Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 75: The Alluring Squad Leader

The candle flames on the wall sconces in the inn’s hall flickered faintly, casting long shadows across the floor.

With no customers around, it seemed the innkeeper was trying to save on candle expenses.

Thanks to the dim lighting, Encrid’s shadow stretched long and deep as he continued his quiet practice.

He had been honing the *blade of his senses* throughout the night, sharpening his awareness in the stillness.

He focused on every noise around him—the subtle shifting of the soldiers standing guard outside, the sound of someone sipping from a cup, and even the soft, distant rustling of a night bird’s wings.

As he concentrated, he recalculated the radius of his awareness.

‘Within five steps…’

He could detect movement. He could hear even the rustling of clothes.

A thought passed through his mind.

‘Is it truly possible to perceive so much just by listening?’

He recalled how the fairy company commander and Jaxson had anticipated the ambush before it happened.

How had they known?

Surely, it wasn’t purely by relying on their ears. He made a mental note to ask Jaxson later.

If there was something to learn, Encrid wanted to acquire it.

‘It wasn’t a wall this time.’

It seemed that with his current skill, there was a chance he wouldn’t need to repeat today again.

That said, he had no intention of intentionally dying just to be trapped in this cycle.

Encrid remained the same as always.

‘For tomorrow.’

He continued to move forward, always looking ahead. That was the driving force that kept him from being imprisoned in today.

Crack, snap.

The logs in the fireplace broke apart, sending sparks flying.

In addition to reviewing the fight, other random thoughts crossed his mind.

Encrid rested his chin on his hand, thinking about the people he had killed.

‘Glory to the homeland.’

Were they spies from Azpen?

What had the person who orchestrated this attack been thinking?

What were they hoping to achieve with such a large-scale operation inside the Border Guard’s territory?

Would there be another attack?

Would they try to break through the two squads of soldiers stationed here? Or perhaps they’d send another assassin?

As his mind wandered, Encrid realized that tracking down the escaped man might be easier than he initially thought.

It was at that moment that Leona descended the stairs.

“You’re up early,” she remarked.

“I’m on duty, so it’s just a shift change,” Encrid responded.

“Ah, I see.”

Leona nodded as she approached.

The floor still showed traces of the previous night’s events. She seemed like she was making an effort to remain calm.

Trying too hard would only make it worse.

Encrid knew from experience that it was better to focus on something else when trying to settle your mind.

“Is this your first time visiting the Border Guard?” he asked.

“Hm? Oh, yes, it is.”

Hadn’t Krys mentioned that she had a peculiar personality?

She seemed strong-willed, but so far, she didn’t show any of Rem’s madness.

‘Though, comparing anyone to Rem isn’t fair,’ Encrid thought. That wouldn’t be proper.

“There are many legends about the Pen-Hanil River. Do you know the story about the sword made from its waters?”

Encrid had memorized a few of these bard tales. They were good conversation starters and helped pass the time on guard duty.

So, the story he began to tell was just idle chatter, meant to entertain.

For someone hearing it for the first time, though, it would be a fresh and intriguing tale.

“Tell me more,” Leona said, smiling with genuine interest.

Even though it was a simple story, she listened attentively, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Throughout the tale, she responded with smiles and light-hearted reactions.

“And so, while there was a trend of trying to forge swords from the river’s water, no one ever succeeded in summoning the spirits said to reside within it,” Encrid concluded.

“You’re a great storyteller,” Leona complimented.

“I’ve had practice,” Encrid replied with a modest nod.

Even Rem had admitted that Encrid had a knack for provoking people with his words—he was unmatched as a squad leader when it came to verbal sparring.

And he was the squad leader, after all.

Leona suddenly spoke again.

“Would you like to come with me?”

Encrid tilted his head in confusion and asked, “Go where?”

Leona was still his escort target. The inn was under the control of two squads due to the attack, and while no one else was around, the mission wasn’t over.

There were still two days left.

Naturally, he was supposed to follow her wherever she went.

“I’m inviting you to come with me when we leave the Border Guard,” Leona explained.

Her words were direct, as though she had planned them. She spoke with the confident tone of someone used to giving orders and managing people.

Seated quietly with her red lips parted slightly, she exuded an aura of self-assurance that made it seem like she truly believed her offer was the better option.

Leona clearly thought highly of her offer.

After all, the Rockfreed Merchant Guild, while not as prominent as the Rengadis Guild or other large merchant guilds, had considerable influence in the region.

The guild had connections with important groups, including the *Shepherds of the Wilderness* in the northernmost reaches of Pen-Hanil, the *Black Hide Guild*, a group of hunters known for their skill in tracking and capturing beasts, and the *Glacier Rangers*, a faction that lived in the mountains and served as guardians of nature.

These groups were Rockfreed’s key trade partners.

Moreover, the Rockfreed Guild had a map passed down through generations, one that chronicled every significant trade route. This *Rockfreed Merchant Map* was an invaluable treasure, meticulously detailing the fastest routes and the best goods to trade along the way.

If someone were to steal it and sell it, they would never have to worry about money for the rest of their lives.

Rockfreed was an enviable guild, no doubt.

Anyone in Leona’s position would likely think it was only natural for others to be drawn to her offer.

After all, her boldness had led to yesterday’s daring attack.

‘She dared to draw her sword first.’

And it angered her. Why had her rival chosen *now* of all times to strike?

Leona didn’t share a drop of blood with her predecessor, but she had dedicated herself to honoring his will. So, why was her rival ignoring all of that?

Without her predecessor’s will, she wouldn’t even be here today.

His final words to her had been clear.

“Before killing or being killed, try to settle things peacefully. Can you do that for me, Leona?”

He was the man who had raised her like his own daughter.

Yet, despite all of that, she had never been able to call him “father.”

‘Neither the guild nor blood ties…’

Leona understood that her predecessor’s will was a plea to preserve both. He had raised her to lead Rockfreed, but he could never bring himself to completely disown his bloodline.

And so, here she was.

She had come to the Border Guard of Naurilia—the last place where they could resolve things peacefully without drawing their swords.

Without her predecessor’s will, this succession war would have ended long ago.

And now, an ambush in the midst of that? To draw a sword in the Border Guard?

‘Fool.’

That thought marked the end of her wandering reflections.

Her eyes turned to the man who had saved her in that moment of danger.

The first thing that had caught her attention were his eyes, blue like a clear lake.

Eyes that seemed to hold a mysterious allure, almost as if enchanted.

Black hair, blue eyes, and a well-trained body.

Not to mention, he had a handsome face.

It made sense for her to be intrigued.

‘He’s really quite good-looking.’

On top of that, his skills were exceptional. The way he had dashed into the room and subdued his opponent in an instant was impressive.

And his character—someone who didn’t expect anything in return for his actions.

Leona had felt her heart race when he simply said, “I’m just doing my job.” That’s when her interest began.

She wanted him. She wanted to take him with her.

“I can promise you a better position and better treatment,” she said.

Encrid didn’t need to think about it.

It wasn’t as though he hadn’t thought about becoming a guild guard.

If his goal had been solely to earn *kronas*, that would have been a fine choice.

‘It wouldn’t be a bad life.’

Serving as the sword of a guild with a bright future wouldn’t have been a poor path.

But Encrid had a dream, and he could see the road ahead. Though progress was slow, he was already walking down that path.

He had no time to be distracted.

“No, thank you,” he said firmly.

He placed his hands on his knees, sitting up straight in his seat.

A straight posture accompanied by a clear answer.

It was best to be direct when refusing. Encrid had learned that from experience.

Leona’s pupils quivered.

“Clinging to someone who doesn’t want you is unbecoming,” came Jaxson’s voice from behind.

At some point, he had quietly entered the room.

“It’s unbecoming, is it?” Leona echoed.

The fairy company commander also added her two cents, “Indeed, it is.”

“I see.”

Leona didn’t lash out or show any signs of anger or frustration. She simply nodded quietly.

“So, you’re content with your current position.”

Not entirely, but this was the only place that would allow him to rise higher.

“Agh, business is tough…”

The innkeeper sighed heavily, clearly distressed by the situation.

The blue light of dawn was steadily shifting to the yellow glow of morning.

It was the start of a new day.

“The merchant guild will compensate you for your losses,” Leona reassured the innkeeper once more.

“Ah, thank you so much,” the innkeeper said, rubbing his hands together in gratitude.

Leona nodded in acknowledgment.

“Don’t worry. A client will arrive around noon, so please make preparations,” she instructed.

“Understood.”

She spoke with the ease of someone accustomed to issuing orders from a seated position.

Soon after, her nanny came down the stairs.

Leona mentioned that she was going to rest and left the room.

Jaxson approached Encrid and said, “There are plenty of pretty girls in the city. Don’t go messing around with a merchant guild heir.”

Encrid hadn’t “messed around.” He had turned her down.

It wasn’t like Encrid didn’t have experience dealing with women. After all, he couldn’t exactly hide his face.

Not to mention, his well-trained body only added to his appeal.

“Encrid, Senior Soldier,” the fairy commander called from across the room, her tone and posture as casual as ever.

She didn’t even bother to come closer. She simply called his name, standing exactly where she had been.

“Are you known to have a penchant for women?”

“…No.”

“Do you flirt with every woman who crosses your path?”

“No.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

It was probably a joke. He was sure it was.

But her expression was as serious as ever, her gaze calm and collected, which made her difficult to deal with.

‘I wish she’d stop this already.’

“I see.”

The commander nodded in acknowledgment.

Hoping to catch a breath of fresh air, Encrid stepped outside.

One of the squad members from the 3rd Platoon, 2nd Company, recognized him and called out.

“If you flirt with every woman who crosses your path, what hope do people like me have?”

It was meant as a lighthearted jab, nothing more.

“Who’s flirting?” Encrid asked.

“The company commander and now the Rockfreed lady? You really are the squad leader of legends,” the soldier said with a smirk.

The platoon leader who had called out was someone Encrid had worked with before. He had been sent on temporary missions here and there, so he wasn’t a complete stranger.

“That’s not how it is,” Encrid replied.

“Oh, it’s not?”

“Not at all.”

“He says it’s not.”

The other soldiers echoed the sentiment, their voices full of playful mockery.

It seemed they had nothing else to do, bored as they were from standing watch around the inn.

There had been no further attacks, and there didn’t seem to be any signs of trouble.

Encrid understood that they were trying to pass the time.

Still, he wasn’t thrilled about being the butt of their jokes.

‘Rumors are always dangerous.’

Sure enough, before long, the rumors had spread again.

When Krys arrived at the inn, he had something to say about it.

“I heard the squad leader slept with the guild leader’s daughter in a single day? How’d you pull that off? Even I have trouble with women, and Lady Leona’s notorious for being haughty and difficult.”

“She’s not that difficult.”

“Really? Well, anyway…”

“If you’re here, you might as well do some work.”

“What?”

Encrid cut off Krys’s idle chatter by giving him a task.

He didn’t care about dispelling misunderstandings. After all, Krys knew the truth and was just teasing him.

“There was an attacker who escaped. Track him down.”

Encrid wanted to know what had happened to the man who had fled.

He had killed one of Azpen’s spies, who had died crying out for the glory of his homeland.

But the mastermind behind the attack had managed to escape, and that didn’t sit well with Encrid.

‘He needs to pay for what he’s done.’

It was the natural order of things. It was the right thing to do.

Justice had to be upheld.

Besides, the unit would soon receive orders to find the culprit. Encrid didn’t want to leave it unresolved.

If someone orchestrated this, they needed to be held accountable. Leaving all their subordinates to die while escaping alone—if they were truly a spy from Azpen, they couldn’t be allowed to go free.

“Got it.”

Thanks to Krys’s connections with the city’s underground guilds, it wouldn’t be difficult to track someone down. That was the advantage of working with those groups.

‘And the extra kronas help, too.’

With the money he had saved so far, Encrid was considering upgrading to a good-quality short sword or maybe a guard sword.

He had liked the guard sword when he had used it before.

Ragna had suggested he also practice using a shield, but Encrid had never quite gotten the hang of it.

If it became necessary, he would learn, but for now, he preferred relying on his strength.

“You’d be better off using both hands for your sword,” Ragna had told him. “But it’s good to have a shield on the battlefield.”

Ragna was right. Even as a light infantryman, he had learned enough to be proficient with a shield.

After all, what was the purpose of an army?

It wasn’t about the strength of individuals—it was about the collective power of a well-trained unit.

It was common knowledge that a unit of ten equally trained soldiers was stronger than two skilled swordsmen mixed into the group.

In addition to standard formation drills, there had been group shield training.

While most of his squad had skimped on the training, Encrid had diligently practiced.

It just wasn’t something he was improving at very quickly.

‘It still doesn’t feel natural.’

That thought crossed his mind every time he held a shield. Wielding a sword with both hands always felt more comfortable.

But whether he used a shield or not wouldn’t matter if he became someone who could break the rules of mass formations.

Not long after Krys left, a portly man with a grumpy expression arrived at the inn, flanked by a dozen soldiers.

Among them, one particular escort caught Encrid’s eye.

The man had narrow, slanted eyes and arms that hung loosely at his sides. He wore a thin, long-bladed rapier at his hip.

‘He looks fast.’

That was Encrid’s immediate impression. The man didn’t bother hiding his skill. His confidence was evident in his stance.

‘He’s practically saying, “I’m fast. But knowing that won’t help you stop me.”’

The grumpy man with the chubby cheeks was named Polid. He was the one competing against Leona for leadership of the guild.

As soon as he walked in, he claimed a table for himself and barked out an order.

“Hey, go get Leona!”

The person he had addressed was Jaxson.

Naturally, Jaxson ignored him entirely.