Chapter 139 : Chapter 139
Chapter 139. Once Again (1)
Having succeeded in receiving the oaths of the main battalion, Roden spent some time training his individual and group military strength.
He had no choice but to be extremely busy, as he also had to pass on the secret techniques and methods of the newly acquired <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> and <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual>.
For reference, the number of people who could receive the two swordsmanship manuals immediately was limited.
Only Chevalier, Olinto, Liviano, and Nedhab were able to receive them.
The reason was simple.
The others were already busy learning the other swordsmanship manuals that Roden had passed on.
By now, Roden had acquired many types of swordsmanship manuals.
And among them were some of a high level that required a long time to train.
The <Vayta Swordsmanship Manual>, the <Mustafi Swordsmanship Manual>, and the <Malberg Swordsmanship Manual> were representative examples.
And the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> and the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual> also fell into this category.
It was a part that showed just how amazing Roden's ability to learn a swordsmanship manual instantly just by reading a book was.
And so, Roden handed over the two swordsmanship manuals entirely to Chevalier and had him train with Olinto, Liviano, and Nedhab.
When these four had learned both swordsmanship manuals, they would in turn pass them on to others.
And those who learned them would again pass them on to others.
The main battalion had, at some point, established a chain reaction system where one transmission led to another, and then another.
And this became the reason why the main battalion was rapidly getting stronger.
At the same time, it also became a reason for the main battalion's soldiers to feel a sense of belonging and pride.
No one else would pass on a Superior Swordsmanship Manual just because they were his subordinate.
And almost everything he had learned at that.
As a result, an unexpected thing happened.
Officers began to share the Superior Swordsmanship Manuals they personally owned with Roden.
“Are you really going to give this to me?”
When Roden asked, the main battalion's officers, including Heinrich, nodded their heads.
“Haven’t you given us more, Battalion Commander? We are glad to be able to repay your kindness in this way.”
First, Heinrich, Otto, and Günter actively stepped up and shared five Superior Swordsmanship Manuals.
In addition to them, the deputy company commanders, platoon leaders, and deputy platoon leaders of each company also shared Superior Swordsmanship Manuals, and the total number was nine.
Thanks to this, Roden obtained fourteen new Superior Swordsmanship Manuals, and learning and researching them was the decisive reason he had been so busy recently.
And Roden, who had learned all fourteen swordsmanship manuals, had his aura absorption rate rise to 186%.
'Is this the underlying strength of a group?'
The number of Superior Swordsmanship Manuals Roden had secured so far was sixteen.
But to get his hands on a number of Superior Swordsmanship Manuals that nearly approached that number in one go, he couldn't help but be surprised.
Moreover, it wasn't just the secret methods; the number of secret techniques also increased by fourteen.
'It won't be easy to utilize all of these in the war.'
Of course, among the fourteen secret techniques, there were some whose effects and application methods overlapped with the secret techniques he had already learned.
However, the addition of new secret techniques to the main battalion, which was somewhat lacking in the number of secret techniques compared to its rapidly rising level, was a positive thing.
Now, the main battalion's knights would no longer be pushed back due to a lack of secret techniques.
It was when Roden had just finished digesting the fourteen Superior Swordsmanship Manuals that he received a new request for support.
***
“...It seems the 2nd Corps' situation is worse than I thought.”
Roden said after reading the operation proposal that had arrived from Alexis.
Chevalier, who was in the office with Roden, picked up on his words.
“I thought they would be able to handle it on their own, but it seems that wasn't the case.”
The 2nd Corps had also suffered great damage from the Magic Artifact Unit.
But the reason a support order had not been issued until now was because the higher-ups had judged that the 2nd Corps would solve this problem on its own.
But in conclusion, the 2nd Corps had failed to solve this problem.
They had almost succeeded, but they had failed.
This was because the Imperial Army's military strength had greatly increased as magic artifacts were supplied to the regular units as well.
“Paul must be extremely anxious because of this. Whatever the situation, it has revealed his incompetence.”
A familiar voice interrupted the conversation between Roden and Chevalier.
That person was Michael, who had personally visited Kroxen Castle with Alexis's operation proposal.
Roden looked at Michael and asked.
“But why has the Staff Officer come all the way to such a humble place in person?”
“Well, I just came by on the way. As a staff officer, I need to check on you from time to time to see if you’re managing the main battalion well.”
Michael looked at the faces of the main battalion's officers, including Chevalier, who were gathered in the office.
Then he immediately added.
“The atmosphere is different again. Anyone would think this unit is your private army.”
As expected, Michael was sharp.
As if to prove he wasn't of Glockner blood for nothing.
However, Roden was not particularly bothered by Michael's words.
In the past, he might have reacted sensitively, but now there was no reason to.
Roden's power now far surpassed Michael's.
Not only in group military strength but also in individual military strength.
Roden read the flow of aura moving calmly inside Michael's body and answered.
“It seems it looks that way to the Staff Officer as well.”
“!”
Michael's eyes widened as if he hadn't expected Roden to agree.
But then he let out a chuckle, pssh.
“They say a bird that has just started to fly is the most fearsome. Anyway, you’re amazing. In that case, I can ask for a favor much more comfortably.”
“What is it?”
“How about we cooperate again this time?”
It was a proposal to go to the 2nd Corps together again and solve the problem.
Certainly, for Michael, who had not yet been able to capture Nanbalt Castle, moving like this was not a bad idea.
If Roden succeeded in helping the 2nd Corps once again, he would be able to gain a windfall of achievements that would allow him to exert influence in the succession war.
Just by moving together.
However, this proposal was not very appealing to Roden.
He had to accept the operation and succeed in it, with or without Michael.
For that reason, he said.
“What can you give me this time?”
That is to say, at least the same offer as when he taught him the secret techniques of the Glockner Swordsmanship last time.
Without such an offer, he couldn't be included in this.
Michael immediately grasped this meaning and picked up on his words.
“They say the rich are even greedier. Can't you show some mercy when you're looking down from above?”
“Is mercy usually something that can be shown to someone who has attempted to take your life?”
“And you’re petty on top of that.”
“……”
“Alright. In that case, let’s try to match the conditions. Will two Superior Swordsmanship Manuals be enough?”
“It’s not enough. My value has gone up. Above all, Laura has even promised to accept my request for support from her and the Red Wolf Unit at any time, at least once.”
“So my value has gone up, and the condition I proposed is not sufficient. Then I'll throw in one more Superior Swordsmanship Manual. Let me tell you in advance, it's something that can compare to the <Soler Swordsmanship Manual> or the <Benoit Swordsmanship Manual>.”
“And?”
“More? You’re being too greedy.”
“Then please return safely.”
Roden issued an order to leave without a second thought.
At that, Michael urgently raised his voice.
“Ah. In that case, how about this? I’ll help you once as well. Whenever you request it.”
“And?”
“You want more? Wow. You’re a complete thief.”
“No. I’m not a thief, I’m a law officer catching an attempted murderer.”
“How long are you going to talk about the past?”
“And Laura also has the Red Wolf Unit.”
“I have the Cheolwidae too.”
“……”
“Damn it. I get it. Not once, but twice. No, three times. I'll help you three times. I can't concede any more than that.”
“Let's confirm the deal by adding one more Superior Swordsmanship Manual to that.”
“...Phew. I can't win.”
In the end, Michael was completely cleaned out by Roden.
But for some reason, his expression was not bad.
Rather, he seemed happy that it had turned out this way.
'What's with him?'
Roden thought for a moment, then withdrew his gaze from Michael and looked at the main battalion.
Then he opened his mouth.
“In any case, since things have turned out this way, we are going to the 2nd Corps.”
***
Meanwhile.
A man was in a difficult situation as he observed the state of the Imperial Army, armed with magic artifacts.
“Oh, my. This is troublesome. I just wanted to dispose of the ‘Hellfire Brigade’.”
The man with impressive, narrowly opened eyes was Paul, the second son of the Glockner family.
“It can’t be helped. Since our forces are insufficient, we have no choice but to retreat as is.”
Paul muttered, disappointed that he had failed to deal with the Magic Artifact Unit active on the 2nd Corps' front, the ‘Hellfire Brigade’.
It was only natural, as he had been on the verge of success.
“By the way, if this happens, my younger siblings who have solved the 1st Corps’ problem will come, and I’m not sure if that will be alright.”
As he said this, a chill crept into Paul's face.
“I can't guarantee that I’ll be able to hold back from killing my younger siblings when I face them.”
Paul suddenly drew two swords from his waist with a clang.
Then he pointed them at the Imperial Army and continued.
“It would be a bit much to kill my younger siblings right away, so shall I try to calm my anger? In that respect, I’m asking, would you be my scapegoat?”
Paul nodded his head in satisfaction, as if he had heard the answer he wanted to hear.
“Excellent. Thank you for your agreement.”
And so, Paul advanced rapidly towards the Imperial Army by himself.
That evening, the Imperial Army, despite having supplied magic artifacts to its regular units, had to taste the humiliation of having a company annihilated.