[{"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-20":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},427745,689,"Chapter 20","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>Between the tents, there is a torch stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the supply tent, there is oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been training for days, listening to sounds repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could find the location of anything around them even with their eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was really a simple task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using sound to identify the patrol guard’s location and secretly retrieving oil from the supply tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sprinkled the oil roughly around the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next part was even easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there shouldn’t be any witnesses, he used the shadows as his companion, crawling in to pull the torch stand down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spark at the end of the torch stand met the oil with a whoosh- and greeted warmly with a big flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s quite a skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company commander said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a compliment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid thought so as he set the tent on fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the fire first caught where the oil was poured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid skillfully avoided the flames, smudging his face with soot and inhaling some smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s much easier to react genuinely than to fake it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah-cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coughing, Encrid carried the fallen freckled soldier, and exited through the tear in the tent where the company commander had entered, circling around to collapse in front of the infirmary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire was deliberately set to coincide with the patrol guard’s timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it had to be that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy on guard duty in the next tent was a master of sleeping while standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t wake up at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid thought an assassin might have shot a poisoned dart at him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t require any extraordinary preparation up to this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stealing oil from the supply tent, which he already knew about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he had to do was knock over the torch stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Krang and the company commander seemed quite impressed as they watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really, if you had joined a band of thieves, you would have easily become the leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krang’s words just before leaving lingered in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered if that was supposed to be a compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ran his hand through his hair, his curled hair tangled around his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I guess I need a haircut too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even thinking about wiping the soot off his face, he lay down on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a big fire. It wouldn’t be a major incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a rough excuse ready for the guard duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ask tomorrow. Tomorrow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exaggeration, he just wanted to lie down and sleep as he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very long day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His headache had turned into a dull numbness in his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to think about anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survivors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over there. But, um, I think he just passed out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid knew the words were directed at him, but he ignored them and closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fatigue overwhelmed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freckled soldier who was on watch wasn’t the one Encrid felt a one-sided sense of closeness with, but he still felt a certain bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know it, but.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid had talked with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew where he was from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew about the girlfriend he left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even knew why he joined the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was something Encrid had, but he didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This created a sense of closeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the fire and the attack weren’t his fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he gave him a suitable excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the fire broke out, he shouted and tried to save those inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he inhaled the smoke and passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a new recruit who had just finished training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wouldn’t have been any training on how to handle tent fires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a reason everyone could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I really do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was understandably confused since he had no memory of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like you lost your memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supply company commander just accepted the explanation and moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid wondered if anyone might suspect him, but no one did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had crafted his excuse so perfectly that he thought someone might find it suspicious, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supply company commander seemed relieved that the supply tent hadn’t caught fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was part of his plan, so things went as intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new bright morning dawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today wasn’t a repetition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid woke up still feeling a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had gotten through another ‘today’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saved me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having washed his face and body, changed his smoke-scented clothes, and roughly trimmed his hair with a dagger, Encrid set out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vengeance, sitting on a box of supplies, asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t just let you burn to death in front of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Encrid’s words, Vengeance mumbled something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After mumbling, he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid wondered if this really needed a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to have a long conversation because of his still throbbing head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re a comrade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it without much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vengeance’s expression hardened upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his hardened expression, Encrid spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The flower of the battlefield is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The infantry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a greeting from the infantry company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Encrid turned his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just received orders to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was always so mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vengeance’s grumbling voice faintly brushed Encrid’s ears from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hear what normally would have gone unheard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hearing training.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid reflected on the ability he had gained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also recalled the fairy company commander deflecting a sword to the side last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered dodging the stab and the assassin’s attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A question naturally arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I still in the same place?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t serious. He was just curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How different was he today compared to yesterday?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he felt like having a bout with Rem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But first.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priority was to return to the main barracks and get a good rest. His head was still throbbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The weather is really nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a few steps, Encrid noticed his shadow stretching long to his right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the sky and saw a clear, blue canvas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cotton clouds were scattered across it, the breeze was cool, and the sunlight was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was an exceptionally clear day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like just walking would make his headache go away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krais appeared calm on the outside, but inside he was sighing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been exactly a week since Encrid had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How did we manage back then?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krais’s mind wandered away from the current situation before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered the time when Encrid wasn’t around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I’m the squad leader here. So, you all have to listen to me. So, that means gather in front of the barracks now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad leader kept repeating “so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had an authoritarian attitude. And he died a terrible death in the first battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to have heard some strange rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troublemaking squad was few in number, but their skills were top-notch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he really think they would meekly follow him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He charged ahead alone and got his head impaled on a spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his helmet flew back, Rem kicked it away with a back kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The next Squad Leader.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you guys are good fighters, so how about a skills test? Anyone want to spar with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was said to be the son of a noble. He was serving as a soldier because of some crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mentioned he would roll around here for a few months and then return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That nobleman was confident but inexperienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can we really spar with the squad leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem scratched his head as he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, not you. Yeah, you, come out. The red-haired guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chose Jaxon as his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could tell Rem was a thug just by looking at him, so he looked like he could fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling Krais would have been too unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon must have seemed like the easiest target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was a big mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, come out. Let’s have a match. Ha ha, I’ve never lost before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if someone gets hurt while sparring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A man afraid of that? It’s all part of the game!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrogant and cocky noble squad leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaagh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His forearm broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought he would obviously dodge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon, who was usually easygoing, sometimes became quite a madman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Rem and the other squad members who provoked Jaxon as he casually dealt with the noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should have stepped forward with your left foot there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s funny, you could have just tripped him up and knocked him down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not gripping your sword tightly enough. Grip harder. If you underestimate your opponent, you’ll get hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk, you’re such a weakling that you can’t even knock down a woman. I would’ve finished this a long time ago. Ah, boring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words made Jaxon turn fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company commander got furious at Jaxon for breaking the noble squad leader’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Assaulting a superior officer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I explicitly said it was part of the fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, yeah. A man who breaks his word isn’t a real man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One mouth, many changing words. Ah, the sinner is repenting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each squad member throwing in a comment, the company commander couldn’t say much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fight had been agreed upon as being off the record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the noble squad leader withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his family, he might have had plenty of paid swordsmen willing to lose to him, but this was the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The company commander never seemed to have any intention of taking the noble squad leader into actual combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just given the title of squad leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The next squad leader was no different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all pretty much the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad leader, who often got furious, had a quiet conversation with Rem outside and then quietly requested a transfer without any further fuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others also left for similar reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who stayed merely coexisted like indifferent cows and chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krais turned his head at the sound of a sigh behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered in relief as he saw the familiar face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Encrid. He approached, pressing his temples with his right index finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid looked at the two facing off in front of the 4th Squad barracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the reality Krais had been avoiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without a squad leader, I’m practically the acting leader, so do as I say. Ragna, the squad member?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t call my name. Address me with respect, you barbarian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh, has this picky eater wrapped himself in a noble shell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just unpleasant for an uncivilized beast to call my name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really? Maybe you need a savage beating to get your head straight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem’s hand bulged with veins, ready to swing his axe and split Ragna’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad member called Ragna faced him nonchalantly, standing casually with his hands at his sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Ragna’s ready stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon watched indifferently, while another squad member quietly prayed, trying to mediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, fighting and violence are bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Step aside, religious zealot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move back. A sword knows no eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem and Ragna answered simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a mess this squad is in.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This chaos after just one week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headache that had subsided returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Krais, got any spare medicine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon, indifferent to the fight, asked Krais while nodding at Encrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not right now. Squad Leader, you’re back. I was going to look for you. We’ve had some issues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krais shook his head at Jaxon and turned to Encrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, I have to stop these two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If left unchecked, it looked like it would really turn bloody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like this on the day he arrived too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the opponent wasn’t Ragna but the praying squad member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are many things that cannot be resolved through fighting and violence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the guy saying that isn’t normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring his throbbing headache, Encrid stepped in to break up the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way to stop their fights was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words wouldn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to physically get between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid walked between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really, they say ignorance is bold, huh? You’re here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem muttered. The veins on the back of his hand twitched and then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I can’t just cut through both of you. Squad leader, um, never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Rem and Ragna backed off, though not without exchanging parting shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t die on the battlefield, because I want to be the one to kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragna said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What? Want to die tomorrow? You’re just dying to taste my axe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rem retorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough,” Encrid said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid shook his head in the middle of the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do they dislike each other so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know. It had been this way from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were still glaring at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geez, the first thing he saw upon returning was a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, all sorts of things happened while you were gone, Squad Leader,” Krais spoke up from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was in the infirmary, Ragna had said the barracks were a mess, and he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had somewhat expected it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dealing with so many harsh situations, the trouble these guys caused didn’t bother him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not organizing meal duty, so everyone had to fend for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting into a fight with the squad member from the next tent and punching him in the jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the squad leader’s call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it too chaotic just because I’m gone?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought about it, but it was really okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krais continued to chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid realized the chaos wasn’t limited to the troublemaker squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A curse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encrid asked, forgetting his throbbing headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, they say the whole camp is cursed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of nonsense is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd enough to make him forget his headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[T\u002FL: Please support me here: \u002Frevengerscans ]\u003C\u002Fp>",2324,"2026-05-30T08:27:55.567Z","2026-06-01T04:30:45.896Z",1,"novelbin.me","d0e4e656eaea549fbe37ec26c19d88cb1f4ba80a861ba5c48403727f4428c2f6","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-21","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-19",882,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-knight-who-eternally-regresses-cover.jpg"]