The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 276

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (276)
Imperial officials gathered in the Conference Room.
The betrayal of Belkakrode had weighed heavily on them all, and within mere days, their complexions had grown so pallid that they appeared gaunt.
Sedrian regarded them and spoke.
“With the Imperial Palace destroyed, we shall continue our meetings here for the time being.”
At Sedrian’s words, Taifren responded.
“Since His Majesty the Emperor has not awakened from his slumber, Prince Sedrian must assume governance of the realm for the duration.”
Taifren carefully placed the Documents he held upon the Table in the Conference Room.
“And this foundation must proceed without transgressing the rules His Majesty the Emperor has left behind, as written here.”
“I understand. Should any oversights occur, I trust you all to guide me well.”
As Sedrian spoke, regarding the ministers seated before him, they nodded quietly in acknowledgment.
Sedrian continued.
“First and foremost, the most critical matter is the reconstruction of the Imperial Palace alongside the restoration of the Empire itself. This incident has caused far too much unnecessary devastation. Not merely the Capital, but I hear the Southern and Eastern Regions have suffered considerable damage as well.”
“The Eastern Region saw two cities destroyed by the Neolth Kingdom. Fortunately, through Duke Carbain’s efforts, there were no prisoners taken. The damaged buildings and roads should not require extensive time to repair.”
Surprisingly, the Eastern Region had sustained relatively modest losses. However…
“By contrast… I am told the situation in the Southern Region is dire.”
According to reports, the devastation in the South was incomparably worse than that in the East.
The casualties inflicted by the armies of the Kaerbaldt Kingdom and the Ermatir Kingdom were immense, and the destruction wrought upon the cities was catastrophic.
The financial resources, human capital, and time required to restore all of it seemed beyond calculation.
As the matter of the Southern Region arose, Sedrian’s gaze grew sharp and cold.
With his fist clenched tightly, Sedrian opened his mouth, suppressing his fury.
“The finances related to that… shall be borne entirely by those kingdoms that caused it. No—they must bear it. And furthermore.”
Sedrian’s gaze turned toward the Documents upon the Table.
Had not the current Emperor forgone sleep for three years to trust and support them?
It was a set of rules written to preserve what was essential during that time of his absence.
“They must answer for their own actions. They must come to understand how reckless it was to dare lay hands upon the Empire. And that it is an irreversible blunder.”
“Your Highness.”
At the anger evident in Sedrian’s voice, Taifren appeared taken aback.
Yet Sedrian regarded Taifren and spoke.
“Prime Minister—you who have guided the Empire alongside His Majesty the Emperor for thirty years, speak your thoughts.”
The Documents rustled.
Sedrian lifted the Documents from the Table.
The most critical stipulation written upon them was: ‘War must be absolutely avoided.’
During the three years the Emperor slumbered, this was meant to prevent catastrophic variables from arising due to unnecessary conflict.
“Do you believe that by the rules His Majesty has established, we must now endure this?”
Sedrian’s voice grew increasingly heated.
Compared to his usual demeanor, this was quite extraordinary.
“His Majesty could not have foreseen that his foolish brother would commit treason. And all the circumstances that arise from it as well…!”
Presently, Sedrian regarded the ministers seated before him.
“I believe they must bear all of this as is their due. What are your thoughts… on this matter?”
Silence descended upon the Conference Room.
A situation where no one could afford to answer hastily.
Yet in their hearts, everyone aligned with Sedrian’s conviction.
And as Sedrian’s gaze settled upon him, Taifren, who had been silent, carefully opened his mouth.
“I….”
A hesitant response.
The Emperor’s words carried such profound weight for him.
But….
“I concur with the Prince’s assessment.”
At those words, Sedrian nodded.
With Taifren, the Prime Minister, in agreement, the other ministers would naturally follow suit.
Then the answer was already decided.
“The Neort Kingdom, the Kaerbaldt Kingdom, and the Ermatir Kingdom.”
Sedrian’s eyes grew cold and resolute.
“Assemble an envoy to send to them.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
With the ministers’ firm affirmation, Sedrian pressed his lips together and solidified his resolve.
* * *
Squeeze.
“…?”
Arteon suddenly saw a young girl approaching from behind and grasping his hand.
Behind the child stood a woman with a bandage wrapped around her arm and a small boy.
As Arteon looked at them, the woman bowed deeply and spoke.
“Thank you so much. Because of you… my children were spared from great suffering and remained safe.”
“Th, thank you so much!”
The girl holding Arteon’s hand stammered out her words loudly.
Could she be barely four years old?
These children, who should grow up joyfully unaware of such horrors….
“…Ah.”
Arteon knelt on one knee to the ground and embraced the child who had been holding his hand.
Thinking of what these small children had endured, an unbearable rage surged within me.
Arteon spoke to the woman.
“What of your home?”
“Well….”
“Soon, soldiers will arrive from the Capital with supplies. They will help you, so please hold on.”
“Yes, thank you… truly… thank you.”
The woman repeatedly bowed, expressing her gratitude to Arteon and his companions.
And in the moment Arteon rose and turned away.
“I, I’m going to grow up and become a cool soldier like you, big brother!”
A boy who appeared to be barely six years old shouted loudly at Arteon.
Arteon paused at that cry, turning his body toward the Shadow Boy.
“What’s your name?”
“L-Luian, sir…!”
Luian—a common name for a commoner boy.
But was it merely an illusion that something about this one seemed different?
Arteon gently patted Luian’s shoulder as he spoke.
“My name is Arteon. If you ever enlist later… come find me. I’m genuinely curious to see what you’ll become by then.”
“Arteon… Arteon… Yes! I’ll definitely come find you. Definitely!”
Watching Luian speak with both fists clenched, Arteon offered a faint smile and turned away.
At that, Isaac regarded Arteon with a puzzled expression.
“He’s not someone you know…, is he?”
“Why?”
“No, it’s just… he seemed somehow special.”
At Isaac’s words, Arteon let out a soft chuckle, looking at him.
This one certainly knows me well.
Arteon spoke.
“That little one possesses a Mana Core.”
“…What?”
Isaac stopped in his tracks, startled.
How could a boy who appeared to be merely six or seven years old already possess a Mana Core?
As Isaac turned his head to look back at the boy, Arteon nudged his arm.
“Let’s go. If you keep staring, he’ll feel uncomfortable.”
“Ah… yes.”
Isaac still glanced back over his shoulder, visibly astonished.
“What? You knew about it too?”
“Not precisely, but I sensed something and made an educated guess. I simply couldn’t believe it was actually true.”
When Kailun spoke as well, Isaac shook his head in disbelief.
Soon after, Arteon, Isaac, and Kailun wandered through Robeltia, surveying the wounded.
Most were dead, and even those who survived bore faces twisted with the grief of losing loved ones.
It was an inevitable consequence of war’s brutal aftermath.
Though I thought I’d grown accustomed to such horrors, each time I heard the cries of anguish, my heart grew heavy.
“…Damn bastards, we should’ve just killed them all.”
Kailun muttered quietly as he walked.
Why must these people suffer so?
Those who had done nothing wrong, who were simply living ordinary lives.
At Kailun’s words, Isaac spoke.
“One day… we’ll repay them twofold… no, tenfold. Won’t we, Unit Commander?”
Though he was suppressing it, anger was rising in Isaac’s eyes as well.
Arteon spoke with a composed expression.
“We will. After suffering something like this, there’s no way we’d simply let it pass.”
Arteon’s thoughts turned to Sedrian.
Though he seemed gentle by nature, his care for the Imperial Citizens was genuine.
I believed he would heal this sorrow and these wounds in whatever form necessary.
And when that time came, I intended only to become his strength.
‘The path I must walk forward….’
After killing Belkakrode, the path that had been blocked began to reveal itself, bit by bit.
“Unit Commander!”
As Arteon surveyed the situation while moving through Robeltia, Ragnell came running.
“The Barracks work you ordered is complete. It’s easily large enough to accommodate five hundred people.”
“Good work. What about the other Squad Members?”
“Currently, the 3rd Company and 1st Company have switched shifts, and now we and the 1st Company are preparing to move the Wounded. It should all be possible before sunset.”
“Supplies will be scarce. Within two days at the latest, Supplies should arrive, so hold on until then.”
“We were worried about that too, but thanks to the residents of Robeltia helping us, it should be enough until the Reinforcements arrive.”
“…I see.”
Those who have experienced war inevitably become hardened. And they instinctively learn how to survive.
At Ragnell’s report, Arteon turned his body.
“We move toward the Barracks as well. And Isaac.”
“Yes, Unit Commander.”
“Check the retreat routes of the enemy forces once more. There’s a chance those guys might target this place again.”
Attacks that exploit carelessness happen frequently on the Battlefield.
Those who faced my prowess would not return, but it wouldn’t hurt to verify once more.
Isaac nodded at that.
“I’ll dispatch a small unit to check the East Gate and South Gate areas again.”
Soon after Isaac departed, Arteon moved toward the Barracks where the Wounded had gathered.
There was nothing special Arteon could do there.
I simply applied Medicinal Herbs and wrapped Bandages on the Wounded alongside the others, but when hands were scarce like this, even that was sufficient help.
Two days passed in Robeltia that way, and gradually the Reinforcements began to come into view.
“Reinforcements! The Reinforcements have arrived!”
A Soldier keeping watch from the Castle Wall of the city shouted as he saw the Reinforcements heading toward Robeltia, accompanied by a procession of supply carts.
When Arteon went out to greet the Reinforcements.
“…!”
Arteon could not hide his surprised expression upon seeing the one who came as the commander of the Reinforcements.

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