Chapter 201

“Um, I want to be beneath you.”

On a summer evening with a breeze blowing, a white-haired beastwoman spoke in front of the lodging.

“Beneath?”

In response to the question, Dunbachel carefully chose her words.

At this point, what did it matter anyway?

“A slave or a servant is fine. As long as I can be beneath you, I’ll do anything.”

If Frog was blinded by personal achievement or desire, the beastwoman’s eyes were fixated on the two words ‘reproduction’.

So, her words could easily be misunderstood.

“The continent is vast.”

Encrid tried to subtly suggest that he wouldn’t stop him if he left.

“As long as I can be beneath you.”

Dunbachel knelt. Her disheveled, greasy hair and scalp were visible. A foul smell wafted up.

Seeing this, Encrid first thought about washing up and getting some rest.

So, what to do with her?

Actually, it wasn’t a tough decision.

If she intended to stab them in the back.

‘Is that even possible?’

Before that, he somehow felt like Jaxon would slit her throat.

That’s the feeling. Just a feeling.

In reality, it wouldn’t have to be Jaxon, if Rem or anyone else sensed anything suspicious from Dunbachel, they would immediately beat her to death.

Luckily, there didn’t seem to be any malice. Her life was spared by some caprice.

It meant nothing. So.

‘If there’s no malice.’

Encrid thought about the fact that his platoon had ten members.

A platoon usually consists of forty to fifty men, and a company is responsible for a hundred to two hundred men.

‘But my platoon members are.’

Rem, Ragna, Jaxon, Audin, Finn.

Including himself, that makes six.

Isn’t that too many?

He almost wanted to check if Marcus’s conscience was intact.

‘If they’re going to make me a Company Commander, they should also replenish the personnel.’

Of course, only a few would survive. Rem wouldn’t leave them alone.

He thought of Andrew for no reason. Finn was the only new member since Andrew.

In conclusion, the company lacked personnel, and Dunbachel was more capable than a regular soldier.

Her current attitude was even submissive.

Submissive beastmen are rare.

Amid a few complicated thoughts, one clear point emerged.

‘Lack of personnel.’

He would get the Battalion Commander’s permission later, and if it was deemed too much, he could get rid of her then.

“Alright.”

“I swear by Krimhalt. If I’m sworn outcast, that’s trust… Huh?”

“Come in. There are spare bunks. But wash up first.”

To Dunbachel, this seemed like a bold decision. There was no sign of hesitation.

‘Was he planning to take me in from the start?’

Such thoughts crossed her mind. No, that wasn’t it. There were several moments where she could have been killed. Moments where it would have been fine to kill her.

And yet, she wasn’t killed but let go.

This showed that Encrid was a man who kept his word.

“To officially join the platoon, we’ll need the commander’s permission. If he refuses, there’s nothing I can do.”

‘It’s done.’

Encrid’s words made Dunbachel think there was no way she would be refused.

If she were the commander and had someone like this under her, she would nod even if they had ten servants.

Who would refuse?

“Don’t even think about serving me at night or anything like that. I’m not interested. So, if you want to join, come in as a soldier. If you want to be beneath me, pick up a weapon and fight. If you die in battle, so be it.”

Encrid said just that much before opening the barrack door and stepping inside.

Dunbachel stood there hesitating.

She wanted it, but it took courage to take actual action.

Even though she had longed for it, accepting something that had come true required even more courage.

Was it okay for her to step inside?

‘Someone like me?’

She had expected to be refused. That’s why she hesitated. As she did, the door of the lodging swung open.

“Aren’t you coming?”

Beyond the open door, he saw blue eyes under black hair. That face, although it was a man’s, was beautiful.

The moonlight flowed from those strong blue eyes, striking and scattering across his cheeks.

In front of the utterly unromantic military barracks, Dunbachel felt like she might cry.

Why?

She had no idea.

It was just that no one had ever welcomed her before.

He was the first person to invite her in without ulterior motives.

“I’m coming.”

Her voice trembled.

Dunbachel stepped inside.

They say life brings opportunities and sometimes a trigger.

Dunbachel thought meeting this man was such a thing.

Even if others rejected her.

She would endure.

Even if everyone ostracized and cursed her.

She would bear it.

“I’m really curious about something.”

Once inside, she saw a woman with orange hair. She was talking to Encrid, speaking quickly.

“You actually like being called the Enchantment, don’t you? That’s why you bring a girl every time you go out, right?”

Kyaak!

A panther hissed right beside her.

Flinch!

Dunbachel flinched at the sound, and Rem, who was beside her, spoke.

“Don’t worry, that panther rarely bites. Ah, it only bites that Big Eyes brat. So if you don’t provoke it, it won’t bite.”

Why was there a panther in the barracks? Dunbachel wondered but then stopped thinking about it.

The atmosphere was not as hostile as she had expected.

“Stop talking nonsense and get her cleaned up. She stinks.”

Encrid said as he turned and began to organize his belongings.

He seemed to be preparing to wash up, gathering thin linen clothes. Meanwhile, the woman with the orange hair approached.

“You don’t have any clean clothes, do you? Should I ask for some? If I mention the captain’s name, will they give me some?”

“Would they give them just because of that?”

“Of course they would!”

Finn said cheerfully and took the lead. It seemed like a bright night, illuminated by moonlight.

Taking Dunbachel outside, Finn asked.

“What’s your name?”

“Dunbachel.”

“I’m Finn.”

She extended her hand for a handshake. In ancient times, a handshake was a process to prove there were no weapons in each other’s hands and that they meant no harm.

In modern times, it’s also an expression of becoming good friends.

As she grabbed Finn’s hand, Finn smiled and said.

“So, how long has it been since you last washed?”

“Um, half a year?”

Beastmen do not enjoy bathing.

“Let’s walk a bit farther apart.”

Following Finn’s guidance, Dunbachel entered the bathroom and, without complaint, submerged herself in the bath.

She watched the water turn black, and heard Finn outside mentioning that she was leaving clothes for her.

Dunbachel scrubbed her body thoroughly with soap.

It seemed Encrid disliked bad smells.

After bathing and changing clothes, she returned to the barracks. Finding her way back wasn’t difficult.

Perhaps because she had bathed for the first time in a long while, her body felt light.

“…Is that really what you look like?”

As she entered the barracks, Encrid asked.

“Why? Have I changed?”

Dunbachel glanced downward out of habit. Her chest protruded, causing her shirt to bulge, and her pants were loose.

Do the clothes make her look different?

“Never mind. Your spot is over there. Go to sleep. And make sure to wear some underwear.”

Does it really matter? Dunbachel thought, but nodded nonetheless.

Encrid casually waved his hand and pointed to a spot. That was her place.

And thus, Dunbachel became an independent member of the independent company. No one mentioned that the beastwoman was once an enemy or a member of the Black Blade Bandits.

Or even if they did, they neither doubted nor ostracized him.

Why?

She herself didn’t know.

* * *

The atmosphere within the platoon was as cold as ever, but Encrid remained the same.

Get up, train, and watch Finn get hit after practicing the Isolation Technique.

“Ail Caraz Style martial arts is only this much, sister?”

The mouth of hell, Audin, was the same as always. A vein bulged on Finn’s forehead.

After sweating profusely in the morning, they gulped down water to fill their stomachs, and spread butter and orange marmalade on soft bread.

“Where did you get this?”

Encrid asked, biting into the bread. The marmalade was delicious.

Sweet and tangy.

Krais, chewing next to him, swallowed the bread and spoke.

“It’s a new shop across from the spiced jerky store. Run by a 26-year-old woman with dull brown hair and lots of freckles. Her name is Jurie, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, and her ideal type is somewhere between Captain Encrid and Ragna. She really dislikes guys like me.”

Why does he know so much detail?

“I know all the key people in the city. That’s the job of the Gilpin Guild.”

Is that right? But is someone who makes good marmalade really a key person?

“Of course. You’ve tasted it, so you know.”

Fair point.

As they continued their meal, Krais started chattering again.

“Similar things will keep happening.”

“Similar things?”

“They won’t leave the Border Guard alone.”

Encrid paused mid-rise and looked at Krais. His large eyes briefly glanced at Dunbachel.

Dunbachel sat there staring blankly into space.

She needed to be given something to do.

Turning his attention back to Krais, he continued speaking.

“By blocking Aspen, the Kingdom has expanded its territory. Thanks to that, the military city Border Guard is becoming a central trade city in northern Naurillia, with a permanent military presence. This transformation is currently underway.”

Recently, the frequency of visits from merchant caravans had increased, and new goods were constantly arriving. The population of the city was also growing.

“Jurie said that marmalade needs to be made in large batches, but it’s hard to store if it doesn’t sell quickly. Fortunately, with more people coming and going, it sells well.”

That’s why the marmalade shop opened.

Commercial viability is determined by population and the number of people passing through.

This was common knowledge Krais often shared when he was bored.

“So, how will the surrounding areas view the Border Guard?”

“Like well-cooked barbecue or ripe tomatoes.”

If you have a knife in hand and are ready to eat.

Just a simple slice will do.

That’s the position of the Border Guard. It looks like a juicy barbecue, tempting enough to make one want to plunge in a knife, even if it’s a bit tough.

How would the hungry see it? They’d want to carve it up immediately.

When the pioneer village Encrid saved grows and the trade routes expand, things might get better, but for now…

‘The center of northern trade.’

According to Krais, that’s the position of the Border Guard.

“That’s why the packs of lycans are unending around us.”

“When did you start expecting this?”

“Well, I’ve felt uneasy ever since we pushed back Aspen.”

Since then… even Marcus knew?

As soon as he returned, he was being nonchalant about loving the city and all.

The Battalion Commander knew of the city’s crisis.

So he must know how to avoid it too.

It was soon time for the meeting.

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s protect the spiced jerky and marmalade, Commander.”

Krais said from behind. It didn’t sound crazy.

Those two foods were quite precious to Encrid too.

The Battalion Commander’s office had already become a conference room.

A map was spread out on the large table, with chess-like pieces scattered all over it.

“Do we know the enemy’s numbers?”

“We’re sending out scouting parties every hour. As of now, it’s estimated to be more than two infantry battalions.”

“That’s a lot.”

Marcus said with a wry smile. He didn’t look scared.

He certainly had something he was confident about.

But is it okay to mention this now?

All the Company Commanders were gathered here.

Encrid quietly stood next to Marcus.

“Do you have something to say?”

“I have fewer than ten members in my Company.”

So what?

His eyes said. He was a Battalion Commander without a conscience.

Shouldn’t a company be filled with members to be considered a company?

“Can I add one person? The beastwoman we captured previously.”

She was formerly a member of the Black Blade Bandits.

Having just cut the throat of a suspected spy bandit, now he was proposing to incorporate another bandit into his ranks.

Come to think of it, he also needed to report about the noble bandit whose head he had just lopped off.

“Go ahead.”

‘Is that it?’

Is it just over like this?

“For the details and organization, talk to the Supply Officer.”

That really was the end of it.

He turned his head as if there was no need for further discussion.

Worried that other Company Commanders might object, Encrid looked around, but no one seemed to care. Only the Fairy Company Commander mouthed the words.

‘Did you seduce another woman?’

It was a Fairy-style joke. He ignored it.

He watched the meeting for a while. They discussed the enemy’s formation, where the battle would take place, their numbers, and the opponent’s key units.

“Martai might use cavalry, but we don’t have any cavalry.”

If you added up all the horses in the Border Guard stables, there wouldn’t be more than about fifty.

A few were prepared for urgent messengers.

But a cavalry unit was a different story.

Most of the horses, except for a few, were packhorses.

There’s a saying that an untrained unit is like a knife to the heart.

So, it was possible they would have to face mounted soldiers without any cavalry of their own.

“The Border Guard Commander has just returned.”

In the midst of the military meeting, the Border Guard Commander returned.

The ongoing discussion was entirely expected.

They had attacked the main force of the Black Blade Bandits.

There was one unexpected piece of news mixed in.

The commander suddenly said:

“Well done. I heard that part of the Black Blade Bandits attacked Baron Vancento in advance. The Vancento fled suddenly, causing the protection target to be lost. While losing the target isn’t an official achievement, you did well to slaughter some of the Black Blade guerrilla forces and come back alive.”

It was theatrical. Marcus slammed his desk with a bang.

Several pins, used to mark positions on the map, toppled over and rolled across the table.

“How dare they kill a noble! Those Black Blade bastards!”

Marcus showed excellent acting skills.

“So we immediately retaliated. If we hadn’t followed them, who knows what would have happened.”

The Border Guards Commander seemed a bit awkward.

Encrid watched without smiling.

At the end of it all,

“Some of the troops attempted to flee, and we lost them. Please punish them.”

“Ah, that’s fine. They’ve been caught.”

Marcus continued the real story after the theatrics, pointing to Encrid.

“He happened to catch them on the way.”

That had happened. A gift package had arrived. Some fool from the fleeing main force of the Black Blade Bandits had been caught.

“Really?”

There was unprecedented goodwill in the Border Guard Commander’s eyes.

Though he said losing the protection target wasn’t an achievement, the look in the eyes of both the Battalion Commander and the Border Guard Commander made it clear.

‘It’s a definite achievement.’

An achievement recognized by the influential Battalion Commander and the current power of the Border Guard.

Several nobles’ faces turned pale.

They were quick to catch on.

“Let’s all have a moment of silence for Baron Vancento.”

The Battalion Commander spoke. He wanted the man named Vancento to die as a noble, not as a bandit spy. He commemorated him as a member of the Kingdom till the end.

That was good for everyone.

So, let’s handle this well?

This silent moment of respect was like sending a message to the remaining nobles.

The perceptive nobles would understand this well.

“Alright, let’s get back to the meeting.”

The exhausted Border Guard Commander, still covered in dust on his shoulders, became one of the people surrounding the table.

The meeting resumed.

Marcus’s plan was full of holes.

Though one might think he had something to rely on, it seemed there were nothing but flaws.

‘What is he really relying on?’

It was a question that suddenly arose.

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