Chapter 75

The flames on the candlesticks attached to the walls of the inn’s hall were only half-lit.

With no guests around, they might be trying to save on candle costs.

As a result, the thick shadows created by the dim light made Encrid’s shadow stretch long on the floor.

He had been practicing the Sense of Blade all night.

The quiet indoors, the sound of the soldier standing guard outside, and the sound of his escort tilting his glass.

He listened intently, sharpening his senses and focus simultaneously.

He read the presence and counted the number of people around him. He even gauged the distance by listening to the night bird crying from afar.

While doing so, Encrid reflected on his range of perception.

‘If it’s within five steps.’

He could even read their presence. He could hear the sound of clothes brushing against each other.

As he thought about it, he wondered.

‘Is it really possible to do that just by listening?’

Thinking back to the conversation between the Fairy Company Commander and Jaxon right before the ambush, they had already predicted the surprise attack.

How did they do it?

It couldn’t have been just by relying on their ears. He thought he should ask Jaxon later.

If it was something he could learn, he wanted to learn it.

‘This time, it wasn’t the wall.’

He might not have to repeat today at a mediocre level. But he didn’t think he would deliberately stay trapped in today by dying.

Encrid was still the same.

‘For tomorrow.’

He always ran forward, looking only ahead.

That was the driving force that kept him from being trapped in today.

Crack, crackle.

The logs in the fireplace broke, and sparks flew.

Besides reviewing the battle, various thoughts crossed his mind.

Encrid sat down, propping his chin on his hand, and recalled the people he had killed.

‘For the glory of the homeland.’

Was it Aspen’s spy unit?

What was the person who moved that many people thinking?

What was he planning after causing such an incident within the Border Guard?

Would there be another attack?

Breaking through the forces of two squads? Or would they send an assassin?

As he thought about it, he realized that catching the escaped one might be easier than he initially thought.

At that moment, Leona came down.

“You’re up early.”

“I was on duty, so I was taking a shift.”

“Ah, I see.”

Leona nodded and approached.

The floor still bore traces of the previous night. She seemed to be trying to appear nonchalant.

That would likely make it more noticeable.

Focusing on something else would be more comfortable. Encrid knew this from experience.

“Is this your first time at the Border Guard?”

“What? Yes.”

But didn’t Big Eyes say this woman’s personality was peculiar?

She seemed to have some backbone, but she didn’t yet show the same madness as Rem.

‘No, I shouldn’t compare her to Rem.’

That wouldn’t be polite.

“They say there are many legends about the Pen-Hanil River. Do you know the story about the sword made from the river’s water?”

A bard’s tale always stirred the heart. Encrid had memorized a few such stories.

They were not only good for making conversation but also helped pass the time on duty without boredom.

So, the story he was about to tell was just idle chatter while on duty.

However, for someone hearing it for the first time, it would be quite a fresh tale.

“Please, tell me.”

Leona smiled and nodded, showing interest.

Despite the trivial nature of the story, Leona listened with bright eyes.

She responded with smiles and nods throughout.

“And so, there was a trend of making swords from the river’s water for a while, but none ever summoned the spirits living in the river like the story said.”

“You’re a good storyteller.”

“Quite good, yes.”

Rem admitted that when it came to provoking someone with words, there was no beating their Squad Leader.

Here, the Squad Leader was himself.

As he nodded, Leona suddenly spoke up.

“Would you come with me?”

Encrid, puzzled, asked again.

“What? Where?”

She was still his charge. Even though two squad forces had taken control of the inn after the ambush within the Border Guard, leaving no one inside.

Encrid’s mission and her requested task weren’t over yet.

There were still two days left.

So, it was only natural to follow her wherever she went.

“I’m suggesting you come with me when I leave the Border Guard later.”

She said it abruptly, but it sounded like a prepared speech. It had the particular nuance often found in those who had commanded many people.

Sitting quietly, with her red lips parting, she said,

“Come with me.”

She exuded confidence, sure that the position she was offering was superior.

Leona truly believed that.

What kind of place was the Rockfreed Merchant Group?

Though it might lag behind the Rengardis Merchant Group and other major groups, it was still influential in the region.

These merchant groups dealt with the ‘Shepherds of the Wilderness’ in the northernmost part of Pen-Hanil, a group of hunters known as the ‘Black Leather Guild’ who could hunt dragons if adequately prepared, and the ‘Glacier Rangers’, who lived deep in the mountains in harmony with nature.

Their primary trading partners were these three groups.

In addition, there was a map imbued with the experiences of their predecessors who had traveled across the Pen-Hanil continent.

It was the Rockfreed Merchant Route Map.

This map recorded their trade routes, summarizing the specialties of each merchant group and the fastest paths, making it a treasure among treasures.

If someone stole it and sold it, they would never have to worry about money for the rest of their lives.

This was the Rockfreed Merchant Group. It was something everyone coveted.

Especially those who inherited the bloodline of the predecessors, they might think it was rightfully theirs.

This thought likely spurred the bold raid yesterday.

‘Drawing a sword first here.’

That’s why she was angry. Why did that boldness have to show up now?

Although she wasn’t related by blood, she was striving to honor the predecessor’s last wish.

Why did the other party completely disregard that?

Yes, if it weren’t for the predecessor’s last wish, she wouldn’t have come this far.

What was that last wish?

“Before killing and being killed, try to reach an agreement. Can you do that for me, Leona?”

The predecessor, the one who raised her like a daughter.

But he was also someone she couldn’t easily call father.

‘Neither the merchant group nor the bloodline.’

She couldn’t give up either, so this was his last wish. Leona understood the predecessor’s heart.

To grow the Rockfreed Merchant Group, Leona was raised.

But he couldn’t simply abandon his bloodline.

That’s why she was here.

At the Border Guard of Naurillia, it was the last bastion to negotiate without drawing a sword.

If it weren’t for the predecessor’s last wish, the succession competition would have ended long ago.

In such a situation, an ambush. Drawing a sword at the Border Guard?

‘Fools.’

That was the end of her scattered thoughts.

She noticed the man who had saved her in a moment of crisis.

The first thing that caught her eye was his lake-like eyes. Those blue eyes.

They were so captivating that they seemed almost magical.

Black hair, blue eyes, and a well-trained body.

And on top of that, a handsome face.

It was only natural for her to be interested.

‘He really has a great appearance.’

Moreover, his skills were exceptional. The way he had dashed into the room and subdued the enemy in an instant.

And what about his unselfish nature?

After saving her, with just one word, “Duty”, Leona’s heart raced. It started from that moment.

She wanted him. She wanted to take him with her.

“I promise you a better position and better treatment than you have now.”

Encrid had nothing to ponder.

Hadn’t he already served as an escort for the merchant group?

If his sole purpose was Krais.

‘That wouldn’t be too bad either.’

Living as the sword of a growing merchant group wouldn’t be bad.

But he had dreams and a path to follow, and though it was slow, he was walking that path now.

There was no room for distractions.

“No, thank you.”

He placed his hands on his thighs and sat up straight.

A firm answer from a proper posture.

It’s best to be clear when refusing. Encrid knew this from experience.

Leona’s pupils trembled.

“It’s unseemly to cling to someone who says no.”

Jaxon’s voice came from behind, though she hadn’t noticed when he had come down.

“Indeed, it is unseemly.”

The Fairy Company Commander’s words were heard as well.

“Is that so?”

Leona neither burst into anger nor showed any irritation or annoyance.

She just nodded calmly.

“Are you satisfied with your current position?”

Not really.

But being here shows him the way to rise higher.

“Business is tough.” sighed the innkeeper who had appeared at some point.

The blue light of dawn was slowly turning into the yellow light of daybreak. It was morning.

“The merchant group will cover the losses.” Leona said again, sounding as if she had intended to get a definite answer from the start.

“Oh, if you could do that.” the innkeeper said, rubbing his hands together. Leona nodded as she watched him.

“Don’t worry. Expect guests around noon, so please prepare for that.”

“Yes.”

She seemed accustomed to giving orders while seated.

Soon, a nurse came down from upstairs.

Leona excused herself, saying she would rest, and left.

Jaxon approached and spoke.

“There are plenty of pretty women in the city, so don’t bother with the heir of the merchant group.”

I didn’t bother her. I refused.

Encrid also had plenty of experience with women being interested in him. His face wasn’t going anywhere.

Moreover, his well-trained body was a good tool for exuding various types of appeal.

“Encrid, senior soldier.”

It was the Company Commander. Without moving from her spot, she called out to him in the same posture and tone as usual and asked,

“Do you have a reputation for being a womanizer?”

“…No.”

“Do you flirt with every woman who passes by?”

“No, I do not.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

It was clearly a joke. It was a joke, but…

Her expression was utterly serious, and her eyes were completely calm. That made it difficult to respond.

‘I wish she would stop now.’

“I see.”

The Company Commander nodded.

Encrid went outside to catch his breath.

One of the squad members from the 3rd Platoon of the 2nd Company recognized him and struck up a conversation.

“If you’re flirting with every woman you pass by, what chance do people like me have?”

It seemed like a familiar banter.

“Who are you talking about?”

“First the Company Commander, and now the lady of Rockfreed. Ah, you’re a Squad Leader with a fatal charm, truly irresistible.”

The one expressing admiration was the platoon leader. He was somewhat familiar too.

Having been temporarily called out for various missions here and there, Encrid had crossed paths with many people.

“That’s not the case.”

“Is that so?”

“He says it’s not.”

“He says it’s not.”

A few soldiers echoed his words. It was a bit of a chant.

They must be bored, being dispatched to surround an inn in the city with nothing else to do.

It was understandable that they were bored.

Since there had been no further attacks, and there were no signs of any either.

Sure, boredom was understandable.

‘But spending time teasing me isn’t something I appreciate.’

Rumors were always scary.

Indeed, it didn’t take long for another rumor to spread widely.

When Krais visited the inn, he made this remark.

“I heard you slept with the merchant leader in just one day? How did you manage that? Even for me, that’s not easy, and the Rockfreed lady is known for her high standards and prickly personality.”

“She’s not prickly.”

“Oh, come on, she is.”

“If you’re here, at least do some work.”

“What?”

Encrid gave Krais a task instead of entertaining pointless talk.

He didn’t care about clearing up the misunderstanding. Krais was just teasing him, knowing full well it wasn’t true.

“One of the attackers escaped. Find him.”

The one who escaped, Encrid was curious about his whereabouts.

The person who died by his blade, an Aspen spy, died shouting for the glory of his homeland.

But it wouldn’t be satisfying if the one who orchestrated all this survived.

‘He must pay for what he’s done.’

That’s the natural order and the right thing to do.

It’s good to say that justice is alive.

And soon, the order to find him would come from the unit. He didn’t want to leave it be.

If he started something, he had to take responsibility, not run away, leaving all his subordinates behind.

Since he identified himself as an Aspen spy, he couldn’t be let go alive.

“Understood.”

With the Night Guild around, they could find out most things within the city. That was an advantage. So finding one person shouldn’t be too difficult.

‘Every now and then, Krona comes in handy.’

This time, if he saved enough money, he was thinking of getting a decent short sword or a guard sword as a deputy.

He had tried a guard sword before and quite liked it.

Ragna had also recommended using a shield, but he couldn’t easily get accustomed to it.

If necessary, he would learn, but considering his abilities, using his strength was his specialty.

“It would be better to wield the sword with both hands. But on the battlefield, having a shield is beneficial.”

Ragna had said this too.

As a light infantryman, he knew how to handle a shield to some extent.

What is the purpose of the military?

It’s a place that values the strength of a standardized majority over a few exceptional individuals.

It was common knowledge that a ten-man unit, trained and standardized, was stronger than a unit with two outstanding swordsmen mixed in.

As part of standardized training, there were group formation drills involving shield handling.

While his subordinates roughly went through it, Encrid diligently learned it as well.

It didn’t improve easily, though.

‘It just doesn’t come naturally to me.’

Every time he picked up the shield, Encrid thought about it. Like Ragna said, wielding the sword with both hands felt much more natural, like a well-fitting garment.

Whether to use a shield or not.

If he became an exception to the standardized rules of the majority, it wouldn’t matter much.

Not long after Krais left, a man with a mischievous face and about a dozen soldiers arrived.

One of the escorts caught his eye. A man with slanted eyes and arms hanging limply at his sides.

He wore a thin, long-bladed rapier at his waist.

‘He looks fast.’

That was his immediate impression. The man didn’t bother to hide himself. It seemed to be a display of confidence.

‘I use a fast sword. But knowing that won’t help you block it.’

His posture and attitude seemed to say just that.

The man with cheeks puffed out with mischief was named Pollid.

He was Leona’s rival in the succession competition.

As soon as he entered, he took a seat at a table and said,

“Hey, bring Leona here.”

The person addressed as ‘hey’ was Jaxon.

Naturally, Jaxon ignored him.

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