[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses":3,"chapter-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","A Knight Who Eternally Regresses",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},427743,689,"Chapter 18","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>When night fell, he tried to hear the sound of the approaching assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sound or sign to be felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let’s do it this way for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no hesitation. Once the training method was decided, he simply followed through like an ox plowing a field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid did just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the poisoned needle flew, the assassin would definitely enter the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He listened for that sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, he lay down to sleep and greeted the same morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could, he did his best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the day, he sought out Jaxon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was today, the day after he learned the auditory training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid had to wait quietly in front of the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had arrived too early compared to usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing murmurs from inside, he didn’t get any closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what secrets were being whispered, but there was no need to listen in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting, he met Jaxon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s walk together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked and talked. Same questions, same attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid, while hearing the same words every time, unconsciously showed the listening attitude that Krang had taught him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening well was deeply connected to learning well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To proceed, you first had to listen and understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he hadn’t realized it, Encrid instinctively knew that listening was important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that respect, the attitude of attentive listening was an excellent tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon repeatedly said the same things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid sometimes had to pretend to be a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Having eyes in the back of your head means listening, right? Hearing with your ears?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It doesn’t really need an explanation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sounds have directions too. You can distinguish front and back, left and right. It’s about the sound you hear and its intensity, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were you a genius?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. You’re smarter than I thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I look like an idiot to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he dies again. Today repeats once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day starts with the complaints of Platoon Leader Vengeance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, no breakfast? Where did this bastard disappear to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it’s natural to get cranky when you’re hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our platoon leader is whining, so I’ll go get breakfast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you crazy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what he said, it didn’t mean much, so he started by teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing the people passing by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using some of the daily occurrences as indicators, he spent today slightly differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid half-jokingly got through breakfast and repeated his day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five times, ten times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he repeated, he got used to fetching Jaxon from the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was awkward, but after overhearing their secrets once, he was undeterred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, what was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, what was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were talking about their preferred positions and such.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the repetition of today, Encrid boldly pulled back the tent flap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jaxon, do you have a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to continue, then step aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I wanted to, you’ve ruined the mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then come out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman next to him looked at Encrid with a bewildered gaze that said, ‘What is with this guy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was awkward, but he became shameless as he got used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above all, Jaxon didn’t particularly express any complaints even when Encrid acted this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was only curious about why Encrid was behaving like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His curiosity was always resolved in the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you curious about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same with training. As he got used to hearing certain sounds, Jaxon raised a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Have you learned this before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My grandfather taught me a bit when I was young.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid was a war orphan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even know his parents, let alone a grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with such flimsy excuses, Jaxon just let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid always made his day worthwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he trained in thrusting, moving his body was the task. This time, sitting still was the task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid made slow but steady progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let’s do as I’ve learned.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can’t take a full step, take a half step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a half step isn’t possible, take a quarter step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even that isn’t allowed, start by wiggling your toes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repeating the same day about twenty times,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can hear it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard the sound of the wind hitting feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard the grating sound from the wheels of a carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like a damaged cogwheel in a clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s the sound of breaking.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sounds come in different types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some sounds convey information as if speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the sound coming from a flag does this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finding out it’s a westerly wind is easy. Just check where I’m sitting, find north, then follow the direction of the sound of the flag flapping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easier said than done. No one can do this instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeat and repeat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, even though living by splitting each day, his mindset remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything created a synergistic effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Follow the sound of the flag fluttering.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on his seated position,he could determine the direction of the wind. It’s not particularly useful in everyday life or on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can tell the wind’s direction even from where you’re sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the significance lay in determining it purely by sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He distinguished the voice of a doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He estimated the size and gauged the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I master this properly, it could be useful on the battlefield.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, Jaxon always avoided dangerous battlefields by a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he listen, judge, and move beforehand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that even possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first step of this training was to distinguish sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second step was to gauge distance by listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid had just barely completed these two steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third step was to discern and listen to the tiniest of sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best training was said to be listening to the movements of an assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Funny, but…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the perfect environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dying without knowing what happened was, surprisingly, really unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation where you just go without any resistance is the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Isn’t this an opportunity?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought came naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t get up from his bed. If he tangled with the freckled watchman, he would always die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay down with his eyes closed and concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he focused on listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next steps could be thought about later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the day, he listened to the sound of rolling carts, the sound of wooden pegs breaking and shaking, and conversely, the sound of intact carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He distinguished the sounds of flags flapping in the wind, tents rustling, and people’s voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some, repeating the same task could be exhausting and painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s fun.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Encrid, it was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the smallest growth brought him joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it wasn’t as physically demanding as when he learned The Heart of the Beast,the mental strain was intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he concentrated too much, he often got splitting headaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after about thirty repetitions, he quickly got used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lived today a little differently than yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid loved that to the point of shivering with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, on the fifty-sixth night,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of a torch burning on the stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of a soldier on night watch, startled awake and tapping the ground with his spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freckled sentry at the infirmary, occasionally peeking inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among these sounds, a tiny sound reached his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint sound of wind slipping through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I heard it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was distinctly different from usual. Encrid’s ears distinguished the slight difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he heard it, Encrid rolled to the side without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I dodged it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The initial plan was to dodge and then shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid couldn’t do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard the sound of air being sliced behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to draw the dagger hidden in his bosom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh, swoosh, swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable small noise kept reaching his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By distinguishing the direction of the sound, Encrid barely, just barely, avoided the attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of the blade even grazed his thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That was lucky.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had been a bit slower, his thigh would have been cut. Even a scratch would be dangerous against this opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would someone who used poisoned needles leave their blade uncoated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept rolling and bouncing away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heart of the Beast shone through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the continuous dangerous moments,his heart remained calm and steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to get excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was just about hearing and avoiding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s okay. I can do this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he gave up counter attacking, he could avoid the strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade aimed at his back, making a long vertical slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin’s intention was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to at least graze him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid rolled towards Vengeance’s bed, who seemed oblivious to the commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rolling, he bumped the bed with his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy impact reverberated through his shoulder muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite ramming it with all his strength, Platoon Leader Vengeance did not wake up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Poisoned needle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t wake up. It must be a poison related to paralysis or sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You tough bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it seemed the assassin was in quite a hurry, muttering and stomping the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid, his breath catching in his throat, panted heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin, sensing his opponent’s labored breathing, thrust the knife in his right hand while throwing the poisoned needle with his left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a near-fatal move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid, despite his ragged breathing, responded swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dodged the knife and used Vengeance’s arm as a shield to block the poisoned needle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, the needle embedded itself in Vengeance’s forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his attack blocked, the assassin hesitated, giving Encrid a moment to roll towards the tent entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy breathing was a ruse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is the Valen’s MercenaryTtechnique, the deceiving breath.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a ploy to create an opportunity by pretending to give the enemy an easy chance to end the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautifully executed trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid, using the momentum from his roll, half-rose and acted as if he was bolting out of the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That too was a ruse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of heading for the entrance, Encrid moved towards the wall. He drew a dagger from his bosom and slashed at the tent wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan was to tear through and escape, winning the fight that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react, the tent wall was already torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the cut tent wall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a bit late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice accompanied by glowing green eyes appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the fairy company commander, the mastermind of the assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid instinctively attempted a thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he held only a dagger, it was a technique he had practiced countless times, ingrained in his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pivoting on his left foot, he twisted and thrust at his opponent in one swift motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right arm shot out like a spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fairy company commander, eyes gleaming, stepped inside and swung his right hand from inside to outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trajectory of Encrid’s thrust was deflected by that gesture. Simultaneously, the commander kicked out Encrid’s supporting leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world spun, and Encrid tumbled to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the fairy company commander did next was incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tick, tick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid turned away, pulling his cloak and using it as a shield in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud, something embedded itself into the cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the poisoned needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a state of bewilderment, he saw Krang crouching outside the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was there a guard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin’s voice was clearly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The thought of assassination makes me nauseous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fairy company commander let the cloak drop as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid’s mind was busy trying to comprehend the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not an assassin?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she on the defending side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what he saw when he died was not the one who killed him but someone who arrived late?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t look like you’re hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just startled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid answered Krang’s question and turned his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the fairy company commander, the assassin seemed ready to flee, his weight shifted backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander didn’t seem interested in stopping him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the assassin began to retreat, slipping out of the tent entrance and fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while running, his footsteps made almost no sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, this is something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krang chuckled awkwardly as he entered the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander approached the tent, grabbed the shoulder of the freckled soldier who appeared to have fainted, and dragged him inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at Platoon Leader Vengeance before turning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her green eyes met Encrid’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence ensued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, the company commander tilted his head and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re alive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a note of surprise in his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[T\u002FL: Please support me here: \u002Frevengerscans ]\u003C\u002Fp>",2130,"2026-05-30T08:27:55.567Z","2026-06-01T04:30:45.896Z",1,"novelbin.me","e3e042b8fd2b84a1b639216ae8584696116ca72489f07f80e03122aa15706d25","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-19","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-17",882,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-knight-who-eternally-regresses-cover.jpg"]