A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

In the past, whenever the city turned into a ghost town because of war, Kraiss would often grumble.

"It's so damn hard to get anything!"

Still, he always managed to profit as much as he grumbled.

Wasn't it natural that things became more expensive when they became scarce?

Compared to those days, this was an entirely different city now.

More shops had opened, and on one side, merchants were gathered, selling goods on laid-out mats.

The area was divided into sections, and there were soldiers patrolling between them.

He even saw a familiar Frokk. What was his name again?

"Not here to fight."

The Frokk with a distinct scar on his face raised his pale palm as he spoke.

Enkrid dug through his memory to pull out the name.

"...Meelun?"

"Oh, right."

He'd apparently joined the Gilpin Guild under Kraiss. City life must've suited him—his cheeks looked plump and smooth.

It was said that healthy Frokks had shiny cheeks. Lua Gharne had said that once, remembering how dried out everyone's faces got in the arid climate.

"I'm off."

As Enkrid passed Meelun, he noticed beastmen, fairies, dwarves, Frokks, and others mingling with the humans.

There's even a giant.

Though they were called Beasts of Red Blood, not all giants were the same—just like not all humans were the same, and not all fairies were the same.

Some among them pursued things other than battle.

He looked like one of those.

A giant was walking past, with a thick bundle of black cloth slung over his shoulder—easily mistaken for a club.

Their eyes met by chance, and those eyes were... not giant-like. They reminded him of the honest and steady eyes of a cow from the West.

"Greetings."

Though their eyes met briefly, the giant moved on, offering a polite greeting before settling down on one side. It was where other street vendors were gathered.

Some of the surrounding merchants seemed intimidated, but a few appeared unbothered.

"You're late."

One merchant even greeted the giant. He had the rough look of a mercenary—easy to mistake for one at a glance. Then again, most traveling merchants had to know how to fight, so there wasn't much difference between them.

"Found something good."

The giant replied.

Given that he was chatting with the human merchant beside him, it clearly wasn't his first time at the Border Guard.

Even the patrolling soldiers said nothing to him—proving it further.

Curiosity stirred, Enkrid approached. The giant unrolled the thick cloth he had carried on his shoulder. That cloth was the base of his business.

Inside were items a normal human would have trouble carrying even one of: a pouch large enough to hold a person, a chair carved out of a log.

A giant peddler, huh. Not a common profession for his kind.

"Want to take a look?"

The deep, resonant voice sounded like it came from a cavern.

The giant looked at Enkrid as he spoke. Enkrid just stood still and nodded.

It seemed he didn't know who Enkrid was.

Some soldiers on patrol might've recognized him, but this wasn't exactly an era where even fame guaranteed recognition on sight.

If someone had a distinctive weapon or appearance, maybe then.

Black hair and blue eyes were unusual, sure—but in this crowd, it wasn't enough to stand out.

"You said you found something good."

When Enkrid repeated what the giant had said earlier, the giant untied the end of a large leather pouch and began pulling items out.

A large stone. Unrefined gemstone ore. A few rolled-up bundles of leather.

Which one was the "good" item?

Enkrid was a mercenary, a swordsman. He had a decent eye for items, though not like a merchant's.

This looked like a merchant selling raw materials.

Unless it was weapons or armor, Enkrid wouldn't know what he was looking at.

Still, one of the rolled-up leather bundles caught his eye.

Compared to the giant's size and hands, it wasn't particularly large.

Its surface was a dark brown and it had some thickness. How heavy was it? It looked dense.

"You've got an eye."

The giant said. His tone was neither warm nor inviting—he showed none of the typical friendliness of a vendor.

"Do I."

Enkrid glanced at him and replied.

"Ever heard of the Black Leather Guild?"

The giant's deep voice posed the question.

Of course he had.

There were a few names that kept coming up when one roamed the continent.

The Shepherds of the Wasteland. The Black Leather Guild. The Glacier Rangers.

The Black Leather Guild was known as the greatest group of hunters on the continent.

"This is something I got from them. I don't know what kind of leather it is, but it's sturdy and light."

The giant looked straight into Enkrid's eyes as he spoke. Then he pinched the leather bundle between his thumb and forefinger and added,

"Expensive."

The price didn't matter to Enkrid. He held out his hand, and the giant placed the leather bundle on it.

When he unrolled it, it revealed finely tanned leather. Just as the giant had said, it was extremely light.

It wasn't just light because the giant was strong. It wasn't featherlight, but it was far lighter than it looked.

It didn't reek, and if wrapped around the wrist, it'd cover up to the forearm perfectly.

"Unusual."

"It's not a common item."

"You're unusual too."

"Does that matter?"

"You stand out."

The giant didn't react. So what? Are you buying it or not?

That was all that mattered to a merchant.

"I'll buy it."

It was something he liked. He already had a rough idea of how he'd use it.

Then, of course he'd take it.

It wasn't like he was short on krona.

"Twelve gold coins."

A steep price. Oddly specific, too. Why twelve? Why not just ten?

For a strip of leather that could barely wrap once around the forearm from wrist to elbow, it was very expensive.

On Audin's arm, it might barely cover his fist.

"Fine."

Enkrid didn't haggle. He didn't see the point. But there was one issue.

He searched his belt and clothes for a moment. Come to think of it—he hadn't brought any krona with him.

–Do you ever carry enough money?

Acker grumbled in his mind.

Didn't they say that once a sword like this awakened, its consciousness would start scattering within a month?

Why did his take a whole month to kick in?

Enkrid kept searching himself while thinking that. Naturally, he didn't find a single coin.

Not even a jingle.

Seeing Enkrid patting himself down like that, the giant's eyes narrowed.

Is this guy a thief?

A mugger, since he's got a sword?

What a joke.

This was Border Guard. Pickpockets had their hands chopped off here, and you rarely saw muggers.

Try any funny business in the back alleys, and you'd run into a Frokk.

Even the soldiers didn't take bribes—not even a copper coin.

Well, maybe a few copper coins just to keep the city running smoothly like a well-oiled hinge, but in general, this wasn't a city where bribes worked.

The giant crossed his arms. Two patrol soldiers happened to be nearby.

Should I call them?

The giant hesitated, then decided to give him a chance.

"If you don't have krona, get lost."

"...I'm friends with Leona."

Enkrid said quietly.

It was true. Twelve gold coins wasn't a problem—he could bring it soon enough.

And he would've done just that, if not for the greedy bastard from another merchant group who suddenly butted in.

"I'll buy it. Seven and a half gold."

This bastard?

Enkrid felt a flicker of irritation. Couldn't he see that he was just about to buy it?

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

If he raised his Will, it would be threatening—so Enkrid held it back and simply stared instead.

The merchant stared right back, then lifted his chin in reply to the gaze.

"What?"

Yeah, what are you gonna do about it?

With how well-policed the place was, the Border Guard was a paradise for merchants.

Made sense. This wasn't a place where swindlers, thieves, or muggers could make a living.

Even the Gilpin Guild—who made their living through shady dealings—had taken it upon themselves to act as night-time watchmen and protectors.

And the Border Guard's standing army, who maintained order by day, wouldn't take sides for a few silver coins.

In other words, they were doing their job properly.

Of course, a lot had happened to get it to this point—but this was the current atmosphere now.

"I'll just head out quickly and bring the money. If you could just wait a moment..."

Enkrid said. It sounded rather pathetic, but there was no helping it.

"Look, if you've got nothing, just step aside. We're all busy here."

The merchant with greedy, puffed-up cheeks butted in and cut Enkrid off.

Enkrid's hand twitched.

The merchant had the same speech pattern as Kraiss, but his face looked like a toad.

When Big-Eyes Kraiss talked like that, it was bearable. But hearing the same tone from this toad-faced, greed-ridden man made Enkrid feel a murderous urge.

Appearance wasn't everything, sure, but it did influence perception.

Enkrid suppressed the anger. This wasn't something worth getting mad over.

"And you're claiming to be friends with the Lockfried caravan master? Hah, in that case, I'm General Enkrid's uncle."

Should I kill him?

Would it be fine to kill him?

Would anyone bat an eye if a general offed some punk like this?

As the tension grew, the two nearby soldiers approached.

They didn't recognize Enkrid's face.

"If this turns into a fight, both parties will be held accountable. That wouldn't be good for either of you."

"Just so you know, the lord of Border Guard doesn't take sides."

Fairness is cold.

That was written above the courthouse in Border Guard.

Basically: it's best not to let things escalate that far.

Kraiss had set the tone for that, too.

Holding trials required manpower, and often, he had to get personally involved.

Still, they couldn't just let innocent people suffer.

But when vague or petty matters were handed up to the city court, they slapped massive taxes on you under the name of "court fees."

Only people who were truly wronged would bother going that far.

And those who tried to abuse their influence gave up.

In cases of real injustice, the tax would be reduced.

At first, people complained a lot. But now, it had settled into place.

Even the merchants were well aware of how it worked.

Enkrid wasn't.

'They'll take my side, won't they?'

He was, after all, someone who stood above the lord of the city.

But if he revealed that here...

'Wouldn't that damage my honor?'

—Hey, if you're thinking of revealing your identity here, just bite me and jump off a cliff.

Acker, the sentient sword, offered timely advice.

Enkrid decided he was going to throw this sword off a cliff instead of repairing it.

It had already lost its edge, and the blade was dull and becoming useless scrap metal.

—Don't do anything dumb. Let me enjoy my last month.

Ignoring the ego sword, Enkrid turned his eyes toward the giant.

He tried to speak with just a look.

This is trust. I'm giving you my trust.

"What?"

"...Nothing."

The giant's gaze shifted toward the toad-faced merchant. Then he spoke.

"And I'm not selling to you either."

"What? Twelve gold coins for that lousy leather is already robbery!"

The merchant flared up at the giant's words. But to Enkrid, it looked like an act.

A cheap ploy to gain the upper hand in bargaining.

The giant didn't seem to have caught on, yet he still shook his head.

"Not selling."

"You're with the Lockfried caravan, aren't you?"

"So what?"

"I'm Malton. I've been doing business with the Lockfried caravan for years. This could cause problems later."

Now it was a threat?

The soldiers still saw it as part of negotiations and stepped back.

Enkrid just watched. He wasn't in a position to intervene.

Honestly, if he stepped in now, it might look ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ like robbery.

He didn't have any krona, so wouldn't it have to be settled with force?

"Not my problem."

The giant wasn't fazed by the threat.

"You bastard."

The merchant snarled for real this time, but didn't make a move.

The two soldiers were still watching.

Even if they weren't, picking a fight with a giant would only end badly for him.

And if the seller refuses, then what?

The toad with greed-filled cheeks finally left, muttering threats under his breath.

"Was that okay?"

Enkrid asked the giant.

"What wouldn't be? I might be Lockfried-affiliated, but what I sell and buy is my own business."

"Is that so."

"It is. I sell good goods at the price I decide. That's my way of doing business."

The trustful look had failed, but Enkrid still liked the leather—and the giant.

Especially the way his eyes lit up when he said good goods and my price.

This giant was out here collecting goods and selling them.

Did he think the process was easy? Comfortable? Smooth?

No way.

Even so, this merchant giant was standing here, today.

"Do you have a dream?"

Enkrid asked.

"What do you want to know that for?"

The giant's attitude never changed.

And Enkrid liked that even more.

He'd better go get some krona now.

Where was Kraiss again?

No—he could probably just ask Greyham to get it for him.

As he turned to go, a familiar face approached from behind.

"Buying something?"

She'd been gone since dawn, claiming to be busy.

"Black flower."

Someone muttered.

This time, the robe didn't split down the front—but the skirt did split at the side.

Her pale white leg was fully exposed.

Several people couldn't help but stare.

It was the kind of leg that attracted both men and women alike.

Even women stared quite a bit.

"Don't go popping people's eyes out just for staring at your legs."

Enkrid said.

"Why would I? Got a headache or something?"

Esther blinked as she answered.

It was because of something she'd done before.

Enkrid let himself feel quietly wronged.

Today just seemed like one of those days.

"How much? I'll pay."

Enkrid found the situation slightly awkward.

Here was Esther—someone who could easily be mistaken for a mountain hermit or sage—handing over gold coins while he just stood and watched.

She counted out the coins one by one and handed them over.

"Good deal."

The giant finally smiled.

He smiled at Esther, handed over the leather, and Esther passed it to Enkrid.

"A gift. I'm busy."

It had been a chance encounter. Esther turned to leave.

"Black Flower, my love!"

Out of nowhere, a well-dressed man struck a gallant pose in front of her.

He dropped to one knee and offered a bouquet.

Esther looked at him.

Enkrid figured he'd protect the guy's eyeballs if things went south.

And Esther said—

"I'll think about it."

Then she turned and wandered off.

"Aren't you leaving? You're blocking my business."

As Enkrid watched the whole scene in disbelief, the giant merchant spoke up from behind.

Enkrid began to walk again—toward the blacksmith, his original destination.

He couldn't shake the feeling that today was just... off.

And that feeling didn't leave, even when he got there.

Today really was a day for rare sights.

Or maybe this was normal now?

With merchants and artisans gathering from all over, maybe strange things just happened more often.

At the forge, a human, a dwarf, and a Frokk were sitting together.

The human artisan recognized Enkrid's face.

It was the craftsman sent by Crang from the royal palace.