Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 58

Chapter 58. Unexpected Reward(4) In conclusion, Transport Unit 2 succeeded in annihilating all 80 of the Imperial Army cavalry. There might have been some who tried to flee, but with Riyad's head falling almost at the same time as the clash, the Imperial Army cavalry lost even the will to escape. "You've achieved a great accomplishment in this battle as well. Not only did you propose an excellent operation, but you also took the enemy commander's head." "I was lucky." "No, the lucky ones were the other soldiers of Transport Unit 2 and the reinforcements. Thanks to you, they were able to fight a much easier melee against the Imperial Army cavalry, who had completely lost their will." Indeed, thanks to Roden's swift disposal of Riyad, the subsequent battle flowed much more smoothly. The proof was that the entire Imperial Army cavalry expressed their intention to surrender after fighting for only a short time. Thanks to this, Transport Unit 2 and the main battalion's reinforcements suffered almost no damage. The damage was so minimal that it was even less than the damage from the last operation when they were attacked by 40 Imperial Army cavalry. And among this, the encouraging fact was that not a single soldier from the 3rd Infantry Platoon had died. Only three soldiers were injured, and even their injuries were not severe enough to require discharge. This had already been confirmed by Chevalier. Havier, too, seemed surprised by the 3rd Infantry Platoon's low casualty rate and mentioned it. "By the way, you're one thing, but the 3rd Infantry Platoon's performance is amazing. Especially blocking the enemy commander's magical spear imbued with aura was incredible. What in the world kind of training does the 3rd Infantry Platoon undergo?" "Nothing special. It's not like a regular soldier can block aura just by doing special training. I was also very surprised when I saw that scene. I didn't know it could be blocked like that. This must have been a real stroke of luck." Of course, this didn't happen simply because of luck. It happened because Roden had enchanted the shields with defensive magic. However, despite that, the fact that the enemy commander's attack was directed at one of the enchanted shields among the many could be called luck. That was why Roden had said he didn't know it could be blocked like that. ‘It really felt like I received an unexpected reward. For all the effort I put in every night for the enchantment.’ However, Roden hadn't prepared for this operation simply relying on luck. He had strategically placed the 14 enchanted shields in the locations most likely to be attacked by the enemy. But it was only a high probability, there was no guarantee it would happen this way. Nevertheless, since the magical spear was blocked by the defensive magic, Roden couldn't help but be satisfied. While Roden was lost in thought. Havier spoke. "Anyway, when you return, you and the 3rd Infantry Platoon will be recognized for your merits by the Battalion Commander and receive a great reward. Please take care of the rest of the cleanup. I'll go and see off the reinforcements who will be leaving soon." And so, Havier saw off the reinforcements returning to the main battalion. And after finishing all the cleanup, Transport Unit 2 also began to move to return to their unit a short while later. *** A few days later. Transport Unit 2, which had safely returned to the unit, was praised for the success of this operation. Among them, the one who received the biggest reward was undoubtedly Roden. Roden received another steel brooch, and what's more, the entire 3rd Infantry Platoon was able to receive iron brooches. But Roden was now very calm about receiving a steel brooch. It was certainly something Roden needed as it could be exchanged for money after the war ended, but receiving a steel brooch every time had somewhat dampened his excitement. What's more, Roden wasn't the only one who thought this way. The other soldiers of the Transport Battalion who were watching Roden receive the steel brooch were thinking the same thing. Perhaps that was why. At the end of the ceremony, Adriel gave Roden another reward. "As the Battalion Commander, I was disappointed that I couldn't give a sufficient reward to the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader who always performs so well. Of course, I did gift him a Mithril Alloy Sword separately, but even that was not satisfying for me. So, after much consideration, I have decided to bestow one more reward on the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader." Adriel moved to the back of the platform and brought out a small box. Then he slowly opened the box. Surprisingly, what was inside. It was a book. "This is a Superior Swordsmanship manual that I happened to acquire and have been keeping. Although the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader has mastered the Glockner Swordsmanship, which can be called one of the best swordsmanship on the continent, a knight's thirst for swordsmanship is close to an instinct. I have no doubt that this book will be sufficient to praise the merits of the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader. 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader, forward." "Forward!" As he walked forward, Adriel took the swordsmanship manual out of the box and handed it to Roden. Roden accepted it and checked the cover of the book. On the cover was written the title . ‘Variola Swordsmanship Manual?’ It was a name he had never heard before. But he couldn't continue his thoughts any further. Because as Roden held the book, Adriel whispered the following. "I hope this reward pleases you." To those words, Roden replied. "It does. Very much so." In fact, Roden was also feeling frustrated. At not being able to obtain another swordsmanship manual after the . But it couldn't be helped. This was a battlefield, and it was only natural for books to be precious on a battlefield. What's more, what Roden wanted was a swordsmanship manual, which any knight would cherish among the many books, so it was even harder to obtain. But to obtain a Superior Swordsmanship manual like this. Roden felt a sense of relief, as if Adriel had scratched an itch for him. At the same time, he was extremely curious. What kind of content would be in the . ‘Since he said it's a Superior Swordsmanship manual, it must contain another secret method to increase aura absorption rate, right? And there must be a secret technique unique to this swordsmanship?’ While Roden was thinking this, Adriel concluded the ceremony. "Then I will now conclude the ceremony. Dismissed." And so, the faces of the soldiers leaving the training hall were filled with envy. It wasn't just the soldiers. The other officers who had already mastered a Superior Swordsmanship were the same. Everyone was envious of Roden. As Adriel had said, the more Superior Swordsmanship manuals one had, the better. Just as the did, a Superior Swordsmanship manual inevitably contained a ‘secret method’ to increase aura absorption rate, along with at least one ‘secret technique’ that only those who had mastered this swordsmanship could use. And if this secret method was better than the one he already knew, he could increase his aura absorption rate. Also, if the secret technique was excellent, he could learn it and gain an advantage in battle. Because as the number of secret techniques increased, one more variable was created that could change the flow of battle. What's more, it didn't matter even if the secret method or secret technique was useless. It was only useless to him, but if he were to sell the Superior Swordsmanship manual, there would be a long line of people willing to buy it. In other words, it was also possible to make a fortune by selling the Superior Swordsmanship manual. ‘Well, I'll have to see if this swordsmanship manual is useful.’ He wouldn't have to wait long. He would be able to judge it as soon as he read the this evening. *** That evening. As soon as his personal training was over, Roden immediately returned to his barracks. The reason was none other than this. To read the he had received as a reward from Adriel today. He had even given up the defensive magic enchantment he was supposed to do this evening to read this swordsmanship manual. In any case, there was enough time to finish all the defensive magic enchantments before the next operation. So it was right to read the today. Given Roden's personality, who was crazy about books, it was impossible for him to postpone reading until tomorrow, even just out of curiosity. In the first place, the fact that he had endured his desire to read and conducted his personal training was a miracle in itself. “Hoo.” After taking a deep breath, Roden opened the pages of the . At the same time, Pyuuuuuung! A strong light, which he was now a little used to, burst out from the and filled the barracks. Roden fully accepted this light and began to flip through the pages with a rustle, rustle. And so, about 30 minutes passed. Thud. Roden closed the book. At the same time, the light that had filled the barracks also disappeared with a whoosh. But the barracks still felt somehow bright. Because of the bright smile on Roden's lips. ‘The secret method and the secret technique… both contained something better than I thought.’ What's more, it wasn't just good. The level of the secret method and the secret technique was not inferior to that of the . ‘First, let's check if I've completely mastered the secret technique through a duel with Chevalier tomorrow.’ For now, it seemed better to put that aside and research the aura-enhancing secret method of the Variola Swordsmanship first. ‘Banana, sweet potato, chicken breast, egg whites, lean beef, etc. Surprisingly, the explained why one should improve their eating habits as a secret method for aura enhancement.’ Improving eating habits. It was something Roden had not considered. But on second thought, it seemed to make sense. After all, it seemed that it would be good to consume nutrients that would help with muscle recovery and the swift refinement of aura. What's more, the did not just suggest improving eating habits. ‘It also contained a secret method for making a special supplement for aura enhancement.’ Elixir. That was what it was called in the .