The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 30

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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 (30)

It was certainly a dangerous task.

Perhaps it might even be something that required preparing for total annihilation.

“Say it again.”

“Move toward the central part of the cliff wall surrounding the canyon valley, destroy a portion of the cliff wall, and drop rocks onto their heads.”

If rocks suddenly fell on their heads while they were sleeping, they would experience great confusion.

“At that moment, if we immediately go down below along with the main force’s advance and break through the enemies blocking the gorge… we can resolve the entire situation before dawn today.”

“…You’re insane.”

Even Isaac couldn’t simply agree this time.

You’re thinking of ending this massive war in just one night?

Moreover, destroying the cliff wall.

By what means?

However, Arteon pulled out a piece of paper from his chest.

The gazes of Isaac and the unit members turned toward Arteon.

“Please look here.”

Though it wasn’t clearly visible due to the darkness, they could see the faint outline of a map.

Arteon pointed with his finger to the 1/3 point of the canyon valley among the eastern cliff walls and said.

“Helikel Gorge has ice walls existing between the cliff walls due to the Northern Region’s cold temperatures.”

This ice repeats melting and freezing every year, gradually increasing in size and creating cracks in the cliff walls.

“Especially recently, hasn’t the Northern Region’s temperature not risen much? The solidly frozen ice wall is much stronger than rock, but when the temperature has risen like now…”

Of course, the current Northern Region weather was indeed a situation difficult for humans to endure with bare bodies.

However, compared to times when extreme cold was raging, it could be said to be relatively warm.

Isaac’s pupils shook at Arteon’s words.

Not only was his strategy surprisingly impressive, but it was puzzling how he knew so much detail about this Helikel Gorge.

However…

“Even so, the risk is too great. Finding that cracked wall surface would be impossible to begin with.”

“I know that location.”

“…Even if that’s true, for this operation to succeed, the main force must enter the gorge the moment the cliff wall is destroyed.”

It could only be finished if front and rear attacks were carried out with truly perfect timing.

And for that to happen, they had to fire a signal flare to call the main force before the cliff wall collapsed.

They didn’t even know where the location of the weakened ice wall Arteon mentioned was, and wasn’t moving to the center to destroy the ice wall too risky?

Isaac shook his head.

“If we fail, thousands of soldiers will die.”

“No. We fire a signal flare to call the main force here, and after confirming the cliff wall is destroyed, they advance. If that happens, there’s no risk.”

“The moment we launch a signal flare, our position will be exposed. Are we just planning to all die?”

It was a low but threatening voice.

At Isaac’s words, Arteon looked at him in silence.

However…

“I will destroy the cliff wall.”

“…”

At Arteon’s words, Isaac shut his mouth tight.

Now it was a look that wasn’t even surprising.

As if he had expected those words to be said.

“Alright, everyone gather.”

He didn’t even ask if he could do it.

Because it was obvious he would answer that he could.

It was certainly an operation with considerable risk.

‘If it succeeds…’

They really could take this Helikel Gorge in just one day.

Just thinking about it sent chills through him, but at times like this, he needed to think even more coldly and rationally.

Isaac looked at Arteon.

“I can’t help you. If you fail or… if you can’t bring down the cliff wall quickly…”

Isaac said firmly.

“You die here.”

“I’m prepared for it.”

At Arteon’s unwavering eyes, Isaac looked at the unit members and pointed to a part of the map.

“The moment Sergeant Arteon moves to destroy the cliff wall, we move to the point visible there and hide.”

In the sudden situation, the unit members raised their concentration and listened carefully to Isaac’s words.

Everyone knew that the current situation was quite serious.

“And when the cliff wall is destroyed and I give the signal, we immediately enter combat. Any soldier who didn’t understand?”

“…”

There was no answer.

Everyone had clearly understood.

At that, Isaac let out a small breath and looked at Arteon.

Originally, he should be the one taking on the mission to destroy that cliff wall.

Because he would have a higher success rate than Arteon.

However, not knowing the location of the crack, he might be delayed.

‘…Is this right?’

During this brief moment, his thoughts changed dozens of times.

If by any chance the operation failed and he lost Arteon, he felt he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

He was truly the real deal among the real deals he’d met in a long time.

If this guy grew, he would become a monster later.

‘…However.’

The decision was already made.

Though he hadn’t known the guy for long, hadn’t he accomplished all sorts of impossible things so far?

‘I’ll trust him now.’

It might be an irresponsible choice, but this was also his decision.

Isaac said.

“Arteon, you go back the way we came right now, get stakes and rope, and move toward the crack. And the rest of the unit members strengthen perimeter security so Sergeant Arteon can reach his destination. Absolutely no sound must be made. When killing enemies, always aim for the lungs to block sound first.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

Isaac took out his watch.

The remaining time until dawn was roughly 3 hours.

It was fortunate they could buy more time because it was the cold Northern Region.

‘Dawn breaks faster than in winter.’

Even 3 hours was a generous estimate.

They had to finish all preparations within that time.

Isaac looked at the unit members and said.

“Then we move.”

With the command, Arteon began running in the opposite direction from the unit members.

* * *

Cold wind flowed bleakly through the crevices of the gorge.

Under the sky gradually turning red, Braktus was looking ahead with blade-like eyes.

However…

“…”

Braktus’s head turned toward the eastern cliff wall.

Because he felt something seemed to move briefly in the faintly settled fog.

It might have been a mistake, or perhaps it was just a bird.

But Braktus soon called for Turak, his adjutant.

“Turak.”

With his low voice, Turak, who had been below, approached.

“Yes, Braktus.”

“Over there. What’s the situation?”

Braktus asked, casting his gaze toward the Eastern Cliff Wall. Turak looked in that direction and replied.

“That place is not somewhere people can reach. It’s a steep cliff and below flows a river with tremendous current. The width alone exceeds 40 meters by far.”

It was a situation where they had to maintain thorough vigilance based on limited warriors.

There was no capacity to worry about such an impossible location.

Braktus also knew the terrain of the Eastern Cliff Wall, so he silently nodded.

“…Right.”

But why was it?

This strange uneasiness that was creeping over him.

Braktus stroked his chin and fell into thought.

The deeply carved wrinkles did not disappear.

‘Cliff… river with strong current…’

Even Turak’s words that they wouldn’t place guards there because it was an unreachable location.

Since nothing he said was strange, that’s what made it seem like a vulnerability.

Braktus spoke.

“Deploy warriors to that location, right now.”

“…Excuse me? It’s not easy for warriors to climb up there either.”

“But it’s not impossible.”

If they climbed from this side, it was a slope that was steep but could definitely be climbed.

Turak couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

“Do you think the Empire bastards could invade from that direction?”

“I’m just not ruling out the possibility.”

“…The weak Empire bastards wouldn’t make such a decision. But since it’s an order, I’ll deploy them right away.”

Turak immediately raised his hand and called the warriors who were in front.

“You go up there right now and stand guard. If you discover anything, immediately signal with the whistle.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

Even the warriors who received the order couldn’t hide their puzzled expressions.

But without complaint, they immediately moved toward the upper part of the Eastern Cliff Wall.

Turak, who had been watching the warriors’ retreating figures, turned his gaze back to Braktus and said.

“You seem to have become very sensitive. How about getting some rest?”

“I can’t let my guard down until the warriors are reinforced.”

Of course, as Turak said, if taken individually, the Empire’s soldiers weren’t threatening.

But among those idiots, occasionally… really occasionally, an absurd bastard would emerge.

Having fought on this battlefield for a long time, Braktus couldn’t ignore the Empire’s unpredictability.

Moreover, didn’t they have the leisure to maintain this battlefield while even exposing their own information?

‘Nevertheless, the reason this war hasn’t ended yet is…’

Because of the Empire’s unpredictability and unexpected variables that arise.

And now, like heavy air pressing down on the tent… Braktus’s heart was squeezed without reason.

Braktus said.

“Dawn needs to break quickly.”

It was a night that felt particularly ominous.

Braktus silently glared at the Eastern Cliff Wall with a hardened expression.

His heartbeat was heavier and clearer than ever before.

He hoped it was just groundless worry.

Piiiiiiiiiiii!

Shortly after, with the sound of a whistle, the Gorge began to stir.

* * *

Crash!

Since he had started moving, there was no time to delay.

Arteon, who had been moving while keeping his body as low as possible, surveyed his surroundings.

‘…Is the fog helping me?’

The fog that had been faintly obscuring his vision from below was gradually rising to the top of the Gorge, serving as a screen.

Of course, the effect wasn’t great, but it was much better than nothing.

“Hup!”

Crrrrrack!

Arteon enhanced his body with mana and pulled out the iron spike embedded in the Gorge.

The iron spike that had been driven in at least two spans deep came out slowly with a bizarre sound.

And…

Clank.

He wrapped the extracted spike and rope around his body and immediately changed direction.

Now the real thing begins.

―If you fail… you’ll die here.

Isaac’s words echoed in his ears.

But…

Smirk.

The corner of Arteon’s mouth rose.

His heart was pounding and he felt blood rushing to his head.

It was definitely a dangerous operation.

As he said, if it failed, death would be unavoidable.

But in this Northern Region, he had never once carried out an easy operation.

‘Being a soldier of common birth and belonging to the Punishment Unit, he was always deployed to the most dangerous operations.’

He had rolled around on this battlefield for 10 years like that.

And he had survived.

‘With just this level of operation…’

Did it seem like he would die?

Thud!

Arteon ran along the top of the cliff wall while keeping his posture as low as possible.

But it was the moment Arteon passed by where he had originally been.

“…!”

Two members of the Kar Tribe lying on the ground.

Whether their lives had already ended, the bastards were bleeding and not moving at all.

There were traces of attacks that precisely targeted the lungs from behind and slashed throats.

‘Those bastards…’

Had they started guarding this place?

Arteon’s gaze turned downward.

If it was the Isaac he knew, surely…

Damn it.

Arteon sprinted along the top of the cliff wall. And at the same time, the sound of a whistle came from below.

Piiiiiiii!

Probably Isaac had moved to draw attention.

Those words….

“We must hurry.”

There was no time.

Arteon’s movements as he ran along the Cliff Wall carried more desperation than ever before.

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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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