A Knight Who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 449

Chapter 449: CHAPTER 446
“What is swordsmanship?”

Oara asked after the sparring session. It was in the front yard, which could hardly be called a training ground.

Encrid was kneeling on one knee, clutching his stomach.

He had dodged a vertical slash and avoided the following thrust.

It was a sword move he had seen several times. With the Sense of Evasion activated, it was manageable to dodge.

Although he avoided the sword strikes, Oara immediately closed the distance after her swing and struck his abdomen with her palm.

The impact pierced through his insides and out his back. It was a relief he didn’t cough up blood.

It was, of course, an attack infused with willpower, yet the movement was simple. Unbelievably simple.

“What do you need to do to subdue your opponent? Think about it.”

Encrid nodded. When he saluted, Oara smiled brightly and walked away.

Encrid mulled over Oara’s words. They didn’t quite resonate with him.

Oara came again the next day.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t understand what I said? That’s strange, your body should react on its own at this point.”

The brown-haired Knight tilted her head and continued as if it didn’t matter.

“Don’t you think you know too many things? Every water jar overflows when it’s full, and you can’t drink the overflowing water, right?”

“Is that really a problem?”

“Just wield the necessary amount at the necessary time. That’s all. Keep that in mind.”

There was no thunderous realization in his mind. But he understood what Oara was saying.

‘Is it a problem to have too much?’

Oara repeated something similar.

“Technically speaking, you’re more than full. Discard what needs to be discarded.”

She was firm, and Encrid pondered. It might have been the advice he needed at that moment.

But why didn’t it sit well with him?

He didn’t know. It was just a feeling. It didn’t appeal to him.

As he pondered, he turned his gaze and saw Rem diligently sharpening an axe blade.

Schring.

The sound of the whetstone gliding along the axe blade rang out clearly. It was a crisp sound.

Beads of sweat dotted Rem’s forehead. He was completely absorbed. It was rare to see Rem so focused.

He wasn’t nearly this diligent when teasing Ragna or tormenting the soldiers.

Schring.

The sound, which had been incessantly ringing for days, continued to echo in his ears.

“Rem.”

“Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Without even looking up, Rem replied. Encrid stood in a position where he subtly blocked the sunlight. His shadow covered Rem’s head.

“Am I a greedy person?”

Schring.

The whetstone pressed against the axe blade. Rem repeated the motion and answered.

“Is that even a question?”

It was a candid attitude. And his tone implied it was an obvious answer.

To Encrid, it sounded less like a question and more like a command to drop the subject.

Encrid sat down beside Rem, drew out Aker, Ember, and Gladius, and began oiling and polishing them. The blades gleamed as they reflected the sunlight.

“Crunch!”

Right next to him, Dunbachel was huffing and puffing as she worked on her muscle training.

Luagarne was off to the side, swinging a looped sword and a whip tied to her waist.

She had mentioned that she felt her sense was dulling and needed to sharpen it.

She said it was to prepare Encrid for the Frog’s fighting style.

It was something to look forward to.

After polishing his swords, he checked the number of Whistle Daggers. With three left, he also honed their blades.

He inspected his throwing axes and the frames of his round shields, ensuring that none had been damaged by the humid air. Afterward, he spent the remaining time swinging his sword.

In the evening, they went out to deal with the remaining colonies.

The leftover creatures were ghouls.

They were spit-throwing ghouls, rare outside the borders of the Demon Realm.

Their spit was something you naturally wouldn’t want to get hit by, as it was corrosive enough to make smoke rise and rust metal. Getting hit was out of the question.

Luagarne handled the ghouls.

From three steps away, she wrapped a whip around their necks and snapped them.

Frogs were known as a fighting race, and Luagarne proved it.

“This wraps up the colony, right?”

Dunbachel said. She seemed eager to return, but Encrid ignored her.

Back in the city, they enjoyed the daily life of Thousand Bricks.

During this time, Oara ventured out of the city just once, returning with her body covered in black blood.

“I went to deal with a bunch of spiders that had gathered.”

It seemed like a light warm-up for her.

“Thanks to you. You’re a commendable, handsome one. With the rear taken care of, we can move forward now.”

She was a Knight capable of cutting down a thousand men single-handedly. She had gone out alone, as if for a stroll, and slain dozens of monsters.

Two Junior-Knights accompanied her.

A large man and a small woman.

“They’re not as handsome as I am, but their skills are solid. I’ll give them that.”

The man spoke.

“You can ignore what this guy says.”

The woman added.

Encrid looked at the two of them.

They, too, were skilled. Just like the arm-wrestling Oliver, who was also a member of the Knights.

Standing in the back, he nodded in acknowledgment.

Encrid thought they were straightforward and honest people.

They lived without hesitation, readily sharing their stories and jokes.

‘Would it have been fun if Sinar had come along too?’

“Do you not enjoy jokes as well?”

Asia had been responsible for the city’s security during this time.

With no raiding parties attacking, there was virtually nothing to do.

Since her last outing, Oara hadn’t left the house for two days. The reason was unknown.

In the meantime, Encrid sparred with a few soldiers.

It was an evening after spending several days like that. The sun was setting, and the twilight hung on the edge of the sky.

It was that moment when, in the dim light, you couldn’t tell a dog from a wolf.

Chirrr.

The sound of insects filled the air.

On the fire that Dunbachel had lit, a chunk of meat skewered on a spit was sizzling as it cooked.

Rem sprinkled salt and spices over it, while Luagarne munched on insects with a cheerful gurgle, puffing up her cheeks.

It was then that Oara showed up again. They sparred once more, and at the end, she spoke.

“This is a bit refreshing.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re stubborn, aren’t you?”

“I’m more of a determined type.”

“Stubborn, indeed.”

Rem chimed in with a chuckle.

“You’re a good judge of character.”

“I agree.”

Luagarne added. Dunbachel was about to speak, but when she saw Encrid’s eyes, she simply chewed her meat instead.

Chomp chomp.

She ate heartily.

Encrid didn’t bother to make excuses.

He wasn’t stubborn, he just had a firm resolve.

There was no need for anyone else’s approval.

“Looking into your eyes, it’s clear. You’ve got a bit of madness in you.”

Oara casually said something that would have earned her a beating if she wasn’t a Knight.

Rem burst into laughter, now genuinely enjoying himself.

“She’s right.”

It was something to ask about later—what had him so excited.

It wasn’t something the craziest guy in the company should be saying.

“You’re the first person I’ve met like you. Interesting.”

Oara turned away, taking a piece of meat with her. She gave a thumbs up, saying it was well-cooked.

All this conversation happened after Encrid had faced off against Oara’s sword, with the sunset at her back.

In other words, the sparring session had ended. Encrid was lying flat on the ground.

It didn’t seem too bad.

“It wasn’t bad at all.”

Luagarne said. Frog puffed her cheeks slightly before adding, which Encrid took as a sign of joy.

“To be honest, I was surprised.”

“If you’re going to be surprised by things like that, you’ll never stop being surprised. I’ve found myself surprised a dozen times a day while teaching.”

Rem, who had been laughing for a while, now spoke with a calm demeanor. There was a hint that he had more to say, which caught Luagarne’s attention.

“What surprised you so much?”

It was a question asked out of pure curiosity.

“A crazy person only does crazy things.”

Rem answered while looking up at the stars, as if he were a sage. In that moment, he seemed like someone who had achieved some kind of enlightenment.

Of course, it was nonsense.

Encrid wasn’t keen on Oara’s suggestion to discard what was complicated and messy.

Must one abandon something that has protected them, that has been part of their life, in order to move forward?

He asked himself and then answered himself.

No, he didn’t want to.

So instead of discarding it, he embraced it.

To be precise, he combined it.

He remembered trying something similar before, and he had already naturally used it several times, so it wasn’t difficult.

He started with what he had learned from Jaxon.

‘The Sense of Evasion, the Realm of Sixth Sense, the Sense of Attack.’

All focused on honing his senses. Jaxon called it sensory techniques.

Did Jaxon use all of these separately?

No, he was natural with it. So, couldn’t Encrid do the same?

He shifted his perspective.

And he made it happen.

Everyone said Encrid’s talent was insignificant, and though today’s repetition had no guarantees, he did it. He accomplished it.

Encrid was quietly proud of that.

It was a bit disappointing that it didn’t immediately work on Oara, though.

“It’s just not refined yet.”

Rem offered advice. He had just finished eating and was already pulling out his axe and whetstone again.

“At this rate, you’re going to wear down that axe blade.”

“Don’t worry. I’m doing it carefully. Do you take me for some foolish directionally challenged person?”

These days, Rem harbored the most hostility towards Ragna.

It was likely because Ragna had teased him for being promoted to Knight.

As if to prove he wasn’t just beneath Encrid, Ragna teased Rem in various ways.

“Barbarian, that’s not how you eat. You won’t improve your skills by eating like that. Hold your fork properly.”

Even during meals, it was like this, so that said it all.

“When attacking, strike like a storm, when defending, stand firm like a mountain.”

Oara continued to give a few more lessons after that. And then, one afternoon, she asked,

“Are you going to become a Knight?”

“Yes.”

Encrid answered, lowering his sword. His left arm had no strength. It was due to an attack infused with willpower, which Oara referred to as a ‘grip’.

If the Bull of the Mercenary King added weight to the sword, then Oara’s sword made his arm muscles tingle with just a touch.

Of course, this would return to normal in a short while.

The Will of Rejection activated, gradually pushing out the willpower that Oara had infused into him.

Seeing this, Oara was slightly surprised.

You’re doing something curious, aren’t you?

Her eyes seemed to say that.

And then she asked him.

Was he going to become a Knight?

“Without a doubt, good. You have a good face, but I also like your mindset. Shall I give you some advice?”

“I would be grateful to hear it.”

His words were calm, but his eyes sparkled. Oara liked those blue eyes very much.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to spend time sparring with him.

Did she like him as a man? His face was appealing, but more than that, he was the kind of person whose actions stirred the heart.

“If you want to become a Knight, first define the scope of what you’ll protect.”

Oara spoke, standing with the sun at her back. Shadows fell across her face, yet the smile that appeared on her face was clearly visible.

A beautiful face? Sharp features? A graceful jawline?

If it were only about appearance, Sinar’s otherworldly beauty would surpass hers. Esther, with her mysterious aura, would be more exceptional.

In terms of human beauty, the woman from the Visar House was also remarkable.

Was her name Kin?

She was probably the kind of woman who would throw a fit if she knew Encrid had forgotten her name again.

She exuded liveliness.

In terms of liveliness, even Dunbachel was quite spirited.

That was separate from the musty smell she had from not washing.

There was also Teresa, who gave off a sturdy and reliable feeling.

But Oara was different from all of them.

It might be because what she was showing now wasn’t a charm aimed at attracting the opposite sex.

“I would love to be arrogant, but I’m just here. The things I’ll protect, this city, and the people behind me. That’s my scope.”

A Knight establishes their convictions through willpower.

Those convictions become both the limitations and vows of a Knight.

“As long as I’m protecting it, this city will not fall. I won’t allow the approach of the Demon Realm.”

Oara smiled.

That was her nickname as a Knight.

It was an unusual nickname. Asia had told Encrid why Oara had such a nickname.

It was because she never lost her smile, no matter the situation.

Though Oara hadn’t asked a question, Encrid already had his answer.

So he answered.

What is the scope of what you must protect?

“Everything I can see and that weighs on my heart.”

“Huh?”

Standing with her back to the sun, Oara blinked as the rain suddenly began to fall, tapping on her. Her smile seemed to fade a little.

Then, smiling broadly again, she said,

“You’re truly a crazy bastard.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re being too arrogant. But well, you should do as you please.”

He had already intended to do just that.

“The mission is over, so you may return. Encrid of the Border Guard.”

“I’m still concerned about this place, so I’ll stay a bit longer.”

“That’s something I can’t stop.”

Oara quickly disappeared.

Encrid watched the falling rain cool the ground before gathering his equipment and heading inside.

He still saw Rem sharpening his axe blade.

The next day, a familiar face among the soldiers came to find Encrid.

“I’m Milio, in case you’ve forgotten.”

He was a soldier with a solid, rather than sharp, impression. He was the one who had shown Encrid around the city after Asia, and he had expressed a desire to learn from him.

“I’ve been busy without a day off. I’d like to ask for some guidance.”

Encrid obliged and gave Milio a good beating.

Milio returned the next day, and the day after that.

The rain continued for two days, and even though he ended up covered in mud like he’d been rolling in the muck, Milio was diligent.

Encrid began to feel as if the atmosphere around him had become somewhat gloomy.

It was the morning of a day when the rain had finally stopped.

Milio came to him early.

“I have a shift during the day, so I came at this time.”

Milio wasn’t the only one who had sought out Encrid during this time.

Quite a few other soldiers had as well. They were all quite skilled.

Observing them gave Encrid something to think about.

‘Is there an excess of troops here?’

There was a Knight, two Junior-Knights, and four Squires stationed here.

Besides Oliver, there were three other Squires.

Even without counting his own group and Asia, they were all near the level of Junior-Knights.

On top of that, the soldiers were highly trained. They had become seasoned veterans through repeated battles, comparable to the Border Guard.

While the Border Guard primarily fought against Aspen, this place had the purpose of defending against the Demon Realm. The soldiers here were well-trained combat veterans.

However, their numbers were not large.

So, was it common to defend against the Demon Realm’s invasions with such a small force?

Unlikely. It probably wasn’t. The presence of the Knight made it possible.

The quality of the soldiers compensated for the rest.

This meant that it wasn’t an overconcentration of forces but rather that this place was that dangerous.

That’s why he didn’t want to leave.

In addition, each of these soldiers had a strong sense of purpose.

Duty, responsibility, mission.

Among them, Milio was particularly special.

“What’s your goal?”

When Encrid asked, Milio, somewhat uncharacteristically, blushed a little and scratched his cheek as he answered.

“I want to make Lady Oara my wife.”

This guy had quite an ambitious dream.

It turns out he was twenty-five years old this year. Although he looked thirty-five just by his face, he was still relatively young and had his sights set on a Knight who was at least ten years his senior.

But Encrid supported him because it was a bold dream. He himself was pursuing an impossible dream.

There was no reason Milio couldn’t do the same.

“Keep at it.”

“I am.”

It was two days after Encrid had encouraged Milio’s dream.