Chapter 6 - Master Sergeant
A Commander from the 5th Infantry approached the 7th Reserve Infantry Commander, “An Imperial Order from the Lord Emir was sent. Assemble the forces and muster to the main headquarters.”
“I accept the Imperial Decree,” Commander Nickson acquiesced.
“Did you kill that Force Knight?” The Commander piqued a question.
“Nay. That is one of my Sergeant’s handy work,” Captain Nickson did not fully divulge the secret, but, spoke a fraction of it.
What? A young lad managed to kill the “Wolf Force.” The Commander knew of the dead enemy leader.
“Sergeant Krist reports as ordered,” Krist greeted the superior as is the military courtesy.
“Interesting… Muster the soldiers forthwith Captain! His Majesty’s will be done!” The battle had been concluded with a call from Lord Kenesis, Krist’s Master.
***
In my previous life… I was weak, unambitious, and held back. I relied on others for protection. However, this time will be different! I want these guys to stay by my side through it all! Everything will be mine!
The carriage stopped and broke Krist out of his daydream.
“The 3rd Oda,” Krist said as the group headed to the destination.
The “Odas” are referred to as the ‘Operational Detachment Alpha,’ Special Forces Soldiers organized in small, highly trained groups. Ensures maximum efficiency during a lethal mission. Usually composed of teams made up of 12 elite men, or, even smaller than that. If I recall correctly, the 3rd Oda Commander would be Count Solidor’s first-born, Axel Van Solidor, a hidden Fire Mage. A pyromaniac who has no interest in the successorship and will roast a subject with flames if deemed necessary. Cold-blooded for being such a hot-blooded character while in combat.
“Correct. How did you~” Captain Nickson was surprised that Krist knew about such sensitive information.
Opening flap.
Sergeant Krist and Captain Nickson entered the tent, “Ah, Captain. Good to see you.” Axel had been expecting the two.
“Captain Nickson, reporting from the 7th Reserve Infantry,” is the highest-ranking of the two and displayed courtesy according to one’s status.
“I don’t want to waste any time. Is it true, that a young man, a Sergeant was able to kill the Wolf Force?” Commander Axel had received a report of the night invasion that had been overwhelmingly thwarted by the drunken Commander Nickson and a Sergeant.
“It seems that rumors were just rumors. If the baseless rumors about the Captain having been an alcoholic were true, then the soldiers under his wing would have no discipline,” Commander Van Solidor began appraising the accomplishment and achievements and gave proper reward.
“By the power vested in me by the will of the Lord Emir, I acknowledge the 7th Reserve Infantry and promote the Captain to Lieutenant Colonel (Battalion Commander).”
“The honor is all mine!” Captain Nickson was bitter-sweet, but, was satisfied all the same. Heh, your dream of becoming a Noble overrides this accomplishment? Quite understandable.
“Also for Sergeant Ceringer,” Axel had yet to dispense the reward for Krist.
“Sergeant Krist reports as ordered,” Krist followed suit with the military procedure.
“For your staunch contribution in curing the elusive disease, Ice Demon, the prevention of the destruction of a military base, and for catching the Wolf Force, Aura Knight of the Carceron Kingdom, you are hereby officially promoted to the Master Sergeant rank effectively immediately,” Axel Van Solidor made his ruling as the official 3rd Oda Commander and Nobility on the status of a Count.
The Oda Commander put the Master Sergeant’s rank on Krist’s shoulder. Ah, right! Axel’s pyromantic tendency to burn everything he touches… What Krist was talking about was the fact that Axel Van Solidor was assessing if Krist was an enemy or foe. At this time, there is strife within Lukedonia, all intended for the Lord Emir, Gene, to see which subjects were truly on his side, or somewhere else. I won’t make the mistake of telling you the enemy’s special soldiers like I did in my last life. It was at this moment when Sergeant Krist was about to reveal Carceron’s unique soldiers.
They were to be Elite Infantrymen who were specially trained for 10 years. It is expected that there are tens of thousands, and even, some in guerilla bands. I’d rather let you figure out that the enemy was targeting you this whole time, Axel Van Solidor. Your overconfidence in Lukedonia’s esteemed Cavalrymen will be your delusion for now. The credit of having successfully launched a series of surprise attacks on the supply routes for Carceron will be mine.
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Supposedly, Carceron had wanted to finish the war before the winter season, however, Krist would lure the guerilla soldiers before they would assemble all forces. Unlike the past life, Krist had required 100 soldiers to even attack a single supply route, but, his entire Reserve unit was far stronger than before making all the experience pooling towards them. And, it wasn’t a wasted investment since the 7th Division will swear fealty to him in the near future.
***
Two days had passed since the promotion, “Battalion Commander, everything is going as Krist predicted! This was the route we’ve been surveilling.” Jarvis Mondair was promoted to Master Sergeant as well thanks to his contributions and years of service.
“Excellent. Don’t forget your stealth training. Charge silently,” Lieutenant Colonel Nickson had given the direct order to Master Sergeant Mondair.
Akin to a leaf in the wind, the 7th Division, which is now an official regiment, is thereby no longer of the Reserves, was nimbly moving to the enemy sides of the caravan. Before the Carcerons were able to react, their necks had been sliced open.
Lieutenant Colonel Nickson and Master Sergeant Mondair made short work of the caravan who were unable to react to the masterful sneak attack and the surprising number of Aura Users. With that specialty, the Carcerons were unable to do anything about the overwhelming might of Blade Energy.
Gerald would be busy stealing supplies and thwarting multiple caravans and their supply routes with Master Sergeant Mondair, Master Sergeant Cross, and the older and experienced Infantrymen from the 7th Division. While guerilla tactics were inducing hunger and angst amongst the Carcerons, Krist and his party were training on the other side of the forest.
Good! I’ve taught the 7th Division ‘The Great Art of the Turtle Breath’ making them able to enter the world of Aura. As for myself, my skills have returned to me now that this young body is somewhat lighter. Krist was twiddling a service spear like it was a pencil, making circles and fanciful transitions. As of this moment, The Disciple has fully mastered The Final Purification Method and The Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath, in effect, a Neidan which is the condensed core of the Dantian located at the perineum should have a solid form. This means that Krist is ripe to transcend to the next level.
“When you said that you would show me ‘talent’ through your knife, was this it?” Krist was reminiscing about a memory with his longtime friend, Seo Ho-Seon, who had shown him a depiction of talent.
“Instinct. Intuition. Your gut feeling. That is talent.” Seo Ho-Seon was clasping a dagger and threw a wooden log high in the sky.
!
Twiddling that dagger and spinning it in super-fast motion displayed the level of mastery Seo Ho-Seon had with the dagger as the log descended and multiple slashes done in one execution broke the wood into several fine pieces.
“In general, talent is also being able to copy what you see. However, there is something higher than talent, and that is ‘flow.’” These were the last words of the fleeting memory.
Krist performed a similar execution attack on a wooden log, but with a spear, and thrust it straight through the descending log. Nothing can stop me. Krist clenched his hand and remained vigilant of future events. I should combine my 2 Mana Breathing Methods and cross into the Transcendence Realm soon.
“W-What the hell was that?!” Loutch came by and noticed the skill shown by Krist from afar.
“‘Talent’ and ‘flow.’” Krist stated plainly.
“Is that what we're training for today?” Reddas, Saix, and Laciel entered the scene as well.
“That, and I’ll be going over the rudimentary fundamentals of ‘Chi.’” Krist had not imagined things could progress at such a phenomenal rate including his close friends who portrayed ideal growth potential alongside the 7th Division. However, everything else is also leveled along with the subtle and major changes in the 2nd Lifetime.
Loutch Lawliet, the half-Human, and half-Elvhen was far more aggressive in this life as opposed to the unambitious and easy-going person that was remembered in the past life. Currently, not only is he a master with the longbow and sword, but his mana pool and subsequent mana usage are steadily gaining volume.
Reddas, the runaway slave who is currently in hiding from his root nation is a master with dual axes and has an unconventional fighting style. Out of all the party members excluding Krist, Reddas has the most fighting experience due to his young life of wars raging between his clan and other hostile clans. Moreover, Reddas is beginning to form a Neidan which means that he is the most advanced out of all the party members.
Saix is trailing right behind Reddas in terms of Mana Cultivation, however, his hereditary trait of natural-born strength is showing itself way sooner than the original timeline. All in thanks to the Mana Breathing Method, Saix could easily cleave a tree in half with pure strength at this point.
As for Laciel, he had been dispatched to another camp in the original lifetime. But, thanks to the recent promotion, Krist had the authority to belay such an order as long as he had claimed such personnel as his own. You were transferred to another Division and never saw each other since. I’m glad I was able to stop the transfer from happening. A Noble like you was something I had not known, not even in the past.
Laciel was a special character, even amongst the ones listed beforehand, no one in the entire 7th Division was blue-blooded other than Laciel. However, he had been hiding his identity quite well from everyone as he looked like an ordinary country bumpkin in the original timeline, but, Laciel looks like quite the dashing young man this time around.
“Attention! Carceron has begun to muster their troops! Form ranks!” A voice was heard throughout the 7th Division as the conflict between Lukedonia and Carceron was at its melting point.
Lieutenant Colonel Nickson succeeded with the series of surprise attacks now that the Carceron Kingsom is mustering its main forces. Kuku. All is going according to plan. Krist held a devious smile that held nothing but greed for his future endeavors.