Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 71. Rear Disturbance (6)

In just one day, Roden mastered the Sesuran Swordsmanship.

It was cumbersome to read with a blanket over his head to avoid being seen of the strange phenomenon that inevitably occurred when reading a swordsmanship manual, but in the end, it wasn't a bad thing.

On the contrary, the light emanating from the swordsmanship manual made reading much easier.

“Thanks for lending it to me, Deputy Platoon Leader.”

As promised, Roden returned the <Sesuran Swordsmanship Manual> to Nedhab.

Nedhab reluctantly accepted the book and spoke.

“You could have kept it longer….”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already read as much as I needed to.”

Nedhab looked utterly unconvinced, but it was true.

He hadn't just mastered the swordsmanship.

He had mastered all the secret techniques and methods, and was even in the process of gradually forming a plan in his head to improve them.

However, the realization of this plan would have to be postponed.

Not long after he had mastered the Sesuran Swordsmanship.

He learned that a new pursuit unit had been formed and had begun to chase the Special Task Force Company.

It was a much later realization compared to the Allied vanguard battalion.

It was unavoidable.

It was impossible for the Special Task Force Company to place scouts near the enemy camp like the Allied vanguard battalion.

In the first place, the Special Task Force Company did not have any professional scouts, so it was only natural.

There were only people who were temporarily assigned to reconnaissance missions.

For that reason, Liviano could only grasp the movements of the new pursuit unit quite late.

It wasn't that he discovered them when they were right on top of them, but it was clear that the situation was not going well.

“Everyone, move out now!”

“We don’t have time for this!”

“Quickly!”

As soon as the Special Task Force Company received the news from Liviano, they hastily packed their things and began to flee.

It was a good thing they were always prepared to flee at any moment; otherwise, a considerable amount of time would have been delayed.

Of course, the situation was not one that could be taken optimistically.

“The pursuit unit seems to have anticipated our escape and sent their cavalry ahead!”

“The distance to the cavalry is closing fast! We’ll be caught in a few days!”

According to their confirmation, the number of cavalry was not very large.

It was only about a platoon in size.

But even this number was enough to effectively slow down the Special Task Force Company.

Every time the Archery Platoon shot arrows to keep the cavalry in check, the entire unit had to stop.

In effect, at this rate, it was a situation where they were bound to be caught.

‘But it's also impossible to have a straightforward frontal confrontation. The enemy's numbers are too high.’

He didn't think that the Special Task Force Company, which had trained hard and even had enchanted equipment, would be defeated.

But it was certain that they would suffer great damage.

For that reason, it was burdensome for Roden to engage in a direct confrontation.

‘Even if it's difficult, the best thing to do now is to shake off the pursuit unit somehow. A frontal confrontation is something we can do when the situation is really not favorable.’

Thus, the cavalry eventually caught up to the rear of the Special Task Force Company.

Then they tantalizingly closed the distance and then opened it again, teasing the Special Task Force Company.

At first, they ignored it, but suddenly they would close the distance with a swoosh and act as if they were about to charge, making their movements very annoying.

Even when the Light Cavalry Platoon was sent to deal with the cavalry, they would not fight and would flee far away.

Even though they were composed of heavy cavalry and could have put up a fight, they just ran away, buying time.

It seemed the pursuit commander had ordered them not to fight, but to just slow down their movements.

‘It seems a more experienced person is leading the pursuit unit than last time.’

Muhib, who had been a 4-star knight, was certainly a talent that could be classified as strong.

However, in Muhib's case, he didn't seem accustomed to pursuit.

The impression was strong that a man accustomed to field battles had boldly taken on the pursuit mission.

But this time, it felt like someone who knew what pursuit was all about was chasing the Special Task Force Company.

The movements of the cavalry proved this.

“Wouldn't it be better to just keep fleeing while keeping them in check with arrows?”

Olinto said, watching the Light Cavalry Platoon return after failing to catch the cavalry.

“……”

As Roden remained silent, Chevalier refuted Olinto's words.

“That would be better, but it will only be a matter of time before we are caught by the pursuit unit. Our ankles will continue to be held back.”

Of course, Olinto was not unaware of this when he spoke.

“That's true, but I said it because there's no other way to solve this problem fundamentally….”

With that in mind, he had suggested that they just buy some time.

Certainly, the situation was not very good.

At this rate, a frontal confrontation with the pursuit unit was unavoidable.

For that reason, Chevalier suggested.

“If we have to fight anyway, wouldn't it be better to fight now while our troops' stamina is still somewhat preserved? It's always the one being chased who gets more tired than the one chasing.”

It wasn't that Roden hadn't thought of this.

That it would be better to have a quick frontal confrontation than to expend their stamina in this way.

“……”

But Roden did not answer Chevalier's suggestion either.

In the meantime, Liviano returned leading the Light Cavalry Platoon.

His expression was gaunt, as if he regretted not being able to strike the cavalry.

“For heavy cavalry, they are surprisingly fast. It seems they're not Holsteiners for nothing.”

Normally, light cavalry should be faster than heavy cavalry.

It was only natural, given the difference in the weight of the equipment they wore.

And yet, the light cavalry company could not catch up to the cavalry.

It was because of the presence of the warhorse Holsteiner, as Liviano had mentioned.

‘It would have been nice if we could have used the Holsteiners we captured from fighting the Imperial cavalry during our time in the transport battalion.’

Of course, that was not possible.

The captured Holsteiners were first given to the vanguard and main battalions, which directly confronted the Imperial Army at the forefront.

At least the military officers could use the captured horses, and thanks to that, Roden was also riding a Holsteiner, but it was absurd for an ordinary cavalryman from the transport battalion to ride a Holsteiner.

For that reason, the light cavalry company was also using a warhorse called Gallia, which was commonly ridden in the eastern kingdoms.

It wasn't a bad horse, but it couldn't be compared to a Holsteiner.

Therefore, it was only natural that the light cavalry company could not catch up to the cavalry.

Knowing these circumstances, Roden quietly patted Liviano's shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Then he spoke to the three platoon leaders.

“Everyone, wait here. I’ll go and take care of it.”

“Yes?”

“What is that….”

“W-wait a minute!”

Roden paid no heed to the three platoon leaders shouting from behind and quickly spurred his horse toward the cavalry.

Just in time, the cavalry that had fled from the light cavalry platoon was also charging toward the Special Task Force Company again. Fınd the newest release on novel fire.net

The reason was obvious.

It was to interfere with the Special Task Force Company's movement once more.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Is the enemy commander really charging alone?”

The cavalry, which was charging toward the Special Task Force Company, belatedly discovered Roden and was puzzled.

It was only natural.

It was only natural for a commander to be charging alone toward the cavalry.

Unless one's aura level was exceptionally high, it was impossible to destroy a platoon alone.

The cavalry couldn't help but think that Roden had gone mad.

And Roden was indeed swinging his sword wildly like a madman.

The way he swung his sword as if there were imaginary enemies all around him looked like he was dancing.

The cavalry commander, just in case, watched him for a while and came to a conclusion.

“He's a madman. No need to be afraid! Crush him in one go!”

Thus, the cavalry increased their speed with the intention of taking Roden down in one fell swoop.

Their momentum was so fierce that it looked as if Roden would be pulverized.

But Roden had not charged at the cavalry without any thought.

From the moment Olinto first suggested keeping the cavalry in check with arrows, Roden had been rapidly converting a magic formula into a sword dance in his head.

‘I can't help it if they find out I can use magic because of this. Right now, I have to drive away the cavalry somehow.’

On the contrary, now was the time to use the secret weapon he had been hiding.

The entire Special Task Force Company was on the verge of falling into a dangerous situation because of a small number of cavalry.

Thus, Roden finally activated the magic with his sword dance.

And the identity of the activated magic was the 4th Circle 'Wyvern Fear'.

Piiing!

A sound that only Roden could hear.

The moment this sound was heard, magic waves spread out in all directions.

And due to the effect of this magic, the Holsteiners, who were said not to fear arrows and even jump into flames, suddenly stopped their speed and began to scream.

“Heeeeeigh!”

“Heeigh!”

The primal fear that all animals possess had stimulated the instincts of the Holsteiners.

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden!”

“Whoa! Whoa!”

The riders tried to calm them down somehow, but it was no use.

They thrashed about more and more violently, and then ran away in the opposite direction from which they had been charging.

Thud-thud-thud-thud! Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The sight of the cavalry fleeing in a flurry, as if their bold charge had been a lie.

Someone among the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company, who was watching from a distance behind, muttered.

“……Did he chase away the cavalry with just his spirit.”

For someone who didn't know that Roden could use magic, it was understandable to misunderstand like this.

There was no other way to explain the current situation.

The problem was that this misunderstanding spread like a contagion among the soldiers.

“Ah……. It was his spirit.”

“As expected of our company commander!”

“Waaaah! The enemy cavalry got scared of the company commander and ran away!”

Suddenly, the entire Special Task Force Company erupted in cheers like this.

It was a result that Roden had not expected at all.