Chapter 135 : Chapter 135
Chapter 135 . Now It’s Not About Survival (2)
After receiving the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> and the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> from Laura, Roden immediately began his research.
As expected, the more impressive of the two was the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual>, which contained three secret techniques.
However, he could see that the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> was also of a considerable level.
'This one also has three secret techniques.'
The fact that there were three secret techniques in each indicated that both swordsmanship manuals were no ordinary ones.
It was a part that showed why Laura had been so triumphant when she offered them as a reward.
First, the secret techniques of the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> were 'Jigeuncham', 'Nag-amgwon', and 'Toinjin'.
Jigeuncham was a technique that caused sharp rock spikes to protrude in the direction the sword was swung.
Nag-amgwon was a technique that condensed aura above the head like a rock and dropped it.
Toinjin was a technique that plunged the sword into the ground, spreading aura vibrations to pull the enemy to the ground.
All three were deeply related to the earth attribute.
For that reason, Roden felt as if he had learned new earth magic.
Next, the secret techniques of the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> were 'Chim-sugyeok', 'Gyeongryupa', and 'Pahae-gyeok'.
Chim-sugyeok was a technique that infiltrated aura like water into equipment or the body at the moment of cutting, slowing down movement.
Gyeongryupa was a technique that accumulated aura and swept over the enemy like a fierce wave.
Pahae-gyeok was a one-slash-two-pieces technique that split the enemy horizontally as if parting the sea.
As if to prove that it wasn't a superior swordsmanship manual that made the Soler family a renowned swordsmanship family for nothing, the power of each secret technique was formidable.
In fact, techniques like Gyeongryupa and Pahae-gyeok couldn't even be activated with an ordinary level of aura.
Gyeongryupa required at least a 6-star, and Pahae-gyeok required at least a 7-star practitioner to use the secret technique.
'For the first time, there's a secret technique I can't use even after learning it.'
However, Roden was not surprised by this fact.
It was something he had expected ever since he heard that the secret techniques of the Glockner Swordsmanship would be passed down according to one's level.
'If that weren't the case, there would be no reason to divide the secret techniques and pass them down according to level.'
The method of teaching everything first and then treating the one who handles all the secret techniques most skillfully.
There was no reason for the Glockner family, who loved competition more than any other family, not to choose this method.
For that reason, Roden could deduce that it was impossible to pass on the secret techniques unless one's aura level reached a certain point.
Above all, Roden had witnessed several cases of being unable to use them due to a low level while passing on the secret techniques to the main battalion.
'I'll have to reach the 7-star level just to use the Soler Swordsmanship fully.'
In that respect, it was a good thing that he had obtained the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> and the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> this time.
With the addition of two secret methods, Roden's aura absorption rate had increased.
The secret method of the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> was to synchronize the micro-currents between cells to increase the amount of aura absorbed.
The secret method of the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> was to strengthen the heart to increase the amount of aura delivered throughout the body.
Both were quite effective, and because of that, Roden's aura absorption rate could increase to 102%.
The micro-currents increased the aura absorption rate by 6%, and the heart strengthening increased it by 8%.
An aura absorption rate of over 100%.
Thanks to this further increase in the aura absorption rate, Roden's level was rapidly approaching 7-star.
'At this rate, I'll be able to reach the 7-star level soon.'
7-star was an amazing level.
This was because at 7-star, it became possible not only to simply generate aura but also to shoot out sword energy.
Of course, some of the secret techniques of the Superior Swordsmanship were also capable of long-range attacks.
However, it was much faster and simpler to emit sword energy made of pure aura than this.
The form was also highly versatile as it could be changed freely, unlike the secret techniques.
For that reason, from 7-star onwards, they mostly used sword energy for long-range attacks.
They only used secret techniques when they had to conserve aura while fighting.
The relatively large consumption of aura compared to secret techniques.
This was the disadvantage of sword energy.
In any case, Roden had recently reached a level where the 7-star was shimmering in his eyes.
Becoming a 7-star meant that Roden would be able to use 7th-circle magic, so it was a very important matter.
'At the same time, it means I'll be able to definitively pull ahead of Michael and Laura. Though I'm still far from Leon or Malena.'
Leon and Malena were officially known to be at the 8-star level.
However, Roden thought that the two of them might be at a higher level than that.
For that reason, for Roden to reach his goal of independence, he needed to strive even harder.
'The group's level also needs to be higher than it is now.'
However, there was something that had to be done before raising the group's level.
That was to get a definite oath of loyalty from the Special Task Force Company.
'I'll have to have a close talk with Chevalier about this.'
Currently, Chevalier was not a member of the Special Task Force Company.
He was the Deputy Battalion Commander of the main battalion.
However, the Special Task Force Company still respected and trusted Chevalier.
Therefore, to get the Special Task Force Company's oath of loyalty, he had to persuade Chevalier first.
And so, Roden's gaze turned towards Chevalier, who was diligently conducting his personal training.
***
That night.
Roden and Chevalier sat facing each other in the office of Kroxen Castle.
“...Is that what you were thinking?”
Chevalier asked Roden, and Roden felt his heart sink for a moment.
'Did I bring it up too suddenly?'
Just a moment ago, Roden had brought up the matter of receiving the Special Task Force Company's oath of loyalty to Chevalier.
At the same time, he had asked Chevalier if he could help with this matter.
However, upon hearing this, Chevalier had an expression of complete incomprehension.
So, Roden couldn't help but wonder if he had spoken out of turn.
'I was too arrogant. I should have checked the intentions of Chevalier and the Special Task Force Company first.'
Just as Roden was organizing his thoughts and about to tell Chevalier to forget what he had just said.
Chevalier spoke a step faster.
“Why would you do that? The Special Task Force Company, including myself, has already expressed our intention to follow you many times.”
“...What?”
“It was a while ago. You once said this to the Special Task Force Company. That you were fighting two wars.”
“……”
“At that time, you told your story calmly, but everyone present there made a vow and oath in their hearts at that moment. That we would help you, who made us feel human. Even if it meant sacrificing our lives and more.”
“……”
“Every night, the Special Task Force Company gathers in small groups and talks. How can we be of help to you? How strong do we have to be for that?”
“……”
“That is the heart of the entire Special Task Force Company, including myself. So there is no need for another oath of loyalty. If you tell us to follow, we will simply follow. For you.”
“……”
Listening to Chevalier's words, Roden couldn't help but fall into a deeper silence.
It was that surprising.
That the Special Task Force Company thought of him so much.
At the same time, he felt so grateful for this sentiment.
[A human should know how to repay a kindness.]
Many people said this, but in reality, those who knew how to repay a kindness were few and far between.
In fact, after a lifetime of dedicating everything to his research and sharing the results, all Roden got in return was the cruel and cold betrayal of a close friend.
But these people not only remembered the kindness, but they were even thinking of sacrificing their lives for it.
Roden could only fall silent, moved by their sentiment.
How much time had passed?
Roden, who had barely broken out of his silence, spoke to Chevalier.
“...You're right. Demanding an oath of loyalty from the Special Task Force Company is too much. I was wrong to think that.”
***
A few days later.
Roden headed to Vinchih with the infantry and archery platoons.
This was because over a month had already passed while he was dispatched to the 1st Corps to deal with the Black Bell Corps.
That meant it was time to rotate with the cavalry platoon that was leading the Billem Caravan.
“I’m still not sure if it’s right to leave the infantry platoon, the strongest force in the main battalion, in Vinchih.”
“It’s fine. The archery and cavalry platoons are strong enough now, so it doesn't matter.”
Chevalier, who was moving with him to Vinchih, spoke, and Roden replied.
Certainly, in the past, it would have been awkward to leave the infantry platoon in Vinchih.
But as Roden mentioned, the archery and cavalry platoons were now strong enough.
The proof was that, following the infantry platoon, all the soldiers of the two platoons had reached the 1-star level.
That was right.
The Special Task Force Company was now a unit where all the regular soldiers were knights.
It was a part that showed just how hard the Special Task Force Company had been training until now.
Chevalier also knew this fact, so he silently nodded his head after hearing Roden's explanation.
A short while later.
Someone blocked the path of Roden's party, which was heading to Vinchih.
Upon closer inspection, the ones standing there were the soldiers of the cavalry platoon.
“Battalion Commander!”
“Everyone, have you been well!”
Roden nodded his head at the sight.
Then he spoke to Chevalier.
“They’ve come out to meet us as promised.”
“They have. Now we just need to move to the location.”
And so, Roden and the Special Task Force Company followed Chevalier.
The place was a clearing deep in the mountains before reaching Vinchih.
Sufficient for the Special Task Force Company to gather in hiding.
There, Roden stood before the Special Task Force Company.
“A while ago, I returned to Kroxen Castle and talked with the Deputy Battalion Commander about receiving your oath of loyalty. And in that process, I realized my mistake. I belatedly realized that there was no meaning in receiving an oath of loyalty from you.”
Roden paused for a moment and looked at the familiar faces of the Special Task Force Company soldiers, from Chevalier to Olinto, Liviano, Nedhab, Federico, Zailo, Terne, Antonio, Hugo, Manolo, Ronda, Darien, and Gaspar.
Then he opened his mouth again.
“So now, I will not demand loyalty from you who have already decided to follow me. The one who will swear an oath in this place is me. Therefore, I will make ‘My Oath’.”
“...!”
'My Oath'?
The soldiers of the Special Task "Force Company, who had come to this place hearing that it would be a formal oath of loyalty, looked at Roden with surprise.
Among them, only Chevalier had a faint smile on his lips.
“I will trust each of you without secrets. I will not doubt, and I will not fear. I will cherish you as friends, as family, as my own life. I will protect you above any other command in the world. I will be your sharpest honed sword and a shield that can never be broken. This is my oath, forever engraved in the noble heavens.”
After Roden finished speaking, a brief silence fell, and finally, a roar of emotion erupted from the mouths of the Special Task Force Company.