Rem thought this after spending time with Encrid several times.
'Too rough.'
Having trained Encrid, Rem knew that their Captain wouldn't change easily. More accurately, this person always seemed to hit his limit when you looked at him.
It was the same even now that he had become a Knight.
It was as if he had consumed and exhausted everything he had and then stopped.
So it was impressive that he had made it this far.
But would this man stop?
Probably not.
'But could he change?'
Although he had risen based on sorcery, Rem understood the concept of being a Knight.
That's why he judged Encrid's Will to be quite dull at the moment.
So, could that dullness become sharp again?
'It won't be easy.'
He's not the kind of man to give up, but something felt a bit off.
'Has he become satisfied?'
Encrid's attitude seemed to have changed slightly. He had always been someone who craved more, but was that still the case?
Was the flame of his desire still burning as big and beautifully as before?
His eyes always looked straight ahead.
But could you really say his hunger was the same as before? Really?
Rem didn't think so.
It's impressive that he wasn't intoxicated by the sense of omnipotence. His Will, rising like an inexhaustible spring, was also impressive.
But that wasn't all there was to it.
Becoming a Knight isn't about the Will ending with enlightenment, but rather starting with mastering that Will.
Rem didn't bother to say this aloud. It's not something that can be taught with words.
Instead, he taught it with his axe. By confronting him time and time again.
Now, the next step was something Encrid had to do on his own.
Ragna also saw something similar to Rem.
Although he didn't delve into it as deeply as Rem.
'Dull.'
He looked like someone walking when he could be running.
Why?
It was just a feeling. A feeling that, as a genius Knight, wasn't meaningless.
But did that really need to be said?
What does someone who has lost their way need?
A desire to find the way again.
As long as there is will, one can find the destination, no matter how lost they are. But if that will fades?
Then they'll remain lost forever.
To Ragna, the current Encrid seemed like a lost child.
Jaxon saw something similar.
"Are you perhaps satisfied?"
So he asked, but Encrid only blinked his blue eyes.
"With what?"
Doesn't he know that becoming a Knight isn't the end?
No, he knows.
The fact that he hadn't missed a single day of training since becoming a Knight proved that.
But even so, why?
'Is it just my imagination that he seems a bit unfocused?'
Or is it because my expectations were too high?
"It's nothing."
"Are you asking if I'm satisfied just because I became a Knight? No."
Encrid said that becoming a Knight just brought him on par with the rest of the members.
He had reached the moment he had dreamed of. But was he satisfied? No, he said.
"Is that so?"
Jaxon let it slide indifferently. The path he walked was different from the normal road to Knighthood.
What might be easy for others might be difficult for him.
But, conversely, what others couldn't do, he could.
To put it simply, if he fought Encrid head-on now, he would lose.
If it were a fight to the death, it might be different, but in a simple sparring match, that's how it would go.
If you asked if he could kill him instead.
'It's possible.'
From a purely technical standpoint, yes.
He was different from an ordinary Knight.
So there was no need for premature advice.
It was just that he had a bad feeling.
Normally, Jaxon wouldn't ignore such a feeling, but this was Encrid.
He would find a way, somehow. He would surprise him once again.
It was trust. The experiences he'd had with Encrid so far gave Jaxon that faith, so he left him be.
Audin prayed while looking at Encrid.
"Father, have you already decided our leader's fate? I believe you when you say no one's destiny is predetermined, Father Lord."
Thinking that he couldn't step forward due to the restrictions binding him, and the fact that he couldn't convey this with words, only through actions, he stayed silent for now.
This was why Audin didn't say much either.
He also believed in Encrid.
"Not scattered, but something's strange."
Luagarne, who had the ability to assess talent, also made a remark.
Although Encrid's daily routine of sparring and training hadn't changed, the way people looked at him had.
But none of them said anything to him.
Because talking wouldn't change anything.
Of course, if he looked like he was about to stop completely, they would step in, but for now, they believed it was a time to watch.
* * *
Aker was a sword imbued with the Will of a Knight.
-Why was a being like me created? I don't know either. I just awaken when certain conditions are met.
Whenever the sword vibrated, its will was transmitted to his mind. It was always fascinating.
But that was it. Fascinating, but not really something he could learn from.
It made him wonder why the sword even had a will in the first place.
It would be understandable if the sword could cast spells on its own because of the will, but instead, Aker had told him that the sword's will had almost completely dispersed.
'Considering how difficult the conditions are, shouldn't it have more to offer? Was there really a reason to make such a sword?'
There were three conditions for awakening Aker.
First, you must learn the swordsmanship created by Knight Aker.
Second, you must awaken your Will.
Third, you must fully own the sword.
'Who even judges these conditions?'
For example, how does one know they've learned the swordsmanship? When he asked, he got a response.
-You'll be recognized just by wielding me. Awakening your Will is something you'll know because this sword's maintenance depends on it. You felt the blade weaken and lose power recently, right? That couldn't be helped. While I'm asleep, I don't consume Will, but since I awakened prematurely, I used up the Will stored in the blade. I'll last a little longer with what you provide, but you should consider the sword nearing the end of its life.
At most, Aker would remain awake for a month. Despite this, he didn't express any regret.
The being called Aker wasn't afraid of disappearing. He accepted it as the natural course of things.
Encrid also understood and moved on to the next question.
Regarding the conditions.
What about awakening Will? And ownership?
-Your Will has reached the level of a Knight, so you should already know. When you're in a state where you can continuously use your Will, even while idle, it will influence the weapon you hold. Ownership means handling the blade roughly. So if part of the blade is damaged, it can be considered as part of the ownership process.
Aker was generally forthcoming with answers.
What is a being of Will?
It had to be seen as a mass of thought.
Aker was part of the Will left behind by the Knight, Aker, who was once called a hero.
That Will was originally left behind as a teaching tool.
-Just because you swing the sword well doesn't mean it's enough. What you need is strategy. Hey, where did you learn that?
No matter what Aker tried to teach, Encrid had already internalized everything.
From what he learned while wandering the continent with Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, and Audin, to the more recent teachings from Luagarne.
The being of Will, Aker, tried to impart the lesson that being a Knight didn't mean forgetting the basics. But Encrid was someone who had clawed his way up from the bottom.
He didn't neglect the basics just because he now wielded Will.
-You're diligent.
In the morning, he would begin with the Isolation Technique, which involved dividing and training each muscle group, followed by techniques like ironclad strikes.
He would then stretch, relax, and train each muscle individually again.
Basic techniques, starting from sword-handling drills to various other exercises. The day felt too short.
Even Aker, who was watching, grew bored, but Encrid seemed to enjoy it.
During this time, he would also spar with the visitors to the territory, read and write letters.
Now, he was heading toward the center of the city, specifically to the market.
To be more precise, he was heading to the blacksmith shop on the outskirts of the market.
The hilt of his Gladius had become loose, and he wanted to see if Aker could be repaired, as well as acquire a few more daggers.
'Should I also get some armor?'
It wasn't a bad thought. Encrid walked slowly. There was no rush.
"Shall I come with you?"
Sinar had asked as he set out, but he declined. He occasionally wondered what exactly this Fairy was staying here for.
By now, a Fairy Knight like her should have returned to her village. There was no need for her to keep fighting for Naurillia.
Was she loyal to the country?
'No way.'
Yet she stayed. Of course, very few knew that Sinar was a Fairy Knight.
It was just himself and the members of the Mad Company. Even Graham, the Lord of the Border Guard, didn't know.
At first, she stood guard like a mercenary, but now she had naturally settled into the role of a soldier.
She seemed to have some connection with Krang, suggesting there was an agreement with the Royal Family.
'A reward?'
Was that why she was staying?
It wasn't something Encrid was interested in. It wasn't like she would answer even if he asked.
"If you feel lost, I can guide you. It's been a while since you've returned, so you might get confused."
Ragna also offered to accompany him, but Rem stopped him.
"You crazy bastard, you really know how to piss me off."
Even if Ragna hadn't said that, Rem wouldn't have held back. He was always ready for a fight, just waiting for an excuse.
Luckily, they didn't actually fight to the death.
Now that he had reached the rank of Knight, Rem knew that if they fought seriously, one of them would die. A battle using Will was like that.
Unless there was a clear difference in skill.
"Spirit of the Wolf."
Rem invoked a spirit-calling spell. In exchange for the spell, the strength of a wolf's legs was bestowed upon his own.
'He stays grounded by placing that power in his legs.'
Today, it seemed a bit more serious.
Leaving behind their quarrel, Encrid set out.
Jaxon had excused himself, saying he had pressing matters to attend to, and Krais was truly busy.
Preparing for war, perhaps.
There seemed to be a lot to do.
Even though they spoke of war, the next few months might just be a time to observe.
There wouldn't be any immediate fighting. That's what Encrid thought. In any case, it was a solitary journey.
The sun shone warmly, and a gentle breeze blew. Birds sang in between.
The same sun and wind as always, yet it felt warmer and fresher.
The wind seemed to pierce through his chest and blow out from behind him.
The sunlight seemed to fill his entire body, only to exit again.
Knighthood had shifted from being a title to a concept of proving one's strength.
Encrid suddenly realized that everything had changed.
The sunlight was different, the wind was different.
'I have changed, the one receiving it all.'
Everything had changed.
He could see the path his sword would take and knew how to move.
Listening to the wind and the birds' chirping, Encrid walked. It was a wonderfully sunny day.
He enjoyed every step toward the market.
He enjoyed this moment so much, he almost wished it could last forever.
-You look like you're enjoying yourself.
Aker spoke to him.
Am I?
Encrid gave a half-hearted reply and kept walking, occasionally saluting the soldiers he recognized.
"I want to be like you!"
One bold soldier shouted after him.
Becoming a role model for someone. Honestly, if he said he didn't enjoy that, it would be a lie.
"How can I become like that?"
Encrid noticed the stern expression of the officer standing nearby.
Based on their uniform and other details, Encrid could tell the soldiers were well-disciplined.
The soldier, in his excitement, had spoken out of line.
Once Encrid left, the soldier would likely be subjected to physical punishment under the guise of training. Discipline, of course.
Encrid didn't dwell on it as he looked at the soldier.
As always, there was only one thing to tell those who asked how.
"Find your own motivation. There might be comrades who can fight for you, but there's no one who can take up your determination and resolve in your place."
Behind the passionate eyes of the soldier, the officer's stern gaze also brightened.
All ten soldiers marching in formation had that same gleam in their eyes.
It wasn't a bad sight.
"The flower of war is..."
"Infantry."
After parting from the soldiers, who shouted a common slogan, Encrid reached the market, where crowds bustled.
The city had grown, the market had grown, even Vanessa's Pumpkin Soup Inn had grown.
Yet it was still filled with people, and amidst the crowd, there was still order.
There were no roads for carriages, only paths for pedestrians. The ground wasn't dirt, but paved with blue stone.
Several buildings stood over five stories tall.
It was said that war with Aspen was imminent.
Even the merchants were talking about it. The rumor had spread far and wide. No one knew where it started, but everyone believed a war was coming.
Some were skeptical, but most people, especially those who could read the situation, accepted it as an inevitable fact.
Years ago, when rumors of war spread, merchants would quickly pack up and leave.
They made Border Guard into a ghost town.
But not anymore.