Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 75. And (2)

The Allied vanguard battalion spent several days repairing the earthen fortress used by the Imperial Army.

This was to set up a new camp here.

The Special Task Force Company, as part of the vanguard battalion, also participated in this work.

“Quickly move the wood this way!”

“We need to repair the gate here first!”

“No, we have to fix this place first, not there!”

Although it was a bit chaotic, the earthen fortress was thankfully repaired quickly.

At least to a level where it looked fine on the outside.

Once the repairs were somewhat finished, Tobias called Roden and bestowed a reward.

As it was a vanguard battalion active on the front lines, a large-scale event was not held, considering the soldiers' fatigue.

Only officers of the rank of Deputy Platoon Leader and above gathered to hold a brief ceremony.

“The Special Task Force Company Commander, who not only succeeded in the rear disturbance operation but also helped the main force capture the earthen fortress, and twice took the head of a 4-star knight, is the undisputed first-class meritorious retainer of this battle. Therefore, the Special Task Force Company Commander is awarded a Steel Brooch, a suit of Juzerje plate armor, and a copy of a Superior Swordsmanship manual.”

Normally, when an enemy camp was captured, one could obtain a greater variety of spoils than usual.

This was because it was inevitable that one would get their hands on items that the hastily fleeing enemy had not had time to take.

Moreover, in the case of the Imperial vanguard battalion, they had not thought for a moment that they would lose this battle.

For that reason, they were able to obtain many valuable spoils for having captured the camp, and among them were the Juzerje plate armor and the Superior Swordsmanship manual.

And both of these were given to Roden as a reward.

A reward that could seem somewhat excessive.

But no one thought that such a reward was excessive.

On the contrary, they thought it was insufficient.

In fact, the rear disturbance operation was as good as being forcibly pushed by the military to sacrifice their lives for the greater good.

Clap, clap, clap.

Thus, amidst everyone's applause, a suit of armor and a book were handed to Roden.

But Roden's gaze was naturally directed towards the book.

The title <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual> was written on the cover of the book.

'Does this mean I've obtained two Superior Swordsmanship manuals in this battle alone?'

To be precise, one was not Roden's but Nedhab's.

But for Roden, who could not only memorize the entire contents of a book by reading it once but also master the swordsmanship, it was as good as having the <Sesuran Swordsmanship Manual> in his hands.

For that reason, Roden could not help but have the following thought.

'I'll be busy for a while researching the contents of the two Superior Swordsmanship manuals.'

It was as Roden was making his future plans.

Tobias, who was standing nearby, spoke quietly.

"I will not entrust you with any more dangerous operations alone. I promise."

To be honest, Roden's trust in Tobias was at rock bottom.

But he had no intention of refusing a promise that was offered to him first.

Regardless of whether he thought the promise would be kept or not.

For that reason, Roden nodded at Tobias.

Tobias, seemingly satisfied, smiled and patted Roden's shoulder once.

"Well, this concludes today's rewards. The company commander will conduct the rewards for each platoon separately. That is all."

***

Roden, as per Tobias's instructions, gave rewards to the Special Task Force Company separately.

He gave Steel Brooches to all the platoon leaders and deputy platoon leaders, and Iron Brooches to the soldiers who had performed well during the operation.

And he also awarded Copper Brooches to all the remaining soldiers.

A reward that could not help but feel somewhat insufficient compared to risking their lives.

But surprisingly, no soldier was disappointed with this reward.

The reason was none other than this.

“After a few days of rest, when we begin full-scale training again, I intend to impart one of the Superior Swordsmanship I know to all of you.”

This was because Roden had said this.

In fact, it was something he had been thinking about throughout this operation.

The number of people reaching the 1-star realm was increasing one by one, but they were all only learning the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship.

It was a bit out of place and disadvantageous in actual combat.

This was because in a duel between knights, the tide of victory could change greatly depending on how many secret techniques one had.

For Roden, who wanted to make the Special Task Force Company even stronger, it was a very disappointing matter.

For that reason, Roden decided to impart a Superior Swordsmanship to the Special Task Force Company.

'In the end, the reason I was able to survive this operation safely was because the entire Special Task Force Company had become strong enough. So, I must continue to make the Special Task Force Company stronger.'

However, Roden's words could not help but be quite shocking to the Special Task Force Company.

To teach them, who were not knights, or who had not been knights until recently, a Superior Swordsmanship.

It was a story that was hard to believe even after hearing it with their own two ears.

"...What did he just say?"

"Uh... I don't know. I think I heard something too."

For that reason, there were even people who had such conversations, as if they were dumbfounded.

But Roden paid no heed and continued.

"The name of the Superior Swordsmanship I have decided to impart to you is the Broom Swordsmanship. It is something that the Infantry Platoon Leader and I learned by chance when we were conducting a rear disturbance operation as part of the transport battalion. And with the special permission of the Infantry Platoon Leader, I have decided to impart it to you all."

Only after Roden added this did the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company, who had finally realized that they were really learning a Superior Swordsmanship, let out cheers.

"Waaaah! Long live the Company Commander!"

"Thank you, Infantry Platoon Leader!"

At this, Chevalier took a step forward and spoke.

"I was just lucky enough to be able to learn the Broom Swordsmanship thanks to the Company Commander. To say that I gave permission is absurd."

Roden chuckled at Chevalier's words.

Then he replied.

"This is why I like the Infantry Platoon Leader. Even when I give him a golden opportunity, he doesn't know how to take it."

At Roden's joke, the entire Special Task Force Company burst into laughter, and Chevalier's eyebrows twitched as if he were embarrassed.

Roden watched him and continued.

"Anyway, since things have turned out this way, let's all rest well and see each other again at the next training. It won't be easy to learn a new swordsmanship, so everyone be prepared."

Roden added a word of warning, but no one was scared by it.

On the contrary, the faces of the soldiers who were scattering to rest were filled with smiles.

***

Thus, Roden returned to his barracks after the surprise announcement.

Although it was a new barracks built in a new location, having a place to rest his body comfortably brought peace to his mind and body.

'But it's not time to rest.'

Roden picked up the <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual> that he had carefully set aside.

And the moment he opened the book,

Pewww!

A strong light poured out, and Roden read through the <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual> in an instant.

This time too, it took about 30 minutes to finish reading.

'Interesting.'

Reading was always a pleasant activity for Roden.

But reading a Superior Swordsmanship manual was especially enjoyable.

This was because by reading a Superior Swordsmanship manual, Roden could obtain research topics that he liked as much as reading.

And after reading the <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual>, he was also able to obtain a new research topic.

It was only natural, as the <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual> also contained a secret technique and a secret method.

'Let's practice the secret technique of the <Incapie Swordsmanship Manual> tomorrow while sparring with Chevalier. I was planning to teach him the Variola Swordsmanship starting tomorrow anyway.'

That was right.

In fact, Roden had not just suggested sharing the Broom Swordsmanship with Chevalier.

He had decided to teach him the Variola Swordsmanship in exchange for sharing the Broom Swordsmanship.

Chevalier had insisted that he didn't have to do that and had refused, but Roden had pushed the matter.

For Roden, Chevalier, who silently followed him, was also a very precious existence.

Just one person.

If he had to entrust his back to someone on this battlefield, Roden would choose Chevalier without hesitation.

The two of them had built up that much trust.

'Above all, Chevalier also needs various secret techniques.'

Thanks to his consistent training, Chevalier was on the verge of reaching the 3-star realm.

But to have only one secret technique.

For Roden, who had to entrust his back to Chevalier, it could not help but be a very disappointing matter.

For that reason, Roden decided to impart the Variola Swordsmanship on this occasion.

'Secret techniques are definitely important. The reason I was able to easily deal with the 4-star knight in the last battle was also thanks to the secret technique of the Sesuran Swordsmanship.'

The secret technique of the Sesuran Swordsmanship that allowed one to imbue a sword with aura and throw it. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveIꜰire.net

At first, this secret technique seemed useless.

This was because for a knight to let go of their sword on the battlefield was a form of suicide.

But at an unexpected moment, he got a good opportunity to use the secret technique, and thanks to that, he was able to easily deal with Bomel.

Therefore, Roden was able to realize how important it was for a knight to learn various secret techniques.

'Anyway, I can experiment with the secret technique tomorrow while teaching the Variola Swordsmanship, but for today, I have to research the secret method first.'

No matter how important the secret technique was, it was not more important than the secret method, in Roden's opinion.

After all, if one did not raise their aura level, they could not win a fight no matter how many secret techniques they had.

In particular, since they had not been able to train for a long time because of the operation, research to increase their aura was essential to make up for the gap.

'Then let's research the secret method of the Sesuran Swordsmanship first.'

The secret method of the Sesuran Swordsmanship for increasing aura.

That secret method was 'Aura Storage'.