Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 22

A few days later.

Havier's unit began to move toward the Imperial Army's camp.

The composition of the unit was as follows.

3rd Infantry Platoon (32 men), 3rd Archery Platoon (29 men), 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon (30 men).

Unlike the Infantry Company, it seemed the Archery and Light Cavalry Companies had chosen the platoons to participate in this mission by drawing lots.

Unlike the 3rd Infantry Platoon, there was no specific unit that they felt they had to send, so it was unavoidable.

Rather, it was strange to have a unit to send out in the first place.

Because the unit was formed as if pushed from behind, the morale of Havier's unit was not very good.

It wasn't just not good; it had hit rock bottom.

It was at a level where they were certain to be defeated even in a battle against wild beasts, let alone the Imperial Army, and in fact, a total of 10 soldiers attempted to desert on the first day alone.

However, Havier had anticipated this situation and succeeded in capturing all the deserting soldiers.

And he boldly executed all the deserters.

He even gagged the deserters so they couldn't make any unnecessary noise and immediately beheaded them.

With ten heads rolling at his feet, Havier opened his mouth.

“I know what you fear. But anyone who tries to run away will be killed without fail. Even if it costs me my life, I will chase you to the end and kill you.”

As he spoke, a ghastly 3-star aura formed on Havier's sword.

Because the blood that had not yet been wiped off was still on it, it looked even more ghastly.

In the heavy atmosphere, Havier continued to speak with his sword in hand.

“However, if you follow me, a chance to survive will arise, however small. Will you truly choose the jaws of death over this possibility?”

Fortunately, Havier's speech worked.

The proof was that from the next day on, no more deserters appeared.

Not only that, but morale also improved slightly for a time.

Everyone had realized that the only way to survive was to make the mission a success.

Now, all that was left was to carry out the mission according to the predetermined military strategy.

“Change into the new armor and bury the armor you were originally wearing in the ground. From tomorrow, we will increase the marching speed.”

Wearing the attire of the Imperial Army.

This was the first military strategy that Roden had proposed.

In the case of the Allied Forces, where not only the kingdoms but also the families were all different, the attire was not unified.

All they did was carry a military flag and wear an IFF band to identify allies.

However, in the case of the Imperial Army, where the power of the central army was unusually strong, the attire, from armor to weapons, was often unified throughout.

In particular, they wore the Imperial Army's unique surcoat to recognize each other.

Therefore, Roden judged that disguising themselves in this way would be more advantageous for concealing their identity than moving while avoiding the eyes of the Imperial Army.

However, it wasn't just Roden who had thought of this disguise.

Naturally, the idea of disguising themselves as the Imperial Army had also come up at the battalion meeting.

Because with this disguise, they could cause confusion even if their movements were discovered by the Imperial Army.

However, Roden's military strategy was not limited to just wearing the attire of the Imperial Army.

“You must be confident. As if you are real Imperial soldiers.”

He demanded that they become actual Imperial soldiers.

The reason why Havier's unit began to move confidently along the main road the next day, dressed in the attire of the Imperial Army, was precisely this.

Moreover,

“Everyone, hurry! Move quickly toward the friendly camp!”

Havier's unit moved in a straight line toward the Imperial camp, almost as if they were running.

Their actions were so confident that even Havier's unit was confused about whether they were the Imperial Army or not.

In fact, what Havier's unit was referring to as the ‘friendly camp’ was not the Allied Forces' camp.

It was the Imperial Army's camp.

And the one who had proposed this was also Roden.

He had judged that if they spoke like the Imperial Army, their actions would also change to be like the Imperial Army.

As a result, Havier's unit approached the Imperial camp at an incredible speed.

The reason they arrived at the western part of the Aikor Plains, which could be called the Imperial Army's territory, in just three days was thanks to moving in this way.

However, because they had moved in a hurry, the Imperial Army also had no choice but to discover Havier's unit quickly.

As expected.

As soon as they arrived at the western part of the Aikor Plains, an Imperial Army unit blocked the path of Havier's unit.

“Halt! Where are you fellows from!”

***

Slovan Teshich, the platoon leader of the Imperial Army's 1st Light Cavalry Platoon, received a questionable report while patrolling the Imperial Army's territory.

“A company-sized friendly unit is moving quickly from the southeast.”

A company-sized friendly unit.

Slovan, who received the report, couldn't help but be puzzled.

Because there was no reason for a friendly unit to suddenly appear.

Feeling suspicious, Slovan immediately sent a report to his superiors.

Then he took his soldiers and moved to check on the questionable unit.

And he found it.

A friendly unit that was indeed moving in a hurry.

‘What is this?’

First of all, their attire was definitely that of a friendly unit.

Everything from their weapons to their armor was something supplied from the central command.

Moreover, their movements also didn't feel like an enemy unit.

Because no unit would move in a straight line and in a hurry toward their destination in enemy territory.

No matter how urgent it was, it was common sense of common sense to stop once in a while, look left and right, and be wary of the enemy's appearance.

Above all, it was not evening now, but daytime.

Broad daylight at that.

In fact, it was difficult to think of a unit that was running straight toward the friendly camp in friendly attire at this time of day as an enemy.

For that reason, Slovan came to a conclusion.

That the unit in front of him was a friendly unit.

However,

‘Then where did this unit appear from?’

He couldn't help but have this question.

For that reason, Slovan blocked the unidentified friendly unit with his soldiers.

Then he shouted.

“Halt! Where are you fellows from!”

Then, the one who appeared to be the commander among them spurred his horse forward.

“I am Goeren Hadim, an Infantry Company Commander of the Special Task Force under the General Headquarters.”

Slovan recognized that the horse Goeren was riding was of the Holsteiner breed and thought.

‘A Special Task Force under the General Headquarters? Was the name of the Infantry Company Commander there Goeren Hadim?’

Since he didn't have all the names of the officers of the friendly forces memorized, Slovan couldn't distinguish whether this name was real or fake.

For that reason, Slovan, who had tilted his head for a moment, asked the next question.

“Why is the Special Task Force here?”

“We came to deliver urgent news. Are you part of the 3rd Corps?”

“Th-that's right. I am part of the 3rd Corps' main battalion.”

Upon hearing Slovan's answer, who had hastily started using honorifics, Goeren let out a sigh of relief.

“Huu. I'm glad we didn't get lost. So, how far is it to the main battalion from here?”

Slovan glanced over the composition of the Special Task Force's troops and answered.

“You'll just have to go for about three more full days. By the way, what news did you come to deliver so hastily without any contact?”

“It's classified. That's why I came here myself instead of sending a carrier pigeon. In case the contents are delivered to the enemy.”

“What in the world is it…. Anyway, I understand. I will guide you.”

“Thank you.”

And so, Slovan moved toward the main battalion with Goeren's unit.

Then, he stood next to Goeren nonchalantly and tried to find out what the classified news was.

As Slovan kept pestering him, Goeren, who had kept his mouth firmly shut, spoke as if he couldn't help it.

“It's about an important military strategy that the enemy is preparing for the next battle. The Commander-in-Chief said that if we know the contents of this strategy in advance, not only can we easily thwart it, but we can also turn the tables and launch our own strategy. I can't say more than this.”

Goeren closed his mouth again, but Slovan was satisfied.

Because it was enough just to find out this much.

At the same time, he thought he understood why the General Headquarters had sent the Special Task Force directly to deliver this news.

It was information of that much value.

With this one piece of information, the Imperial Army might be able to occupy the Aikor Plains.

‘If things go well, my contribution to safely delivering the valuable news might be recognized later.’

Slovan spoke with high hopes.

“You must have had a hard time coming this far, but please bear with it a little longer. The friendly camp is now just ahead.”

“I understand.”

And so, when there was less than a full day left until they reached their destination.

A group of soldiers approached Slovan and Goeren's unit, who were moving together.

Having confirmed their appearance, Slovan quickly opened his mouth toward Goeren.

“It's a friendly unit belonging to the main battalion. I'll take care of it, so you can catch your breath, Company Commander.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Then I'll leave it to you.”

Slovan nodded his head reliably and spurred his horse toward the new group of soldiers.

As expected, the group of soldiers was indeed Imperial soldiers belonging to the main battalion.

The one who appeared to be the commander among them opened his mouth toward Slovan.

“Slovan, what is the meaning of this? Why did you bring the questionable unit you said you would take care of all the way here?”

Slovan, who recognized the face of the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader, let out a sigh of relief.

Compared to the other guys, the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader was someone you could reason with.

“What do you mean, why? I brought them because I had to. First of all, this is a unit belonging to the Special Task Force under the General Headquarters.”

“The Special Task Force?”

“Yes. And the person over there is Sir Goeren, the Special Task Force's company commander who is leading this unit.”

“Goeren? Goeren Hadim?”

As the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader said the full name correctly, Slovan asked back in admiration.

“Oh. Do you know the name?”

“No, I've only heard the name. I heard he is a trustworthy and taciturn person.”

“Yes. That's what he seemed like to me too. Anyway, it seems the Company Commander has brought some amazing news.”

And so, Slovan excitedly told the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader the story he had heard from Goeren.

A moment later, the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader nodded his head.

“So that's why the Special Task Force rushed here without a word.”

“That's right. So we must help the Special Task Force arrive at the friendly camp safely.”

“Don't worry. I'll do my best.”

And so, thanks to Slovan's efforts, Goeren's unit was once again able to escape from suspicious eyes.

Moreover, not only did they escape from suspicious eyes, but they also brought one platoon leader over to their side.

Slovan returned to Goeren with a triumphant look.

“I have explained the Special Task Force's situation well. The 2nd Archery Platoon Leader is an acquaintance of mine, so he understood well.”

“You've worked hard.”

“Aw. Don't mention it. I just did what I had to do, of course. So, now we can reach the friendly camp in about half a day more, will you continue to go?”

Goeren looked up for a moment at the sky where the sun was beginning to set in the west and answered.

“No. We'll rest here for today and then go. The soldiers are tired from coming in such a hurry, and I myself am too shabby to meet the Battalion Commander.”

“Ah. I see. Then I will prepare to camp here.”

And that night.

Seogeok!

Tuk. De-gu-reu-reu-reu.

Goeren.

No, Havier's sword severed Slovan's neck in a single blow.

At the same time, he shouted.

“Leave not a single one, kill them all!”