Chapter 154
As soon as they stepped into the quarters—
“The squad leader is definitely not normal.”
Hearing those words come out of Rem’s mouth gave Encrid a strange feeling. Why did this guy always say things like that to him without considering his own condition?
“That’s rich, coming from you.”
They were just joking around, but even as Encrid scolded him, Rem grinned.
What was so amusing this time? That smile of his was seriously irritating. But what could he say—tell him that his grin was annoying? That it was making him sick? Complaining about something like that would be pointless.
Encrid just shrugged.
“So, have you finished your training, brother?”
Audin looked like he was glowing.
Like a bear approaching with an aura of radiance—he seemed to be in a really good mood.
But why was he approaching with the lamplight behind him?
That gentle smile of his resembled the one he wore when increasing the weight during Isolation Technique training.
“Oh, uh. Yeah.”
To be precise, he had added the afternoon training on top of the already insufficient morning session.
Even so, his legs weren’t trembling.
Come to think of it—
‘When did this start?’
Even after finishing all his training, he no longer felt like he was dying. He could endure it.
Unless he recklessly pushed through with Heart of Monstrous Strength activated.
As he was standing there, lost in thought—
“I have business to attend to.”
Jaxson brushed past him and left in a hurry.
That guy seemed to spend more time wandering around outside than staying in the barracks since returning to the unit.
But he was heading out later than usual today.
“Grnnng.”
Esther had already claimed Encrid’s bed, waving a front paw.
It looked as if she was beckoning him over.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m here.”
Would people think he was crazy for greeting a leopard?
Well, who cares?
‘Trying so desperately to become a knight is probably crazier.’
It wasn’t like he had given up on his dream.
Just because he had poured faith and stubbornness into the path he had walked didn’t mean he had shut his eyes and ears to reality.
Not completely, at least. Encrid had a rough idea of how people saw him—especially those meeting him for the first time.
‘Probably like I’m half-insane.’
On the surface, he seemed fine, but his actions were incomprehensible. That kind of crazy.
Still, at least he wasn’t as bad as Rem.
That wasn’t much of a comfort, but surely he wasn’t as insane as him. At the very least, he wasn’t swinging an axe at his superior’s head. That alone was a hundred times better.
As if sensing something, Rem spoke up.
“Your eyes are making me uncomfortable.”
He had sharp instincts.
“It’s nothing.”
Encrid averted his gaze from Rem’s gray eyes and suggested they go eat.
It was time to eat and drink. Rest when it’s time to rest.
“Shall we? I’ll go ahead and secure a spot in the mess hall.”
Krys took the initiative, and while he moved ahead, Encrid washed up quickly in the barracks’ bathroom.
None of them dawdled; they all made their way to the mess hall.
Encrid only did a quick wash before picking up Esther and heading out.
It wasn’t a special meal, but the Border Guards’ mess hall wasn’t bad. Picky eaters might complain, though.
“Is there no bread?”
Ragna grumbled.
“You look like someone who’d eat dirt, yet you’re always so picky.”
The squad gathered around the table, seated right in the middle of the mess hall.
People kept sneaking glances at them.
Normally, their mad squad wouldn’t attract this much attention.
But then again, Frok was here.
Grrrowl.
Rem was giving Ragna grief while Frok observed them intently.
His bulging, frog-like eyes fixated on the two.
“I have no desire to converse with lowly savages tonight.”
“Huh? You want me to spoon-feed you? Too lazy to chew and digest? Should I just shove the food straight into your guts?”
Saying that, Rem mimed slicing open his stomach with the edge of his hand.
They were consistently insane.
“The lamb tastes pretty good. Well-seasoned.”
At the perfect moment, Encrid chimed in—right before Rem and Ragna turned their meal into an axe-and-sword duel.
“…Tch.”
“Is that so?”
They finally broke their staring contest.
Lately, they had been unusually obedient, which Encrid found fascinating.
To be honest, he had felt this way for a while.
‘Why me?’
Why did fights stop when he intervened?
How did he even end up leading this squad?
All he did was treat them honestly and openly.
Said what needed to be said. Asked questions when curious.
He was direct but respectful.
That was all.
‘No, it’s not that they listen to me—it’s that they’ve gotten closer.’
Maybe it was just his imagination, but their fights didn’t seem like real fights anymore.
In the past, even though they had harsh words, they respected each other’s space. But now, they weren’t even clearly drawing those boundaries, yet they still weren’t fighting.
‘Feels like watching predators bonding on the plains.’
As Encrid was contemplating that—
Grnnk.
Beside him, Frok was calmly chewing on salad.
“Fresh vegetables… This city must be quite prosperous.”
“It’s more about trade than farming, which is why we get fresh produce.”
Krys responded.
Frok nodded and spoke again.
“There are empty bunks in the barracks. I shall stay for a few days.”
“…?”
Apart from the salad, Frok barely ate anything else.
Since his kind only ate bugs and plants, that made sense.
But his sudden remark left everyone speechless.
What did he just say?
Even Encrid was confused.
This was Frok.
A distinguished figure who had just returned from the main force. And now he wanted to stay here?
Everyone stared at him with puzzled expressions.
Without breaking his eating pace, Frok answered the silent question.
“Your bunk should do.”
Regardless of how others treated him, Encrid always maintained a baseline of respect.
After all, he was the squad leader.
Even if people saw him as half-mad at first glance.
Those who spent enough time around him knew—
That he was the only sane one in this squad of lunatics.
That was why formal speech naturally slipped from his mouth.
Encrid had assumed that the frogman before him would leave soon.
Frok was never part of their unit to begin with.
If he had stayed just to tell Encrid that he could never become a knight, then he had already wasted far too much time.
A full day had passed. He should have left long ago.
His fellow squire had already departed, so why was he still here alone?
Of course, they all had their guesses.
Ragna in particular—he seemed to have an idea of Frok’s interest in Encrid.
That was why no one asked about his stay.
The rest of the squad, including Rem, didn’t care in the first place.
If the guy wanted to stay, well, whatever.
“Why, though?”
There was no need to hide his thoughts, so Encrid asked bluntly.
A strange silence filled the mess hall.
Only the chatter from other tables echoed—the usual talk of gambling, the battlefield, and women.
Encrid listened with half an ear, his eyes fixed on Frok.
The frogman shrugged, offering no further explanation.
Encrid stared for a moment longer, then let it go.
To be precise, he set it aside. It was just a feeling, but Frok didn’t seem hostile toward him.
More importantly, this was Frok—his presence was more likely to be helpful than a hindrance.
It was odd for him to want to stay in their quarters, but there was no reason to refuse.
“I want to stay in the barracks too!”
Finn raised her hand. Her lips were smeared with lamb marinade—she wasn’t the type to eat neatly.
She was a ranger, after all. People who spent their lives under the moon and sky weren’t exactly known for fine dining etiquette.
And this was the barracks. No one here ate with decorum.
Except for Frok, who alone displayed an air of refinement.
Even Encrid could tell—it was the kind of posture a noble would have while eating.
Carefully transferring greens to his plate, cutting them into tiny pieces, and bringing them to his mouth.
Of course, he ate in his own peculiar way—extending his tongue to snatch up the food.
“Do as you please.”
Encrid granted permission.
She wasn’t officially part of the squad, but staying in the barracks wouldn’t be an issue.
‘Should I report this?’
Probably. But if they wanted to stay, they could stay.
He mulled it over while chewing his lamb.
The marinade was excellent—subtle herbs, just the right amount of fat, and a sharp yet slightly sweet flavor filling his mouth.
A well-seasoned meal, indeed.
Compared to usual, dinner was surprisingly pleasant.
“Brother, today’s lamb is truly superb.”
Audin laughed heartily.
“And that suits your taste?”
“Mind your own business and keep eating. Ah, that thing next to you is called a fork. If you don’t know how to use it, just leave it.”
Rem and Ragna bickered, but there was no real hostility. That alone made the atmosphere feel rather harmonious.
When Encrid had first entered the barracks earlier, the air had seemed a lot heavier.
“This is amusing. None of you are normal.”
Finn muttered.
She was an experienced ranger.
She had met all kinds of people in her time.
But none quite like this lunatic squad.
In both skill and personality, not a single one of them could be called ordinary.
She simply kept chewing her meat.
The lamb was exceptional today.
“By the way, where are Andrew and Mack?”
Krys, still munching on lamb, finally asked.
That was quick.
Encrid recalled his spar with Andrew the previous night and replied—
“They’ve left the unit.”
“Huh?”
Andrew was originally the heir of House Gardner.
He had a duty to revive his family.
Right before he left, he had said—
“I’ve learned how to persevere by watching you. I’ll do the same. One day, we’ll meet again in the name of Gardner.”
His tone was brimming with confidence.
His eyes held unshakable determination.
His stance exuded certainty.
So Encrid had let him go.
That night, Andrew and Mack left the unit.
Reporting their departure had fallen to Encrid, but the Elven Company Commander had accepted it without issue.
“If you’re upset about losing numbers, I can send you replacements, Squad Leader.”
Hearing that, Encrid had immediately shaken his head.
The term “independent squad” sounded nice, but if they took in just any strays, they wouldn’t last long.
Only someone of Andrew’s caliber could even function in this unit.
‘The previous squad leaders all got wiped out, too.’
Rather than increasing their numbers for the sake of it, keeping things as they were seemed like the better choice.
“I’m fine with the current setup.”
He had turned down the offer politely.
The commander had joked, “Then should I join your squad instead?”
To which Encrid had firmly refused and excused himself.
Pushing aside those memories, Encrid spoke again.
“They won’t be coming back. We’ll keep things as they are for now.”
“Ah, understood.”
Krys seemed to already know, so he accepted it without further comment.
“What? My plaything left without telling me?”
Hearing that, Rem shot up from his seat.
“Hmm?”
“I’m heading out.”
With that, Rem bolted from the mess hall.
“I’m sleepy, so I’m off.”
Ragna stood up right after finishing his meal.
“It’s time for prayer.”
Audin also departed.
After finishing the rest of his food, Encrid washed it down with the cheap tea provided in the mess hall and stepped outside.
Instead of heading to the barracks, he walked toward the training grounds.
From behind, Frok called out—
“Where are you going?”
Without stopping, Encrid replied—
“Still have training left to do.”
It was time for the evening drills.
For the first time, Frok hesitated.
“You’re training again?”
It was the first time since meeting Encrid that Frok sounded genuinely taken aback.
“Of course.”
Encrid remained indifferent.
Whether Frok stayed or left, whether people doubted him, whether they told him he could never become a knight—
It didn’t matter.
What needed to be done had to be done.
Delaying today’s work until tomorrow?
Not an option.
Encrid was not the kind of man who could put things off.
If anything, he was the kind of lunatic who dragged tomorrow’s tasks into today just to get them done early.
‘This bastard is the craziest one here.’
Frok thought to himself.
A squad of madmen, indeed—but this one was the maddest of them all.
Encrid believed he was the only sane one.
But that was merely his own perception.
From the eyes of others, things looked very, very different.
