Chapter 173: Speaking with the Eyes
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 173: Speaking with the Eyes
What had the original "wall" been?
‘Defeating the Gnoll Leader at the cost of my own blood.’
The Gnoll Leader was astonishingly fast and wielded a poisoned dagger.
‘A battle where a single graze is fatal.’
It was a fight decided by a mere scratch.
To Encrid, it had felt like a wall custom-made for him. It required the reaction speed to see and respond, and the perfect coordination to move the body the instant the eyes perceived a threat. He had believed he could never win without mastering those exact skills.
Encrid had viewed his opponent as an immovable wall, but he had introduced a slight inflection point—a shortcut, of sorts.
‘What if I face it without taking any injuries at all?’
It would drain his stamina, but there was a way. And as a bonus, most of the pioneer village's residents wouldn't have to die.
So, Encrid had done just that. Now, it was time to see the consequences of his actions. Simply put, he had to confirm whether he had truly scaled the wall or just done something foolish.
Confirmation was easy. All he had to do was let time pass.
And the conclusion?
‘I’m not going back.’
Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink.
No matter how many times he blinked, everything remained the same. Night had deepened, and the hour of his usual regression had long since passed.
He had overcome the wall.
"What are you doing?"
It was the voice of Krais, who had been watching him. He was sprawled out beside Encrid, his voice having been a constant buzz of complaints for a while now.
What a world, what a mess. Sigh, is my luck just cursed this year?
He had been rambling with such grievances before looking at Encrid and asking his question.
"I think my luck is quite good this year," Encrid replied.
"That's not wrong. If you were unlucky, you probably wouldn't have made it back alive. But why are you doing that with your eyes? You look like someone possessed by an evil spirit. It’s creepy, so knock it off."
"Ah, did I?"
Even as he spoke, Encrid blinked a few more times. He couldn't help but wonder.
Was it really possible to get past the day using such a shortcut? Or was this the intended path all along? Or did I just need to overcome the obstacle designated as the 'wall' by any means necessary?
He didn't know. In truth, everything was shrouded in mystery. Ever since he started repeating this day, it had been one incomprehensible event after another.
‘Will he show up in my dream tonight?’
What if he asked the Ferryman? He doubted he would get a pleasant answer, but it still seemed better than not asking at all.
But it was all pointless. Wasting mental energy on such things was meaningless. He would rather swing his sword one more time.
Squeeze!
Mid-thought, Esther, cradled in his arms, pressed closer to his chest. Perhaps as payment for using her so thoroughly earlier, she hadn't left his side since they returned. Even when he bathed, she had soaked with him in the wooden tub filled with hot water prepared by the workers.
"Kyaruha."
She must have found it incredibly pleasant; instead of her usual sharp growls, she let out a soft, deflating purr. She kneaded Encrid's chest contentedly and then dozed off. Fearing she might fall asleep and drown, he had cradled her in his arms to wash her before stepping out—not that a creature like Esther was actually likely to drown.
In any case, Encrid finally realized that the day had fully passed. He had scaled the wall and survived. Today—a day where he had learned something new about the essence of evasion—was over. It was now tomorrow.
"So, it's tomorrow now," he muttered, swept up in the night, the moonlight, and the wind.
"It is still the middle of the night."
Crunch, crunch.
It was Frok—Luagarne—who spoke. He had returned with the moonlight at his back, his entire body covered in dirt and bits of grass.
"You're back?"
Encrid had wondered when the man would return; it turned out to be only after the day had fully transitioned. Whatever he had been doing, Luagarne hadn't even known about the attack by the monsters.
"I ran far past the quarry. That bastard—the one you mentioned—was indeed a cultist. He got away."
Encrid and Luagarne discussed the matters they had put off. Luagarne admitted he had lost the cultist.
"You lost him?"
A Frok? Bested by a human? A mere human? Even if he was a cultist priest, how could a Frok let a single human escape?
Such words were written clearly in Encrid's eyes. Luagarne felt a strange wave of displeasure. Prompted by that irritation, he snapped back.
"There was a good reason I lost him."
"Ah, I see. Of course."
He must have let his guard down. Or what, is he just a half-wit Frok? That must be it. That's probably why he's still stuck out here. Otherwise, wouldn't he have returned to the capital long ago?
"Something is strange," Luagarne growled.
"Pardon?"
"Your eyes keep saying something else."
"Me?"
Encrid remained as calm as ever. It was just his eyes that were telling a different story.
He might be a half-wit Frok, but at least he's quick-witted.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Never mind."
It was a fact that he had lost the target. Surely Encrid hadn't gone so far as to call him a "half-wit Frok" in his mind. The look in the boy's eyes was incredibly insolent, but surely it wasn't intentional. After all, he had failed.
But still, why did it feel so annoying?
"He must be connected to the horde of demonic beasts and monsters," Encrid said, shifting the subject.
Luagarne nodded.
"And the ones that retreated today might not disperse."
Luagarne nodded at that as well. If the man was a cultist priest, he could easily take over the role of the colony's leader. The attacking monsters weren't legendary creatures, and gnolls were, after all, merely low-grade monsters.
Low-grade monsters were inherently stupid. Among their ranks were ghouls, and considering the common saying that ghouls have no brains, gnolls weren't much smarter. They simply had a habit of fighting in organized groups and backstabbing. In a one-on-one fight, a single gnoll was easier to deal with than a single ghoul.
Of course, it was a different story when they were armed and organized like an army.
"I wondered why those gnoll bastards were so well-armed. It must have been the cultists' doing. In that case, they might return tomorrow," Encrid concluded.
At that moment, to Luagarne, Encrid's eyes seemed to say something else again.
‘So this is happening because you let him go?’
"Your eyes..."
Just as he was about to snap, Deutsch Fullman approached at the perfect moment.
"Are you saying they didn't just retreat?"
Deutsch, who had been lingering nearby, couldn't just stand by when such critical information was being discussed.
"It seems likely."
"Why?"
At Deutsch's question, Encrid's gaze flicked briefly to Luagarne.
"The mastermind behind the monster horde is still out there."
"A mastermind? Right, something did feel off."
Deutsch nodded. It made sense. An armed monster horde. An unnaturally large number of beasts. On top of that, there had been a spy among his own subordinates.
"Ah, and that missing adjutant was a cultist," Encrid added, which came as a shock.
‘That bastard?’
Deutsch shook his head, trying to clear away the distracting thoughts.
"I sent a carrier pigeon, but it will take at least seven days for reinforcements to arrive. There are no supporting forces nearby."
This wasn't a job for some mediocre mercenary group. Even if they could hire mercenaries, employing them for a battle of this scale would cost an astronomical amount of krona. Not to mention, gathering that many mercenaries in the first place would be a monumental task.
Deutsch had only one option: to request aid from the noble backing the village. He had already sent the pigeon, but even in the best-case scenario, it would take a week.
"I doubt we'll even have a week," Encrid muttered under his breath. It was barely audible, suggesting he hadn't intended for anyone to hear. Judging by his thoughtful eyes, he was talking to himself.
Deutsch didn't press him. He had far too many other things to worry about. For one, he had to restructure the defense of the barricades immediately. If the retreating monster horde was connected to cultists, they also had to prepare for spell attacks.
If their opponent was a cultist, they might employ mind-shattering curses. There was no telling what those bastards would do. Some of them would retreat into deep mountain valleys and rule over villages as if they were gods. Above all, if the mastermind remained, they had to prepare for whatever orders he might give to the gnolls.
"I will handle the cultist," Luagarne said.
To Deutsch, those words were a massive relief. "Thank you," he said with sincere gratitude.
Having spoken, Luagarne looked into Encrid's eyes. Those vivid blue eyes, peering through his dark hair, flashed with a strange light once more.
‘Cleaning up your own mess, then?’
That was the impression Luagarne got. His cheek twitched involuntarily, but he had nothing to say in his defense. He had lost the cultist, after all. Still, tracking down someone who used summoning magic all by oneself was inherently difficult.
It's because he's never dealt with summoning magic before, Luagarne thought. Those who fight only with cold steel can't do anything about it; without the aid of spells, it's impossible to block or deflect.
"Is something the matter?" Encrid asked. His eyes remained clear and blue.
Rather than wasting breath arguing with those eyes, Luagarne decided he would prove himself tomorrow if the cultist returned with the monsters.
"Are we not sparring today?" Luagarne asked as he turned to leave.
"I had Esther do some work, and now she's like this. Today is a bit difficult," Encrid said, stroking the head of the panther nestled against his chest.
"I see."
Luagarne made a clean exit and went to wash up. He had spotted a stream on his way here; that would do. Frog-kin were naturally close to water, and he felt like taking a dive in the cool current.
"Can we hold out?" Krais asked, watching the Frok walk away.
Encrid, who had been standing blankly, tilted his head. "Hold out?"
"Aren't the gnolls coming back tomorrow?"
"Ah, they will."
His blank attitude and nonchalant tone suggested he was definitely plotting something.
What is this platoon leader bastard up to now?
Krais's eyes spoke the words, and Encrid did not let it slide. Such attitudes had to be nipped in the bud.
Thud!
He delivered a swift kick straight to the chest of Krais, who had only half-raised his upper body.
"Ack!" Krais rolled to the side from the impact. "Why—why did you do that?!"
"Weren't your eyes looking a bit strange just now?"
Encrid spoke, and Krais knew all too well that once his platoon leader made up his mind, he was a man who pushed forward relentlessly. Above all, Encrid's perception was as sharp as his own. He had read the words spoken by Krais's eyes. While Encrid usually tolerated jokes, he was quick to use his feet when he felt a line had been crossed.
"Your eyes."
"Yes, sir. I'll keep them straight."
Mmh. Only then was Encrid satisfied.
Now, it was time to sleep. It would be best to get a good night's rest and bring his condition to its peak for tomorrow. He had already applied ointment to his few minor scratches. Though his muscles were strained, they would be perfectly fine after a night's sleep.
‘I wonder how well a provoked Frok will fight.’
It was a night of great curiosity.
While Encrid slept soundly, Deutsch Fullman, his subordinates, and the rest of the village residents fluctuated between heaven and hell.
"Didn't they say they all retreated?"
"They're coming back?"
"A cultist is involved? Oh, Lord of the Sun, my Lord..."
"Look down upon us, Lord."
"Argh, the devil is coming! The devil!"
Those consumed by fear shed tears and babbled nonsense. Those with faith offered prayers. Those who remained calm assessed the danger, and those in command focused on the immediate tasks at hand. It was a night where everyone fulfilled their respective worries and duties.
For most, it was a sleepless night. Sentries kept watch through the dark and into the dawn. It was a day they had survived solely due to Encrid's exploits. In Deutsch's eyes, the battle would have been lost without him. He had watched how Encrid fought. He didn't think the boy could pull that off again. It felt like a fluke born of a desperate situation. Otherwise, what kind of human would leap into a horde of demonic beasts all by himself?
As the day passed and dawn began to break, the vigilante guarding the front of Encrid's house saw the dark-haired hero emerge. Encrid was starting his morning later than usual. Once outside, he warmed up and trained relentlessly, soaking himself in sweat.
Isn't that a bit too much? Is it really okay to expend so much stamina like that?
Out of concern, the vigilante spoke up. "Excuse me, are you not resting even on a day like this?"
Especially after overexerting himself yesterday, and with the crisis likely to continue today. At the vigilante's words, Encrid nodded.
"I had a good dream."
Huh? I thought I asked if he was resting.
Encrid only said what he wanted to say. He focused and continued his training. Soon after, the Frok emerged.
"A good dream? You were thrashing around. A lot."
"I must have been talking in my sleep."
Such was the exchange between the Frok and Encrid. Having nothing more to say, the vigilante stepped back. Soon, the panther and the big-eyed soldier came out as well. Krais yawned as he stepped outside, and upon making eye contact with the vigilante, he gave a slight nod.
Finally, the female ranger emerged.
"Phew." She let out a deep sigh, her gait making it obvious she was far from fully recovered.
"Why are you coming out?" Encrid asked.
"I should at least shoot some arrows," Finn replied.
"Don't bother."
"You said they're coming today too, right?"
"Probably."
"It's good if they come," Luagarne added.
The vigilante found it difficult to follow their conversation.
"It is good if they come," the Frok repeated.
There was weight behind his words—momentum, bloodlust, and a fierce fighting spirit. Just looking at Luagarne made the vigilante's knees tremble.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
While the vigilante's balls shriveled in fear, the emergency bell rang out, piercing the ears of everyone in the village.
Did they say the worst-case scenario one imagines always comes to pass? Or that the thing one wishes to face the least is always what appears? They both sounded like the same thing now.
"Gnolls!" a messenger shouted as he ran from the front.
It was time for Deutsch's defensive operation to begin. Encrid moved as well. His body was fully warmed up; all that was left was to gather his gear.
Krais had wiped down both of Encrid's swords before going to sleep. Wiping away the blood, he had polished them to a shine using oil rendered from sheep fat. As for his armor, some of the chainmail tucked inside the leather was dented, but it was perfectly manageable. He might be short on throwing daggers, but since he intended to rely on his swords today, his preparations were complete.
"Shall we, Luagarne?"
Encrid called out as he donned his armor. Luagarne nodded. It was time to make up for his mistake and show the insolent-eyed Encrid his true worth.
"Let's go."
The group set off. Finn joined them as well; her goal was to watch, even if she couldn't help. Krais let out a deep sigh, muttering about his terrible luck, but he quickened his pace nonetheless. Though he had no idea what was about to happen, it was clear he had to stand with them.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Above their heads, the emergency bell rang out without pause.