The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 54

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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 (54)

 

Swooooooosh!

 

‘I can’t dodge…!’

 

In that instant, Ulgrak saw moments from his past flashing rapidly before his eyes.

 

Was this what they said happens when facing death?

 

As the attack aimed precisely at his heart came toward him, Ulgrak used all his strength to raise his axe.

 

Clang!

 

The handle of the axe barely managed to block Arteon’s spear and deflect its path.

 

The spear that had been aimed at his heart changed course and pierced Ulgrak’s left shoulder.

 

Thunk!

 

“Grgh…!”

 

The moment Arteon’s spear completely penetrated Ulgrak’s shoulder, a pained groan escaped through his lips.

 

Though Ulgrak was someone who wouldn’t even twitch an eyebrow at ordinary pain, the unbearable agony hit him as his shoulder blade and collarbone were completely shattered.

 

At that moment.

 

“Tamaaaaaaan!

 

“You bastaaaard!”

 

The Kar Tribe warriors who had been watching the fight let out battle cries and charged toward Arteon.

 

“Hyaaaah!”

 

“How dare you!”

 

But then.

 

Swooooosh!

 

Swooooosh!

 

Sharp currents like blades swept past from beyond the bushes.

 

Along with that, three spears shot out instantly, blocking the path of the Kar Tribe warriors approaching Arteon.

 

Thud! Thunk! Clang!

 

One embedded in a Kar Tribe warrior’s thigh, another grazed the side of a nearby warrior, wounding him.

 

Unfortunately one was blocked, but this alone served as sufficient warning to them.

 

And during that golden time his unit members had created.

 

Arteon pulled out the spear embedded in Ulgrak’s shoulder.

 

Squelch!

 

The sound of the guy’s bone grinding as the spear was pulled out.

 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this attack had completely destroyed the guy’s left arm.

 

As evidence, wasn’t the left hand that had been holding the axe now hanging limply toward the ground?

 

‘I can kill him.’

 

The Kar Tribe leader with no less than 4 feather tattoos.

 

Arteon’s eyes flashed.

 

The mana that had been surging out like flames was instantly absorbed into Iglis, emitting a vicious flash of killing intent.

 

At that moment, the word death was also etched in Ulgrak’s eyes.

 

This attack.

 

‘I can’t block…!’

 

He instinctively knew he couldn’t block it.

 

“Never covet this place again.”

 

Arteon twisted his waist and quickly thrust forward with the spear he was gripping.

 

A pure thrust without any technique.

 

Iglis, containing Arteon’s full power, shot out once again aiming for Ulgrak’s heart.

 

But at that moment.

 

Swooooooosh!

 

“…!”

 

Sensing thick killing intent from the side, Arteon unconsciously twisted his body and swung his spear in that direction.

 

Clang!

 

An impact that made his palm tingle.

 

Along with that, something shot up into the sky, then fell to the ground with a thud.

 

A one-hand axe with blades on both sides.

 

About 15 meters away, a Kar Tribe warrior was glaring at Arteon with bloodshot eyes.

 

Whether he had been checked by the unit members, his left arm bore clear wounds from throwing spears.

 

But despite that, the guy had thrown his axe with the single determination to save Ulgrak.

 

“Protect Taman!”

 

“Uaaaah!”

 

The Kar Tribe warriors, completely free from their hallucination state, quickly formed ranks and charged toward Arteon.

 

From behind the bushes, Bruel shouted loudly.

 

“Unit Commander! Retreat!”

 

There were no throwing spears left now.

 

The short ones they had brought, 5 each, were all they had.

 

Though the other side seemed to want to provide cover too.

 

Whoosh!

 

Arteon retreated without a moment’s hesitation.

 

Though it was regrettable that he couldn’t cut the guy’s throat right now, the original purpose was to make them retreat anyway.

 

‘The objective is achieved.’

 

This regret could be settled later.

 

Thud!

 

Arteon picked up the Kar Tribe warrior’s axe that had fallen to the ground.

 

Despite being a one-handed axe, it was quite heavy with considerable weight.

 

Then Arteon enhanced his body with mana and threw the axe toward the charging Kar Tribe warrior.

 

Thud!

 

The axe embedded precisely in the Kar Tribe warrior’s forehead.

 

While they flinched, Arteon quickly retreated and looked at Bruel.

 

“Move to the next point. Signal the unit members at other positions.”

 

Tweeet!

 

Bruel unhesitatingly blew the whistle hanging around his neck.

 

The order would have been transmitted with this.

 

Arteon quickly left the position with the 1st Squad members.

 

No matter how recklessly those guys charged, in their injured state they had no choice but to retreat.

 

‘No…’

 

Arteon’s eyes flashed as he ran to the next point location.

 

If those guys forced an advance like this, he could immediately devour them.

 

But no matter how reckless those guys were, they wouldn’t do such a thing.

 

‘Now…’

 

Fire had fallen on those guys’ feet.

 

With this damage, those guys’ control over the lake had become precarious.

 

If those guys retreated like this.

 

‘Next, I’ll take Elvarfiel Lake.’

 

On the way back.

 

Arteon’s mind was already filled with the next operation.

 

* * *

 

Dawn with frost falling.

 

The soldiers monitoring the front from the 4th Defense Line were holding their breath with extremely tense expressions.

 

The fog was deep and heavy.

 

Like a curtain, it obscured their vision, and the soldiers standing guard silently stared ahead at the formation.

 

“…Huu.”

 

A small breath escaped, and white vapor scattered into the air.

 

Hadel, still positioned at the front, gazed toward the direction they had gone with calm, settled eyes.

 

Quite a bit of time had already passed since the operation was executed.

 

If a little more time passed, dawn would soon break.

 

‘It’s time for them to return…’

 

Could it be that the operation had failed?

 

Though he didn’t want to imagine it, if by any chance the special forces had been wiped out, he would have to prepare for the next situation.

 

Despite the cold northern wind, cold sweat trickled down his spine from the tension.

 

Advance, encounter, return.

 

All of it was unknown.

 

Only suffocating waiting remained in the silence.

 

But then it happened.

 

“Th-there! Something’s moving!”

 

One of the soldiers watching the front shouted loudly.

 

Hadel and the surrounding soldiers focused their gaze in that direction.

 

Faint figures slowly becoming visible beyond the fog.

 

Something, no.

 

A group was approaching this way.

 

“Ugh…!”

 

Hadel momentarily held his breath, narrowing his eyes as he looked in that direction.

 

A soldier shouted.

 

“Fr-friendly forces! Friendly forces have returned!”

 

That cry spread like wildfire in an instant.

 

The anxiety that had been building nervously in the soldiers’ hearts disappeared, and sighs of relief flowed out.

 

Hadel stood still in place, watching them.

 

They appeared more unharmed than expected.

 

However, one person walking at the front.

 

Though his worn armor was covered with blood and dirt, perhaps because of that.

 

His eyes, which appeared more vivid than before, were impressive.

 

‘…Arteon.’

 

He entered the formation with his unit members and stood before him.

 

Soon, Arteon looked at Hadel with unwavering eyes and saluted.

 

“Steel heart! Sergeant Arteon. I report my return from the operation with 30 unit members.”

 

Though he seemed tired, his posture was straight.

 

Though the smell of the battlefield still clung heavily to his shoulders, he spoke with unwavering eyes.

 

Hadel asked Arteon.

 

“How did it go?”

 

At those words, Arteon slightly lowered his eyes.

 

Hadel’s eyes wavered.

 

Could it be…?

 

But soon.

 

“The operation… was successful.”

 

And after a brief silence.

 

A faint smile appeared on Arteon’s lips as he raised his head.

 

“The Kar Tribe has retreated. During the operation, approximately 30 Kar Tribe members were killed, and over 50 were wounded.”

 

Moreover, the greatest gain was.

 

“The Kar Tribe’s supreme commander was severely injured. Even considering variables, we estimate he’ll be unable to fight for at least a week to ten days.”

 

“…”

 

At Arteon’s report, Hadel looked at him with an astounded expression.

 

Just stopping the Kar Tribe’s advance alone was an tremendous achievement and an incredible feat.

 

Despite accomplishing something miraculous, Arteon’s report was extremely calm and composed.

 

‘Just what is this guy…’

 

His youthful face no longer caught his eye.

 

Was it the feeling that the person seemed enormously grown?

 

As if facing a massive presence, Hadel couldn’t hide his surprised gaze as he looked at Arteon.

 

But soon Hadel, regaining his composure, nodded.

 

“Good work. As of this moment, everyone rest. I order rest until separate orders are given.”

 

“Thank you for the company commander’s consideration. Then…”

 

Snap!

 

“Steel heart!”

 

After finishing his salute, Arteon turned with his unit members and headed toward the barracks.

 

Hadel’s gaze followed Arteon’s figure as he turned and walked away.

 

His eyes that didn’t cool even in the cold air.

 

Watching the back of a soldier who could no longer be called a boy, Hadel began to feel a strange trust and reverence rising from deep within his heart.

 

* * *

 

News of the 4th Defense Line’s operation success reached the Legion Command Headquarters in an instant.

 

Inside the Legion Commander’s Office finished with cold marble.

 

Belkain’s fingertips, who had been turning through documents with an expressionless face, stopped slightly.

 

He silently looked down at the document for a long while, then slowly raised his gaze at Claw’s following words.

 

“You’re saying it was an operation Arteon carried out?”

 

“Yes, he said he would take full responsibility if the operation failed, then forced it through. Company Commander Hadel apparently supported that operation.”

 

“… I can see Major Leorn must have been quite calculating.”

 

Since he’s someone who doesn’t care about soldiers’ deaths in order to maintain his own power.

 

He was far from adequate for the important position of commander of the Northeastern 4th Defense Line, but he was someone they were keeping an eye on since there was no clear justification to remove him.

 

Belkain looked at Claw.

 

It meant to continue the report.

 

“They set fire to Pima Herb near the lake to create smoke, then poisoned the Kar Tribe.”

 

“Poisoning?”

 

“This is something I learned for the first time too… apparently inhaling Pima Herb smoke causes hallucination symptoms.”

 

“Huh, so they used such a clever trick?”

 

“Yes. After that, they ambushed from three sides and attacked the enemy with throwing spears, then immediately attacked the enemy’s commanding officer, severely injuring him to stop the enemy’s advance.”

 

“… I see.”

 

Belkain didn’t continue speaking.

 

As always, he didn’t show his emotions outwardly.

 

But his eyes were definitely wavering.

 

Beyond his turned gaze, there was a map of the Northern Front hanging on the wall.

 

In its center, Elvarfiel Lake.

 

Until now, the Imperial Army had been pushed back around this massive lake, and its recapture was considered a virtually impossible goal.

 

But…

 

“And there’s one more thing to report.”

 

“…?”

 

“Now… they’re preparing to recapture Elvarfiel Lake.”

 

That short statement.

 

At that moment, Belkain’s eyebrows twitched slightly like a spasm, and the corners of his mouth opened minutely.

 

Surprise.

 

As if he had heard the sound of an unexpected wall crumbling, he stared at the space before him for a long while.

 

And then he quietly rose from his seat.

 

“…Interesting.”

 

That single word spread a faint heat through the cold conference room.

 

Belkain, who had been so taciturn and composed.

 

However, now in his eyes, the emotion of ‘anticipation’ was clearly flickering faintly.

 

If they could recapture Elvarfiel Lake, the front lines of the 4th Defense Line would be completely transformed.

 

Just like the 1st Defense Line in the Northwest.

 

Rather than simply ‘defending,’ they would gain a foothold to ‘attack’ the Kar Tribe’s formation.

 

Belkain’s gaze sank coldly.

 

Soon, as if having made some decision, he pulled out a document and began writing something down.

 

“Deliver this to the Northeastern 4th Defense Line.”

 

“This… you mean, sir?”

 

Looking at the documents Belkain handed over, Claw showed a somewhat flustered expression.

 

Who would have thought he’d make such a bold choice.

 

“There may be resistance.”

 

“I’m giving this precisely to ignore such resistance.”

 

Belkain’s words were resolute.

 

At that, Claw nodded.

 

“I’ll send it right away.”

 

“Report back afterwards.”

 

“Heart of Steel! Understood.”

 

After Claw withdrew, alone in his office.

 

Belkain rose from his seat and stared intently at the map of the Northern Region hanging behind him.

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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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