[{"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-292":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},428093,689,"Chapter 290","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-292",292,"\u003Cp>\"Commission! I'll hire you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain had stopped, but the damp air remained. Every morning, waking up was unpleasant due to the sticky, heavy sweat clinging to the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By midday, the discomfort only worsened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sun reached its peak, the humidity thickened, mixing with the subtle heat that seeped into everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the muggy midday sunlight, drenched in sweat and heavy, oppressive air, the village chief shouted in desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll pay whatever you want!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader scoffed, letting out a derisive laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression clearly said: \"Go ahead, try it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the mercenary captain remained silent, the village chief's face twisted. He looked like he was about to cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few of the tense villagers gazed at the mercenaries with pleading eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still, no answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain let out a short hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not accepting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid's gaze also turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their original contract had ended that morning. The mercenaries were free to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, however, a sharp-eyed mercenary noticed movement and caught a scouting bandit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for interrogation—the bandit immediately spilled everything, revealing their numbers and location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t infamous bandits, but they had numbers on their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a hundred of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if all the villagers and mercenaries combined their forces, they barely had thirty fighters at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was more than double their numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenary captain hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mercenaries sell their swords for gold. We don’t fight without a contract. This isn’t a commission—it’s a plea for rescue. And we don’t have that kind of honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By mercenary standards, he was a man of principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as their leader, his decision was reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no reason to risk their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wise choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the mercenaries had decided to fight, his gang would have taken heavy losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how skilled they were, at least ten of his men would die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe even twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That mercenary captain didn’t look like an easy opponent either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they won, the damage would be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for their scout getting caught, they would have waited for the mercenaries to leave before making their move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let him go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the captain’s command, one of his mercenaries untied the captured bandit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is madness!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll kill us all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll give you everything! We have jewels too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers cried out in despair. One of them even tried to grab the mercenary’s leg, but it was pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Step any closer, and I’ll cut you down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the mercenaries spoke in a chilling tone, his grip on his sword firm. There was no hesitation in his words—if they pushed further, he would kill them without a second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the fact that the mercenaries weren’t siding with the bandits and splitting the village’s wealth among themselves was already a form of mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain was a practical man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough. If you step forward, we’ll draw our weapons too. Back away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly took control of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries moved to one side. The bandits stood and watched from the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid stood caught in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a member of the mercenary group, he could just walk away. That was the logical choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when his gaze shifted absentmindedly, a certain reckless little girl entered his line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl who, in three years, planned to leave the village and become an herb gatherer—completely out of her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go, mister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a fearless child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of pleading for her life, she was calmly assessing the situation. And amidst it all, she even flicked her hand at him, gesturing for him to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the face of someone who had given up. She was already thinking of a way to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid had fought plenty of bandits before. He had more than enough experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all going to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No amount of effort would change that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So should he stand back and let it happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he turn away too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he abandon what he swore to protect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did it mean to be a knight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was it that I wanted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he turned his back here—if he ignored this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would never be able to do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many times before had he stood by, telling himself he wasn’t strong enough to change things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he going to do the same thing again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he had turned away. He had closed his eyes to things he knew he should have stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did this moment weigh so heavily on his heart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mercenary tapped him on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a rough-looking man, but a good one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind who helped the villagers with small tasks during their stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t hesitate to turn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the reality of being a swordsman in this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only fools went looking for death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those who stood their ground even knowing they would die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the biggest idiots of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially if they did it for some ridiculous sense of justice rather than a bag of gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ll say I’m insane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, he couldn’t walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he stepped back here, if he ignored something like this—he would never be able to move forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what he felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he only survived this long because fate took pity on him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had never been kissed by Lady Luck, had he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was going to help, she might as well give him a full blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a ridiculous thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip. Drip. Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain started pouring down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enki, you bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenary captain cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what he said next stayed in Enkrid’s mind for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They won’t kill them. Even if we leave them, they won’t die. Why the hell would they? What do you get from killing them? Are you a freak? They won’t kill them. At worst, they’ll sell them to slavers. And that would be better than dying, wouldn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life in a swamp village wasn’t exactly abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But saying slavery was better?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was going to take you into our group, you idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain pulled back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t about to beat some sense into him just to drag him along. That was none of his business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, Enkrid wasn’t some extraordinary talent—just a swordsman with a bit of skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just another fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fool who couldn’t see a step ahead of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief’s voice was filled with disbelief. More than gratitude, it was shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you see that third guy from the left over there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? Yeah, I see him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s my enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Enkrid had never seen him before in his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the word enemy, the bandit blinked in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied Enkrid’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guy who looked like that? He would’ve remembered if they had met before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait... are you from that mining village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid had no idea what he meant, but he nodded anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shit. You mean someone actually survived from there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemed like these bastards had been terrorizing other places too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, he could kill them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, he might die before that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the very least, he had already made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief leaned in and whispered in Enkrid’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A joke. A fake reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you insane?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid let out a dry chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had already decided to fight, did the reason even matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief was so dumbfounded that he didn’t even think to stop the departing mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bastard is not our responsibility,\" the mercenary captain said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he really staying behind alone?\" the bandit leader asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenaries left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But two of them hesitated, stopping in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For fuck’s sake, what is wrong with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm staying. I can't just walk away while that idiot is throwing his life away. If things go south, I’ll at least try to drag him out of here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard, if anyone’s staying, it should be me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pete, you too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s like a little brother to me. I can’t just ignore this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain’s brows furrowed. Deep down, he also wanted to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he did, the entire mercenary group would be slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the end of it,\" the captain declared. \"If anyone else stays, they can consider themselves out of the company.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger and Pete—two mercenaries stayed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm actually older than you,\" Enkrid said to Pete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rough-faced, thick-browed mercenary, who had a soft spot for kids, grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looking at your face, I’d say I’m the older one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been about a month since they met, but these two mercenaries just couldn’t bring themselves to walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Enkrid unsheathed his sword and stepped forward to block the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, are you insane?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being sold into slavery would be the best-case scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing the way some of these bastards had been eyeing the children with sick, perverse looks, she wouldn’t have a good future either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger scoffed and threw a glance at the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fell for him, kid? It’s polite to watch when men fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What nonsense,\" she muttered, paying no attention to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halfway,\" Enkrid replied to her question, raising his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a crazy decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would he gain from saving these people? Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he get a medal for this? Not a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles of the kingdom didn’t even know this place existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were too busy filling their own pockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid knew nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the village sent a request for help to the nearest lord, what would happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they were lucky enough to have a virtuous noble willing to listen, by the time the request was considered, the villagers would already be sold, dead, or maimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the lord of this region? He wouldn’t send his soldiers to hunt down some nameless bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conclusion: If they were left alone, they would all die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no one else was going to stand up for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That one could be sold too. Pretty enough,\" the bandit leader mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using every trick he had, he cut down three men before taking a club to the head, staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger and Pete fought like madmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger swung his axe with brute force, while Pete stabbed his long spear, puncturing several bandits in quick succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t want to get caught, then fight for your lives!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief let out a fierce war cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An axe flew through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It buried itself in his skull, killing him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the villagers fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some grabbed weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swung long fire pokers and raised woodcutting axes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Throw!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reckless little girl, who dreamed of becoming an herbalist, took action too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the younger children, she picked up stones and hurled them at the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like they had a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe if luck was on their side, an escape route would open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe the mercenary captain would change his mind and come back for a surprise attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whizz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows rained down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pete died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arrow pierced straight through his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ghrrkk…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even have time for final words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger and Pete knew they would die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had hoped for a different outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger had even come up with a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If an opening presented itself, he would take the bandit leader hostage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One-on-one, Ger had never lost in the mercenary company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pete was fast, nimble, darting across the battlefield like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan was simple: one of them would create chaos while the other grabbed the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader was stronger than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ger rushed in, axe raised, the leader calmly met his strike with a single sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks flew, and Ger’s face twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard was far stronger than he had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ger despaired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pete had held out for as long as he could before an arrow pierced his neck, killing him first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastards!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one last desperate charge, Ger rushed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not so fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without excitement, he signaled his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t let Ger escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t break their formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was allowed to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it ended the only way it could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader’s sword sliced clean through Ger’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you really think you could win?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid fought until the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the chaos, the bandit leader’s hands wrapped around his throat, squeezing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, his sword had slipped from his grasp, falling into the mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the fallen bodies, the reckless little girl lay motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her skull had been smashed open. Blood pooled around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s dead too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid didn’t even realize he had spoken aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit leader followed his gaze and replied indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was a feisty one. Kept biting, even when we just tried to grab her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was casual, emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the kind of world they lived in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>",2231,"2026-05-30T08:27:55.568Z","2026-06-01T04:30:45.896Z",1,"novelbin.me","efee7795627c961abc92a02b015d037a16feb0aec9a15d3bb4e14b5738b8e096","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-483","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-482",882,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-knight-who-eternally-regresses-cover.jpg"]