The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 42

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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 (42)

 

“What happened?”

 

The day they were to return to the Northern Region, at noon.

 

Belkain asked while looking at Arteon who had gathered at the meeting place.

 

“There was an attack two days ago.”

 

Arteon reported in detail about what had happened two nights ago.

 

The audacious attempt to assassinate a meritorious person from the Emperor’s merit evaluation was quite a serious matter.

 

Moreover, this issue might possibly be related to what Belkain had been searching for.

 

“Follow me.”

 

Due to the serious nature of the matter, Belkain entered the carriage he had arrived in.

 

Belkain spoke.

 

“Basic Sound Blocking Magic is in place, so don’t worry and speak freely. Did you find out who the attackers were?”

 

“Yes. It’s a group called Nokton.”

 

“…Nokton?”

 

For a moment, Belkain’s eyes wavered slightly. It was a name he had heard before as well.

 

Arteon nodded.

 

“It’s a group related to Moldrek. I didn’t know it was an assassin organization… It seems to be a place tasked with eliminating those who interfere with their plans.”

 

“…I see.”

 

Belkain had his suspicions too, but he hadn’t expected them to move this quickly within the Capital.

 

However, the problem was that wasn’t the end of it.

 

Meeting with Count Vallenruk afterward was also a very significant incident.

 

But that matter had to be handled with utmost caution unless it was someone completely trustworthy.

 

However…

 

‘…If it’s Belkain.’

 

If there was someone in his current life to whom Arteon could honestly reveal his purpose.

 

‘The Division Commander is the only one.’

 

He was someone who had devoted his entire life to the Northern Front.

 

Though he ultimately met his death at the hands of opposing forces, the passion he poured into the Northern Region was incomparably fervent.

 

Having made his decision, Arteon spoke.

 

“But there was something a bit strange.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“The day after the attack, someone from Count Adrian Vallenrook came looking for me.”

 

“Adrian Vallenrook?”

 

“Yes, I followed the person the Count sent to his mansion.”

 

“…A bit more detail.”

 

Arteon nodded and spoke about what had happened at the mansion.

 

Using Karseia Knight Academy as bait to try to win him over to their side.

 

Of course, given Arteon’s potential, it was certainly possible.

 

“However, this is just my personal opinion… there was something a bit strange.”

 

“What was that?”

 

“When I kept refusing, the Count suddenly said something like he was trying to take in a fellow with decent skills… It seemed like he already knew what level of ability I possessed.”

 

It could literally just be unfounded worry.

 

But the moment the name Nokton came up, the situation changed significantly.

 

It became a matter where everything had to be suspected and doubted again.

 

Belkain nodded.

 

“Is there anything else to report?”

 

“Other than that, there are no unusual matters.”

 

“Understood. Then let’s head back.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Arteon got out of Belkain’s carriage and returned to where his companions were.

 

“What did you talk about for so long?”

 

“I reported about this incident in a bit more detail.”

 

“He is quite meticulous.”

 

Isaac nodded and pointed toward the carriage.

 

When the three people got into the carriage, it soon began moving and left the Capital.

 

Then Isaac asked Arteon.

 

“Arteon. You got the opportunity to change your assignment location through this merit evaluation… Are you thinking of going somewhere else?”

 

At that question, Tertian also looked at Arteon.

 

At a young age, he had achieved incredible military accomplishments in the Northern Region and became a hero of the north.

 

Considering the fierce battles ahead, they needed capable soldiers like Arteon.

 

But what madman would choose to remain in the Northern Region?

 

It was a place where one had to await death every single day.

 

However, Arteon answered without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“I haven’t decided on an assignment location, but I have no intention of leaving the Northern Region.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about anywhere other than the Northern Region.”

 

Arteon looked out the window of the moving carriage and fell into thought.

 

Right now, there was only one thing.

 

Finding those bastards who had driven them to death and paying them back in kind.

 

Wasn’t he fighting this fierce battle while looking only at that one goal?

 

After traveling for several days, Arteon, who had finally arrived in Almers, got out of the carriage and stretched.

 

“Ugh, traveling without rest isn’t easy either.”

 

“Still, at least we traveled by carriage. It would have been harder on horseback.”

 

Arteon nodded at Isaac’s words.

 

Then Belkain approached and spoke to the three men.

 

“We’ll spend one day here and depart tomorrow morning. There are no special restrictions, but don’t cause any disturbances.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Yes, Division Commander.”

 

“Understood.”

 

After finishing his response, Arteon looked at Isaac.

 

“Then I’ll go buy some snacks for the unit members.”

 

“What an excellent squad leader. But when you return this time, your position will probably change again, won’t it?”

 

“…I’ve never heard of a first-year soldier getting promoted this quickly.”

 

Tertian expressed his honest impression.

 

Through this merit evaluation, Arteon’s rank had become Sergeant.

 

It was a rank that could easily become a platoon leader or deputy platoon leader.

 

Tertian asked Arteon.

 

“You received a 2-rank special promotion three times in a row?”

 

“…You’re like a monster.”

 

“It wasn’t that smooth. I could have died if I made one wrong move.”

 

Arteon spoke matter-of-factly.

 

That made him seem even more monstrous.

 

“Then I’ll be back.”

 

With his back to the two people staring at him strangely, Arteon quickly walked toward the Commercial District.

 

If it got any later, all the shops would close.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Arteon, holding dried fruit and jerky that the squad members would enjoy, looked around his surroundings.

 

There was no reason for those two people to follow him, but he had to be cautious of any possible situations.

 

And after confirming that no one was around, Arteon slowly moved his body toward the alley.

 

Originally, he had thought he would need to make separate time after returning to the unit.

 

‘The place we’re passing through is Almers…’

 

He thought he was lucky.

 

Because he needed to meet Rishiven regarding Count Vallenruk.

 

Not much time had passed since then, so there wouldn’t be any major changes, but…

 

‘It was originally a thief guild anyway. I can leave the information gathering to them.’

 

Arteon skillfully walked through the paths between the alleys and entered a tavern.

 

“Uhahaha, so what I’m saying is!”

 

“…Phew, so what I’m saying is.”

 

As he entered, he felt the characteristic bustle of a tavern along with quite a few customers.

 

Arteon moved his steps and approached the man at the bar.

 

In most cases, the guys at the counter or bar were the ones who actually ran these places.

 

“Are you looking for any particular drink?”

 

For a tavern run by a thief guild, it had quite a genteel appearance.

 

At the words of the man who had neatly trimmed his beard, Arteon said.

 

“Tell Rishiven that Arteon has come. Then she’ll know right away.”

 

“…Are you Lord Arteon?”

 

“You know me?”

 

At the man’s quite surprised expression, Arteon asked.

 

The man nodded his head.

 

“I heard about you from Lady Rishiven. Please come this way.”

 

As if he had been waiting, he skillfully opened the door leading to the inner area and guided Arteon.

 

Walking along the corridor, several doors were visible. But when the man opened a few more doors and went inside.

 

“Well, look who it is.”

 

Rishiven greeted him warmly.

 

Nothing had particularly changed, but judging by the considerably darkened circles under her eyes…

 

‘It seems like she’s had quite a lot to sort out during this time…?’

 

She looked like fatigue had accumulated considerably.

 

Still, seeing Rishiven greet him brightly, Arteon said.

 

“Sorry for coming without any notice. Something unplanned came up.”

 

“It’s fine, if it’s Lord Arteon coming, you’re welcome anytime, so don’t worry about it. Please sit over here.”

 

When Arteon sat down, Rishiven brought out a cup of warm tea.

 

The fragrance was good.

 

“This is quality black tea.”

 

“Do you know a bit about tea?”

 

“A bit?”

 

Arteon lifted the teacup, savored the aroma with his nose, held it in his mouth, and slowly swallowed.

 

“It’s good.”

 

“I’m glad it’s to your liking. But… what brings you here?”

 

Arteon put down the teacup and asked Rishiven.

 

“Do you know anything about an assassination group called Nocturne?”

 

“…?”

 

Rishiven’s eyes darkened.

 

Soon, unlike before, Rishiven asked in a serious voice.

 

“How do you know that name, Lord Arteon? It’s quite a secretive name.”

 

“Do you know about it?”

 

“It was information we discovered shortly before the conflict on our side occurred, classified as top secret.”

 

At that, Arteon nodded his head.

 

If they had information about them…

 

“By any chance, is Count Adrian Vallenruk connected to Nocturne?”

 

“…Unexpected names keep coming up, so I’m a bit flustered.”

 

Rishiven stood up from her seat.

 

When Arteon looked at her.

 

“Let’s move to a different location. This place doesn’t have proper soundproofing.”

 

“…Let’s do that.”

 

Arteon’s expression hardened.

 

Because he thought he might have gotten caught up in something bigger than he had imagined.

 

Soon they moved locations to an inner room, and Rishiven locked the door while drawing up mana and injecting it into a device beside her.

 

Wooooooong!

 

A small device embedded with mana stones spread blue light throughout the entire room.

 

Rishiven sat down and said to Arteon.

 

“Now you can speak without worry. It’s quite a high-performance device.”

 

Seated Rishiven spoke again with a serious expression.

 

“Nocturne, when it was established… who the master is, nothing has been revealed about this strange organization. One thing that’s certain is that no one who became a target of Nocturne survived… and they’re growing significantly by handling the dirty work of high-ranking nobles.”

 

“Is there a connection with Count Vallenruk?”

 

“To get straight to the point, I don’t know. We’re currently investigating the connections related to him.”

 

Along with that, Rishiven rummaged through something in a drawer in the corner, then brought a piece of paper and handed it to Arteon.

 

“These are documents summarizing the current information related to Nocturne. If you look, there’s also information about those connected to Nocturne.”

 

Arteon quickly scanned through the documents Rishiven handed him.

 

As she said, there were several figures related to Nocturne.

 

“…Moldrek.”

 

“The military department executive that Lord Arteon killed. But while I can’t tell if the Count Vallenruk you mentioned earlier is connected to Nocturne… do you see the name Pollenkron connected next to Moldrek?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“He’s a merchant currently conducting trade centered around the Northwest and Western Sector, and he’s the one who filled his belly by siphoning off military supplies through the dead Moldrek.”

 

“He siphoned off military supplies? If there’s evidence, the entire merchant group would be finished in one go.”

 

“That’s why we’re investigating that aspect… It’s not certain yet, but there are definitely nobles backing him. And currently, our assumption is…”

 

“That one of them is Count Vallenruk?”

 

At Arteon’s words, Rishiven carefully nodded her head.

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“…Phew.”

 

Arteon’s expression twisted.

 

Just how far are these bastards… corrupted?

 

Arteon stood up from his seat.

 

“Keep looking into it. And if possible, it would be good to find out more details about Count Vallenruk.”

 

“Understood.”

 

At Rishiven’s answer, Arteon’s mind became complicated.

 

If they’re definitely guys who can intervene in the military department as well…

 

‘It means it could be dangerous… even being here.’

 

On the way back.

 

Arteon’s mind began to become complicatedly tangled.

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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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