Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 80. Rather a Chance (2)

Hearing Roden's words, Tobias's eyes widened and he asked. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on N0velFire.ɴet

"You want a chance. You don't mean you're going to follow the command's orders, do you?"

At Tobias's question, Roden quietly shook his head.

"No. That's not it. As we have already discussed, the command's plan has a low probability of success."

"Then?"

"I am going to try a different operation to capture Velia Castle."

"A different operation? Is there such a thing?"

Tobias asked, his eyes shining this time.

Certainly, for Tobias, it was something to look forward to.

It was Roden who had led the rear disturbance operation to success by devising an ingenious military strategy.

But Roden shook his head.

"I'm not asking for a chance because I've already set up a plan. I'm asking for a chance to set up a plan."

"What does that mean?"

"Yes. I want to leave the vanguard battalion and personally gather information to set up a plan to capture Velia Castle. Please grant me permission."

"Hmm…"

Tobias was lost in thought for a moment.

This was because he was not sure if it was okay to accept Roden's proposal.

But he soon realized what Roden was trying to say.

"Certainly, in this situation, we have to do something. It will take too long to capture Velia Castle by the book."

"That's right."

"So how are you thinking of gathering information? You're not thinking of moving the entire Special Task Force Company, are you?"

"That would be no different from carrying out the operation as the command wants. Instead, I intend to move only a small number of personnel from the Special Task Force Company to gather information."

"Who are you going to send?"

Tobias did not know much about the Special Task Force Company.

He knew from the last incident that the Special Task Force Company was a very strong unit, but he did not know the skills and personalities of each individual.

For that reason, he had asked Roden the question.

But an unexpected answer came from Roden's mouth.

"First of all, I will go."

Hearing that, Tobias was startled and asked back.

"You?"

"Since we need to gather information secretly, it would be right for the strongest person in the Special Task Force Company to step forward."

"That's true, but…"

"And I will move with the Infantry Platoon. Even if an unforeseen situation arises, I will be able to overcome it with the Infantry Platoon, with whom I have been working for a long time."

Tobias did not object to Roden moving with the Infantry Platoon.

If Roden were to move himself, it was only natural for him to go with the Infantry Platoon.

However, for Tobias, he could not understand why Roden was volunteering for such a dangerous task.

No matter how much of a soldier he was, how many people would be willing to risk their lives for an operation every time?

For that reason, Tobias asked Roden.

"If you're going to step forward, I have no reason to stop you. Someone has to find a way to capture Velia Castle quickly in the field. But why are you volunteering for danger? I just told you that you could take a break this time."

In fact, even Roden, whose goal was survival, did not like having to volunteer for such a dangerous task.

But he could not just sit still, as Michael's interference was too severe.

He had tried his best to stay out of sight, but Michael's obsession with Roden showed no signs of abating.

Therefore, it was clear that if Roden did nothing and stayed in the vanguard battalion, Michael would find a way to harass him somehow.

That was why Roden had asked Tobias to give the Special Task Force Company a chance.

"I am asking for this operation not to die, but to live. At least while I am on the operation, my brother will not be able to touch me."

It would take at least a year to capture Velia Castle by the book.

If Roden went on an operation under the pretext of gathering information and secretly hid himself during this time, he could avoid being noticed not only by the enemy but also by our own forces.

"I will also achieve great merit in this war as much as possible. That way, I will have enough power that my brother will not dare to touch me."

Originally, Roden was the type to avoid fights as much as possible.

And since his goal was survival, there was no reason for him to fight.

But war was not a structure where those who did not fight could survive.

The war with the Imperial Army was a given, and the succession war was no different.

Only by continuing to fight and achieve victory could he survive.

Roden could not help but realize this fact keenly in his journey so far.

So he made up his mind.

He would achieve merit and rise to a position so high that Michael would not dare to touch him.

Hearing Roden's explanation, Tobias seemed to have grasped his intentions, at least in part.

"In the end, your destiny will not leave you alone, is that what you mean?"

"Yes. That's what I mean. So please grant me permission. For the Special Task Force Company to go on an operation."

Tobias sighed once, "Phew," and then reluctantly opened his mouth.

"I will permit the operation. Gather sufficient information and set up a plan to capture Velia Castle."

***

A few days later.

"Are you really leaving?"

Olinto asked Roden with a look of disappointment.

Roden quietly nodded his head.

"I have to. As I said, it is the only way I can survive. So please take good care of the Archery Platoon in the meantime."

After his meeting with Tobias, Roden had gathered all of the Special Task Force Company.

Then he spoke at that place.

That another operation that threatened the Special Task Force Company had come down from the command.

That it was because he was embroiled in a succession war.

That Tobias had said it was okay not to participate in the operation.

But that he had nevertheless said he would carry out another operation.

And that this was for his own survival.

Some understood Roden's story easily, and some, no matter how much he explained, could not understand it in the end.

This was because the Special Task Force Company was not composed only of nobles, nor was it composed only of people from the Mediale Kingdom.

But everyone easily grasped that Roden was serious about risking danger to change his destiny.

And everyone supported Roden.

In the end, no matter what, the fact that Roden had paved the way for them to become knights was an unchanging truth.

"Please return safely. I will take responsibility for the Archery Platoon and train them to be the best unit in the Allied Forces."

Olinto said reliably, patting his chest.

At that, this time Liviano, who was standing a step behind, approached Roden.

"I wanted to be with you, Company Commander, so it's a shame. Please be sure to take us on the next operation."

In fact, when he had told them the whole story, the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company had all wanted to be with Roden.

Before he had spoken, Roden had thought that he would have nothing to say even if he was blamed for putting them in danger, so it was an unexpected result.

But for the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company, who deeply trusted and followed Roden, it was a natural thing.

Above all, the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company were convinced that following Roden was more advantageous for survival.

Even if it wasn't actually the case, they had come to rely on this side more through experience.

"Don't worry. I received a promise from the Battalion Commander that I wouldn't put the Special Task Force Company on the battlefield if possible. But if you still want to, I will take the Cavalry Platoon next time. On the assumption that you have become accustomed to the newly issued equipment in the meantime."

The Light Cavalry Platoon was no longer a light cavalry platoon.

This was because, at Roden's request, they had received various equipment from Tobias this time.

In other words, it meant that the Light Cavalry Platoon had become a heavy cavalry platoon.

This was also the reason why Roden had just called the Light Cavalry Platoon a cavalry platoon.

"Yes. I will also make the Cavalry Platoon the best in the Allied Forces. Please look forward to it."

Liviano was also full of confidence.

It seemed that the strengthening of the cavalry platoon's armament had given him courage.

Thus, Roden glanced once at the two men and the Archery and Cavalry Platoons lined up behind them, and was about to turn away.

But Olinto stopped him.

"Company Commander."

"Yes?"

"The Cavalry Platoon Leader and I have prepared something for you."

"Prepared something?"

"Yes."

With his answer, Olinto took out a book from his pocket.

It wasn't just Olinto.

Liviano also took out a book and handed it to Roden.

"What is this?"

"It is the Superior Swordsmanship manual that has been passed down in my and the Cavalry Platoon Leader's family for generations."

"…What?"

Roden could not help but be surprised by Olinto's story.

He had never imagined that the thing they had prepared would be a Superior Swordsmanship manual.

"You're giving me something so precious? Really?"

"You gave us all something equally precious, so why not? And you're even leaving the <Variola Swordsmanship Manual> for us to learn until you return."

That was right.

Following the Broom Swordsmanship, Roden had also taken measures to allow the soldiers of the Special Task Force Company to learn the Variola Swordsmanship.

He had decided to entrust the <Variola Swordsmanship Manual> to Olinto and Liviano and leave.

But he had not expected to receive such a gift in return.

Since his past life, Roden was a person who was more accustomed to giving than receiving.

"I didn't do it for this…"

"I know. That's why I can entrust this Superior Swordsmanship manual to you all the more. Please use it for a good cause."

Roden thought for a moment and then accepted the two Superior Swordsmanship manuals.

Thinking about how much they must have agonized over it before deciding to give them to him, he could not bring himself to refuse.

"Thank you. I will find a way for all of us to become stronger faster than we are now."

Now it was really time to leave.

Finally, Roden turned away, and the Infantry Platoon followed him.

It remained to be seen whether Roden could seize the opportunity.