Chapter 3 - Sneak Tactics
“Get ready in half an hour! Be equipped with weapons,” Krist opened the flap to his tent and gave an order. “We’re departing on a side-mission!”
Everything is perfectly aligned. The timing is great. Preparation was made and the group was composed of Loutch, Saix, Laciel, Reddas, and Krist as the leader. They sneaked out of the outpost right before sunset.
“Ingest Warrior’s Sorrow,” Krist whispered the command.
The party took out a vial from their compartments and looked at a purplish concoction, “Warrior’s Sorrow.” Said to be poisonous and overdosing causes incurred blindness, but, when combined with another alchemical ingredient, the ability to see in the dark is activated.
“Night-Vision will last for exactly twenty-four hours. We’ll deal with everything in one go.” Krist was very close to where he had left the loot, however, another caravan party was close to where he had assassinated the previous caravan party.
“Loutch, you see them right?” Krist asked as he had seen the enemy from miles away thanks to The Final Purification Method that enables the complete manipulation of mana, in effect, using chi to enhance vision. Loutch was born with an “Elvhen Vision.” I can’t help but marvel at his inherent ability every time I see it in action.
“There are twenty-five of them,” Loutch had surveyed the area from at least two miles away.
25 soldiers… would be a breeze for me. How will my young friends handle this? Krist was not sure that his young companions would be able to deal with one or two soldiers at a time. In the original life, it was virtually impossible to get the jump on the soldiers escorting the caravans due to them being more experienced Sergeants.
“I’ll lure them into a forested area. Reddas, ready your axe,” Krist gave the first round of orders. In this display, Krist would be performing a highly complex technique, ‘Ghoul Screech,’ an echoing sound that lures a target or group to a specified area by inaudible voices. Krist had full confidence because of the extra time and leeway to get the initiative in a lot of character development, specifically, teaching his friends a Mana Breathing Method called “The Divine Art of Lionturtle Breath.”
It is a pinnacle Mana Breathing Method Krist had discovered in his original lifetime as an Adventurer and had read about this forgotten technique that belonged to a shadowy group named the Ghost Sect. The basics of the technique teach the user about not being detected. The Divine Art of Lionturtle Breath is the basic method for the conventional ‘Assassin’ of the Ghost Sect and is a Cultivation Method that allows the user to survive without breathing for a long duration of time. It is even capable of stopping the pulse of its users.
Krist has taught the utmost rudimentary fundamentals to his close friends since before meeting his Master and this was one of the secrets that The Disciple chose to share amongst his friends.
He gave them the ability for them to not breathe, nor for their hearts to beat. They were no longer of the living. Kuku. We can skip a few things. Krist had detected the heartbeats and the breathing of the party and had quickly surmised their levels. Aside from Reddas, Saix, and Laciel who can slow down their heart rate, Loutch had already achieved the level of the ‘Art of Skin Breathing.’ An extraordinary effect that allows the practitioner to breathe through the skin. All in all, they were professionals in the art of stealth. The ambush would go along without a hitch.
“Come hither…” Krist invoked his technique.
“You hear that?” The caravan guard questioned one of his buddies. “Let’s go check it out.”
Thanks to the quick and clean work done previously by Krist, there were no clues or signs of fighting along the path of the delivery route. In effect, this has caused the missing caravan investigation to go about stagnant.
Step. Step. The sound of grass was heard in the distance, “What the hell was tha…” Before being able to finish his sentence, multiple guards' heads dropped to the ground.
In sequence, Saix slashed his axe on the neck of a soldier and then threw the axe directly on the forehead of another guard. At the same time, Reddas managed to get his second kill by throwing his axe into the neck of the guard, and Loutch and Laciel tag-teamed ten soldiers with medium difficulty.
“Argh!” The soldier was pierced through the neck with a spear from both Loutch and Laciel.
And of course, Krist had completed his job before the rest of the party and assessed the whole mission, “Well done. Let’s hurry along. There’s one last step before success.”
Krist had put on the Carcerons Soldier’s gear and proceeded to head to the hidden outpost and relay the news about the missing caravan. With that effort, it would bide some time until suspicions would eventually be aroused. Reddas would escort Krist to the enemy’s encampment while the rest consolidate the items into a few carriages and return to the camp.
“What’s this?” A Trader questioned in a hidden outpost. “Can’t be surprised. I’ve gotten used to it,” the Trader could not keep up with the notes written on his ledger detailing the receiving of supplies.
“Delivery will be here any minute,” disguised in their outfit, Krist and Reddas reported their mission.
***
“Use your wrists instead of elbows!” Sergeant Cross bellowed from his stomach. “Wrists!”
Captain Nickson came by, “Commander, you’re awake?” Sergeant Mondair greeted his superior.
“...Yeah. You’re working out bright and early,” Gerald made an astute observation about the subtle changes happening since the last plunder thanks to Krist.
“Everyone wants to survive. Everyone.” Sergeant Mondair made a resolute statement.
“How admirable. However, what will you do about the shortage of supplies?” Captain Nickson looked at the training and saw it as a wasteful endeavor. There were not enough rations for the soldiers, therefore, extraneous activities like training would have adverse effects on the long-term morale of the outpost.
Sergeant Mondair held a solemn expression. This is true. Jarvis Mondair did not deny his superior’s insight. The 7th Infantry has been abandoned by His Majesty, Lord Kenesis… We’re at the breaking point.
“Abandon this 7th Infantry, Sergeant Mondair,” Captain Nickson suggested a bit of rational advice for the young man.
“I refuse,” Sergeant Mondair was gracefully rebellious. “My dream is to become a Knight.”
Suddenly, a soldier bellowed about current and ongoing news, “Carriages! Multiple carriages incoming!!”
“What the hell…?” Captain Nickson was surprised about the sudden events.
“Krist?!” Sergeant Mondair shouted at the person leading the caravan.
Soldiers gathered around and could not believe what they were witnessing and began unloading the supplies. “That stigma… Carceron?”
“Supplies from Carceron, huh? Haha!!” The soldiers realized where Krist had gotten such supplies.
“Booze…” A soldier was glaring at the bottle of alcohol while another was dazed by simply looking at how much meat there was. “A lot of meat!!!”
“Sergeant Krist, how did you do such a thing?” Sergeant Mondair questioned.
“It’s nothing much. We just stole it from Carceron,” Krist was sarcastic but was able to pull it off. Kuku. Of course, The Disciple was internally grinning and laughing at how he was able to “acquire” such precious rations.
“A-Attention!” Sergeant Cross had filled a cup of alcohol and passed it along to Krist. “Let us all pour a cup for the 7th Infantry’s very own, Krist!!”
Campfires had set the meat to be roasted while fruits, vegetables, refreshments, and alcohol were served throughout the entire camp.
***
“Thanks!!” Sergeant Cross showed his gratitude to Krist. “You don’t know how long since I’ve eaten that much.”
Both the Sergeants greeted one another with a firm handshake, “My name is David Cross.”
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“My name is Krist Ceringer. Good to meet you,” Krist was younger, but, had equally as high professionalism.
David Cross is a high-ranking warrior of the 7th Infantry Reserves and has origins in the Warrior Guild. His goal was to be like the Dual Sword King and become a master of dual-wielding. There were a few instances in which David was able to witness how Gerald fought. Since then, such memories have been imprinted in the mind of the young David who is strikingly turning into the “doppelganger” of the Dual Sword King.
I want you to achieve your dreams at a young age, David Cross. Krist held a solemn expression. Very soon, David and the Reserves would eventually swear their fealty to the Lord Disciple when his relationship with the Lord Emir was made public. David Cross will be the first Dual Magic Swordsman in the world.
“Sergeant Krist, I apologize for my previous rudeness,” a soldier blurted out and bowed.
“My soldiers dared to rebel? I’ll make them regret without you having asked me, Sergeant!” Another equally ranked Sergeant who was the leader of the rude soldiers spoke and bowed deeply toward Krist.
“It’s fine,” Krist waved his hand, signaling a positive note of grace.
“Hahaha!!” Sergeant Cross was ecstatic to see such maturity from a fellow Sergeant like him.
From a distance, Captain Nickson was surveying Krist. This brat is only 15, but he managed to kill the enemies and steal the supplies. Is it recklessness or courage? Gerald drank from the cup that was alcohol made from Carceron. Yet… He managed to succeed. Reminiscent, Gerald had remembered a memory. I used to be just like him in the past…
Step. Step. A loud sound was heard as a soldier who was carrying himself with a stick was brazenly drunk, “What’s up with that guy? A soldier commented.
“Hey, buddy! Go take a nap!”
“Someone take him to the bed.”
“Hahaha!”
“...”
Numerous soldiers blurted out their drunken thoughts and the thoughts of men were heard.
Slam!! The soldier slammed the rod, “I will win!!!”
The entire camp looked astonished at what they just heard, especially, Captain Nickson with that perplexed look around his eyes.
“That’s right! We’ve been surviving!” Another soldier shouted their aspirations and accelerated the rise of morale.
“Ehehehe~”
Captain Gerald Nickson had yet to take a sip of the alcohol which was unlike his character while in public. He left to retire for the night.
“Captain…” Sergeant Mondair noticed the absence of the Commander of the 7th Infantry Reserves. Contrary to what is publicly known about Gerald Nickson, his cup was filled to the brim and left untouched.
***
When the world was beginning to see the light of day, the Commander of the 7th Infantry Reserves, Gerald Nickson, donned his gear. He would be leading the early morning drill session.
“Captain, everyone awaits your command,” Sergeant Mondair entered the encampment's headquarters.
Stepping forth onto the flat earthen ground, Captain Nickson known for wearing an Epic Artifact, Resist Coat, two swords strapped to the waist alongside a dagger, the “Supreme Slashing Swordsman” would perform in front of his soldiers. “We’ll begin with the ‘official training!’ I'll show you why no one is better than ‘slashing’ than this Supreme Slashing Swordsman.” Captain Nickson invoked his longtime reputation in the Mercenary world as the “Supreme Slashing Swordsman.”
Funnily enough, Captain Nickson was not close to having an achievement like a Dual Sword King. The attachment of “King” in the Title would prove Gerald Nickson worldwide. However, the 2nd Lifetime is proving to be an ideal world with the subtle and impending major changes happening with the world altogether. It is almost like the constant repeat of attempting life will adapt to the individual's disposition. In this case, Krist was able to redeem himself from the mistake of keeping secrets to himself instead of sharing them amongst his closest friends.
Not in this lifetime. This was what Krist thought, as he admired seeing this image. I won’t dare to hold back. I want us to have an easier time now I know that you guys are serious about changing. Unlike what Krist had witnessed in the past, most of the people around him including his friends did not know the impending chaos that would arrive and their lack of awareness of thirst for survival and improvement. This was one of Krist’s most forthright judgments about the condition around him, however, he understood that “change” would come in time.
Fortunately, the 2nd life has shown nothing but an ideal situation for Krist and Gene. With that said, weeks had gone by as the official training taught and instructed by Captain Nickson, running, and the demonstration of “Dual-Wielding” whilst performing the “Art of Slashing” was a marvel to learn again. I’ll make you the “Dual Sword King” during the war. With you, we might be able to achieve the impossible. Krist was extremely optimistic as an evil grin appeared on his face.
Not just that, but, Sergeant Cross has shown himself to openly compliment Krist, saying things like, “Krist, you’re not bad with two swords!” Although it may seem like David is fanboying, it is his nature as a person to “clone” himself to the most admirable person. Krist did not realize this in the original lifetime. David… you’ve always been quite the Doppelganger. You too, my friend, will not be given anything but the Title, “Dual Magic Sword King.”
While training in the afternoon, Captain Nickson went further into fine-detailing about combat and strategies. Simple and complex fundamentals that all Officers must know on the top of their heads in the military.
“Woah…” Krist was surprised to be surprised once again. He’s not called the “Supreme Slashing Swordsman” for nothing.
When there was a chance, Krist had asked the Commander to teach Loutch about Archery and Aura. For now, Loutch is naturally gifted with the bow. In my previous life, Loutch was an excellent Archer. I didn’t understand your disdain for your bloodline at the time, but, it looks like you don’t quite hate yourself. I’m glad that’s not the case, my friend.
There was nothing quite perfect then for Loutch to be an Archer because of his bloodline being a half-breed, a Hybrid of a Human, and Elvhen. With a vision that is on par with an Eagle or Gryphon, nothing suits such vision than to fight long-range. Thanks to the insight taught by the Captain, Loutch could somewhat imbue Aura into his arrow. Contrary to what the current Loutch was displaying in this lifetime, the original had shown the person to be self-loathing and unambitious, incompetent just like the rest of the rabble. The problem with you was that you guys were undisciplined. Maybe this time around, you guys could take down the “Sword” of Duke Murdoch.
Furthermore, when training with the spear and shield, there was an instance when Krist and Saix had a bout and the former did not back down. I was saved from fighting you. Before that, I’ll pulverize you before Sergeant Mondair calls.
“Sergeant Krist reports as ordered,” Krist reported to the will of the caller.
“I’ll be taking my leave,” Sergeant Mondair excused himself from the headquarters.
?!
“Heh.” Lieutenant Zecht made an appearance.
“Oh?... Lieutenant, what brings you here?” Krist posed the question, though, it was merely a passing quote, not meant to be answered. Ah… Your acting is as impervious as ever, Foris Van Solidor.
Captain Nickson motioned his hand to partially cover his face, “It appears that combined training will begin in a couple of days.” It was news the Commander of the 7th Infantry was not expecting. “We can not allow them to think us unworthy. Krist, you must have some ideas…?”
Two days…? A sinister grin was shown for a short instant, shrouded in darkness for nobody to see, “Hm… Of course, Captain.” Krist was confident in his reply.
“The destruction of the system of delivery routes set by Carceron will allow for this encampment to stockpile rations will set us apart from the other Infantry Squadrons,” Krist laid the statement, plain and true.
“...” Captain Nickson had his hand covering half his face, “You must be joking.”
“My operation of stealing the enemy’s resources will last several weeks, if not, about a month. This opportunity will lead to real battle experience for the soldiers to grow up.”
“That makes sense. The question begs exactly how big the casualties will end up being. I don’t dare to lose my investment after training you all,” although said in a cold remark, Captain Nickson did not dare to lose any loss in personnel.
“Who says we’ll be losing anyone, Captain?” Krist imposed the question to his superior. “This is a stealth mission operated in the shadows. With thorough preparation, we’ll attack with absolutely zero casualties.”
Captain Nickson looked at Krist’s eyes to determine the truth. When two “killer-eyes” meet, they can perceive many things, but, Gerald is looking for the answer.
Facing the intimidating glare from the legendary Mercenary, Supreme Slashing Swordsman, Krist held a superior “killer-eyes” in the form of complete coldness, “They won’t be expecting us… the Reserves from the 7th Infantry. Kuku.”
Captain Nickson bet all his chips on Krist and his strategic sense, especially in the thieving and assassinating side, the ‘darker’ or ‘dirty’ side of things. “This was your first attempt, no?” Assuming correctly that Krist has done this once, then the card of a surprise attack could be used.
“Twice. I got the jump on them by myself the first time. The second, I was was with my squad,” Krist laid the results flat.
“Excellent. Then, we can expect elite soldiers to be their escorts now that deception has been happening to their delivery routes. Kuku!” Gerald chuckled at the fact that the Carcerons could be toyed with in such a manner that had not been conceived. “We’ll muster at noon. We have ample time for preparation, don’t we?” Captain Nickson implied that Krist has already been making preparations with all that herb collection.
“Indeed, Captain,” Krist remained in his stoic and professional manner, being in the military was to be expected. Still, this display of mannerism in the military showed a valiant character. “I’ve fooled them twice. That’s why they’ll come in numbers whilst being all elites.”
Sergeant Krist opened his handy map, “First, we’ll need to create a ‘Special Forces Team’ or ‘Strike Team’ to deal with the enemy scouts and sentries.” The map was relatively easy to understand, for someone with the rank of a Captain, such marking on the map is a rudimentary skill for any Officer to possess. “The main force will slowly encroach upon the enemy encampment and induce a silent death for Carceron.”
To think the 7th Infantry Reserves could take on such a major task was beyond my scope. Seeing how everyone this time around is a ‘degree’ higher than in my past life, I see no risk.
“Include Sergeant Mondair and Sergeant Cross in the Strike Team,” Captain Nickson agreed to the mission and imposed his condition.
You’re more “offensive” in this life. “A wise decision, Captain.” Truly, Krist held the future in the grasp of his hands. He could now envision an ideal world of his making.
“Assemble all Sergeants.”
The command was issued and the stealth operation had begun to make preparations.