"Did I just hear something wrong?"

Nicholas looked at Erich with narrowed eyes, evidently displeased. In response, Erich calmly repeated what he had just said.

"Your name came up as the one who ordered that smuggling, commander Nicholas."

"This is ridiculous. You actually believe the words of a guy who got caught trying to smuggle?"

"There's no need to believe him at face value. But, judging by the circumstances, the scale of this is too big for a mere trainee to handle. From acquiring the items to selling them. Is this really something one person could pull off?"

"I show you a little favor and this is how you pay me back?"

"Business is business."

Erich quietly curled up the corner of his lips. He didn't know for sure, but Nicholas was probably feeling pretty twisted right now.

"I'm innocent. But even if, by some chance, that guy was telling the truth, his testimony alone isn't proof of anything. Surely, even a rookie like you would know that much?"

"You're right. That's why I plan to conduct a proper investigation starting now."

'I can't pressure him with just this anyway.'

What Erich intended to exploit was Nicholas's fear—the fear that he might be caught at any moment.

Sure enough, as soon as the word 'investigation' came out of Erich's mouth, Nicholas's brow furrowed.

Nicholas Renfield. A man so impatient and prone to mistakes. He knew it himself, which is why he was always full of worry. At least, that was how Erich remembered him.

However.

Why was it? Nicholas's face suddenly relaxed, and he crossed his fingers, wearing a strange smile.

"Do as you wish. I'm innocent anyway."

"Excuse me."

With that, Erich turned around and left Nicholas's office. For a moment, Frederick, who had been standing by absentmindedly, hurried after him.

"W-Wait, weren't you gonna grab him and squeeze him for answers right away?"

"..."

Erich didn't answer. Instead of replying to Frederick, he cast a sharp glance around the training grounds.

'... There's no one showing side effects yet. But that guy, Max, he bothers me a bit.'

Most of the trainees' bodies looked strong—more robust and defined than you'd expect from mere recruits.

But the most outstanding of them was Max, who stood by Nicholas's side. If Max was also a user of Orca-roid, then that towering height and massive frame must have been due to Orca-roid's effects.

Which meant...

'If he's at that level, he must already be experiencing serious side effects.'

Erich's steps, leaving Nicholas's training unit, only stopped when he reached a secluded forest.

"Frederick. Do you know much about Max?"

"You don't answer my question and start asking your own? I don't know much, but I can look into him. But why do you ask?"

"Nicholas isn't someone worth following. But Max seems to be a loyal sort. I'm curious why he'd follow a man like that."

"So, you're telling me to look into it. Got it. But, are you not going to answer my question from earlier?"

"You mean, wasn't I going to nab and interrogate him on the spot?"

Frederick gave a slight nod. Erich glanced around, then let his crimson glare fade from his eyes.

"There's no point squeezing him with that kind of evidence. He can just deny it."

"So you just came to scare him?"

"What happened to those caught smuggling at the outpost?"

"They all 'committed suicide.' So?"

"The guy we caught wouldn't have the ability or nerve to pull all that off without getting noticed. He's lacking both skill and guts."

"Which means... there's actually someone else pulling those strings?"

"Exactly. So, I plan to lure that man to me."

"...?"

Frederick's pupils rolled. What Erich meant was—he was going to provoke Nicholas on purpose so that the 'assassin' would come for him.

But how, exactly?

Frederick looked lost in thought for a moment, then let out a smirk.

"So, if you catch that guy, you think it'll lead you back to Nicholas? Besides, anyone who'd do such work wouldn't be an easy target."

Frederick's bitter smile had layered reasons.

Would catching the man really let them connect it back to Nicholas? And, could they even deal with that man in the first place?

Since he knew neither would be easy, he could only grin.

But.

For Erich, this wasn't such a reckless plan. Even now, there weren't many within the Watch who could stand up to him.

'But those people wouldn't get involved with dirty business like this. There's hardly anyone who'd risk damaging the Watch.'

So, even if anyone came, Erich figured he wouldn't be outmatched. That's why Erich smiled.

"I'm doing this because I'm confident I can handle it."

"When I'm around you interesting things just keep happening."

Erich noticed something odd in Frederick's gaze. But what did it mean? Erich decided not to overthink it.

'If I can't even handle this guy...'

All sorts passed through the Watch at the Great Wall. There were even those far quirker than Frederick.

Well, whatever. He'd already seen it all before.

"So what are you going to do while waiting for the guy?"

"I'll do what I'm supposed to, of course."

Erich slowly began making his way toward the Black Serpent Outpost. For some reason, the snow was falling even harder.

***

Standing on the podium, Erich looked out at the assembled members. The Black Serpent Outpost had about thirty people. Yet, most of their faces were ashen, listless.

Frederick added,

"There are thirty-two in total, running three 8-hour shifts."

The atmosphere here was heavy—even for the Great Wall, which was never exactly a cheerful place. At this point, it wouldn't be odd if they were all about to desert, hand-in-hand.

"How are the drills being conducted?"

No one answered Erich's question.

"I'm asking you."

With a growl, Frederick glared at the man in front, who hesitantly answered. He was Sergeant Kurz, the very first Erich had encountered here.

"Training stopped long ago. There was no one to give orders."

"What? Then what's the point of those sergeant stripes on your shoulder?"

Kurz flinched at Frederick's gesture. But this time, Erich didn't stop him.

'Senior members are the experts at managing the unit. Besides, Frederick has a good reputation.'

What Erich needed to do was not to micromanage the men but to steer Frederick in the right direction.

"Frederick. From now on, assign everyone except those on duty to training. But don't teach them swordsmanship. From now, it's all basic physical conditioning."

"... Leave out the swordsmanship?"

Frederick cocked his head, but Erich replied,

"In their condition, nothing would help. Even if you send three or four against a single barbarian, they'd get wiped out."

Then, seemingly offended, sergeant Kurz's eyes turned rebellious.

"With all due respect, we know how to deal with barbarians better than anyone."

"Is that so? Then why were you all cowering here, tails between your legs?"

Erich's jibe clearly annoyed Kurz.

"Maybe a southern noble lordling like you doesn't know what barbarians are really like."

The men began to murmur. Clearly, word of Erich's background had spread even this far.

Well, rumors travel swiftly in a place like this. Supply units, after all, were notorious for gossip.

This time, Frederick didn't stop Kurz.

'Looks like he's curious about my abilities.'

Erich didn't take it personally. After all, Frederick was infamous for assaulting superiors and wouldn't want to serve under someone weaker than himself.

—Step, step.

Erich calmly descended the podium, stopping a few paces from Kurz.

"If you can draw your sword and even scratch me a little, I'll keep quiet at this outpost until I'm reassigned."

"... Excuse me?"

Kurz's eyes widened. Swords weren't toys.

"It's actually harder to make a shallow cut. You know that, right?"

"I don't mind. Frederick, don't hold anyone responsible if I get stabbed to death here."

Frederick, watching, crossed his arms and nodded—he'd never intended to interfere.

—Shing.

Kurz drew his longsword—a lengthy northern blade—and pointed it at Erich.

'His stance isn't bad. He must have quite a bit of combat experience for a sergeant.'

In the Watch, sergeants weren't on par with veterans, but among the rank and file, they were more seasoned.

Moreover, one could only become a sergeant after real battle against barbarians.

"Hmph!"

Kurz took a sharp breath and lunged. His blade shot toward Erich with speed.

But after his first attack, Kurz's gaze narrowed.

"I never told you to stop."

Erich had dodged Kurz's attack with only a fingernail's breadth between them. If it was deliberate, it indicated a difference in skill that was overwhelming.

—Swish!

Clenching his teeth, Kurz unleashed a flurry of strikes. With a longsword's reach, he could do wide sweeps as well as thrusts.

But Erich evaded each attack by an even smaller margin.

"Grit!"

Kurz gritted his teeth harder and swung even more wildly, but nothing so much as grazed Erich.

Moving as if predicting the near future, Erich left Kurz feeling like he was attacking a phantom.

Everyone at the outpost watched, breath held. All that could be heard was Kurz's blade cutting empty air.

Finally,

—Thud!

In an instant, Erich closed the distance and grabbed the crossguard of Kurz's longsword.

Kurz put all his strength into yanking himself free, but then realized something.

Erich was holding the sword with just one hand.

"...!!"

Erich's hand darted toward Kurz's face. The wind sang as it cut through the air.

—Paang!

Kurz's hair fluttered for a moment. He froze, swallowing hard.

—Gulp.

Then, with his fist stretched toward Kurz's forehead, Erich extended his fingers—

—Snap!

"Ugh!"

—and flicked him on the forehead.

Kurz clutched his forehead and dropped his sword at the light flick.

—Clang!

"Does that prove enough for the noble lordling?"

"So you're no ordinary dandy."

Frederick gave a strange smile and turned to the men.

"Do you all know why Kurz lost just now?"

The men looked around at each other as if asking if anyone knew.

"The 'move' our lordling just used wasn't swordsmanship or anything fancy—he just evaded faster than this fool."

Erich, turning, now had a faint smile.

'Frederick, he really is useful.'

He hadn't put Kurz through this to embarrass him. Erich wanted to demonstrate the importance of basic physical training, to build understanding of why they needed such drills.

And Frederick had noticed right away and was now instructing the men in Erich's place.

"Swordsmanship might make you better at swinging a blade, but that's only meaningful with a foundation of basic strength. Do you think you'll survive long enough to actually learn it properly?"

"..."

"To dodge the blade right in front of you, you have to be at least as fast as the enemy. Rather than explain that to your thick skulls, the outpost captain showed you himself. Got it?"

"..."

"I said, do you get it, you trash?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Then move, already!"

Frederick let out a roar. The men, terror-stricken, scrambled to obey. Frederick shot Erich a sly smile.

Erich, watching this, chuckled.

'Things are going more smoothly than I expected. Commander August assigned me quite a good man.'

And so, the Black Serpent Outpost began to return to normal. Of course, the real threat facing the outpost remained...

'All that's left is to wait.'

Erich slowly walked to his room, wondering what kind of man Nicholas would send his way.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.