Chapter 268

“You’re leaving me behind? Then walk over my body first!”

At Rem’s words, Encrid moved swiftly. He pushed forward with his left foot in a smooth glide.

His body seemed to vanish for a moment.

Of course, no one in the room actually lost sight of Encrid’s movement.

But—

‘That step…’

Jaxson was slightly surprised as he watched Encrid’s footwork.

‘Snake Step?’

Audin felt the same.

He had combined both their footwork styles into one and made it his own.

What is a sword? What is swordsmanship?

In a continuous cycle of realizations, Encrid had crafted a style of swordsmanship using his entire body, which naturally included footwork.

In truth, all physical disciplines—like dancing or martial arts—relied heavily on footwork.

Footwork often accounted for over half the skill.

Naturally, Encrid had devoted just as much attention to footwork as swordplay.

It showed clearly now.

His left knee bent and extended smoothly, propelling him forward with even force—similar to Jaxson’s silent step. Then, his right leg’s joints curved softly, like Audin’s Snake Step.

He had blended the two with just the right touch.

To the untrained eye, it would’ve looked completely different.

As Encrid went to step on Rem, the barbarian snorted and rolled his body to the side with a spin.

Whatever trick he used, he twisted away cleanly.

Thud—Encrid’s right foot struck the floor as he asked:

“Shouldn’t you have just taken the hit there?”

“Who said I’d just get stepped on? Want to learn this? It’s a secret technique called the Unstompable Dung Beetle.”

The fact he was making it up on the spot was glaringly obvious.

“No.”

Encrid declined, and though Rem ranted a few more times, he couldn’t come along.

Even if the village was where the drugs originated, they couldn’t just march in with troops and smash it.

“It’s awkward to say this after being told to crush them, but we’re in kingdom territory. You know that, right? Eyes are already on us these days.”

Of course they were.

If things go sideways, Count Molsen starts scheming.

And it wasn’t just Count Molsen.

Other nobles had their eyes greedily fixed on this place.

While Encrid was away in Martai, some noble reportedly fled the territory.

“Gone to seek protection under another noble. Probably planning to sell information about this place and cash in. Stupid bastard.”

Markus had spat and cursed, but based on what Krys had heard—

“He got wrecked for it, apparently. Just because you’re a noble doesn’t mean you’re safe from a beating if you screw up.”

Try to slack off and get caught, they beat you. Try to work properly, and the workload is overwhelming. Some nobles had fled just to escape.

If they were willing to abandon all their holdings, imagine how miserable they were.

Markus’s reasoning had merit too. It was probably both.

And Krys added:

“Knowing Markus, he probably wants all the nobles to run. Sure, he’s using the excuse of manpower shortages to push them, but I bet he’s trying to replace everyone in the territory with his own people. But I wonder if that’s really… okay.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

Krys worried a lot. Encrid didn’t ask further. He had more pressing matters.

The conclusion was simple: just because they were suspicious didn’t mean he could go around stabbing people.

Sure, the other side had sent assassins and blades to the crossroads—but the Border Guards couldn’t do the same. Not openly, at least.

First, they had to gather proof that the village was guilty.

Even forged evidence would be better than nothing. And more importantly—

“Aren’t there innocent villagers too?”

Markus’s point was valid. Just because some caused trouble didn’t mean the whole village could be punished.

Some might be making the drug unknowingly.

So—

“It’ll just be me, Commander Sinar, Finn, and Jaxson.”

They decided on infiltration first.

The Elf Commander had apparently been investigating this for a while.

Nearly a year, she said.

“For all that, you didn’t even know the village’s location? What, were you spending your missions hanging around gambling dens?”

Krys had tilted his head upon hearing that.

Her in a gambling den? It didn’t quite fit. But Krys had a point.

It seemed almost negligent.

Sure, Maelrun might’ve had unusual talents, but if the village was so exposed that even travelers knew of it, then they should’ve found it long ago.

“She’s good in a fight, but maybe not at tracking. That’s probably why she took Finn with her.”

“Are you defending your fiancée?”

Encrid had learned various techniques from Audin, with the core being the [Valaf Style].

Among those were joint locks that inflicted pain without breaking the body.

As part of his training, Encrid demonstrated one of these techniques on Krys.

Standing side by side, he interlocked their hands like a clasp, aligning Krys’s elbow to Encrid’s bicep, causing their arms to entangle.

Pulling backward from there completed the hold.

It wasn’t torture—but applied force could easily shatter a wrist.

When Krys absentmindedly offered his hand, Encrid pulled with it still locked.

Crack.

“Does that hurt?”

“AAAAAAARGH!”

Krys screamed.

Encrid casually let go.

“My arm—my arm almost got ruined!”

“Hmm, maybe I should’ve just cut it off.”

Krys bolted away. Encrid didn’t chase. It had been a joke.

And he quickly regretted it.

‘I just acted like Rem.’

That was bad. Not even worth a second thought.

He shook off the dark thoughts.

Sensing someone behind him, Encrid turned halfway to find Ragna.

“Why can’t I come along?”

Ragna asked, munching on an apple he’d gotten from who-knows-where.

Behind him were Audin and Teresa.

The reason was obvious—those two were too large to blend in.

Same with Dunbakel, whose appearance screamed ‘beastkin.’

As for Ragna—

“We may have to scatter on the spot. If that happens, we need to regroup at the designated location.”

“That’s a problem?”

It was terrifying how unaware he was of his horrible sense of direction.

“There’s no need to use your sword.”

Encrid patted his shoulder instead of explaining further.

Ragna accepted it. He wasn’t the type to insist. Lately, he’d shown more enthusiasm, but not enough to volunteer for something like this.

He was only reacting because Encrid would be gone for almost a week.

Thinking about it—these people only got this fired up when Encrid was involved.

So what would happen if he weren’t around?

Just a random thought that flitted through his mind.

“I, Rem, will go rogue starting today! Baaaah!”

He shouted, wrapped in thermal furs with a heat stone tucked in his chest.

He had to be hot by now, but he held out. The guy who hated the cold still wanted to come along. It was kind of touching.

Of course, he was ignored. Entertaining him would only make things drag out.

Leaving Rem and his cries behind, Encrid got to work.

He confirmed the village’s location and checked his gear.

Two swords, six [Whistle Daggers] recovered from assassins.

There were also some poison powders and vials—but since he didn’t know how to use them safely, they could be dangerous to him too. He was about to throw them away when Jaxson took them all.

After organizing equipment and finishing other preparations, they gathered in the Elf Commander’s quarters for a strategy meeting.

She decided to station part of her unit nearby.

Roughly two platoons. They had to stay far enough away not to be noticed.

But they couldn’t stay on standby forever either.

Winter made monster and beast attacks more frequent—they couldn’t fight endlessly.

Holding position outside the village without a fence would last maybe a week.

If they stirred too much trouble, the village would catch on.

“Two days inside should be enough to figure things out.”

Spreading out a military map, Commander Sinar said. Her unusually serious tone made Encrid nod.

“If it takes longer, we can pull back—or just surround them entirely.”

Finn, a versatile ranger, was with them too.

He hadn’t seen her in a while. She was the same as ever.

“You’re still spreading your charm everywhere, I see?”

She joked in greeting.

Encrid brushed it off.

“We leave at dawn tomorrow.”

Sinar led the operation. Encrid nodded again.

As he was about to leave the room, she called after him.

“My fiancée can sleep here tonight.”

Of course, Encrid walked right out.

Behind him, he heard Finn giggle.

‘What’s so funny about that?’

Still, Encrid cracked a smile. Jaxson, noticing, spoke.

“That Elf…”

“Hmm?”

“At this point, maybe just go along with it.”

Was it a joke? Or serious?

Encrid didn’t bother answering.

Jaxson, realizing what he’d said, waved it off and turned away.

Though—was something up with him?

Normally he wouldn’t say that out loud.

Maybe he was distracted—saying something without thinking.

His expression looked heavier than usual.

Only someone who’d spent time with him could tell.

The [Sensory Art] had sharpened Encrid’s perception that much.

To others, it might look like his usual blank face. But to Encrid—

‘His focus is a bit off.’

He wasn’t slacking off, but it felt like his mind was elsewhere.

Like showing someone a sweeping plain, only for them to look past it and search the horizon.

There was also a chilling sharpness in his presence.

He seemed like someone preparing for something.

‘Why?’

This was just a mission. Did he hate the drug use?

That couldn’t be it. Jaxson had handled all sorts of substances before.

He never consumed them, or even smoked, but he often helped Krys sort through herbs and powders.

So it had to be something else.

Encrid didn’t ask.

Even if he did, there’d be no answer. Nothing would change just by knowing.

As he returned, he saw Esther.

Beside her was the wild horse. Somehow, they were together.

The horse neighed when it saw Encrid.

It was as if asking, “Where have you been?”

Encrid thought of it as a nosy brat.

The one that went berserk as soon as it arrived at the Border Guard.

“That’s my line, odd-eye.”

He still hadn’t given it a proper name, so he just called it whatever.

Growl.

Esther let out a small rumble beside him.

“I’m heading out on a mission.”

He told her he’d be gone for about a week, and she gestured that she’d come too.

She lifted a paw, pointed at Encrid, then at herself, then tapped the ground twice.

“Alright.”

This panther was adept at stealth. Last time they’d been apart too long, she got sulky. Bringing her wasn’t a stretch.

Sometimes Encrid still found it odd that this panther could turn into a woman with black hair and blue eyes.

Even after seeing the transformation, he couldn’t think of her as anything but a panther.

Neigh.

“Odd-eye, you stay.”

The wild horse was full of curiosity. While it didn’t understand every word, it seemed to catch some.

It neighed furiously at being called ‘odd-eye.’

When it stomped the ground, Encrid asked if it didn’t like the name—and the horse nodded.

Encrid stared at it for a moment, then gave it a new name.

“Let’s call you Bulgul.”

In the eastern continent’s language, Bulgul could mean ‘indomitable will.’

Esther stared at Encrid in surprise.

She didn’t expect someone who lived and breathed swords to know something like that.

Encrid liked ancient tales. If he found a storyteller who knew anything about knighthood, he’d gladly toss them a few silver coins just to listen.

He’d picked up a lot that way.

“Still, with different colored eyes, ‘Odd-Eye’ suits you best.”

Neigh!

The wild horse roared in protest. Encrid didn’t really care about the name.

* * *

The next morning, they departed the territory at dawn.

“I’ll guide us.”

Finn took the lead. Following Maelrun’s directions, they walked for two full days.

Eventually, the village he spoke of came into view.

They posed as wandering merchants nearby.

Encrid would be a guard. Jaxson played the merchant.

Commander Sinar would be another guard, and Finn a subordinate.

“You think this’ll work?”

After everything was decided, Finn asked with concern. It was unnecessary.

As soon as Jaxson stepped into the village, he transformed.

“What’s the name of this village? Can I buy and sell here? Seems like a fine place!”

What the hell? He’s scary good.

Encrid was shocked by the sudden shift in Jaxson.

The transformed Jaxson looked back and continued:

“Can’t you tell just by looking? See? Everyone’s got bright faces, and no one looks too skinny—must be a prosperous village, right? That means plenty of goods to trade and generous folks! Don’t you agree?”

He slapped Encrid’s shoulder while speaking. Careless gestures, bold attitude.

It was a familiar sales pitch. The endless chatter of a magic-mouthed hustler.

Jaxson was imitating Krys.

(T/N: I can’t imagine Jaxson to speak more than 5 words. hahaha)