The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 21

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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 (21)

“Steel hearts! Sergeant Arteon! I pay my respects to the Division Commander.”

Plains without a single obstacle.

Belkain, who had been gazing at the land beyond the vast 1st Defense Line, turned his head.

“Congratulations on your promotion.”

“Thank you.”

He had seen him during the merit evaluation earlier, but facing him like this had a completely different atmosphere.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Arteon was calmly settled, and it seemed to contain many things within.

Belkain turned his head again to look at the Northern Region and spoke.

“I’ve heard enough about your achievements. It must have been dangerous… How did you make such a decision?”

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck, you say.”

The fear that ordinary soldiers feel when directly facing the Kar Tribe is beyond imagination.

Their physique might be similar, but the killing intent they emit is on a different level from what ordinary soldiers have dealt with in their entire lives.

Yet against such Kar Tribe warriors, not simply blocking them, but breaking through and targeting the enemy’s rear?

Even if heaven’s fortune followed, it would be impossible without the determination to execute it.

Belkain let out a chuckle.

“I can’t tell if you’re stupid or modest. Then does that luck include killing a Kar Tribe intermediate warrior by yourself?”

“…”

Arteon couldn’t answer.

But that silence only added to his conviction.

Belkain exhaled softly and looked at Arteon.

He was a soldier who was quite unpredictable.

Just a month ago, he was merely an ordinary private.

‘Starting from the day he killed Moldrek… too many changes have occurred.’

So much so that he wondered if he had ever taken such interest in a single soldier before.

But there was no need to question such positive changes.

Belkain spoke.

“When do you plan to use your vacation?”

“I plan to use it right away.”

“Do you have a place you want to go?”

“I’m planning to go to Almers.”

“Almers?”

Almers was a commercial city not far from the Northern Region.

As long as one didn’t come to the conflict zones, the Northern Region also had tremendous resources.

Belkain showed a puzzled expression, but.

“Permission granted. Depart tomorrow immediately.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

With the Division Commander’s permission granted, approval from other officers was basically a free pass.

Belkain gazed intently at Arteon.

‘Certainly…’

Even before coming to the 1st Defense Line, he had thought he was different from ordinary soldiers…

‘He’s become stronger.’

What had happened during this time?

Was it possible for an ordinary soldier to become this strong in such a short time?

Moreover, the aura he could faintly sense from his body.

It was definitely mana.

An ordinary soldier who uses mana.

‘Well, that’s how he could defeat a Kar Tribe intermediate warrior.’

He was a soldier with far too many secrets. But that didn’t mean he could interrogate him.

He could only watch.

“That’s enough talk. I look forward to your future endeavors even more.”

“Steel hearts! I will do my best!”

“You may go.”

With those words, Arteon left the barracks. And it wasn’t long after Arteon had left.

“Truly an interesting soldier.”

Erban, the strategist of the 1st Division, looked in the direction Arteon had gone.

Belkain spoke to him.

“Erban, how is the task I assigned you last time progressing?”

“There hasn’t been much progress so far.”

Erban’s expression became seriously grave.

The task Belkain had ordered him to investigate carried considerable risk, in a way.

Belkain nodded.

“With this incident, there will be those from Central who show different movements. If we investigate focusing on them… we should be able to get closer.”

“But… would there be major movements just from achieving one victory at the 1st Defense Line?”

“It wasn’t just any victory.”

It was such a great victory that the Kar Tribe facing the 1st Defense Line had to withdraw their formation.

At this timing…

“If we make one more move, they won’t just sit back and watch.”

“One more move, you mean?”

“Erban.”

“…Yes, Division Commander.”

As Erban answered seriously, Belkain rose from his seat and turned his gaze outward.

Soon, Belkain, who had been thinking deeply about something, looked at a certain point and spoke.

“I’m now thinking of advancing toward the Northern Region.”

“…!”

It was something no one had ever attempted until now.

Something they had only been thinking about.

But now it seemed the time had come to make a decision.

“If we move… there will be sufficient justification for those guys to move.”

“…There shouldn’t be any shortage.”

“Then proceed with that understanding.”

“I will make full preparations.”

At Erban’s words, Belkain nodded and looked north beyond the 1st Defense Line.

* * *

“Going to Almers?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Belkain’s permission had been granted, but reporting was essential.

At Arteon’s report, Fearland soon smiled broadly.

“Almers is the largest city in the Northern Region. That place would be good for enjoying a vacation. Do you have enough money?”

“I have the money I received as a reward.”

“100 Gold. That’s quite a large sum. Don’t spend it all and leave some spare money.”

“Understood.”

Considering that a four-person commoner family’s monthly living expenses were around 3 Gold, 100 Gold was an enormous amount.

In fact, most of the people here had never handled 100 Gold in their entire lives.

“Here’s your vacation pass. Show it if any checkpoint requests it. Then today will be the last time we see each other.”

The 4th Squad that had come as support would immediately return to their original company, the 3rd Company.

Arteon would also be returning there as well.

At that, Arteon said.

“Thanks to you, I learned many things. Thank you.”

“Haha, rather, I received great help thanks to you. I wish you good fortune in your future endeavors.”

Perhaps having many things to organize, Fearland soon hurriedly began looking at documents.

Unless Arteon directly supported the 1st Defense Line, it seemed it would be difficult to see him again in the future.

Step.

Arteon, who came out of the barracks, returned to where his squad members were.

“Congratulations on your leave.”

“You’re going for a whole month?”

“When you come back… please buy us something delicious.”

The squad members who were preparing to leave the 1st Defense Line couldn’t hide their envious looks as they watched Arteon.

But then…

“Sergeant Arteon.”

“Steel heart!”

Seeing Hendris who had come to the barracks where the 4th Squad was, Arteon saluted.

At that, Hendris said.

“Could I see you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

At Hendris’s words, Arteon followed him as he walked.

Soon Hendris moved to a place where there were no people, then held out a small pouch.

“This is money the platoon members collected bit by bit this time. I hope you use it well during your leave.”

“I have enough money. I’ll just accept the sentiment.”

“Anyway, everyone will get money from this reward, so we did it without burden. In a way, didn’t we receive this reward because of you too?”

The 4th Platoon members of the Punishment Unit received a 2-year service reduction because of Arteon.

In fact, that alone was worth its weight in gold to them.

Arteon looked at the pouch Hendris handed him.

“Refusing kindness isn’t polite either. If you use it well, everyone will be happy.”

“…Thank you.”

“When are you departing?”

“The division commander’s orders are to leave immediately tomorrow.”

“Then rest well for today… and have a good trip. We’ll see each other when you return. I’ll substitute this for the report, so leave as soon as dawn breaks.”

It felt different from his past life somehow.

It had felt like being among sharp thorny vines.

But now, weren’t there so many people who cared for him and thought of him?

Arteon clenched his right fist and placed it on his left chest.

“Steel heart. Thank you.”

“Steel heart.”

After exchanging greetings with Hendris, Arteon immediately turned around.

And the next day.

“Well… shall we hurry and see?”

Originally, going to Almers was a plan for a bit later.

However, since things went better than expected at the 1st Defense Line, he was able to move up the plan.

However…

‘I wonder if those guys are still controlling present-day Almers too.’

Having spent 10 years in the Northern Region, he had visited quite many surrounding cities.

He thought he knew the cities in the Northern Region better than anyone, but wasn’t this about 3-4 years in the future?

Though his mind was complicated, he soon shook it off cleanly.

“I’ll know when I go and see.”

Even if it’s a bit different from what I know, nothing will change.

Arteon relaxed his mind and mounted the Northern Horse the division commander had provided.

Its body was thicker than a regular horse, and the texture of the fur covering its body was soft.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Neighhhhhh!”

The Northern Horse carrying Arteon began to run swiftly.

On top of the galloping Northern Horse, Arteon recalled memories from the past and thought of Almers.

* * *

“Over there! He went that way!”

A narrow alley.

Guards wearing helmets shouted loudly and moved busily.

They seemed to be chasing someone, but the target they needed to catch was nowhere to be seen.

And in the empty alley where the guards had run off.

“Idiots, go that way all you want. As if I’d get caught.”

A boy who was tossing and catching a pouch while fiddling with it grinned wickedly.

“Hehe, with this, this month will be easy, right? I should buy some pie for the little ones on the way back.”

The boy seemed pleased with the heavy pouch as he kept bursting into laughter.

But that moment.

“Shadow Fang?”

“…?!”

At the voice coming from behind, the boy was startled and turned his head.

He had definitely shaken off all the guards.

Moreover, Shadow Fang…

It was the name of the thieves’ guild the boy belonged to.

But when the boy turned his head to look.

“…What the hell.”

A man around his own age was standing there.

The boy said.

“Who are you? You don’t seem to be from the Guard Unit, but you dare call out Shadow Fang’s name?”

The boy skillfully drew his dagger.

Depending on the answer, he was even thinking of killing him. But…

“That’s right, Shadow Fang. Phew… lucky me. Finding you in one go like this.”

“…Crazy bastard, what does it matter if you find us… Guk!”

But the boy couldn’t even finish his words.

He had clearly been about ten meters away… but the man who had closed the distance with just one step had grabbed his throat tightly.

Honestly, there wasn’t even time to dodge or anything. It had happened in the blink of an eye.

The grip strength felt from the hand clutching his throat was tremendous.

Perhaps…

‘I’m… going to… die.’

A feeling like his vision would go dark.

But then, the man said to the boy.

“Where is Rishiven?”

“…What?”

The boy’s pupils shook greatly.

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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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