Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Commander's Fall
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Creak.
The moment the three, including Raymon, charged at Karouldin, Rian secretly took aim at him.
‘I can’t just shoot normally. I have to end it in one shot.’
Against a monster like that, failure would expose his position, and it would lead to the same crisis he faced against Furokuta earlier.
But if that guy charged at him unlike Furokuta…
‘I’d be 100% dead.’
That was a conclusion so certain it didn’t even need an ‘if.’
Creak. Creeeak—!
Standing behind the rock, Rian pulled back the bowstring, his gaze fixed solely on Karouldin.
The taut bowstring stretched bit by bit, and the worn bow groaned in protest.
That was how crucial this one shot was.
‘It’s coming… it’s coming…’
In a fight like that, a single chance would surely come.
Rian waited for it, holding even his breath.
“Got you—!”
Second Platoon Leader Holun shouted as he slashed at Karouldin’s leg.
Was the tide turning in their favor?
For a split second, Rian eased the tension in his arm while keeping the bowstring drawn.
If they could handle it without his shot, there was no need to interfere with their fight.
But,
Crack!
“Guh!”
Karouldin grabbed Holun by the throat and lifted him up as if the blood flowing from his leg meant nothing.
‘What, what is that?’
A monster like that?
Rian, about to release the arrow, drew the bow again and aimed at him.
He had hoped Raymond and Brian might do something, but then—
Whoooong—!
Karouldin’s eyes flashed, and a faint red light flickered along the blade of the halberd he held.
Boom!
“Kehek!”
“Uwaaak!”
Raymond and Brian were sent flying by the halberd swung with one hand, tumbling across the ground.
Unbelievable destructive power.
Rian’s eyes shook violently as he watched.
“A… Aura?”
For a brief moment, a red energy had flashed from the guy’s weapon.
He hadn’t seen wrong.
It was Aura.
‘He can use Aura?’
Insane!
The battle in Pellon Gorge had never been about a barbarian ambush to begin with.
It was a one-sided massacre due to an absurd gap in skill.
Who could have imagined the enemy commander was an Aura user on the level of a general?
‘I have to stop him…!’
The only hope was that he was still an incomplete Aura user.
If he could wield Aura properly, he would have used it before taking any wounds.
‘And the Aura’s glow was incredibly faint.’
There was a chance.
Rian gritted his teeth.
He wasn’t sure if this wretched body could pull it off, but…
‘I have to do it…!’
Failure meant death for everyone here.
Sweat trickled down beside Rian’s temple.
Creak.
Rian twisted the arrow slightly on the drawn bowstring.
The bowstring trembled, and his fingers felt like they might tear.
‘Hold steady!’
The aim was already unstable enough, but he had to do it.
If he could shoot true, he could create a ‘special’ trajectory.
Though the angle Rian could manage was extremely slight.
‘The wind… is blowing from the left.’
Feeling it brush lightly against his cheek, Rian gauged the wind direction. He steadied his breathing and stared at Karouldin.
Pew—!
Screeeeech!
The arrow left Rian’s hand and hurtled toward Karouldin at blinding speed.
It tore through the air, curving as if turning.
“……!”
Whoosh!
Karouldin urgently leaned back and turned his head.
Holun, whom he had been holding, dropped to the ground coughing, while Karouldin glared wide-eyed in the direction the arrow came from.
There, he saw a boy holding a bow.
“……A kid?”
A youthful face with baby fat still intact.
A body not yet fully grown—how could he shoot an arrow with such power?
No, the power was impressive, but not truly threatening.
It just felt strong for his age.
The problem wasn’t the power, but the trajectory.
‘The arrow… curved in?’
Impossible.
He had anticipated the straight-flying arrow and blocked it with his halberd.
He was certain he had perfectly blocked it head-on with the blade.
Yet the arrow he thought he’d obviously blocked curved oddly, bypassing the halberd and flying straight at him.
If he had hesitated even a fraction of a second, his throat would have been pierced, and he’d be lying on the ground now.
‘Dangerous.’
Karouldin’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
And in that moment, one more person confirmed the situation.
‘Rookie… Rian?’
What was that arrow just now?
Even that swift Karouldin couldn’t block it and had to dodge.
He hadn’t seen it clearly, but it was definitely different from any arrow he knew.
“Holun, you okay?”
“Kuh…! Yes, sir. I let my guard down for a moment.”
Holun, now back on his feet, raised his sword again. Raymond shouted loudly at Rian.
“Rian! Prepare your next arrow!”
He had thought of a way to kill that monster.
Rian looked at him in surprise at the shout.
“We’ll pin down his movements. Can you do it? Brian, Platoon Leader Holun!”
“Of course!”
“We’ll hold him no matter what!”
At Raymond’s words, the two replied with fierce glares and charged at Karouldin again.
Deep wrinkles formed between Karouldin’s brows.
“You insolent fools…!”
Karouldin gripped the halberd with both hands and swung at the oncoming Raymond. But,
Screeeeech—!
Another tearing whoosh from afar, and Karouldin hastily raised his halberd.
Claaaang—!
The halberd blade trembled from blocking the arrow.
Having experienced it once, blocking this time wasn’t impossible.
But that wasn’t the problem.
Slash!
The moment he focused on blocking the arrow, Raymond and the platoon leaders’ swords sliced into Karouldin’s body.
“Kuh!”
Blood trickled from his tightly clenched lips.
Enduring the pain, Karouldin glared at the men aiming swords at him.
“ZKDNFELS!!”
“ZKDNFELS WLZU!”
Barbarian officers rushed to save Karouldin belatedly, but,
“Block them! Don’t let those guys through!”
“Kill their leader and it’s over! Shields up!”
Up front, the other platoon and squad leaders shouted, intensifying the battle.
From the barbarians’ perspective, losing their leader meant the end, so they abandoned defense for ferocious attacks.
Naturally, more blood spilled, and more soldiers died.
But even so, Raymond, Brian, and Holun focused entirely on Karouldin.
He was wounded, but it wasn’t time to let their guard down yet.
‘A monster… of a guy.’
Normally, such wounds would break one’s will.
But he lifted the halberd as if unbothered.
And once more, Karouldin’s halberd gleamed red.
“Dodge! Don’t block it no matter what!”
Raymond shouted.
Now knowing the enemy could use Aura, a head-on clash was suicide.
Boom!
The ground cratered where Karouldin struck, sending stones flying everywhere.
Unbelievable destructive power.
“I’ll kill you all quickly…!”
Karouldin spoke fluent kingdom tongue, eyes bulging.
The arrow was highly threatening, but after two attacks, he had grasped its path.
‘Two or three more at most…!’
The expected number of arrows while killing these three.
Dodge those, and it was over.
“Uwaaaaaah—!”
Karouldin roared like a beast and charged at Raymond.
Brian and Holun immediately flanked him, swinging their swords, but whoosh! Boom!
Dodging Holun’s sword, Karouldin spun his waist and swung the halberd.
The instant Aura gathered on the blade,
“Gurrk!”
Power so immense no proper scream escaped.
Brian flew over three meters, staggering to his feet.
He’d survived thanks to his shield, but several bones were likely fractured from that blow.
And in that gap, Karouldin stood before Raymond, raising his halberd.
‘I, I’m dead…!’
Raymond’s instincts screamed.
He couldn’t block this attack.
Karouldin gripped the halberd with both hands, focusing all his power on him.
“Company Commander!”
Holun rushed forward shouting, but Karouldin’s halberd struck first.
“Die.”
Screeeeech!
At the same time, a whoosh pierced toward his ear. Another arrow?
“I’ve figured out all your attacks…”
Thuk—!
“……!”
Karouldin twisted to dodge the incoming arrow.
He thought he had it fully figured after two encounters, but,
“……A… counter…?”
Stagger.
Karouldin stared in disbelief at the arrow embedded in his left chest.
Squeeeelch! Thud—!
Another arrow followed, piercing his chest again.
“Cough!”
Karouldin’s body, which had seemed unbreakable, shook violently, blood pouring from his mouth.
‘By that brat…!’
To die here to some snot-nosed kid?
Grip!
Karouldin reversed his grip on the halberd.
He’d throw it and kill the kid first.
Whoooong—!
Karouldin poured all his Aura into the throw.
A meager amount, but more than enough for a child.
Spurt!
Immense pressure erupted from Karouldin’s body, sharp killing intent overwhelming Rian.
Rian felt his body stiffen instantly.
‘M-my body won’t… move…?’
What was this?
The oppressive aura of an Aura user?
His legs trembled, voice failing him.
If he threw the halberd in this state… 100% death.
“Hraaaah—!”
But then, a shout from right behind Karouldin, followed by slash!
Raymond’s sword swung horizontally, cleaving Karouldin’s side.
“Keok!”
His side split open, blood gushing.
As Karouldin buckled to one knee,
Slash!
Raymond’s sword took his head.
Thud.
The head soared into the sky and hit the ground.
“The enemy commander is dead!”
“Company Commander Raymond took the enemy leader’s head!”
Raymond and Holun’s shouts echoed thunderously.
Raymond bellowed.
“Those who surrender will live! If any barbarians understand me, shout it loud! Resist, and you all die!”
At his cry, some barbarians who understood dropped weapons and prostrated.
“TKFFU! SHWNRDMA!”
“XNGKDGKA! DNFLRK WUTEK!”
The battle resolved in an instant.
Seeing it, Rian collapsed to the ground unbidden.
The final pressure from Karouldin had drained his strength.
“Ha… ha… did we win?”
The battle in Pellon Gorge had been near annihilation.
But this time, they turned it completely around.
‘We did it…’
A reversal thanks to Rian’s exploits.
Unable to contain the emotion surging in his chest, Rian shouted.
“Uwaaaaaah!”
A victorious roar burst from Rian’s mouth.
* * *
Naturally, the journey north for reinforcements changed.
No major issues arose.
The victory in Pellon Gorge was merit enough in itself.
They handled the dead comrades’ bodies and set up temporary tents for the wounded.
“Rian! The company commander summons you. Go now.”
“Yes? Oh, yes!”
At Squad Leader Derek’s words, Rian suppressed his pounding heart.
Rian’s merits in the Pellon battle were immense.
He had guided the path on the special rear mission, and above all, killed Furokuta, the barbarian officer blocking the rear.
He had also greatly aided in slaying Karouldin, their greatest obstacle.
‘…No way.’
But he decided not to expect too much.
He didn’t know Raymon’s character, but most superiors Rian knew naturally claimed subordinates’ merits.
At least many saw him kill Furokuta, so maybe some credit?
Before even meeting Raymon, bitterness mixed with irrepressible anticipation.
Rian headed to Raymon’s tent.
“Company Commander, sir! Third Platoon, Fourth Squad, Rian reporting!”
“Enter.”
A low, steady voice.
As Rian entered, Raymon turned to face him.
Bandages peeked from under his armor.
A fierce battle—odd if he had no wounds.
Raymon smiled faintly at Rian.
“Rian, this was your first battle since enlisting, right?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Must have been nerve-wracking. You racked up merits unbelievable for a rookie.”
He approached and lightly patted Rian’s shoulder.
“But were you always that good with a bow? I’m no archer myself, but I have an eye… and your shooting seemed somehow different.”
“O-overpraise, sir!”
“No, it was truly impressive. Without you, killing that monster would’ve been impossible.”
Raymon recalled Karouldin with a wry smile.
Even with him and two platoon leaders—three against one—they were no match.
That was how strong Karouldin was.
Raymon looked at Rian.
“Officially, your merits will be recognized and rewarded later. But separately, I want to do something for you myself.”
“……Pardon?”
Rian looked surprised.
Raymon’s words were utterly unexpected.
Amused by the reaction, Raymon chuckled softly.
“Tell me. I’ll grant one request within my power. Money or promotion will come through formal rewards, so ask for something else.”
Company Commander Raymon.
‘Just who… are you?’
How did a true soldier like this die so vainly in his past life?
No—a true soldier fought to the end for his men and died.
At the unforeseen words, Rian clenched his fist unconsciously.
‘Money, position?’
No, what Rian wanted was different from the start.
“Company Commander, then… when the unit returns, may I use the personal training ground?”
“Personal training ground?”
Raymon looked genuinely surprised.
He expected a transfer to a better unit or similar, not this.
“Personal training ground… You need space for bow practice?”
“Yes, sir. Ideally an indoor one not visible from outside.”
“Hmm…”
Raymon exhaled softly.
Personal training grounds were a privilege for company commander rank and above.
No regular soldier had ever had one.
He wanted to grant the request, but even Raymon couldn’t give Rian a personal one.
“How about this? When we return, you can use my personal training ground when it’s free. Sound good?”
“That’s more than enough!”
“But it might mean very early or late at night. All right?”
“Your consideration alone is plenty.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. The space is small, so no bow practice there—I’ll request shooting range access at the training grounds separately.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Rian slammed his right fist to his left chest and shouted.
‘Secured the personal training ground. Now then…’
Rian began mentally listing his plans.
First up was…