Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Dispatch to Bieltuna
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The Arrowhead Unit received its first official combat deployment order.
But upon reading it, Rian's expression turned gravely serious.
'Bieltuna...?'
He double- and triple-checked it just in case, but it was indeed Bieltuna.
Rian was all too familiar with the place.
It was a notorious disputed territory within the kingdom, known as a fierce battleground with considerable difficulty.
"Hmm..."
Yet sending a brand-new unit straight to Bieltuna felt like an intention that was all too obvious.
"Does this mean we're inevitably drawing attention..."
Whether this attention was positive or a test, he couldn't tell.
Rian stared blankly at the order.
Amusingly, though it was called an order, it wasn't one at all.
It was merely a request asking if they could head to Bieltuna and lend their strength to the kingdom.
In other words, the choice was Rian's to make.
And his decision had already been made the moment he read it.
"What's wrong?"
"It's a request asking if the Arrowhead Unit can move out for the Bieltuna conflict."
"A request? Not an order?"
"That's right, a request. They've left the decision to me."
"...What kind of place is Bieltuna?"
Rian gave Isaac a look of surprise at his question. But he soon realized it made sense.
'At this point in time, Bieltuna isn't widely known yet.'
Even in his past life, Bieltuna only gained fame after one man completely pacified it.
Its history only became known after that man fully subjugated it and turned it into kingdom territory.
Rian looked at Isaac, who was watching him intently, and said,
"It's a dangerous place."
"A dangerous place?"
Rian briefly explained Bieltuna.
The terrain made it hard to subjugate the barbarians entrenched there.
To take them down, one had to pass through Porhen Gorge, which could be completely sealed off by as few as a hundred men.
On top of that, the barbarians attacked day and night without warning, so combat could erupt at any moment.
"That's why it's been impossible to subjugate until now."
"So if we can't subjugate them, we won't know when we'll be done?"
"It could take years."
Isaac's face darkened at Rian's words. After a moment of thought, he looked at Rian and said,
"The fact that no one's subjugated it yet means it's that tough... But if we pull it off, the Arrowhead Unit's reputation will soar even higher."
Rian couldn't help but chuckle at Isaac's response.
He had called it dangerous, yet the boy wasn't thinking about failure at all.
Instead, he was focused on the rewards of success.
'As expected of him.'
Rian shared the same mindset.
It might be a risky first assignment, but there had been no easy paths so far.
From the near-annihilation of Eagle Company at Phelon Gorge to the Battle of Saleron.
Rian and Isaac were different.
Rian had over twenty years of military experience, while Isaac was still a boy with just over a year under his belt.
Yet here he was, thinking this way.
'It means their caliber is on another level from the start.'
If something couldn't be changed, he focused on solutions rather than pointless worries.
Rian lightly patted Isaac's shoulder at his words.
"You're right. It's dangerous, but if we carry out the mission well, our unit's prestige will spread far and wide."
"So we're going?"
"I decided the moment I read the order. Sorry, I was testing you."
"It's fine. If I ever stray off course, please set me straight, Commander."
Rian patted his shoulder again.
Isaac grinned.
"I'll gather the ten-man commanders."
Rian nodded.
Soon, Isaac brought all the ten-man commanders.
Every one of them was drenched in sweat.
"Gather round. I have important news."
"What is it?"
"Transfer orders?"
They all stared at Rian with tense expressions, matching his serious demeanor.
Rian nodded.
"We've received a support request. The location is Bieltuna."
"Bieltuna?"
"Where's that?"
"It's a small town to the northwest. But this isn't a direct order—it's purely a request. We can refuse if we want."
"Hmm... But is there any reason to refuse?"
"They're asking for help because they need it. No need to turn them down."
Kyle and Brandt chimed in one after another.
The other ten-man commanders seemed to nod in agreement, but
"Bieltuna is different."
Hendrick, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Isn't that the region locked in long-term conflict with the barbarians?"
"You know Bieltuna?"
"Not nearby, but I'm from Valkoren, so I know a little."
With a hardened expression, he continued.
"I hear it's practically impossible to subjugate due to the abnormally wide Porhen Gorge."
"Exactly. To take them out, you have to go through Porhen Gorge, and a hundred men can completely block the pass."
"That's why it hasn't been subjugated in over a decade, and the barbarians have grown stronger in the meantime. Battles break out day and night without warning, and almost no one returns alive from units stationed there."
As Hendrick spoke, the ten-man commanders' faces grew stiff.
They hadn't even imagined it was that dangerous.
And Hendrick put the final nail in the heavy atmosphere.
"That's why the locals call Bieltuna the grave of young soldiers."
"You know it well."
"My close friend... died there."
The mood turned solemn at Hendrick's words.
No one spoke first, just exchanging glances.
Rian asked Hendrick,
"So, what's your take?"
"I think we shouldn't go."
"..."
"Logically speaking."
"...?"
Rian looked at him quizzically. Hendrick clenched his fist and met Rian's gaze directly.
His eyes were unwavering.
Filled with resolve, Hendrick spoke as if he'd made up his mind.
"But I think the Arrowhead Unit has to go."
"...Why?"
"If it were the old me, I'd refuse without a second thought. But after training with you and going through all those experiences, I get it now."
Hendrick's lips trembled slightly. Then he said slowly,
"Ah, our unit is the real deal. We won't lose to anyone."
Every day had been hellish training.
But each time they overcame a major hurdle, they grew stronger, and their prestige rose.
"Bieltuna is incredibly tough, no doubt. Maybe even beyond our current strength. But... I think we'll come out even stronger if we break through it."
"..."
The other ten-man commanders' expressions turned reverent at Hendrick's words.
Though unspoken, his words ignited a fire in their hearts.
Kyle spoke up.
"That's right! That's us! Tucking tail and refusing a rough assignment isn't our style!"
"Woo!"
Arthur shouted in agreement.
Beside him, the mischievous Polk let out a small chuckle.
"Heh heh, the quiet one who usually keeps his mouth shut just said something pretty cool."
"I think we should go too."
Following Brandt, Aeron, Jedron, and Semut all nodded.
Rian unconsciously clenched his fist.
'I'm... lucky.'
He meant it sincerely.
Could he be any luckier?
He was deeply grateful to have such brave, like-minded comrades by his side.
Rian said,
"Let's go. To Bieltuna."
Bieltuna, known as the grave of young soldiers.
In his previous life, it had been pacified by a young commander. But
'This time, I'll be the one to subjugate it.'
Rian's mind cooled to icy clarity, while his heart burned hot.
* * *
A man wearing an eyepatch over one eye stared impassively at the distant setting sun.
This time, as the sun slowly sank, filled him with the most dread.
But regardless of his fear, Homel—his closest aide—approached.
"Captain Varus, the support troops have accepted."
"How many?"
"...A hundred men."
"Kukuku, a measly hundred. Probably just sending more useless greenhorns, damn it."
Varus spat out a rough curse, then clamped his mouth shut.
A heavy silence fell, but both men knew.
Even this moment of wordless gazing ahead was precious.
At last, the sun fully dipped behind the distant mountains, and darkness blanketed the land.
With the despairing darkness came the faint sense of something moving far down the gorge.
He couldn't see what it was, but he didn't need to.
It was a daily occurrence.
"How many combat-ready soldiers do we have?"
"Excluding the wounded, about three hundred fifty now."
"..."
No sigh came; the grief was swallowed silently.
At Varus's silence, Homel said quietly,
"But reinforcements coming means there's still hope, right?"
"Lieutenant Homel."
"Yes, Captain."
As Homel replied, Varus pulled a cigarette from his pocket.
In this place, even these cheap, ragged smokes were treasures. But if not now, there'd be no chance to enjoy one.
A red glow flickered in the darkness as the ash burned away.
When the smoke he exhaled stretched long, Varus asked Homel,
"How many years have you been here with me?"
"Five years."
"That's plenty of time for any romance to fade, isn't it?"
"..."
Homel had no reply.
He agreed too painfully with the words.
Varus inhaled deeply again and exhaled a sigh-mingled plume.
"The kingdom has abandoned this place."
They just left it as a disputed zone, a graveyard for the expendable.
No will to resolve it.
And now, faint vibrations began in the darkness.
No time for sentimentality while staring into the night.
Varus said lowly,
"Prepare for battle."
"Yes."
With that, Homel hurried down from the ramparts.
Varus, left alone atop the wall, slowly turned.
Right now, the demons opening the gates of hell were approaching.