The Appointment as Independent Battalion Leader
A faint scent of blood-tinged wind swept up from below the hill.
Velkain, his expression tense as he surveyed the battlefield, widened his eyes at the incoming report.
“……You say it was stopped?”
“A thousand enemy troops, yet they were repelled in such a short time? Does that even make sense?”
“Who delivered the message?”
The officers accompanying Velkain could not hide their shock.
To them, this was nothing short of a fatal timing for the ambush.
Moreover, they had only been attacking for a little over thirty minutes.
And yet the enemy had been repelled so quickly?
Before long, Claw lowered his head and continued the report to Velkain.
“After cross-checking the soldier’s account, the enemy split into two detachments: one attacking from the front and the other from the right flank. The right-flank force was completely annihilated, and among the central forces, the commander-like figure was killed, with over five hundred Kar tribesmen retreating.”
“……Five hundred?”
He had slain half the enemy’s force in such a short time.
But……
“Additionally, our own casualties are at a comparable level. At the moment the ambush began, most of the soldiers stationed below the hill lost their lives.”
“……I see.”
Though the loss was undeniably regrettable, considering the timing of the enemy’s attack, the damage was, in truth, nearly nonexistent.
In a guerrilla raid like this, it was common for hundreds of soldiers to perish without lifting a finger in mere moments.
More than that……
‘In our current situation where our forces are concentrated and visibility is poor…… we would have been even more vulnerable to ambush.’
Velkain unconsciously clenched his fist.
His decision to press forward, made by Major Hadmel, filled him with regret.
Of course, no matter what background Hadmel possessed, he could no longer speak out.
Velkain quickly asked Claw.
“Who repelled the enemy? If they were able to hold the line so early, we should have moved sooner ourselves.”
It was impossible for our forces to have reacted after receiving the command.
Otherwise, even pursuing the enemy’s movements would have been impossible.
At Velkain’s question, Claw replied.
“The greatest credit belongs to the Third Company of the First Battalion. Among them, Lieutenant Arteon anticipated the central enemy’s movements and struck from the side, while Captain Isaac blocked the forces ascending from the right flank.”
“……Again, Arteon.”
Velkain’s expression slightly twisted.
It was not because Arteon had earned the merit.
Every time crisis arose, Arteon had been the one to turn the tide.
Though one outstanding commander could change the face of a battlefield, the over-reliance on him in this theater had become too pronounced.
‘……What if Arteon had not been there?’
As commander, this was a grave matter to consider.
Still, it was fortunate that the situation had been overcome.
Velkain nodded.
“Quickly reorganize the forces and tend to the wounded. Gather the fallen soldiers’ bodies and cover them with cloth. Afterwards…… I will personally oversee their burial on the return journey.”
“Understood.”
It would take a day or two to stay here long.
With the front situation still unclear, there was no time to spare for burying everyone.
Because of the sudden battle last night, many soldiers had stayed up late organizing and maintaining guard duty.
Consequently, they could not rest as scheduled, but they were now standing in the enemy’s territory.
Not a single second of tension could be relaxed.
And at the same moment.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, no serious injuries among the company members.”
“That’s good to hear.”
At Grein’s report, Arteon nodded.
Something had felt off, and moving a step ahead had yielded a significant advantage.
By striking the side of the enemy ascending the central hill, they had been able to cut them off completely.
Moreover……
‘Thanks to that fellow charging in first…… the situation was easily resolved.’
The Kar tribesman who had been in the lead among those climbing the central hill.
His name had been Marhuldan, if memory served.
He had appeared to be the commander of the Kar forces, and his strength had exceeded expectations.
‘He definitely possessed three feather tattoos.’
But in terms of skill, he had been on par with the archer they had faced before.
Had that fellow fought using his subordinates as fodder, the battle might have dragged on longer, endangering their own casualties.
Seeing Arteon’s youthful face, perhaps Marhuldan had grown careless and charged in headlong, allowing a quick takedown……
“……”
Arteon clenched his fist.
Now that he had reached the 5-Star realm, he felt he had taken a step closer to his future plans.
‘Perhaps…… after this battle, I will be able to learn more about the central situation.’
While fighting the Kar bastards who had to be eradicated, Arteon was in the north, but his true focus remained entirely on the Empire’s center.
These pests who were fueling their bellies by prolonging this northern conflict.
Their goal was not to kill the ones from Arteon’s past life who had murdered his comrades?
He had only managed to learn about the plot so far.
‘……It is not yet possible to confront the Second Prince directly.’
He needed to build his forces more solidly and become even stronger.
To deal with them, he would need at least the 6-Star realm…… no, higher, the 7-Star realm.
“……Do not rush yourself.”
In his past life, even the 2-Star realm was beyond Arteon’s reach; he had not been able to wield mana at all.
Considering that, his current growth rate was nothing short of unimaginable.
“Sir Platoon Leader?”
“Ah, I was just thinking of something else. Please assist in moving the fallen and ensure you can rest.”
“Understood.”
After Grein turned and led the company members away, Arteon watched their retreating figures.
This battle had clearly shown him just how much stronger these soldiers were compared to ordinary ones.
The training that had begun since Elbarphiel Lake seemed to be bearing fruit.
‘Those who joined this time will require more training…… but even so……’
If he led from the front, he could surely annihilate a mid-sized Kar detachment.
Moreover, most of the Fourth Company already trusted and followed him.
A little at a time……
‘Building up forces is important.’
Arteon carefully organized the plans in his mind.
But soon, he turned his head.
‘……But.’
He was a bit late.
Considering his temperament, he should have called earlier.
“Predictor.”
Arteon’s expression darkened slightly.
Recently…… or perhaps from the very beginning of this new life.
The achievements Arteon had built in the north had been so immense that it was hard to call them merely the deeds of one man.
Moreover, the time taken to achieve them had been astonishingly rapid.
In just under two years.
Arteon, who had been fifteen, had accomplished it by seventeen.
‘Of course, many would be watching him closely.’
There were already forces in the Empire’s center moving to restrain him.
But that was not all.
In the north, their movements had become increasingly bold to sustain the conflict.
They had even assassinated General Brentar, the commander of this first northern advance, before the initial assault.
That alone revealed how ruthless they were.
And now……
‘After repelling this enemy’s attack…… even Velkain would be bound to have many thoughts.’
Perhaps at this very moment.
‘He might be holding a meeting with his officers while under intense scrutiny.’
It might even reach the point where his identity came under suspicion.
“Hoo.”
With all his resources focused, he sensed something about to grow more complicated.
But right now, he had to trust and leave it in others’ hands.
After all, Arteon had nothing he could do regarding it.
And how much time had passed?
After completing the arrangements, he entered the tent to rest, preparing for tomorrow’s advance.
“……?”
Lying on the cot, Arteon quietly opened his eyes at the approaching presence.
Unlike the sentries patrolling the perimeter, they were heading straight for his tent.
‘Upon reaching the 5-Star realm, my senses have become far sharper than before.’
Even while asleep, he could sense the approach.
Swoosh.
Arteon rose from his seat and stepped out of the tent.
At that moment.
“Lieutenant Arteon.”
“Staff Sergeant Claw.”
“……Did you already sense me coming?”
Claw asked with a slightly bewildered expression.
Arteon shook his head.
“I simply sensed it because I had been waiting.”
“……I see. As the lieutenant anticipated, Commander Velkain wishes to see you.”
“Let us go at once.”
At Arteon’s words, Claw nodded and led him away.
Claw, moving stealthily to avoid the sentries, guided Arteon not to Velkain’s tent but to a spot a little distance away.
And there.
“Welcome, Lieutenant.”
“Lord Steelheart.”
Arteon gave a small salute, and Velkain nodded.
His gaze was serious enough to suggest he had important words to convey.
“Lieutenant Arteon, I heard that you repelled the enemy forces ascending the central hill at an early stage. Is this true?”
“Yes, it is.”
At that answer, Velkain continued without delay.
“Without beating around the bush, how did you predict the enemy’s attack?”
It was the question he had expected.
As commander, it was only natural.
Claw’s expression also hardened at Velkain’s words.
It seemed words were already flowing because of this matter.
‘……It is best to speak plainly.’
There was no need to hide or evade.
Arteon answered Velkain’s question immediately.
“The mistake began with building a base on this very hill.”
“……What do you mean by that?”
“When we first established the base below the hill, I was astonished by the commander’s judgment. I had believed we had found the optimal location through scouting alone.”
“But this is not a hill?”
“Yes, that is correct. Simply considering the terrain of a wide hill, yes, but considering the darkness of the northern night, the hill’s base, and the surrounding terrain, the enemy attack would likely have been vulnerable.”
That was why, after quickly completing the base construction for the assigned sector, Arteon had gone out with the company members to scout and survey the surroundings.
“Though it could be said to have been pure luck, the experience I gained from scouting here proved a great help in achieving this merit.”
It was fortune, but claiming that the very cause of that fortune was skill was neither arrogant nor humble.
Velkain’s expression softened a little at the confident yet modest words.
However……
“Lieutenant Arteon.”
Velkain’s expression turned serious once more, as if he had made a firm decision.
Arteon lowered his head, gazing at him.
“Yes, Commander.”
“Effective immediately, you are appointed as the independent battalion leader for this battlefield. You are to move and report directly to me, the commander.”
“……Yes?”
“Assign one hundred battalion members to your company, including yourself. Move at first light, and arrange the reporting system directly with me.”
Velkain’s gaze flashed with determination.
He knew better than anyone how crucial this first northern advance was.
Moreover, Arteon had already scouted this plain.
Considering the judgment he had just heard, he was a necessary appointment.
As for Arteon……
“Lord Steelheart! I accept the order!”
Arteon answered without hesitation.
Being able to move as an independent unit.
‘Without being bound by the main force’s movements…… I can act freely.’
With the battles ahead.
There would be many things he could do.
Arteon’s eyes, fixed on Velkain, burned with sharpness.