The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 36

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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 (36)

 

Inside the Imperial Palace, at the top of the Ministry of Military Affairs.

 

The Ministry of Military Affairs, which could be called the command tower of the Imperial Army.

 

Along the cold marble walls was an office filled with records of all the Empire’s military operation meetings.

 

Whoosh!

 

The wind blowing through the slightly open window gap made the papers on the desk flutter.

 

The man who had been reading documents by lamplight raised his head.

 

A face with white skin and no wrinkles.

 

He was a man with refined restraint and strangely oppressive eyes.

 

Golden epaulettes on his shoulders.

 

His dark brown hair was neatly slicked back in a style that, together with his gaze, created an even colder atmosphere.

 

“The heroes of Helikel Gorge are coming?”

 

A tone that was neither fast nor slow.

 

With his calm voice, the man standing across the desk bowed his head.

 

“Yes, Vice Minister. Under the guidance of Division Commander Belkain, Lieutenant Isaac Durake, Second Lieutenant Tertian, and Sergeant Arteon. They are scheduled to arrive at the Imperial Palace tomorrow at noon.”

 

Elhart fell silent.

 

As if pondering something deeply, he thought for a moment but soon pulled out a thin piece of paper from his drawer.

 

Scratch, scritch, scrape!

 

The fountain pen filled with ink rolled across the paper, quickly writing something down.

 

“Everyone must be celebrating their victory.”

 

Elhart muttered quietly.

 

Helikel Gorge, recaptured after 10 years, would have tremendous value in itself.

 

Moreover, if the ongoing fortification was completely finished, the battlefield of the Northwest First Defense Line would practically disappear.

 

However…

 

“The war… is not over yet.”

 

Eventually, Elhart folded the paper, put it in an envelope, and handed the envelope to his subordinate.

 

“Deliver this to ‘Nokton.'”

 

The subordinate tucked the letter into his chest and bowed his head.

 

Then Elhart continued speaking.

 

“And inform that person that the plan is proceeding as scheduled. We need to remind those fools who think they can change everything with just one gorge how cruel a place the battlefield truly is.”

 

Outside the window, the dark blue flag of the Empire was fluttering.

 

The subordinate’s figure quickly disappeared into the deep darkness where even moonlight was blocked.

 

“…”

 

Alone in the room.

 

Elhart got up from his seat and closed the window.

 

Nothing would change.

 

However…

 

“…Helikel Gorge.”

 

If completely unexpected situations kept arising, that would be something worth watching.

 

Eventually, Elhart’s gaze, which had been fixed on the documents, moved.

 

As the lamplight went out and Elhart left, a black shadow was slowly moving behind his back.

 

* * *

 

The swaying of the carriage subsided.

 

Arteon slightly opened the window curtain to look outside.

 

Through the carriage window that had somehow entered the capital, the sight of Polkerov, the Empire’s capital, came into view.

 

“…Oh.”

 

Tertian, who was beside him, unconsciously let out an exclamation.

 

The capital’s scenery was truly overwhelming.

 

Stone buildings stretched endlessly along the gravel-paved roads in an elegant arrangement.

 

The expressions of people walking the streets were bright, and the voice of an official giving a speech in the middle of the square could be heard clearly.

 

“This is… the Empire’s capital.”

 

Arteon muttered quietly.

 

This place he had never been able to visit even in his past life, he had come to so quickly.

 

Clench.

 

Arteon tightly gripped his fist placed on his knee.

 

Now that he had actually come to the capital, he felt a strange pressure as if his breath was being cut off.

 

‘…I’m thinking too much.’

 

He hadn’t come here to wage war.

 

Arteon tried to pull himself together and closed his eyes.

 

And how much time had passed?

 

The density of air coming through the window and someone’s gaze.

 

He tried to ignore it and waited quietly.

 

The slowly moving carriage eventually stopped.

 

“We have arrived.”

 

When the coachman’s voice was heard, the three people got out of the carriage.

 

“We have been waiting for you.”

 

A man who had come to guide them at the entrance of the Imperial Palace politely bowed his head toward Belkain.

 

“I am Taolk, belonging to the Imperial Guard. It is an honor to serve Division Commander Belkain, the legendary figure of the Northwest that I have only heard about.”

 

“I am also grateful for the Imperial invitation. Then please guide us.”

 

“Please come this way.”

 

When Taolk turned around, the soldiers with him surrounded and escorted Belkain along with Arteon, Isaac, and Tertian.

 

And…

 

“…Oh.”

 

Upon entering the Imperial Palace, the golden arched ceiling built in ancient style sparkled.

 

Red carpet was laid out long, and statues and photos of those who had brought glory to the Empire hung on the corridor walls.

 

Step by step.

 

Was it because of the magnificent scenery?

 

There seemed to be a strange pressure weighing down on their shoulders.

 

As they walked along the long corridor, maids who had been waiting eventually approached.

 

“While preparations are being made, you may stay in the annex following the maids. All clothing has been prepared, so please rest comfortably.”

 

With Taolk’s words, three or four maids were assigned to each person.

 

Arteon also followed the maids into the annex.

 

“Please rest here, and I will bring clothing shortly.”

 

When the middle-aged woman politely bowed and withdrew, Arteon looked around the room.

 

“…Really.”

 

In his past life, had he ever entered such a luxurious room?

 

Although it was an annex where guests stayed briefly, it was an incredibly splendid space befitting the Imperial Palace’s prestige.

 

Arteon sat down in a chair.

 

This situation felt unreal, and at the same time, his mind was complicated.

 

‘…Certainly.’

 

There was someone manipulating the northern battlefield from behind while putting Moldrek at the forefront.

 

For that to be possible, it had to be someone with at least some connection to the Military Department.

 

However…

 

‘There are still too many conditions that need to be narrowed down.’

 

Although he desperately wanted to find their true identity quickly, there were too many things that needed to be prepared.

 

Even if he knew their identity without having gained power yet… there would be nothing he could do.

 

Arteon leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

 

And how much time had passed?

 

Knock knock.

 

At the sound of knocking, Arteon opened his eyes and turned his gaze toward the door.

 

The maids who had left earlier entered again and bowed their heads to Arteon.

 

“We shall help you prepare yourself.”

 

They lightly dissolved what they had brought in their basket into the bath.

 

“It contains salt and medicinal herbs that are good for the skin.”

 

With a brief explanation, the middle-aged maid gave a meaningful look to the young maids beside her.

 

The two maids approached and began removing Arteon’s clothes.

 

Swish.

 

With practiced movements, they removed Arteon’s coat and combat uniform.

 

Though he hadn’t asked for help, they moved as naturally as if they had known him for a long time.

 

However…

 

“…Huh?”

 

Not only was his skin smooth without a single scar, but his incredibly developed muscles were impressive, contrasting with his youthful face.

 

“S-sorry.”

 

The maid who had gasped at the incongruous sight hurriedly apologized.

 

Arteon shook his head.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Soon, silence settled over the bathhouse.

 

Only the sounds of washing and splashing water could be heard.

 

When Arteon finished bathing and came out after drying himself, the maids carefully dressed him in the clothes they had brought.

 

Indeed, clothes make the man—he looked completely different from when he wore only the worn military uniform of the Northern Region.

 

Even the middle-aged maid, who had experienced such situations many times, exclaimed in admiration at Arteon’s transformed appearance.

 

“If it wouldn’t be presumptuous… may I trim your hair?”

 

“Would you? I was thinking of roughly cutting my bangs since they were bothering me. Please do.”

 

“Then excuse me for a moment.”

 

She immediately began trimming Arteon’s hair with scissors.

 

The hair that had been crooked from rough cutting on the battlefield was organized under her hands.

 

When the hair trimming was finally finished, Arteon had become a completely different person from when he first entered the Imperial Palace.

 

To put it somewhat dramatically.

 

‘…It’s like light is emanating from his body.’

 

Since people with such appearance were rare even in the Imperial Palace, the maids had no choice but to hide their emotions even more.

 

“Then… please come this way.”

 

Arteon followed the maid outside the annex.

 

Isaac and Tertian, who had been waiting outside, looked at Arteon and said.

 

“What, why are you so late? Hurry up and come… wait, that’s not… who…?”

 

“…Huh.”

 

Even the usually taciturn Tertian couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

 

No matter how much one changed clothes, could a person really change this much?

 

But Arteon spoke with a calm expression.

 

“Is it that strange?”

 

“No, very handsome. Honestly, I think this is the first time in my life my gaze has been drawn to a man.”

 

“It suits you well, Arteon.”

 

Tertian also added a word.

 

That’s how great Arteon’s transformation was.

 

But soon the three men followed the maids toward the Great Hall.

 

Belkain had already moved to the Great Hall.

 

Step by step.

 

They walked along another long corridor.

 

This ceremony was an event prepared to celebrate the victory at Helikel Gorge.

 

In other words, it was a place for the three soldiers present here.

 

Thus, the three heroes who had survived the cold battlefield of the Northern Region headed to the Great Hall.

 

Crrrrrrrrreak.

 

The doors of the Great Hall slowly opened.

 

The massive bronze doors were pushed open from inside, and the low, heavy sound of metal scraping against the ground echoed throughout the entire palace.

 

Thud!

 

The moment the doors fully opened.

 

“…”

 

The air flowing from beyond the doors was quite different from the outside.

 

Heavy air mixed with the scent of incense and wood that had absorbed many years.

 

But above all, dozens of pairs of eyes focused on them.

 

Splendid ceremonial robes.

 

Accessories like earrings and necklaces glittered, and there were those wearing epaulettes on their shoulders along with medals displaying their status.

 

“…Whew.”

 

Isaac also seemed to find those gazes burdensome.

 

He exhaled softly and then looked at Arteon and Tertian with a worried expression.

 

He was concerned that the two soldiers might be overwhelmed by their imposing presence.

 

However…

 

Step.

 

“…”

 

As if nothing was wrong.

 

Isaac’s eyes wavered slightly at the sight of Arteon walking forward while maintaining a calm expression.

 

Because taking a step into the Great Hall in this solemn atmosphere was not an easy thing to do.

 

Step, step, step.

 

With steps that were neither slow nor fast, people’s gazes fixed on Arteon, who was at the front.

 

His dark brown hair was neatly arranged and reflected a subtle luster in the sunlight streaming through the windows.

 

Below that, his golden eyes held a quiet yet sharp light.

 

Eyes filled with courage gazed straight ahead.

 

His steps were confident, as if he didn’t care about those watching him.

 

Soon Arteon approached where Belkain was standing and saluted him.

 

“Steel heart. I apologize for being late.”

 

“Stand over here.”

 

Belkain was also somewhat surprised by Arteon’s transformed appearance, but true to his nickname as the Ogre of Benhard, he didn’t show his emotions.

 

When Arteon stood beside Belkain, Isaac and Terthion also took their places there.

 

“…Who is that boy standing next to Commander Belkain?”

 

“Sir Belkain doesn’t travel with attendants… surely that boy isn’t one of the contributors to this ceremony?”

 

“No way.”

 

The Great Hall buzzed with murmurs.

 

Somewhere between boy and young man.

 

But they couldn’t believe that such a young soldier who still retained his boyish charm could have achieved such great merit.

 

But then.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”

 

At the Secretary’s cry from the entrance of the Great Hall, everyone turned toward that direction.

 

The Emperor walked along the long red carpet toward the platform.

 

And the moment the Emperor sat on the Imperial Throne.

 

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor!”

 

Everyone present bowed their heads and shouted loudly.

 

The Emperor looked down at them with a faint smile.

 

“Raise your heads.”

 

As everyone turned to look at him, the Emperor shifted his gaze toward where Arteon and Belkain were standing.

 

And then….

 

“We shall begin the merit evaluation.”

 

The recapture of Helikel Gorge, which would adorn a page in the Empire’s history.

 

Its merit evaluation had begun.

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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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