The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 89

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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 (89)

 

“You’re saying we have a tail?”

 

Jaikle frowned at his subordinate’s report.

 

Recently, major problems had arisen on the Northeastern 4th Defense Line’s battlefield, giving him a headache.

 

And now he had to receive reports about such trivial matters.

 

Jaikle spoke with an irritated voice.

 

“Have you identified them?”

 

“They’re just a trading company based in the northern cities… but after looking into it a bit, they used to make a living through theft.”

 

“…Such scum are running a trading company?”

 

Since Jaikle operated one of the Empire’s top trading companies, he couldn’t be pleased.

 

He didn’t like the idea of worthless trash like them getting involved in his business.

 

Moreover, he hated this situation where he had to receive reports about such garbage.

 

“Can’t you handle such lowlifes on your own without reporting to me? Make sure those who don’t know their place can never pull such stunts again by erasing them.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Soon after the man left the room, Jaikle frowned and looked toward the window.

 

Due to the recent recapture of Elvarfiel Lake on the 4th Defense Line, the situation in the north had changed drastically.

 

From Jaikle’s position, mainly active in the Empire’s center for power, even the current battlefield was quite a distance away.

 

The best option would be to establish a base in the northern cities and supply from there…

 

“Damn bastards.”

 

Recently, the conflict between the First Prince and Second Prince had intensified, and the containment from forces following the First Prince had become quite severe.

 

Thanks to this, establishing a base in the northern region had become difficult.

 

In this situation, if the northern front moved even further north, it would effectively become a place beyond his influence.

 

‘Do you think I’d give up such precious land?’

 

For Jaikle, the north was truly a land of opportunity where gold poured out.

 

Due to the constant warfare, enormous amounts of supplies were needed.

 

He had been monopolizing a considerable portion until now, but recently too many irritating situations had been arising.

 

“…That idiot Leorn.”

 

That’s why he had placed Major Leorn as the commander of the most crucial battlefield.

 

He had judged that with his incompetence, the battle at Elvarfiel Lake could be maintained for at least several more years.

 

But…

 

‘Too many things have been changing since Belkain became Legion Commander.’

 

Wasn’t Belkain’s appointment as Legion Commander also due to forces following the current First Prince petitioning the Emperor?

 

The recapture of Helikel Gorge had been so impressive that they had no way to stop it.

 

But suddenly.

 

“…That rookie seemed to be involved in this Elvarfiel Lake recapture too.”

 

He didn’t know exactly how the Merit Ceremony conducted in the north had proceeded.

 

But when he received that report, there was one name that caught his eye.

 

—Arteon.

 

Surely that was the guy who had achieved great merit in the recapture of Helikel Gorge…

 

“Are you saying that rookie went to the Elvarfiel Lake battlefield…”

 

After Nokton’s failure, Count Basilio had said he would keep watch over him.

 

Grind.

 

What the hell was he doing that only such ridiculous news kept coming one after another?

 

Though rage surged and it felt like blood was flowing backward, there was nothing he could do except clench his fists tightly.

 

* * *

 

Two weeks had passed since Arteon came to Almers.

 

From the first day, after Rishiven came and went for reporting, Milo had been attending to Arteon.

 

He had been the first to meet Arteon in Shadow Fang, and since he was quick-witted and agile, making him good for errands, Rishiven had decided on him.

 

Milo had no particular complaints either.

 

Shadow Fang, recently renamed as Shadow Trading Company, was quite busy with trading company business.

 

Carrying heavy loads every time was exhausting, so there was no reason to refuse such a cushy position.

 

However…

 

“Really… he’s an amazing person.”

 

Milo, who had been watching Arteon, muttered unconsciously.

 

From the moment Arteon opened his eyes until he fell asleep, he followed him around playing the role of a shadow.

 

Milo.

 

With just that one word, he would immediately respond and rush to his side.

 

Because of this, he couldn’t help but see his daily routine.

 

‘Is this… really a schedule a human can handle…?’

 

From dawn until he fell asleep.

 

Except for meals and brief breaks in between, his schedule was completely filled with training.

 

When he opened his eyes at dawn, he would go to a hill slightly away from Almers.

 

In a place where bitter winds blew, he practiced mana cultivation methods, and afterward continued training in spear techniques he had never seen before.

 

And he did this without missing a single day.

 

Thanks to this, he had to shiver in the cold on the hill where bitter winds blew from dawn.

 

‘…Why does it seem like only I’m cold?’

 

Surely he must be feeling the same cold, but it was strange.

 

Milo just looked at Arteon practicing his mana cultivation method with puzzled eyes.

 

Whoooooosh!

 

Tremendous bitter winds swept in, bringing cold that made his entire body tremble.

 

He could have developed hypothermia problems, but there was a reason Arteon could walk around the north in light clothing like this.

 

It was the bracelet he had obtained from the Imperial Palace’s Treasure Vault before.

 

Thanks to the bracelet that increased cold resistance, he was unaffected by the north’s cold.

 

Because of this, he could push the Vargas Mana Cultivation Method, which was more effective in cold places, to its limits.

 

“Huuuu…”

 

Arteon, who had exhaled deeply, slowly opened his eyes.

 

Having risen to 4-star too suddenly, his overall balance was severely disrupted.

 

At least thanks to the final gift Leorn had given him, he could fill the lacking parts of his body, but…

 

‘However…’

 

It took quite some time to organize the chaotically tangled mana more solidly.

 

Fortunately, had his constant efforts over two weeks borne fruit?

 

Now he had reached a somewhat stable level in using aura.

 

Arteon recalled the battle at the 4th Defense Line.

 

Though he had become 4-star through a sudden opportunity, he had continued that fierce battle with his aura and mana in a chaotic state.

 

He had used aura by controlling it with difficulty through past experience, but…

 

‘It was practically an impossible level.’

 

Due to the terribly severe burden, he had eventually lost consciousness during battle.

 

If he had pushed himself just a little more, it wouldn’t have been strange if his life had truly ended.

 

But now many things were different.

 

During the two weeks here, he had worked to increase his mana that couldn’t keep up with 4-star level and devoted himself to practicing the spear techniques he lacked.

 

Thanks to this, he now felt he had reached a level worthy of the name 4-star.

 

“Milo.”

 

“Yes, Sir Arteon.”

 

With Arteon’s words, Milo, who had been nearby, quickly ran over.

 

Whether he was feeling severe cold due to the hill’s bitter winds, Milo’s lips appeared somewhat blue.

 

Arteon chuckled softly.

 

“You’ve worked hard every dawn. From tomorrow onwards, you won’t need to come out here anymore, so don’t worry.”

 

“R-really, sir?!”

 

The dawn hill was so cold that there was simply no answer to it.

 

That’s why the news that he wouldn’t have to come out anymore was worth its weight in gold to Milo.

 

“Let’s go eat some warm stew and warm up our bodies. Should we go to that restaurant you like?”

 

“I-I’m fine with anything.”

 

He almost said he’d just like anything.

 

At that, Arteon lightly patted Milo’s shoulder.

 

“Alright, today I’m craving that meat stew. Please guide me there.”

 

“Yes, Lord Arteon!”

 

Milo’s expression brightened considerably.

 

* * *

 

“…Already?”

 

Rishiven’s expression hardened.

 

Nokton, who had been pursuing them for Arteon’s sake, had discovered their identity.

 

Keyton, who could be called Rishiven’s right-hand man, nodded.

 

“One of the guys who was chasing them got seriously injured. His life isn’t in danger, but… his leg is badly hurt, so even if we treat the wound, it won’t be easy for him to continue this work.”

 

Keyton’s expression was dark.

 

They had undergone massive expansion when they changed their name to Shadow Trading Company.

 

Along with that, they had added many personnel and were working together, but still, the comrades from the Shadow Fang days were inevitably closer.

 

And one of them had been seriously injured.

 

Rishiven let out a small sigh.

 

“Have him focus on treatment for now. I’ll handle what comes after, so tell him not to think he’ll be abandoned.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“More importantly… so they’re pursuing us?”

 

“They don’t seem to have completely figured out our identity yet. However….”

 

“It’s only a matter of time.”

 

Just as they had figured out those guys, those guys would soon figure them out too.

 

Since they were operating in the shadows, they would know this place’s ecosystem better than anyone.

 

‘…Still, I suppose this is according to plan.’

 

However, if there was one thing that worried him.

 

‘No matter how skilled Lord Arteon is… fighting all of those guys would be difficult….’

 

Moreover, the opponents were assassins.

 

They were guys who were experts at killing people.

 

Those who hid in darkness and launched surprise attacks were skilled at taking down those stronger than themselves.

 

But how was he planning to catch such guys.

 

“You look very worried.”

 

“It’s Lord Arteon’s business.”

 

Rishiven answered briefly.

 

That said, he couldn’t fail to carry out orders that had been given.

 

But seeing Rishiven’s worried expression, Keyton spoke.

 

“Let’s have faith. Hasn’t he accomplished truly impossible things without hesitation?”

 

“That’s true, but….”

 

“And there’s a new report from Milo… it seems Lord Arteon… might be able to use aura.”

 

“Aura? That guy doesn’t even know what aura is.”

 

Rishiven stated the facts coldly.

 

Keyton agreed with that statement, but.

 

“Still, he’s a guy who’s followed us around since childhood and seen many things. He has his own intuition, doesn’t he?”

 

“…Aura?”

 

Bewilderment spread across Rishiven’s face.

 

It had only been 8-9 months since he first met Arteon.

 

Even back then, he wasn’t at the level of using aura, let alone anything similar to it….

 

‘Did he achieve such dramatic growth in that short time…?’

 

If that were true, he thought he might understand what gave Arteon the confidence to pursue this plan.

 

However….

 

“…I think I need to meet Lord Arteon first. Keyton, make sure we’re not tracked for now. When preparations here are complete… it won’t be too late to let them find us then.”

 

“I’ll prepare without any problems.”

 

As Keyton turned around, Rishiven turned his gaze with an anxious expression.

 

If Arteon was really going to fight against Nokton….

 

‘I should check… first.’

 

It might be rude, but he thought this was the right path for Arteon.

 

Eventually, Rishiven entered his room and put on his assassin garb again, his eyes flashing sharply.

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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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