Eternally Regressing Knight Chapter 628

628. The City of Fairies

Splitting time and expanding the realm of perception. Beyond seeing with the eyes, hearing with the ears, smelling with the nose, and feeling with the skin.
Since the body reacted like this, it was very easy to accurately calculate the moment when the flying projectile would hit.
Encred recognized the time and trajectory of the arrow and got the answer.
He raised his arm and moved it to the trajectory of the arrow and clenched his fist.

Knock. Brrrr.

The flying arrow was caught in my hand. It was clear where it was aimed. It was under my shoulder.

‘I didn’t mean to cause fatal harm.’

Everything happened right after the sound of the wind reached his ears.
Encred stopped with his right hand raised, and the shaft and fletching he held in his hand trembled.
He could roughly feel the intention contained in the arrow. However, he could not tell where it was shot.
If he were to perceive the trajectory of the arrow as a line, it would be straight ahead, but his head could understand it that way, but his senses could not perceive it that way.
The gap between what he perceived with his head and the remaining sensation as a feeling was truly amazing.

“I can’t read your presence.”

Fel said. Encrid glanced around while holding the arrow. It was the same with his own eyes.
He was looking at it like that.

Pee-ing.

Three more arrows flew. The breathing of the arrow shooters was so well coordinated that the sound of the three arrows cutting through the air overlapped, making it seem as if one was flying. It was only the sound.
The expansion of the cognitive field was the same. Encred knew that there were three projectiles.
He caught one, so why couldn’t he catch three?
Encred let go of the arrows in his hand and grabbed them with both hands, kicking one with his foot.

Exactly!

The arrow he kicked with his foot bounced to the side. Catching an arrow was amazing, but kicking it away with his foot was even more amazing. It was a feat. It was a feat that only a knight could show.

“I guess it’s an order.”

Pel, who was watching from behind, raised his hand on his sword grip and spoke. He was referring to the inability to detect the presence of his opponent.
Encred also agreed with Pel. He waited for the opponent’s reaction.
It seemed that there was no sign of welcoming him.
Should I act aggressively? No matter what I did, I couldn’t guess the opponent’s reaction.
If I threatened them, would they just keep shooting arrows at me?
Then, if I blocked them all, would it make sense?

“Isn’t this a bit too cheerful for a welcome, my dear darlings?”

There is no reason to speak kindly to someone who is immediately shooting arrows at you. Luagarne spat out venomous words.

“……Outsiders are not allowed to enter.”

A voice was heard beyond the green fog. Encred could not pinpoint the location even after hearing it. His senses still felt disconnected.
Of course, there were many things he could do even if he could not pinpoint the location.
One of those methods was to cut down a large number of trees clearly visible beyond the fog.

‘Then you’ll hate it a lot.’

It would be.
Even if it wasn’t Shinar, the fairies I had seen in passing before were all similar. Encrid knew all too well from experience that fairies would hate cutting down trees.
However, it wasn’t like they always risked their lives to protect plants.
The fact that fairies die protecting trees, grass, and forests meant more about protecting their land than the forest itself.
After all, just like all races, the preservation and prosperity of their race were important to them, and the forest was the best environment for fairies to live in.
Grass, leaves, dew, and fruit were the staple food of fairies, and the spirit of the forest could be said to be the source of fairies.
That’s why they worshiped a large tree in the center of their city and called it the World Tree.
In reality, the World Tree was sometimes a tree with some magical or shamanic power, but it was also a large tree that was grown normally.
In any case, since Ruagarne spoke so harshly, it would have been natural for fairies to say, “Get out of here, you frog cousin,” but the fairies didn’t do that and just said what they had to say.

“This is not a place for outsiders.”
“I see.”

Encred also answered nonchalantly.
Would she come out just because I shouted, “Let’s play Sinar!”? I don’t think so. But would I just go in and cause a commotion?
I was considering that too.
With arrows in both hands. That could be quite a threat to someone.

“I know you are very skilled, but even if you kill us, the barrier won’t be broken.”

The fairy spoke again. It was a reasonable and rational response. The fairy was the one who argued logic even when her life was on the line.
That coldness reminded me of Shinar’s beginning.
Although they were having a conversation, it felt like they were talking to the air.
The voice was clear, but the location could not be determined. After learning the art of senses, she could tell if it was the southeast or northwest wind just by listening to the flag fluttering in the wind.
She even had Will in her body. But she still could not tell the direction.
Encred had not come to threaten them, much less harass them.
Of course, if the situation went badly, she could swing her sword a few times.
What if they were the ones persecuting Shinar? Then she could have a brief conversation with the sword.
Encred had swung his sword a few times to cut down the walking fire and the paladin.
So that conversation would not be all that enjoyable.
After a few thoughts crossed her mind, Encred opened her mouth.

“Sinaar Kirhais.”

I first revealed my purpose by telling the name of the fairy I had heard of earlier.
There was still no sign of life in the forest.

“I came to find her.”

Encred finished speaking. It was a remark made after giving ample time to think.

“……Who are you?”

Only then did a somewhat ordinary greeting come out. Encred thought he was at a loss for words to introduce himself.
He thought the fairies wouldn’t know him. In fact, that wasn’t the case. Just because the fairies live in a barrier, do they really live cut off from the world?
The answer is ‘no.’
They also interact and trade with other groups.
Fel, who was a shepherd in the wilderness, had experienced a closed society similar to that of the fairies, and he knew that no matter how much he closed his ears and eyes, he couldn’t help but know someone whose name was as famous as Encred’s. He also thought that it wouldn’t look bad if he introduced himself first before saying that he was Encred of the Border Guard.
In fact, there was no particular reason, but he wanted to step forward.
Fel took a step forward. Fel’s mouth opened before Encred’s.

“Lord of the Border Guard, Guardian of the Border Guard, Knight of the Iron Wall, Demon Slayer, Heartbreaker… Ah, except for this one. This is a man named Encred of the Mad Knights.”

The voice was so clear. It could be heard clearly even beyond the forest covered in green fog.
There were some jarring words in the introduction, perhaps because he had been beaten up for sparring on his way here, but the effect was certain.

“The knight of iron wall?”

I also heard the voice of another fairy besides the one who had come out.

“Guardian of the devil?”

Another fairy spoke.
Hey, nicknames mixed up. Encred was about to say something, but stopped
herself. Changing one’s nickname was not a matter of words but of actions.
The fairy’s tone was still calm and quiet, but there was something akin to emotion in her words. There was a hint of a small wonder, a surprise, and such.
Of course, it was so subtle and subtle that only someone who was not particularly sensitive would notice.

“A heartbreaker? Then why did Shinar come back alone…….”

I heard some useless words in the middle, but I decided not to argue about it now. I
will have a chance to hear about the story related to Sinar. From what I heard, it seemed like she was not locked up or tied up anywhere.
Although there were some misunderstandings, it seemed like the fairy knew her well.

“I would like to visit, is that possible?”

Encred said.
The fairies only admit invited guests. Such was the rule of the city.

“If you are truly an ironclad knight.”

The words were heard again. The group of fairies did not immediately believe Encred’s words. After a few more questions and answers, the fact that she had shown her strength by grabbing the arrow and kicking it away was the same as proving her identity.
If a fight were to break out right away, it would not be safe to hide beyond the fog. The fairies hiding in the fog knew that.
In conclusion, if someone with that much strength had it, there was no need to impersonate someone.

“It is an honor, Demon Slayer Sir.”

After such a thought, this response came back. A clear voice of a fairy, presumably male, answered.

“I’ve never seen anyone catch an arrow like that before. You’re truly amazing, human knight. Swatting away an arrow with your foot.”

This time, a woman, a fairy whose age was hard to guess from her speech, spoke.
Their words sounded a little clearer, and at the same time, the fog began to fade a little and spread out.
I only realized it now, but the fog had been in one place for a while, not moving.

‘It was a cognitive impairment spell.’

Only after the fog moved did he realize it.
Encred remembered the discomfort he felt just now. He stored it in the library of experience. He didn’t do it on purpose, but he did it out of habit, as if he was practicing his sense skills. As
the fog began to blur, whitish shapes began to appear.
The fog didn’t disappear completely just because it moved, but as the sun set, shadows stretched to form shapes, and five fairies appeared.
When it comes to fairies, we usually imagine them to have slender figures, but reality was a little different.
Three of the five were short. They were taller than dwarves, but if we were to compare them to humans, they looked like children who should be taller than adult males.
They looked young, if not young.
They were delicate, and they held bows that were larger than their bodies.
Despite their delicate appearance, their forearm muscles were clearly visible, which was not like those of children.
Three of the fairies were women. They were also the ones who shot the arrows at Encred.
The other two were men, one of them was rather large, and the other had white hair.
Encred, who was scanning the group of fairies with his eyes, stopped looking at the white-haired fairy, and he spoke. To be exact, his gaze lingered there for a moment when he saw his hair, and the other person pointed it out.

“Is that strange? Even fairies lose their hair color when they grow old.”
“This is my first time seeing it.”
“When it’s time to die, everyone returns to their hometown and dies. It must be hard to see. First of all, I apologize for shooting the arrow. I shot it as a threat, but I didn’t know you would catch me.”

Encred nodded and said that it was okay.
As the fairy said, the arrows did not aim for a fatal wound. In other words, the purpose was to threaten, not kill.
The three shots he fired later seemed to be more intended to test his skills.
So it was nothing special.
Encred’s only goal was Shinar, so he was satisfied that he had met someone who could answer that question.
Encred stared at the white-haired fairy. He seemed to be the decision maker.
Shinar had said something like that before. Didn’t the fairies care a lot about age?
He remembered emphasizing several times that wisdom deepens with age, so there was no reason not to listen to them.
He had said it several times after revealing his age.

“Come inside first.”

The White-Haired Fairy suggested, and Encred nodded. Fel and Luagarne followed behind.

“Demon Slayer Sir.”

A large male fairy called Encred. He was a fairy with a strong jawline and fierce eyes. I wondered if he was trying to pick a fight, but for some reason, his eyes showed a faint light of respect.
I could tell that if I looked closely. They had been trained to control and restrain their emotions since they were young.
So, if we were to compare this expression to humans, it would be like approaching them with cheers and looking at their sparkling eyes.
This fairy was not the only one like that. The eyes of the other three fairies were similar.
However, the eyes of the other three fairies seemed to contain a strange earnestness.
Well, this was hardly noticeable, so it was hard to notice.
They knew because they had spent a long time with Shinar and had trained their senses. If not, I would have thought they were just looking at me indifferently.
Anyway, it was strange to know their names, but it was hard to see how they would receive such admiration as an ordinary case.
The large fairy spoke carefully, chewing over each word. It was a hard, cold, and emotionless statement.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

It wasn’t the content.
Yes, it seems sincere.
Encred nodded, reading the emotion in the other person’s tone. Earlier, the fairy who said it was an honor from beyond the fog as soon as she learned of his identity was this fairy.

“If we get a chance later, can we share a sword?”

He spoke again. His tone was still the same, but Encred quickly got used to it.

“Dalssien?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”

As the two were talking like that, the white-haired fairy scolded him.

“Do you think now is the time, Zero?”

Although he was scolding her, his tone was still indifferent.

“I’m sorry, Elder.”

The fairy Zero nodded and answered. If they were humans, it would be a dry response that would make you think they were only bowing their heads outwardly without any reflection. The other three fairies didn’t say anything after their faces were revealed. They seemed to be the type of people who couldn’t speak.
Encred had nothing else to say, so he kept his mouth shut.

“You’re a belligerent fairy.”

Pel only said one word. It was a sarcastic expression. He said it in such a dry tone.
It seemed that he was not sure if he was sincere.
The fairy looked at Pel at those words, and Pel looked at the fairy.
A small spark seemed to start between them, but the fairy soon looked away, so the spark went out before the firewood could catch fire.

“Simple.”

Pel muttered. If you think about it, Pel wasn’t the only one who was behind when it came to fighting and arguing.
It’s just that he was overshadowed by Rem.

‘I need to come to my senses.’

Encred took Pell as a negative example and vowed to do so.

“This way.”

The white-haired fairy spoke and walked ahead. He walked calmly into the fog.
The sound of his footsteps was barely audible. It was the characteristic gait of the light-bodied fairies. That’s why they say fairies are born assassins.
Anyway, he kept walking inside, but his vision was slightly blocked as he entered the green fog. It seemed like the fog itself was an impenetrable barrier.
Thanks to Ester, he had accumulated some magical knowledge. Encred could tell this much.
Then, before he knew it, the ground seemed to go down a little and a strange passage appeared before his eyes.
It was like a long cave wrapped in leaves. The inside of the cave was made entirely of leaves, from the floor to the ceiling.
He wondered how they could make something like this.
As he followed them into the cave and walked, Encred forgot the passage of time at some point.
He could only see the leaves and the scent of grass and flowers filled the air, so it felt like a dream.
So he didn’t think it was some kind of spell or mystery.
When he opened his eyes, the cave was nowhere to be found and the city of fairies came into view.

“Welcome to our city.”

The White-Haired Fairy said.
There are no large walls or magnificent castles. However, there was something that was very impressive at first sight.

Ouch.

It was a large lump of wood with its entire body raised and its arms made of branches, smoking a cigarette.

“What are you looking at? Is this your first time seeing someone burning a cigarette?”

The tree giant said. Encrid wanted to pinch my cheek.