The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 43

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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 (43)

 

“You’re saying he returned to the north?”

 

“Yes, due to Nokton’s failure, both the Capital Guard and the Imperial Guard are focusing their attention, so there was nothing more we could do.”

 

Count Vallenruk pressed his lips tightly together at his subordinate’s report.

 

The image of that insolent commoner soldier who had dared to act arrogantly before him flickered before his eyes.

 

“A bastard who doesn’t know his place. Just because he received imperial recognition once, he probably thinks the whole world belongs to him.”

 

Well, how could it not be so?

 

For a mere commoner to enter the Imperial Palace was itself an achievement.

 

Moreover, that skill of easily killing a mid-level assassin from Nokton was…

 

“Look into that bastard’s background. Find out where he’s from, and check on his family and anyone related to him.”

 

“Understood.”

 

This subordinate was already well-versed in such matters.

 

If he couldn’t touch someone directly, thoroughly breaking their spirit by targeting those around them was Count Vallenruk’s method.

 

Soon, as the subordinate turned to leave the room.

 

“Oh, and… it seems like collections from Plenkron are getting a bit slower, so contact him again.”

 

“…You mean that merchant?”

 

“Yes. He seems to be hesitating too much since Moldrek died… but he still has to do what needs to be done. Do you know how much that bastard profited through Moldrek?”

 

“But he does seem to be hesitating a bit since Moldrek’s death.”

 

“Hehe, I don’t need to worry about such circumstances, do I? He’s already crossed a line he can’t return from.”

 

The subordinate nodded at Count Vallenruk’s words.

 

“Understood. Then I’ll send a letter to Plenkron as well. Is there anything else you’d like me to handle?”

 

“Just process this quickly.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Soon after the subordinate left, Adrian Vallenrook stood up and walked toward the window.

 

Warm sunlight was streaming down into the garden, and mountain birds were flying around chirping.

 

However, unlike this place, the north would be filled only with bone-chilling cold.

 

‘I’ll show you that the northern cold isn’t the only thing to fear – what real terror is.’

 

The price for daring to reject my proposal… what it truly means.

 

Unlike the sunlight outside the window, a smile as cold as the northern chill formed on Count Vallenruk’s lips.

 

* * *

 

The work of recapturing Helikel Gorge and building a fortress was in full swing.

 

Most of the soldiers who had been at the existing 1st Defense Line were deployed to the fortress construction site.

 

“You’re saying we’re moving to a different location?”

 

“Since there’s no longer a need for support at the 1st Defense Line. So the 3rd Company will likely be moving to another location.”

 

“I wonder where we’ll be going…”

 

“Wherever we go, it’ll be less dangerous than the 1st Defense Line, so isn’t that good?”

 

The 4th Squad members each voiced their thoughts at Arteon’s words.

 

However, Raymen, who had been quietly maintaining his sword, soon spoke to the squad members.

 

“Wherever we go, we just need to work hard at our duties. We’ll have to train like hell again.”

 

Raymen looked at Arteon as he spoke.

 

“Squad Leader, when are you planning to start training?”

 

“Isn’t what we’re doing now enough?”

 

“It’s just… I feel like we need to do more.”

 

They had only been doing minimal physical training for battles that could come at any time.

 

Still, unlike before, their physical condition had improved significantly, increasing their survival chances on the battlefield.

 

“I’m getting a bit… greedy. When I look at you, Squad Leader.”

 

At those words, the other squad members also looked at Arteon with serious eyes.

 

Seeing that expression.

 

‘These guys…’

 

It seemed like they had exchanged some kind of conversation among themselves.

 

Probably their desire to become stronger than they were now had intensified.

 

Rather than just surviving day by day as they had been, they had resolved to try to accomplish something with their own strength.

 

“…Alright, if that’s what you all want.”

 

Arteon stood up from his seat.

 

Although these were guys he had no connection with in his past life, weren’t they the first squad members he had taken under his wing in this life?

 

But just then.

 

“Sergeant Arteon. The Division Commander is calling for you.”

 

“The Division Commander?”

 

It had only been one day since returning to the base – what could he be calling him for?

 

Arteon, who had been thinking about training with his squad members, put aside his regret and followed the soldier to the Division Commander’s Office.

 

“Heart of Steel! Sergeant Arteon reporting to see the Division Commander.”

 

“How does it feel to return to the base? The afterglow of those few days in the capital must be strong.”

 

“I’ve already forgotten and completely adapted to the base.”

 

“Good.”

 

Belkain smiled faintly.

 

But soon he asked Arteon with a serious expression.

 

“I called you about your transfer. Currently, the 3rd Company is scheduled to move to the 3rd Defense Line in a week.”

 

The 3rd Defense Line was a battlefield located quite a distance east from the 1st Defense Line.

 

Among the northwestern battlefields, it was a place with considerable leeway, and since it defended alongside a castle, it was quite secure.

 

In a way, it was also a place where they could have some breathing room.

 

However…

 

“I’m thinking it might be good for you to go to the northeastern region.”

 

“…The northeastern region?”

 

Arteon’s eyes calmly settled.

 

The northeastern region, where battles as fierce as the northwest were taking place, had locations that were more dangerous than the 1st Defense Line depending on their position.

 

Moreover…

 

‘If it’s the northeastern region… surely that thing is…’

 

Among the things related to the northeastern region, items he needed to obtain in the future flashed through his mind.

 

Since he hadn’t had occasion to go to the northeastern region yet, he had only been postponing it for later.

 

Arteon asked Belkain.

 

“Division Commander, are you perhaps… getting promoted?”

 

“You have quite good intuition. In a few days, when someone comes from the Imperial Palace, there will be a promotion to Corps Commander. Along with that, General Karureltian, who has been responsible for the north, will retire, and I will take over that duty.”

 

“…”

 

Arteon couldn’t hide his surprised expression at Belkain’s words.

 

That meant the entire north would move under Belkain’s jurisdiction from now on.

 

This was something that hadn’t happened in his past life.

 

‘Did someone from the Imperial Family… exert strong influence?’

 

From the perspective of factions that needed to instigate conflict in the north, Belkain was a troublesome existence.

 

Because he was a true soldier who ignored status distinctions between nobles and commoners and appointed people based solely on ability.

 

Moreover, Belkain’s greatest goal was to end the war in the north.

 

For Belkain to become Corps Commander meant…

 

‘Still, for now… can I consider that faction to be evenly matched?’

 

In any case, the current situation could be considered quite good for Arteon as well.

 

Then Belkain stood up and looked at the map of the north hanging behind him.

 

A map showing the Empire’s boundaries across the north along with the current northern battlefields.

 

Belkain’s gaze turned toward Helikel Gorge.

 

“Currently, recapturing Helikel Gorge in the northwest has a major impact on the entire northwestern battlefield. If the gorge fortress is completed, rapid support to other battlefields will be possible, providing a great advantage in future battles.”

 

However, compared to that, the Northeast had no significant victory reports for several years.

 

Just holding out.

 

That phrase suited the battlefield well.

 

Because of this, far more soldiers were dying than in the Northwestern Region, and it was also a place desperately in need of support.

 

He thought that if skilled soldiers were transferred there one by one, things might improve a little.

 

‘But….’

 

In a way, it could be seen as pushing them toward death.

 

Especially in Arteon’s case, hadn’t he earned the right to choose his own deployment location?

 

‘Even if he leaves the Northern Region… there’s no way to stop him.’

 

From Belkain’s position, now having to manage the entire Northern Region, it couldn’t help but be very disappointing.

 

However….

 

“I’ll do that.”

 

“…What?”

 

Belkain momentarily doubted his own ears.

 

Had he heard wrong?

 

But Arteon spoke again with an unwavering voice.

 

“I’ll go to the Northeast. I want to be of help to Lord Belkain, who will become the corps commander.”

 

“…Can you really do that?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Transferring to the Northeast was, in a way, like taking on considerable risk.

 

‘But….’

 

If this deployment could ease the situation in the Northeast even a little.

 

‘I can earn complete trust from Belkain, who will become corps commander.’

 

The position of corps commander was practically at the pinnacle of military power.

 

Above that, there was essentially only the Emperor, except for the commander who controlled the Empire’s entire army.

 

Moreover, the goal of rooting out Imperial spies currently colluding with the Kar Tribe aligned perfectly.

 

‘If Belkain doesn’t die futilely like in his past life….’

 

The possibility of definitively improving the difficult Northern situation increases.

 

However, there was one thing.

 

‘I should gain something too.’

 

Arteon looked at Belkain and spoke.

 

“However, there’s something I’d like to request from you regarding that.”

 

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll consider it. Go ahead.”

 

“Please send me to the battlefield where Elvarfiel Lake is located in the Northeast.”

 

“…Elvarfiel Lake?”

 

That was a Kar Tribe formation near the Northeastern 4th Defense Line.

 

Belkain asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Is there a reason you want to go there?”

 

“Elvarfiel Lake is a region where fog, frost, and localized blizzards frequently occur around it, matching its scale. However, in the harsh northeastern terrain, those Red-haired Comrades can achieve rapid supply using Elvarfiel Lake’s waterways.”

 

Arteon continued speaking calmly and steadily.

 

“But if we could control the southern side of Elvarfiel Lake, those Red-haired Comrades would no longer be able to use those waterways… and we could also procure drinking water and emergency rations from the lake’s water.”

 

It was Northern land where nothing was abundant.

 

In such a North, the resources from the lake were small but extremely important.

 

‘Especially for the Kar Tribe, who lack supplies even more.’

 

But this was only the external reason.

 

What Arteon was really after was.

 

‘I need to find the… Ancient Temple beneath the wall south of the lake.’

 

And the ‘Heart of Ether’ located there.

 

That was what he wanted to obtain.

 

Originally, it would appear about 6-7 years from now, but the conditions for finding the Ancient Temple containing the Heart of Ether were extremely demanding.

 

The lake’s water level dropped every 3 years, and only then would the entrance to the Ancient Temple reveal itself.

 

Usually it was submerged underwater, making its location unknowable, and the fog made it even harder to find.

 

But Arteon knew the exact location of the entrance to the Ancient Temple.

 

He had experience scouting that place due to Moldrek, who had been blinded by greed.

 

‘I was planning to go there later when I moved to the Northeast….’

 

If this deployment could push the Kar Tribe back to where Elvarfiel Lake was located.

 

‘Along with that achievement… I can obtain the Heart of Ether.’

 

Arteon’s eyes flashed.

 

“Therefore, I request deployment to the Northeastern 4th Defense Line.”

 

At Arteon’s words, Belkain nodded.

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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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