Enkrid gleaned a new understanding from Seiki's words—insights about the small cycles governing the world.
It was a flow, much like the turning of seasons: spring giving way to summer, and autumn yielding to winter.
This realization bridged the gap between his swordsmanship and his weaknesses.
"What if I stopped forcing my Will and instead felt the flow naturally, letting it push gently outward?"
Facing the prophet Overdier had provided him with a vague sense of direction, and now, it felt like he had learned how to walk that path. Still, Enkrid refrained from overreacting.
After all, nothing was certain without firsthand experience.
"Go ahead," Seiki had said.
"Are you cheering me on?"
"That's right."
"Thanks."
Their exchange was simple, yet revealing.
Seiki wasn't particularly articulate, but she never hesitated to express herself.
This straightforwardness could be a strength but might also create challenges in social situations.
Still, within Border Guard, such traits wouldn't be a problem.
The city, was filled with people wilder and more unhinged than her.
It wasn't called the Madmen's Order headquarters for nothing.
"Sometimes, I'll have to look out for her,"
Enkrid thought, seeing himself as the stabilizing force in the Madmen's Order.
"Everyone here is insane, after all."
Despite their eccentricities, Enkrid believed that people shine when sharing their dreams and aspirations.
He never dismissed Seiki's words as childish, even if her goals might change someday.
As long as her desires were genuine, he'd support her.
One thing was clear
Becoming a saintess wasn't her ultimate dream.
"I don't particularly enjoy meeting people," Seiki had admitted.
She preferred solitude, and Enkrid left her to her own devices.
Shinar, however, took it upon herself to guide Seiki to a place she might enjoy.
The fairy, with her love for crafting secret havens, claimed it was a hobby.
Whether or not that was true, Seiki seemed content, so Enkrid nodded in approval.
Amid these reflections, Esther broke the silence.
"Popular?"
Her question stemmed from Enkrid's earlier self-deprecating comment about being an unpopular man.
"No," he replied dismissively.
It was a trivial conversation, easy to brush aside.
For several days, Esther observed Enkrid closely.
No one could guess what the witch was thinking.
The only noticeable change was the addition of a few soldiers at her side—mages armed with short wands adorned with small gemstones.
"Ugh, it's freezing!" Rem exclaimed, returning to their quarters after three days.
Though winter hadn't arrived yet, he complained about the cold, his body covered in minor injuries.
"What were you up to?" Enkrid asked.
"Exorcising some evil spirits," Rem replied curtly, showing no interest in elaborating.
During Rem's absence, Ragna took to swinging his sword, a rare display of discipline.
True to form, though, his training sessions were brief—morning, noon, and evening.
Continuous, rigorous practice didn't suit Ragna's nature.
Between sessions, he sparred with Ropord or meditated, half-asleep.
Yet even this irregular routine yielded noticeable improvements.
"Unbelievable," Enkrid muttered during a sparring match, accidentally praising Ragna.
Though familiar with Ragna's techniques, Enkrid found them faster, sharper, and heavier than before.
"Just swing faster and with more force when you see an opening," Ragna explained, his words akin to telling someone to study by reading books.
As vague as his advice was, Enkrid couldn't entirely dismiss it—it reminded him of the unexplainable nature of his Iron Wall technique.
While Enkrid painstakingly progressed step by step, Ragna's skills advanced in leaps.
Still, neither Ragna nor Rem hesitated to support Enkrid's training.
When asked for advice, their responses were consistent:
"Exert your strength all at once." – Rem.
"Focus when swinging your sword. Why can't you do that?" – Ragna.
Even Jaxen chimed in, saying, "You need to cultivate a sense for Will."
"What does that even mean?"
Enkrid wondered but chose to quietly absorb their advice.
He realized their guidance wasn't unlike his own cryptic explanations about the Wall he created.
With the right direction, effort would eventually yield results.
As five days passed, Krais called for a meeting.
"Church! Danger! Trade! Accidents! Security! Disruption!"
Krais's scattered words hinted at the agenda.
Enkrid, unconcerned about any perceived "trouble" he might have caused, attended with ease.
The atmosphere was far from tense—few in the city, let alone those around Enkrid, considered such issues crises.
The meeting's oval table placed Enkrid at its head, with Graham, the seasoned warrior, to his left.
Surprisingly, Rem sat across from him, with Ragna beside him for "fresh air."
Esther and Luagarne, now Enkrid's unofficial observation duo, sat near the wall, focused on him.
Though curious about the outcome, Vengeance knew his position didn't allow him to voice objections.
"We'll begin the meeting to prepare for the Church's movements," Krais announced, his clear, melodious voice resonating through the hall.
The large table couldn't accommodate everyone, leaving many standing, though the room remained quiet and orderly.
The chill in the air was combated by several braziers, one of which drew Shinar's muttered caution about fire safety.
Amid this atmosphere, Krais began outlining the situation.
"The Church oversees several trade routes, handling food and goods distributed across the continent.
Recently, their merchants have started rejecting shipments, and in response, trading cities are subtly refusing deals."
It was a grave issue, but Krais delivered it concisely, hitting the critical points.
Enkrid, disinterested in unnecessary delays, interrupted with a question.
"The Stone Road?"
The Stone Road was the name of the trade route connecting the western regions to their current location.
Leona Rockfreed, a member of the working faction, raised her head.
Enkrid's question implied:
Isn't Border Guard already independent of the Church's trade system?
"It's operating smoothly, without any need for the Church," Leona replied.
Even in a formal setting, her tone toward Enkrid was respectful, though they were friends.
Her face showed no trace of anxiety.
The Rockfreed trading company, founded on bold ventures, thrived under Leona, who was more adventurous than her predecessors.
For her, this was an opportunity.
Establishing an independent trade network via the Stone Road would free them from foreign pressures.
"Good," Enkrid said, a tacit approval for her to proceed.
Leona's eyes sparkled as she nodded.
Pressure on trade routes?
Rejected deals?
Petty defiance from a few merchant groups?
None of it concerned Enkrid.
As long as the western routes and Border Guard remained stable, trade would not suffer significantly.
To Leona, his broad perspective was natural, but it demonstrated Enkrid's growth.
His ability to analyze problems and propose solutions impressed her.
This insight wasn't new for Enkrid, however.
His experience had sharpened his ability to identify obstacles and find resolutions.
"Blocked paths."
Throughout his life, Enkrid had encountered countless barriers—walls that seemed insurmountable or rocks too heavy to move.
Yet, he had never given up, and this situation was no different. His determination, coupled with his strength, allowed him to envision solutions others could not.
Krais had identified the issue, and Enkrid offered the answer, his words resonating with the strategic minds present.
Even Abnaier, whose loyalty remained uncertain, found the discussion intriguing.
Enkrid spoke again.
"If we open trade with the west, what do we lose?
If trading cities find themselves in need, won't they think twice before acting rashly?
Can't Rockfreed Trading handle this?
What do you need?
Spears?
Swords?
Or something else?"
His blunt yet calculated remarks struck a chord.
While trade disruptions would cause some inconvenience, the solution was clear, and the means to implement it were within reach. Leona nodded, signaling her determination to take responsibility.
"Let me know if you need anything," Enkrid concluded.
"Understood."
With that, one matter was resolved.
Enkrid's broad judgment outpaced Krais's, though the latter excelled in finer adjustments and execution.
Much of the groundwork for this meeting, including problem-solving, had already been laid by Krais, leaving Enkrid to refine and expand on the solutions.
"Protest letters have also been sent to the kingdom," a royal envoy cautiously interjected.
Having spent several days at Border Guard, he sought to participate in the discussions.
"So?"
Enkrid asked, turning to him.
"Did the king hold me accountable?"
The envoy hesitated, his gaze meeting Enkrid's piercing eyes.

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