A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

“What’s your business here?”

The dwarf ignored the barbarian, and Rem didn’t make a fuss, simply letting it slide.

From the first time he heard it, despite the harsh words, he felt it wasn’t genuine.

Encrid appropriately stepped in and spoke.

“I want to buy a good sword if you have one.”

Encrid didn’t beat around the bush. To be honest, he thought it was quite interesting.

Does he know how to fight? It didn’t seem like it.

His posture, hand movements, position, and actions led to this conclusion.

“Is that so?”

The dwarf wasn’t picky. She simply looked Encrid up and down.

It is known that dwarves don’t judge humans by their appearance.

Yet, her gaze lingered on Encrid’s face and wouldn’t leave.

Krais, watching from behind, thought,

‘No way, does she…’

Surely, she hadn’t fallen for the Commander.

A slight sense of unease crept in.

As everyone knows, dwarves don’t care about human appearance or beauty. Instead, they look at the refined inner self.

They judge a person’s character based on their eyes, attitude, and habits.

With long years of wandering the continent, dwarves can gauge someone’s nature just by looking at how they open their eyes or their manner of speech.

Although not a spell, her unique dwarven ability and experience allowed her to see part of Encrid’s inner self.

It was truly grand, whole, and beautiful.

Smelting is about extracting and refining ore.

Blacksmithing is about heating and hammering metal to make tools.

With long years of making and refining various things from stone and iron, she developed an eye for this.

In her eyes, Encrid was a stone.

But he wasn’t just any ordinary stone. Absolutely not.

‘What is this?’

Despite being chipped and chipped again, it didn’t break or wear out.

It was a stone that didn’t erode or decay.

An incomprehensible, in other words, a human and an ore she was seeing for the first time.

So it was fascinating to her.

At the same time, it was a reason to move the dwarf’s heart. Mystery, novelty, and newness always arouse a dwarf’s interest.

“Hey, I’m not going to kill you, so fix my axe.”

Next to them, the arrogant barbarian spoke.

He nonchalantly handed over an axe that had something embedded in it.

Didn’t this bastard just say he was going to kill her?

She judged that he wasn’t serious. The dwarf’s unique insight could easily discern the truth of words.

So she thought he was a strange guy.

He wasn’t serious, but she sensed that he might swing his axe if he got upset.

The dwarf’s eyes scrutinized him too.

‘What is he?’

He looked like a stone burning on its own. A dawn that incinerates everything around it.

To avoid being burned near him, one had to be equally strong, or someone had to block and withstand the flames.

Who was blocking them?

Needless to say.

A stone that doesn’t burn or erode.

A stone with black hair and blue eyes was like that.

The dwarf’s gaze swept over everyone.

The humans around him were all peculiar.

One was like Truesilver imbued with divinity, forged and hammered for tens of thousands of hours.

Another was like a sharpened blade of dark iron.

There was also a grayish gold, which they say can only be seen if you burn thousands of stones.

Ash Gold, a rare metal she had only glimpsed once in her life.

No, Truesilver, dark iron, and grayish gold were all rare metals.

Do such things come to mind just by looking at them? Who are these people?

The dwarf’s eyes didn’t waver. Their will is firm and steadfast, not easily flustered by anything.

They also have immunity against most mental magic.

The dwarf looked around.

The most peculiar among them was just a stone.

A stone that gets chipped but doesn’t erode, wears but doesn’t break.

That stone blocked the flames, embraced the Truesilver, repelled the darkness of dark iron, and encompassed the grayish gold.

She saw these individuals standing, each displaying their unique characteristics.

It was indeed a curious thing. The dwarf’s curiosity was piqued, and she asked,

“What’s your name?”

Encrid thought that the dwarf must be much older than he initially expected. There was something in the way she spoke.

“Encrid.”

“Alright, let me see your hand.”

When Encrid calmly extended his hand, the dwarf meticulously examined the calluses and joints of his fingers.

“Quite diverse.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Encrid thought. The skills he had ingrained in his body were indeed diverse.

He had stuffed his body with everything he could learn.

Sensory techniques, The Heart of the Beast, The Heart of Great Strength, The Isolation Technique, and even the swordsmanship derived from ‘Evil Spirit of the Cursed Sword’.

Looking back, he had tasted a bit of all swordsmanship styles.

Recently, he had been obsessed with the Fluid Sword Technique and immersed in physical training.

Even without considering the ‘Will’ he had learned, he had a considerable amount of techniques ingrained in his body.

“Okay, good. I have a decent sword on hand, so I’ll fix it up and give it to you. And you? Just need to balance the axe handle and center of gravity, right? Why do you carry that around? The iron is good, I’ll melt it down and remake it for you. And you, don’t seem to need anything. As for the rest of you, well, yeah, you. What do you need, gray one?”

Does this dwarf always talk so much?

However, amidst all those words, the dwarf’s unique insight was evident.

If a Frog was adept at talent scouting, the dwarf excelled in insight.

She identified exactly what each member of the group needed at a glance.

Although the nickname for Ragna was odd, they let it slide since it was a dwarf.

“A long, thick sword with proper balance.”

Ragna responded. He didn’t care what the dwarf said, he simply stated his needs. He didn’t bother with anything else due to his clear purpose.

It was the same when the Black Blade Bandits came.

He ignored them because it didn’t matter.

Instead, Jaxon moved, and Rem was as usual.

Audin just smiled calmly.

The dwarf nodded.

“Got it.”

So, they decided to fix Encrid’s sword and the fire axe, and also to melt down and remake the centaur leader’s barbed spear.

Additionally, she would personally craft a sword for Ragna.

Encrid had heard that dwarves were exacting craftsmen, but seeing how accommodating this one was, he thought rumors couldn’t be trusted.

“Hey, didn’t you say even a dagger was too precious for me?”

Krais said from behind.

“That’s because you’re too subpar. It’s a waste to give you something I made. Just grab one of those human-made ones over there.”

Wow, such favoritism.

Krais muttered. He genuinely looked hurt. He was never particularly attached to weapons, so why was he suddenly asking for a dagger?

“Want me to buy you one?”

Encrid asked.

“No, it’s fine.”

Then why are you so fixated?

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been rejected.”

“Rejected?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Krais said, and the dwarf chuckled.

Cute guy, her expression seemed to say.

“But it’ll take about a week to do all this. Maybe faster.”

The dwarf said.

Encrid looked around the forge.

Everyone who had been hammering the iron had stopped and was now watching them.

There were two craftsmen, metal lined up along one wall, and the furnace’s flames pushing back the cold.

Despite not being there long, the intense heat was making him sweat.

“Give them a few silver coins. You have to pay to use the forge.”

At the dwarf’s repeated words, Krais handed over a few silver coins.

Seeing this, Encrid added a few more.

He wasn’t trying to curry favor, but there’s no such thing as an appropriate amount.

In matters like this, Encrid didn’t skimp on silver coins.

Krais didn’t mind either.

With the amount of Krona the Commander had earned on this expedition, they wouldn’t be short of money for a while.

Not that they had been short of money before.

The man who seemed to be the owner of the forge nodded after glancing around.

“Use it as much as you want.”

“And for the cost, hey Big Eyes, give me that pouch of jewels you have in your coat.”

The dwarf revealed her insight by immediately guessing Krais’ nickname.

“You want this?”

Krais couldn’t leave his precious jewels lying around, so he carried a few in his coat.

“Yeah. Hey, I’m giving you a good deal.”

The dwarf spoke in a casual tone. Her speech was varied, which also hinted at her age.

“Give it.”

At Encrid’s words, Krais looked distressed but then nodded.

As he handed over the pouch of jewels, Krais paused and asked,

“But how did you know I had this?”

“What do you think of a dwarf’s sense of smell? I can smell expensive stones from a mile away.”

So dwarves can smell such things.

It didn’t really matter.

Encrid didn’t give it much thought. They would have to stay here for about a week.

They returned to the market. The heat from the forge had raised their body temperature, momentarily warding off the cold.

The cold air quickly pierced their bodies again, but Rem still had a smiling face.

“I decided to love this stone.”

Thanks to the warming stone in his coat. He really hated the cold.

Ragna walked silently without looking around.

“Do you suddenly need a good sword?”

Encrid asked, curious.

“Yes, I do.”

He was curious about the reason, but didn’t ask further.

Of course, it was because of Encrid.

What had the Night of Stimulation left them?

A desire for growth. Knowing they could achieve it brought them joy. Ragna enjoyed this too.

It was an emotion and experience he hadn’t felt before.

Previously, knowing he could achieve it made it boring, but now it was the opposite.

So he needed a good sword, one that fit his hand and body.

He hoped the dwarf’s craftsmanship would provide that.

They continued to browse the market.

Smaller than the Border Guard’s market, but still bustling in its own way.

It was becoming a trading hub connecting the east.

Krais chatted with a few merchants here and there.

Some spoke comfortably, suggesting they were acquaintances.

Some of those walking around recognized Encrid and saluted.

They were soldiers who had seen him wield his sword and chase the centaur leader.

There were quite a few patrolling soldiers.

They seemed to be focusing on internal security, moving in groups of three or four.

They bought and ate a few pieces of white bread, as well as some with raisins.

As they continued to browse the market, a young woman blocked their path.

“They told me, just to deliver the message, just deliver the message.”

Her hands trembled with nervousness.

“What is it?”

Krais asked gently, trying to calm her.

“The Black Blade won’t let this go.”

Her anxious eyes swept over them. Her legs shook as she finished speaking. She was visibly terrified.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Krais reassured the woman, asking her a few questions.

Someone had approached her, tossed her two silver coins, and tasked her with delivering a message. Her younger sibling was sick, and she desperately needed those silver coins.

Krais even asked for her name and handed her three more silver coins.

When you need to save Krona, you save, but when you need to spend it, you spend it.

“If anything happens around here later, it would be great if you could let me know.”

With his characteristic smile, he reassured her and sent her on her way.

After she left, Krais sighed deeply and glanced into the alley where she had disappeared, then spoke.

“They don’t seem like they’re going to give up. Shouldn’t we do something?”

Krais asked.

Encrid replied without hesitation.

“Think about it.”

“… What?”

“I don’t know, so think about it.”

Encrid said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Krais felt that the Commander had definitely changed in some ways.

Had he always delegated tasks so well?

He used to make requests that felt more like suggestions.

His attitude had changed.

As someone responsible for the unit, this was appropriate.

“If they attack, we just need to split their heads.”

“They’ll probably just send some lowly assassins.”

“Shall we ask the God of war if it’s alright to send these unruly ones to his side?”

“I am Teresa the wanderer, and I will cut down any thieves.”

Rem, Jaxon, Audin, and Teresa spoke in turn.

Encrid’s gaze turned to Dunbachel.

“What’s the debt?”

“I borrowed about fifteen gold coins in the end.”

“Why?”

Krais asked out of curiosity.

“To have fun.”

Spent fifteen gold coins to have fun? Did she hire male courtesans in the capital?

And drink a lot of expensive liquor?

No, she must have eaten luxurious food too.

“All of it?”

“Oh, I spent about two coins, and the rest I gave away.”

“To whom?”

Krais’s speech became curt seeing how the Krona was used, but Dunbachel didn’t mind.

For beastmen, politeness meant simply not stealing each other’s food.

“To passing kids or orphanages raising children.”

She used the borrowed gold coins as she wished. Dunbachel, knowing she would likely die, had just done what she wanted. Of course, seeing abandoned children reminded her of her own situation, but she didn’t mention that.

Krais was just astounded.

“You borrowed gold coins from thieves and thought they’d let it slide?”

Is she crazy? What can you do with fifteen gold coins? If things go wrong, her head would be the first to roll.

“Well, uh, yeah, that’s true.”

This woman isn’t normal either.

After that, Encrid and his group headed to the market.

This place had a subtly different atmosphere compared to the Border Guard.

Both the goods being sold and the people were different.

Several gazes landed on Encrid.

They were individuals who stood out no matter where they went due to their striking appearances and distinctive traits.

It would have been stranger if they hadn’t drawn attention.

However, no one in Encrid’s group paid any mind to the market merchants, patrolling soldiers, wandering peddlers, or the few thugs who resembled the ones they had previously beaten up.

“Those look like furs?”

Everyone was only interested in what caught their own eyes.

Rem’s gaze lingered on the furs.

Encrid’s attention was on a pair of leather pants the peddler had spread out on the ground.

Audin bought a small wooden figurine from a young sculptor that seemed to be carved into a rabbit.

The fact that it couldn’t be confirmed as a rabbit indicated it wasn’t of great craftsmanship.

As they continued browsing, three thugs approached them.

Were they going to try something similar to that idiot from earlier?

Krais looked on with interest.

He was curious about what these fearless idiots would do.

But nothing happened as he expected.

Thud!

One of the thugs prostrated himself on the ground in front of Encrid. It was a bold move, not caring about the filth on his clothes.

“That guy wasn’t one of us! He was some drifter who had been hanging around the territory for about half a year. His name was Vento.”

Encrid looked at him with a gaze that said, “Who’s that?” prompting the thug to explain.

He was referring to the guy who had attacked them in the tavern earlier.

“Hans didn’t know anything, and, uh, so please forgive us. Yes, yes. I’ll punish him on behalf of the Knight.”

Though his words were disjointed, he seemed loyal.

Encrid nodded.

The man who had attacked him under the influence of drugs and hypnosis appeared to be Hans.

“Handle it. And it’s not over yet.”

“… What?”

Encrid said as he brushed past him.

He was headed for the leather pants that had caught his eye.

Rem also grabbed the furs.

“Big Eyes, give me a few gold coins here!”

“Don’t just buy it without haggling!”

Krais shouted as he ran over. Audin, watching quietly, spoke to the thug leader.

“He’s not a Knight yet, you rascal.”

As he spoke, his bear-like hand patted the thug’s right shoulder.

Teresa patted the thug’s other shoulder and said,

“If you mess around, you’ll die.”

A short warning. Depending on who says it, the level of threat varies. To the thug, Teresa looked like someone who could easily snap his neck.

While Krais haggled and the others bought what they wanted, Ragna said he would head back first, but Encrid told him to stay put as it would be annoying to look for him later.

Rem added a comment, leading to a brief commotion with Ragna.

Dunbachel wanted something similar to the pants Encrid had bought, but since the merchant said there were no exact matches, she bought the closest thing.

Of course, Krais handled all the bargaining, securing everything at reasonable prices.

As they returned from the market, they saw a bald man standing in front of their lodging.

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