1111. Indeed, it is correct.
What should I call this?
I was on the verge of forgetting that everyone was calling him the Bewitching Knight.
This is um.
The question of whether it made sense did not even cross one’s mind. It was difficult enough just to mentally comprehend the simple facts visible to the eye.
The minds of the majority watching were a jumble of shock, relief, and an inexplicable sense of exhilaration.
Meanwhile, the Pegasus hovering overhead circled the troops and landed right beside Encred.
One knight and one cavalryman returned with a calm gait, though slightly faster than a mere walk. They
passed a moat that had turned black with monster carcasses and a field made of dead monster corpses. The
corpses were so dense that one wondered if monster fruit would grow if the field were watered just like this.
They walked past all of it calmly, carefully stepping only on the ground. There was nothing extraordinary about his movements. It was simply that what he had done so far was astonishing.
As if he had been waiting, Sinar was at the forefront, welcoming him.
Encred maintained a nonchalant gait and attitude, as if he had done nothing extraordinary. Then, having entered our territory, he raised his hand over his shoulder, pointed his thumb behind him, and asked.
Was that guy a troublemaker?
Passing the field of corpses, I found myself on land bathed in soft sunlight instead of a gray sky.
The area where the monsters had gathered was filled with an unpleasant atmosphere, even if I just stood still. Well, the smell here was no joke either.
The stench of sulfur and rotten eggs had permeated the air as the dead monsters, beasts, and plague maidens vanished.
Still, the air was different. Although the demons had taken the entire ominous energy contained within the Demon Realm, this was the result of holding the front lines without being pushed back until now. Didn’t
Crys say that since things have turned out this way, the Lords of the Demon Realm would rule the entire world after this war?
That must be why they are gradually expanding the territory of the Demon Realm like that.
He was a guy who knew how to undermine our troops’ morale with words.
Sinar answered. She took a green cloth from her bosom and wiped Encred’s face, which was covered in blood.
“I’ll do it.”
“I’d prefer it if I did it.”
“Yes, I’ll do it.”
Encreed took the handkerchief and roughly wiped away the blood that had splattered during the melee. The monster’s blood stained the green cloth.
This was the price for the violent charge he had launched from above the One-Eyed.
Instead of wounds or injuries, his face was covered in black blood. His hair was partially wet, and black spots had hardened on the One-Eyed’s body.
While breaking through at high speed, blue steam rose to push away the mist of black blood, but it was unavoidable that it had gotten on him when he stopped intermittently.
“The Lord of the Demon Realm also had quite a few means prepared.”
Encred spoke as he roughly wiped Jjaknuni’s body.
He admitted that he didn’t know the ins and outs of the situation on this battlefield.
While he had heard the general outlines, there were many things he hadn’t heard because events had unfolded so rapidly.
Holding off the battlefield was the priority; collecting and sorting through every single event here to relay to the rear wasn’t the urgent task.
However, he was aware of the major incidents and situations.
Wasn’t that why he killed that Scaler as soon as he located him?
Purr.
One-Eyed shook his head beside him. He had flown all the way from Border Guard here in a flash and executed high-speed maneuvers as soon as he arrived.
Even One-Eyed was exhausted. In reality, Encred had been coordinating his performance just moments ago, and One-Eyed’s contribution had been significant.
You worked hard.
That is what the one-eyed guy says as he pats me on the shoulder.
“Pfft.”
Jjaknuni shook his head and answered.
Even though it wasn’t expressed in precise words, I knew that the answer was “you too.”
I don’t think they will attack if I rest a bit today.
As Encred spoke to Cyprus, who had approached him, he burst into hearty laughter.
It was the loudest laugh he had let out in a long time.
“If they still plan to challenge me after this, then fine, those damned bastards called the Lords of the Demon Realm will have to come here with the flag themselves.”
No matter how fearless a monster unit may be, if they charge in with their spirit broken like this, it is tantamount to sticking out their necks to make them easy to cut with a sword.
And thanks to Encred appearing at the right moment, our knight forces did not fight by cutting off their own flesh. In other words, our forces still had their reserves left.
“Uh, you.”
Lien was so shocked he was speechless. He had fought that monster, the one Encred had suddenly dropped in front of the monster army and killed.
So what was the conclusion he had reached?
That killing it alone would be a real struggle. To put it a little more elegantly, it would be a fight that would require quite a bit of time and effort to defeat it. Although
Lien didn’t tell anyone at the time, he had predicted that the end of this war would not be good.
“A guy I can’t easily stop on my own—he’s not even a devil, yet you call him a minion?”
It is not simply because they are talking monsters. It is because demons are far more monstrous than these creatures.
Although Lien is a member of the Knights defending the southern front of Naurilia, he has never faced a demon in combat.
Still, he had resolved that if things went wrong, he would be able to kill at least one demon, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. However,
the appearance of this single Scaler made him realize that might be a pipe dream.
That had been the situation until now. It was a battlefield where the ominousness only grew with time.
Yet, he severed the neck of that very creature—the monster Parta—with a single stroke.
Did an allied knight risk his life fighting? No, he did not.
Did he take a gamble and succeed by enduring a serious injury? That is not it either.
Lien is an outstanding knight. As a knight whose skill is recognized by Cyprus, he knew the process because he had seen the result.
‘Assess.’
One strike while falling from above, and another after coming back down.
He gauged the opponent’s skill with just two strikes before cutting them down with a single stroke.
Whether it was verbal power or intimidation, does the process matter?
“Wow, damn.”
Thanks to that, the mannerisms from my back alley days came out.
But to no one, it didn’t sound like negative remarks. It just sounded like an exclamation.
“Who are you?”
When Lien asked again, Encred looked at him and answered calmly.
“Haven’t you seen this before? The Border Guard’s Encred.”
“It’s not that I don’t know, Master.”
That was what Aurelia added. The title “Master” felt natural, and it was only natural.
She had a body honed at the Border Guard. Although she refined herself later on, it was the man in front of her who first corrected her bad habits.
Though it is hard to say that the process was particularly beautiful or enjoyable.
It’s been a long time, Sir.
Ingis bowed his head with respect. It was a precise military salute, with his right hand placed on his hip.
Encred nodded in return. Then Balmung approached and waved his hand.
“Hey.”
“That’s the trump card Crys pulled out.”
Encred calmly discussed his current situation.
“Why are you using articles from other countries as your trump card?”
Balmung asked back, twitching his eyebrows to make his expression look fierce.
“Someone said that if necessary, it would be right to send even a city-guarding dog to the battlefield.”
“……Are you saying I’m a dog?”
“It’s not that.”
It had been a long time since I last saw him, but he didn’t leave a bad impression. On the contrary, I was simply glad to see him.
It was a remark that could have easily offended him, but Balmung, after twitching his eyebrows, soon burst into hearty laughter, and Enkrid let out a small chuckle as well. If
this had been a pub in a corner of the city, it would have simply looked like two farmers exchanging jokes after finishing their day’s work.
The Knight of the Empire, bearing the moniker “Knight of the Beast,” is a man of generous spirit who knows how to crack silly jokes. Enkrid had cracked the joke precisely because he knew that.
“Sir Encred. If you had been even a little late, you would have become a monster’s meal this time.”
Roman approached with a polite tone. He was a quicker-witted man than expected.
A knight named Encrid was not in a position to be treated disrespectfully in a setting like this, relying on personal connections. He knew this well. Having risen above the Captain, he must have been mindful of his tone, with the exception of Sinar and Cypress.
That was why Roman had also shown courtesy, but this alone didn’t quite liven things up.
Putting aside the fact that they had escaped danger and won, was their relationship with that fellow really supposed to end with just an exchange of greetings?
“My name is Roman. I said that I would never forget your kindness and that if you called, I would place my sword by your side even in the middle of a demonic realm; I stated that this was a promise made solely by me, separate from the opinions of the Knights.”
So Roman added. It was a response to the majesty Encred had just displayed, and not an expression of admiration.
The gist of it was that he had come all the way here at your call.
Honor Knight Oara.
Encred answered calmly.
It meant that he had never forgotten her life, her fight, and her will.
“……Serve.”
Roman was speechless for a moment before opening his lips. He was deeply moved that Encred hadn’t forgotten him.
Amidst that strange atmosphere, a man who had approached abruptly punched Encred in the chest with a laugh. Encred did not dodge.
Bang.
Ow.
Then, wrapping my remaining hand around my fist, I speak.
“Ouch, that hurts.”
“Because it’s on the armor.”
Inside was Balrog’s leather armor, and over it was an Elven gambeson. Because it was armor made of Elven thread, it was a piece of armor with better rigidity than a breastplate made of solid Valerian steel.
As Encred answered nonchalantly, the man shook his head and straightened his back.
“Did it seem a bit too unimpressive for a meeting between a king of a nation and the knights who protect him?”
“I suppose so, Your Majesty.”
The head of the Royal Guard speaks immediately. “I respect and revere the King, but I wished he wouldn’t display such an attitude in a setting like this.
Yet, on the other hand, it is also true that I am easily drawn to him precisely because he is this kind of King.”
Did I care about that?
Enkrid asked.
“no.”
Krang, laughing bravely, stood beside Encred with a smile and turned around.
He could see all the Knights and soldiers who were still reeling from the shock. Krang took Encred’s hand and lifted it.
Rejoice in victory. You may. It is your right.
Since Encred had brought the final chapters to a close, was it enough to simply chant his name? Krang did not do so.
He had not forgotten that they had come this far thanks to those who had endured until now. In Encred’s eyes, this fellow is a truly great king.
He does not know if he is acting with the awareness of his position, but the fact that he acts this way with such sincerity and genuine devotion makes him even more remarkable.
“Soldiers of the Southern Front! Knights who pride themselves on being guardians! Roar of your victory!”
Krang’s shout erupted. He had just slayed a monster with a verbal command, but wasn’t this what a true verbal command was? Encred thought so.
He raised his hand, yet the words that actually came out of his mouth were celebratory fireworks for everyone.
Krang’s shout shot in all directions, and after a brief silence, a roar of cheers that shook the earth erupted—”Waaah!” They
hadn’t just won; they had sliced off the head of the monster that had mocked them in the past.
Aurelia shook her head inwardly. The madman Encred was certainly someone who far exceeded the limits she had predicted.
It was only natural, considering it would be difficult for even Crys to predict Encred’s thoughts and actions at this moment.
Encred recognized several of the cheering soldiers.
It was Reavan and Marco, but there were also many soldiers he had simply seen passing by. Graham bowed his head from a distance.
Encred bowed back. After passing by those who exchanged a brief glance, the commander, now a bit more composed, cleared the battlefield.
Their job was to burn and clear away the corpses of the dead monsters.
If left alone, the stench was one thing, but the poisonous fumes seeping from the field of corpses were truly agonizing.
They were using the heat stones provided as supplies by the Border Guard without hesitation for this purpose.
Otherwise, they would have had to mobilize even mages to burn them, so it was fortunate that at least
their supplies were solid and their supply lines were safe.
Then, as one of the quartermasters approached to provide them with a place to sleep, shelter, and food, Encred spoke.
Give my friend three roasted chickens and some wine.
The quartermaster blinked. “Which friend? Are you perhaps referring to His Majesty the King?
It is a well-known anecdote, not only within the kingdom but across the entire continent, that the two are friends. And on top of that, I hear even the Pope of the Holy Kingdom Legion is a close friend.”
Ah, this way.
Encred nudged Jjaknun to avoid a misunderstanding and spoke. Jjaknun looked at the supply officer as if it were only natural.
“……Do you eat roasted chicken?”
“A horse eating meat?”
the quartermaster asked in surprise. Encred confirmed it was true. It was a horse that had flown through the sky to save its comrades. It was the kind of horse that would have to be fed a whole roasted pig instead of just a roasted chicken.
“yes.”
The quartermaster swallowed his personal opinion. He had resolved to simply do as he was told, and that was his greatest strength. It
was the key to keeping the supply unit running smoothly.
Encred gazed at the collapsed walls of the fairy castle as he watched the situation gradually settle down.
It was just as the sun began to set. The debris of the collapsed walls consisted of tree roots, thick stumps, and trunks.
Some were broken, while others lay half-tilted. They seemed to proclaim with their entire bodies that the wall’s role was now over.
Broken arrows and debris were also visible stuck here and there.
Black smoke rose from various places, obscuring the sky. The setting sun finally pierced through the black smoke blocking the light, painting the surroundings in an orange hue.
“Why? Are you disappointed?”
Sinar asked from behind. Encrid was sitting on a thick branch with only one leg bent.
I have no regrets because I know that I am where I am today thanks to you.
It was a kind reply.
After that, not much was exchanged. Apart from the joy of victory, clearing the battlefield was another task in itself, so everyone was busy.
Amidst the red and blue shadows of the hour of dogs and wolves, Encred examined the outlines of what he saw in the distance. Normally,
one should be confused as to whether something is a dog or a wolf just by looking at the outline, but what he was seeing now possessed an appearance that left absolutely no confusion.
Despite having suffered a heavy defeat, they quickly reorganized their ranks. They did not retreat easily.
There was no sign of any intention to withdraw or retreat.
Would they attack again as early as dawn, or perhaps immediately tomorrow? Their momentum was not yet settled, so it probably wouldn’t be right now, but judging by their refusal to back down, it seemed likely.
“What are you thinking about?”
Sinar asked. Encreed thought just before opening his mouth.
They had said the fight would begin in the spring, but the enemy certainly wouldn’t wait patiently.
The actual fighting began in late winter.
Therefore, Encreed considered the real war to begin just before spring arrived, when the Border Guard army was about to arrive.
What should he do before then? Various thoughts swirled in his mind, but if he had to sum it up in one phrase, it was this.
“I intend to win.”
“You are right.”
Sinar let out a laugh of joy. The sound of the fairy’s laughter was like a musical instrument.
