Immediately after Enkrid left, Marcus secretly summoned the Border Defense Commander.
"Is everything ready?"
Marcus asked, reclining in his chair with a relaxed posture, though his eyes were like a predator waiting for its prey.
"These people are quite used to this sort of thing."
"Good. Then proceed as planned."
"Aren't you going to tell the Independent Company Commander?"
"I've given him a hint."
It was only a subtle indication, but he would figure it out on his own.
In fact, there was no need to put pressure on him about killing a noble.
This was Marcus' intention.
He would take the noble scum who had eaten Black Blade's gold and make sure to spin him around appropriately.
And since they were bringing a prisoner along...
Using the captured beastman for various schemes wasn't a problem either.
In short, it meant that the Commander understood Marcus' intentions.
There was no need for further explanation.
'An unskilled man who somehow manages to please the right people while not lagging behind in abilities.'
How many such people could there be in the unit?
Although he had been promoted to Independent Company Commander, he was still not fully recognized, meaning his rank was seen as relatively lower than the First Company Commander or the Border Defense Commander. But his abilities were more reliable than anyone else's.
He was exactly the right person for this role.
Moreover, Marcus sent Enkrid with an unexplainable sense of expectation.
No, it wasn't just that. He had many plans.
Marcus also intended to hide Enkrid's true abilities.
Though keeping him within the unit wouldn't suddenly make someone notice, it was still better to be cautious.
Since the Martai bastards kept sending spies, Marcus wanted to keep Enkrid out of their sight as much as possible.
Unnecessary exploits revealing their strength would be disastrous.
A core, elite force member with exceptional skills who could even become a commander, Enkrid was obsessed with training and had a decent character. He could also handle the whims of a noble.
'Quite the catch.'
No wonder Enkrid was an appealing recruit.
Moreover, he was the one who had ignited the fire in Marcus' heart.
For the first time in a long while, Marcus was living a lively life.
It wasn't about repeating meaningless days, but rather about striving for something new.
'This is exhilarating.'
But, despite his inner excitement, Marcus remained focused with serious eyes, dedicated to his task.
His task, which didn't align with his "war-maniac" nickname.
That was how it had always been. The nickname War-Maniac was a mask.
A mask to deceive others.
The truth was, Marcus wasn't particularly skilled in battle or warfare.
He knew that.
Of course, not having a talent didn't mean he couldn't handle it.
Marcus knew how to use people. He knew how to trust them. He relied on his people.
The First Company Commander, Border Defense Commander, Fairy Company Commander, and now Enkrid.
He had an overflowing hand of jokers. He even had an ace.
With so many cards to play, winning against the opponent was easier than it seemed.
Because there was no need to complicate matters, Marcus moved simply and directly.
He just had to seize the right moment when his opponent wouldn't expect it.
'Damn, those Black Blade thieves. What are they trying to pick up by poking their mouths in?'
Savage beasts.
Beasts that drooled over a city that he had to protect.
Should he just let those beasts be?
"Then."
The Border Defense Commander saluted, and Marcus spoke to the back of his head.
"Kill them all."
"Of course."
Border Guard was a fortified city and a military hub.
It had spilled vicious blood in the war against Aspen.
If anyone underestimated it, they would soon face the consequences.
"Not even a platoon, just three of you?"
Baron Vansento shot a glare at Enkrid, Rem, and Ragna, immediately spitting out harsh words.
"Two commoners and a barbarian? What a terrible combination. It stinks. Don't come any closer."
This was what he said the moment they met right in front of the city's gates.
Rem's hand gently gripped the axe handle.
Enkrid stretched out his right hand and grabbed Rem's wrist, while using his other hand to press on Ragna's left thigh.
He shook his head to signal them both.
"What is this? You dare not show respect to a noble!"
Vansento desperately prayed to the heavens, urgently wishing for them to be killed.
Enkrid had already expected this reaction, so his response was calm.
"Yes."
He gave a military salute and positioned himself to block Rem and Ragna.
"So, you're the subordinate of that commander."
Vansento continued to mock.
"My axe is weeping, my pants are getting Wet.Please, don't make my axe sorrowful."
Rem barked seriously.
"Don't."
At least in the city, it was out of the question. If it wasn't for the assault on a superior officer, then murdering a noble would bring the royal palace's executioners into the matter.
Seeing what they were doing now, it seemed like it wouldn't end with just a beating.
"Ragna, you can't do it either."
The blonde with the red eyes looked grim.
"Let's go."
Luckily, a guard in black cloak, dressed in leather armor, led the noble through the streets.
The only ones riding the carriage were the nobles and the guards, while Enkrid and his group decided to walk.
And their group had gained one more member.
"Why are we taking her?"
Ragna tugged on the rope in his hand.
The beastman named Dumbakel, who had been standing nearby, was dragged forward by the gesture.
Her wrists were tightly bound with thick ropes, and her arms and torso were also wrapped up.
Ragna was holding the end of the rope, which was trailing behind.
It was clear that the rope had been rubbing against his wrists, causing blood to seep out. The skin of beasts, being tougher and stronger than humans, should have been able to withstand more, so this likely meant that the rope had been tied so tightly and hadn't been loosened even once.
But, no one had any intention of loosening it.
"Guide."
Enkrid didn't trust the aristocrats they were traveling with.
But, he certainly didn't trust the prisoner Dunbakel any more than them.
'But she wants to live.'
Enkrid took a straightforward approach. He asked the captain for the prisoner's guidance and immediately went to speak with him.
"I'll spare your life if you do one thing. You can think of it as a request."
Since she had called herself a mercenary, the idea of a request seemed fitting.
The payment would be her life, and the choice was the prisoner's.
"...You'll save me?"
The prisoner's eyes were filled with suspicion. And yet, the more Enkrid looked, the more his eyes seemed remarkable—golden eyes with a feline-like gaze.
'Isn't there some kind of legend about golden-eyed beasts?'
Enkrid remembered something he had heard during his time as a mercenary.
However, the appearance before him was like a wet dog. She looked like she'd been kicked out and beaten down.
Enkrid noticed it, but didn't ask any questions. There was no point. It was a deal. After the task was over, there would be no further business between them. Whether the other party died or left, the beast's business would be over.
"Do you want to do it, or not? Whether you believe me or not, whether you want to or not, that's up to you."
After speaking, Enkrid shook his head and continued.
"Actually, there's no choice. Do it. It's better than being executed. If you go outside, there might be a chance to escape."
"Why?"
Enkrid didn't answer the question. He couldn't.
How could he explain it?
That look in his eyes—the desperation to live—it reminded Enkrid of his own desperation when he had fought for his dreams.
If frogs are driven by desire, then beasts are driven by reproduction and instinct.
So, it was natural for the beast in front of him to want to live.
Wouldn't a human do the same?
But at that moment, that look in his eyes was different.
It wasn't just a plea for life. It was the kind of gaze that said he would do anything to survive, a madness in the eyes.
It was pure instinct and intuition, but Enkrid didn't want to ignore it.
"Are you into beasts?"
The battalion commander had joked, then continued.
"A beast or two, it doesn't matter. Do whatever you want with them."
Whether to release or kill them, he had said, it was up to the person's preference.
The battalion commander was very forthright in this regard.
Enkrid, on the other hand, planned to release the prisoner if he complied.
The prisoner had committed a crime, after all. Should that mean they all should be executed when war breaks out?
He didn't want to know the backstory. It was just a whim. And if it could be used for something, then all the better.
That was why she had been assigned the task of guiding the noble.
It would also be an opportunity to verify whether the guide knew the way and if there were any tricks being played.
As he pondered over Ragna's question of why he was taking the prisoner along, he found his answer.
Enkrid wasn't sure if he could explain it to Ragna.
It seemed impossible.
Would Ragna listen even if he said something?
"She looks like he knows the way."
Enkrid summarized his thoughts succinctly.
Ragna made an oddly hurt expression at that.
"I might not be good with directions, but I know how to handle a sword."
Who didn't know that?
"I know."
Enkrid said plainly and then walked out of the gate.
Dunbakel, who had been observing the situation, found it all quite strange.
The man who had once tormented her with an axe was now no longer even looking at her. She was being treated like an insignificant beast.
The man merely stroked the axe handle and stared at the guard target.
The beast's instincts warned him.
'If I leave him alone, he'll probably chop me into six pieces.'
Enkrid seemed to know that too, as he repeated his warning.
"Tone it down."
"Stop it."
"Stop, I said."
"Rem."
But still, the hand didn't leave the axe handle.
'This man is crazy.'
Dunbakel immediately figured out what kind of person Rem was. His insight was sharp.
"If you make a wrong move, I'll cut you down."
It was the same for the one who was holding her back. The statement carried no emotion.
It was a simple fact. It would happen, and that was all.
It was like saying the sun would rise the next morning.
'Even if I manage to escape the bounds, I'll die.'
The bigger issue was the bonds that were tied around him.
'A preference, huh.'
He shifted his arm beneath his chest, wrapping his forearm around it, then moved it up to his neck and wrists.
It wasn't just uncomfortable; walking was the only possible activity.
Not long after they began walking, the noble in charge opened the window of the carriage. They could still see the fortress walls behind them.
So, if a soldier with sharp eyes saw them, they would likely recognize who these people were.
The noble who opened the window spoke.
"You look interesting. You, beast, come to my carriage tonight."
The way his nostrils flared made Dunbakel wonder what would happen if she shoved her nails into them.
"Then, will you untie me?"
"I think it'd be more fun if you stay tied."
The noble's clear desires and lust were evident, but rather than feeling disgusted, Dunbakel thought that this noble seemed much easier to deal with than those who had previously held him.
Rem, the crazy one, smiled at the noble's words.
It was clear this was a dangerous situation.
Ragna, who said nothing, spoke in a calm tone.
"If you move without permission, I'll cut you down."
It was said with the same calm tone one would use to say, "The moon will rise tonight."
'Does that mean he'll kill me if I do what the noble wants?'
In this entire situation, Dunbakel thought he was seeing the calmest human being.
Enkrid, was it?
As the carriage started moving, Enkrid drew his sword and began swinging it.
'What's he doing?'
Whoosh, swoosh.
The sword cut through the air.
Was he practicing while walking? Or just training?
Enkrid's footwork seemed to be part of the exercise, too.
The noble's guard, who was also the coachman, sneered.
"Just because a grub rolls around doesn't mean it becomes a butterfly."
Was he talking from experience?
Dunbakel had fought against Enkrid before. She knew his skills well.
But seeing him do this now, rather than feeling afraid, a sense of curiosity emerged.
Looking back, Ragna was watching their commander carefully. Dunbakel couldn't help but ask, his curiosity growing.
"Why is he still training like that with such skill?"
Not sure how to respond, Ragna answered without hesitation.
"He used to be terrible. He couldn't even fight a single ghoul."
A ghoul? Really?
Dunbakel had fought against Enkrid before. She knew his skills well. He was no slouch.
"Yet, he swung that sword every day, even though it was only to toughen his palm and build muscle. He did it every single day. No exceptions. How could he do that?"
Ragna spoke almost to himself, as if recalling the past.
No, had he been talking to himself the whole time?
Dunbakel watched Ragna's eyes, curious about what was going on.
Those eyes—there was something burning in them.
It was like he was lost in thought, obsessed with something.
Now didn't seem like the time to ask.
'He couldn't even fight a ghoul, yet he kept swinging his sword? Every day?'
"Such a person. He's the kind of person who's lucky to be alive, and I can't understand why he's eating sword for lunch. But I don't know when he became this strong."
Rem added to the conversation, coming over after initially showing no interest.
Now that he was talking about Enkrid, the crazy one came over and spoke.
The tone was different now. Gone was the mocking attitude of someone using a past injury to taunt.
Even though he was a crazy one, Dunbakel moved slightly to the side.
As they walked, he continued to watch Enkrid, who was swinging her sword.
Dunbakel thought.
'When was the last time I did something like this?'
After being cast out as a beast, he fought to survive.
Then, she realized she was a half-beast and figured she wouldn't be able to learn much more.
Since she couldn't advance further, she stopped training, stopped growing.
'That man couldn't even fight a ghoul?'
And still, he kept swinging his sword every day?
He could hear Rem mumbling, "It didn't even take a year. Was he a genius? No, definitely not."
A year?
Could someone really change that much in just a year?
Dunbakel found herself watching him
Dunbakel turned his gaze toward Enkrid.
The man was swinging his sword silently, even as they moved.
Seeing his back, Dunbakel remembered a rumor he had once heard.
A rumor about a knight who never looked back, only forward.
A mad knight.
The man's back felt like a heavy shield, blocking all their gazes.
But despite that weight, the man's sword never wavered.
Enkrid wasn't looking back.
He was just swinging his sword.
Again, and again.
Until they reached their destination.
The first step toward their mission had begun.

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