Chapter 113 : Chapter 113
Chapter 113. Capture the Flag (2)
It was a race against time.
Therefore, as soon as he received the news from the cavalryman, Roden intended to move with the Special Task Force Company.
It was only natural, as he had already agreed with Alexis to take on the mission of infiltrating Kroxen Castle.
As Roden hurried, Alexis’s voice stopped him.
“It won’t be easy. No matter how much they think the surprise attack unit achieved a great victory, the enemy would have left a minimum number of defensive troops in Kroxen Castle. They would also have scattered scouts everywhere.”
“That’s probably true. But you don’t have to worry. I and the Special Task Force Company are already experts at moving stealthily in enemy territory.”
At Roden’s answer, Alexis slowly nodded.
The reason Alexis had entrusted this task to the Special Task Force Company was because he knew this fact.
Certainly, there was no unit in the 3rd Corps more suitable for carrying out this operation than the Special Task Force Company.
This was true based on experience alone, but even in terms of military strength, the Special Task Force Company was the most outstanding.
Alexis, an 8-star knight, had already read the flow of aura and grasped this fact.
To think that the Special Task Force Company, which had been used as a sacrificial card to achieve a specific purpose until now, would turn out like this.
Alexis felt the irony in this situation.
At the same time, he found it strange that the Special Task Force Company was unusually strong compared to other units.
‘Interesting. Does the Special Task Force Company Commander have his own special training method? If the Special Task Force Company Commander takes charge of the main battalion later and applies this training method, the 3rd Corps’ strength might increase significantly.’
Applying Roden’s training method to the entire corps was not yet considered.
Even if he ordered them to apply Roden’s training method, the other units would not easily accept it.
So, for now, it was best to hope that at least the main battalion would become as strong as the Special Task Force Company.
Anyway, Alexis, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke.
“I’ve entrusted you with another big task. I wish you the best of luck.”
“Yes. I will live up to your expectations.”
With that, Roden and the Special Task Force Company swiftly moved towards Kroxen Castle.
***
As Roden had thought, it was not difficult to approach Kroxen Castle.
Roden had swiftly dealt with every scout he saw using detection magic.
And so, Roden arrived near Kroxen Castle in a few days.
To be precise, he was hiding near the north gate of Kroxen Castle.
Chevalier spoke.
“Perhaps because the siege force has left, the area around Kroxen Castle seems unusually empty.”
“Indeed. It feels deserted.”
For Roden, who had to approach Kroxen Castle from now on, it was not a very good situation.
The remaining defense unit in Kroxen Castle would be able to spot the Special Task Force Company too easily.
In the end, Roden had to make the defense unit open the castle gates on their own, one way or another.
And to do this, using the situation was key.
That was why he had taken the long way around Kroxen Castle to the north gate, despite the time constraints.
“Everyone, check your attire one more time. See if the camouflage is good.”
The Special Task Force Company inspected their camouflage as per Roden’s command.
The peculiar thing was that, unlike when they usually disguised themselves as Imperial soldiers, the Special Task Force Company’s attire was stained with blood and scratched as if they had just been in a battle.
If someone were to ask if this was the result of fighting with the scouts, that was not the case.
On the contrary, the Special Task Force Company had dealt with all the scouts with a single blow for a quiet move.
The reason for the poor state of their attire, despite that.
This was also part of the camouflage for this task.
Chevalier reported as such.
“No problems. The corpse is also well prepared.”
Roden nodded and gave an order to the Special Task Force Company.
“Then let’s go and see. If our plan will work.”
Thus, the Special Task Force Company moved, following Roden.
Then, at some point, they began to run towards Kroxen Castle at a frantic pace.
***
“Huh?”
Kalat Murayan, the 2nd Company Commander of the main battalion guarding Kroxen Castle, tilted his head as he saw a cloud of dust rising in the distance.
The direction in which Taher had left with the defense force to pursue the enemy siege force.
From that direction, about 60 soldiers in Imperial Army uniforms were running towards them.
‘Are they our allies?’
Naturally, this thought came to mind as soon as he saw the uniforms.
As if thinking the same thing, the Deputy Company Commander opened his mouth.
“Why are our allies returning to the castle?”
However, the cautious Kalat did not easily assume the unidentified unit was an ally.
“Don’t let your guard down. They might not be allies.”
“Not allies? How can they not be allies when they are coming from that direction?”
“Still, you never know, so don’t let your guard down.”
Kalat was also aware of the entire situation.
That the surprise attack unit had defeated the 3rd Corps with a brilliant operation using a spy, and that as a result, the enemy siege force was retreating to Velia Castle.
However, he had a strange, uneasy feeling, so he kept his Deputy Company Commander in check.
It wasn't just the Deputy Company Commander.
He also gave orders to his company’s troops.
“Do not open the gate until the exact identity of the unidentified unit is confirmed! Understood?”
“Yes!”
In the meantime, the appearance of the unidentified unit, which had been approaching rapidly while kicking up a cloud of dust, came into clear view.
Their armor was covered in blood and scratched.
Anyone could see that they had been through a battle.
‘What is it? Did our allies have a showdown with the enemy siege force in the meantime?’
It wasn't impossible in terms of time.
Certainly, the enemy siege force, being composed mainly of supply units, was somewhat slow in their retreat.
On the other hand, our allies had opened the gates at a very rapid pace and pursued the enemy siege force.
So it wouldn’t be strange if they had caught up to the rear of the enemy siege force and engaged in a battle.
But even so, what was the reason to return in such a hurry?
The Deputy Company Commander, who was looking at the same thing, spoke.
“What on earth happened for them to return in such a hurry?”
“Well. I don’t know about that. But as I said, do not open the gate rashly.”
In the meantime, a few cavalrymen approached the castle wall and shouted urgently.
“Open the gate quickly! The Battalion Commander was injured during the battle! He needs to receive treatment immediately!”
Hearing that voice, Kalat’s eyes widened.
If Taher was really injured as the cavalryman said, this was a very big deal.
It was right to open the gate immediately and let the allies into the castle.
However, because he was still suspicious of the sudden appearance of the unidentified unit, Kalat asked the cavalryman.
“The Battalion Commander is injured! How was he injured?”
“He suffered a severe burn to his face while fighting a 6-star knight from the siege force! He needs immediate treatment!”
“What? He was burned?”
Then, he saw someone lying in a wagon that was approaching late, with a burn on their face.
And the silhouette vaguely resembled Taher.
The Deputy Company Commander urged Kalat.
“The Battalion Commander’s injury looks serious! We need to open the gate quickly!”
The soldiers of the 2nd Company also placed their hands on the winch as if to open the gate immediately.
However, even as his heart pounded and a cold sweat broke out, Kalat barely held onto his reason and answered.
“Wait! The identity of the unidentified unit has not been properly confirmed yet!”
“But……”
“I said wait!”
Kalat yelled at the Deputy Company Commander and spoke again to the cavalryman standing near the castle wall.
“Bring me a face I know! Only then can I confirm your identity and open the gate for you!”
“There’s no time! The Battalion Commander is in critical condition!”
“Shut up! Bring me a face I know before I shoot an arrow!”
The cavalryman, upon hearing Kalat’s words, made a resentful expression and quickly turned his horse around and went back the way he came.
The Deputy Company Commander, who saw the expression as well, carefully tried to persuade Kalat again from the side.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just open the gate at this point? Since their numbers are only 60, it wouldn’t be difficult to deal with them even if they were the enemy.”
Certainly, the 2nd Company guarding Kroxen Castle numbered close to 100 men.
So, it was not a difficult task to face the unidentified unit of only 60 men.
This was the reason the Deputy Company Commander felt frustrated with Kalat’s stubbornness.
However, Kalat’s attitude remained firm.
The proof was that he snatched the bow from a nearby archer and held it in his hand instead of answering.
“We have a mission to protect this castle no matter what. Therefore, no further objections will be permitted.”
The Deputy Company Commander felt so frustrated that he was about to go crazy, but for a soldier, a superior’s order was absolute, so he could not argue any further.
Fortunately, in the meantime, the cavalryman who had left for a moment was approaching the castle wall with a new person.
“Don’t you recognize my face! Open the gate at once! I am Zabur al-Kamal, the 1st Company Commander!”
Kalat heard Zabur’s voice and turned his head in that direction.
Then he carefully examined the face of the man who identified himself as Zabur.
There was no doubt.
It was definitely the 1st Company Commander, Zabur.
Finally, the order fell from Kalat’s lips.
“They are definitely our allies! Open the gate! Quickly bring in the Battalion Commander!”
With a creak, the castle gate began to open, and Kalat hurriedly walked towards the gate to check on the condition of Taher, who was said to be injured.
And he thought.
‘I won’t be reprimanded for not opening the gate quickly, will I?’
His heart pounded for no reason.
At the same time, he thought that if he had known this would happen, he should have just opened the gate right away.
‘No. I just followed the rules and procedures. So this won’t be a problem.’
A short while later.
The unidentified unit entered the castle, and Kalat, feeling a prick of conscience, quickly approached to check on the condition of Taher, who was said to have suffered a burn to his face.
Perhaps if Kalat had doubted the identity of the unidentified unit one more time at this moment, things might have turned out differently.
“Battalion Commander! Are you alright, Battalion Commander?”
But he did not, and Taher, who was thought to be injured and collapsed, suddenly raised his sword and stabbed the approaching Kalat in the heart.
Stab.
Kalat, with his heart pierced, muttered in bewilderment.
“What in the world is this……”