A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

The contents of the request were simple.

Naurillia had a mercenary conscription system, and this was a request based on that system.

[Go to the Demon Realm frontier and support the knights.]

It was even mentioned that the request came directly from a knight named Oah.

The letter was written by Marcus, but Enkrid could practically hear Crang’s voice behind the words.

“A knight. Don’t you want to meet one?”

He did. And the rewards mentioned in the request were plentiful.

“What is this—thoroughbred seed? Oh-ho, irrigation systems too? Sounds like we could finally install proper sewers in the Border Guard like they have in the capital.”

The world had grown used to life within city walls because of the monsters and beasts. Many developments had been made for convenience, but most were limited to the capital.

Now, they were offering to pass along some of that technology.

A knight, technology—hell, they were offering everything.

They gave me Acker too… Is this really okay?

Enkrid touched the hilt of the sword resting on his belt.

He didn’t know much about politics, and for a moment worried that the surrounding nobles might oppose it—but he let that thought go quickly.

The ones providing that technology were the nobles.

Crang must’ve done a good job persuading them.

Just as Enkrid’s persuasion was made with fists, feet, and sword, Crang’s was done with words and atmosphere.

The worry passed quickly. All that mattered now were the words that burned into his brain:

Knight Oah.

Knight.

His grip tightened without thinking. The cord that bound his right arm during training began to stretch and snap, one fiber at a time. With a little more strength, it would tear completely.

Azpen’s knights, the Mercenary King, Ragna, Shinar—

Enkrid had crossed blades with them all and seen what it meant to be a knight.

Even now, he continued to parry the swords of Ragna and Shinar in his daily practice.

And this wasn’t the end.

Enkrid was still swimming in the Lake of Experience, guided by Lua Gharne. He had finally escaped his stagnation.

Yet, even after all of that, he still felt lacking. There was still a thirst that refused to be quenched.

Maybe this new task would offer a sip of water.

Knight Oah.

He wanted to meet her—even if only out of pure curiosity. Refusal never even crossed his mind.

Of course, not everyone in the squad would go. Nor was there any need.

At the bottom of the letter, there was a note that Azpen’s deterrence was still necessary.

This wasn’t a serious enough mission to warrant dragging all of Mad Squad along.