The Genius Archer Who Became a One-Man Army

Chapter 15

“Sergeant Lian! Reporting back from leave to the company commander!”

A crisp salute.

At this, Raymond nodded.

“Did you rest well?”

“I did, sir. Thank you. Because of you, I was able to resolve everything smoothly.”

This referred to the incident that occurred while arresting Hiltersen.

The company commander smiled contentedly.

“That’s not something you should thank me for. I should be the one thanking you. Even on leave, you did something that elevated the squad’s honor.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

“Haha, I see. Then go and rest.”

“Yes, sir!”

Lian left the company commander’s office and headed straight to the barracks.

‘He said the squad formation is complete, right?’

This part was taken care of by Tyler, the leader of the 6th squad.

Since the selection of the remaining members, excluding Isaac, was entrusted to the 6th squad leader.

Lian entered the barracks where the 6th squad members were gathered. He walked towards the living quarters where the 6th squad members were staying.

“Is this the 6th squad?”

“Squad leader!”

As Lian entered, Isaac, who was there, welcomed him.

Lian grinned at Isaac and then spoke to the other squad members.

“Nice to meet you all, I’m Lian, your squad leader.”

“……”

“Nice to meet you.”

“So, you’re the squad leader.”

But somehow, the atmosphere was a bit off.

Isaac looked a bit troubled by the responses from the other soldiers towards Lian.

Then, a man sitting in the left corner of the living quarters spoke up.

“Squad leader, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

“I’m 14. Why do you ask?”

He snickered.

“A 14-year-old rookie who hasn’t even been enlisted for four months is our squad leader?”

“Haha, maybe I should just grab a bow and start shooting from afar? I might get lucky and hit an enemy leader once.”

“Ugh, this sucks. Maybe I should just discharge myself, I can’t take this anymore.”

A few soldiers turned around and lay down.

‘Hah?’

Lian instantly understood why they were acting this way.

Isaac couldn’t hide his embarrassed expression at their behavior.

Isaac then spoke to them.

“Hey, you guys…!”

But before Isaac could finish,

“Everyone, get up-!”

A loud shout filled the living quarters.

It was a powerful shout that instinctively made them sit up straight.

Lian’s gaze had become icy cold as he looked at them. But the corners of his mouth were lifted.

“All members of the 6th squad, gather at the training ground.”

With that, Lian turned around.

Yeah, this is how it is here.

‘A 14-year-old squad leader with four months of enlistment.’

It’s not strange that they’re acting this way.

Rebellion is expected.

But that doesn’t mean he can just leave things like this.

It was an issue that needed to be addressed clearly at some point.

“I won’t beat around the bush. Anyone with complaints, step forward.”

He then looked at the weapon rack.

“Anyone who needs a weapon, take one.”

“Hah, this is just great. Can’t even beat up the squad leader.”

“Isn’t this going to get us punished for insubordination later?”

“Well, people often change their minds after getting beaten.”

Those three guys.

Two bulky ones and one that looked pretty agile.

‘The rest of them…’

Isaac seemed to support me, and the other five appeared neutral.

They were just watching cautiously, it seemed.

Thud.

Lian took off the squad leader’s badge from his left chest and threw it on the ground.

“The one who defeats me will become the squad leader of the 6th squad from that moment. I swear on the honor of the Eagle Company, there will be no retaliation.”

The smirking expressions of the three guys hardened at Lian’s words. Soon, the biggest guy cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.

“Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you don’t understand the honor of a soldier, right?”

“I keep my word. However, if you lose to me, you will respect your superior with the appropriate honor of a soldier.”

With that, Lian clenched his fist.

The big guy then grinned widely.

“You’re going to fight without a weapon? Our little squad leader sure is bold!”

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Kyle, soon to be the new squad leader of the 6th squad!”

With that, he charged at Lian like a wild beast.

His charge looked like a boar rushing forward.

Combining his bulk, he looked about twice Lian’s size, and the others watched with amusement. But, thud!

Lian dodged Kyle’s punch with a light step back and precisely struck his solar plexus with his fist.

“Guh!”

An attack Kyle hadn’t expected at all made him double over.

He must have been momentarily unable to breathe.

“There are plenty of places I could hit, but I think I’d get tired if I just beat you up.”

Sorry about this.

Lian grabbed Kyle’s hair, lifted him, and kicked his groin with his instep.

Thud!

“Grrk!”

Needless to say, Kyle collapsed, rolling his eyes back.

It was such a strong blow that it seemed like something might have actually burst.

“Ugh!”

“Oh no!”

“Uhm…”

The others watching all winced and instinctively covered their own groins.

Just watching made them feel a sharp pain there.

Lian looked at the two remaining guys.

“Next.”

“I’m Brent.”

Maybe because of Kyle’s helpless fall, Brent picked up a wooden sword from the weapon rack.

Lian spoke at the sight.

“Come on.”

“Pick up a weapon. I don’t want to use a weapon against an unarmed opponent.”

He was saying something reasonable.

Lian laughed at Brent.

“Stop being cocky and hit me at least once before talking.”

“What did you say?”

“Come on.”

“Don’t regret it when you get hurt!”

Unlike Kyle, this guy seemed quite agile.

As expected, he quickly ran towards Lian, swinging the wooden sword.

*Whoosh-!*

He had decent basic skills. But,

*Whack!*

Lian evaded Brent’s attack with minimal movement and kicked him in the shin.

“Gah!”

“You’re too forward with your balance. And you don’t even think about defense?”

Brent’s attack seemed threatening because he was completely focused on attacking with exaggerated movements.

Brent frowned at Lian’s words and swung the wooden sword sideways in a large arc.

*Whoosh-!*

He definitely had speed.

But such obvious attacks couldn’t even graze Lian’s clothes.

Lian had already taken a step back and was watching Brent.

“Is it over?”

“Of course not!”

Brent then launched a series of attacks with the wooden sword towards Lian.

*Swish-!*

There were no more reckless attacks like before.

That one blow had certainly awakened Brent’s awareness, and he continued his attacks with quick and concise movements.

‘He’s pretty decent.’

Lian understood why Brent was using a sword instead of a stick.

‘But.’

He’s still a novice.

He seemed to have picked up a few moves here and there, but his techniques were sloppy and not well-practiced.

*Swoosh!*

As Brent aimed a thrust at Lian’s chest, Lian twisted his body to avoid it.

While twisting, Lian extended his hand along Brent’s wooden sword.

“Gah-!”

And as Lian’s hand struck Brent’s neck, his body collapsed.

*Thud.*

“Wow… that’s amazing.”

“That kid… no, the squad leader, who is he? How can a 14-year-old be that deadly?”

The neutral onlookers instantly shifted their loyalty towards Lian.

Lian glanced at the unconscious Brent, then turned his gaze to the remaining soldier.

“Next.”

“Ah, I… I’ll pass. I acknowledge you, squad leader.”

The soldier bowed his head. Lian then turned his gaze to the others.

“We acknowledged the squad leader from the start.”

“A soldier must follow ranks. We tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t listen.”

“You’re amazing!”

Lian smiled at their words. Then, he met eyes with Isaac, who had been watching him.

Isaac’s gaze showed a mix of surprise and seriousness. He then solemnly raised his right fist to his left chest.

“Looking forward to working with you, Squad Leader Lian!”

*Salute!*

“Looking forward to working with you!”

Following Isaac’s shout, all the squad members in the training ground saluted and shouted.

Lian looked at them and said,

“Looking forward to it.”

—

It seemed like a very eventful first day back from leave.

At nightfall, Lian left the barracks to use the company commander’s private training area.

Although he was allowed to use it when the commander wasn’t, he preferred to avoid the prying eyes of others during the day.

‘It’s better to do it while everyone is asleep.’

Since he had received permission from the commander, there was no issue.

As Lian left the barracks, someone called out from behind.

“Squad leader.”

“……?”

Lian turned to see Isaac standing there.

There was a serious atmosphere.

Lian, feeling puzzled by Isaac’s gaze, stood in place and asked,

“Do you have something to say?”

“……How can I become as strong as you?”

“What?”

For a moment, Lian doubted his ears.

Did this guy just ask what I think he asked?

“Pfft!”

Lian couldn’t help but laugh.

Isaac’s expression hardened at Lian’s laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Ah, sorry for laughing. But I wasn’t mocking you. It’s just… it’s strange to hear that from a genius like you.”

“What? Genius?”

“Hmm…”

Well, how could I explain that you will become the unparalleled general who will dominate the entire kingdom in the next decade?

After pondering for a moment, Lian chuckled and said,

“It’s obvious.”

“Obvious…?”

“Yeah, as far as I know, there isn’t anyone in our company… no, the entire battalion, who trains harder than you. Isn’t that why you came out now, for training?”

“That’s…”

“Right now, both of us haven’t fully matured physically. But you’ll become really strong in the future.”

“But you’re only a year older than me and you’re already incredibly strong.”

“Me?”

“Yes, was what I saw in the training ground earlier fake?”

“…You think that’s strong?”

Lian, looking incredulous, placed his hand on Isaac’s shoulder.

“Look, Isaac. That wasn’t strength. It was just catching them off guard.”

If he were truly strong, the punch to the solar plexus wouldn’t have left his opponent standing.

Lian’s current strength only appeared impressive because of his 20 years of military experience.

‘They mocked me for being young, but they’re still just rookies.’

Though they mocked Lian for his age, the oldest among them was only 18.

Tyler had taken their ages into consideration when assembling the squad.

Lian’s squad might be the weakest in the Eagle Company.

‘But they’re all fun to train, so it’s not bad.’

Besides,

‘It’s time to start preparing.’

In four years, the kingdom’s power struggle will end, and a great war era will begin.

An era of wars and battles for continental expansion.

Considering that, it’s not too early to start preparing now.

Lian approached Isaac and patted his shoulder.

*Tap, tap.*

“Avoid training at night from now on. Rest is very important during your growth period.”

“…What?”

“You said you wanted to become strong, right?”

“Yes? Yes!”

“Then go get some sleep. Starting tomorrow, there will be hard training.”

He had been thinking about when to start, and Isaac had given him the opportunity.

There was enough justification to train soldiers who had been beaten by a 14-year-old squad leader.

“It’ll be tough starting tomorrow.”

A broad smile spread across Lian’s face as he turned to leave.