The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 139

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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 (139)

Late dawn when everyone was asleep.

Inside the barracks, it was so quiet that even breathing felt cautious.

The oil lamp flickered dimly, and the cold air seeping between the tent and wooden frames subtly chilled one’s back.

Quiet silence.

However, breaking that silence, someone moved secretly yet swiftly between the barracks.

Eventually, the shadow that moved to the outskirts of the camp carefully looked around to see if anyone else was nearby, then quietly tapped on a rock.

Tap, tap-tap! Tap-tap, tap-tap-tap!

The sound of stone tapping continued like a signal.

The short, rhythmic sound spread through the darkness like a predetermined code.

Soon, a similar rhythm could be heard from the opposite side.

Tap-tap, tap! Tap… Tap, tap-tap!

Once again, the code-like sound spread quietly.

Swoosh.

Along with that, a man emerged from the darkness on the opposite side, wearing a robe pulled deep over his head.

Soon, the soldier who had come from the barracks side carefully approached him.

Cautious yet heavy breathing scattered in the wind.

The robed man frowned and asked in a low voice.

“What the hell happened? All the information about this operation was wrong!”

His voice was quiet but sharp.

At the reproachful tone, the other man hurriedly answered.

“A-about that, I really have nothing to say. But… it was changed so suddenly…”

“Is there anyone in the unit who noticed something suspicious? Or even such an atmosphere?”

“There’s nothing like that. I didn’t do anything that could be discovered.”

At the man’s firm words, the robed figure took out a note from his waist.

“This matter will somehow pass… but from next time, there must be absolutely no failures. If you fail once more, all your heads will roll, so you’d better stay alert.”

The note contained a summary of the next operation and codes.

“Dispose of it immediately after memorizing.”

“Understood.”

The man reached out to receive the note.

But that was the moment.

Swoosh!

With the sound of something moving quickly, the robed figure turned his head in that direction.

But before his head could turn completely.

Slice!

“Gaaah… Mmph!”

Something black cut the robed man’s wrist while covering his mouth.

The hand holding the note fell to the ground with a thud.

The robed man, with his mouth covered, couldn’t make any sound and turned his gaze to look to the side.

A man entering his bloodshot eyes.

“…!”

“Don’t make a sound. I’m holding back from cutting your throat right now.”

Cold metal touching his neck.

At his voice, even colder than that, the robed man unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

His heart pounded as the thought that something had gone terribly wrong dominated his mind.

Swoosh.

The robed man looked at the soldier who had been across from him.

The soldier hurriedly picked up the note that had fallen to the ground and turned around.

Due to the darkness, he probably couldn’t see his face properly.

If he escaped like this, he could survive.

But the moment he grabbed the note and turned around.

Shing!

Grain’s blade silently aimed below his neck.

Grain’s face bore a hardened expression mixed with disappointment and anger.

To think you… were a spy colluding with the Kar Tribe. How dare a piece of trash like you lay hands on our unit…?”

The man trembled his lips and stammered.

“C-C-Commander. Th-that’s not…”

The words wouldn’t continue.

Grain’s hand trembled slightly, and the sword tip lowered without a moment’s hesitation.

Arteon quietly pressed the man’s shoulder, laying him down on the ground.

Through the gap where moonlight poured in, his back and face were momentarily revealed.

Wounds, blood, and traces of past battles decorated his nape.

However, Arteon’s eyes had no interest in such external scars.

Just his past life.

Anger surged as memories of that time when he and his comrades were driven to death overlapped.

Crack!

“Grrrrrrrrgh!”

Force entered the hand gripping the guy’s shoulder.

As the shoulder dislocated and bones twisted, the robed guy screamed, but his face was pressed into the ground so the sound didn’t spread.

“Commander.”

“…I understand.”

When Grain urgently stopped him, Arteon exhaled and answered.

Soon, the squad leaders of the Silent Spear unit who were nearby approached.

Arteon said.

“Take them away. If they resist… it’s fine to cut off a limb or two.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

At Arteon’s command, the eyes of the two captured guys shook greatly.

Because they knew all too well that the order was sincere.

And as the squad leaders bound and lifted the guys, their desperate gazes reached out earnestly toward Arteon.

* * *

A chair covered with thick hide, trophies lined along the walls.

And dusty flags swayed in the dim torchlight.

Inside a room that seemed like power itself had taken form.

The wind coming through the window gaps seemed to make the already cool room even colder.

“Korzan.”

Krelmuuk, sitting on a carpet made from the hide of a giant beast, spoke quietly.

Korzan, who had been standing across from him, bowed his head.

“Yes, Lord Krelmuuk.”

Though it was a short answer, his eyes held undeniable anxiety.

Krelmuuk spoke to Korzan with an emotionless, indifferent expression.

“I heard you were hit by an enemy surprise attack. How did this happen?”

“…It seems the information came in wrong. If not that, then I think they noticed that there’s someone connected to us within the Imperial Army.”

At Korzan’s report, Krelmuuk’s expression slightly frowned.

Korzan quickly continued speaking.

“And although the supply warehouse caught fire due to this surprise attack, the entire warehouse didn’t burn, so we were able to save some supplies.”

The warriors’ morale might have dropped due to consecutive defeats.

“The actual number of soldiers we lost isn’t that many.”

“However, what do you plan to do about the responsibility for these consecutive defeats?”

“…Of course I must take responsibility, but we haven’t even wielded the sword we’ve prepared yet. The moment our prepared forces move, the atmosphere will reverse.”

Korzan continued speaking as calmly as possible. However, his breathing gradually became more cautious, and his heart began to race.

Krelmuuk’s expression turned coldly grim.

An oppressive silence followed, and Krelmuuk closed his eyes as if contemplating something.

But that time didn’t last long.

Slowly.

Krelmuuk slowly opened his eyes and muttered quietly.

“A defensive battle.”

It would be the first time in history.

That the Imperial Army had set foot on intact Kar Tribe territory.

Because of this, unlike previous battle patterns, the situation had become one where the Imperial Army would attack their land, and they would be defending.

Deep contempt filled Krelmuuk’s eyes.

“We don’t fight such battles. We only take from the enemy and kill.”

As his words ended, Krelmuuk rose from his seat.

His presence filled the room, and his shadow cast by the firelight stretched long and scraped against the wall.

“Korzan.”

“Yes, Lord Krelmuuk.”

“I find it unpleasant that they’ve entered my land at all. Do you understand what this means?”

A chill ran down Korzan’s spine.

He hastily continued speaking.

“Of, of course, Lord Krelmuuk!”

“I give you one week.”

Words like a death sentence fell.

Krelmuuk continued.

“Within that time, bring me proof that you are not incompetent. If not… then I will move personally.”

As his words ended, Korzan’s face turned pale.

And…

“Understood. I will definitely prove my ability within one week.”

Hearing those words, Krelmuuk merely looked down at him silently.

*    *    *

It was the Imperial Army camp at the Northern Front where the dawn chill had not yet lifted.

Pale fog hung low, and torches placed here and there flickered in the wind.

Ground with light snow accumulation.

Dew that had fallen during the night clung to armor, giving off a damp smell.

But as if such conditions didn’t matter, the soldiers of the Silent Spear Battalion were lined up in the wide open field in front of the barracks.

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Yes!”

Though fatigue still showed on their faces as it had been only a few days since returning from battle, no one revealed it.

But then.

“One person is missing from the 2nd Squad.”

“Two are absent from the 3rd Squad.”

Those who had definitely been there until yesterday had suddenly disappeared.

At the squad leaders’ responses, Grain spoke.

“Ah, those guys were transferred to other units through special reassignment. It was such an urgent situation that they moved immediately after reporting only to the commander, so the notification was delayed.”

“Ah, is that so?”

As the words ended, the unit members who had been with the missing soldiers nodded.

“Well… we were only together for a few days, but he was a guy who gave off a strange feeling. It’s a shame he was transferred, but… maybe it’s for the better?”

“You too? The guy in our squad was also somehow different. He seemed to be constantly watching for reactions, and his behavior was quite uncomfortable.”

Various chatter about the transferred personnel went back and forth among the soldiers.

But it didn’t continue for long.

Grain immediately changed the subject.

“There’s no need to talk about soldiers who aren’t here. New unit members will be replenished soon. More than that… I have good news to tell you today.”

“Good news?”

“What is it?”

Most of the soldiers perked up their ears and looked at Grain.

Grain looked at Arteon beside him, then grinned and spoke.

“All unit members who haven’t learned a mana cultivation method yet will learn a new mana cultivation method. It’s a mana cultivation method taught by the commander, and it’s so excellent that it can’t even be compared to marketplace or low-grade mana cultivation methods.”

“Ma, mana cultivation method?”

“Hehe, you’ll be truly amazed when you learn it.”

“It’s an incredible mana cultivation method.”

Unit members who were already learning the mana cultivation method Arteon had taught let out quiet laughter.

Hadn’t they all reached the 1st Star level within just a few months because of this?

At their words, unit members who hadn’t learned a mana cultivation method couldn’t hide their surprised expressions.

They had already witnessed firsthand multiple times how great the difference was between those who could use mana and those who couldn’t.

“I, I’ll work hard!”

“To be able to learn a mana cultivation method… I’ll stake my life on it!”

Passionate voices burst out in succession.

The atmosphere in the training ground heated up.

Then Arteon at the front spoke.

“Difficult training will continue from now on. If it ever becomes too hard or you want to give up, tell us anytime. We don’t take along those who give up.”

“We’ll follow to the end!”

“We’ll follow even if we have to stake our lives, so please don’t abandon us!”

Arteon smiled faintly at the motivated soldiers’ words and sparkling eyes.

“The commander-in-chief has also sent encouragement money for this battle’s victory. Though it’s a difficult time during war, if you continue to achieve merit, you’ll be able to receive more reward money on the way back.”

“Ohhh!”

“Wow… encouragement money from the first battle.”

Many of these soldiers had the rewards they would receive due to Arteon’s achievements in mind.

Grain raised his voice.

“All of this is thanks to the commander’s ability. Be grateful!”

“Thank you, Commander!”

“We’ll follow you with our lives!”

Resounding voices echoed through the camp.

Arteon and Grain looked at each other and simply nodded.

Both Arteon and Grain.

Didn’t think badly of it.

This was the Northern Front where death loomed every day.

You needed some desire to aim for to be able to endure in this place.

Soon after, Arteon raised his voice again.

“Good. Now we begin training. Anyone who falls behind will be immediately expelled. Follow with all your might!”

“Yes, understood!”

The growling response echoed throughout the entire camp.

Despite being at war, brutal physical training and tactical training continued.

However, the soldiers gritted their teeth and endured, and Arteon was also continuing training alongside them.

But then.

“Lieutenant Arteon.”

A familiar voice was heard.

Turning around, Claw was standing there.

“The commander-in-chief is looking for you, Lieutenant.”

Arteon silently nodded in response.

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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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