Lord of Training - Chapter 34



Only Krnovel

34. Rules of Air Combat.

34. Rules of Air Combat.

Now that winter has begun, the cold gets stronger the further north you go.

This cold has played a part in the fact that the Kingdom of Albion has been eyeing the lands of the Kingdom of Atlan since long ago.

Unlike us, the Albionians lived in a harsh climate where it was frozen for half the year, surviving mainly by hunting and raiding neighboring kingdoms.

Then, about 100 years ago, a dimensional gate appeared, and the population suddenly exploded as a resource gate was secured for farming and raising livestock.

At least for the Albionians, the occurrence of the dimensional gate was a blessing.

And now they have grown from being raiders of the eastern continent into a kingdom that seeks to seize hegemony over the eastern continent.

‘But what are you waiting for?’

If I were the Kingdom of Albion, I would have attacked before the Kingdom of Atlan’s forces were fully deployed.

It’s true that they have the advantage if they fight in the winter because they are strong against the cold, but it would be much more advantageous to push through with numbers.

Something felt uneasy.

Knock! Knock!

He offered a coffee cup to Lieutenant Audrey, who was sitting in front of the campfire.

“It’s cold.”

“thank you.”

“Was dinner okay?”

“Yes. Sergeant Douglin’s cooking is so good that I look forward to mealtime every time.”

“Me too. I heard that before he joined the army, he helped his mother cook at the restaurant.”

Is it because I’m a chef who handles fire?

Douglas had a skill called Flame, which was a burst technique.

“How are the skills of our team members? Tell me objectively.”

“To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen guys learn formation so quickly.”

Lieutenant Audrey praised him with a thumbs-up.

“Isn’t it all because Instructor Audrey is so great?”

“It’s not an empty phrase. It’s as if we read each other’s minds and move as one body.”

I made a pleased expression.

Our battalion’s men were the hardest-working and most dangerous airborne troops in the military.

We have been together since the first descent, and the awakening of the members took place almost simultaneously at the Labyrinth Gate. Since then, we have completed training and enemy subjugation missions within the Fairing City Battle and Magic Stone Gate.

And at the gate of the spirit world, they fought battles to the death for over two months, slaying hundreds of dimensional monsters every day.

Now, just by looking into each other’s eyes, they knew what each other was thinking, and they knew each other’s skills and abilities better than anyone else.

Formation flying, it’s something that can be done in no time once you know the tricks.

Of course, Mana Hwan played the biggest role.

Because we’ve increased our flight practice time several times over.

“When are you going to teach me combat flying and marksmanship?”

“At this rate, I think I can move in starting tomorrow.”

“That’s good news.”

It’s now four days’ journey to Hebrok Estate.

I wanted to learn one more thing before I arrived.

“Can you teach me the combat flight theory I’m going to learn tomorrow?”

“The theories I know are the basics that you learn at military academy. You must have already learned them.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t good at studying.”

“No way.”

Lieutenant Audrey didn’t seem to believe it.

“Are there any basic techniques for aerial combat? I’ll learn them tomorrow, but I want to do some mental image training before going to bed.”

“You are still far ahead of the other members of the unit. You don’t have to push yourself so hard.”

“It’s not a crowd. In war, there is no enemy more dangerous than an incompetent commander. I hope our men are safe.”

Because they are my precious power.

Lieutenant Audrey smiled.

“You are a good commander.”

“I still have a long way to go to become a good commander.”

Lieutenant Audrey took a sip of her coffee and turned her head toward me.

“First of all, remember only three things about air combat.”

I took out a pen and notebook and wrote down what she said.

– Stand at the head of the enemy!

– Spot the enemy first!

– Attack the enemy’s rear!

“Standing above the enemy is to take advantage of the height advantage. It is always best to attack the enemy below from a high position.”

“I see what you mean.”

“It’s the most basic thing, but in real life, there are many cases where this isn’t followed. And in the same context, there’s a saying that you should fight from a high place with your back to the sun.”

“Ah! So you’re talking about confusing the enemy’s vision.”

Lieutenant Audrey nodded.

“If we look straight at the sun with our human eyes, it is too bright for the enemy to see exactly where we are. On the contrary, we can see the enemy very well.”

“That’s a good strategy.”

I wrote it down in my notebook.

“And how can one stand above the heads of enemies or turn one’s back to the sun?”

“I guess I have to find my opponent first.”

“Yes. You need to find the enemy first to have an advantageous battle.”

“I understand the third time. If you spot an enemy, aim for the rear.”

“That’s right. There is no cowardice in battle. In heaven, the best defense is to attack the enemy first. And the combat training we learn tomorrow will be based on these three things.”

I closed my eyes and imagined the air combat situation.

Numerous battles were depicted.

As expected, the best situation for us was the three rules of air combat that Lieutenant Audrey had taught us.

“And two more things to add: arm yourself with more spells and skills. Lastly, attack the enemy in greater numbers. Just remember this.”

“I think the last one is already wrong.”

Because the Albion Kingdom’s Aerial Magic Knights outnumber us by two times.

“But our Royal Guard Air Knights are more skilled. We have more Ace-level knights who have mastered advanced skills such as high-speed flight and evasion techniques. We also have one more named-level Air Magic Knight.”

We were about quality over numbers.

There are a total of 4 named people in the Atlan Kingdom.

The kingdom of Albion was only one person.

This was also the reason why they had not been able to easily attack the Atlan Kingdom until now.

“Thank you. I had a good study session today.”

“And as for tomorrow’s training, we will train to form a circle while rotating over the enemy’s head. If the enemy comes up towards us, our troops behind us will immediately attack the enemy from behind. In fact, it is a combined version of the three air warfare rules I taught you earlier.”

Since I am a student with a passion for learning, I think my teacher is trying to teach me at least one more thing.

That night I couldn’t sleep well.

I constantly imagined battle situations in my head and tried to apply appropriate tactics to them.

As the actual match drew near, I started to get a little nervous.

***

[Hebrok Estate]

I heard the Royal Guard Air Knights are already here.

They flew here as soon as the Albion Kingdom army moved, and were guarding the front line here with the 1st Legion and the Havelock Territory army.

“It seems that the 2nd Corps has not arrived yet.”

“What should we do, Commander?”

The Sten Bombardier and his staff arrived at the front yesterday, but the 2nd Corps will arrive starting tomorrow.

We arrived a day early.

And Sergeant Curtis and six of his men had not yet arrived.

Although they had not yet awakened their flight skills, the seven of them were also members of our aviation battalion.

“First, let’s go to Mapeld City.”

“Where is the city of Mafeld?”

Sergeant John Cutter asked.

“That’s where the Lord Hebrok’s castle is.”

“Oh! Commander, you’re going home.”

“Let’s buy some supplies there. It’s the final destination anyway.”

“ah!”

We headed straight to Mapeld City.

[Mapel City]

The city in Alain’s memories.

When I saw it in person, it didn’t seem unfamiliar.

When Alain first left at the age of 18, the train station was still the same, and the shops in the city center were still the same.

And the castle at the end of the city remained unchanged.

“Heeeeeel!”

“Whoa!”

Carriages were lined up waiting at the train station.

“Wow! This is the first time I’ve seen so many carriages.”

Lieutenant Audrey seems to be curious about carriages.

This is a place where there are still far more horses and carriages than horse-drawn cars.

It was a city where the past and present coexisted.

“Then, go to Yeongju Castle. We will stay at an inn near the station.”

Ensign Phelps said.

“No, let’s go together.”

“Yes? Are we going too?”

“Now that we’ve come this far, we should show the agents around the house.”

“Oh oh!”

When would they have ever seen a castle?

That’s when my eyes met Lieutenant Audrey’s.

A desperate look in her eyes, asking to be taken along too.

“You too, come with me. I can’t invite the instructor to the inn.”

“thank you!”

Lieutenant Audrey stayed with us, as she was supposed to train us until full-scale war broke out.

We headed towards Yeongju Castle that way.

Actually, I was thinking of flying straight in, but I was afraid I might get shot, so I walked from the outskirts of the city.

Because this place is currently under exhibition.

There, a castle was visible, a little distance from the city.

Doo doo doo! Doo doo doo doo!

At that moment, hundreds of cavalry emerged from the castle and rode east.

Instead of armor, they wore red uniforms, instead of helmets, they wore fur hats, and instead of spears, they carried rifles on their backs.

“There is still a cavalry corps.”

Lieutenant Audrey looked puzzled.

“Still, they are the main force in Hebrok Territory. They are dealing with the dimensional monsters that somehow crossed the barrier.”

Alain had basic memories of the estate in his head.

We headed towards the castle gate.

“Stop! What’s going on?”

The soldiers at the gate blocked us.

Of course.

Because you won’t recognize me.

“I am Alain Bombard.”

“Huh? What?”

“Huh? Come to think of it, you do resemble Prince Alain······?”

The soldiers stared at me.

He looks at me with disbelief, since I weighed 120kg when I left here.

“Call Deacon Baden or Deacon Paul.”

“yes yes······.”

The soldier tilted his head and went inside.

And soon the deacon Paul, with gray hair, came out.

“Huh? Prince Alain?”

Deacon Paul also didn’t recognize me right away and just stared at me for a while.

“How is your youngest daughter, Sarah? She must be married by now.”

“Huh! Prince Alain! Prince Alain has returned!”

Sarah was my childhood friend.

And so the gate opened.

“Confucius, who are these people?”

“They are all my subordinates.”

“Ah! You are guests. Please come in.”

We entered the castle.

But inside, the soldiers were moving around busily and frantically.

“What are you doing?”

“We move valuables to the underground storage facility in case of a possible bombing.”

Bombing of civilian areas was prohibited by international law.

But that’s the case with airplanes, and the aerial magic knights could just come into the city and shoot.

“Hey! There’s a mansion inside the castle.”

“Wow! Look at that garden!”

The subordinates opened their mouths wide when they saw the inside of the castle.

Although it was a remote territory, it was a family that ruled the area for hundreds of years.

And until just over 100 years ago, the northern cavalry was the most powerful force on the continent and had great influence.

But the world changed too quickly.

“Our Alain is back!”

The one who opened the mansion door and ran out was Countess Sarah Bombard.

It was Alain’s mother.

“Mother, I’m here.”

“Huh? Who?”

“I’m going. Alain.”

“Alain? There’s no way our son could be this handsome······?”

Alain, who had lost weight, was not even recognized by his mother.

But he looked straight into my eyes and immediately hugged me.

“Alain! How much suffering must you have had to endure to come back with half your body in pieces!”

It was Alain’s mother in his memories, but for some reason, his eyes became hot and his heart ached.

My mother’s arms were warm.

“What about your father and brothers?”

“Of course you are at the barrier. It is winter now.”

In that moment, the meaning of winter came to me frighteningly.

Winter here is the season of waves of dimensional monsters.

Most of the soldiers of Hebrok Estate were gathered at the wall.

Moreover, this year’s winter will be even harsher, as war is scheduled with the Kingdom of Albion.

‘Huh? Are the Albion guys waiting for this?’

Suddenly, that thought occurred to me.

When the monster wave starts, the soldiers of Hebrok Estate become busier than ever.

But even so, we have artillery and 1st Corps troops, and our 2nd Corps will arrive tomorrow.

From the Albion Kingdom’s point of view, it would be more advantageous to attack before the 2nd Corps arrives.

I couldn’t figure out their intentions at all.

‘Sir, no way! Are you aiming for the barrier?’

In that moment, every hair on my body stood on end.

What happens if the barrier collapses just before the monster wave starts?

Tens of thousands of dimensional monsters will devastate the territory and spread throughout the kingdom. We will have to move our forces to deal with it.

And what if the Albion Kingdom army comes rushing down during that chaos!!

“Damn it! I have to tell you this quickly!”

“······?”

“Major, why are you doing that?”

“Commander?”

Lieutenant Audrey and Ensign Phelps, who had just greeted their mother, looked puzzled.

“Ensign Phelps!”

“yes.”

“Go find Chief of Staff Sten immediately and tell him that what the Kingdom of Albion is after is the Wall.”

“yes?”

“If you say it like that, you’ll understand.”

“all right.”

Ensign Phelps flew into the western sky.

“We’re going to the wall!”

Please, I hope it’s not too late······.

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