Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 14: Knight

“You, come here!”

“Keep your voice down. This is the medical tent.”

“What’s it to you, you bastard?”

Though he was growling, even the fiercest beast is no threat from a distance.

“Fate must have brought us together. We first met in the lower village, right?”

It was a bad relationship. They kept running into each other.

“Where does a shitty bastard like you get off acting friendly?”

It was Benzence who spoke first.

Encrid didn’t bother to point that out.

He wasn’t petty enough to argue about such things.

“Fine.”

Instead, he turned his body. The ointment Jaxson had given him was very effective.

He could move without much pain.

“What are you doing?”

“You said not to act friendly, so I’m pretending I don’t know you.”

“You bastard, are you joking?!”

Benzence yelled.

If he knew it was a joke, he wouldn’t have been so angry.

But somehow…

‘Maybe it’s because I’ve been around such fierce squad members.’

After dealing with Rem and Jaxson and the rest of the squad’s conflicts, Benzence seemed almost cute.

“Ah, you noticed. As expected, Platoon Leader, the future of the Cypress Division.”

“You, you!”

Benzence’s forehead bulged with veins as he picked up his boot and threw it.

Encrid caught it swiftly.

“Is this a gift?”

“I’ll kill you, you bastard!”

Rem had once said,

“I’m pretty good at pissing people off, but…”

“I wouldn’t want to argue with a squad leader who’s determined to run his mouth.”

With a calm face, Encrid held the boot.

Benzence snorted in anger.

And then,

“Pahahahaha!”

The soldier who had been idly staring at the ceiling laughed heartily.

It was the kind of laugh that suggested he was about to go crazy from enjoyment.

Benzence’s fierce gaze whipped around to the laughing blonde man.

The man wiped away a tear that had trickled out, using the back of his hand.

“I couldn’t hold back at ‘Is this a gift?’ I was trying so hard to ignore it. Phew.”

Crrr.

Encrid thought Benzence’s molars might break before he turned forty.

Grinding teeth was also bad for the gums.

Should he mention that?

If he pushed it a bit more, Benzence might die from a blood vessel bursting in his head.

“Your unit?”

Benzence was trying to stay calm.

Instead of cursing, he asked for the unit.

“Me? Uh, just a passing soldier.”

Oh?

Encrid was inwardly impressed by the other man’s composure.

At least he was a squad leader.

But this guy really seemed to be just a regular soldier.

And yet, he had such an attitude.

Saying so made it feel more like he was hiding his unit and rank.

Benzence, not being a fool,

“Are you saying you can’t reveal your unit?”

“It’s a bit like that. But I really am a soldier. I just forgot my unit.”

So carefree. Encrid saw the dignity of a noble in the blonde man.

If he wasn’t a noble playing at being a commoner,

‘He’d deserve a beating.’

He wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if he were beaten to death.

So his attitude now was one of dignity.

Crunch crunch.

Benzence was in a bind.

“But you shouldn’t be looking at me. You should look behind.”

Encrid and Benzence had been focused on the blonde man.

So both turned their heads.

There was someone behind them.

‘When did they…?’

He didn’t have extraordinary senses.

But he’d survived on the battlefield.

He had some instinct, but he hadn’t noticed anyone behind him.

He hadn’t heard a sound either.

“Here? Is this where the Fourth Squad Leader is?”

It was a woman. Her body lines were thinner than most humans, her eyes were clearer, and her ears were larger.

An elf.

She stared at the blonde man.

Her tone was natural, indicating she was his superior.

Encrid raised his hand and spoke.

“Encrid, Fourth Platoon Leader, Fourth Company, Fourth Battalion, at your service.”

The elf’s gaze finally shifted from the blonde man.

And the soldier guarding the medical tent added an explanation as he entered.

“Yes, that’s the squad leader over there.”

“Elves?”

Benzence, evidently surprised, finally reacted.

Without raising an eyebrow, the elf turned her head.

“Is it customary for Second Company to call out someone’s race upon meeting a superior? I’m well aware I’m an elf.”

‘Wow.’

Encrid saw natural dignity and charisma in the elf woman.

She silenced him with just one sentence.

“Ah, ah, no! Second Company Third Platoon Leader, Benzence!”

“May I make a request?”

“Yes!”

“Benbenjensu, while I’m here, I’d appreciate it if you kept your mouth shut. You don’t need to respond to this request. I might feel the urge to stab you if you open your mouth, Benbenjensu.” [1]

Encrid didn’t bother correcting her on Benzence’s name.

Benzence started to open his mouth but then clamped it shut with both hands.

“I’ve heard you’re leading an interesting squad.”

The elf’s gaze returned to Encrid.

“Yes, thank you.”

There was no benefit in getting on the bad side of the new company commander.

He responded respectfully.

During their conversation, Encrid felt something odd.

‘Why is she here?’

It was all useless talk.

Apparently, he had performed well in battle.

From Encrid’s perspective, that was true.

He had killed the thrusting soldier.

He had saved several allies within reach.

But had that affected the battle?

‘Not really.’

It didn’t seem so.

Despite his limited skills, Encrid had a keen eye for the battlefield.

“You survived a Frog encounter?”

“Yes, I was lucky.”

“Luck is a skill. The goddess of fortune doesn’t drop coins often.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Did she come all the way here to have such a conversation?

Encrid couldn’t understand her intentions.

Anyway, the elf company commander looked at him with glowing green eyes as she spoke.

Encrid answered sincerely.

Shortly after, the company commander said, “I look forward to your future performance,” and turned to leave.

She looked back once more before departing.

Towards the blonde man.

“What’s your name?”

“Uh, Krang.”

As he gave his name, he rolled his eyes and frowned. It was obvious.

‘He just made that up.’

It was that kind of name.

“I see.”

The company commander replied indifferently and left the tent.

It wasn’t until she had left that Benzence, who had been holding his breath, let out a huge sigh.

“Damn it.”

“Oh, company commander.”

Hearing Benzence’s curse, Encrid spoke, making Benzence jump.

“No, it was just a passing soldier.”

“You bastard.”

Benzence, who had become Benbenjensu for today, flared up in anger.

The blonde man who called himself Krang laughed heartily again.

The soldier guarding the medical tent, seeing the three of them, stepped outside, wondering what was going on.

Encrid thought that as long as Benzence was here, he wouldn’t be bored.

* * *

Reviewing the fight.

Thinking about the next steps.

Encrid focused on two things.

‘Thrust with full power but without putting my whole heart into it.’

Having found a clue within a day, he felt his body itching.

But he couldn’t push himself right away.

With his side hurting, the only training he could do was grip strength.

Encrid trained his fingers and forearms.

It might seem like a foolish endeavor.

‘The body is the foundation of all skills.’

Even a tiny leaf has weight, and a drop of water can pierce a rock over time.

So this seemingly insignificant effort now would help later.

Encrid believed this and continued to build his tower.

“You’re quite diligent.”

It was Krang.

Two days after the company commander left.

Encrid did nothing but review the fight and train his grip.

He focused on resting.

Resting was important too.

The only change was that the half-mad soldier who called himself Krang and claimed to have forgotten his unit lingered nearby.

“Why are you so diligent?”

Krang spoke informally to everyone.

It was natural with Encrid.

He even did it with Benzence.

“I’m a platoon leader. I’m your superior!”

He even mocked him.

Seeing that, it didn’t seem like he was here due to an injury.

And he seemed to be quite skilled.

He’d pass close to Benzence, dodging just enough to avoid being caught, showing he wasn’t an ordinary person.

“What?”

Krang said he was a soldier, so Encrid spoke informally too.

“You keep clenching and unclenching your hands. Other than that, you’re staring into space. What are you thinking so hard about, and why are you so diligently clenching and unclenching your hands?”

He was as curious as an eight-year-old.

But it wasn’t particularly annoying.

‘I am bored too.’

Mocking Benzence had its limits.

A little conversation and having someone to talk to were good tools to stave off boredom.

“It’s grip training. And I’m not staring into space; I’m reviewing my mistakes from the last battle.”

“So why do you do that?”

Why?

“To not die in the next battle.”

“I’ve never seen a soldier work so hard to avoid dying.”

“Do any of those soldiers live long?”

“Hm, quite a few?”

What kind of life had he led?

Encrid thought this guy was playing at being a commoner.

It wouldn’t change anything, but he could play along if that’s what Krang wanted.

It wasn’t a loss.

He didn’t envy what others had.

If he were going to be jealous, his swordsmanship talent would have driven him half-mad with jealousy already.

Encrid wasn’t like that.

He had a path to follow.

He felt more fulfillment in the joy of growth.

‘If I keep practicing the thrust, I’ll get better.’

Full power needed training.

The Heart of the Beast still supported him.

One step forward.

One step every day.

Even if today didn’t repeat, nothing would change.

Of course, not everything would stay the same.

“What do you want to become?”

Krang asked.

It was similar to when Rem had asked before.

It brought back memories.

‘Why does it feel like that was so long ago?’

It was a day that no longer existed.

A day that vanished because he died.

So the playful ambition he expressed then disappeared like a joke.

If he were to speak of his future and dreams now,

‘Would today disappear?’

No.

Even if the dream was silenced, shredded by reality, traces remained.

Traces, yes, only traces were left around his heart.

That’s what he had once thought.

But now?

‘Is it just a trace?’

Encrid looked at his palm.

It was rough and calloused from repeated use and breaking.

The calluses on his finger joints would probably never disappear.

He had wanted this so badly.

‘Is that really so?’

Was it just a trace?

He asked himself.

And he found the answer.

No, it wasn’t. He believed it wasn’t.

Oddly enough, even when there were only traces left, Encrid had never given up.

“A knight.”

A lowly soldier of mercenary origin.

A mere squad leader.

Just a squad leader.

It was a small position with insignificant skills.

But what he spoke of was the pinnacle for everyone.

Benzence next to him tried to laugh derisively.

But Krang answered faster.

“Right. A knight.”

It was strange. He should have laughed.

He had to laugh.

But Krang’s attitude stopped him. Though it wasn’t forced, something instinctive said he shouldn’t laugh.

It was just a calm tone, but it carried weight.

Krang took that ridiculous dream seriously. He listened with full effort and heart.

Listening could be done like this.

“Seeing you, I think I’m getting a sense of how to live.”

Krang said.

Encrid shrugged.

The peculiar atmosphere that had filled the medical tent vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

“Pfft, a knight? That’s hilarious!”

So Benzence laughed as much as he wanted.

But he looked ridiculous.

Neither Encrid nor Krang paid him any mind.

“I’m your superior.”

Benzence made a petty protest.

Of course, it had no effect.

* * *

Just a week.

Encrid’s side no longer hurt.

‘Thanks to the ointment?’

He healed quickly.

As bedtime approached, Krang asked.

“You’re going back tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

Today had been uneventful.

The bard who returned after a week sang Cypress’s praises next to the medical tent from morning.

The soldier guarding the medical tent slept in.

In the afternoon, he took a short walk and saw Krys.

Big Eyes looked pale.

He walked away quickly without saying a word.

Nothing else happened.

The patients in the medical tent didn’t even have to stand watch, so they could rest completely.

“Good night, Encrid.”

“You too, Krang.”

“When you return, just wait, both of you.”

Benzence also made his usual parting remark.

So Encrid closed his eyes and fell asleep.

And then.

“Cypress! Cypress!”

The bard’s song woke him.

‘Today again?’

The bard, who had gotten a taste for money on the battlefield, was said to sing as he wandered from camp to camp.

So he didn’t stay in one place for two days.

Today, the song should have been heard from farther away.

Why was it coming from the same place two days in a row?

“Damn it, why isn’t breakfast here?”

Benzence grumbled as he woke.

Encrid’s hair stood on end at those words.

Because he had heard those exact words yesterday.

Or rather, in the repeated today.

“Was the soldier late with breakfast yesterday too?”

Encrid asked.

Benzence stared at him and snickered.

“What nonsense? Yesterday, he was on time.”

Encrid let out a hollow sigh.

That confirmed it.

Today had repeated.

This meant,

‘I must have died in my sleep.’

***
Footnotes:
[1] The elf commander intentionally mispronounces Benzence’s name as “Benbenjensu” instead of “Benzence,” subtly mocking him. This nuance adds to the tension and humor of the interaction.