Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Isaac Heads to the 3rd Legion
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The news of Isaac heading to the 3rd Legion spread throughout the entire Arrowhead Unit.
As a result, all sorts of rumors began circulating among the soldiers.
“Vice Unit Commander’s going to take part in the 3rd Legion’s Silver Knight promotion exam?”
“Why’s he heading there?”
“Who knows… Maybe it’s because our unit’s expanding to a thousand men this time?”
But no matter what guesses they made, no one knew the real answer.
More importantly, though, there was something else.
“But… our Vice Unit Commander won’t come back humiliated, will he?”
Someone voiced their concern.
Of course, they trusted Isaac, but the Silver Knights’ reputation was just that formidable.
At that moment,
Smack!
“Argh! Which bastard… uh… huh?”
“It’s me, you punk.”
“Squad Leader?”
The one who smacked the soldier on the back of the head was Ten-Man Commander Brandt.
Brandt scowled, his face etched with irritation as he glared at the soldiers present.
He soon spoke up.
“Say something sensible for once, you idiots. Our Vice Unit Commander getting humiliated by the Silver Knights?”
“No, we just…”
“We’re… a bit worried, is all.”
The soldiers shrank back, bowing their heads sheepishly. Brandt plopped down in his seat with a thud and clicked his tongue.
“Tch! I’m worried too.”
“W-We feel the same!”
“How could we not be worried?”
The men jumped to agree with Brandt. But he shook his head.
“No, not for that dumbass reason.”
“…Huh?”
“You know what kind of guys are in the Silver Knights, right? They’re not like us—guys who joined the army just to eat and survive.”
Brandt was spot on.
Even if they were all soldiers, the Silver Knights had completely different reasons for joining up.
“They’re all there for one purpose: getting stronger, climbing the ranks by any means, and bringing glory to their families.”
Brandt let out a heavy sigh. Then he continued.
“But imagine Isaac—someone with nothing to his name—tearing through those guys. Ugh… I’m already worried. What if a bunch of them get so impressed by Isaac’s skills that they beg to transfer to our unit?”
“What are you…?”
The soldiers could only blink in confusion at Brandt’s words.
* * *
Seila’s approval came through.
It seemed she’d wrapped things up well with the 3rd Legion Commander.
Before heading to the Silver Knights, Isaac stopped by to see Lian.
Lian gave a faint smile upon seeing Isaac approach.
“Nervous?”
“Yeah, honestly… a little. The Silver Knights have quite the reputation.”
“And what about your own?”
“Honestly, our unit’s pretty new, not that established… And I’m not even sure this approach will work.”
Isaac’s reason for going to the Silver Knights.
Truth be told, he lacked confidence.
Lian’s lips curled into a grin at Isaac’s words, and he burst out laughing.
‘Well… that’s understandable.’
Still, this was a good chance to make Isaac truly recognize his own strength.
How powerful he really was.
Up until now, Isaac had only fought desperate life-or-death battles in the Arrowhead Unit.
He hadn’t claimed many merits, but every enemy he’d faced was on par with a general.
Especially in that final battle at Bieltna—his opponent had been strong enough to be called a master.
Sure, there had been group attacks and various factors at play, but Isaac was the one who’d faced him.
“Have some confidence. You’re strong enough.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“And don’t worry too much about the assignment I gave you. Honestly… I’m not worried at all.”
“That’s what worries me. You’re expecting so much, and I don’t want to let you down.”
“Heh, I told you not to worry. Just go there and enjoy yourself.”
Besides…
‘If you catch Duke Gaiell Pitt’s eye, even better.’
In his past life, Duke Gaiell Pitt had taken Isaac under his wing and forged him into the kingdom’s strongest knight.
The fact that Isaac inherited the Pitt fief upon becoming a count showed just how much the duke cherished him.
Though he’d stepped back from the front lines, the 3rd Legion was tied to Duke Gaiell Pitt.
Isaac’s name was bound to reach his ears one way or another.
‘If that happens, Isaac’s future in this life could change too.’
Lian looked at Isaac with a pleased expression.
Isaac still seemed anxious, but he soon stepped back and saluted Lian.
Crack!
His right fist struck his left chest, and Lian returned the salute.
“Good luck.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
With their farewell, Isaac departed. Lian picked up the bow beside him.
There was nothing special to bring anyway.
All he needed was resolve.
“Guess it’s time for me to head out too…”
His calm, settled mood was mirrored in his serious expression.
* * *
Starting from the border of the Artian Kingdom, there was a neutral zone about 1 km away.
These neutral zones varied slightly by location, but Boreol’s character was distinctly clear.
It was a hotbed of conflict.
This was where bandits from the neighboring Siren Kingdom launched raids, plundering for food or slaves.
Unfortunately, the people of Boreol couldn’t leave.
They had nowhere else to go but Boreol.
It was like a miniature Bieltna.
Fewer than two hundred souls—adults and children included—guarded the village.
A neutral village most in the kingdom didn’t even know existed: Boreol.
Lian had learned of Boreol purely by chance.
“Around this time… he’d be about fifteen, right?”
At twenty years old, he’d led just fifty soldiers to crush a Siren Kingdom force of over three hundred.
It was the era when Byron was expanding territory through war, and meteors like Isaac rose to prominence.
Overshadowed by them, he hadn’t shone brightly, but his abilities were no less than theirs.
The pity was…
‘His active career lasted less than two years.’
Born in the neutral zones, he’d received no proper support, sent only to the most dangerous postings.
Sadly, he’d lost his life to a Siren general, his potential unrealized.
Of course, Lian hadn’t paid much attention back then.
He’d been struggling just to survive himself.
He’d dismissed it like anyone else—a mere drinking story.
But now, as he became a Thousand-Man Commander, amid his various thoughts, Boreol in the neutral zones came to mind.
If he could bring them into the Arrowhead Unit and properly train them…
‘Then they wouldn’t die so pointlessly like in my past life…’
He even hoped they might achieve more than they had before.
“E-Excuse me, sir.”
“…?”
Rian, riding a rickety cart toward Boreol in the neutral zone, turned at the driver’s sudden call.
“What is it?”
“I can’t go any further. S-Sorry.”
The white-haired old man bowed to Lian. They’d reached the border.
Lian stepped down from the cart and handed the old man a gold coin.
“Oh! Th-This much money…”
“But I have a favor to ask. Mind if I?”
“If this old man can do it, I’ll try my best.”
Lian pressed the gold coin into the old man’s hand with a smile. The old man’s eyes widened in surprise at Lian’s words.
“R-Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll do it.”
The old man’s eyes sparkled, and Lian nodded.
“Then I’m counting on you.”
With that, Lian headed toward the border.
The sun was setting, so he’d wait until full darkness.
He couldn’t cross officially right now.
Soon, night fell completely.
Rustle.
Crouching low, Lian slowly approached the wooden border wall.
Nothing special about the border.
Especially on the Boreol side.
Just thick logs driven into the ground, linked by thin iron—that was it.
Sentries watched from outposts every 50 meters, but in this darkness, it was as good as nothing.
Crack!
Lian crossed in an instant and quickly moved away.
Now he was in the neutral zone. Boreol was a bit further in…
“Long time no see.”
Before long, Lian murmured upon spotting the land nestled in a deep valley below.
Like anywhere, survival here meant constant fighting.
And right now was no different.
“Arghhh! Block them! Block over there!”
“The wall’s breaking! Help that side!”
“Die, you bandit scum!”
People fought with crudely made spears, sickles, and hoes.
A few had proper swords and spears, but not many.
Lian swiftly descended, nocking an arrow.
Creak.
Mana flowed from Lian’s body into the ring, heightening his senses.
As his enhanced vision sharpened, whoosh—!
His arrow sliced through the darkness, targeting a bandit’s head.
“Die, you filthy vermin!”
A bandit with an eyepatch over his left eye cackled, raising his sword over a fallen man.
Males weren’t needed anyway.
No mercy in his remaining eye.
But before his sword could strike,
Thud!
A dull impact—a arrow from somewhere pierced his right eye.
“Gaaahhhh!”
Darkness and unbearable pain overwhelmed him.
As the bandit threw his head back screaming,
“Arghhh!”
A rushing man slashed the bandit’s throat with his sword.
Slice!
“Gurk!”
Blood sprayed from the bandit’s neck as he crumpled.
The man who’d killed him by chance stared in shock at the arrow in the bandit’s face.
“An… arrow…?”
“Don’t get distracted!”
A shout pierced his eardrums.
The man snapped to attention, raising his sword.
Clang—!
“Ugh!”
Numb pain shot through his wrist, and he grimaced.
Getting distracted mid-battle.
Before his self-reproach ended,
Whoosh—!
An arrow flew past him, embedding in the throat of the bandit ahead.
The charging bandit flew backward from the impact, crashing to the ground.
The arrow’s destructive power was enough to hurl a man.
“An archer!”
“There’s an archer!”
Two dead by arrows, and the bandits’ morale shattered.
Chilling accuracy.
And dying one by one to single arrows in this darkness was nightmarish.
“Fall back!”
“Retreat! Retreat!”
Without intel, prolonging the fight would only invite disaster.
The bandits yelled and fled.
Boreol’s people, stunned as the fight abruptly ended, watched them go in confusion.
What… just happened?
And then.
“Phew, did I time it right?”
A mutter, followed by approaching footsteps.
The villagers gripped their weapons, tensing.
From the darkness emerged a man.
“…Who… are you?”
The sword-wielding man stepped forward as representative. Lian looked at him and replied.
“Someone here to help you all.”