Chapter 331: How the Madman Began
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 331: How the Madman Began
It was shortly before Encrid’s appointment to the Troublemaker Squad.
The previous squad leader, who had forcefully demanded obedience, had already kicked the bucket.
The noble’s son appointed next had run his mouth before being beaten to a pulp by Sachsen.
The one after that did nothing but throw tantrums until he fled, threatened by Rem under the guise of "mental discipline." Even after that, squad leaders continued to cycle through like a revolving door.
Since the squad replaced every single leader who arrived, it was only natural that those in charge, including the Company Commander, had something to say.
"If you have any intention of staying in the military, shouldn't you at least observe basic discipline?"
Rem nodded at the Company Commander’s approaching words.
"Too true! It's all because of that stray cat bastard over there."
"The biggest problem is the mouth of the bastard who blames others," Sachsen shot back instantly.
Ragna watched them and spoke flatly. "I don't mind transferring to another unit."
At Ragna's dismissive attitude, Rem and Sachsen snapped their heads toward him. His tone made it sound as if he were a completely different person, as if none of this had anything to do with him. His languid voice grated on their nerves even more.
"That little shit..."
The most recent squad leader had tried to whip Ragna into shape—in reality, the man had mistaken Ragna's quietness for weakness and tried to establish dominance—only to get his skull cracked and be carried out on a stretcher.
Yet, what was with this attitude now?
It was no wonder Rem flared up and Sachsen glared with sharp eyes.
Since that incident, twenty days had passed without a squad leader. The Company Commander had a massive headache. The Battalion Commander had told him to handle it himself, but were these bastards the type to be "handled"?
But could he really say, "I absolutely cannot handle them on my own"?
That would be admitting his own incompetence, confessing that he was a useless fool. He knew exactly what the Battalion Commander would say.
“Can't you even control a single squad under your command?”
Considering the Battalion Commander's notorious habit of shifting blame, it was a predictable response.
I'd rather they all just go out and die.
Yet, no matter how dangerous a battlefield they were thrown into, they always returned with nothing more than a few scratches. Was it even a blessing that they were so skilled? Why were people of their caliber wasting away here?
Then again, looking at their behavior, it made perfect sense.
When Rem was sent to the 1st Company, a heavy infantry unit, he had cracked his superior's skull and ended up here. Even now, the members of the 1st Company ground their teeth whenever they saw him. Yet Rem himself thoroughly enjoyed the sound of their grinding teeth as if listening to a symphony.
"It cannot be helped. Brother, I shall temporarily lead them. This, too, must be a trial bestowed upon me by the Lord. He allows this small and fragile servant to watch over the world so that I may not turn away from my path."
Audin stepped forward, leaving the Company Commander speechless. Usually, this religious fanatic just sat quietly with a deathly pale complexion. Why on earth was he pouring oil on the fire now?
Moreover, did this bastard even consider his own size when speaking? Where exactly was he "small," and where was he "fragile"?
Besides, the Company Commander would rather sacrifice one of his own adjutants than entrust the squad to this religious nutcase. The man would probably spend the entire day spouting nonsense about prayer. Even if the Commander swallowed his pride and handed over command, there was no way the rest of them would accept it.
"What is that bear babbling about?" the madman with the axe spoke first.
The lazy bastard chimed in immediately. "If there's something wrong with your head, take some medicine."
Next, the man who easily ranked first in the unit based on looks alone opened his mouth. "Do you want to die?"
Why was Sachsen so affable with members of other units, yet such a leaky earthenware pot when dealing with his own?
Ah, my head.
"Enough. A new squad leader is arriving this afternoon. Please, do not beat him up, and do not harass him."
As he spoke, the Company Commander prayed for the well-being of the incoming man. But what could he do? He was someone brought in hastily because there were no other candidates. He wasn't a noble, he didn't possess any particularly sharp talent, and his fighting skills were mediocre at best.
He only hoped they wouldn't cause a scene.
*
Even after the Company Commander left, the murderous atmosphere remained.
Rem's arrival here was the result of a series of coincidences. Strictly speaking, he had joined to lay low after killing a noble's son, planning to leave after about six months. But by some bizarre twist of fate, a bunch of bastards just like him had gathered.
Every single one of them lives entirely for their own ego.
None of them knew how to bow their heads. Of course, Rem was no different. The current Battalion Commander had gathered these troublemakers together with the attitude of "let them all die in battle for all I care," but Rem had no way of knowing that.
"I might as well just kill everyone and transfer to another unit," Rem muttered.
He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear; it was a provocation disguised as a mumble.
"You want to die?" Ragna snapped.
"Brothers, if you wish to dwell by the Lord's side, I shall gladly pray for you," Audin added. That prayer would certainly not be delivered with words alone.
"Idiots," Sachsen chimed in.
Up until now, they had insulted each other without crossing the line, knowing that a life-or-death struggle would require them to fight in earnest. Of course, that didn't mean they were the patient type. The trigger might be trivial, but an explosion could have happened at any moment.
Hadn't they been wary of each other from the very beginning?
Rem let his arms hang loose, keeping an eye on Sachsen. He knew instinctively that exposing his back would be fatal. Ragna stood up before anyone realized. His noisy, rustling movement seemed to leave him wide open, but Rem knew the lazy bastard could unleash his sword even from that posture.
Audin brought his hands together in front of his abdomen—the preparation for Valaf-style Martial Arts.
There was no overt bloodlust, only a sticky, heavy atmosphere that weighed down on the surroundings. A pressure capable of crushing a weak-willed person filled the shabby barracks. Since they were staying in a tent assigned as temporary quarters, the fabric itself seemed to swell tautly.
Just then, the tent flap fluttered open.
Beyond the entrance stood someone none of them had ever seen before. A man with black hair and blue eyes, possessing a striking appearance even at a glance. After entering, he scanned the room from left to right.
Anyone with a shred of sense would have turned around and walked out. Anyone faint of heart would have fainted on the spot.
"Yes. This is the, uh... yes, the squad barracks, but it might be better if you came back later."
Big-Eyes, standing behind the new squad leader, spoke up. He was quick-witted. The atmosphere was more murderous than ever before; one had to avoid trouble when possible. Krais tugged at the back of the new squad leader's tunic, warning him not to get involved in this mess.
Yet, the man didn't budge an inch. Instead, he took a step forward and spoke.
"I am Squad Leader Encrid. Do not fight."
Rem was only looking for an opening. His hanging arms were ready to grab and swing his axe at any second. Audin was prepared to deflect any incoming attack. Ragna intended to slash all three of them in a single sweep, and Sachsen was ready to draw the dagger concealed up his sleeve.
The aura clearly warned that anyone who intervened would die, yet this unfamiliar face stepped right into the middle of it.
"Stop."
It was an act of sheer, reckless bravery. Encrid wedged himself between them.
He was lucky. Rem's hand twitched as he stopped himself from drawing his axe. If he had reacted even a fraction of a second later, his blade would have already split whatever was in front of him in half. Audin's shoulders trembled, and Ragna had already gripped his sword hilt. Only Sachsen appeared unchanged, but in truth, the pommels of his daggers were already resting against his palms.
"...Did a slightly crazy bastard just arrive?" Ragna muttered.
"Are you out of your mind?" Rem added.
No matter how oblivious someone was, how could they barge in here? No, he wasn't oblivious. He knew exactly what he was doing and stepped in anyway. Rem realized this the moment he looked into the man's eyes.
Did he just throw his life away? No, that wasn't it either. He had felt the tension, but he didn't fully grasp the reality of the situation. Even so, to step between them? What kind of crazy guts did this guy have?
Later on, seeing him close his eyes every time an axe was swung made Rem wonder what kind of idiot he was, but... in any case, that was the first impression.
"As long as you aren't fighting, that's fine. I am Encrid."
The new squad leader didn't even offer a handshake. He only stated his name. He didn't ask for theirs, either. His attitude suggested they should just do their respective jobs. Even in Rem's eyes, he was an exceptionally crazy bastard.
"Looks like an interesting fellow has arrived," Rem muttered.
He was crazy enough to pique one's curiosity. Back then, everyone thought this guy named Encrid wouldn't last a week.
*
Encrid recalled those early days of the Troublemaker Squad.
Why had he stepped forward back then? Ah, it was because he believed a squad leader had to do his duty. At the very least, stopping his squad members from fighting was a basic obligation.
The murderous air brought back memories of that first day. Back then, a heavy pressure had weighed down on his shoulders, feeling as if it would tear his heart apart. Although he had closed his eyes at the blades flying before him, he had always been confident in enduring persistent pressure and pain.
That was why he had blocked their path.
I was so foolish back then.
Rem stood with his arms hanging loose, his axe at his waist. His "preparation" was complete. To Rem's left, Ragna stood, gently gripping his sword hilt with both hands. Opposite them, Audin stood with a smile, his fists gathered in front of his abdomen like a frozen statue.
Everyone was ready. Stepping inside with a half-hearted mindset would mean absolute death. The pressure transformed into momentum, piercing the heart. Even though they weren't consciously targeting each other, it produced an effect similar to Intimidation.
Before, he couldn't see it, but now he could.
Did that change anything? No. It didn't matter whether they pressed down on him with their pressure or not. Encrid was itching to show off what he had learned and realized. Hadn't he been waiting all this time for his body to heal just so he could display his sword, his swordsmanship, and everything he had mastered?
He didn't care whether they fought each other or not.
Encrid drew his sword. Instead of the dwarf's gladius, it was a longsword with a silver blade.
Chiriririring.
He drew it slowly and held it with both hands. It was a sword Ragna had given him, taken from an Associate Knight he had slain. Aya of the Brown Feces? It was an Associate Knight with a peculiar name. The blade was incredibly sharp, every bit as excellent as his broken sword. Then again, it was a weapon used by an Associate Knight of the Ducal Knights. The hilt was wrapped in magic beast hide, clinging snugly to his hand.
Gripping it tightly and focusing, Encrid walked into their midst without hesitation. Watching from the side, Teresa and Dunchabel furrowed their brows.
Into that space?
Esther had stepped away for a moment, and Krais had gone to the market. Thus, there was no one around to get accidentally killed by a stray blade. If he had stepped in blindly before, now he did so with full awareness, absorbing the momentum of the three.
He faced Ragna, with Audin to his right and Rem to his left. In that position—
"Not bad," Encrid said aloud.
Pivoting on his left foot, he unleashed his sword. He began with Moment's Will.
Along with the rotation of his waist, the sword—now held only in his right hand—flew forward like a single point. It was smoother and more elegant than before.
Ping!
The sharp sound of tearing air marked its end. Before anyone knew it, the blade was aimed directly between Rem's eyes.
"Shit!" Rem's axe moved.
His axe, too, became a streak of light. A flash against a flash.
Clang!
Steel met steel, and the symphony began. The tense air exploded.
Encrid showed Rem his 'moment' as an opening move, then threw his body to the right. He seemed to yield distance, only to halt abruptly. It was the Valen-style Mercenary Sword, Crossed Steps.
Feigning an advance, he stopped and drew his sword vertically from top to bottom. It was the Crushing Sword, a technique of pressure based on Will and Intimidation.
As it pressed down, Audin let out a battle cry.
"Father!"
Woong.
The air vibrated. The Crushing Sword was pushed back. But this was not the end. Amidst the chaos, Ragna held his ground at the center. Encrid turned away from Audin and lunged at Ragna. He had used the Crushing Sword to buy time and pull back.
"Are you just going to watch?"
Throwing out the words, he worked his sword. It was the Nameless Orthodox Sword Style, a trajectory designed to trap Ragna within his intentions. It was a technique that forced a specific movement from the opponent.
He deliberately thrust at Ragna's right shoulder. By making his intention obvious, he forced him to dodge. He intended to follow up with a horizontal slash once Ragna moved, but Ragna parried Encrid's sword away. He blocked the Orthodox Sword Style before it could even begin.
Encrid felt a certain dissonance in that movement.
He isn't fighting seriously. To be precise, it was a strike that restricted his own power. Even so, he blocked it with ease.
Clang!
"Did you read me?"
"Because it was obvious."
No, it wasn't obvious. It was just that Ragna had changed. Because his sword now opened a path, he could cut off his opponent's intentions from the very start.
"Damn it," Encrid said with a grin as he parried Ragna's incoming blade.
It was the Snake Sword. Deflecting and striking it away, he thrust his sword sideways once more. It was Moment's Will again, directed at Rem. He dragged Rem, who had blocked and retreated, back into the fray.
Then, he moved his feet toward the spectating Audin. It was the step Audin had taught him: the Snake Walk. It was a stride he had re-learned and interpreted in his own way while trapped in the 'today' of his strategy. Without his feet even leaving the ground, his body seemed to slide forward smoothly.
It was fast. He struck out immediately. Audin responded to the Crushing Sword once again.
"Lord!"
Clang!
The strike was shattered again. What a powerful voice.
"Are you kidding me?!" Rem shouted.
He had every right to yell. Encrid was currently trying to take on all three of them at once. He had jumped in to fight a one-on-three battle.
"Are you insane?" Ragna tilted his head.
"It seems our brother's head is in dire need of prayer." Audin quickly grasped his intention.
I want to fight all of you! Encrid expressed this with his entire body.
He laughed. Ah, this is truly fun.
Why wouldn't it be? Everything he had practiced, learned, and realized... he could see it all, piece by piece. He saw it, expressed it, and expressed it again.
How is it? My sword. He was so ecstatic he could die; it didn't matter if his opponents were three or four.
"I can't just watch anymore." Teresa, who had been spectating from the corner, stood up.
"Yeah, this is driving me crazy. I've been so excited I could faint."
Snorting hot air, fur began to sprout on Dunchabel's face as she transformed into a white-furred White Lion.
Everyone became entangled. The inside of the barracks shattered.
Crash!
In the end, part of the wall cracked, and the door was completely smashed. Returning late, Krais saw a crowd gathered in a circle around his barracks, watching.
"What's going on?"
"It looks like they're trying to kill each other," Graham said with a bewildered expression.
Even the Castellan couldn't bring himself to intervene and was merely spectating. The momentum was just that intense.
"Those crazy people..." Krais was equally dumbfounded. They're doing this the moment his body heals? No wonder everyone called them madmen.
Yet, there was no stopping them. They had always been this way.
The fight ended around evening. By the time the sun was setting, the squad members emerged, steam rising from their bodies. Every single one of them walked out bleeding from somewhere. The half-destroyed barracks had turned into a ruin. It was a wonder how they had managed to split the ceiling.
"You're back? We'll have to sleep somewhere else today."
Hearing Encrid speak amidst the wreckage, Krais could do nothing but laugh.