WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

A KNIGHT WHO ETERNALLY REGRESSES

Chapter 331: How the Madman Began

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How did the madman story begin? It was one day, right before Enkrid was assigned to the Troublemaker Squad.

The squad leader who had tried to force everyone into line died.

After that, a noble brat came in as the new squad leader, got cocky, and got beaten senseless by Jaxon.

Then another one, always shouting in rage, got threatened by Rem under the name of "mental training" and left. Even after that, squad leaders kept getting replaced.

With every newly assigned squad leader getting run out immediately, it was only natural that people, including the Company Commander, had something to say.

"If you're planning to stay in the army, shouldn't you at least follow what needs to be followed?"

Rem nodded at the Company Commander's words as he walked up.

"True enough!
And isn't all this because of that feral cat bastard."

"The biggest problem is the mouth that blames others."

Jaxon fired back right away, of course.

Watching them, Ragna spoke in a flat tone.

"I can transfer to another unit."

Rem and Jaxon both turned at Ragna's attitude.

He sounded like this had nothing to do with him, like he was a completely separate person.

That lazy tone made it even more irritating.

"This bastard?"

The most recent squad leader had picked a fight with Ragna, claiming he'd fix Ragna's insincere attitude. In reality, he had mistaken Ragna's silence for weakness and tried to establish discipline, only to leave with his skull cracked open.

So what was that attitude supposed to be now?

No wonder Rem flared up and Jaxon shot him a razor-sharp look.

Since that last incident, twenty days had already passed without a squad leader.

The Company Commander had a splitting headache.

The Battalion Commander above him said to handle it himself, but was this really a bunch that could be handled just like that?

Then again, was the answer to say, "These guys are impossible for me to control"?

That was the same as admitting he was incompetent, admitting he was a useless idiot.

And what would that Battalion Commander say?

"You can't even control one subordinate unit?"

Knowing his habit of blaming others, the response was obvious.

'Maybe I should just send them out and let them all die.'

No matter how dangerous the battlefield, these bastards came back with nothing but a few scratches.

If they even got scratched, that was lucky.

With skill like theirs, why were they making this kind of mess here?

Then again, watching what they did, maybe it made sense.

Rem had been sent to 1st Company, the heavy infantry company, then cracked his superior's skull and ended up here.

Even now, men from 1st Company ground their teeth whenever they saw him.

And Rem, hearing that grinding, enjoyed it like he was listening to a symphony.

"I have no choice.

Brother, I shall lead them temporarily.

This too may be a trial our Lord has given me, and He has made this small and fragile servant face the world so I may not see trial and flee from it."

The Company Commander was left speechless at Audin stepping in like that.

Usually he was just a religious soldier with a dark, lifeless face, standing there quietly.

So why was he pouring oil on the fire at a moment like this?

Did that bastard even look at his own size before saying that?

What part of him was small, and what part was fragile?

And he'd rather sacrifice one of his own lieutenants than hand this unit to that religion-obsessed bastard.

The man would probably just talk about god and tell them to pray all day.

No, even if he put up with that and gave him command, would the others sit quietly?

"What is that bear even saying?"

The axe-wielding madman spoke first.

The slacker chimed in right after.

"If your head's gone wrong, take medicine."

Then the man who ranked near the top in looks alone opened his mouth.

"Want to die?"

Why was Jaxon so easygoing with everyone outside, yet inside this place he leaked like a cracked clay jar?

What a headache.

"Enough.

A new squad leader is coming this afternoon.
Please don't beat him up, and don't torment him."

As he said it, the Company Commander prayed for the new squad leader's safety.

What else could he do?

There was no proper candidate available, so they had brought someone in urgently.

Not a noble, no especially sharp talent, and only so-so in a fight.

All he could hope for was that the man did not cause trouble.

Even after the Company Commander left, the murderous air remained unchanged.

Rem had ended up here through a chain of accidents.

As far as his own purpose went, he had ducked in here to lie low for a bit after killing a noble brat, and he planned to leave in about half a year.

But by some absurd coincidence, this bunch had gathered.

'Every one of them is drunk on his own greatness.'

None of them knew how to lower their heads, even a little.

Rem was no different, of course.

The current Battalion Commander had gathered troublesome bastards in one place, basically with the attitude that he did not care if they fought and died. But Rem had no way of knowing that backstory.

"I'll just kill all of them and move to another unit."

Rem muttered.

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear, so it was less muttering and more a provocation dressed up as one.

"You want to die?"

Ragna picked up Rem's words.

"Brothers, if you wish to remain by God's side, I shall gladly pray."

That would not be a prayer done only with his mouth.

"Morons."

Jaxon joined in too.

Until now, they had cursed each other plenty but had never quite crossed the line, because they knew that if a killing fight started, it had to be a real one.

Of course, that did not mean they were the type to hold back forever.

The trigger was small, but this had always been bound to happen sooner or later.

Hadn't they been watching each other from the very beginning?

Rem let his arms hang as he watched Jaxon's position.

Instinct told him showing his back was dangerous.

Ragna rose before anyone noticed.

He got up with a loud rustle, looking full of openings, but was that really an opening?

Rem knew that even from that posture, that slacker bastard could scatter sword strikes.

Audin brought his hands together in front of his groin.

He was preparing Valaf-style Grappling.

There was no killing intent.

Only sticky, heavy air pressed down around them.

If someone weak-hearted walked in, the pressure filling that shabby barracks would crush him on the spot.

This was temporary lodging, so they were staying in a tent, and it almost looked like the tent walls were swelling from the pressure.

Then the entrance flap flew open.

Someone none of them had ever seen stood there.

Black hair, blue eyes, and looks that stood out at a glance.

After stepping in, he swept his gaze left and right.

If he had any sense, he would turn around and leave. If he were weak, he might faint.

"Yes.
This is, um.
Yes, this is the squad barracks, but you'd better come back later."

Big Eyes said that from behind the new squad leader.

He read the room fast.

The atmosphere was deadlier than ever.

What should be avoided had to be avoided.

Kraiss tugged at the back of the new squad leader's clothes, telling him not to get dragged into a mess.

But this man did not budge.

No, he stepped forward and spoke.

"I'm Squad Leader Enkrid.
Don't fight."

Rem had been waiting for an opening.

His hanging arm was always ready to grab his axe and swing.

Audin was also prepared to counter any attack that came in.

Ragna was ready to cut down all three at once within range.

Jaxon already had his sleeve-hidden daggers set to draw at any second.

The intent was obvious: interfere and die. Yet through that, an unfamiliar face pushed his way in.

"Stop."

It really was fearless.

Enkrid stepped right between them.

He got lucky.

Rem twitched as he was about to draw his axe, then stopped.

If that twitch had gone just a little farther, whatever stood in front of him would have been split vertically by the axe.

Audin's shoulders shook too, and Ragna had already gripped his sword.

Only Jaxon looked unchanged, but both dagger hilts had already reached his palms.

"...Did some slightly crazy bastard just show up?"

Ragna muttered.

"Are you crazy?"

No matter how oblivious someone was, he jumped into this?

No.

He had sense.

He jumped in knowing.

Rem knew that the moment he saw the man's eyes.

So he threw away his life?

No, not that.

He felt the pressure, but he did not clearly understand what kind of situation this actually was.

Still, even so, he walked into that gap?

What was this bastard's heart made of?

Later, every time Rem swung his axe and saw this guy keep squeezing his eyes shut, he would think, what kind of bastard is this? But still.

That was the first impression.

"As long as you don't fight, that's enough.
I'm Enkrid."

The new squad leader did not even offer a handshake.

He only gave his name.

He did not ask anyone else's, either.

His tone said: do your own jobs where you stand.

Even to Rem, he looked seriously, no, unbelievably crazy.

"Feels like someone interesting showed up."

Rem muttered.

He was crazy enough to spark interest on the spot.

Back then, everyone thought this Enkrid bastard would not last a week.

* * *

Enkrid remembered the beginning of the troublemakers.

Why had he stepped in back then?

Ah, because he thought a squad leader should do his job.

At the very least, stopping unit members from fighting was a duty.

That savage air reminded him of the first day.

Back then too, pressure had crushed his shoulders.

It had felt like his heart would tear apart.

Even when he squeezed his eyes shut before blades flying at him, he had always been confident in enduring constant pressure and pain.

That was why he had stepped between them.

'I was an idiot.'

Rem stood there with his arms hanging down.

An axe hung at his waist.

His "preparation" was complete.

To Rem's left stood Ragna, lightly holding his sword grip with both hands.

Across from them stood Audin, smiling, frozen like a statue with his fists gathered right in front of his abdomen.

All of their "preparations" were complete.

If you stepped inside with a half-baked mindset, you died.

You definitely died.

Pressure turned into force and stabbed at his heart.

Though none of them meant to do it, it produced an effect close to intimidation.

He could not see it before, but now he could.

Did that change anything?

No.

It did not matter whether they pressed him with that force or not.

Right now, Enkrid was dying to show what he had learned and realized.

Hadn't he waited all this time for his body to heal, just so he could show his sword, his swordsmanship, what he had learned and mastered?

He did not care whether they fought or not.

Enkrid drew his sword.

Not the dwarf gladius, but a silver-bladed longsword.

Chiririririrring.

He drew it slowly and took it in both hands.

It was the sword Ragna had given him.

Supposedly, he had taken it after killing an enemy squire.

Aya of Brown Dung?

The squire's name had been unusual.

The blade was razor-sharp, as excellent as his broken sword.

Well, it had belonged to a squire of the Azpen Grand Duke's Knight Order, after all.

The grip was wrapped in magic-beast hide, and it stuck perfectly to his hands.

After gripping it and focusing, Enkrid walked between them without hesitation.

Teresa and Dunbakel, watching, frowned.

'He's going in there?'

Esther had stepped out for a while, and Kraiss had gone to the market.

So no one here would die to a blind blade.

Before, he had stepped in knowing nothing. Now he knowingly accepted the pressure of all three.

Alone, entirely alone.

He faced Ragna, with Audin on his right and Rem on his left.

Then.

"Not bad."

Enkrid even spoke.

Then he moved.

Pivoting on his left foot, he flung his sword.

It began with Momentary Will.

With his waist rotating, the sword he now held only in his right hand shot out like a point.

Smoother and cleaner than before.

Ping!

At the end of that short air-cutting sound,

the blade was already aimed at Rem's glabella.

"Fuck!"

Rem's axe moved.

His axe, too, became a streak of light.

A streak against a streak.

Clang!

Steel met steel, and the harmony began.

Yes, began.

The air that had been thick with tension exploded.

As an opening, Enkrid showed Rem an instant, then threw his body to the right.

He moved as if to open distance, then stopped dead.

Vallen-style mercenary swordsmanship, Crossed Step.

He feinted forward, stopped, then drew a vertical line from top to bottom.

The Crushing Sword.

A pressure sword built on Will, on "oppression."

As it crashed down, Audin shouted.

"Father!"

Even his shout was very Audin.

Woooong.

The air trembled.

The Crushing Sword was pushed back.

And that was not the end.

While everyone reacted, Ragna held his center.

Enkrid ignored Audin and rushed Ragna.

He had bought time with the Crushing Sword and pulled away.

"Are you just going to stand there and watch?"

He tossed out the words and moved his sword.

An unnamed Correct Sword.

A trajectory meant to pull Ragna into Enkrid's intent.

A sword that forced a set response from the opponent.

He deliberately aimed for Ragna's right shoulder.

By not hiding his intent, he made him dodge.

If Ragna dodged, Enkrid meant to begin with a side cut, but Ragna knocked Enkrid's sword away.

He shut down the Correct Sword before it could even begin.

Enkrid felt discord in that movement.

You're not fighting properly. More precisely, you're cutting your own strength.

Even so, he blocked with ease.

Bang!

"Did you read it?"

"It was obvious."

No, it was not obvious.

Ragna had changed.

His sword could now open paths, so from the start it could cut through the opponent's intent.

"For fuck's sake."

Enkrid said it with a grin, then received Ragna's pressing sword.

Snake Sword.

He flowed it away, knocked it off line, then stabbed sideways again.

Momentary Will again.

Toward Rem.

He dragged Rem, who had blocked and stepped back, into the fight again.

Then he moved his feet toward Audin, who had been watching.

It was the step Audin had taught him.

Snake Step.

A step he had relearned by reinterpreting it in his own way while trapped within strategy.

His feet barely seemed to lift from the ground, yet his body slid forward in a smooth rush.

Fast.

Then he struck.

Audin answered the Crushing Sword again.

"Lord!"

Kkeng!

It broke again.

And he sure had a voice.

"Are you playing around?!"

Rem shouted.

He had every reason to say it.

Of course he did.

Enkrid was saying he would fight all three of them at once.

In other words,

he had charged in asking for a one-against-three fight.

"Are you insane?"

Ragna tilted his head.

"It seems my brother needs prayers for his skull."

Audin understood the intent immediately.

I want to fight all of you!

Enkrid had said it with his whole body.

He laughed.

Ah, this was seriously fun.

How could it not be?

Everything he had trained, learned, and realized.

He could see it all, one by one.

He saw it and saw it again, spoke and spoke again.

How is it, my sword?

He felt like he could die from excitement, so it did not matter whether there were three opponents or four.

"I can't let this continue."

Teresa, who had been watching from the corner, stood up too.

"Yeah, this is driving me insane.
I've been worked up to the point of passing out for a while now."

Dunbakel snorted. Fur spread across her face, and she soon became a white lion.

Everyone tangled together.

Inside the barracks, things shattered and broke.

Boom!

In the end, part of the wall broke, and the door was smashed too.

Kraiss returned late and saw a crowd gathered in a ring around his barracks.

"What's going on?"

"Looks like they're trying to kill each other."

Graham said it with a dumbfounded expression.

Even the lord could not step in and only watched.

That was how fierce the force was.

"Crazy people."

Kraiss could only stand there, equally baffled.

He did this the moment his body healed?

This was exactly why everyone kept calling them madmen.

There was no way to stop them anyway.

This was what they were from the start.

The fight ended around evening.

By sunset, the unit members came out with steam rising off their whole bodies.

Each one had blood running from somewhere.

The half-destroyed barracks had become a ruin.

It was enough to make you wonder how they had even split the ceiling.

"Back?
Looks like we should sleep somewhere else tonight."

Hearing Enkrid say that among them, Kraiss had nothing he could do except laugh.

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