Chapter 302

“Not good.”

That was the answer to a question about his condition.

Graham, lying in bed, only lifted his head to look at Encrid.

He had been pierced through the back and couldn’t move properly.

In other words, the standing forces of the Border Guards had lost their commander.

They now had to fight a battle without a lord, a battalion commander, or a supreme commander…

“You can manage without me.”

Graham said.

One of his two lieutenants nearly nodded in agreement. No—one of them actually ‘did’ nod.

“That bastard really nodded.”

“N-No, sir!”

As soon as Graham spoke, the nodding lieutenant quickly changed it to a shake.

Watching this little skit, Encrid asked,

“So I’m in charge?”

“Who else would do it?”

Graham realized something anew.

‘They call me lord only in name.’

Wasn’t the real hero of this city someone else?

He had cut down enemy commanders, led a band of madmen, and though not normal himself, he was the kind of man who could save a child.

Throwing his body to save a child in the middle of chaos—

‘A useless gesture, but…’

Because of that, he was someone you could trust.

And because of that, Graham had no complaints.

Honestly—

“If he asked me to give up the lordship, I probably would.”

Of course, that guy never said such a thing. It was just a passing thought.

Even if he was lord in name only, it didn’t feel insulting. It was strange.

He didn’t feel envy toward the man in front of him.

Maybe because he had seen him rise from the bottom?

Or because he knew how his palms would blister from endless sword swings?

Even now, despite having grown immensely, the man still trained until his hands were raw.

To envy such a man would be to admit you’re trash and a fool.

Maybe that was it.

‘Maybe I just don’t want to be trash.’

That was the conclusion Graham arrived at. Still, curiosity remained, so he asked,

“Why did you save that child?”

It was dangerous. It was pointless.

There were flashes and explosions. If he had hesitated for even a moment, he could’ve died.

But the man in front of him rolled on the ground with the child in his arms. He saved him, suffering burns on his back and shoulders.

Why? For just one kid?

The child would’ve died from a stray arrow or simply from being left alone.

His actions in that moment weren’t all understandable, but the result was clear: the child had been saved.

He swung his sword for someone who had nothing to do with him.

It was like something out of a storybook.

Encrid answered without hesitation.

“Because I wanted to.”

His tone, as if it was no big deal, made it all the more impressive.

This bastard really was one hell of a lunatic.

Graham picked a fight for no reason.

“Show some respect to a battalion commander, company commander. Have you been hanging around Rem too much?”

“That’s an insult. Are you challenging me to a duel?”

“Rem was a mistake.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Win and come back. If you do, I’ll personally lead the welcome parade.”

“Am I supposed to be happy that some old man, not a beauty, is giving me a parade?”

He genuinely seemed curious. And that dumb lieutenant ‘nodded again’.

Why would you agree with that?

“Get out.”

Graham threw both Encrid and the lieutenant out.

He worried about the city like a proper lord.

Encrid saw responsibility in Graham—and he liked that.

So,

“I’ll return victorious.”

Encrid said as he stepped out.

Graham said nothing in return. But there was no sign of worry in his eyes either.

Outside, the snow was letting up. Azpen couldn’t just keep watching. They’d have to move soon.

As reinforcements for Green Pearl.

“I wish the snow would stop dragging on. Don’t you?”

The clueless lieutenant was truly dense. He didn’t realize they’d only gotten rest because of the snow.

How did this guy become a lieutenant?

“You need to grow some awareness.”

Encrid offered a pointed bit of advice and turned away.

He’d seen the boy’s mother, and he’d visited the injured mercenaries in town.

The mercenaries were staying at the town inn.

Some pledged to join the battle. Some said they’d remain as hired swords.

There were some interesting folks among them.

One of them was Edin Molsen.

“Be careful of my father.”

He said out of the blue.

“You know that’s the same as saying to be careful of ‘you’, right?”

“It’s not a warning. It’s advice.”

“Got it.”

Encrid didn’t take it too seriously. Was Count Molsen really important right now?

No.

There was a clear order of priority. The enemy right now was Azpen. Azpen, who was coming with intent.

“Don’t forget what I said.”

As Edin reiterated his point, Encrid smiled and answered cheerfully.

“By the way, what’s your name again?”

“…You forgot again?”

Encrid quickly picked up his pace and returned to the barracks before Edin could explode.

“Got any food? Food? Don’t you know injured folks need to eat well?”

Rem greeted him the moment he stepped inside, like a baby bird waiting for its mother. Always obsessed with food.

Fortunately, Encrid had just returned from a lap around town.

To recover, and also to check in on the mercenaries who stayed to fight.

So he had some bread, marmalade, and seasoned jerky in hand.

“They say dying on a full stomach gives you a prettier corpse.”

“That’s a Western joke. Surprised you know it?”

Rem chuckled and shoved bread into his mouth.

Watching him brought back memories of seeing Gilpin right before returning from the market.

That guy had been acting weird.

“There were several spies. We missed a few.”

He said bluntly as he approached.

“I’ll monitor things more thoroughly.”

His clenched jaw showed strong resolve.

Encrid didn’t respond. He just wondered—why were ‘they’ hunting spies?

Wasn’t that the job of the city watch?

No? Pretty sure it was.

Anyway, Gilpin’s eyes burned with determination. He was brimming with passion, like someone answering a divine calling.

It likely started as a command from Krys, so there was no divine anything involved.

“Uh, right.”

“Anyone from Maelrun who can swing a sword, we’re making contact. We’ll expand the guild and take control of the city’s nights.”

Encrid didn’t know it, but Gilpin had seen the battle. He had especially focused on Encrid.

He had always known Encrid was incredible, but in this battle, something was different.

He faced the front lines, took on enemy commanders.

That was already impressive, but what left a deep impression on Gilpin was when Encrid rolled through the dirt, holding a child.

That image lingered in his mind for days.

‘Was there a reason to save the child?’

No. But he saved him anyway. Gilpin had failed—the kid was kidnapped due to his own negligence. Despite Frok from Maelrun helping him—

‘I failed.’

That night, Gilpin bit his jaw so hard his gums bled.

A hundred years ago, there was a man who unified the thieves’ guilds alone.

He wasn’t a thief—he was a righteous outlaw.

He devoted his life to helping the poor and downtrodden.

All he knew from childhood was thievery, and he reached the peak of that world.

The only [Rogue Master] on the continent.

A bard who sang of the romance of the night.

The emperor of alleyways—Kiuzelas.

Gilpin’s childhood dream was to be a guardian of the night.

The “Guardian of the Night” was a concept created by Kiuzelas.

To protect the night was to bring peace to the people.

Watching the smiles around him, Gilpin thought that maybe—just maybe—he was becoming something other than a thief.

He believed he was helping to protect the city he was born and raised in.

‘This is the city I was born in.’

I’ll protect it. If not me, who will?

He had let the child slip through. He had missed several spies.

No one blamed Gilpin.

Not even the boy’s mother would. But Gilpin blamed himself.

‘It’s my fault.’

You could mock him, call him a petty thief trying to act like a noble hero.

‘But even if it’s just a dream—’

Gilpin wanted to dream again. To dream the dream of his childhood.

And just before that dream shattered—Encrid saved the child.

He saw the mother’s gratitude.

And so, Gilpin caught a glimpse of greatness in the man before him.

Not his swordsmanship.

Was this how Kiuzelas acted?

Encrid was different in heart and spirit. Gilpin saw it clearly.

“Why did he do it?”

When he asked Krys, the answer was as ridiculous as it was fitting.

“Probably because it pissed him off. That enemy commander bastard doing those things—saving the kid would piss him off even more.”

Was that really the reason?

No. He saved a person. By saving, he protected the city.

Encrid didn’t intend it, but his actions completely captured the heart of an old thief.

Gilpin made a renewed vow.

‘Even if it costs my life—’

He would protect the city’s night, and if nothing else, clear pebbles from Encrid’s path.

Even though Krys had mentored him, he swore his loyalty to someone else. But when Krys eventually learned Gilpin’s thoughts and intentions, his reaction didn’t change.

It was more like: ‘Fine, whatever.’ He was unfazed.

As long as he did his job well, that’s all that mattered. If anything, he appreciated being told in advance.

It meant he wouldn’t get sucker-punched later.

Encrid, of course, knew none of this.

He simply enjoyed seeing someone with passion.

“I support you.”

“I’ll at least clear the stones on the roadside.”

Encrid didn’t fully understand the next part, but he assumed it meant Gilpin wanted to clean up the city alleys.

For a brief visit to the city, quite a lot had happened, and he’d met quite a few people.

He had even gone to see Graham before returning.

As his thoughts ended, he turned and spotted Dunbakel with a swollen cheekbone. It was obvious she’d been hit.

“We’re deploying after the snow clears—what if you cripple her?”

Encrid scolded. She was part of their fighting force.

“She’ll heal in half a day. What, you think I beat her without thinking or something?”

Encrid almost nodded but held back. He couldn’t act like that clueless lieutenant from earlier.

“Her jaw looks dislocated.”

“Must’ve hurt your eyes too.”

Ignoring them, he spotted Krys sitting blankly in front of the brazier, skin freshly pampered from a deep nap.

He looked relaxed on the outside, but he wasn’t. His brain was spinning.

At least that’s what Encrid believed.

‘Slurp.’

Krys drooled a little, then slurped it back.

“Oops, must’ve dozed off.”

He really ‘was’ taking it easy.

Encrid considered smacking him upside the head.

Just then, Krys stretched and got up.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Thinking, huh?”

Should he just punch him first in case something dumb came out of that mouth?

Unaware of Encrid’s thoughts, Krys spoke in his usual tone.

“Azpen must’ve set a trap.”

The heavy snow had begun to let up, and Krys had been thinking all the while.

‘If they’d attacked from behind…’

It would’ve been a tough fight, but one they’d expected. Azpen should’ve used their advantage and struck first.

But they didn’t.

Winter battles are already difficult—so why drag it out?

Azpen hadn’t attacked. They waited.

Even as the snow stopped, there was no surprise assault. Only now were they starting to prepare.

It was like they were waiting for the previous battle to end.

That was suspicious. It stank. It felt very, very bad. Anxiety surged again.

‘If it were me, I’d have struck.’

What’s easier than hitting someone in the back mid-battle? But Azpen didn’t.

Something’s going on. It’s unpredictable. This could be the worst-case scenario.

After much thought, Krys reached a conclusion.

“This might be tougher than the alliance between the Black Blade Bandits and the Cult. Maybe they’ve hidden a knight somewhere. Even if we field knight-level power, we don’t know if our side can match it. They might even split their forces to attack the city directly.”

“What’s your point?”

“They’re capable of ‘anything’.”

“And our response?”

Encrid asked, and Krys answered. Their tone was calm and casual across the brazier, but it might as well have been a war council between a commander and his officer.

Why wouldn’t it be?

Graham had been taken out by an assassin. Authority had been passed entirely to Encrid.

The firelight painted Krys’s face a reddish hue.

“You know the Green Pearl battalion commander?”

Encrid shook his head. He’d never met the man. From what he’d heard, the guy was an opportunist who’d do anything for gain.

Great with logistics and fortifications—but not strong in battle.

None of that was good news.

“In the worst case, we’ll be facing twice the enemies.”

At the word “magic,” Esther snorted.

“Hmph.”

Today, she was in human form.

As they spoke, the snow had stopped.

With the snow cleared, it was time to organize and deploy.

His body was half-recovered.

With Graham out, Encrid would have to lead as supreme commander.

“That’s something we’ll have to confirm.”

Whose side was the Green Pearl battalion on?

Could Azpen have been stalling all this time because they’d already secured them as allies?

It was worth suspecting. No—it ‘had’ to be suspected.

“Deployment first.”

A few days of sweet rest had passed.

They had swatted down some wolves. Now it was time to face the tiger lurking behind.

Deployment, then advance.

Even while checking every palisade and watchtower in Green Pearl, Encrid didn’t lower his guard.

And the moment the Green Pearl battalion commander appeared—fully armed—to greet them,

The look of distortion on his face told Krys that his worst fears were about to come true.
Chapter 302 : Whose Side Is the Green Pearl Battalion On?