A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

A night passed.

Enkrid did not return.

At some point, the enemy had begun retreating, like the tide receding from shore.

But Ragna hadn’t come back either.

Jaxon was missing as well.

Kraiss realized the gravity of the situation.

No, it wasn’t just realization—it was foreboding.

A relentless, gnawing dread that dug into his thoughts.

"Where is the highest vantage point nearby?

A place with a clear view."

Despite it all, he remained calm.

If the disaster had already struck, then there was no room for panic.

Enkrid was missing.

‘If the commander dies, I’m probably dead too, huh?’

What would happen if Enkrid returned as a corpse?

Rem would probably hurl a battle-axe without hesitation.

A dark thought—half a joke, but only half.

Bad.

Even if Enkrid hadn’t died, things were bad.

If the commander disappeared, the consequences would be endless.

Kraiss couldn’t name them all, but he could feel it.

One thing was certain.

Mad Platoon would be finished.

Who could control Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, or Audin?

No one.

Once upon a time, they might have tolerated a scarecrow leader, but not anymore.

They had changed.

Now, only their commander could keep them together.

And if they fell apart—

Could the Border Guard hold off Azpen’s invasion next spring?

Not a chance.

‘If Enkrid dies, I’m out of here. No looking back.’

What was he, a patriot?

Was he going to die for this place?

Kraiss stood beneath the shade of a tree, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Nurat, having studied the maps and the terrain, spoke up.

“Follow me.”

Kraiss stood cloaked in shadow, exuding an eerie presence.

Nurat noticed—but said nothing.

Something felt off.

Was it because Enkrid was gone?

A fleeting thought.

A woman’s intuition.

She was right.

Kraiss with Enkrid and Kraiss without Enkrid felt like entirely different people.

“Move faster.”

Kraiss urged her on.

Nurat brought two horses, and they rode swiftly.

They passed several hills before the terrain turned harsh.

The climb required half-clinging to the rocks.

A strong body and well-trained muscles—what lady wouldn’t appreciate them?@@novelbin@@

Kraiss took care of his physique for that very reason.