The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 35

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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 (35)

Bang!

The moment he struck down on the table.

Crack!

The thick wooden table instantly shattered into pieces and scattered in all directions.

The man who received the completely unexpected news could not hide his anger.

“What did you say? Helikel Gorge has been taken…?”

“Y-y-y-yes, that’s correct.”

“How many warriors returned alive?”

“A-a-approximately f-f-f-five hundred… or so.”

At the messenger’s words, an even deeper killing intent flowed from the eyes of Drazan, the Northwest’s chief Taman.

A feeling that seemed to constrict one’s body just by facing him.

The messenger, an ordinary warrior, couldn’t even breathe properly under Drazan’s killing intent and prostrated himself flat on the ground.

Because looking into his eyes felt like it would truly stop one’s breath.

Drazan spoke.

“The 1st Defense Line… what happened to Braktus?”

“He is reported to have died on the battlefield… but no one directly witnessed his death.”

“Among those who returned alive, who is the Taman?”

“I-it’s Urkalon, a senior warrior.”

“Bring him to me. And… send the warriors who returned alive to the mines.”

“…All of them, sir?”

The messenger’s eyes shook greatly for a moment.

The mines were a place where warriors who had committed crimes were sent.

But to send so many people to the mines, even if they were defeated soldiers…

However…

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

“Y-yes, understood.”

At Drazan’s words, the messenger quickly rose from his position and left the command post.

In a way, the most humiliating incident in quite a long time had occurred in his territory.

“…Helikel Gorge has been taken.”

Essentially, the route to advance toward the 1st Defense Line was completely blocked.

Crossing over the walls of Helikel Gorge was virtually impossible, and one couldn’t reach that place without using the narrow pass between the gorge.

Surely this news would soon reach the Royal Palace as well.

The situation after that was unpredictable, making it all the more hopeless.

Eventually, Drazan came out of the command room.

“Gather all the Tamans from each unit.”

“Yes.”

Drazan’s eyes flashed sharply like a blade.

Perhaps now was…

‘The right time to use that.’

It was something that hadn’t been approved yet due to insufficient preparation, but there was no choice in order to make up for this incident.

Drazan looked up at the sky.

The gray sky characteristic of the Northern Region.

“…A bloody storm will rage through this north.”

So much blood that what has been spilled so far would seem trivial.

* * *

Due to the changes at the 1st Defense Line, there was much movement in the Military Department as well.

They had expected to withdraw troops from the 1st Defense Line after taking Helikel Gorge, but instead, additional deployments continued.

“We’re moving to that location until support forces arrive at Helikel Gorge. We can’t let our guard down until a fortress is built.”

“Yes, understood!”

In just one day, the owner of Helikel Gorge had changed.

Even if they were the ones occupying it, there was no law saying such a result couldn’t happen.

The unit members responded loudly to Hendris’s words.

The force going to support Helikel Gorge was the 3rd Company that Arteon belonged to.

“Phew… now I’m getting more familiar with the 1st Defense Line.”

“How many times are we going to the 1st Defense Line in this short time…”

“You know what? Usually people only go to the 1st Defense Line once in their lifetime.”

“…What are you talking about?”

At one soldier’s words, the others tilted their heads in confusion. The soldier then said.

“They say you only go once in your lifetime because once you go in, you can’t come out unless you die.”

“Ah…”

“Stop with the unlucky talk.”

The 4th Platoon was making their third entry into that notoriously infamous 1st Defense Line in less than a month.

The first time when they were deployed as support forces, and when they were mobilized for the total offensive to recapture Helikel Gorge.

And now, being deployed as support forces to defend Helikel Gorge.

In a way, it could be considered an exceptionally remarkable feat.

Then Hendris, the 4th Platoon leader who was at the front, came beside Arteon and said.

“The company commander and other superiors are praising you a lot.”

“I merely did what needed to be done.”

“Heh, I think once this victory is reported to Central Command, your and my positions will be quite different.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Even if you move up, I hope you won’t change, Arteon.”

Hendris lightly patted Arteon’s shoulder.

Being a dangerous battlefield, it was also a place where one could gain much.

It was common for a soldier who was a subordinate until yesterday to become a superior due to a single achievement.

And moreover…

‘They wouldn’t neglect the soldier who became the greatest contributor to recapturing Helikel Gorge.’

Perhaps he might even receive a noble title for this achievement.

But that didn’t make him feel envious or anything.

Rather, though they hadn’t known each other for long.

‘How should I put it…’

It felt like seeing a real soldier among soldiers?

If such a person moved up… he thought the Northern Region’s battlefield might change a little.

But then…

“…I won’t change, Platoon Leader.”

Though it was just a casual remark, Arteon’s eyes were not so casual.

Did it make sense for a 15-year-old boy to have such eyes?

Deep yet calm, and firm.

Hendris hesitated at his eyes and answer that came across with a complex feeling.

But soon…

Grin.

“I’ll trust you.”

He simply responded to his words with a smile.

The 4th Platoon, which arrived at the 1st Defense Line as part of the 3rd Company, immediately set up the barracks where they would stay.

Breaking the frozen ground and driving in stakes wasn’t easy work, but everyone proceeded skillfully.

“Sergeant Arteon, the company commander is calling for you.”

“You are…”

“Thank you for remembering me. I’m Corporal Bilk, who served as a guide for the Special Unit the other day.”

This is a battlefield where it’s commonplace for a comrade you see today to die tomorrow.

Especially in this Helikel Gorge battle, an enormous number of Kar Tribe warriors had died, but the casualties among our allies were equally heavy.

Arteon smiled as he looked at Bilk.

“I’m glad to see you safe again.”

“This is all thanks to Sergeant Arteon. The achievements that Arteon has made in this Helikel Gorge battle… all the enlisted men already know about them.”

Isaac, who had served as the commander of the Special Unit, submitted a report on the Helikel Gorge battle.

As a result, everyone in the upper ranks came to know of Arteon’s exploits.

In some ways, one might suspect these were overly inflated achievements, but since Isaac was the one who wrote the battle report, no one raised any questions.

He was known for viewing and judging situations with fairness and integrity, just as much as he was known for his outstanding abilities.

Arteon followed Bilk toward the outpost where the 3rd Company commander was located.

Even though the barracks weren’t completely built yet, the fact that he had summoned him suggested…

‘Despite his appearance, he’s quite impatient by nature.’

He could guess what kind of mindset the man had.

“Steel hearts!”

Arteon entered the barracks and saluted Captain Raihen, the 3rd Company commander.

Raihen approached Arteon and firmly grasped both his shoulders.

“Magnificent! You’ve achieved magnificent feats, Sergeant Arteon!”

His excited voice.

Judging by the force in his hands gripping the shoulders, he seemed quite agitated.

His characteristically angular face and piercing eyes seemed even more impressive today.

“It’s because the company commander wished me good fortune before I departed.”

“Heh, seeing how well you flatter, you’d probably do well in politics too.”

He soon plopped down in his seat and spoke while looking at Arteon.

“A letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace. Five thousand reinforcement troops have begun moving toward this location, and tremendous treasures are coming to commend the achievements at Helikel Gorge.”

Unlike Raihen’s excited expression, Arteon maintained a calm demeanor.

He didn’t particularly place tremendous value on material rewards.

However, Arteon’s expression twitched at Raihen’s next words.

“…Excuse me?”

“Several soldiers who achieved great feats in this Helikel Gorge battle are to go to the Imperial Palace for recognition of their merits.”

“…To the Imperial Palace?”

His past life.

He had never been to the Imperial Palace, let alone anywhere near it.

Within a certain range centered on the Imperial Palace, it was an area where even commoners were forbidden to enter.

But…

‘The Imperial Palace…?’

His heart was pounding while his head felt coldly clear.

It was a strange feeling where two conflicting emotions coexisted, but Arteon focused a bit more on reason.

‘If I go to the Imperial Palace…’

Arteon’s eyes narrowed.

Perhaps he might be able to find that culprit from his past life, the one who had betrayed them and stabbed them in the back.

“Are you nervous?”

“Huh? Oh, no.”

Seeing Arteon’s slightly stiffened expression, Raihen let out a small laugh.

“The division commander will call you to give you the details. The list hasn’t been finalized yet, but I don’t think you’ll be left out, so I’m telling you in advance.”

“I’m grateful for the company commander’s consideration.”

“Haha, consideration my foot. Thanks to you, there are rumors that I’ve also been put up for promotion.”

Raihen stood up from his seat again.

He had been maintaining a warm smile, but now spoke to Arteon with a serious expression.

“But setting all that aside…”

Swoosh.

Raihen extended his hand toward Arteon.

“Thank you so much for ending this hellish war, Arteon.”

“…Sergeant, Arteon.”

Arteon firmly grasped his hand and responded by simply stating his rank and name instead of giving a proper reply.

And the next day.

A summons from Division Commander Belkain came down.

* * *

A carriage was traveling along a thoroughly soaked dirt road.

Neither fast nor slow in speed.

It was swaying cheerfully as it crossed gentle ridges.

No, perhaps what was cheerful was the mood of those riding inside the carriage.

“We should arrive if we go just a little further, right?”

“…Have you been there before?”

Tertian, sitting across from him, asked in response to Isaac’s murmuring.

Having lived only in provincial cities before being dragged straight to the Northern Region, he had never even been near the capital.

Isaac nodded.

“It’s a splendid place. It was on a completely different level from the rural village where I lived.”

“I’ve seen it in books.”

“By any chance, Floren’s Hill?”

“How did you know?”

“Because it’s the book that best depicts the splendor of the capital. There are even stories that the Imperial Palace deliberately printed many copies for distribution.”

“…I see.”

“More than that, the fact that you read books is more shocking. Can you actually read?”

“A little. I can’t read difficult books.”

“Still, that’s impressive.”

Most commoners didn’t even get the chance to learn letters.

Isaac turned his gaze.

“But what have you been thinking about so intently since earlier?”

“Oh, I was just looking at the scenery outside. It’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere other than the Northern Region.”

Arteon, who had been looking out the window, answered.

He couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since he left the Northern Region.

Six years… or seven years…

The blue sky and forests full of green leaves, rather than the gray sky, strangely made his heart flutter.

Isaac tilted his head.

“Where did you live before enlisting in the army?”

“Wailcrun. It’s a small village at the edge of the Western Region.”

“I’ve never heard of it. But I understand you’ve only been in the army for one year. Was that place also close to the Northern Region?”

“…Ah.”

Saying it had been a while might seem strange to them.

Arteon gave an awkward smile and said.

“I guess because I’ve been continuously in the Northern Region, that place became more familiar, so I felt this way.”

“Haha, that’s possible.”

Isaac let out a small laugh. But soon he looked out the window and said.

“It’s starting to come into view now.”

At those words, Arteon and Tertian turned their gazes toward the window.

Before long, far in the distance, a massive city visible below the mountains.

It was Polkerov, the capital of the Empire.

A small smile appeared on both their lips.

However…

“…”

The moment he saw the capital, Arteon’s eyes turned coldly serious.

‘There…’

The bastard who betrayed them and pushed them toward death was there.

This merit evaluation ceremony.

Perhaps he might be able to catch some clues about those bastards.

His gaze, filled with complex emotions, was fixed on the outer walls of the city.

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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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