The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 49

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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 (49)

 

“What are the current movements of the Kar Tribe?”

 

“They’re moving south from the lake, approaching close to our formation. Judging by the distance, they’re roughly 2 kilometers away from our formation, perhaps a bit further.”

 

“That’s practically close enough to touch noses if you fall forward.”

 

If those bastards manage to establish their formation across the lake.

 

‘Recapturing the lake will become even more difficult going forward.’

 

For them, who had been using at least the southern part of the lake, this could create an extremely troublesome situation.

 

“We need to hurry and move our forces before those bastards fully establish their position.”

 

“However, excluding the newly arrived reinforcement forces, we have less than 200 soldiers currently capable of combat. About half are currently wounded…”

 

“Moreover, even the remaining personnel haven’t been fully supplied with weapons and armor. If we force an attack in the current situation… we might face a truly irreversible situation.”

 

A meeting attended by the battalion commander and company-level officers.

 

Major Leorn Baltroyen, the battalion commander with overall command of the 4th Defense Line, let out a deep sigh and furrowed his brow.

 

“I understand the situation is difficult. However, if we lose the forward formation of the 4th Defense Line, recapturing Elvarfiel Lake will become considerably more difficult.”

 

Haven’t they already been wasting months unable to recapture it?

 

However, the other officers’ words also made sense.

 

If they moved rashly and lost their remaining forces.

 

‘We might lose the 4th Defense Line itself.’

 

The worst possible scenario they could imagine might unfold.

 

Leorn pressed his throbbing temples and spoke.

 

“We’ll decide at tomorrow’s meeting. If anyone has a better plan by then… let me hear it again.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Understood.”

 

After the unproductive meeting ended, Hadel came out of the barracks and let out a small sigh.

 

Jerak, the support company commander who had brought reinforcement forces, spoke to him.

 

“It seems like a difficult situation.”

 

“The previous division commander did a lot of idiotic things. He kept issuing ridiculous orders without considering the situation, and the damage has been accumulating ever since.”

 

The soldiers hadn’t had proper time to rest.

 

Even injuries needed proper time to heal, but they weren’t given even that much time.

 

‘However…’

 

Even under such harsh conditions, the current situation was the worst.

 

If they really went ahead with this battle, they might truly face an irreversible situation.

 

Hadel returned to his barracks with a worried expression.

 

Another meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.

 

‘What clever solution could possibly emerge in just one day…’

 

Only meaningless time would pass.

 

But then.

 

“Company Commander, it’s Volgren.”

 

“Come in.”

 

Hadel looked at Volgren, who had suddenly come to visit.

 

Volgren asked.

 

“Did the meeting go well?”

 

“Not at all. The situation is bad, but we couldn’t even make a decision. They say we’ll have another meeting tomorrow, but what solution are we supposed to come up with in one day?”

 

Hadel knew it too.

 

In the current situation, they couldn’t blame only the battalion commander.

 

They had to prevent the Kar Tribe from occupying the forward formation of the 4th Defense Line, but there was no particular method available in the current situation.

 

At least with the arrival of reinforcement forces, they could fight using them.

 

“The problem is that the risk is too great.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Hadel nodded at Volgren’s words.

 

If they lost those reinforcement forces, the bastards would attack this place immediately without hesitation.

 

No matter how well the base camp was fortified, they couldn’t stop the enemy without troops.

 

But then.

 

“That’s why I’m here.”

 

“…?”

 

“The newly appointed 3rd Platoon leader, Sergeant Arteon, requested that I deliver this to you, Company Commander.”

 

“Sergeant Arteon?”

 

Hadel’s brow furrowed slightly.

 

What kind of letter was that young bastard sending him?

 

His head was already aching from complicated matters.

 

If it was a useless request, he was planning to impose disciplinary action immediately.

 

However…

 

“…?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Sergeant Arteon sent this?”

 

“Yes, he gave me the letter and explained the contents… It seemed like there might be potential, so I rushed over here.”

 

“Bring Sergeant Arteon here right now. Right now!”

 

Hadel’s eyes narrowed as he read the letter.

 

If they could really organize an operation this way…

 

Hadel sat down and waited for Arteon.

 

It was only a few hundred meters away, but today that time felt unusually long.

 

* * *

 

Gray mist hung over Elvarfiel Lake.

 

The mist flowed like a snake crawling over the lake’s surface, and even the cold wind quietly swept over it.

 

“Have all the warriors assembled?”

 

Ulgrak asked while touching his heavy iron shoulder armor.

 

His eyes were looking beyond the mist, cold and heavy like frozen steel.

 

And a man approached from behind him.

 

His face was striking with roughly grown beard and scars carved by traces of war.

 

“Currently 430 warriors are standing by. We can advance immediately upon your command.”

 

Ulgrak nodded at Moldur’s answer.

 

Though the faint mist prevented him from seeing far.

 

“Finally, we’ll be able to possess Imperial land beyond the lake.”

 

They had shed far too much blood until now.

 

Of course, they had cut the throats of even more Imperial bastards…

 

“We need our own land where we can settle.”

 

For that, they absolutely had to seize the fertile Imperial lands.

 

This wasn’t a matter to be satisfied with just this damp lake.

 

Ulgrak lifted the axe he had been resting on the ground.

 

An axe as large as an average person’s body was lifted without resistance and placed on his shoulder.

 

“Moldur.”

 

“Yes, Taman!”

 

“Now the Imperial lands beyond this lake will fall into our hands.”

 

Ulgrak spoke while looking forward with coldly sunken eyes.

 

“Advance the warriors.”

 

* * *

 

“Sergeant Arteon!”

 

Just from Volgren’s urgent expression as he approached, it was clear what this was about.

 

Arteon rose from his seat and looked at Volgren.

 

“Yes, Sergeant Volgren.”

 

Though lower in rank, Volgren served as the company commander’s aide, so they still maintained formal speech with each other.

 

Volgren spoke to Arteon.

 

“The company commander is looking for you. It seems he has something urgent to discuss after seeing that letter.”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

It was as expected.

 

After all, it was a letter containing quite important information.

 

Arteon stood with Volgren in front of the company commander’s office barracks.

 

“Company Commander, I’ve brought Sergeant Arteon.”

 

“Come in.”

 

The company commander responded immediately.

 

From the sound coming from inside, it seemed he had risen from his seat right away.

 

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

 

“The contents written in this letter. Is this really true?”

 

Hadel got straight to the point.

 

His eyes were serious with a hint of anger.

 

The atmosphere suggested he would impose severe discipline immediately if it were false.

 

“Yes, it is. Of course, it won’t be easy to execute, but if the operation goes according to plan, I believe we can stop the Kar Tribe advancing toward the 4th Defense Line.”

 

“…How many personnel are you thinking?”

 

“Fifty… no, if they’re skilled soldiers, about thirty should be sufficient.”

 

“Thirty men…”

 

That was certainly supportable.

 

However, if this operation were to proceed.

 

“The risk if it fails is considerable… would it be possible?”

 

“Even if it fails, it would only mean the death of about 30 men.”

 

“…”

 

For a moment, Hadel felt his words catch in his throat.

 

As he said, what would be lost if the operation failed was 30 soldiers.

 

Coldly speaking, from the unit’s perspective, it wasn’t a significant risk.

 

But…

 

‘Could there be someone who could speak so calmly about something that could kill him?’

 

And those words came from the mouth of the youngster he had dismissed as immature.

 

Hadel unconsciously swallowed and asked.

 

“Are you perhaps thinking of not participating in the operation?”

 

“No. The most important condition for carrying out this operation is for you to appoint me as the unit commander.”

 

“As unit commander?”

 

“Yes, this operation requires above all else a thorough knowledge of Elvarfiel Lake’s terrain. Even the slightest mistake could risk the death of all 30 men.”

 

“Do you know Elvarfiel Lake well? A youngster who’s only been transferred here for a few days?”

 

Perhaps his mind was racing.

 

Hadel unconsciously voiced his thoughts about Arteon.

 

But Arteon spoke with a calm expression as if he didn’t mind.

 

“Before coming to the Northern Front, I was from the Northern Region. In my childhood, though not often, I went to gather medicinal herbs in the Southern Elbarfiel area, so I know the terrain well.”

 

“…Is that so.”

 

It sounded absurd.

 

But when connected to the operation currently being considered, it was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

 

At Arteon’s words, Hadel fell into serious contemplation with a grave expression.

 

If only this operation could succeed.

 

‘Without pushing soldiers into a death trap… we could stop the Kar Tribe.’

 

Hadel nodded as if he had made a decision and spoke to Arteon.

 

“Come with me tomorrow.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Arteon’s eyes flashed with determination.

 

Surely the place they were going was a meeting of the officers.

 

If the operation was approved there.

 

‘Once again… I’ll be able to seize an opportunity.’

 

Certainly great danger would follow, but he had already prepared for that.

 

Besides, he had no intention whatsoever of failing.

 

This was only the beginning.

 

‘Push back the advancing Kar Tribe… and then retake Elvarfiel Lake.’

 

If that happened, he would be able to enter the ancient temple hidden in the lake.

 

Wasn’t that the reason Arteon had come to the Northeastern 4th Defense Line despite the danger?

 

Eventually, Arteon’s departing steps carried a sense of resolve.

 

* * *

 

Crackle!

 

It was late at night.

 

Arteon, who had come out of the barracks alone, gazed quietly at the flames of the burning campfire.

 

“Tomorrow.”

 

Tomorrow he would attend the officers’ meeting with Hadel.

 

Honestly, it was somewhat unexpected.

 

He hadn’t expected Hadel, who viewed him unfavorably, to make such a decision.

 

‘Should I think his perspective has changed a little…’

 

But if he went to the officers’ meeting with Hadel, he might again face situations where he’d have to endure such gazes.

 

Surely there would be those who doubted the operation he had provided and found him unreliable.

 

‘It doesn’t matter.’

 

Persuading all of them was part of what he had to do.

 

If he couldn’t even do that, commanding the unit members who would follow would be impossible even if the operation was approved.

 

“It was rather easier back at Helikel Gorge.”

 

Having an environment where he could perform under a superior who recognized him was truly a joyful thing.

 

But this time… he had to be the one leading.

 

With this appearance of being only 15 years old.

 

‘I’ll have to face it head-on.’

 

What mattered now was buying time somehow.

 

Soon Arteon walked toward the barracks.

 

And the next day.

 

“Sergeant Arteon.”

 

“I was waiting.”

 

Seeing Volgren who had come to fetch him, Arteon rose from his seat.

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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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