Rem darted around the banquet hall like a shepherd’s dog, while Audin, like a hunter setting traps, spread rumors.
But Encrid couldn’t be bothered by what they were up to.
Too many people were seeking him out.
He was surrounded by an overwhelming number of people.
The ‘Wave-Blocking Sword’ might have been necessary here.
People surged towards him like waves.
Encrid received greetings from numerous nobles.
Among them, there were a few familiar faces, but the majority were strangers to him.
Ah, there was one interesting person.
It was the one who had been causing trouble behind a merchant when they first entered the Capital.
"I won’t do such things again."
He ran a few small merchant companies, didn’t he?
He was a noble without a designated city, staying only in the Capital.
He held no position within the Royal Court but occasionally acted as a proxy in trials, making a name for himself.
There were many such nobles around the Capital.
Some, despite being ruined, would linger around other nobles’ banquets.
Others, using their noble status, engaged in activities bordering on fraud.
Krang couldn’t eliminate all such individuals, but he was regulating them through self-discipline to some extent.
He was ensuring that nobles lived up to the dignity of their status.
‘Didn’t he say he secretly bought titles from such people?’
Buying titles from those who had lost their way and taken the wrong path.
If he took them by force, it would cause an uproar, so he solved it with silver and gold.
The approach sounded very much like Krais’s style, so Encrid had asked him, and Krang admitted he had taken advice from him.
"Big Eyes once said the easiest problems to solve are the ones you can handle with Krona."
Krang had laughed when he said that.
"I agree."
Encrid had nodded at those words. It was part of a conversation they had while traveling through Aspen.
No matter how much gold you have, it won’t stop a blade at your throat, so problems that could be solved with Krona were the simplest.
It was a phrase Krais used often.
The noble running merchant companies wasn’t in such dire straits as to need to sell his title. He had a knack for business, after all.
And though his methods were questionable, his intentions weren’t completely rotten.
Krang’s Royal Palace was never wealthy, so they needed the Krona donations from nobles like these.
"If you get caught doing that again, I’ll chop off one of the four."
Encrid said casually, and the noble, who had been acting as a sponsor for those merchant companies, turned pale.
His face drained of all color, a sight to behold.
"One of the four?"
The noble asked.
"Your arms and legs. One of them."
"Ah, those four."
"Yes, those four."
Ignoring noble dignity, the man backed away. His legs seemed to wobble, but he didn’t collapse.
The noble before him wasn’t a monster or a great villain.
So this wasn’t anything significant, and it wasn’t worth much thought.
In a world where some lords killed those who entered their lands and took their belongings, this was a minor issue.
Naurillia had been free of such people since the death of Count Molsen.
Rumor had it that just heading to the southern borders of the large southern kingdom would reveal countless figures indistinguishable from lords or bandits.
Even Encrid had encountered many such types while working as a mercenary and guide.
Compared to them, extorting a few rustic merchants seemed almost cute.
But if it happened again, the noble would truly lose one of his limbs.
Encrid always honored his word, even if it wasn’t an oath.
As he always had.
When a space opened around Encrid, another noble would step forward, repeating the cycle, and Encrid’s task was to exchange a few words with each.
So he did.
It was boring, but not torturous. It wasn’t tiring, either physically or mentally. He wouldn’t wear out from something like this.
There had been times when he was stuck in a banquet hall all night, like an ornament for noble ladies. This was better than that.
No doubt about it.
Of course, swinging a sword from morning till night would have been much simpler.
"I’m in love!"
There were even a few brave noblewomen here and there.
"I’m not."
Then, he dismissed them.
There were only a few ladies.
Having Kin Visar, who proclaimed herself the most beautiful woman in the Capital, by his side deterred most from approaching.
"Kingdom’s top beauty, Kin Visar’s reputation isn’t just for show."
"...Don’t say things like that."
He couldn’t even remember when he had become so casual in his speech with Kin.
But it felt natural. Both the conversations and the actions.
According to what he’d heard, Kin had recently set up a workshop within the Border Guard and was devoting herself entirely to her craft.
Because of that, some young male nobles in the Capital kept visiting the Border Guard non-stop.
But when they saw Esther or Sinar—
"Ah, that’s truly heavenly beauty. An angel has descended."
That was why the nicknames “Black Flower” and “Golden Witch” had spread to the Capital.
Kin hadn’t intentionally listened in, but those fools who came to see her would spout such things.
"The Capital’s top beauty is Kin, but the kingdom’s top beauties are the Black Flower and the Golden Witch."
She didn’t particularly care, but hearing Encrid, who stood close to those two, say it irked her.
He had spent that pointless time and, while taking a brief respite, noticed Rem fitting in surprisingly well in the banquet hall.
"Did you know? There’s a crazy stray cat who goes wild for women, be they human or beastkin, at the Border Guard?"
Holding a wine glass, he casually engaged people, as if it was something he’d done many times.
His intent was clear, but at least he wasn’t breaking anyone’s neck in the banquet hall, so that was a relief.
Given the current situation, anyone who dared to challenge Encrid and his group would be foolish.
Naturally, Encrid’s gaze turned to Audin, who was stationed at a corner, smiling softly as he explained that he wasn’t a bear beastkin and didn’t have a hobby of tearing people apart.
Then he mentioned a sly stray cat among his brothers at the Border Guard, along with tales of the Bloodthirsty Youngest, lamenting his poor tongue.
Encrid was perceptive, and since neither Rem nor Audin hid their intentions, it was clear what they were up to.
At this moment, their thoughts were aligned.
Should he find it amusing?
At the very least, the banquet’s atmosphere wasn’t bad.
Krang had mentioned he was sorting through which nobles were reliable. He had also pinpointed the reason for Aspen’s downfall:
"A situation that forces them to rely on religion, combined with two families capable of keeping the King in check. There’s nothing they can do as they wish."
"And you’re different?"
The Naurillia Royal Family had also long been influenced by the God of the Scales and the Holy State.
Separating politics and religion might be a King’s goal, but it would be incredibly difficult to achieve.
Even a minor misstep could lead to a religious war under the pretense of separating the church.
Krang had said he didn’t dream of separating church and state, then added:
"Yeah. I’m different."
When Encrid asked how, his answer was memorable.
"I have a friend and Knight who shares my vision, don’t I?"
At moments like that, Krang spoke boldly without any shame. But he wasn’t wrong.
Encrid was a Knight, and their goals were aligned.
Krang, who had been speaking to him, turned to the others.
"Don’t overdo it. Otherwise, he’ll be sick of banquets altogether."
A young noble, roughly Andrew’s age, stepped forward, showering the King with respectful praise and asked:
"Your Majesty, what will you do next?"
Currently, in Naurillia, there were the new noble faction, a faction seemingly aligned with nobles but secretly loyal to the Royal Family, and the overtly royalist faction.
All were Krang’s supporters, but outwardly they appeared divided.
There were various reasons for this, but Encrid, disinterested in political maneuvers, hadn’t delved into it.
One of the new noble faction members asked, and Krang set his glass down on the table.
Since it was a standing party, there were no chairs, and everyone remained standing.
In the center, Krang used gestures and pauses to capture everyone’s attention.
Was it an innate talent? A skill to draw people’s eyes.
Once he had set the stage, Krang spoke.
"For now."
For now? Even Encrid turned his gaze to him.
Rem and Audin, noticing the quiet, also turned to look.
With most of the room’s attention on him, the royal bloodline smiled and spoke.
"My goal is to eat well and live well."
It seemed an anticlimax after the grand atmosphere, but the sharp-minded quickly understood.
It was time to solidify internal stability.
As they ate, drank, and watched, a group entered the banquet hall.
Draped in robes adorned with large grapevine patterns, they appeared to be priests of the God of Prosperity.
No sooner had they entered than Audin silently slipped out onto the balcony.
If one wasn’t paying close attention, they wouldn’t have noticed his departure, his movements were that smooth.
Encrid glanced at Audin, who had gone to such lengths to leave, but said nothing as he looked over the newcomers.
One of the priests, seemingly a high-ranking one, stepped forward towards Encrid.
His attire, demeanor, and the atmosphere around him all suggested high status.
His face wore a benevolent smile, wrinkles around his mouth and eyes giving off an air of kindness, but there was something about it that felt artificial.
"May the right amount of rain and warm sunlight bring prosperity to both body and soul."
Had Audin been there, he would have offered a fitting response, but since he wasn’t, there was no choice.
"May prosperity and peace be with you."
Encrid replied plainly.
Thinking back, whenever Audin encountered those he called fake priests and frauds in the city, he would step forward and break their bones, but when real priests showed up, he would purposely disappear.
Why?
Encrid never knew because he’d never cared to ask.
"Encrid of the Border Guard."
"Who in this land wouldn’t know that name?"
The priest continued to smile, but Encrid didn’t particularly like the look of him.
Still, he didn’t spit on the smiling face but simply accepted it as it was.
However, the long scars on his exposed forearms and the way he walked indicated he wasn’t an ordinary priest.
He bore signs of rigorous training.
"May the hero always be blessed by the sun of prosperity."
After exchanging pleasantries and expressing admiration for Encrid’s accomplishments, the priest stepped back, and the rest of the priests followed.
The banquet continued late into the night and ended quietly.
The next day, a strange rumor began to spread, regarding a fugitive and heretic.
A priest who had betrayed the God he served and abandoned someone akin to a father had fled.
Heretics were, in a sense, even more persecuted than cultists.
It wasn’t hard to trace the source of this rumor.
The heretic was said to possess strength akin to a bear, granted by a false faith, and a corresponding large build.
It was as if someone had deliberately spread the tale.
Encrid, unconcerned with the rumors, set out to return to the Border Guard.
"Don’t mind it. It’s all nonsense."
The fanatical Commander who worshipped Encrid personally saw him off and spoke.
Having exchanged farewells at the banquet, there was no need for everyone to show their faces again.
The Commander pulled at the reins and repeated.
"That merchant won’t be pulling such stunts again."
"What, did you kill him?"
Rem asked from behind, but the Guard Commander just smiled and didn’t answer.
Even if he hadn’t killed him, it was clear enough that he had been made to suffer greatly.
"Clear the way! The Mad Knights are departing!"
There was no need to shout that loudly, but the Guard Commander did so, and the path opened up.
Everyone in the Capital set their eyes on the departing Encrid.
From the Demon Slayer to the Knight of the Iron Wall.
He was a peerless hero born of Naurillia.
Regardless of what some nobles thought, to the common people of the kingdom, Encrid was more than a hero.
"May blessings be upon your journey."
Someone said, and others repeated the sentiment.
Those wearing coifs or straw hats removed them and bowed their heads.
While he had entered quietly, nearly half the kingdom’s citizens watched as Encrid departed the Capital.
There was no room for rumors to reach his ears.
On their way out of the city, the horses’ hooves clattered, and the autumn afternoon sunlight wrapped around them.
Just as they were about to leave the city, Audin spoke to Encrid.
"I am that heretic."
It was a confession.
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.. 🤔