The Genius Archer Who Became a One-Man Army

Chapter 23

Once night fell completely, they would descend the hill under the cover of darkness. They would then use the piles of stones, covered with branches and foliage, to create concealed ambush points.

A messenger had already been dispatched to the main force advancing towards Saleron. If everything went according to plan, they would attack the approaching enemy from both directions.

If everything went according to plan.

“Lian.”

“Platoon Leader.”

As the sun set, Tyler approached Lian, who was watching the dusk. The operation was about to begin, but Tyler had something he needed to ask beforehand.

“Why are you doing this?”

“…Pardon?”

“This operation. If it succeeds, Eagle Company will be greatly honored. But… if it fails.”

Tyler bit his lip.

The consequences were obvious. No matter how honorable Raymond was, some platoon leaders were displeased with this operation. They would surely place the blame on Lian.

“Why are you taking such a risky path? There’s no benefit for you.”

Tyler had been in the military for a long time, despite his rank. He had seen many of his subordinates and superiors fall because they took the righteous path.

“If it fails, you won’t be able to avoid the blame. Even if you win, the reward won’t match the merit.”

“I’m fine, sir. I’m just… doing my best with what I can do now.”

“Too many people view your efforts negatively.”

“It will succeed. And even if it fails, I believe this is the best way to minimize our casualties.”

“What?”

“I just want everyone to go home together.”

It was a simpler reason than Tyler had expected. Confronted with Lian’s sincerity, Tyler felt not just surprised but somewhat moved.

‘This kid is only 14…?’

Lian’s thinking couldn’t be dismissed as immature. Tyler knew exactly what Lian’s words meant.

“Everyone… together.”

It was a statement that made Tyler’s heart feel warm.

Tyler nodded.

“We must succeed, no matter what.”

“Yes, sir…!”

* * *

“You want us to use this crazy method? Did Raymond really come up with this plan?”

“Yes, sir.”

Baron Biovan Terol, leading the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Corps of the Kingdom of Artian, read the message sent by Raymond’s messenger and let out a long grin.

He had always thought of Raymond as the model soldier, though somewhat rigid. But now he was proposing such a bold plan?

“Kekeke, it’s been a while since I felt this kind of thrill.”

If this worked, it would be a race against time.

Biovan immediately gathered all the company commanders. He spoke decisively.

“Leave the supplies we’re transporting here and keep two platoons behind. The rest will simplify their provisions and move as quickly as possible.”

“Why the sudden change, sir?”

“The soldiers are quite exhausted. Increasing the pace might be difficult.”

One company commander voiced his concerns. Biovan scowled and clicked his tongue.

“If there are soldiers who can’t move because of this, leave them behind. They’re not fit to be in the kingdom’s army. Or are you just making excuses for your convenience?”

“That’s…”

“There’s no such thing, sir.”

The company commanders quickly backed down, seeing Biovan’s determined expression. They knew he wouldn’t listen to any objections now.

Biovan mounted his horse immediately.

“We leave now! Our comrades’ lives depend on whether we arrive on time or not!”

It was unlikely Raymond thought of this alone.

‘I’m curious about the face of the person who inspired this.’

With a burning excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time, Biovan pushed the pace, leading the nearly two thousand men forward.

* * *

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Uwooooo-!”

The atmosphere was charged with the sound of drums.

Gallel, watching Saleron, had a relaxed expression.

‘The reinforcements haven’t arrived yet.’

Gallel had exceptionally good eyesight for an enemy. He could clearly see the faces of the soldiers on the wall.

Awkwardly held spears. Nervous eyes. Confused expressions.

They weren’t trained soldiers. Probably commoners from the fief.

They had been hastily dragged out, wearing ill-fitting helmets and armor.

“We’ll take Saleron in no time.”

Even if reinforcements arrived, they couldn’t stop them. Saleron, without trained soldiers, was like a sandcastle against the tide.

With his order, Gallel commanded,

“Attack.”

“Kill all the kingdom’s soldiers!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Two thousand enemy warriors charged, causing the ground to tremble.

But there were those who watched them in silence.

‘They’re coming…’

‘It’s starting.’

Their hearts pounded so loudly it felt like they might burst. They gripped their spears tighter, their lips dry from nervousness.

Grit.

Lian, too, watched the enemy charging towards Saleron.

They divided their forces into ten groups, hiding behind the stone piles.

Because they were spread out, the enemy didn’t notice Eagle Company’s ambush.

“We start when we get the signal from the captain.”

The critical starting point would be the gunpowder explosion. Once ignited, the real battle would begin.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the signal.

As the enemy trampled over the fields, there was a faint hiss—hidden by their roars, but clear to Eagle Company soldiers.

When the long fuse burned rapidly towards the gunpowder-laden fields,

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Massive explosions erupted, sending flames high into the sky.

“Enemies!”

“We’re under attack!”

“Where is it coming from? Find the enemy!”

The enemy’s roars turned into screams, and some fell, bleeding.

As chaos ensued and they became disoriented,

“Now!”

“Annihilate them!”

“Kill all the enemies!”

“Uwaaaaa-!”

From all directions, Eagle Company’s soldiers sprang out of hiding and charged at the enemy with loud battle cries.

The enemy outnumbered them nearly seven to one, but the element of surprise had shifted the momentum in their favor.

At that moment, Lian climbed up a pile of stones and drew his bowstring.

From the start, Lian had only one target in mind.

‘Carefully…!’

But with precision.

The bowstring creaked, stretched to its limit.

Lian twisted the bow slightly and steadied it against his cheek.

Though he couldn’t yet release his aura, training in the Child Magic Method had enhanced his physical strength with magic.

‘Now…!’

The Lian of old wouldn’t have been able to draw the bowstring so tightly. And now, the enemy commander was clearly in his sights.

Seeing the commander’s eyes wide with shock, Lian let the arrow fly.

Whoosh!

The arrow flew like a gale towards the enemy commander’s head.

Lian’s eyes widened as he watched it streak towards its target. But at the last moment, the commander ducked, narrowly avoiding the arrow.

It was so close that the arrow pierced through the commander’s helmet.

“You brat!”

The enemy commander roared, his eyes burning red with fury.

‘That was a one-shot chance…!’

Biting his lip in frustration, Lian quickly descended from the stone pile, shifting his focus elsewhere.

‘Follow me, commander.’

But his mind remained on his target.

He knew well how the enemy operated.

“How dare you… turn your back on me?”

Seeing Lian turn away, Gallel felt his blood boil.

How dare this brat provoke him and then ignore him?

“Damn you!”

Boom!

Gallel launched himself towards Lian, the pressure of his aura intensifying.

“Wipe them out!”

“Kill every one of them!”

But at that moment, more shouts came from the distance as a large force emerged.

The 2nd Battalion, which had been lying in wait near Saleron, revealed itself.

“Slaughter those savages!”

“Form up! Raise your shields!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Unlike the guerrilla tactics of Eagle Company, the 2nd Battalion maintained a square formation, using their shields to push back the enemy.

The soldiers in Saleron, who had been watching the situation, began to cheer up.

“Our reinforcements are here!”

“Archers, nock your arrows! We must reduce their numbers before they reach our lines!”

“Archers, fire!”

Whoosh!

Dozens of arrows soared into the sky, raining down on the enemy.

The initial explosion had caused chaos among the enemy ranks, and Eagle Company’s attack further disrupted them.

The arrival of the thousand-strong 2nd Battalion added immense pressure on the enemy.

“Come…”

In the midst of the chaos, Lian focused solely on the enemy commander, Gallel.

He knew better than anyone how crucial it was to take down the leader.

‘The enemy’s strength lies in their leader.’

But defeating Gallel alone was impossible.

‘He can use aura…’

That meant Gallel was at least on par with the enemy commander Lian had faced in Pellon Gorge.

One wrong move, and Gallel’s axe could cleave him in two.

‘I need to draw him in.’

Running swiftly, Lian notched another arrow.

He hadn’t skipped a day of archery practice, and his fingers had calloused from constant use.

As he ran, he skillfully drew his bow and came to a sudden stop, turning to face his pursuer.

“…!”

It was a quick shot.

In less than a second, Lian had drawn and fired an arrow.

Seeing the arrow coming, Gallel swung his axe to deflect it.

Thud!

He knocked the arrow aside but felt a chill down his spine.

“Not everything is as it seems, huh?”

A quick shot like that from someone who looked so young.

Among even the greatest enemy warriors, there were few who could handle a bow with such skill.

Though the power was lacking,

‘It’s accurate.’

Gallel realized.

In a few years, this boy could become a significant threat to them.

“You must die here.”

Gallel, now right on Lian’s heels, declared.

But,

“Are you sure?”

“What?”

Despite Gallel’s proximity, Lian remained unfazed and looked directly at him.

Then, he shouted,

“Now!”

At his shout, something black sprang up from what had appeared to be a pile of discarded straw.

Clang!

A metal net spread out like a spider’s web above Gallel.

“Pull it tight!”

The sixth squad members shouted as they pulled the net taut, trapping Gallel.

This was a trap Lian and the sixth squad had prepared specifically for Gallel.

Struggling in the net, Gallel looked up to see Lian aiming his bow at him once more.