A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

Chapter 173

What was the original wall?

‘Overcoming the leader, Knoll, while risking injury.’

Leader Knoll was astonishingly fast and wielded a poisoned dagger.

‘A fight where even a scratch is unacceptable.’

A battle where a single nick could determine the outcome.

It felt as if the wall had been set up just for him, requiring a reaction speed that matched his, and a coordination that allowed his body to move the instant his eyes perceived something.

It was a fight that seemed impossible to win without achieving such abilities.

Encrid thought of his opponent as a wall and added a slight inflection to this thought. It could be considered a kind of trick.

‘What if I faced him without injury?’

While it would drain his stamina, there was a possible method.

Additionally, most of the settlers wouldn’t have to die.

Encrid did just that.

Now, it was time to see the results of his actions.

In short, Encrid needed to determine if he had truly overcome the wall or just done something pointless.

The verification was simple. It was just a matter of time.

And the conclusion:

‘It doesn’t go back.’

Blink, blink, blink, blink.

No matter how many times he blinked, it stayed the same.

The night was deep, and the time to return had long passed.

Thus, he had overcome the wall.

“What are you doing?”

It was the voice of Krais, who had been watching.

He lay sprawled nearby, the voice Encrid had been hearing for some time.

“What a world, what a life, huh, is my luck bad this year?”

He had been muttering something like that and then asked Encrid.

“I feel like my luck is good this year.”

“That doesn’t seem entirely wrong. If your luck was bad, you probably wouldn’t have made it back alive. But why are your eyes like that? You look like someone possessed by a ghost. It’s scary, so stop it.”

“Oh, really?”

Even so, Encrid blinked his eyes a few more times.

As he blinked, he wondered if it was possible to get through a day with such a trick.

Or if this was the original path.

Or maybe he just needed to overcome the challenge he referred to as a wall.

He didn’t know. There were too many things he couldn’t understand.

Repeating today was just the latest in a series of incomprehensible events.

‘Will it come up in my dreams tonight?’

Maybe he should ask the ferryman.

He didn’t expect a pleasant answer, but asking might be better than not asking at all.

It was all pointless, really.

Spending mental energy on this was meaningless, he might as well swing his sword a few more times.

Suddenly, Esther, who was nestled in his arms, pressed against his chest.

Perhaps it was the cost of having used her so vigorously earlier, since their return, she hadn’t left his chest.

Even when he bathed, they had shared a wooden tub filled with hot water prepared by a few workers.

“Kyaa.”

It seemed like she enjoyed it quite a bit, making a sound similar to a sigh instead of a sharp cry, pressing against Encrid’s chest here and there, and then purring as she dozed off.

He had held her while bathing, worried she might drown if she fell asleep. Though, it wasn’t likely that Esther would actually drown.

Anyway, Encrid finally recognized that the day had fully passed.

He had overcome the wall and survived. Today, he learned something new based on his sense of evasion. Tomorrow awaited.

“Is it already tomorrow?”

He muttered, enchanted by the night, the moonlight, and the wind.

“It’s still midnight.”

The voice belonged to Frog, who had returned covered in dirt with leaves stuck to her, to Luagarne, who returned with the moonlight behind her.

“Did you just get back?”

He had been wondering when they would return, apparently, it was after the day had fully passed.

Whatever they had been doing, Luagarne didn’t know about the attack by the monsters and beasts.

“We ran quite far beyond the quarry. That guy, the one you mentioned, was indeed a cultist. He fled.”

Encrid and Luagarne discussed the postponed matters.

Luagarne mentioned that she had lost track of the cultist.

“Are you saying you lost him?”

Frog? Lost a human? Just a human? Even if the guy was a priest of a cult? Frog, losing a mere human?

Thoughts like these flashed continuously through Encrid’s mind.

Luagarne felt a strange discomfort rising. Based on this discomfort, she opened her mouth.

“It was understandable to lose him.”

“Oh, I see. Yes, that makes sense.”

Perhaps they were careless, or maybe it was just half-wit Frog? It might be, considering she’s still here. If not, she would have returned to the capital long ago.

“That’s odd.”

“What?”

“It seems your eyes are telling a different story.”

“You mean me?”

Encrid remained calm as always.

It was just his eyes that seemed to tell another story.

Even if Frog was a half-wit, she was quick-witted.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

The fact was they lost him. He didn’t mean to call Frog a half-wit. Though his expression was quite insolent, it probably wasn’t intentional.

The fact remained that she lost him.

But why did it feel so…

“It must be someone associated with the monsters and beasts.”

Encrid spoke, and Luagarne nodded.

“The ones who withdrew today might not scatter.”

Luagarne nodded at this, too.

If the cultist priest was involved, they could easily take over the leadership of the colony.

The attacking monsters and beasts weren’t some legendary creatures, Knolls were only low-tier monsters.

Low-tier monsters are usually dumb creatures.

Among them were ghouls, who were said to have no brains, so knolls weren’t particularly smart.

They just had a tendency to group together, fight, and ambush.

In fact, a single knoll was easier to deal with than a ghoul.

However, if they were armed and organized like this, it was a different story.

“The Knolls’ gear was surprisingly well-prepared, it must have been the cultists. They might come again tomorrow.”

Encrid concluded.

At that moment, it seemed to Luagarne that Encrid’s eyes were telling another story.

‘This happened because you lost him, didn’t it?’

“Your eyes are…”

Just as she was about to say something, Deutsche Pullman approached.

“You’re saying they didn’t just retreat?”

Deutsche, who had been lingering nearby, couldn’t just listen in silence when such important words were being exchanged.

“It seems that way.”

“Why?”

At Deutsche’s question, Encrid’s gaze briefly flickered toward Luagarne. Then he spoke.

“The mastermind behind the monster horde is still out there.”

“The mastermind? Yeah, something did seem off.”

Deutsche nodded. It made sense.

An armed monster horde.

An unusually large number of monsters and beasts.

There was also the matter of a spy among his own men, particularly one of his subordinates.

“Ah, the missing adjutant was a cultist.”

Encrid added, which came as quite a shock.

‘That bastard?’

Deutsche shook his head from side to side, trying to clear his thoughts.

“I sent a pigeon, but it’ll take at least a week for reinforcements to arrive. There’s no backup nearby.”

It’s not something a small mercenary band should handle. Even if they could hire mercenaries for such a large-scale battle, it would cost an enormous amount of Krona.

Moreover, gathering that many mercenaries was a challenge in itself.

Deutsche had only one option: to request support from the noble who sponsored the village.

The pigeon had already been sent, but even in the best case, it would take a week for help to arrive.

“It might take a week.”

Encrid muttered in response. It was unclear if he intended for anyone to hear it, he seemed lost in thought, as if speaking to himself.

Deutsche didn’t question the meaning of his words, he had too many other concerns.

They had to prepare to defend the barricade.

If the retreating monster horde was connected to the cultists, they had to be ready for magical attacks.

If the enemy included cultists, they might use curses to drain their spirits.

Cultists were unpredictable, some acted like Gods in mountain villages, ruling over the people.

Moreover, if the cultist was still around, they had to be ready for any orders given to the knolls.

“I’ll handle the cultist.”

Luagarne said to Deutsche, which was somewhat reassuring for him.

“Thank you.”

Deutsche said sincerely.

Luagarne looked into Encrid’s eyes. The blue eyes amidst his black hair gleamed with a peculiar light.

‘Clean up the mess you made?’

Luagarne thought.

She grimaced slightly but had nothing to say. She had, after all, lost track of the cultist.

However, dealing with someone versed in summoning magic was difficult to handle alone.

Summoning magic—those who haven’t faced it wouldn’t understand, but fighting against it with mere iron is nearly impossible. It’s challenging to defend against or counter without the aid of spells.

“What’s the matter?”

Encrid’s eyes were still bright blue and piercing.

Luagarne decided it was better not to engage in a conversation with those blue eyes. If the cultist returned the next day with monsters and beasts, she would prove herself then.

“Aren’t we having a sparring session today?”

Luagarne asked as she moved away.

“I asked Esther to do something, and she’s in this state, so today is not a good day.”

Encrid replied, stroking the head of the panther nestled against his chest.

There wasn’t much else to say.

“I see.”

Luagarne gracefully excused herself and went to wash up. She noticed a stream nearby and decided it would be a good spot. Frogs, being naturally inclined towards water, would appreciate it.

She felt a strong desire to dive into the cool water.

“Do you think we can hold out?”

As Frog departed, Krais asked, looking at Encrid.

Encrid, who had been standing idly, tilted his head.

“Hold out?”

“The knoll horde will be back tomorrow, right?”

“Oh, they will.”

His indifferent attitude and calm tone suggested he was lost in thought.

What’s up with this Platoon leader again?

Krais conveyed his thoughts through his eyes, and Encrid didn’t hold back. It’s important to address such behavior early on.

Thud.

Encrid kicked Krais in the chest, causing him to roll to the side.

“Ouch!”

Krais groaned as he fell.

“Why, why did you do that?”

“Didn’t your eyes look a bit strange?”

Encrid said, and Krais knew that once his Platoon leader made up his mind, he followed through without hesitation.

Moreover, Encrid was perceptive, much like Krais himself. He had noticed the look in Krais’s eyes. While Encrid often tolerated jokes, when he decided something was wrong, he acted decisively, just like now.

“My eyes.”

“Yes, keep them straight.”

Encrid was finally satisfied.

It was time to sleep. Getting a good night’s rest to be in top condition for tomorrow was crucial.

He had applied ointment to a few scratches.

His muscles were a bit strained, but he would be fine after a night’s rest.

‘I wonder how well Frog will fight when provoked.’

It was an intriguing thought as Encrid prepared for sleep.

While Encrid rested deeply, Deutsche Pullman, his subordinates, and other villagers oscillated between hope and despair.

“Weren’t they supposed to be gone?”

“Are they coming back?”

“A cultist is involved? Oh, Lord of the Sun, my Lord.”

“Watch over us, Lord.”

“Oh no, demons are coming! Demons!”

Those gripped by fear wept and babbled nonsense.

The faithful prayed.

Those with a cool head considered the danger.

The commanders focused on immediate tasks.

It was a night filled with personal worries and duties for everyone.

Most had no choice but to stay awake through the night, with guards keeping watch until dawn.

It was a day endured thanks to Encrid’s efforts.

To Deutsche, it seemed that without Encrid, the battle would have been lost.

He had observed how Encrid fought.

It was unlikely he could do it again.

It was the result of a fortunate accident, brought about by a twisted situation.

Otherwise, what kind of person would charge alone into a horde of beasts?

As the day passed and dawn broke, a vigilante standing guard in front of Encrid’s house saw the hero with dark blue hair emerge.

Encrid started his morning later than usual.

As he came out, he began his exercises, sweating profusely as he trained intensely.

The vigilante worried whether it was too much, wondering if it was okay to expend so much energy.

Concerned, the vigilante spoke up.

“Um, don’t you ever take a break, even on a day like this?”

After over exerting himself yesterday, they couldn’t be sure if another day of crisis awaited them today.

Encrid nodded in response to the vigilante’s words.

“I had a good dream.”

Huh? The question was about resting, but that was his answer.

Encrid seemed focused only on his own thoughts, continuing his training.

Then Frog came out.

“A good dream? You were tossing and turning a lot.”

“Seems I was sleep-talking.”

This was the conversation between Frog and Encrid.

The vigilante had nothing more to say and stepped back.

Soon, the panther and the soldier with large eyes also came out.

The soldier yawned and nodded slightly when their eyes met the vigilante’s.

The vigilante responded in kind.

Finally, the female ranger came out.

“Ah.”

She exhaled deeply, and it was clear from her gait that she wasn’t in good shape.

“Why are you coming out?”

Encrid asked upon seeing her.

“I should at least shoot my bow.”

The female ranger replied.

“It’s fine.”

“But you said they might come again today.”

“Probably.”

“If they come, it’s a good thing.”

This was what Encrid, Finn, and then again Frog said.

The vigilante found it difficult to keep up with their conversation.

“If they come, it’s a good thing.”

Frog repeated the words once more, with a forceful tone.

There was a sense of energy, menace, and resolve in her words.

Just seeing Frog made the vigilante’s knees tremble.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

While the vigilante’s courage faltered momentarily, an emergency bell rang throughout the village, reaching everyone’s ears.

It’s often said that the worst-case scenario always happens, or that the things you least want to face inevitably come to pass.

Both sayings seemed to mean the same thing.

“Knolls!”

A messenger ran, shouting from the front.

It was time for Deutsche’s defensive strategy, prepared overnight, to come into action.

Encrid also began to move.

His body was ready, all he needed was his equipment.

Krais had cleaned his two swords before bed, polishing them with oil made from rendered fat to a shine.

While some of the chainmail inside his leather armor was slightly damaged, it wasn’t a significant issue.

Though he might be short on throwing daggers, today might only require swordplay. He was prepared.

“Well then, Luagarne?”

Encrid called out to Frog while putting on his armor, and Frog nodded.

It was time to redeem herself and demonstrate her worth to the insolent-eyed Encrid.

“Let’s go.”

Luagarne replied, and soon the group moved out. Finn joined them, intending to observe if she couldn’t help.

Krais sighed deeply, muttering about bad luck, but knowing that nothing would change by complaining, he quickly followed suit.

Whatever happened next, it was clear they needed to face it together.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The emergency bell continued to ring above their heads.

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