Eternally Regressing Knight
Chapter 81 - 81 - Striving for Excellence
Chapter 81 - Striving for Excellence
Since Mathis's arrival, a certain question hung in the air.
"Why is she the merchant leader?"
This naive query from Polid was quickly answered by Leona.
"While we were here spending time, everything inside the merchant guild was already concluded. Oh, and the inauguration ceremony will be held once we return."
Leona's straightforward response silenced further questions, and as the situation unfolded, Polid's group began showing signs of unease.
Observing this, Leona beckoned to them with a simple gesture.
"Come. I'll accept you."
Although those were not her exact words, to Enkrid, they carried no different meaning.
It was as though she was saying, "Let's all live together under the name of the guild from now on."
However, two people did not move—the man with an unassuming demeanor and the swordsman who had previously told Enkrid to lay down his weapon.
Polid remained as well, though his reaction was far less composed.
With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees, his strength seemingly drained.
"Why? I'm his son, aren't I? Everyone in the guild worked for my father!"
Why indeed?
The behavior of those who had sided with Polid suggested their decision-making abilities might be questionable at best.
Enkrid's gaze shifted to the two remaining figures.
The two, however, did not appear to be in any distress.
Even as everyone else turned their backs on them, they remained calm and collected.
"It's over," said the swordsman.
"Indeed," replied the unassuming man.
Both ignored Polid entirely.
When Polid cried out in desperation and tried to approach Leona, Mathis intercepted him.
"Take one more step, and I'll cut you down. Former merchant leader's son."
Curt and blunt—Mathis's words put an end to the matter.
The two who had seemed the most suspicious quietly withdrew, while Polid sank further into despair.
His reaction became a live demonstration of how panic and despair could transform a person, as he knelt on the ground, drooling uncontrollably.
The bystanders, including merchants, city guards, and even beggars near the gate, all watched the scene unfold.
One of the guards seemed unsure of how to proceed, but Leona took charge.
"Take him away. We can't let the former merchant leader's son die on the street like this."
"Yes, ma'am."
At her command, Mathis gestured for someone outside, who came in and dragged Polid away.
The guards even cleared a path to make the process smoother.
"Hold on a moment."
Leona stopped Mathis briefly and then approached Enkrid.
"Did you give Carmen's stiletto to your subordinate?"
The tone of her question gave Enkrid the odd feeling that she was upset about a gift meant for him being passed on to someone else.
Though he couldn't pinpoint why, it left him slightly uneasy.
"... He really wanted it, so yes, I did."
Glancing back, Enkrid saw Jaxen standing silently.
When he had first handed the stiletto to Jaxen, the reaction had been unexpectedly subdued.
Enkrid hadn't anticipated tears of gratitude, but Jaxen had simply taken the weapon without much fuss, muttering only one enigmatic remark:
"Why train the senses? How do you dodge a dagger flying from behind without even seeing it?"
To some, it might have sounded nonsensical, but to others, it could have been the long-sought answer to their questions.
"This will be in the next lesson."
That was all Jaxen had said, but it was enough.
He was someone who understood the art of negotiation.
"I see," Leona said with a faint smile, nodding.
Despite her pleasant expression, Enkrid couldn't shake the feeling that he somehow owed her.
A truly peculiar woman, he thought.
Leona studied Enkrid's face for a moment before speaking again.
"I'm a merchant, and negotiations begin with understanding what the other party wants. You gave away a high-value item, and even with two beautiful women around, you've shown no interest."
Leona had spent time at the border guard post observing the intriguing soldier.
What did this man want?
He showed no particular reaction to treasures that others would covet, even looking slightly annoyed when listening to Jaxen recount the stiletto's history.
Though he didn't seem entirely without ambition, he also wasn't someone consumed by greed.
Leona, who was well aware of the advantages her appearance afforded her, had even attempted subtle flirtation.
"There's a fairy who warned me about his notorious history with women," she mused, recalling the occasional interruption.
Still, even when given opportunities, Enkrid had remained unmoved.
'What does this man desire?'
Her pride as a merchant was piqued.
A merchant's job is to facilitate transactions, no matter the circumstances.
Leona belonged to the Rockfreed Merchant Guild, an entity known for striking deals even with reclusive groups like wilderness shepherds, shadowy leather guilds, and glacial rangers.
She loved her guild and took pride in it.
Though Enkrid was just a low-ranking soldier, something about him was undeniably captivating.
'What is it about him?'
Her observations finally revealed the truth.
'It's not an object he wants.'
He sought something far more profound—his future.
Better swordsmanship, greater skills, unmatched strength.
This was why she brought Mathis into the equation.
The best warrior in the Rockfreed Guild and a former city-renowned mercenary captain.
"How about training under Mathis? You could cultivate your future here."
It was a tempting offer for anyone drawn to the idea of improving through intense training under a skilled mentor.
Of course, Leona didn't know about Enkrid's squad.
'Impressive though he seems,' he thought.
Jaxen had commented, "In a small city, he'd be considered top-tier. That's about it."
When asked to compare him to Torres, Jaxen had replied, "By soldier rankings, he's above elite but not a knight."
That assessment was blunt but accurate.
Among Enkrid's team, however, such "above-elite but not knight" individuals were abundant.
Rem, Ragna, Jaxen, and Audin—all of them were on par or beyond.
Having already proven themselves in various ways, they had nothing to gain from Mathis's training.
"I'll decline."
Enkrid's refusal came without hesitation, leaving Leona visibly caught off guard for the first time.
"This is the first time I've ever failed to close a deal on something so tempting," she admitted.
Enkrid found himself liking this resourceful and stunning merchant leader.
'What I like most is that she doesn't resort to clumsy tricks.'
When he thought about it, it was rather amusing.
Of the people he'd met during this ordeal, one had demanded he lay down his sword, while another had asked him to join her side because she found him intriguing.
The contrast couldn't be more stark.
"Must I stay by your side?"
Enkrid opened his mouth to respond.
Since the other's interest in him wasn't entirely unpleasant, Enkrid treated them with similar goodwill.
Leona blinked at his words.
"That's true. The task is done. So, how about we become friends? Spending a day with a friend doesn't sound too bad, does it? What do you think?"
Though it wasn't quite a proposal for friendship, it was an offer to remain amicable.
"...Excuse me?"
"If you refuse, this poor girl might be heartbroken."
Poor girl?
Who was the poor girl here?
She was now the owner of the Rockfreed Trading Company.
"Mathis, may I stay in the city for just one more day?"
"As you wish."
Mathis stepped back.
"I suppose you need the unit's permission?"
At Leona's follow-up, the company commander answered in Enkrid's place.
"As compensation for completing the mission, you're granted one day of leave."
It was an unexpected answer.
"Why? You don't want to?"
Leona teased with a mischievous smile.
Her charm was striking; even such expressions seemed endearing.
A spider who devoured an entire trading company now wore a cute face.
While Enkrid mused on that thought, he nodded.
"I don't mind."
He had encountered countless instructors, and they all agreed on one thing: rest when you can.
Swinging a sword endlessly and overworking one's body wasn't the answer.
Enkrid understood this well.
Moreover, he felt a peculiar sense of debt to Leona, which he wished to repay.
"Alright, then."
Leona turned back to Mathis.
Meanwhile, Jaxen approached, prompting Enkrid to speak first.
"Don't spread strange rumors."
"That's something you'd say to a barbarian. Do I look like someone who would do that?"
Enkrid silently thanked his decision to bring Jaxen along.
If it had been Rem, baseless stories would have already circulated.
"Good work, soldier."
The company commander's lack of objection to leaving Enkrid and Leona alone indicated that his earlier words were mere jokes.
"If you miss me, feel free to come back, soldier."
Even so, he couldn't resist adding a fairy-like joke.
By now, Enkrid was so used to such remarks that they hardly fazed him.
"Sure, I will."
As Enkrid nonchalantly brushed it off, Jaxen slyly added:
"By the way..."
"By the way?"
"If you find more of the Carmen Collection, use your charms to bring them back."
Was this a joke or a genuine request?
It was harder to discern than the company commander's fae humor.
"It's a joke."
At least Jaxen claimed it was, though there seemed to be a hint of sincerity.
The Carmen Collection—he clearly desired it deeply.
"I'll be off now."
With Jaxen and the company commander gone, Leona finished wrapping up her matters and returned.
"Let's go."
What followed was an enjoyable day.
Wandering through the market, dining at a restaurant Enkrid had scouted for its excellent food, they filled their stomachs.
"This is truly delicious!"
Leona raised a thumbs-up after tasting herbal pie and Vanessa's pumpkin soup—signature dishes of an inn known for its exquisite cuisine.
"That's tasty too, isn't it?"
They exchanged jokes, shared laughs, and found joy in a seemingly insignificant day.
As night fell, they shared a couple of drinks.
"I had a great time."
Though they spent the night together, there was no physical intimacy between them.
"Alright, from today, we're friends."
"Sounds good."
Thus, they became friends, chatting until morning before parting ways.
Enkrid occasionally appeared lost in thought, but it was clear the time had been enjoyable for both.
"To think such a thing would happen."
Mathis found it highly unusual.
Leona was not the type to take breaks.
She was tenacious, thorough, and extraordinarily capable.
Without those traits, she wouldn't be where she was today.
In other words, Leona was nothing like Polid, her predecessor's incompetent son.
It was no wonder rumors claimed he was a bastard, given his idiocy.
Leona had lived a life entirely different from Polid since childhood.
For her to linger over a mere man for a day?
It was rare.
That didn't mean Mathis disrespected her.
"The future of the company is bright."
Under Leona's leadership, the Rockfreed Trading Company would surpass its former heights.
Mathis trusted her fully.
After her day off, Leona returned with a refreshed demeanor.
"Let's go."
The company resumed its journey, fulfilling the former head's will and securing their future.
Leona consumed everything in her path—her way of answering the call.
Her predecessor had saved and raised her.
By sparing Polid's life, she considered the debt repaid.
She knew well that this was the true intention behind the will.
As the carriage rolled on, Leona chuckled, recalling the previous night.
"That was fun."
How many times had she engaged in aimless chatter?
Meaningless conversation—so unlike her.
And yet...
"Enkrid."
His name lingered in her mind.
A man with a plain appearance and a swordsman wielding a rapier exited Polid's group, heading outside.
No one stopped them, though Mathis cast a sharp glare.
"Let them go."
Leona's single command settled the matter.
The two ventured beyond the city gates.
Despite the season nearing winter's end, it was a harsh road for two travelers.
Magical beasts could appear at any moment.
Yet they seemed unfazed.
"Why did you do it?"
They belonged to the same nation.
The swordsman was an exceptional warrior, unfazed by most monsters.
The plain man found it curious that someone as indifferent as him had intervened for a stranger—one who could easily be considered an enemy.
"I just thought it'd be a shame to let it go."
Not everything in life ends neatly.
Some things are worth stepping into.
"I see."
The plain man nodded.
It was time to return.
Though their ploy had failed, they had gained valuable insight into the exceptional capabilities of the next head of the Rockfreed Trading Company.
Information was always invaluable.
Enkrid returned to his unit by morning.
"You look like you've had a good time."
Rem greeted him enthusiastically.
He already knew everything.
That much was clear from his opening remark.
"Was it good?"
It was easy to misinterpret.
Though he had merely spoken with Leona, whatever answer he gave would lead to nonsense.
Rem was that kind of person.
Instead of replying, Enkrid grabbed his sword.
"A duel?"
"You're on, you barbarian."
Rem eagerly picked up his axe.
He enjoyed being Enkrid's first sparring partner after a return.
This time was no different.
As they faced off, Enkrid reflected on the day he spent with Leona.
It was an odd experience—rest, a break.
For once, he had forgotten about swords and simply relaxed.
They talked all night, engaging in what might be called meaningless chatter.
Yet why did it feel...
"Like it might work."
Spending time with Leona, Enkrid felt a strange sensation, as though he'd realized something.
It wasn't a sharpening of his focus or a newfound clarity.
It simply felt achievable.
The path of his sword, the steps leading to it, the movement of his shoulders—everything seemed to coalesce into an answer.
What did it mean to be fast?
A question he'd pondered since facing a rapier-wielding opponent seemed to reveal itself, albeit imperfectly.

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