A Knight who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Turtle and the Frontier Slaughterer (2)

“Don’t you want to transfer to another company?”

They had walked less than five steps from the barracks. It wasn’t common to recruit soldiers directly from within the unit.

‘Is it because I became a high-rank soldier?’

That might be it. There weren’t many high-rank or top-rank soldiers in the unit. Or there might be another reason.

Sorcery Breaker.

The name currently most talked about within the unit. Receiving attention and interest was a first, but that didn’t mean he should get excited like a fifteen-year-old. It was enjoyable, but there were things he had to let go despite the pleasure.

Enkrid had experience. Surviving to the age of thirty while eating the food of soldiers was no small feat.

“To the 1st Company?”

“Do you think I came to put you in the pathetic Paltor Company or the Rayon Company?”

Paltor and Rayon were the names of the 2nd and 3rd Company commanders.

“Come to my unit.”

Enkrid’s promotion duel was etched into everyone’s mind. Among them, Graham, the commander of the heavy infantry, particularly liked Enkrid. He was known for valuing talent within the army. He was also considered the next battalion commander.

His proposal wasn’t light. The 1st Company, famous for its heavy infantry, was the core of the Cyprus Brigade and an elite path within the army.

But Enkrid shook his head.

“I’m sorry.”

A polite but firm refusal.

“You’re refusing? Why? If you’re worried about a rift with your current commander, I’ll handle it.”

“That’s not it.”

Enkrid’s response was excessively calm. There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation. Graham frowned and then relaxed.

“You don’t seem to have any regrets.”

“Do I?”

Graham stared at Enkrid. Enkrid met his gaze, wondering what more to say.

“It seems so.”

It wasn’t something to be solved with coercion. Graham thought so.

“Then…”

Enkrid performed a military salute by pressing his left hand to his left hip and bowing his head. To receive a salute, one should at least nod, but Graham mirrored Enkrid’s action. He pressed his left hand to his hip and saluted back. Then he spoke.

“Thanks.”

Thanks?

Enkrid stared blankly, and Graham continued.

“You saved my life. I should thank you.”

Sorcery Breaker.

That fog was terrifying. Especially for a capable commander, its impact was felt deeply. The elf company commander had cursed the battalion commander intensely during the battle. Graham had cursed the battalion commander just as much.

“That idiot, that moron!”

He had shouted this much in the middle of the battlefield. When nothing was happening, it was enough to take care of his own plate. But in a crisis, a commander’s skills were revealed.

The battalion commander was a fool. At least, Graham thought so. Especially since he subtly claimed the credit for the battle, which was the stupidest thing.

Eventually, everyone who knew realized. The top contributor in the previous battle wasn’t the battalion commander. The two men, who had been saluting blankly, broke their stances. Graham extended his hand first, and Enkrid shook it. It was a mixture of gratitude, regret, and a few other emotions.

“Go on, and don’t forget how disappointed I am.”

“Should I send Rem instead?”

Enkrid joked.

“That guy? No way!”

Graham pretended to be angry and glared. The two soon parted with smiles.

‘He seems like a decent person.’

It was the first time Enkrid had such a conversation with the heavy infantry company commander. Although the barracks were just behind him, he wanted to walk a bit more.

As he walked, he looked around the city for the first time in a while. Before he knew it, he had reached the edge of the market in the center of the city. Even in a military city, it was natural for merchants and farmers to come and go.

In fact, there were far more transient merchants than those engaged in agriculture. Border Guard was called the military city of the border. The stationed troops alone exceeded 1,000.

If the number of soldiers was 1,000, the civilian population should be over 10,000. But 10,000 was obviously too much, and it was less than 5,000.

Yet the city ran well. This was a royal domain. With the support of the kingdom, the military city of Border Guard could be maintained. However, they couldn’t rely entirely on the kingdom, so they farmed and merchants came and went. The merchant hosting business was quite successful.

Recently, by the king’s order, a few merchant groups had entered the city, making the market busier than ever. Thanks to this, the innkeeper’s smile had reached the ceiling according to Kraiss’s gossip.

‘No wonder he’s happy.’

The market was bustling. When more merchant groups came to the city, innkeepers naturally rejoiced. One of the main businesses of the Border Guard was the lodging industry.

‘A major trade hub.’

One of the advantages of the high number of professional soldiers in the city was solid public security. There were plenty of patrols and guards. So, it often became a major trading hub for merchant groups.

A city with few residents but many visitors. A military city with the aspect of a trading city. That was the true face of Border Guard.

Enkrid glanced at the entrance of an alley transformed into a complex structure by randomly erected buildings. He turned his body around. He felt like someone was watching him, but on closer inspection, there was no one.

Enkrid turned around and walked back to the barracks.

After he left, a filthy beggar with a ragged blanket over his head crawled out from the alley. The beggar sat down and started begging. His eyes beneath the blanket were sharp. If anyone saw him, he wouldn’t look like a mere beggar.

Before entering the quarters, Rem’s voice hit Enkrid’s ears.

“Our Squad Leader is ready to abandon us. Be prepared, everyone.”

That crazy guy.

“Is it true?”

As soon as he entered, Kraiss rushed up.

“No.”

He was about to refuse and explain, but everyone’s eyes were fierce. Ragna spoke with half-closed eyes.

“If you’re leaving, take me with you.”

It was a calm tone. Given his nature, Ragna didn’t easily follow orders, but he said it like that. Would any unit welcome such a lazy person?

“Well, transferring units isn’t uncommon.”

Jaxon nodded and checked his belongings. He seemed ready to pack up and follow at any moment. Jaxon was somewhat better but,

‘He’s here for a reason too.’

Though he kept time well, he often skipped training. He frequently disappeared, making people wonder where he went. He was friendly but selective with people.

‘It’s obvious.’

He openly showed favoritism, making it clear he wasn’t the type to blend well into the unit. Naturally, not many commanders welcomed Jaxon.

“You’re all nuts. Where would you follow? Even if they accept the squad leader, they won’t take you. You’re a hindrance. So, don’t come. I’ll go alone. Trust me. I’ll clear them out and go.”

Rem puffed his chest and shouted.

‘No, you’re the biggest problem.’

Enkrid chuckled at Rem’s broad back. The heavy infantry commander might accept others but definitely not Rem. He had beaten up his superior. Many in the unit hated Rem beyond dislike due to his assault on a superior officer.

Ragna and Jaxon might not be accepted, but Rem was the biggest hindrance.

“You’re definitely mentally ill. I’ve seen many like you, and they all died before thirty.”

Ragna said, scratching his head as if he hadn’t washed for days.

“Then, is it time to die?”

Jaxon replied. Why those two always synced well in such moments was a mystery. Was Rem thirty? Enkrid glanced at him and saw the corners of his mouth twitching.

He was visibly angry.

“Squad Leader, can I kill those two and go with you?”

Where are you going? You can’t kill anyone.

“No.”

It was best to stop it before a big fight broke out.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

He tried to settle things by saying so, and Kraiss nodded. But they didn’t calm down easily.

He was about to step between them when someone knocked on the door. Only the religious squad member was missing, and he wouldn’t knock on his own door.

So it was a guest.

Enkrid gestured for Kraiss to open the door.

“Who is it?”

At Kraiss’s voice, Enkrid turned around. Beyond the flimsy wooden door stood Torres, the Frontier Slaughterer.

“Hello again.”

He raised his hand in greeting, and Enkrid performed a military salute by pressing his left hand to his hip.

“Can we talk?”

“With me?”

“Who else?”

Enkrid pointed at himself, blinking, then nodded. As he turned to calm everyone, he flinched. Rem, Ragna, and Jaxon stood behind him. They had moved so quickly and silently he hadn’t noticed.

“That guy with the bad habits.”

Rem said. Ragna and Jaxon remained silent. Torres raised his hands.

“I’m not here to fight.”

The tension between the four was palpable. The air in the quarters grew thick. Torres broke the silence.

“They call you the Troublemaker Squad, and you live up to the name.”

Torres showed his displeasure. It looked like a fight could break out at any moment. At that moment, Enkrid stepped between them. Blocking his squad members with his back, Enkrid spoke.

“Let’s go outside.”

If a fight broke out, it would be hard to manage. As they stepped out, Rem snorted loudly. Outside, as they walked, Torres frowned and spoke.

“Why are they like that? Are they frustrated? Tell them to visit the red-light district. Don’t think about spilling blood.”

Torres had seen what Enkrid hadn’t. When the door opened, Rem, the superior-beater, moved first. His step carried killing intent as he stood behind Enkrid. The one who was lying on the bed then silently stood behind Enkrid.

At that moment, Torres had a vision of an impenetrable shield before Enkrid. He lost sight of the last one, the red-haired man, who was also standing and watching him. Killing intent pierced and tore him apart. Torres’s nerves were on edge. His pride hurt, realizing a wrong move could have gotten him killed.

‘By just three regular soldiers?’

The Troublemaker Squad’s reputation was well-known. But not to this extent. Had Enkrid not intervened, would the situation have turned laughable?

When facing Enkrid before, Torres had only shown half his skill. It was enough. Could he handle one of the three?

The direct force was considered the best trained and talented, except for the knight orders. The Frontier Slaughterers, especially, had proven their prowess.

Pride was at stake.

But work was work, and he had to say what he came for. Torres took a few breaths to calm himself.

“Let me be direct.”

He had an assignment and he carried it out.

“Join the Frontier Slaughterers.”

The direct army, the Frontier Slaughterers, was a proposal beyond the heavy infantry. It was the royal army. The unit received orders directly from the royal army, not the Cyprus Brigade.

An attractive offer.

“What do you think?”

Torres’s attitude was confident. His pride in being part of the Frontier Slaughterers was evident. Enkrid looked at Torres and spoke.

“What is the aim of the Frontier Slaughterers?”

What could a soldier achieve by joining?

Where was he heading as a soldier?

Enkrid asked.