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Chapter 35
Bang!
The instant the table was slammed.
Crack!
The thick wooden table shattered into pieces in an instant, scattering in all directions.
The man who had received completely unexpected news could not suppress his anger.
“What did you say? That Helikel Gorge was taken…?”
“Th-th-th-that is correct.”
“And the warriors who returned alive?”
“Ap-ap-ap-approximately f-five hundred… remain.”
At the messenger’s words, a far deeper killing intent flowed from the eyes of Drazan, the supreme tarman of the northwest.
Just meeting his gaze felt as though one’s body were being crushed.
The messenger, an ordinary warrior, could barely even breathe under the killing intent Drazan was emitting and lay flat on the floor.
It felt as though he would truly suffocate if he met his eyes.
Drazan spoke.
“The first defensive line… what happened to Braktus?”
“It is said he died on the battlefield, but… no one has seen his corpse directly.”
“Among those who returned alive, who is the tarman?”
“I-it is the senior warrior Urkaron.”
“Bring him here. And… send the warriors who returned alive to the mines.”
“…All of them, sir?”
For a moment, the messenger’s eyes shook violently.
The mines were a place where warriors who had committed crimes were sent.
Yet to send that many men to the mines, even if they were defeated soldiers….
However—
“Do not make me say it twice.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
At Drazan’s words, the messenger hurriedly got up and exited the command post.
No matter how one looked at it, this was the most humiliating incident to occur within his jurisdiction in quite some time.
“…They took Helikel Gorge.”
In effect, it meant that all routes to cross over to the first defensive line had been completely blocked.
Crossing the walls of Helikel Gorge was practically impossible, and without using the narrow path between the ravines, there was no way to reach that place.
Surely, before long, this news would also reach the royal palace.
Not being able to predict what would happen afterward only made things feel more hopeless.
Before long, Drazan stepped out of the command room.
“Gather all the tarmans of each unit.”
“Yes.”
Drazan’s eyes flashed sharply like blades.
Perhaps now was the time….
‘It might be the right moment to use that.’
Although preparations were still insufficient and approval had not yet been granted, there was no other choice if this matter was to be redeemed.
Drazan looked up at the sky.
The gray sky so characteristic of the north.
“…A storm of blood will sweep through this north.”
The blood that would be shed now would make all the blood spilled until this point seem laughable in comparison.
Due to the changes that occurred at the first defensive line, there was also much movement within the military.
They had thought they would be able to reduce troop numbers at the first defensive line after taking Helikel Gorge, but instead, additional reinforcements continued to be dispatched.
“Until support troops arrive at Helikel Gorge, we will move there ourselves. We can’t afford to lower our guard until a fortress is built.”
“Yes, sir!”
In just a single day, the owner of Helikel Gorge had changed.
Even if they themselves had occupied it, there was no rule saying such a result could not occur.
At Hendris’s words, the unit members responded loudly.
The force heading to support Helikel Gorge was the 3rd Company, to which Arteon belonged.
“Phew… I’m starting to feel more familiar with the first defensive line now.”
“In such a short time, how many times have we come to the first defensive line….”
“Did you know? Usually, people only go to the first defensive line once in their lifetime.”
“…What are you talking about?”
At one soldier’s words, the others tilted their heads. The soldier continued.
“They say once you go in, you can’t come out unless you die, so you only go once in a lifetime.”
“Ah….”
“Cut it out with that bad luck talk.”
Despite the infamous reputation of the first defensive line, the 4th Platoon was entering it for the third time already in less than a month.
The first time, they were dispatched as support troops.
The second, they were mobilized for the all-out assault to retake Helikel Gorge.
And now, they were being dispatched again as support troops to defend Helikel Gorge.
In some ways, it was an exceptionally remarkable feat.
At the front, the 4th Platoon Leader Hendris came up beside Arteon and spoke.
“The company commander and the other superiors have been praising you a lot.”
“I merely did what needed to be done.”
“Heh heh. I think once this victory spreads to the central command, your position and mine will be very different.”
“…What do you mean, sir?”
“Even if you rise higher, I hope you don’t change, Arteon.”
Hendris lightly patted Arteon on the shoulder.
As dangerous as the battlefield was, it was also a place where one gained much.
It was common for a soldier who had been a subordinate until yesterday to become a superior due to a single achievement.
And in this case….
‘They wouldn’t neglect the soldier who was the greatest contributor to retaking Helikel Gorge.’
Perhaps, with this merit, he might even receive a noble title.
Still, that didn’t make him feel bitter or envious.
Rather, though they hadn’t known each other long—
‘How should I put it….’
It felt like seeing a real soldier, a true soldier.
If someone like this rose higher… perhaps the battlefield of the north would change, even if only a little.
But then—
“…I will not change, Platoon Leader.”
It was spoken lightly, but Arteon’s eyes were not.
Deep, calm, and firm.
Was it really possible for a fifteen-year-old boy to have eyes like that?
Faced with the complex feeling conveyed by his gaze and reply, Hendris paused.
But soon—
Heh.
“I’ll trust you.”
He responded with nothing more than a smile.
Upon arriving at the first defensive line as part of the 3rd Company, the 4th Platoon immediately set up the barracks they would be staying in.
Driving stakes into the frozen ground was no easy task, but everyone proceeded skillfully.
“Sergeant Arteon, the company commander is calling for you.”
“You are….”
“Thank you for remembering me. I’m Corporal Bilk—the one who guided the special unit last time.”
On the battlefield, it was common to see a comrade one day and hear of their death the next.
Especially at Helikel Gorge, an enormous number of the Kar tribe’s warriors had died, but just as many allies had fallen as well.
Arteon smiled as he looked at Bilk.
“I’m glad to see you alive.”
“This is all thanks to you, Sergeant Arteon. The achievements you made at Helikel Gorge… everyone among the staff officers already knows about them.”
Isaac, who had led the special unit, had submitted the battle report for the Helikel Gorge fight.
Because of that, everyone in the upper command learned of Arteon’s exploits.
Some suspected the merits might have been exaggerated, but since the report had been written by Isaac, no one raised any doubts.
He was known for judging situations fairly and impartially, just as much as he was for his outstanding skills.
Following Bilk, Arteon headed to the outpost where the 3rd Company Commander was.
Seeing that he had been summoned even though the barracks were not yet fully built—
‘For someone with that appearance, he’s rather impatient.’
Arteon felt he could understand his state of mind.
“Heart of Steel!”
Entering the barracks, Arteon saluted Captain Raichen, the commander of the 3rd Company.
Raichen stepped forward and firmly grabbed Arteon’s shoulders.
“Amazing! You’ve accomplished an incredible feat, Sergeant Arteon!”
His voice was flushed with excitement.
Judging by the strength in his grip, he seemed highly agitated.
His angular face and bulging eyes were even more striking than usual today.
“It’s thanks to the good fortune you wished me before the battle, sir.”
“Heh heh. Judging by how well you flatter, you’d probably be good at politics too.”
He then plopped down into his seat and said to Arteon,
“I heard a letter arrived from the imperial palace. Five thousand support troops have begun moving here, and to commend the achievements at Helikel Gorge, an enormous treasure is being sent.”
Unlike Raichen’s excited expression, Arteon maintained a calm face.
He didn’t place much value on material rewards.
But at Raichen’s next words, Arteon’s expression twitched.
“…Pardon?”
“They said that several soldiers who made great contributions in the Helikel Gorge battle will go to the imperial palace to receive their rewards.”
“…To the imperial palace?”
In his past life, he had never even been near the imperial palace, let alone entered it.
Within a certain radius around the palace, commoners were forbidden to enter at all.
And yet—
‘The imperial palace…?’
His heart pounded while his head felt icy cold.
It was a strange feeling where two opposing emotions coexisted, but Arteon focused more on reason.
‘If I go to the imperial palace….’
Arteon narrowed his eyes.
Perhaps he might be able to find the mastermind who had betrayed them and stabbed them in the back in his past life.
“Are you nervous?”
“Pardon? Ah, no.”
Seeing Arteon’s slightly stiffened expression, Raichen let out a small laugh.
“The division commander will call you and explain the details. The list isn’t finalized yet, but I don’t think you’ll be left out, so I wanted to tell you in advance.”
“Thank you for your consideration, sir.”
“Haha, consideration, nothing like that. I’ve even heard rumors that thanks to you, I’ve been put on the promotion list as well.”
Raichen stood up again.
The gentle smile he had been wearing faded into a serious expression as he spoke to Arteon.
“But setting all that aside….”
He reached out his hand toward Arteon.
“Thank you so much for ending the war in this hellish place, Arteon.”
“…Sergeant Arteon.”
Arteon firmly grasped his hand, replying only with his rank and name.
And the next day—
A summons came down from the division commander, Belkein.
A carriage was racing along a rain-soaked dirt road.
Neither fast nor slow.
It swayed cheerfully as it crossed gentle hills.
Or perhaps it was the mood of those riding inside that was cheerful.
“We’ll arrive soon, won’t we?”
At Isaac’s mutter, Tertian, who was sitting across from him, asked.
“…Have you been there before?”
Since he had lived only in provincial cities before being dragged straight to the north, he had never even been near the capital.
Isaac nodded.
“It’s a splendid place. Completely different from the rural village where I grew up.”
“I’ve seen it in a book.”
“Could it be The Hill of Floren?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s the book that best depicts the splendor of the capital. I’ve even heard that the imperial palace deliberately printed many copies to distribute.”
“…I see.”
“More than that, it’s shocking that you read books. Can you read?”
“A little. I can’t handle difficult ones.”
“Still impressive.”
Most commoners never even had the opportunity to learn letters.
Isaac turned his gaze.
“But you’ve been lost in thought since earlier. What are you thinking about?”
“Ah, I was just looking at the scenery outside. It’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere that isn’t the north.”
Arteon replied, still looking out the window.
In truth, he couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since he left the north.
Six years… seven years…?
The blue sky, unlike the gray northern one, and the forest full of green leaves strangely made his heart feel light.
Isaac tilted his head.
“Where did you live before enlisting?”
“Whalekrun. It’s a small village at the western edge.”
“I’ve never heard of it. But I know you’ve only been in the army for about a year. Was it close to the north?”
“…Ah.”
What he meant by “a while” must have sounded strange to them.
Arteon smiled awkwardly and said,
“I guess I’ve been in the north so long that it just feels more familiar.”
“Heh heh, that can happen.”
Isaac chuckled softly, then looked out the window.
“It’s starting to come into view now.”
At those words, Arteon and Tertian turned their gaze outside.
In the distance, beneath the mountains, a massive city came into view.
The imperial capital, Polkerov.
A small smile formed on both their lips.
But—
“……”
The moment he saw the capital, Arteon’s gaze turned cold.
‘In there….’
The one who betrayed them and drove them to their deaths was there.
This commendation ceremony—
Perhaps it would allow him to grasp at least some clues about those bastards.
His gaze, filled with tangled emotions, was fixed on the outer walls of the city.
