The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 50

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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 (50)

 

“What is all this?”

 

The 3rd Platoon soldiers tilted their heads as they looked at the blackened ground outside the barracks.

 

It was clearly traces of something being burned, but they couldn’t understand why it had been done.

 

However…

 

“Ah! The Pima Herb that was here, who used so much of it?!”

 

“…Pima Herb?”

 

“What are you talking about? Who would use Pima Herb? No one’s even injured.”

 

“A whole handful of Pima Herb is missing though?”

 

“…?”

 

Soon the squad members checked the Pima Herb that had been inside the barracks.

 

Though it was a small amount, it was clearly a noticeable reduction.

 

Grain’s expression hardened for a moment.

 

“Don’t tell me… they didn’t burn this Pima Herb, did they?”

 

“Come on, no way. Why would anyone burn this?”

 

The squad members went back outside to look at the traces on the blackened ground.

 

Though faint, there were thin leaf-like things charred black.

 

Grain narrowed his eyes as he examined them.

 

“This… this really is Pima Herb.”

 

“…Why would they burn this?”

 

“Well, I don’t know. There must be some reason for it…”

 

He’s truly an incomprehensible person.

 

It was strange enough that the company commander called him early in the morning, and hadn’t he been lost in thought a lot these past few days, seemingly troubled by something?

 

“…Even without the platoon leader, we faithfully carry out the training he assigned.”

 

“What? Can’t we rest a bit when he’s not here?”

 

The squad members spoke in disgruntled voices at Grain’s words.

 

The intensity of training that Arteon assigned was truly insanely intense.

 

Thanks to that, they were dying from muscle pain they’d never experienced before.

 

Shouldn’t they be able to rest a bit when the platoon leader wasn’t around?

 

But when Grain looked at them as if they were pathetic.

 

“…We’ll just do it then.”

 

“Good grief… our deputy platoon leader. He’s completely fallen for the platoon leader.”

 

The squad members shook their heads and got up from their seats.

 

Grain then said.

 

“It’s not that I’ve fallen for him, it’s embarrassing. The fact that we who looked down on him for being young can’t even keep up with half of what he does.”

 

“Well that’s…”

 

“That’s true. But… just how has our platoon leader lived his life? He’s a complete monster.”

 

“I saw him come out alone at dawn to train. Seeing that gave me real chills… it was seriously no joke.”

 

“…He trains with us and then does individual training at dawn too?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

It was Grain who answered.

 

He too had seen Arteon secretly slip out of the barracks to train alone.

 

Though it had only been a few days, he had proven himself.

 

Now…

 

“It’s time for us to prove whether we’re worthy of being with him. If not, the time we spent badmouthing him becomes too trashy. Show at least some backbone, everyone.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Understood!”

 

At Grain’s words, everyone shouted with spirit and headed toward the training ground.

 

And at the same time.

 

“Sergeant Arteon.”

 

“…Sergeant, Arteon.

 

Arteon answered quietly while looking at the man before him.

 

Arteon’s eyes wavered slightly as he looked at the man.

 

‘Why… is this bastard here…?’

 

An appearance somewhat removed from that of a typical soldier.

 

The man who appeared to be in his late forties displayed the leisure of an urban aristocrat rather than someone weathered by the brutal cold of the north.

 

Well-groomed blonde hair.

 

His mustache was sharply trimmed as if sharpening a blade along his jawline.

 

Though he had a rather slight build for a soldier of the Northern Front, his refined clothing and straight posture filled that gap.

 

A man who used the epaulettes on his shoulders to assert power rather than responsibility.

 

‘Leorn Baltroyen…’

 

He was one of the worst superiors who had driven soldiers to their deaths for his own safety in the past.

 

‘Was he at the Northeastern 4th Defense Line during this time…?’

 

Arteon quickly calculated the situation in his head.

 

Though this was completely unexpected, didn’t he know something about this bastard’s tendencies?

 

In that case…

 

“Are you the one who came up with this operation?”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

Arteon answered in a firm voice.

 

Right now, not only Leorn but other company-level officers were all gathered here.

 

He couldn’t show a foolish appearance.

 

At Arteon’s answer, Leorn carefully examined the documents in his hand and then sighed.

 

“Isn’t this too reckless? If we carry out this operation and it fails, I’ll have to bear all the risk.”

 

‘…No, the risk would be borne by the soldiers who fail the operation, you stupid bastard.’

 

Was it because of emotions from his past life?

 

At his words, anger surged up for a moment and he almost spat out curses to his face.

 

But Arteon spoke calmly.

 

“If we engage in full-scale combat with the enemy when we’re currently unprepared, the risk of failure would be unimaginable.”

 

“…What?”

 

“In the worst case, we’d have to consider losing even the forces that can defend the 4th Defense Line and retreating to the rear. But compared to that, this operation involves deploying minimal personnel, so even if it fails, it would end with losing 30 elite soldiers.”

 

Of course, losing those 30 elite soldiers could be considered a major blow.

 

“Even so, we could create another opportunity to make up for mistakes.”

 

Just a sergeant.

 

And Arteon, who was only 15 years old, was challenging the battalion commander who oversaw the entire Northeastern 4th Defense Line.

 

Normally, other officers would have reprimanded him first.

 

‘They all know. How reckless what this bastard Leorn is trying to do is…’

 

That’s why everyone had unpleasant expressions at Arteon’s remarks, but the atmosphere was one of agreement.

 

However, at Arteon’s words, Leorn snorted and said.

 

“A soldier who’s only been at the 4th Defense Line for a few days is talking without knowing his place. How much could you possibly know about the 4th Defense Line? Do you think you can stop the advancing Kar Tribe with just these few men?”

 

“…Of course. If it fails, you can hold me responsible for everything.”

 

“Such insolence…”

 

Leorn’s eyes flashed sharply for a moment. Now was the time to play his trump card.

 

Arteon cut off Leorn’s words and continued speaking immediately.

 

“However, if the operation succeeds, all the credit will be directly attributed to your wise command, Battalion Commander.”

 

“What?”

 

“If it fails, you can hold me responsible as the independent action of one soldier, but if it succeeds, you, Battalion Commander, will receive all the credit for approving this operation.”

 

It was sophistry.

 

Everyone present knew that what Arteon had said was nonsense.

 

No, Leorn Baltroyen.

 

Except for that bastard.

 

“…Hmm.”

 

The hostile look from earlier had completely disappeared.

 

Leorn stroked his chin with an expression as if he was contemplating something.

 

Then he asked the officers present.

 

“What do you all think? Do you believe this operation can succeed?”

 

“At this point, I think it’s the best method available. Even if it fails, the risk isn’t that great.”

 

“I also think it’s a brilliant operation. However, to succeed in this operation… we’ll need truly elite soldiers.”

 

One by one, they voiced their opinions.

 

Most reactions were favorable.

 

They too thought this was the best possible method in the current situation, which was close to the worst.

 

Leorn’s lips curved upward at the officers’ words.

 

“I see.”

 

His thoughts were transparent as glass.

 

If it failed as Arteon suggested, he would shift the blame to the officers and soldiers.

 

And if by any chance it succeeded…

 

‘He’ll take all the credit for himself.’

 

The type of soldier Arteon despised most.

 

Why couldn’t they understand that it was because of bastards like him that the Northern Region had been stained with soldiers’ blood for so long?

 

But…

 

‘I’ll endure it for now.’

 

Because he needed this bastard’s approval to carry out this operation.

 

Leorn continued deliberating, reluctant to give his authorization.

 

Considering his nature, there was a possibility he might ignore this operation and just move the main force.

 

Sweat seeped into his tightly clenched fist. But then.

 

“Battalion Commander. How about we trust him and give it a try?”

 

Hadel, the 1st Company Captain, spoke to Leorn.

 

Arteon looked at Hadel with puzzlement.

 

Surely the way he looked at him wasn’t much different from Leorn’s.

 

He thought he hadn’t gained his trust…

 

‘Why?’

 

He couldn’t know the answer, but he could tell that the action Hadel just showed was quite unexpected.

 

At Hadel’s words, Leorn asked.

 

“Hmm, are you confident?”

 

“Yes, if the operation fails, I and my unit members who pushed for this operation will take responsibility. I request approval for the operation.”

 

Leorn’s lips curved upward at Hadel’s bold gambit.

 

If an officer-level person says they’ll take responsibility for failure, the story becomes completely different.

 

Leorn nodded.

 

“Good, I approve the operation. Form the unit as quickly as possible from this moment. And Captain Hadel will be in charge of executing this operation.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Other companies should also support this operation as their top priority. Captain Hadel will report the progress directly to me.”

 

“Heart of Steel!”

 

Hadel saluted Leorn and immediately walked out of the barracks.

 

The sky was overcast with dark clouds, much like his heart.

 

Then Hadel looked at Arteon and said.

 

“Tell me what you need. I’ll provide maximum support.”

 

“Are you sure you’ll be alright? If the operation fails, surely…”

 

“Stop.”

 

Hadel cut off Arteon’s words.

 

He knew that if it failed, he would face serious consequences too.

 

Because Battalion Commander Leorn was that kind of person.

 

But Hadel looked at Arteon as if it didn’t matter and said.

 

“There’s no need to think about failure for an operation that can’t fail.”

 

His voice was filled with conviction.

 

A unit whose commander could throw away his own life.

 

Who could stop such a force?

 

Moreover, wasn’t the detailed operation plan report that Arteon submitted nearly perfect?

 

Now…

 

“Focus only on executing the operation.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

Arteon nodded.

 

If there had been only commanders like this.

 

‘The Northern Front battles… wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.’

 

The rats hiding everywhere.

 

And the pigs trying to fill only their own bellies were in positions of authority, which led to this situation.

 

Once approval was granted, things proceeded at lightning speed.

 

Each company selected soldiers with the best mobility to form the unit.

 

A total force of 31 soldiers, including Commander Arteon, was completed in an instant.

 

And…

 

“We don’t have time, so I won’t accept complaints. I know you don’t trust me standing before you. But abandon such doubts. Right now, we must unite and lead this operation to victory.”

 

The soldiers unconsciously swallowed at the intensity Arteon radiated.

 

How could such a terrifying aura emanate from a boy who looked much younger than themselves?

 

Arteon looked at his unit members and said.

 

“I will definitely make this operation succeed. Even if I have to stake everything I have.”

 

Forward of the 4th Defense Line.

 

After pushing back the Kar Tribe, they would seize the momentum and immediately occupy Elvarfiel Lake.

 

Until then…

 

‘I have no intention of stopping.’

 

Finally, Arteon spoke to the soldiers.

 

“Now I’ll explain the operation.”

 

At those words, all the unit members looked at Arteon with serious eyes.

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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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