A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

Marcus, now the main commander of the central force with Crang’s support, understood the value of the time Enkrid had earned for them.

One day—it wasn’t much, but it was enough to make a difference.

"Summon all unit commanders!"

It was time for tactics and strategy. Was he particularly skilled in such things? Not really.

But that wasn’t a problem.

The solution was simple—just gather the people who were skilled in it.

"The scouts will keep monitoring the enemy’s movements without rest. The rest of the troops will stand down! Make sure they eat and rest, but don’t remove their armor. Keep weapons within reach at all times!"

Marcus barked orders nonstop.

Crang watched him and thought of Enkrid.

A shiver ran down his spine.

There was a man who stood alone on the battlefield, showing his back to no one.

Such a man—Crang called a knight.

Not the kind of knight who symbolized raw power, but the kind sung about by bards.

A knight of honor and conviction.

A guardian of oaths.

Enkrid wasn’t the pawn Crang had prepared, and yet, he trusted him.

He wanted to support him.

And it had worked.

Everything had gone as he wished.

Yet, even ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) as he looked at Enkrid, Crang wasn’t sure if he could truly claim him as one of his own.

Could I take him in?

Greed stirred. He wanted to keep Enkrid by his side. The thought boiled up within him.

But just as quickly, Crang discarded it.

There was a better way.

I don’t need to claim him.

What about simply being friends?

Not a bad option.

And as luck would have it, that very hero had just returned.

"Enki."

Crang greeted him first.

Marcus turned to look as well.

All Enkrid had done was cut down a few enemies and fight an opposing commander to a draw, yet the strength he had displayed left an impression on everyone.

Moreover, his battle had ignited the morale of the troops.

They were inside the command tent, where battle strategies were being laid out.

Crang raised a hand in greeting, and Enkrid gave him a small nod in return.

Even if they were friends, there were places where shouting someone’s name freely wasn’t appropriate.

Enkrid had enough sense to read the situation and act accordingly.

Of course, even if he had called Crang’s name outright, no one would have dared to reprimand him.

But Enkrid was unaware of the weight of his own deeds.

And to Crang, that was simply another one of his traits.

More and more commanders entered the tent.

Among them—

"Put me in the vanguard!"

Baron Rudin, a man who had dreamed of joining the knightly orders his whole life, spoke up. His blood boiled as he witnessed a man stand alone against thousands.

If one’s blood didn’t boil at such a sight, they weren’t human.

His eyes burned with fire.

"Restrain yourself."

Marcus cut him off.

Tactics and strategy aside, Marcus knew what needed to be done.