CHAPTER 302

"Not good."

That was the answer that came to the question of whether he was okay.

Graham, lying in bed, only lifted his head to look at Encrid.

Graham had been stabbed in the back so severely that he couldn't move properly.

In other words, the Border Guard Reserve Unit had lost its Commander.

The thought of fighting a battle without their Lord, Battalion Commander, and overall Commander...

"You'll be fine without me."

Graham said.

The adjutant nearly nodded in agreement. No, there were two adjutants, and one of them did nod.

"That bastard's nodding."

"Ah, no, sir."

As soon as Graham spoke, the adjutant quickly switched from nodding to shaking his head in denial.

Watching this farce, Encrid asked,

"So, do I take over?"

"Who else would?"

Graham suddenly realized something.

'I'm only the Lord in name.'

Wasn't the real hero of this city someone else?

He himself wasn't exactly ordinary either, having killed the enemy Commander and commanded a band of madmen in this battle, but he was also the kind of man who would save a child.

Throwing himself into danger to save a child in that moment.

'A useless act, but...'

That's the kind of man people could trust.

And because he was that kind of person, there were no complaints.

At this moment.

"Why don't you just give up the Lordship?"

Even if Encrid said something like that, Graham would gladly hand it over.

Of course, the man wouldn't say that. It was just a hallucination.

Even though he was a Lord in name, it didn't feel good. It was a strange feeling.

He didn't harbor any jealousy toward the man in front of him.

Maybe because he'd seen him rise from the bottom?

Or perhaps because he knew this man swung his sword until his palms bled?

Even now, despite his vastly improved skills compared to before, this man continued to abuse his hands in the same way.

To be jealous of such a man would be to admit that he himself was nothing but trash and a fool.

Perhaps that was why.

'I don't want to be trash.'

That was the conclusion Graham came to. Still, he had one thing he was curious about, so he asked.

"Why did you save that child?"

It had been dangerous. Pointless.

Amidst the flashes and explosions, he could have died if he let his guard down for even a second.

And yet, the man in front of him rolled while holding the child. He saved the child, even while suffering burns on his back and shoulders.

Why? It was just a kid.

A kid who would have naturally died if left alone or struck by a single arrow.

Not all the actions taken in that moment made sense, but the conclusion was that he saved the child.

He swung his sword for someone unrelated to him.

Like a character from a story.

Encrid replied without any hesitation.

"Because I wanted to."

The attitude of acting like it was no big deal left an even deeper impression.

This guy really is a complete lunatic, no doubt about it.

Graham decided to pick a fight for no reason.

"Answer respectfully to your Battalion Commander, Company Commander. Have you been influenced by Rem?"

"That's an insult. Are you challenging me to a duel?"

"Rem was a mistake."

"Yes, sir."

"Win and come back. When you return, I'll personally lead the welcome for you this time."

"Should I be happy that an old man, not a beautiful woman, is welcoming me?"

He seemed genuinely curious as he asked, and the idiot adjutant nodded again.

Why the hell is he agreeing to that?

"Get out."

Graham kicked both Encrid and the adjutant out.

As a Lord, he worried about the city.

Encrid saw a sense of responsibility in Graham. He liked that.

Thus.

"I'll win and come back."

As he was leaving, Encrid spoke.

Graham didn't say much in response. There was no trace of worry in his eyes.

Outside, the snow was easing. They couldn't wait too long for Aspen to just sit back and watch, they would have to move soon.

As reinforcements for Green Pearl, that is.

"I wish you could read the room, don't you?"

The clueless adjutant was rather dense. He didn't realize that the snowfall had given them a brief respite.

How did this guy become an adjutant?

"You need to sharpen your sense of the situation."

Encrid offered some pointed advice before turning away.

He saw the child's mother and a group of wounded mercenaries in the city.

The mercenaries were staying at an inn in the city.

Some had promised to join the army, while others remained as mercenaries.

There were quite a few interesting people among them.

One of them was Edin Molsen.

"Be wary of my father."

He said it out of nowhere.

"Do you realize that means I should be wary of you right now?"

"It's advice, not a warning."

"Understood."

Encrid brushed it off lightly. Was Count Molsen really the most important thing right now?

No.

The order of things was clear. The current threat was Aspen. Aspen, who was determined to strike.

"Don't forget my words."

When Edin Molsen repeated himself, Encrid replied cheerfully.

"By the way, what was your name again?"

"…Did you forget again?"

Before Edin could explode in frustration, Encrid quickly walked back to the camp.

"Got anything to eat? Food? Don't you know injured people need to eat well?"

As soon as Encrid entered the tent, Rem greeted him, looking like a hungry baby bird waiting for its mother. He was annoyingly obsessed with food.

It just so happened that Encrid had finished a round through the town.

It was partly for recovery, and partly to check on the mercenaries who had stayed behind to fight.

So, he had brought back bread, marmalade, and some spiced jerky in his hands.

"I heard people say that if you die after eating, at least you die with a good complexion."

"That's a western joke, how do you know that?"

Rem chuckled and shoved the bread into his mouth.

Watching him, Encrid thought of Gilpin, whom he had met just before returning from the market.

There was something off about him.

"A number of spies have entered the city, and we've missed a few."

That's what Gilpin said as he approached.

"We'll conduct a more thorough watch."

His clenched jaw showed a firm resolve.

Encrid didn't reply. He only wondered why they were the ones dealing with spies.

Wasn't that the city guard's job?

Or maybe not? No, that seemed right.

Anyway, Gilpin was clearly determined. He showed passion and enthusiasm, as if this was his personal calling, like he had been summoned by some divine power.

Though, in truth, it all probably started with Krais' orders, so it had nothing to do with any divine calling.

"Oh, right."

"Maelrun is going after every decent sword-wielder he comes across. We're increasing our guild members, planning to take full control of the city's night."

Encrid wasn't aware of this, but Gilpin had seen the battlefield. He had watched the battle closely, particularly keeping an eye on Encrid.

Gilpin had always known Encrid was an extraordinary person, but something was different this time.

He stood at the front, facing the enemy blades.

He confronted and fought the enemy Commander. That was remarkable in itself, but what had left the deepest impression on Gilpin was the moment when Encrid rolled on the ground, protecting a child in his arms.

The memory of that scene lingered in Gilpin's mind for days.

'Did he have a reason to save the child?'

No. And yet, he saved them.

The fact that the child was kidnapped was his own mistake. He had vowed to root out the spies and protect the city's night, even with the help of Maelrun, that Frog.

But still, he had failed.

That day, Gilpin clenched his teeth so hard that his gums bled.

A hundred years ago, there was a man who unified the Thieves' Guild alone.

He wasn't just a thief, he was a righteous outlaw.

He made it his life's mission to help the poor and the struggling.

He had only seen and learned the ways of thievery since childhood, and so he rose to the top of that world.

The continent's only Rogue Master.

A bard who sang of the romance of the night.

The emperor of the alleyways, Kiuszelas.

As a child, Gilpin's dream was to become a Guardian of the Night.

The concept of the Night's Guardian was created by Kiuszelas.

A protector who would sing the song of peace by safeguarding the night.

Watching the laughter of those around him, Gilpin thought that he was becoming someone different from a mere thief.

He believed and acted as if he was contributing to the protection of the city where he was born and raised.

'This is my city, the place where I was born and grew up.'

He had to protect it. If not him, then who else would?

He had failed to save the child. He had missed a few spies.

No one blamed Gilpin.

Even the child's mother wouldn't hold him accountable, but Gilpin blamed himself.

'This is my fault.'

He didn't mind if people mocked him, calling him an incompetent thief talking about duty.

'If this is just a dream…'

Gilpin wanted to hold onto his childhood dream once more and move forward.

And just before that dream was shattered, Encrid saved the child.

He saw the gratitude in the mother's eyes.

That's when Gilpin recognized the extraordinary nature of the man before him.

It wasn't about his sword skills.

Was this how Kiuszelas had been?

Encrid had a different heart, a different will. Gilpin could see that.

"Why did he do it?"

When he asked Krais, the answer he got was nothing short of a masterpiece.

"Probably because it pissed him off. The enemy Commander was doing something stupid, and saving the child would've really gotten under his skin."

Was that really the reason?

No. He saved a life. And in doing so, he protected the city.

What Encrid had done wasn't intentional, but it completely won over the heart of an old thief.

Gilpin resolved once more.

'Even if it costs my life…'

He would protect the city's night, and he would gladly play the role of clearing the small obstacles in the path of this man.

Even though Krais had paid attention to Gilpin and recruited him, in the end, Gilpin pledged his loyalty to someone else. And even when Krais later came to know all of Gilpin's intentions and thoughts, nothing changed.

He had a 'Do what you will' attitude. He was indifferent.

As long as the job was done, that's what mattered. In fact, Krais was only grateful for the heads-up.

It meant Gilpin wouldn't stab him in the back when things went south.

Of course, Encrid knew nothing of this.

He simply enjoyed watching someone show such passion and dedication.

"I'll cheer you on."

"I'll make sure to clear even the smallest stones from your path."

He couldn't fully understand the words that followed, but he took it as meaning that Gilpin intended to clean up the alleyways of the city.

For just a short visit to the city, Encrid had encountered quite a few people and events.

He had even checked in on Graham on the way back.

When his brief thoughts ended and he turned his gaze, he saw Dunbachel with a swollen cheekbone. It was obvious that she'd been beaten up.

"If the snow stops, we're heading into battle. Why are you turning him into a wreck?"

Encrid scolded him. Dunbachel was a valuable asset for the fight ahead.

"She'll be fine in half a day. Do I look like someone who'd just beat a kid without thinking?"

Encrid almost nodded but managed to stop himself. He couldn't act like the clueless adjutant from earlier.

"Your jaw looks a bit out of place right now."

"Maybe I hurt my eyes too."

Ignoring the comment, Encrid walked past. Ahead, he saw Krais, who had spent the night resting for his skin care, sitting stupidly by the fire.

At first glance, he looked like he was relaxing, but Encrid knew better. Krais was deep in thought, strategizing.

At least that's what Encrid believed as he watched.

Slurp.

Krais, who had been drooling, quickly wiped his mouth.

"Oh, I dozed off."

He really was just lounging around.

Encrid considered going over and smacking him on the back of the head.

Just as he was thinking that, Krais stretched and got up.

"You're here?"

"Yeah."

"I've been thinking."

"Oh? You've been thinking?"

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to hit him the moment something useless came out of his mouth.

Unaware of Encrid's thoughts, Krais continued in his usual tone.

"The Aspen guys must've set a trap."

The heavy snowfall had started to lighten, and in that time, Krais had been deep in thought.

'If they had attacked from behind...'

It would've been a tough fight, but at least it was the kind of battle they had anticipated. Aspen should've taken advantage of their position and attacked with everything they had.

But they hadn't.

Winter battles were already difficult, so why were they dragging it out?

Aspen wasn't attacking but waiting.

Even with the snow letting up, there had been no ambush. Only now were they beginning to prepare to move their troops.

It was almost as if they were waiting for the battle on this side to finish first.

That was suspicious. It felt wrong. Very, very wrong. A rising sense of anxiety returned.

'If it were me, I would've attacked.'

What fight is easier than striking your opponent's back? And yet Aspen didn't do that.

Something's up. Something unpredictable. This could be the worst-case scenario.

After going over his thoughts repeatedly, Krais reached a conclusion.

"It's going to be tougher than facing the Black Blade Bandits and the Cultists combined. Who knows, they might even have a Knight hidden somewhere. Even if they bring out Knight-level forces, we don't know if we'll get any Knight-level support on our side. They might even redirect some of their forces to target the city directly."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"They're capable of anything."

"And our response?"

Encrid asked, and Krais answered. Although their tone was calm and ordinary, with the fire crackling between them, the conversation was no different from that between a Commanding Officer and his subordinate troops before battle.

Why wouldn't it be?

Graham had been taken down by an assassin and was now bedridden, having handed over full authority to Encrid.

The fire's glow cast a reddish hue over Krais' face.

"Do you know the Battalion Commander stationed with Green Pearl?"

Encrid shook his head. He had never met the man. All he had heard from various sources was that he was an opportunist, someone willing to do anything for personal gain.

He was said to be excellent in logistics and fortifications, but combat was not his strong suit.

None of this was good news.

"In the worst-case scenario, we could be facing a situation where the enemy's numbers suddenly double, as if by magic."

At the mention of 'magic', Esther, standing nearby, scoffed.

"Hmph."

Today, she was in human form.

As they spoke, the snow had completely stopped.

With the snow gone, it was time to reorganize their lines and march out.

His body was halfway recovered.

With Graham out of commission, Encrid would now have to lead as the Commander-in-Chief.

"That's something we'll need to confirm."

Which side is the Green Pearl battalion really on?

Could Aspen have been hesitating all this time because they had already secured the Green Pearl forces as allies?

It was a reasonable suspicion. No, it was something they had to suspect.

"First, let's march."

The days of brief, dreamlike rest had passed.

They had dealt with a few wolves, now it was time to face the tiger lurking behind them.

They prepared for battle, then began their advance.

From checking the palisades and watchtowers around Green Pearl to entering deeper into the area, they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

Then, the Green Pearl Battalion Commander appeared, fully armed, to greet Encrid.

The moment Encrid saw the man's face contort, Krais felt his ominous suspicions becoming a reality.

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