CHAPTER 200

Encrid also lifted his head, recognizing the enemy in that brief moment.

"Kill them all!"

The guy shouted presumed to be the leader of the gift-wrapped package. He had slanted eyes.

As soon as Encrid heard the shout to kill them all, he was annoyed by the guy who immediately ran away and chased after him.

"Take care of the rest yourselves."

He spat out the words and then dashed off. When activating the Heart of Great Strength, he could imitate the dash shown by the junior Knight.

As he saw earlier, if he added precision to it, he could run longer and faster.

He translated his thoughts into actions with his body. The process was different from before.

At first, it was clumsy, but soon it became natural.

He couldn't say he was used to it, but it wasn't entirely awkward either.

Encrid chased the fleeing guy. Naturally, catching up to him was an easy task. The guy was running through bushes, trees, and thorny underbrush with his body.

When the guy was caught, he resisted. He was exceptionally skilled with an arming sword.

It was a technique-focused swordsmanship.

If you had to classify it, it belonged to the same category as Correct Sword Technique for Quick Recovery.

'It's not as good as the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique.'

He mixed in various tricks, aiming for a thrust as the finishing move.

In that case, dual-wielding would be better.

In terms of skill, he felt that Dunbachel, a beastgirl, was superior.

That didn't mean his skill was inferior.

Dunbachel's style was crude, lacking in form and meaning, relying on clever tricks and brute strength.

In contrast, his opponent showed no hesitation in his sword swings, as if he had not neglected his training.

But that didn't mean he could match Encrid.

Ting, crack, snap!

Before the incoming sword could perform any tricks, he approached and swung his sword to strike.

Having seen the technique before, there was no need to see it again.

The sword, swung diagonally from below, caught the guy's blade and opened up his chest.

Immediately, he rammed his shoulder into the guy's solar plexus, causing a wheezing sound from his mouth.

Even in that moment, the guy's eyes gleamed. He grasped a knife at his waist.

Encrid, ramming his shoulder, thrust his guard sword into the guy's chin.

Several movements in one breath, imitating the technique shown by Ragna.

As soon as he stopped, the guy groaned and exhaled.

With his hand on the knife, his left arm was awkwardly bent behind him.

"Who are you?"

When there was no answer, Encrid slid his blade closer to his neck, causing blood to bead up beneath the throat. Not feeling the need to hold back, he pretended to make a mistake and pushed the blade further in, causing blood to stream down.

"From, from the main unit of the Black Blade Bandits!"

The guy quickly said.

"The main unit? For what reason?"

"Patrol!"

A lie, his sixth sense told him. Encrid neither squinted nor glared at him.

"Just in case, do you have any intention of telling the truth?"

"…What?"

Of course not.

Encrid slashed the guard sword with a sharp motion.

A new mouth appeared below his throat, ensuring his opponent's death.

There was no time or need for interrogation.

Even if there was, there wouldn't be much useful information.

The situation was already clear, what did the main unit of the Black Blade Bandits matter?

Avoiding the spurt of blood, he pushed the guy aside and turned back.

After killing him and returning, the situation became clear.

They fought and won.

After the victory, it was natural for bodies to be strewn around. Corpses were scattered everywhere.

Three survived, and they were set aside.

Encrid proceeded to thoroughly search the bodies of the dead bandits. Rem and Ragna did the same.

If there was anything to salvage, it would be a waste to leave it here.

They collected wrist-mounted devices for shooting arrows, poison sand, half-eaten bread, a few silver coins, a few copper coins, and small knives.

The weapons in the bandits' hands could all become Krona.

However, carrying all this would be too much.

Stuffing it all into one backpack would make the journey back grueling due to the weight.

Not everything would fit, anyway.

"You carry it."

"Do you want to die?"

Encrid could hear Ragna and Rem arguing as they assessed the situation.

"Enough."

He stopped them and looked at the three bandits they had spared on purpose.

He casually asked one of them,

"So, the main unit is all wiped out?"

Of the three bandits, one was crying, completely clueless.

The other two had shifty eyes, showing their quick-wittedness.

Three mouths, plenty to get answers from.

"Yes, sir. It's all over. We saw it burning from behind. It looked like they set it on fire."

He was sweating profusely as he spoke.

With the weather being moderately humid and rain likely to come today or tomorrow.

'It probably won't spread into a big fire.'

Although he didn't expect such a full-scale attack, he knew who was behind it.

It was the Border Guard Unit. They wouldn't mess things up by recklessly using fire.

"And you guys?"

"Someone from the main unit said that it's over, that some should survive to relay the message…."

He trailed off. It sounded like they fled without a fight. Their weapons weren't even bloodstained, and they were drenched in sweat, making it obvious.

To add another guess, these were probably all the survivors. Any others who fled into the forest would likely become a monster's meal.

"You made it here quite well?"

"There's a shortcut!"

The two quick-witted bandits replied in unison without even taking a breath.

The Black Blade Bandits are the ones who nest in the mountains, enduring monster attacks.

If they go to the wilderness, they become horse thieves, and if they go to the sea, they become pirates.

But the sea has more infamous groups.

In the vast plains of the east, no amateur bandit group could survive.

In reality, the Black Blade Bandits were the largest bandit group inland.

Having lived here for a long time, they must know the paths well.

"I know the way very well!"

Seeing Encrid's interest in the path, another bandit quickly spoke up.

"That beastwoman knows nothing! She still thinks she's a mercenary, the foolish woman…."

Ignoring the unnecessary chatter.

"Let's go to the city and talk."

These bandits would be handed over to the city. Then, they'd either be executed or imprisoned and beaten.

"Ah."

One bandit let out a short groan. It was a lament, knowing that if they were taken away, their end would be anything but humorous.

"Please, I beg you."

Feeling the desperation in the bandit's plea, Encrid decided to show some mercy.

"Should I end it for you here?"

The bandit's eyes darted wildly.

"No, please."

Afterwards, they continued rummaging through the belongings. Since there were no extra backpacks, they tore pieces from the dead men's clothes to bundle everything together with the weapons they had gathered.

Next came the time for digging.

"You dig too."

Meanwhile, Ragna cut the cord binding Dunbachel's wrists.

The agreement was to release her once the task was done.

Encrid didn't pay much attention to the beastwoman.

As the remaining three bandits dug holes and buried the bodies, the sun set.

Should they camp? No, it didn't seem necessary.

"Let's march through the night."

"Let's do that."

"Yes."

With the agreement of Rem and Ragna, they began their journey back.

They loaded the loot onto a cart they found along the way. Without a horse, the three criminals had to pull it themselves.

It wasn't a cart anymore, it was practically a human-drawn cart.

Rumble, rumble.

The three criminals panted as they pulled the cart along the rough road at night.

Dunbachel pushed from behind.

Encrid thought it was about time to let the beastwoman go.

She didn't have the same sinister feel as the other bandits.

Her pure desire for life was honestly quite impressive.

But it didn't change anything.

He planned to release her as agreed. That was all.

He didn't concern himself further with the beastwoman named Dunbachel.

More pressing was his need to report back to Marcus.

The journey back to the city took twice as long as the trip out. They had lost their horse and gained extra baggage.

When they reached the city gate.

"Who goes there!"

A soldier on the gallery shouted. Along with the shout, three archers aimed their arrows.

They were much more on edge than usual.

"Encrid, Company Commander of the Independent Company."

As he identified himself, torches flickered above, followed by voices.

"Is that you?"

It was Vengeance's voice. Soon, the side gate opened, and they began unloading the cart as it couldn't pass through.

Vengeance descended.

"What's all this? Where did you rob? Did you become a bandit?"

"We didn't rob, we just fought back against robbers."

The victor takes the spoils. It was common sense.

Although the amount seemed a bit much, it wasn't incorrect.

Vengeance tilted his head at Encrid's explanation.

There was no time to detail everything that had happened.

"Why are you so on edge?"

Encrid asked.

It had only been a full day since he left the city.

With dawn approaching, it had been just about a day, yet there was a strange tension in the air.

"You're going straight to the Battalion Commander, right? You'll get the details inside."

Vengeance didn't offer much explanation.

Encrid hadn't given any, so Vengeance didn't either.

"Petty bastard."

Encrid chuckled as he spoke and then walked inside.

After he entered, Rem and Ragna followed closely behind.

As they went in, Rem handed over the three bandits.

"Take care of them."

"Who are they?"

"Black Blade Bandits."

Why is that name coming up here?

While Vengeance blinked in surprise, the white-haired beastwoman followed closely behind Rem and Ragna.

Is it okay to leave her alone?

Since there were no objections, it seemed fine.

After parting ways with Encrid and his group, Vengeance cautiously and seriously asked his subordinate.

"Am I petty?"

The subordinate swallowed hard. Honesty was a virtue, but sometimes a white lie could be an even greater virtue.

"No, sir. You're, uh, not petty at all."

Still, he couldn't bring himself to say he was generous. That was his last shred of conscience.

From the start, it was obvious he was petty and narrow-minded, given how he envied Company Commander Encrid for being unpopular with women.

"Right? I'm not that petty, am I?"

The subordinate nodded. It was a wise response.

* * *

Standing before the Battalion Commander, Encrid voiced the question in his heart.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Even if he had known, it wouldn't have made a big difference. In fact, he might have responded more proactively.

Marcus opened his eyes wide. It was as if he couldn't believe Encrid didn't know. Then he spoke.

"Company Commander Encrid, you can't act."

Had Marcus been watching Encrid's performances?

No, it wasn't that. It was just his usual way of speaking and demeanor, and as soon as Encrid heard it, he subconsciously acknowledged it.

'If you want to deceive, start with your own men.'

That was a basic strategy.

"What if I was in danger?"

"Didn't I tell you to take Rem and Ragna?"

A brief silence ensued. Right, it wasn't that dangerous after all.

"Why is the city atmosphere like this?"

Encrid smoothly changed the subject, and the response came from the Fairy Company Commander who had quietly taken a seat.

"There have been two scouting parties, four attempts by what seemed like spies to climb over the walls, and three attempts to pass through the gates in disguise."

It wasn't all in one day. It was a summary of recent events.

"Who?"

"Do you need me to spell it out?"

At the Fairy Company Commander's retort, Encrid stopped playing dumb and answered.

"Martai."

Marcus responded to the answer.

"Yes, Martai has declared war."

Was it impeccable timing?

No, it was probably a preemptive strike before the awaited moment was lost.

In just one full day, the city faced a major incident.

Another war.

This time, it wasn't with another country but a war between cities.

A battle between Martai and the Border Guard.

Even if the central authority had the capacity to send reinforcements, they couldn't.

The pretext would be whatever they made it, and Martai probably didn't just have fools, they likely already crafted a convincing justification.

"The Border Guard sent forged documents claiming that the area has belonged to Martai since the previous generation."

Marcus spoke with a smile. It was a smile mixed with irritation at the absurdity of the opponent's justification.

"So, we sent the same thing back to them."

The Fairy Company Commander said they had repaid in kind.

They had forged documents claiming that Martai also belonged to their side.

It could be aptly named a war of forged documents.

As Encrid considered this clever response and why they were sharing such detailed information with him,

"I look forward to seeing you on the battlefield."

Marcus said. The expectation in his eyes was, how should one put it, it felt like looking at some kind of idol, and Encrid didn't find that feeling particularly unpleasant.

"Let's have some fun."

The Fairy Company Commander added, making her usual Fairy-like joke.

"Shall we call it the honeymoon war?"

"Are you getting married again, Battalion Commander?"

Encrid retorted in a human-like manner, and Marcus laughed heartily.

A man with the nickname 'War Maniac' who hid a schemer behind it.

He seemed to have no fear of the upcoming war.

It meant he had something he believed in.

Encrid was a bit curious about what that was.

After finishing the report on all that had happened, he was about to enter the barracks.

"Aren't you going?"

Dunbachel had been following closely and then stopped.

Standing idly in front of the barracks, had no one stopped her?

With war imminent, discipline was in shambles.

Thinking that, Encrid looked at Dunbachel.

Dunbachel, with determination, opened her mouth.

Her voice was a low, husky tone typical of beastmen, but it was undeniably feminine.

"I have something to say."

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