Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 3

Originally, Roden had no intention of speaking up in the meeting.

It was only natural, as he had received all the memories of how Ernst had been treated.

To live as Ernst here, in this era, from now on, not standing out was the best policy.

For that reason, Roden, just as Ernst had, hid himself in a dark corner and yawned heavily.

But as time went on, Roden's thoughts changed.

It was because the Infantry Company Commander, Havier, convened meetings so frequently that it became unbearable.

What's more, the meetings weren't short either.

He called everyone early in the morning and kept them in the barracks until late at night, as if he wouldn't let them go until a good idea came up.

It might seem like harsh treatment, but in fact, it was natural for Havier.

If they failed to deliver the supplies in time while avoiding the Imperial Army cavalry, not only would the 3rd Corps suffer a heavy blow, but they could even lose this war, so he had to come up with a good idea somehow.

Besides, as mentioned once before, the nature of this war was one of annihilation.

If they lost the war, it wouldn't just be a simple defeat; their property and status would be confiscated, and they would have to become prisoners of the victorious nation or lose their lives in a manner worse than that of a prisoner.

And the higher a person's standing was within the Allied Forces, the greater the possibility they would lose their lives in a more wretched way.

In other words, among the people gathered here, there were few who could safely protect their status and property if they lost the war.

So, Havier's pressure for meetings could only grow, and the platoon leaders, deputy platoon leaders, and others gathered in the barracks also understood this and wracked their brains to come up with a good idea.

They even ate their morning and evening meals, which were distributed, gathered in the meeting barracks.

For that reason, Roden couldn't help but feel that this atmosphere was becoming more and more painful as the days went by.

He was confined in the meeting barracks all day, unable to do anything, then he would trudge back to his military cot to sleep, and when he opened his eyes, he had to return to the meeting barracks again.

In the end, on the fifth day.

Roden couldn't hold it in any longer and raised his hand.

“How about doing this?”

The moment Roden opened his mouth, everyone's gazes gathered on him.

But these gazes held no sense of expectation, let alone welcome.

It was the same even though it had been a very long time since someone had voiced an opinion.

It was a passage that showed anew just how much Roden was being ignored.

And this disregard was something Roden had brought upon himself.

To be precise, it was what Ernst, the original owner of this body, had brought upon himself.

‘He lived soaked in alcohol every day even in the midst of a war, so it couldn't be helped.’

It was the same even when the supply problem erupted and the entire 3rd Corps Transport Battalion was on alert.

Ernst just drank, lamenting his own situation.

The reason Ernst used to justify his drinking was that people looked down on him for being only a 1-star knight despite being born of the Glockner bloodline.

Of course, drinking during a war was a more common thing than one might think.

In the first place, an act like war, which mercilessly slaughters people and justifies it, could not possibly be done with a clear mind.

If you were unlucky, you would die without even knowing what hit you—that was war, and the state had to provide alcohol to encourage such soldiers.

For that reason, the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion also distributed cheap rum to the soldiers as supplies every few days.

But even so, there was no one who stayed drunk like Ernst.

The only reason Ernst could avoid the punishment of the strict military law for this behavior was because he was of the Glockner bloodline.

Of course, no matter if he was of the Glockner bloodline, his head would have flown off if he had gone on a drunken rampage, but fortunately, Ernst's drinking habits were on the neat side.

Lying on his military cot and snoring was Ernst's drunken habit.

Anyway, Roden also knew well why people held no expectations for him.

For that reason, Roden was able to maintain his composure even when receiving unfavorable gazes.

“Hmm.”

In the end, in the silence, Havier let out a groan that seemed to carry a sense of awkwardness.

Then, he reluctantly gave Roden the floor.

“Do you have a good idea? 3rd Platoon Leader?”

Roden opened his mouth, hearing the unfamiliar title of 3rd Platoon Leader.

“As you know, I am not well-versed in military strategy, so I don't know how helpful my opinion will be, but I have one thought that came to mind. Before that, there are a few things I'd like to confirm, would you be able to answer them for me?”

Unlike usual, Roden asked Havier this in a clear voice with no hint of intoxication.

For Havier, it was the first time he had seen Ernst not soaked in alcohol.

For that reason, Havier asked back in a much softer voice as follows.

“What is it?”

“I hear that the Imperial Army cavalry has already attacked our transport battalion several dozen times.”

“That's right.”

“By any chance, was it the same cavalry unit that attacked the transport battalion each time?”

Havier shook his head and answered.

“No. Just as we operate the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Transport Units, those Imperial Army bastards also operate their cavalry in three units.”

“What about their numbers? Are they quite numerous?”

“For a skirmishing force, their numbers are formidable. The proof is that the light cavalry company operating in the transport battalion suffered considerable damage in a direct confrontation.”

“I see. I will ask just one more thing. Just as we are having difficulties with supplies, I imagine the Imperial Army cavalry is also having difficulties with supplies. How are they resolving this issue?”

“It has been confirmed that they are procuring food by capturing our supplies or plundering nearby villages. I heard that not long ago, Lilia Village, which was considered relatively safe, was plundered.”

Roden, who had heard Havier's explanation, which was kinder than he had expected, smiled with satisfaction and nodded his head.

The reason was none other than this.

He had become confident that the strategy he had come up with would definitely work under the current conditions.

However, Havier seemed uncomfortable with the smile Roden was wearing.

It was only natural, as the situation was not good enough to smile carelessly.

The other platoon leaders and deputy platoon leaders also did not hide their discomfort upon seeing Roden's smile.

In the end, it was when Chevalier, feeling the atmosphere turn ominous, was about to stop Roden.

“The military strategy I have come up with to break through this situation is as follows.”

A moment later.

After Roden's explanation was all finished.

A light of admiration appeared on the faces of everyone there, including Havier.

***

A few days later.

A man was receiving a report from a scout.

“So. It has finally come out, you say?”

The man's identity was Marco Gallo, the commander of the Imperial Army cavalry that had been persistently harassing the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion.

As befitting a man who led the Imperial Army cavalry, which was called the strongest on the continent, Marco was a veteran commander.

His own skills were also quite high, at 4-star.

However, even Marco was quite exhausted at the moment.

It couldn't be helped, as he was carrying out the difficult mission of harassing the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion without receiving any proper supplies.

At the beginning of the operation, the mood was not bad.

It was as simple as flipping one's palm to crush the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion, which was surprised by their sudden appearance, and take their supplies.

But the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion was not stupid either, and their defenses were gradually becoming stronger.

Accordingly, the situation for the Imperial Army cavalry, which had been able to distribute food relatively satisfactorily by seizing supplies, also changed for the worse.

At some point, they had to change the direction of their operation from capturing supplies to burning them.

It was only because the operation had not failed so far that they were able to maintain morale despite the difficult food situation;

if not, this operation would have long since failed, plagued by a decline in morale due to food shortages.

‘Honestly, we're at our limit now too. We had to take risks and go deep into Allied territory to attempt plunder just to get food.’

For that reason, Marco was thinking of returning to the main force after this operation.

Fortunately, it seemed the main force also judged that if only this operation succeeded, they could push back the 3rd Corps.

The proof was that they had given Marco the order to carry out the final operation and return.

‘I'll have to take a shower first when I get back. Of course, I'll have to make a big score before that.’

Having organized his thoughts like this, Marco issued a general mobilization order to the Imperial Army cavalry.

As this was the final operation, he had decided to launch an all-out offensive and inflict heavy damage.

“As you all expected, this is the last operation. And in this operation, we will, as we have always done, once again trample and torment those Allied fools and make them starve. So, the continent's strongest Imperial Army cavalry, follow me!”

“Waaaah!”

Marco galloped ahead, and 180 Imperial cavalrymen followed behind him.

At a glance, the number might seem small, but in reality, it was not.

This was because the total personnel of the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion was about 300.

In other words, it was a sufficient number to crush the 2nd Transport Unit, which was organized with about 100 people.

What's more, unlike until now, they were not dividing the cavalry into three units to attack the transport unit.

A battle that could absolutely not be lost, whether in terms of quality or numbers.

The Holsteiner, the warhorse the Imperial Army prided itself on, also seemed more excited than usual, as if it sensed victory.

And finally, from the side of the transport unit that had discovered the Imperial Army cavalry, such voices erupted.

“It's the Imperial Army!”

“Block them!”

“We must protect the supplies!”

Certainly, the transport unit's response was also extremely fast, perhaps because they had faced the Imperial Army cavalry several times.

They were trying to block the approach of the Imperial Army cavalry by shooting arrows from a distance and quickly scattering caltrops.

But it was not for nothing that the Imperial Army cavalry was called the strongest.

The Holsteiner, the warhorse the Imperial Army prided itself on, skillfully avoided the arrow attacks and obstacles, closing the distance with the 3rd Corps Transport Battalion.

The riders who controlled the Holsteiners also showed off their skills to their heart's content.

‘The final operation... will also be a success like this.’

Marco was convinced of victory as he cut off the head of a nearby infantryman with his sword.

But it was then.

“Pour it!”

“Pour it!”

“Don't hold back!”

Such voices erupted from the transport unit.

At the same time, something emitting hot steam from the supply wagons was poured onto the ground.

Surprisingly, it was boiled beans.

And at the same time as these boiled beans were scattered on the ground,

“Hee-hee-hing!”

Marco's Holsteiner, which had been running like the wind, suddenly stopped its movement, then lowered its head and began to eat the boiled beans.

It wasn't just Marco's Holsteiner.

All the Holsteiners of the Imperial Army were busy eating the boiled beans.

It was the moment the mobility of the Imperial Army cavalry, which had spread fear throughout the continent, disappeared.