The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 60

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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 (60)

 

“…What?”

 

Ulgrak’s expression hardened in an instant.

 

It was past midnight.

 

The scout who was supposed to return and report as scheduled had not come back.

 

The Kar Tribe Warrior continued speaking.

 

“Just in case, I sent a warrior in that direction… but we’ll need a bit more time to get any news.”

 

“….”

 

Ulgrak fell silent.

 

The fact that the scout hadn’t come even though it was well past midnight meant…

 

“So they’re finally making their move.”

 

In the current situation, what Ulgrak considered most important were noon and midnight.

 

Two reports per day.

 

There was no way Korgash, who had moved out as the reconnaissance unit, would fail to keep that schedule.

 

Ultimately, the situation was flowing toward the worst-case scenario.

 

Swoosh.

 

Ulgrak rose from his seat.

 

The fact that Korgash hadn’t come meant that the warriors stationed there had already been annihilated.

 

However, if there was one puzzling thing.

 

‘To annihilate a hidden reconnaissance unit… does that mean there’s someone who knows the terrain of that area well?’

 

It was an unthinkable situation under normal circumstances.

 

Though the Empire bastards had once occupied the southern part of Elvarfiel Lake, they couldn’t possibly know the terrain here completely.

 

Moreover, they found and annihilated an ambushed reconnaissance unit?

 

“….”

 

It was a situation he could hardly grasp.

 

But Ulgrak didn’t think about it for long.

 

Whatever the case, hadn’t the situation already unfolded?

 

Then he had to reorganize their strategy to match the current circumstances.

 

Ulgrak went straight outside the barracks and called for Moldur, his adjutant.

 

“Moldur!”

 

With his shout, Moldur came bursting out of a nearby barracks like a spring.

 

His tied hair was disheveled as if he had been sleeping, but his eyes were sharp.

 

“What’s the matter, Taman?”

 

It was a time when everyone except the sentries was resting.

 

During this period when recovery was urgent due to recent battles, being called suddenly meant something important had happened.

 

And as expected, it was.

 

“Gather the warriors. The Empire bastards are coming this way.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

They had moved faster than expected.

 

He had thought they could buy at least another week or more.

 

But fortunately, considering the Empire bastards’ troop size, it would take at least 2-3 more days for them to reach this place.

 

“I’ll prepare immediately.”

 

Before then, they had to establish perfect positions and prepare for battle.

 

As Moldur hurriedly began assembling the warriors and making preparations, Ulgrak turned and went back into the barracks.

 

Certainly the situation wasn’t good.

 

‘But that should be the same for those bastards too.’

 

If they were fighting under the same conditions, there was no reason to be pushed back.

 

Weren’t they warriors renowned for their bravery even within the Kar Tribe?

 

Moreover, this was their territory.

 

If the Empire bastards dared to set foot here carelessly, they would have to experience the same great disaster they had suffered before.

 

Thud.

 

Ulgrak, who had entered the barracks, unwrapped the bandage covering his left shoulder and wrapped it again.

 

Pain throbbed with the tightly bound bandage, but Ulgrak put on his armor as if nothing was wrong.

 

“….”

 

If he could recover for just a few more days, he would be able to use his left arm freely.

 

But knowing this wasn’t a situation to be leisurely about, he too hurriedly went outside the barracks.

 

“I’ve assembled everyone, Taman.”

 

The eyes of the warriors gathered with Moldur flashed fiercely.

 

Among them were some with minor injuries, but they didn’t seem to care about such things.

 

Ulgrak nodded.

 

“Have the warriors who can’t move continue receiving treatment. Everyone else will move to Granuk Hill.”

 

Granuk Hill was a hill slightly closer to their formation than where the reconnaissance unit had been attacked.

 

The formation in the southern part of Elvarfiel Lake, shaped like the groove of a hook.

 

Granuk Hill, located at the corner of that formation, was the most optimized place to block the Imperial Army’s advance.

 

Of course, the Imperial Army would also be cautious since they knew the danger well.

 

‘But it’s not a place they can block just by knowing about it.’

 

When they came there, the width of the path would narrow with a high wall rising on the left side.

 

It was a place where it was almost impossible for the Imperial Army to form ranks.

 

That’s why…

 

“We’ll seize Granuk Hill immediately. If we fight there, those bastards will only be able to use the narrow flatland. We’ll establish our position there and wait for the Imperial Army.”

 

“Understood.”

 

If it was the Empire’s main force, their numbers would easily exceed a thousand.

 

Naturally, their formation would become elongated.

 

“When those bastards can’t form proper ranks, that’s when we’ll cross the hill and strike their flanks and rear simultaneously.”

 

If they utilized surprise attacks well, they could minimize casualties among their own warriors while annihilating the Imperial Army.

 

At Ulgrak’s words, the eyes of the Kar Tribe Warriors flashed fiercely.

 

Though they had suffered a recent defeat, didn’t they already have memories of a great victory against the Empire’s main force?

 

It was time to imprint that terror… on those bastards once again.

 

Behind the backs of the Kar Tribe Warriors moving toward Granuk Hill, an indescribable resolve settled heavily.

 

* * *

 

“….”

 

Hadel felt speechless as he looked at the Kar Tribe commander’s head.

 

He hadn’t expected the Kar Tribe to operate a reconnaissance unit at such quick timing.

 

‘Considering the scale of damage… in the current situation, just managing the main force would be burdensome enough.’

 

To separate over ten warriors to operate a reconnaissance unit.

 

“Were they already certain that we would make our move?”

 

“It seems that way.”

 

The captain of the Kar Tribe reconnaissance unit.

 

Arteon, who had brought Korgash’s severed head, nodded at Hadel’s words.

 

Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for a reconnaissance unit to move this quickly.

 

Moreover…

 

‘That guy would…’

 

He was certain that’s what he would have done.

 

And perhaps, there was a possibility that he was already grasping their advance situation and preparing.

 

Though he was an opponent he had crossed swords with only once.

 

‘He was no ordinary guy.’

 

His past life.

 

Arteon had been fighting the Kar Tribe for quite a long time.

 

But even among them, he hadn’t seen many with such eyes.

 

An insight that seemed to see through situations.

 

How to deal fatal wounds to an opponent, which moments were when the enemy was vulnerable.

 

That’s why during that battle, all of Ulgrak’s attention had been focused on Arteon.

 

He was convinced that this young boy would cause great damage to them in the future.

 

Arteon couldn’t forget the look in Ulgrak’s eyes as he watched him.

 

A desperate resolve to kill him at all costs, even accepting considerable sacrifice.

 

‘I don’t know what he saw in me, but…’

 

Those eyes were eerie enough to show even a hint of obsession.

 

Of course, since they were in a situation where they had to kill each other anyway, that might be natural…

 

‘If we meet again later, I’ll find out.’

 

The important thing was that if a Kar Tribe member like Ulgrak survived, he would become a great threat to them later.

 

Arteon said to Hadel.

 

“If they’re aware of our advance, they’ll be preparing as well.”

 

“But there’s too little time for them to prepare.”

 

“If they’re already sending reconnaissance units, I think they can’t be incapable of doing more. Moreover, if we advance this way…”

 

Arteon fell silent.

 

The southern part of Elvarfiel Lake.

 

To move toward the formation where the Kar Tribe was positioned, they had to pass through ‘that place’.

 

‘They positioned themselves in a place advantageous for fighting from the start.’

 

The path leading alongside Granuk Hill was narrow and stretched very long.

 

With large-scale troop movements like now, they would inevitably be vulnerable to defense.

 

Therefore, they absolutely had to identify the enemy’s position through reconnaissance first.

 

After that, they needed to send small guerrilla forces around the hill or cut off enemy forces moving toward their rear…

 

‘That requires time.’

 

Arteon said to Hadel.

 

“First, we need to identify how the enemy has arranged their formation.”

 

“I’ll slow down the advance guard’s speed and increase reconnaissance units for now. If we make a reckless advance before identifying their positions…”

 

Hadel’s expression darkened.

 

While this was the right approach, the problem was that the commander was Leorn Baltroyen.

 

Hadn’t he caused irreversible damage in the previous battle by ordering reckless advances?

 

A commander who basically had no tactical thinking, filled only with Imperial Army pride.

 

This time, they had to stop him.

 

Hadel looked at Arteon and said.

 

“Have the current reconnaissance units maintain their positions. Reporting to the commander comes first.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Arteon set down the severed head and withdrew.

 

As he said, in situations like this, procedures were even more important, and they needed to be extremely cautious.

 

‘I hope the discussion goes well.’

 

But considering Major Leorn’s tendencies, it didn’t seem like it would be easy.

 

Since he had moved the main force, he would want to resolve things quickly.

 

‘Should I say it’s remarkable that the Northeastern 4th Defense Line… has been maintained without being breached until now?’

 

Seeing it firsthand, it was a complete mess.

 

Arteon let out a small sigh and returned to where his platoon members were.

 

Now it was a situation where he had to leave things to Hadel.

 

And…

 

* * *

 

“…?”

 

Leorn looked puzzled at the unit that had suddenly stopped advancing.

 

Had some problem occurred with the advance guard?

 

But soon he stood up at the sight of Hadel rapidly approaching on horseback from the distance.

 

“What’s the matter? Why has the advance guard stopped?”

 

At Leorn’s words, Hadel explained the situation ahead.

 

However…

 

“Anyway, their forces have been greatly reduced, haven’t they? The wounded were reported to be in serious condition.”

 

“Even so, this is terrain familiar to them. Advancing unconditionally when we don’t know where or how they might be ambushing us carries too great a risk.”

 

Hadel said.

 

Simply thinking about the enemy’s weakened strength wasn’t enough—hadn’t their own forces also become much weaker than before?

 

As Hadel continued speaking forcefully, Leorn stroked his chin in contemplation.

 

“Hmm…”

 

He wanted to advance immediately and sweep them away, but the damage from the previous battle between main forces had been beyond imagination.

 

Hadn’t nearly half of the main force’s numbers been reduced?

 

If such a thing happened again, far from taking Elvarfiel Lake, they would have to give up the 4th Defense Line.

 

But…

 

“Captain Hadel.”

 

“Yes, Commander.”

 

“Your words have merit. But if we just wait indefinitely after gaining the upper hand like this, it’s the same as giving them time to recover.”

 

“…?”

 

Hadel’s eyes wavered.

 

What was he trying to say?

 

Then Leorn extended his index finger and said.

 

“One day. For one day, send reconnaissance units to assess the situation. After that, I’ll advance the main force again and completely sweep them away.”

 

“…”

 

Hadel had to barely swallow the curses that almost burst from his mouth.

 

One day?

 

“That’s too short. Just getting to the places where enemy ambushes are expected takes considerable time.”

 

“…Then how much time do you need?”

 

“To assess the surrounding terrain and confirm enemy ambushes, I think it would take about 4-5 days.”

 

“…4-5 days?”

 

Leorn’s expression twisted for a moment.

 

Soon he sighed and said.

 

“I’ll give you three days. I’ll move the army again after three days, so understand that.”

 

At Leorn’s incomprehensible words, Hadel felt frustrated.

 

There was no reason to hurry, so why was he rushing like that?

 

However…

 

“…Has the report come?”

 

Leorn, who had moved behind the soldiers, looked at the adjutant following him.

 

His snake-like narrow, slitted eyes were striking, and he nodded and answered Leorn’s question.

 

“It’s expected to arrive within a week at the latest.”

 

“We must finish this entire fight before then. It would be different if we hadn’t started, but since we’ve already begun, we can’t share the credit for this battle.”

 

Leorn already knew that reinforcements were coming from the west.

 

Because it was a major battle to take Elvarfiel Lake, a messenger had come from Belkain, the corps commander overseeing the Northern Region.

 

‘If reinforcements come… we could capture them more certainly, but we can win sufficiently even without those reinforcements.’

 

If this battle ended in victory, the credit would be tremendous beyond comparison to anything before.

 

“Tell them to organize reconnaissance units and move quickly. We’ll advance again in two days.”

 

“Understood.”

 

At Leorn’s words filled with greed, the adjutant bowed his head with a faint smile.

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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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