Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 24: Three

“The wind is blowing from this direction, right? But see how these short grasses are lying in the opposite direction, forming a circular pattern?”

Enri stepped on the base of the tall grass, pushing it aside to reveal the shorter grass below. He explained the traces left in the grass.

“I see.”

Encrid replied, examining the ground carefully. It was easy to understand when explained, but finding it alone would be difficult.

They were in a field of tall grass.

Looking around, it was a sea of green.

A bard traveling through the continent named this area “Green Pearl” in midsummer, inspired by the sight of the lush plains.

The long grass areas appeared darker, akin to the deep ocean.

This field was an unpleasant place to traverse. The swaying grass slapped against their faces and eyes, and insects clung to them.

Crickets and grasshoppers jumped around, and they occasionally saw frogs in the water puddles.

Seeing the frogs reminded Encrid of the Froggs, who always claimed to be entirely different creatures.

They wouldn’t react to a frog being killed, but if someone threatened to crush a Frogg’s heart, they’d attack fiercely.

‘One strike to the side.’

He had blocked it reflexively, but that single strike had floored him.

How long would it take to match the strength of a Frogg?

Not now, but could he eventually fight one?

He doubted it. Not giving up didn’t mean he didn’t have doubts.

But he had no time for doubt.

He dismissed negative thoughts immediately.

There was no point wasting energy on things he couldn’t resolve now.

Returning his focus to Enri’s explanation, Encrid listened attentively.

The scout, a native prairie hunter, remained positive even amidst the absurdity of their squad leader’s actions.

Enri kept surveying their surroundings, his hunting skills evident.

“It’s interesting listening to you.”

“There’s not much animal dung here. Why is that?”

Enri tilted his head.

“Is that a problem?”

Encrid asked, pushing aside the tall, thick grass that kept drooping over his head.

“This field looks like useless weeds to humans, but it’s a paradise for animals that feed on this grass. Usually, there are lots of animal traces, but now there are few.”

Few animals. Why? Encrid swatted a grass insect off his cheek. It wasn’t a leech, but it was trying to pierce his skin.

Seeing the grass and bugs, he felt a sudden urge to cut everything down with a sharp scythe.

“Shh, you talk too much.”

The scout squad leader looked back.

He frowned at a cricket passing by but didn’t complain.

‘That’s unexpected.’

He had expected the leader to be annoyed, given that he had insisted on this route.

While the greenery was impressive, many areas showed signs of browning, signaling the approach of autumn.

In winter, this lush grassland would disappear, leaving only traces.

In spring, the dead grass would nourish the new growth, and the tall grass would rise again.

Year after year, the cycle repeated.

‘Dying and regrowing.’

Was this nature’s way?

So what was happening to him?

The repetition of today.

No matter how much he tried not to think about it, it lingered in his mind. He couldn’t just brush off the fact that his days were repeating.

However, Encrid had made a firm decision.

‘Use everything available.’

So, this was the same.

It didn’t feel like a blessing.

Even if it was a curse, nothing would change.

As they walked through the grass, someone tapped Encrid’s shoulder.

It wasn’t Enri.

It was a soldier who stuck close to the squad leader.

“Our squad leader might seem immature, but please understand. He needs to make achievements but is stuck with scouting. He’s frustrated.”

Suddenly, this?

“You’re a squad leader too. Forget the butt joke, please.”

It was an awkward timing.

Even so, Encrid accepted the apology roughly.

What good would it do to get angry during a mission?

He still thought the same.

Better to invest time in training than waste it on unnecessary emotions.

“Fine.”

“You’re generous, squad leader.”

The soldier smiled. His faded blond hair and rough face made him the opposite of Big Eyes.

In simpler terms, he was ugly.

Nodding, Encrid turned away.

He focused on his hearing again.

At that moment, an unusual sound hit his ears.

Rustle. Growl! Crackle.

His training with Jaxson paid off.

‘That’s a different sound.’

The scouts walked close enough to see each other’s backs but not shoulder to shoulder.

He had grown accustomed to the sound of them moving through the tall grass.

But this sound was different.

It came from farther away.

It was definitely the sound of people moving through grass.

Mixed with growls and footsteps.

It was people.

And it wasn’t their own.

The tall grass field had no significant strategic value.

Its importance lay in the fact that enemy territory lay beyond it.

Once past the grass, the plains offered no cover.

Thus, moving through the grass wasn’t a smart move.

So, did the enemy have a squad leader as foolish as theirs?

“There are others besides us.”

Encrid said. The soldier in front blinked.

“What?”

He seemed puzzled. He frowned and tilted his head.

“I think I heard it too.”

Enri supported Encrid.

“What?”

When Encrid stopped, the scout squad leader came back and asked.

“Enemy.”

Encrid said it immediately, but recognizing it was a separate issue.

Whoosh! Thunk!

Before they could react, the enemy struck first.

“Argh!”

A short arrow struck the lead soldier in the head.

Following the sound, Encrid saw the arrow’s shape.

‘Bolt.’

A short arrow, good for close range. Not meant for longbows.

‘Crossbow.’

The conclusion was quick. As soon as the soldier’s head was pierced, Encrid shouted.

“Get down!”

He pulled the squad leader down by the collar.

“Ugh!”

The leader grunted.

Lying flat on the ground, they heard screams and gurgles.

‘Front, right, and left.’

Lowering himself to avoid the first volley, he knew staying still meant death.

So, what to do?

Charge. Pick a direction and break through. No stopping.

Encrid lowered himself and lunged in one direction.

Rustle!

The grass parted, revealing his movement to the enemy.

Crossbow bolts flew in.

“Foolish!”

Enri shouted in shock. It looked like a suicide move.

Thud, thud.

Half luck, Encrid avoided most bolts.

One struck his left shoulder, but he spotted the enemy.

They had cut some grass to create space.

In the grass, someone in green clothes held a crossbow.

Encrid drew his sword immediately.

‘Any stance, any time.’

Attack optimally.

He acted on what he had learned.

He closed the distance. The enemy reloaded the crossbow.

A poor choice.

As soon as he reached striking distance, Encrid thrust with his sword.

The arming sword’s tip pierced the air and slashed the enemy’s neck.

Blood spurted, then gushed from the wound.

The soldier clutched his throat and collapsed.

Encrid didn’t stop.

He dashed to the left.

Too close for bolts. A spear aimed at his chest.

Encrid feinted, making the spear miss, then spun on his right foot.

He countered with a thrust.

Combining offense and defense in one move.

The sword pierced the enemy’s torso. He felt the resistance.

The enemy wore thick cloth armor.

With enough force, it wasn’t hard to penetrate.

“Ugh.”

The spearman dropped his spear and grabbed Encrid’s sword with both hands.

His hands bled as they gripped the blade.

‘Can’t pull it out.’

Quick decisions.

The key to survival in battle.

Letting go of the sword, he grabbed the fallen spear.

Whack.

Another enemy swung a crossbow like a club.

Encrid ducked, letting the crossbow graze his head.

The arming cap he wore instead of a helmet was knocked off, exposing his scalp to the cold air.

He drove the spear into the enemy’s foot. A decorative move for the crossbow wielder’s foot.

Thunk!

“Argh!”

Pain induced a scream, drawing attention.

A scream to lower the enemy’s morale.

He grabbed the uninjured knee and twisted it backward.

Crack!

“Ugh!”

A technique he learned from the religious squad member.

Clumsy, but no time for finesse.

He drew the shortsword from the fallen enemy’s waist.

He straightened up, positioning the shortsword at the neck of the enemy with the speared foot.

“Ugh!”

Before the enemy could resist, he slid the blade across and pulled.

Slash.

He felt the resistance as it cut through flesh.

A gurgling, frothy sound followed.

The enemy clutched his neck and collapsed.

Out of breath, Encrid crouched behind the dying enemy, using him as a shield to catch his breath.

‘One side.’

They were surrounded on three sides.

Now one side was clear.

He had a chance to escape if things went wrong.

“…You said you were a bottom-tier soldier?”

Enri appeared behind him.

“I am.”

Encrid replied, catching his breath. Enri shook his head.

“This skill is bottom-tier?”

“Damn, I’m a butt.”

Despite the chaos, the scout squad leader muttered stupidly.

What was he thinking?

“Stay back.”

The rough-looking soldier blocked the leader.

Only four of them were left.

The rest of the scouts were dead.

Facing them were over twenty enemy soldiers, glaring with intense hostility.

“…What the hell.”

One of the Azpen soldiers spoke up, glancing at Encrid and then at the bodies of his fallen comrades.

Three enemy soldiers lay dead.

Encrid didn’t care about their surprise.

As always, he focused on finding the best possible action in the current situation.

The crossbows remained a threat.

The enemy outnumbered them.

He had lost his sword.

“Run!”

It was time to use Valen-Style Swordsmanship: Retreat.

Encrid didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran.