Chapter 75 - The Enigmatic Squad Leader
The candelabras affixed to the inn's hall walls flickered weakly, their flames barely clinging to life.
No guests around—perhaps an attempt to save on candle expenses.
The dim shadows this created stretched Enkrid's figure long across the floor.
Throughout the early hours, he had been practicing the Sense of The Blade.
The quiet interior, the sound of soldiers standing guard outside, the faint clink of a drink being poured by the person under his protection—Enkrid sharpened his senses, focusing completely.
He listened while simultaneously honing the edge of his awareness.
Detecting presences, counting the people nearby, gauging distances by the cries of nocturnal birds in the far-off distance—he reflected on the range he could perceive.
"If it's within five paces..."
Within that range, he could read even the slightest presence.
He could hear the soft rustle of clothing.
Yet, a thought lingered in his mind:
"Is this truly achievable by sound alone?"
He recalled the conversation between the fairy company commander and Jaxen right before the ambush.
The two had already anticipated the attack.
How had they managed that?
Surely not by relying solely on their ears.
He resolved to ask Jaxen later.
If it was something that could be learned, he wanted to master it.
"This time, it wasn't a wall."
By now, he doubted he'd face another similar event with the same lack of readiness.
Yet he didn't entertain the thought of recklessly repeating today's mistakes to trap himself in the present.
Enkrid remained steadfast.
"For the sake of tomorrow."
He always moved forward, refusing to be trapped in the present.
The crackle and pop of a log snapping in the fireplace sent embers flying.
Amid his reflections on battle, random thoughts flitted through his mind.
Enkrid, resting his chin on his hand, thought about the people he had killed.
'Glory to the homeland.'
Could this have been Aspen's spy unit?
What was the mastermind, capable of mobilizing such a force, thinking when initiating such a scheme?
What was their goal in causing this level of chaos within Border Guard?
Would there be another ambush?
Would they break through the two squad formations, or perhaps send an assassin?
As these questions crossed his mind, he thought catching the one who fled might be easier than expected.
At that moment, Leona descended the stairs.
"You're up early."
"I'm on duty, so it's a shift rotation."
"Ah, I see."
Leona nodded and approached.
The remnants of last night's events still lingered on the floor.
She seemed to be trying hard to maintain her composure.
Ironically, such efforts likely only heightened her awareness of it.
Focusing on something else might have been easier—Enkrid knew this from experience.
"Is this your first time at Border Guard?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes."
Didn't Big Eyes mention that this woman's personality was rather peculiar?
She seemed composed, possessing a certain resilience, but hadn't yet shown the unhinged tendencies of someone like Rem.
'No, wait. Comparing anyone to Rem is unfair.'
That would be impolite.
"There are many legends about the Pen-Hanil River. Have you heard the tale of the sword forged from its waters?"
Minstrels' tales often stirred the heart.
Enkrid had memorized a few such stories—not only were they good conversation starters, but they also helped pass the time during duty.
Right now, it was nothing more than idle chatter to him.
But to someone hearing it for the first time, it might have felt fresh.
"Please, tell me."
Leona's interest was piqued; she nodded with a smile.
Despite it being a trivial tale, Leona listened with bright eyes, responding with smiles and enthusiasm at intervals.
"And so, while there was a brief trend of forging swords from river water, none ever summoned the river spirit, as the legend claimed."
"You're a good storyteller."
"I've been told that."
Even Rem had admitted that no one could provoke others with words as well as their squad leader—Enkrid himself.
As Enkrid nodded at the thought, Leona suddenly spoke.
"Would you like to join me?"
Enkrid tilted his head and asked back.
"Pardon? Where?"
She was still his escort target.
Even though the inn was now under the control of two squads due to the earlier ambush, leaving it empty, his mission wasn't over.
There were still two days left on her request.
Wherever she went, following her was his duty.
"I'm inviting you to leave Border Guard with me when it's time to depart."
The sudden suggestion felt well-prepared, carrying the subtle air of someone accustomed to managing others.
Calmly seated, her red lips parted.
"Come with me."
Her confidence, born from the belief that her offer was superior, was evident.
Leona genuinely thought so.
What kind of place was the Rockfreed Trading Company?
Though it lagged slightly behind larger trading companies like the Rengadis Trading Company, it held considerable influence in the local region.
They had dealings with groups like the Shepherds of the Wilderness in the northernmost reaches of Pen-Hanil, the Black Leather Guild—a hunting collective capable of capturing even wyverns with sufficient preparation—and the Glacier Rangers, a group living deep in the mountains, at one with nature.
Their core trading partners were these three groups.
Moreover, the Rockfreed Trading Company possessed maps enriched by the travels of their predecessors across the Pen-Hanil.
These trade maps—Rockfreed's most treasured assets—detailed the specialties of various regions and the fastest routes, making them invaluable treasures.
Stealing and selling such a map would provide enough wealth to last a lifetime.
This was the kind of company Rockfreed was—one anyone would covet.
Especially if they were of the bloodline of its predecessors, they might see it as rightfully theirs.
Such thoughts likely spurred yesterday's bold ambush.
"To draw a sword here, of all places."
It enraged her.
Why did they have to act so brazenly now?
Though she shared no blood with the predecessors, she worked tirelessly to honor their legacy.
Why did the other side disregard it all?
Yes, if not for their legacy, she wouldn't have come this far.
And what was that legacy?
'Before killing or being killed, try to reach an agreement first. Will you do that, Leona?'
The predecessor—someone who raised her as a daughter.
But also someone she could not easily call "father."
'Neither the company nor my bloodline.'
This legacy was one she could not abandon.
Leona understood the predecessor's heart.
He had raised her to grow the Rockfreed Trading Company, yet could not entirely abandon his own bloodline.
That was why she found herself here now.
At the Border Guard of Naurilia, the final bastion of negotiations without drawing swords.
If not for the will of his predecessor, the succession struggle would have ended long ago.
And now, an ambush in such circumstances.
To think of drawing swords at the Border Guard?
"Fools."
That was the conclusion of his scattered thoughts.
The man who had saved her in her moment of peril came into view.
The first thing she noticed was his eyes, reminiscent of a lake—those blue eyes.
They were so captivating that they seemed almost imbued with magic.
Black hair, blue eyes, and a body honed through training.
And on top of that, a handsome face.
It was natural to feel intrigued.
"Truly a fine appearance."
Moreover, his skills were extraordinary.
The way he had stormed into the room and subdued the enemy in an instant.
And what about his personality?
A man who sought nothing in return.
After rescuing him, a single word—"Duty"—had made Leona's heart race.
It started from that moment.
She wanted him.
She wanted to take him with her.
"I promise you a better position and better treatment."
Enkrid had no reason to hesitate.
After all, hadn't he already served as a guard for a merchant guild?
If his sole purpose was simply to earn krona...
"That wouldn't be too bad."
Living as the sword of a growing guild could be a reasonable path.
But he had a dream, a path he was walking, even if slowly.
He had no time for distractions.
"No, thank you."
His hands rested on his thighs as he sat upright, his back straight.
A clear response given with unwavering posture.
It was best to be firm when rejecting offers; experience had taught Enkrid that.
Leona's pupils wavered slightly.
"Clinging to someone who's said no is unbecoming."
At some point, Jaxen's voice came from behind.
"I see. It's unbecoming."
The fairy company commander's words followed shortly after.
"Is that so?"
Leona neither raised her voice in anger, showed irritation, nor snapped.
She simply nodded calmly.
"You're satisfied with your current position, then."
That wasn't entirely true.
It was just that from here, he could see the path to climb higher.
"Sigh, business really is tough."
The innkeeper, who had appeared unnoticed, sighed heavily.
The blue light of dawn was gradually giving way to the golden hues of morning.
It was morning.
"We'll cover the damages from the guild."
Leona spoke again, as if it was a natural follow-up to her initial offer.
"Oh, that would be wonderful."
The innkeeper, wringing his hands, responded eagerly.
Leona nodded as she watched.
"Don't worry. Some guests will arrive by noon; please prepare for them."
"Understood."
She seemed accustomed to giving orders while seated.
Soon after, a nanny came down from upstairs.
Leona excused herself, saying she needed to rest, and left.
Jaxen then approached Enkrid and spoke.
"There are plenty of pretty women in the city; don't go messing with the merchant guild's successor."
He hadn't.
He had rejected her.
Enkrid had plenty of experience dealing with interested women.
His face wasn't exactly forgettable, after all.
And a well-trained body was always a magnet for attention.
"Enkrid, high ranking soldier."
It was the company commander.
From her usual spot, with the same posture and tone as ever, she called out and asked:
"Are you prone to womanizing?"
"...No."
"Do you flirt with every woman who crosses your path?"
"No."
"I see."
"Yes."
It was undoubtedly a joke.
A joke, surely.
But her expression remained deadly serious, her gaze unnervingly calm.
That made her hard to deal with.
"I wish you'd stop this now."
"Understood."
The commander nodded.
Hoping to catch his breath, Enkrid stepped outside, where a squadmate from the 2nd Company, 3rd Platoon, greeted him.
"If you flirt with every woman, what happens to people like me?"
That was supposed to be a friendly comment, right?
"Who are you talking about?"
"First the commander, then Lady Rockfreed. Wow, you're irresistible, aren't you, Squad Leader?"
The one marveling at him was the platoon leader, someone he had crossed paths with before during various missions.
"It's nothing like that."
"Of course, it isn't."
"He says it isn't."
"He insists it isn't."
Several soldiers echoed his words in unison, almost like a chant.
Apparently, being stationed to surround an inn in the city wasn't keeping them busy.
They seemed bored enough to entertain themselves with gossip.
Though there had been no further ambushes and no signs of one either.
While he could understand their boredom,
'I'd prefer it if they didn't use me for their amusement.'
Rumors could be dangerous.
As expected, it wasn't long before new rumors spread.
When Krais arrived at the inn, he said:
"So, I heard the Squad Leader slept with the merchant guild leader in just one day? How did you manage that? Even I'd find it hard. Lady Rockfreed is known for her high standards and prickly demeanor."
"She's not prickly."
"Oh, come on."
"If you're here, then get to work."
"Huh?"
Enkrid decided to cut the nonsense and gave Krais a task.
Clearing up misunderstandings wasn't worth the effort.
Krais was teasing him knowingly, anyway.
"One of the ambushers escaped. Find him."
The one who had fled—it piqued Enkrid's curiosity.
The Aspen spy who had died by his sword had shouted about the glory of his nation as he fell.
But to let the mastermind behind this plot escape?
That wouldn't sit well.
"He must pay for his actions."
That was the natural order and the right thing to do.
It was also a matter of justice.
And it wouldn't be long before the unit received formal orders to track him down.
Letting him roam freely wasn't an option.
If you orchestrate something, you should take responsibility.
Leaving your subordinates behind and running was unacceptable.
Given that he had revealed himself as an Aspen spy, releasing him was not an option either.
"Understood."
With the guilds of the night operating in the city, finding one person shouldn't be too difficult.
"More krona flows in each time, anyway."
With the money he planned to save this time, he considered upgrading to a proper short sword or guard sword as his secondary weapon.
He had found the guard sword particularly appealing when he used it before.
Ragna had also suggested he try using a shield, but it hadn't come naturally to him.
If necessary, he would learn, but his specialty lay in utilizing his strength.
"It's better to grip the sword with both hands and swing it. But having a shield on the battlefield is an advantage."
That was Ragna's advice.
As a light infantryman, Enkrid was proficient enough with a shield.
The military's strength lay in a standardized force rather than exceptional individuals.
Two skilled swordsmen in a ten-man squad couldn't match the strength of a uniformly trained squad.
Standardized training included group formations with shields, something Enkrid had diligently practiced, though his improvement had been slow.
"It just doesn't feel natural."
That was his thought every time he held a shield.
Like wearing an ill-fitting suit, it felt more natural to wield his sword with both hands.
Using or not using a shield—if he ever became someone who could break the rules of standardized forces, it wouldn't matter much.
Not long after Krais left, a man with sullen cheeks and about a dozen soldiers arrived.
Among them was a figure who stood out: a man with slanted eyes and drooping arms.
He carried a slender, long rapier at his waist.
"He looks fast."
That was the impression he got immediately.
The man made no effort to hide himself.
It seemed to stem from confidence.
'I use a fast blade. But knowing that won't help you stop it.'
His posture and demeanor seemed to convey that message.
The man with cheeks puffed in displeasure was named Polid, a rival to Leona in the succession struggle.
Upon entering, Polid took a seat at a table and said,
"Hey, bring Leona here."
The "hey" was directed at Jaxen.
Naturally, Jaxen ignored him.