CHAPTER 139

The Valaf-Style Acupressure Technique.

It was originally named 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears'.

"Can I ask what else that person, Valaf, developed besides martial arts and acupressure?"

"He also developed blunt weapon techniques, but those didn't really catch on, so they're not practiced anymore. Additionally, he compiled numerous documents, including interpretations of holy scriptures."

Valaf was a notable figure in the temple where Audin believed.

He was part of a legendary realm, meaning that without specific study, most people didn't know his name.

However, for those involved with the God he served, Valaf was a familiar name.

Of course, Encrid was also familiar with the name by now.

Audin's pressing hands.

At first, it felt like he was going to join the ferryman of the Black River, but after taking a deep breath and holding on, it became bearable.

"Initially, we press the area with the greatest pain." 

Audin said with a smile.

"Then we gradually move to areas with less pain. Eventually—"

"Hmm."

"The knotted muscles relax."

His body felt weary. Each time the thick hands, like a bear's, touched his body, the muscles began to unwind.

Maybe learning this properly would be useful.

The tension in his muscles, trembling under the strain of the Heart of the Beast, began to ease.

Simultaneously, the pain subsided.

"You should rest well today."

That seemed like good advice.

The Heart of the Beast—he had learned it properly.

But using it recklessly strained the body.

Encrid had a newfound respect for Knights.

They operated beyond human limits without such techniques.

Their shells were human, but they possessed the strength of giants, the agility of frogs, and the sensitivity of Fairies.

Such were the Knights.

And a faint glimmer of hope was starting to appear in Encrid's faded dreams.

"Why doesn't anyone stop me from using two swords?"

The question came out suddenly as he felt drowsy.

Is this the right path or the wrong one?

Someone should say something, yet everyone remained silent.

Even Ragna had advised him to use a sword and shield.

"Why do you think that is, brother?"

Audin, perhaps out of habit from his days as a priest, often responded with a question.

"I don't know, that's why I'm asking."

Encrid's voice sounded muffled, lying face down.

Audin answered with a smile, "Because, as I've observed, Brother Platoon leader is quite stubborn. Now, please go to sleep."

Stubborn? Me?

Encrid found it hard to believe.

Who else was as flexible and easygoing as he was?

If he were a madman like the rest of the platoon, how would this unit have survived?

But as Audin's hands pressed around his neck, Encrid felt himself slowly drifting away.

It wasn't a sensation of fainting or dying, but more like a gradual slipping into sleep, led by drowsiness.

There was no need to resist.

Resting was more important than talking at this moment.

So Encrid fell asleep.

Audin stood up after seeing his Platoon leader had fallen asleep.

People often don't realize their own stubbornness.

It seems he wasn't aware of it at all.

"Brother, you're an interesting person." 

Audin murmured and then spoke towards the tent entrance.

"How long are you going to watch?"

Just outside the tent, Jaxon responded to Audin.

"I was watching the Platoon leader, not you."

Audin nodded nonchalantly and left the tent.

Jaxon remained, staring intently at Encrid.

Indeed, he was a fascinating person.

He naturally made people ponder what he needed and made them want to help, to teach.

Even if it meant sharing some of his own secret skills.

"He probably doesn't need mine." 

Jaxon muttered before leaving.

A small black panther named Esther snuggled into Encrid's arms as he slept.

In his sleep, Encrid held Esther close and fell into a deeper sleep, where he dreamed.

In the dream, faceless figures repeatedly questioned him.

"Is that right?"

"Do you think the path you're on is correct?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Stubborn fool, knowing it won't work, what are you doing?"

It was a nonsensical dream. Encrid dismissed all the questions with a single response.

"If I want to do it, I'll do it. What business is it of yours?"

Instead of doubts, there would be contemplation.

And at the end of that contemplation, he would take what he desired.

That was the path he walked. Especially now, when the signposts along his way were clearer than ever.

So, it was a time to hold onto that certainty more than ever before.

Waking up, Encrid muttered with his eyes still closed.

"I should explain why I use two swords."

He wasn't stubborn. Therefore, he would provide a reasonable explanation.

He got up and tested his body.

After a full day's rest, he was ready to use his body again.

He stepped outside and began his exercises.

The Isolation Technique, sword training, the Heart of the Beast, the Sense of the Blade, Focus Point.

He also incorporated the Heart of the Beast that he had recently learned.

He wouldn't keep it activated continuously, as it would damage his body, just enough to manage.

As he resumed his training, Audin appeared.

"Good morning, brother." he greeted.

The moment the rising sun subtly changed the surroundings from blue to yellow.

The cold dawn air gradually became warmer. Before the temperature changed, Encrid was already standing alone on the gravel field in front of the tent, steam rising from his entire body.

Several sentries passed by, but none spoke to him.

He was treated as a war hero.

But no one approached him during his training. Even on ordinary days, he wasn't particularly approachable.

There was a reason they were called the Madmen Platoon.

The surrounding soldiers only watched.

They were respected and, thus, were respectful.

"Hmm."

Of course, Encrid focused on his task, ignoring such things.

Rem was the next to emerge after Audin.

"Platoon leader, Platoon leader. I'm here."

"Is that so?"

He was training right in front of the tent, so what did Rem mean by that?

Anyway, Rem squatted nearby, watching.

Jaxon began moving, having woken up at some point.

Next was Krais.

"Ah, it seems there's no news of movement today either. This isn't good."

Stretching and yawning, Big Eyes muttered to himself.

The next platoon member to come out was Ragna.

"Platoon leader."

He approached. With everyone gathered, Encrid also stopped his training.

It was time to say what needed to be said.

He wasn't stubborn, after all.

"Do you really need to use two swords?"

Ragna asked as he approached.

Encrid nodded and began to speak.

"That's the plan."

If asked why, he was ready to answer. He was prepared.

Encrid stared at Ragna.

Well, go ahead and ask?

Ragna didn't ask. Silence fell, and unable to bear it, Encrid spoke first.

"Using two swords is better."

The reason he wanted to become a Knight was because he admired them.

The reason he liked swords was because he simply liked holding them.

It was the same.

The moment he held two swords, he realized something.

The moment he happened to train his left hand and discovered he could wield swords with both hands, Encrid had a small epiphany.

It was a moment of realization.

'If I can use two swords.'

It felt right, like it fit him perfectly.

"No one asked."

Right, no one asked.

"Who asked you?" 

Rem laughed beside him.

Lately, that barbarian had been in a good mood.

Yes, no one had asked.

"I see."

Big Eyes nodded belatedly, as if he had sent his soul on a short trip somewhere and only now returned.

This guy didn't seem to understand what I just said.

Audin simply replied, "Yes, brother."

Jaxon wasn't even listening, busy sharpening his dagger with a whetstone he had somehow acquired.

The sound of sharpening, a metallic screech, was the only thing greeting the morning sunlight.

"Ha!"

"Haa!"

More and more people gathered around Encrid, training alongside him, possibly inspired by this mad Platoon leader.

Encrid muttered again amidst the sounds of sharpening and practice shouts.

"Using two swords is better."

"I told you, no one asked."

He wanted to say he wasn't being stubborn, but admitting that felt like acknowledging he was indeed stubborn.

So what should he do?

"Isn't it more urgent to learn how to carry two swords properly? Isn't that right?" Ragna asked.

Encrid organized his thoughts. He decided to embrace being stubborn.

For now, learning how to carry two swords properly was urgent.

"Yes."

"From now on, the Platoon leader has two lovers." Ragna said.

It struck Encrid that the platoon members were terrible at explaining things.

It's not that they were bad speakers, but they seemed to have difficulty explaining what they knew.

Even this statement was something Ragna had probably pondered over for a day.

Encrid remembered Ragna deep in thought in the tent last night.

Did he think so hard just to say this?

Encrid replied, "So be it."

Having two lovers is no big deal.

"You'll hold both of them close when you sleep, eat, or do anything. Keep your swords close, as if they are in your embrace, always."

Encrid didn't ask what kind of training this was.

A genius had thought about it for a day and came up with this method.

Encrid decided to trust and follow it.

"So be it."

The same response came out twice. Ragna's face was slightly flushed, giving him a boyish look.

"Good."

That was the end of what needed to be said.

After that, Encrid followed Ragna's advice diligently.

He honed his Isolation Technique.

He endured and learned from Valaf-Style Acupressure.

He trained in martial arts, swordsmanship, and put in extra effort to increase the duration he could use the Heart of the Beast.

He held his swords close.

As if he had found two lovers he could never part from, he did everything with his swords.

Whether eating, sleeping, or doing anything else.

"Meow."

Esther sometimes whined at night, perhaps finding it annoying.

But Encrid did as he was told.

A week passed like this.

There were no battles, just occasional news from the main force.

On the fifth day, Krais spoke with a serious expression.

"This isn't good."

"Why?"

"The main force's battle is dragging on."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

The Aspen forces are formidable. Even though Naurillia couldn't fully commit its forces due to internal issues, enduring an assault from a nation as powerful as Naurillia isn't an easy feat.

Krais, drawing from previous experiences, spoke simply rather than elaborating.

"Even though we caught them off guard from the start, we're not able to push them back. And outwardly, it seems like we're in a more advantageous position."

"So?"

Krais's eyes narrowed.

It was as if he was saying, "Are you really going to keep asking without thinking?"

Why did it feel like he could hear Krais's thoughts through his eyes?

Still, Encrid, being stubborn, nonchalantly accepted Krais's gaze.

"So, what should our forces do? It seems to me there's only one option."

"One option?"

Is he serious?

Krais's eyes seemed to say this, but his mouth dutifully spoke.

"We should really hit the enemy hard in the back, quickly strike, and then pull back."

Encrid understood this.

So, the matter with the 4th Battalion of the 4th Regiment of the Cyprus Division wasn't finished.

It meant there was still work for the Border Guard Reserve Unit.

It was a sign that a battle was imminent.

Encrid responded while naturally swinging his sword.

"I see."

There was a sense of anticipation.

What had Aspen left in the rear?

This was on the fifth day.

On the morning of the eighth day, after a week had passed:

"Ambush!"

The enemy attacked.

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