A Knight Who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 333

Chapter 333: CHAPTER 331
The beginning of the madman’s tale started just before Encrid was assigned to the Troublemaker Squad.

The Squad leader who had forced them to follow him had died.

Afterward, a noble who was assigned as Squad leader got beaten up by Jaxon for acting up.

The next one, who had lost his temper, was scared off after being threatened with what Rem called ‘A mental lesson’.

Even after he left, Squad leaders kept getting replaced one after another.

Since every Squad leader that was assigned kept getting replaced, it was only natural for others, including the Company Commander, to say something.

“If you intend to stay in the army, you should at least follow the rules, right?”

Rem nodded at the Company Commander’s words.

“That’s true! But it’s all because of that wildcat bastard.”

“The one who’s always blaming others has the biggest problem with his mouth.”

Naturally, Jaxon responded.

Ragna, watching them, spoke calmly.

“I’m fine with being transferred to another unit.”

Rem and Jaxon turned to look at Ragna, as if he had just said he was completely uninvolved with them, as if he was a different person entirely.

His lazy tone only made them more irritated.

“That bastard?”

The most recent Squad leader had tried to fix Ragna’s indifferent attitude.

Thinking that he could easily discipline him because Ragna seemed passive—but ended up getting his skull cracked and leaving.

And yet, here he was, acting indifferent as ever.

It was no surprise that Rem flared up, and Jaxon shot him a sharp glance.

After that incident, it had already been twenty days without a Squad leader.

The Company Commander had a headache.

The Battalion Commander told him to manage it on his own, but could these bastards even be managed?

But could he really go to his superiors and say, ‘These guys are beyond control’?

That would be as good as admitting he was incompetent, like saying, ‘I’m useless’.

What would the Battalion Commander say to that?

“You can’t even control your own soldiers?”

Considering the Battalion Commander’s nature—always shifting blame—it was obvious how that conversation would go.

‘I might as well send them to die in battle.’

No matter how dangerous the battlefield they were sent to, they always came back with just a few scratches.

Maybe it would be lucky if they even got scratched.

Why were guys with that kind of skill stuck here?

Then again, watching how they behaved, it was kind of obvious.

Rem had been sent here after smashing a superior officer’s head when he was with the Heavy Infantry of the 1st Company. Now, whenever the 1st Company saw Rem, they ground their teeth.

But Rem, far from being bothered by the sound of their grinding teeth, seemed to enjoy it like he was listening to a symphony.

“I guess it can’t be helped. Brother, I will lead them temporarily. This may be a trial given to me by the Lord, and as such, I shall accept it so that I may guide this fragile and humble flock.”

Audin stepped forward with those words, leaving the Company Commander speechless.

Normally, Audin was the quiet religious one, always pale and standing silently.

But now, why was this religious nut pouring fuel on the fire?

And did he even hear what he was saying, considering his size?

What part of him was fragile or humble?

The Company Commander thought to himself that he would rather sacrifice his own deputy than put this religious zealot in charge.

Besides, even if he did, would the rest just stand by quietly?

“What’s that bear talking about?”

The first one to speak up was the axe-wielding madman.

The lazybones quickly chimed in.

“If something’s wrong with your head, take some medicine.”

After that, the most handsome man in the squad spoke up.

“Do you want to die?”

Why was Jaxon such a friendly guy with everyone outside the unit, but within the squad, he was like a broken water jug leaking everywhere?

Oh, the headache.

“Stop it. A new Squad leader is coming this afternoon. Please, try not to beat him up or torment him.”

The Company Commander spoke, silently praying for the new Squad leader’s safety.

What else could he do?

There wasn’t a more suitable candidate available, so they had hastily brought in this one.

He wasn’t a noble, had no outstanding talent, and wasn’t particularly good at fighting either.

The Commander just hoped he wouldn’t cause any trouble.

Even after the Commander left, the hostile atmosphere remained.

Rem had ended up here due to a series of coincidences.

If his purpose had been simply to hide out for a bit after killing a noble’s son, he would have left in half a year.

But by some twist of fate, these sorts of people had gathered.

‘They’re all arrogant bastards who only care about themselves.’

Not one of them knew how to keep their heads down.

Of course, that included Rem himself.

The current Battalion Commander had gathered all these troublemaker people in one place, likely thinking that if they fought and killed each other, it wouldn’t be his problem.

But Rem wasn’t aware of the Battalion Commander’s real intentions.

“Might as well just kill them all and move to another unit.”

Rem muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. It was less a mutter and more of a deliberate provocation.

“Do you want to die?”

Ragna responded to Rem’s words.

“Brothers, if you wish to be by the side of the Lord, I can certainly pray for you.”

Of course, that prayer wouldn’t just be spoken with words.

“Idiots.”

Jaxon joined in as well.

Up until now, they had insulted each other but never crossed a real line. They knew that if a fight to the death broke out, it had to be fought seriously.

Of course, that didn’t mean they were the type to hold back.

It was over something trivial, but it could have easily happened at any time.

After all, hadn’t they been watching each other closely from the start?

Rem glanced at Jaxon’s position and let his arms hang down.

Instinctively, he knew it would be dangerous to show his back.

Ragna had stood up at some point.

He rose with a rustling sound, noisily, leaving what seemed like an obvious opening, but was it really?

Rem knew that lazy bastard could still swing his sword from that stance.

Audin brought his hands together in front of him.

He was preparing for the Valaf-style martial arts.

There was no killing intent, but the air around them grew heavy and sticky, pressing down on everything.

If someone weak-hearted entered, they’d be crushed by the pressure filling the shabby barracks.

It was a temporary shelter, just a tent, but it felt like the canvas was about to burst.

At that moment, the tent flap fluttered as it opened.

A man, a stranger to all of them, stood at the entrance.

He had black hair, blue eyes, and an appearance that caught the eye at a glance.

After entering, he scanned the room.

If he had any sense, he would have turned and left. If he were weak-hearted, he might have fainted on the spot.

“Um, yes. This is the… yes, the squad’s barracks, but it would be better if you came back later.”

The man standing behind the new Squad leader, Big Eyes, spoke. He was quick to read the room. The atmosphere was unusually dangerous.

It was a situation that needed to be avoided.

Krais, wanting to stay out of trouble, tugged on the back of the new Squad leader’s shirt.

But this guy didn’t budge an inch.

No, instead, he took a step forward and spoke.

“I’m Encrid, the Squad leader. Stop fighting.”

Rem was watching for an opening. His arms were hanging loose, but he was ready to grab his axe and swing at any moment.

Audin was also ready to counter any incoming attack.

Ragna was already planning to strike all three in his range at once, and Jaxon had already prepared to draw the hidden dagger from his sleeve.

The air was thick with the intent that anyone who interfered would die, and in the middle of it, an unfamiliar face stepped right in.

“Stop.”

It was a truly fearless move.

Encrid stepped right between them.

He was lucky.

Rem’s hand, which had been about to pull out his axe, hesitated.

If he had twitched just a little more, he would’ve already split whatever was in front of him with a vertical chop.

Audin’s shoulders twitched, and Ragna had already gripped the hilt of his sword.

Jaxon seemed to remain unchanged, but in reality, the tips of the dagger handles were already touching both of his palms.

“…Did a slightly crazy bastard just arrive?”

Ragna muttered.

“Are you insane? How could you even think of stepping in here?”

Even if you had no sense, why would you interfere here?

No, he had sense.

He knew exactly what he was doing when he stepped in.

Rem realized that just by looking at his eyes.

So, did he throw his life away?

No, that wasn’t it.

He could feel the tension, but he didn’t fully understand the situation.

But still, to step in here?

What kind of guts did this guy have?

Later on, when Rem would see him close his eyes every time he swung his axe, he wondered what kind of bastard he really was.

At least, that was the first impression.

“As long as you stop fighting, it’s fine. I’m Encrid.”

The new Squad leader didn’t even offer a handshake.

He only said his name. He didn’t ask for anyone else’s.

It was as if all he cared about was everyone doing their jobs well enough.

To Rem, it was clear. This guy was seriously, no, completely insane.

“It seems like someone interesting has arrived.”

Rem muttered.

He was so crazy that it was impossible not to find him interesting.

At the time, everyone thought Encrid wouldn’t last a week.

* * *

Encrid recalled the beginning of the troublemakers.

Why did he step in back then?

Ah, it was because he thought that as a Squad leader, he had to do his duty.

At the very least, stopping fighting among the squad members was a part of that duty.

The tense atmosphere reminded him of the beginning.

Back then, too, the pressure weighed heavily on his shoulders.

It felt like his heart was going to tear apart.

Even though he had closed his eyes at the blade flying toward him, he knew he could withstand the continuous pressure and the torment.

That’s why he stepped between them.

‘I was an idiot.’

Rem stood there with his arms hanging down.

The axe dangled from his waist.

His ‘preparations’ were complete.

To Rem’s left, Ragna stood with both hands softly gripping the hilt of his sword.

Opposite him, Audin, smiling like a frozen statue, had his fists gathered just in front of his abdomen.

Everyone was ‘prepared’.

If you entered with a half-hearted mindset, you’d die.

You’d absolutely die.

The pressure turned into momentum and stabbed at the heart.

Even though none of them consciously acknowledged it, the effect was similar to Intimidation.

Before, he couldn’t see it, but now he could.

But did that change anything?

No, it didn’t.

It didn’t matter whether they pressed down with that pressure or not.

Encrid was itching to show what he had learned and mastered.

Hadn’t he been waiting for his body to recover just so he could show the swordsmanship he had learned?

He didn’t care if they fought or not.

Encrid drew his sword.

Instead of the Dwarf’s gladius, it was a long silver blade.

Shiiing!

He drew it slowly and held it with both hands.

It was a sword Ragna had given him.

He had taken it after killing a Junior-Knight.

Was it from Aya of the Brown Stool? A peculiar name for a Junior-Knight.

The blade was razor-sharp and as sturdy as a broken sword could be.

Well, it was the sword of a Junior-Knight from the Aspen Royal Knights, after all.

The grip, wrapped in beast leather, fit perfectly in his hand.

After gripping and focusing, Encrid confidently walked between them.

Teresa and Dunbachel, who were watching, furrowed their brows.

‘He’s walking between them?’

Esther had stepped away for a bit, and Krais had gone to the market, so there was no one around to get killed by a stray blade.

Before, he had walked in unknowingly. Now, he walked in fully aware and received the momentum of all three.

He faced it alone.

He positioned himself with Ragna in front of him, Audin to his right, and Rem to his left.

In that state, he said:

“Not bad.”

And then, he pivoted on his left foot and twisted his body, swinging his sword.

The move began with the ‘Moment of Will’.

With the rotation of his waist, the sword, now gripped in his right hand alone, shot forward like a point.

It was smoother and more graceful than before.

Ping!

It was the end of a short, sharp piercing sound.

The blade was suddenly aimed between Rem’s eyebrows.

“Shit!”

Rem’s axe moved.

His axe became a streak of light as well.

Light against light.

Clang!

Steel met steel, and a harmony began.

Yes, it was the beginning.

The tense air exploded.

Encrid had shown Rem a moment of his skill to start, and then he leaped to the right.

It seemed like he was giving distance, but then he abruptly stopped.

It was the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique, a misdirecting step.

Pretending to approach, only to stop and slash downward from above.

It was the Crushing Sword.

A sword of pressure, based on Will and Intimidation.

As it bore down, Audin let out a shout.

“Father!”

Even his battle cry was so like Audin.

Voom.

The air trembled.

The Crushing Sword was pushed back.

But it didn’t end there.

As everyone reacted, Ragna, who had been maintaining his stance, was still in position.

Encrid ignored Audin and rushed at Ragna instead.

Using the Crushing Sword to buy time, he shifted his body away.

“Are you just going to stand there watching?”

He threw out the words and swung his sword.

It was the Unnamed Correct Sword Technique.

A technique that forces the opponent into a particular movement pattern.

He deliberately aimed at Ragna’s right shoulder.

By not hiding his intent, he forced Ragna to dodge.

When Ragna dodged, Encrid intended to follow through with a sideways slash, but Ragna knocked his sword away.

He blocked the Correct Sword Technique before it could even start.

Encrid sensed some discord in Ragna’s movement.

He wasn’t fighting seriously, more precisely, he was holding back his strength.

Even so, Ragna blocked easily.

Thud!

“Did you read me?”

“It was obvious.”

No, it wasn’t obvious.

Ragna had changed.

Now his sword cut off the opponent’s intent from the very beginning, opening the way.

“Damn it.”

Encrid grinned and blocked Ragna’s advancing sword.

It was a Snake Sword technique.

Deflecting and then stabbing again to the side.

Once again, it was the ‘Moment of Will’.

This time aimed at Rem.

He drew Rem, who had been backing off, back into the fight.

Then he moved toward Audin, who had been watching the entire time.

Using the footwork Audin had taught him.

It was the Snake Step.

A strategy reinterpreted and mastered after being trapped in the present moment.

Without lifting his foot from the ground, his body seemed to glide forward.

It was fast.

He launched another Crushing Sword strike.

Once again, Audin responded.

“Lord!”

Clang!

It shattered again.

What a voice he had.

“Are you kidding me?!”

Rem shouted.

He had every right to say that.

Why wouldn’t he?

Encrid was now challenging all three of them at once.

In other words.

He had thrown himself into a one-on-three fight.

“Are you insane?”

Ragna tilted his head in confusion.

“It seems our brother here needs a prayer for his head.”

Audin remarked, quickly understanding the situation.

Encrid’s entire body conveyed the message: ‘I want to fight all of you!’.

Encrid smiled.

Ah, this is really fun.

Why wouldn’t it be?

Everything he had learned and mastered was coming together.

He could see it all, and it kept unfolding before him, time and time again.

His body and mind screamed: How do you like my sword?

He was having so much fun that it didn’t matter if he was fighting three, four, or more people.

“This won’t do anymore.”

Teresa, who had been watching from the corner, finally stood up.

“Yeah, this is nuts. I’ve been itching with excitement since earlier.”

Dunbachel, huffing, had fur sprout from her face, and soon, she transformed into a white-furred lion.

Everyone was tangled together in the chaos.

The barracks were being destroyed—walls were breaking, and the door was smashed.

Crash!

Eventually, part of the wall collapsed, and the door shattered completely.

When Krais returned late, he found a crowd gathered, circling the destroyed barracks.

“What’s going on?”

He asked.

“They look like they’re trying to kill each other.”

Graham replied, his face filled with disbelief.

Even the Lord was just watching, unable to intervene.

That’s how intense it was.

“Crazy people.”

Krais muttered in shock.

They’re doing this as soon as they recover?

No wonder everyone keeps calling them madmen.

But there was nothing he could do to stop them. This was just the way they were.

The fight finally ended in the late afternoon.

As the sun was setting, a group of soldiers stood there, steam rising from their bodies.

All of them were bleeding from somewhere.

The half-destroyed barracks now looked like a ruin.

It was hard to imagine how they had even managed to break the ceiling.

“Back already? Guess we’ll have to sleep somewhere else tonight.”

Encrid said.

Hearing this, Krais could only laugh. There was nothing else he could do.