CHAPTER 193

Marcus, in his midnight report.

"It surprises me every time."

Starting with admiration.

"Thanks to you."

He expressed gratitude that was close to excessive.

How could a Battalion Commander bow his head to a mere soldier, even if he was now a Company Commander?

Encrid simply said it was a coincidence and plainly listed the facts.

That was the end of it.

"I see."

Marcus ended his greeting and left the office.

The rest, the responsibility of the Border Guard, should be handled by Marcus, right?

After finishing the report and coming out, the Fairy Company Commander followed him and spoke as if to greet him. Her gaze was idly thrown ahead.

Her eyes and tone were devoid of sincerity.

"Shall we spend the night together? We must remain chaste until the wedding, so we can only hold hands and sleep."

"I'll sleep alone. In my own barracks."

"I see."

Was she really joking?

Parting ways with the Fairy Company Commander, Encrid returned to his barracks, washed off the sweat with water, and settled on his bed.

Water dripped from his wet hair. As he wiped the water off with his hands, he realized his hair had grown quite long.

"I had a restless sleep. If you're coming, come boldly, you bastards."

"Everything is within the Lord's will, pray. Brothers and sisters."

"You said something happened?"

"Grrr."

"Ugh, if the Black Blade Bandits are coming like this, things are really getting rough."

Everyone added a word before going to bed as usual.

No, they didn't just sleep. At least Encrid didn't.

He closed his eyes and reviewed the earlier fight.

Whether he won or lost, whether he overwhelmed his opponent or not.

Every battle has something to learn from. That's how he was taught, and that's how he's always done it.

This time was no different.

Just because he literally cut down his opponent didn't mean anything changed.

Repeating the review, he fell asleep and dreamed of ten white lions attacking him.

But even then, it was nothing. He could handle them. They were worth fighting.

Encrid suddenly felt his own growth.

'Should I say it's amusing?'

What was his battlefield originally like?

It was a place where he struggled to survive.

A place where he didn't step forward to avoid dying. Not a place to be at the forefront, but a place to watch from the back to survive.

But now?

Even knowing it was a dream, his heart felt a tingle. After training and honing his skills, after spending a long time, what was it that he originally wanted?

These overlapping thoughts might distort his dream.

Could this be thanks to the ferryman?

Even in a dream, his mind was as clear as in reality.

The strange thing was that Esther fought alongside him, but she wasn't a panther.

Her skin was so pale it was almost white, smooth, and she wore a black robe that sparkled despite its darkness.

It seemed like clothes made of high-quality material.

"Is that really you?"

"…In the other world, can you pretend not to know me?"

"What is this nonsense?"

Recognizing a face despite it not being a panther was indeed a curious thing, even to Encrid himself.

But who wouldn't recognize that black hair and blue eyes?

Since she asked him not to acknowledge her, he didn't. Even in a dream, he ignored her.

'But isn't this my dream?'

It did occur to him that the person causing the trouble came from his own mind.

Soon, a pack of white lions began to attack. Although the ten white lions swung their claws and scimitars, what initially seemed like a bloody fight eventually turned into a dance.

Come to think of it, he hadn't asked how she learned the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique.

At that moment, it didn't feel important.

Rather.

'She wanted to die, but suddenly it seemed like she had a lot of lingering feelings about life.'

She was a strange beast person. Even her appearance was unusual, not like typical beast people.

A dream is a dream, and work is work.

Although lions appeared, the dream, almost like a nonsensical one, soon blurred and vanished.

When Encrid opened his eyes, he looked at the ceiling of the barracks and sat up.

Since it was summer, it was already bright outside, even at dawn.

So, what should he do?

Start with the Isolation Technique.

Then sword training, interspersed with sessions to enhance concentration.

He didn't skip the Tangum style and sensory training either.

Didn't Jaxon say?

"Training is a daily thing. Especially sensory training, as it accumulates day by day, so don't skip it."

That's quite similar to Audin's philosophy. The Isolation Technique is also based on the same philosophy.

"Brother, skipping a day and doing double the next day doesn't work. It only harms your body. It's something to be done every day. Every day, every day, every day, did you hear me, brother?"

He emphasized it so much that it stuck in his ears.

That didn't mean daily training was burdensome. Encrid accepted it as a matter of course.

Thus began his day of checking, reviewing, and training with what he had.

Whatever happened yesterday, while Encrid spent today in the same way.

Marcus, the city's commander who had admired Encrid the previous night, was confirming how incredibly brazen the face of the guy who had taken the Black Blade Bandits' gold coins was.

In a way, this too was a subject of admiration.

* * *

Dunbachel revealed everything she knew.

Even after being imprisoned, it was the same.

"I was ordered to go to the Border Guard and cause some commotion. Me? I'm half a mercenary. I don't know how this started. However, it's certain that someone within the city is involved."

Marcus didn't even ask the beast man who that was.

Instead, he called the noble who had taken bribes into the prison. The noble came down to the prison with his guards, and when asked if he knew anything, his response was this.

"I don't know anything."

The noble frowned for a moment, then spoke again.

"You filthy beast-man, speak clearly. Are you really from the Black Blade Bandits? Are you seriously believing the nonsense of a mercenary who moves for a few gold coins?"

He even got angry. Marcus was utterly astonished by the noble's words to the beast-man, especially since he was the one who took the gold coins from the Black Blade Bandits.

Should I just cut him down?

Marcus averted his gaze from the noble entirely.

Watching him made him feel like he might really kill him.

But he had no intention of just letting him go.

How could he leave such a disruptive person alone?

'I can't just kill him in the city.'

He was still a noble. If something like this happened within the Border Guard, it could become a serious problem even if it's smoothed over for now.

No matter how it's covered up.

'It might become a weakness when operating in the central area. No, it would definitely be a problem.'

Thinking about the future, that was unacceptable.

'Then what should I do?'

Thanks to his nickname as a warmonger, people often thought he was clueless about political intrigue, but that was far from the truth.

To be a central noble, especially one who maintains power, political intrigue is essential.

Marcus was also a politician, skilled in stabbing people in the back.

Marcus made up his mind, pondered, and came to a conclusion.

He couldn't act here, so how about sending him out with a friend who always brought more results than expected when given tasks?

'If I just send him along, he might solve it on his own.'

Encrid, that friend.

It's not like he was sent on a patrol. He was just left in the barracks, yet he independently took out elite members of the Black Blade Bandits, turned a manticore into a bloody pulp, and the cultist that came along lost his head.

That was last night's event.

'Should I just send him along?'

And if nothing happens? Then just leave it at that.

'I'll send him out like that for now.'

The Black Blade Bandits made a move. That can't be left alone either.

With a sinister heart, Marcus spoke righteously and straightforwardly.

"Martai has organized an army."

This was the truth. In the mercenary city, a bastard claiming to be a general was preparing for war with the Border Guard.

Only a few sharp-eared individuals knew this so far, but rumors of a city war would soon spread.

"And we have no reinforcements."

As Marcus spoke, he took a step to the side.

Whoosh.

Being underground, the torchlight mounted on the wall lit up half of his face, making the other half even darker.

His face looked as if he was deeply contemplating the city's safety.

Militarily, Martai was clearly superior. Marcus knew that. The noble knew that.

Knowing that, wasn't the talk of bringing in the Black Blade Bandits just nonsense?

It was something to ponder deeply as a commander and city representative.

"What about hiring them as mercenaries?"

Though he didn't specify the subject, the noble's ears perked up.

It wasn't possible to openly acknowledge the Black Blade Bandits as allies. But didn't that band also do mercenary work?

So the suggestion was to hire them appropriately for this task.

Vancento, who had taken money from the Black Blade Bandits, perked up at those words but tried not to show it.

In reality, his expression remained indifferent.

When he finally heard the words he had been waiting for, Vancento almost immediately opened his mouth but swallowed his words to avoid seeming too eager.

It seemed like everything had fallen apart with the failed raid, but no.

Could this have made Marcus more anxious? Perhaps.

'If we hire them as mercenaries and later bring them in internally...'

Vancento, who had survived by being perceptive since childhood, had grown up and seized power.

The sweet taste of power had dulled his brain.

He didn't fully grasp the situation. The skill of the guard sent by the Black Blade Bandits next to him also played a part.

"The captured woman is a beast-man named Dunbachel. It's not difficult to handle her, but the claim that he stopped ten attackers alone is a lie. Even I would take time to handle ten men, and you think he stopped them alone without any preparation during a night raid? The Madmen Platoon must have moved together. As for the manticore? I don't know about that. It's better to suspect it's just a rumor."

Thanks to the Gilpin Guild quickly hiding and consuming the manticore's body, only rumors remained.

High-grade monster corpses are valuable. Krais intended to dismantle and sell it, so it was naturally hidden within the guild, but it was easy to cause misunderstandings.

'What manticore? What kind of trickery is this?'

It's a common strategy before war. Bluffing, knowing they would be at a disadvantage in a fight.

It must be Marcus's scheme.

Taking advantage of the raid to blow up the situation.

In that sense, he must be promoting Encrid.

Vancento didn't even try to properly investigate the situation.

The guard sent by the Black Blade Bandits was the same.

They knew Encrid had changed. They also knew the platoon members under him were quite capable.

'If we face him properly...'

Being strong doesn't mean survival. The survivor is the strong one.

The guard was confident he could kill, even if not win in a fight.

He was arrogant.

Vancento was already envisioning a rosy future. Such thoughts clouded their judgment and narrowed their view.

Turning his eyes to Dunbachel instead of immediately agreeing, Vancento spoke.

"She doesn't seem like a famous mercenary."

Mercenaries without a moniker are usually treated that way.

"Execute her. When is the best time to leave?"

Marcus wondered how this bastard had gotten to his position.

Well, that's the downside of the frontier. Lack of talent. It's rare.

Though it seemed the barracks were currently overflowing with talent.

"Tomorrow will be good. Before Martai advances."

Using this as an excuse.

Vancento's face lit up with satisfaction.

Marcus, too, was satisfied internally, though he kept a serious expression.

The remaining beast-woman, Dunbachel, simply stayed silent in the dark.

"Execution, later, not now."

The only thing she gained was a brief postponement of her death.

* * *

It started with this.

"I heard Martai made an outrageous demand. Did you hear? Shouldn't we get some support from the central area?"

Vengeance spoke up, seemingly taking a break, and approached Encrid.

Krais, who overheard, burst out.

"Support, my foot. They won't come. No, they can't. Do I need to explain? Fine, I'll tell you. There's a big war with monsters in the south. If it were just monsters, it wouldn't be an issue, but the southern superpower, Rihinstetten, has quietly stepped in. It's a matter of national survival. The Border Guard proved their strength and bought time by standing against Aspen. This isn't an internal battle requiring central intervention. Even if another group got involved, there's Viscount Bentra and Count Molsen to the west. Usually, it'd be best to request support from the noble armies of those two places, but it's not going to happen. Bentra is practically Count Molsen's hunting dog. Count Molsen has a reputation for not moving unless there's a benefit."

Encrid found it remarkable how Krais managed to gather such information while just sitting around.

More than anything, his non stop talking was impressive.

"Doesn't your throat hurt?"

"Huh? This is nothing. I once played five roles in a puppet show."

That's quite a talent.

It's not easy to perform a play while imitating five different characters alone.

Judging by Krais's usual demeanor, he wouldn't have done it half-heartedly either.

He'd sell his soul if he could.

"And how many peddlers pass through this city? Border Guard is a fortress city, but due to its unique characteristics, it's also the top trading city north of Naurillia. If you just listen, you hear things. That's both the problem and the crux of this matter."

Krais said, placing his palm behind his ear.

There was an air of inevitability in his tone, but such things are never a given.

People who predict the future are usually called one of two things.

A fortune teller or a swindler.

Krais was neither. He was simply born with an eye for reading the times.

"And with the Black Blade Bandits arriving and cultists appearing, it's all very bad. By the way, have you thought about leaving the Border Guard and transferring to another city, Captain?"

Encrid didn't even listen to the last question.

Even if he left, what about those who remained?

"Is that a serious question? Don't you think about defending the city?"

Vengeance burst out angrily.

Krais hadn't meant it seriously. Encrid knew that too.

"Yes, yes, we must defend it."

"If you've eaten, you should work. Big Eyes."

Encrid sided with Vengeance.

"This makes me want to react like Rem. Are you taking someone else's side now? I might feel a bit hurt. Rivals? Is that it?"

His puppet show experience wasn't wasted, he imitated well, standing lazily with one leg and pouting convincingly.

"Hmm? You want to plant an axe on Big Eyes' head instead of a flower, right?"

The problem was that Rem was coming right to the front of the barracks.

"…That's not it."

"Benjon is here again. Bored?"

Rem added, renaming Vengeance on a whim. Vengeance didn't react.

In the midst of this.

"Fiancee, you're being summoned."

The Fairy Company Commander said from just outside the training ground's fence, her upper body and face peeking over the small barrier.

Lately, it seemed like she appeared more often than messengers. Why was a Company Commander acting on the Battalion Commander's summons?

"I volunteered because I wanted to see you."

"…Is that so?"

Encrid had grown accustomed to Fairy humor, so he didn't even smile at this level of jest anymore.

"Big Eyes, it seems you need some training. Go on, I'll turn this guy into a fine soldier while you're gone."

Behind him, Rem had sentenced Krais to something akin to a death sentence.

"Let's go together! Captain! Captain!"

Encrid wished Krais well and turned around.

Rem seemed quite frustrated lately, and perhaps blowing off steam in this way was important for him.

Soon, the sound of a pig being slaughtered echoed from behind, but Encrid ignored it.

"Murder within the unit is strictly forbidden."

The Fairy Company Commander glanced back and said.

"He won't kill him."

Encrid responded, and the Fairy Company Commander, after a brief thought, said.

"He'll manage it well."

There was a tone full of trust.

Upon entering the Battalion Commander's office, Marcus immediately spoke.

"I have a mission for you. I need you to go as an envoy."

This was before Encrid even had a chance to salute. The tone was quite urgent.

"As an envoy?"

"Yes, we need to hire some mercenaries. So."

Envoy and mercenaries seemed like a strange combination.

It also sounded like the battle with Martai was imminent.

But was that really a threat?

"I need you to go as an envoy to the Black Blade Bandits. Oh, not as the actual envoy, but as a guard."

An even stranger combination than envoy and mercenary: envoy and bandit.

And then, as a guard.

But why were the Battalion Commander's eyes shining so brightly, almost overwhelmingly so?

There was an intense sense of anticipation. His eyes sparkled as if filled with stars.

Encrid found it very peculiar.

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