Becoming a Swordmast Chapter 62 : Chapter 62

Chapter 62. Dispatch(1)

From the beginning, it wasn't a given that the 3rd Infantry Platoon would be dispatched to the vanguard.

"Just say the word. If you wish, I'll keep the 3rd Infantry Platoon here."

Before the announcent of the dispatched troops.

Adriel had called Roden separately and brought this up.

Havier picked up Adriel's words.

"You can choose whichever is more convenient. If the 3rd Infantry Platoon stays, the 1st Infantry Platoon and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon will be dispatched to the vanguard. It ans an alternative has already been prepared."

In conclusion, the two seed to be considering the dispatch of troops in a way that would minimize the loss of the Transport Battalion's combat power while strengthening the vanguard's combat power.

The three strongest units in the Transport Battalion.

It was clear from their intention to include the 3rd Infantry Platoon, the 1st Infantry Platoon, and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon in the dispatched troops.

Certainly, it was the right decision for the Transport Battalion to make.

If they sent all three units, the loss of combat power would be so great that it would be impossible to carry out transport operations.

But to send only weak units would greatly diminish the aning of the troop dispatch.

This was because if they sent troops that were not very helpful and the front lines remained as they were, the possibility of the Allied Forces collapsing would increase.

However, apart from this fact, it was surprising that they considered the combat power of the 3rd Infantry Platoon to be on par with that of the 1st Infantry Platoon and the 2nd Light Cavalry Platoon combined.

‘To leave… or to stay…’

And so, Roden pondered with the two options before him.

Then he asked Adriel.

"If the 3rd Infantry Platoon remains in the Transport Battalion, we'll be included in almost all operations, right?"

"It will probably be like that for a while. The success rate of transport operations will be significantly different depending on whether the 3rd Infantry Platoon is included or not. That's why we're trying to keep one of them in the first place."

"In that case, I'll leave."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. It's better for

that way."

So might not understand why Roden would volunteer to be dispatched to the vanguard, where battles occur much more frequently.

But Roden felt that staying in the Transport Battalion was much more disadvantageous for his survival.

In a situation like now, where he was receiving Michael's excessive attention, it would be too dangerous to remain in the Transport Battalion and be deployed in almost all operations for a while.

‘Michael would probably try to take my life at least once during such an operation. It's also a situation that makes it very easy for him to do so.’

On the other hand, if he went to the vanguard, it would be difficult for even Michael to aim for Roden's life.

This was because the vanguard, which was active on the front lines, had more instances of taking action on the spot and then reporting, rather than receiving orders from the command.

‘More than anything, the vanguard has many units with excellent combat power besides the 3rd Infantry Platoon.’

For that reason, it was okay if the 3rd Infantry Platoon was not deployed in all operations.

In so ways, the vanguard, which engaged in a tedious tug-of-war every day, might be safer than the Transport Battalion, which was threatened by the Imperial Army cavalry's ambushes.

‘At the sa ti, if the 3rd Infantry Platoon becos part of the vanguard, Michael's attention will probably wane a lot. The presence of the other units is so great that the 3rd Infantry Platoon will be overshadowed.’

In summary, Roden judged that it was more advantageous for his survival to go to the vanguard and fight the Imperial Army than to stay in the Transport Battalion and fight Michael.

"I wanted to protect you sohow, but for it to end like this, it's a real sha. I'm sorry."

Adriel sincerely apologized to Roden, who was organizing his thoughts.

Hearing his words, Roden imdiately shook his head.

"I know you did your best, Battalion Commander. It's just that my brother's persistence was beyond imagination."

Roden truly felt grateful to Adriel.

If Adriel had not been a good person, he would not have said he would protect him for any reason in the first place.

"I'm sorry too."

And this was the sa for Havier.

"Thank you to you too, Company Commander. I know you always watched over

from the closest place."

In the end, it was all Havier's doing that Adriel had decided to protect Roden.

But now it was ti to part ways.

And so, the dispatch of the 3rd Infantry Platoon was decided.

***

A few days later.

The 3rd Infantry Platoon left the Transport Battalion with the 1st Light Cavalry Platoon and the 2nd Archery Platoon.

Havier was in charge of leading the three units.

It was judged inappropriate to entrust the leadership of the troops to one of the three platoon leaders.

Certainly, in a situation like this, it was better for a definite senior to be in charge of leading the troops.

"The 3rd Infantry Platoon is certainly disciplined despite being dispatched. Their morale seems high too."

Havier said to Roden after observing the march of the 3rd Infantry Platoon, the 1st Light Cavalry Platoon, and the 2nd Archery Platoon in turn.

Indeed, the atmosphere of the other units was not very good.

Even though they were in the middle of the sa battlefield, the pressure of the word "front line" was that great.

But the 3rd Infantry Platoon was different.

They had a strong belief that as long as they were with Roden, they would not die easily wherever they went.

Rather, when the story of the dispatch ca out, the 3rd Infantry Platoon was greatly relieved that Roden was not leaving for the vanguard alone.

In the end, what the 3rd Infantry Platoon was most worried about was being separated from Roden before this war ended.

"Honestly, I didn't expect the soldiers to accept the dispatch news so calmly."

That was right.

In fact, Roden did not understand why the 3rd Infantry Platoon was so unfazed even after hearing the dispatch news.

But for Roden, this reaction from the 3rd Infantry Platoon was not bad at all.

It could even be called positive.

Because he could now take the 3rd Infantry Platoon, which he had trained with great difficulty so far, with a comfortable mind.

And so, after hearing Roden's answer, Havier once again looked at the expressions of the 3rd Infantry Platoon.

Then he opened his mouth.

"A superior trusted by his soldiers... I envy you."

"Sir?"

"It's just sothing I said. I was a little worried about sending you to the vanguard, but I'm relieved."

Roden wanted to ask again what he was talking about, but Havier spurred his horse and went ahead.

And as ti passed, the three units were finally able to arrive at the vanguard camp under Havier's leadership.

As soon as they arrived at their destination, they first t the Vanguard Battalion Commander.

"Gahahahahaha. My na is Tobias Weissmuller. From now on, I will be your battalion commander, so rember it well."

Tobias was completely different from Adriel in personality.

If Adriel had the feel of a virtuous general, Tobias had the feel of a fierce general.

His appearance was also like that.

He had a bushy beard and a very burly build.

He sohow felt more like a bandit chief than a nobleman.

And so, after briefly introducing himself, Tobias looked at Havier.

"Thank you for leading the three units all the way here. The Deputy Battalion Commander will guide you to a place to rest, so relieve your fatigue for a day and return to the Transport Battalion."

And so, the Deputy Battalion Commander, who had been standing quietly behind Tobias, moved out of the barracks.

Havier, who was following him, stopped for a mont next to Roden.

"We might not have ti to say our goodbyes separately tomorrow. So let's say our goodbyes now. Let's et again alive."

"Yes. Let's et again alive."

Havier, hearing Roden's answer, left the barracks with a smile on his lips.

Tobias, who was watching him, spoke again.

"Then it's ti to show you where you'll be staying from now on. Infantry Company Commander, step forward."

Bent Mathiasen, the Infantry Company Commander of the vanguard and Roden's new imdiate superior, stepped forward at Tobias's command.

At the sa ti, Roden and Bent's gazes t in mid-air.

***

The 3rd Infantry Platoon was newly organized into the Vanguard Infantry Company, but they were able to remain as the 3rd Infantry Platoon.

This was because the original 3rd Infantry Platoon had been almost wiped out in the last battle, and a unit to replace them was needed anyway.

And so, the 3rd Infantry Platoon unexpectedly managed to keep their unit's na.

But that was all the 3rd Infantry Platoon could keep.

Everything else had changed.

First, it was a given that their living space, such as the barracks, had changed.

Their beloved platoon-exclusive training ground was also gone.

From now on, they had to train with other units in the training hall, just like before.

Crucially, the reputation that the 3rd Infantry Platoon had built up in the Transport Battalion so far had completely disappeared like yesterday's snow.

What's more, it wasn't just their reputation that had disappeared.

"Are those the guys? The most famous pain-in-the-ass unit in the 3rd Corps?"

"Why did they send guys like that to the vanguard?"

"What's the big deal? They probably just plan to use them as at shields."

"By the way, is our 3rd Infantry Platoon cursed or sothing? Last ti they were wiped out, and this ti, the ones who are going to be wiped out have co."

"Hehehe. Hey, hey. Don't be like that. You'll feel guilty if they all really die, won't you?"

In this way, in the place where their reputation had disappeared, their old notoriety was rearing its head.

The proof was that the soldiers who encountered the 3rd Infantry Platoon exchanged harsh words mixed with ridicule.

It was a situation where the 3rd Infantry Platoon could have easily had their pride hurt and gotten angry.

But none of the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon reacted to this.

Whether it was during als, training, or showers, they silently focused on what they had to do.

What's more, it wasn't just that they were silent.

A strange confidence was etched on their faces.

They couldn't help it.

This kind of reaction was all too familiar to the 3rd Infantry Platoon.

More than anything, the 3rd Infantry Platoon had a strong belief.

A strong belief that this kind of reaction would soon die down and everyone would acknowledge them.

Bent, who had been watching the 3rd Infantry Platoon for several days, stroked his chin and let out a groan.

"Hmm..."

A groan that seed to be filled with contemplation.

But Bent soon ca to a conclusion.

"It's a sha, but I guess it can't be helped."