WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Ryuu

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

A KNIGHT WHO ETERNALLY REGRESSES

Chapter 81: Because I Always Do My Best

After the man named Matthias appeared,

"Why is she the master?" Polid asked stupidly.

"We may have been stuck here, but everything else was already resolved inside the company. Ah, the inauguration ceremony will be held once we return," Leona replied.

When the people on Polid's side began to realize the situation, Leona gestured toward them.

"Come over. I'll take you in."

She didn’t say those exact words, but that’s how Enkrid heard it. She was basically inviting them to live under the company's name as one.

Only two people remained still. The plain-looking man and the swordsman who had told Enkrid to put down his sword.

Oh, Polid stayed as well. He knelt down with a thud. His legs looked like they had given out.

"Why? I'm his son, right? The entire company was on my father's side, weren't they?"

Why would it be any different? The behavior of the people on Polid’s side raised questions about their intelligence. Enkrid’s gaze shifted to the two remaining figures.

They were probably the ones pulling the strings. Neither seemed panicked about being in trouble. They remained calm despite everyone else turning their backs on them.

"It’s over," said the swordsman.

"So it seems," the plain-looking man responded. They both ignored Polid.

"I can't accept this! What is this? I'm the son!" Polid shouted, trying to approach Leona. Matthias stepped in his way.

"Come any closer, and I’ll cut you down. Former master’s son."

How harsh. That put an end to the situation.BThe two who appeared to be the puppet masters simply backed away. Polid was the epitome of what despair and panic looked like when someone fell into them.

He knelt on the ground, drooling. He was very shaken. The passing peddlers, the city’s merchants, soldiers, and even the beggars near the gate watched them. When the guards hesitated, not knowing what to do, Leona stepped in.

"Take him. We can’t let the former master’s son die drooling on the street."

"Yes."

Matthias gestured outside, and someone came in to drag Polid away. The guards even cleared a path for them.

"Hold on."

Leona spoke to Matthias and then approached Enkrid.

"Did you give Carmen's stiletto to your subordinate?"

Her tone made it feel like she was asking if he had given away a gift from a woman. Enkrid couldn’t put his finger on why, but he felt slightly uneasy.

"...He wanted it badly. Yes, I gave it to him."

Looking back, he saw Jaxon standing silently. When he first gave him the stiletto, Jaxon’s reaction was unusual. He didn’t expect him to be moved to tears, but he was rather indifferent. He simply took the stiletto and muttered one thing.

"Why do we train our senses, and how do you avoid a dagger flying at your back without seeing it?"

To some, it was nonsense, but to others, it was the answer they had been longing for.

"It's something to learn next time."

That one line was enough. Jaxon knew how to make a deal.

"I see."

Leona smiled brightly and nodded. Seeing her smile made him feel like he owed her. What a mysterious woman. She gazed at Enkrid’s face again and spoke.

"I’m a merchant, and all transactions begin with understanding what the other party wants. I gave you an expensive item, and you gave it to your subordinate. There were two beautiful women around, and yet you didn’t even glance at them."

Leona had to spend time with the Border Guard. In that time, she observed someone she found intriguing. What did this man want?

He didn’t even blink at a treasure. Instead, he looked a bit bored when his subordinate explained the origin of the dagger.

He wasn’t completely devoid of desire, yet he didn’t seem like someone who would drown in lust. Leona knew the strengths of her looks. That’s why she tried to seduce him subtly.

"There’s an elf who keeps getting in the way."

Even when she saw an opening and approached, Enkrid wouldn’t fall for it.

'What is it that this man desires?'

Her pride as a merchant was piqued, so she began to move. What is a merchant? Someone who makes deals happen. Shepherds of the Wilderness, Black Leather Guild, and Glacier Rangers.

All of these were closed-off groups. Yet, a merchant could open trade with them. That was Rockfreed. Leona loved Rockfreed and was proud of it. The man was just a soldier, a nobody, you could say. His rank was just that.

'It’s bothering me.'

She wanted him but not to the point of desperation. There were limits, but her pride was now on the line. So she began to observe him. Then, she saw it. The basics of a deal, what the other party wanted.

‘It wasn’t an item.’

The Carmen Collection was a cost shown to swallow the company whole. While others were fixated on the dagger or preoccupied with the group that launched the surprise attack, her resources had already stabilized the company's internal affairs.

She also used it as a way to gauge Enkrid’s greed, but it was a wrong assumption. Only after her observations did Leona realize.

What he desired was the future. His own future. Improved swordsmanship, skills, and strength. That’s why she called Matthias in.

The best warrior of the Rockfreed Trading Company, once renowned as a city-class mercenary leader.

"What do you think about training your sword under Matthias? How about nurturing your future here?"

If he was drawn to strong people and training his body, this was the answer. It was a huge misconception, of course. Leona didn’t know about Enkrid’s squadmates.

‘He seems impressive enough.’

Jaxon had told her a few things while Leona was figuring things out.

"For a small city, he’s a worthy talent. That’s all there is to it."

Even though she hadn’t intended it, his skills were well-known just from showing them a few times. That was a city-class talent.

"Compared to Torres?"

"By soldier grade, he’s above special class, but not a knight."

Jaxon’s assessment was cold. Above special class, but not a knight.

‘That’s common in the squad.’

Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, and Audin. None of the four would lose to Matthias. He had already proven what he learned from them.

"I’ll decline."

That’s why there was no hesitation in his answer. For the first time, Leona lost control of her expression.

"I’ve never missed out on something so desirable."

Enkrid liked this skilled young lady and excellent beauty.

‘Especially since she didn’t resort to clumsy tricks.’

Now that he thought about it, wasn’t it interesting? Among the people he met in this incident, one told him to put down his sword and another told him to come to her side because she wanted him.

Contrasting evaluations.

"Do you have to keep me by your side?"

Enkrid spoke up.

The goodwill she had shown didn’t seem off-putting, so Enkrid reciprocated. At his words, Leona blinked.

"That’s true. The mission is over. So, should we become friends? You could spend a day with a friend, right? What do you think?"

Even if not friends, it was an offer to stay on good terms.

"...What?"

"If you reject this too, a pitiful girl might be heartbroken."

Who’s the pitiful girl here? She just became the head of Rockfreed.

"Matthias, can I stay in the city for one more day?"

"As you wish."

Matthias stepped back.

"Permission from your unit is necessary, right?"

The company commander answered instead of Enkrid.

"As payment for completing the mission, I grant you a full day’s leave."

That was unexpected.

"Why? You don’t want to?"

Leona teased with a mischievous smile. He realized the power of beauty. Even with that expression, she was cute. A spider that swallowed an entire trading company making a cute face. Enkrid thought that while nodding.

"I don’t mind."

He had met many instructors, and they all said the same thing. Rest when you can. Swinging a sword day and night, and exhausting oneself wasn’t the answer. Enkrid knew this well.

More than anything, he wanted to repay the debt he felt he owed.

"Great, then."

Leona turned back to Matthias. Jaxon approached, and Enkrid spoke first.

"Don’t spread weird rumors."

"You’re speaking like a barbarian. Do you think I would?"

Enkrid was glad he had brought Jaxon along. If it had been Rem, he would have spread nonexistent rumors.

"Good job, soldier."

The company commander let them stay alone, proving that all the things she said were jokes.

"If you miss me, come back, soldier."

She added her usual elf joke. He was used to it by now, so it didn’t even feel awkward.

"Yes, I will."

Jaxon whispered from the side.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

"If she has more of the Carmen Collection, use your charm to get them."

Was he joking or serious? It was harder to tell than the elf’s jokes.

"It’s a joke."

Thankfully, he said it was a joke, but it seemed like half of it was sincere. Carmen Collection, didn’t he truly want it?

"I’ll be going."

Jaxon and the company commander withdrew, and Leona returned after sorting things out.

"Let’s go."

Enkrid and Leona had a fun time together. They wandered the market, eating at places Enkrid had already scouted out.

"This is delicious."

After eating herbal pie and Vanessa’s pumpkin soup, she gave a thumbs-up. Vanessa’s pumpkin soup was the pride of a restaurant that claimed the best taste among the four inns.

"This is tasty too."

Leona laughed at one of Enkrid’s jokes, and he chuckled at her playful banter. It was a sudden moment, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable. As the sun set, they had a couple of drinks.

"It was fun."

They spent the night together, but there was nothing physical between them.

"Great, we’re friends now."

"Sure."

They became friends, chatting till morning before parting ways. Enkrid occasionally seemed lost in thought, but it was clear they both enjoyed the time together.

"What’s going on?"

Matthias thought it was extremely rare. Leona was a woman who didn’t know how to rest. She was driven, precise, and highly skilled.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here now. In other words, Leona was on a different level compared to the idiot Polid.

"The former master’s son."

The rumors about him being an adopted child were understandable given his stupidity. Leona had lived a completely different life from Polid since childhood. Was she really tied up for an entire day by a single man?

It was rare.

Not that he disrespected her.

"The company’s future is bright."

Rockfreed would move toward a better future than before. Matthias trusted Leona. After a day of rest, the master returned with a refreshed expression.

"Let’s go."

And so the company set off on its path. They fulfilled the former master’s final wish to exchange words for succession. They completed their tasks. Leona devoured everything. That was her answer.

The former master had saved her and raised her. Not killing Polid was her way of repaying that debt. Leona understood the true intent of the will. In the carriage on the way back, she recalled the previous night and smiled.

"It was fun."

How many times had she had a conversation without gain? Chatting without purpose didn’t suit her.

But still.

"Enkrid."

His name lingered in her mind.

The plain-looking man and the rapier-wielding swordsman left Polid’s group and headed outside. No one stopped them. Matthias glared at them, but that was it.

"Let them go."

Leona’s words settled it. The two walked out of the city gate.

It was the end of season, nearing the end of winter. It was a harsh path for just the two of them. Monsters and beasts could appear at any time, but they didn’t seem concerned.

"Why did you do it?"

They were from the same country. Among them, the rapier-wielding swordsman was exceptionally skilled. A monster wouldn’t even make him blink.

The plain-looking man knew the swordsman’s indifferent nature, so this incident was intriguing. Offering advice to a passerby, someone who could be an enemy.

"Seeing it felt like a waste."

Nothing in the world ended perfectly, after all. These things happen.

"I see."

The plain-looking man agreed. It was time to return. They had failed, but they had gained something. The next head of Rockfreed was extremely capable. Information was always valuable.

Enkrid returned to the unit in the morning.

"Look who’s all cheerful."

Rem greeted him immediately. He knew everything. The first words told him that.

"How was it?"

It was a reasonable misunderstanding. Enkrid had only talked with Leona. Any answer would lead to nonsense. That was Rem. Instead of answering, Enkrid picked up his sword.

"Spar?"

"This boring guy. Sounds good."

Rem didn’t question further and grabbed his axe. He liked being the first to spar with Enkrid upon his return. This time was no different.

Enkrid faced Rem. He reflected on his day with Leona. A strange thing. It was a rest and a break. He forgot about the sword and relaxed. He talked with Leona all night. A series of conversations, seemingly meaningless.

So why.

‘I think I can do it.’

Spending time with Leona, Enkrid felt an unusual sensation. It was as if he had realized something. Time didn’t slow down, nor did his focus ignite to bring about a change.

It simply felt possible. Like he could naturally show it. The trajectory of his sword swing, the step he took, the movement of his shoulder.

All of it mixed to provide an answer. What was speed?

The question he had since facing the swordsman with the rapier. Though uncertain, he thought he could present a partial answer.

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