The Genius Archer Who Became a One-Man Army

Chapter 30

In this era, mastering magical techniques was a highly guarded secret among noble families.

Seven years from now, the magical techniques would be redefined by a prodigy from the Child family,

‘But not now…’

For a commoner like Lian to use magic was nothing short of astounding.

*Gulp.*

Lian swallowed hard.

‘I was careless.’

He had used magic against Gallel out of necessity, but he hadn’t considered the implications of others noticing.

Lian glanced at Baron Biovan, who was watching him intently.

Biovan asked,

“Are you perhaps practicing magical techniques?”

Biovan’s gaze was sharp. Lying now would be foolish, Lian thought.

‘He could find out if he really wanted to.’

So…

“Yes.”

“What?”

“But I cannot use magic.”

“…Hmm?”

The same question, a different answer.

What did it mean that he was practicing magical techniques but couldn’t use magic?

Raymond looked visibly surprised.

How could a commoner like Lian be practicing magical techniques?

Lian spoke calmly to Biovan.

“My father was a martial instructor. I learned swordsmanship, spear techniques, and archery from him.”

“A man of great ability, then. Is your father still alive?”

“He passed away when I was twelve. I joined the military to honor him, as he was a great soldier.”

“Your father was a soldier?”

“He was a platoon leader in the Buffalo Company.”

“The Buffalo Company. They are still around. A brave unit.”

Biovan nodded but then asked,

“But what does that have to do with you practicing magical techniques?”

“He once received training in a less efficient magical technique from a benefactor during his military service. I have been practicing it since I was eight, but it’s at a very rudimentary level.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

Biovan studied Lian with a stern expression.

Magical techniques were incredibly important to nobles.

“May I check your body for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Biovan rose from his seat.

Raymond watched with a mix of anxiety and curiosity as Biovan placed a hand on Lian’s back and nodded.

“I see. There is a faint trace of magic… How old are you?”

“I am fourteen.”

“So, you’ve been practicing for six years and this is your level?”

“Yes.”

Biovan finally smiled faintly, a mix of relief and pity.

“The technique your father learned must be quite ineffective. Six years, and this is all… That’s unfortunate.”

“Still, I see it as my father’s legacy and practice diligently.”

“Keep up the hard work.”

Biovan had checked Lian’s magic.

There was a trace, but the amount was very small.

However, this was a characteristic of the Child magical technique.

Instead of storing magic within, it expanded the pathways and drew magic from the outside.

It seemed to have passed without raising too much suspicion, and Lian sighed in relief internally.

“Hmm, the atmosphere became strange. I called you here not just for this, but to commend your achievements.”

“Baron Biovan wants to give you a special reward,” Raymond said with a smile. Lian looked at Biovan, who asked,

“You’ve accomplished more than any ordinary squad leader. Even though my unit captured Gallel, half the credit is yours.”

“You overpraise me.”

“So, is there something you want?”

Lian glanced at Raymond, who nodded silently.

‘Did the company commander intervene for me again…?’

Lian’s achievements were indeed significant.

So much so that even calling a common squad leader to commend him was rare. Almost unheard of.

It had to be thanks to Raymond’s influence again.

Lian felt a deep sense of gratitude for Raymond’s care.

“What I want is…”

Lian bit his lip.

Though this was similar to the previous situation with Raymond, the one offering the reward was very different.

Raymond, although a knight, was a commoner and led a company of three hundred.

Baron Biovan, on the other hand, was a true noble, connected to the royal family.

He could offer much more.

‘Is it possible…?’

Lian decided to take the chance.

“I want to lead an independent unit.”

“…What?”

Baron Biovan looked slightly surprised.

He had expected Lian to ask for gold or a transfer to a more comfortable unit.

But this was unexpected.

“An independent unit?”

“Yes.”

“You are a squad leader now. You know that becoming a platoon leader, a fifty-man officer, is the next step, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“An independent unit can only be commanded by a hundred-man officer. You know this too?”

“…Yes.”

“Knowing this, you still want to command an independent unit, which means you want to be a hundred-man officer. Don’t you think that’s too ambitious for your age?”

“…”

Lian remained silent.

To command an independent unit, he had to be a hundred-man officer.

He had only been in the military for a little over eight months.

Becoming a ten-man officer was one thing, but a fifty-man officer was already extraordinary.

But skipping straight to a hundred-man officer?

Baron Biovan was right.

“I…”

“Wait!”

“…?”

As Lian bowed his head, about to apologize, Baron Biovan interrupted him, staring at Lian with a long smile.

“This will be interesting. The way you handled your squad was impressive,” Biovan said as he stood up, chuckling.

“Very well, I will see what I can do.”

“B-Baron Biovan!” Raymond couldn’t hide his surprise. Despite Raymond’s exclamation, Biovan continued addressing Lian.

“But let me give you one piece of advice. With great power comes great responsibility.”

He patted Lian’s shoulder and left the tent.

Lian was left stunned, unable to hide his bewilderment.

Did he just agree?

Though he only said he would see what he could do, it was almost certain with the power of a baron.

Raymond and Lian were left in silence. Then,

“Haha…”

Raymond laughed softly, looking at Lian.

“I never expected you to be learning magical techniques. It was quite a shock.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t inform you earlier.”

“No, you shouldn’t disclose such things lightly. Keep it to yourself from now on. It’s a very sensitive matter.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Raymond patted Lian’s shoulder lightly.

“But to ask for an independent unit… You’ve secured quite a fortune. No, you earned it through your skill.”

Raymond’s expression was complex.

“I’m proud, yet there’s a tinge of regret.”

Lian understood what Raymond felt.

“But, if you allow it, I want to stay in the Eagle Company as an independent unit under your command.”

“What?”

“I want to be with the Eagle Company as an independent unit if I become a centurion.”

“Really?”

Raymond’s face brightened with a wide smile. He laughed heartily and patted Lian’s shoulder.

“Haha, in that case, you are most welcome.”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

Raymond was a soldier who cared for his men.

It was unfortunate that such a person had died so meaninglessly in Lian’s past life.

Lian laughed with Raymond as they left the tent.

—

They had a few days of rest.

The Eagle Company and the 2nd Battalion were well accommodated at Saleron.

“Isaac, how’s your body?”

“I can move around now.”

Isaac, who couldn’t get up from his bed even after taking the potion and receiving treatment, had recovered enough to walk normally.

It was truly amazing what the potion could do.

‘It’s like pulling someone back from the brink of death.’

Though he still had a nasty scar on his shoulder.

Isaac, noticing Lian’s gaze, grinned.

“It was the commander of the beastmen who used aura. I heard he was quite famous among the beastmen. This is a badge of honor. I gave that guy a nasty wound… Ouch!”

Isaac grimaced as he mimicked swinging a sword.

He was just barely able to walk, but nothing more.

Still, Isaac smiled brightly.

“Everyone knows I wounded him, right? When we get back, you have to vouch for me, squad leader!”

Lian chuckled at Isaac’s childish excitement.

‘Come to think of it, I’m still a kid too.’

Though he had been over thirty in his past life, he was now just a fourteen-year-old boy.

And this boy had experienced far more than most his age.

“Hey, Isaac, walking already?”

“Are you all healed?”

The rest of the 6th squad approached to check on Isaac.

Isaac flexed his muscles and replied,

“I’m fine now. And I heard we’re leaving soon?”

“We depart in two days. We probably won’t see any action for a while once we get back.”

Given the scale of the mission, the Eagle Company had taken on a task beyond its size.

Even if the higher-ups were relentless, they had to have some conscience.

“There will be a huge reward this time, right?”

“Does the higher command recognize our contribution to capturing the enemy commander?”

“Man, I hope we get a big bonus. We went through hell.”

It seemed the squad was already looking forward to their rewards after the hard battle.

Lian nodded.

“Don’t worry. Baron Biovan knows our squad’s contribution well.”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

“It’s all thanks to you, squad leader!”

“Who’d have thought we’d play such a big part in capturing the enemy commander?”

“I almost thought I was dead. That axe still haunts my dreams.”

Kyle shook his head, remembering how Gallel’s axe had crushed his tower shield.

Lian smiled.

“But we made it through. Thank you all for surviving. And let’s keep up the good work.”

“Aw, come on, don’t be so mushy.”

“Ugh, look at the goosebumps!”

“Haha, we’ll keep doing our best too.”

Lian laughed with his squad as they prepared to head back.

“Let’s go home.”

It felt like they had overcome a massive mountain.