Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 81: Because I Always Give My Best

After the man named Mattis appeared.

“Why is he the new head?”

This was followed by Polid’s clueless question.

“While we were wasting time here, everything had already been decided within the merchant group. Oh, and the inauguration ceremony will take place after we return.”

Leona answered him.

When Polid’s companions began to grasp the situation and looked uneasy, Leona motioned towards them.

“Come over here. I’ll accept you.”

Although she didn’t say it in so many words, to Encrid, the meaning was almost the same. It was as if she was saying, “From now on, let’s live as one under the name of the merchant group.”

However, two people remained unmoving.

The man with the plain face and the swordsman who had told Encrid to lay down his sword.
Ah, and Polid stayed too.

He dropped to his knees with a thud, as though his legs had given out.

“Why? I’m his son! Everyone in the group is my father’s man, aren’t they?”

Well, it’s obvious why. Just from Polid’s behavior, it was questionable why anyone would have sided with him in the first place.

Encrid’s gaze fixed on the two who hadn’t moved.
It seemed they had orchestrated everything.

The two didn’t seem to be in any sort of crisis, even though everyone else had turned away from them. They remained calm.

“It’s over,” the swordsman said.

“So it is,” the man with the plain face replied, ignoring Polid without a second glance.

“I can’t accept this! What is this nonsense? I’m his son!” Polid shouted as he tried to approach Leona, but Mattis blocked his way.

“If you come any closer, I’ll cut you down. You son of the former head.”

What a blunt statement.

And with that, the situation was resolved.

The two who seemed to have pulled the strings stepped back, and Polid spiraled into despair, giving a vivid display of how someone in shock behaves.

He knelt on the ground with a thud, drooling from his mouth.

He was clearly in a state of severe distress.

The merchants wandering nearby, the traders inside the city, the soldiers, and even the beggars near the gates all stared at them.

When the guards looked unsure about what to do, Leona stepped in.

“Take him. We can’t let the former head’s son die drooling on the street.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

At Mattis’s signal, someone entered and dragged Polid away.
Even the guards cleared the way to make it easier to get him out.

“Wait a moment.”

Leona spoke to Mattis, then approached Encrid.

“Did you give Carmen’s stiletto to your subordinate?”

Her tone made it sound like she was mildly annoyed, as if she were upset that he had given away a gift from a woman. Encrid couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but he felt a bit uneasy.

“…Yes. He really wanted it, so I gave it to him.”

When he glanced back, he saw Jaxson standing silently.

When Encrid gave Jaxson the stiletto, his reaction had been far from typical. While Encrid hadn’t expected tears of gratitude, he also hadn’t expected such a nonchalant response.

All Jaxson did was take the stiletto and casually mutter:

“Why do you train your senses? How do you dodge a knife flying from behind without seeing it?”

What might sound like nonsense to one person could be exactly what another longed to hear.

“That’s the next lesson.”

That one sentence had been enough. Jaxson knew how to negotiate.

“I see.”

Leona smiled brightly and nodded. Even her smile left Encrid feeling like he owed her something.

What a strange woman.

She looked at Encrid thoughtfully and spoke again.

“I’m a merchant. Negotiations start with knowing what the other party wants. I gave you a valuable item, but you gave it to a subordinate. And even with two beautiful women in front of you, you didn’t even glance at them.”

Leona had spent time in the Border Guard, observing the man who had intrigued her.

What does this man want?

He hadn’t even batted an eye at what others would consider a treasure.

When told about the stiletto’s origins, he’d only shown a slight expression of fatigue.

He didn’t seem to lack desires, yet he didn’t appear to be a man drowning in them either.

Leona was well aware of the power her looks held, and she had even tried to use her charms on him.

“Watch out. He has quite the reputation with women,” a elf had warned at some point, interrupting her advances.

Even when she saw an opportunity and tried to get closer, Encrid hadn’t fallen for it.

‘What does this man want?’

Leona’s pride as a merchant was now engaged.

A merchant’s job is to close deals, no matter the circumstances.

Even the most reclusive groups—the shepherds of the wilderness, the Black Leather Guild, the Glacier Rangers—eventually opened negotiations with her. That was what it meant to be part of Rockfreed.

Leona took great pride in Rockfreed.

Her current target was just a mere soldier, in terms of status.

‘But why am I so intrigued?’

Though it wasn’t typical for her, Leona couldn’t help but observe Encrid further.

Finally, she realized what it was.

‘It’s not objects.’

Carmen’s collection had merely been bait to lure him into her plans to seize control of the merchant group. While others were distracted by daggers and attacks, Leona had already tightened her grip within the group.

She had hoped to uncover Encrid’s greed, but she had misjudged.

What this man sought was a future.

A better swordsmanship, greater skills, more strength—his own future.

That was why she had brought Mattis into the fold.

Mattis, the best warrior in the Rockfreed merchant group, and once a city-renowned mercenary captain.

“How about training under Mattis? How about growing your future here?”

If Encrid was drawn to strong individuals and honing himself, this was the answer.

Of course, Leona had no idea about the nature of Encrid’s platoon.

‘He seems impressive enough, though.’

When Leona tried to gauge his strength, Jaxson had casually mentioned:

“In a small town, he’d be considered a master. But that’s about it.”

Even without trying, Mattis’s reputation had spread throughout the city simply by showing his skills a few times. That was what it meant to be a city-level expert.

“How does he compare to Torres?”

“In terms of the soldier’s ranking system, he’s at an elite level, but not a knight.”

Jaxson’s assessment was cold.

Elite-level, but not a knight.

‘That describes half our squad.’

Rem, Ragna, Jaxson, and Audin—all four could easily take Mattis on.

And since Encrid had already learned from them and proven himself…

“I’ll pass.”

Encrid’s answer was immediate and without hesitation. For the first time, Leona struggled to maintain her composure.

“This is the first time I’ve ever let something so desirable slip through my fingers.”

Encrid found himself liking this skillful and beautiful merchant leader.

‘Especially the fact that she doesn’t play any clumsy tricks despite liking me.’

When he thought about it, it was amusing.

One person he’d met today told him to drop his sword, while another told him to stay by her side.

Completely opposite evaluations.

“Is it absolutely necessary for me to stay by your side?” Encrid asked.

Since he didn’t find her feelings unpleasant, he responded with goodwill.

Leona blinked in surprise.

“Well, no. The job is done. So, how about being friends? It wouldn’t hurt to spend a day with a friend, would it?”

Though she wasn’t necessarily asking for friendship, she was suggesting they get along well.

“…What?”

“If you reject me again, this poor girl might just crumble.”

Who was she calling a poor girl?

This was the new head of the Rockfreed merchant group, who had just taken control.

“Mattis, may I stay in the city for one more day?”

“As you wish.”

Mattis stepped back.

“Do I need the squad’s permission?”

Before Encrid could answer, the company commander spoke.

“As a reward for completing the mission, I grant you a one-day leave.”

A surprising answer.

“Don’t like it?” Leona asked playfully. Even with that mischievous smile, her charm was undeniable.

She looked adorable, despite having taken over an entire merchant group.

Encrid thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I don’t mind.”

He had met many instructors, and they all gave the same advice: rest when you can. Swinging a sword day and night wasn’t the only answer. Encrid knew that well.

Moreover, he felt like he owed her something and wanted to repay that debt.

“Alright, then.”

Leona returned to Mattis, and Jaxson approached Encrid.

“Don’t spread weird rumors,” Encrid warned.

“That’s the kind of thing only a savage would do. Do you think I would?”

Encrid was relieved he had brought Jaxson. If it had been Rem, the rumors would have spread like wildfire.

“Good job, soldier,” the company commander said, allowing Encrid and Leona to remain together, proving that his earlier words were only a joke.

“If you ever miss us, you’re welcome to return, soldier.”

Even though the commander added an elf-like joke, Encrid no longer found it troublesome.

“Yes, sir.”

As Encrid calmly replied, Jaxson suddenly spoke.

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“If she has more of the Carmen collection, use your charm to get it.”

Was this a joke or a serious request? It was harder to tell than the commander’s jokes.

“…I’m kidding,” Jaxson added.

Though, half of it seemed genuine. After all, Jaxson did have his eyes on that collection.

“I’ll head out first.”

With that, Jaxson and the commander withdrew, and Leona returned to Encrid.

“Shall we go?”

The two spent the day together, exploring the market and enjoying meals, with Encrid guiding her to the best places to eat.

“This is really good,” Leona said, giving a thumbs-up after trying the herb pie and Vanessa’s pumpkin soup.

Vanessa’s pumpkin soup was renowned, the pride of one of the city’s best inns.

They joked, laughed, and spent an unexpectedly pleasant time together.

After sunset, they shared a drink or two.

“It was fun.”

Though they spent the night together, nothing physical happened.

“Good. From now on, we’re friends.”

“Alright.”

They became friends, talking until morning before parting ways.

Encrid occasionally spaced out, but both of them genuinely enjoyed the time they spent together.

—

Mattis found it strange.

Leona never took breaks. She was relentless, precise, and exceptionally capable.

If she hadn’t been, Mattis wouldn’t be here now.

She was nothing like Polid, the idiot son of the former head.

It was rumored that Polid was a foundling, and honestly, it made sense.

Leona had lived a completely different life from Polid from the very beginning.

And yet, she had spent an entire day tied up with just one man?

It was unusual.

That didn’t mean Mattis disrespected her.

“The future of the merchant group looks bright.”

Rockfreed would thrive far more than it ever had under the former head’s leadership.

Mattis trusted Leona.

After her brief rest, she returned, looking refreshed.

“Let’s go.”

With that, the group set out on their path, following the former head’s final wish to hand things over and finish their business.

Leona had taken it all. That was the answer she had chosen.

The former head had saved her and raised her. By sparing Polid’s life, she repaid that debt.

Leona knew that the former head’s true intent lay there.

Sitting in the carriage, she recalled the previous night and smiled.

‘That was fun.’

How many conversations had she had with no agenda? It wasn’t like her at all to chat idly.

And yet…

‘Encrid.’

His name lingered in her mind.

—

The man with the plain face and the swordsman left Polid’s party and headed outside.

No one tried to stop them, though Mattis gave them a sharp glare.

“Let them go.”

Leona’s words ended it.

The two walked out through the city gates.

Even though the season was ending and winter was almost over, it was a treacherous road for just two people. Monsters and beasts could appear at any moment.

Yet, the two were unconcerned.

“Why did you do it?”

Both men belonged to the same nation.

The swordsman was particularly skilled, someone who wouldn’t flinch at any ordinary beast.

The man with the plain face found it strange that the swordsman had bothered to offer advice to a stranger—someone who, at best, was an outsider and, at worst, an enemy.

“I thought it would be a waste.”

Not everything in the world ends neatly.

Sometimes things like this happen.

“I see.”

The man with the plain face nodded. It was time to return.

Though they had failed in their mission, they had gained something: the knowledge that the next head of Rockfreed was exceptionally capable.

Information was always valuable.

—

Encrid returned to his squad in the morning.

“You’re in a good mood, aren’t you?”

Rem greeted him immediately.

So, they already knew.

It was obvious from the first words.

“Had a good time?”

It was easy to misunderstand. While Encrid had only talked with Leona, whatever he said now would just fuel more nonsense. Rem was that kind of guy.

Instead of answering, Encrid grabbed his sword.

“A spar?”

“You’re insufferable. I’m in.”

Rem didn’t ask any more questions and picked up his axe. He liked being the first to spar with Encrid whenever he returned.

This time was no different.

Encrid faced Rem and reflected on the day he had spent with Leona.

It had been strange.

A break. A holiday.

He had taken his mind off the sword and truly rested.

He had spent the night chatting with Leona.

It had been nothing but idle conversation, without any real purpose.

And yet—

‘It feels like it might work.’

While spending time with Leona, Encrid had sensed something. It felt like he had grasped something intangible.

It wasn’t that time had slowed, or that his focus had sharpened to a point of clarity.

But it felt like everything had fallen into place.

The trajectory of his sword, the step before the swing, the movement of his shoulders.

Everything seemed to converge into a single answer.

What does it mean to be fast?

Since facing the swordsman with the rapier, that question had lingered in Encrid’s mind.

And now, although imperfect, it felt like he could show part of the answer.