Chapter 122 - Hey, You Boring Bastards

Chapter 122 - Hey, You Boring Bastards

"It seems something has changed again in the past few days, brother."

The owner of a devilish tongue, hidden behind a plain smile—Audin.

He was the type to tell him to stop training and take a break, only to tear him apart if he actually did.

No, even a rat wouldn't be handled that roughly.

Of course, Enkrid found that quite satisfying.

Where had the greed in his heart stretched its branches?

Learning—his steps forward.

So if this was the kind of teaching he would receive, he welcomed it at any time.

Pushing through the morning mist, Audin strode forward.

Beside him, Enkrid spread his feet shoulder-width apart, slowly squatting down and standing up, putting strain on his thigh muscles.

Without warning, Audin reached out toward him.

Enkrid instinctively blocked his hand.

Tap, tap—a technique that could be categorized as wrestling, martial arts, or, in Valaf terms, combat techniques.

The hand he deflected bent again in succession, aiming for his body.

Audin's hand, reaching for his shoulder, was met with a counter grab, a push, a twist, and a block with the shoulder—only for a foot to sweep in next.

As Enkrid parried that, a large palm suddenly filled his vision, pressing down on him with overwhelming force.

Locked in place, Audin finally spoke.

"You've improved a lot."

It was the same thing he'd said back at the rear stronghold.

Thanks to Finn, who had ingrained the Eil-Karaz style into him, his techniques had improved—but he still wasn't a match for Audin.

Their heights and bone structures were different from the start.

Their muscle density as well.

Audin far outclassed Enkrid in raw strength, and despite his massive frame, he had exceptional agility.

At some point, Audin's hand slipped in from an unseen angle, seizing Enkrid's nape.

With sheer strength, Audin pulled him in, leaving no room for resistance.

In close combat, within the range of wrestling and martial arts, even one's own body became a weapon.

If the difference in physique was overwhelming—don't engage.

Audin had repeated that lesson countless times while teaching him wrestling.

In response, Enkrid had asked—then how do you overcome a size disadvantage?

"If the technique is different, the outcome changes. So what should you do?"

What else?

Get thrown around until you figure it out.

A lesson learned through countless times being pinned and twisted on the bed.

Audin had already subdued Enkrid and, in a deep voice, hummed a tune.

"The Lord has spoken: Snap the joints, click-clack."

No way.

No god would ever say that.

Of course, it was a joke.

Audin, pressing down on Enkrid's nape and one shoulder, didn't apply any more force.

Not that it made the situation any less painful.

'I felt him grabbing me.'

His reaction had been slow.

Likely due to several factors.

His injuries were one of them.

Pain was always a cause of delayed responses.

"You'll be fighting again when battle comes, won't you, platoon leader?"

That was an obvious statement.

Of course, he would.

His right wrist was annoying, but not useless.

Besides, the reason he'd been called here was because of them.

When the battle broke out, he'd be on the frontlines again, fighting.

"You can't, not in this condition, brother."

Audin's grip remained firm as he spoke.

His right shoulder had been slashed, his left forearm stabbed.

His right wrist was still in a splint, and bruises covered his body.

Jaxen's ointment had run out long ago, leaving only some ground herbs applied to the wounds.

He'd been injured so frequently that even the medicine couldn't keep up.

Not that he had much to begin with.

"How long are you planning to stay like this?"

What was he doing?

Normally, after subduing him, they would go over the sparring process.

Now was the time to let go and review the fight.

But Audin's grip didn't loosen.

"Platoon leader."

He called out in that state.

Enkrid, half-forced into a bent position, responded.

"What."

The dawn mist was thick, obscuring the surroundings.

Only a few steps away, their faces would only become visible through the fog.

A sentry stood nearby, glancing their way at first, but now showing no interest in their scuffle.

Audin made a decision.

And acted.

Bsss.

Enkrid heard a sound he had never encountered before in his life.

Not with his ears, but directly resonating through his body.

At the same time, something impossible to experience by the riverside mist, something even rarer at this hour before dawn—a warmth seeped into him.

Like basking in the afternoon sun, reading a book in leisure.

Or the perfect moment for a nap.

How should he describe this?

Peace?

Whatever it was, it spread through his entire body.

Warmth, comfort, and a faint tingling blooming from his wounds passed in an instant.

It didn't last long.

Audin finally let go of his grip on Enkrid's neck.

Enkrid looked up at him.

Religious squadmate—he had once called him that.

Audin seemed as devout as any priest.

And priests, at times, performed miracles.

People called that miracle divine power.

"This..."

"No, brother, you will say nothing. And you will tell no one. Swear it to the Lord."

Enkrid met Audin's gaze.

A faint yellow hue lingered in his blurred irises, as if light itself resided there.

Light, radiance—something divine seemed to dwell within.

"Swear it."

"...Alright."

Audin said nothing more and turned away.

"The mist over the river, too, is the Lord's blessing."

He knelt down and began his morning prayer.

For god's sake.

Enkrid scratched his head a few times.

'What is he even believing in?'

Sometimes he wondered why his squad members went to such lengths for him.

Did he look that pitiful?

Did watching him struggle so desperately stir something in them?

He didn't know.

The curiosity faded quickly.

It didn't matter.

Audin Fumrei—no one knew that he wielded divine power.

Using it might be bound by some doctrine or restriction.

One thing was clear—he had taken a risk.

"Lord, forgive me."

Hearing that prayer, Enkrid felt his suspicion confirmed.

'He didn't have to go this far.'

But there was no returning a gift already given.

Enkrid unwound the bandages around his wrist.

He flexed his right wrist a few times.

Based on his experience from countless injuries—

'A day or two.'

That's all he needed.

His wrist would be usable without issue.

The other wounds hidden under the bandages had also improved significantly.

The dull pain had almost completely faded.

"Thanks."

He spoke to the massive squadmate deep in prayer.

Audin, however, was too absorbed in his prayers to respond.

'Lord.'

Between the damp scent of earth, the sharp stench of death from the battlefield mixed in.

For Audin, leaving his platoon leader in such a state was unbearable.

'Lord, for You are always present.'

He sought answers from a god who never replied.

Was what he had just done truly the right thing?

If it was discovered that he had used divinity, the Inquisitors would come.

He had left the Order burdened with many restrictions.

Though it hadn't been a solemn oath, he had still placed a binding vow upon himself at the time.

Enduring the constraint and exerting even a fraction of his divinity caused a piercing pain, as if an awl were drilling into his skull.

Even so.

'I couldn't just stand by and watch. Lord.'

The one who had burned himself in the flames of effort was now receiving his due reward.

He couldn't let that flame be extinguished here.

Call it fickleness if one must, but Audin simply wanted to do it.

And so, he did.

After meeting Enkrid, he had come to believe that the Lord's words resided within him.

'So I shall follow my heart's guidance.'

Audin finished his prayer.

By then, the morning sunlight had begun to break through the dissipating mist.

Though he had used divinity to heal his body, not all his wounds had mended at once.

If he had done so, someone particularly sensitive would have sensed the divinity at work, and the constraints made it difficult to use any more.

Still, looking at the platoon leader, he seemed much better than before.

"Hoo."

Enkrid exhaled as he moved his body, looking noticeably lighter.

God and man, blessing and curse.

He had yet to unravel these contradictions.

But at least, seeing his platoon leader like this put his mind at ease.

Though he furrowed his brow, enduring the pain, Audin knew he would not regret today's actions.

It was a hunch, an instinct—no, a certainty.

***

After finishing the morning training, it was time to change the bandages.

"Big Eyes."

He called for Krais.

Just then, the tent flap rustled open.

"This the place?"

A figure with green eyes.

A superior officer, despite their small frame, with skills that did not match their stature.

In other words, one of the people responsible for the forming this lunatic squad.

A fairy who had organized them into an independent unit and led them to the battlefield without Enkrid.

"I heard you got injured."

"Yes."

Without preamble, the company commander spoke to Enkrid upon entering and tossed something his way.

Enkrid caught the object midair.

A round wooden container.

It was similar in size to the salve he had received from Jaxen.

The lid bore an engraved leaf emblem, suggesting it was crafted by someone with considerable skill.

"Commander?"

"Apply it. You couldn't buy fairy medicine even for a fortune. Consider it our engagement gift."

Enkrid still couldn't get used to the fairy's jokes.

And more than that, this was just too sudden.

Coming in out of nowhere, throwing him medicine, and calling it an engagement gift?

"That expression is good. I like it."

With just those words, the company commander turned and left.

Had she really come just to give him medicine?

"I'm seriously curious now. Captain, what's your secret?"

Krais, having watched from the side, couldn't help but ask.

Enkrid was just as baffled.

"I'd like to know that myself."

Why had she suddenly come and tossed him medicine?

As the commander said, fairies were exceptionally skilled in handling such remedies.

Considering how they had identified poisons during the infirmary assassination incident, the commander also seemed to have deep knowledge of pharmacology.

"This seems better than what I have. Sometimes, that devilish charm comes in handy."

Jaxen remarked idly while polishing his equipment, not even looking their way.

Though he seemed not to be paying attention, he was always acutely aware of his surroundings.

That was why he was the most well-informed about battlefield conditions and sensitive to shifts in the atmosphere.

"I don't think that's the reason."

Enkrid shook his head.

The fact that they were joking like this proved otherwise.

Rem started chuckling.

"Just have three kids."

Crazy bastard.

"Captain, instead of this, why don't you leave the military and open a salon with me?"

Big Eyes went even further.

He prattled on about how Enkrid had a rare talent, how nurturing his natural charm would be better than wielding a blade late in life.

Enkrid, unwilling to spend his days entertaining noblewomen, calmly told them to shut up.

"Stop spouting nonsense and help me remove the bandages."

Ragna, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke up.

"So, can you spar?"

Lately, Ragna seemed more eager than Enkrid himself.

"You directionally challenged bastard, do you think one application of ointment will heal you?"

Rem scolded.

"Hm."

Ragna didn't argue but merely looked disappointed.

True, applying ointment alone wouldn't be enough.

That wasn't the issue—it was the fact that he had already received a miracle healing that even high-ranking nobles wouldn't get to witness firsthand.

Krais unwrapped the bandages, and Enkrid subtly twisted his shoulder to apply the ointment himself, avoiding exposing his wounds.

"I can do it for you."

Krais offered, but Enkrid shook his head.

"No need."

"Che, what, because your lover gave it to you?"

Thud.

Still seated on the cot, Enkrid extended his leg and lightly kicked Krais on the thigh before carefully spreading the ointment over his shoulder.

He repeated the process on his left forearm, feeling a cool sensation spread from the treated area.

'This is good stuff.'

It was even more refreshing than the ointment Jaxen had given him.

Enkrid rewrapped his bandages.

Now, he could probably move around decently.

Not bad.

Should he try swinging his sword a few times?

There was no immediate battle looming.

For now, both sides were merely glaring at each other.

If something provoked them, the fight would start instantly, but for now—

"Damn, boring bastards. If they were going to fight, they should at least do it properly until someone's skull gets cracked open."

Rem grumbled about the lack of large-scale engagements.

Should he practice sword swings?

Or should he rest a bit more?

As he contemplated—

Bwoooo!

A horn sounded from outside.

For surprise attacks, they used whistles.

But on the battlefield, Naurilia's tradition was to blow war horns.

"Enemy incoming! All troops, assemble! Gather by unit!"

A messenger ran past the tents, shouting orders.

"They're here again, those crazy bastards."

Rem pouted and grumbled.

"You know, those guys really have nothing better to do, my devilishly charming captain."

"Leave out that last nickname, will you?"

What now?

He hastily fastened his gear and prepared to head out.

"If a fight breaks out, don't jump in. Take care of yourself first, will you?"

Rem warned.

"I agree. Focus on recovery until you're fit for sparring again."

Ragna chimed in.

Audin simply smiled.

Seeing such a large man smile so gently was strangely fascinating.

"Were you planning to fight? With that body? You'd have to be mad."

Jaxen outright scolded him.

Was he being treated like a child left alone by the river?

No, his platoon members wouldn't actually see him that way.

Rather—

They simply wouldn't let him get hurt again.

Not in front of them.

Even Audin, who had used divinity, felt the same way as the others.

These were his squad members.

Looking at them, it was clear—

The battalion commander had made a wise choice in bringing him here.

Because no matter what, they would move as one under his command.