A Knight Who Eternally Regresses - Chapter 417



Only Noblemtl

417. Concerning the position of general
“Even if you’re busy, you have to do what you have to do.”

Encred wondered if it was really necessary to see him off, but he couldn’t just tell him to go back when the other person was talking like that.

Above all else.

‘It’s nice to meet you.’

Of course, Krang wasn’t alone. No matter how regularly he dealt with the monsters and beasts around the kingdom, there was still danger.

Matthew and Squire Lawford, the trident-wielding escort we had met earlier, were seen.

In addition, there were five more warriors drafted from the Royal Guard.

They looked at Encrid and bowed their heads slightly.

It was a courtesy to the hero who saved the country. Encred also moved his neck roughly to receive the greeting.

Although the number of escorts is small, this may not be all.

It would be standard practice to place one unit nearby to rush out if something goes wrong.

‘Because that’s what Marcus would do.’

While I was thinking about it, Matthew came up to me and asked.

“Are you going now?”

From the first time we met until now.

Matthew’s thinking has changed a lot.

At first, I thought he was just an arrogant, arrogant guy, but now, if someone were to ask me, “Who saved this country?”, I would tell them the name of the man standing before me without hesitation.

‘I’m sorry, my lord.’

It was not Krang who led the civil war to victory, but the demon slayer Encred.

It seemed like even Krang would nod and admit it.

“Ah. Was that a pity?”

Encred gripped his sword. Matthew tried to ask if it wouldn’t be better to stay, if there wasn’t more he could do for his lord in the future.

But then suddenly Encred started acting like he was going to attack me.

“Go for it. You won’t regret it.”

‘Oh, you crazy guy.’

I thought Encred had really come because he felt sorry for his opponent. Pel, who was behind him, shook his head and thought.

‘A swordsman. A sparring enthusiast. There’s nothing ordinary about him.’

Well, it was worth following along and seeing. Ordinary is the opposite of special.

Pell was here because he wanted the path he walked to be anything but ordinary.

“I’m not fully recovered yet.”

Matthew said the injury he suffered the other day was close to serious.

Encred and his party were strange.

Since they were people who had come out of the trance, it would have been okay for them to be sick in bed for a month.

‘How many days have you been away from home and are sparring?’

That was abnormal. Matthew was normal.

“I would like to follow the path. I dare to come here to ask for permission.”

This is Squire Lawford. He was extremely polite.

Encred knew that his opponent was a squire of the Knights of the Red Cloak.

“Weren’t you a member of the Knights Templar?”

“Senior Asia has taken care of the long-term business trip. I didn’t mind leaving the Knights Templar though.”

Lawford’s face was set in determination. He looked at the man who had changed his outlook on life.

It was a conclusion I reached after much thought.

‘I will learn the sword, no, life, from this man.’

After overcoming his hesitant personality, Lawford tended to become overly bold.

It was none of Encred’s business.

“Take me. That’s what I want.”

“Well, that’s what it is.”

Krang intervened, and Encred nodded. Lawford bowed deeply in gratitude. He seemed ready to swear allegiance if left alone.

Doing that is problematic enough, but swearing allegiance to another person in front of Krang? What could be more ridiculous than that?

If a squire of a knight swore allegiance to a local captain who was not even a knight, it was an act close to treason.

Of course, even if Krang saw that, he wouldn’t have cared.

“I heard that Sinar went first?”

Krang asked. Although he had a connection with Shinar, he was so busy that he didn’t have time to look for him.

“I said there was a place I had to stop by.”

He said that he had to tell the news of the fairy he had killed.

Encred answered as he had heard and seen. He had seen her leave less than a day after the battle, with ointment applied to her thigh wound and a bandage wrapped around it.

Krang didn’t change just because he became king. And neither did Encred.

The two moved together for three days.

Since the carriage was already loaded, there wasn’t really anything to do.

Krang watched Encrid spar for three days.

If someone who doesn’t know sees it, it might seem like they’re desperate to kill each other, but that’s called sparring.

Matthew, who was watching, shrugged his shoulders several times. It was because he had used such a dangerous technique and there were so many thrilling moments.

Encred swung his sword without fail not only during sparring but also during breaks.

While sitting in the carriage, he did something like hand-to-hand combat. When I asked what it was, he said it was simple combat combat.

Krang nodded with a faint smile.

‘A consistently crazy guy.’

There was even an incident where a group of bandits attacked the group in the middle of the trip. It was a very unfortunate incident. It would not have happened if the bandits had not spit on the statue of the goddess of fortune.

“Hey, give me everything you have and get out, and I’ll spare your life.”

There were several people with swords, and there was a bandit who blocked the way, even though there was a fierce-looking Rem and a large-sized Audyn.

At this point, it might be a problem with the thief’s intelligence rather than the goddess of luck.

Or maybe I just have too much faith in the crossbow behind me.

Public security, which was already in disarray before the civil war, has now become even more of a mess.

Krang didn’t really sigh when he saw that. It was something he had experienced many times while wandering around the continent.

“Hey, you have to prove that you’re a useful person too. Do you think I’ll accept you just because you follow me?”

Rem, who had seen the thief, urged Fel on. Listening to those words, Encred wondered since when did the Border Guard consider such things when selecting soldiers?

The number of thieves exceeded thirty.

They were quite famous in this area, and their name was the White Hooded Bandits.

“We are the white two… … .”

Pel was a shepherd, and the shepherd did not forgive any intruder who crossed his fence.

He responded like a shepherd.

Before he could finish speaking, he struck the head of the thief standing in front of him with his sword.

It was an accurate slash with some pretty nimble footwork.

Bam!

“Snap!”

Among the thirty men, there were five who carried crossbows, and some who showed talent in throwing daggers, but the gap in skill was too great to begin with.

Even Squire Lawford could handle it on his own, although he might struggle a bit.

Pell was a stronger player than Lawford. That was the case in the past, when he met Encred at night and made him repeat today.

‘No, more than that time.’

Encred’s eyes were used to gauge Fel’s abilities. After awakening his eyes that could see an inch ahead, his field of vision had broadened, and his discernment had also developed accordingly.

‘It’s grown.’

It didn’t just grow to a moderate level, it grew a lot. If Luagarne had seen it, she would have said something.

Pel was not shy about using his hands. Even though he swung his sword with its scabbard, it was rare for anyone to survive a blow.

The minimum was a fracture.

‘I think Luagarne would be interested to see this.’

When I looked for her before leaving, I heard that Luagarne had left with the Queen.

It must be because of Prock’s covenant. Still, it was a little disappointing that I couldn’t even see his face.

“Is it okay?”

Pel, who showed his hands that did not match his young face.

Rem nodded.

“Pass.”

“… … No, I’m not asking you to take a test or anything, so what do you mean I’ll pass?”

Despite his grumbling, Pel had a secretly happy expression on his face.

Why not? Among shepherds, it was common to hear criticism for being the only one to use a sword.

But here, everyone looked at me and nodded their heads. And they were all people with outstanding skills.

“I guess I’ll have to deal with those things first. Any good ideas?”

Looking at the group of bandits, half dead and half running away, Krang asked. He said that he was worried about the security. He spoke in a vague tone, but Encred understood and answered.

“Would you get an answer if you asked me that?”

Naurilia had many gaps in its internal security, partly due to Count Molsen’s fault, but also for various other reasons.

That’s why guys like that keep popping up, following the Black Knife Bandits.

Among them, there were even groups of spies sent from other countries who intentionally acted as bandits.

It wasn’t just the bandits who were the problem.

From socialites and demons to beasts and monsters.

Krang had a lot of headaches. But he still smiled. It was the moment he wanted, and it was what he wanted.

So what can I do but laugh?

And so the three-day farewell ended.

The king did not step forward because his opponent was a national hero.

Krang came because he was a friend.

“See you later.”

“okay.”

The two parted ways with a simple greeting.

Once again, I thought the escorts were few in number, but they weren’t the only ones.

Saxony had already told us on the first day that a group of troops was following behind.

The king was said to have been followed by a large escort.

As I walked along the street, I saw traces of troops stationed there. It was evidence that Christ had moved his troops.

That wasn’t the end of it. As we approached the border guard, we saw a large outpost set up in the middle of the road.

It was a post that could be used for both offense and defense, with a watchtower built in the shape of a building where one could stand on all sides and shoot arrows, a stone wall, and even a gate with an iron frame.

The size wasn’t that small either.

It was a space where at least twenty soldiers could stay.

It was a building made of bricks, not a hastily constructed hut. There were clear signs of the work of someone skilled in architecture.

“What is this?”

“Haha, after you left, Brother Wangnuni did this and that.”

It was Audin’s words.

Christ?

As Encred approached the outpost, the archer on guard blew his whistle briefly.

A group of soldiers appeared in front of the outpost.

“Crazy Captain?”

It was Bell. The soldier who saved Encred’s life on the first day, and who is now the squad leader.

“Are you back?”

“uh.”

Bell nodded as he watched the group rushing behind him.

“Return of the Independent Fighting Company!”

At his shout, the soldier standing on the watchtower put away his bow, stood up straight, placed his hand on the short sword at his waist, and bowed his head. It was a military salute.

“okay.”

Encred saw three more of the same outposts after that.

‘The gap.’

It was fixed. What do you get from it? Control of the surrounding thieves and monsters.

Is that the end? No.

The raid is a return raid, and the city that received it is the Border Guard.

A signal fire was even installed on the roof of the outpost so that a fire could be lit at any time.

It was a form of smoke rising from a roof, but if it didn’t rain, it was sufficient as a means of communication.

Also, the presence of a beacon meant that they were like the vanguard of reconnaissance.

Instead of walking around on foot, it was changed to a working form, which had the effect of preventing thieves, demons, and evil spirits from even setting foot in a certain area.

If time passes like this, even demons and beasts won’t invade this side.

If you know it’s a dangerous area, you won’t rush in.

‘If this is why the soldiers accepted it?’

The first reason would be its relatively high and stable supply.

Next, there would be a large-scale suppression to minimize the risk, so you would know that it wouldn’t be that dangerous.

Originally, it would have been a headache just from the start of construction.

‘The Border Guard is making crazy amounts of gold.’

It must have been a good time for construction.

Because the surrounding monsters and thieves have dried up.

Thanks to all the attempts to attack the Border Guard, there weren’t any more enemies around for the time being.

Christ took advantage of that.

A high salary is just an added bonus.

The most important thing in this matter is to use the right timing.

‘There was an answer.’

Encred remembered what Krang had asked.

This is a way to deal with bandits and monsters. First, we need to carry out a large-scale subjugation.

‘Because of this incident, most of the soldiers of the Count’s army became the King’s army.’

You can train and discipline while fighting monsters. And while you’re at it, you can also wipe out bandits.

If he were to receive praise for forgiving the sin of rebellion, it would be like throwing one stone at the king and breaking two heads.

On the way back, I received greetings from the guard post like that.

The last outpost lit a signal fire.

A tall puff of smoke announced Encrid’s return.

“You’ve made all sorts of things, you big-eyed bastard.”

Even Rem showed something akin to admiration. He remembered that old Cryce had asked him about the tribe’s contact methods and such before.

At that time, I showed him the ‘hot stone’ method and he built a beacon tower like that.

Is this an idea that anyone can think of?

That could have been the case.

But it was a law that was meaningless if not put into practice.

Christ was the one who orchestrated all of this.

“came?”

In front of the Border Guard gate. Christ waved his hand, and next to him.

“It’s late, fiancé.”

There was a fairy captain who ran like the wind, fought, and then immediately left the battlefield.

“It’s late.”

There was even a Frock Luagarne. I wondered why that Frock was here when he had left with the Queen.

Finally, the battalion commander and lord came out. He came right up to me, knelt on one knee, and spoke.

“Hello, General.”

Encred blinked.

“What general?”

And ask Rem too.

Ragna also looked at Encrid.

Audin also looked curious.

Only Saxon remained expressionless, lost in his thoughts.

“Well, didn’t you hear?”

The battalion commander, who had previously spoken casually, asked politely.

Encred nodded.

It was Krang’s work.

Even though you awarded him a medal, you’re just sending him away without any proper compensation? A hero of our country? Your only close friend?

Krang didn’t do that.

He sent a messenger ahead of Encred before he could reach the Border Guard.

“From the County of Molsen to Border Guard, Martai, and five other cities and territories, I hereby appoint a general to rule over this area. His name is Encred.”

Everyone was dumbfounded, but only Chris understood.

Without even giving him a title, he placed all the land where Crona would come from in Encred’s hands.

I just threw it to him since he would have been indifferent if I told him to take it.