The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 85

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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 (85)

 

The northern sky was always ash-colored.

 

Bone-chilling winds blew relentlessly, grazing the soldiers’ cheeks and cutting them sharply.

 

With each exhale, white breath spread through the air, but today even that cold air couldn’t cool the heated fervor of the soldiers.

 

Thump! Thump! Thump!

 

South of Elberfield Lake, at this place where thousands of soldiers including the forces of the 4th Defense Line had gathered.

 

As if someone had lit a fire in their hearts, the atmosphere at the main base was reaching a crescendo.

 

Though the soldiers were exhausted from long battles, unlike usual, their eyes held not fatigue but anticipation and excitement.

 

Crunch, crunch.

 

And heavy footprints left on the white snow converged toward one place.

 

Soon all the soldiers gathered in the square formed ranks and looked ahead.

 

As thousands of soldiers gathered and murmured, that sound alone made the surrounding air vibrate.

 

But that was the moment.

 

“Attention!”

 

Sergeant Claw’s resolute shout pierced through the harsh wind and struck the soldiers’ ears.

 

The square instantly fell silent.

 

As if in that moment, even the wind held its breath.

 

Though it was a hastily prepared and crude platform, Sergeant Claw slowly climbed onto the platform and looked at the soldiers.

 

“We now begin the Merit Ceremony for the 4th Defense Line!”

 

“Hoooooooooooo!”

 

“Hoooooooooooo!”

 

Thunder-like cheers shook the earth.

 

Snow piled up throughout the snowy plains trembled and fell to the ground.

 

The soldiers’ tightly clenched fists and roughly flowing breath.

 

Their flashing eyes seemed to announce the preparation for the Merit Ceremony.

 

Claw unfolded the documents he held in his hand and shouted loudly.

 

“First, I announce to all soldiers here at the 4th Defense Line. Most of those here were either pushed out from Central, or came as punishment.”

 

A considerable number of soldiers on the Northern Front had come due to disciplinary action, or were pushed here by political struggles.

 

And the Punishment Unit also consisted of a significant number of prisoners who weren’t soldiers but had committed crimes.

 

In a way, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say most were here receiving punishment as criminals.

 

Because of this, they weren’t even being properly paid wages for risking their lives.

 

But…

 

“You are no longer simply fallen soldiers guarding the frontier.”

 

With those words, the soldiers’ gazes turned toward the platform.

 

The flag fluttering in the wind waved vigorously as if announcing the beginning of a new history.

 

Receiving their gazes, Claw shouted loudly as if making a declaration.

 

“With the victory of this battle, the 4th Defense Line is officially recognized as Imperial Army Regular Forces. Also, prisoner status is abolished, and those who were commoners recover their status as citizens from today!”

 

“…!”

 

“Wh-what did he say?”

 

Instantly, the training ground stirred greatly.

 

A shocking declaration that no one had expected until now.

 

Most looked at each other with disbelieving expressions, and tears began to well up in someone’s eyes.

 

And…

 

“Hoooooooooooo!”

 

Along with someone’s cheer.

 

“Hoooooooooooo!”

 

“Hoooooooooooooo!”

 

Tremendous cheers that seemed ready to explode burst forth from the training ground.

 

At the soldiers’ cries that were almost like roars.

 

“…”

 

Claw too, for now, simply said nothing and congratulated their cheers.

 

When the joyful cheers poured over the snow reached the sky and spread throughout the Northern Region, slowly subsiding.

 

When Claw raised his hand, the soldiers lowered their voices and calmed their excited hearts.

 

Claw continued speaking.

 

“Furthermore, 5 gold is granted as reward money to all forces.”

 

“Hoooooooo!”

 

A short but intense cry once again shook the training ground.

 

In a way, it was like the first time proper money had been paid to them.

 

Then Claw looked at the middle section of the unrolled scroll and spoke.

 

Soon his voice became much deeper and lower.

 

“Next, I will call the names of those who contributed to leading the Forward Hill battle to victory, which can be called the key to victory in this war.”

 

The soldiers’ gazes gathered on the platform.

 

In their brilliant eyes could be felt the breathless hope that their names would be called.

 

“Guardian of the 4th Defense Line, Lieutenant Seran! Step forward!”

 

Seran walked out through the murmuring soldiers.

 

Stepping firmly on the cold snow, the sound of his footsteps echoed through the square.

 

The white frost that settled on his shoulders looked like medals representing the wounds of battle.

 

Toward Seran standing on the platform, Sergeant Claw read aloud.

 

“Seran has achieved the merit of changing the future of the Northern Region through his bravery in defending the 4th Defense Line in countless battles, and the indomitable fighting spirit shown in this Forward Hill battle. Therefore, Seran is promoted two ranks from Lieutenant to Major, and is granted 50 gold as reward money.”

 

“Ooooh!”

 

“Two rank promotion…!”

 

All soldiers sincerely congratulated Seran’s reward.

 

But that wasn’t the end.

 

“Furthermore, Major Seran is entrusted with command of the Special Unit that will be newly organized.”

 

With the grand declaration, Sergeant Claw stepped back one step.

 

Along with that, Belkain, who had been sitting, rose from his seat.

 

At his imposing presence that seemed to suppress the Northern Region’s cold winds, the soldiers simply swallowed their dry saliva.

 

Belkain spoke.

 

“The soldiers who fought the Forward Hill battle together with Seran are selected as Special Unit members. This Special Unit is promised treatment equivalent to a lower knight order.”

 

“Lower knight order?”

 

“Ooooooooh!”

 

Small exclamations burst forth but didn’t last long.

 

Everyone held their breath again at Belkain’s gaze and listened to his words.

 

“And from today, that unit is named Steel Frost.”

 

“Steel Frost!”

 

“Amazing! Steel Frost!”

 

Instantly the square shook with joy again.

 

The soldiers assigned to the Steel Frost unit looked at each other, doubting their own ears.

 

But soon.

 

“Yessssss!”

 

“We became a unit equivalent to a knight order!”

 

“Ahhhhhhh!”

 

The soldiers cried out in overwhelming emotion.

 

At the center of those cheers, Seran still looked at Belkain with a calm expression and saluted.

 

“Steel heart!”

 

Seran’s right fist struck his left chest strongly.

 

“I will do my best to repay the Legion Commander’s expectations!”

 

At that moment, under the cold northern sky, the soldiers’ passionate cheers echoed endlessly.

 

And next.

 

“Second is Sergeant Arteon. Step forward!”

 

At Sergeant Claw’s words, Arteon straightened his chest and walked toward the platform.

 

The soldiers parted to both sides, opening a path for Arteon.

 

Receiving the congratulatory gazes of the soldiers, Arteon stepped onto the platform.

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

When Arteon saluted Belkain, he looked at him with gentle eyes.

 

Claw, who was standing beside him, spoke in a powerful voice.

 

“Sergeant Arteon fought a battle risking death to protect our reconnaissance unit that was ambushed in the first battle. And in that process, though isolated by enemy attacks, he remained alone and protected the lives of his unit members.”

 

As Sergeant Claw’s words continued, the soldiers’ expressions gradually turned to amazement.

 

Because the achievement he had accomplished was far greater than they had imagined.

 

But that wasn’t the end.

 

“Furthermore, he fought on equal terms with two commander-level warriors of the Kar Tribe, and in that battle process, achieved the merit of killing one of them. In recognition of his skill as well as his spirit of sacrifice and courage, Sergeant Arteon is hereby promoted by 2 ranks. Additionally, he is awarded 100 Gold as reward money.”

 

Murmur murmur.

 

When the amount of 100 Gold was mentioned, gasps of surprise spread among the soldiers.

 

Because it was an incredibly enormous sum.

 

However, Arteon stood in place with a calm expression, unwavering.

 

Looking at that sight, Belkain spoke.

 

“Lieutenant Arteon.”

 

“Lieutenant Arteon!”

 

Arteon responded and raised his head to look at Belkain.

 

“My proposal to entrust you with an independent unit is still valid. Will you accept it this time?”

 

“….”

 

At Belkain’s question, Arteon fell silent.

 

Beyond his tightly closed lips, a contemplative look was clearly visible.

 

‘Not yet….’

 

Arteon recalled the events that had occurred on this battlefield.

 

It was true that he had fought on equal terms with those who had Four Tattoos, and achieved the merit of killing one of them.

 

But that didn’t mean he had reached a satisfactory level.

 

After all, to completely drive out and crush the Kar Tribe, he needed to possess skill equivalent to their great generals.

 

‘At minimum 5th Star… no, I need to reach the realm of 6-Star or higher.

 

And….

 

‘There must be someone in the Imperial Capital keeping an eye on me.’

 

If an independent unit were created while his power wasn’t yet complete, it would actually create constraints on his movements.

 

Moreover, his unit members could be put in danger because of him.

 

When Arteon hesitated and didn’t answer, Belkain nodded.

 

“I see. But remember that my proposal is always valid. If you want it, I’ll grant permission immediately whenever the time comes, so speak up when you’re ready.”

 

“I’m grateful for the Legion Commander’s consideration.”

 

“Is there anything you desire? If so, speak up. Considering the merit you’ve achieved, this much is far from sufficient.”

 

He would have liked to send him to Central and grant him a title, but granting noble titles was beyond his authority.

 

Moreover, since Arteon had said he didn’t want to leave the Northern Region….

 

At Belkain’s words, Arteon spoke.

 

“I want to go to a place where I can become… stronger.”

 

“….”

 

At those words, Belkain’s eyes grew heavy.

 

It had already been over a year since he’d come to know this boy. In that time… this boy had accomplished an unbelievable amount.

 

Perhaps he had achieved a level of merit that others might never reach in their entire lives, and his skill was needless to say, outstanding.

 

In the Empire’s history, there had never been anyone with this level of skill at such an age.

 

Nevertheless….

 

‘He hasn’t changed.’

 

He thought that perhaps he would never change in the future either.

 

Soon after, Belkain formed a faint smile on his lips.

 

“I’ll notify you about that separately. As the commander of the Northern Region, I express my gratitude once again for your merit. I look forward to your continued achievements.”

 

“Steel hearts! I will work hard until this body breaks.”

 

“I look forward to it.”

 

With those words, Arteon came down from the platform.

 

The 3rd Squad members as well as the soldiers who had fought together at the Forward Hill conveyed congratulatory messages to Arteon with their eyes.

 

And Captain Hadel, who had been the commander of the Forward Hill operation, also received a 2-rank promotion and tremendous rewards.

 

“Steel hearts!”

 

When Captain Hadel saluted and came down, Leorn, who was in his position, shrugged his shoulders and snorted.

 

Since he, as the supreme commander of the 4th Defense Line, would be the greatest contributor to this war’s victory.

 

‘Finally… my life too….’

 

If everyone else got 2-rank promotions, there was a high possibility he would too.

 

If that happened….

 

‘Colonel.’

 

If he could be promoted to Colonel and move to Central, his future life would surely be filled with nothing but a path of flowers.

 

And finally, his name was called.

 

“And the commander of the 4th Defense Line, Leorn.”

 

However, there was one difference – it wasn’t Claw who called his name, but Legion Commander Belkain himself.

 

Leorn looked at him with expectant eyes.

 

“…!”

 

But the cold gaze directed at him. It was completely different from how he had looked at the other merit recipients until now.

 

Leorn answered.

 

“Yes, yes!”

 

“I’ve received all the operation reports about you. Truly… they were so horrific they’re hard to express in words.”

 

“…What?”

 

The atmosphere had changed.

 

Leorn’s expression hardened as his spine grew cold with a strange sense of unease.

 

Then Belkain continued.

 

“Major Leorn. Due to the atrocities you have committed until now, countless soldiers have lost their lives and been injured.”

 

At his continuing words, a cold tension began to spread throughout the Merit Ceremony venue in an instant.

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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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