Chapter 126 : Chapter 126
Chapter 126. In Other Fronts (2)
Following Alexis's orders, Roden immediately led the main battalion toward the 1st Corps' front.
The 1st Corps had wrested the Plumen River from the Imperial Army and was now conducting operations centered around Galabon Castle, which could be called the final gateway.
“Of all places, we ended up going to support the 1st Corps instead of the closer 2nd Corps.”
“Indeed.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. The 1st Corps’ damage is greater than the 2nd Corps’. On the other hand, the 3rd Corps is completely free from the threat of the Magic Artifact Unit.”
“Still, it’s a burden to be away for long, so we must succeed in the operation quickly and return. More importantly, when will you pass on the secret techniques of the Glockner Swordsmanship?”
Roden, who had been discussing the war situation, asked Michael.
Michael frowned.
“Anyone would think I’m trying to break my promise. As I said, I can pass them on at any time. The timing is only being delayed because you insisted I write the secret techniques down for you.”
That was true.
As soon as this operation for the main battalion was confirmed.
Michael had approached Roden.
He said he would pass on the secret techniques of the Glockner Swordsmanship as promised.
And that they should immediately grab their swords and head outside.
However, Roden had refused this offer.
This was because Roden, unlike others, was not someone who learned swordsmanship with his body.
This was also why Roden had asked Michael to write down the secret techniques of the Glockner Swordsmanship.
He wanted to receive the secret techniques in the form of a swordsmanship manual.
However, Michael couldn't help but feel puzzled by this method.
It was only natural, as he couldn’t understand why Roden would take such an approach.
But since Roden said he would consider the deal concluded just by having the secret techniques written down, Michael accepted the proposal despite his bewilderment.
‘Well, there’s nothing bad about it for me. It’s better than helping him train until he masters all the secret techniques.’
Michael’s original plan had been to continue supervising Roden until he had mastered the secret techniques he knew to some extent.
Only then could he say that he had truly passed them on.
However, this was a rather burdensome task.
It was because he had no idea how long it would take Roden to learn the techniques.
His anxiety was even greater because Roden was the one who had been evaluated as the most untalented with the sword in the history of the Glockner family.
Although it was now proven that his talent was similar to his own, as Roden had become a 6-star knight, once an impression was solidified, it wasn’t easily changed.
For that reason, he had been steeling himself for the task of passing on the techniques, but now he was being told he only needed to write them down.
For Michael, it was a stroke of good luck.
It was a matter of simply transcribing the passages from the swordsmanship manual that he had memorized back when he was learning the secret techniques.
It was just that the content was so extensive that it would take some time to write it all down.
“At the latest, I should be able to give you the secret techniques written down as you wish by next week. But are you really sure about this? Receiving the techniques this way?”
“It’s fine. So please just keep your promise.”
Michael felt a lingering sense of unease but soon nodded his head.
What could he do when the man himself said this method was better?
“I understand. By the way, for Malena and Laura to be unable to handle it on their own. I’m curious about the identity of the Magic Artifact Unit that is running rampant on the 1st Corps' front.”
Malena, the eldest daughter of the Glockner family, and Laura, the second daughter, were extremely strong.
Even when compared to Michael, they didn't feel like they fell short at all.
In fact, in some aspects, one could say they were even superior to Michael.
Yet, for them to be unable to deal with a single Magic Artifact Unit and have to receive support from the 3rd Corps.
Michael couldn't help but be curious about the identity of the Magic Artifact Unit.
Roden picked up on Michael’s words.
“First of all, the fact that their numbers are greater than the March of the Other Shore must be the biggest reason they couldn't deal with the Magic Artifact Unit. You said it was company-sized, didn't you?”
The March of the Other Shore was a platoon-sized force of about 30 men.
For that reason, they didn't have many options for operations to shake up the 3rd Corps.
This was also why they tried to attack the main battalion together with the city defense force of Elmorim.
On the other hand, according to the information gathered so far, the Magic Artifact Unit active on the 1st Corps' front was a company-sized unit of about 100 men.
Thus, it was bound to be much easier for them to shake the 1st Corps than it was for the March of the Other Shore.
It was only natural, as they could carry out more powerful independent operations than the March of the Other Shore.
Michael nodded in agreement with Roden’s words.
“Certainly, the large scale of the unit must have made it difficult for Malena and Laura. But even so, it doesn’t make sense that they lost a transport battalion and still haven’t been able to deal with the Magic Artifact Unit. Not to mention their individual skills, the two of them are leading units larger than the Magic Artifact Unit.”
Malena and Laura were the 1st Corps' Vanguard Battalion Commander and Main Battalion Commander, respectively.
So, it would be one thing if they were caught off guard because they hadn't identified the existence of the Magic Artifact Unit at first.
But for them to be defeated even after having identified it, that was a story that didn't make sense.
This was the point Michael was pointing out.
Roden also considered this point valid and replied.
“In that case, we have to assume there’s a reason why the Magic Artifact Unit here was able to defeat them. Perhaps there's something about the magic artifacts this unit uses.”
“That’s probably it. And that’s what I’m curious about. I don’t know if Laura will tell us, though.”
Roden was currently leading the main battalion troops with Michael to meet Laura.
The plan was to start with Laura, then meet Malena to gather general information before beginning to track the Magic Artifact Unit in earnest.
“But won't she tell us when we meet? After all, we're here to solve their problem.”
“I told you. Our siblings will not be pleased that we've come here to provide support. Well, still, Laura or Malena might obediently share information. Neither of them is that smart.”
Listening to Michael, Roden searched through Ernst’s memories to figure out what kind of people Laura and Malena were.
But not much came to mind.
It was because, in Ernst’s memory, both Laura and Malena were nothing more than terrifying and fearsome beings.
And ones who stimulated his sense of inferiority.
‘I guess I’ll have to meet them in person to find out.’
Roden organized his thoughts and gazed towards Tizren Castle, where Laura was said to be staying.
***
The 1st Corps, similar to the 3rd Corps, was conducting its operations with the Vanguard Battalion besieging Galabon Castle, while the Main Battalion was on standby at the nearest castle below, Tizren Castle.
For that reason, before arriving at Tizren Castle, Roden had his troops wait in a city called Biluk.
He thought it was inefficient to move around with a battalion-sized force.
“The company commander of each company will wait in Biluk and conduct training until the next operation is ordered.”
“Yes!”
After giving the order, Roden headed for Tizren Castle with a portion of his troops.
It was a very small force, not even platoon-sized.
However, since the force included two 6-star knights, there was nothing to fear.
Rather, it was more convenient as it allowed for freedom of movement.
Riding a horse across the vast plains stretching around the Plumen River even lifted his spirits.
At the same time, I could see why the Imperial Army and the Allied Forces had fought so fiercely to seize control of the Plumen River.
“It’s really vast.”
“It’s not called the continent’s breadbasket for nothing. Just getting your hands on this place is as good as winning the war.”
“Then shouldn’t we just end the war? As far as I know, the Allied Forces have taken control of the Plumen River.”
“We haven’t taken all of it yet. To completely possess the Plumen River, we must take Galabon Castle. Only then can we block the Empire’s attacks pushing in from the west.”
“Conversely, the Empire absolutely cannot lose Galabon Castle. It would be difficult for them to aim for the east again.”
“That must be why they dispatched a Magic Artifact Unit more powerful than the March of the Other Shore to this side.”
They were just setting foot into the 1st Corps' Main Battalion's territory after crossing the plains near the Plumen River, which flowed with honey and oil.
“Halt!”
Before long, Roden and Michael encountered a patrolling unit of the Allied Forces.
“Who goes there! Identify yourselves!”
Roden stepped forward and spoke.
“I am Ernst Glockner, the Main Battalion Commander of the 3rd Corps, tasked with a support mission for the 1st Corps.”
“What?”
The patrol leader, despite hearing the answer, scanned Roden’s appearance with a face full of suspicion.
Then he gave an order to his patrol.
“Bind the unidentified unit at once!”
The patrol quickly surrounded Roden and Michael.
At this sight, not only Roden but also Michael could not hide their bewilderment.
Roden spoke.
“I expected Laura wouldn’t welcome us, but this is more severe than I thought.”
“Indeed.”
However, neither of them stopped the patrol’s actions.
They knew that raising their voices and drawing their swords here would be useless.
The priority was to meet Laura and talk.
Thus, Roden and Michael arrived at Tizren Castle, bound by the patrol.
Being treated like prisoners didn’t feel good, but it couldn’t be helped.
Rumble. Clomp, clomp.
A moment later.
The castle gate opened, and someone approached the bound Roden and Michael, who were held by the patrol.
“I heard things were going well for the 3rd Corps, and you both look splendid. I suppose there’s no need to untie you.”
The person who appeared was Laura, the Main Battalion Commander of the 1st Corps.