The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 131

—————
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 (131)

A faint wind carrying the scent of blood blew upward from below the hill.

Belkain, who had been watching the battle area with a tense expression, widened his eyes at the following report.

“…They blocked it?”

“They said the enemy force was about a thousand men, but does it make sense that they’ve already repelled them?”

“Who was the messenger that brought this news?”

The officers with Belkain couldn’t hide their surprised expressions.

From their perspective, they had been attacked at a truly fatal timing.

Moreover, it had been just over 30 minutes since they had launched their attack.

But they’re saying the enemy was repelled in such a short time?

Then Claw immediately bowed his head and continued speaking to Belkain.

“Combining the reports from the soldiers who confirmed the situation, the enemy divided into two units and attacked from the front and right flank. Among them, the enemies on the right flank were completely annihilated. They killed what appeared to be the commander among the central forces, and the remaining five hundred or more Kar Tribe members retreated.”

“…Five hundred men.”

They had killed half the enemy forces in that short time.

However…

“And… our army’s casualties are also at a similar level to the enemy’s. Most of the soldiers who were below the hill when the surprise attack began lost their lives.”

“…I see.”

While it was certainly regrettable, considering the timing of the enemy’s attack, it was practically no exaggeration to say there had been almost no damage.

In such guerrilla raids, it was common for hundreds of soldiers to die without being able to do anything in a short time.

Moreover…

‘In a situation like now where our forces are concentrated and visibility is poor… we’re inevitably more vulnerable to surprise attacks.’

Belkain unconsciously clenched his fist tightly.

He regretted his decision that had been forced by Battalion Commander Hardmel’s insistence.

Of course, due to this incident, regardless of what background Hardmel had, he could no longer step forward.

Belkain quickly asked Claw.

“Who repelled the enemy? If they defended this early, someone on our side must have moved in advance.”

They absolutely couldn’t have moved after his orders were given.

If that had been the case, it would have been difficult even to chase the enemy’s movements.

At Belkain’s words, Claw said.

“The 3rd Company members of the 1st Battalion contributed the most. Among them, 4th Platoon leader Arteon identified the enemy’s movements in the center in advance and struck the enemy’s flank, while 3rd Company Commander Isaac blocked those coming up the right hill.”

“…Arteon again?”

Belkain’s expression slightly twisted.

It wasn’t because Arteon had achieved merit.

Wasn’t it that every time there was a crisis, they overcame it through Arteon’s activities?

While they say one outstanding general can change the atmosphere of a battlefield, the dependence on him in this current battlefield was too high.

‘…What if, by any chance, Arteon wasn’t here.’

As a commander, this was a matter he had to seriously consider.

However, it was fortunate that they had overcome the situation well anyway.

Belkain nodded his head.

“Hurry and redeploy the forces, and treat the wounded. Gather the bodies of the fallen in one place and cover them with cloth. Later… we’ll bury them on the way back.”

“Understood.”

They would stay here for at most a day or two.

Since they had to move immediately once the forward situation was assessed again, there was no time to bury all the fallen.

Due to the sudden battle last night, many soldiers concentrated on cleanup and vigilance until late hours.

Thanks to that, they couldn’t rest more than planned, but the place they were standing was an area that could be called enemy territory.

It was a situation where they couldn’t let their guard down for even a second.

And at the same time.

“Is everyone alright?”

“Yes, no squad members are seriously injured.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Arteon nodded at Grain’s report.

Detecting something strange and moving first had provided a considerable advantage.

Thanks to that, they were able to strike the flank of the enemies coming up the center and completely cut them off.

Moreover…

‘Thanks to that guy charging in first… things went smoothly.’

The guy who was at the very front among the Kar Tribe Warriors climbing the central hill.

Was his name Marhuldan?

He appeared to be a commander leading the Kar Tribe Warriors, and his skills were stronger than expected.

‘He definitely had three feather tattoos.’

However, in terms of skill, he was about equal to the archer he had met last time.

If that guy had fought using other warriors, the battle might have dragged on longer than expected and caused casualties among allies.

Whether the guy let his guard down seeing Arteon’s youthful face, thanks to him charging straight ahead, quick suppression was possible, but…

“…”

Arteon clenched and unclenched his fist.

Now that he had reached the 5th Star realm, he felt he had taken a step closer to his future plans.

‘Perhaps… after this battle ends, I’ll be able to find out more clearly about the situation in Central.’

Although he was in the Northern Region to fight the Kar Tribe bastards who needed to be killed, Arteon’s attention was entirely focused on the Imperial Capital.

Those vermin who were lining their pockets by encouraging this Northern Region conflict.

Wasn’t killing those bastards who had caused Arteon and his comrades to die in his past life Arteon’s goal?

He had barely found out about the beast, but.

‘…It’s not yet a situation where I can fight against the Second Prince.’

He needed to build power more certainly, and he also had to become stronger.

To face those bastards, he would need to reach at least 6-Star… no, 7-Star realm or higher.

“…Let’s not be impatient.”

In his past life, the current Arteon couldn’t even properly handle mana, let alone reach 2nd Star, right?

Considering that, he was now growing at an unimaginably fast pace.

“Platoon Leader?”

“Ah, I was thinking about something else for a moment. Hurry and help move the fallen so we can rest.”

“Understood.”

As Grain turned and led the squad members away, Arteon watched their retreating figures.

This battle had made it clear.

How much stronger they were than ordinary soldiers.

The training they had been doing since Elvarfiel Lake seemed to be starting to bear fruit.

‘The guys who joined this time need a bit more training, but… still, at this level…’

If he led from the front, they could probably annihilate a Kar Tribe unit of company-level strength.

Moreover, most importantly, most of the 4th Platoon members trusted and followed him, didn’t they?

Little by little like this…

‘Building power is also important.’

Arteon gradually organized the plans he had kept in his mind.

However, soon Arteon turned his head.

‘…But.’

It’s a bit later than expected.

Considering his personality, he should have called by now.

“As expected.”

Arteon’s expression darkened slightly.

Recently… no, perhaps it had been since he first started his new life.

The achievements Arteon had made in the Northern Region so far were so tremendous that it was hard to say they were simply the achievements of one person.

If there was another problem with that, it was that the time it took to achieve such feats was incredibly fast.

Just under two years.

Arteon, who had been 15 years old, was only 17 now, yet he had achieved such feats.

‘Naturally, there would be many who are concerned.’

There would already be forces moving from the Imperial Capital to keep him in check.

And that wouldn’t be all.

To keep this northern conflict going, weren’t their movements already becoming bolder?

This first battle advancing north through Helikel Gorge.

Just the fact that they killed General Brentar, the commanding officer, before the first assault showed how vicious they were.

And on top of that.

‘Now that we’ve even repelled the enemy’s attack… even Lord Belkain would have much to think about.’

Perhaps right now.

‘He might be in meetings with his officers while being fiercely kept in check.’

Going further, there was even room for suspicion about his identity.

“Phew.”

At a time when he needed to concentrate all his strength, it felt like the situation was becoming complicated.

But now was the time to trust and leave it to him.

After all, there was nothing Arteon could do about it right now anyway.

And how much time had passed?

After finishing all the cleanup, when he had entered the barracks and was trying to sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s advance.

“…?”

Arteon, who was lying on the makeshift bed, quietly opened his eyes at the presence of someone approaching.

Unlike the sentries patrolling to guard the perimeter, this person was heading straight toward his barracks.

‘Since reaching the 5th Star, my ki sense has become much sharper than before.’

To think he could sense the presence of an approaching being even while sleeping.

Swoosh.

Arteon got up from his spot and went outside the barracks.

At that moment.

“Lieutenant Arteon.”

“Sergeant Claw.”

“…Don’t tell me you noticed me coming?”

Claw asked with a somewhat bewildered expression. Arteon shook his head in response.

“I was just waiting, so I was able to know.”

“…I see. As you thought, the Commander-in-Chief wishes to see you.”

“Let’s go right now.”

At Arteon’s words, Claw nodded and guided him.

Moving stealthily to avoid the sentries, Claw led Arteon not to Belkain’s barracks, but to a place some distance away from it.

And there.

“Come in, Lieutenant.”

“Heart of Steel.”

When Arteon gave a small salute, Belkain nodded.

The look in his eyes was quite serious, as if he had something important to say.

“Lieutenant Arteon, I heard that you blocked the enemies climbing up to the center of the hill early. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

At that answer, Belkain immediately continued.

“I’ll cut to the chase and ask, how did you predict the enemy’s attack?”

It was an expected question.

Something a commander would naturally need to know.

Along with Belkain’s question, Claw’s expression also hardened.

It seemed various rumors had been circulating because of this matter.

‘…It would be better to be clear.’

There was no need to hide it, no need to speak in roundabout ways.

Arteon soon answered Belkain’s question.

“Because establishing a base camp on this hill was wrong from the start.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“When it was first decided to establish a base camp below the hill, I was impressed by your judgment, Commander. I thought you had found the optimal location based solely on reconnaissance.”

“But this hill isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. If we simply think about the geographical aspect of it being a wide hill, that could be the case, but considering the darkness that falls in northern nights and the ground and surrounding terrain of the hill, I thought it could be vulnerable to enemy attacks.”

That’s why after hastily finishing the base camp construction in his assigned area, he had scouted around the hill with his squad members as reconnaissance.

“You could simply say it was good luck, but the experience of coming to scout this place seems to have been a great help in achieving this merit.”

Though it was coincidence, he said that creating such coincidence was itself skill.

At his humble yet confident words, Belkain’s expression seemed to soften a bit.

However…

“Lieutenant Arteon.”

Belkain’s expression became serious again. As if he had made up his mind about something.

Arteon looked at him and bowed his head.

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

“As of this moment, I appoint you as an independent unit commander for this battlefield, and order you to move on reconnaissance and special missions.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ll assign you one hundred unit members including the platoon you lead. You’ll move as soon as dawn breaks, and you can report directly to me as Commander-in-Chief.”

Belkain’s eyes flashed with determination.

The first advance northward.

Because he knew all too well that this battle was more important than anything else.

Moreover, didn’t Arteon already have experience scouting these plains?

Considering the judgment he had just heard, this was a necessary appointment.

And so…

“Heart of Steel! I accept the order!”

Arteon answered without hesitation.

Being able to move as an independent unit meant.

‘I can move freely without being constrained by the main force’s movements.’

In the upcoming battles.

There would be much more he could do.

Arteon’s eyes looking at Belkain were also flashing sharply.

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