The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 65

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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 (65)

 

The temporarily established operations meeting room.

 

In reality, it was a barracks that Leorn had set up as a brief resting space, but unlike usual, an unusually heavy atmosphere was flowing through the place.

 

Tension stood sharp as a blade, and the two men facing each other glared at one another for different reasons.

 

“Moving the main force now is absolutely out of the question. Please reconsider just once more.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

Leorn’s voice dropped low.

 

Though he was trying to suppress his explosive rage, it seemed like a roar could burst out at any moment.

 

However, Hadel continued speaking without blinking an eye.

 

“The reconnaissance soldiers have returned. The situation was urgent enough to fire rescue signal flares, but our soldiers made it back… and we’ve obtained intelligence that small units of the Kar Tribe are moving in the foggy hill terrain ahead.”

 

“So what’s your point!”

 

Leorn slammed the desk with a bang and shot up from his seat.

 

“So what! Just because a few of those bastards are moving around, the main force should stay put? We operated reconnaissance units as you suggested, but look at the results. More than half the troops sent as scouts are dead! If we don’t move the main force now, we’ll miss this opportunity when their strength has weakened!”

 

“We won’t be missing an opportunity—we’ll be walking into a trap. A great disaster like last time could happen again.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

A subtle killing intent flickered in Leorn’s eyes.

 

For him, that defeat remained as his Achilles’ heel.

 

The other officers in the operations meeting room swallowed nervously and watched the situation unfold.

 

But Hadel continued speaking without hesitation.

 

“The Kar Tribe was already anticipating our movement. They’ve used this terrain, which favors them, to set up ambush positions…”

 

“Hadel!”

 

Leorn shouted furiously.

 

His patience had already completely run out.

 

Clang!

 

Leorn drew his sword and pointed it at Hadel’s neck.

 

The sharp blade created a red line near the left side of Hadel’s neck, and a trickle of blood flowed down.

 

“Do you dare refuse my orders? Have you forgotten that I have command authority over the main force!”

 

“…”

 

Hadel fell silent at Leorn’s roar.

 

Looking at his flushed red face, it seemed like he might swing his sword at any moment.

 

However…

 

“…I apologize, but I believe I must deliver my full report to the end. Currently, the Kar Tribe’s special forces are roaming the forward position. But if there’s one opportunity for us… one of the units that went out as a reconnaissance team, the 3rd Platoon, is pursuing and hunting them down.”

 

“…?”

 

“What do you mean…”

 

The other officers spoke with puzzled expressions.

 

They had only thought they were being helplessly pushed back, but there was a counterattack happening in the midst of it all?

 

But Hadel ignored their words and continued.

 

“If we can eliminate all of them, we’ll be able to completely block the Kar Tribe’s eyes and ears before the main force advances.”

 

“Are you saying the fate of this entire war depends on just one platoon?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Hadel spoke while looking him straight in the eye.

 

As he straightened his body, his neck actually moved closer toward the blade that was touching it.

 

Leorn flinched and unconsciously pulled his sword slightly to the side.

 

“The flow of battle has already shifted to small-scale combat at the forward position. If we move the main force now and by any chance lose the battle… truly irreversible consequences will occur.”

 

“I could cut off your head right here and now for insubordination. Are you willing to stake your life on those words?”

 

A cold tension pierced through their hearts.

 

Leorn’s words carried genuine intent.

 

But Hadel spoke without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“I will stake my life on it.”

 

“…”

 

Leorn’s pupils wavered.

 

He was momentarily overwhelmed by Hadel’s aura and found himself speechless.

 

And then.

 

“Commander, we share the same opinion as Captain Hadel.”

 

“That’s right. Moving the main force now would be reckless.”

 

“Since we’re hearing good news from the forward position, how about giving Captain Hadel a bit more support?”

 

One by one, then two by two.

 

The officers present began persuading Leorn with one voice.

 

And as those words accumulated, Leorn ultimately had no choice but to back down.

 

“…Fine, this matter. I’ll try it your way. But there’s one thing you need to understand.”

 

Leorn’s expression was cold and his voice was icy.

 

“If this judgment proves wrong, you’ll bear responsibility so great that your life alone won’t be enough to pay for it.”

 

“…I’m grateful for the commander’s magnanimity.”

 

Hadel bowed his head as he spoke.

 

Soon after Leorn left the meeting room, one of the nearby officers took out a handkerchief and pressed it to Hadel’s neck.

 

“Sorry for just hiding in the back.”

 

“…This really is a difficult situation.”

 

Only then did they apologize to Hadel and reveal their true feelings.

 

But right now, there were far too many things to do rather than dwelling on such matters.

 

Hadel looked at the officers in front of him and spoke.

 

“Please hurry and form one special forces unit from each company. We need to send support to the 3rd Platoon at the forward position.”

 

The enemy territory had probably already realized that their special forces had been killed.

 

If that was the case…

 

‘There’s a high possibility that Arteon and the 3rd Platoon’s identity has been exposed.’

 

If so, from the Kar Tribe’s perspective, they would move desperately while targeting Arteon.

 

The wounds they had suffered from Arteon before would still run deep.

 

Hadel immediately came out of the barracks and looked toward the forward position.

 

Though the view was unclear due to the thick fog that had settled,

 

‘By now, their supplies… and stamina must have dropped.’

 

The possibility that Arteon and the 3rd Platoon were isolated couldn’t be ruled out either.

 

“Volgren, are you outside!”

 

“Yes, Company Commander.”

 

“We’ll organize special forces from each company right now. As soon as preparations are complete, use the returned scouts who can still move as guides and send them back in immediately.”

 

“Understood!”

 

As Volgren turned and moved away, Hadel let out a small breath.

 

Right now…

 

“We need to hurry.”

 

From now on, it was a race against time.

 

Hadel also began hurriedly walking somewhere.

 

* * *

 

Bushes covered in thick fog.

 

Deep inside, the 3rd Platoon had hidden their bodies behind jagged rocks and old trees.

 

“Huff… huff…”

 

Perhaps because they had moved too much in such a short time, most of the soldiers were breathing heavily.

 

Moreover, several soldiers were biting their lips tightly, trying to endure the cramps in their legs.

 

Grain approached Arteon.

 

“Platoon Leader, moving any further seems impossible. The entire platoon is too exhausted.”

 

At Grain’s words, Arteon narrowed his eyes and surveyed the surroundings instead of answering.

 

There didn’t seem to be any enemy units pursuing them.

 

But since he couldn’t be certain of the situation, his mind felt tangled in complexity.

 

“….”

 

Arteon calmly organized the situation.

 

They had eliminated almost all of the Kar Tribe’s Special Forces targeting allied scouts.

 

In the process, there hadn’t been a single casualty among their allies.

 

It was truly a perfect result.

 

But the problem came after that.

 

‘Was it greed.’

 

Before returning, the strange movement detected in the enemy’s Formation.

 

He had only intended to confirm that and withdraw.

 

But instead, that became a fatal poison.

 

Due to the continuous battles, the platoon members’ stamina was completely depleted, and the Kar Tribe had a much greater advantage in understanding this terrain.

 

It was only because the 3rd Squad had undergone grueling training every day that they could make it this far.

 

‘No….’

 

Rather, had he overestimated them because they had followed so well?

 

Arteon reviewed the current situation quickly with a hardened expression.

 

But even so, the situation didn’t change.

 

Arteon looked at Grain and the other 3rd Squad members.

 

Their eyes were still alive, but as Grain had said, they showed signs of extreme fatigue.

 

If they were to receive a Surprise Attack from the enemy here, irreversible consequences could occur.

 

The one fortunate thing was that there were many terrain features in their current location where they could hide.

 

Soon after, Arteon spoke.

 

“We’ll rest here. Form two Guard Details with two-person teams, and the rest should rest while maintaining tension to react immediately to even the smallest sound.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Grain immediately bowed his head and moved swiftly.

 

The platoon members also lay down for a brief rest with their Weapons pressed close to their bodies.

 

Even while lying down, their fingertips gripped their spears.

 

Arteon also sat down in his position.

 

Swoosh.

 

Then Grain approached Arteon and handed him the Canteen he was holding.

 

“Are you alright, Platoon Leader?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

A firm voice.

 

But Grain saw that the moment Arteon received the Canteen, his fingertips trembled slightly.

 

Though he had a smaller build than them, he had moved faster than anyone and fought countless battles.

 

Especially when there were fights with Kar Tribe Warriors, hadn’t he directly faced the most dangerous enemies to reduce the burden on the platoon members?

 

Grain pressed his lips together as he watched Arteon drinking water.

 

‘Just what kind of person is this….’

 

What kind of life had this boy, who wasn’t even that old, lived?

 

What had it been like for him to act like such a seasoned warrior at this age?

 

With the experience and maturity as if he had been through dozens… no, hundreds of battlefields, Grain reflected on himself.

 

And meanwhile, the night deepened and Darkness settled more thickly.

 

“….”

 

The 3rd Squad members fell into light sleep.

 

The Guard Detail thoroughly watched the surroundings without letting their guard down for a moment.

 

Arteon also continued his vigilance beside them without relaxing his tension.

 

‘By now….’

 

There would be movement from the Main Force as well.

 

But right now they were on a Hill with a narrow path in front of the Lake.

 

A location unsuitable for large-scale combat.

 

It was a Battlefield that could only be thoroughly advantageous to the Kar Tribe.

 

That’s why the current small-scale engagement was extremely important.

 

Though such battles would repeat in the beginning, if they were pushed back in this fight….

 

‘At that moment, they’d have no choice but to drink from a poisoned cup.’

 

If they weren’t going to retreat, they’d ultimately have no choice but to move the Main Force.

 

But that would be what those guys were aiming for.

 

To thoroughly utilize the terrain advantage and crush the Main Force in one blow.

 

‘Captain Hadel would… already understand this.’

 

Though he couldn’t determine the Main Force’s judgment from This Place, he thought that man would make the right choice.

 

“…Huu.”

 

Arteon let out a small breath.

 

Focusing his mind again, Arteon concentrated on the situation before him.

 

There couldn’t be even a single mistake.

 

A small error in judgment here would drive all the platoon members to their deaths.

 

So Arteon sharpened his senses.

 

But at that moment.

 

“…?”

 

Rustle rustle rustle rustle.

 

Something clearly different from the sound of wind rustling… was being felt from far away.

 

Arteon slowly drew up his Mana and kept his Ki Sense sharp.

 

Step.

 

“…?”

 

When Arteon suddenly moved to the side, the platoon member standing guard looked at him.

 

Arteon spoke briefly.

 

“Maintain your current position. Be ready to react immediately if anything happens.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

After hearing the response, Arteon moved alone toward the direction where he felt the presence.

 

Slowly but stealthily.

 

He moved so that even the sound of stepping on Bushes was barely audible.

 

Soon, beyond the Bushes obscured by fog, some silhouettes began to take shape faintly.

 

‘Approximately….’

 

Fifty.

 

They were all armed Kar Tribe Warriors.

 

Those guys had followed the traces left by the 3rd Squad, fully displaying their aspects as excellent hunters.

 

And one man moving at the very front of them.

 

‘That guy is….’

 

Arteon’s eyes narrowed.

 

For a moment, he felt a sensation as if his breath would stop.

 

The day of that battle.

 

The Kar Tribe chief.

 

Because there had been a guy who was guarding beside Ulgrak.

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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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