A Knight who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: To the End of Persistence

It was really no big deal. City patrol duty was a routine task. It was a rotational duty that could be required three or four times a month if frequent.

Moreover, where was this place?

Border Guard.

A city under the direct control of the king, where any significant trouble was not tolerated. It was not for nothing that this place was renowned as a prime trading hub among major merchant groups. In Naurillia, it was a frontier city Bordering the extreme east and Azpen, and although it was the closest city to the battlefield, its public order was second to none.

The large number of garrison troops ensured constant patrols day and night. Border Guard had four inns centered around a well, and the crossroads where these inns met was the marketplace of Border Guard.

Since the city was built on a basin, a gentle slope could be seen going outward, and beyond the northern slope, the river flowed below.

The Pen-Hanil River.

It supplied water to most of the surrounding cities. Around the river were farmlands and farmhouses scattered here and there. In summer, a flood had broken a section of the dyke, and a group of workers were busy rebuilding it.

Most accidents happen among people, though sometimes patrols covered farmland or dealt with monsters. But today was a market patrol duty.

“I’m Jack, and this is Bon.”

Since the duty was done in teams of three, two soldiers joined him.

Enkrid, Jack, and Bon. The three of them were heading towards the market.

“That fog was sorcery? Cough! spit! Damn Azpen bastards, I almost died, but thanks to you, I lived. Thanks!”

Jack spat phlegm on the ground as he spoke. The way he swaggered with his infantry spear didn’t make him seem genuinely thankful. Enkrid nodded indifferently.

“I almost couldn’t use the Krona I saved up.”

Bon also expressed his gratitude. He was a particularly light-footed soldier. I had heard from Big Eyes that he was naturally talented.

‘But where have I heard this combination before?’

No specific memory came to mind. It wasn’t important enough for Enkrid to try to remember. The three walked towards the market, and the atmosphere was good. Enkrid didn’t talk much, but Jack and Bon were from the same squad.

They chatted, often praising Enkrid.

“A high-rank soldier, your skills must be incredible. Damn, let’s have a spar sometime. I’d love to see a high-rank soldier’s prowess.”

Jack said, tapping the ground with the back of his spear.

“Sure.”

Enkrid didn’t refuse the spar. He believed that he could learn something no matter the opponent.

“It’s a promise. Damn.”

Jack had a habit of ending his sentences with a curse.

“I heard you succeeded in the reconnaissance mission too. Andrew couldn’t stop praising you.”

Bon also complimented Enkrid.

“It was just luck.”

“So humble too.”

Bon gave a thumbs up.

No one disliked compliments. Enkrid was no exception. The two continued to laugh and chat as they walked. They reached the edge of the market, passing several one-story buildings as they entered.

On one side, wildflowers were being sold. On the other side, tanned leather was on sale.

Opposite the entrance from where Enkrid came in, the sound of metal being hammered echoed from far away. It was the sound from the blacksmith’s shop. Despite being on the outskirts of the market, the faint sound of metal meeting metal tickled the ears.

“Hey, there’ll be nothing left if you sell it at that price.”

A merchant’s voice.

“Freshly baked bread here!”

A boy standing by the roadside, trying to attract customers to his shop.

Rumble, rumble.

A cart rolled through the center of the market. It was chaotic. But this was the usual scene of a market.

“Dried apples are delicious.”

While walking, Enkrid made eye contact with a merchant selling various dried fruits.

“No, thanks.”

The merchant quickly looked away.

It was an ordinary day. After duty, he thought he might coax Jaxon into a spar, or he would have fun hanging out with that guy, Jack, as soon as he got back. The weather had gotten colder, and his body kept stiffening. Walking was better than staying still.

“Shall we walk a bit more?”

“Yes, yes.”

Jack and Bon stuck close to his sides. Just when he thought they were doing it because they were cold, a kid wrapped in rags came stumbling towards them and fell forward.

Enkrid instinctively caught the child.

He felt a sudden, sharp pain. He tried to turn his body immediately, but the cold had made his body stiff, causing a delayed reaction. If he had twisted just a little, it would have been fine, but the dagger unhesitatingly ripped through his innards.

After stabbing his innards, the dagger quickly and precisely struck near his heart in succession. A terrible pain shot through his brain. As the dagger stabbed him, a scream or groan tried to escape his lips, but someone behind him covered his mouth with thick cloth.

The market was bustling. It was busy enough that one person collapsing wouldn’t cause much alarm.

Jack and Bon blocked Enkrid with their bodies.

“Oh dear, already drinking at this hour.”

Jack joked.

“Indeed.”

Bon chimed in.

What the hell, these bastards?

Enkrid couldn’t understand what was happening. The final blow was dealt by the kid who had stabbed his abdomen and heart.

“A tenacious lover never forgets.”

It wasn’t a kid. Inside the rags, he saw big ears and jewel-like eyes. The appearance was distinctive. One eye was green, and the other was brown.

Heterochromia. The green eye shone like a jewel, making the brown eye look incredibly dull by comparison. It was like dirty oil mixed into clear water.

His skin was mottled like a spotted cat, with deep wrinkles around his mouth and eyes. Judging by his features, he had a pretty face, but when combined, it was unpleasant.

‘A half-elf.’

Enkrid recognized his assailant. But it didn’t change anything.

Blood was pouring onto the ground as he was held by Jack and Bon.

“Goodbye.”

The half-elf said. Judging by his wrinkled face and manner of speaking, he wasn’t young. Despite his small stature, he looked like a boy of about twelve or thirteen.

‘I really didn’t see this coming.’

An assassination, and a tenacious lover.

Wasn’t that the name of an independent company in Azpen?

They were known for their persistence. After the battle, they sent an assassin.

‘These bastards are insane.’

Considering the cost and effort of sending an assassin just to kill a mere soldier this way was certainly crazy. From the victim’s perspective, it was even more infuriating. As Enkrid tried to tilt his head back with all his strength, the person covering his mouth tightened their grip.

“Let him go. He seems to have something to say.”

Was it the elf’s intuition? The small, old half-elf seemed to read Enkrid’s mind.

Soon, the thick cloth covering his mouth loosened.

“Did Azpen send you? Are Jack and Bon spies?”

Enkrid asked, swallowing the rising pain.

“Something like that.”

“Who’s behind me?”

“Do you want to know even when you’re dying?”

“It would be frustrating to go without knowing. I’ll be waiting in hell.”

“Rot.”

The last word was whispered from behind.

Rot?

That name was familiar too.

Jack, Bon, Rot.

All of them were in the reconnaissance unit.

As death approached, his mind spun rapidly, and memories surfaced. The reason he was sent on the reconnaissance mission at the Green Pearl Plain was because Jack had a broken arm, Bon had a broken nose, and Rot had been bitten by a snake.

These bastards had all deliberately avoided the reconnaissance mission?

“Damn it.”

A hollow laugh escaped him.

“Was it tenacious?”

The elf said, stepping aside like a picture. He nimbly moved around the outskirts and slipped into an alley.

Jack and Bon quietly let go of his arms and backed away. Rot, of course, wad nowhere to be seen. Talking had drained all his strength. He had no energy left to shout. Even if he did, he wouldn’t have shouted. Instead, as he collapsed, he tried to look back.

Although he said it was Rot, he thought it might be someone else.

But what did Rot look like?

He couldn’t remember the face. Just as he thought it was meaningless to see, Enkrid relaxed his body. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his innards felt like they were being stirred with kindling. Pain soaked his body, and blood soaked the ground. The cold wrapped around him more intensely. His body trembled.

‘Damn bastards, if you’re going to leave, finish the job.’

Bleeding out slowly was the worst. It would be better to go all at once.

“Kyaaah!”

A passing waitress screamed when she saw the blood pooling on the ground. That was the last thing he heard. Enkrid closed his eyes and accepted death.

Flash.

Morning, his eyes opened again.

He shot up, and next to him, Rem asked, wrapped in a blanket.

“Nightmare?”

“No. I wanted to start the morning energetically.”

“Terribly cold day.”

Rem grumbled in the morning. Although a large bonfire was lit in the barracks’ drill yard and the night watch heated stones and placed them inside the barracks, it wasn’t enough to fend off the cold.

If they had plenty of Krona, they could have brought in fur or magic heaters. But a common soldier didn’t have that kind of Krona. Actually, magic heaters weren’t even necessary. The hide of a magical beast that emitted a gentle warmth would have been perfect, but even that was expensive.

In conclusion, it was all a pipe dream.

“Kraiss, aren’t you cold?”

“Cold. Very.”

Rem asked Kraiss needlessly. Big Eyes was the only one here with an abundance of Krona.

“How about a magic heater?”

“Using something nobles use? You’ve got a fat stomach. Why don’t you try being a noble from tomorrow?”

“Eh? Do you want a back massage with an axe blade?”

“Resorting to violence at every turn is a bad habit. Squad Leader!”

At the end of the conversation, Big Eyes turned to Enkrid.

“Don’t bully him.”

Enkrid’s gaze turned to the muscular squad member, who was getting up from his bed.

His name was Audin Pumray.

For some reason, a muscular soldier who had ended up in this squad of troublemakers. Today was a particularly cold day. Jaxon was out on leave for some reason, and Rem, Big Eyes, and Ragna showed no intention of getting out of bed.

Even wrapped up in blankets, it was still cold.

“Since you’re up, Squad Leader, could you bring us some stones?”

A few stones heated overnight by the bonfire would help a little.

“Sure.”

Even after replying, Enkrid didn’t move. Instead, Audin got out of bed and approached him.

“Brother, if you stay in bed because it’s cold, your body will stiffen. Move your body to generate heat to fight the cold. Come, follow my lead.”

“Screw off. Before I cut you into pieces and warm myself with your blood.”

“That’s not good. Brother, that remark can be very unpleasant to the listener.”

“Unpleasant? Then, I’ve succeeded. That was my intention.”

“Brother, do you want to go to heaven?”

Indeed, always the same. Normally, Enkrid would have intervened much earlier, but today, he just watched Audin silently before speaking.

“You said there’s a training method to maintain body heat? Teach me.”

Audin, who had been staring intently at Rem, turned his head.

“Do you mean unarmed training?”

Audin wasn’t immune to the cold, but he endured it better than the others. He had mentioned before that there was a training method to prevent the body from stiffening even in the cold. Enkrid didn’t know why, but he thought of it now.

It seemed useful. Since he couldn’t just jump up and down in place to warm himself, learning a method to keep his body from stiffening didn’t seem like a bad idea. It was impulsive but also natural.

Enkrid was a man who was always eager to learn.

“Yes, that.”

“Teaching it isn’t difficult. Do you have time?”

“Now.”

“In a day or two, you can grasp the basics. It’s not hard.”

Audin seemed pleased that Enkrid wanted to learn and smiled. Seeing Enkrid immediately start preparing, Rem mumbled from his bed.

“Hey, Squad Leader, bring us those stones. I’m cold.”

Ah, he had forgotten. Enkrid brought the stones first. There were two hours left until duty. It was the perfect time to eat breakfast and train his body.

That’s what Enkrid did.

Unarmed training was a series of painful exercises, but it was useful. And then, he went out on duty again.

“How did I end up on duty with you guys?”

Someone must have manipulated the schedule.

“Ah, damn, it’s an honor. Serving with the Sorcery Breaker.”

Jack answered. Enkrid nodded. Upon entering the market, he was prepared, so when the elf kid approached, he was already on guard. Jack and Bon tried to grab his arms, but Enkrid threw out punches to both sides.

Thud, crack!

Jack was struck on the jaw, and Bon reflexively dodged. Bon was quick. He sidestepped and swiftly moved away. While doing so, he reached for his waist. He had a shortsword strapped to his side.

The elf was still far away. Bon needed to be dealt with first. Enkrid also grasped the handle of his longsword.

He drew and swung it. Concentrating, he sharpened the blade of his senses with courage as his weapon.

Simultaneously.

Whoosh!

He heard a strange sound. He tried to dodge, but something flew at him faster.

Thwack!

For a moment, Enkrid’s breath was taken away. Looking down, he saw the tip of a blade embedded near his heart. It was a simple, double-edged throwing knife, with no handle or decoration. Handling such a weapon was extremely difficult.

“A tenacious lover never forgets their prey.”

The elf had approached and whispered, stepping aside smoothly.

‘I was prepared.’

But he hadn’t anticipated a thrown weapon. Even if he had, it would have been hard to block such an expert throw. Enkrid realized he needed better preparation as he closed his eyes.

And the third day began.