Chapter 237: What is a Knight?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 237: What is a Knight?
‘This isn't a spar.’
It was an offer—a recruitment.
‘It feels like this has been happening a lot lately.’
Hadn't Marcus said something similar?
‘He told me to become a battalion commander.’
Encrid had refused then. And now, it was an invitation to join an order of knights.
Encrid studied the man standing before him. At a glance, it was obvious he wasn't a noble of Naurilia. But did that matter? Not at all. It wasn't an issue.
Even for those born in Naurilia, what did people from backwater rural villages care about kings or high lords? To them, the best ruler was simply the one who didn't let them starve and didn't torment them.
Most commoners lived their entire lives without ever laying eyes on the King; they grew up thinking the local lord ruling their patch of dirt was the highest authority in the world. Encrid had been born and raised in just such a village.
Consequently, Encrid didn't possess a fierce, burning loyalty to his country. His hesitation to answer wasn't born of patriotism, nor was he reluctant to accept help. If he hadn't received advice and assistance from others, he never would have made it this far.
In that regard, Encrid felt a debt of gratitude toward Rem, Audin, Ragna, Sachsen, and even Krais.
But setting all that aside, the offer honestly took the wind out of his sails. The fire that had been racing through his heart suddenly cooled. He had stepped out here expecting to witness the true skill of the man before him—to see him fight in earnest. That was the only reason he hadn't cared about the torrential rain.
"You haven't even told me where we're going," Encrid said. "Why should I follow you?"
"You won't regret it."
The man’s eyes shone with the absolute conviction of someone who truly believed his own words.
Encrid knew that even if a person had no ill intentions, it didn't necessarily mean their actions would benefit him. A frog can die from a carelessly thrown stone. Whether the stone was thrown with good intentions or bad—whether it was meant to chase away a snake or aimed directly at the frog’s head—a stone was still a stone.
Above all else...
‘Do I even want to join an order of knights?’
Encrid looked up at the sky and asked himself. The downpour didn't look like it would let up for days.
It’s quite heavy for autumn rain.
His reflection was brief. It wasn't a matter he needed to agonize over. Becoming a knight and joining an order of knights were two different things. It had been that way from the very beginning. Just because he admired the red cloak didn't mean he would abandon everything else just to wear one.
It was the same now.
"I refuse."
"You refuse? If it's because I haven't revealed my affiliation, think again. No one can pave a better path for you than I can right now. Especially if you want to climb higher, you must go where people of that caliber gather."
Did one have to join an order to become a knight? No. But the probability was high. Those who had reached the so-called "knight-level" could be found among mercenaries and even bandits, but the fact remained that most true knights were forged within the orders. At the very least, such places offered the most opportunities.
To a soldier from a frontier territory who had absolutely nothing, this would look like a golden lifeline—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It is a better place than the Red Cloak Knights. I guarantee it," the Rapier Swordsman pressed.
Encrid didn't nod.
‘An order of knights...’
Yes, it was an opportunity. But could he acquire the strength he needed, reach his desired destination, and truly become a knight simply by training in a comfortable environment?
Encrid looked back at the path he had walked. Constant review was a part of his nature. Looking back, what did he see? What had brought him all the way here?
He didn't need a perfect, worry-free environment handed to him on a silver platter.
And more importantly:
‘I haven't even seen the end of my subordinates' journeys yet.’
He had become who he was because of what he received from them. He couldn't just turn his back on them now.
Just as he was about to voice his refusal once more—
"Do you know the one thing you should never touch among an elf's possessions?"
Where had he come from? Even with Encrid's heightened senses, the presence had remained faint until the voice spoke.
The Elf Company Commander's voice rang out before Encrid could speak. Sachsen looked cleaner, as if he had just washed up, his face brighter than before. He wore casual clothes—a thin, long-sleeved shirt that fluttered in the wind.
Then, another voice answered.
"Their fiancée."
It was Rem. What were these two doing?
Encrid and the Rapier Swordsman turned their heads.
"Correct. Their fiancée. And do you know what happens if you mess with an elf's fiancée?"
"Ain't it execution?" Rem grinned, radiating bloodlust. He was acting like he’d never leave the barracks, yet here he was.
"My Lord, my Father... I pray to You once more, please do not take away my small and precious company commander..."
Audin emerged as well, hands clasped in prayer.
Since when had these guys been watching? They were gathered at the edge of the training ground. Encrid saw the group surrounding Audin: the praying priest, Ragna with his eyes quietly gleaming, and Sachsen standing tall.
At Sachsen's feet was Esther, and the golden-eyed beastman stepped forward as well.
"If you are going, I will go with you."
Those were Dunchabel's words. She was always sincere, never beating around the bush. If Encrid left, she would follow.
The Elf Company Commander stood a step away from them, staring straight at Encrid. Finally, Finn, who seemed to have arrived late, grumbled.
"And here you said you were just going to watch. So, are you going?"
The question was directed at him. Encrid scratched his head.
Come to think of it, even though he had done nothing for them, they stood up for him. They fought, they taught, and they stayed by his side.
‘Who am I to deserve this?’
What is a knight?
He believed it was one who defends honor.
What is a knight?
He believed it was one who holds conviction.
What is a knight?
He believed it was one who establishes justice.
That was the chivalry Encrid believed in, followed, and wished to embody. To him, these people were his honor, his conviction, and his justice. His loyalty to them was equal to those three ideals.
"If you're not going to fight, go back. I'm not joining your order."
Encrid had already decided his path to becoming a knight. Right here, in this place, by moving from the present to the next step.
"Well, I wasn't plannin' on stoppin' you if you went anyway," Rem said, uttering nonsense. Why was he even out here if he wasn't going to stop him?
"Hmm. I am better."
Ragna blurted out the statement from nowhere.
"I mean that I am better than any order of knights," he added. It was an arrogant, audacious claim, but Encrid knew Ragna's genius well enough to have no rebuttal.
Audin merely smiled warmly. "It is our brother's choice."
Didn't he just pray to God not to take me away?
Even though they spoke like that, Encrid knew they would have accepted it if he had decided to leave. They were truly strange people.
In any case, he had made his decision. He had chosen his path and had no intention of looking back. That was the kind of man Encrid was.
Rumble!
Thunder clapped once more, and blue lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the training ground. The Rapier Swordsman, who had been staring intently into Encrid's eyes, finally nodded.
"It doesn't look like you'll change your mind."
He gave up. The swordsman dusted off his hands. He traveled the continent searching for promising individuals to guide back to his home ground. Normally, he would have revealed his affiliation by now.
But...
‘I had a feeling he would refuse.’
So he hadn't. Even if he had, it probably wouldn't have changed anything. Was it even worth mentioning? It was pointless. Though the boy's talent was poorer than anyone he had ever seen, he had valued that look in his eyes from the very beginning. That was why he had tried to take him.
Back then, he had been looking at something other than the boy's sword.
"Watch out for Swallow Blade," the swordsman warned. "He is not a gentle fellow."
"I will." Encrid nodded.
"Do not abuse Will. If a child who has just started walking tries to run without rest, their knees and ankles are bound to break. First, strengthen your ankles, and then run."
"I will do that."
It was good advice—a parting gift.
"Well then, I shall depart. I do not know if we will meet again."
It was a needlessly honest farewell.
"Until next time," Encrid replied in kind.
The Rapier Swordsman turned around. In the end, there was no spar. Encrid couldn't help but feel a lingering regret about that.
"Are you disappointed you didn't get to fight just now?"
Rem hit the nail on the head. Seizing the opportunity of his lingering regret, Encrid directed his fighting spirit toward Rem.
"Since we're already soaked?"
"Well, shit, fine by me. I'm tellin' you in advance, I won't go easy on you like before."
"I have never once gone easy on you."
"Well, obviously. Seriously, that tongue of yours..."
On this rainy night, Encrid stood with his sword drawn. Rem pulled out his axe. With the sheets of rain between them, the two ignored the darkness and the downpour, charging at each other.
As a result, Encrid lost again.
"I really can't go easy on you anymore," Rem said, standing in the rain.
Fortunately, because both of them held back to some extent, no blood was shed.
‘Rem...’
He could go higher. Encrid could sense that Rem was limiting himself. He felt it, but he didn't ask. It was Rem's own business to handle.
Encrid simply resolved to follow his conviction, justice, and honor. If loyalty to these people meant staying here, then he would keep that loyalty.
"What are you going to do now that one of your axes is broken?"
Encrid's sword was sturdy. A deliberate, heavy swing had shattered one of the axe blades. Rem had used that breakage as bait to decide the match.
"Aren't you gonna buy me a new one?"
"I don't have any Krona."
"I don't have any either."
They had showered Krais with money recently for doing a commendable job. Encrid didn't even have enough Krona to get a proper set of armor made. In the first place, neither Encrid nor Rem were the type to diligently save their coin.
Naturally, their gazes turned toward the barracks.
"Hey, Big-Eyes."
If they didn't have Krona, they could just pester Big-Eyes Krais. Rem came to that conclusion, and Encrid didn't stop him.
"The real work with Will starts now," said Ragna, who had been watching the spar. For a guy who was usually so lazy, he had actually stood in the rain to watch. At his feet, a soaking wet Esther leaped into his arms.
"I know."
Encrid knew because he had felt it. He had realized it.
Just as he was debating whether to go back to the bathhouse or just wash up quickly and go to sleep—
"Independent Company Commander!"
The shout came from the entrance of the barracks. It was the middle of the night, yet a soldier was calling for him urgently. Everyone's eyes turned in that direction. Even Rem, who had gone inside to pester Krais, came back out.
"Hey, you're getting everything wet! At least dry off before you come in!" Krais grumbled from inside.
Ignoring him, the soldier rushed toward Encrid. "Something's happened!"
Encrid wondered what on earth was going on now.
* * *
The Rapier Swordsman's companions fell in step beside him as he departed.
"That was a wasted trip," one said, sarcastic as always.
"As long as it was entertaining, that's enough."
"Are you sure? But are we really just going to leave that guy behind? He seemed to be plotting something."
They all had their own specialties. The person they were referring to was that crazy bastard, Swallow Blade.
The swordsman lightly stroked his chin—a habit that hadn't gone away even though his beard was gone. "He'll handle it."
It wasn't his business anyway. Besides, Encrid wasn't the type to get done in by someone like Swallow Blade.
‘Though he does use his head a bit.’
"But was it true?" his subordinate asked.
The Rapier Swordsman nodded without hesitation. "It is a talent invisible to my eyes."
It was high praise. In truth, Encrid had reached his current state by dying over and over again, but there was no way they would ever know that.
"Oh." The subordinate was surprised. It wasn't a statement that easily came out of his superior's mouth.
"Then, where are we going now?"
"Let's go back. To the Empire."
At the swordsman's words, his subordinates' faces brightened. They were finally returning home.