Ragna, no matter how kindly one viewed him, was not cut out to lead a unit. However, Krais wasn't one to leave things as they were.
"Let’s try with just ten people."
Thus, the group called the Ten Blades was formed, with Ragna as the commander and Lawford as the vice-commander.
It was obvious that most of the work and responsibilities fell on Lawford.
In addition to this, Lawford was tasked with training new recruits, although this was later rotated among members from various units.
The ten selected were talented in their own right, but each had experienced despair after meeting Ragna and Lawford.
"I'm no genius after all."
One of them had said this with a despondent expression.
After a little teasing from Pel, a pat on the shoulder from Lawford naturally led them back to training. Although not everyone could receive an emblem, they all had a strong sense of belonging to the unit.
Ragna's Ten Blades became known as a small but elite order, earning them the nickname of ‘a tiny chivalric band’.
Fostering such pride wasn't a bad thing, so they let it be. Though fights occasionally broke out among them, it was nothing serious.
"Fight? If you lose, kill yourself."
Ragna had jokingly told them to win if they were going to fight, but no one took it as a joke.
Ironically, Ragna had meant it in jest.
He believed that an appropriate amount of failure was essential for improvement.
In the past, he had no such thoughts, but seeing Encrid taught him many things.
"If you want to fight, bring it on."
Because of this, Ragna occasionally sparred with them. All ten swords aimed to surpass Ragna, which naturally elevated their skills.
The intensity of training inspired by Encrid’s methods became a driving force that significantly improved their abilities.
Previously, the Border Guard Reserve’s most renowned unit was the Frontier Defense Unit, which had now transitioned into a policing force under Martai.
Due to various circumstances, the Frontier Defense Unit couldn’t maintain its former prestige.
One reason was the overall improvement in the quality of Border Guard soldiers, which mirrored the evolving power dynamics among the continent's military factions.
This organizational shift could be seen as a response to the numerous power groups scattered across the continent.
The next unit Krais restructured was Audin’s Sacred Infantry.
Audin became the commander, with Teresa as the vice-commander, but this was a unit Krais needed to worry about the least.
Audin, experienced in such matters, skillfully managed and led the hundred soldiers under his command.
Luagarne remained as Encrid's closest bodyguard, and Esther demonstrated her ability to train her twenty subordinates into proficient wizards.
After sketching this framework, Krais and Avnair once again transformed the atmosphere of the Border Guard.
They essentially reorganized the structure to sustain the training fervor ignited by Encrid.
The aim was to establish a culture of rigorous training and development.
"Do you plan to let this fervor go to waste?"
Avnair's remark prompted Krais to respond, and together they created a joint initiative.
The duo shaped an environment that spurred soldiers to seek improvement after completing basic training.
The first measure involved boosting unit pride by granting privileges and benefits to each unit.
Secondly, these unit members received higher monthly pay than regular soldiers.
Some dropped out during training, especially in Rem’s unit, but this wasn’t seen as an issue.
The fairness of the unit leader overseeing the policing division ensured smooth operations.
The current head of the policing unit was Vengeance.
Reflecting on his past encounters with Encrid, his growth was astonishing.
Encrid publicly acknowledged Vengeance as a comrade, validating his contributions.
This was, of course, a calculated move by Krais.
Krais anticipated that if anyone doubted Vengeance's authority, Encrid would make such a declaration.
It seemed Encrid was aware of this, but either way, it was a positive outcome.
"I’ve never followed the orders of someone weaker than me. I was taught that since I was young."
Someone had said this to Vengeance.
Encrid responded by cutting off the ear of the person who made that comment.
Many considered it merciful of Encrid to stop at the ear and not the head.
Encrid’s following words deeply imprinted on those present.
"If I just wanted someone good at fighting, I’d have put Rem in charge. Is that what you want?"
No one in the Border Guard, whether citizens, mercenaries, or reservists, wanted to experience the kind of terror that could split one’s head in half with a single statement.
Rem’s reputation alone made him a constant reminder of that.
Everyone in the Border Guard knew it, only newcomers were unaware, like the man who’d lost his ear.
"Who cares!"
He shouted defiantly.
"This crazy bastard."
"Just die already."
"If you want to die, do it alone."
"Hey, throw him out and splash a bucket of water in front of the shop."
The newcomer realized even the tavern owner ignored him. He also experienced those who used force to suppress him.
Soon, those who subdued this troublemaker shouted.
"Long live Vengeance!"
Vengeance’s policing unit was, of course, part of the Border Guard Reserve and no less capable than any other unit.
Maintaining order was not particularly challenging for them.
"Damn, I’ve become everyone’s punching bag."
Later, when Rem heard this story, he merely commented dryly, though he didn’t seem like someone who cared much about such things.
* * *
Around this time, news spread of a Demon Realm breach.
It was reportedly handled by the Red Cape Knights, who received support from the Cult Extermination Order of the Holy Nation.
Asia noted it was a grueling battle, and a comrade had lost an arm.
Another uprising by the cultists occurred twice after that, but no Apostles appeared.
One of the uprisings was quelled by three Border Guard Reserve soldiers on leave in the southern territories.
Publicly, it was said they happened to stumble upon suspicious activity, but in truth, Jaxon’s intelligence unit was involved.
This last unit, tasked with covert operations, assassinations, and intelligence gathering, was Krais’s final creation.
Jaxon was its leader.
The other cult uprising was stopped by the Royal Policing Unit. They had attempted a demon summoning ritual in the Capital.
It seemed they exploited lax internal security, as outposts outside the Capital focused on eliminating monsters and bandits.
Recently appointed Andrew Gardner, the head of the Royal Policing Unit, captured them.
Encrid received this news in a letter.
Apart from such incidents, Encrid didn’t do much. He trained, honed his skills, occasionally visited the market, and shared experiences with Eitri.
"Please fix my sword."
It had become routine for Eitri to maintain Encrid’s weapons.
Eitri dismantled the hilt, heated it, hammered it, applied a concoction, and re-oiled it.
"You must maintain this regularly. Silversteel requires diligent oiling, or its edge will quickly dull due to the sensitive metal."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
Eitri also swapped out an unused shortsword of his own make for a broad-bladed guard sword.
Its blade had a carved pattern that seemed magical.
"I can’t imbue magic myself yet, but Lady Esther helped with this one."
Eitri explained as he handed over the sword, now sheathed in black leather, spinning the hilt once before presenting it.
"Esther?"
Their solitary witch seemed to leave her mark wherever she went.
She’d even earned a gift from Lord Graham, who expressed gratitude for enchanting the castle walls with protective spell.
"Yes, thanks to her."
The guard sword gifted by Eitri could block an attack once on its own when thrown into the air.
Encrid thought a shield might have been more practical, but Eitri disagreed.
"Long ago, a Knight made a weapon called a ‘Lucky Sword’ his engraved armament. It was said to save him from unforeseen attacks. Inspired by that, I created this."
Eitri was not just honing his skills but also delving into history and study.
Thus, it was natural for him to craft a sword rather than a shield.
"This is merely a step in the process."
The ultimate goal was to create an engraved weapon. For now, it was only practice. Neither Eitri nor Encrid knew what kind of weapon it would eventually be.
They simply believed it would happen someday.
Seeing the light in Eitri’s eyes stirred a similar enthusiasm in Encrid.
Nearby, Frog was sweating and bleeding over his craft of making accessories.
Encrid casually approached Frog, whose determination seemed unshakable.
"How’s it coming?"
"No idea."
Exactly. He didn’t know, yet he persisted. Even without guarantees of immediate progress, he continued because it was what he wanted to do.
"Keep at it."
Returning to the unit, Encrid had Krais deliver some well-dried chrysalis as a gift to Frog.
Eitri later mentioned how Frog puffed out his cheeks when he received it.
Around this time, Encrid received news about Dunbachel in a letter from the King of the East.
-Does she ever wash?
Dunbachel was doing just fine.
One snowy day, about a month after Sinar had left.
Winter was nearing its end.
"Well, how have you been? If you’re not too busy, I told you to drop by, but now you’ve made me come to you."
The king—Encrid’s friend—came to visit.
The development of Stone Road had opened up trade routes with the west, marking a turning point in continental trade.
He claimed to be here to confirm the resulting economic growth, but it was just an excuse.
The real reason became clear over tea as Krang spoke.
"Don’t you want to know why Sinar left?"
She had departed without a word of return, leaving only a letter asking not to be searched for.
"I thought it was her choice."
"Ah, a choice indeed."
Krang agreed.
Encrid had a vague sense that he could establish a definitive swordsmanship technique, and he felt a similar hunch about this situation.
Did Sinar truly act of her own volition?
His intuition suggested something darker.
Krang continued, showing no intent to hide anything.
"She said she had to uphold her duty to the Fairy race. I heard she received an Obligation Brand."
An Obligation Brand was a shackle that enforced a task, with death as a penalty for failure. It was far worse than mere imprisonment.
"I understand it stems from a curse placed on the Fairy race. She cooperated with me to resolve it, and while I urged her to reject the duty, she refused."
"A curse?"
"I don’t know the details."
The tea in their cups had gone cold. Neither had taken a sip.
"One thing is certain: the duty binds her. And that duty will continue to torment Sinar Kirhais, the Fairy."
A brief silence followed. Encrid finally took a sip. The bitterness of the cold tea lingered in his mouth.
He had forgotten to remove the tea leaves, making it overly strong. While it was a tea meant to be bitter, this was excessive.
Encrid had chosen these leaves without considering alternatives, and now the bitter taste dominated his mouth.
Similarly, there had been no alternatives to respecting Sinar’s decision. But what if that respect had been avoided?
The thought crossed his mind. Had he realized this too late? Was it too late to act now?
If he did nothing, nothing would change. Encrid knew this truth all too well.
"Are you going?"
Krang asked, his perceptiveness rivaling that of Krais.
"Yes."
Encrid nodded. Ever since Sinar left, there had been an emptiness—more of a nagging discomfort than anything.
The reason?
He could understand her absence. But Sinar had never explained why. Not knowing the reason gnawed at him, leaving him unsettled.
Now he understood.
‘Realized a bit late, huh?’
Encrid briefly blamed his own foolishness, but that changed nothing.
"Why?"
Krang asked.
"Because my playful elder sister might be waiting."
Krang furrowed his brows at the Fairy-style humor.
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