Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Armed with the Bow
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It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that nearly every soldier in the Artian Kingdom used a spear.
It wasn’t because they were particularly skilled with spears.
For soldiers still inexperienced in battle, the spear was the most “efficient” weapon to use in war.
Its long reach allowed them to thrust from a distance, making it an incredibly powerful tool for those not yet adept at combat.
That said, not every soldier used only spears.
Those who had learned the sword at the academy or training camp sometimes wielded a sword and shield from the start.
Bows, however, were a different story.
They weren’t efficient for regular soldiers to use in the first place, and mastering them was far more difficult than spears or swords.
Unless they were part of an archery unit firing in volleys at a single point, accurately hitting distant enemies was something only veteran archers with years of practice could achieve.
“A bow...?”
“Yes, I’ve been shooting one since I was a kid. It feels more natural in my hands than a spear.”
“I hadn’t heard about that...”
“I’m sorry. I forgot to mention it because I was so nervous.”
Bark gave Rian a dubious look at his words.
But it didn’t violate any rules, and it wasn’t a difficult request.
“Wait here a moment.”
Bark hurried off to Derek.
Weapons could only be issued with an officer’s approval.
And Bark returned quickly.
“Take this to the supply unit in the rear, and they’ll give you a bow. Just in case, carry the spear too.”
“Yes, thank you!”
Rian took the paper Bark handed him and headed to the rear supply unit.
When he showed it, the supply officer looked surprised.
“A bow? You’re an unusual one. Hold on.”
He soon brought over a standard bow and a quiver full of arrows.
“This work?”
“Could I also get a glove to wear on my left hand? For protecting my wrist.”
“Oh, that.”
When drawing a bow, the string could snap back and hit the wrist, so protective gloves were necessary.
Once he had that on too, Rian politely thanked the supply officer and turned away.
‘Yeah... this is the feeling.’
Unlike holding the spear, it fit perfectly in his hand.
Feeling the familiar grip of the bow, Rian lightly plucked the string.
Its condition wasn’t bad.
‘Fifteen arrows.’
The number was a bit low, but it was enough to work with.
Rian slung the quiver over his right hip, held the bow in his left hand, and hurried back to his position.
“Our 3rd Platoon will swing around to the right of the canyon and hit the enemy from behind. It’s a steep climb, so grit your teeth and keep up!”
It was the same spot Rian had scouted earlier.
At the mention of climbing the right canyon, the scouting squad leader Tauran’s face twisted.
‘We’re going back there...?’
His legs were still shaking from before.
Just then, Platoon Leader Derek approached Tauran.
“Tauran, you scouted this route, right?”
“Yes? Oh, yes!”
“Then you’ve been there once, so guide the platoon along the path.”
“Yes? Ah...”
Tauran’s pupils shook.
Not only was he exhausted, but he’d only followed Rian’s back, so he didn’t know the route precisely.
‘I can’t say a rookie guided me...’
That might cost him the credit from the scouting mission.
Looking troubled, Tauran hesitated without answering.
“Platoon Leader, may I stand beside Squad Leader Tauran and guide together?”
“What?”
Derek turned to Rian, who had approached unnoticed. Rian looked at Tauran and said,
“I’ve been there once too, so I can assist Squad Leader Tauran. If you give me the chance, I’ll follow him and help with the guidance!”
“......”
It was a voice full of spirit.
But having a rookie handle guidance?
It didn’t make sense.
Still, Derek recalled what Company Leader Raymond had said.
Give him a chance if possible—the words echoed in his ears.
“...Fine. But the other squad leaders will be with you, so don’t get reckless. Just guide carefully.”
“Yes!”
With that, Derek began leading the platoon.
It was time to move out.
“When you reach the big rock climbing up, go right and keep ascending.”
“......”
Tauran nodded to Rian, who whispered as if to himself. Then,
“Thanks. You found the barbarians—you deserve all the credit, but you’re sharing it.”
He figured there might not be another chance to say it.
Rian just gave a small smile and shook his head.
“We’re comrades, aren’t we? Save the thanks until we survive.”
“...Weird guy.”
He didn’t seem like a real rookie.
Tauran looked at Rian in disbelief, but then Derek’s orders rang out.
Time to advance.
“No dawdling—follow or die! Fall behind, and your comrades die, then you do!”
“Stay sharp!”
“Yes!”
As they set off, the squad leaders’ shouts erupted.
Rian, running at the front beside Tauran, felt his heart pounding.
‘This feeling...’
To catch the enemy’s rear in sync with the main force, speed was everything.
In that case...
“Squad Leader Tauran, it’ll be tough, but I’ll guide the shortest route.”
“What? Wasn’t that the hard way?”
“That was the gentle one.”
“Shit.”
Tauran summed up his feelings with a curse. But he knew speed was critical for the plan.
As Tauran nodded, Rian whispered directions while running.
Tauran had to appear to be leading, after all.
“Left there. It’s steep—use your hands to crawl up.”
“Ugh, damn it!”
Suddenly, the ground steepened sharply.
Groans burst from the soldiers following behind.
“Keep up! Just stare at the ass in front of you and follow!”
With the squad leaders’ shouts, only the clatter of canteens on belts filled the air.
The uneven, steep terrain forced spear-wielding soldiers to grip with one hand and push off the ground with the other.
It was the fastest route, but just as grueling.
Tap!
Then Rian gritted his teeth, slung the bow from his left hand over his shoulder.
“Squad Leader Tauran, after this climb, it’s flat for a while. Just run straight ahead.”
“What? Hey!”
“I’ll go first and give a hand.”
With that, Rian scrambled up the hill on all fours.
He reached the top quickly and extended a hand to the lead Tauran.
“Grab on!”
The final slope was high with jutting rocks, draining stamina.
Anyone who’s climbed knows the difference grabbing something makes at the end.
As Rian stretched out and shouted, Tauran grabbed his arm.
“Hup!”
Rian pulled Tauran up with all his strength. Then pointed one way.
“Just run straight this way. No risk of enemy spotting until the downhill.”
“You—survive this. We’ll talk after.”
“Yes!”
Tauran took off first. Rian immediately turned back, extending hands to the following soldiers.
“Grab on!”
Like pulling people from water, Rian hauled them up.
The seventh one?
Pulling up Platoon Leader Derek, he immediately assigned two strong soldiers.
“Rookie, stick right behind Tauran. Mark! Paulson! Help the others here and follow!”
Even with breath ragged to his throat, Derek issued precise orders.
Soon, all fifty platoon members reached the canyon top and ran to the end.
Less than an hour to get here.
They’d run like hell.
At the canyon’s edge, Derek, now in front, gathered them and halted.
A bit further, and they could run into the enemy anytime.
This was the last safe spot for rest.
“Eat all your rations and water now. This is your last chance for rest and food.”
At Derek’s words, squad leaders quickly relayed to their men.
Faces like they’d survived death, they sprawled, wolfing down water and jerky.
Munch munch.
But even eating jerky, Rian kept watch around.
Derek had chosen a safe spot, sure, but battlefields were unpredictable.
Stuffing jerky in his mouth and gulping water, his eyes scanned constantly.
Derek watched Rian silently.
Was there ever a rookie like this?
After about ten minutes of rest?
Legs finally steadying, Derek addressed the platoon.
“When the signal flare goes up from main force, we charge. We don’t know exact enemy numbers, or if they’re all in the canyon.”
Sweep.
Derek eyed the whole platoon.
No danger scarier than a hastily deployed plan.
It might fail.
But they couldn’t just sit.
“Kill every enemy you see. And hope we regroup alive.”
A platoon leader with a romantic streak.
Rian smiled faintly at Derek’s words.
Usually, commanders like that die first in battle. But,
‘Not bad.’
Someone worth fighting for.
“There’s a village right after the next rest spot—heard their barley beer’s amazing! If we survive, can we drink the platoon leader’s treat there?”
A voice rang out.
It was Bark, 4th Squad Leader where Rian was.
All eyes turned to Derek.
Derek smirked.
“I’ll let you drink all night.”
No cheers answered Derek.
But all gazed at him with steely resolve.
They would survive.
Determination burned in every eye.
Soon, the whole platoon held breath, staring down the canyon.
Silence fell, hearts thumping in ears.
Piiiieeeee-!
A tearing sound—signal flare spewed smoke skyward.
“Waaaaah-!”
“Kill-!”
Battle cries echoed from the canyon center.
“Charge!”
Derek bellowed, sprinting toward the rear.
“Waaaaah!”
“Enemies! Barbarians!”
Before descending to the canyon back.
As if waiting, barbarians lurked there. Derek shouted,
“Kill them all!”
Through them shot one arrow.
Crack!