Eternally Regressing Knight - Chapter 93: Is It a Result of Chance or an Inevitable Overlap of Moments?

“Valaf’s wrestling technique is tricky to perform on a bed. So, how would you make it easier?”

Audin asked, prompting Encrid to think deeply before answering.

The two men, serious and focused, sat on a narrow bed.

“Apply force?”

Initially, Encrid thought it was about learning to throw punches in tight, uncomfortable spaces.

“No, that’s not it. A bed is for lying down. We’re going to practice grappling techniques while prone.”

A bed is meant for lying down.

After the first wrestling practice, Encrid learned that Audin was more fastidious about hygiene than expected.

Even with his head locked under Audin’s arm, there was no hint of sweat or unpleasant odors.

On the narrow bed, they moved their limbs, locked joints, and practiced holds—though Encrid often found himself pinned.

“A bed is narrow. Simple moves aren’t as effective as quick ones.”

It was a learning experience, a lesson akin to a sip of water to a parched wanderer in the desert.

For Encrid, it was just that vital.

Because of this, he listened with more than just attention; he focused intensely.

Although difficult to apply in actual combat, he managed to use the techniques during various assignments.

For instance, when catching a pickpocket, he’d twist their wrist.

“Gilpin claims to be the guardian of the night, but it seems the number of drifters is increasing.”

Caught pickpockets often had their hands cut off.

The one Encrid caught looked young, maybe twelve at most. He handed him over to the Gilpin Guild, who, as he heard later, punished him thoroughly.

That was still better than losing a hand.

Encrid sought to use what he learned wherever possible.

But now was perhaps the best opportunity yet.

As soon as their hands met in the sparring ring, Encrid stepped back, sliding his right foot behind and placing his left foot forward. He bent his right knee and pushed off the ground, creating an explosive forward step.

Using the momentum from his entire body, he extended his right hand.

A thrust. Though he used a knife-hand, the principle remained the same.

It felt like when he rescued Krang.

When the company commander burst through the tent of the medical post, Encrid had been holding a dagger. Now, his knife-hand replaced it.

The commander reacted the same way.

She swatted his wrist from the inside out, deflecting his thrust and disrupting his stance.

Her foot aimed for the back of Encrid’s heel.

Previously, this would have been the end for him.

Not this time.

Just before the kick connected, he lifted his foot, dodging it, and pivoted on his left foot while leaning forward, pressing into her.

What was the biggest difference between him and the elf company commander?

‘Weight.’

“Exploit the enemy’s weaknesses with your strengths, Brother,” Audin had said.

Encrid adhered to that, avoiding unnecessary exchanges and pressing forward.

“Hm!”

The commander let out a short grunt. She kicked Encrid’s thigh, but he endured the impact and eventually pinned her down.

He trapped her wrist and pushed it outward while entwining his leg with hers, effectively restraining her.

“I believe I’ve won this match,” Encrid said, catching his breath.

The commander turned her head, close enough for their breaths to touch.

Soon, she spoke.

“A human proposal is quite different from that of a elf.”

The commander’s breath carried a floral scent.

Another of her jokes.

Seeing them stay in that position, Encrid couldn’t help but notice her lips. They seemed soft.

“…No, not like that.”

Encrid started to release her and get up, but the commander wrapped her legs around his waist instead.

He wobbled slightly, but his strong core and her light weight allowed him to remain steady.

“You’ve got a strong waist,” she said, with a tone that made it difficult to tell if it was meant to be taken seriously or humorously.

‘No point overthinking it.’

“Please, get down.”

The commander, half-hanging on him, finally let go and stood up. She brushed herself off, shaking off the dirt from the training ground that had stuck to her clothes.

She slapped her palm against her backside, dusting off her pants, which clung to her form in a way that could be considered… intriguing.

“You’ve improved.”

“Yes, I have.”

With that statement, Encrid accepted the compliment without hesitation.

This duel was meant to showcase his growth.

Exploiting an opening and capitalizing on his opponent’s weakness to gain the upper hand, blending in Valaf’s style of grappling—it all demonstrated his progress.

The commander stayed silent for a moment.

Then she spoke.

“For now, consider it an apology for not being able to stop this.”

He tilted his head, puzzled by her cryptic comment.

“The additional members for the platoon will arrive by today. Keep that in mind.”

Encrid almost asked what she meant but held back.

The commander was already walking away.

Would pressing for answers change anything?

Unlikely.

Her words suggested that things would become clear in time.

‘She did say she was sorry for not stopping it.’

It must be an order from higher up.

Encrid’s intuition was sharp—it had to be, as a survival necessity honed through practice.

‘I’ll find out soon enough.’

It was better not to dwell on it.

Worrying served no purpose; better to use that time to swing his sword again.

* * *

A new battalion commander was appointed.

It made sense. This wasn’t a war fought in minor skirmishes but one expanding into a full-scale battle.

The events from the last battlefield had escalated the conflict.

The fighting had grown.

Hence, a battalion commander skilled in combat was needed.

“My name is Marcus.”

Marcus, the battalion commander.

A man who once aimed to become a knight but fell short due to the barrier of talent.

With experience across various units after serving in the border guard, he was now a key officer under Cypress.

He had no interest in the foolish acts of the previous commander.

“The main forces would be the border guard and Turtle Company. The others? They’re just numbers to fill the ranks. Plan accordingly. Can you do it?”

A man whose mind was consumed solely by war.

And the rumors within the unit reached his ears.

“The troublemaker squad leader? Now a platoon leader? Interesting. Was it just luck?”

After reviewing all reports, he realized it couldn’t just be luck.

Anyone would think that.

Marcus, however, took it further.

“How about we test that luck one more time?”

A single soldier—if lost, so be it.

But if Fortune herself favored him and spared him, why not use that?

If it wasn’t luck? Well, he might die. But it was just one soldier.

Either way, there was no real loss.

This was the full context behind the company commander’s words of regret.

“Send him.”

An order directly from Marcus for reconnaissance and covert operations. There was no way to prevent it.

‘Hope he comes back alive.’

It wasn’t out of romantic affection, as a joke might suggest.

‘A soldier of that caliber.’

His record was spotless, linked with Krang, and Marcus had made a personal request because he valued him.

His skill, audacity, and courage—all to his liking.

So—

‘Come back alive.’

That was the only wish.

* * *

“This isn’t just a support mission.”

Encrid knew that Rem was just as perceptive as he was.

The assignment came amidst various orders.

Their mission was to scout the terrain north of the border guard, across the Pen-Hanil River.

Encrid visualized the map in his mind.

To the east of the border guard lay Green Pearl.

Above it was the Pen-Hanil River.

And after crossing it and heading northeast, there was a city.

The fortress city of Azpen, known as Cross Guard, built solely for military purposes.

Their mission was to reach the area near Cross Guard.

On the surface, it was a simple terrain reconnaissance mission.

‘But in reality, it’s espionage.’

The details would be provided after crossing the river.

“Only the commander, specifically?” Jaxson frowned after reviewing the mission details.

A troublesome task?

Yes. Encrid knew it too.

And it wasn’t the type of assignment usually handed to him.

‘So this is what she meant.’

The elf commander’s words.

“Why would they need terrain information? Especially with rumors of an imminent full-scale war?”

One of the new platoon members spoke. Encrid recognized him well.

Enri, a soldier who had hunted on the plains.

He once mentioned wanting to return to the plains after the last battle.

Yet, he was still in the city.

“If war breaks out, living on the plains won’t be possible.”

That was the reason.

Two others joined as well.

Andrew, who used to be an arrogant squad leader, was now officially a squad leader.

Naturally, Mack was with him.

With these three, the platoon had nine members in total. Andrew was the official leader.

Though, realistically, it was doubtful anyone, including Rem, would listen to him.

Why would a squad of nine need a leader, anyway?

And who would take him seriously?

“I think I’d be a better choice for this,” Enri said.

“It’s not just terrain scouting, Brother.”

Audin added softly, making Enri flinch.

It was a natural reaction for anyone meeting Audin for the first time.

A giant of a man speaking gently, with imposing fists and a massive frame. It was an awkward sight.

It would take time to get used to.

“A direct order from the battalion commander? Can’t we ignore it?” Ragna mused carelessly.

Ignoring it would be disobeying orders. Idiot.

Normally, Encrid would be annoyed.

This mission was clearly dangerous.

They were tasked with approaching a fortress city on the brink of war. Just getting close was risky.

‘The real goal must be to gather intelligence from a spy inside the city.’

Encrid deduced. It made sense.

It was necessary.

Someone had to do it.

Typically, specialized units were assigned for such missions.

‘If the commander said she couldn’t stop it…’

This meant it was directly mandated by the battalion commander.

That explained the seal of the battalion on the orders.

“What do we do?” The lieutenant who brought the orders looked nervously around.

“What do we do? We accept,” Encrid said without hesitation. It was inevitable.

‘If it’s real combat…’

He was always ready for it.

And he’d reached a point where he remembered that any situation could teach him something new, make him learn, or have an epiphany.

He felt excitement stir within him.

What kind of situation awaited?

Was this another test from the boatman?

Or was it just another fleeting event?

Was it a result of chance?

Or the culmination of repeated inevitabilities?

None of it mattered.

If there was an obstacle ahead, he would simply push forward.

That was Encrid’s way of life.

“I accept the mission.”

With those words, the expressions of the squad members turned grim.

“Looks like we have to follow,” Ragna muttered, but it wasn’t that simple.

Though Encrid couldn’t understand the battalion commander’s intentions fully, the orders specifically stated that all members except Encrid were to stay behind and await commands from their new leader.

The logic seemed to be—

‘Leave behind those bound to prove useful on the battlefield and take only me.’

The reason for this decision was a mystery to Encrid.

Who could know?

The battalion commander, Marcus, was testing whether a soldier blessed by fortune could push it further.

Marcus wasn’t a normal commander.

But that was expected.

He was known as a war-mad officer, willing to do whatever it took to win.

Encrid was only the beginning.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it and return,” Encrid said with a casual tap, prompting Rem’s brow to furrow.

“Handle it? Perfectly? You think that’s possible? We’re not done yet. Let’s have special training today. Special training!”

Ragna, Jaxson, and Audin reacted similarly to Rem’s outburst.

“Have you found your rhythm?”

“Let’s practice backstabbing.”

“Haha, it’s time to deepen our Valaf-style bed wrestling.”

Andrew, standing amid the chaos, finally spoke up.

“Hey, as your squad leader, I think everyone should follow my orders.”

It was a command from above. Unlike before, Andrew was attempting to exercise real authority.

That was all it took.

“Oh, shut up!”

Rem exploded. A typical reaction from him.

He darted forward and struck Andrew in the head.

His punch was so fast it was a blur.

Before Andrew could react, Rem hit him squarely, and he crumpled to the ground with unfocused eyes. Mack, standing beside him, caught him.

“What…?”

Mack looked up sharply after seeing Andrew fall.

Rem glared, and Mack, after ensuring Andrew was merely unconscious, muttered,

“I didn’t say anything.”

What could they do? The power gap was obvious.

Half-hearted defiance only led to violence.

Everyone knew that.

That’s why Mack didn’t want to come.

But he couldn’t stop Andrew from volunteering.

‘Sigh.’

Life was tough. Mack lamented silently.

Enri, watching the scene, came to a realization.

‘Talking too much will get you killed.’

He finally understood why this was called the troublemaker squad.

He had come thinking Encrid alone deserved that reputation, but he was starting to regret joining.