Chapter 110 - Luck and Misfortune Arrive Unexpectedly
Finn and Torres entered first to give their report.
Torres would handle the general details, with Finn assisting as needed.
As for Enkrid, all he had to do was file his return report.
Outside their lodgings, an unexpected figure appeared—Gilpin.
His clothes were torn, his face bruised with a bluish tint, and one of his eyes was swollen half-shut, though it seemed to be healing. He was limping, but his leg didn't appear broken.
"Let me take a look."
After a quick assessment, it seemed like he had only sprained his ankle.
"I'm fine," Gilpin said, though his voice betrayed a faint sense of urgency.
Enkrid nodded. "What happened?"
Gilpin was one of Krais's people. If he was in this state, something serious must have happened at the Gilpin Guild.
"He's here."
"Who?"
"The Frog bastard who was in league with the former guildmaster."
Ah, Frog.
There was no need to dig through his memory for this.
Right, they said Frogs came with the spring.
So, they were here now. But wasn't it a little early?
"Explain."
Enkrid decided to listen first.
If Krais were dead or if this were truly an emergency, Gilpin wouldn't have wasted time talking—he would've demanded immediate action.
***
Krais had already spent six days eating and sleeping in the city.
For him, a week outside the unit was routine.
After all, "A deployment is coming up," they said.
That meant there was a lot to prepare—food, errands, and various other tasks starting from the beginning of the year.
Krais was in high demand—not just among soldiers, but even officers sought him out.
In exchange, many people offered him favors.
It had been six days, and Krais wanted to take care of as much as possible before deployment.
Ever since taking control of the Gilpin Guild, counting Kronas had become one of his small joys.
Who would want to return to the unit at this point?
"Let's see how much I can make today."
He needed plenty of cronas to one day open his own saloon.
That's why he was determined to earn as much as he could while he had the chance.
Recently, he'd even earned a decent commission from selling goods the squad leader had brought back.
"Wonder if he'll find more stuff like that."
Then again, how often do you stumble upon a mage hiding in the sewers?
"It's lunchtime. Let's eat."
Around noon, Krais called Gilpin for a meal.
They were served a dish made from finely ground whole wheat—thin noodles topped with olive oil and tomato sauce.
It was surprisingly decent.
"So, did you seal off the cobbler's basement?"
Krais clattered his fork as he asked.
"It's been sealed for a while now," Gilpin replied after swallowing his food.
Though they weren't exactly Night Watchmen, the Gilpin Guild aimed to act like nighttime guards.
That's why they handled tasks outside the standing army's jurisdiction, like sealing off the cobbler's basement.
The standing army didn't bother with such details—they'd already looted the place and left the tunnels behind.
Of course, the squad leader had looted it first.
But the role of a night watch?
That was different.
Beyond skimming coin off transient visitors, the guild aimed to project an image of protecting the city's residents.
The result?
Undeniably effective.
It made collecting tribute, protection taxes, and gathering intelligence much easier.
In fact, every city resident had essentially become Krais's ears.
"With enough effort, couldn't I root out all of Aspen's spies?"
If the Gilpin Guild absorbed the surrounding ones, it might be possible.
But it wasn't time to act yet.
Krais paused mid-meal, his eyes distant as he mulled over his plans.
"Use the squad leader for muscle."
If the squad leader moved, his subordinates would follow.
Since each soldier's desires were clear, persuading them wouldn't be too hard.
"How many people are under me now?"
Even in Border Guard's slums, there were those scraping by despite their dire circumstances.
"Recruit some from the slums."
Absorb stragglers from other guilds, too.
If nothing else, Krais was confident in his ability to assess people.
It might have come from his rough upbringing.
During his days as a beggar, he'd quickly learned to judge who to approach for alms and who to avoid.
Of course, it took hundreds of beatings to get there.
Once he realized that a single misstep could be fatal, his instincts had sharpened like a blade.
"This might just work."
Could he call it an operation to unify the backstreet guilds?
With the right foundation, he could dominate the backstreets in less than a year—maybe even six months.
If everything went according to plan.
But plans always had variables.
And this was one of them.
Boom!
Luck and misfortune truly arrived when least expected.
For Krais, it was no different.
Someone had smashed through the reception room door and entered.
The figure was wrapped in a thick cloak.
Krais didn't waste time wondering how they'd gotten here or who they were.
Over a dozen guild members were stationed at the mansion.
Two guards at the door were sprawled on the ground.
"Blood?"
No, there wasn't any.
They weren't dead—probably just incapacitated.
Krais quickly processed the situation, recognizing the sudden misfortune.
His sharp mind went into overdrive as his eyes scanned the room.
"This way, please."
His first words after assessing the situation were measured and calm.
"You don't even know who I am, but your response is refreshing," the cloaked figure said, shrugging.
The motion caused the cloak to ripple.
The voice was rough and raspy, as if their vocal cords were damaged.
"I didn't think that was the important part."
"You've got good instincts."
With that, the figure removed their cloak.
Beneath it, they wore armor reinforced with steel around the chest—a heartplate.
"...Ah."
It was hard for humans to recognize Frogs on sight.
Yet Gilpin recognized this one immediately—a Frog with a white scar on its neck.
The harbinger of death that visited each season.
"Isn't it too early?"
Weren't they supposed to come well after spring?
"Where's the last guy?"
"He got bored of this place and went upstairs," Krais replied without a hint of panic.
Gilpin, however, was drenched in cold sweat.
One wrong word, and he could be sent "upstairs" too.
The suffocating pressure of death loomed—an overwhelming gap in power.
"So, have you eaten?"
Krais asked casually.
The Frog's lips twisted into a grin.
"You're an amusing one."
The Frog moved, and Gilpin resisted—but was struck down in three blows.
It would've ended in one if the Frog hadn't held back or drawn its weapon.
Krais didn't resist, but he was hit.
"Humans need to be beaten first before they listen. It's my belief. Who killed the previous guildmaster?"
After hitting him, the frog grabbed Krais by the collar and lifted him up.
Krais quickly thought to himself:
Which of my squad members could deal with a monster like this?
Rem, Ragna, Audin, Jaxen.
Which name should I give?
Who should I ask for help?
The moment he saw the Frog, the dilemma vanished, and he answered without hesitation.
"Cough, I would've told you if you just asked nicely."
"I don't like it. I want to beat you up first and then hear it."
This crazy Frog bastard.
Despite thinking that inside, Krais answered with a smile, "I see."
"The Border Guard's reserve troops did it. The name is Ragna."
"Why are you sitting here?"
"I'm an acting guildmaster. Acting guildmaster."
"Interesting, very interesting. Hey, Baldy."
In an instant, the guild member, Gilfin, collapsed, not even knowing how it happened.
His eyelids hurt terribly, and his thighs were numb, preventing him from standing.
"Ugh, yes, yes."
"Bring Ragna here. Then, I'll let this one go."
Gilfin looked at Krais.
"Go. Bring our real guildmaster."
Gilfin was quick to catch on.
He understood the Frog wanted someone who could kill him.
The frog wasn't stupid, either.
Though he couldn't distinguish lies from truth, he knew that this small, delicate human male was up to something.
The frog made a decision.
'I'll kill that guy.'
Then, I'll put shackles on this one.
The person who had originally managed this place was dead, so it was time for a new manager.
It would be too much to handle everything from the homeland, so local recruitment was necessary.
If things went wrong?
Leaving the place would be easy.
***
"How many days has it been since Krais was caught?"
Enkrid scratched his nose and asked.
"Three days."
"My squad members?"
"They all headed for the battlefield, coincidentally."
"Even Rem?"
"I don't know. I only heard they weren't here."
"Did you confirm that Big Eyes is alive?"
"I saw him just earlier."
"Did he break his arms and legs?"
"…What?"
"No, if he left his arms and legs intact, then..."
Enkrid muttered to himself, then nodded and stood up.
Enkrid and Gilfin had just moved to a corner outside the unit, talking quietly.
Gilfin glanced at Enkrid, shaking his head.
Wasn't he supposed to go rescue Krais right away?
Enkrid spoke again.
"First, I'll report back. Then, we can go."
"Shouldn't we hurry?"
"No, the frog is at the mansion, right?"
"Aren't we going there right now?"
Right now?
It didn't seem necessary.
If the frog had wanted to kill Krais, he would have done it already.
But the fact that he hadn't broken his arms and legs after three days meant.
'He's holding on well.'
Krais's intention was clear.
He must have called out a squad member.
That's why he mentioned Ragna.
While Rem, Audin, and Jaxen could be brought back somehow...
The reason he called out Ragna, the one who was the hardest to summon, a lazy and directionally challenged person, was clear.
He wanted anyone to come.
'The only one left to call is me.'
It was a surprise to Enkrid that all the squad members headed for the battlefield without him.
Krais couldn't have expected that either.
His reckless squad members had gone to the battlefield listening to someone else's words instead of his own.
It was impressive that they managed to get him there.
Controlling Rem and the others would give anyone a headache.
"Tell the frog to wait one more day."
Gilpin grimaced at his words.
"The guildmaster is going to die."
It was a natural response from Gilpin.
He was content with his current life.
Being a night guard, or just a lowly guard, was perfect for him.
He had little trouble, and it was comfortable.
So comfortable.
Though Krais had revealed the secret of Krona, it was still fair.
Because of that, Gilpin wanted to protect this peace.
The Gilpin who had once planned to escape when the frog arrived, expecting the guild to be torn apart, was gone now.
Now, he had something to protect.
"We need to go."
Gilpin said again, but Enkrid shook his head.
"Go tell him to wait one more day. Then, Ragna will come."
With that, Enkrid turned and left.
Gilpin, still with no choice, turned and walked back to deliver the message.
If he didn't explain the situation, the frog would tear the guildmaster apart.
That's what a frog would do.
Gilpin walked to repair the shattered peace.
'Oh God.'
Looking for a God he didn't believe in.
***
Enkrid headed into the unit.
"How many days has it been, what's going on? I asked, but they didn't say anything."
A soldier who was guarding the unit entrance asked as Enkrid walked in.
'He's loyal.'
Enkrid thought about Gilpin and his loyalty.
The reserve troops had taken control of the back alley guilds?
If luck turned bad, even execution would have been a possibility.
That's why no one could speak.
But Gilpin still wanted to protect it.
That feeling was understood.
"Some damn business."
Enkrid gave a vague response and entered the unit.
Krais wouldn't die just from waiting another day.
That much was clear from the frog's attitude.
'The frog doesn't seem stupid.'
Though frogs had a reputation for being foolish, he wasn't entirely that way.
Like everyone else, frogs had different aspects.
A smart frog, a foolish frog, and a meticulous frog.
It was the same for fairies, dragons, and giants.
Of course, each species had its own unique traits.
'I have time.'
No need to rush now.
Enkrid clenched and relaxed his fists as he walked.
He wasn't stupid.
What he learned from today was.
'I've gotten better.'
Otherwise, he would've died long ago in a fight with a Lycanthrope or an enemy commander.
But now, he was even handling mages.
Proof that his skills had improved.
Could he handle a frog now?
He remembered how he had been knocked out by a single kick when facing a pervert.
Could he take a frog on now?
'It seems possible.'
This wasn't empty confidence.
Krais had called for help, not him.
'frog, frog, frog.'
He was an opponent worth facing.
That was the preparation.
Though he wasn't badly injured, fatigue had accumulated.
He had been awake for two nights.
He had taken a short nap on the way back, but he wasn't in perfect condition.
So.
'I'll report and rest first.'
Enkrid decided to do just that.
If there was no option but to leave Krais to die, then he had to face the frog.
It would be a troublesome task.
But Enkrid couldn't help feeling a strange excitement about the situation.
'Strange. Very strange.'
Normally, he would have been frightened, right?
No, he would have charged into it knowing he was likely to lose.
He couldn't stand seeing his own people die.
But now, he wasn't sure if he'd win or lose.
"Platoon leader?"
Enkrid entered the unit and saw many people missing.
He heard the news that the fairy squad leader had gone out to lead the troublemaking squad.
He was wondering who took them.
Because of that, Enkrid had to report back to another officer.
"I'm the only one left from the independent unit, so I'll join up in two days."
"Okay, hurry up if you can. It seems like there's some trouble in the battlefield. There might be a second deployment."
The officer mumbled, shaking the letter.
Enkrid nodded and turned.
After unpacking in the empty barracks, he soaked in hot water, wrapped himself in a warm blanket, and fell asleep.
If the frog killed him and today repeated, this sleep would be to keep him in the best condition.
Enkrid fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When he woke up, he wiped the sleep from his eyes, washed his face, and chewed on some meat for breakfast.
"Eating well in the morning."
The cook shook his head.
After swallowing the meat, Enkrid performed the Isolation Technique.
It was good for digestion and heating the body, a training regimen.
Then he sharpened his longsword and counted the remaining number of his whistle daggers.
There were two left.
He hadn't managed to recover all the thrown daggers.
'Can that guy make them for me?'
He thought of a city blacksmith and inspected the blades carefully in front of him.
They were fine.
There were a few chips, but nothing serious.
The blacksmith had said that blades broke when they cut a mage, but they were still intact.
Perhaps each mage was different.
Once he finished preparing, he heard familiar footsteps.
"Where have you been?"
Esther appeared.
He thought she had left because he didn't see her earlier.
"Wait. I'll be back soon."
Enkrid stepped outside again.
"Kyah."
Esther hissed from behind.
It sounded like she was upset that he was leaving without her.
"Want to come along? But just watch."
At Enkrid's words, Esther jumped up and snuggled into his arms.
Feeling her warm body, Enkrid took his first step.
The destination was the mansion where Krais was being held.