Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 134: The Matured Heart (1)

Under the command of Battalion Commander Marcus, the infantry set up a new camp.

The location was slightly more advanced than before.

Encrid thought the position was somewhat awkward but kept his opinion to himself.

After all, establishing the camp and deciding its location was the commander’s responsibility.

Besides, Marcus didn’t seem like the type to handle things carelessly.

Just calling Encrid the greatest hero of the battle was proof enough of that.

‘Nya—’

As they moved to the new camp, Esther started whining.

‘Nyaa, nyaaa.’

She wouldn’t stop fussing.

‘Come to think of it, isn’t this creature a bit strange?’

Though she was a mystical being, there was something oddly peculiar about her—almost human-like.

When Esther meowed, it felt like actual words reached Encrid’s ears.

At the moment…

It sounded like she was saying, “Annoying.”

To soothe her tantrum, Encrid picked her up and held her close.

The first time he’d seen her on the battlefield, she was a tiny leopard cub.

By the time she saved him from Mitch Hurrier and the mustached inspector, she had grown slightly larger.

Since then, she hadn’t grown at all—just the right size to hold in his arms.

And yet, this little leopard had once bitten his neck and dragged him away, moving at incredible speed.

What kind of strength was that?

“Now that I think about it, you’re a leopard with monstrous strength too,” Encrid said as he stroked Esther’s head.

‘Kyah!’

Apparently, it wasn’t a compliment she appreciated.

Esther bit Encrid’s finger, though not hard enough to draw blood—just enough to leave a mark.

If she had been serious…

‘My finger would’ve been gone.’

Curious about her sharp fangs, Encrid looked closely at her snout, which made Esther glare at him.

Her reactions only reinforced his belief that she was oddly human-like.

“Let’s go.”

Krys called out from outside.

Setting up a new camp was a complex and demanding task.

They had to rebuild the quarters, verify supply routes, establish new perimeter defenses, and reorganize the scouting patrols.

There was so much to adjust.

And yet, here they were, constructing a new base.

“Hey, Captain, I feel like I fought the hardest, but why do you get all the cheers? Or is it just my imagination?”

No, it wasn’t just his imagination.

Somehow, the atmosphere had flowed in that direction.

“Mad Squad forever! Hail Encrid!”

Reflecting on that moment—barely two days ago at midday—Encrid felt a slight tickle in his chest.

It wasn’t a bad memory.

“Hmm.”

When Encrid remained silent, Audin chuckled and spoke up.

“Ha, Brother Madman. It’s because you only took down one giant.”

“One giant?”

“Brother, I took down dozens of enemy soldiers.”

He hadn’t just struck them—he had killed them, violently and with flair.

Encrid had witnessed it himself, that brutal, overwhelming display with the club.

To the enemy, it was terror; to the allies, it was a source of relief.

Though some allies who had observed closely later admitted to feeling a peculiar fear of Audin.

Benzense had told Encrid as much directly.

“You know that religious guy in your squad? Why does he kill people with a smile? Is it us who are weird, or is it him?”

Benzense had tapped his head as he said this.

Encrid had replied with a suitable excuse, explaining on Audin’s behalf:

“He’s so devout that he feels joy in sending people to the god he worships.”

“That sounds even weirder,” Benzense muttered.

But for Encrid, it was the best explanation he could come up with—better than calling Audin a murder-loving religious fanatic.

“If we had left those ten mercenaries drunk on their bloodthirsty swords, they would have been deadly. Yeah, that’s how it would’ve gone,” Ragna chimed in, making the atmosphere tense.

Then…

From the sidelines, Jaxson, who had been watching quietly, added a single word.

“Idiots.”

All three turned to glare at him.

The air grew heavy, oppressive.

It seemed like a fight could break out any moment, with the slightest provocation.

In other words, it was the usual state of the Mad Squad.

Before Encrid’s arrival, they would have kept a certain distance and drawn their lines.

Krys, observing from the side, didn’t find it surprising. He wasn’t unsettled by the tension.

Of course, it would have been troublesome if Encrid weren’t around, but now they were all moving together.

Nearby, Andrew hesitated.

‘Should I step in?’

Wasn’t it his role as the squad leader?

Should he calm things down before the captain intervened?

But the memories of past beatings held him back.

Mack, sensing Andrew’s hesitation, grabbed his sleeve and shook his head.

It was as if Mack could read his thoughts.

Encrid, meanwhile, glanced at the sky.

The weather had shifted.

The sky was blue, cloudless. It was spring. The day was beautiful.

So he thought…

“This is a good day to break up a fight.”

Instead of stepping between them, he swung his swords.

‘Shing!’

With his right hand, one blade.

Then…

‘Tiriring!’

With his left hand, another.

The sword in his right hand swung downward in a vertical slash aimed at the crown of the head.

The sword in his left swung horizontally at mid-level.

His footwork moved his left foot forward, with the right following.

This was the technique he had been pondering for days—

A variation of a technique from Valen-style mercenary swordsmanship.

Originally a feint-based double draw technique, he had modified it to give equal weight to both strikes by wielding two swords.

The sword in his right hand targeted Rem.

The sword in his left slashed at Jaxson.

‘Thunk!’

The reactions of the two were starkly different. Rem blocked the attack with his axe, while Jaxson had already stepped back to evade.

One sword was stopped, the other sliced through empty air.

Encrid retracted the sword that had missed its mark.

“What are you doing?”

Jaxson asked.

“Are you picking a fight? Sounds fun,” Rem said, exhaling through his nose, his tone brimming with amusement.

Because of the sudden movements, Esther, nestled in his arms, smacked against his chest with a ‘thump.’

“Let’s take this outside,” Encrid said, still holding his sword.

Fighting like this wouldn’t look right, especially with Esther bulging out of his chest pocket.

Rem, who had already stowed his axe, nodded in agreement.

It was, after all, just another peaceful day for them.

Encrid sheathed his sword, calmed Esther down, and began walking.

‘That could’ve been worse.’

If they had been ordered to carry supplies, it would’ve soured the mood further.

The burden carried by Encrid and his squad members was considerably lighter compared to other soldiers.

“You’re the heroes of this battle. Even lending you a carriage wouldn’t be enough,” Marcus had said generously, allowing them to walk with only their personal gear.

Other units, in contrast, bore heavier loads, carrying the components necessary for tents and equipment.

Their pace naturally slowed, but Marcus didn’t seem to mind or act in a hurry.

The stares of nearby soldiers lingered on Encrid and his squad, drawn by their commotion, but soon returned to normal.

After all, it wasn’t the first time they’d caused such a scene.

As Encrid walked, he speculated about their next move.

Would they strike the enemy’s rear?

He shared his thoughts with Krys, who shook his head.

“They won’t do that.”

“Why not?”

If they had the advantage, wasn’t attacking the rear the most beneficial course?

“Taking the enemy’s position and holding it would make the battlefield far more advantageous for us.”

Encrid tilted his head, puzzled.

Why wouldn’t they fight? How was that beneficial?

If they had the enemy’s rear, attacking seemed like the logical choice.

Seeing Encrid’s confusion, Krys explained, his tone casual.

“If we attack the enemy’s rear, we’d be revealing our position and our strength. The enemy would respond accordingly, likely sending enough forces to counter us. If they’ve already exhausted their tactics—using giants, elven assassins, and mercenary units—what do you think they’d resort to next? Especially now that the independent company, the Gray Dogs, has been half-destroyed.”

The question wasn’t difficult to answer.

But voicing it aloud felt strange.

Still, it wasn’t a word to avoid.

“Knights.”

“At least squires, or they’d increase their numbers. Likely, they’d send a small elite force instead.”

Krys’ eyes glimmered as he continued.

“Given the terrain’s natural advantages on our side and the blow to their morale after losing their specialized units, they’ll likely try to repay us in kind. It’s not that we fear knights or similar forces; it’s about maximizing benefits. From the commander’s perspective, war is about gains and losses. Even if we lose a battle in one area, achieving greater gains elsewhere can win the war. That’s why holding the enemy’s position, rather than attacking their rear, is the answer. All we need to do is let them know we’re here. That alone will unsettle them.

With their minds preoccupied, the main force will press forward. We won’t even need to fight. The Azpen forces, having to brace for the main army, won’t have the resources to divert troops to deal with us. That’s why we don’t need to engage. The camp’s ambiguous location serves the same purpose—it avoids provoking an unnecessary confrontation. If the enemy tries something, we can retreat and reoccupy the same position a day or two later. This current camp is a setup for that strategy.”

Encrid, who prided himself on honesty, admitted to himself that he only understood about half of what Krys had said.

The rest didn’t stick in his mind.

Krys, eyes still shining, took a few breaths.

‘You really can talk nonstop, can’t you?’ Encrid thought.

Krys resumed speaking, choosing his words carefully this time.

“It’s like someone raising their hand to strike from behind while another grabs your arms from the front. How would you feel?”

“Pretty shitty.”

“Exactly. That’s the enemy’s situation right now.”

If you try to shake off the grip in front and defend against the back, what happens?

Even if you block both simultaneously, the sheer presence of danger from behind makes it unnerving.

Sometimes, just sometimes, Krys didn’t seem like the simple-minded soldier who dreamed of opening a noblewoman’s salon.

‘Is he some hidden son of a strategist? Or a secret disciple?’

Watching him predict the enemy commander’s thoughts and anticipate their own army’s movements naturally led to such musings.

“Well, it’s all just speculation. If the enemy decides, ‘Screw it, let’s just kill them first,’ they’ll attack us with knights or whatever they’ve got.”

It wasn’t likely. Krys’ words said one thing, but his eyes spoke another.

What an odd guy.

Encrid nodded.

So, there wouldn’t be any fighting.

Knowing that was enough.

Even so, staying here wouldn’t be boring.

Setting up the new camp was the responsibility of the other units.

While they pitched tents, lit fires, and set pots to boil, Encrid’s Mad Squad found a spot to settle.

As soon as they did:

“Rem.”

Encrid called out to him.

It didn’t matter who went first, but there was an unspoken rule—it was always Rem.

Otherwise, who knew what that mad barbarian might do?

Ragna, perched on a moderately heated rock, turned his gaze.

Jaxson, Audin, Andrew, and Mack all looked toward Encrid.

“Let’s begin.”

Encrid’s words made Rem grin, baring his sharp canine teeth.

That’s right, this was his squad leader.

It was the kind of grin that said as much.

Rem was still satisfied.

And along with that satisfaction came a single thought—

He didn’t want this man to die here.

“I’ll say it upfront. You might die.”

“By all means.”

Death was not an obstacle for Encrid.

He was living a life where today would repeat endlessly.

The shredded, battered, and faded dream stood before him.

Encrid’s eyes glowed with intensity, still filled with passion and desire.

Facing him, Rem’s gaze mirrored that intensity.

When had he ever seen a man like this?

Never.

This man, this denizen of the continent—

Was truly insane.

Rem let out a chuckle.

“Fine. Let’s do it. Let’s see if we die or not.”

Rem spoke and nodded.

It was time to learn something new—something akin to what Rem had demonstrated when he faced the giant.

Encrid felt a thrilling exhilaration, yet at the same time, an unexpected calm.

It was a strange state where excitement and composure coexisted.

It was the mark of a beast’s heart, fully matured.