The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 57

—————
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 (57)

 

Late at night.

 

It was the time when everyone had fallen asleep in preparation for the next day’s advance.

 

But behind the barracks.

 

On the dry ground where emptiness seemed to linger, a black shadow moved swiftly.

 

Swoosh!

 

The spear that shot forth as if to tear through the air was instantly withdrawn and rotated in a circle.

 

Vargas Northern Spear Technique.

 

The more one learned it, the more its difficulty increased.

 

Whoosh!

 

But in terms of practicality, it was showing excellence that could only be described as overwhelming.

 

‘However…’

 

Swoosh! Whip whip! Slash!

 

There was impatience at the tip of Arteon’s spear as he swung it through the air.

 

The Vargas Northern Spear Technique was certainly an excellent spear technique, but he who used it was still very inexperienced.

 

“Whew…”

 

Arteon planted his spear upright and let out a small breath.

 

The time when he had ambushed the Kar Tribe before.

 

He recalled the Kar Tribe captain he had met then.

 

‘If I had been a little stronger.’

 

He probably would have shattered that guy’s axe and pierced his heart.

 

His failure to kill that guy then would still remain as a great threat.

 

“He’ll be even more thoroughly on guard.”

 

Arteon’s still underdeveloped appearance had advantages that were almost fatal.

 

From the opponent’s perspective, he would still look like an immature youngster.

 

And even if they didn’t think that way, they would instinctively do so.

 

But if they met next time, he wouldn’t be able to get such an advantageous opportunity as this time.

 

Arteon wiped the sweat flowing from his forehead and clenched his fist tightly.

 

He was never wasting time carelessly.

 

Thinking of his past life, he was growing at an unbelievably fast pace, but…

 

‘I need to… become stronger.’

 

He just hadn’t shown his claws yet, but he never knew when a blade might come flying from behind again.

 

‘I absolutely… won’t be caught twice.’

 

No, when that time came, he would swing his spear in the direction of that blade.

 

He had to finish all preparations for that moment.

 

And this battle.

 

“Is a battle that extends from that.”

 

If they gained control of Elvarfiel Lake following Helikel Gorge, from the Empire’s standpoint, they would have the foundation to advance north.

 

Then for the forces that continued to cause conflicts in the north, it would truly be like fire falling on their feet.

 

They would have no choice but to become impatient.

 

If by any chance the Empire’s central army headed north and pushed back the Kar Tribe much more than now.

 

“Their own position would narrow.”

 

They would have no choice but to reveal themselves in some form.

 

Therefore, this battle was more important than ever.

 

Having organized his thoughts, Arteon calmly moved his steps.

 

Now when the sun rises…

 

‘The advance.’

 

Arteon’s eyes flashed coldly like the chilly northern wind.

 

* * *

 

Deep inside the castle wall.

 

In a room where thick curtains completely blocked the boundary with the outside, there were wide bookshelves and sharply honed daggers on display.

 

And a man sitting in the center of it all.

 

He sat in a chair with a deep backrest, tapping the table with his long fingers.

 

Tap… tap…

 

And then a quiet knocking sound was heard.

 

“Come in.”

 

When the door opened, a man in a gray uniform quickly entered and closed the door.

 

“Reporting, sir.”

 

“Is it about the 4th Defense Line?”

 

“The Northeastern 4th Defense Line is moving troops. Orders to advance to Elvarfiel Lake have already been issued.”

 

At his subordinate’s words, the man’s eyes narrowed.

 

Soon, silence continued for a while.

 

The man sitting in the chair then looked at his subordinate and spoke.

 

“Belkain, it seems that fellow has made his move.”

 

The cynicism mixed in his words carried subtle mockery.

 

Having recently risen to the position of legion commander with tremendous achievements, he seemed to have gone completely mad.

 

“It’s a reckless act. No one has ever gained control of Elvarfiel Lake until now.”

 

“However, even if he just reclaims the southern region, Belkain’s position will rise greatly.”

 

According to internal reports, the possibility existed sufficiently.

 

But the man shook his head.

 

“He hasn’t considered other variables.”

 

“…Pardon? Variables, you mean.”

 

“Battlefields can always have unexpected variables, can’t they.”

 

At the man’s words, the subordinate unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

 

Because he knew all too well what those words meant.

 

The subordinate quietly nodded his head.

 

“…I will do as you command.”

 

“Send only a small number of troops.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Soon after the subordinate turned and left the room, the man rose from his seat and slightly parted the curtains.

 

The Imperial flag dimly visible under the night sky.

 

For the Empire to be maintained as it is now…

 

‘We can’t leave the north alone like that.’

 

His ambitious plan began to stretch rapidly northward like a hidden blade.

 

* * *

 

Dawn when darkness had not yet lifted.

 

The entire formation of the 4th Defense Line was moving while holding their breath.

 

Messengers quickly came and went, delivering orders to each company, and the sound of soldiers moving simultaneously to short commands could be heard.

 

The formation was gradually compressing toward the north, and the companies in front had already completed their battle lines.

 

Seeing this, the 3rd Platoon members joining the ranks muttered quietly.

 

“Who would have thought… the advance would be decided this quickly.”

 

“Whew… If I return alive from this war, call me Phoenix. I really have a bad feeling about this one.”

 

Although news of victory had been heard several times recently, they still wondered if it was right to move the main force.

 

Wasn’t the main force the one that had suffered critically severe damage in the last battle?

 

They were trying to calm their hearts, but fear was blocking their way forward.

 

But….

 

“Don’t tremble. We’ll all return alive.”

 

Arteon, who had been behind, walked forward and spoke to the squad members.

 

Grain asked.

 

“Where have you been, sir?”

 

“I went to meet the company commander. Our squad has a separate operation to carry out.”

 

“…What?”

 

The expressions of Grain and the other squad members hardened.

 

What did this suddenly mean?

 

But the confusion was brief.

 

Clop, clop.

 

From behind, the 1st Company commander Hadel approached the 3rd Squad on horseback.

 

A stern expression.

 

The moment they saw him, the 3rd Squad members unconsciously turned and placed their right fists on their left chests.

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

Hadel nodded at their salute and looked at each of the 3rd Squad members one by one.

 

“I believe you’ve heard the story. As of now, the 3rd Squad will break from formation and move forward first. I pray that fortune be with you all.”

 

At those words, the eyes of the 3rd Squad members wavered slightly.

 

What kind of operation was this that the company commander would come directly to them to boost their morale?

 

But soon after the company commander left, Arteon looked at the squad members and said.

 

“We will immediately break from formation and move forward. We’ll execute an operation to scout the unit while simultaneously eliminating any enemy reconnaissance soldiers.”

 

“…Enemy reconnaissance soldiers?”

 

“Squad leader, sir. This may be an impertinent question, but didn’t they say the enemy’s main force suffered a crushing defeat in this operation?”

 

“It was our overwhelming victory.”

 

“Then I don’t think they’d have the luxury to operate reconnaissance soldiers.”

 

It was a reasonable prediction.

 

But Arteon knew the Kar Tribe better than anyone else.

 

That man he had faced then.

 

‘Was it Ulgrak?’

 

Considering the look in his eyes, he was definitely not someone who would retreat like this.

 

‘A commander with that level of ability is not easily found even at the Kar Tribe front.’

 

He was surely thinking of his next move.

 

No, perhaps….

 

‘He might already be predicting that we’ll attack.’

 

The more disadvantageous their situation, the more meticulously they would likely be preparing.

 

That’s why reconnaissance soldiers couldn’t be ruled out.

 

If they could cut off those bastards’ information in the current situation.

 

‘That alone could completely shift the momentum to our side.’

 

Having organized his thoughts, Arteon looked at the 3rd Squad members in front of him.

 

“There’s no need to be scared from the start. Though it’s called an independent operation, in the end we’re fighting the same war alongside everyone else.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“We’ll trust only you, squad leader, and follow.”

 

At Arteon’s firm gaze, the squad members also steeled their hearts.

 

There had been no easy battlefields up until now anyway.

 

Hadn’t they returned alive even from that hellish previous battle where they suffered a crushing defeat?

 

There was nothing more to fear.

 

“Then everyone prepare formation. We’ll move as soon as the main force finishes preparing for advance.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Heart-squeezing tension pressed down on the entire unit.

 

But Arteon used even that tension as nourishment and waited calmly.

 

And when the main force’s preparations were almost complete, Arteon looked at the 3rd Squad members and said.

 

“3rd Squad, move out.”

 

“Yes!”

 

With Arteon in the lead, the 3rd Squad began moving rapidly northward.

 

And Volgren, who was watching from afar, spoke to Hadel with a worried expression.

 

“Will they be alright? It’s just one squad.”

 

“It’s a squad commanded by the one who stopped the Kar Tribe’s advance with just thirty men.”

 

Hadel too had to struggle to hide his concerned gaze as he watched the 3rd Squad moving away.

 

Though called a reconnaissance unit, in reality their main mission was to eliminate enemy forces deployed in forward positions.

 

―The Kar Tribe bastards have surely sent reconnaissance soldiers forward knowing we’ll attack. If we catch them, we can completely block their eyes and ears.

 

He couldn’t forget Arteon’s voice speaking with confident eyes.

 

Insight that seemed to see through the entire battlefield.

 

It was something even he, who had spent quite a long time on battlefields, found difficult to do.

 

Hadel watched the 3rd Squad moving away, then turned his horse’s head toward the main force.

 

“Let’s prepare as well.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

Now, with the main force’s departure, a war that would decide the fate of the Northeastern Region would unfold.

 

This battle.

 

‘We absolutely cannot lose….’

 

Though slight anxiety pressed against his chest, Hadel, who struggled to shake it off, could only gaze northward.

 

* * *

 

Rustle! Patter!

 

The 3rd Squad that entered the bushes rapidly climbed the hill as they advanced.

 

For the entire main force of the 4th Defense Line to advance to Southern Elbarfiel Lake, they had no choice but to use the wide entrance on the left.

 

‘In that case….’

 

From the Kar Tribe’s perspective, this hill was the best place to grasp the Imperial Army’s movements.

 

Though the terrain was rough, that’s precisely why soldiers couldn’t easily enter, and they could secure safety.

 

Arteon carefully climbed the uphill path while not neglecting to guard the surroundings.

 

However….

 

“Squad leader, sir. The pace seems too fast.”

 

At Grain’s voice from behind, Arteon turned his head to look at the squad members.

 

Everyone was somehow enduring, but they looked like they were dying.

 

Chuckle.

 

Arteon let out a small laugh.

 

Just coming this far was difficult enough for ordinary soldiers to endure.

 

He had expected them to collapse long ago, but they were following better than expected, so his pace had been excessive.

 

“Can you see up there? We’ll move there and then take a rest. Everyone just endure a little more.”

 

There was no answer.

 

They didn’t even have the strength to answer.

 

But just looking at their eyes, it was clear that everyone had the will to see it through.

 

Eventually, Arteon slowed his pace and reached the destination he had in mind.

 

The main force’s movement route was clearly visible below the hill.

 

‘With enough troops, a surprise attack would be possible from here.’

 

But given the Kar Tribe’s current situation, ambushing warriors for a surprise attack would be impossible.

 

Recovering from the injuries sustained in the previous battle would be the top priority.

 

However, if it involved deploying reconnaissance soldiers, the story would be very different.

 

‘Certainly….’

 

Arteon looked at the platoon members who were resting and stood up from his position.

 

Then he spoke to Grain.

 

“From this moment on, wait here until my orders are given. Set up three guard posts with two-man teams and take turns resting in 30-minute intervals.”

 

“Understood. But… where are you planning to go, Platoon Leader?”

 

“I’m going to reconnaissance the surrounding area. Since this is an advantageous location for us, it would be the same for the enemy.”

 

“If you’re doing reconnaissance of the area, I’ll come with you.”

 

“Recover your stamina. If there happen to be reconnaissance soldiers, combat might break out.”

 

At Arteon’s words, the expressions of the 3rd Platoon members hardened.

 

Because they might be the ones to open the beginning of this war.

 

Then Grain spoke to the platoon members.

 

“Except for the platoon members standing guard duty, the rest of you can lie down and rest. Recover your stamina in the most comfortable position possible.”

 

As soon as Grain’s order was given, the platoon members immediately flopped down on the ground and shook out their legs.

 

Recovering their stamina by any means necessary was the mission they had to accomplish right now.

 

Thud!

 

Arteon immediately turned around and quickly leaped into the bushes.

 

With Grain there, there was nothing to worry about.

 

Then what he needed to do now was.

 

‘Certainly… certainly it’s over here.’

 

Hurried but calm.

 

Arteon slowly pushed through the bushes and moved forward.

 

And….

 

In the distance where the bushes grew thickly.

 

Rustle!

 

He saw a subtle movement.

 

‘…Found it.’

 

Before he knew it, Arteon’s eyes began to change into those of a hunter.

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