Chapter 168 : Chapter 168
Chapter 168. Dark Intent (2)
Alexis readily accepted Roden's proposal.
“As you say, the Mage Tower's movements are suspicious. It would be better to properly grasp their intentions.”
However, just because permission for an investigation was granted, it didn't mean Roden could step forward personally.
“I will entrust this matter to the Transport Battalion. You, who have to lead the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit, have much to do.”
For Roden, it was a somewhat disappointing result, but it couldn't be helped.
Even though they got their hands on Kroxen Castle and Nanbalt Castle, the war was still in full swing.
Above all, a short while later, as news of the Council of Elder Nobles and the Imperial Guard joining the war was conveyed, Roden became busy once again.
“I thought we barely reduced their numbers, but they are flocking in again.”
Michael muttered while looking at the advancing Imperial Army.
Roden replied to this remark.
“Still, this will probably be almost the last of it.”
Roden was someone who thoroughly knew the situation of the Empire from his activities in Vinchih.
For that reason, he knew better than anyone about the power struggle between the New Progressive Council and the Council of Elder Nobles.
Also which nobles belonged to which faction.
‘Of all people, the Volkov family came here.’
Roden thought upon seeing the eagle flag symbolizing the Volkov family.
Because he knew Nikolai was currently the head of the Council of Elder Nobles.
‘Well, maybe it was inevitable. Since the situation of the 3rd Corps front is fluctuating greatly as the Bazar family collapsed.’
Certainly, from the Empire's perspective, the situation of the 3rd Corps front was the worst.
Among the Bazar family, Kalif family, and Tiaref family, only the Bazar family completely collapsed.
Furthermore, the Glockner family, the strongest force in the East, was advancing with flags raised on the 3rd Corps front.
For the Empire, they couldn't help but put weight on this side.
Perhaps because of that, the number of the Imperial Guard was also formidable.
“Right. Since it's the last, we should cheer up. By the way, is it just my feeling that more Imperial Army troops seem to have gathered on our side?”
“Probably that is not just a feeling.”
Currently, two major units were active on the 3rd Corps front.
The 3rd Corps and the Glockner unit.
In the first place, the two were units that couldn't be merged into one.
For that reason, rather than forcibly staying together, they chose the method of moving separately altogether.
Of course, that didn't mean they moved without any direction.
They constantly exchanged letters to align their direction as much as possible so as not to infringe on each other's territory.
This time, they also established their own operation for dealing with the Council of Elder Nobles and the Imperial Guard.
It was deciding to deal with the Imperial Army by dividing it into two units.
For this, the 3rd Corps came out of Nanbalt Castle and greeted the Imperial Army, and in the meantime, the Glockner unit advanced towards Daslen Castle.
For reference, Daslen Castle was an Imperial castle located closest to Nanbalt Castle.
Due to this, the Imperial Army advancing towards Nanbalt Castle had no choice but to detach some troops and send them towards the Glockner unit.
The troops were divided into two as intended by the Allied Forces.
However, as Michael said, the remaining troops were more numerous than thought.
It was also bad news that the Volkov unit remained with Nikolai.
“Let's wait and see. Since the Corps Commander will issue an order to engage in battle in a way that allows retreating to Nanbalt Castle if necessary.”
“Right. I just hope the order to retreat without even clashing once doesn't come out.”
Fortunately, a red military flag went up from Alexis's direct unit.
And drum sounds and trumpet sounds rang out.
“Then let's go.”
“Right. Let's go.”
Michael nodded, and Roden raised his sword above his head.
Then he lowered the sword forward and gave the order.
“All forces charge!”
***
Conclusively, the 3rd Corps entered inside Nanbalt Castle.
But if asked whether they lost the battle because of that, it was not at all the case.
Rather, even though they were quite pushed back in numbers, they were able to reduce the numbers of the Council of Elder Nobles and the Imperial Guard significantly.
While the Imperial Army used magic artifacts more passively than before, the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit did not, so there had to be a difference.
Eventually, the Imperial Army gave up the siege of Nanbalt Castle and retreated to Daslen Castle.
Since they couldn't even besiege Nanbalt Castle despite overwhelming numerical superiority, it was a painful defeat for the Imperial Army.
Furthermore, the Imperial Army couldn't even subdue the Glockner unit.
Rather, because they underestimated the Glockner unit, they paid the price dearly.
The fact that the detached troops were annihilated by the Glockner unit was the very proof.
“The Imperial Army won't be able to covet Nanbalt Castle for a while. Not that we have gained the advantage though.”
Roden spoke in the strategy meeting room of Nanbalt Castle, and Alexis nodded.
“Right. As you say, it seems good to engage in local warfare centered on Nanbalt Castle and assist the movements of the Glockner unit.”
“Yes. Like that, when the Imperial Army has exhausted enough troops, it would be good to target Daslen Castle at once.”
Tobias, who was listening to that story from the side, laughed ‘kuhahaha’ and intervened.
“I also think the Main Battalion Commander's thought is correct. Since there is no reason to have a head-on confrontation with a beast whose pride has been hurt.”
Adriel, who was also in the strategy meeting room, nodded.
“I agree as well.”
Like that, in a place where all major figures of the 3rd Corps gathered, Alexis actively accepted Roden's opinion and decided the direction of the 3rd Corps troop operation.
Certainly, Alexis was following Roden's words more actively than before.
Since there was what Roden had shown so far, it was natural.
Moreover, the person with the most outstanding martial prowess in this place was also Roden.
A short while later.
When the meeting ended, the person who approached Roden first was Adriel.
“Your performance was dazzling in today's meeting as well. Is it because you reached the realm of 8-star? I feel like there is more weight in your voice.”
“Is that so? There is a good thing for the Transport Battalion Commander as well. Congratulations on reaching the realm of 6-star.”
Originally, Adriel's realm was 5-star when Roden belonged to the Transport Battalion.
But since he became 6-star, congratulations were in order.
However, Adriel seemed ashamed of his growth.
“Compared to you, I am lacking a lot. By the way, your growth speed is amazing. It's to the point where I question whether there was anyone in history who raised their realm this fast. As expected, is it the result of effort with that training method?”
Roden nodded obediently and answered.
“That is correct. However, I improved the training method a little in the meantime. That played a big part.”
“Oh. Is that really true?”
Adriel showed great interest in Roden's words.
It was because he knew better than anyone that thanks to Roden's training method, his realm rose much faster than average.
And because of that, inwardly he hoped Roden would teach him the improved training method.
But Adriel couldn't speak his wish out loud for fear that Roden might feel burdened.
Since he thought he already owed a great debt to Roden, it was natural.
However, since Roden knew what Adriel wanted, he spoke with a smile on his lips.
“Yes. So actually, I was thinking I should pass on the improved training method to the Transport Battalion. I will visit soon.”
“Ah. Thank you. Thank you.”
Adriel grabbed Roden's hand abruptly and offered words of gratitude repeatedly.
It was a point where one could know how highly Adriel evaluated Roden's training method.
When he finished the conversation with Adriel like that.
“Ahem.”
Someone cleared his throat like this.
Turning his head, the one there was Tobias.
“I unintentionally overheard the conversation…. Could you pass on your training method to the Vanguard Battalion as well?”
Desperation appeared on Tobias's face.
It was a point where one could know how much he wanted to receive Roden's training method.
And Roden readily accepted Tobias's request as well.
“Of course. I will pass on the improved training method to the Vanguard Battalion soon as well.”
“Kuhahaha. As expected, the Main Battalion Commander is cool. Then I will be waiting.”
Tobias left the strategy meeting room like that, and Roden thought while watching his retreating figure.
‘I should pass on a moderately improved training method.’
The Vanguard Battalion and the Transport Battalion becoming stronger was beneficial for Roden as well.
Because recently the aspect of the war was changing into fights of corps units.
So, to lower the burden on the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit, other battalions had to become stronger.
However, that didn't mean he could teach everything to the Vanguard Battalion and the Transport Battalion.
Roden was used to sharing research results without reservation, but the thoughts of the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit would be different.
For Roden too, it was right to strive to give better things to the people following him.
Only then could he not be swayed by others when he finally achieved his goal and succeeded in independence.
‘So I will pass on a moderately improved training method to the Vanguard Battalion and the Transport Battalion, and improve the training method further in the meantime.’
Even the current training method already had a very high aura absorption rate by adding secret methods upon secret methods.
Actually, thanks to this training method, he could step on the realm of 8-star.
Furthermore, it wasn't only Roden who became stronger.
Recently, there were quite a few people who stepped on a new realm in the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit.
First, Olinto, Liviano, Nedhab, Heinrich, Günter, and Otto stepped on the realm of 4-star.
Also, Chevalier reached the realm of 5-star.
But the one who faced the most surprising change was Michael, who surprisingly stepped on the realm of 7-star.
Perhaps because he was of Glockner blood, the increase in aura absorption rate was extraordinary when he accepted the new training method.
Like this, it was an excellent training method even now, but Roden intended to improve this a little more.
Because after facing the main body of Glockner, he clearly realized how lacking the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit were.
‘More time will still be needed for this war to end.’
So until then, making the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit as strong as possible.
This was the new goal Roden set recently.