A Knight Who Eternally Regresses

Chapter 338

What is the quickness of thought?

It was the same as thought acceleration.

One absorbs all available information, discards the unnecessary, and selects the most efficient and rational course of action.

In that process, determining what is necessary requires mental acuity.

With heightened speed of thought, the ability to predict the shape of battle evolved.

Enkrid found this aspect even more enjoyable than learning other sword techniques.

A blade that bent and countered like a snake was still a blade—it had to cut.

The Flowing Blade was a technique of redirection.

Its essence lay in countering, and without that, it lost its meaning.

Learning it had been exhilarating.

What about Lightning Thrust?

How could accelerating will in a single moment not be thrilling?

The process of learning was always a source of joy.

And the Crushing Blade was the same.

It had begun as a way to withstand a knight’s sword.

It had been born from Ragna’s question—

How do you cut lightning?

The answer had come through experimentation.

You do not cut lightning.

You see it and move before it strikes.

In other words, you must extend your sword before the enemy swings theirs.

Then, the blade you wield becomes a lightning rod.

One cannot cut lightning, but one can redirect it.

And he had proven that.

A knight’s sword was no different from an act of nature—like lightning itself.

The Serpent’s Blade, Lightning Thrust, Crushing Blade—

Each was learned through different means, yet the joy of mastering them was the same.

All of them had been absorbed into his body with a singular purpose.

Yet, in comparison, the Capturing Blade—the refined, precise technique of True Swordsmanship—was something different.

It can incorporate other techniques.

Calculation and thought were pushed to their limits, his concentration boiling over like never before.

If the first three techniques were akin to striking points, then the Capturing Blade was a line, unbroken and seamless.

There was a hidden will within the ghoul horde charging at him.

With extreme focus in True Swordsmanship, it was as if he could see moments ahead in time.

If he wanted to counter a move, he could use Serpent’s Blade.

If he wanted to force them into his pace, he could use Crushing Blade.

And if he wanted to disrupt their attacks from the start, he could strike first with Lightning Thrust.

Ah.

A realization dawned upon him.

The Capturing Blade was a technique reliant on precise calculations.

Now, it needed an inner core to strengthen it.

Even after developing it, he sensed something was missing.

And now, he knew exactly what it was.

"Recognizing your flaws is the key to growth."

He recalled the words of a mercenary.

And so, Enkrid did just that.

He recognized.

He acknowledged.

What was missing?

The form was complete.

Now, it needed substance.

The Serpent’s Blade had the essence of redirection.

Lightning Thrust had absolute focus, beginning from the feet and coursing through the entire body.

Crushing Blade had pressure—the force of sheer intimidation filling the gaps.

Thus, Capturing Blade needed something similar.

That something did not have to be an entirely new sword technique.

It did not need to be anything newly invented.

It simply needed a core.

That’s it.

Realization brought joy.

And joy brought elation.

What could be more thrilling than this?

Beneath a black, starless sky, he swung his sword,

The scattered stones became deadly projectiles.

Three slings broke in the process.

Each rock mercilessly shattered a ghoul’s skull.

Enkrid did not pause.

But something felt off.

A trap?

It was just a hunch.

But it seemed likely.

Shinar approached him.

"Something doesn’t feel right, fiancé."

Fiancé?

Why did he never forget to use that title?

Enkrid dismissed the thought.

"This way."

The fae’s senses and his own instincts pointed in the same direction.

That was where the so-called king of these ghouls should be.

Enkrid adjusted his course.

His opponent’s intentions were becoming clear.

"It’s leading us."

It wasn’t overt, but the intent was evident.

Looking closely, he could see it.

The weaker ghouls were all gathered in a particular area.

They were still stronger than an average soldier, but compared to the assassin-type and the massive ones Teresa was fighting, they were weaker.

It was as if the horde was herding them toward a specific path.

Deliberately leaving a gap.

Subtly guiding them.

"Pathetic."

Rem muttered behind him.

She had noticed as well.

"It seems our ghoul brother is eager to meet his god."

Audin delivered the death sentence calmly.

Without another word, Enkrid continued forward.

At last, they arrived.

It was an open clearing.

The enemy’s intent was obvious.

And the proof of that was the hundred yellow eyes staring at them from the darkness.