A Knight Who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: CHAPTER 261
“Was the recruitment officer interesting? Did you see anyone decent?”

At the question from his old friend, the Rapier Swordsman nodded.

“There was.”

“…Really?”

This wasn’t something he would say lightly, unless he had met someone truly remarkable.

Who was the last person his friend had mentioned as someone decent?

It was someone who had shown exceptional talent, even among the best.

In the empire, where geniuses gathered, the ones this man acknowledged could be counted on one hand.

And now, he was saying this out of the blue? It was impossible not to be intrigued.

Hadn’t he just returned from wandering around the continent, especially the Kingdom side?

To the man sitting across from him, this recruitment business was a kind of vacation.

It was a job taken to relax, due to his almost workaholic tendencies.

So, for him to say something like this during his time off was truly rare and unexpected.

This wasn’t the kind of response one would give to a light-hearted joke.

In the inner castle of the empire’s gateway territory, the two sat in a small room that contained nothing but a round table and a few chairs with wool cushions.

One was the Lord of the territory, the other was a Training Officer who had just returned from his vacation.

The Rapier Swordsman spoke plainly about what he had seen and felt.

Even though he only conveyed the facts calmly, there was a fire in his eyes.

The Lord thought it resembled a quiet speech.

“So, you say it’s a talent you can’t even fathom, but it deflected Intimidation?”

The Rapier Swordsman relayed the facts, except for how he was so surprised that he stood in the rain for half a day, repeatedly saying “What?”.

“A strange guy, indeed.”

The Commander of the gateway territory stroked his chin and downed the whiskey in front of him.

It was a strong drink called ‘Farmer’s Tears’,

The liquid, which sharply scraped down his throat, proudly made its presence known as it warmed his insides.

“Is he at least as good as a Frog?”

The term “Frog” was slang for mercenaries hired by the empire. It referred to those who could survive and get the job done even while wandering the continent alone.

The question was meant to gauge just how skilled this person was.

“A Frog, huh.”

The Rapier Swordsman spun his glass in his hand and answered without hesitation.

“Not even close.”

Does that mean he’s not even at a Frog’s level? Or does it mean a Frog isn’t even close to his level? Of course, the answer was the latter.

The Lord was sharp enough to catch that.

Is it special to have realized ‘Will’? Yes.

But what was even more peculiar were the strange things that couldn’t be conveyed with mere facts.

‘The way he uses his sword as well.’

He had improved unbelievably. He had changed. He had grown and evolved.

And it had happened overnight, as witnessed with his own eyes.

If someone else had told him, he would never have believed it, even if they were beaten to death.

‘It’s almost easier to believe he was under some spell.’

A Frog that does their job well, perhaps one who roams the frontier.

‘How many rounds could they last?’

They wouldn’t stand a chance. Encrid was at that level now.

The Rapier Swordsman held his glass up to the lamp.

The brown liquid inside had been made through a long and painstaking process.

Hence the name, Farmer’s Tears.

It was meant to symbolize the tears that would be shed from the effort it took to produce.

Ordinary soldiers, Squires, and Junior Knights all needed such a process.

‘Time, effort, tempering.’

The process was so obvious that it was almost visible to the naked eye. The man, who had served as a Training Officer, had an eye for discerning such things.

He was recognized even among the Frogs as a talent evaluator.

From his perspective, the effort in Encrid was apparent, but it made no sense.

Time is fair to everyone.

So, talent is what is judged.

If two people spend the same day training, it’s only right to nurture the one with superior talent.

So then, what is this Encrid?

He was something beyond his understanding. A being of explosive, inexplicable talent.

This was his conclusion.

‘Otherwise, he might as well have entered another world, where he repeated the same day over and over, training for years before coming back.’

He chuckled.

Dismissing it as a completely absurd idea.

It’s easy to say. Repeat the same day over and over, training again and again—saying it is truly easy. If you were to actually do it, it would be remarkably, genuinely easy.

But who could endure it?

He had seen and nurtured various talents.

No one could endure such a process.

But if someone could endure it?

‘If such a person existed.’

Whether it was in the Empire or anywhere else, he wanted to personally help that person’s will to blossom.

It was a talent worth being greedy for.

Once, in a scholarly article written within the Empire, he had spoken of ‘What is the greatest talent?’

The liquor inside the swirling glass continued to reflect the light from the lamp.

As the man drained his glass, he gathered his thoughts.

‘The greatest talent is one that never breaks, no matter what happens, always looking forward.’

One that knows no despair.

That was his conclusion.

Of course, if not backed by physical talent, it would simply fade away.

How many times had he tried to nurture such individuals before?

Judging by their disposition and nature, he had tried to forcibly infuse talent into them. How many times had that happened?

They all failed.

For the talent he envisioned to grow explosively, either a cursed demon had to cling to it, or the Goddess of luck had to be involved—some form of mystery had to intervene.

If that were to happen? If such a person truly existed in the world? Someone who, either innately or through sheer force of will, could overcome what was beyond reason, what bordered on torture, and rise above to the rank of a Knight?

‘A monster would be born.’

The Rapier Swordsman thought, recalling the face of the man who had flashed through his mind.

Black hair and blue eyes.

A rare appearance. One that would not be easily forgotten.

* * *

“There’s someone I’m looking for.”

Encrid answered while looking at the Fairy Company Commander. Standing beside him, Gilpin was literally dripping with sweat, staring at him.

However, perhaps realizing it was not the right time to interrupt, Gilpin only glanced between Encrid and the Fairy Company Commander.

“I see.”

The Fairy Company Commander nodded and remained standing firm.

It seemed like he would follow wherever they went.

Should he refuse? There was no need. So, he let it be.

Encrid turned to face Gilpin.

Gilpin was wearing a fur-made coif, and sweat was streaming down his face.

He looked like he had been running hard. His face was flushed red, and his thick fur outer garment heaved with his breathing.

“Phew, please help.”

Gilpin said, and at that moment, Encrid suddenly recalled the name of the Frog who had come looking for the Border Guard.

He hadn’t forgotten the name. The man had said he would return, and he would keep that promise.

They weren’t called Frogs for nothing—they kept their word.

“Maelrun?”

The thought slipped out of his mouth without passing through his mind.

Gilpin’s eyes widened. His pupils dilated. He seemed quite surprised.

“…How did you know? The Guild Master has been captured. Again.”

The emphasis on “again” was clear.

Publicly, the Guild Master of the Gilpin Guild was the bald man in the coif before him, but all of them recognized Krais as their superior.

The Gilpin Guild had started as a criminal guild formed by uneducated brutes who couldn’t even read.

Even though its nature had changed somewhat over time, its original tendencies hadn’t gone anywhere.

To them, their superior was the Guild Master, meaning Krais was the Guild Master.

And above that Guild Master was Encrid.

“If it’s dangerous, just go and call for him. He’s Commander Encrid. Don’t forget the name. If you run into him in the marketplace, just lower your eyes, and if you see a gray-haired barbarian next to him, just run. If you make eye contact, get out of there.”

Krais had emphasized Encrid’s name and face so much that everyone in the Gilpin Guild knew them, including Rem and the others.

He had repeatedly stressed the importance of not mistakenly challenging him.

And Gilpin had seen Encrid fight.

So, coming to find him as soon as trouble arose was the natural course of action for him.

“Let’s go.”

Encrid said, and immediately began to walk.

‘Even wearing armor and carrying weapons at all times is part of training.’

This was advice he had received when he first started working as a mercenary.

Encrid had followed it closely since he was inexperienced in handling weapons at the time.

That habit remained with him to this day.

He wore inner armor made of beast hide, had the cursed sword Tutor at his left waist, and the gladius given to him by a dwarf at his right.

In addition, he had five throwing knives tucked into the knife case strapped to his chest.

He hadn’t been able to acquire a Whistling Dagger, so he had left its sheath at his quarters.

With a gambeson, chainmail, and a helmet, he would be fully armored. So, he could leave just as he was.

“Are you heading out?”

A soldier guarding the barracks asked. Encrid replied, walking at a steady pace.

“Just going for a little walk.”

“I’m coming too.”

The Fairy Company Commander joined him, adding a Fairy-like joke without a hint of a smile.

“Don’t you know that spending time together is how bonds are formed?”

“Is that so?”

“A woman who used to draw bathwater told me that. I think it’s good advice. That’s why I believe we should spend more time together.”

A joke at a time like this.

Encrid replied casually, “If you’re suggesting we train together, then sure.”

If it were an ordinary woman, she would have kicked this man in the shins.

Spending time together, and he suggests training? Not eating good food together, watching the sunset, and whispering sweet nothings?

But Sinar wasn’t an ordinary woman, nor was she human.

“That wouldn’t be bad, but how about a visit to the market? Lately, some interesting things have come into the Border Guard’s market. Although, with that, there have been more problems too.”

The Fairy spoke as she walked.

It had been no more than a month, give or take, since they had left the territory.

How many problems could have arisen in that short time?

As they pondered, Encrid and the Fairy walked on, with Gilpin trailing behind, wondering what nonsense the two were talking about.

What about the Frog, though?

Yet, the two of them walked so fast that Gilpin had to half-run to keep up.

How could they be walking so quickly when it looked like they were just strolling?

As Gilpin hurriedly tried to catch up—

“You said a Frog came by, right?”

Encrid asked.

“Yes, it’s that guy from last time. Phew, phew. The one with the white scar on his neck.”

Gilpin responded, catching his breath, as he raised his head and touched the skin on the right side of his neck.

It was the same guy who had come to the Gilpin Guild to collect payment before.

A person whose name he hadn’t forgotten.

At that time, all they could do was barely drive him away.

Or rather, it was all they could manage.

And now?

“There it is!”

It was almost funny.

The same place, the same situation as before.

Should he call Krais a fool for getting caught again?

He instinctively knew.

After entering the mansion, passing through the corridor, they came to a door that blocked their way.

Had they learned something from the previous fight?

The door was wide open this time.

Last time, they burst through this door, throwing a Whistling Dagger right away.

Setting aside the overlapping memories, Encrid raised his left hand, showing his palm as he spoke.

“How have you been?”

It was a greeting.

Inside the hall, beyond the doorway, sat the Frog in a chair with Krais beside him.

“Shit, are we friends or something? Are you really glad to see me after so long?”

Maelrun responded, though he didn’t seem nearly as pleased as Encrid.

For Encrid, the prospect of showing the Frog the difference in their abilities since their last fight was exciting.

And he didn’t see any reason to prolong the encounter.

As soon as he asked how the other had been and before his opponent could even respond, Encrid had already surged forward. The sound of his feet hitting the ground with a thud followed.

Despite Encrid’s terrifying speed, Maelrun didn’t panic.

This guy was skilled at creating unpredictability and surprises in combat.

He had experienced this before.

Before Maelrun could even finish his greeting, he drew his loop sword. He hooked his hand through the loop and brought the thick blade down.

It was a strike driven by the raw power of a Frog.

Encrid, facing him, also drew his sword. The blade was drawn from his left side like a flash of light, rising upward. In an instant, the silver of the loop sword clashed with Encrid’s blade.

Clang!

A strange noise echoed.

Maelrun intended to press down with force, closing the gap and crushing Encrid’s skull with a punch.

But he couldn’t achieve his goal.

The blade he had brought down was deflected to the side, as if someone had pulled it away.

‘What the hell?’

A curse slipped out, and then the tip of a blade, now like a snake, came toward him.

A blue steel blade stabbed right into the Frog’s eye. To be precise, it struck past his eyeball.

“Aargh!”

The Frog screamed in pain.

Encrid looked at the opponent who had been struck in the eye and knocked backward, then flicked his sword in the air.

The Frog’s blood splattered onto the ground.

In just one move, Encrid had clearly demonstrated the difference in their abilities.

More importantly, he had just used his new sword technique in actual combat for the first time.

‘It works.’

A thrill and a sense of joy filled him.

Encrid raised his sword once more.

As he developed the Fluid Sword Technique, he had thought:

‘Just because you strike softly doesn’t mean the blade turns into cotton.’

And that became the first technique of the Swordmanship he had created.