Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 94. Another Operation (1)

Roden had no desire to confront Michael.

Although Roden had completely assimilated into Ernst's body, meeting his family still felt a bit awkward.

And there was also the fact that he didn't want to meet Michael because he was Ernst.

For Ernst, his family was not just something that picked at his inferiority complex, but a cruel existence that would try to take his life whenever the opportunity arose.

For that reason, Roden wanted to leave the vanguard battalion and join the main battalion before Michael arrived with Alexis.

But he couldn't.

“I'm not saying I don't understand how you feel, but the Corps Commander wants to meet you in person.”

Because Tobias had conveyed these words.

As a soldier, a superior's order was absolute.

This was even more so if the order came from a corps commander.

For that reason, Roden could not leave the vanguard battalion even after gathering the Special Task Force Company to leave at any time.

How much time had passed since then?

Alexis appeared, leading a battalion-sized direct unit.

And Michael was following closely by his side.

Tobias, who was waiting for Alexis with Roden in front of the south gate of Velia Castle, leaving only a minimum number of sentries, raised his voice.

“All units! Salute the Corps Commander!”

“Vanguard!”

All the officers and soldiers present saluted Alexis.

Alexis received the salute with a dignified posture on his horse.

Then he gestured towards Tobias.

As Tobias quickly approached him, he opened his mouth.

“You've really done a great job, Vanguard Battalion Commander. Just as you've done well so far, help me well from now on.”

“I will do my best.”

“By the way, I heard there was someone who made the greatest achievement in capturing Velia Castle?”

“Yes. He is the Special Task Force Company Commander, who will soon be transferred to the main battalion.”

“Let me see him for a moment.”

Tobias turned his head and looked at Roden, and Roden walked towards Alexis.

Feeling Michael's sharp gaze observing him.

However, Roden did not even glance at Michael and looked straight at Alexis.

Then he spoke.

“Greetings, Corps Commander.”

Alexis looked at Roden without a word and then answered with a bright smile.

“I've heard your name often. It must have been especially difficult to successfully complete this infiltration operation, but you were excellent. Above all, unlike someone else, you seem to be more focused on the public war than the private war.”

As soon as Alexis finished speaking, one of Michael's eyebrows twitched.

Because it was obvious who the 'someone' who was more focused on the private war than the public war was.

But Roden did not check Michael's expression this time either.

It wasn't because he was awkward or afraid.

It was because the moment he saw Michael approaching Velia Castle from a distance, he had already figured out what kind of person Michael was.

In other words, it meant that there was no reason to waste his emotions on Michael.

Especially in a situation like this where he was facing Alexis.

However, this behavior was seen as a favorable impression by Alexis and as composure by Michael.

The favorable impression came from his unwavering appearance as a soldier, and the composure came from his confident appearance even in front of someone who had tried to take his life several times.

It was when Alexis and Michael were feeling different emotions towards Roden.

Roden slowly opened his mouth and answered Alexis's words.

“Thank you for your praise. I will do my best to live up to your expectations in my new post.”

It was an unremarkable answer, but to Alexis, who already felt a favorable impression of Roden, this answer felt somehow reassuring.

At the same time, it was a pity.

That such a talent had to be used only for capturing a small village.

‘But it's impossible to embrace two Glockners. At the same time, I need the staff officer's help more than this one's. So it's a pity, but there's no choice.’

Alexis organized his thoughts and said his final farewell to Roden.

“Then, good luck. If there's a chance, let's see each other again.”

Thus, Alexis led his direct unit and advanced towards Velia Castle.

Michael followed behind him and sent another glance at Roden, but Roden did not receive his gaze this time either.

However, since his ears were open, he could hear Michael's mumble.

“You're arrogant to the end. You've become a true Glockner now. But don't forget. That kind of attitude only adds another reason for me to kill you.”

***

Roden did not return to Velia Castle and moved with the Special Task Force Company to the main battalion.

From the transport battalion to the vanguard battalion, and from the vanguard battalion to the main battalion.

It was already the second time his post had changed.

But even so, not only Roden's, but also the Special Task Force Company's expressions were not bad.

Although they were not able to be active on the front line, the level of the operation they were about to undertake was so low that their survival rate was actually much higher.

A few days later.

Roden met the main battalion commander, Linor, at the earthen fortress in the Aequor Plains where he had stayed for a short time.

“Hmph. You made a fuss about opening just one gate, you deserve this.”

“……”

“Don't stay here long, hurry up and leave to capture the small villages near Kroxen Castle.”

“……I will follow your orders.”

Linor's tone was very annoying, but it couldn't be helped in a place where rank was king.

At least it was a relief that he didn't have to be with such a person for long.

Thus, the Special Task Force Company set up a temporary barracks at the earthen fortress, stayed for a day, and then immediately left to carry out the operation.

As soon as they left the earthen fortress, Olinto exhaled with a refreshing sound and spoke.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I wasn't at ease in Velia Castle or the earthen fortress.”

Liviano took Olinto's words.

“I know, right. I don't know why everyone is so eager to get at our Company Commander. It was annoying just watching from a distance.”

Chevalier did not join the conversation, but his expression showed that he agreed with the two.

Roden looked at the expressions of the three platoon leaders in turn, smiled, and said.

“There are always people who don't get their way, no matter where you go. So don't worry about it too much.”

“That's true, but I was scared when the Company Commander was talking to the Corps Commander. The way the staff officer looked at the Company Commander was really creepy. It made me think, 'So this is a Glockner'.”

The Special Task Force Company was now aware of most of Roden's circumstances.

It was only natural, as Roden had spoken about this without reservation whenever he had the chance.

Come to think of it, it wasn't something to hide.

It wasn't as if Roden's life would be threatened more just because someone found out about the succession war.

Rather, he thought it was more important to open up and not hide his story from the subordinates who trusted him.

And Roden was sincerely grateful to his subordinates who still supported and followed him even after he had opened up about everything.

“I was a little surprised too. I didn't know he would show his emotions so openly. So I think it's a relief. That we were assigned a relatively safe mission.”

“But won't this mean that the Company Commander will fall behind in the succession war?”

Certainly, as Olinto said, simply surviving for now was not the answer.

It might be good to be assigned to an operation with a high survival rate for now.

But if Roden did nothing while his other siblings were making achievements, he would ultimately not be nominated as the successor.

And if he was not nominated as the successor, what awaited him at the end was death.

It wasn't necessarily death, but the probability of death was high.

If someone like Michael became the successor, it was almost certain that he would die.

‘And according to Ernst's memories, there's more than one person like Michael. There are those who are worse than Michael, but none who are less.’

So, as Olinto said, the current situation might not be very positive.

But Roden was still satisfied with taking on this mission.

Because the low difficulty of the operation allowed him to accomplish something else.

“Don't worry. I won't let my other siblings take all the credit.”

“Don't tell me?”

“That's right. While capturing the small villages around Kroxen Castle, I'll accomplish something else at the same time.”

Roden began to unfold the detailed contents of the operation he had planned, predicting this situation.

The expressions of the three company commanders who were listening to the story changed from moment to moment.

***

A few days later.

The Special Task Force Company began to capture the villages in earnest.

There were a total of six villages to capture, and as expected, capturing them was very simple.

Because they were all small villages, they did not even think of fighting and declared their surrender as soon as the regular army appeared.

However, the distance between the villages was far, and if they encountered Imperial Army troops during the capture operation, a battle was inevitable, so it took some time to capture all six places.

Also, they had to match the speed of the 3rd Corps' direct unit, which was now beginning to besiege Kroxen Castle.

Because if they captured the villages while the surrounding cities were not yet cleared, it would be too difficult to maintain the occupation for long.

From the perspective of the garrison stationed in the surrounding cities, it would be difficult to just watch the relatively close villages being captured.

For the sake of safety, it was right to match the speed of the 3rd Corps' direct unit.

“So we don't need to rush. Above all, we need to buy enough time for the Company Commander to succeed in his other operation.”

Chevalier said, looking at the village residents who had just raised their hands and surrendered.

Liviano pouted and took his words.

“I know. It's just a pity that I can't be with the Company Commander on this mission either.”

That was right.

Roden was currently moving separately with the Archery Platoon.

To carry out another operation.