Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Gerard the Archer
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Sure enough, the rumors spread fast.
It was inevitable, with nearly twenty applicants all bedridden for months.
Naturally, those who had submitted applications with impure motives didn't show up.
"Man... with all the thugs weeded out, the numbers dropped off sharp."
"Still more than our quota."
Kyle glanced at the applicants as he replied to Brandt.
Rian smirked at their exchange and stepped into the training grounds.
The real screening for Arrowhead Unit recruits began in earnest.
It wasn't much different from two days ago.
They checked basic kingdom spear techniques and asked about their reasons for joining.
One more thing, perhaps—any special skills?
They leaned toward accepting anyone who wouldn't cause issues in military life.
The applicants' skills were all similar anyway, and future training would make the real difference.
Even with lowered standards, some had to be turned away.
Excluding those applying to Eagle Company, they could only take about fifty.
The screening dragged on into the late hours, but not a single unit member complained.
They knew they were selecting comrades who'd share life and death with them.
"Good work."
"You too, sir!"
Only after sending off the last applicant did Rian stand.
Since they'd accepted almost everyone who passed, things wrapped up quickly.
Still, after screening so many, not one had the special skill Rian wanted.
"Ten spots open."
"We hit ninety from this batch."
"Why not the last ten?"
Kyle asked Rian.
He seemed puzzled why a hundred-man unit stopped at ninety.
Brandt, standing nearby, explained to Kyle.
"He wants archers for those ten."
"Archers?"
Rian chuckled at Kyle's question.
Everyone already knew, but it felt like he was being greedy.
Brandt said to Rian.
"Even if it takes time, it'd be good to get archers through applications."
"Plus, the unit commander's specialty is the bow. Having at least one squad of bowmen would help."
"Archers would give us a huge edge in combat."
Semut and Jedron, who usually got along well with him, chimed in.
Everyone seemed to agree with Rian.
But the bow was harder to learn from scratch than sword or spear.
Unless they were elite specialists, archers were rare.
'The guys from my past life were specialists to begin with... Can't just bring them in recklessly.'
Requesting specialists from archer-heavy applicant pools would be ideal, but Arrowhead Unit was newly formed—asking for elites was a stretch.
Rian gave a wry smile, and quiet Florang spoke up.
"Do you know a guy named Gerard?"
"Gerard?"
"Yeah, from my old unit. Personality's a bit odd, but I hear he can shoot a bow."
"Bit odd how?"
"Yeah... a real weirdo. Got transferred out because of it."
What kind of personality gets you transferred?
Kyle, beside him, asked Florang.
"What, disobeying orders? Beating up a superior?"
"Uh... kinda like disobeying orders."
"That's trash. Useless if we bring him."
Trash was slang for subpar soldiers.
Florang looked conflicted.
"Not sure it's that bad. He handled basics fine."
Rian said to Florang.
"Intriguing. Where's he at?"
"We were close, kept in touch till a year ago. If he's still there... 2nd Legion, 3rd Battalion."
"2nd Legion..."
Far from their 6th Legion, but Raymond could make it happen.
Rian nodded.
"I'll look into it."
"Sorry to bother you."
"Nah, you never know. Might be useful."
"Commander, transferred for disobeying orders. Total trash."
Kyle pushed hard, but Rian ignored him and headed to Raymond.
* * *
Kingdom soldiers all learned kingdom spear techniques.
Not optional—mandatory.
Every unit relied on it as combat basics.
Periodic exams on kingdom tactics and spear arts were standard.
Fail, and you'd face discipline.
"Damn it!"
Clang-!
Blond hair, blue eyes.
The decent-looking man hurled his spear and cursed.
What the hell from morning?
A comrade who knew his temper said.
"Hey, Gerard. Fail this test, it's a pay cut. Third time—might get forcibly discharged."
"Screw 'em. What battle you fight with this crap spear?"
"Huh? Where you going?!"
Gerard stormed off the training grounds to a low hill by the barracks.
He grabbed the bow he'd left there.
"This is my weapon."
The white cloth wrapped around the grip was worn from use.
Gerard took a deep breath, grabbed arrows from his quiver.
Twang.
Pulling the string bent the bow with its signature sound.
He eyed his homemade target.
Just a wooden board with a circle drawn on it, but shooting from here felt good.
Thwip-! Whoosh!
The arrow tore through air, dead center.
No proper archery range.
Barely thirty meters to target.
Still, impressive skill.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Every shot hit center.
After exhausting a dozen arrows, Gerard sighed and fetched them.
With real training facilities, he could grow more.
He recovered the arrows, returned, and flopped down.
He'd enlisted at seventeen dreaming of generalship.
Now twenty-two.
Not even squad leader. Six transfers, no clear unit.
"...Damn it."
Glancing at the grounds below, Gerard cursed and stood.
Like his comrade said, fail the spear exam, more discipline.
This time, maybe not transfer—forcible discharge.
No home to return to; discharge meant death.
"Have to, even if I hate it."
Grumbling, Gerard headed down.
He'd ask squad leader Ralport for spear lessons.
...?
Descending to barracks, odd vibe.
All eyes on him as he entered the grounds.
"Gerard, where you been?"
"Tr-training... cooled off a bit. Why?"
"Transfer orders."
"...What?"
* * *
"...Huh?"
Rian stared at the reply to his letter, stunned.
On Florang's tip, he'd asked Raymond to find Gerard.
He'd sent a letter to the unit requesting info on him.
And if possible, permission to meet.
Can't just poach from another unit, even forming a new one.
But the reply was baffling.
They'd issued transfer orders to Arrowhead Unit the moment they got his letter.
"This guy... what the hell?"
How much of a thorn was he that a meeting request got him shipped off?
Rian sighed softly.
'Military life's like that.'
Jerks everywhere.
The replying officer outranked him—hard to argue.
Could tell Raymond, but didn't want to bother over this.
Besides,
"Transfer on receipt... he might arrive soon."
Rian muttered. Then,
"Unit Commander Rian, new recruit arrived."
Hendrick burst into his office.
Rian let out a hollow laugh.
"Already?"
"Who's coming?"
"...Never mind. Where?"
Rian followed Hendrick to the barracks.
Already ninety-plus soldiers; buzzing with energy.
"Oh, and fetch Florang."
"Yes, sir."
Rian met the rushing Florang and went to the recruit.
Blond, blue-eyed stranger.
"Gerard?"
"Florang! Whoa, what's going on?"
Florang and Gerard gaped on sight.
Florang looked to Rian.
"Some stuff happened. Let's... move."
Florang told Gerard to follow, and they headed out with Rian.
To the training grounds.
Unexpected recruit, but tests like everyone else.
Though Rian wanted something else.
"Gerard, right?"
"...Yes."
"Five years, lots of transfers. Hard to settle?"
"No."
"Well, you're here. Quick test."
Rian pointed to wall-mounted staves.
"Basic spear first? Florang, spar with him."
"Yes."
Florang grabbed a staff, expression heavy.
Gerard took one, rigid with tension.
'If I fail here...'
Vision darkened.
Sudden transfer, no thought of tests.
Worst, kingdom spear arts—his weak spot.
"Begin."
Step!
Florang lightly lunged, stabbing at Gerard.
Straight for chest; Gerard raised his staff in panic.
Clack-!
Florang probed a few more times. Clearly going easy—obvious.
"Florang, isn't babying him insulting?"
"Ah, uh...."
Florang froze at Rian's words.
He got it.
Florang sighed.
"Sorry. For real now."
He eyed Gerard again. Gerard swallowed, staring back.
Even with mercy, defense was all he managed...
Step! Swish!
Thirty seconds into real test.
Staff from low swept up, smacking Gerard's side.
Thwack!
"Urk!"
Gerard winced. Just the start.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Staff jabbed his chest repeatedly.
Gerard crumpled without proper block.
"...Hmm."
Not full power, even seriously. Just above standard test.
Even so, Gerard's spearwork was awful.
'I see why... somewhat.'
But that's not what Rian wanted.
Rian looked at fallen Gerard.
"Hey, Gerard."
"Ngh... Yes."
Rising, Gerard grimaced and groaned.
Rian asked.
"Heard you shoot bow decently."
Gerard's eyes flashed at the question.