Enri set off in a wagon loaded with obsidian and talismans—specialties of the western region along with a few other practical and sellable items.
He had anticipated the journey would be challenging, but the reality surpassed his expectations testing his resolve at every step.
He never thought of giving up, but the gnawing anxiety remained, drying his mouth and tightening his chest.
Still, he pressed forward knowing better than anyone that this was a rare opportunity.
"Captain."
Gripping the bow given to him by Enkrid, Enri resolved not to let this chance slip away.
For the journey he needed transport for goods and himself.
Since the belopters, suited for the west were useless outside the region, horses were a necessity. But Enri's funds were insufficient.
He ended up buying donkeys and carts instead of horses, managing to cobble together ten wagons.
Though the load wasn't insignificant, the humble appearance of the donkeys and those accompanying him painted a bleak picture.
"Don't worry."
"We'll be by your side."
Fortunately, the twin warriors from the western tribe had agreed to act as escorts. With their strength, the group wasn't lacking in combat capability.
Additionally, Enri recruited a few hands from a nearby oasis village to assist.
"When we reach the destination, will the reward be generous?"
"You're covering meals and shelter along the way, right?"
The questions were all too familiar.
"To be precise, if this trade expedition succeeds. I'll ensure you're compensated well enough to settle down wherever you choose. But success isn't guaranteed." Enri replied.
The participants in his venture included individuals fleeing persecution some unjustly accused of crimes. Among them was a man traveling with his family.
While he didn't appear skilled in combat he exuded trustworthiness. Enri handpicked such people, his experience of heartbreak and hardship had sharpened his ability to judge character.
And if his judgment failed?
"It will be fine." he told himself.
Even if a few turned their blades against him, the western twins' presence would deter any treachery.
The expedition was as much an adventure for the participants as it was for Enri. They wouldn't be paid upfront and had to wait for profits at the end of the journey. This arrangement drew individuals with more responsibility or simpler motives rather than the cunning or greedy.
Though grueling and arduous the work seemed cleaner than life in the oasis villages. Hunting gem-studded beasts sounded worse than this venture, at least.
Thus, the trade expedition began.
Troubles weren't limited to monsters and beasts—rain alone made their progress arduous.
With no funds left after buying the donkeys and wagons, the group camped under the stars for the entirety of the journey.
Enri's experience as a hunter guided them, helping to find decent routes and safe camping spots. The twins handled combat when necessary.
Even on this route, brigands occasionally appeared. Surviving as a bandit in this land required the strength to fend off monsters and beasts, so they often came in groups and included skilled fighters.
Yet, none were a match for the twins.
Among the group was a child who had come along with his father and displayed a knack for slinging stones.
By the time they caught sight of Naurillia, everyone was thoroughly exhausted Enri included.
"We'll need to sell some goods here before moving on." he announced.
However, the first merchant Enri encountered in the capital tried to haggle aggressively.
"Western goods? How do I know they're authentic? Talismans? Who guarantees their efficacy?"
Enri recognized the ploy for what it was—an attempt to drive prices down by spreading rumors.
The twins bristled at the insult, ready to act but Enri stopped them, knowing that drawing weapons would bring the city guard down on them.
Their shabby appearance as western outsiders would only work against them in such a situation.
Enri had seen this scenario play out too many times to be surprised.
"Hold back. We need to endure this." he urged.
Frustrated but unwilling to risk trouble, Enri decided to forgo selling in the capital altogether.
The constant provocations from pig-like, toad-faced merchants made it impossible to get a fair deal.
If they could just reach Border Guard, Enkrid's guarantee would smooth everything out.
Still, Enri had tried to sell here in Naurillia for good reason, the journey ahead would perilous.
But how could they survive in the capital with no silver?
Sleeping near the slums risked attracting countless thieves. Could he fend them all off?
The thieves' guild would retaliate if its members were harmed and inside the city, they couldn't fight without spilling blood and causing trouble.
"Hah."
Enri sighed deeply, resigning himself to leave.
But just as he was about to depart a fat, toad-like merchant picked a fight one last time.
Enri's hand instinctively moved toward the bow Enkrid had given him.
'If we meet outside the city, you'll have an arrow in your head.' he thought grimly.
Then, as if on cue Enkrid appeared, smiling brightly as he called the toad-like merchant "Uncle."
The merchant, caught off guard tilted his head in confusion.
Not everyone in this world lived righteously. Among the wicked, there were all kinds.
Enkrid didn't see them all as villains, but this situation was something else entirely.
Understanding the scene at a glance, Enkrid dismounted with a casual leap the dry dirt puffing under his boots.
The cobblestone road, recently repaired contrasted starkly with Enri's gaunt, weary face.
Opposite to him, the merchant—Malton stood plump and glistening with sweat.
"Uncle, why pretend not to recognize me?" Enkrid teased, walking toward them.
The city guard captain hesitated, stepping closer to Enkrid.
"Uncle? You have an uncle here?"
"One I gained recently."
"...What?"
Rem chuckled softly, realizing this was one of Enkrid's peculiar pranks.
"Why act like you don't know me?" Enkrid lifted his arm, showing off the leather bracer made from the hide of a giant.
"Oh, oh... you're that guy?" Malton stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Enkrid.
"That guy?" the guard captain echoed, his sharp gaze turning toward Malton.
The merchant's bulging eyes darted nervously.
Why was the guard captain suddenly favourable towards this man?
Why did this "random swordsman" exude such authority?
"Uncle."
Enkrid addressed him again and Malton's earlier words echoed painfully in his mind: "You're friends with the Rockfreed merchant guild leader? Ha! Then I'm Enkrid the General's uncle!"
Friend. Uncle. Rockfreed. Enkrid.
The words jumbled together, a face emerged from memory and Malton reached a chilling realization.
"The Unyielding Knight?"
The infamous moniker spilled from his lips.
He hoped, prayed it was a lie, a misunderstanding.
"Impressive, Uncle. You even know my nickname." Enkrid said with a sharp grin.
Malton's world crumbled.
This can't be real.
Why is he the Unyielding Knight?
As Enkrid took the lead to exchange a few words, a moment of conversation began.
"Seems like you've had a tough time, huh?"
"More than that, that bastard..."
From behind, Rem was already listening to the twins' story.
"Hey, did you really call the Western amulets fake? Said their magic was a scam?"
Malton had indeed said those things.
But wasn't it all because of the greed of the noble standing behind him?
Malton glanced at the viscount.
'Please, save me.'
The plea in his eyes was clear, but Rem wasn't the type to hold back in such situations.
With a casual flick, he grabbed his axe and strode forward with determined steps.
"Apologize or die. If you're wrong, just say those words and nothing terrible will happen."
Rem's tone was calm yet charged.
Whether it was his nature, his character or the memory of first stepping onto the continent and witnessing a noble bastard delighting in harassing women and abusing his own people—it didn't matter.
Rem detested these kinds of people.
Sensing the sharp menace radiating from him, the three guards behind the noble furrowed their brows, preparing to intervene.
But then the captain of the guard opened his mouth.
"Know when to step in and when to back off. Don't you recognize him?
Black hair, blue eyes, an axe, gray hair, a bear-like build. You really don't know?"
Rumors about the people who defended Border Guard had started spreading, even without including Enkrid.
"The Noble Slayer."
A madman who, after losing his parents to nobles in his childhood, supposedly split the skulls of every noble he encountered with an axe.
It was untrue, of course—just another rumor.
"A bear beastkin who splits people in two for fun."
One of the guards muttered under his breath.
"...Is that supposed to be me?"
Audin, unable to hold back, asked with a wry laugh.
He was neither a beastkin nor someone with such hobbies.
"Ah..."
The three guards promptly closed their mouths.
Rem had stepped back slightly, considering Enkrid's presence.
Otherwise, he would have beaten the man to a pulp before even bothering to talk.
"...I'll apologize. I was wrong."
Overwhelmed by the aura before him, the viscount caved.
There was no need to even employ Will.
The guards refrained from stepping in and the rumor of the Noble Slayer rang loud in his ears.
He felt an urgent need to relieve himself.
The viscount fled the scene, leaving behind a merchant who looked as though he was about to cry.
Enkrid turned to his uncle and spoke.
"Give me some spending money."
"...What?"
"Not going to?"
As Enkrid pressed him, the captain of the guard also shot a menacing glare from behind.
Judging from the situation, it was clear that merchant had done something wrong.
And it had been his decision to let that man in.
Worse, the merchant had dared to try and deceive a person he respected.
I'll kill him. Definitely kill him.
You're dead.
Even without mastering Will, the captain's sheer determination made his murderous intent almost tangible.
His eyes alone seemed capable of taking a life.
"I-I'll give it! Of course!"
The merchant hastily loosened his pouch.
"Not much," Enkrid remarked after a glance.
Though the pouch held more than twenty silver coins and even a gold coin, if Enkrid said it wasn't much then it wasn't.
Malton immediately sent a servant to the bank.
Major cities always had at least one large bank, typically run by citizens of trading hubs who traveled for business.
During the previous civil war, they had fled but recently they'd returned, reopening their banks.
Clink, clank.
A satisfying exchange of pouches followed, a lovely sight to behold. Enkrid took it all and handed it to Enri.
"Sell the donkey, get a horse. Replace the cart, take care of yourselves, rest well and start fresh. The road ahead should be smoother from here."
"Thank you."
Tears threatened to fall as Enri bowed his head, remembering their hardships.
The captain of the guard, watching from behind spoke up.
"I will personally escort you to Jaltenburg. Please don't refuse—I want to do this."
"I was about to thank you for the offer." Enkrid replied, nodding.
"Then please wait a moment," the captain said, exhaling deeply. He placed a hand on Malton's shoulder and dragged him aside.
Enkrid waved his uncle off with a goodbye.
Among the people accompanying Enri was a young boy, about thirteen or fourteen, following his father.
In the boy's eyes, Enkrid and his companions were towering figures, far greater than any king.
Such thinking among children were not uncommon.
To them, the name Enkrid was not just that of a heroic swordsman but a true protector—someone who had saved them in person, unlike the distant kings.
It was a small, incidental event, one of many.
"See you at Border Guard."
Enkrid bid farewell to Enri and in the meantime, had Rem assign tasks to the twins.
Then they rode toward the outer roads leading to the royal palace. It was the same path he had once raced along on his one-eyed horse.
At the palace, they stayed for a night.
With no pressing duties in the evening, Enkrid rented a training hall to spar.
Soon, people arrived asking to learn from him.
"Anytime." Enkrid said.
Among the crowd were familiar faces, including Rearvan who had recently joined the Royal Guard and even Matthew who was supposed to be by Krang's side.
The captain of the Royal Guard, donning a dark-gray helmet, briefly stopped by as well.
Without saying much, he acknowledged Enkrid with a nod before leaving—a man of few words.
To Enkrid, this camaraderie was familiar and endearing.
Watching people eagerly discuss techniques with him brought immense joy.
Even Rem seemed to enjoy it.
After two days of rest, attendants and maids took Enkrid's measurements and swiftly tailored a formal suit for him—not a tight shirt to constrain his muscles, but a well-fitted, elegant outfit.
Neither Rem nor Audin was brought along.
"Not interested."
"Neither am I." Audin agreed.
They wouldn't have come even if invited and Krang knew that.
The previous night, Enkrid had suddenly asked Audin why he had come along.
After all, Audin usually disliked leaving Border Guard.
"I thought I'd try breaking free from the prison of lingering regrets." Audin had replied.
It was a cryptic response, one Enkrid didn't fully grasp but Audin didn't seem inclined to elaborate.
Respecting his comrade's boundaries, Enkrid let it slide.
Audin for his part, seemed to appreciate the respect, smiling in his usual quiet way.
"Hero of the nation, friend of the king, Demon Slayer, The Unyielding Knight—General Enkrid of Border Guard!"
As the attendant's formal introduction rang through the hall, Enkrid stepped into the audience chamber, his gaze falling on Krang seated on the throne.
They exchanged the usual pleasantries.
"Welcome."
"I came as summoned."
No sooner had the greetings ended that Marcus began speaking about the honour of knighthood.
Among the noble assembly, dissenting voices rose.
"While it's only natural to bestow such an honour upon Sir Enkrid, we must consider whether the same should apply to others." one eloquent noble remarked.
Behind him stood the toad-like figure Enkrid had seen the day before.
"Your Majesty, have you heard the term Noble Slayer?"
The noble stroked his mustache as he spoke.
What did the royalty and nobility fear most?
Knights or calamities—beings who could overturn a kingdom with a single sword if they so wished.
To guard against such threats, royal houses implemented measures.
For example, Naurillia's Order of Restriction had served a similar purpose.
Knights swore loyalty to the crown during their initiation—a vow taken even before becoming knights.
But Enkrid and his Madmen unit had made no such oaths.
Could Naurilia stop them if it came to it?
Perhaps not.
Thus, the noble questioned whether it was wise to elevate individuals of questionable integrity to the status of
knights
Enkrid found himself agreeing with much of what was said.
After all, it was hard to imagine Rem pledging loyalty to the royal family.
But soon, his thoughts wandered elsewhere.
That pastry I had yesterday was delicious.
The bread had been excellent, too.
The noble continued his impassioned speech, boiling down to the point: how could they trust
someone nicknamed
Noble Slayer
This matter required reconsideration.
Had there been a rustic commoner present, they might have applauded the noble's rhetoric.
But, naturally that didn't happen.
"Are you finished?"
Krang, wearing an incongruously gentle smile, addressed the noble.
If you enjoy the series and want to get more Chapters early, head over to my kofi
I am also introducing a new membership tier called 'Squire'.

Comments

Loading...