The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 55

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (55)

 

Central area of the Main Base at the Northeastern 4th Defense Line.

 

Inside a gray tent, a map of the 4th Defense Line centered around Elvarfiel Lake was spread out on a large operations table in the center.

 

Beside it, along with a tactical board, stood a man holding current reports submitted by officers.

 

Major Leorn Baltroyen stared at the report with an expressionless face.

 

“…?”

 

For a moment, his expression wavered.

 

His eyebrows twitched, and his thinly pressed lips parted slightly.

 

“They succeeded?”

 

His voice was low, but there was unmistakable surprise mixed within it.

 

Arteon, that young sergeant’s recklessly led operation.

 

An operation to stop hundreds of Kar Tribe members’ advance with just 30 men had succeeded.

 

“…Huh.”

 

Honestly speaking, he had thought they would be annihilated or retreat without any results.

 

That’s why he had been thinking about the next move.

 

But success?

 

Leorn tossed the report onto the table and looked outside.

 

Before he knew it, the corners of his mouth were slowly rising.

 

“Good… Very good.”

 

How they succeeded in the operation didn’t matter.

 

The fact that the operation succeeded was what mattered most to him right now.

 

Soon, Leorn, having organized his thoughts, looked outside and shouted.

 

“Is there an administrative soldier!”

 

“Heart of steel!”

 

Following Leorn’s words, a soldier who rushed into the barracks saluted loudly.

 

Leorn then spoke to him.

 

“This 4th Defense Line Forward Area defense operation was conducted under my approval. Make sure to note that in the report to higher command.”

 

“Y-Yes, understood!”

 

At the soldier’s response, Leorn turned his gaze to look at the map.

 

Now, if they could just defend this place securely.

 

‘Five more months….’

 

If just about five months passed without problems, his next promotion would be certain.

 

Leorn smiled contentedly while thinking about the change in rank insignia that would be placed on his shoulders.

 

But then.

 

“Battalion Commander, this is Captain Hadel, 1st Company Commander.”

 

“…?”

 

At the voice coming from outside the barracks, Leorn turned his head.

 

“Come in.”

 

“Heart of steel! I have something to report.”

 

Hadel, who entered the barracks, looked at Leorn with a quite serious expression.

 

Leorn sat down and looked at Hadel, asking.

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s about this operation. Through this victory, the Kar Tribe’s casualties are greater than we expected. Among them, the biggest gain is that a Kar Tribe commander with four feather tattoos was severely injured.”

 

“I already saw that content in the report. Get to the point.”

 

At Leorn’s words, Hadel nodded and continued.

 

“I believe the current situation is an opportunity for us. I request to form a reconnaissance unit to assess the damage situation more accurately, and accordingly… I request an Elvarfiel Lake recapture operation.”

 

“…?”

 

Leorn’s eyes wavered slightly.

 

“Elvarfiel Lake recapture operation?”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

Not long ago, they had suffered tremendous casualties trying to recapture Elvarfiel Lake.

 

The injured soldiers still hadn’t recovered, and they didn’t have enough soldiers secured to advance that far.

 

“…Do you think that’s possible?”

 

“I think forming a reconnaissance unit first to investigate the situation in detail should be the priority. However, if the Kar Tribe’s damage situation is as reported….”

 

Hadel visualized the battle situation in his mind.

 

Even so, engaging in full-scale combat with them would pose considerable risk to themselves as well.

 

But if they could use the terrain well to launch a surprise attack on the enemy like this time….

 

“I think there’s sufficient possibility.”

 

At Hadel’s words, Leorn turned his head to look at the hazy sky outside the barracks.

 

‘If a commander with four tattoos is severely injured….’

 

There must have been some change in the formation of those guarding the lake as well.

 

Certainly, if they succeeded, his future path would stretch out like a smooth highway.

 

No one would be unaware of how significant it would be to occupy Elvarfiel Lake at the Northeastern 4th Defense Line.

 

‘But….’

 

If something went wrong, irreversible consequences could occur.

 

Just like how the Kar Tribe had dared to advance to the forward area of the 4th Defense Line this time.

 

Hiss.

 

Leorn smiled, raising the corners of his mouth long.

 

Such things didn’t matter anyway.

 

If it failed, he could just push it onto the 1st Company Commander afterward and prepare for the subsequent situation.

 

Leorn looked at Hadel and said.

 

“Are you confident? If you fail, you’re prepared to take responsibility like last time, right?”

 

“….”

 

Hadel fell silent.

 

He knew it, but every time he faced such situations, he felt his strength drain away.

 

‘But….’

 

If they could seize this opportunity to occupy Elvarfiel Lake and establish a base camp.

 

‘They could reduce the sacrifice of soldiers who just die as expendables.’

 

For such a cause, this little risk was nothing.

 

Hadel answered with a resolute expression.

 

“I am prepared.”

 

“Good, I approve the operation. Form the reconnaissance unit immediately.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

Soon, Hadel turned around and came straight out of the battalion commander’s barracks.

 

It was an infuriating situation, but.

 

“…Phew.”

 

He began contemplating the future situation while recalling his conversation with Arteon.

 

* * *

 

“Platoon Leader!”

 

“Platoon Leader, are you alright?”

 

The platoon members came rushing into the medical room where Arteon was.

 

Those guys, when did they hear the news?

 

Arteon, who was sitting in his seat, put his index finger to his lips as he saw the platoon members entering the medical room.

 

“Go outside, there are injured people resting here.”

 

Thanks to the company commander’s consideration, they could use an entire medical room for the personnel who had gone on the operation.

 

There were no seriously wounded, but surprisingly, fierce battles had occurred during the containment process due to attacks from Kar Tribe Warriors.

 

Arteon’s left arm was also severely swollen.

 

“Are you all training properly?”

 

Arteon, who had come out of the medical room, asked his unit members.

 

One of the platoon members responded with a resentful voice.

 

“Sir, you come back from a near-death operation and that’s the first question you ask?”

 

“So you’ve been slacking off then?”

 

Arteon’s expression hardened.

 

Grain, who was standing in front, shook his head.

 

“We continued training without missing a single day even while you were away, Platoon Leader.”

 

The platoon members showed confident expressions at Grain’s words.

 

Then Arteon smiled faintly.

 

“If you skip a day or two, you might lose everything you’ve built up. Don’t miss a single day and devote yourself daily.”

 

“More importantly… what happened? Did the Kar Tribe really retreat?”

 

The story that the special forces led by Arteon had succeeded in their operation and returned had already spread throughout the entire unit.

 

However, more than half doubted that fact.

 

It didn’t make sense that just 31 unit members had stopped the advance of hundreds of Kar Tribe members.

 

But Arteon spoke to Grain with a nonchalant expression.

 

“Keep focusing on training and maintain your condition. We’ll begin our advance soon.”

 

“…Advance?”

 

“Are the Kar Tribe attacking again?”

 

Arteon shook his head at the platoon members’ words.

 

‘By now, they must have… met.’

 

He had quite a long conversation with Hadel, who had visited him last night.

 

Unlike before, the way Hadel looked at him had completely changed.

 

The gaze that had been filled with distrust and contempt before the operation.

 

‘I suppose I’ve earned some trust.’

 

Now it was similar to how one would look at an ordinary officer.

 

And the more he talked with Hadel, the more he could understand.

 

How much Hadel wanted to end this war in the Northern Region.

 

What he thought about soldiers dying here.

 

Arteon turned his gaze toward where Hadel’s barracks were located.

 

Something he hadn’t known before…

 

Something he could only see now because he possessed this level of skill.

 

‘The Northern Region hasn’t rotted yet.’

 

There were still those who tried to protect the Northern Region, fighting alongside them.

 

And if these people were here…

 

“This war can be ended.”

 

Arteon muttered quietly.

 

In the past.

 

He had fought for over 10 years, but in the end, hadn’t he lost his life to betrayal by a superior he had followed like a dog?

 

But this time was different.

 

There were those with the same purpose, and they were soundly positioned in key posts in the Northern Region, commanding soldiers.

 

‘Of course, trash like Leorn still remains.’

 

Those could be dealt with later.

 

Arteon decided to focus on what needed to be done now.

 

If Hadel got approval for the operation to recapture Elvarfiel Lake…

 

“There are far too many things to prepare.”

 

Arteon looked at Grain and said.

 

“Now that you’ve confirmed I’m safe, go back. When I return to the platoon, if things are exactly the same as now, I’ll discipline everyone.”

 

“…What?!”

 

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

 

Looking at the flustered platoon members, Arteon said.

 

“Every single day, change just a little bit. And prepare for tomorrow. Perhaps soon we might…”

 

Have to fight a great war that could change this Northern Region.

 

Everyone unconsciously swallowed at Arteon’s suddenly serious expression.

 

And then.

 

“Sergeant Arteon!”

 

Hadel’s adjutant, Volgren, approached.

 

* * *

 

“Have a seat.”

 

The atmosphere was considerably more serious than usual.

 

Arteon, who had entered the barracks, sat across from Hadel at his invitation.

 

A single document placed on the table.

 

Hadel, who had been silently looking at Arteon, tapped the document with his finger and spoke in a low voice.

 

“The operation has been approved. Of course, the responsibility will be great if it fails…”

 

But contrary to the gloomy atmosphere, Hadel’s eyes were calm and unwavering.

 

As if he wasn’t even considering failure.

 

And as if confirming something, Hadel asked Arteon.

 

“Are you really confident of success?”

 

At that question, Arteon took a moment to catch his breath before nodding.

 

“In the current situation, there’s a possibility. The enemy lacks reserve forces, and their commander is injured.”

 

The Kar Tribe had the characteristic of fighting more bravely based on their strong commander’s military prowess.

 

If the commander leading from the front was strong, that power would rise endlessly, but.

 

‘Conversely, once they start crumbling without a strong commander…’

 

Collapsing helplessly was also a characteristic of the Kar Tribe.

 

Moreover…

 

“They’ve already come down to Southern Lake Elbarfiel. Additional supplies won’t be easy for them either.”

 

In contrast, while our forces had suffered heavy casualties, there were no problems with supplies.

 

If we utilized the current situation well…

 

“We can completely drive out the Kar Tribe from here.”

 

At Arteon’s words, Hadel crossed his arms and nodded.

 

“If we can completely occupy Southern Lake Elbarfiel… our supply routes will come alive. Plus, we can restore balance to the front of the 4th Defense Line.”

 

Currently, control of Elvarfiel Lake had completely passed to the Kar Tribe.

 

That’s why they had been able to cross the lake and move south.

 

But at Hadel’s words, Arteon quietly shook his head.

 

“The target of this operation isn’t Southern Lake Elbarfiel, Company Commander.”

 

Hearing those words, wrinkles formed on Hadel’s forehead.

 

“…What did you say?”

 

At those words, Arteon slowly rose from his seat and walked to the map of the Northern Front hanging on the inner wall of the barracks.

 

Stopping in front of the map, he raised his right hand and pointed straight with his finger.

 

Central Lake Elbarfiel.

 

The moment his fingertip touched the center of that blue mass, a silence longer than words enveloped the barracks.

 

“Our purpose is… to take control of all of Elvarfiel Lake and completely push the Kar Tribe out of here.”

 

Hadel looked at Arteon’s back without even rising from his seat.

 

The boy’s voice was unwavering, resolute like someone who had already seen that outcome.

 

“…The entire lake.”

 

Hadel muttered as if talking to himself, but his gaze was rapidly changing.

 

With the eyes of one looking at a strategist designing something achievable, not a simple gamble.

 

He slowly rose from his chair and approached Arteon’s side.

 

He fixed his gaze on the map for a moment, then spoke quietly.

 

“If that’s… truly possible, the entire course of this Northern Front will be completely changed.”

 

At those words, Arteon answered without turning his head.

 

“We will change it.”

 

A resolute voice filled with conviction.

 

At those words, Hadel simply stared silently at Elvarfiel Lake marked on the map.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————