CHAPTER 22

The platoon leader made an offhand comment.

Encrid gave a half-hearted response, letting the words wash over him, but he sensed that the man had something to say.

"If you have something to say, please go ahead."

He was enjoying the cool breeze after being drenched in sweat.

Now was the perfect moment. He was enjoying the wind with a sense of moderate relaxation.

So, he hoped the man would hurry up and say what he had to say and leave.

"...I'd like you to join the scout unit and carry out a mission."

The platoon leader said, folding his arms.

In his posture, there was a defensive attitude rather than the firmness of a commander.

Encrid thought.

A scout unit.

It wasn't a common assignment. Besides, Encrid himself knew that his position was quite ambiguous.

The only reason he could remain at the squad leader level was because this was the 444th Squad.

And they want to pull someone like him into the scout unit?

"Are you sure? Taking our squad leader?"

Rem suddenly popped up from behind, speaking as he leaned his chin on Encrid's shoulder.

The height difference wasn't significant, so it ended up being a comfortable position.

"Are you serious?"

He asked with a half-smile, as if protesting against taking Encrid away.

"It's an order, Rem."

The platoon leader glared. It was just bravado. Encrid saw through it immediately.

Rem was a troublemaker. He was a rogue who would swing an axe if things went wrong.

Waving a commander's authority in front of such a rogue was meaningless.

The platoon leader knew it, Encrid knew it, and Rem knew it.

"Rem."

Encrid called his axe-loving squad member's name to stop him from saying anything more and shrugged his shoulder to push Rem back.

"Well, do as you please then."

Rem grumbled, stepping back.

"I can go instead."

Ragna watched silently and then spoke indifferently.

"...Was being lost your dream?"

Hearing this, Rem chuckled. Ragna, who was about to flare up, held back his anger.

It wasn't wrong.

Ragna had no talent for finding his way.

No, even if you gave him a map and explained it, he'd end up somewhere else.

He wasn't particularly good at coordinating with others, either.

He ended up here because he ignored orders and fought however he wanted in any squad he was in.

There were too many issues to make him a scout.

"Even if everyone else can do it, you can't."

The platoon leader could only shake his head at Ragna.

Encrid felt that this whole situation was a bad sign.

'Considering everything, I'm the right fit, but...'

His ambiguous position only had meaning among the 444th Squad members.

Just being away for a week had caused quite a stir.

And yet they specifically called for him?

It sounded like there was no one else to call.

The talk of curses had quickly died down, but...

The impact remained.

Bo, Jaxon, and Rotten were all part of the scout unit.

They were short on numbers.

"Sigh, I'm having a hard time too. One of the platoon leaders has food poisoning and can't move."

It might have made sense to think it was a curse.

Such a thing happened only to the scout platoon.

The platoon leader looked exhausted.

He didn't particularly seem like he wanted to call Encrid.

'I feel strangely uneasy.'

Thinking this, Encrid stared intently.

"Don't look at me like that. I'll tell you everything."

"What?"

"Don't look at me with those eyes."

'What did I do?'

The platoon leader sighed deeply, overreacting to just being stared at.

"Hey, what do you mean by giving me that look? Sometimes, you have to consider the feelings of the person on the receiving end, especially when it's your superior."

Rem chuckled as he spoke.

Reacting to such jokes would never end well.

Deciding to listen, Encrid looked back at the platoon leader.

"To increase the scout unit numbers, a squad leader was temporarily promoted to platoon leader, but we still seem to be short on numbers. So, in a hurry, we were ordered to recruit personnel from each unit who can perform scout missions. And the higher-ups suggested including you, which is why we're here."

"The higher-ups?"

"The new company commander. You haven't done anything to get on his bad side, have you?"

Do they know a secret and want to send him to the scout unit to kill him quietly and silence him?

No, if that were the case, there would be no reason for all this hassle.

There wasn't. They seemed capable enough to kill him secretly.

Even if not, there were many other ways.

Not that he would die easily, but from the other side's perspective, that was the idea.

So...

"It seems like they just mentioned it without much thought."

Encrid concluded.

"It's an order from the higher-ups. So, let's go."

Rem was glaring from the side.

Ragna was saying he would go instead from behind.

Right in front of the barracks, a squad member who was a head taller than the average soldier, looking like he could take down a bear with his bare hands, was praying to the sky.

"Oh, Most Holy Lord, please do not take away my small and precious squad leader. Do not test this small and fragile servant."

The platoon leader couldn't hide his astonishment.

Who was taking anyone away?

And who was small and fragile?

The praying soldier's bicep muscles bulged.

With a bit of exaggeration, his biceps were as thick as an average soldier's thigh.

He was tall and had long limbs, so many might not notice at first glance, but the soldier's arms were weapons in themselves.

If that devout soldier was considered fragile, there wouldn't be many ordinary people in the world.

"This will only be for once. Winter is coming soon, and this expedition will be over by then."

During the next deployment, the scout unit will be reorganized anyway.

They won't keep the squad leader of the 444th Squad in the scout unit then.

Encrid understood the platoon leader's words.

Few fools continue a war into the winter.

Therefore, it was likely that this war would also stop after autumn.

There was no need to overthink it.

This kind of thing happened frequently.

Being called to fill in for various tasks.

Though he lacked fighting talent, he was above average at other tasks.

Scouting missions were no exception.

However, perhaps because he had recently been absent from the barracks due to an injury, none of his squad members welcomed the idea of him leaving.

'I am indeed the right person for the job.'

It wasn't baseless confidence.

If he made a wrong turn and died, he could repeat the day.

This mission would be more advantageous to him than anyone else.

Sensing and avoiding danger was his specialty.

"It's an order. Squad Leader."

The platoon leader said it was an order, but it sounded like he was asking for help.

Encrid looked back.

Rem was sharpening his axe.

Ragna reiterated that he could go instead.

The last squad member kept murmuring, "Is this really a test, Lord?"

'The atmosphere is strange.'

It felt like if he came back with a single scratch, they would all rise up together.

Were they always like this?

It didn't seem like it.

When he first joined the squad, they weren't this involved with each other.

When did it all change?

'Did they struggle a lot while I was gone?'

Even Big Eyes shook his head.

But what could he do about the superior's order?

His squad members might be unruly, but Encrid was not.

"I guess I have to go."

He said this after exhaling a deep breath.

It was a decision made by the higher-ups. Disobedience was not an option from the start.

Sure, if he resorted to all sorts of means, he could wriggle out of it, but there was no need for that.

With Encrid's one word, the atmosphere settled. It was only natural.

No matter what, he was still the leader of this small squad of six.

"Do as you wish."

Rem snorted and responded.

"Seriously, I said I could go."

Ragna insisted to the end, but it was to no avail.

How could someone who gets lost even within the camp be a scout?

Encrid was more curious about how Ragna had managed to live a wandering life.

Didn't he say he had been to the easternmost sea?

Could it be that he got lost and ended up there? It was a reasonable question.

But there was no point in asking.

As always, Encrid kept a suitable distance from them.

He wouldn't ask or probe if the other party didn't want it. That was Squad Leader Encrid.

"Alright, fine."

The platoon leader said and turned away.

His steps were lighter than when he had come. It was as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

After the platoon leader left, while Encrid was washing and resting, a small commotion started inside the barracks with a single remark.

"Are you still practicing what you learned?"

Jaxon, half-leaning on his bunk, started the conversation.

Jaxon's bunk was the innermost one.

Encrid's was at the very front.

Everyone in the barracks heard Jaxon's voice.

Encrid nodded reflexively.

Since he had learned to train his hearing from Jaxon, it was only natural to ask.

But Rem reacted unpleasantly to this.

"What did you learn?"

During that time, Encrid had learned various things from many squad members.

From Rem, Ragna, and even the devout squad member, he had picked up a bit here and there.

All of it was about surviving on the battlefield.

Encrid had learned diligently, but he didn't master everything and only used what he could manage.

Most of it was too difficult to learn perfectly.

At least, now, The Heart of the Beast had properly taken hold in his body.

However, he had never learned anything from Jaxon before.

"What did you teach him?"

Rem asked, sitting up.

"Keep practicing. It helps."

Jaxon completely ignored Rem, causing a flame to ignite in Rem's eyes.

"This bastard?"

"Don't."

Encrid grabbed Rem's shoulder as he flared up.

"What did you learn from that sly guy? Learning just anything can lead to bad habits."

"Hmph."

Jaxon chuckled, overhearing Encrid and Rem's conversation.

"Oh, I see, it's time for you to die. Today, right? You want to become food for the wandering monsters in the plains, don't you? Isn't that right?"

Jaxon remained unfazed.

Encrid sighed deeply and pulled on Rem's arm.

"Take it easy. It's not like you're going to kill each other."

"Don't worry. I'll survive."

That's not what he meant.

"Who's going to survive?"

"Oh, Lord, may I lift up this foolish soul who has no faith? If you permit, I shall do so."

Ragna and the devout squad member reacted to Rem's words.

"Enough, enough, enough. I'll stop you no matter how many times you fight. Don't do unnecessary things and don't waste your strength."

Encrid began to regret taking on the scout mission.

Was it right to leave them behind?

"Don't worry too much. They usually don't go too far. They just clash weapons a few times and that's it."

Krais said, counting the silver coins in his pocket.

That's the problem. Those few weapon clashes.

To outsiders, it looked like a deadly fight.

Despite being troublemakers, the commander didn't cast them out.

Why? Because of their exceptional abilities.

On the battlefield, they were soldiers with superior combat skills, able to take on ten enemies each.

So, it was right for Encrid to leave for the scout mission.

'I'm not a significant loss to our strength, after all.'

But they are not like that.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Encrid realized his own shortcomings once again.

'I have no talent.'

He lost to a twelve-year-old kid.

Even if that kid was a genius.

An adult who couldn't even properly handle the weight of a sword lost to a child who wielded a sword with ease.

It wasn't a matter of pride.

It wasn't something to be discouraged about either.

It was just something that made him reflect on himself.

But did he give up?

No.

He just kept chewing over that situation, accurately recognizing himself.

So, was that the end?

No, that wasn't the end either.

If he had no talent, then...

'Someday.'

If one step isn't possible, then take half a step.

As long as he didn't stop moving forward, it would be fine.

And Encrid had never stopped moving forward, not even once.

Feeling like he wouldn't be able to sleep, Encrid took his sword and went outside.

He thought that swinging his sword and breaking a sweat might help him sleep.

Seeing this, Ragna got up and followed him.

"Let's check your stance; it's been a while."

"And I'm here?"

Rem got up belatedly and spoke.

The two locked eyes, and a fierce energy passed between them.

It felt like a whirlpool would form at the point where their eyes met.

"Consistent practice will help. More than clumsy sword swings."

Jaxon, lying on his bed, spoke.

The fierce gazes of the two, who seemed ready to kill each other, swiftly turned to Jaxon.

"Clumsy?"

Rem said.

"Sword swings?"

Ragna continued.

"Both of you said you'd check my stance, didn't you?"

Encrid stepped between the three of them.

Finally, Encrid calmed the two down and went outside the barracks.

He swung his sword over and over, based on half advice and half scolding from the two.

Another day passed, drenched in sweat.

When the morning sun rose, he would have to temporarily change his assignment to the scout platoon.

He wasn't too worried.

He didn't think it would be a particularly difficult task.

After sweating profusely, everyone seemed to have shaken off their unpleasant feelings.

Encrid, who had washed himself at the stream after sweating, also slept soundly.

* * *

"Company Commander, why did you specifically assign that guy to the scout unit?"

The fairy company commander saw the 1st platoon leader standing near the torch stand and spoke.

"Step away from the torch stand. If it falls, it could start a fire."

"Excuse me?"

"Move aside."

"Yes, sir."

The 1st platoon leader took a few steps to the side.

The company commander's tent was taller and wider than the regular tents. A torch stand was placed in the center to provide light.

It was crude, but there was also a table for meetings.

This was the place where the company's scout routes were decided through meetings.

In the midst of this, the 1st platoon leader had asked his question.

And it was a fair question.

The 1st platoon leader also served as the company commander's aide, a long-standing tradition of the Cyprus Division.

"I thought a soldier who's quick-witted and knows how to take care of himself would be a good fit."

"Yes, I see."

It wasn't a heavily weighted decision.

It was an assignment based on intuition.

There wasn't a particular reason. If someone asked, the answer would simply be 'just because it felt right'.

Of course, the company commander's judgment was correct.

A fairy's intuition was sometimes sharper than a prophet's words.