The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 70

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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 (70)

 

The formation where the Kar Tribe’s main force was positioned.

 

Ulgrak looked at Moldur, who had collapsed inside the temporarily constructed barracks.

 

Though the wound on his severed left arm was tightly compressed, red blood continued to seep through the bandage.

 

“Ugh… I’m, I’m sorry… Taman.”

 

Moldur’s vision was blurred from excessive blood loss, but he could still sense Ulgrak’s presence.

 

Ulgrak silently looked down at Moldur.

 

“…”

 

The thick smell of blood enveloped the entire barracks, but what was even more vivid were the empty spaces left by the warriors who hadn’t returned.

 

Over 50 warriors had marched out.

 

The warriors who had departed with Moldur at the lead were each elite warriors under Ulgrak’s command.

 

“Take good care of him. Above all, be careful that the wound doesn’t become infected.”

 

“Understood, Taman.”

 

After hearing the medic’s response, Ulgrak left the barracks.

 

And then.

 

“How is he?”

 

“His life seems to be safe. Thanks to you, we were able to save Moldur.”

 

Ulgrak politely expressed his gratitude as he saw Makrowdon approaching.

 

Not only had the reinforcement forces arrived faster than expected.

 

―Is that so? Then I’ll go check it out myself.

 

His appearance, leading his elite warriors and rushing forward immediately upon arrival, was the same as always.

 

Ulgrak raised his head to look at Makrowdon.

 

The hideous scar crossing his face.

 

And on his exposed upper body, even in this cold weather, were scars that proved how fierce the battlefields he had fought through were.

 

However, Makrowdon glanced around briefly, then continued speaking.

 

“But… the Imperial Army’s aura was too different from what I had heard.”

 

His voice carried not blame, but the cold analysis of the situation.

 

“Wasn’t the 4th Defense Line said to be all trash except for Seran? Idiots with only numbers. Especially because of that commander’s incompetence, I heard you nearly broke through the 4th Defense Line several times.”

 

“…That was true.”

 

At least until that guy appeared.

 

Ulgrak recalled the boy who had wounded his left shoulder.

 

He regretted letting his guard down because of the boy’s youthful face.

 

If he had used all his strength back then, he would have killed him.

 

And this time too…

 

But Makrowdon spoke to Ulgrak with a puzzled look.

 

“But when I actually saw it, many things were different from the reports. Especially… that young Imperial bastard who uses aura. How could there be no reports about such a guy?”

 

“…Aura?”

 

Ulgrak’s eyes wavered slightly.

 

Aura, he said.

 

What kind of nonsense was that?

 

But Makrowdon looked at the vivid wound on Ulgrak’s left shoulder and said.

 

“Was it also that boy who did that to your shoulder?”

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. A young Imperial bastard who uses aura?”

 

“He had dark brown hair and quite a youthful face. I’m not good at gauging the age of Imperial bastards, but… no matter how generously I estimate, he didn’t look older than his late teens.”

 

“…Are you talking about a boy soldier with a youthful face who comes up to about my shoulder height?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It’s Arteon.

 

Ulgrak was certain from Makrowdon’s words that he was talking about Arteon.

 

“You’re mistaken about something. It’s true that this wound was inflicted by that guy, but… he can’t handle aura yet.”

 

I’ll admit his mana control was quite excellent. But aura?

 

However, at those words, Makrowdon’s expression hardened.

 

“…What are you saying? I saw it with my own eyes. That guy using aura.”

 

In that moment, the two warriors’ gazes clashed sharply.

 

Neither had any reason to lie.

 

Then there was only one conclusion.

 

“…No way.”

 

Ulgrak muttered. Makrowdon couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

 

“This is ridiculous.”

 

His voice was low, but a strange killing intent spread out.

 

Makrowdon remained silent for a moment, then asked Ulgrak.

 

“The wound on your shoulder. When did you get it?”

 

“It was from the last battle, so it’s been a little less than a month.”

 

“A month…”

 

Makrowdon bit his lips tightly.

 

Because it was an impossible situation.

 

Ulgrak also caught his breath and muttered.

 

“In just… less than a month…”

 

“A guy who couldn’t use aura became able to use aura?”

 

That was logically impossible.

 

Because aura wasn’t simply a technique, but a realm that could only be reached through long training and extreme enlightenment.

 

The realm of aura was one that ordinary humans couldn’t reach even if they devoted their entire lives to it.

 

But now… was he saying that a mere teenage soldier had achieved it?

 

Silence fell over the training ground.

 

Because both of them were thinking the same thing.

 

Eventually, Makrowdon licked his lips and spoke first.

 

“A monster has been born in the Empire.”

 

Perhaps his coming here was a stroke of divine providence.

 

If more time had passed, there was no telling how far that monster would have risen.

 

Then Makrowdon looked toward the fog-covered forward position.

 

That place where the blood of dozens of warriors had been spilled.

 

“…Establishing our position here was the best choice, Ulgrak.”

 

Because the terrain made it nearly impossible for large-scale forces to clash.

 

It would be good if the Imperial bastards couldn’t overcome their impatience and moved their main force, but…

 

“For that to happen, we’ll need to dominate the fighting at this forward position.”

 

If we can’t do that, we won’t give those bastards justification to move their main force.

 

Makrowdon quickly assessed the situation.

 

Fortunately, Ulgrak was an excellent warrior and at the same time a smart commander.

 

He said.

 

“From the next battle… I’ll move together with you.”

 

“An excellent choice.”

 

Because among warriors who had risen to command positions, there were many who took a step back and missed the optimal timing.

 

Makrowdon nodded at Ulgrak’s words.

 

If they encountered that bastard in the next fight…

 

“We need to kill him for certain before he grows any larger.”

 

At those words, Ulgrak silently nodded.

 

* * *

 

A strange silence settled inside the barracks.

 

As Arteon’s words spread through the air, Seran pressed his lips tightly shut.

 

―…It seems you can also handle aura, Sir Seran.

 

Why did those words feel like they struck him so powerfully?

 

Seran’s expression hardened.

 

But soon….

 

“Huh.”

 

Seran let out a light breath and gave a faint smile.

 

Then he nodded his head.

 

“That’s right, it hasn’t been long. I only recently gained enlightenment and was able to reach the realm of aura.”

 

Arteon looked into his eyes.

 

Being able to handle aura meant that Seran had also reached the 4-star realm.

 

‘But….’

 

The 4-star level was the stage with the greatest disparity in skill among all realms.

 

This was because proficiency wasn’t properly established within those who claimed they could handle aura.

 

Some might only be able to manifest aura for a very brief moment, while others could use it skillfully.

 

How freely one could handle aura.

 

That was what truly determined one’s skill within the 4-star realm.

 

Next, Arteon observed Seran’s expression.

 

And he said to him.

 

“You seem to have something troubling you.”

 

At the words that flowed from Arteon’s mouth, Seran’s eyes widened.

 

“Are you… learning mind reading or something?”

 

Seran couldn’t hide his bewilderment, but one side of his heart ached.

 

Though he had reached the 4-star realm through recent enlightenment, utilizing aura in actual combat was no easy task.

 

Manifesting it wasn’t difficult, but maintaining it continuously after several clashes was extremely arduous.

 

Moreover, when aura disappeared along with a collision, it took quite a long time to use it again.

 

The slower-than-expected progress in proficiency tormented Seran.

 

He held a powerful weapon in his hands, but couldn’t use it.

 

It was while he was lost in such worries that he saw Arteon.

 

The intense destructive power that had torn apart dozens of enemies.

 

That was something impossible to explain without aura.

 

‘…How could someone so young obtain such power…?’

 

He was desperately curious and wanted to know that secret.

 

But he couldn’t carelessly ask about another’s realm, let alone their secrets.

 

Everyone had their own unspeakable secrets.

 

Was that why?

 

Swoosh.

 

Arteon lay down on the bed just like that, and seeing this, Seran unconsciously gave a bitter smile.

 

‘As expected, he can’t tell me in this way….’

 

But that’s when it happened.

 

“Right now I’m too exhausted… I don’t think I’ll be able to use it properly.”

 

“…?”

 

Seran, who had been lowering his head, stopped and looked at him.

 

Arteon tried to hide his obviously tired expression as he continued speaking.

 

“After I get some quick rest… would it be alright if I helped you?”

 

For a moment, Seran was caught by a subtle emotion.

 

Soon his expression brightened.

 

“Oh my, what was I thinking. I was being too pushy with someone who just returned from hardship. Rest comfortably. I’ll handle the situation report myself.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

As Arteon closed his eyes, Seran left the barracks and called over a soldier.

 

“Don’t let anyone into this place. If there’s anyone causing disturbance, chase them away immediately.”

 

“Understood!”

 

Leaving behind the soldier who gave a sharp salute, Seran moved his steps toward where the commander was.

 

But….

 

Stop.

 

After taking a few steps, Seran turned his head to look back at the barracks.

 

“….”

 

What an unusual fellow.

 

Both in skill and personality.

 

In Seran’s mind, the despair he had felt at the 4th Defense Line during the past time flashed by.

 

All those times he had fought under an incompetent commander with the single determination to defend this place.

 

The 4th Defense Line where he had to spend each day without a single hope.

 

But now.

 

‘Perhaps… this war really….’

 

Seran recalled a thought he had hoped for but couldn’t embrace until now.

 

‘We might be able to pull through.’

 

Finally, a small flame flickered in Seran’s eyes.

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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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