Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 10

For several days after that, the 2nd Transport Unit moved diligently to return to the main force.

Even though they were moving at a leisurely pace, their travel speed was much faster on the way back than on the way there.

It was only natural.

Because they didn't have to be tense about being attacked, fight hard when they were actually attacked, and then clean up the aftermath.

However, Roden did not feel the same comfort and leisure as he had on the first day.

Of course, there was the fact that his back and buttocks ached from riding a horse for a long time.

But what burdened Roden more than that were the stares.

The gazes of Chevalier and the members of the 3rd Platoon as they looked at Roden.

‘Did I stand out too much?’

Certainly, Roden's recent actions were different from Ernst's.

Not only did he not touch alcohol, but he also woke up early without anyone waking him up.

On top of that, he had personally proposed a strategy and led his allies to victory, and just a few days ago, he had even conducted personal training.

So, from the perspective of those watching, they couldn't help but feel that something was strange.

Roden was also aware of this, so he had tried his best not to stand out for a few days.

Fortunately, so far, only the 3rd Infantry Platoon had noticed the difference in Roden's recent actions.

The other platoons and the higher-ups had not noticed Roden's change much.

To be precise, it was more accurate to say that they were not interested.

Even if they had heard that Roden had changed, they would have surely thought, how much could an idiot have changed?

‘Well, right. I just have to be careful from now on. In the first place, it's fine as long as the fact that I've changed doesn't become known outside of the platoon.’

In fact, Roden had never been one to care much about what others thought of him.

His original personality was optimistic, and he was only interested in reading books or conducting research, so he was bound to be weak in social life.

In conclusion, Roden belonged to a rather extreme side even among mages, who had a strong tendency to go their own way.

In other words, it meant that although he would be a little careful, Roden was highly likely to continue acting as he was now.

‘When I return to the unit, I should talk to Chevalier and get some books to read. I'm getting bored of reading only the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship Manual over and over again.’

The fact that he had quickly forgotten the previous situation and was thinking this was proof of that.

And so, while Roden was nonchalantly accepting the occasional gazes of the 3rd Infantry Platoon.

Finally, the 2nd Transport Unit returned to the main force.

***

As soon as he returned to the main force, Roden was summoned by the Infantry Company Commander, Havier.

It was an order to accompany him to a meeting with the Transport Battalion Commander, Adriel Barrios.

And so, Roden, along with Havier, the 1st Archery Platoon Leader, and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon Leader, walked to the large barracks where Adriel was staying.

As they entered the barracks, Adriel spotted Havier's face and immediately shot up from his seat.

Then, he hugged Havier and spoke in a voice filled with emotion.

“You saved our army.”

Certainly, the contribution of Havier, who had led the 2nd Transport Unit this time, was brilliant.

He had barely prevented the tide of the war from turning towards the Imperial Army after failing in transport several times in a row.

And so, Adriel, who had been patting Havier's back for a while, stepped back and asked.

“So. Was there no word from the main battalion?”

For reference, only the Infantry Company Commander, Havier, who had led the 2nd Transport Unit, and the Infantry Deputy Company Commander, Jamie Donley, had met with the main battalion commander.

It would have been too chaotic for the platoon leaders and deputy platoon leaders of other units to flock there before a decisive battle.

Havier briefly explained his meeting with the main battalion commander to Adriel.

“I received a short word of encouragement, saying that we had worked hard.”

“Was that all? That heartless bastard. To think of all the blood we shed and the hardships we went through to make this transport succeed.”

“Still, they gave us the best barracks that their own officers were using so that we could rest comfortably.”

“That's just a traditional thing to do. Anyway, so you're saying there was no special mention. No separate reward either. But I can't be like that. Havier, is there anything you want?”

As Adriel asked, the gazes of everyone present fell on Havier.

Everyone seemed to be hoping for at least a crumb to fall to them.

But Roden, the one who had actually proposed this operation, was lost in his own thoughts with unfocused eyes.

Havier, amidst the heated gazes, glanced at Roden with a strange look in his eyes and then opened his mouth.

“Actually, the success of this operation is not my achievement alone.”

“Then?”

“To lead this operation to success, the platoon leaders of each platoon, including the deputy company commander, helped me diligently. We put our heads together all night and worked hard to come up with a brilliant strategy.”

At Havier's words, Adriel slowly nodded his head.

“I'm sure that was the case. It was that important an operation. I was also planning to give rewards to the deputy company commander and the platoon leaders within my power.

However, what I'm curious about is a reward that cannot be given at my level. Because I will have to report this matter to the Commander-in-Chief as well.”

In other words, it meant that Adriel would specially report to the Commander-in-Chief and allow them to receive a reward they normally couldn't.

If so, it was a tremendous opportunity to aim for a two-rank promotion, beyond a one-rank promotion.

That was why the eyes of everyone present couldn't help but widen with anticipation.

However, Havier opened his mouth calmly, as if he had expected this situation.

“A report to the Commander-in-Chief. Thank you very much. In that case, I would like to ask you to praise the contribution of the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader, Ernst Glockner.”

Adriel asked back in surprise, as if he had heard something unexpected.

“What? Ernst Glockner?”

It was not just Adriel.

The 1st Archery Platoon Leader and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon Leader who were also there looked quite surprised.

It couldn't be helped, as they had no idea that Roden was the one who had proposed this operation.

What's more, Roden was a well-known idiot throughout the army.

So when Roden's name was mentioned, everyone present couldn't help but be surprised.

But the deputy company commander, who had participated in the meeting and knew the circumstances, was nodding his head as if it were natural.

And so, when everyone's gazes fell on Roden, Adriel asked once more.

“I didn't mishear, did I?”

“No, sir. The Battalion Commander heard correctly. I believe that the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader, Ernst Glockner, deserves to be praised for his contribution. Because he was the one who proposed the military strategy for this operation.”

“……”

To think that the person who proposed the groundbreaking military strategy of the 2nd Transport Unit, which had saved the main battalion and annihilated the Imperial Army cavalry, was Roden.

The story was so shocking that the room fell silent.

Adriel also remained silent for a long time, as if he was too busy gathering his thoughts.

Then, he belatedly came to his senses.

“It must be… true. The person who proposed this operation was really Ernst Glockner.

Hahaha.”

“Yes. That's right.”

“But why didn't you report it beforehand?”

“Because there was no particular reason to do so. I also didn't bother to reveal who the

proposer was when reporting other operations.”

“But this case is different.”

Adriel rebuked Havier.

Meaning that since the proposer of the operation was none other than the Allied Forces' biggest idiot, it was right to report it.

But Havier's expression was calm, without a hint of being intimidated.

If the operation had failed, it might have been a different story.

But in the current situation where the operation was a great success, Havier, who had carried out his duties according to procedure, had nothing to be ashamed of.

And so, from Havier's mouth came the explanation of why he had not revealed that Roden was the proposer of the operation.

“Actually, that's why I couldn't reveal that the proposer of this operation was the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader. I was worried that a brilliant operation might be buried because of the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader's notoriety.”

Havier's honest answer.

At that answer, Adriel's expression hardened frighteningly.

Because Havier's answer contained the meaning that Adriel might not have chosen the operation that had achieved such a great success because of Roden's notoriety,

and that he had been afraid to speak because he was worried he would make such a choice.

A remark that could, in effect, be seen as ignoring Adriel's objectivity.

Depending on the situation, a harsh reprimand might have fallen on Havier.

But,

“Well done. You made a very correct judgment.”

Rather, Adriel soon showed a smile and praised Havier's choice.

And for good reason, because even he thought that he might have lost his objectivity due to that notoriety and rejected Roden's operation.

Even if he had somehow managed to pass it, he would have surely been on tenterhooks, worrying that the operation would fail after the 2nd Transport Unit had left.

Above all, because of Havier's choice, the operation had passed smoothly and had even brought results, so what more was there to say?

Adriel was originally like this.

Despite being a high-ranking noble, he did not excessively assert his authority and was honest in expressing his emotions.

In fact, the reason Havier had hidden the fact that Roden was the proposer of the operation was because he knew Adriel's personality well.

And Adriel also knew that Havier had made this choice because he had grasped his personality.

At the same time,

‘If the operation had failed, he intended to hide the fact that the proposer was Ernst and take responsibility himself. Why do you always try to carry such a heavy burden, Havier.’

Adriel was also thinking this.

Just as Havier knew Adriel well, Adriel also knew Havier well.

It was only natural, as they had been close senior and junior since their days at the Mediale

Knight Academy.

Anyway, while Adriel was lost in thought.

“Thank you.”

As such, Havier bowed his head to express his gratitude, and Adriel nodded with satisfaction.

Then he looked at Roden, the cause of all this, and opened his mouth.

“I didn't realize you had such a brilliant talent. I always felt sorry for entrusting you to the Infantry Company Commander, but now I don't have to anymore. Hahaha.”

At Adriel's words, Havier thought, so he really was entrusted to me.

It was the first moment a ripple appeared on Havier's ever-calm expression, but Adriel didn't notice it and asked Roden.

“Right. Since it has come to this, I must ask you directly, the one who has achieved a great feat. Is there anything you wish for?”

As Adriel asked the question, another ripple appeared on Havier's expression.

That was not all.

“Wa, wait a moment….”

Havier hurriedly spoke up to stop the situation.

But Roden gave a broad smile and then answered Adriel's question a step faster.

“In that case, could I possibly receive some good alcohol?”

Alcohol.

Alcohol, of all things.

Why was he talking about alcohol in this situation?

It was the first time a crack appeared on the face of Adriel, who had been laughing all along as if he were in a good mood.