Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Return to the Main Force, and (2) But it was only for a moment. Adriel regained his smile and opened his mouth towards Roden. “Good alcohol, you say. Of course, I must bestow it as a reward. I have something in mind, as a matter of fact.” Adriel walked to one side of his barracks, opened a wooden box, and took out a bottle of alcohol. At a glance, it was much better alcohol than what Havier had bestowed, which had been in a military canteen. The luxurious glass bottle with its decorations proved this fact. And so, Roden's expression, having assessed the value of the alcohol, naturally brightened. Adriel, confirming Roden's expression, nodded with satisfaction. “Here, take it. By the way, you seem to really like alcohol.” “I’d drink it if I had it.” As Roden was overjoyed with the bottle of alcohol in his hand, Adriel shook his head with a smile, as if he couldn't be helped. On the other hand, the other commanders present frowned as if they were displeased. It was clear that they did not like Roden's behavior, which, to anyone's eyes, lowered the dignity of a noble. Certainly, Roden's current appearance was undignified, to the point of putting any mercenary to shame. However, Havier, who had opened his mouth to interrupt Roden's words, just watched the scene silently with his mouth shut. In this atmosphere, Adriel opened his mouth again. “Still, since I've made the offer, I can't just end it by throwing you a bottle of alcohol. I will take measures to ensure you receive an appropriate reward.” “Hehe. Thank you.” “Also, I will report to the Commander-in-Chief about the Infantry Company Commander, who pushed forward with the operation despite the risks of the military strategy and succeeded in an important supply mission, as well as in capturing the Imperial Army cavalry commander.” “Thank you.” “I think we've discussed all the important matters now. You've all worked hard. You must be tired, so go and rest now. Dismissed.” Adriel neatly wrapped up the situation. And following the dismissal order, everyone present left Adriel's barracks. In the end, it seemed that the reward from the Commander-in-Chief, which everyone had coveted, had been settled on being received by Havier alone. However, the 1st Archery Platoon Leader and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon Leader were satisfied with this. Because the idiot Ernst, who was still happy about receiving good alcohol, would not receive a reward that did not befit his dignity. *** Thud. Roden, who had returned to his barracks, casually placed the alcohol in a suitable spot with an expressionless face. His expression was as if his earlier joy had been a lie. In fact, it was a lie. Roden felt no great emotion at receiving the alcohol from Adriel. Rather, he was a little annoyed by the fact that he had received alcohol again for no reason. Because there was no use for the alcohol at all. ‘It would have been better if I could have asked for and received a book instead.’ Still, his meeting with Adriel was not without its results. In conclusion, he had succeeded in not only maintaining Ernst's idiot image but also in solidifying it. What was particularly important was that a report about him had not gone up to the Commander-in-Chief. If a report had gone up to the Commander-in-Chief, his story would have been relayed to the members of his family who were also participating in this war. But he had been able to prevent this crisis by receiving a bottle of alcohol, and Roden decided to be satisfied with this fact. For that reason, Roden's interest immediately turned elsewhere. ‘By the way, I wonder if the platoon has finished organizing?’ The reason Roden's interest turned to the platoon was none other than this. Because only when the platoon was organized could he ask Chevalier if he could borrow a book. And so Roden, who had casually placed the bottle of alcohol and briefly lay down on his military cot, got up and came out of his barracks. “Hey, is everyone done organizing?” As Roden appeared and raised his voice, the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon, who were each organizing their military packs, were startled. They had not expected Roden, who had finished his report and gone into his barracks, to appear again. However, ‘What's with them now?’ It was Roden who was puzzled by the reaction of the 3rd Infantry Platoon. Because it was natural for a platoon leader to take care of his platoon. Of course, if Roden had searched through Ernst's memories and compared them with his current actions, he would have easily realized what was strange. But Roden did not bother to do so. Because there was no reason to analyze and imitate Ernst in every little thing like this. This was even more so in front of the 3rd Infantry Platoon. Since he had almost no connection to the Glockner family, there was no reason to act out every single one of Ernst's trivial actions. In fact, this was the reason why Roden treated the 3rd Infantry Platoon comfortably, unlike in front of Havier. Anyway, for this reason, Roden did not understand why the 3rd Infantry Platoon was surprised. So as he was tilting his head, Chevalier approached Roden and spoke. “The organization is almost finished, and we are about to give the soldiers personal maintenance time.” In the military, personal maintenance meant rest time. Understanding this, Roden asked Chevalier. “Ah. So you're planning on letting the soldiers rest all day today?” “Yes. They worked hard carrying out the operation. The personal maintenance time will continue for a few days.” “I see. Then I can rest for a few days too. Hmm.” As Roden stroked his chin as if he had something to say, the quick-witted Chevalier asked. “Is there anything you need, by any chance?” “Ah. Strangely, my body is tired, but I can't sleep well even when I lie down.” “Is that so?” “Yeah. So I was thinking of asking you for a spar, but the Deputy Platoon Leader needs to rest too. The Deputy Platoon Leader was also very busy carrying out this operation.” “I am fine. If the Platoon Leader wishes, I will prepare for a spar.” “No, no. There's no need for that. The Deputy Platoon Leader should rest too. Instead…” “Yes?” “Do you happen to have any books?” “…Books?” Chevalier asked back as if he couldn't believe it, but Roden, undeterred, answered with a bright smile. “Yeah. The more difficult and thick, the better. That way, I'll be able to sleep better.” And so Roden, who had succeeded in borrowing a book from Chevalier by giving a suitable excuse, was finally able to start the reading he had dreamed of. *** “Thanks! I'll leave it to you then!” Roden, who had borrowed one book on the first day, two on the second, and three on the third, borrowed five books from Chevalier today. There was nothing more to lend. Because about ten books were all that Chevalier had. In fact, even this was a lot of books for a soldier at war. Because other people had at most three or four books. The reason Chevalier kept so many books was none other than this. Chevalier also enjoyed books. What's more, even if he didn't read them, if a book came up as loot, he would grab it before anything else. The reason for this habit of Chevalier's. The reason was because of the incident that day when he had not received a Superior Swordsmanship Manual from Philip Glockner. Since then, Chevalier had developed a slight obsession with books. That was why he had ten books, which were nothing but baggage on the battlefield. Even though they were not swordsmanship manuals. Of course, this was possible thanks to Chevalier being assigned to the transport battalion. The transport battalion, after all, did not move its camp as often as other units. So, even if one had some heavy luggage, it was not a big problem. Even if they had to move camp, it was enough to just throw away the useless books among those he had. Also, it was easy for the transport battalion to obtain books during supply missions. Because they could always receive books, which were nothing but baggage, from the commanders of the main battalion who moved camp frequently. As such, Chevalier collected books whenever he had the chance and currently owned a total of ten books. What's more, this was only because the transport battalion had moved camp once and he had thrown away the books he had collected before. Last time, he had had many more books, about thirty. Of these, Chevalier had only taken three with him when he moved camp. Twenty-seven books were thrown away. It was a story that would have greatly shocked Roden if he had heard it. But fortunately, Roden did not know this fact. Ernst, who had no interest in books, did not even know that Chevalier had so many books. So Roden, who had inherited Ernst's memories, could not possibly know this fact either. Anyway, Chevalier, who had a high reading volume for a soldier, was very surprised by Roden's recent actions. Not only did he come to borrow a new book every day, but when he said there were no more books to lend from tomorrow, he even made a new request. It was whether he could borrow books from other people. For Roden to be so serious about books. Chevalier was honestly flustered, but he said he would ask the other platoons and try to borrow some. It was because he felt that he absolutely could not refuse Roden's request. And by this point, Chevalier couldn't help but wonder why Roden was borrowing books like this. ‘Why?’ Naturally, he no longer believed the story that he was reading books to fall asleep. Roden seemed to think this was a sufficient reason, but if one thought about it for a bit, it was a story that made no sense. If he had really borrowed a book to fall asleep, there was no reason to return the 2,211-page book called that he had lent him on the first day in just one day and borrow another book. was the perfect book to use as a sleeping pill. It was that difficult a book. ‘But to return this and borrow a new book.’ What's more, Chevalier did not think that Roden had read all of . The fact that this book was the best sleeping pill was something even a decent bookworm would admit. Chevalier himself had not yet finished reading this book. Above all, it was realistically impossible to read a 2,211-page book in one day. But still, to keep returning books and borrowing new ones. Chevalier simply could not understand Roden's actions. What's more, it was not just Chevalier. “Why does the Platoon Leader keep borrowing books he doesn't read from the Deputy Platoon Leader?” Zailo also, as if he didn't understand Roden, had come up to Chevalier's side and was saying this. In fact, Roden was recently the biggest topic of interest in the 3rd Infantry Platoon. It was because his behavior had been so different from usual for a while now. Roden not drinking. This in itself was strange. But Roden repeated even stranger acts, such as sparring with Chevalier. What's more, now he was repeatedly borrowing books he didn't even read. At this point, such words were going around in the 3rd Infantry Platoon. That the idiot might have fallen into an even more serious state. But Chevalier's thoughts were different. Normally, Chevalier would also have had similar thoughts to the other soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon, but he had had different thoughts since the spar. The generosity he had shown then. And the heart to embrace his subordinates. Because that was something that could not be shown by an idiot or someone in a state worse than an idiot. ‘Perhaps there is a greater meaning that we have not yet grasped.’ It was when Chevalier was thinking this. “Ah!” Zailo suddenly let out an exclamation as if he had thought of something. Chevalier asked. “What is it? Have you figured out why he keeps borrowing books?” Zailo nodded his head. “Yes. I have. I think…” “Right. Go on.” At Chevalier's urging, Zailo swallowed his saliva and answered. “Isn't it because he wants to get closer to the Deputy Platoon Leader?” “…What?” “It's true, isn't it? If not for that, there's no way he would come to visit the Deputy Platoon Leader like this every night to borrow books he doesn't even read. What's more, last time, he even suggested a spar first.” A horrifyingly perfect fit. After hearing Zailo's story, Chevalier felt goosebumps rise on his skin without even realizing it. It was the kind of goosebumps that seemed like they wouldn't go away for a while, like the flu.