Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 93. Why the Glockners? (3)

The reason why the Glockner family was only now beginning to make their mark.

The reason was none other than this.

'By making our mark like this, we can raise the prestige of the Glockner family.'

Although they were in a stalemate in the Yugum Mountains, the Plumen River, and the Aequor Plains, with neither side gaining the upper hand, the Allied Forces were gradually being pushed into a disadvantage.

This was because the various countries belonging to the Allied Forces were in conflict, and they were gradually losing their cohesiveness and will to fight.

In other words, it meant that the rumor that the war would end soon was not just a rumor.

'But now the Glockner family is turning the situation around.'

In conclusion, the Glockner family had deliberately aimed for this reversal.

Because in a dramatic situation, even the same achievement looks better.

The proof was that whenever two or more soldiers of the Allied Forces gathered, they talked about the Glockner family.

'In the end, this war is being used as a stage for the Glockner family's succession war.'

In fact, if the Glockner family had put their minds to it, the war situation would have been much better than it was now.

But none of Roden's siblings bothered to step forward.

It was only natural, as stepping forward early would only diminish their achievements.

'All the siblings consider it very important to stand out in this war. Because the head of the family said he would give the position of successor to the one who makes the family's name shine the brightest.'

In fact, the head of the family's statement before the start of the war was decisive.

If it weren't for this statement, this war would have turned in favor of the Allied Forces long ago.

'It's a part that shows once again how self-centered the Glockner family is.'

In fact, it wasn't just the Glockner family.

Most of the prestigious families belonging to the Allied Forces were busy taking care of their own interests.

It's just that the Glockner family was a little more extreme.

'Anyway, because of this situation, I can also predict what will happen to me in the future.'

To be precise, how the 3rd Corps would continue the war.

Furthermore, it meant that he could predict what position he would be assigned to.

And finally, the operation proposal that arrived to Tobias proved this.

Tobias gathered all the deputy company commander-level officers in the operation conference room and spoke.

“The Corps Commander has sent an operation proposal. He says he will come to Velia Castle himself and direct the operation.”

That was right.

As Roden had predicted, Alexis now wanted to participate in the war directly.

The reason Roden could predict this was simple.

Because Michael, who was getting anxious about the achievements of his other siblings, had to come to the front line to make his own achievements.

And it wasn't just Michael who had to make achievements.

Alexis also needed to make achievements in the final stages of the war.

'He wouldn't want to lose the title of the first-class contributor of this war to the Glockner family.'

And it wasn't just the family that was being pushed out of the first-class contributor position.

His own country, to which the family belonged, was also being pushed out by the Mediale Kingdom.

Therefore, the country could not have overlooked this matter.

In fact, it was highly likely that Alexis had been pressured by the king of the Vaskar Kingdom, to which he belonged.

'He would have been told to make a more splendid achievement than the Glockner family. If that wasn't possible, he would have been told at least not to fall behind the other corps commanders.'

The other corps were the same.

All the corps commanders were stepping forward to the front line to direct the operations themselves.

In the end, it was a natural flow of events for Alexis to step forward to the front line.

For that reason, the other officers of the vanguard battalion were not surprised to hear Tobias's words.

Rather, it was an atmosphere where everyone had expected it.

“So the Corps Commander is coming here after all.”

“What will happen to us? Will we be reassigned to the Corps Commander's unit?”

“So where does the Corps Commander say he will attack next after Velia Castle?”

The officers asked in turn, and Tobias answered.

“We will serve as the Corps Commander's direct unit. However, the organization will remain the same as it is now. Also, the next target of attack is likely to be Kroxen Castle.”

Kroxen Castle was a larger place than Velia Castle.

And it was not owned by the king like Velia Castle, but by a noble of the Empire.

The Allied Forces had now crossed the front line of the Imperial territory and entered the land owned by a family.

For that reason, the 3rd Corps was likely to be involved in a more difficult battle in the future.

Not only was the castle large, but the desire of the noble to protect Kroxen Castle would be beyond imagination.

'However, Alexis may not really want to capture Kroxen Castle.'

It was highly likely that he would proceed with the battle by besieging Kroxen Castle and capturing the surrounding cities.

And if an opening appeared, he would take Kroxen Castle.

'By capturing three or four cities like that, he would be able to save face.'

However, it remained to be seen whether Michael would be satisfied with three or four cities.

In a situation where the succession war had begun in earnest, it would be difficult to say that he had made the family's name shine brighter than his other siblings with such an achievement.

This was even more so because someone in the Glockner family had taken the Yugum Mountains, and another had taken the Plumen River.

'Of course, it can be said that the capture of the Aequor Plains was almost Michael's achievement.'

In fact, Michael had captured half of the Aequor Plains by winning over the Imperial Army when Roden was conducting the first rear disruption operation as a member of the transport battalion.

On the other hand, Roden had attributed this achievement to Havier to avoid becoming Michael's target.

However, the last piece of land in the Aequor Plains, the earthen fortress that Latif was protecting, was captured thanks to Roden's achievement.

In addition, the capture of Velia Castle was undoubtedly Roden's clear achievement, no matter what anyone said.

Therefore, it was ambiguous for Michael to say that he had captured the Aequor Plains entirely on his own.

For that reason, Michael needed a more certain achievement that would put him ahead of his other siblings.

'So it's hard to be sure that Michael will give up on Kroxen Castle. Rather, he will try to capture it by any means necessary.'

However, Roden did not attach much meaning to this fact.

Because it was so obvious what kind of order Michael would give him as soon as he arrived at Velia Castle with Alexis.

“Anyway, we will have another meeting as soon as the Corps Commander arrives here, so we will conclude today's discussion here. Everyone, work hard on managing your units so that you don't get into trouble later. Dismissed.”

It was when everyone was leaving the operation conference room and starting to return to their respective positions.

“Special Task Force Company Commander.”

Tobias stopped Roden, who was about to leave the room.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Of course.”

***

A short while later.

When the two were alone, Tobias opened his mouth.

“Actually, there was something I couldn't say during the meeting just now. As soon as the Corps Commander and your brother arrive here……”

“I see I'm being assigned to a minor post.”

While Tobias hesitated, unable to finish his sentence, Roden took his words and spoke.

Tobias asked with wide eyes.

“You expected it?”

“Yes. Because it's so obvious.”

For Michael, who had to achieve a greater accomplishment than his other siblings by any means necessary, Roden's existence was a thorn in his side.

Because when Michael made an achievement, it could be split in half and go to Roden.

And what if Roden made a significant achievement in this process?

For Michael, it could be a case of making porridge and giving it to the dog.

For that reason, Michael had to get rid of Roden somehow.

And since he was getting rid of him anyway, it was better to send him to a place where he could not possibly make any achievements.

“If you were with us, we might have not just captured a few cities, but even captured Kroxen Castle……”

“Even if I were there, I don't think capturing Kroxen Castle would have been easy. So where am I going? I'm not going alone, am I?”

Roden asked Tobias urgently.

Fortunately, Tobias's answer was not as bad as Roden had worried.

“At first, they were going to send you to the rear alone.”

“Ah……”

“But fortunately, I had a good talk with the Corps Commander. You will go to the main battalion with the Special Task Force Company.”

“The main battalion?”

“Yes.”

“Then isn't that much different from being here? The main battalion is also supposed to attack Kroxen Castle together.”

“That's right. But the entire main battalion is not attacking Kroxen Castle. Some of the troops will move to capture a small village a little far from Kroxen Castle. You will be in charge of that.”

No wonder the Special Task Force Company was moving together, they had a separate mission.

The task of capturing a small village.

It was a task that had to be done, but it was laborious and difficult.

And it was a task that would not be recognized as an achievement as much as capturing a few cities, let alone Kroxen Castle.

But Roden didn't care about this fact.

Rather,

“Understood. I will follow the orders. Thank you for telling me in advance.”

He expressed his gratitude to Tobias like this.

After all, thanks to Tobias, he had been able to avoid being separated from the Special Task Force Company.

However, Tobias did not feel at ease even after receiving his thanks.

In the end, Tobias couldn't hold it in and opened his mouth.

“Even though the war is still going on, things are turning out like this. What the hell is a Glockner?”

However, these words became an empty mumble and scattered in the air.

***

A few days later.

As previously announced, Alexis arrived at Velia Castle.

And for the first time, Roden came face to face with Michael.