Chapteer 272: Extra 12 – The child and the woman
OMsThe red carpet that adorned the hallways had been removed.5jjU
VZ7Only a few withered flower petals remained on the decorations, along with an empty pitcher.v9fMIx
nRcThe Bayezid mansion, which had been the setting for a splendid celebration, was now calm.zUR
d6cThe guests had left, and the only thing breaking the silence was the singing of the birds.KtRo
nxK9wgGVlad walked alone through that tranquil space.AlP
jE3v“…”cKlen
38IewHe wore a light cloak, as if he were already prepared to leave.R6ZuL
qjkMZKEarly that morning, as the bluish colors of dawn stretched across the sky, Vlad made his way to the room where the lady of the house, Oksana Bayezid, was.0hoMW
sKCw9qx“Are you feeling better?”6xrJVCU
Nf3AqiThough the sun had yet to rise, Oksana was already awake.wpwiBy
j9UOr perhaps, due to her persistent cough, she hadn’t been able to sleep all night. Nevertheless, she greeted Vlad with the same warm smile as always.oE3d
C74NSR“…Are you leaving already?”zp8tanc
94dsuMYAlthough she could have remained lying down, Oksana made an effort to sit up with the help of a few cushions.S9KaD
u8CEuVShe didn’t want Vlad, who was about to leave, to worry unnecessarily.AaLv9Yr
O9HN“Yes. I think it’s time to return.”MF1zOxb
2h1LzvHowever, she couldn’t entirely hide the illness that afflicted her.nbGYO7X
1vqllWOksana’s lips, pale as if covered in wax, left Vlad with a strained smile.GkQQ3A
2Gm8“That’s the right choice. If you’re going to leave, it’s best to do it early. You know how unpredictable the northern weather is.”M6Niw
7aafThe rays of the morning sun began to filter through the window, bathing Oksana’s bed in a warm orange glow, similar to the one Vlad had seen the day he met her.V3txDc
TINJTY9“…”vXDkuT
vupnwVRUnder that light, Oksana’s figure resembled a painting.VpTI
ODuIIt wasn’t ostentatious or dazzling, but it offered the serenity of a picture one would want to gaze upon every day.sHrNo0
1KmUF“It looks like the sun is rising. You’d better hurry.”2xAg8jl
hjAThat painting, which he had always wanted to keep, was now telling him it was time to leave.SWS
bFWvdkOksana caressed the small package she had placed beside her bed.JUY
vaw“Are you wearing clothes suited for the season now?”XE1mbcm
uL1DVlad had been a child who wore winter clothes even in the height of summer.XCu
ZKKHuddled up as if he still felt cold beneath the warm summer breezes.TH5y
QvwqqA“The clothes that aren’t seen are the most important. True elegance is shown in the least visible details.”iyQy
6Vo“…”GK40
eyxInside the package that Oksana held, there were surely undergarments and socks for Vlad.axKD8w
8k3L1lA seemingly trivial gift, but one that only a mother could prepare with such attention to detail.w0ONlL
rzVSNW“That girl is very pretty. What was her name? Zemina? When you were together, you looked very good.”VAtZzM
xhN6M“Thank you.”kC1L
tCUb6B“…”0R2
1wvtfZMThey had already said everything they needed to say.OfJnB
LLXG2mrIt was time to go.ZwH9Wp
iW6VoKpOksana nodded silently to her last guest, but Vlad still couldn’t take the first step toward the door.pN3
TBtifq“…I plan to come back in winter.”Wd7a
iD4FL0m“Huh?”GHyq
kkmcfyNHe turned back toward Oksana, speaking somewhat awkwardly, as if it were difficult to reopen a closed conversation.XHD
k3aNy“I want to learn how to fish. I’ve heard that ice fishing can only be done in winter.”OZAJh
II1W“Fishing?”AoYftj4
hxBnThough the topic had nothing to do with what they had just been discussing, Vlad was trying to keep it going.hScxp
ghtJjqBecause he wanted to see Oksana move, smile.pCpUUF6
JMor86Because he knew he would miss her more if she remained still, like a lifeless painting.oYr
zentdK“It’s something that, if one had a father, they would learn naturally. I don’t know anything about those things, so lately, I’ve been trying to learn.”e4c9gL
kgd2“…”Hxr
rVfIw04“Last time, Lord Ramund taught me how to farm the land, and well…”KLUTEx
CS9yHVlad’s world was diverse.A832
29xzwCThe boy who once dreamed of becoming the perfect dragon now sought to become a star that radiated light.MzJmX
47jGA young man who didn’t want to be defined solely by a title.sGcW7L2
qVC“Even so, there are many things I don’t understand.”apMGfs
iUiAoPfTo some, he was the dragon born of perfection.EYL
uZ0mTo others, the master swordsman who wielded a brilliant blade.bmht
22gyBut before Oksana, he was just an uncertain child, without answers.D7j
8EKftfAnd that child, with a shy gaze, now looked at Oksana.1rkqdNi
YiYzZAj“So, if I have more questions, can I come to ask you?”zYu
iXOmWVlad held the package against his chest, shrinking slightly, without looking out of place at all.PgM2ZC
D5wAt least, not to Oksana.Ww2r
RRnnXLA child who had grown up wild, like an orchid left uncared for.bgb
C96ELooking at him, Oksana, whose world was painted in muted tones, felt a faint hint of color.5aiVNY
2APvzBG“…Of course.”fIUO
Dl2E5A child without a mother and a mother who had lost her son looked at each other.Vls
GjFF8uThough the broken pieces of their hearts didn’t fit perfectly, together they could withstand the blowing wind.q9ZU
SxZuo“Come back whenever you want. I’ll be waiting for you.”KwqD
IrpAt those words, the young man before her began to smile.QCt4bZ
HS6gufuHe no longer wore the old winter coat he once had, but the summer clothes Oksana had given him.Obl3
XNP***9i4
bOnFY“Thank you for staying until the end.”libJoDq
ZNu31SFAlthough it was the host’s duty to see off the guests, reaching the main door was unusual.OVd
OzAxbrAHowever, behind Vlad, who was about to leave, stood Rutiger, now the head of the Bayezid family, and his knights, all ready to bid him farewell.4q1d
Q6L6jU4“Thanks to you, my succession ceremony was splendid. It will likely go down as the most magnificent in our family’s history.”lQomMg
oNh1“Thank you for saying that.”wGhA
4eZcoyBehind Rutiger, some of Vlad’s familiar knights waved to him: Cade, Maxim, and those who had fought alongside him against the Deathsworm and Lindworm.nNs
E5ilTF“So, you’re returning to Soara.”WXRuL
7QqQ8SA“That’s right.”Ki55t
FUI6VxE“And what will you do afterward? Will you let yourself get dragged from place to place again, like before?”LMKfX
GXSPrestige always demands a price.IxUFKq
uWZAAnd that price was something that Vlad, as a master swordsman, had to pay.6pPr
00ZBut now Vlad shook his head in silent denial in response to Rutiger’s question.HTGKyZ
XXVh“No, this time I plan to rest a bit.”U1a7
98iYU3rWith those words, Vlad looked at the carriage beside him.DDTW
HLKGwREInside, Zemina was quietly hiding, afraid someone might speak to her.vJH2w0
UJTMpMQ“…I suppose it’s time for you to take a break.”eRP
VEyuyv3Rutiger smiled broadly, understanding perfectly what Vlad was saying.Q4ZJDuo
fY2“I think it’s better if I leave now.”ejTsdJG
xBQG5gv“Yes, go.”w6K5vZv
VyDRybRutiger nodded as he watched Vlad mount Noir’s back with a brief salute.84O
HPQHThe squire of the Master of the Sword, who shrugged his shoulders while bidding farewell to the knights, pulled the reins, and soon the gates of Sturma began to open.vsu90M3
uhuZZ“…Today, the weather is beautiful.”nCs
L93zsAs the gates opened, Rutiger watched the morning light fill the horizon.90949l
bw098OVlad’s shadow followed the rising east toward the green meadows.fbVwl
hYX3E“Come back whenever you want, Vlad. You will always be welcome as Bayezid’s greatest dragon slayer.”9M1E
04AyFjThough he didn’t say it to be heard, Vlad raised a hand in farewell.Tkf4M
wuNHe didn’t look back, but in that gesture, one could feel both gratitude and the promise of return.Tc8Gw
Ue00R***jOMU90K
TtvYOkmFrom Sturma to Soara.EPQ
pHj8rThe carriage headed toward Soara, leaving Sturma behind. As it traversed the summer meadows, the sunset began to color the horizon around them.Lo1iO
ukO“Captain, it looks like we’ll have to camp outdoors.”UJ73Gs4
x4f“That’s fine.”GKXQUq
NMqCrossing the vast northern plains in a single day to reach a village was an impossible task.FmUVd0d
jTNLAnThat’s why both Vlad and Zemina nodded at Goethe’s words, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.5zJdJ
puwJtJ“The sun sets quickly on the prairie. It seems to get dark faster than in Soara,” Zemina said as she gathered some nearby dry branches.1ze
77BurT“The stars will come out soon.”2cChY4N
dIQvsDdIn the narrow alleys of Soara, the modest buildings always blocked the sky.TlCsk
wEGn9XThe glow of the lamps meant to attract customers devoured the stars, and the night sky always appeared fragmented and weak.QNUhtT4
q3DSFinding stars in that broken sky was a difficult task.P35G
WRNn“Wow.”W0o
NPJKW4But now, the night sky of the prairie stretched out before Zemina’s eyes, filled with so many twinkling stars that it was hard to believe they had always been there.yUta
D5reIFascinated by their radiance, she couldn’t bring herself to lower her gaze.EZryV
ELF“Zemina.”5ir2
Yd4H“Huh?”GZPko
503z“Come here for a moment.”qEJIlLl
ez2GDLost in her own world, Zemina turned her head when she heard Vlad’s voice.mp3Atb5
ibriLL8“Why?”En79ADl
CLoSThe campfire that Goethe had lit crackled softly.YwB
NbiFollowing the sound, Zemina saw Vlad holding Noir’s reins.VTsDKne
D4uUH“He wants to say goodbye.”48rXo
zOKfwx“Huh?”bW4NJ3
3GA“Noir wants to say goodbye before he leaves.”Kirm2j
ZIQ1fHe was a black horse that blended perfectly with the starry sky that night.g9I11
6OHJACgSo much so that it seemed he might dissolve into the distant stars as he approached Zemina.3mH
uXtvV“Say goodbye? What does that mean?”SkYFQ
YKjX0VZemina asked as she stroked Noir, who was nuzzling her gently.WOV8q
Rfm7But Vlad didn’t answer. Instead, he nodded toward a distant hill.T29jp
CZZ“It means it’s time for Noir to return.”alzcN
qpT62uMOn the hill illuminated by the stars, a herd of wild horses could be seen, as if they were waiting for his return.iLFe
NRA“You’re letting him go? Just like that?”4EY
LVyJ2“Now is the right time.”ZX9msym
ja1OsZemina felt confused by the sudden farewell, but Vlad, without hesitation, began to remove Noir’s harness.GVYALeG
H7QawqHe took off the saddle, the bridle around his face, and unloaded the luggage he had been carrying.vuBxYN4
5ghZP“Thank you for everything.”Tqt
mwnP4yHAnd so, Vlad said goodbye to the child of the prairies, who had now returned to his original form.AqyAm8r
os7iQEj“Are you done saying goodbye?”9sQxz20
1CeM“Huh? Yes…”8XdZm
FZbYB“Then, go now.”AMkB
bPs1FDAt the edge of the world where their paths had briefly intersected, they had extended a little further.LgJ
olNughlHowever, Noir’s world was on the prairie, while Vlad’s was in the city. It was time to part ways.IwHau
a8v08Zk“Don’t look back.”H80Fm
ZzmNoir seemed to want to turn around again and again, but Vlad just crossed his arms and watched him.MxeTv
fV5vGoodbyes are better when they are simple.tnffPL
30chSeeing Vlad apply that philosophy, Noir neighed softly, as if bidding farewell.ejm
WS36“…There he goes.”A1fUo
DSyPAt first, his steps were hesitant, but the closer he got to the hill, the longer his strides became.wg1X
wz2NPvWatching the black horse run toward the starry sky, Zemina began to shed tears.ajs
Z1xxDv“Is it because he resembles his owner? He doesn’t look back even once.”mefkw1
MLRJ93eFeeling the emptiness of the farewell, Zemina instinctively moved closer to Vlad.bB2POM3
oFGp“Don’t be so sad.”AbZt0
C8Tn9Together, they watched Noir disappear into the distance. The image of the two of them, side by side, was identical to that of the children who used to stand in front of the smithy.Z327M
kPtF“It’s not like we’ll be apart forever.”o3r
8NBDcVlad took a piece of paper from his coat as he watched Noir leave.Vm2X3j2
hBMIt was the drawing the Priestess of the World Tree had given them, one that Zemina immediately recognized.fv5Ur0
kGX“Now that I look at it, this sunflower… Its color resembles your hair.”zkckG2Y
A77I“Really?”nNGZDi
oFYvruiIn the childish drawing, there was a blond man and a red-haired girl. Between them was a small, smiling flower. Why would someone draw a smiling face on that flower?mInA7N
9H5E“Thank you, Zemina.”21lP
bgqOBD“Huh?”2RQ
GqrlPlCVlad wrapped an arm around Zemina’s shoulders, as if the night wind felt cold.0Q6O2U
IcF7Surprised by the sudden gesture, Zemina looked at him, but Vlad continued watching the sky where Noir had vanished.g8TOhvT
zQUpX6Just like that time, when he looked at the undecorated sword hanging in the smithy.aJAe
Mijz“For believing in me back then.”WMT7xDD
UpnsQThe winter in which he was born, the spring in which he said goodbye… And now, the summer in which he awaited new encounters.lnu5vG
Pl5bLsjThe journey of that boy began with the sword the red-haired girl had given him.G20Tei
YINw37“Let’s go back to Soara together.”vIxP
jxmSETheir feet were still in the mud, but they gazed at the stars together.Jsbr
M6odMuNow, they looked at each other as a shooting star streaked across the prairie sky.0Z7hlVI
FCGEBEven if we are not in the highest sky.aUudNO
KoB111XEven if we fall to a place where no one sees us, If we wish to shine, we can recognize each other.55r2j
RuXZqBecause we are stars.ct7
hVUEBecause we can all shine like stars.ZfA0MO
QWFILJpSo until we meet again, goodbye.lptY3
nzmTStar-Embracing Swordmaster (Complete).e3sKOU
PMi***oTK
hZoTEarly in the morning when everyone was deeply asleep.DVt7csi
erj2PnOIn the depths of the night, when even the stars in the sky were slumbering,XGXlg
TY5VaNUnder that night sky, a voice tried to wake a man who slept without a care in the world.J4osIBz
EYUfJ“…Sir… Sir.”DdYG
NWrzfIt was the voice of a child, a young voice that had not yet reached puberty.LaQBrR
CzNfJBFor that reason, it didn’t have enough strength to wake the man from his deep sleep.WTAvgQ6
Uxw1“Ow! That hurt!”McUmF
EEvIHm“I said, wake up!”CmlmqTG
lEjtvWas this what a bee sting felt like? A sharp pain jolted the man awake, and with his eyes still unfocused, he looked around.LFPD
Z8uVWeM“What’s going on? What’s happening?”NRzSWG
rSh28“Shhh!”OcG
ibsoThe child motioned for him to be quiet and glanced outside the stable, holding a small frog in his hands.yJk4O
wRc3Z“I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Why are you sleeping in a stable when there are decent rooms?”S7n3
9dHBq“…This is a stable?”fJzT0r1
RSPThe man, having no idea where he had been sleeping, looked utterly confused.AGfsYG
AMvLIf not for his good looks, his expression would have been sigh-worthy.7wS
S6WtK“That’s why it felt so comfortable.”uBc
CgfMUnlike the worried child, the still-drowsy man began to gather the straw around him to lie down again, hunching his shoulders as if he were cold.64HmkvI
zquMM4oEven the frog in the child’s hands puffed out its cheeks as if it couldn’t believe what it was seeing.AMHEj
WdU“This is no time for sleeping! We have to escape right now!”ef2Sl
TdkRqGc“…What are you saying? Can’t we talk about this later?”4Hbrpu
pxBegOiThe smell of alcohol still lingered around him as he lay down again.faPkIbx
iysrRFrustrated, the child pounded his chest desperately but soon held his breath upon noticing the commotion around them.S4f3SI7
QhFO5OM“We know you’re hiding here!”x0p
dTDBvXw“Come out now!”ZWRhM
QbKLKK“Hmm?”Pjgtpj
DtvvVxThe voices were clearly aggressive, and the sound of doors being kicked down signaled their determination to find someone.L13
gIeogQ9Unlike the child, the man only blinked, confused by the hostile tone.qKVFtjO
kCVy“Kihano Frausen! You damned libertine!”PUFJQq
hpgcz“Huh?”CFKK
wke0RThe smell of oil-soaked torches filled the air, and the furious barking of hunting dogs echoed around them.7L8usq
pLLWbp2But what truly confused the man was hearing the word “libertine” alongside his name.mzH
GVRFCrash!p7vgu
xK3eqRFinally understanding the gravity of the situation, the man hurriedly stood up, but it was already too late to prepare.7MV
hDG“There you are.”UNcT
88msO8A bald man with a malicious grin and yellowed teeth found him just as he was getting up and adjusting his clothes.ldWzw
ZUJLQLT“I found you, Kihano Frausen.”bT676F
AzJDdaThe man, still bewildered, looked wide-eyed, while the child at his side seemed on the verge of tears. Even the frog with the hat let out a resigned sigh.esFmGsk
PMai6u“…May I ask why you’re looking for me?”FM9wqj
xtOnaThis is a story from long ago.emOnql
PKrNj6A story that is neither legendary nor grand.kj1u
2CZYet this story, the beginning of it all, started here, in the stable of a nameless, signless inn.ySOS
rPEMRT/N:Z6k
vEBPThis chapter was peak from here will come the story of Kihano Frausen.2PNxl
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!