The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 61

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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 (61)

 

It was a point west of the 4th Defense Line in the northeastern region.

 

Under the gray-tinted sky, hundreds of troops continued their march.

 

The cavalry unit’s flag at the front fluttered in the northern wind, and the emblem bearing the Empire’s symbol displayed its sharp majesty.

 

At the center was Rauben Crester.

 

He gazed into the distant view from atop his horse, then turned his gaze to speak to his adjutant Erd beside him.

 

“Erd, how much time remains until we reach our destination?”

 

“If we maintain our current speed, we should arrive in 3 days at the earliest. 4 days at the latest.”

 

It was a variable that could arise since they needed to be cautious of nights as they approached enemy territory.

 

Rauben nodded at those words.

 

“Once we arrive at the battlefield, we’ll immediately strike the Kar Tribe’s flank. They probably won’t expect our presence.”

 

Erd, who was following on horseback beside him, nodded.

 

“The Kar Tribe is still focused on the main force at the 4th Defense Line. If we strike their flank, we can definitely create a decisive crack.”

 

Belkain, who had executed such a bold operation, seemed truly remarkable.

 

Moving the forces from the 2nd Defense Line like this while simultaneously ensuring the 2nd Defense Line’s defenses remained unshaken through other defensive measures.

 

However, one thing…

 

If there was one concern even in this perfect situation.

 

“…”

 

Rauben’s gaze grew distant.

 

It was because he knew the commander of the 4th Defense Line, Leorn Baltroyen, all too well.

 

“Don’t worry too much. Surely the situation you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

 

Erd also knew well what Rauben was thinking, so he spoke carefully.

 

Rauben shook his head.

 

“That man’s greed exceeds what we imagine. Didn’t he lose about half his forces in the battle at Lake Elbarfiel because of it?”

 

“That was…”

 

Erd trailed off.

 

Even he, who prided himself on having served quite a few superiors, found Leorn unpredictable.

 

But then Erd continued.

 

“Still, this time it’s Commander Belkain’s order, isn’t it? I don’t think he’d do something crazy enough to ignore the supreme commander’s operational directive.”

 

“I’m thinking the same thing.”

 

Rauben continued gazing at the distant land of the 4th Defense Line.

 

But then.

 

Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud!

 

Along with the sound of hoofbeats from afar, a soldier with a long flag raised high came galloping.

 

It was a scout that Rauben had sent forward.

 

“Commander! Commander, urgent news!”

 

Rauben frowned at the urgent cry of the scout who was shouting with a desperate expression.

 

He then asked the scout who had dismounted.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“It’s… huff… wheeze…”

 

The scout continued speaking while breathing heavily.

 

“The movement of the 4th Defense Line’s main force… is strange. They keep increasing their speed toward enemy territory.”

 

“…What do you mean? Are you saying they’re not even checking when enemy ambushes are certain?”

 

“We haven’t confirmed that yet, but… one thing is certain: the 4th Defense Line main force’s advance speed is considerably faster than we expected.”

 

Rauben’s expression twisted sharply at the scout’s words.

 

He had suspected it, but really, Leorn… this crazy bastard…

 

‘Is he really saying he’ll fight with just the 4th Defense Line’s main force?’

 

These were troops that had already suffered a major defeat once.

 

The soldiers’ fear probably hadn’t subsided yet.

 

A cold wind suddenly arose.

 

In that wind, Rauben’s cloak fluttered roughly.

 

He remained silent for a long while, then finally spoke decisively.

 

“Erd, increase the army’s speed.”

 

“…Pardon? Are you saying we should get involved in that reckless situation?”

 

Erd asked.

 

Hadn’t they originally planned to move while observing the situation?

 

While the 4th Defense Line was an important strategic point, even if it were lost, it had nothing to do with them.

 

But Rauben continued with a calm expression.

 

“Even if the unit is annihilated by Leorn’s madness, the Kar Tribe won’t be able to completely avoid damage either.”

 

Southern Lake Elbarfiel.

 

If the Kar Tribe and the 4th Defense Line’s main force clashed, both sides would be severely damaged.

 

If that happened…

 

‘Wouldn’t that be perfect for us to wipe them all out at once?’

 

If he could save Leorn, the commander of the 4th Defense Line, in the process, he could put him in great debt.

 

No matter how the situation unfolded, he could envision a picture favorable to himself.

 

Erd also responded to Rauben’s words.

 

“…Understood.”

 

He nodded as if understanding his intention and shouted to the soldiers.

 

“All troooops! Increase speed! From now on, we’ll reach our destination within two days! Pick up the pace!”

 

Hoooooooooooooo!

 

As the horn of advance spread across the northern sky, the reinforcements from the 2nd Defense Line began advancing more rapidly.

 

And at the end of their destination.

 

Thud!

 

A boy was running up a steep hill with soldiers.

 

* * *

 

Atop the steep hill.

 

Dust flew as wind swept by.

 

Thud!

 

The 3rd Platoon members running swiftly through that place looked at Arteon at the front.

 

His speed remained perfectly steady.

 

Seeing him run ahead without showing any signs of difficulty even on such an inclined terrain, all the 3rd Platoon members bit their lips tightly.

 

Everyone already had different eyes than before.

 

It was because their confidence had swelled from the victory gained in their first reconnaissance.

 

But then.

 

“Stop.”

 

Arteon, who had been running, slowed down and raised his fist.

 

At his single word, the entire platoon stopped, and only the platoon members’ breathing filled the hilltop.

 

Swish.

 

Arteon surveyed the surroundings.

 

Strange things he hadn’t noticed while coming this far began to catch his eye.

 

“…”

 

Where his gaze fell, a clumsily broken tree branch beside a rock.

 

Next to it, several very faintly pressed footprints.

 

The strangely out-of-place traces tickled Arteon’s bones.

 

‘Already this far…?’

 

“Platoon Leader.”

 

Grain, who had been following behind, approached and spoke.

 

He too had discovered the faint traces remaining nearby.

 

“This… looks like traces they tried to erase?”

 

Whatever had made them rush, Grain continued speaking while looking at the traces they hadn’t been able to completely erase.

 

“If we follow these traces, we should be able to figure out where they’ve set up their ambush.”

 

If they could accurately find where the enemy’s main force was lying in ambush, that would be an incomparably greater achievement than what they had accomplished earlier.

 

If this led to victory in this war, they might receive tremendous rewards.

 

“This really… looks like traces they tried to erase?”

 

“To think they came all the way here.”

 

The other 3rd Squad members also muttered their thoughts while looking at the traces.

 

What was surprising was that those guys had come this far in such a short time.

 

But…

 

“…”

 

Arteon stared at those traces in silence.

 

What came to his mind were dark scenes from the past.

 

Old memories beyond words.

 

A story of being severely defeated by the Kar Tribe in a similar situation suddenly came to mind.

 

Arteon’s eyes sharpened.

 

‘…These traces.’

 

The Kar Tribe were guys with natural ability when it came to avoiding pursuit.

 

They were originally famous for not leaving traces at all, but if they had left some while moving hastily…

 

‘If they had tried to erase them, they would have erased them completely.’

 

There’s no way they would leave such sloppy traces.

 

‘If they didn’t erase them but made it look like they tried to erase them.’

 

‘A lure.’

 

Arteon’s face hardened.

 

He immediately turned around and gave orders.

 

“Grain.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Lead the squad members and move to the edge of the forest on the right to hide. I’ll follow the traces, so ambush and hide yourselves at the location I mentioned.”

 

Grain showed a look of surprise, but soon nodded.

 

He couldn’t understand why they needed to split the unit members in this situation, but.

 

“…Understood.”

 

The strategy and insight Arteon had shown had never been wrong even once until now.

 

Grain led the squad members and immediately disappeared deep into the Tree Shade.

 

And Arteon, now alone.

 

“Huu.”

 

He let out a small breath and quietly began following the traces.

 

Of course, he didn’t move directly along the traces.

 

He walked diagonally beside the footprints and changed course from directions out of sight.

 

And at that moment.

 

Swish.

 

A presence mixed in the wind.

 

Very faint but definite movement.

 

‘…As expected.’

 

Without even turning his head, he sensed it through his senses.

 

Something was following him.

 

At the same time, Arteon came into view of the Kar Tribe warriors lying prone in the shadowed crevices between rocks.

 

“…It’s him.”

 

That most recent battle where they had suffered a crushing defeat.

 

The Imperial Army soldier who had fought Taman then.

 

The Kar Tribe warrior, Erukalon, vividly remembered the appearance of the guy who had fought Taman.

 

He couldn’t understand why a soldier with such skill was doing reconnaissance, but.

 

‘This is an opportunity.’

 

If they could capture the Imperial soldier who had fought Taman on equal terms, there would be no greater military achievement.

 

Though it was a risky endeavor.

 

‘That guy is alone.’

 

In contrast, didn’t they have over thirty warriors together on this side?

 

A big fish had been caught in the trap they had set up hoping to lure Imperial scouts.

 

Swish.

 

Erukalon sent signals to the warriors around him.

 

Nod.

 

Whether everyone was thinking the same thing, Killing Intent flashed in their eyes.

 

Swish. Swish.

 

Soon they began quietly and secretly pursuing Arteon.

 

But contrary to expectations, Arteon didn’t go to the location they wanted.

 

He began cleverly changing direction, to the side, further to the side…

 

He was constantly changing course.

 

As if he knew they were following him.

 

“…Erukalon.”

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

At the words of a warrior who had been tracking Arteon together, Erukalon hesitated.

 

Perhaps it could be something he was doing out of habit.

 

‘Among trained Imperial soldiers, there are those who don’t move directly to their destination but constantly use deception.’

 

No matter how outstanding his skills were, there’s no way he could have figured out their ambush.

 

‘Unless he had known about it beforehand… that would be impossible.’

 

Weren’t they following very secretly from a considerable distance?

 

Erukalon bit his lips tightly.

 

Judging coldly, unless he was stronger than Taman…

 

‘It’s impossible for him to defeat us.’

 

Including himself, there were two people with two Feather Tattoos.

 

Erukalon made his decision.

 

‘We must kill him now. If we miss him here, there won’t be a next time.’

 

Soon Erukalon looked at the warriors with fierce eyes.

 

Everyone nodded at his expression that seemed to have already made a decision.

 

Here…

 

‘We kill that guy.’

 

Erukalon and about thirty Kar Tribe Warriors waited for Arteon’s steps to stop.

 

And soon.

 

Arteon stopped at a point thick with Bushes and lowered his stance.

 

He probably intended to establish a position here and conduct reconnaissance.

 

At that sight, Erukalon gestured.

 

Nod.

 

The Kar Tribe warriors who had been following while holding their breath looked at Arteon.

 

And…

 

“Attack!”

 

With Erukalon’s command, the Kar Tribe warriors all rushed toward Arteon at once.

 

But…

 

“You’ve worked hard coming all the way here.”

 

Arteon quietly turned around.

 

His eyes looked as if he knew everything.

 

Crash!

 

And with that, figures burst out from the tree shade, behind rocks, and grass thickets.

 

The 3rd Platoon members led by Grain charged like lightning from both sides of the ambush point.

 

Erukalon’s eyes shook greatly.

 

“…!”

 

Erukalon wore an expression of disbelief at how they had been counter-attacked in an instant.

 

But it was already too late.

 

Arteon, who was already right in front of him, kicked off the ground and rushed toward Erukalon.

 

Clang!

 

Erukalon’s body was sent flying from the powerful strike.

 

The axe that blocked the attack trembled violently.

 

How could there be such… a strong strike…

 

However, Arteon’s attack was not yet finished.

 

Swoosh.

 

Arteon’s spear extended long toward Erukalon as he stood in position.

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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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