"What, Sastane?"
"Where? Where?!"
The name Sastane was just mentioned, but all the cavalrymen jumped up from their seats. Clarke, seeing that convulsion-like response from the men sighed.
"You'll have to know anyway, so listen since you're all up. And you, wake up Hansen."
Grumbling and seeing Hansen, that had no thought of waking up in this situation, he went over and woke him up.
"What, who! Which bastard…"
"Quiet."
Grabbing his nose and whispering, Hansen quieted down as Clarke looked around the room once more before speaking.
"Three enemy regiments have appeared near the vicinity of Mengsk Fortress, and there is testimony that those Sastane bastards were seen there too.
"Those un-cavalry-like bastards!"
"Damn!"
What exactly the Sastane Cavalry was, Sunhyuk had no idea from the start, but he did note the tense ruckus it roused within the group.
"As such, the 27th Regiment and us have been assigned to embark towards Mengsk Fortress for support, just in case."
He couldn't help be relieved with those words, 'just in case,' since, if they were lucky, they didn't have to engage in any confrontations, and it could be just a simple provocation. Since simple provocations were frequent in the other world, he thought it would be the same here as well.
However, this was not the Korean armistice line that he had served at, and the authorities here did not hesitate from seeing bloodshed.
"You can ignore what I have just said. But even if they had appeared to demonstrate and flaunt their power in front of us, it has already been decided that we would erase the name of Sastane from these lands."
Clarke's words reassured the confirmation to kill.
"It's been a long time since there has been a satisfactory order from above!"
"Ohoh! Finally, I can fight those despicable Sastane bastards properly!"
Except Sunhyuk, all of the cavalrymen were animated, saying how well the situation had transpired. It definitely appears that there exists a deep grudge against the Sastane Cavalry.
"The troops mobilized in this operation are the 5th Regiment, followed by the 27th Regiment, and finally our 24th Regiment, as we will have three total regiments in our formation. Our mission is to cut down and kill the Sastane cavalrymen that the light cavalry will have herded."
Clarke who was explaining for quite a long time returned his gaze back to Sunhyuk. Due to that heavy, unbearable gaze, even Sunhyuk subconsciously swallowed his saliva in anxiety.
"Cavalry versus cavalry, regardless of who the winner is, the casualties will be enormous. However, the higher-ups won't care how many casualties we have. Rather, they would be concerned with how much damage we could inflict into these Sastane bastards."
The clashes between the opposing cavalry, asides from victory or defeat, would result in devastating casualties to both sides, considering how there would be no time to withdraw one's body and struggle against the opposing cavalry. Horsemanship plays a vital part as calvary horses trod on fallen bodies and crush the limbs of allies and enemies alike, the most ideal outcome would be a devastating victory in the end.
There were no commanders who were willing to recklessly utilize the expensive cavalry that required high resources. However, this time, it was an exception.
"It'll probably be appalling. For a new recruit without war experience, this might be the most bloody and excessively brutal war you will ever fight in."
Staring at Sunhyuk intently, Clarke spoke with a heavy tone.
"However, despite that, I am willing to assign the Spearhead position to you. Yet, if you refuse, then I will not. Since the position of the Spearhead is not a place where you can be forced to stand in."
Even Sunhyuk felt the sense of shame from Clarke for the upcoming battle, as he was willing to assign a new recruit without experience into the vital Spearhead position. That unfamiliar face of his, Sunhyuk stared back at him for a long time before gritting.
"Okay. I will take care of the Spearhead."
Although his face was full of anxiety and fear, Sunyuk's two eyes were shining brightly.
"Those Sastane bastards. That's how crucial the Kingdom considers them as enemies."
"It-it is so. Ho-however, the damage that they had received from them is probably immense, since the amount of casualties reported to have been lost to them are over 10 Regiments of cavalry, and several times more of infantry at the borders."
Shocked, Sunhyuk never imagined in his wildest dreams that Clarke would react like this, as he was even stuttering with his own words.
"Then if you kill those guys, then the merits will be astronomical as well then."
"Ah…"
Finally understanding Sunhyuk's thoughts, Clarke exclaimed.
From crisis to opportunity.
In other words, these were not feelings that were familiar to real men of the cavalry.
"I don't think it's bad to necessarily erase all of my debt in one blow. Since if we were to catch them, then we won't have to worry about the Lieutenant Colonel worrying of other options…"
Seeing Sunhyuk boast weakly with a creaky, stiff voice caused the cavalrymen and Clarke to end up laughing in the end.
"Whew."
The moment the decision was made, his hands and legs started trembling. Sunhyuk was trying to convince himself that he was doing the right thing, as he slowly stopped himself from spouting.
It was a battlefield in which he had to stand in the end, so he would head into the direction that gives him the highest rate of survival with his own ability. At the very least, he won't die ridiculously in the backlines if the formation were to collapse.
But the problem lay in how he would cope with seeing violence and bloodshed. It was the precise thing that all of the other Strangers feared the most. Whether they'd die or others would die, it was an appalling matter nonetheless for those that once lived peaceful lives.
All he could hope for was that the mental training he had as a soldier from the other world would help alleviate the fear, stress, and hesitation, even if by a little bit. Of course, whether it was effective or not, at least his situation was a bit better than the other Strangers.
"What kind of guys are these Sastane Cavalry seriously?"
Although his heart felt heavy, he did not idle around. After being assigned the position of being the Spearhead, Clarke called for him separately to go through his own, personal training.
"The Sastane Cavalry are Riders that are hybrids, Riders who are neither light nor heavy cavalry. They specialize in militarized horses and excel in tactics that bully the enemy from afar."
Hearing about them, the Sastane Cavalry sounded like the monstrous Mongolian Cavalry of his other world.
"However, that does not mean that they are poor in melee combat. If we were to recklessly charge in, it is possible that it would be us which ends up being swallowed instead."
Destructive power and speed - it was virtually impossible to possess both - but in this place where Knights and superhumans existed, it was possible.
"Although they are Riders who were released due to their insufficient potential in being Knights, they are still talented enough to be on the same level as Apprentice Knights. That is exactly the fearsome qualities that the Sastane Cavalry possess. Despite lacking ability, they compensate it more than enough with their weight."
Even if the light cavalry were to succeed in herding them, it'll seem like it wouldn't as easy feat to achieve, as we would encounter them directly. Sunhyuk thus asked,
"Then how about our cavalry?"
Weight and speed - it wasn't just them that possessed those qualities. Asking Clarke, he responded instead with a stout face.
"I believe in you."
Sunhyuk looked up towards Clarke who was patting his shoulders and replied.
"I think I need a rehearsal."
No matter how much he thought about it, he thought it was reckless to stand in the Spearhead position without experience. However, in order to overcome what was lacking or part thereof, Sunhyuk made up for it by training.
"Are you really okay?"
"It'll sting a bit, but I won't die."
Sunhyuk stood firmly in front of Jonathan's worried face.
"No matter how much I attempt in not hurting you, I'm concerned that a puncture might arise."
"Don't worry and shoot me."
Seeing his firm stature, the other cavalrymen began to shake their heads.
"I can never seem to be able to understand the training methods of these Strangers."
It seemed that the other cavalrymen did not comprehend his definition of a rehearsal. However, in order to test out how able he was in being the Spearhead, and whether or not his attacks will be effective against the enemy, this training was necessary.
And it was to directly face against one of the superior qualities of the Sastane Cavalry - ranged attacks.
"If you were to become knocked out by an arrow before arriving to the enemy, there's nothing more wasteful than that."
After speaking so, the cavalrymen followed behind, and Jonathan began to trod back. Once they were at a feasible distance away, they waited for the signal.
"Now!"
As soon as the promised flag was raised, the cavalry galloped fiercely towards him.
Wow. I'm trembling.
Despite being quite far away, witnessing the scene of the thunderous cavalry rushing towards him - the sight caused Sunhyuk to subconsciously swallow back his saliva. However, soon he gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and charged.
"We're shooting!"
With that warning trailing behind the rushing sounds of hooves, arrows were shot into the sky.
"Wind Piercing."
Whispering the skill, it activated as the wind instantly surrounded an area around him, and soon, above the large encircled aura, the arrows began to rain down.
Ting. Ting.
It was an uncomfortable sound to listen to, but Sunhyuk relaxed his shoulders as he smiled.
"Do-does that even make sense?"
They tried their best to demonstrate the tactics of the Sastane Cavalry, as they bent their bows back to the fullest. But, those arrows ended up not even reaching near Sunhyuk, as they were repelled back as if they having encountered an invisible wall.
"Ru-run away!"
"That, that crazy bastard!"
The cavalry that were staring in awe at the sight, and soon belatedly saw that overbearing charge of Sunhyuk rushing towards them, causing cavalry riders to quickly scatter, frightened them out of their own wits.
And after Sunhyuk stopped that improbable, overbearing charge, he looked back at the cavalry who were staring at him speechlessly.
"Wow. I thought maybe I couldn't do it, but it seems that I succeeded in overcoming this difficult trial again."
Seeing that blatant, boastful figure, the cavalrymen looked back totally flabbergasted. However, the fact remains that he had successfully succeeded in overcoming this alarming challenge. This meant that it was true, that there was no one that could counter Sunhyuk's charge.
"Now that I know I can block arrows, it's only the range for the area of effect that's left to resolve. Is there anyone that's willing to help me?"
"Come on."
Eventually, Jonathan and the other cavalrymen were forced to cling onto this effective, but treacherous training.
As such, Sunhyuk's attempts continued for the next few days. Once he finished this reckless experiment, his confidence was soaring higher than ever in front of the cavalrymen.
"With this much, I won't lose to the Sastane guys, right?"
From Sunhyuk's question, Clarke and the cavalrymen laughed.
"The Sastanes are not even a problem, as even if the Sastane elders were dispatched, they would be pushed back."
From Clarke's response, Sunhyuk smiled widely.
The day of the dispatch arrived quickly. Judging from updated reports that the enemy cavalry might be around the villages near the border, the cavalry were the first to leave the garrison.
"Be careful, and sorry about before."
"Me too. The fact that Hyung has to face against those monster-like Sastane guys… take care of yourself."
The rumor that the cavalry were assigned the most dangerous mission had already circulated throughout the garrison, as Jungtae and Soohong apologized.
"I'll see you at the border."
Atop his horse, Sunhyuk said a brief goodbye as he quickly followed behind the cavalry. As such, Sunhyuk and the Heavy Cavalry of the 24th Regiment departed from the garrison.
TL Afterword:
Calvis:That wind aura makes me think of Neji's and Hinata's Swirling Wind Rotation LOL. Deflect all those kunais.
PR Afterword:
Sai101: All the preparations seem to be done.. Time for the real life situation battle.
BM: I feel like this will go horribly wrong somehow. Masochist's Intuition.
Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101,Borderline Masochist