330 - A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

330. This guy is a lunatic. 'This guy is a lunatic.' Kin briefly glimpsed the madness hidden beneath Encrid's façade. Setting aside his appearance and skills, there was certainly an issue with his character. She quickly grasped the essence of Encrid. Having handled external affairs for the Byssar family, Kin had honed her ability to judge people. This insight truly shone now. 'Crazy bastard!' What will you do if the count accuses you of defaming a noble? Or worse, what if he goes back, gets offended, and raises an army? Even at the central level, the count was known to be a headache. It was said that he had some sub-knights of high skill under his command. Frankly, no one could fully gauge the extent of his actual forces. Understanding why he had been biding his time until now was enough to trigger one's curiosity. Kin looked at the count's lips, unable to even swallow. Meanwhile, Encrid remained composed. ‘The nerve to say such things.’ People killed by monsters? Stragglers devoured by beasts? Those left behind? And yet someone claiming to worry about such matters neither sends reinforcements nor acknowledges them? No, wasn’t he the kind of person who even turned a blind eye to his own family? Was Edin Molsen a child picked up from outside? If not, why doesn't his name ever come up? Edin Molsen even expressed his desire to be dispatched to the Green Pearl encampment after hearing his father would visit. It was a very bizarre situation. 'Claiming to stay here by making sparring with me an excuse...' Suddenly, without any more sparring, he just started to bow out, and now he had abandoned even outward excuses and fled. There was some truth in what Kreis said when he arrived. “He's probably a scary person. Just observing him gives that impression. But more terrifying is the act of disowning his own children.” Encrid now relied more on his own intuition. That intuition told him. Before him was a winged chimera that could consume dozens of serpents in one gulp. Thus, his current appearance was a facade. Though the mask glittered, seeing the reality behind it was sickening. “Doesn't this work?” The count's demeanor changed swiftly. Though he didn’t get angry, he questioned like a merchant from the street, causing the atmosphere to once again become fluid. “It doesn’t work.” “They say you fought splendidly while saving a child, didn’t they? If you hadn't acted, there would have been greater losses among our allies, and afterward, you reportedly traversed the battlefield risking your life.” While not entirely incorrect, there were certainly points that could be clarified. But Encrid didn’t bother. Why prolong the conversation unnecessarily? “Yes, that’s what they say.” “You're speaking as if it’s someone else’s story.” “I haven't had the chance to think because my battle fatigue hasn't fully recovered.” Of course, this was nonsense. He made the nobles, including the family head, wait for two days while he was lost in his own world. What battle fatigue could justify that? “Have you seen my escort?” “I have.” “What do you think would happen if you faced him?” Encrid pondered for a moment. Honestly, he felt an immediate urge to confront him upon sight. However, now was not the time. It shouldn’t happen. If he fought now, he might unintentionally kill the opponent. Unless the opponent was significantly weaker or had vastly superior skills. Otherwise, he might end up killing them. He was not in a condition to manage his strength properly. “I don’t know.” “You're being dull.” “For it to be interesting, should I guarantee a victory?” “That would indeed be entertaining.” Behind the count was the very escort in question. It was natural that they were listening to the exchange. The count spoke these words to be overheard. In other words, it was a provocation. The escort didn’t hide his intensity. He looked at Encrid with eyes suggesting he could crush him instantly if he dared attack. Encrid simply ignored him. Under normal circumstances, he would readily engage in a fight rather than avoid it. Yet he avoided it? Anyone familiar with Encrid would wonder if he had a fever. “Then, I’ll continue being the boring person.” “So be it. It will be bothersome after I leave, can you handle it?” “I can handle it.” The count’s lips curled into a wider smile as he watched calmly. “Seems like needless worry. Hahaha.” The count laughed heartily and stood up. The escort relaxed after seeing the count’s reaction. He stepped aside, waiting for his master to pass by. To Encrid, he seemed no different from a loyal dog. Does he get his treats on time? Does he get taken for walks as he should? Who knows? “My offer remains open; you're welcome anytime if you feel it’s not too late.” The count said as he turned. “Yes.” “Please look after my son and daughter, they seem keen on leaving my care.” The count was meticulous. He could bring Edin Molsen back anytime if he wanted. And he mentioned without hesitation the daughter Edin had disguised as a man. Of course, Encrid already knew. Anyone perceptive enough would know. Members of his squad would all be aware of it. “Take care. I’m not going far.” To keep them waiting for two days and then say he wasn’t going far was quite something. At the Count's request, Lord Graham stepped out to see him off. “Your Excellency, Count.” “You have a captain under you, right? Quite audacious, isn't he? How about we handle it with a little hanging?” The Count made a jest even as he walked out. Graham, sweating profusely, responded, “If you hang Captain Encrid of the independent company, I will be stoned to death by the citizens.” He implied that the city revered him as a hero. Upon hearing this, the Count laughed heartily once more. “It’s a jest, of course.” Would it truly be just a jest? Encrid saw the Count off with his eyes until the door of the reception room closed. The soldiers guarding the door stood as if they hadn’t seen or heard anything. Getting involved seemed like it would cost them ten lives. “Are you out of your mind?” Finally, Kin broke the silence. She had been watching the verbal exchange while holding her breath. “I hear that often,” Encrid replied nonchalantly. “No, but doing that...” Surely he wasn’t foolish; he’d come this far, after all. Was she too shocked to think straight? Encrid noticed the leftover refreshments in the reception room and popped one in his mouth. He was starving. Hadn’t he gone without food for two days? As he munched on a cookie, he asked, “Are you offering the Border Guard to the Count's territory?” Advertisements “That’s an absurd proposition.” Kin was there as a check to ensure neither Encrid nor the lord made concessions. Her presence was also a warning from the Viscount Byssar. “If he’s going to be asked to step down, the Count won’t care about the choice of words.” Kin understood this point. Count Molsen was like a loaded crossbow. One misstep, and the bolt could fly straight toward the royal palace, posing a significant threat. He couldn’t simply be eliminated, as his power was formidable and not all central forces were unified. The nation could fracture at any moment. After brushing aside these thoughts, Kin refocused on this madman, Encrid. There was a blind spot in his logic. Knowing and acting upon it are entirely different matters. This man was not normal. Her opinion remained unchanged. “You’ve got guts,” was Kin’s assessment. “Will you help resolve the annoying issues before leaving?” Encrid got straight to the point once more. Kin shook her head. “Now that the Count has left, I can’t linger here. I’d only cause other problems.” If rumors spread that the Viscount Byssar had set his sights on this place, it could complicate their standing in the central government. Marcus hadn’t headed to the center for nothing; he had to consider the family's political stance. Of course, he couldn’t bear the stigma of treason either. This is why Marcus’s means of dealing with the Black Sword Commander was so appalling. In terms of cunning, it was on par with Kreis. “Then.” “Leave immediately?” Kin asked, surprised. Didn’t this guy realize she had been waiting here for two whole days? Moreover, hadn’t anyone ever turned to look at her just once for her beauty? Even once was too little. Men and women alike frequently turned to steal glances at her. ‘Kin Byssar’ was known as a beauty, even in the capital. How many young men had shed tears and lamented because she was always away on external duties? Yet this guy was so refreshingly indifferent. “Do you have any business left? Weren’t you saying it’d be troublesome?” He had a valid point. Kin rose to her feet. She had to leave. It was time to go. Lingering further was of no benefit. Even so, wasn't a day more feasible? Advertisements As she rose, her escort leaned in and whispered, “He’s an unusual man.” One among her escort had eyes enchanted in some way, like a sister to her. “He’s a madman,” Kin remarked, and took a step. So this is what they mean by the enchanting captain, leaving such a first impression? If so, it proved effective. While she didn’t know about his merits as a man, her interest was certainly piqued. ‘Quite unique.’ “Well then.” Encrid repeated the same words. Was that his way of telling her to leave? Kin felt a twinge of annoyance but chose to ignore it and moved on. A short farewell ensued. As Kin also left, the aristocrats and merchants who had been watching from the sidelines became visible. These were minor nobles, people who bought their titles with gold coins, and even some hereditary nobles. There were also a few noblewomen who came to get a glance at Encrid. It was a gathering of those with no significant power of their own. Or perhaps some had backing from larger powers. In any event, they were all vultures circling to snatch up the fortune known as Encrid. ‘Vultures of the political scene.’ Though there was no immediate danger, dealing with them would undoubtedly be troublesome each time. What would become of it all? Kin decided not to fret. This man had even managed to wrap someone like Count Molsen around his tongue. If anyone should be worried, it was them. As she departed the city, Kin glanced back three times. Then, a sudden thought struck her, and she cursed. “Damn.” Her sister-like escort turned her head. She had just boarded the carriage. “Kin?” “That idiot didn’t even ask for my name.” To be treated this way despite being a renowned beauty. It felt as if her family’s influence and her appearance had been completely disregarded. Yet, she didn’t find it entirely off-putting. ‘This is a first.’ Such a madman. They would meet again. Kin resolved as much in her mind. Her escort worried for her sister-like master. Kin had a tendency to obsessively cling to useless things. * * * There were many nobles and merchants who desired Encrid. Advertisements “I can’t handle this alone.” Graham threw up his hands, and Encrid stepped forward, acknowledging it. “If you come to my fief, then with my daughter...” The first idiot tried to sell his daughter off. Encrid brought Esther along. “Can I remain in human form?” “That’s fine.” Esther’s appearance was striking enough that anyone with eyes resembling two eggs would inevitably take notice. If Kin had seen this, she would have nodded in understanding. It was clear why Encrid was indifferent to her own appearance. “Uhm.” The noble, who was trying to sell off his daughter, quickly shut his mouth. Then, in a turn of events. “What is the lady’s name?” Someone attempted to make a move on Esther. Encrid had to intervene swiftly. She was about to act without even asking if she could kill him. After that incident, Encrid started bringing Sinnar along instead. He couldn’t afford to create a surplus of noble corpses. With Sinnar, at least, he wouldn’t immediately resort to fatal measures. However, Sinnar had his own drawbacks. “He’s my fiancé.” This led to strange rumors. Word spread about the bewitching captain with a fairy and a witch as his fiancées. Encrid let it be. At least this way, they wouldn’t try using their daughters or beauty traps on him. “Why not bring me along?” “I have some free time as well.” Dunbakel and Teresa interjected with their nonsense in between. While both were indeed beauties, bringing Teresa along might lead some nobles to mistakenly believe she was there to beat them to death. In some ways, Dunbakel was even quicker to act than Esther. Allowing strange rumors to spread seemed the lesser evil. When merchants came to discuss gold, Encrid brought Kreis. “If you join my trading company, you could hold wealth beyond your imagination.” “Yes, how much?” “...Pardon?” “Yes, so how much?” Kreis was ice-cold. “Don't even speak unless it's over a hundred gold coins. Also, don’t suggest it’s a one-time deal. Contracts are month-to-month, and I expect a share. So, what’s the name of your trading company?” No merchant would offer shares. “That’s absurd!” “The door’s that way.” Advertisements “You scoundrel!” “Any complaints?” When a few reservists appeared behind the yelling merchant, it was over. Claiming to be his guards, the merchants just watched, gauging the situation. The reservists, survivors of the battle with Azpen, had superior prowess even without the mad captain. The merchants clamped their mouths shut and left, though grinding their teeth, it was better not to utter a word. Others even tried to throw their authority around. Sometimes Encrid wanted to send Lem in to bash heads, but he chose to overlook it for maintaining peace. “Join my ranks. It would elevate your honor. I might even recommend you to the knights. Do you dare refuse me?” Encrid indeed believed in letting things be for peace’s sake. “Swords have no eyes.” So he had to fend it off with clichéd phrases. “You dare defy…” The noble was about to pontificate when—shhhk. With a swift slice of his hand, Encrid sliced the few remaining hairs on the noble’s head, effectively shutting him up. “Mosquitoes.” What mosquitoes are there in the dead of winter? The noble dared not confront Encrid any further. With eyes that seemed capable of burying him with a glance, who would dare? “Is this really okay?” Lord Graham voiced his concern. “If that fellow genuinely had a formidable force and started a territorial war…” “I’d be grateful for the chance and fight,” Kreis chimed in. The Border Guard was undeniably the area’s top force. However, they were low on gold. The most pressing need was Krorna. City expansion was necessary, but since Krorna wasn’t running smoothly, they’d just swallow them whole and claim war reparations if they dared attack. Anyway, Kreis fended them off, again and again. Sinnar and Esther did their part too. Encrid was constantly called away. About two weeks passed this way, and Encrid sensed his body had mostly recovered. His senses had returned. He no longer had to fear inadvertently killing opponents. "Ah." He sighed in satisfaction. What if he had fought the Count's escort back then? Chances were, he’d have killed or severely injured the man. It was a moment to reflect on everything he had learned and practiced. Advertisements His control hadn’t fully assimilated into his body yet. Thus, the past two weeks of dealing with trivial matters were also a period to refine his capabilities as much as possible. With his newfound readiness, an urge to wield his sword surged within him. Coincidentally, today, no nobles or merchants came seeking him. Encrid returned to the barracks. Having been quite busy, he hadn’t often visited it lately. The familiar atmosphere of the barracks greeted him. Silence, with a tension permeating through. A heavy air, suggesting something might erupt at any moment, filled the barracks. Recently, though, a dangerous scent hung around, yet it felt familiar. It reminded him of the time when he first visited the barracks of his unruly squad.