The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 342

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

Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (342)
It was late into the night.
Darkness had settled thick and heavy over Wolfheim’s Lord’s Castle, and the bitter cold wind peculiar to the Northern Region wailed long and mournfully against the Castle Wall.
Torches flickered intermittently, casting their light down the corridor, yet even that glow wavered uncertainly in the wind.
Until this morning, the Conference Room had been packed with people.
A Map of the entire Northern Region lay spread across the long Table.
Flags and markers planted throughout revealed just how intricately the current situation had become entangled.
Two figures stood before it.
Arteon and Belkain.
Shortly after Markelion’s forces had departed, they had begun what might be their final meeting.
“We’ve received reports that those bastards are gathering their troops beyond the Belikejel Plain.”
Belkain’s voice was low and measured.
He raised his hand and pointed to a location on the Map.
“Here. Based on the scale… it’s most likely preparation to strike this position.”
The Belikejel Plain.
Beyond it, to the north.
The Kar Tribe forces gathering there had reached nearly ten thousand strong.
The numbers alone were threatening, but the real problem was the high likelihood that this wasn’t the full extent of their forces.
“If we account for hidden reserves… double that.”
Belkain’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“We cannot rule out as many as twenty thousand.”
Silence fell for a moment after those words.
Arteon’s gaze, fixed upon the Map, deepened further.
Another piece of information was surfacing in his mind.
It was intelligence that had come from Rishiven’s Shadowteon Merchant Guild.
With that, Arteon spoke to Belkain.
“Commander. Cautiously speaking… there may be another possibility.”
Belkain’s gaze turned toward him.
“Another possibility?”
At that question, Arteon raised his hand and pointed to another location on the Map.
“Here, Aikuled. We’ve confirmed intelligence that troops are gathering there as well, in stealth.”
“What is the source of this intelligence?”
“The Shadowteon Merchant Guild.”
At that moment, Belkain’s eyes hardened ever so slightly.
In other matters it might be different, but when it came to the Northern Region, the intelligence network possessed by Shadowteon was quite formidable.
Was it not true that, despite not being a military organization, they sometimes possessed an intelligence network sharper than the military itself?
For that reason, Belkain fell silent for a moment, his eyes fixed upon the Map.
“…Hmm.”
Belkain remained silent, studying the Map intently.
Two points.
Belikezel and Aikuled.
Two of the three strategic points the Empire had to pass through to attack the Kar Tribe Territory in the north.
Two of the three strategic points the northern Kar Tribe had to pass through to attack the Empire’s territory.
These were two of the three critical strongholds that both sides had to traverse to launch assaults on each other’s domains.
Since the Empire currently occupied all three strategic points that could be called critical strongholds, couldn’t they have advanced further to seize Preldior as well?
‘The reason those bastards aren’t targeting Preldior but are instead aiming straight for this place… is crystal clear.’
Preldior, though in a short timeframe, was the place where the most personnel had been deployed and the fortress had been constructed most solidly.
From the Kar Tribe’s perspective, targeting the strategic points along the passage leading southward would be far more effective than targeting the heavily defended Preldior.
It wouldn’t matter which of the three they seized.
Simply possessing one would inflict tremendous damage upon the Empire while simultaneously allowing them to rebuild their own forces more firmly.
‘And….’
If they lost even one of the three strategic points, Preldior itself would inevitably fall into danger.
Belkain nodded slowly.
“So you’re saying both possibilities exist.”
“While I cannot say with certainty which one it will be… based on the current situation, it is anticipated that they will launch a definite attack on one of the two.”
The Kar Tribe had not launched a single attack southward since losing Preldior.
Those who had constantly targeted the south, day after day, had waited for over a year…
‘Which means they’ve prepared themselves that thoroughly.’
Now they would surely unleash their assault with the same certainty as that long wait.
And beneath that surface.
‘They’ll attack with their altered tactics combined as well.’
Belkain’s gaze grew cold and sharp.
Then Belkain spoke, looking toward Arteon.
“But it doesn’t matter where those bastards attack. Wherever it may be, they will never break through.”
Belkain spoke with unwavering conviction.
Thirty thousand troops dispatched from Central Command.
Of those, a full ten thousand soldiers were stationed at each strategic point.
Compared to the Northern Region from years past, the total troop strength had increased by at least three to four times over.
It was a completely different situation from those days when they were always short-handed, struggling and holding the line with their bodies.
Moreover….
“The caliber of the dispatched warriors is also considerable. Since we’ve concluded diplomatic relations with the kingdoms to the southeast, warriors capable of wielding Aura have arrived in great numbers.”
The Empire was fundamentally constrained by the Kar Tribe to the north.
And by the kingdoms to the east and south.
Therefore, armies were always stationed near the borders, accompanied by warriors of corresponding strength.
But now the situation had changed greatly.
Thanks to Arteon’s exploits, non-aggression treaties had been concluded with all kingdoms neighboring the south and east.
This had allowed them to relocate a vast number of soldiers and warriors who had been stationed there to the north.
Belkain, who had been studying the map, shifted his gaze toward Arteon.
And he spoke carefully.
“Marquis.”
“Speak.”
“Would the Marquis be willing to go to Aikuled?”
Arteon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I will move to the Belikejel Plain instead.”
His voice was calm, yet it carried a clear resolve.
Arteon’s mere presence at Aikuled would establish a complete defensive position.
It wasn’t simply because Arteon was an 8th Star warrior.
The Silent Spear Battalion under his command possessed combat power equivalent to a force of ten thousand soldiers on its own.
However, at Belkain’s words, Arteon spoke with a somewhat concerned expression.
“Will the Commander be alright?”
Warriors bearing seven Feather Tattoos were already in motion.
If by some chance this time as well.
A great warrior with seven Feather Tattoos were to move, there was no way to predict how the situation would change.
‘Of course….’
I knew that Belkain was not one to be easily defeated.
However, the power wielded by a 7-Star warrior sometimes created variables that defied all logic.
But then.
“Do not worry.”
Belkain shook his head and continued.
“In the previous battle, accidents occurred due to unforeseen circumstances… but now that we know how those bastards have changed, we must prepare accordingly.”
In truth, no one had predicted it.
That someone bearing seven Feather Tattoos would appear in a small place like the Gracekal Mine.
Had such a situation been anticipated, even if we could not have won, we would not have been defeated.
For Commander Belkain possessed such exceptional ability.
And so, at the sound of his unwavering voice.
“…Understood.”
Arteon nodded.
And at that response, Belkain offered a faint smile.
“Then we deploy in three days. By then, all preparations will be complete.”
“Yes.”
At Arteon’s reply, Belkain rose from his seat and extended his hand to him.
“I have been much indebted to you during this time. Of course, I will need your assistance greatly in the days to come as well.”
“I have felt reassured having you here.”
Arteon also rose and grasped his hand.
And now I would need to prepare for true war.
If I could repel the Kar Tribe’s attack this time.
‘Next would be….’
I intended to end this tedious struggle in the Northern Region.
The conquest of the North that I had failed to achieve in my past life.
‘This time, surely….’
Arteon turned, his gaze flashing with lethal intensity.
* * *
Whoooooosh!
Beneath the low-hanging sky of the Northern Region, a biting wind swept across Wolfheim in its entirety.
Dry dust and moisture mingled above the earth not yet fully thawed, releasing a peculiar odor, while the flags planted atop the castle walls fluttered violently.
The approach of war had already seeped into the very air itself.
Within that atmosphere.
Buuuuuuuuuu!
A long, piercing horn blast cleaved through Wolfheim’s air in a single breath.
At that signal alone, everything moved.
Clop, clop, clop.
Hoofbeats rang out in unison, and the Silent Spear Unit Members scattered across various positions began converging in an instant.
Merely four days.
A preparation period far too brief to merit the name. Yet not a soul harbored doubt.
Indeed, there was no time for doubt.
Less than three months in total.
But the Silent Spear Unit Members could stake their lives on it.
The intensity of training compressed into that brief span rivaled anything in the Empire’s history.
Some among them had begun to say they felt more at ease mounted than dismounted.
A testament to how merciless their exertion had been.
And before them stood Arteon, his expression stern as he observed his soldiers.
Facing the cold wind head-on, he gazed down at them in silence.
His golden Aura was not yet unleashed, yet his mere presence compressed the air itself.
A moment passed.
“Are all preparations complete?”
Arteon asked his soldiers with measured brevity.
At those words alone.
“Unit fully prepared for deployment, sir.”
Isaac’s voice rang out with unwavering resolve.
Every soldier stood in formation with eyes sharper than before—sharper than they had ever been.
Arteon nodded.
“Our destination is Aikuled.”
His gaze turned northward.
“We will hold back the Kar Tribe attacking that position.”
Though his words were clipped, the weight they carried was immense.
Arteon’s eyes deepened further.
“And depending on the situation, we may need to move to reinforce other areas, so keep that in mind.”
At those words, the soldiers slowly nodded in acknowledgment.
It seemed this operation too would demand considerable physical endurance.
Yet not a single one among them showed hesitation or reluctance.
After all, it was always they who stood on the most grueling battlefields.
But that moment arrived.
“Unit Commander.”
Someone raised a hand and called out to Arteon.
All eyes naturally turned toward him.
Kamarkan, Platoon Leader of 1st Company’s 3rd Platoon.
His name alone caused several officers’ expressions to stiffen subtly.
Bartell in particular furrowed his brow openly.
‘What is he going to say now….’
Kamarkan was ordinarily quite aggressive and outspoken by nature.
It was only natural to worry what he might say.
But Kamarkan paid no mind and continued speaking.
“I have a question.”
When Arteon nodded, he asked without hesitation.
“Is this war purely defensive?”
In that instant, the air seemed to freeze into silence.
No one opened their mouth.
Everyone understood what that question truly meant.
The reason for fighting.
The direction of the battlefield.
The very essence of this unit.
Everything hung upon that single question.
Moreover, it was something other squad members had been wondering about as well.
Several soldiers let out a soft “Ooh” upon hearing Kamarkan’s words.
For unlike his usual demeanor, his question struck at the very heart of the matter.
Arteon said nothing for a moment in response to Kamarkan’s inquiry.
He simply gazed northward.
Beyond the unseen mountain range.
To the land already soaked in the smell of blood.
But soon, Arteon spoke in a measured voice.
“Of course, after we repel their assault….”
His gaze turned toward the squad members.
And he spoke with unwavering resolve.
“We advance northward once more.”
Thump!
As if an invisible shockwave swept through the unit, every soldier’s eyes gleamed with fervor.
In that moment, someone chuckled softly.
Then, one by one, lips began to curve upward.
Defense?
That was merely the beginning.
Their true nature isn’t to hold the line—it’s to break through and advance.
And as Arteon gazed upon them, he spoke his final words.
“Unit, deploy.”
In that moment.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
The gates of Wolfheim burst open, and the Silent Spear Battalion thundered northward.

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