Chapter 18
Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Genius Divine Archer Who Became a One-Man Legion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Adolph was the 5th Legion Commander.
He was in charge of a full three thousand soldiers and followed the 3rd Prince among the princes vying for power in the royal court.
“How could such a decision have been made, Your Highness? This is far too unjust!”
Adolph wore an expression of utter disbelief as he spoke to the man before him.
The 3rd Prince, Ethan.
He pressed a hand to his forehead, his face heavy with sorrow. Soon, Ethan spoke to Adolph.
“It seems we’ve fallen for Brother Byron’s schemes. I never imagined he’d already secured the elders.”
“Even so, Saleron is a dangerous place. And to send just a single battalion there? It’s no different from sentencing them all to death!”
Adolph’s expression darkened.
Truth be told, he knew it too.
In the current power struggle among the princes, it was the 2nd Prince, Byron, who held the upper hand.
And he knew Byron was scheming to whittle down the factions supporting the other princes.
But even so, how could they sacrifice those loyal to the kingdom?
Defending Saleron required at least one legion of three thousand men.
Yet the kingdom had dispatched only a single battalion of fewer than a thousand to Saleron.
“The barbarian hordes invading Saleron number nearly two thousand every year. No amount of defensive fighting can hold them back.”
Yes, he could understand using politics to weaken an opponent’s forces.
But what was this if not abandoning Saleron outright?
No matter how inscrutable politics could be, this crossed the line.
At Adolph’s words, Ethan fell silent. But then, looking at Adolph with resolve, he spoke quietly.
“Adolph, beyond the official battalion, we need to send a small detachment to Saleron.”
“A small detachment, you say...”
“It won’t be much help, but we have to do something.”
Ethan paused as if in thought, then continued.
“Divert one company and send them to Saleron. I’ll draw Brother’s attention elsewhere somehow.”
Thud!
At those words, Adolph dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
Even with one more company as Ethan suggested, they’d still be far short of what was needed.
But Adolph knew all too well that this one company could be a beacon of hope for them—and that Prince Ethan was pushing this at great personal risk.
“I, Adolph, shall obey Your Highness’s command!”
Ethan nodded gravely at those words. Then he asked,
“Then who should lead that one company?”
It was a posting to a special unit bound for Saleron, a potential deathtrap.
The utmost caution was required.
Adolph pondered Ethan’s question, head bowed.
Many companies from his legion came to mind, but one name suddenly flashed through his thoughts.
“Eagle... Company. I’ll send Eagle Company.”
“Eagle Company?”
“Yes. The unit that achieved a great victory against the barbarians who ambushed them in Pellan Gorge not long ago.”
“A great victory against an ambushing barbarian force... That’s an impressive feat.”
“By all rights, they should have been annihilated. Yet they returned with almost no losses.”
Adolph’s gaze was deadly serious.
Truth be told, their skill was one thing, but the operation had been utterly improbable.
“I believe they have luck on their side.”
“If they return victorious... I’ll grant them the highest reward within my power.”
“Yes... if they return alive.”
Adolph’s resolute voice carried an inescapable bitterness.
* * *
He knew the power struggles in the kingdom were intensifying.
But this was too much.
“Hoo...”
Eagle Company’s commander, Raymon, let out a heavy sigh as he stared at the letter before him.
It was a secret missive from 5th Legion Commander Adolph.
“2nd Battalion heads to Saleron, and we go first.”
That left no time.
According to the letter, even delaying the 2nd Battalion gave them at most two or three days.
To synchronize, they had to depart by tomorrow at the latest.
‘But...’
This was tantamount to marching his men to their deaths.
Following the plan meant they wouldn’t even reach the fortress—they’d have to engage the barbarians outside.
“Surviving Pellan Gorge is what’s tightening the noose around our necks.”
Of course, success would earn them merits beyond compare.
No, this mission might even shift the power balance among the princes, if only slightly.
‘Our fate hangs on the strings they pull, whether we like it or not.’
But such thoughts were for politicians, not soldiers like him.
What was the point of questioning a done deal?
Raymon rose from his seat, left his office, and spoke to the soldier outside.
“Summon all platoon leaders. We’re holding an emergency meeting.”
* * *
The situation had changed.
Eagle Company, originally assigned to the 3rd Battalion for Saleron, had received an independent mission.
After Tyler briefed him, Lian gathered his squad with a grave expression.
“This could get really dangerous. Everyone, stay sharp.”
“When do we depart?”
“Dawn tomorrow. Supplies will follow with the rear guard; the main force goes first.”
“Is it right to move this suddenly...?”
Isaac voiced his concern cautiously.
Everything felt too rushed, stirring unease.
But Isaac wasn’t the only one feeling it.
The mood was already sour over heading to Saleron, and this abrupt change only amplified the anxiety.
“No choice. The company commander’s wrestling with it too. We just follow orders and prep to move out.”
“...Yes.”
“Understood.”
“But... where are we headed?”
Brandt asked.
The distance to Saleron was one thing, but multiple routes were possible.
Lian shook his head.
“No decision yet. But they’ll notify us by evening, so let’s wait a bit.”
“Ha... I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“It’s frustrating, yeah.”
He understood his squad’s mood, but they couldn’t start off like this.
Lian looked at them and said,
“Don’t think that way. Baseless worries just breed more anxiety. Focus on what’s certain right in front of us.”
And soon enough,
“The platoon leader’s calling all squad leaders.”
Had they decided?
Standard routes to Saleron existed, but taking one would make it impossible to beat the 2nd Battalion there—dooming the plan from the start.
‘That’s probably what’s got them agonizing.’
It was a small force compared to a battalion, but still three hundred men from the company.
Even mountain paths required wide trails.
Lian headed to Tyler’s position, mulling over Saleron routes.
“Alright, everyone’s busy, so straight to business.”
With all squad leaders assembled, Tyler spread a map on the table and placed wooden markers with flags.
“Dawn tomorrow at 2 a.m., full readiness. We march north straight to Toledo for first resupply and rest. Then we bypass Rontion Mountains to Recapolis. The rest is still in planning, so primary goal: reach Recapolis as fast as possible.”
“Toledo to Recapolis...”
Lian studied the map closely.
Something felt off.
“Tyler, sir, doesn’t this mean circling around the Isis River?”
The Isis River had to be crossed to reach Saleron.
It stretched long along the kingdom’s north, narrow but lengthy—requiring boats.
He’d assumed they’d use vessels to cross.
But at Lian’s words, Tyler sighed.
“That’s exactly what had the company commander torn up. Recent strong currents make it impossible to float transport ships.”
No ships meant no way for three hundred soldiers to cross.
The Isis was variably deep but mostly so.
But suddenly,
“...We can cross it.”
“What?”
“What...?”
Lian’s murmur drew stares from Tyler and the other squad leaders.
“You can cross the Isis River? What do you mean?”
“There’s a way! Parts of the Isis are extremely shallow. If we use them right, the whole company can cross!”
Lian spoke loudly, unable to hide his excitement.
‘Upstream near the lightning trees—there’s definitely a spot waist-deep.’
Crossing the Isis for an operation had left a deep impression on Lian.
It was Claire’s battle, where fifty men slaughtered five hundred foes.
That feat elevated the then-500-Man Commander Claire to 1,000-Man Commander overnight.
And in under two years, she became a 5,000-Man Commander—the first female general in history.
‘A soldier from that area found the path back then.’
He hadn’t crossed it himself, but the memory was vivid.
One concern lingered:
‘Is it the same now as then...?’
What if it had changed?
But Lian shook his head.
River depths shifted over time, but Claire’s crossing was recent.
‘It was one thing that sparked my interest in strategy as a rookie.’
He’d just forgotten over the years.
Tyler asked Lian, who was still eyeing the map.
“Lian, you’re saying there’s a way across the Isis?”
“Yes, there is.”
“...Good. Follow me. We’re going to the company commander.”
With resolve, Tyler took Lian to Raymon.
Knock knock.
“Company commander, sir. Tyler here.”
“Hm? Come in.”
Seeing Tyler, Raymon’s gaze shifted curiously to Lian behind him.
“What’s this about?”
“Sorry to barge in, sir. It’s urgent. Lian here says he knows a way across the Isis River.”
“...What?”
Raymon’s expression hardened at Tyler’s direct report.
The implications were huge.
Raymon turned to Lian.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Head upstream, and at about two-thirds the river’s length, there’s a spot with ancient trees. Locals use a special path there.”
Lian indicated waist height with his hand.
“Waist-deep for a man. Tie a thick rope to the far side, and we can cross.”
“...”
Raymon fell silent at Lian’s words.
It was a gamble.
Choosing the crossing over the detour would slash travel time immensely.
But failure meant at least two or three extra days.
‘But...’
Raymon bit his lip.
He hadn’t told the platoon leaders, but this mission hinged on reaching Saleron fast for ambush—the lives of all Eagle Company depended on it.
Even an hour could decide their fate.
Swoosh.
Raymon looked at Lian.
‘This is the guy who spotted the barbarian ambush in Pellan Gorge...?’
But he couldn’t stake the company on uncertainty.
After a moment’s thought, Raymon said to Lian,
“Alright, Lian. Depart for there now ahead of us. A small group can arrive much faster than the main force.”
He pointed at the Isis area on the map.
“When we reach this point, if you’ve secured the crossing, we’ll head there. If not... we detour as planned.”
It was the best Raymon could devise—accounting for contingencies.
“Then... how should we signal? Give me the exact time, and I’ll fire a flare.”
“Good. We’ll be at Delti an Forest in... four days, at dawn. If no flare by sunrise, we go as planned. If you’ve found it, we come straight there.”
They’d need daylight to cross anyway.
Time was tight, but...
“I’ll make it happen, sir.”