CHAPTER 23

"Listen to the sounds that feel unnatural."

The scout team set out in the blue dawn, before the sun had even risen.

As Encrid was packing his things alone, Jaxon, who was on the last watch, casually spoke up.

"All of a sudden?"

Encrid, curious about what he meant, asked again.

"You asked how not to get hit by a sword in battle."

Encrid tried to recall.

The infirmary, the assassin's attack, the fairy company commander, Krang, the fire.

After ending all that commotion, the troublemaker squad was brawling.

It was enough to scatter his thoughts.

Thanks to that, he remembered after hearing it again.

Before all that happened, before the final dance with the assassin, he had asked in passing on the last day.

"I get the part about listening well, but you can't keep focusing on listening in battle to avoid getting hit, right? How do you dodge without looking back?"

Hearing training, yes, that's good.

But this requires a high level of concentration.

Can you really listen like that in the midst of a battlefield?

'It's difficult.'

He knew because he had tried. Once you get used to it, you might be able to display movements that seem almost like tricks against multiple opponents.

But it's clear that just listening well isn't enough.

Jaxon was diligent.

He didn't ignore a passing question and answered sincerely.

And Encrid was even more diligent.

He didn't miss the opportunity to learn.

"You mean to sense the oddness?"

"It would be good to awaken senses different from usual, but that's not easy. So, if you're in a grassy field, pay close attention to the sound of grass blades rustling and try to find the sound that's different."

The scout area is a grassy field. It's filled with grass that ranges from knee-high to eye-level.

It seemed like Jaxon's words were spoken with this knowledge.

Listening to the kind advice, Encrid suddenly asked out of curiosity.

"You're being quite detailed?"

At that, Jaxon stared directly into Encrid's eyes.

As if his gaze was saying, "You know why you're asking."

When Encrid tilted his head in confusion, Jaxon finally spoke again.

"Because the squad leader is relentless."

"…What?"

Where did the direction of this conversation go wrong?

Why did he suddenly mention being relentless?

Jaxon knew about the squad leader's persistence. He knew about his passion for the sword. That's why he said it.

But Encrid didn't notice at all.

He was about to ask more, but then Encrid closed his mouth.

Does the reason matter?

The squad members' capriciousness was nothing new.

So, the reason didn't matter.

What mattered was that there was someone here to learn from and someone to teach.

If the content had value, that was enough.

They were being summoned for a scout mission right now, so reflecting on and practicing this advice wouldn't be a bad idea.

Therefore, he ignored the unnecessary questions.

"How do you distinguish between different types of sounds?"

Encrid quickly erased his confused expression and returned to the main topic.

Jaxon's gaze turned peculiar as he watched.

It was as if he were looking at a dragon with three heads.

"Why?"

"No reason."

The explanation continued. What are these unusual sounds? How should one utilize their hearing?

It was excellent. It was the joy of learning. Encrid set out on his path with immense satisfaction.

"Yes, that's how it was."

Jaxon still looked at Encrid with that peculiar gaze.

Encrid didn't notice and turned away.

"Alright, I'll be back."

He walked towards the outskirts of the camp for his scout mission.

Watching him, Jaxon thought to himself.

'It doesn't make sense.'

He had recently seen the squad leader listening carefully to footsteps.

He had responded from quite a distance.

His hearing range was impressively wide.

While others might not have noticed, he couldn't fool his own eyes.

It was just a bit odd.

If he compared it to all the training methods and all the people who had received similar training.

Listening and training one's hearing means continuously hearing and distinguishing different sounds.

Eventually, you understand the types of sounds.

But how is the squad leader now?

'His listening is top-notch, but his ability to distinguish is that of a novice.'

It's as if he had intensely trained only the act of listening in a short period.

But can one really achieve that through training?

If he had dozens of spare lives, maybe he could train that way.

'It's peculiar.'

The squad leader is a peculiar person. Anyway, thanks to him, Jaxon shared what he knew, even if just a bit more.

And the squad leader would soon absorb what he had just learned.

Training one's ears to listen is the hard part.

Distinguishing and categorizing sounds is just an additional task.

As Jaxon finished his watch and entered the barracks, he saw Rem looking at him with sleepy eyes.

Lying askew, propped up on one hand, Rem looked at him with a grinning face, which was highly unpleasant.

"Your eyes are annoying."

Jaxon greeted him in the morning.

Rem smiled softly and replied.

"Have you fallen for the squad leader's charm too? Don't you just feel like teaching him when you watch him?"

"It's a fair exchange. I owe him, so I'll receive equivalent value later."

Equivalent exchange Jaxon.

That's his nickname within the squad.

But even as he spoke, Jaxon knew.

Teaching the squad leader wasn't an act to demand something in return.

It was an impulsive decision.

Was it because he was impressed by the squad leader's recent remarkable performance on the battlefield?

Jaxon didn't think too deeply about it.

He knew that sometimes it's okay to act on impulse. So, he decided to end the matter here.

"Screw off, bastard. Getting all shy like a girl."

Rem chuckled, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

He pulled the blanket up to his chin, and soon, he was breathing evenly, as if enjoying the comfort.

Sometimes, Jaxon wondered.

What gives that crazy barbarian the confidence to act like that?

"Lie down. If you attack me while I'm sleeping, I'll split your head open."

Rem, pretending to be asleep, spoke.

Jaxon ignored Rem's words and found his spot.

Arguing with him would just make him talk more.

"Damn bastard, always ignoring me."

As expected, Rem grumbled to himself after speaking.

* * *

The scout team, which had set out in the early hours of the morning, started off on a rocky note.

"If we meet those Aspen bastards, we'll split their heads open. Got it?"

These were the words of the squad leader in charge of the small unit.

For a moment, Encrid almost asked what the squad leader thought the scout was about, but the squad leader spoke again before he could.

"Troublemaker Squad Leader, right now you're just a soldier. If you're going to disobey orders, say it now, and we'll settle it with our skills. Unlike some, I didn't become a squad leader by kissing ass, so I'm confident."

His tone was anything but friendly.

Encrid didn't get angry. He didn't feel particularly offended.

He had received such 'praise' many times before.

The simple criticisms of those who didn't know him meant nothing.

And he thought it would be better to patrol quietly and reflect on what he had learned, rather than cause unnecessary trouble.

"Even if you don't like it, hold back. He seems to have a bit of a flashy personality."

Another soldier, close by, spoke. He had a rough voice and seemed older.

"I'm not bothered."

"Well, that's a relief."

The soldier next to him smiled humbly, avoiding the squad leader's gaze.

He had an unpleasant demeanor.

"Let's go!"

A total of ten, the scout and patrol team set off.

Not all scout missions involved spying on enemy territory.

This plain was called the Green Pearl of the continent, a vast grassland.

To the east, there were a few gentle hills and mountain ridges.

But generally, it was wide open with nothing to obstruct the view.

To the west, the Pen-Hanil River flowed, a major waterway shared with the enemy Duchy of Aspen.

Due to the geographical features, ambushes were almost impossible in this plain battle.

So what was the job of the scout team?

Exploration of enemy territory and patrolling the surroundings.

Their job was to check if any groups were moving by day or night.

To see if there were any signs of enemy cavalry moving.

Or to confirm if the enemy was up to something else.

This included checking key areas.

Of course, scouting was dangerous.

They could encounter the enemy at any time.

Skirmishes between scout teams often led directly to full-scale battles.

But such incidents didn't happen often.

Nor should they.

"Let's go, and show the greatness of the Naurillian infantry."

To Encrid, that young squad leader was a fool intoxicated by his own abilities.

Was he some noble's illegitimate child?

If not, he might have some backing within the military command.

He was probably just nineteen or twenty.

As a squad leader in the regular Naurillian army, it was a fairly quick promotion.

Still, compared to real geniuses, there were plenty of soldiers like him.

The role of the scout team seemed to have completely slipped out of the head of the scout squad leader.

Some of the soldiers even agreed with him.

"Of course. With your skills,Squad Leader, a few enemies wouldn't be a problem at all."

"Show us the might that took down five mercenaries!"

'That squad leader's arrogance will get us all killed.'

Even without anyone explaining, it was obvious how this situation came about.

Unfortunately, the scout team probably had frequent injuries among its soldiers, leading to a shortage of men.

Because of that, Encrid and those idiots ended up here.

Still, no matter how you look at it, these guys were below average.

But it shouldn't be a problem.

The scout team's route was predetermined anyway.

'Patrol in a circle based on the friendly base.'

The squad leader was responsible for the detailed route.

Encrid organized the information in his head and hoped the scout squad leader wouldn't act too foolishly.

"These are nu tracks."

The squad leader noticed animal tracks while passing by.

Nu are animals that roam the grasslands in herds, resembling cattle.

They could move in groups of fifty, or as few as twenty.

"If we follow these, we'll feast today. Let's have a barbecue, everyone."

…Chase twenty nu?

What was more absurd was that these tracks weren't even from nu.

The tracks belonged to a gazelle, not a nu.

"Yeah, right."

The friendly-looking soldier trailing behind mumbled.

Finding it absurd, he chuckled and looked at the back of the squad leader's head.

On the first day, the scout team advanced, searching in vain for nu that weren't there.

Naturally, no animal would let itself be caught by a group that was blatantly and menacingly staring around.

"Damn it."

The squad leader grumbled irritably.

If they had caught any nu, would that idiot really have tried to start a fire?

If so, it would have been quite a sight.

A scout team making a campfire, on top of already moving conspicuously.

It's almost like saying, 'I'm a perfect fool!'

Perhaps it was a blessing that they didn't catch any animals.

Before sunset, they found a spot with a few hills and four tall trees, where they prepared to camp.

"Where are you from, Troublemaker Squad Leader?"

The soldier with the good first impression, who especially seemed to despise the idiot leading the scout unit, asked.

"Border Guard."

"A professional soldier?"

Encrid nodded.

Border Guard is a fortress town that guards the frontier.

It also has farmlands and merchants, but it is fundamentally a military town.

It's a town filled with training facilities and professional soldiers.

"I'm from a mountain village and am confident in hunting, but when you called those tracks nu earlier, I was taken aback. They were gazelle tracks."

Encrid felt the same way.

A sense of camaraderie formed between them.

The hunter-turned-soldier's name was Enri.

He had an easygoing personality but deeply disliked the current squad leader.

"Tomorrow, I'll show you something interesting. Although it seems like there are no paths in the grasslands, there are actually trails that animals use."

After chatting a bit more, Enri soon fell asleep.

As the third watch of the night, Encrid reflected on what Jaxon had taught him.

Though he didn't hold a sword, he swung his hand through the air, recalling what he had learned.

The sparring sessions with Ragna and Rem before the scout mission had been quite helpful.

'He said to thrust from any stance.'

That was something Rem had said. Encrid was training for it too. Rem had even shown him how.

He told him to strengthen his lower body.

The scout team walks a lot. Unless you're cavalry, there's no way around it.

'Walking is good.'

It's not a bad way to build leg strength.

Having filled his stomach with just jerky, he might have felt empty inside.

But Encrid didn't have time to think about such things.

His mind was filled with the training he needed to do immediately, the training he had to do in the future, swordsmanship, the auditory skills he learned from Jaxon, and the hunting tricks that Enri had promised to teach.

He purely enjoyed learning and mastering new things.

Of course, he also enjoyed using what he had learned.

'When I get back, I'll spar again.'

Throughout his watch, Encrid continued to train his auditory senses to detect anomalies.

Soon, he woke the next person for their watch and went to sleep.

On the second day, as dawn began to break, the scout team set out again.

In the morning, Enri roughly taught him how to spot animal trails.

Listening to the sound of their steps brushing against the grass that reached their calves.

'There's so much to learn.'

Encrid genuinely thought so.

The hunter's knowledge that Enri shared was quite interesting.

He hadn't had the luxury to gather such knowledge before.

"This way."

The scout squad leader led the way. They headed towards a field of tall weeds.

'Not bad.'

Considering his earlier talk of splitting heads if they encountered the enemy, the route was uneventful.

It was also one of the points they needed to check.

Of course, the scout squad leader quickly shattered Encrid's common sense.

"We're going to cut through the grassland and track the scout team's traces. How does that sound?"

'Is this guy really insane?'

Encrid almost let those words slip out but held them back.

How could they find their bearings in a field of tall weeds?

Where was the guarantee that they would encounter the enemy's scout team by going this way?

All they needed to do was roughly check for any signs of an enemy ambush or unusual activity.

"Don't interfere. Not all squad leaders are the same."

A subordinate soldier spoke up, trying to smooth things over with a roundabout comment.

Ha.

Encrid still wasn't angry.

He just wondered if it was okay to leave things as they were.

His deliberation was brief.

He decided to let it be.

If things went wrong and they ended up dead,he would reconsider the next day.

If not,'We'll just come back empty-handed.'

Either way, it wouldn't be a loss for him.