Chapter 416 - Farewell
"If you have something you want to do, then go ahead."
The Marquis looked at Kin for a moment, then turned and left without another word. Kin stood still for a while, lost in thought.
The wind blew, sending dust into the air. Kin didn't even notice as the dust brushed across her face.
'Is this really happening?'
She trembled all over from surprise.
The lord was not someone who would take back his words once spoken.
As she reflected, the words and actions of the one who had created this situation stirred her emotions.
'Should I thank him?'
Honestly, she wasn't indifferent to Enkrid. But that didn't mean she wanted to become his wife.
Was it a dream? Kin found herself more interested in the finished product than in crafting or processing jewels.
If she were born into a prestigious family like the Baisar Marquisate, her role would be to appreciate the finished product, not to meddle with its creation or sale.
Thus, this was a difficult task to ask permission for. It had to remain more of a hobby.
But how could human desires work like that?
She loved this work. She cherished the opportunity to showcase her own abilities and act on her own will, not just as a man's accessory.
However, there were sacrifices to be made for that.
She could borrow the family's reputation, but she could no longer live as if she were the direct heir of the Baisar Marquisate.
Kin wasn't naive enough to be unaware of that.
'Is this really how I should live?'
At that moment, a truly free-spirited person caught her attention.
His name was Enkrid. The thought of thanking him felt right.
After all, it was because of his words that this situation had come to pass.
With that conclusion in mind, she began to walk toward Enkrid, who was wielding a sword at the training grounds. She had taken only a few steps when she heard a voice.
"Let it be."
The barbarian, who was leaning against the wall, spoke.
"I have something to say…"
"Right now, it would be impossible to get his atention even if you were naked dancing by the side... Oh, you're a noble, right? Anyway, no matter what you say, he won't listen."
The unpleasant metaphor didn't faze Kin as she ignored it and looked at Enkrid.
The man, with his back to the Marquis, was swinging his sword. His pupils were unfocused, and his mouth was half open. He seemed intoxicated, as if on some kind of drug. He had already sunk deeply into his swordsmanship.
What a relentless fanatic.
'Maybe that's why he's called a madman.'
Kin turned away. Later, she shared this story with a few acquaintances. The Marquis of Baisar, though pretending to be upset, couldn't help but admire the man's spirited nature and shared this anecdote here and there.
As a result, no one in the capital could bother Enkrid and his companions.
After all, he was the one who had turned down even the Baisar Marquisate's influence, which was above that of the Duke.
***
Immediately after the Marquis and Kin left, Enkrid turned his back to them and swung his sword again. He couldn't delay this fun any longer. Whether anyone was watching or waiting didn't matter; he couldn't put it off any longer.
'Ah, this is fun.'
Did he learn anything from sparring with Rem, Ragna, or Audin?
No, it was just a broken fight.
But still, this was fun. Every movement he repeated, whether swinging his sword or thinking about it, was a joy.
He repeated basic moves hundreds of times a day: vertical cuts, horizontal cuts, downward cuts, thrusts. Enkrid began to repeat these motions again.
He wasn't expecting any new epiphanies or changes.
He just enjoyed it, and so he continued.
After spending a few days swinging his sword and engaging in simple duels, news came that a military honor ceremony was to be held.
"Let's go."
Enkrid set out with Rem, Ragna, Audin, Dunbakel, and Theresa.
Shinar had business to attend to and left earlier, not even joining them.
"I'll pass on this one," Jaxen said. He wasn't the type to attend such events.
Esther shook her head in her leopard form. So the remaining few left together.
In the meeting room, many nobles had gathered.
"The hero of the nation has arrived," a servant announced, and Krang, seated on the throne, nodded.
The two nobles standing closest were the Marquis of Okto and Marcus Baisar.
Behind them stood the Marquis of Baisar.
Without dwelling on the king's greatness or the noble bloodline, Krang spoke.
"I apologize for the delay of the event."
Some nobles sighed when they saw how short the proceedings were.
They muttered about the king's dignity, but when in front of Krang, they remained silent.
The king who ended the civil war.
The king who won without calling upon the knight orders.
The king whom the nobles had chosen to follow.
This was the king's first event. Could anyone openly defy the actions he had taken?
Even a fool would know better than to oppose him in such a situation.
Some nobles and commanders received appropriate rewards—lands or titles like the Earl.
Among them was Andrew. He received lands, gold coins, and a change in rank. He had become the Marquis of Gardener. He was also given a position within the capital.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly.
"By royal decree, Marcus Baisar is hereby awarded the rank of Count…"
The scribe, who also served as a monk, read the king's message.
"Due to his contributions, he will be granted a title above the Count."
As the words ended, the atmosphere, which had been lively, suddenly grew cold. It was as if someone had thrown ice water over them.
"What did you just say?" the Marquis of Baisar asked, his lips trembling.
Marcus Baisar was supposed to inherit the family name. Because of this event, he was expected to receive a Duke's title.
But now, he was being offered the rank of Count, effectively cutting off his succession as the head of the family.
Enkrid understood that this was all part of Marcus Baisar's plan.
A small uproar broke out, and the Marquis of Baisar looked embarrassed.
The head of the Baisar family ultimately sided with Krang, but it hadn't been like that from the start.
After much consideration, they had chosen to side with the king, much like placing their bets on a gamble.
To Marcus, however, this had been no gamble.
The Marquis of Baisar glared at Marcus for a moment, then shook his head and fell silent.
Enkrid observed this, thinking that the old man seemed like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Due to his great contributions, the Duke's title is awarded."
The Marquis of Okto replaced the Marquis of Baisar as Duke. He kneeled and bowed.
As rewards continued to be distributed, there were still a few who hadn't been called up yet.
Enkrid and the Madmen Unit were among them.
"I'd like to handle this personally," the king said, rising from his throne. He stepped forward and, without glancing at anyone else, spoke.
"Do you need a title?"
It was as if he was asking a neighbor if they needed firewood.
Enkrid thought 'not really,' so he gently shook his head and replied.
"No, thank you."
His attitude, as if he had left all formalities behind, was enough to make some nobles furrow their brows.
"I knew you would say that. The treasuries are open, so if you want anything, feel free to take what you can."
"Thank you."
"Afterward, you can return to where you were."
That was the most awaited phrase for Enkrid. However, some still looked at him with suspicion.
'Is that all? Just opening the treasure vault?'
"Is this right?"
"What happens to the hunting dogs once the hunt is over?"
"They should be cooked and eaten, of course."
There was one fool mumbling nonsense in the background, but neither Krang nor Enkrid paid him any mind.
"We're busy. I trust you're busy as well. Just because the civil war is over doesn't mean it's all 'happily ever after.' You know that, right?"
In fairy tales, civil wars never turn into blood-drenched battlefields, so the statement was naturally true.
"So, let's get to work."
The workaholic king spoke, and the heroic ceremony was wrapped up in an unexpectedly modest manner.
A lunch banquet was held. It was a gathering without alcohol. Even the king didn't attend.
"I'm worried about the king's dignity."
A few nobles still fretted over the king's behavior, but Enkrid had no time for such concerns.
Hadn't they seen it at the memorial ceremony already?
Krang recited the names of the soldiers inscribed on the memorial stone.
Enkrid looked at the eyes of the people who had once turned toward him.
There was a monk silently praying.
A mother wept as she gazed at the new king.
There were fathers and children too.
Among the nobles, those of proper standing knelt to swear their allegiance after the coronation.
Without the grandeur of a halo or a grand celebration, the coronation held in the heart of the capital firmly imprinted the new king in everyone's mind.
'That's enough.'
Enkrid moved with a light heart. The rest, Krang could handle on his own.
It was time for him to return to Border Guard. But first, he had to stop by the palace treasury.
How many swords could there be to replace Silver, he wondered.
"This way."
Even Rem and Ragna showed subtle interest in the royal palace treasury.
However, it was nothing like what they had imagined. The doors were wide open, and carts were constantly passing by.
"Oh, still busy."
Marcus was personally guiding them. The Commander of the Kingdom's Army, now a Count, the regent of the Molsan County, and responsible for the capital defense forces.
"Aren't you busy?"
"You said you'd stop by and leave right after? Then let's do it now. There's no time to go around greeting."
If they were busy, wasn't it fine to just not visit?
With that thought, they entered to see the royal treasures.
This was nothing like they imagined.
The treasure vault was spacious but largely empty. Gold coins weren't piled like mountains, nor were magical swords hanging in rows.
"Just passing through!"
A cart loaded with several boxes brushed past Enkrid.
The worker pulling the cart was sweating profusely and didn't even glance at Enkrid.
Enkrid assessed the situation and quickly understood what was going on.
Perhaps Rem had also noticed, as before Enkrid could say anything, he asked.
"Are we recovering the losses the the civil war caused from here?"
Marcus nodded, seemingly thinking his barbarian friend wasn't so dim after all.
"What about the magic swords?"
Ragna, assuming they were enchanted or had some magical properties, expected to see something extraordinary. Even if they weren't enchanted, a sword that could at least remain sharp would suffice.
"Well, there are none."
"Why?"
Ragna's voice shortened. Marcus didn't take offense. What good would it do to argue with a madman?
"We sold them all."
Ragna didn't press further. There was no point.
'If there are no enchanted swords...'
Perhaps he could imbue Will into a sword?
A genius always thinks differently.
Enkrid looked around. Nothing he found here was better than the long swords he had gathered while moving between training fields.
Not even a blade with a mix of Valerian steel was visible.
"I'm fine."
Rem shook her head.
The real royal treasures were already with the knights and their orders. The rest were in a secret vault deep within the palace, but those couldn't be given to just anyone.
"National treasures, huh."
Krang wanted to suggest taking something, but none of the treasures here seemed useful to him. The "sleeping sunstaff" was supposedly a national treasure, but it wasn't something Enkrid wanted or could even use.
"Poverty isn't a crime," Audin had said, originally uninterested in treasures.
Dunbakel, preferring her own sword, didn't choose anything but grabbed a shin guard made from beast hide. It was the most useful item available. Teresa quietly shook her head, following Audin's lead.
"I haven't done anything," Teresa said, feeling she hadn't done anything noteworthy on the battlefield.
Excessive greed was to be avoided.
"Tell Krang I'll see him later."
Enkrid said as he got ready to leave.
"Well, sure. You can call the king's name. Whether it's the king's dignity or the nation's hero, Demon Slayer, it might be better to stay friends."
Marcus spoke freely, without concern for formalities. He thought Enkrid wasn't the type to be foolish enough to get tangled up in such things.
Enkrid gathered his things and started moving, not expecting a grand farewell. There was no time to prepare for such things.
Just look at how the treasure vault was running.
'I'll be glad if the country doesn't collapse.'
Even if he didn't receive anything at the heroic ceremony, it didn't matter. He hadn't come here expecting anything.
After making sure even Krais was taken care of, Enkrid was about to leave the capital's outskirts when the Royal Guard blocked his path.
The leader, wearing a gray helmet, stepped forward.
'A duel?'
Enkrid thought. He understood well how someone might feel if a skilled person left; perhaps this was one such case. He was ready to accept it.
However, the Royal Guard commander, upon removing his helmet, knelt before him.
"Thanks to you, I've opened my eyes, and now I walk the righteous path once more."
He spoke and paid his respects.
All of the Royal Guard followed suit, kneeling as well.
"For the national hero!"
This wasn't the usual modest farewell.
Among them was also Leorban, someone who had known Enkrid from the past.
His achievements on the battlefield had been recognized, and he had been reassigned to this post.
"Long time no see," Enkrid said as he passed by. Leorban had been one of the few who had supported him back then. Even after all this time, there were people one couldn't forget.
Leorban bowed deeply.
"I'm ashamed."
Leorban recalled his past self, and Enkrid patted his shoulder as he passed.
'Also, for my shining hero.'
Leorban, no longer just a Royal Guard but a swordsman, silently swore that if Enkrid called him, he would come running.
After fulfilling all his duties, he would do so if Enkrid asked.
Enkrid thought the farewells were over, but they weren't.
As the capital's gates came into view, a large crowd of citizens had gathered ahead.
It seemed there were more people than at the memorial coronation ceremony.
"For the national hero!"
The capital's citizens watched as he left. It was as if they had made a promise to show up. Among them were a healer who had lost a son, Andrew, and his trainees.
As soon as the heroic ceremony ended, they came out to see him off.
"Were you expecting this?"
Andrew came over to speak.
"I had nothing left to do here."
"Guess we'll meet again?"
"Come visit."
"Yes."
After a brief exchange with Andrew, Aishia and the Southern Gate Captain approached.
"Are you leaving like this?"
The Captain spoke, and Aisha extended her hand. Enkrid shook it.
"See you again."
A simple farewell. The Captain bowed, grateful for the favor.
Aisha said nothing more but shook his hand.
Hearing the cheers from the kingdom's people, Rem scolded him.
"Wave your hand, at least."
As instructed, Enkrid waved.
"Demon Slayer!"
"For the national hero!"
"Madmen Unit!"
"Take me with you!"
Why was it always people wanting him to take them somewhere?
Enkrid thought as he waved, and the cheers grew louder.
"Guess I'm a noble killer," Rem muttered, and Enkrid chuckled as he finally left the capital.
Now, it was really time to return…
"Let's go partway."
It was just when Naurilia, the capital, began to fade into the distance. A few people blocked his way in the middle of the main road.
At the front was…
"Aren't you the king?"
"Does the king only work?"
It was Krang.
He hadn't expected such a noisy farewell after all.
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