Chapter 400 - Eating Meat
Having gained the support of Krang, Marcus was now the chief commander of the main force.
He understood the value of the time that Enkrid had earned. Even just one day—there was much that could be done.
"Tell the commanders of each unit to come in!"
It was a time for tactics and strategy. Did he have a talent for that? If not, that wasn't a problem.
So what could he do?
Simple. He just needed to gather those who had that skill.
"Have the scouts continuously observe enemy movements, and let the rest of the units rest! Let them eat and rest, but tell them not to unarm and always keep their weapons by their side!"
Marcus shouted without stopping.
Crang, watching this, couldn't help but think of Enkrid, whom he had seen earlier.
A chill ran down his spine.
There was someone who stood on the battlefield and showed his back.
Krang called such a person a knight.
The knight that bards speak of.
Not a symbol of strength, but a symbol of honor and belief.
Those who wield swords for what they believe in.
Guardians of the oath.
Enkrid was not part of the means he had prepared. Still, Krang trusted him. He wanted him to help.
That intent worked. Things were done as desired.
Still, Krang couldn't be sure if he could embrace Enkrid as a person.
"Can I embrace him?"
A greedy feeling stirred. He wanted him close. A feeling that rose in an instant. But Krang quickly discarded that desire.
There was a better way, so it would be fine to do that.
"I don't need to embrace him."
How about remaining as friends?
It wasn't a bad idea. So, he was a friend. Just then, that hero returned.
"Enki."
Krang greeted him first. Marcus also looked at him.
What he had done so far was only cutting down a few enemy soldiers and having what seemed like a draw with an enemy commander, but the strength he displayed left an impression on everyone.
Moreover, his fighting spirit had lifted the morale of the troops.
Inside the command tent where the battle plans were being drawn up.
As Krang raised his hand, Enkrid nodded in acknowledgment.
Even though they were friends, he couldn't just call out his name freely in such a place.
Enkrid, being perceptive, knew how to act according to the situation.
Of course, even if he called Krang's name now, no one would say anything.
He had the tact, but in truth, he hadn't fully realized what he had accomplished.
Krang thought this was another one of Enkrid's characteristics.
He wondered why Enkrid hadn't called his name, but then thought nothing more of it.
Soon, those who could be called commanders entered the tent.
Among them, one spoke.
"Please place me at the forefront!"
Baron Rudin was a man who had dreamed of joining the knight order. His blood was boiling. He had seen someone fight alone against an army of thousands.
If one's blood didn't boil, then they weren't human.
Flames rose in his eyes.
"Hold back."
Marcus said as he saw that.
Regardless of strategy and tactics, Marcus knew what needed to be done.
He intended to tilt the balance with a single battle.
Then, he would have to use all the means he had prepared.
"That might be all the tricks the Count has hidden, but the fact remains that we must fight. We will fight together and hold out."
Marcus devised the overall strategy, and a few who were knowledgeable about tactics filled in the gaps.
The key point was Enkrid's mad unit, but no one could tell them how to move.
Great strategists were those who could make each soldier move tirelessly.
They made soldiers understand what their job was and get it done.
However, there were those who didn't need such orders.
They went beyond the normal bounds of behavior and found their own places.
Enkrid was one of them.
So Marcus said nothing. Orders were unnecessary.
Even while designating positions, Enkrid simply moved past it.
Enkrid and his forces were considered a squad in terms of numbers, but no one would think they were just a squad.
They had all seen and now knew.
His skills were real, and the title of hero of Border Guard was no empty phrase.
At the end of the strategic meeting, the final step in determining the course of the fight was underway.
"The mad unit will move on their own, right?"
Marcus needed confirmation of his thoughts. He wanted to hear an answer.
Would they become a sword to cut down the enemy for their lord?
Was his judgment correct?
Would they move beyond the ordinary bounds and find their place in the fight?
"Yes, they will."
The answer was brief, but Marcus felt relieved.
Enkrid nodded and returned to his assigned tent.
It was quite a large tent. Right in front of it, Rem, known as a barbarian, had lit a small fire and was making something.
"It seems like we'll have a tough time starting tomorrow."
The warrior, often called a barbarian, spoke instinctively.
It was true. It would probably be rough and dangerous.
"Are you so excited you're going to die?"
"How did you know?"
"It's written all over your face."
Enkrid sat down on a flat stone chair that Rem had placed at a suitable height.
Good craftsmanship. Where did he find all these things to make?
"Where's my chair?"
Ragna asked as he came out of the tent. Rem indirectly told him to get lost.
"Did you leave it somewhere?"
"Are you taking out your frustration on me after spraining your ankle and getting beaten up?"
He was still making fun of Rem for getting hurt when he caught the so-called 'Immortal Maniac' a while ago.
Ragna was persistent.
Rem ignored him, and Ragna eventually found a similar rock somewhere and brought it over to sit next to him.
Jaxen was more clever.
He skillfully carved a piece of wood to make a chair-like shape.
If he was going to go this far, wouldn't it have been better to get a simple chair from the quartermaster instead?
Dunbakel just sat on the ground.
It seemed more comfortable.
Esther transformed into a panther and curled up in Enkrid's arms.
Enkrid, wiping his body with a damp cloth, watched Rem's actions.
He had managed to bring some fresh meat, probably after hunting on the way here, possibly even threatening the quartermaster for it.
It was raw meat, something rare for a common soldier. He made small cuts in it with a small knife and sprinkled salt in between before wrapping it up in a clean cloth.
Watching it closely, Rem finally spoke up.
"If you do it like this, the remaining blood drains, and the meat becomes softer."
"Sounds delicious."
Enkrid replied, and Rem glanced around.
He noticed that Aishia had come and claimed a spot.
She had obtained a chair from the quartermaster, which was simple in structure. It unfolded to spread the legs, tightening the cloth placed on it.
It was easy to break but didn't take much effort to make.
"What is that? What are you making?"
Aishia's tone was still friendly, as if she had many friends around her.
Yet, it seemed like she had been dealt a heavy blow. What was the name of the squire who cut the atmosphere short? Enkrid tried to remember but gave up.
No thought came to mind.
"I won't give it to arrogant ones."
Rem said.
Though his words were harsh, he would share it. He wasn't as stingy as he seemed.
Ragna thought for a moment, then furrowed his brows.
"If you give it, I'll forget about that incident."
He was saying he'd stop teasing about the injured leg.
From the look on Ragna's face, it seemed like Enkrid had tormented him countless times when he wasn't around.
They were madmen.
It was ridiculous that getting injured in a fight became something to mock, and that being mocked in turn caused anger.
"I'll let it go."
Rem replied. Ragna was particular about his tastes. He understood the importance of the meals Rem prepared. So, he backed down a little.
Enkrid simply observed without speaking.
As Rem sprinkled salt on the sliced meat, Jaxen silently threw a small pouch.
Clearly, it was a sign that he wanted to eat.
Rem caught it with a snap, pursed his lips, and said,
"Brat."
It sounded like praise. Of course, Jaxen completely ignored him.
Jaxen had given him spices.
As Rem sprinkled them over the meat, the fragrance filled the air.
Had he mixed herbs into it?
"If you put poison in it, you'll die."
Rem muttered, though he smiled, indicating it was a joke.
Jaxen ignored it and sat next to Enkrid.
Dunbakel quietly helped with the preparations next to Rem.
"Don't use your nails, did you wash your hands?"
"I'll use a knife."
Dunbakel was unusually calm.
After making the cuts in the meat, she added salt and spices. The cloth became soaked in red, so she removed it and used another clean cloth to gently pat the meat dry.
They surrounded the campfire with rocks to hold something, then placed an iron pan on top, which they must have found somewhere.
Rem poured flaxseed oil into the pan.
"This is precious."
He remarked, and Enkrid nodded.
In this place, Rem was the law. At least for now.
Once the pan was properly heated, the oil spread out and the aroma hit their noses. Rem placed the meat in the pan.
Sizzle!
With smoke rising, the savory smell spread. The combination of oil and meat scent quickly filled their noses, striking their brains and making their mouths water.
"Hmm."
Enkrid gave a small sigh of appreciation, and Rem gazed at the meat with great focus.
His hands moved lightly and swiftly.
He flipped the meat. The surface turned dark brown, and the hardened side became visible.
Sizzle.
With white smoke, he cooked the other side.
Eventually, he used a skewer to cook the sides of the meat as well.
When he thought it was done, he placed the pieces on a clean wooden board.
Dunbakel's hand reached toward it.
"If you eat now, you'll die. Wait."
Rem spoke without even looking.
"Ah, why?"
"Because it'll taste better if you wait."
For Rem, it was an unusually valid reason, gently persuasive.
Dunbakel agreed.
After roasting several pieces of meat, she sliced the first one. The inside was still red, while the outside was brown.
"I purposely picked fatty cuts. This is for you."
"Where did you get it?"
"I think I met some nomads around here. They had fresh meat."
She sliced the meat as she spoke.
"Eat."
Rem said, folding his arms.
Enkrid, using a burst of speed, focused even more. Of course, he applied an additional level of concentration. He pierced the meat with the skewer and pulled it out.
Enkrid took a bite.
Chew.
The juice bursts. The savory aroma of the meat cuts through the air, reaching the mind and head.
If the fragrance had triggered the salivary glands, this was a piercing sensation in the taste buds.
Every hair on his body responded.
This was it. This was what cooking and meat were all about.
The tender meat slid between his teeth, then went down his throat.
'What is this?'
Was it a dream? When did it go down?
Enkrid moved the skewer again.
"There's plenty," Rém said.
They ate to their heart's content. Each of them was a big eater. It was only natural since they needed to eat as much as they moved their bodies.
They ate and ate until it was time to pat their bellies, signaling they were full.
Even Jaxen silently chewed and swallowed the meat.
It was an unexpected feast.
"Ha, well, since we've eaten well, let's rest properly until tomorrow morning."
Rém patted his belly and said.
"I'll say it."
Enkrid responded.
"Ah, that was good. Enkrid, I watched the fight during the day."
Asia spoke before leaving.
There was no real business for the night. Everyone spent their time as they saw fit.
Ragna had no particular thoughts.
Rém was expectant.
***
Jaxen, using the excuse of a walk, briefly went outside.
While walking in the night air, a shadow suddenly rose up from one side.
It was his lover and the guild's contact.
"Do you have to go this far?"
She asked, her question direct. For her, it was something she couldn't understand.
"This is the last time."
Jaxen answered. It was a question about why he was going to war under Enkrid's command, and Jaxen's answer was that this would be his last gift.
The lover stared at him quietly.
For some reason, she couldn't figure it out, nor could she make assumptions.
But she felt that Jaxen might not return.
"Do you remember your father's words?"
Suddenly, the words of Jaxen's teacher, and his deceased father, came to mind.
"Find where you belong."
It had been both an order and a final wish.
Jaxen hadn't kept that in mind, but his lover did.
In any case, that was something for later.
While Jaxen went on his night walk, Dunbakel, unlike her usual self, couldn't sleep and came out.
She sat on the stone chair where Rém had been and stared up at the sky.
It was a moonlit night.
It seemed like a good night for a raid, but the enemy was quiet.
Dunbakel trembled. It wasn't because she was cold.
Her life had been filled with struggle and survival. She fought to stay alive. To be more precise, it was a story of surviving through any means, even running away.
Her instincts spoke to her. She felt the danger of standing on the edge of a cliff, as if her body were leaning forward, unsteady.
But she didn't want to leave.
What should she do then?
"Struggle."
Hadn't she already seen and learned how?
Just like Enkrid had done.
The moonlight waned. Clouds appeared and covered the moon. Darkness settled in.
Crackling.
The flames of the torches set around her flickered.
Whoooosh.
The wind blew and brushed her body.
"Struggling forward is the only choice."
Dunbakel made up her mind and gathered her thoughts.
Still, her body trembled, refusing to stop.
Esther had transformed into a leopard and curled up in Enkrid's arms.
She woke up during the time everyone was asleep.
There was a stirring of magic.
In other words, she felt the flow of some unfamiliar spell.
It was a form she had never seen before. She couldn't say what it was just yet.
Looking up, she saw Enkrid, peacefully asleep.
His calm breathing.
He slept soundly, without a care in the world.
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