Chapter 72: Because I Trained Every Moment (1)

               

It wasn’t a choice that required much thought, so Encrid chose Jaxson.

When it came to missions, it made sense to take the person best suited to completing the task.

In the troublesome squad, Jaxson had handled the most missions.

That meant he had the most experience. He was also frequently sought out for such tasks.

There was no need to mention how his keen senses would be an asset for the escort mission.

Compared to the other squad members, there was less likelihood of him clashing with the escort target.

“Of course,” Jaxson nodded as if it were a given, but Rem caused a scene, refusing to accept it.

Then Ragna chimed in, saying it seemed strange to him as well.

Audin, as always, suggested that this might go against the will of God.

Naturally, this sparked a quarrel between Ragna and Rem.

When Jaxson began to provoke Rem, Ragna backed off, leaving Rem and Jaxson to argue.

Encrid tried to stop them, and when that didn’t work, he eventually forbade them from even looking at each other.

“If you want to spar, do it with me,” he added, ending the day by taking turns sparring with each squad member.

One might think such a routine would cause mental fatigue, but it didn’t. This was just the everyday life of the troublesome squad.

More than that, Encrid, who had swung his sword for many years despite being called talentless and useless, wasn’t phased by such things.

If this level of stress had affected him, he would have long ago abandoned his sword and taken up a plow.

“Just as expected from our squad leader,” Krys said, raising his thumb in admiration again.

It was another instance of praising the squad leader’s mental fortitude. Encrid nodded slightly in response.

The escort mission was scheduled for the next day.

It involved a medium-sized merchant guild’s successor issue and was an escort mission within the city.

There were three people assigned to the task.

The fairy company commander, Encrid, and Jaxson.

There was no need to move at the crack of dawn since the escort target wouldn’t arrive in the city until around midday.

* * *

The next morning, Encrid woke up well-rested to find Esther nestled in his arms.

“Why were you so moody yesterday?” he asked, half-asleep, with dried crusts still in his eyes. Esther merely thumped his chest with a paw.

Though Encrid wasn’t sure why she had been upset, the gesture seemed like a signal of reconciliation.

“Alright, take it easy today too.”

What else could Esther do?

At night, she snuggled into his arms to sleep.

In the morning, she’d wake up, lazily stretch, and roll around.

Occasionally, she would go outside. From those trips, it seemed like she might be hunting mice near the city.

Though Encrid didn’t make a habit of feeding her meals, he often gave her jerky as a snack.

Surprisingly, all the squad members took good care of Esther.

Especially Krys, who doted on her.

“Lake panthers shed their claws when it’s time. When I take them, you won’t have any complaints, right?” he said.

Apparently, just like shedding fur, panthers also shed their claws. Krys had a very practical reason for his kindness.

“You little rascal.”

“Gya-ruk.”

Amused by her sharp turn of the head, Encrid playfully scratched her crown a couple of times with his nails before getting up.

It was breakfast time.

“Let’s see how well things go after you abandoned me,” Rem muttered as he glared at Encrid. In response, Encrid instinctively raised a fist.

Smack.

Rem blocked it with his palm.

“Wouldn’t it be a problem if I showed up with a broken arm? Challenging me so early in the morning.”

“No, it was reflex when I saw your face.”

“That’s even more insulting.”

It was understandable.

Even so, Rem didn’t attack him.

It was the day of the mission, after all.

Injuring himself before a mission would only get in the way.

For breakfast, there was a dish made of flattened pork tenderloin and boiled potatoes, but the taste was terrible.

“It’s good for the body. Meat strengthens muscles, Brother.”

Audin’s isolation technique was all about building the body, and the completion of that process was in eating.

Encrid ate reluctantly, knowing full well the importance of eating right, even without Audin’s advice.

After heating up his body with the isolation technique during the remaining time, it was time to set off.

Encrid washed himself at the well and prepared his gear.

He donned the leather armor he had looted from the Gilpin Guild in a previous raid.

It only covered his torso, but it was light, elastic, and comfortable.

As he belted on the dagger sheath for the Whistle Dagger, Jaxson asked from the side.

“What’s that?”

“I took it off an assassin I killed before.”

“You’re quite thorough.”

Was that how it came across?

Either way, it was a useful tool, so he brought it along.

With these types of weapons, the more, the better.

After layering a thick gambeson on top, Encrid finished arming himself and headed outside.

He walked alongside Jaxson toward the inn where they would meet their escort target. Along the way, Jaxson gave tips on how to listen carefully, how to observe, and other useful advice.

And, of course, he added, “You’re slow.”

Encrid didn’t pay much attention.

He had always known that he was slow.

When they arrived at the crossroads where four inns met, the company commander was already there.

“Has the escort target arrived?”

Encrid gave a brief salute and asked.

“Not yet. They’ll be here soon.”

There had been rumors that the escort target had a difficult personality.

Krys had passed along the information.

It seemed that ever since he took control of the guild, his ears had become twice as sharp.

‘They came to decide on their successor, right?’

Encrid was curious about how difficult their personality was, but he wasn’t too worried. Not many people were as wild as Rem.

A month in the troublesome squad would make anyone seem tame.

Encrid was unbothered.

Jaxson didn’t seem to care either. A mission was just a mission to him.

They were to guard the target for three days. Once the merchant guild’s successor meeting ended, the mission would be over.

As long as they ensured safety within the city, that was all that mattered.

With everything clear in his head, there wasn’t much to think about.

The company commander, looking at the back of Encrid’s head, thought about why she had brought him along.

The troublesome squad leader—this man had been the target of Azfen’s assassination. That alone was proof that his record was clean.

More importantly, she had liked how he dealt with the thief guild.

He maintained the bribe system.

He turned the criminal guild into an information guild.

Thanks to that, there had been no clashes with the battalion commander.

She knew that eliminating the criminal guild would have caused issues, so she had allowed him to handle it.

If the bribes had stopped and the higher-ups complained, she had planned to take measures, but Encrid had avoided creating such problems altogether.

‘Things aren’t going exactly as I planned, but…’

Even so, it wasn’t bad.

As they waited for the escort target, the company commander spoke.

“Were we ever intimate?”

Encrid had been resting his hand on his sword’s grip. Hearing this, his entire body seemed to stiffen.

Like a well-crafted statue, he slowly turned his head and asked, “What do you mean?”

“I thought you’d know, considering even I’ve heard the rumors.”

“It’s a misunderstanding. A ridiculous rumor. With nothing else going on lately, some people are killing time with idle gossip.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“So, there’s nothing between us?”

“We are simply superior and subordinate.”

“I see.”

It was a trivial matter that should be brushed aside. Still, it was surprising how widely and deeply the rumor had spread.

“Hmm.”

Next to them, Jaxson cleared his throat. Encrid glanced over to see a smirk playing on his lips. He was clearly holding back laughter.

‘You find this funny?’

Encrid mouthed the words.

‘I’m not laughing,’ Jaxson mouthed back.

The company commander, being a fairy, had caught their silent exchange with just a sideways glance.

Lip-reading was no difficult skill for a fairy.

“Seems you were in a tight spot.”

“I wasn’t.”

Encrid responded immediately.

“You look like you were.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Then, did you enjoy it?”

Why was she doing this?

“No, I didn’t.”

His response came out strangely stretched.

It would have been nice if he at least cracked a smile after saying that, but he remained expressionless.

He didn’t even meet her eyes, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance beyond the city.

‘Fairy jokes…’

He would never get used to them.

“They’re coming.”

Jaxson’s words saved Encrid from the conversation.

The escort target was approaching.

Thud, thud.

As the two-carriage convoy drew near, the ground trembled.

Encrid thought he’d find it much easier to deal with the escort target than with the company commander.

“It was fun,” the company commander murmured behind him, sending a chill down Encrid’s spine.

Even with his heated leather cloak on, he felt a sudden coldness.

The carriages soon stopped, and someone stepped out.

It wasn’t what Encrid had expected.

‘Not some greedy, toad-like man, but…’

It was a woman with striking features. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes with a hint of red.

Her beauty was immediately noticeable.

The sharp click of her boots echoed as she stepped down from the carriage. She glanced directly at the fairy company commander and spoke.

“Please take care of me.”

There was no need for any formal introduction to the escort provided by the standing army.

From then on, she only spoke with the people who had accompanied her.

The older woman beside her, likely her nanny, relayed her wishes to the escort.

The blonde woman was said to be just twenty years old. Whether or not her personality was peculiar, Encrid couldn’t tell yet.

‘I guess we’ll find out once we talk.’

There hadn’t even been a single exchange of eye contact so far, so there was nothing to judge.

“This mission should be easy,” Jaxson remarked. Encrid nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t as if she came alone. There were five guards accompanying her as part of the merchant guild’s escort.

Three carried shields, while two held slender rapiers.

Encrid put his training to use.

“Age, posture, positioning, eye contact—everything is information, Brother.”

Following Audin’s advice, he deduced their abilities based on their stance.

‘Is that right?’

He wasn’t sure. Froqs were said to be able to instinctively gauge their opponents’ skills.

Humans, on the other hand, required knowledge and experience.

“You’ll get it eventually, Brother.”

Audin had said so, but it wasn’t something that could happen overnight.

There was no impatience in Encrid. He calmly observed the guards.

One of the five was left-handed. When he sat at a table, the screech of the chair against the floor indicated that his armor was quite heavy.

Though none of them appeared to be wearing chainmail.

It was winter, after all. They were in the “Season of the End,” a time of severe cold. Wearing metal armor in such weather? There was no need for that.

Especially when walking behind the carriage for an escort, thick gambesons were the ideal choice.

That’s what they were all wearing.

His knowledge from past experiences and the teachings from Audin aligned.

By observing their equipment and posture, he could roughly gauge their skills.

Of course, it wouldn’t be right every time.

‘All five.’

They didn’t seem as skilled as the Border Guard garrison soldiers. If he had to rank them in the military grading system, they would fall below the elite level.

Encrid reflected on what he had realized.

‘Not bad.’

Estimating their skills based solely on their posture and gear was something he never would have considered before.

Sensing this change within himself, Encrid once again felt the joy of growth.

That kind of joy never got old.

It was always new and exhilarating.

His swordsmanship and combat skills were improving.

The thrill of it continued. He was enjoying himself, truly enjoying it.

Even though there wouldn’t be any opportunities to draw his sword or fight during this mission.

Just being able to apply what he had recently learned filled him with satisfaction.

“Would you like to play a little game?”

Jaxson’s suggestion piqued his interest. It wasn’t just for fun—it was a type of training.

“The game is called ‘Guess the Sound.’”

“Let’s do it.”

Like Rem, Ragna, and Audin, Jaxson was passionate about teaching. His cold, silent enthusiasm was like an invisible flame.

And there was no way Encrid couldn’t notice it.

After all, he was the one benefitting from it.

So, it wasn’t just a simple game.

Encrid’s hunch was right.

Jaxson’s suggestion was actually a training method for refining the senses, one that focused on sharpening the perception of sounds.

It wasn’t an easy method, of course.

* * *

“A tongue click.”

Jaxson spoke, and Encrid furrowed his brow.

“You’re late.”

Escort missions were mostly uneventful. Especially in the Border Guard’s territory.

With the private guards from the merchant guild accompanying them, the reason for calling in three extra soldiers was obvious.

If anyone dared attack despite the crowns spent to hire guards, it would be a direct challenge to the Border Guard’s standing army.

The Border Guard was under royal command.

To provoke the kingdom’s soldiers, even if the escort target was from the renowned Rengadis merchant guild, known for their blank promissory notes, would be too reckless.

“The third man at the left table.”

How could he identify someone so accurately just by listening?

Encrid felt like he was beginning to develop eyes in the back of his head.

It was a simple yet difficult game.

Jaxson would point out a sound, and Encrid would focus on the surrounding noises to guess its source. That was all.

“The sound of sharpening a knife.”

The kitchen? No, it was higher up.

Encrid concentrated, narrowing his focus to a point.

Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. Even though the fireplace warmed the inside of the inn, the air around Encrid felt chilly.

“Up.”

“Correct direction. Which floor?”

The inn had three floors.

Should he guess? No, that wouldn’t help his training.

“Room 102, perhaps?”

Jaxson gave the correct answer. The key to the game was timing. He had to speak up at the right moment.

As they went back and forth a few times, the company commander approached.

“I’ll join in.”

Their opponent was a fairy, a species known for having senses far superior to humans.

From what Encrid could tell, she seemed even more skilled than Jaxson.

“The sound of a short blade being inserted and drawn repeatedly.”

Another challenge was presented.

Encrid missed again.

The fairy company commander answered without even pausing.

“In front of the inn’s entrance.”

“The sound of someone covering their mouth as they breathe.”

How could anyone possibly know that?

Encrid was baffled, but the fairy’s elegant voice continued to give the correct answers.

“Outside the window.”

“Someone crouching and holding their breath.”

“Under the table, near the entrance.”

“Someone sneaking a glance.”

“Behind you.”

Midway through, Encrid began to tilt his head. At some point, it was no longer a question about sounds.

The escort target was the merchant guild’s successor.

The merchant guild had brought their own guards.

They had essentially rented out a section of the inn’s main hall.

And then…

“An attack is imminent.”

“I agree.”

The moment Encrid understood the exchange between Jaxson and the fairy company commander, Jaxson stood up and pushed back his chair.

Creak! Thud!

“Ugh.”

Encrid saw the man who had been hit by the back of Jaxson’s chair.

The man’s startled expression and the dagger in his hand were visible. It was a blackened dagger.

Thanks to their sound training, Encrid had been keeping his senses sharp.

Seeing Jaxson’s reaction, Encrid turned around as well. Another man holding a dagger appeared.

The man was just about to stab him.

Caught off guard by Encrid’s sudden movement, his eyes widened, and his body stiffened for a moment.

In that instant, Encrid grabbed the man’s wrist.

Crack.

He twisted the wrist outward and brought his opposite elbow up at a right angle.

“Ugh.”

The man’s wrist bent as Encrid pulled, and he helplessly followed the motion.

Encrid drove his elbow into the center of the man’s chest.

Thud.

The man’s chest bones cracked, and he dropped the dagger. Encrid caught the falling dagger and crouched. He flung the dagger back toward the spot where he had been standing. The dagger flew through the air and embedded itself into a wooden pillar with a sharp thud.

To anyone watching, it might have seemed like he had barely avoided it.

But Encrid had expected this. Dodging had been easy.

‘Who knew this would come in handy?’

He recalled the assassination attempt in the medical barracks, when the assassin had been aiming for Krang, but Encrid had been in the way.

He had survived every time, barely hanging on.

By repeating each day over and over.

Then there was his encounter with the half-blood elf assassin and the Whistle Dagger, which had happened recently.

That too, he had experienced repeatedly.

What others might go through once or twice in their lives, he had lived through countless times.

In other words, this was the culmination of everything he had been through.

Now, he could effortlessly fend off such attacks.