Golden Cross: Chapter 6
Chapter 6. By the Brotherhood’s Name (3)
As the company commander was killed with a single strike, the entire unit was shaken up. On the other hand, the morale of the double-paid mercenaries acutely rose high.
“Chop them all up!”
At the end of the charge which resulted in 2/3 of them dying, the surviving double-paid mercenaries trampled on the heavy gunners. Like unstoppable wild fires, they swooped over them.
“Aaaahk!”
As it was a time before the bayonets, the gunners were helpless before the power of the swordsmen.
“Do not retreat. Engage with your swords!”
A lieutenant drew his sword from his waist and yelled, but of his body got completely severed by two-hand-held sword. Eugene, who had already took the life of the company commander, was killing many at this time. When one soldier blocked his two-hand-held sword, spark flew as the gun barrel and the sword crashed.
Chuanng!
Eugene’s sword remained intact and it cut through the gun barrel and torn up the flesh of the soldier. That was possible as he was a provost.
“Aaaahk!”
He moved to severe everything that was in his way. The gun barrels, swords, armor suits, and all without prejudice.
“Kraaahp!”
About 20 soldiers have been killed and were lying before Eugene.
“Run!”
“Avoid that mad golden haired bastard!”
In no time, his hat with feathers on it has been blown away by the wind, and his blood soaked long golden hair was blowing in the wind. As he attacked, Eugene understood that the enemy’s critical unit was destabilizing. However, that wasn’t sufficient enough to destroy them all. Even though the double-paid mercenaries were in action, the opposition had hundreds of men in their unit. On top of that, he saw some of the long spearmen, in the vicinity, mobilizing. As soon as possible, he had to cause the long spearmen to break their formation and run away.
‘OK. Let me try it.’
Finally, Eugene decided to use the Brotherhood’s secret battle skill. The reason why a provost was so feared was the fact that, although limited, they were able to utilize his swordsmen brotherhood’s secret battle skill. Through extreme training, the swordsmen were able to cause lightning, shock waves, and other even greater miracles. They were different from magic, yet the same. According to the legendary swordsman Liechtenauer, ‘sorcerers wielded magic with spells and minds, but swordsmen could conjure up magic with swords and poems.’ There were conflicting opinions on this, but the one thing that was true was that even the swordsmen were able to utilize the inexhaustible unknown power of magic that was spread all around this material world. Power of magic was in unlimited supply, and like gold, it was everywhere. When the swordsmen sensed that, they just had to utilize them by wielding the inherited secret battle skill, at will. Of course, there was a limit to how far the swordsmen could use this powerful skill, but there was no change with respect to the swordsmen, being like the creditors with lots of debts to collect.
‘The wind is blowing just in time.’
Eugene focused on the feeling that grazed by his ear. It was an obvious thing, but the wind contained the magic that could move the atmosphere. Carefully, he summoned energy by using the secret battle skill of the brotherhood, and congregated them at his legs and sword. Then he executed the lion’s walk towards where there were most enemy troops. Instantly, Eugene disappeared, and appeared in the midst of the flustering enemy crowd. [A sword, dancing like a storm, could not be said to be less than the spirit!] As Eugene quickly recited the Brotherhood’s poem, the air in the vicinity suddenly turned. A great catastrophe occurred while the heavy gunners were shuddering under the pressure of instinctive fear.
Kwaaang!
With the great two-hand-held sword, Eugene spun on the spot. The magic of wind has become one with Eugene’s two-hand-held sword, and spun with a terrifying speed. At that moment, the blade of the sword, made of the wind, rooted through the entire field. It was the ‘tempest sword’ which was one of the secret battle weapon skills of the St. Marco’s Brotherhood.
“Kraaaaahk!”
“Dodge it!”
“Aaaaahk!”
There were so much screams, but all were empty and short. Instantaneously, about 20 soldiers and their guns were torn up into pieces and scattered, rising up to the sky. From above, pieces of internal organs, flesh, and blood were hailing down. Even the double-paid mercenaries, who were charging along with Eugene, were looking at him in awe.
“Is that what a provost is……”
The Swordsmen of the Rose, who were talking to Eugene earlier, murmured blankly. And when the wind of blood calmed down, Eugene appeared, breathing hard as he stood on the spot with his sword staked to the ground by him.
“Hugh-hugh-hugh-hugh.”
Everyone there forgot what to say as they watched Eugene. Then Eugene fiercely shouted.
“I’ll severe every one of you who stands his ground!”
With that, the heavy gunners, who were blankly staring, immediately came to their senses. At this time, every one of them was filled with fear, broke their formation, and began to run away.
“Aaaaahk!”
“Wait for me! Please!”
Even the non-commissioned officers, whose job was to stop those who broke formation and run, ran along with them. As one of the main heavy gunner units deserted so suddenly like this, there came changes to the battle that had been very even. They said that dam breaks down from a small crack. But now, a main unit has completely been made void as they retreated. Not too long after, the White regiment that had taken up position on the top of the hill has lost totally, and the Black regiment has safely completed its mission. Now, one of the most important positions has been overtaken by one of the Blue units. And the battle of that day was the watershed moment that led to the Blue Force’s victory. On the following evening, a noisy celebration was held. The victory of the Blue Force the day before, against the White Force, was outstanding. The White Force had to retreat more than 100 kilometers from Meiphonestark, and they harvested many spoils from the retreating enemy White Force. The commanders Stuartemitte Landgraf and Myrus Landgraf offered abundant foods and wine to encourage and reward the troops. So, the area was filled with the sounds of cheers and celebration.
“Leon. Have a drink.”
Eugene offered wine when he saw Leon’s hardened expression.
“Uh, okay.”
Taking the wine with a blank expression, Leon appeared to be half conscious. As it was expected from all the newbies to war, Leon, too, seemed to have been shocked very badly from the experience.
On the other hand, Eugene was serene. Perhaps, it was because he grew up roughly at the Brotherhood. However, it was just that Eugene did not truly recognize what this experience was about. He just had the strong will and unique characteristics that helped him to remain relaxed.
“It should get better after a few days.”
Eugene consoled him as if he was an old timer mercenary. And that had some influence. Leon relaxed and gulped down the drink, and soon, he felt better.
“You, too, Eugene, have another drink.”
The evening was just beginning and the camp fire was warm. There were lots of meats and wine. In the warm atmosphere, Leon, too, began to come out from his melancholy mood.
“Well, that’s that, and you’re very awesome! I was in the back of the line, but saw all the action.”
After the battle, Eugene’s accomplishment was always a topic of every conversation. The long spearmen and the heavy gunners all clearly saw Eugene who demolished the enemy heavy gunners, like a gust of the wind. The highlight of them all was the tempest sword. The scene of the enemies getting torn up and scattering up in the air in an instant was so awesome that it has been permanently edged in their hippocampus. Everyone began to fear and respect him, at the same time. In battle fields, age was just an illusion. Capable of overturning the regional war sentiment, he was a better comrade than anyone. It was when Leon was highly excited, three men awkwardly approached Eugene. They were Maxen, Kunadal, and Harrison. They could have lost their lives by the blade of a double-hand-held sword of a double-paid mercenary, but were saved by Eugene. They were rough and ignorant men, but they weren’t thick faced enough to ignore their indebtedness. Having approached with very uncomfortable expression, Maxen was barely able to speak.
“Thank you.”
Leon, who was watching, broke out into laughter.
“What was that? Unless you speak louder, I don’t think Eugene can hear you.”
“You, you little bastard!”
As overtaking the hilltop position was a critical order from the central Blue Force command, he had much force in his voice. It might not be a too far fetching of an assumption that he might even get promoted to the general of a detachment unit.
“Not at all. I was just happy that I was able to help the unit.”
“Hahaha. You are both young and modest. I’ve already reported your heroic accomplishments to the commander. There should be a separate reward.”
Then there came noise and the sound of military music came from the perimeters of where the Black regiment was located. The regimental commander knew the arrival of someone superior, and immediately got up, along with his chief advisors. The soldiers who were sprawling around also came to attention. The Black Regiment was just mercenaries, but they have been employed by the Landgrafs from the vicinity for the past several tens of years. Hence, their attitude was no different than from the regular military troops.
“Good job.”
The visitor was a much bigger fish than expected.
It was no other than Myrus Landgraf, one of the co-commanding officers, and the regiment leader was acting like a warm before him.
‘You’ve come.’
There was a clandestine spark in Eugene’s eyes