The Immortal Genius Spearman

Chapter 168

Thud, thud.

The allied forces, led by Kiaran, swiftly advanced toward Nardern.

Having achieved a flawless victory in their first battle, they pushed forward to Nardern, hardly noticing the exhaustion from their relentless march.

As Nardern's silhouette came into view in the distance, Kiaran raised her voice.

“Stop. Halt the march here and let the soldiers rest.”

The long march without respite had undoubtedly left the troops significantly fatigued.

For the upcoming battle, recuperation was essential, and assessing Nardern's situation took precedence.

Kiaran then called for her lieutenant, Edmund. “Edmund, organize a reconnaissance unit to scout Nardern. Select only the fastest ones, but ensure they don't venture too deep or take unnecessary risks.”

“Understood! I'll see to it immediately!”

Edmund promptly acknowledged her command and hurriedly began assembling the reconnaissance unit.

Meanwhile, Kiaran directed the soldiers to quickly set up temporary shelters.

Of course, these makeshift shelters would only consist of simple tarpaulins to shield the soldiers from the scorching sun.

As the soldiers erected the tents for their rest, Kiaran summoned the commanders.

Soon, the commanders of the Iren Kingdom and the Tirkan Kingdom arrived at Kiaran's location.

They entered the first makeshift tent that had been erected and greeted her with a smile.

“You've done well enduring the long march,” Kiaran remarked.

“As the supreme commander, you bore the heaviest burden,” one of the commanders replied.

“Thanks to the first victory, I hardly feel any fatigue at all. Hahaha.”

The Tirkan Kingdom’s commander, Weiner Valnutar, still seemed to be savoring the sweet taste of their victory over the Empire.

Seeing this, Kiaran gave a small smile and spoke. “For now, a reconnaissance team will scout the area around Nardern. Until their report is complete, the troops should take this time to rest.”

“Your diligence is appreciated.”

“As expected, there’s no room for error in your leadership.”

Both commanders were impressed anew by Kiaran's thorough planning and execution.

Even with momentum on their side, she ensured that every move was precise and deliberate.

Just then—

“Commander, this is Damian.”

“Ah, Damian. Come in,” Kiaran called.

Damian entered the tent and politely nodded to the Iren Kingdom’s commander, Matirn Savren, and the Tirkan Kingdom’s commander, Weiner, before turning to Kiaran.

“I heard you’re organizing a reconnaissance unit. Would it be acceptable if the Caion Unit also deployed a team?”

“From the Caion Unit? Won’t that tire you out?”

“No, we’re more than capable. We’d like to contribute as well.”

“In that case, I’d be glad to accept your assistance. The Caion Unit's contributions to this war will not be forgotten.”

“We’re simply doing our duty.”

“Then I leave it to you.”

With his task set, Damian nodded politely and left the tent.

Matirn, watching him leave, turned to Kiaran and asked, “That’s… the commander who slew the enemy general in the first battle, isn’t he?”

“That aura of his…,” Weiner murmured cautiously, seemingly unable to believe his own words.

Kiaran confirmed with a nod. “Indeed. He is the Baroque Kingdom’s third Aura Master.”

The truth had already been witnessed by all; there was no point in concealing it. Instead, Kiaran resolved to use it as a strength.

Both Matirn and Weiner’s expressions shifted subtly, their eyes betraying their surprise.

“The third… Aura Master,” Matirn murmured.

“The Baroque Kingdom is destined to soar to new heights,” Weiner remarked with a forced smile.

The fact that the Baroque Kingdom might not remain a permanent ally cast a shadow over their reactions.

However—

“Once the Empire is stopped, our alliance will only grow stronger. At that point, the Baroque Kingdom’s new Aura Master will surely serve as a steadfast shield for your nations as well,” Kiaran reassured them.

Though they simply returned polite smiles, her words carried weight.

With Kiaran's permission secured, Damian summoned Paul.

“Paul, take the archer unit and scout the area around Nardern.”

“Understood.”

Damian then unfolded the map, pointing to a specific location.

“Approach from this side and check for any enemy ambushes. Also, make sure to carefully study the terrain. We’ll determine our attack route based on your reconnaissance.”

“You won’t be moving with the main force?”

“Our unit operates more effectively on its own. When the battle begins, we’ll flank the enemy and strike their side.”

“Yes, sir.”

Paul responded without hesitation and led the archer unit toward the designated area.

As one of the fastest groups in the unit, they were ideal for the mission.

With Paul gone, Damian immediately called for the Caion Unit’s officers.

Once assembled, Damian spread out the map and began explaining. “Listen closely. When the battle starts, the allied forces will charge head-on. At that time, we’ll flank from the right and breach the wall.”

“We’re acting independently?”

“Yes,” Damian confirmed, nodding at Dianal’s question.

Terka, studying the map, voiced a concern. “Is that feasible? To flank with such a small force, we’ll need to breach the wall in one go.”

Damian responded confidently. “We have the mobility to get to the wall quickly. The enemy will be focused on the main force, and even if they deploy archers toward us, we’re well-versed in deflecting arrows while advancing.”

“The problem isn’t reaching the wall—it’s what happens if we’re isolated in front of it.”

Damian shook his head. “I’ll bring down the wall myself. That way, we’ll breach immediately and avoid any delay.”

The room fell silent at his declaration.

Dianal’s face darkened. The only way Damian could promise to break the wall was by using his aura.

It was plausible that his aura could create an opening large enough for the unit to enter.

Still—

“Aura places tremendous strain on the body. If you start the battle with such a burden, won’t it be difficult for you?” Dianal asked with concern.

Damian shook his head.

"Don't worry. We've spent the past few days walking and resting. I'll regulate my mana until the battle begins," Damian assured.

The main army would likely take a full day to rest after their long journey. In that time, Damian planned to use the Delft Mana Training Method to rid his body of any lingering strain.

Hearing this, Dianal nodded. "Understood. Let's proceed as you’ve planned."

"Good. In the meantime, keep the troops well-organized and ensure they're ready to move at a moment’s notice when the order comes," Damian instructed.

"Understood," Dianal replied with a resolute nod.

Damian left the group and found a quiet place to settle down. From now until the reconnaissance was complete, he intended to focus solely on restoring his strength.

Sitting cross-legged, he began the mana training technique, his mind simultaneously visualizing the upcoming battle.

"This... is just the beginning," he thought.

The war on the Empire's territory had begun in earnest.

It was time for their enemies to bleed.

***

Clack, clack, clack.

Marching into the Tirkan Kingdom and advancing toward its capital, Galveron’s expression was contorted with rage.

This was already his third deployment into the region.

It infuriated him to recall the recent battle where he had narrowly escaped death.

"Damn it all...!"

However, it wasn’t just that memory fueling his anger.

"If you fail this time, your worth will no longer be recognized."

Aura Masters were defined by their overwhelming prowess, capable of delivering results on the battlefield.

Even an Aura Master who failed to achieve their objectives would lose their value.

For all the resources invested in them, failure meant support could be withdrawn—or worse...

"This time, you may find yourself discarded."

Recalling Ailes’ cold, biting words, Galveron clenched his jaw hard enough to draw blood.

"That arrogant bastard…"

Ailes, a man who had once been a disgraced prisoner, now dared to talk down to him.

If Galveron completed his mission and returned to the Empire—

"I’ll cut out that insolent tongue of his first."

Wearing a hideously twisted expression, Galveron ordered his army to halt near the Tirkan Kingdom's capital.

He already knew that additional forces were stationed in the nearby city.

To confirm their position, he dispatched scouts. When the scouts returned, their reports left him seething.

"So those rats are hiding there, are they?"

The city of Cateraonil, located east of the capital, became Galveron’s initial target.

Without hesitation, he led his forces toward Cateraonil.

Upon reaching the city—

"…As expected," Galveron muttered.

Unlike the deserted capital from before, Cateraonil's walls were manned with Tirkan soldiers, their positions fortified.

The gates were tightly shut, and archers crowded the walls, clearly prepared to repel any attack.

Yet—

A wicked grin spread across Galveron's face, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

These vermin had humiliated him and tarnished his reputation within the Empire.

Drawing his sword, Galveron unleashed his aura.

Vmmmmmm!

The blade hummed with power as it emitted a sharp, azure glow.

ROAAAAR!

Behind him, a massive, black serpent of aura materialized, its menacing form hissing and writhing in the air.

Galveron charged toward the gates.

"He's coming!"

"An Aura Master is approaching! Don’t let him near the walls!"

Though an Aura Master’s range and power were vast, they had their limits.

The defenders scrambled to keep him at bay. But—

Clang! Clang-clang-clang!

Galveron deflected the incoming arrows with a barrier of sword energy, his movements fluid and swift.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the 500-meter gap to the city walls.

"This is just the beginning," he declared, raising his sword.

ROAAAAR!

The serpent-like aura behind him opened its maw and shot toward the walls.

CRAAAAASH!

With a deafening explosion, part of the wall crumbled.

"AAARGH!"

"KYAAAAH!"

The soldiers atop the wall screamed as they fell, crushed beneath the collapsing stone.

Galveron’s voice, amplified with mana, rang out. "Slaughter them all! Leave no one alive!"

"UWAAAAA!"

The Empire's soldiers surged through the breach, storming into Cateraonil and beginning a brutal massacre of the Tirkan troops.

"This war will erase the Tirkan Kingdom from the map," Galveron sneered as he strode through the ruined gates, his aura pulsing with malice.