Chapter 22 - Arbitrary Reassignment

The Fourth Platoon Commander tossed out some idle chatter.

Encrid gave a half-hearted reply, letting the words wash over him, but he noticed the man had something to say.

"If you have something to say, feel free to say it."

He was currently enjoying the cool breeze after being completely drenched in sweat.

Right now was just perfect. It was a moment of enjoying the wind with a pleasant sense of exhaustion.

So he hoped the man would quickly say his piece and leave.

"... I'd like you to transfer to the Reconnaissance Squad and carry out a mission."

The Fourth Platoon Commander said, crossing his arms.

In that posture, a defensive attitude could be seen rather than the resoluteness of a commanding officer.

Encrid thought.

‘The Reconnaissance Squad.’

It wasn't a common draft. Let alone, Encrid himself knew his position was quite ambiguous.

The reason he could remain at the level of a Squad Leader was because this was Squad 444.

‘And they're pulling someone like me into the Reconnaissance Squad?’

"Is that going to be alright? Taking our Squad Leader away?"

Rem suddenly thrust his head in from behind and spoke.

Rem rested his chin on Encrid's shoulder.

Since there wasn't a huge difference in their heights, it made for a reasonably comfortable leaning posture.

"Are you serious about that?"

He asked with a half-smile, but it felt like a protest telling him not to take him away.

"It's an order. Rem."

The Fourth Platoon Commander glared. It was a bluff. Encrid recognized it at a glance.

Rem was a troublemaker. A maniac who would swing his axe if things went wrong.

Flaunting a commanding officer's authority against such a maniac meant absolutely nothing.

The Fourth Platoon Commander knew that, Encrid knew that, and Rem knew that too.

"Rem."

Before this axe-loving squad member could open his mouth to say anything else, Encrid called his name to stop him and shrugged his shoulder to push Rem back.

"No, well, do whatever you want."

Rem grumbled and stepped back.

"I can go instead."

Ragna, who had been staring blankly, spoke nonchalantly.

"... Was your future dream to become a missing child?"

Rem smirked and said upon hearing that. Ragna was about to flare up but forcefully suppressed his anger.

It wasn't wrong.

Ragna had no talent for finding his way.

No, he was the type of guy who would arrive somewhere else even if you put a map in his hand and explained it to him.

It wasn't like he had a knack for working well with the person next to him, either.

Didn't he end up here because he ignored orders and fought however he pleased in every squad he was in?

There were too many issues to pick him as a scout.

"Even if anyone else could, you definitely can't."

Even the Fourth Platoon Commander had no choice but to shake his head at Ragna.

Encrid thought this situation itself sounded like a bad sign, but.

‘Considering this and that, I really am the right fit for it.’

His ambiguous position only had meaning when he was among the members of Squad 444.

Just being away for a week had caused quite a commotion.

And yet they specifically singled him out?

It sounded like they had no one else to call on.

The rumors about it being a curse had quickly died down.

But the aftermath it left behind remained.

Because Bo, Jack, and Rotten all belonged to the Reconnaissance Squad.

They were lacking in numbers.

"Phew, I've got a headache too. One of the Platoon Commanders has an upset stomach and can't even move."

It was understandable to think it really was a curse.

Since such things only happened to the Recon Platoon of all places.

The Platoon Commander looked drained.

It didn't look like he particularly wanted to call on Encrid either.

‘This feels weirdly out of place.’

Because he was staring intently while thinking that.

"Don't look at me like that. I'll tell you everything."

"Pardon?"

"I said, don't look at me with those eyes."

‘What did I do?’

He just looked at him, but the Fourth Platoon Commander let out a deep sigh and overreacted.

"Hey, what are you trying to do cursing at him with your eyes like that? Even if it's just sometimes, you gotta think about how the person on the receiving end feels. To a superior, no less."

Rem chuckled and said.

If he reacted to that joke, there would be no end to it.

Thinking he should at least hear him out, he looked back at the Platoon Commander.

"To temporarily increase the Reconnaissance Squad's personnel, they arbitrarily promoted a Squad Leader to Platoon Commander, but the numbers are still lacking. So, in a rush, the order was to draft anyone capable of performing recon missions from each unit. But then the higher-ups suggested including you, which is why it came to this."

"The higher-ups?"

"The new Company Commander. You haven't gotten on her bad side, have you?"

Since he knew the secret, she was going to send him to the Reconnaissance Squad and quietly kill him to silence him?

No, if she was going to do that, was there any reason to go to such lengths?

There wasn't. She seemed to have enough skill to kill him secretly anyway.

Even if not that, there were plenty of methods.

It wasn't like he'd just easily let himself be killed, but from the other side's perspective, that's how it was.

Therefore.

‘It seems like she just said it without much thought.’

That was Encrid's conclusion.

"It's an order from the higher-ups. So let's just go."

Next to him, Rem was glaring.

Behind him, Ragna was saying he would go.

Right in front of the barracks, a squad member who was easily a full head taller than an average soldier, looking like he could beat a bear to a pulp barehanded, was looking up at the sky and praying to God.

"Oh, most holy Lord, please do not take away my small and precious Squad Leader. Please do not send tests upon this small, fragile servant."

Hearing that, the Fourth Platoon Commander couldn't hide his bewilderment.

No, who said they were taking him away for good?

And who exactly was small and fragile?

The muscles in the praying soldier's forearms bulged and twitched.

With a bit of exaggeration, his forearms were the size of an average soldier's thighs.

Because he was tall with long limbs, many people wouldn't notice unless they looked closely, but that soldier's forearm was a weapon in itself.

Therefore, if that devout soldier was fragile, there would be very few healthy people in the world.

"It should just be this one time. It'll be winter soon, and then this campaign will be over anyway."

They would reorganize the Reconnaissance Squad again during the next campaign anyway.

They wouldn't keep the Squad Leader of Squad 444 in the Reconnaissance Squad then.

Encrid understood the Platoon Commander's words.

There were very few fools who would continue a war into the winter.

Thus, there was a high chance that this war would also stop once autumn passed.

There was really no need to overthink it.

It was the kind of thing that happened frequently.

Being called in as a fill-in for this and that.

His talent for fighting might be lacking, but he was above average at other things.

The same went for recon missions.

However, perhaps because he had vacated the barracks due to an injury this time, not a single one of his squad members welcomed his departure.

‘I really am the perfect fit for it, though.’

It wasn't baseless confidence.

If he took a wrong turn and died, he could just repeat the day.

This mission would be more advantageous to him than anyone else.

Recognizing and avoiding danger was also his specialty.

"It's an order. Fourth Squad Leader."

The Platoon Commander said it was an order, but for some reason, it sounded like he was asking to be saved.

Encrid looked back.

Rem started grinding his axe.

Ragna reasserted his opinion that he could go instead.

The last squad member repeatedly muttered, "Are you finally giving me a test?"

‘What an atmosphere.’

If he came back after taking a hit from somewhere, it felt like they would all rise up together.

Were they always like this?

He didn't think so.

When he first joined the squad, they hadn't been the type to get involved with each other like this.

Since when did it become like this?

‘Was it that hard for you guys when I was gone?’

Even Big-eyes shook his head.

Even so, what could they do about an order from the top?

His squad members might be reckless bastards, but Encrid wasn't.

"I guess I'll have to go."

He said this after letting out a breath.

It was a decision made by the higher-ups. Disobeying an order was impossible in the first place.

Well, if he used any means necessary, he could probably get out of it, but there was no need to go that far.

With a single word from Encrid, the atmosphere settled. It was a matter of course.

No matter how superficial the title, he was the Captain of this squad of only six.

"Do whatever you want."

Rem snorted out a huff of air and replied.

"Hey, I'm telling you, I can go."

Ragna insisted until the end, but there was no way that would work.

A guy who got lost even inside the encampment becoming a scout—how could that ever work?

Encrid was more amazed by how Ragna had managed to live a wandering life.

Didn't he say he had been all the way to the sea at the eastern edge?

He had a reasonable suspicion: *'Did he only end up there because he got lost?' *

Not that he was ever going to ask him that.

As always, Encrid maintained an appropriate distance from them.

If the other person didn't want it, he neither asked nor pried. That was Squad Leader Encrid.

"Alright, good."

The Fourth Platoon Commander said and turned around.

His footsteps were twice as light as when he had arrived. It was as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

While they washed and rested after the Platoon Commander left, a small commotion started in the barracks from a single trivial remark.

"Are you still practicing what you learned?"

It started when Jaxon, who was lying half-leaned on his bed, threw out the question.

Jaxon's bed was the furthest inside.

Encrid's was the furthest front.

Everyone in the barracks heard Jaxon's voice.

Encrid nodded reflexively.

Since he had passed the repeating days while learning to train his hearing from Jaxon, he thought it was a fair question to ask.

But upon hearing that, Rem showed a displeased reaction.

"Learning what?"

Over time, Encrid had been taught by several of his squad members.

He had learned this and that bit by bit from Rem, from Ragna, and from the devout believer squad member.

All of them were essentially methods to survive on the battlefield right away.

Encrid learned diligently, but he couldn't fully master them all and tended to just roughly apply them.

There were many things that were too difficult to learn perfectly.

If anything, he could at least say the Heart of a Beast had properly settled into his body now.

However, up until now, he hadn't learned anything from Jaxon.

"What exactly did you teach him?"

Rem, who had been lying down, sat up and asked.

"Keep at it consistently. It will help."

Something akin to flames flared up in the eyes of the completely ignored Rem.

"This bastard?"

"Don't."

Encrid grabbed the shoulder of Rem, who had flared up in anger.

"What did you learn from that insidious bastard? Hey, I'm telling you, if you just learn whatever, you'll pick up bad habits."

"Heh."

Jaxon, who was listening to the conversation between Encrid and Rem, let out a chuckle.

"Oh, right, hmm, it's about time you died. Today's the day. You want to become nutrients for the monsters wandering those plains, right? Right?"

Jaxon remained consistently dismissive.

Encrid let out a deep sigh and pulled on Rem's arm.

"Take it easy. It's not like you're going to fight to the death."

"Don't worry. I'll be the one surviving."

‘No, that's not what I meant.’

"Who's surviving?"

"Oh, God, may I send this foolish soul who lacks faith up above? If You permit it, I shall do so."

Ragna and the devout squad member reacted to Rem's words.

"Stop, stop, stop. I'll break it up no matter how many times you fight. Let's not do anything pointless and waste our energy."

Encrid regretted his choice and wondered if carrying out the recon mission was really the right call.

‘Is it really okay to just leave these guys behind?’

"Don't worry too much. They rarely take it to the end, anyway. They just clash weapons a few times and stop."

Krais said while counting silver coins from his pocket.

That was the problem. That 'clash weapons a few times'.

To others, it looked like a fight to the death.

Even though they were such troublemakers, the commanding officers didn't cast them out.

The reason? Naturally, it was thanks to their outstanding abilities.

Because on the battlefield, they were definitely soldiers with superior combat power, easily worth ten men each.

Therefore, it made sense that he was the one being pulled out for the Reconnaissance Squad.

‘Since losing me won't be a leak in our combat power anyway.’

But it wasn't the same for them.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Encrid realized his own inadequacy once again.

‘I have no talent.’

He had even lost to a twelve-year-old kid.

No matter how much of a genius that kid was.

A full-grown adult had lost to a child who wielded a sword while staggering, unable to even properly handle its weight.

It wasn't a matter of pride.

It wasn't something to despair over, either.

It was just something that made him reflect on himself.

Did he give up because of it, then?

No.

He merely chewed over that situation time and time again to accurately recognize himself. That was all.

Then, was this the end?

That wasn't it, either.

If he lacked talent.

‘Someday.’

If he couldn't take a full step, he would take half a step at a time.

He just needed to never stop moving forward.

And Encrid had yet to stop his steps even once.

Feeling like he wouldn't be able to fall asleep for some reason, Encrid grabbed his sword and went outside.

It felt like he would only be able to sleep if he swung his sword a bit and broke a sweat.

Seeing that, Ragna got up and followed him.

"Let's check your posture, it's been a while."

"But I'm here?"

Rem belatedly got up to follow and said.

As their eyes met, a bloodthirsty aura passed between them.

It felt like a vortex was going to form at the midpoint where their eyes met.

"Doing it consistently will be helpful. More so than clumsy sword swinging."

Jaxon, who was lying in bed, said.

The eyes of the two, who had been glaring as if they were going to kill each other, whipped toward Jaxon.

"Clumsy?"

Rem said.

"Sword swinging?"

Ragna followed up.

"Didn't you both say you were going to check my posture?"

Encrid squeezed in between the three of them.

Having finally managed to placate the two, Encrid stepped outside the barracks.

Based on their half-advice, half-nagging, he swung his sword again and again.

A day drenched in sweat passed by.

When the morning sun rose, he would have to head out while temporarily changing his affiliation to the Recon Platoon.

He wasn't too worried.

He didn't think it would be a very difficult job, either.

After sweating profusely, it seemed everyone's displeasure had faded.

Encrid, who had found a stream to wash up in after sweating, also fell into a refreshing sleep.

* * *

"Company Commander, why specifically put that guy in the Reconnaissance Squad?"

The Fairy Company Commander saw the 1st Platoon Commander standing near the torch stand and spoke.

"Step back from the torch stand. It could start a fire if it falls over."

"Pardon?"

"To the side."

"Yes, ma'am."

The 1st Platoon Commander took a few steps back to the side.

The Company Commander's tent was taller and wider than regular tents. A torch stand was placed in the upper center to keep it lit.

Though crude, there was also a table for meetings.

It was a setting to determine the company's recon routes through a meeting.

And in the midst of that, the 1st Platoon Commander had asked his question.

It was a fair question to ask.

The 1st Platoon Commander doubled as the Company Commander's staff officer. It was an old tradition of the Cyprus Division.

"Because it seemed like it would suit a quick-witted soldier who's good at surviving."

"Yes, I see."

It wasn't a heavily weighed decision.

It was an assignment based on intuition.

There was no specific reason. If someone asked, she would just have to answer 'just because'.

Of course, the Company Commander's judgment was correct.

A Fairy's intuition was sometimes sharper than a prophet's words.