Chapter 363 - Forced
"Do what you were doing."
The Marquis said as he took a seat, and his two guards stood motionless behind him.
The n's intimidating presence only lasted briefly. Neither smiled nor showed any signs of dissatisfaction. They seed as if they were simply doing what they were supposed to do—indifferent.
Ragna thought that the posture of the guards was rather good. It wasn't stiff, nor was there any arrogance. They seed to know when to use strength, and that was what caught his eye.
While Ragna observed their stance, Rem read the energy surrounding them.
The intensity was due to the danger of the place, not because of any discomfort or hostility. That's how it seed.
Therefore, Rem figured there was no need to fight with the guards. Next, he turned his attention to the Marquis, who seed like an old man with nothing to do.
'Is he just idle?'
Rem didn't voice the thought aloud.
He wasn't the one to take action here, as the Marquis had co to see Enkrid.
Rem couldn't help but feel a bit smug, realizing that he didn't need to step forward.
'Is this right?'
Was it awkward? No. It felt so natural that it only struck him as strange when he thought about it.
Since Enkrid's guest, should he not show respect?
Rem realized he had unconsciously been following Enkrid, and it didn't feel bad.
Before he knew it, he had been naturally following without any resistance.
Esther sensed a magical energy from the visitor but concluded there was no mage present.
'An artifact.'
Her curiosity about the magic began to stir, but she quickly suppressed it. If she acted on her own whims, it would cause trouble for Enkrid.
Hmm.
Just beside her, Enkrid slamd the halberd into the ground with force.
He didn't respond to the Marquis's comnt, instead continuing his training, just as he had been instructed.
"If you're trying to balance your body, should you really lack the power to strike down?"
Rem took a step back and gave advice. The axe on his waist jangled as it lightly tapped his thigh. One of the guards glanced at him, but neither of them spoke, so the situation didn't escalate to confrontation.
Rem focused entirely on Enkrid.
"Well?"
"Foot."
It was a suggestion to move his weight further forward with his left foot.
It would cause him to lean forward, wouldn't it?
'Where's the heart of the beast?'
While Rem hadn't heard it directly from Enkrid, he knew what would follow if he asked.
Enkrid quickly grasped a small insight from the brief exchange.
'If I exceed my own strength limits, I could use that strength for an attack.'
Limit-exceeding strength—trendous power.
To think that only he could wield such power would be arrogance. He had to consider that others could also possess it.
What Rem was teaching was a technique called "Giant Cutting."
Though the na was about cutting giants, it referred to how to counter a weapon wielded with giant-level strength.
It was Rem's original technique and training thod.
It had only been recently developed.
Turning unique experiences into techniques.
Hadn't Enkrid shown that before?
The technique "Captured Blade" was enjoyable to watch just by seeing it in action.
Rem had done the sa thing.
He laid the foundation on his experience, then concretized it based on what he had learned.
He then systematically refined and structured the steps and sequences to make the result instinctual in the body.
He could experint through Enkrid, and in doing so, Rem learned and improved further.
Enkrid also understood what Rem was doing.
In that mont, Enkrid realized that even his eccentric friend was a genius, but that didn't change anything. It was just a thought.
For now, he was focused on learning and improving, and that's what mattered. Whether his friend was a genius or not, there was no ti to worry about it.
So, he just continued to learn, practice, and repeat the process with genuine passion.
Rem simply enjoyed watching it all unfold.
"Stronger."
Rem instructed, and Enkrid responded by adjusting his movent accordingly.
To withstand an attack from a giant, one must first understand what they are capable of.
Strength beyond limits is called monstrous strength.
What can a person with such strength do?
The Marquis was simply amazed by the person who so seriously trained himself.
Jaxen, on the other hand, silently observed the Marquis.
No intent, no pressure, no aura. He just watched quietly.
Jaxen thought the leader of the Black Blades was most likely one of the nobles.
'But probably not at the level of the Okto Marquis,' he thought.
If he had that level of influence, wouldn't the leader of the Black Blades have made a move by now?
Aside from Count Molsan, he was practically the most powerful figure both inside and outside the royal palace.
The internal court struggles had already been investigated, so he was well aware of them.
'It's not him.'
He could tell the Marquis was soone who carried the dignity of a noble born and raised as a noble.
The Marquis could never have been the leader of the Black Blades.
The head of the Black Blades had entered the royal palace as the leader of a band of thieves, and he couldn't have completely discarded his past ways.
While observing the Marquis, one of the guards glanced at Jaxen.
Despite the lack of any noticeable presence, they had noticed him.
That guard must have so ans to do so. He was from a different faction, no doubt. After all, soone of such skill would need to avoid assassination threats.
Those holding positions in the capital were all in danger of assassination, after all.
'Could it be Will?'
Jaxen hadn't mastered the art of sense techniques, nor did he carry the sa scent as others of that type, so if his gaze had been detected, it could only be Will.
There were ways to hide himself more, but for now, it was useless.
Jaxen averted his eyes.
Even though no confrontation had yet occurred, a strange tension filled the air as the Marquis spoke.
"Won't you offer a cup of tea? Gardner, the baron."
"Huh? Oh, of course, I will," Andrew replied, sweating as he quickly prepared tea and snacks.
There were only a few servants in the mansion.
One young maid, trembling with fear, recognized the Okto Marquis and stepped forward with shaking hands.
For the young maid, the noble sitting before her was different from Andrew.
Andrew, too, could harm her if he wished, but he was soone she saw every day.
She was familiar with him and knew he wasn't the kind to do such a thing.
But the man sitting there now was a high-ranking noble.
Literally, with a gesture or a word, he could throw her life and her family into ruin.
Being of higher rank than Andrew ant her master couldn't protect her.
The maid didn't fully understand these concepts, but instinctively, she trembled with fear.
In the end, the maid dropped the tea. The liquid spilled, sliding off the cup and spilling onto the table, then onto the Marquis's lap.
The Marquis calmly rose from his seat and moved to the chair beside him.
The maid couldn't even speak and trembled, her face pale as she knelt.
"I-I'm sorry!"
Enkrid had just finished training.
"Your hands are not steady," the Marquis remarked.
Unable to do anything, Mac quickly ca with a handkerchief, but the guards were faster.
One of them imdiately took out a clean handkerchief from his coat and wiped the moisture from the Marquis's knee.
Enkrid's gaze landed on the Marquis. The Marquis, not at all concerned about being watched, spoke.
"Gardner, the baron."
"Yes?"
"You should pay more attention to maid training."
"...Yes."
Mac quickly cleared the table. The maid, still trembling, was sent inside by Andrew.
She walked carefully inside, looking as though she might collapse, but sohow managed to stay upright.
Andrew then poured tea for the Marquis, who nodded in approval.
He neither showed any kindness nor reprimanded her harshly.
The Marquis took a sip of his tea, while Kin Baisar silently took a seat beside him.
"May I have a cup as well?" Kin asked.
"Is it alright if I ask for another?" the Marquis added, and there was no way to refuse.
"Of course," Andrew nodded.
anwhile, Enkrid walked over and sat across from them at the table.
The small commotion had ended.
Enkrid didn't act overly polite, nor was he impolite. He simply sat down in a neutral manner. The Marquis observed him and took another sip from his tea.
The steam rose from the tea, brushing against the Marquis's lips.
"What do you think would have happened if I had comforted the maid just now?" the Marquis asked, still holding the cup. There was a smile on his face, but his eyes weren't laughing.
Enkrid found it difficult to read the Marquis's nature.
He had encountered various types of people, but soone like this was not easy to understand.
If Krang was like a solitary shining sun, the Marquis was like a river.
A river whose course and changes were uncertain.
"Either they would feel relieved or anxious," Enkrid said, wiping his sweat with his sleeve, placing his hands on the table.
"Oh? And why would they feel anxious?"
"Because while you appear to comfort them, they might fear you will harm them behind their back."
"Are you saying that maid only sees the dark side of the world?"
"Perhaps if she later told soone about this, soone might say, 'She spilled the tea but was comforted instead? Be careful, he might be after sothing.' Sothing like that."
Enkrid mimicked what a maid's acquaintance might say. Of course, it was a poor imitation, but the aning ca across clearly.
While pretending to comfort her, an old noble might be secretly eyeing the maid's body.
So, rather than comforting her, it would be better to act a little displeased.
After the event passed, the maid would likely feel relieved, thinking she had paid for her mistake.
The Marquis did not express anger, only criticizing her unsteady hands.
That was all.
"You are quite thoughtful," Enkrid remarked.
"I often hear that I'm not very noble," the Marquis replied.
"...Is that so?" Kin Baisar almost spit her tea in surprise but only tightened her grip on the teacup.
What is it that soone who is called the noblest of nobles says?
The comnt about being "not noble" here was almost a play on words.
Can soone who reacts so sharply to a maid's mistake truly be called a noble?
"Why have you co here?"
"Why do you ask?"
To ask a question like that, and to reply with a counter-question to the Marquis himself...
Kin Baisar's heart started pounding. Her gaze naturally shifted towards Enkrid.
"I wanted to know what kind of person you are. Can you answer ?"
What would he say in response?
Kin already knew how Enkrid ca to be here.
He could roughly guess why he ca.
His answer was likely already decided.
He could say he ca to help soone's kingdom, or that he was sent on an assignnt.
Kin would nod if Enkrid said he was here because it looked interesting and he simply wanted to lend a hand.
'Maybe he'll answer like that.'
If anyone could, it was Enkrid.
But would the Marquis be pleased with that kind of answer?
Probably not.
The Marquis was neither expectant nor amused. His deanor was simply indifferent, and the pressure was palpable.
Enkrid finally spoke.
"I've co to create a world where children don't have to fight wars."
The unexpected response made everyone, including Kin, fall silent.
Enkrid spoke in a calm, almost poetic tone, as though reciting a verse.
It was a quiet, composed declaration of his will—a statent born from deep conviction.
"I've co to reduce the monsters, to lessen the threats. To protect those who value their people. To punish those who oppress others with their strength. I've co to protect the weak and safeguard the dreams of those who have them."
Empty words. Grandiose words. Words that could co from anyone's mouth.
No, there was aning in them. These were words of faith, words filled with sincerity. They ca not from the mouth, but from the heart.
In that mont, everyone in the room—Kin, the Marquis, the guards, Rem, Dunbakel, Andrew—felt as if they were swept up in the storm that was Enkrid.
Words alone carry no weight.
Anyone can speak them.
But no, words do carry weight.
When those words are imbued with will and conviction, they matter.
As everyone remained silent, the Marquis set down his teacup and spoke.
"Did you say being a knight is your dream?"
His dream hadn't likely spread that far, so the Marquis' keen hearing must have picked it up.
Enkrid nodded.
"Yes."
"I will support you."
"Yes."
The Marquis stood up. Why had he co here, then? Was it to confirm that his dream was indeed to be a knight?
Kin was confused. But the beautiful woman, who had swayed the hearts of n for years, remained calm and composed.
The Marquis stood up, concluding their conversation more quickly than expected. He turned to leave.
As he took a few steps, however, he stopped, not even halfway through the room.
"Oh, but the man who dreams of protecting the weak—does he simply watch as people die in the capital? Is everything just for show until you get an assignnt? Every night, sothing happens. Will you only move when you are hired?"
The Marquis' tone and body language were awkward.
It seed as though he was speaking off the cuff, but it was calculated, intentional. He was letting Enkrid know that he saw through the act.
You won't truly use that so-called knightly resolve unless there's sothing to gain, will you?
Enkrid felt like the Marquis' words were clearly cutting through him.
It was forced.
The capital's security was the responsibility of the constabulary.
Enkrid belonged to the Border Guard's standing forces. If he took matters into his own hands here, he would be reprimanded, not praised.
Should he give in to this provocation?
Enkrid looked into the Marquis' eyes.
They showed a subtle smile.
'Ah.'
It was a challenge. He could feel it, clearly.
Could he take it on? He didn't have to, but—
Did he truly believe in his own ideals?
What about his dream to beco a knight?
Honestly, was he trying to avoid taking action just because he didn't think he could solve the issue?
In an instant, the Marquis' words rang in his ears. He hadn't said them aloud, but Enkrid heard them.
The aristocrat's refined deanor may have hidden the true aning, but Enkrid heard it loud and clear.
He had to take the challenge.
This was how he would prove his sincerity.
If his words were to be believed, his actions had to follow.
No one would follow him if his words were hollow.
No one would stand behind him.
"I'll look into it tonight and resolve it."
"Please do."
Their eyes t. The Marquis smiled, his eyes softening, and Enkrid returned the smile.
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