The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 278

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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 (278)
On the road back after completing the support mission in the Southern Region.
The official road leading to the Capital still bore the unmistakable scars of war.
Wreckage from shattered Carriages lay scattered along the roadside, and where blood had once flowed, the earth had darkened with stains. Yet covering it all, freshly compacted dirt stretched in a long path, and temporary Barracks and supply stations erected for reconstruction were visible in places.
Though spring’s warmth was gradually rising, the wind still carried a biting chill.
As if to say it was premature to declare the war over, the world held its breath in quiet stillness.
The Silent Spear Battalion passed silently along that road.
The sound of hoofbeats.
The metallic ring of Armor clashing.
And a silence where no one dared speak first.
The days in the Southern City had been anything but light. Collapsed Castle Walls, wailing citizens, rescue operations and security maintenance that continued day and night. Some Squad Members had even said it was harder than actual combat.
In the distance, the outer Castle Wall of the Capital came into view.
A massive line of deep gray rose above the horizon, filling the entire field of vision.
The Castle Wall that had once been wounded by collapse and Cracks. Yet the sight before us now stood firm and solid, as if nothing had ever happened.
“…Wow.”
Someone’s brief exclamation shattered the silence.
As they drew closer, the traces of reconstruction became starkly apparent.
The newly fitted stones were slightly brighter in color than the existing ones, and metal was embedded between them, making it look like a sutured wound.
Faintly gleaming Patterns stretched across the Castle Wall’s surface, and interconnected Magic Circles enveloped the entire wall, emitting a subtle Wave.
“Wow… They repaired all of this in just a month?”
“Look at that. They redrew the reinforcement Magic Circle.”
“They must have worked incredibly hard.”
The Squad Members spoke in unison, their voices filled with admiration.
Arteon glanced up at the Castle Wall for a moment.
It seemed as though invisible sweat and effort were embedded there.
‘…To have accomplished this much in that time.’
It meant the resolve to protect the Capital had been that desperate.
Passing through the City Gate and entering the city, the landscape of streets revitalized with activity unfolded before us.
Though traces of war still remained, shop doors had opened again and the voices of people flowed through the streets.
New scaffolding rose between collapsed buildings, and the sound of Craftsmen busily striking Hammers never ceased.
Arteon spoke without breaking stride.
“Everyone is to have Free Time until further orders. However, if anyone causes trouble, I won’t overlook it. Mind your conduct.”
“Understood!”
A short, firm response came back.
The moment those words fell, the Squad Members, their tension released, scattered in different directions.
Some headed toward the Tavern, others toward the Barracks for equipment maintenance.
Though they appeared no different from ordinary Soldiers, anyone who knew what Battlefields they had crossed could never regard them lightly.
Just as Arteon was about to turn away, Kailun spoke from beside him.
“I heard the Instructor is in the Capital.”
Arteon’s gaze naturally turned toward him.
“The Instructor sent a letter?”
“It arrived while you were away with the Prince in the Southern City. It’s been about two weeks since he came up, I’d say.”
Leonhardt.
The moment I heard that name, my eyes softened slightly.
Memories of training under him flashed rapidly through my mind.
I nodded in response.
“Of course I should see him. Should we go now?”
“First… let’s wash up a bit.”
Kailun tugged at his collar and let out a quiet laugh.
“If we showed up looking like this, he’d think a beggar had arrived and throw us out.”
I glanced down at my own armor.
Sweat and dust clung to every surface.
The marks of our long forced march remained etched upon it.
“Fair point.”
Kailun and I made our way to a nearby lodging.
After a quick wash, I emerged to find Kailun already waiting outside.
“Let’s go.”
We headed toward where Leonhardt was staying.
But the moment we arrived at our destination, we both stopped in our tracks.
“…Is this the right place?”
I asked, my expression puzzled.
What stood before us was a building far too grand to be called merely a mansion.
A high stone wall, a meticulously maintained garden, and an imposing stone structure that radiated overwhelming presence stood heavy and dignified in the fading light of dusk.
“That’s what I was told…”
The fact that Leonhardt was staying in such a place didn’t sit right with me.
The Instructor had always been frugal, a man far removed from ostentation.
Then it happened.
The main gate opened quietly, and a lean elderly butler emerged.
His ramrod-straight posture and the physique evident beneath his clothes suggested a man of meticulous discipline.
“We’ve been expecting you both.”
Kailun and I exchanged glances.
The butler bowed his head as if he already knew, and opened the door wide.
“Please come inside. The Duke and the Instructor are waiting for you.”
The Duke.
At those words, both our expressions hardened simultaneously.
As the butler led us inside, a subtle fragrance drifted along the spacious corridor.
Intricate paintings and armor hung upon the walls, while the marble floor beneath us absorbed nearly all sound from our footsteps.
Presently, a door opened.
And there, seated alongside Duke Carbain, was Leonhardt.
Leonhardt lifted his head and regarded us both.
A faint smile spread across his lips.
“You’ve come.”
With those words, the long and arduous years seemed to settle quietly into place.
Arteon drew a subtle arc with his lips and bowed his head slightly.
“It’s been a long time, Instructor. And I offer my respects to you as well, Duke.”
“I am Kailun. Allow me to introduce myself properly.”
Kailun, standing beside him, bowed toward Carbain. In response, Carbain raised the teacup filled with black tea to his lips and took a light sip.
“Where on earth do you find such specimens?”
“Well… that one still has a ways to go.”
“You’re being modest again.”
As Leonhardt spoke while observing Kailun, Carbain let out a quiet chuckle.
Before these two had arrived, he’d expressed such concern about Kailun.
Carbain drained the remaining tea in his cup as if brushing away the thought, then rose from his seat.
“It’s been quite some time since you’ve reunited with your disciples. I’ll take my leave so you can speak freely.”
With that, Carbain gave a light nod to Arteon and Kailun before departing.
Only then did Kailun, tension finally released, settle into his seat and speak.
“But how do you know Duke Carbain?”
No matter how extensive Leonhardt’s connections or how renowned he was, Carbain was the sole Duke of the Empire.
And that wasn’t all.
As the Empire’s guardian deity, he wielded power that rivaled the entire military strength of the Empire itself.
And yet…
*Sip.*
Leonhardt quietly took a sip of tea and set the cup down as he spoke.
“He was my first disciple.”
Though he had now become a disciple whom I could not address casually, Carbain had been the first student I ever taught in my youth.
At those words, Kailun’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
“Is that… truly the case?”
“In a manner of speaking, you could say we’re from the same lineage.”
“…I’m not sure what to say.”
As Kailun fumbled for words, Leonhardt let out a quiet laugh.
But soon after.
“He’s grown to a height that’s now difficult to reach.”
He gazed at Arteon with a satisfied smile.
How could one describe this growth of Arteon’s in words?
But Arteon shook his head and spoke.
“I still have far to go. I require much more guidance in the future.”
It may have been a conventional response, but Arteon was sincere.
Even now, having reached the 8th Star, I questioned whether this power was truly my own.
Moreover…
‘I still cannot perfectly control this power.’
That final strike I displayed when fighting Barg in the Northern Region.
Using it again was not an easy feat.
Perhaps….
‘Unless I engage in combat at that level of intensity, it will be difficult to manifest it again.’
But how could one easily risk their life in battle against such an opponent?
Though regret lingered over my own shortcomings, I decided to focus only on what needed to be done.
Then, Leonhardt spoke.
“It seems we might even wage war against the Kingdom… What are your thoughts?”
Leonhardt’s expression carried a hint of caution.
Arteon had fought only on the Northern Front’s Battlefield until now.
Though I didn’t know the reason for his fixation on the Northern Battlefield, I understood he had no interest in anywhere else beyond it.
That was precisely why caution was necessary.
But….
“I have resolved to follow Prince Sedrian in any endeavor. If he desires war with the Kingdom, I will march without hesitation.”
Arteon spoke his mind without wavering.
Leonhardt exhaled softly at this.
“…Is that so? You too share that sentiment?”
“Well… I never intended to become a soldier, but I’ve learned much on the Battlefield alongside this one. I won’t shy away from it.”
….
It was not a pleasant thing that these two cherished disciples would continuously march to war.
Proper rest and time for self-reflection were always necessary, after all.
‘But….’
Leonhardt understood this well.
How greatly these two individuals contributed to the Empire’s current military strength.
And just as Kailun said, the experience gained on the Battlefield was invaluable.
Moreover, this was the first endeavor that Prince Sedrian, who would soon ascend to the Emperor’s throne, was pushing forward with genuine resolve.
‘Already… all the Imperial Family’s ministers have agreed to it….’
Then it was crucial to provide solid support and establish their position.
A thought crossed my mind—perhaps these two would become the pillars of the Empire in the near future.
“Always remember that enemies lurk behind you as well. On the Battlefield, a blind arrow flying at the back of your neck is far more terrifying than the foe before your eyes.”
“Understood.”
“There’s no need for concern.”
Unlike Arteon’s measured response, Kailun burst into laughter with a smirk.
Smack!
“I thought your mischievous nature had improved somewhat, but there’s still much work to be done.”
“Ow… Your hand remains quite heavy, sir.”
Kailun touched his forehead where the fork had struck, speaking with a wince.
Unlike when on the Battlefield, before Leonhardt, Kailun seemed to have reverted to his true self.
Arteon spoke.
“He’s already accomplishing the work of an entire Knight order by himself. There’s no need for concern.”
“…Well, that’s a relief then.”
In Leonhardt’s eyes, Kailun always appeared to be a disciple burdened with excessive worry.
He understood well enough that such concern stemmed from how deeply he cherished the young man.
Leonhardt then rose from his seat.
“I’ve seen your face, so that suffices. I shall play chess with the Duke, so return to your duties now.”
“You’re sending me away already?”
Kailun spoke with evident reluctance.
“There’s no time for idling about here. You must have considerable work awaiting you.”
“…Understood.”
Arteon and Kailun rose from their seats.
But it was at that very moment.
The butler who had initially guided them to this dining hall approached where Arteon stood.
“Gentlemen, you have a visitor.”
At those words, both men’s attention turned toward him.

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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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