The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 44

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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 (44)

 

Silence had settled over the shores of Elvarfiel Lake.

 

This place, called the Northeastern 4th Defense Line by those Imperial bastards.

 

Mist hung low, dampening the earth, and the lake was shrouded in deep gray.

 

Though it was clearly daytime, the clouds and fog covering the sky made it somewhat dark and gloomy.

 

And what was revealed beyond the hazy view was none other than traces of battle.

 

Blackened flags.

 

Blood flowing from the torn corpses of Imperial soldiers had stained the earth.

 

“….”

 

A man silently gazing at the battlefield.

 

On his left shoulder were four feather-shaped tattoos, and the scar running across his face was utterly hideous.

 

It was Ulgrak, Taman of the Kar Tribe who managed the 4th Defense Line.

 

“Taman.”

 

Then Moldur, who could be called Ulgrak’s adjutant, approached.

 

His entire body, standing with a spear, was stained with dirt and blood, and one arm was wrapped with bandages as if given emergency treatment.

 

Despite this, his appearance remained composed.

 

Ulgrak spoke to him.

 

“Report.”

 

“The number of dead warriors is 49. The seriously wounded are just over 30, and the lightly wounded are about 100.”

 

“…Ensure the bodies of the dead warriors can be buried.”

 

Though his voice seemed calm, its resonance was deep.

 

While mourning the dead warriors, killing intent toward the Imperial soldiers flowed out.

 

“What about the Imperial soldiers?”

 

“Currently confirmed corpses alone exceed 200. Those who fled are either hiding in the fog… or some jumped into the lake.”

 

At Moldur’s report, the corners of Ulgrak’s mouth rose.

 

But immediately.

 

Whoosh!

 

He instantly swung the giant axe he had standing on the ground.

 

“Gaaak…!”

 

Behind the fog, the head of an Imperial soldier hiding in the bushes rolled on the ground.

 

He was one who had given up fleeing and was hiding, aiming for Ulgrak.

 

“They jumped into the lake?”

 

Ulgrak smiled mockingly.

 

Elvarfiel Lake was not a place that harbored life. Rather, it was a place where cold chill and death lingered.

 

“Then that means they’re all dead.”

 

No matter how good a swimmer one might be, surviving in Elvarfiel Lake that had swallowed the Northern Region’s cold was impossible.

 

Moldur remained silent, looking at the Imperial soldier’s head that had fallen to the ground.

 

He hadn’t even sensed it.

 

Ulgrak turned his body and spoke.

 

“This place will become a graveyard for Imperial soldiers. This back-and-forth fighting… will soon come to an end now.”

 

The 4th Defense Line where Elvarfiel Lake was located had a slightly different character from other Northern Front battlefields.

 

If other places were where they, the Kar Tribe, unilaterally attacked and Imperial soldiers defended.

 

‘…We cannot let Elvarfiel Lake be taken.’

 

The 4th Defense Line was a fierce battlefield where offense and defense were continuously exchanged over Elvarfiel Lake.

 

Though the Kar Tribe currently occupying Elvarfiel Lake was in a defensive position.

 

“Now we’ll move the front line down and advance south. With the next battle, I’ll firmly establish this place as our territory.”

 

“Understood.”

 

As Moldur then withdrew, Ulgrak looked toward the Empire’s front lines with an expression whose intentions were unreadable.

 

* * *

 

“What?”

 

“What do you mean by that? Going to the Northeastern Region?”

 

Arteon, who had met with Belkain and returned to the barracks, told his squad members about it.

 

Though there were regrettable aspects, he absolutely had to go for what lay ahead.

 

“That’s how the situation turned out.”

 

“Where in the Northeastern Region are you going?”

 

Raymen asked.

 

Arteon answered calmly.

 

“The 4th Defense Line.”

 

“…What?”

 

“The 4th Defense Line? That place with, what’s it called… some lake?”

 

“Elvarfiel Lake.”

 

“Yes, that Elvar-whatever lake. Isn’t that the toughest place in the entire Northern Region? I heard it’s much more dangerous than our 1st Defense Line here.”

 

Despite being completely different areas, if these guys knew about it, you could tell how notorious its reputation was.

 

But….

 

“…I’ll go with you too.”

 

“Me too.”

 

“I’m… ah, this is driving me crazy.”

 

Following Raymen, Bert spoke without hesitation. But the other squad members’ expressions were truly deathly pale.

 

How difficult it had been even at the 1st Defense Line.

 

The words saying they’d follow to the Northeastern 4th Defense Line wouldn’t easily come out of their mouths.

 

But Arteon frowned at this.

 

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m the only one being transferred. You guys will move to the Northwest 3rd Defense Line as part of the 4th Platoon.”

 

“What? Only you alone?”

 

“That’s right, this matter doesn’t concern you guys.”

 

At Arteon’s words, regret and a strange sense of relief appeared on the squad members’ faces.

 

Arteon then spoke.

 

“So don’t talk about this matter anymore. It’s not something you can go to just because you want to follow.”

 

It might seem somewhat cold, but it was important to make them give up the idea completely.

 

‘If they get half-hearted ideas, they might not adapt properly here.’

 

However… thinking about leaving the guys behind made one side of his heart feel heavy.

 

Soon Arteon looked at his squad members as if he had decided something.

 

“Everyone gather around.”

 

“…Why?”

 

Perhaps feeling a bit hurt by those cold words from before, Bert spoke sullenly with pursed lips.

 

The biggest guy of all.

 

Arteon struck the guy’s head with the spear he was holding.

 

Smack!

 

“Gah!”

 

“I’m still the squad leader. Where do you get off talking back?”

 

“S-sorry!”

 

“Before I leave, I’ll give you one gift… so use all your strength to learn during the remaining time.”

 

“A gift…?”

 

“What kind of gift?”

 

“A gift? But… what do you mean we have to learn?”

 

Raymen asked.

 

This guy definitely had some sharp aspects unlike the other guys.

 

Arteon then approached Raymen who was beside him.

 

“I need to check something, so just stay relaxed and still. You absolutely must not make any sound, so keep your mouths shut.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Arteon placed his hand on Raymen’s back.

 

Along with that, he detected the mana circuits spread throughout his body.

 

If the mana circuits were blocked, he wouldn’t be able to properly deliver his gift.

 

“…Next.”

 

Arteon injected mana into Bert’s body next to him.

 

Bert flinched for a moment and showed a surprised expression, but he faithfully followed the instruction not to make any sound.

 

He then checked the mana circuits of all the squad members.

 

As expected.

 

‘…Not in great condition.’

 

But that didn’t mean it was impossible.

 

He had naturally expected that parts of their mana circuits would be blocked.

 

Arteon looked at the squad members and said.

 

“Follow me. I’ll teach you mana cultivation methods that suit you.”

 

“…?”

 

“Mana cultivation methods?”

 

This was probably unfamiliar to them.

 

Generally, mana cultivation methods were like privileges held by nobles, or even among commoners, only the children of wealthy families.

 

And yet, mana cultivation methods.

 

Raymen cautiously raised his hand.

 

“But… can we learn it? I heard that mana cultivation methods usually need to be started before age 10.”

 

“That’s when it’s most efficient, but it’s not absolutely necessary to start then.”

 

“Is it… possible for us too?”

 

“Your condition isn’t great, but it’s not impossible. That’s why you need to learn with all your might from now on.”

 

Arteon glanced over all the squad members and said.

 

“So stop talking and follow me.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Understood, Squad Leader!”

 

Arteon moved with the squad members to a quiet location outside the barracks.

 

Mana cultivation methods weren’t something that could be learned easily, but.

 

‘…If you stay in this Northern Region for about 10 years, you can learn about various sword techniques, spear techniques, and mana cultivation methods.’

 

However, he had missed the timing to learn all of that and couldn’t obtain anything.

 

Arteon recalled a mana cultivation method created by a genius from the Northern Region in his past life.

 

While the speed of mana accumulation was slow, this mana cultivation method that utilized the cold temperature of the Northern Region had one great advantage.

 

‘Even those who are already adults… can gather mana up to about 3rd Star level if they persist.’

 

However, compared to efficient mana cultivation methods, its severely slow speed was a disadvantage.

 

‘Still…’

 

As far as Arteon knew, this was the only mana cultivation method these guys could learn.

 

“I’m leaving tomorrow. So… you must learn it today no matter what. I’ll stay up all night if necessary until you can do it.”

 

“…Yes!”

 

“Understood!”

 

Everyone answered with determined expressions.

 

A cold wind whipped around them, but the guys clenched their fists and finished preparing with serious eyes.

 

Arteon forcibly injected mana into those who couldn’t feel mana, making them learn the sensation.

 

And for those who couldn’t move mana in the designated direction within their bodies, he forcibly controlled the direction to teach them.

 

That day.

 

Until dawn broke, Arteon taught and re-taught the mana cultivation method to the guys.

 

Even those who initially made almost no progress began to follow along little by little through the forceful repetitive training that was close to cramming education.

 

And then…

 

“…Huh?”

 

“This feels strange…?”

 

Without exaggeration, truly a speck of mana nestled within their bodies, creating a mysterious sensation.

 

All five squad members opened their eyes wide and looked at Arteon.

 

“Can you feel it clearly now?”

 

“Something… this fluffy feeling is amazing.”

 

“Is this… my mana…?”

 

“Wow…”

 

At their words of wonder, Arteon drew a small arc at the corner of his mouth.

 

But soon he spoke with a serious expression.

 

“Bert, Raymen, Raphelson, Jalbarog, Graphil.”

 

When their names were called, they looked at Arteon in a rigid attention stance.

 

Arteon then said.

 

“The time we spent together was short, but I think it was quite meaningful… and we accomplished a lot.”

 

Everyone recalled those days they had spent with Arteon.

 

The day Arteon first came to the squad.

 

When they were beaten to death and first experienced what training was.

 

And when they learned combined tactics and went to the battlefield to grasp ‘victory’ for the first time.

 

And then…

 

“I don’t know when we’ll meet again, but if we stay alive on this damned battlefield, we’ll meet again someday. So…”

 

Arteon paused for a moment.

 

Perhaps this was what the guys wanted to hear most.

 

Arteon made eye contact with each squad member, one by one.

 

And he spoke with sincerity.

 

“Survive.”

 

With those words.

 

“Everyone, attentionnnn!”

 

When Raymen shouted loudly, the squad members brought their feet together and took an attention stance.

 

“Salute to the Squad Leaderrrrr!”

 

Thump!

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

A resounding shout that seemed to blow away the Northern Region’s cold air.

 

Watching them, Arteon brought his feet together.

 

Thump!

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

He received their salute with the highest courtesy he could offer.

 

Though he didn’t know when they would meet again.

 

‘Until the day we meet again…’

 

Wishing for everyone’s well-being.

 

Receiving the sunlight rising in the distance, Arteon turned around.

 

Thus leaving the 4th Squad he had grown fond of, he headed toward the Hell Front Line in the northeastern region.

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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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