Making Rem the Deputy-Commander?
"I request that this wrongful appointment be revoked immediately."
Jaxon would say this.
"Since God does not permit it, I shall personally carry out the will of the Lord."
Audin would step forward with clenched fists.
And Ragna?
‘Wouldn’t he just start swinging his sword without saying a word?’
Therefore, the idea of a Deputy-Commander was out of the question, and he dismissed it completely.
After exchanging a few more words, Rem revealed what was on his mind. He didn’t seem to have much to hide.
"Once we clear out the Demon Realm in the West, everyone will probably just live well on their own. By then, you’ll be living the way you want too. As for me, when I get old, I’ll probably just smack my wife’s bottom, get hit a few times, and watch my kids play."
Rem surprisingly envisioned a peaceful retirement.
"Not planning to die in the middle of it all?"
Encrid asked, intrigued.
Given how he acted in battle, he didn’t seem like someone who looked forward to tomorrow.
Even his outward demeanor suggested that much.
But inside, things were different. Rem dreamt of the future. He dreamt of closing the Demon Realm and spending time with his wife and children.
Suddenly, Encrid had this thought.
Even though he doesn’t show it, Rem probably wants to see his wife and his unborn child too.
Was there anything he could do to make that happen?
There would be.
Encrid, after coming up with an idea, looked at Rem. Rem responded to the semi-joking question Encrid had thrown at him.
"Die? Me? Who, me? You’re talking nonsense. Of course, I’m not going to die."
Seeing Rem grin widely like that, it seemed like he meant it.
He wasn’t going to die. His confidence was overflowing, and it manifested in his presence.
Looking deeper, what Rem handled wasn’t just Will but also a form of sorcery, yet to Encrid, it seemed similar.
Rem had said himself that both sorcery and Will had similarities when it came to enhancing the body.
"Alright, well, off you go."
"Yeah. Why are you saying such pointless things?"
When Rem said he was heading to the blacksmith with training gear in hand, Encrid advised him not to bother Eitri too much.
"Do I look like someone who goes around bothering people?"
If Encrid didn’t nod, he might as well tear out his conscience from his guts.
And humans will surely die if they pull out their innards.
Encrid wanted to live, and he still had things to do, so he couldn’t do that.
"Right."
So, he firmly nodded.
"That’s annoying."
Seeing Rem grumbling, Encrid then went to find Ragna.
He asked a similar question to the one he had posed to Rem: what do you want?
Is the Order of Knights really where you belong?
Ragna was a genius. He was more talented than anyone Encrid had ever seen.
That talent had blossomed, and now Ragna had found his path.
Even though he couldn’t always find his direction, he had found the path for his sword.
That much was clear even from sparring. There was no doubt or hesitation in his sword.
And then, Ragna spoke.
"I intend to walk the path my sword can take me to the end. For that, I need worthy opponents, but it’s a hassle to go looking for them. But if I stay by your side, they’ll come to me on their own."
Was he serious? Probably.
Ragna wasn’t the type to lie or say things he didn’t mean.
"Is that why you’re staying in the Order?"
Because it’s a hassle.
This wasn’t particularly shocking. Ragna had always been like this.
What followed was similar to Rem. He said he wanted to become Deputy-Commander.
Even though Encrid was the center of the Order, he argued that someone needed to lead and guide them.
After telling him that there was no such position, Ragna, without showing any hint of fatigue, responded with this:
"If there’s no Deputy-Commander, then shouldn’t I be the First Sword?"
Ragna furrowed his brow and spoke in a serious tone.
The First Sword, the Vanguard, or whatever nonsensical title he was trying to create.
Even though he didn’t need the Order, he was seriously considering his position in it.
"There’s no such thing."
"Why not?"
"Because it doesn’t exist."
"I see."
Getting him to give up was easy. Honestly, it was strange to see someone like him showing enthusiasm for something like this.
But then again, he wasn’t called a madman for nothing.
When he asked Jaxon:
"It’s fun. That’s enough."
That was all. He probably had more hidden inside, but he wasn’t the type to say it out loud.
After saying that, he just looked at Encrid with a strange expression.
The look in his eyes seemed to ask, why are you even asking?
"They each have their own desires. I can’t force anyone to stay in the Order."
Encrid, having nothing to hide, spoke honestly about his thoughts.
"Indeed."
Jaxon showed a faint smile.
Encrid just shrugged.
If Encrid had the ability to read minds, he would have been curious about Jaxon’s thoughts at that moment.
Jaxon, after saying "Indeed", was about to add that if even one person quit, he might as well offer up the entire Carmen Collection he had amassed so far, but he didn’t say it.
When you step back and look, there’s something that becomes very clear.
This Order revolves around one person, but everyone expresses their own will and intentions.
The vessel that is the one person at the center is so vast and wide that everyone’s will and intentions are contained within it. Therefore, no one has any reason to leave.
That was Jaxon’s conclusion.
In any case, instead of revealing his thoughts, Jaxon made a subtle suggestion to Encrid.
"I don’t need a title, but if you wish, I can take on the role of Deputy-Commander."
"No, that’s unnecessary."
Did the three of them plan this together? Why do they keep saying the same thing?
After repeating that there were no positions other than Captain, he looked at Jaxon.
Jaxon just replied, "Yes, I understand."
He didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about it.
Or maybe he had predicted that he would say there was no such thing as Deputy-Commander.
Since Audin and Sinar decided to go together, he decided to ask them on the way.
After that, he met with Lawford, Pel, Luagarne, and Teresa.
There were some who had come from the Empire requesting an audience, but outside of training, Encrid was busy meeting with these people and occasionally seeing Eitri.
Not to mention, there were certain duties Krais had mentioned that he had to fulfill.
The minimum responsibilities as someone overseeing a large territory.
Some matters required his approval.
On top of that, Graham would sometimes visit to seek guidance, and he’d oversee the training of soldiers with a strong desire to improve, not to mention getting involved in the training of those who had been named as his guards. Encrid was really busy.
So, he decided to completely ignore the people who came claiming they were from the Empire or a great nation.
Their intentions were obvious anyway.
Similar to the blind old man who had left a letter calling himself a heretic, their offers were the same—come to the Empire, and we’ll give you this, or come to the South, and we’ll give you that.
For that reason, the next person he met was Teresa.
"I like it here."
Should he ask for more reasons?
Teresa spoke without being prompted.
"I enjoy singing. I find fighting fun. I discovered a new kind of joy after coming here. I’ve learned the teachings of Father anew."
And all of it was possible because Encrid was here.
Teresa swallowed her final words, figuring he already knew.
Encrid nodded.
It seemed like the right time to nod and pat her on the shoulder to acknowledge what she had said.
But how could he truly know what was in Teresa’s heart? He’s not a God.
So, he just let it be. She genuinely did seem to be having fun, though.
To be honest, Teresa appeared to be one of the happiest people around him at the moment.
She enjoyed spending time with Audin, praying, singing, and wandering through the city.
It was obvious from the way she carried herself that she enjoyed all of it.
"I am a Shepherd of the Wilderness. That means I won’t ever be at ease, even until my death. But for now, I want to stay here and hone the skills I lack."
‘Since when had Pel become so polite?’
Even his words now sounded like he was politely asking to stay here.
Had his attitude changed for the worse?
It didn’t seem like it.
If anything, he was more earnest now, doing his best in everything he did.
His rivalry with Lawford was similar.
"Alright then."
So, it seemed right to nod easily.
Also, he wouldn’t stop him if he ever decided to return to being a Shepherd of the Wilderness.
"It’s an honor."
There was no need to ask Lawford. He nodded without hesitation.
"You’re originally from the Red Cape Knights, aren’t you?"
"Oh, I’ve already left that group."
Grinning from ear to ear, Lawford smiled as he said it.
That wasn’t something to say with such a big smile, but Lawford was smiling innocently.
For him, Encrid, Ragna, and everyone else were people he deeply respected.
To be with them was an honor. For Lawford, his time with the Border Guard was more condensed than any other period of his life.
So it was a natural decision.
"If I’m cast out, I’ll remain as a Squire. If not, I’ll stay as a soldier."
Lawford said, and Encrid responded.
"Stay in the Order. As a Junior-Knight."
Given that he had risen to a Squire in the Red Cape Knights, Lawford clearly wasn’t an ordinary man, but why he would talk like this was a mystery.
Next was Luagarne.
"Wouldn’t it be a lovely sight with at least one Frog around? Let alone a beautiful one?"
He couldn’t understand the beauty of a Frog, but he nodded.
Hadn’t he mentioned earlier that she had become prettier?
"Right, a beautiful Frog Knight. Not bad."
Do Frogs even have the concept of Knighthood? They do, but it’s rare. He said he hadn’t seen one in his life, but records apparently exist?
After asking everyone he needed to and getting the responses he needed, he made some bold personnel decisions.
"You too, in the Order."
This was a statement directed not at a person, but at a horse.
"Neigh!"
Odd-Eye horse raised its front legs and neighed loudly.
What is with this creature?
He was only half-serious when he said it, but he found himself surprised again.
Odd-Eye kept glaring at him, waiting for him to invite it into the Order.
Ever since drinking from the sacred spring, it had become even more human-like.
It ran around the fields all day, occasionally kicking or biting monsters to death.
The way it acted seemed more intelligent than most humans. It even looked like it was toying with its opponents at times.
Seeing that, it did feel more clever than a person.
"Well, alright. At least earn your keep after drinking from the spring."
At those words, the horse’s two differently-colored eyes gleamed. The beast emitted its Will, showing its intention.
It seemed to say that it wouldn’t disappoint him.
‘It was just a joke.’
He didn’t understand why everyone was so worked up.
"Feel free to call me Spell Knight Esther."
After that, Esther came to him with that statement, and he nodded again.
While it made sense not to ask a horse why it stayed, it was worth asking Esther.
"Why do you stay in the Order?"
Esther was a wizard, and it wasn’t obvious why she would stay.
Her priorities weren’t saving people, and loyalty to the nation wasn’t part of her motivation either.
In reality, few people in the Order stayed out of loyalty to the nation.
"A wizard is a seeker of knowledge. Right now, I find satisfaction in studying you and the world. Therefore, I have no reason to leave. If you’re worried that I’ll leave, we can make a pact or a contract."
Perhaps she thought he was criticizing her by asking why she stayed.
Esther spoke rapidly, not taking a breath, offering a pact or contract to show her sincerity.
"There’s no need for any contract."
Encrid knew he couldn’t force anyone to stay. He understood that well.
How could someone who remained only out of external pressure give their best effort?
There was no need to keep anyone by his side if they stayed grudgingly. So, contracts were meaningless.
"Fine, then I’ll stay. As a Spell Knight."
With that, Esther chuckled.
This was a rare sight, distinct from Sinar’s smile.
Esther didn’t smile often either, but apparently, she could chuckle cutely too.
Her laugh was awkward, her shoulders shaking as she chuckled softly.
Both her laughing face and the sound of her laughter felt odd.
She somehow reminded him of a squirrel. Maybe he should ask her to transform into one next time?
He refrained from saying anything. He didn’t want to see her go from laughing to serious all of a sudden.
"Hmm, anyway, I’m off."
Esther, muttering something about being a Spell Knight holding a black flower, suddenly left.
And thus, the members of the Order were decided.
Encrid was the Captain.
Under him were Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, and Audin as the core. If Dunbachel returned and wanted to stay, he’d welcome her too. Teresa paired with Audin, and Lawford wanted to train under Ragna.
Jaxon preferred being alone, while Luagarne and Pel were part of his personal guard and the Order.
That was all.
There was no need for anything grand.
After reflecting while enjoying the autumn sky, wind, clouds, and sunlight, he turned to look at the two remaining people.
There were two more he needed to ask, and they were walking beside him now.
The first was the silent, calm Fairy walking next to him.
"Will you join the Order?"
Sinar looked at him.
Her green eyes locked onto his. It was hard to discern her thoughts or emotions from her gaze.
But he had heard her conversation with Krang.
He knew from hearing it that, unlike the others, she had an ultimate goal in mind.
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.. 🤔