The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 308
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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 (308)
“Cavalry?”
“We’re going to ride horses?”
Isaac nodded at the words of the Officers beside him.
Cavalry held a significance on the Battlefield far beyond that of a mere military branch.
The speed of riding horses was several times faster than that of ordinary Infantry, and by wielding that speed as a weapon, one could traverse time and distance in a single bound.
A destructive force that could not be resisted.
Regardless of the rider’s Ability, the Impact of a war horse colliding with its body was so tremendous that an ordinary person would lose their life in a single strike.
Moreover, if the Silent Spear Battalion—whose primary strength lay in guerrilla operations targeting the enemy’s flank or Rear Position—were to move on horseback, their Combat Power would rise by at least several fold.
When needing to traverse great distances, if one could skillfully ride a horse, naturally one could move swiftly while conserving Physical Strength.
A brief Silence fell over them.
Only after hearing all those words did the Officers realize it.
This was not simply a matter of ‘adding one more military branch’.
Then, one Officer carefully opened his mouth.
“So… we’re becoming… cavalry?”
Isaac shook his head.
“There’s no need to define ourselves as either Infantry or cavalry. When horses are necessary, we can become cavalry, and when we don’t ride, we remain Infantry.”
Having a choice itself carried tremendous significance on the Battlefield.
And because they understood this as well, they nodded with resolute expressions.
The existing Silent Spear Battalion was already a Unit with destructive power worthy of being called the pinnacle of Infantry.
Intricate Formation changes, flexible responses suited to circumstances, and above all, perfect coordination that complemented one another.
Of course, what made all of that possible was that Arteon always stood at their Vanguard.
The mightiest Warrior on the Continent.
With him present, there was no enemy the Silent Spear Battalion could not Breakthrough.
But the problem was precisely that they lacked the strength to keep pace with such an exceptional Unit Commander.
The widening gap made it increasingly difficult to catch up with him.
Especially when needing to execute a powerful Breakthrough at high speed, the ‘speed’ of racing across the Battlefield alongside Arteon was more important than anything else.
If we could fill that gap by becoming cavalry, the Squad Members would be able to focus more on Battle than they do now.
Isaac spoke to the Officers.
“Once everything is organized, we’ll begin horse-riding Training immediately. Until then… focus on Formation Training for the newcomers.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And the entire Unit will resume Physical Training, so everyone prepare yourselves mentally.”
“…Sigh.”
“Understood. Things are about to get intense again.”
Yet a faint smile graced everyone’s face.
They understood well that to sustain such peace, they must always endure hardship.
If through this effort peace continues and my people can live happily…
I could accept the pain of training with a smile.
Isaac let out a soft chuckle and raised the corners of his mouth at the Officers’ response.
The fact that everyone shared the same heart was itself what made them one.
And….
‘The Unit will undergo a new transformation through this opportunity.’
I could dimly anticipate that all of this was preparation for the changes that would come in the future.
Even Isaac hadn’t heard the details precisely, but there must have been some conversation between the Imperial Prince Sedrian and Arteon.
But whatever it was.
‘It doesn’t matter what happens.’
Isaac turned his head to look in the direction Arteon had gone.
Wherever the Unit Commander headed.
‘That’s where we must follow.’
Clench.
Isaac squeezed his fist tightly, steeling his resolve.
“Then let’s move out.”
“Yes, sir!”
There was a mountain of work to be done.
At Isaac’s command, the officers responded loudly and made their way toward where the horses were gathered.
* * *
The Office of Wolfheim Lord’s Castle.
A chill seeping through the thick stone walls settled coldly over the air.
Beyond the window, snow drifted faintly, and the heavy silence peculiar to the Northern Region pressed down upon the space.
Arteon, Albertul, and Rishiven sat facing one another across a table.
Organized documents lay neatly upon the table, and the conversation that followed delved ever deeper.
“This matter… we’ll delegate to the newly recruited personnel.”
Arteon’s words were measured, yet the decision they contained was far from light.
In that moment, Albertul’s brows narrowed slightly.
“But… wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
His gaze shifted from the documents to Arteon.
“Managing the domain is the exclusive authority of the Marquis as lord. If you entrust that to another… it will surely create problems.”
His words were careful, yet the concern within them was unmistakable.
Stabilizing a domain in the harsh environment of the Northern Region is difficult enough.
Dividing authority in such circumstances was no different from creating opportunities for fractures.
Especially since it amounted to granting full authority over managing this vast domain.
That was power itself, and what corrupt acts might emerge from it could not be predicted.
“Hmm….”
Understanding what Albertul wished to say, Arteon exhaled softly.
His words certainly held merit.
Whoosh.
Arteon looked toward Rishiven.
At that, Rishiven slowly opened his mouth.
“For that matter, I believe it would suffice if a trustworthy person from the Imperial Palace and someone I recommend conduct cross-verification while continuing the audits.”
His voice was calm yet resolute.
“But… can they truly guarantee there are no issues? I believe the Marquis should perhaps handle this directly….”
Before Albertul could finish speaking.
“Albertul.”
Rishiven gently cut him off, her gaze settling upon him.
Her eyes held no wavering.
“The Marquis’s thinking is quite straightforward.”
She continued.
“Rather than forcing himself to grasp everything directly when he has no prior experience managing a territory… he intends to operate it stably through capable representatives, while concentrating on what he does best.”
Albertul’s expression hardened at her words, then gradually softened.
Rishiven’s assessment was not wrong.
Arteon was unparalleled in dominating the battlefield, yet territorial management was an entirely different domain.
And most importantly, Arteon himself recognized and acknowledged this limitation.
‘Entrusting it to others may indeed carry greater risks… but.’
With Arteon’s such righteous character, there was certainty that even if management proved inadequate, corruption would not take root.
Yet separate from Albertul’s thoughts, Rishiven continued slowly.
“Of course, this does not mean entrusting it forever. During the learning period… the territory’s people would suffer from any mistakes, so after much deliberation, he reached this decision.”
Her words carried a subtle warmth.
She too understood.
What thoughts had driven Arteon to make this choice.
Albertul exhaled a long breath.
“I understand.”
His gaze turned toward Arteon.
“Then, as the Marquis has said… I shall seek out a suitable candidate and recommend them.”
Arteon nodded.
“Thank you for understanding. I shall send a separate letter to the Imperial Prince.”
“Yes.”
With his brief response, the tension of the meeting gradually eased.
Albertul rose from his seat and spoke.
“Once this matter is concluded… I shall return to the Imperial Palace. You seem to be adapting far more quickly than expected.”
His gaze turned toward the window.
Cold snow still drifted outside.
‘In such conditions… so swiftly.’
It had been only months since arriving at Wolfheim.
His body still had not acclimated to this Northern Region’s harsh weather.
But the Silent Spear Battalion was different.
As if this place had always been their domain, they moved without hesitation.
And at the center of it all stood Arteon.
Albertul then bowed his head.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“We shall speak again later.”
“Yes.”
The door closed, leaving only two people in the Office.
The moment Rishiven rose from her seat.
“And.”
Arteon’s voice held her back.
“I wanted to ask you something… Is the Shadowteon Merchant Guild’s headquarters currently in Almers?”
Rishiven nodded.
“Yes. Almers was where we began.”
“How are things there?”
A brief question.
Yet it carried the weight of someone who already knew much.
Rishiven smiled faintly.
“Well… as the organization has grown, there are more and more people trying to interfere.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“But somehow… I’m managing to keep things in order.”
Growing organizations inevitably attract certain things.
Greed, interference, and opportunity.
The administrators of Almers would never leave the Shadowteon Merchant Guild alone.
Though they had risen to become the Empire’s greatest trading company, their fundamental rank remained that of Commoners.
They were simply too tempting a target.
And Arteon understood this as well.
Arteon spoke.
“Then… what if you moved the headquarters here?”
Rishiven’s pupils trembled for a moment.
“From here, whether heading north or toward Central, it would be far more advantageous.”
A moment of silence.
But soon, Rishiven’s eyes gleamed as she spoke.
“Would that… truly be acceptable?”
It was the moment when the hope she had harbored was ever so slightly revealed.
In truth, when I came here, I had thought about moving the headquarters to Wolfheim.
But that was merely a matter of ‘requesting’ something for my own benefit.
That’s why I couldn’t help but be cautious about bringing it up to Arteon.
Yet here Arteon was, bringing it up first.
At Rishiven’s words, Arteon smiled lightly and nodded.
“If the Shadowteon Merchant Guild comes here… I would feel far more secure.”
After pausing briefly.
“Or rather, to be precise… Rishiven, I think it would be good to have you here. And I’d appreciate it if you could handle the administrative matters regarding those who come here.”
It was something he could only say because he trusted Rishiven so deeply.
At those words, Rishiven’s gaze fell downward for a moment.
“…It would be my honor, Marquis.”
It was a brief response, yet the emotions contained within it were far from simple.
Arteon rose from his seat.
“Then let’s handle these matters promptly.”
His gaze turned toward the door.
“I have things I need to attend to as well.”
He was rushing through urgent matters, but they were taking longer than anticipated.
He needed to resolve these issues quickly and focus on what he did best.
Arteon’s eyes dimmed briefly.
‘Territory management… that’s not my role.’
He already knew this truth.
His place was not behind a desk, but on the Battlefield.
Building up the Unit, making it stronger.
And protecting his people.
That was what Arteon did best. And for that purpose, he was introducing cavalry tactics.
Rishiven bowed her head.
“Yes, I understand.”
Arteon tapped her shoulder lightly.
The touch was brief, yet it carried unmistakable trust.
As Arteon stepped outside, Rishiven, now alone in the Office, gazed out the window of Wolfheim Lord’s Castle at the city of Wolfheim below.
‘Perhaps…’
She wondered if a new transformation for the Northern Region—no, for the entire Empire—might begin in this place called Wolfheim.
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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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