Capítulo 154: Chapter 302 - Whose Side Is the Green Pearl Unit On?
"Not great."
That was the response to the question of whether he was okay. Lying on the bed, Graham barely raised his head to look at Enkrid.
Graham had been stabbed deeply in the back and could hardly move. Effectively, the Border Guard's standing army had lost its commander. The battle would have to be fought without a lord, a battalion leader, or an overall commander.
"You'll manage without me," Graham muttered.
One of the two adjutants almost nodded in agreement but caught himself. Yet, the other one didn't bother to hide his reaction and nodded plainly.
"Look at that—he's nodding!" Graham growled.
"No, no! That's not what I meant!"
When Graham snapped, the nodding adjutant quickly turned his headshake into a frantic denial.
Watching the little drama unfold, Enkrid asked matter-of-factly, "So, do I take command?"
"Who else would?" Graham replied, sounding resigned.
At that moment, Graham had a realization. They call me the lord, but am I, really? The true hero of the city wasn't him. The man before him had slain enemy commanders and led a unit of madmen, all while being the type of person who would save a child in the middle of chaos.
Pointless as it was…
That same quality made Enkrid reliable. It made him trustworthy. Graham realized he had no complaints. If Enkrid were to say, Hand me the title of lord, Graham would relinquish it without hesitation. Not that Enkrid would ever say such a thing—such notions were only whispers in his head.
Even so, being called "lord" felt hollow. It was a strange thing. Graham couldn't find it in himself to feel any jealousy toward the man standing before him.
Maybe it was because he'd seen Enkrid's rise from nothing. Or because he knew how hard this man trained, even now, to the point of blistering his hands. Enkrid's improved skills were undeniable, yet he still punished his body with relentless effort.
To envy him, Graham thought, would be to admit he himself was trash. Perhaps that was the answer—he didn't want to become trash.
Graham came to his conclusion but still had a question gnawing at him.
"Why did you save that child?"
It had been dangerous. It had been pointless. Between the flashes and explosions, just one misstep would've cost him his life. Yet this man had rolled across the battlefield, shielding the child with his body, even earning burns on his back and shoulders.
Why? For a single child? A life that could have been snuffed out by an arrow or simple inaction?
Enkrid didn't hesitate before replying.
"Because I wanted to."
It was such a simple answer, yet that nonchalance struck Graham harder than anything else. This man truly was a remarkable madman.
Feeling provoked, Graham decided to poke further. "Show a little respect to your commander, Captain. What's next, acting like Rem?"
"That's an insult. Are you challenging me to a duel?"
"Saying you act like Rem is an insult?."
"Yes."
"Win and return alive. When you do, I'll personally lead the parade to welcome you back."
"What, an old man welcoming me? Not exactly something to look forward to," Enkrid replied, his tone suggesting he genuinely didn't understand the appeal. One of the bumbling adjutants nodded in agreement, earning Graham's ire.
"Why are you agreeing with him? Get out!"
Graham dismissed both Enkrid and the adjutant, his concern for the city weighing heavily on his shoulders. Still, watching Enkrid leave, Graham could sense a profound responsibility in him, something Graham admired.
As Enkrid stepped outside, the snowfall was easing. Aspen's forces wouldn't wait forever, so it would soon be time to move. The Green Pearl Unit's role as reinforcements was about to be tested.
"If only oblivious subordinates like you could pick up on things as quickly as the weather clears," Enkrid muttered at the adjutant by his side.
The adjutant's obliviousness was remarkable. He hadn't even realized that the snowfall had bought them precious rest time.
How did this guy ever become an adjutant?
"Maybe I need to teach you how to notice things," Enkrid said, shaking his head as they walked on.
Enkrid offered some pointed advice before turning back.
He had seen the child's mother and also witnessed the injured mercenaries in the city.
The mercenaries were staying at the city inn.
Some had pledged to join the campaign, while others chose to remain as mercenaries.
Among them were some intriguing individuals—Edin Molsan included.
"Be wary of my father," Molsan said abruptly upon meeting him.
"Do you realize that's essentially the same as telling me to be wary of you?" Enkrid replied.
"It's advice, not a warning."
"Understood."
Enkrid brushed it off lightly. Was Count Molsan really important right now?
Not at all.
The order of priorities was clear. The immediate opponent was Aspen—the Aspen forces who had come prepared for an all-out fight.
"Don't forget my words," Molsan repeated firmly.
Enkrid responded with a grin, "What's your name again?"
"...Did you forget again?"
Before Molsan could erupt in frustration, Enkrid quickly made his way back to the barracks.
"Got any food? You know injured folks need to eat well to recover, right?"
Rem greeted him as he entered, looking like a hungry chick waiting to be fed by its mother bird. That appetite was relentless.
Coincidentally, Enkrid had just returned from a round through the village.
He'd gone out to recover and also to check on the mercenaries who had decided to stay and fight.
In his hands were bread, marmalade, and some seasoned jerky.
"Eat this. At least if you die, your complexion will look decent."
"Ah, that's a western joke, isn't it? You're surprisingly well-versed."
Rem chuckled as he stuffed the bread into his mouth.
Watching him eat brought back thoughts of Gilpin, whom Enkrid had encountered just before returning from the market.
That guy seemed... off.
"Several spies infiltrated us, and we lost a few of them," Gilpin had said bluntly when they met.
"I'll ensure stricter surveillance," he added, determination evident in his clenched teeth.
Enkrid didn't reply but found himself wondering—why were they in charge of catching spies? Wasn't that the city guard's job?
Or perhaps not. It seemed logical enough.
Regardless, Gilpin's resolve burned fiercely, as if he were fulfilling some divine calling.
Although in reality, it was more likely Krais's orders driving him than any divine purpose.
"Sure," Enkrid had replied nonchalantly.
"Meillun's been going after anyone who claims to wield a blade well. We're expanding the guild and aiming to bring the city's nights entirely under control."
Unknown to Enkrid, Gilpin had also witnessed the battle. He had observed everything, paying particular attention to Enkrid.
He'd known Enkrid was an exceptional individual, but this time, something about him was different.
He led the charge, faced blades head-on, and fought the enemy commander. While impressive, what left the deepest mark on Gilpin's mind was the moment Enkrid rolled through the dirt to shield a child.
For days, that scene lingered in Gilpin's thoughts.
"Was there any reason to save the child?"
No, there wasn't. Yet Enkrid had done it. The child's abduction had been a result of Gilpin's failure. Despite help from Meillun, a Frog, the spies had slipped through.
"I failed."
That day, Gilpin had clenched his jaw so hard his gums bled.
A century ago, there had been a man who unified the thieves' guilds alone.
He wasn't just a thief but a noble rogue who made it his mission to help the poor and downtrodden.
Having known nothing but thievery since childhood, he rose to the top of that world.
The continent's only Rogue Master.
The minstrel who sang of the romance of the night.
The emperor of alleyways, Kiwzelas.
As a child, Gilpin had dreamed of being a protector of the night.
The "Protector of the Night" was a concept created by Kiwzelas—someone who ensured peace for others by safeguarding the shadows.
Watching the smiles of those around him, Gilpin thought he was becoming something other than just a thief.
He believed he was contributing to the safety of the city where he was born and raised.
"This is my city."
Protect it. If not me, then who else?
He had failed to save the child. He had let several spies escape.
No one blamed him—not even the child's mother. Yet Gilpin blamed himself.
"It's my fault."
Mock him for being a lowly thief who dared speak of duty, but...
"If all I do is dream..."
Gilpin wanted to reclaim the childhood dream he had nearly lost.
And just as it was about to shatter entirely, Enkrid saved the child.
Gilpin had seen the mother's gratitude.
In that moment, Gilpin recognized something extraordinary in the man before him.
It wasn't about swordsmanship.
"Was Kiwzelas like this?"
Enkrid had a different heart, a unique resolve. Gilpin could see it.
"Why did you do it?"
When Gilpin asked Krais, the answer he got was a masterpiece.
"Probably because it was infuriating. That enemy commander's actions were revolting, so saving the child must've felt like spitting in his face."
Was that really the reason?
No. It was about saving people. By saving them, the city was preserved.
What Enkrid had done, though unintentional, had completely won over the heart of the aging thief.
Gilpin made a new resolve.
"Even if it costs my life..."
He would protect the city's nights, and if needed, he'd take on the role of clearing even the smallest obstacles from this man's path.
Although Krais had cared for and taken in Gilpin, his loyalty had shifted entirely elsewhere. Even later, when Krais learned of Gilpin's intentions and thoughts, nothing changed.
"Do as you please." That was Krais's attitude—calm and indifferent.
As long as the job got done, it didn't matter. If anything, knowing in advance was appreciated.
At least it meant he wouldn't get stabbed in the back at the worst moment.
Of course, Enkrid was oblivious to all of this.
He simply found joy in witnessing someone's passion and enthusiasm.
"I'm cheering you on."
"Even if it's just to clear small stones from the road."
Enkrid couldn't fully understand the words that followed, but he interpreted them as a commitment to keeping the city's alleys clean.
For such a brief visit to the city, a lot had happened, and he had met quite a few people.
Even Graham had been seen along the way.
Ending this brief contemplation, Enkrid turned his gaze to Dunbakel, whose cheekbone was visibly swollen. She clearly looked like someone who'd been hit.
"If the snow stops, we're heading out. What's the point of making her useless before that?"
Enkrid scolded. She was a key part of their fighting force.
"This will heal in half a day. Do I look like someone who hits recklessly without thought?"
Enkrid nearly nodded but managed to hold back. He couldn't afford to act like the tactless subordinate from earlier.
"Her jaw looks a bit out of place now."
"Her eye seems injured too."
Ignoring it and moving on, he spotted Krais sitting with a dazed expression by the fire, his face fresh from a long rest.
Though he seemed idle on the surface, it was clear his mind was working hard.
At least that's what Enkrid wanted to believe as he observed him.
Slurp.
Krais drooled momentarily but quickly wiped it away.
"Ah, I dozed off."
So, he really was just lazing around.
Enkrid briefly considered smacking him on the back of the head.
Right then, Krais stretched and stood up.
"You're here?"
"Yeah."
"I've been thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
Enkrid wondered if he should start with a smack if anything pointless came out of Krais's mouth.
Unaware of these thoughts, Krais continued in his usual tone.
"The Aspen bastards must have set a trap."
The heavy snow had gradually lessened, and Krais had been using that time to think.
"If they had attacked from behind instead..."
It would've been a difficult fight, but at least it was the kind of battle they had anticipated. Aspen should've exploited its advantages and launched an attack.
But they hadn't.
Winter battles were already arduous, so why stall for time?
Aspen had waited instead of advancing.
Even now, as the snow eased, there was no ambush. It was only now that they appeared to be preparing to move their forces.
It was as if they were waiting for the battle here to end.
That was deeply unsettling. Something was off. It felt terribly, ominously wrong. Anxiety surged once more.
"If it were me, I'd have struck."
There's no easier fight than ambushing someone mid-battle. But Aspen hadn't.
Something was going on. Something unpredictable. And that meant the worst-case scenario.
After repeated contemplation, Krais reached a conclusion.
"They'll be tougher to deal with than the Black Blade and the Cultist alliance. They might even have a knight hidden away somewhere. And even if they do, it's uncertain whether we'll have knight-level support on our side. They could also redirect some of their forces to target the city directly."
"What's your point?"
"They'll do anything."
"And our response?"
Enkrid asked, and Krais replied. Despite the calm tone, the conversation across the fire resembled the dialogue between a field commander and his soldiers.
And why not?
Graham had been incapacitated by an assassin and had handed over full authority to Enkrid.
The firelight cast a reddish glow on Krais's face.
"Do you know much about the battalion commander stationed in Green Pearl?"
Enkrid shook his head. He had never encountered the man but had heard rumors—a self-serving opportunist who would do anything for personal gain.
Good at logistics and building fortifications, but not a skilled fighter.
Not exactly reassuring.
"In the worst case, we'll face a magic trick that doubles our enemies."
At the mention of magic, Esther snorted from the side.
"Hmph."
She was in her human form today.
As they spoke, the snow had completely stopped.
Now was the time to reorganize and march.
Their bodies were halfway recovered.
Without Graham, Enkrid would have to take the lead as the overall commander.
"That'll need verification."
Who was the Green Pearl battalion loyal to right now?
Had Aspen delayed all this time because they were already on their side?
It was a plausible suspicion. No, it was something they had to question.
"Let's start with the march."
The short reprieve of dreams had passed.
After taking down a few wolves, it was time to face the tiger lurking behind them.
Preparation, then advancement.
Even as they checked the palisades and watchtowers around Green Pearl and moved inside, tension remained high.
And then, fully armed, the Green Pearl battalion commander greeted Enkrid.
The moment his expression twisted, Krais felt his worst fears turning into reality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for reading!
For some extra chapters or if you want to show your support head here:
https://ko-fi.com/samowek
https://discord.gg/eXsm6WsQE6
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder