Krais had to live as if being chased by work, and he knew that this would continue for some time. He could also vaguely predict some of what was to come.
For example,
‘Would I only have to deal with Aspen for another six months at most?’
If he stayed passive and just watched, they would remain awkward like a cow staring at a chicken even after years had passed. But he was already taking steps to alleviate that.
Things might not go as planned.
So what?
As long as people didn’t start dying because of it, he would just keep going.
The only variables would be an invasion from a foreign nation or a breach at the border of the Demon Realm.
‘That’s a problem beyond my control anyway.’
He dismissed concerns over the Demon Realm borders since there was nothing he could do about them. But for a foreign invasion, Krang had already made his move.
He didn’t know how far Krang’s plan would succeed, but the other countries would remain in a wait-and-see approach for a while.
Naurillia and Aspen decided to clasp hands instead of setting the entire continent ablaze.
Fight? No, we’ve made peace, haven’t we?
The current situation was practically saying this to the entire continent.
Giving up the border had that implication.
Moreover, the Border Guard had proven its strength.
People who knew, knew what it meant for Knights to have disappeared entirely from Aspen.
It was proof that the Border Guard possessed such a formidable force.
In other words, without properly assessing this side’s strength, no one would rashly take a move.
It was as if the Red Cape Knights of Naurillia had suddenly doubled in number.
Even those who had anticipated a certain level of increased strength must have been shocked.
While the songs about the Sword of the Iron Wall and Knights were spreading, the cold-blooded individuals must have calculated the true power of the Border Guard.
‘Rem and Ragna are too conspicuous to hide, like sharp madmen.’
Information had already spread, no doubt about it.
Here, two countries that were fighting each other had shakily clasped hands.
So, if a force of Knights at the level of the Border Guard was aligned with Aspen, that would also be a considerable power.
In other words, for the time being, no major southern nation or Empire would find it in their interests to suddenly attack.
At the very least, they would move only after meticulously investigating the inside of the Border Guard.
What else was there?
If one were to exclude variables like cultists rising up, which couldn’t be calculated, it would be fair to say that a temporary peace had been achieved.
In the meantime, there wouldn’t be any reason for mercenary bands, bandits, or wandering swordmasters to pick fights.
If a country’s power is weak and lacks strength, even just hiring a few renowned mercenary bands would be enough to overrun them.
There was even a small nation in the southeast that got swallowed up by mercenaries in the past.
In fact, a trade city that once declared itself an independent state in the south had been repeatedly plundered of their Krona by mercenary bands due to a lack of military strength. Then, they cleverly instigated a fight between the mercenary bands and, with their own nurtured mercenary band, wiped out the remaining ones in what became known as the ‘Merchant Guild Sword Incident’.
The mercenary bands under that trade city were named Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
Gold Mercenary Band, Silver Mercenary Band, and Bronze Mercenary Band—such utterly unimaginative names.
Furthermore, it was said that the city leaders were also tied to the continent’s foremost assassination guild, and that the Merchant Guild’s Sword occasionally stirred up trouble in other cities as well.
‘Would that trade city have any reason to become hostile with us?’
The trade city, if compared to a person, was a tough and sturdy one.
This was worth considering.
They didn’t care whether their opponent was an Empire, the South, or Naurillia. The only thing that mattered was trade, just business.
According to Leona, the head of the Rockfreed Trading Company, there had even been a marriage proposal when she had just inherited the trading company and was overwhelmed.
“Luckily, it wasn’t some disgusting fifty-year-old pervert looking like a toad, but it was still a shame to just give away my company as a dowry.”
It was clear what the trade city aimed for.
They wanted to embrace the dynamic reach that Rockfreed possessed through a marital alliance.
The experience earned by traversing the continent on foot was not common. Moreover, Rockfreed had even established deals with the Black Leather Guild and Glacier Rangers.
It was natural for them to covet it. Upon hearing that the trading company head had changed, they must have thought it was a good opportunity.
If the Rockfreed Trading Company had joined the trade city, they would have grown in size much more easily.
But then, it would have been hard to call Leona the true owner of the Rockfreed Trading Company.
When one sets up shop with someone else’s Krona, such side effects are inevitable.
At first, they lend money with a smile, but later on, they press you to repay it, and if you can’t, they claim part of your business.
If Leona had been a little more careless, she might have fallen for it, but she was shrewd and had clear ambitions.
Leona wanted to fully own her trading company.
‘There’s so much work.’
Lost in thought, Krais took a sip of tea.
It was a gift from the Royal Family, accompanied by a letter from Marcus.
It was a note of thanks for being considerate in various ways.
“If there’s no need to become enemies with the Royal Family, it’s best to maintain good relations.”
Drinking the tea specially selected by Marcus made his fatigue-ridden mind feel a bit clearer.
Maybe this is why people buy expensive tea leaves.
‘Should I stock up on such tea when I set up a salon later?’
Just because it’s called a salon doesn’t mean it should only be a place for eating, drinking, and having fun. It should be a place where meaningful conversations happen and connections are built.
Currently, banquets and parties hosted by nobles serve that role, but seeing cafeterias settle in cities, a salon could serve as such a place too.
For now, salons were seen as places where young noblewomen married to old nobles or just lust-driven fools gathered.
But that depends on how it’s run, doesn’t it?
‘There wouldn’t be any trouble at the Royal Court, right?’
“Don’t worry. I’m going with you.”
That comment from Rem before departing left Krais with a bitter feeling.
Would the nobles gathered at the Royal Palace obediently accept the Captain?
Some would surely grumble about the Border Guard gaining more power.
Well, it’s the Captain’s business.
He’d handle it well.
It was worrisome about Rem, but in truth, only Encrid could truly control him.
“Ah, I want to set up a salon and retire.”
If one listens to old tales, hermits don’t appear without a reason.
Being on the frontlines, overworking oneself to the point of collapse, and then retreating to the mountains for forest bathing—it’s no wonder some just abandon everything and become hermits.
And if luck is bad, they become a monster’s meal, but if someone hates working that much, they should learn sorcery and become a recluse.
Of course, Krais had no such intention.
He hated responsibility, not the pleasures the city offered.
Being busy and overwhelmed with work led him to think about Avnair.
How comfortable would it be to have someone with that kind of mind help out?
But then again, bringing him on board right away felt uncomfortable.
‘Should I ask Encrid about this when he arrives?’
With that thought, Krais finished his tea in one gulp.
It was time to get back to work.
By organizing the troops trained earlier according to the unit structure, refining the weapons and armor they would use, and sorting out unnecessary entrants into the city.
He couldn’t handle all of this personally, so he had people planted everywhere, but still, there weren’t enough hands.
Krais briefly wondered if this was the right place for him.
Even if some residue of discontent remained, what could he do?
It was a time to be buried in work.
***
It was sunny when they started, but the sky turned gloomy before long.
The gray sky reminded Rem of his own head.
It looked like it would rain soon.
“It seems like rain will pour soon. Hmm, it’ll come down heavily. We should find a place to shelter.”
Rem glanced up at the sky and remarked. He had always been good at predicting weather changes.
“How do you do that?”
“Should I call it boring?”
Although the safety corridor between Naurillia and the Border Guard wasn’t completely established, the roads to the major cities were well-maintained.
Stones were laid to create a road, with three-story watchtowers placed at half-day intervals.
The towers were designed to have openings for archers to shoot through when monsters or beasts attacked.
Griffons, harpies, and wyverns were relatively weak to this defense, but large ballistae had been set up on top of the towers for this purpose.
It was said that gathering the monster fur and the women cutting their hair to sell had gone on for some time to make these ballistae.
After making the frame, they would have used steel tendons and various kinds of fur for the bowstring.
Rumor had it that those who sold their hair made a nice bit of Krona during that time.
Because of this safe corridor, it was rare to see monsters, much less bandits.
In other words, it was a safe and peaceful road. Many merchants heading for trade were seen along the way.
Looking at the hired guards accompanying the merchants, most of them belonged to the Border Guard Reserve Unit.
That alone was proof of how significant the influence of the Border Guard was on the safety of this area.
It wasn’t boring, it was safe. But for Encrid, Rem, and Audin, it was a rather idle journey.
All three were on horseback when Rem tugged his reins and changed direction, answering the earlier question.
“Even if you know, you can’t imitate it.”
“Why?”
“Man, you’re curious about a lot. I lived my whole life in the west. Being a native Westerner and practicing a bit of sorcery makes one sensitive to changes in smell. So, it’s like a sense developed from living in a dry climate for a long time.”
“I see.”
It would be hard to learn that.
Encrid thought as he followed Rem on his horse.
It was said that Audin had made quite a fuss at the stable when choosing his horse.
It was a massive horse.
It would’ve been nice if Odd-Eye had offered a ride, but that beast only allowed Encrid to mount him.
Being as clever as a person, Odd-Eye would give rides in emergencies or bring back lost Ragna, but he showed no intention of lending his back or following along in situations like this.
The same went for Esther.
“There’s a lot of work to do.”
It meant that Esther was busy teaching and honing spells.
Having returned to human form after a long time, Esther was also taking care of her soldiers, whether they were disciples or subordinates, in a way that seemed quite enjoyable.
“Lower your gaze. If you dare to look around carelessly, I will pluck out your eyes.”
That’s how she greeted her unit members.
Even before she spoke, all the soldiers were already lowering their gazes.
Whatever had happened in the past, they were exceptionally obedient.
They all carried fist-sized crystal orbs, constantly polishing them and muttering, so to those unaware, they might have looked like another crazy Cult.
“Shall we have a bout when we take a break, Brother?”
Audin spoke, breaking into Encrid’s thoughts.
“Let’s.”
Encrid nodded.
“I’m in, too.”
Rem chimed in.
Although sparring would end with someone getting hurt if it was serious, it would be more about loosening up than a genuine match. Even that would amaze onlookers unfamiliar with the scene.
Their journey repeated in this manner.
When it looked like it would rain, they would find a nearby town or a cave to shelter in.
“Grrr!”
If a beast or monster appeared inside the cave, none of the three would hesitate.
Audin would beat them with his fists, or Rem would split their skulls with his axe. If such creatures were common, this entire land would have long been turned into a Demon Realm.
Then they would watch passing merchant groups, spar again, ride their horses, and throw jokes.
Before they knew it, Naurillia was just around the corner.
When a General responsible for a large territory visits the Capital, they usually bring a large entourage.
Previously, Count Molsen and other nobles would bring a whole host of people when visiting the Capital, but Encrid only came with three.
There was no need to bring a whole crowd.
Though it was just three of them, two of them were Knights.
Who would dare to challenge them?
There shouldn’t be anyone, but most people didn’t recognize Encrid’s face.
In fact, it was normal not to know.
No matter how famous he was, one had to have seen his face to recognize him.
But the Commander of the guards at the castle walls couldn’t not know him.
They had met during the civil war in the Capital.
Encrid quietly waited in line at the busy city gate, and the guard commander, who was watching the crowd in front of the gates, recognized him.
“Huh? Huh? Huhhh?”
He pointed at Encrid with a finger, struggling to form words before finally blurting out a single sentence.
“The Demon Slayer!”
It seemed that this nickname was still more famous in the Capital.
Audin’s massive frame had already attracted attention.
Upon hearing the Guard Commander’s words, everyone turned to look at Encrid.
People all around him whipped their heads to look at Encrid.
“That’s him?”
“That’s the guy, you idiot.”
“Oh, it’s him?”
“That one?”
“The master of the Border Guard?”
“The King’s friend, they say?”
“The Demon Slayer.”
“…Why’s he so handsome?”
All sorts of chatter buzzed around them. With dozens of eyes staring at him, Encrid remained calm.
He had experienced this a few times even before becoming famous, in places like noble banquets.
“I am Encrid of the Border Guard. I’ve come at the Royal Palace’s summons. May I enter?”
There was no need to present a token to prove his identity.
“Of course, my lord.”
The Guard Commander personally took the reins and guided him.
Encrid had been here once before, and he had even fought and rolled around, so the general layout of the surroundings was familiar.
The only difference was the increase in children playing around and the slightly smaller size of the slums near the walls.
Krang, after becoming King, clearly hadn’t just sat idle.
As they passed through the city walls, just as Encrid was about to send the Guard Commander away, the man suddenly spoke up with his bearded face.
“I respect you.”
The Guard Commander was someone who went around singing songs about Encrid.
He had been born and raised in the Capital and loved his country.
For such a person, a hero who protected his country, his city, and his family was equivalent to a God.
To him, Encrid was faith itself.
There were quite a few like him even within the Border Guard, so when Encrid nodded slightly in acknowledgment, it happened.
The Capital was basking in warm sunshine with fresh air.
It was the coolness of early autumn.
The stench of manure wafting from the row of stables on one side and the pungent odor of urine from the opposite alley were caught in the wind.
Something was amiss up ahead.
“Don’t pick a fight. We’re just passing through.”
“Hmph, I only said I’d pay a fair price.”
Encrid hadn’t expected to see these two here, but he recognized both faces.
“Hmm?”
Rem recognized one of them, so he was the first to greet them.
“The twins? What are you doing all the way out here?”
One of them was Enri, a twin from the west who had switched from being a hunter to a merchant.
He had cropped his hair short and trimmed his beard, giving him a neat appearance.
Although Rem didn’t recognize the other, Encrid did.
He was a merchant. What was his name again? Maltone, it was Maltone.
He was the one who had once mocked Encrid in front of a Giant merchant at the Border Guard.
‘What did he say back then? Something about if he was friends with the head of the Rockfreed Trading Company, then he was Encrid’s uncle?’
“Uncle?”
Encrid called out to him with a bright smile.
Maltone looked at Encrid for a moment, tilting his head in confusion.
It seemed like he couldn’t recognize the face right away.
Such a sloppy memory. How could one forget the face of their own nephew?
Thanks for the Chapter Bro!!! :DD
Thanks for the Chapter.
Is it updated regularly? Also what is release schedule
Creo que he leído el manhwa, talvez lo esté confundiendo.. 🤔