Encrid believed the Order was wrong and felt indifferent even if they chose to stand against him for not acknowledging their mistakes. However, things did not go as he expected.
To be precise, the one-eyed monk who had saved Seiki wouldn’t allow it.
“From today onwards, I will be responsible for the monastery.”
Encrid rescued the monk and also freed the child who had been locked underground, but the child, who had lived in confinement since an early age, seemed more terrified of the current situation.
Amidst the crowd, the child couldn’t speak, only watching Encrid and his companions with trembling eyes.
To anyone, it was clear that they were the ones controlling the current situation, wielding power through violence.
Even Encrid couldn’t change that. But would Sinar comfort the child? Seiki was in the same boat.
That child followed only the one-eyed monk.
It seemed the monk had taken care of the child even while he was locked up.
Another woman who had saved Seiki had fainted and had yet to recover. Though it wasn’t torture, the punishment she endured for penance had left her in a similar state. Still, her life was not in danger.
She may not have intended to become a saint, but the Divine Power Seiki possessed had already granted a faint white light to her body.
Though it didn’t heal her wounds instantly, everyone could see that her vitality was partially restored, making it easier for her to breathe.
Watching the child clinging to the monk’s leg, Seiki commented.
“Even if we leave, it seems he’ll be well taken care of, right? I don’t think we need to worry about that child. That man, who could have died, chose to help me.”
In some ways, Seiki seemed indifferent. She acted according to the standards she set in her heart, implying that the aftermath was not her concern.
It was almost a habit of hers to accurately assess situations.
Having lived that way since she was young.
The person she referred to was the one-eyed monk.
The monk, discussing responsibility, stroked his bald head and adjusted his worn, tattered clothes to make himself presentable, then patted the child’s head.
The child peeked out from behind the monk’s thin leg, appearing about six or seven years old.
He was just a child with potential, chosen to be raised as a saint, not someone who could immediately emit divine light or brew potions.
From this alone, it was clear that the Temple of Abundance had been raising children with such talents.
So, it was impossible to just stand by and watch.
“We should probably kill them all before we leave.”
Sinar said to the new abbot. It was rare for her to show such interest.
As she was not usually the type to involve herself in others’ matters.
Encrid and Sinar had hardly killed anyone.
Only those who, in desperation to survive, had tried to take hostages. Even that had been absurd.
Encrid intentionally refrained from stating whom he intended to save, hiding his purpose while wielding his power. Yet, one of the scoundrels tried to stage a hostage situation to save himself.
Aside from that, Encrid intended to save people first and then deal with the consequences.
He had even been willing to let anyone trying to escape go free.
But no one tried to escape.
Later, the bald monk stepped forward and shouted to everyone.
If it had been a matter of sheer force, there were still many martial monks capable of subduing him after Encrid’s party left.
That was why Sinar suggested they intervene.
“There’s no need for that.”
The monk replied to Sinar. He wore a faint smile, his gaze steady even in such a situation. He was a man with a firm heart.
No one had expected things to turn out this way. But for someone who pursued ideals while living in reality, it was an excellent opportunity.
And opportunities are only seized by those who are prepared.
Having lost his eye, the monk was one such prepared individual who welcomed the hero sent by the divine.
If the order were to find its path and walk in the light, he knew exactly what he had to do and how to go about it. He also knew that most of those remaining in the monastery followed orders without understanding much.
Such was the reality.
The behavior of the Archbishop, whom Overdeer and Audin had detained for punishment, illustrated that while the leaders were corrupt, not all those they led were the same.
Among them were those who upheld what was right, those who had been enlightened.
Some saw the changed situation and steeled their resolve, while others prayed inwardly for forgiveness.
Does believing in the divine make one perfect?
Certainly not.
Everyone makes mistakes, Encrid thought, acknowledging that he had arrived here by building on his own mistakes and failures.
So it might be pointless to judge each mistake these people had made.
The new abbot, who wanted this, thought so as well.
“My name is Noah.”
After stating his name, the monk quietly summarized the situation.
“The messenger of the divine visited us and chastised us. I have chosen to honor this, and Shilma, the former abbot, atoned for her sins and passed away.”
In a way, it sounded like a series of impossible tales, but what could the Order do at this point?
The entire monastery, loyal members of the Order, had declared it as such, so there was little recourse.
Not that the Order would sit idly by.
Encrid was concerned about this.
“You can say it was Encrid of the Border Guard.”
He was offering a scapegoat.
Why? Because if Noah claimed responsibility, the Order would crush them with force.
“No, I can’t do that. Are you seeking credit? Please, let me have it, Brother. I saved the saintess, even losing my eye.”
Noah smiled as he spoke, yet he was resolute in taking responsibility himself. Encrid couldn’t break his stubbornness but left him with a promise.
“If anything goes wrong, contact the Border Guard. At the mention of Noah’s name, we’ll send reinforcements.”
This was no light promise. Both Encrid and Noah understood this.
“On the path you walk, there will always be falling fruits to feed you, and abundance to prevent your heart from withering.”
Encrid nodded.
Afterward, Noah assured them not to worry and began discussing plans to restructure the monastery. While he was devout, he wasn’t recklessly pushing his beliefs.
He intended to fortify the monastery itself by using its narrow entrance to create a stronghold.
“You’re bolder than I thought.”
Encrid commented, and Noah smiled brightly.
“Perhaps not as much as you.”
Rather than threatening everyone with a club, he relied on his composure.
Though Noah admired Encrid’s forthrightness.
He didn’t act out of a sense of right and wrong, but simply because he found the situation intolerable, which made it all the more admirable.
“Well then.”
“I’d love for you to rest a day, but it seems I cannot offer that.”
“I’ll return someday.”
“Please do. Encrid of the Border Guard, you are always welcome as a friend here.”
“Next time, serve some good tea.”
Encrid remarked, and Noah chuckled, nodding.
Some of those who had been struck observed the atmosphere, and a few of the martial monks lowered their heads.
“Thank you for gathering the fallen fruits.”
They, too, offered a blessing.
Encrid soon set off to return.
It would take a dedicated pace to reach the Border Guard.
Seiki, having traveled this route before, led the way. She chose a shorter path to avoid encounters with monsters.
“You seem to be quite skilled in combat. The monsters from my homeland wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“What sort of monster?”
“One that breathes fire.”
Likely a fire lizard beast that appeared after a salamander summoning.
“Well, if I get the chance, I’ll kill it for you.”
Killing monsters was always thrilling.
“No, I’ll kill it. Someday. So I’d rather you not interfere, but if you insist, I won’t stop you.”
As she replied, Encrid found the girl’s unique nature fascinating.
She had a purpose and wanted to handle her own matters but seemed unconcerned with things outside her reach.
“Alright, then you can kill it.”
“Oh, and could you teach me some sword techniques?”
“Shall I?”
Encrid was a firm believer in the saying “one learns by teaching”.
He also had a talent for teaching. It was only natural.
He had climbed up from the bottom to become a Knight.
If anyone had climbed step by step as systematically as Encrid, it would be rare.
And who had stayed at each stage long enough to repeat the basics? No one.
Some said Leonesis Oniac refined swordsmanship with relentless effort.
If he continued like this, Encrid might one day create a structured training method for Knights.
He had traversed an untrodden path, feeling the soil underfoot, smelling and even tasting it along the way.
Though that was a matter for the distant future. For now, Encrid had no such thoughts.
It was already challenging enough just to press forward.
Becoming a Knight was not the end. There was still so much to learn and master, as well as much to comprehend on his own.
“You’re quite weak for young women, aren’t you?”
Listening to their conversation, Sinar spoke up, making a trivial joke.
"Yes, let’s go with that."
Encrid let it slide. Hearing this, Sinar said,
"If you fall for the charm of an older woman, you won’t be able to escape."
“If that ‘older’ isn’t a few years but over a hundred, wouldn’t it be a stretch to just call it ‘older’?”
“You fool, that was a joke.”
Encrid nearly asked her age again but held back. Then Seiki, without a hint of a smile, asked,
“Mister, you’re not very popular, are you?”
For a moment, Encrid’s heart wavered. He had never heard such a question in his life.
But should he start discussing his good looks and the number of people who had shown interest in him?
Nothing could be more absurd.
So, he might as well focus on what he had to do.
"Let’s start with basic Border Guard training."
Encrid spoke with a soft tone, a faint smile of anticipation on his face.
“Alright.”
Seiki’s eyes sparkled as she nodded, intrigued by Encrid’s fighting style and excited about learning.
“Bend your knees halfway, let your arms hang down, and walk. Hold your breath to engage your core, so your upper body stays steady.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll feel it in your glutes, and you’ll walk like this for the whole day.”
“But won’t that slow down my steps?”
Would it matter if they were a bit late to the Border Guard?
Training was essential. After all, a strong lower body was the foundation of all martial arts.
“Begin.”
Encrid picked up the club he had used at the monastery. Thankfully, he hadn’t discarded it.
He gently tapped her shoulders and lower back, correcting her posture as he instructed.
“Stay steady.”
Watching from behind, Sinar smiled.
The thought amused her—if she had children, it would be fun to teach them like this.
Of course, it was an unlikely fantasy.
Whether or not Encrid held any special place in her heart wasn’t relevant.
“What a lovely day.”
Rumble.
Just as Sinar finished speaking, the sky rumbled.
“Looks like it’s going to rain.”
Seiki commented, and Encrid nodded, replying,
“Maintain your posture.”
Rain or shine, a strong lower body was crucial.
Despite everything she’d learned from the monastery and her experiences, Seiki had developed the skill to choose her words carefully.
Yet, having grown up in the mountains, her innocent nature often showed.
"I made a mistake. You're not unpopular. At least, your face is decent."
"That’s not the reason we’re doing this."
Encrid simply explained the importance of this training, emphasizing that a sturdy lower body was the foundation of all basics. Sinar continued to smile.
The rain fell, but Encrid didn’t relent.
Seiki had to march on, completely soaked, while doing that cursed lower-body training.
They continued walking diligently toward the Border Guard.
Although Seiki was still awkward in projecting her Divine Power, she managed to emit light toward Encrid’s wounded areas. However, it was still clumsy, so the healing effect wasn’t noticeable.
That aspect was beyond Encrid’s ability to teach, so he focused on strengthening her lower body and handled his own tasks.
Reviewing. Encrid walked while revisiting his fight with Overdeer.
Walking and pondering, he spent some days sparring with Sinar.
On other days, he taught Seiki how to handle weapons.
While she learned, it didn’t seem like she intended to devote herself to swordsmanship.
“Isn’t it good to fight well?”
When asked for a reason, that was her response.
One didn’t need a reason to learn. Still, she gave her best when learning, and Encrid saw that Seiki possessed exceptional talent.
What had taken him countless repetitions to master, Seiki picked up quickly.
Sword techniques, simple wrestling maneuvers, she imitated even those he’d only described verbally.
It was a talent reminiscent of young Ragna.
The problem was, she seemed more interested in how Encrid had built his body than in techniques.
A well-trained physique appealed to her more than fancy moves.
Audin would be thrilled to see this.
Thinking such thoughts, he walked on.
During his fight with Overdeer, Encrid had instantly calculated all the variables.
The possible and the impossible.
The paths of his opponent’s movements, the range his hands and feet could reach, the reactions his moves would provoke, patterns, and countless other factors.
There were moments when he thought he could land a decisive blow, yet he failed. He didn’t succeed.
Was it solely because of Divine Penetration?
Or was his defeat due to a weakness?
Because he couldn’t release his Willpower all at once?
That wasn’t the only reason.
‘Overdeer had no flaws.’
Strength, skill, determination—he lacked nothing.
If asked what Overdeer excelled at, it would be hard to say. That was the mark of a Crusader.
‘Then what about me?’
‘What am I good at?’
‘What do I need to address immediately?’
With constant contemplation and confrontation with his weaknesses, aided by Sinar, Encrid had found a potential solution by the time they reached the Border Guard.
It was a technique to increase the amount of Willpower he could release.
Of course, it wasn’t an immediate fix, and he would need repeated practice.
Others might be discouraged by the seemingly endless task, but Encrid felt only joy at having found a direction.
Upon reaching the Border Guard,
“Are you insane?”
Krais greeted him with an exasperated laugh, filled with both relief and resentment.
Encrid shrugged his shoulders.
“Are you pretending you don’t know? The Order, the Divine Nation.”
Krais remarked.
Some things cannot be concealed, no matter how hard one tries to hide them.
What Encrid had done was one such thing.
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