Chapter 347

               

Encrid said he would act as Krang’s escort, but that wasn’t something to do right away.

“I’ll stay here for ten days, or a week at the shortest, and then leave.”

That’s what Marcus said.

“I don’t think it’s safe to stay any longer.”

Krys interjected and asked, but Marcus shook his head.

“Didn’t you think it was too much of an adventure for someone who only came to meet one person?”

Krys quickly understood Marcus’s words. Encrid also understood.

He came to see him, but that wasn’t his only purpose.

If coming to the city of Border Guard was an adventure in itself, then there must be other practical purposes as well.

It was understandable.

Count Molsen is a big shot who has influence even in the aristocratic society in the capital.

Avoiding such a person’s eyes and ears, of course.

The Queen is still holding out in the center.

Whether she’s not interested in succession or has other intentions, he doesn’t know.

In this situation, he’s trying to usurp the Queen’s throne.

Will it be easy? Or difficult?

He started without a base, position, or advantage.

All he has is his bloodline as a bastard of the royal family.

‘No, he does have that unique charm.’

Krys was seeing a human being who radiated light just by existing for the second time.

Of course, the first was Encrid.

‘The Captain is unique in other ways.’

In Krys’s view, Krang was unique in other ways.

He’s a person who sucks in the people around him and walks on them as a stepping stone.

He was also reminiscent of a huge sailing ship that embraces and moves.

On the other hand, Encrid is more like a flag than a sailing ship.

He stands alone and moves forward. Sometimes he becomes someone’s milestone, sometimes a goal, and sometimes a shield that blocks the way.

‘And he’s also very capable.’

Anyway, that sailing ship, or rather Krang, was fighting an uphill battle.

What does it prove that he’s been able to endure and accomplish something in this kind of fight?

It shows that the abilities of both the individual and those around him are not insignificant.

“So, are we going now or not?”

It’s Rem, who’s full of motivation now that the cold is gone.

Rem didn’t understand a word of what they were saying.

He just picked his nose and complained.

“Wait.”

Encrid knew how to handle beasts. He said to Rem, showing his palm.

“Wait, for now.”

His attitude was like he was dealing with a puppy.

“…….”

Rem silently picked up his axe. It was natural that he would swing his axe faster than his words.

It was also a half-intended tease.

So, they spent the remaining time sparring.

Or training.

Or repeating their practice.

* * *

Digging one hole is deeper than digging several holes.

Choose one and dig.

Whether it’s a sword or an axe, that’s what you hear when you first pick up a weapon.

Straight, heavy, deceptive, fast, and soft.

Which one will you dig?

If you grab ten guys who say they know how to use a sword and ask them, all ten will give you the same answer.

If you dig wells in several holes, water will not come out of any of them, so you will eventually die of thirst.

Of course, you have to dig a hole where water will come out. In other words, you have to choose the path that suits you, but these are detailed and slightly different stories, so the conclusion of what I’m saying is this.

“Dig only one well.”

If you gather a hundred people and ask them, the answer will be similar.

But Encrid didn’t do that.

He reached out to various wells and dug holes.

Heart of the beast, sensory arts, Isolation Technique, focus on one point.

He also learned various swordsmanships.

A hundred out of a hundred would say it’s the wrong path.

However, none of the Madman Company members open their mouths to say anything about this.

They don’t argue.

Even if something seemed like the truth or a truth when ten or a hundred people gathered and spoke, some of them could give a slightly different answer when the number exceeded a thousand or ten thousand.

“Why do I have to?”

They ask back.

Or.

“Why bother? Can’t I just do it as I feel?”

When you say things like this, you also hear things like this.

“Are all geniuses like you?”

Most of them are treated like crazy people or envied.

It was understandable.

They don’t choose the common path that everyone takes, yet they lead the way alone. They don’t run at the same speed as others.

Ordinary people who see such people’s backs had to fight frustration and despair.

Talent was discrimination.

The world is not fair.

The goddess of fortune does not love everyone.

Everyone knows that.

Encrid often heard similar stories.

“Dig only one well.”

Devote yourself to the Valen Style Mercenary Sword.

“Why don’t you focus only on the fast sword? At least you’ll be better than you are now.”

He often heard people telling him to learn a fast sword that puts everything on the first strike.

These people highly valued Encrid’s perseverance.

But Encrid didn’t do that.

He didn’t dig only one well.

To be exact, he couldn’t.

Because he couldn’t survive if he did.

In addition, after the curse-like blessing came together, he naturally learned various things.

In the process, didn’t he think of the words to dig only one well?

He did. But he ignored them.

Everyone’s words can’t be the answer. Encrid acted according to his intuition.

Above all, pleasure led him.

‘This is also fun.’

That’s also fun.

It’s thanks to the repetition of today. Things that could be painful were replaced with joy.

Since he enjoyed it, there was no need to worry about one well or several wells.

He builds swordsmanship on top of the arts taught by the Madman Company members. The whole process is enjoyable and enjoyable.

Every day is new.

Waking up every morning was like a gift.

Growth, change, and progress made him completely immersed in pleasure.

This was also possible because Encrid was not a normal human being.

Is it fun to crawl forward?

No. Not everyone can do that.

It was possible because it was Encrid.

Because he sincerely appreciates not settling down, every day, every moment is new and enjoyable.

All this motivation, this curse that is like a blessing, the Mad Company members who started by chance and remained as a bond.

All of this combined, Encrid drew water from all the wells.

“If I had to divide the talents of swords, weapons, and martial arts, I would see them as two.”

That’s what the instructor in the big city said. He was a person with his own firm principles and standards.

“One is this way.”

He pointed to his forehead with his index finger as he spoke.

“It’s the talent to use a sword with your head. It’s about seeing, judging, thinking, and devising. The second is the talent of the body. Whether your body follows your thoughts or not. Your body talent is low. Closing your eyes when a sword flies at you? What does it mean that it’s not easy no matter how hard you try? It means your body doesn’t follow your thoughts.”

So, focus on one thing. If you’re going to use a sword, strike first.

It was this guy who told him to focus on the mercenary-style fast sword.

But none of the Mad Company members say that.

They were talents who broke common sense from outside of common sense. Even Sinar was treated as a rare existence within the fairy race.

Above all, even in their eyes, the arts that Encrid had built were intertwined.

There’s no need to cling to just one well.

“That was good just now.”

Just like Rem felt a moment ago.

Audin’s Martial Arts following the Isolation Technique was embedded in the sword.

Ragna’s Heavy Swordsmanship was mixed into the Captured Sword, which was based on the Proper Sword Style.

A moment ago, Encrid struck down with the silver longsword in his right hand, placed his left hand on Blazeblade, and moved his left foot half a step forward.

Blazeblade is a sword that stabs quickly and straight.

Rem had to swing his axe at the momentum that seemed like it would pop out at any moment.

He parried and deflected.

Thoughts flowed and conclusions were drawn in an instant.

But Blazeblade didn’t fly.

The sword falling from above didn’t have any weight on it either.

At the moment when he wondered what kind of trick this was, Encrid narrowed the distance using the two sword strikes he was focusing on as bait.

He went straight into close combat.

It’s a technique made by adding the Valen Style Mercenary Sword.

Moreover, both sword strikes contained the momentum that made them look like ‘real’ ones.

It was thanks to the enlightenment he learned from the Pressing Blade.

“You’re crazy!”

Rem shouted excitedly at that moment.

Encrid’s hand grabbed Rem’s arm and twisted it in the opposite direction.

In a situation where his arm felt like it would be twisted, Rem kicked the ground and jumped into the air, then rotated his body as it was.

It was a near-miraculous body movement.

Since his arm was twisted, he turned his body in the same direction.

Then, he pushed Encrid’s forearm away with the edge of his hand.

Encrid, who was pushed back, grabbed the longsword he had let go of, or rather, had tossed up slightly, as if it were a calculated movement.

He grabbed it as it was and struck down. It’s the Pressing Blade. Northern Middle Swordsmanship – Downward Slash was added to it.

Rem was also excited by the crazy fun technique.

As soon as he spun around in the air and stepped on the ground, he kicked the ground with his tremendous leg strength. Rem’s body became blurred. Afterimages were created.

His body soon seemed to split into two.

Rem who stopped and Rem who retreated.

Encrid’s sword split Rem who stopped.

Rem who retreated arched his back and then bent his body forward.

All movements are fast, violent, and rough.

He stretched his body back and bent forward, throwing the two axes he held in both hands.

‘Crazy.’

Encrid admired inwardly.

What Rem took out was an impromptu move.

Whoosh!

With an explosive noise, the axes flew like two discs.

Encrid tilted his sword diagonally.

By doing so, he accurately blocked the direction of the two axes.

Clang!

His whole body trembled with the explosion as he received the flying axes.

It was because they contained tremendous power.

The axes that hit the sword soared upward. The two axes, which drew strange trajectories in the air, were planted in the ground with a thud.

Since the blades were weighted, they would not fall from the handle first.

Encrid bent his knees halfway and held the longsword he held with both hands diagonally.

“Let’s stop here.”

Rem stopped when he saw Encrid blocking the axes.

If they continued, one of them would be broken or seriously injured.

After all this, what Rem said was, “That was good just now.”

Encrid took a breath and said.

“You threw them impromptu, right?”

“Why do you ask when you know?”

Rem said with a grin.

The means by which Encrid threw his sword was something he had come up with after several days of deliberation.

But not Rem.

He showed off a technique he made impromptu after seeing his opponent.

Nevertheless, the level of perfection was outstanding.

“What’s next?”

“Sling, charge, martial arts.”

He was talking about what to do after throwing the axes. It’s a killing art that can’t be continued with sparring.

He would throw stones with a sling, kick the ground and charge, and then stick to it and swing his fists and feet.

Rem is also a top-notch martial artist.

What’s most frightening is the reckless charge that comes between dodging and blocking the stones flying from the sling.

He’s going to take advantage of the fact that his breathing is collapsing as he blocks and dodges the stones.

“Good.”

Encrid nodded.

Rem’s movements were drawn in his head.

“Good.”

Rem also nodded. He was also pleased with Encrid’s growth.

Of course, he didn’t learn everything at once either. It was a very unique talent.

He suddenly learns it at some point, but from the side, his growth is extremely slow.

But he doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t stop, and has no prejudice.

He purely admires, reacts to, and reflects on the opponent’s technique.

What a good attitude.

“Is it fun?”

“What’s there to say?”

Besides Rem, he sometimes swung his sword at Ragna.

And training with Audin is still the same.

In the meantime.

“Take me too!”

Dunbakel stepped forward without knowing what it was.

She’s saying she’ll go with him on the escort request.

Encrid nodded.

It’s clear that an assassin or something else will step forward.

Is this dangerous?

Is this path full of thorns?

Is it just full of danger?

It will be.

But even knowing that, Encrid was half expecting it.

“Why do you have such an excited face?”

Big Eyes, who is quick to notice, asked if such thoughts were showing on his face.

Encrid answered honestly every time.

“What kind of guy do you think will come at us?”

Several assassination groups that Krys knew flashed through his mind.

He started his life in the back alleys.

He knew a lot too.

No, he knows even more now.

He’s gained quite a bit from running the Gilpin Guild like an information guild.

“Troublesome guys?”

Encrid smiled so brightly at Krys’s words. Krys frowned because his smile resembled the spring sunshine.

“Is this something to laugh about?”

“Then what is it?”

Thump, thump.

Rem, who was watching, tapped Krys’s head and said.

“If you understand this guy’s head, you’ll become a crazy guy too.”

Encrid was a little displeased with that.

The craziest guy is calling him crazy.

Is this what they call a ghoul calling a dog-faced man names?

‘No, that’s not it.’

That’s what they say when similar guys tear each other down.

A different saying would be more appropriate now.

It’s like a dog covered in poop scolding a dog covered in dust, that’s right.

“Good. Come at me. Rem, I accept your duel request.”

“……Where is the duel request in my words?”

“In all those words.”

“It just sounds like a fight.”

Krys thought they were similar.

Anyway, five days passed quickly while spending time with this and that.

“Things ended earlier than I thought.”

A formal request came from Marcus. The royal family is requesting an escort.

Outwardly, it’s an escort for a member of the family’s merchant group, and internally, it’s an escort for a bastard of the royal family. The period is separate, and they are the subject of the request.

From Border Guard to the kingdom’s capital.

They decided to leave two days later, and a day passed, and it was evening when they decided who would go and who would stay.

“……Damn it. You’re acting like a stray dog, sneaking in?”

He had been out getting some equipment and buying some seasoned jerky.

Encrid also got some brandy in a canteen.

There might be a moment when he desperately needs a few sips of alcohol.

He was just coming in when Rem saw someone sitting in the barracks and said that.

“Sneaking? You’re just too dull to notice.”

Anyway, he’s so good at hiding his presence.

The way he was sitting indifferently without turning on the lamp looked like some kind of still life that had become one with the bed.

“You’re back?”

Encrid came into the barracks and said while standing.

Jaxson, who had returned, nodded.

“Yes, I’m back. But I think I’ll have to go again soon.”

“Where to?”

“I have business in the capital.”

“……Are you talking about the place where Naurilia Royal Palace is?”

At Encrid’s words, Jaxson blinked once while sitting in the chair and answered.

“You’re stating the obvious.”

Is it a coincidence, or is he lucky?

“I’m on my way there.”

Jaxson blinked again.

Where are you going?

“You’re a burden, a burden. Are you going to take that thing with you?”

Rem interjected from the side, but Jaxson didn’t even pretend to hear him.

“Are you going to the capital?”

“Yeah.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

Jaxson thought it was a very coincidental thing.

He was just looking for an excuse to go to the capital, or rather, the Royal Palace.

And the sooner the better, but it was tomorrow.

So, it couldn’t be better.

(T/N: I have a feeling someone contracted Jaxson to assassinate Krang and then Encrid will be there to defend. Interesting. )