Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134. Now It’s Not About Survival (1)
When we parted with Laura and entered the 3rd Corps' front.
“Let's part ways around here.”
Roden also bid farewell to Michael.
Now that the Black Bell Corps had been dealt with, there was no reason for the two of them to stay together.
“Yes. Take care. I’ll see you again soon.”
For that reason, Roden could offer this farewell so readily.
At that, Michael seemed somewhat regretful as he stared at Roden for a moment before replying.
“...Alright.”
After Michael and his Cheolwidae headed towards Nanbalt Castle, where the 3rd Corps was building its siege line.
Roden also returned to Kroxen Castle with the main battalion.
Kroxen Castle was being guarded by the transport battalion's infantry company, which had been dispatched there.
Thanks to that, Roden was able to meet Havier after a long time.
“It's been a while, Battalion Commander. I heard you performed remarkably on the 1st Corps' front as well.”
Since rank was king in the military, Havier had been using honorifics like this ever since Roden became the main battalion commander.
I felt inwardly uncomfortable with this but didn't show it.
For Havier, who had a strong soldier's spirit, being told to speak informally again would be more awkward.
For that reason, Roden resolved this relationship by using honorifics himself.
In the first place, Roden preferred to use honorifics as much as possible like this.
There was no better way to show respect to the other person while also maintaining a suitable distance.
“I was lucky. There were many people who stepped up to catch the Black Bell Corps together.”
“I heard about that too. That the Battalion Commander's siblings stepped up?”
“Yes.”
“How is your relationship with your siblings these days?”
Havier was someone who knew better than anyone that Roden was fighting another war alongside this one.
That was why he had protected Roden during his time in the transport battalion.
‘My relationship with my siblings…’
I briefly recalled Michael’s somewhat regretful expression as he left before answering Havier's question.
“It’s not a situation where we’re recklessly trying to kill each other like before.”
“It seems you’re on good terms lately.”
“It's more like we’re warning each other that we’ll definitely kill them next time.”
“...I see. It seems I was mistaken.”
Havier apologized awkwardly, but Roden didn't see the current situation in a bad light.
In any case, his position within the family had risen after dealing with the Black Bell Corps.
'I also feel like I've gained quite a bit of recognition from Michael and Laura.'
It was while Roden was organizing his thoughts like this.
Havier opened his mouth with a smile.
“In any case, I like seeing the Battalion Commander as you are now. It’s funny to say this on a battlefield, but it doesn't feel like death is nipping at your heels like before. It’s as if survival itself is no longer an issue.”
Havier was right.
Survival was no longer a big problem for me.
Of course, the situation could change depending on how the succession war unfolded in the future, but it was safe to say that the possibility of me dying in battle was almost nonexistent.
'Above all, I have no desire to win the succession war and become the next head of the Glockner family.'
This was also the meaning behind what Roden had told Michael and Laura about not staying within the rules of this fight.
For Roden, for whom survival had always been the top priority since his possession, there was no reason to continue a succession war where it was either victory or death.
So, Roden was seriously considering renouncing the Glockner surname and becoming independent.
'Of course, this is a great dishonor. This is also why my siblings can't easily make this choice.'
In aristocratic society, honor was as precious as life itself.
Roden, who had been a commoner but had risen to the position of second-in-command of the Penitudo Mage Tower, was not ignorant of this fact.
So, if he renounced the Glockner surname to avoid the succession war, he could be treated as worse than a commoner.
This wasn't a huge blow to Roden, but no one would want to live a life of being pointed at by others for their entire life.
Above all, the Glockner family would not just stand by and let Roden easily renounce his surname.
It was to be expected that there would be considerable retaliation on a family-wide scale.
Similar retaliations existed in other renowned families as well.
And the possibility of Roden losing his life due to this retaliation was quite high.
It was a part that showed why his other siblings didn't even consider renouncing the Glockner surname.
In fact, in the long history of the Glockner family, only a very small number of people had succeeded in renouncing their surname and becoming independent during a succession war.
Most who attempted this met their end by retaliation.
'In the end, to become independent, I need to have that much power. At least enough to not be pushed back in a fight against the next family head.'
It wasn't as if the entire family would come at him for retaliation, so this much power would be sufficient for independence.
However, the problem was that it was not easy to acquire this much power.
It required not only individual military strength but also the military strength of a group, and the financial power to support it.
'Currently, my individual military strength is about average among my siblings. If I use magic, it would be even higher. On the other hand, as a group, our military strength is definitely above average. Not only the Cheolwidae, but even the Red Wolf Unit was far inferior in skill to the Special Task Force Company.'
Roden was now confident that the Special Task Force Company would follow him even after the war with the Imperial Army ended.
The Special Task Force Company had consistently expressed this intention, and Roden also wanted it.
Of course, there was a need to make this part more certain than it was now.
However, in the case of a group's military strength, the family's military strength also had to be considered.
This was because when retaliation began, it was highly likely that not only his siblings but also the family's power would move.
'If I could seize control of the main battalion to the level of the Special Task Force Company and receive their loyalty, my worries would disappear, but this is realistically impossible. I'll need to think about this part a little more.'
Finally, his financial power was not bad.
He was currently earning a huge income by operating the Billem Caravan.
And a portion of that income was being steadily saved up without being sent to Alexis, in case of an emergency.
'But I don't know how much financial power my other siblings have. Seeing them operate their personal guard units, they must have a source of income.'
He also needed more information on this part.
After briefly planning for the future, Roden spoke to Havier.
“It's true that things are more comfortable than before. But I still have a long way to go.”
“If you ever need help, please let me know at any time. If the Battalion Commander wishes it, even if it is a personal matter, I will surely step up and help.”
Havier spoke with sincerity, and thanks to him, Roden felt his complicated mind clear up for a moment.
Having someone support him was that empowering.
“Thank you for your words alone. I also want to be someone who is of help to you, Company Commander, so please call on me anytime.”
And so, Roden, who had returned to Kroxen Castle, planned to prepare for the future here for a while.
***
Meanwhile.
In a grand and magnificent audience chamber reminiscent of an imperial palace's grand hall.
The scenery of this audience chamber was truly overwhelming.
The ceiling was so high that it was out of sight, and the walls were carved from grayish stone, exuding a cold and solemn aura.
But more impressive than any decoration were the swords lined up along the corridor.
Swords that held the weight of time guarded the space like silent sentinels.
However, compared to this overwhelming space, the number of officials standing in the audience chamber was surprisingly small.
There were only a few elders and a few direct civil and military officials, all with their heads bowed in a heavy and restrained manner.
This was the heart of the Glockner family, the greatest swordsmanship family in the east.
Even in its restrained silence, an aura shared only by those who wield the sword lingered.
And at the center of this space imbued with strength, tranquility, tradition, and dignity, ‘Albrecht Glockner’ sat quietly, as always, receiving a report from one of the officials with his sharp, heavy gaze.
Surprisingly, the report was about Roden.
“...It is said that he deliberately waited until the 1st Corps' transport battalion was normalized and then launched a counterattack when the Black Bell Corps invaded Gulahan.”
After that, everything that had happened in Gulahan was reported to Albrecht.
The content was so detailed and vivid, as if he had watched the battle from the side, yet at the same time, it was a work of art in conveying only the necessary information.
“...That is all.”
The intelligence officer who had finished the report stood at attention with a thud.
Then, Albrecht, who seemed to have been lost in thought for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
“So in the end, the youngest one dealt with the 1st Corps’ headache. And Michael and Laura cooperated to share the credit.”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“What is the youngest one's current level?”
“He is currently a 6-star.”
“A level that was merely 1-star before the war started has risen to 6-star in an instant… And he even uses an unidentified secret technique?”
“It is said that the secret technique related to silencing the Black Bell Corps and immobilizing them is this.”
“The source?”
“We have searched everywhere, but we have not been able to confirm it yet.”
“Not even the Muyeongdae could find the source. Interesting.”
“……”
The intelligence officer was surprised by Albrecht's additional comment.
It wasn't just the intelligence officer.
All the officials present couldn't help but be surprised by Albrecht's reaction.
This was because the number of times Albrecht had used the expression ‘interesting’ when talking about his own children could be counted on one hand.
However, Albrecht, befitting a man who stood at the pinnacle of the Glockner family, continued to speak his mind without paying any heed to this reaction.
“I am curious. Whether the latecomer can sit in this seat. From now on, report on the youngest one more often.”
And so, Albrecht's interest began to turn towards Roden.
Without knowing what Roden was thinking.