes quickly in the Northern Region.

Faster and darker than they expect.

Soon Marhuldan looked at his subordinate beside him and said.

“Report this. In 4 hours.”

Before the Empire’s idiots completely form up.

“We’ll tear their flesh apart.”

At least a thousand or more would bleed on that hill. And to start that.

“I will move personally.”

“Yes!”

The subordinate answered Marhuldan’s command and moved quickly.

And when darkness finally began to slowly descend.

“Go around the reed bed side and move slowly.”

As many as a thousand Kar Tribe Warriors began moving stealthily.

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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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