The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 38

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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 (38)

 

A room shrouded in black curtains.

 

There were no windows, and only a single lamp hung on the wall, flickering precariously.

 

That light cast long shadows over the long table placed in the center of the room, and beyond those shadows sat a person.

 

His fingertips, clad in leather gloves, slowly turned through a thin stack of documents placed on the table.

 

Rustle.

 

“…So that’s how it is.”

 

At the man’s muttering, on the opposite side.

 

There was someone kneeling with their head bowed.

 

With a black hood covering half his face, he was even breathing cautiously.

 

“Is there some troubling matter?”

 

“The Northern affairs are rising to the surface. This matter could affect us as well.”

 

It was a voice neither loud nor quiet.

 

But at his words, the subordinate’s eyes wavered slightly.

 

The Northern Region, that is.

 

“Isn’t that the place…that person is most concerned about?”

 

“That’s right. It’s also the most important place.”

 

The Northern Region was where the most fierce battles in the Empire took place.

 

Wasn’t it a place where thousands of soldiers died every year, and just as many were dragged there?

 

Because it was such a conflict zone, it was a place with quite many uses.

 

The man’s gaze sank coldly.

 

“Where are those bastards?”

 

“They are currently in the Imperial Treasure Vault.”

 

At the subordinate’s answer, the man nodded.

 

No matter how capable they were, dealing with those inside the Imperial Palace would be reckless.

 

The moment they were exposed, everything would turn to bubbles.

 

“They’ll come out soon enough. Don’t miss that moment.”

 

“Understood. But… all of them?”

 

“No, one person is enough for an example.”

 

Soon the man’s gaze settled on one page of the documents.

 

There was no name or photo there, but information related to the Northern Front battlefield, the Imperial Palace, and several merchant groups was densely written.

 

The man turned a page of the documents.

 

The target specified there.

 

Soon the man threw the documents to his subordinate, and the subordinate crammed the contents written on the paper into his mind.

 

Whoosh!

 

After the subordinate who had memorized everything destroyed the documents, the man spoke.

 

“Don’t drag it out.”

 

“Do we leave a mark?”

 

“No, this time it must disappear without a trace. As if it never existed in the first place.”

 

The candle flickered for a moment.

 

As if the darkness was laughing.

 

The man spoke.

 

“Let them know that no one can be free before Nokton.”

 

With the man’s command, the subordinate’s figure disappeared like smoke.

 

* * *

 

“This is…?”

 

At the thin bracelet crafted in silver, Arteon unconsciously stopped walking.

 

How should he put it, the feeling of mana flowing from the bracelet seemed strangely compatible with him.

 

At this, the Curator’s eyes sparkled.

 

“Ho, you’re looking at an interesting item.”

 

“What kind of ability does this bracelet have?”

 

“It’s a bracelet that increases cold resistance.”

 

“Cold resistance?”

 

At Arteon’s question, the Curator nodded.

 

“It’s a fellow that protects the body so you won’t feel cold even in considerable bitter cold. This was excavated from a dungeon in the Northern Region long ago. For someone like you who’s in the Northern Region, it seems like it would be a very suitable item.”

 

At the Curator’s words, Arteon carefully picked up the bracelet.

 

Cold resistance might not be much.

 

‘As this person says…’

 

For Arteon who was in the Northern Region, it could become a precious treasure that couldn’t be exchanged for anything.

 

Among the harsh environments of the Northern Region, what tormented soldiers the most was precisely the cold.

 

But if he could be free from the cold.

 

‘…There would be tremendously many things I could do.’

 

But he didn’t make an immediate decision.

 

Arteon took sufficient time and checked all the items in the Gold Grade Treasure Vault.

 

Since there were over 200 items, it took time, but he was cautious upon cautious.

 

However…

 

“I’ll take this one.”

 

“Don’t you need an artifact imbued with offensive magic? Or a ring that grants invisibility?”

 

“It’s fine, I think this is the best for me.”

 

What Arteon ultimately chose was the bracelet that increased cold resistance.

 

As the Curator recommended, artifacts that used fire magic or invisibility magic to hide the body were also very attractive.

 

But…

 

‘If the charging time is over three months…’

 

A bracelet that continuously increased cold resistance was much better.

 

It wasn’t simply making one unable to feel cold, but using mana to protect the body from cold.

 

If that happened, he could wear combat uniforms more lightly, and it would be good to utilize the advantages from that.

 

“Hmm… if you’ve decided that way, it can’t be helped. Then let’s go with that.”

 

The Curator wrote something down in the registry he was holding.

 

And when they followed the Curator outside.

 

“Finally came out.”

 

“Did you find a good item?”

 

Tertian and Isaac, who had been waiting outside, spoke to Arteon.

 

Arteon just smiled faintly and lightly showed the bracelet worn on his wrist.

 

At this, Tertian and Isaac also showed the equipment they had brought from the treasure vault.

 

Tertian had chosen boots, and Isaac had chosen a sword.

 

With the faint feeling of mana flowing from them, they all seemed to be extraordinary items.

 

“Good work.”

 

“Haha, it’s daily work, so what hardship could there be. Then I’ll close the door.”

 

When the Curator closed the door again, Taolk, the captain of the guard, took the three people including Arteon and moved toward the palace entrance.

 

“Congratulations to all of you. And this is a letter left by Lord Belkain. It contains that he’ll return in two days on business, so spend your time freely until then.”

 

Isaac read the letter that Taolk handed over.

 

As he said, they had gained two days of free time.

 

“Well this is… completely lucky, isn’t it?”

 

They had money too… and this place was the most prosperous capital in the Empire, wasn’t it.

 

Isaac grinned and said.

 

“Then in two days at noon. Let’s meet here again.”

 

“Is it okay to move separately?”

 

“Do three men need to move together? Let’s just each enjoy ourselves as much as we want and meet at the designated time. Be warned that even being a little late will be considered desertion.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Tertian and Arteon answered Isaac’s words simultaneously.

 

Soon Isaac left for another place.

 

“Then I’ll see you in two days.”

 

Tertian also turned around without hesitation and walked away.

 

Arteon, who was left alone in an instant, scratched his cheek.

 

It wasn’t like he needed protection or surveillance, but to leave him so defensively unguarded like this.

 

But soon Arteon turned his head to look at the street.

 

‘This place…’

 

He had received a mansion in the Capital Outskirts as a reward for his military achievements.

 

That meant he could now leave the Northern Region and settle in the Capital.

 

Arteon silently gazed at the street.

 

His past life.

 

He had lived on the barren land of the Northern Region for the past 10 years.

 

He had witnessed countless deaths and faced life-threatening crises more than a hundred times.

 

In some ways, that place was like hell.

 

‘But for me… that place was home.’

 

The comrades he fought alongside were his family.

 

He had no intention of looking back.

 

Perhaps this opportunity could allow him to start a new life.

 

But for that to happen, he couldn’t forget the faces of his comrades who had died so meaninglessly before his eyes.

 

‘I don’t know what they’re thinking…’

 

Clench.

 

Arteon clenched his fist.

 

He had absolutely no intention of changing his mind.

 

He didn’t know yet who was behind it all, but even if it was… the Emperor himself.

 

‘I’ll make them pay the price.’

 

Reproaching himself for the slightly relaxed attitude he had developed while coming to the Capital.

 

Arteon’s eyes, which had been calm just moments before, flashed sharply once again.

 

Then Arteon looked around and soon entered an alley.

 

He didn’t know the Capital’s geography, but usually there were shops dealing in antiques or precious artifacts in such alleys.

 

“Since it’s the Capital… there should be some decent things, right?”

 

Since he had time, he would make the most of it.

 

Right now, at this very moment…

 

‘Those bastards are probably hatching their sinister plans.’

 

Many things had changed from his past life.

 

Just recapturing Helikel Gorge at this time would be a major issue for them.

 

Moreover…

 

‘I don’t know how they’ll move… so I should prepare.’

 

Arteon walked deeper into the alley.

 

And at the same time.

 

Swish.

 

Someone who had been watching from afar slowly walked in the direction Arteon had gone.

 

* * *

 

“Come, come, take a look at this too!”

 

“Hey, young man! Try eating this!”

 

Unlike the neatly organized Central Boulevard, inside the alley, the smell of real life began to waft through.

 

What looked like a small market had quite a few merchants setting up street stalls and soliciting customers.

 

A completely different atmosphere from the Northern Region.

 

Even in the cities of the Northern Region, such vitality was rarely felt.

 

“What is this?”

 

“How is it, delicious right?”

 

It seemed to be made from roughly kneaded flour, but it had a surprisingly chewy texture and unique taste.

 

Arteon, who had somehow ended up with a bag in his hand due to the merchant’s persistence and salesmanship, asked him.

 

“Is there a blacksmith or a place that sells magical equipment around here?”

 

“Of course. For a blacksmith, just go a little this way and there’s Parker’s Blacksmith on the left. Most people don’t know, but that’s the best blacksmith in the Capital. His skills are extraordinary. And for magical equipment, go a little deeper from the blacksmith and turn into the left alley, there’s a place with a Blue Door. You’ll be able to see what you’re looking for there.”

 

“Ah, thank you. And I’ll enjoy this.”

 

“Hehe, come visit again next time.”

 

Arteon immediately headed to the place the merchant had mentioned.

 

As he said, a small blacksmith that seemed to have quite a long history came into view.

 

‘A little further from here, then the left alley…’

 

As he turned inside.

 

“Is this it?”

 

He could see the shop with the Blue Door that the merchant had told him about.

 

This place also showed considerable traces of time, but rather that aspect seemed more endearing.

 

Creak.

 

As he opened the door and entered, the musty smell characteristic of wood rushed in.

 

An empty counter.

 

Arteon spoke carefully.

 

“Is anyone there?”

 

“…Who is it.”

 

With rustling sounds from inside, an Old Man with a slightly hunched back came out.

 

Arteon asked.

 

“I came here because I heard this place deals in magical equipment.”

 

“It’s been a long time since a customer came here directly. So, is there something you’re looking for?”

 

“I didn’t come with anything specific in mind. Can I see what kind of items you sell?”

 

“…Do you have money?”

 

“Plenty.”

 

Arteon slightly lifted the pouch he was carrying.

 

With a jingling sound, money mixed with Gold Coins and Silver Coins could be seen inside.

 

The Old Man made a puzzled expression.

 

He certainly looked young, but how did he have such money.

 

But soon.

 

“…Huh?”

 

Something caught the Old Man’s eye.

 

Instantly, the Old Man’s pupils shook greatly.

 

“Th-that, where did you get that?”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

Arteon tilted his head at the Old Man’s question.

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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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