The 7th corps arrived at Ipens castle, located at the eastern parts of Rinse kingdom, after 10 days of marching.

The lord of Ipens castle and the commander of the 7th corps, baron Aaron Tate, started to do a merits award for the troops before they left to their respective headquarters.

The turn of rose troop was quite near the end, so they made camp and rested.

The time where generals and commanders obviously lie down but also normal soldiers rest while completely lying down.

But Roan used that time to train on his spear skills.

I have to master the things I remember the fastest possible.

The Pierce spearmanship, which he mastered and learnt for the past 20 years while roaming the battlefield.

And even excluding that, he remembered quite many spear skills, combat skills, etc.

I have to train and keep training until my body moves on its own.

Ever since Roan returned to the past, he had pushed himself to the limits.

Because of that, his strength, stamina, movements, and of course, spear skills got so good it became noticeable to the eyes.

Pierces help was also big.

Roan threw away his personal time and kept training on Pierces spear stances.

Because of that he could grind and polish his senses to be more sensitive.

Although his skills wasnt as good as before he died, but even so, it was quite close.

Even so, its still lacking.

The moment he gets satisfied he would stagnate.

Roan whipped himself in case he got lazy.

He focused on training his spear skills on an empty ground on the corner of the camp as usual.

Blow.

His hair blows because of the west wind.

Pabat!

His spear dances while cutting through the wind.

Spear skills that dont have any unnecessary movements.

His spear skills that were for practical use slowly started to become softer.

Huh?

Then, he felt a presence approaching him.

Whew.

He breathed out slowly and stopped his spear.

At the same time, a big builded man appeared.

A really familiar face.

It was vice squad commander Austin.

Sir adjutant Roan.

Quite excited words.

What happened?

As Roan smiled faintly and asked back, Austin raised his thumb.

Our turn finally came.

He smiled so brightly to the point his teeth showed and continued saying.

Its finally sir adjutant Roans turn for the merits awards.

Ah.

Roan let out a low exclamation.

Has it been 4 days since we arrived at Ipens castle?

Meanwhile, quite a lot of troops finished their merits awards and returned to their own headquarters.

My turn finally came.

He had already decided on what he wanted.

I have to get inside Brents library.

It wont be hard.

The current Brents library was nothing but a name.

Although the nobles were allowed to get in, it had been quite a while that even they hadnt got in.

Its a situation where they shouldnt deny my proposal to sightsee the library.

But of course, this was Roans thoughts.

Sir adjutant Roan.

Austin asked once more time to the absent minded Roan.

Only then did Roan nod late.

Right. Should we go?

Roan slowly moved his feet.

As he crossed the camp and arrived at the troop commanders tent that was in the middle of the camp, Gale was already outside waiting for him.

Your turn finally came. You waited long, right?

Thats not true.

Roan slightly bent down.

Gale took a step and continued saying.

If its the commander of the army corps, you will be able to ask him anything. Then, tell him honestly, without being aware of him.

He kept explaining Roan about Aarons temperament, and the methods about the merits award while moving towards Ipens castle.

So he likes direct things rather than hitting around the bush.

Roan put a smile.

These little bits of informations become a great strength later on.

Meanwhile, Gale and Roan passed through the castles door and arrived at the headquarters of the army corps.

Sir!

The soldiers that were guarding the entrance, noticed Gale and saluted.

Gale nodded lightly and moved his feet.

He was really excited about what price would Roan get on the merits awards.

Its troop commander Gale from rose troops, and class 5 adjutant Roan.

As soon as they informed to the assembly, the huge door opened.

Its big.

The scale of the assembly was quite big.

The ceiling was high and the space was wide.

Wooden chairs, that had long backrest, were aligned to the sides and on a slightly higher platform on the center, a huge table was placed.

Corps commander Aaron Tate.

Beyond the table, they could see Aaron.

He was in the middle of looking at the many gathered documents.

Gale stood in front of the table and saluted.

Its troop commander Gale, from rose troop.

Roan also bent down, following him.

Its class 5 adjutant Roan, from rose troop.

Only then did Aaron, that was busy with the documents, raise his head.

The 6 middle aged men that were seated next to him put interesting expressions.

So that guy is Roan.

He is called the ghost of the battlefield.

The guy with the biggest merits in our 7th corps.

The middle aged men were staff officers that served Aaron.

Although their ranks was that of staff officer, it could be said that they were one rank higher than Gale.

So troop commander Richard of the special troop wants him huh?

Then it really means that hes a fine guy.

Should I bring him to our side?

The eyes of the staff all check of Roans body.

And Roan also didnt not notice their sights and interest.

I will do what I have to.

Right now, he had to get in Brents castle, and after that he would get a vacation and go to Potters region.

There were no plans at all about moving to another troop or serving another troop commander.

Mendel. Read the merits report.

At Aarons words, a middle aged man that was next to him and looked modest took out a thick piece of paper and extended it.

I will start from when he discovered the goblin army waiting in ambush at Ale gorge.

Mendel started to read the merits Roan achieved minutely from when he returned to the past. Just like the inundation tactic, and what he did on Pedians plain.

Just by saying that there were more than ten monster commanders he had slain, everybody sighed in amazement.

On top of that, at the word of having rescued the allied troops that were about to get annihilated, everybody put surprised expressions.

Didnt they say that he had just finished his training?

For an 18 year old guy to render this kind of merits!

He rendered even more merits than what I have heard.

The staff got astounded and looked at Roan.

On the other hand, Aarons expression was still calm.

He opened his eyes sharply and looked at Roans body in detail.

He wouldnt be hiding his identity, right?

Aaron got up and moved next to Roan.

Mendel got surprised for a moment, but he didnt stop reading the report.

Swish.

Aaron grabbed Roans wrist.

Huh?

Roan hurriedly lowered his head and frowned.

What is it?

He couldnt understand the sudden actions.

And then, a weird feeling entered from the wrist.

Just as if he was tickled with a cold feather.

It was a feeling that Roan also knew about.

Its mana.

He had also been through this quite few times because of Pierce, in his past life.

And now, Aaron was pouring his mana inside of Roan.

Actions to check if Roan had mastered some kind of mana or not.

Is he dubious about me?

Roan bit his lower lips.

There was no need to unnecessarily buy suspicion.

He softened his stiff expression and lent him his wrist.

Whew.

After a moment, Aaron spat a long breath and returned to his place.

A difficult smile was on his face, which you wouldnt be able to discover if you didnt see his mouth in detail.

He had never learnt mana. Then.

It meant that he had slain the monster commanders with simple spear skills.

He slayed an orc troop commander with spear skills that dont contain mana?

An honestly difficult merit to believe.

Was he lucky? Or were his spear skills that outstanding?

Whatever side it was, it was clear that it was a big strength.

If he was lucky, so be it. If his spear skills are excellent, then there is a need for that.

Soon, happiness could be seen on Aarons face.

WIth this, I will finish the report.

Meanwhile, the report about Roans merits had finished.

Amazing.

A really amazed voice.

Its a really amazing merit.

Theres no flaw in it.

Its outstanding.

Even the staff officers that were listening to it, raised their thumbs.

I was lucky.

Roan lowered his head.

A not excessive humility.

He didnt want to hide the merits.

Aaron stared at Roans face as if he was going to pierce it, and then asked bluntly.

As the merit is this big, the reward must also be big. Is there something you want?

It came.

Gale slightly bent down and gave him eye signs.

If theres anything you want, say it honestly.

He remembered the advice Gale told him when they were coming to the headquarters.

Roan slightly bent down and looked at Aaron.

There is one thing I want.

Oh.

Aaron let out a slight exclamation.

He was thinking maybe, but he hadnt expected that he really had something he wanted.

He continued saying with an interesting expression.

Its good because your character is fresh. Right, tell me. If its not excessive, I will listen to you.

Roan breathed in.

An instinctive choice.

A really short silence made Aaron restless.

Roan smiled faintly and laughed while replying with a low voice but with strength.

I want to see Brents library.

Boom.

At that instant, Aarons face get clearly contorted.

Not only him, the faces of the staff and even Gales got nicely contorted.

Brent library?

He only wants to see Brents library for his reward?

Isnt he out of his mind?

They all seemed prostrated.

Aaron got ahold of himself late and forced a laugh.

Ho! So you want to see Brents library? Is that really the only thing you want?

Yes. Thats right.

Roan slightly bent down.

He understood how Gale, the staff and Aaron were thinking.

They shouldnt be able to understand as to why I want to go and see an old library that nobody visits.

Even Roan, if it wasnt for that object, he wouldnt even have looked at it.

And then, a bald man that was seated next to Aaron frowned and said.

But wanting to see Brent library means..

He dimmed the last part and put an expression as if it was hard to believe.

Do maybe you know how to read?

At those words, it was obvious for Aaron, but even Gale put a really surprised expression.

He knows about letters?

He knows how to read?

Something they hadnt thought about.

Right. If its the guy that developed that appalling strategy and tactic, he may be able to write and read.

Everybody looked at Roan with expressions saying maybe.

Roan smiled faintly and replied shortly.

Yes. Im able to read and write.

Oh!

Aaron let out a loud exclamation.

For a guy that was only a normal soldier until just now knows how to read and write, huh.

Knowing words was an outstanding ability.

Excluding the staff officers of the 7th corps, the troops commanders and some adjutants, nobody knew about words.

There was no one among normal soldiers that knew how to read and write.

And actually, even in Roans case, he could barely get the chance to learn after his mid thirties.

Because as he became squad commander from the 1st spearmen squad, he became in need to know how to do so.

Well, its also partly because of Pierce.

To read the letters Pierce sent him at times, he need to learn the words.

If I learnt a bit earlier, the path to success should have opened much faster.

And that was also one of the regrets in his choices.

Anyways, the Roan right now knew how to read and write at the age of 18.

The more I know about him, the more I want him.

If I can only bring him below me, I will be able to use him well.

The eyes of the staff officers start to shine with a conspicuous color.

Rolar felt that he heard noises of his bodys worth rising.

Gale bit his lower lip.

Whatever I do, I have to hold him to stay with me. I cant get this competent person to be stolen by another person.

Regret came flowing late.

It shouldnt have been 5 class, but I should have at least made him class 3 adjutant.

But it wasnt late yet.

I will have to reward him once again.

Gales eyes shone and emitted light.

Then, Aarons voice was heard.

If you know how to read and write, somewhere like Brents library is quite a charming place. Although it is worn out and old, its still one of the best libraries in the western parts of Rinse kingdom. But

The last part of his sentence blurs.

A weird expression shows on his face.

Because Brent library hasnt been taken care of well, its no different to ruins. Rather than sight seeing that worn out library, what about receiving another reward?

He lightly clapped his hands.

At the back side of the assembly, one soldier appeared with a cool spear and two fist sized leather bags.

Its a spear I bought when I went to the capital of Miller. It was made by one of the blacksmith thats on the top three of Rinse kingdom, by making tests over and over. I will give you this and silver coins. How is it?

A gently asking voice.

Roan looked at the spear and the two leather bags.

Its certainly a good spear. And there are plenty of silver coins. But.

He had the travias spear with him, which he couldnt use yet, and if he got determined on it, he would be able to earn a much higher amount of money.

There was only one thing he needed the most right now.

It was permission to get in Brent library.

Its taking a risk.

Roan lowered his head.

Theres nothing I desire aside of seeing Brent library.

A polite yet firm way of talking.

At that moment, Mendel frowned.

How conceited. You dare to our corps commander

Its fine.

Aaron shook his hand and smiled faintly.

How funny. Does it mean that a good spear and two bags of silver is lacking?

He interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on it.

Fine. Then I will raise your rank to class 3 adjutant. And if you want, I will also give you a small house near rose troops headquarters.

Exceptional manners and conditions.

Even so, will you still keep insisting that you want to see Brent library?

An expression as if he was dying to know what kind of answer he will give.

Aarons corner of eyes and mouth busily raise up and down.

Is he testing me?

Roan slightly turned up his head and looked at Aarons two eyes.

He remembered the words Gale had said.

The corps commander doesnt like dressing things up, and likes direct things.

Then, the direct action was the best.

Roan lowered his head again and replied.

I have already received many rewards at the merits awards. I received a prize and I also became an adjutant. The spear and prize you have told me about, give that to the ordinary soldiers that risked their lives at the front. Its because of them that the battle at Ale gorge, inundation tactic at Prely river, and the subjugation of Pedians plain turned out to be a victory.

Oh.

Aaron, the staff and Gale all let out exclamations.

Good.

He has the qualities of a good commander.

Excellent.

A satisfied expression.

Roan looked at Aarons face for a moment and bent his head.

Theres nothing aside seeing Brent library that I desire.

Mmm.

A low exclamation flowed from Aarons mouth.

So you say that you will deny the promotion, house, the spear bought from the kingdom and the silver coin bags, right?

Yes.

Roan was still with his head lowered.

Aaron just looked at him and shook his head.

Brent library is a place that is only possible to enter by nobles.

He dimmed the last part of the sentence and clapped his hands.

Clap!

A light sound.

Fine. If thats your wish, I can only listen to it.

At that instant a bright smile appeared from Roan, that was bending his head.

Its done.

He hid his expression and replied with a voice filled with strength.

Thank you.

He got the thing he wanted.

At least until now, everything was happening as he wanted.

< Merits awards (5) > End

Translators note:

Thanks for reading!

Translator : Subak