A Knight who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: “The Unexpected Can Kill You” (1)

After the battle, Enkrid dutifully served as part of the standing army in Border Guard. He took turns on guard duty and patrolled the city. When not on duty, he immersed himself in his training, focusing on his swordsmanship.

For those who saw Enkrid for the first time, his repetitive routine might have seemed overwhelming. However, to those who knew him, it was just another peaceful part of their daily life.

Not that Enkrid would have cared if someone had noticed. He was deeply absorbed in his thoughts, constantly pondering.

‘How can I win?’

Rather, how can I swing my sword better?

This was a time for him to review and reflect on what he had learned. Watching the squire had sparked a fierce desire within him to surpass them, but he wasn’t impatient.

Slowly, proceeding one step at a time. No matter how slow it was, he always moved forward. That was Enkrid’s specialty.

‘Heart of the Beast, Blade Sense, Focus Point.’

He used everything he had learned from Rem, Jaxon, and Ragna in his sparring sessions. Initially, he sparred mostly with Rem. Later, Ragna joined in. Then, occasionally, Jaxon would join.

“When your brain turns to muscle, I’ll be here to refresh you.”

“Hmm? Was that directed at me?”

A casual comment sparked a playful tension between Rem and Jaxon, but to Enkrid, it was just a peaceful daily routine.

Sparring with Rem was intense. It required quick thinking and immediate judgment. It was about daring and concentrating, relying on instinct over thought.

Sparring with Ragna was different. It focused on swordsmanship itself. Even if Enkrid started aggressively, a moment of carelessness could put him on the defensive. He had to remain aware of the flow of the fight throughout.

Jaxon’s approach was different from both. He used many tricks, deceiving with sounds, footwork, hand gestures, or slight shoulder movements. It required paying attention to every move, making it a mental as well as a physical battle.

“Clear your mind. Focus on the present.”

That was Jaxon’s advice. By then, the image of the squire had faded from Enkrid’s mind. He repeated his training daily.

Two weeks after returning to Border Guard, a ceremony for meritorious service took place.

“These are the heroes who contributed to our victory against the treacherous Azpen!”

The battalion commander distributed rewards, with Enkrid receiving the highest.

“We bestow this reward for identifying and dispelling the sorcery!”

The adjutant loudly proclaimed Enkrid’s contribution.

‘They’re actually giving me credit?’

Enkrid had expected the command to claim his achievement, but they had acknowledged his contribution openly.

Among the lined-up commanders beside the battalion commander, the emerald-eyed elf stood out. What had the company commander done? Enkrid didn’t know and doubted asking would yield answers.

“Our victory!”

The battalion commander declared victory again, but it didn’t stir the same frenzy as on the last night of the battlefield.

The soldiers led by the squad leader clapped. As Enkrid returned to his place, a few soldiers at the back glanced at him, muttering.

“Sorcery? He broke that flag alone?”

“Probably one of his squad members did it.”

“No way he did it alone.”

“They say the fog was sorcery and he dispelled it. That squad leader? No way.”

Knowing Enkrid’s usual demeanor, it was understandable, but Rem wasn’t having it.

“Do these guys miss the taste of my axe?”

He said it expressionlessly, but the meaning was clear and frightening. This was a guy who habitually knocked soldiers’ heads for fun.

“Why are we even doing this? We could use this time to get more sleep.”

Ragna grumbled, glancing behind. The battalion commander’s speech seemed terribly dull. As the squad leader, Enkrid tried to pacify him. The battalion commander rambled on about his role in the battle, claiming he had sent out the recon squad and immediately recognized the banner as sorcery. It was all nonsense. Boredom led to increased grumbling behind Enkrid.

“Maybe that useless dipshit squad leader sneaks into the battalion commander’s quarters?”

“Hey, don’t talk nonsense.”

The soldier who used the slur laughed louder at his own words. Enkrid had heard it all before. It wasn’t even worth acknowledging.

However, his squad members felt differently.

“Having fun, huh?”

It was Jaxon. Somehow, he had slipped between the two soldiers, throwing his arms around their shoulders. Enkrid hadn’t even noticed Jaxon move.

The soldiers flinched visibly. Jaxon lowered his head between them, whispering something. His lips couldn’t be read, but after his words, the soldiers fell silent, their faces pale. Jaxon calmly returned to his place.

“What did you say?”

Rem asked, curious. Ragna perked up, as did the others. They didn’t care about the gossip, but Enkrid was curious about Jaxon’s words.

“Just some advice, life advice.”

“Bullshit.”

Rem scoffed. Enkrid hadn’t seen it, and neither had Kraiss, but the other three had. Jaxon’s hands had held short knives, their tips pressing into the soldiers’ throats.

“Do you also need any advice?”

Jaxon asked Rem casually. Rem laughed, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Quiet. The battalion commander is speaking.”

Enkrid intervened just in time. Despite Jaxon’s intimidation, the resentment towards Enkrid persisted.

Jealousy and resentment mixed into the criticism. He had been insignificant, a man scraping by thanks to his squad members. A lowest-tier soldier. And now he had dispelled sorcery.

The battalion commander personally praised him, and the kingdom sent a reward. More soldiers resented than celebrated him.

In Naurillia, a snake was seen as vile, jealous, and resentful— it was a creature that couldn’t stand others’ success. Thus, they called this behavior ‘snake-like.’ The soldiers’ behavior was precisely that. Despite Enkrid’s role in breaking the sorcery and saving them, many couldn’t acknowledge it.

“Really, that squad leader?”

Their words encapsulated the situation. Doubt, contempt, jealousy.

“Hmm, everyone’s really chatty.”

Even Kraiss, who usually brushed things off, commented.

The battalion commander’s speech finally ended. The leather pouch he received was heavy. If it wasn’t filled with bronze coins, it was a significant amount.

Enkrid decided to buy a sword with it.

“Scatter! Shift change!”

The adjutant signaled the end of the tedious session.

“Want to spar now? Do you have a shift?”

As the group dispersed, Enkrid asked Rem. Rem found Enkrid fascinating.

“Ever think about messing with those guys instead?”

“Why? Would it help?”

He only cared about his sword. Seeing that, Rem felt a warm fondness for him. Punishing those mouthy soldiers could wait.

“Let’s spar.”

Rem recalled the first time he saw Enkrid in Border Guard. Back then, he was beyond lousy, relying on tricks.

But now?

Images of their recent bouts flashed in his mind.

‘Where did he learn such fundamentals?’

The swordsmanship resembled that of a well-trained noble house.

“You’ve improved a lot.”

With that, Rem raised his game. He had to. Playing around wouldn’t cut it anymore. Rem took it in stride, but Ragna was more surprised after sparring with Enkrid.

‘I couldn’t teach him better myself.’

Enkrid’s skill had grown significantly. His fundamentals and focus were impressive. This wasn’t unusual.

Focus Point was a trance-like state, which was achievable with enough talent. Ragna had experienced it himself. It was surprising that Enkrid had reached it, but…

‘It’s not impossible.’

Thinking that way was typical of a genius like Ragna. Jaxon found joy in sparring with the significantly improved Enkrid.

‘Is this enjoyable?’

What was a sword? A spear? A weapon?

They were tools for killing. He had always treated them as such.

But sparring with Enkrid left him feeling refreshed, oddly at peace. It was a curious sensation. He felt a stronger bond with Enkrid because of it.

Audin Pumray, the devout squad member, observed Enkrid intently. His insight was unique.

‘Improving so much in a day?’

Had Enkrid always had this talent?

If so, why hadn’t he shown more progress before?

It was possible to hit a plateau in learning and improvement. Audin knew this, but something always felt off about Enkrid.

‘Something’s strangely different.’

He chose not to dwell on it. Believing it to be a divine blessing made it easier to accept.

Enkrid had worked tirelessly, training relentlessly. If someone like him didn’t deserve a blessing, who would?

Audin pondered these thoughts deeply.

“This one looks good.”

Enkrid had bought a new sword.

“It’s not just good. That’s mixed with Valerian steel!”

The blacksmith’s veins bulged as he spoke.

“Really?”

Enkrid examined the blade. There was no telltale bluish hue of Valerian steel. As he scrutinized the sword, the blacksmith clarified.

“I said mixed, not pure Valerian steel.”

“Right.”

Valerian steel was renowned across the continent. It was highly elastic and durable. A Valerian steel sword retained its edge well and rarely chipped.

In battle, a sturdy sword was a reliable ally. Everyone wanted Valerian steel weapons.

Imperial steel was also highly prized but not exported from the Empire. Valerian steel was the best available alternative.

“I’ll take it.”

The sword cost half of his reward, making Kraiss shake his head.

“Why spend so much on a sword? You could use one from the battlefield or request one from the supply.”

“Wouldn’t you regret it if a poor-quality sword got you killed?”

“…Fair point. So, going for a rank promotion now?”

“Yes.”

After endless sparring and recent training, Enkrid felt ready to test his skills.

‘How far can I go?’

He was at the lowest rank now. He aimed for at least the middle rank. After that, the upper rank, or the highest,or maybe the special rank?

Naurillia had introduced a rank system to boost soldiers’ morale. To advance, one had to defeat someone of a higher rank. Challenges were always accepted, and there were people who arranged these duels. It was a simple but effective system.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Kraiss arranged these duels for money. Promotional duels involved betting, which was profitable. Higher-ups knew about the betting but turned a blind eye. Some even placed bets themselves.

“I’ve bet on your victory.”

Kraiss said. It wasn’t purely his judgment. He had grilled Rem for information.

“If you’re smart, bet on him.”

Rem wasn’t one to make idle comments, so Kraiss trusted him.

‘If I lose…’

He wouldn’t let it slide. He wouldn’t confront Rem, knowing it would end badly.

“Promotion duel?”

The squad leader nodded.

“No need to stay at the lowest rank.”

With permission granted and Kraiss arranging the duel at the central training ground, a few idle soldiers gathered. It wasn’t much of a spectacle, but the notorious accident-prone squad leader was involved.

The one who broke the sorcery fog.

The one rumored to rely on his squadmates.

Hence, the crowd grew. More and more eyes gathered. Over twenty spectators watched as Enkrid faced his opponent. A curly-haired mercenary turned soldier.

“I’m mid-rank. You’re challenging a mid-rank directly?”

“Yes.”

“You’re cocky.”

The short exchange ended, and swords clashed. Enkrid parried the opponent’s strike.

Clang!

Steel met steel with a resounding ring. Enkrid awaited the next attack. He had always done so. Rem, Ragna and Jaxon exploited his openings in sparring.

In real combat, too.

The thrust-loving pervert.

The mad Hurrier from Azpen.

None had been easy opponents, always pressing his weaknesses. But this opponent was different.

Clang! Clang!

After a few more exchanges, Enkrid frowned.

‘Is this a joke?’

His opponent’s skill was far below his expectation. It was hard to tell if he was serious.

“Hah!”

The mid-rank soldier swung. There were too many openings. Enkrid dodged, pretending to block, and tripped him with a foot hook.

Thud, whoosh, wham.

The soldier’s right foot flew up as he fell, hitting the ground hard.

“Ow!”

He clutched his wrist, rolling in pain. Enkrid hadn’t expected this. His mind flooded with questions.

‘Why is he so weak?’

That was Enkrid’s main concern.