A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

Ragna stood outside alone, lost in thought as he reflected on his past.

"One thousand times. Don’t think about coming in until you’ve finished all of them."

One thousand strikes—it didn’t seem too difficult.

However, Ragna was curious.

‘Why do I have to swing the sword?’

His arms hurt. His body hurt. It wasn’t even enjoyable. Was it fun when he first grabbed the sword?

He couldn’t remember. It didn’t come to mind.@@novelbin@@

"Why? Why are you asking that? If you were born a man of the Jaun family, it’s something you must do."

They said it was natural. But could that really be a reason?

The same tasks repeated over and over.

Why must it be done?

"Uphold the prestige of the Jaun family."

Why should he do that?

"Become a knight."

Why should he become a knight?

"Kill."

Why must he kill?

Since childhood, Ragna had never found the path he was supposed to take.

Finding a path had been the hardest thing for him.

Why had it been so difficult?

Because he didn’t know the right path. Because he didn’t know any other path. Ragna had no destination.

That’s why he was always curious.

How could a person like Enkrid be like that?

Shouldn’t anyone, at some point, doubt the path they walk?

Is this the right path? Is it justified by reason? Is it a fitting purpose for life?

Ragna had never seen confusion in Enkrid’s eyes.

Anyone else would have wandered a bit, but not Enkrid.

He was always certain. That’s why Ragna wanted to ask.

Why does he want to be a knight?

***

Enkrid looked at Ragnar and scratched his chin out of habit.