Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 137. Now It’s Not About Survival (4)

Honestly, I hadn't expected it.

Of all the countless mage towers, that the Penitudo Mage Tower would be the one selling magic artifacts to the Empire.

During Roden's time, the Penitudo Mage Tower's interest in magic artifacts had been quite low.

When they were stuck at 3rd or 4th-star and their level wouldn't rise any further.

The perception was strong that only then would they reluctantly learn enchantment magic.

But the quantity currently being distributed in the Empire was something that couldn't be handled with such an approach.

It was a level that would only be possible if at least half of the mage tower's magicians clung to it and did nothing but enchant all day.

So, it was impossible for Roden to predict this situation.

'How is the Penitudo Mage Tower selling this many magic artifacts? Why did they take on this job?'

Questions led to more questions, but unfortunately, Roden couldn't find an answer to them.

This was because Abtal did not have any more information than this.

'I'll have to look into this separately.'

The clearest way to get an answer was to talk directly with the Penitudo Mage Tower.

However, the northern region where the Penitudo Mage Tower was located was not easily accessible.

Not only was it far, but the path itself was too complicated.

'Visiting Vinchih is possible because of the operation, but visiting the north is a different story. It would take more than fifteen days just for the travel.'

The fact that Roden had no pretext to visit the Penitudo Mage Tower was also a problem.

So, in reality, it was impossible for Roden to approach the Penitudo Mage Tower directly.

'In the end, there's no other way but to report it to the higher-ups.'

If he reported it like this, the Allied Forces' intelligence department would dig up information about the Penitudo Mage Tower.

They would probably try to make direct contact as well.

To solve his curiosity, Roden had to receive this information.

'The procedure is complicated, so it will take a long time, and there's no guarantee that I'll get the exact information I want, but it can't be helped. We're at war.'

Above all, what was important to Roden were the two wars he was currently fighting.

On the other hand, finding out for what reason and by what method the Penitudo Mage Tower was selling magic artifacts to the Empire was a relatively unimportant issue.

Knowing this wouldn't stop the sale of magic artifacts.

And so, Roden decided to report this matter to his superiors.

Given the circumstances, it couldn't be helped.

'Right. Let's focus on making the main battalion stronger.'

Fortunately, the main battalion was steadily getting stronger.

Just as Roden's aura absorption rate had become 102%, the main battalion's aura absorption rate had also increased considerably.

Those who originally had talent, like Chevalier, had an aura absorption rate approaching 30%, and even those without innate talent maintained an aura absorption rate in the 10% range.

'If time continues to pass, the entire main battalion's regular soldiers will also rise to the rank of knight.'

It was a part that showed what kind of effect sharing the secret methods of the Superior Swordsmanship had on regular soldiers.

'Actually, it would be more helpful for the Empire's military strength to share the secret methods rather than buying magic artifacts.'

Of course, this was a thought that only Roden could have.

In a world where Superior Swordsmanship Manuals were treated like family heirlooms, how could such a thing be possible?

Especially from a noble's point of view, it was not easy to give up this privilege.

Privilege was the prestige of the family and the legitimacy of inherited power.

It was also the essence of the class society that supported the current national system.

For that reason, only powerful families could possess a large number of Superior Swordsmanship Manuals.

At the same time, it was also much easier to raise one's level.

This was because it meant they possessed a large number of secret methods that could increase their aura absorption rate.

However, in Roden's case, he had secured Superior Swordsmanship Manuals and improved the secret methods without any help from his family, greatly improving his aura absorption rate.

For that reason, his aura absorption rate was several times higher than that of the children of most renowned swordsmanship families.

In fact, Roden's aura absorption rate had long surpassed that of the Glockner family's children, who were famous for being born with the best talent.

That is, Michael and Laura.

On average, a secret method increased the aura absorption rate by about 1%, but Roden had improved it and raised the figure to 6%.

So, Roden's current aura absorption rate was almost double that of Michael or Laura.

And this was assuming that Michael and Laura's talent was far superior to Roden's.

'My current estimate is that Michael and Laura's talent is about three times greater than mine. So, if they learned one secret method, their aura absorption rate would have increased by about 3% on average.'

That was why Roden thought his aura absorption rate would be more than double that of Michael or Laura.

It was a part that showed why Roden was able to raise his level faster than others.

'But I can't be complacent here. Leon and Malena's talent will be higher than Michael's or Laura's.'

And this was also the reason why Roden thought Leon and Malena would be at 8-star or higher.

Perhaps the two of them had a higher aura absorption rate than Roden.

'Of course, I can produce stronger power at the same level by making my aura pure, but I shouldn't be careless. I must continue to strive.'

Roden steeled his resolve once again.

And so, Roden's steps were heading towards independence, one step at a time.

With doubts about the Penitudo Mage Tower.

***

Before going to Kroxen Castle, Roden briefly stopped by the city of Harschu.

He had to drop off the new recruits in Harschu.

Harschu, Beihan, Elmorim.

Roden had decided to train the new recruits in these three relatively recently captured cities.

That way, they could be naturally incorporated into the main battalion's reserve, and this reserve could also serve as the city's defense force.

When he arrived in Harschu, the Archery Company Commander, Günter, approached Roden.

“You're here, Battalion Commander?”

Roden had put Günter in charge of training the new recruits who had moved to the east.

To be precise, he had the 3rd Archery Platoon led by Günter in charge of this training.

It would be inefficient for an entire company to be involved in training new recruits.

And Günter seemed to be in Harschu briefly to inspect the 3rd Archery Platoon's new recruit training.

“Are you here for an inspection?”

“Yes. That's right. Since it's a new start, I have to show my face like this from time to time so that discipline doesn't slacken.”

“Anyone who heard you would think the 3rd Archery Platoon is slacking off in their training. They were put in charge of the new recruit training because they train harder than anyone else.”

“We still have a long way to go. Especially to catch up to the Special Task Force Company…”

Günter's expression as he trailed off was not very good.

It was the first time Roden had seen such an expression on Günter since he had gained the main battalion's trust.

For that reason, he asked.

“You look uncomfortable. Is something wrong?”

“That’s…”

“?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

It looked like something was wrong, but Roden didn't press further.

It seemed he wouldn't answer even if he pressed further.

'I'll have to have the Deputy Battalion Commander look into the situation later.'

Roden thought to himself and spoke to Günter.

“Alright. If anything happens, come find me anytime. I’ll head back to Kroxen Castle first.”

“Yes. I'll see you again.”

And so, Roden returned to Kroxen Castle with a few guards that Günter had assigned to him.

But this time, the atmosphere in Kroxen Castle was unusual.

“Huh?”

For some reason, the gazes of the main battalion's soldiers on Roden had changed.

“You've worked hard, Battalion Commander!”

“It’s a relief that you’ve returned safely!”

They were certainly saluting politely and exchanging greetings, but there was a strange awkwardness.

Among them, Heinrich and Otto's expressions were particularly strange.

They had expressions similar to Günter's.

'What is it?'

Roden tilted his head and scanned the expressions of the soldiers who had come out to greet him, and his eyes met Chevalier's.

As expected, Chevalier had an expression that said he had a lot to say.

“...You didn't have to come out to greet me like this, but thank you all for the welcome. I'll see you at morning training tomorrow.”

And so, Roden sent the soldiers away.

Then he unpacked his things and had a conversation with Chevalier in his office.

He had acted quickly because he felt the situation was serious.

“Alright. Tell me. What in the world is going on?”

Chevalier, who had received Roden's question, made a troubled expression.

Because of that, Roden couldn't help but be nervous.

It was the first time he had seen such an expression on Chevalier.

Above all, it was a situation where it was difficult to predict what kind of answer would come back.

Finally, Chevalier spoke.

“Well… It seems they’re sulking.”

“...What?”

“The news that the Special Task Force Company made an oath of loyalty with you. It seems this news has reached the ears of the other soldiers. At the same time, a public opinion seems to have formed, asking why they weren't given the opportunity for an oath of loyalty.”

At the completely unexpected story, Roden was dumbfounded.

He had never thought that the main battalion's soldiers would react this way.

He had thought it was a miracle that over 100 soldiers of the Special Task Force Company, without a single exception, had not forgotten his kindness and had pledged their loyalty to him, so it was only natural.

But for the other over 300 soldiers of the main battalion to also want to pledge their loyalty to Roden.

Roden simply couldn't believe this fact.

'Above all, don't the Infantry Company Commander, the Archery Company Commander, and the Cavalry Company Commander each have their own families they belong to?'

This thought came to his mind, and in the end, Roden couldn't hold back his curiosity and spoke.

“Alright. Summon them all. I’ll check for myself if they really have the intention of taking an oath of loyalty.”