The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 298

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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 (298)
The tavern at dawn was as silent as a battlefield after war had ended.
Overturned cups and spilled alcohol lay scattered across the tables, while squad members sprawled haphazardly across the floor.
Some slept leaning against chairs, others lay on their backs with their heads on the ground, snoring away.
It was total annihilation.
Arteon slowly surveyed the scene before him.
“…Ha.”
A quiet laugh escaped his lips.
These were the men who had crossed dozens of battlefields at his side.
Warriors who had stood unflinching while drenched in blood, yet here they lay unconscious from mere cups of alcohol.
Though to be fair, those “cups” were larger than a man’s head.
Arteon lifted the nearly empty cup.
The alcohol inside wavered in the faint lamplight.
“You’ve all done well.”
A brief murmur directed at no one in particular.
Then he drained the cup in one gulp.
Footsteps sounded from behind.
“Are you alright, sir?”
It was Isaac.
Arteon set down the empty cup and tilted his head slightly.
“You didn’t drink?”
“Someone needs to keep watch over these men, doesn’t he, sir?”
Isaac glanced around the tavern.
“Still, it seems we’ve gotten through without incident.”
Arteon’s gaze naturally followed, sweeping across the room.
Squad members sprawled across the floor.
All of them were savage men who had endured the harsh Northern Region.
Once alcohol dulled their reason, there was no predicting what they might do, so I remained vigilant.
At Isaac’s words, Arteon looked at the men scattered on the floor before asking:
“What about the others?”
“Don’t worry, sir.”
Isaac shrugged.
“We’ve rented out every tavern nearby.”
There was nowhere to accommodate over a thousand troops at once.
The unit had to split among several establishments.
Of course, the seat beside the unit commander was hardly the most comfortable place to be.
As Arteon rose from his seat, Isaac asked again:
“Are you alright, sir?”
“What do you mean?”
Arteon’s indifferent response.
Isaac paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully before speaking.
“It’s just that… ever since arriving in the Capital, you haven’t seemed like yourself, Captain.”
“….”
A brief silence followed.
I hadn’t expected such a question.
But instead of answering, Arteon waved his hand dismissively.
“Keep an eye on those guys. Make sure they don’t cause any trouble.”
“Understood, sir.”
Arteon pushed open the tavern door and stepped outside.
Creak.
The moment the door closed, the biting cold of dawn air brushed against my face.
Though spring was drawing near, the dawn air remained crisp and chill.
I looked up at the sky for a moment.
The eastern sky, faintly brightening.
“….”
I moved forward slowly.
The streets of the Capital were quiet.
Only the occasional footsteps of patrol soldiers echoed from afar, and upon spotting me, they hurried over and saluted.
“L-Long live the Empire!”
“All clear on our watch, sir!”
Their salute differed from the military protocol I knew, but I simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Whoooosh!
A gust of wind swept past, brushing against my coat.
Those soldiers trembled slightly, their brows furrowing at the wind, but a faint smile crossed my lips.
‘Compared to the Northern Region… this is almost warm.’
The winter of the North bore no comparison to this air.
Wind that burrowed into flesh.
Air that froze with every exhaled breath.
Snow that shattered beneath each footfall.
That harsh, unforgiving land.
That was my world.
After those early years, when I could no longer recall anyone’s face.
From the moment my clear memories began, my life had always been the Northern Region.
The Northern land I was dragged to for reasons that made no sense.
At first, it was merely a place I had to endure to survive.
But as more than a decade passed, it had become everything to me.
Comrades fighting alongside me on blood-stained battlefields.
The Kar Tribe, whom I killed and was killed by in blizzards, and everything I gained through all that time.
‘Again….’
My footsteps came to a halt.
A new life gained by fortune.
The Northern Region was different after that.
There, I earned a name, earned fame, and climbed to this point through countless battles.
I ran ceaselessly.
I truly never stopped once.
Yet now, having returned after concluding the Southern battlefield.
A part of my chest felt strangely hollow.
Isaac’s words came to mind.
―Since arriving at the Capital, you haven’t seemed like yourself, Unit Commander.
‘Is that so.’
Arteon exhaled softly.
Perhaps this emotion was the reason.
It hadn’t even been half a year since I left the Northern Region.
Yet in this very moment.
That place was oddly coming to mind.
Snow-covered mountain ranges.
Harsh winds.
And cold air mingled with the smell of blood.
All of it was strangely missed.
Arteon’s gaze turned toward the distant sky.
‘Once this matter concludes….’
I murmured to myself.
‘I should speak about it.’
About returning to the Northern Region.
At that thought, my heart grew strangely lighter.
Arteon shook my head slightly.
And slowly turned my body.
Footsteps echoed softly.
The Capital’s dawn wind brushed against my shoulders.
Though it carried no scent of the Northern Region, Arteon quietly turned my steps toward where the squad members waited.
* * *
For several days, a peculiar stillness had settled over the Capital.
After the war’s end, days of unprecedented peace had unfolded, unlike before.
The streets bustled with people repairing the traces of war, and soldiers enjoyed this time, attending to personal maintenance as they welcomed the long-awaited peace.
Yet at the end of that stillness.
At last, the day of the Merit Ceremony that so many had awaited arrived.
Before the Imperial Palace, a vast plaza.
The Merit Ceremony should have been held within the Imperial Palace itself, but this time was different.
It was Sedrian’s wish to share the moment of honoring the birth of a hero who had saved the Capital from rebellion with many Imperial Citizens.
Because of this, the vast plaza directly before the Imperial Palace was chosen as the stage for the Merit Ceremony, and many came to the streets to witness the spectacle.
From early morning, the Plaza bustled with activity as countless workers moved with purpose, and more and more citizens filled the spaces.
“Move quickly!”
“Come on, shift it over there! What happens if the wind knocks it down?”
Soldiers and attendants moved with practiced efficiency, erecting the Platform and raising the Flags.
The crimson Imperial Flag and banners emblazoned with the golden Imperial Seal fluttered throughout the Plaza.
The massive Platform, crafted by the Imperial Palace’s finest Craftsmen, was adorned with marble, and behind it hung an enormous golden eagle crest—the very symbol of the Empire.
Its majesty was so overwhelming that even from a distance, one’s breath caught in awe.
The sides of the Plaza’s thoroughfares and the spaces between the tiered buildings overflowed with people.
Some had climbed onto rooftops to claim their spots, and beside them stood children who could barely contain their excitement.
It was as though the entire Capital had turned its gaze toward the Plaza.
And when the sun climbed high into the sky.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A thunderous drum beat erupted, reverberating across the entire Plaza.
In that instant, the murmuring crowd fell silent.
The faces of the assembled grew solemn and reverent.
Citizens, Soldiers, and countless Ministers had gathered, and among them stood Arteon and the members of the Silent Spear Unit.
“…It appears to be starting now.”
“Shh.”
Isaac gestured subtly at his Squad Member’s words, speaking in a hushed tone.
And with that heavy silence, a great proclamation rang out.
“The Prince has arrived!”
The massive gates of the Imperial Palace slowly swung open.
And from within, Sedrian emerged into view.
A Uniform adorned with golden embellishments.
The Imperial Crest embroidered upon a white Cloak.
His measured yet dignified stride created the illusion of a new Emperor walking forth.
And behind him, the Ministers attending Sedrian followed in procession.
“Uuuuaaaaahhhhh!”
The Plaza erupted.
Thousands upon thousands of citizens burst into cheers.
“Long live the Prince!”
“Long live the Caldrian Empire!”
Handkerchiefs waved from the rooftops, and flower petals danced through the streets.
The Ministers too offered their applause as Sedrian ascended the Platform.
Thump, thump.
Standing upon the Platform, Sedrian raised his hand, gazing upon the cheering citizens and Ministers.
That single gesture alone caused the Plaza to tremble.
Whoosh.
The moment Sedrian clenched his fist, the cheers subsided and silence descended.
Sedrian opened his mouth to speak.
“We have recently faced a grave crisis.”
A calm yet clear voice filled the Plaza.
“In many ways, it was a crisis that could have brought down the very foundation of the Empire.”
The faces of the crowd hardened.
Everyone remembered that incident vividly.
“Yet we overcame that crisis.”
Sedrian paused, his gaze sweeping across the Plaza.
“No—we rose beyond that crisis to stand even taller!”
The passionate declaration sent heat rippling through the crowd once more.
Sedrian continued.
“The Kaerbaldt Kingdom and Ermatir Kingdom of the Southern Region have bowed their heads completely before our Empire.”
Soft murmurs of admiration rippled through the crowd.
Those who knew the outcome of the war could not hide the satisfaction in their smiles.
“And the Neolth Kingdom, which participated in the rebellion, has begged for forgiveness by offering us the head of the Second Prince who orchestrated it.”
At once, whispers erupted throughout the Plaza.
Most people had not known this fact.
A prince of a kingdom….
“They offered his head…?”
“Unbelievable….”
The meaning was unmistakable.
Sedrian’s gaze turned slowly toward the citizens.
“This means our Empire’s majesty stands at the pinnacle of the Continent.”
And….
“No kingdom shall dare to act freely beneath the shadow of the Empire.”
Boom!
The entire Plaza resonated with fervent energy.
Pride shone upon the faces of the officials.
Sedrian wore his characteristic serene smile.
“Therefore….”
He paused for a moment.
“I have prepared this Merit Ceremony to bestow fitting rewards upon those who have established the Empire’s honor.”
His gaze turned to the side.
A secretary stepped forward.
And called out loudly.
“First of all!”
The entire Plaza held its breath.
“General Lukael Hargail, who led the vanguard in suppressing the Empire’s traitors from the Northern Region! Please ascend the Platform!”
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuu!”
A roar of cheers erupted as if the Plaza itself would explode.
Amid the thunderous applause, Lukael rose from his seat, removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm, then slowly ascended the Platform.
His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and at the sight of him, young maidens gathered atop the buildings and beside the platform let out excited cries.
“General Lucael!”
“General, please look this way!”
Ignoring their shouts—which seemed ready to burst into confessions of love at any moment—Lucael climbed onto the platform with an impassive expression.
On the left arm of his dark-colored armor was emblazoned the insignia of the Knight Order.
He came to a halt before Sedrian.
The secretary then spoke.
“Lukael Hargail. You have repelled enemy attacks targeting our commander in the northern Preldior, and have also achieved great merit in the occupation of Preldior.”
It was as though the distant northern lands—which most present had never set foot upon—were being recreated in this plaza.
Everyone gasped in admiration, recalling the exploits Lucael had accomplished in the north, and Lucael himself reflected upon those memories from that time.
The secretary continued speaking.
“Furthermore, you led the Knight Order into the capital during a treacherous assault by rebel forces, eliminated the rebels, and achieved great merit in suppressing the rebellion.”
As the secretary spoke, Sedrian stepped forward and extended the medals he had been holding.
“Lukael Hargail is hereby promoted to Captain, and ten million Gold is bestowed from the Imperial Treasury!”
“T-ten million Gold?!”
“W-what?!”
Most of those who heard these words could not hide their astonishment.
Ten million Gold.
No matter how great one’s achievements, no one had ever received such reward money for military service until now.
Yet Sedrian, as if it were nothing, approached him and extended the medals.
“These are medals directly from the Imperial Family. When you are in need of the Imperial Family’s assistance, you may receive aid once, regardless of the reason.”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s generous favor.”
“Furthermore, I shall bestow upon all members of your Knight Order one thousand Gold in reward money, along with one item each from the Imperial Blacksmith.”
At Sedrian’s words, Lucael bowed deeply in gratitude.
As Sedrian nodded in acknowledgment, Lucael descended from the platform with dignified composure.
And then….
“And next…!”
With the secretary’s continuing proclamation.
“Ooooooooo!”
“…?!”
The eyes of those seated widened greatly, all turning in a single direction.

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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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