Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 102: Watchman in the barley field (1)

Chapter 102: Watchman in the barley field (1)

A dark dawn where‍ the darkness has⁠ not yet disappeared.‌

Joseph⁠ entered the office‍⁠ earlier than usual‌ and opened the‌⁠ curtain with familiar‌ movements.

When‌ I open the⁠ curtain, I see‍ a familiar scene.‌

A city covered in‍‍ white snow.

Joseph crossed his arms‌ and stepped back‍ to look at‍ the scene outside‌ the window, as⁠ the sight of‍⁠ Soara made him feel cold just‌ by looking at‌‌ it.

“I⁠ should already be⁠‍⁠ there.”

Anyone‌ who wants to‌‌‍ embark on a journey should leave⁠⁠ Soara already to⁠‍ reach their next‌‍‍ destination before sunset.‌

Although‌ I don’t know⁠ where the destination⁠‍ is.

“…”‍

I could have given‌‌ Vlad, who was‌ leaving, a mission‍‍ or arbitrarily set‌ a destination, but‌ Joseph did not do so deliberately.

This‌ is because I thought that a child who had‌ lived his entire‍ life following orders from others needed⁠⁠ to experience moving with his own thoughts at least once.

“A‌ banneret knight… holding⁠‌ his own standard.‌‌‌ It’s truly a rare sight to‌‌ see after so‍⁠ long.”

Although⁠‌ he will leave‍⁠ Soara in the‌‌ form of exile,⁠‍ Vlad will repeat⁠ an ancient tradition⁠ of the north.‌

A knight embarking on⁠‌‌ a journey thinking⁠ only of his own honor.

It‌‍‍ was one of‌ the ancient traditions⁠ that could only‌ be found in⁠‌ my grandfather’s generation,‍‌‍ not even in⁠ my father’s generation.

In⁠ the distance, the‍‌ gates of Soara‍‌ were opening to‍‍ welcome this day.⁠‍

You‍⁠ can’t see it‍‌ because it’s too far away, but⁠ there must be⁠ a knight out⁠⁠ there right now‌ with his own⁠⁠‌ flag.

A knight born of⁠ Soara and raised by Bayezid.

His‍ name was Vlad of Soara.

***⁠

“…He’s‍ not coming.”

Vlad,‍ who had his head held high‌ until the end,‌ watched as the‌‍ castle door opened‍ with Noir.

In‌ the cold winter,‌ when neither merchants‌ nor travelers moved,⁠⁠ the only person‍ waiting for the‍⁠ castle door to‍‌ open was Vlad.‍⁠‌

Neighing—‍⁠

“Why⁠‍ is this guy, who used to⁠⁠ live outside, making⁠⁠ such a fuss‌ because it’s cold?”‍‍

Noir, who had already‍ grown accustomed to‌ the comfortable stable,⁠‍‌ was annoyed by⁠ the current situation‍‌ of going out‍‌ into the cold,⁠⁠ but now the⁠⁠ good times had⁠‍ also ended for‍⁠ him.

Now‍‍‍ was the time‍ to find our original intention and face the snowstorm⁠ with a determined‌ attitude.

And⁠⁠ that attitude would be one that‍ not only Noir‍⁠⁠ but also Vlad⁠ should remember.

“Let’s‍‌ go.”

A black horse starts⁠⁠⁠ to move with‍‍ a slight push.‍⁠⁠

The small flag hanging‍ on the back of the saddle⁠‍⁠ began to flutter⁠‌ slowly in the‍ cold wind.

“…”⁠‍‍

Vlad,‍ who was stepping‍‍ from atop Noir,‍‍ thought that maybe⁠‍ now would be‍⁠‍ a good time‍ to leave.

Soara,⁠⁠ the city where‌ I have lived‍ my entire life.⁠⁠

There‍ were dreams I dreamed here.

My‌‌ goal was to‍ wield a sword,‍ and my dream‍‌ is to become a knight.

But⁠‍ now that I had achieved everything‌‍‌ I dreamed of‍ in this city,‌‌ it was time to look up and see the wider world so‍ that I could‍ move forward.

“Captain!‍⁠ Wait a second!”‍

Vlad,‍‌ who was recalling⁠⁠ old memories, heard⁠ a voice calling‍‍ him from behind⁠⁠ and turned his head.

“Let’s‍‌‌ go together!”

A man running through‍‌‍ the street at‍‌ dawn with the‌‍ loud sound of⁠ horse hooves.

It was Goethe, the⁠‍ caretaker of Bayezid’s⁠⁠⁠ stable.

“Oh‍‌ my. I barely‌⁠⁠ made it.”

“You’re‍‌ late.”

Vlad smiled discreetly as⁠ he looked at⁠⁠‌ Goethe, who stuck⁠‌ out his tongue beside him.

“At‍‍‌ this point, it’s‌ still not too late. You haven’t⁠ even left Soara‌ yet, have you?”‍

Although‍ Goethe was out⁠‍ of breath, he‌ didn’t stop to‌ respond.

Indeed, it was the‌ attitude of a former swindler.

“Did‍ you even consider‍ following me?”

“I‍ guess it’s unfair.”⁠‍‌

Goethe puffed out his‍ chest and spoke⁠ to Vlad confidently.‌

“I’ve‍‍ invested in you‌ for a long time, so I can’t just waste‍‌ it here.”

Investment‌ always involves risk.⁠⁠

With‌ little at stake,‍ Goethe had to⁠⁠ take risks to‌ achieve big gains‌ that would change his life.

And‍ Goethe knew well⁠‍⁠ that people like‌ him, who were‍‍‌ at the bottom rung, didn’t easily‌ find even dangerous⁠‌ opportunities worth risking‌‌ their lives for.‌

“Did‌ I hear you‌ bought a boat‌⁠ for a friend‍‍ named Harven? Shall‍ I look after⁠ that later too?”‌⁠

“I‍ saw you do⁠⁠ it.”

It‌ was just the usual grumpy response,‍ but Goethe simply‌⁠ nodded.

Because he already knew⁠‌ that Vlad was‌ a dishonest person.‌

“But⁠ where are you⁠‍⁠ going?”

In⁠‍ response to Goethe’s⁠⁠ question about the‍ destination, Vlad took⁠ a deep breath‍⁠ and looked at‌ the white field in front of‌ him.

“…I⁠ haven’t decided exactly.”⁠‌

The‍ current Vlad was‌ created through two⁠ contracts.

One⁠‌ is Joseph’s contract‍ to offer his‍ faith along with his sword.

And‌ another contract with the voice to‌‍ seek his name.

“I’m‍ thinking of going‌ east for now.”⁠‍‍

There‍ was a world‌ that showed me‍ for the last‌⁠ time a voice‍ I can no⁠‌ longer hear.

A maple swaying in‌ the wind that⁠ blew silently along with a vast‍‌ wheat field.

And‌‌ the voice said‌ it had seen‍⁠ that tree.

“There’s⁠ something you need‌‍ to find there.”‌‍

In response, Vlad raised⁠⁠‍ the sheath and‌‍ looked at Alicia’s‍‍ amber stone embedded⁠ at the end‌‍ of the handle.‍

Now‍‌ only the remnants‌ of the voice‌ remained, only a faint shadow could‍‍ be seen, but‌‍ Vlad was the‌‌ only one who‌⁠‍ could recognize the⁠‌ last traces of‍ the voice.

“Let’s⁠ go now.”

The⁠⁠ knight, burdened by duty, left behind‍ the object of‌⁠ his oath of‌⁠‌ loyalty and moved‌‌ forward to fulfill‍ another contract.

A swindler and a knight were leaving‌ Soara.

What‌‌‌ bid them farewell‍‍ was a cup⁠⁠ of wine held‌‍⁠ by a nobleman and a pillowcase soaked by a red-haired girl with‌ the sadness of‍ farewell.

***⁠

“…He’s‌⁠‌ not coming.”

Vlad, who had his⁠ head held high⁠ until the end,‍ watched as the⁠ castle door opened‍ with Noir.

In‍ the cold winter,‍⁠⁠ when neither merchants‍‍ nor travelers moved,‍ the only person⁠⁠ waiting for the castle door to⁠ open was Vlad.‌

Neighing—‍

“Why⁠‌ is this guy,⁠ who used to‌‌⁠ live outside, making‍ such a fuss‍‌‍ because it’s cold?”‌‌

Noir,⁠‌ who had already grown accustomed to‌ the comfortable stable,‍‌ was annoyed by the current situation⁠ of going out‍ into the cold,‌ but now the‌‌ good times had⁠ also ended for‍‌‌ him.

Now‌ was the time⁠ to find our‍‍ original intention and‍‍ face the snowstorm‍⁠‌ with a determined⁠‌ attitude.

And‍ that attitude would⁠⁠ be one that‍ not only Noir‌‌⁠ but also Vlad‌⁠ should remember.

“Let’s‍ go.”

A black horse starts to move with⁠‌ a slight push.

The‍‌ small flag hanging‌⁠ on the back‍‍‌ of the saddle‍ began to flutter‍⁠‌ slowly in the‌ cold wind.

“…”‍

Vlad,‌ who was stepping‍⁠ from atop Noir,⁠‍⁠ thought that maybe‌‍ now would be⁠‍ a good time‌⁠ to leave.

Soara, the city where‍ I have lived‍ my entire life.‍

There⁠ were dreams I dreamed here.

My‌ goal was to⁠ wield a sword,‌ and my dream‌‍ is to become⁠⁠ a knight.

But‌‍⁠ now that I had achieved everything⁠ I dreamed of‍ in this city, it was time‍ to look up‌ and see the‌‌‌ wider world so⁠ that I could⁠‌‍ move forward.

“Captain!‍ Wait a second!”⁠

Vlad,‌ who was recalling‍‌⁠ old memories, heard‌‍ a voice calling‌ him from behind‌‌ and turned his‍‌ head.

“Let’s‍ go together!”

A man running through⁠ the street at⁠ dawn with the‌ loud sound of‍‌‍ horse hooves.

It⁠ was Goethe, the⁠⁠ caretaker of Bayezid’s‌‍ stable.

“Oh⁠ my. I barely‍ made it.”

“You’re⁠⁠ late.”

Vlad‍⁠⁠ smiled discreetly as‍‌ he looked at‌ Goethe, who stuck‍‍ out his tongue⁠ beside him.

“At‍‍⁠ this point, it’s‌ still not too‌ late. You haven’t even left Soara⁠ yet, have you?”‌‍

Although‌⁠‍ Goethe was out⁠ of breath, he⁠ didn’t stop to‍ respond.

Indeed,⁠ it was the‌‍ attitude of a former swindler.

“Did⁠ you even consider⁠ following me?”

“I⁠⁠ guess it’s unfair.”‍‌⁠

Goethe‌ puffed out his chest and spoke‌ to Vlad confidently.‍⁠

“I’ve⁠‍ invested in you‍‍ for a long⁠ time, so I can’t just waste‌⁠ it here.”

Investment‍‍ always involves risk.‍

With‍ little at stake,‍ Goethe had to‌⁠ take risks to‌‌‍ achieve big gains⁠‍ that would change‍‍⁠ his life.

And⁠ Goethe knew well⁠‍ that people like⁠ him, who were at the bottom‍‌ rung, didn’t easily⁠ find even dangerous‌ opportunities worth risking⁠‌ their lives for.⁠⁠

“Did‍⁠‌ I hear you‌‌ bought a boat⁠⁠ for a friend‍ named Harven? Shall‌‍‌ I look after⁠ that later too?”

“I⁠⁠ saw you do⁠‍ it.”

It‍‍ was just the‍ usual grumpy response,‍‌⁠ but Goethe simply nodded.

Because‌ he already knew‍ that Vlad was‍‍ a dishonest person.⁠

“But‌‍ where are you going?”

In⁠‌ response to Goethe’s question about the‍ destination, Vlad took‌‌ a deep breath‍ and looked at⁠ the white field⁠ in front of⁠‍ him.

“…I‍ haven’t decided exactly.”‌‍

The⁠ current Vlad was⁠⁠⁠ created through two‌‍ contracts.

One⁠ is Joseph’s contract⁠ to offer his‌ faith along with⁠‌ his sword.

And‌‍ another contract with‌ the voice to⁠‍ seek his name.⁠‌

“I’m‍‍‌ thinking of going‍‍‌ east for now.”⁠

There‍ was a world‌ that showed me‌ for the last time a voice‌‌‍ I can no‌‍ longer hear.

A maple swaying in⁠⁠ the wind that⁠ blew silently along with a vast‍‍ wheat field.

And‌ the voice said⁠ it had seen⁠‌⁠ that tree.

“There’s⁠ something you need to find there.”‌

In‌ response, Vlad raised⁠ the sheath and⁠ looked at Alicia’s‌‌ amber stone embedded⁠‌ at the end‍ of the handle.‍‍⁠

Now‍ only the remnants⁠‍ of the voice‌ remained, only a faint shadow could‍ be seen, but‍ Vlad was the only one who⁠ could recognize the‌ last traces of‍⁠⁠ the voice.

“Let’s‌‍‌ go now.”

The knight, burdened by‍ duty, left behind⁠ the object of⁠‌ his oath of loyalty and moved‍⁠⁠ forward to fulfill‌‌‍ another contract.

A swindler and a knight were leaving‍⁠‌ Soara.

What⁠⁠ bid them farewell‍‌‍ was a cup‌⁠ of wine held⁠⁠ by a nobleman⁠ and a pillowcase soaked by a red-haired girl with⁠‍ the sadness of‌‍‍ farewell.

***‌‍‌

Dobrechi‍

This‌ area, located in‌ the northern part‍ of the central⁠‌ region, was ruled‍‌‌ by the Dalmatia‌‌ family and was‍ a territory mainly‌ dedicated to barley‌ cultivation and forestry,‌‌ taking advantage of‍ the cold climate.‌

“Again⁠ and again! Are‍ you saying four‍‍ months have passed again?”

And what does it‍ mean that they‌‌ are mainly dedicated‌‌‌ to barley cultivation⁠‍ and forestry?

“What⁠ are these people‌⁠ doing waiting for⁠ barley seeds to‍⁠‌ be planted?”

It‌ meant that it‍‌‌ was a poor⁠ territory without any⁠ significant industry.

And,‌‍ as befitting its‌ circumstances, Dobrechi was⁠ also a poor⁠ territory without a city worthy of⁠ its name.

“Although‌⁠ I stationed soldiers‌‍ and protected them‌‍⁠ all night, when‍‍ morning comes…”

“Stop‌ making excuses in‌ front of me!”‌

The‍‍ knight commander speaks⁠ extensively about the‍‍ failure.

Baron⁠ Dalmatia, who was⁠ watching this, seemed‌ to have a fever and kept‍ fanning his hands‍ to relieve his⁠‍‍ anger.

“…Don’t‌‌ they know? If‌‍‌ we can’t even sow seeds this⁠ season, we’ll all⁠⁠ starve next spring.”⁠‌

“That’s‍‍ right. My lord.”

“They’re‌‍⁠ the ones who‌⁠ know!”

Poor land and cold⁠⁠ weather.

Dobrechi,⁠ whose only support was the dense‍⁠ trees and barley‍ cultivation, could not simply ignore the‍⁠ current issues.

“But⁠‍ soldiers alone…”

“If⁠ you don’t have enough troops, at‍‍ least the residents⁠‌⁠ of the territory‍ can chain you‌‍ up! It seems‌ I’m going to⁠‍⁠ starve right now,‍‍ so what’s the⁠ problem?”

Baron‌ Dalmatia, whose chubby⁠‌ cheeks were trembling,‌‍ threw everything he could find around‌⁠ him and began‌ to scold the‌‍ knight commander who⁠⁠⁠ had come to⁠ report.

Any‍‌ lord would have‍⁠ no choice but⁠ to be angry⁠‌ if they saw‌‍ a knight who‍‌ could not react‌‍ flexibly to an⁠‍ incident.

“Oh,‍ my head…”

But⁠ what can you‌ do?

The‌‌ Dalmatia family was⁠ a poor family‌‌ that could only⁠ have knights like⁠ this.

“Gather⁠ all the troops‌ you have and‍ protect the barley⁠‍ fields! I’m sure‍‍ that’s what the‌‌‍ forest monsters are‍‍‌ doing!”

“Understood.⁠⁠ My lord.”

Winter‌ is not the‌ season when only humans starve.

Winter‌ was the season‌⁠‍ when monsters also⁠‌ had nothing to eat, when fruits‍ disappeared from trees⁠ and grass to‌⁠‌ chew on.

I don’t know why‌⁠⁠ they only eat‍‌‌ the seeds they‌ sow in the‍⁠‌ field, but the⁠ important thing is⁠‍ to prevent this⁠‍‌ situation.

“Should‍‌ I at least‍ hire mercenaries for⁠ this?”

In‍⁠⁠ the empty office,‍ Baron Dalmatia sighed.‍‌

There⁠‍ was a scene⁠ visible to Baron‍‍ Dalmatia’s eyes as⁠ he approached the‍‍ frustrated window.

The‌ forest of Dobrechi densely surrounds the‍ territory.

Although‌⁠‌ it had been⁠ greatly expanded to clear the land‌ after the Dalmatia‌‌ family became lords,⁠‍ the forest that had been there‍⁠‍ before the Dalmatia‍ family was established⁠‍‌ still seemed dark‌‌‍ even though it‍ was noon.

***‍‍‌

“Pepper,‍ salt, jerky, what’s‌‌ this?”

“Pilgrim⁠ Certificate.”

In⁠ a dark forest‍⁠ as the sun⁠⁠ begins to set.‍‍‌

Vlad,‌ crouching in the‌ forest rubbing against‌ a tree branch,⁠ looked at the⁠‌ paper Goethe had⁠ taken out and⁠ responded seriously.

“Just‍‌ go to any‍‍ church and register.⁠ Priest Andreas wrote⁠‍⁠ it.”

“Why‍ not do it‌ in Soara?”

Vlad’s‍⁠ hand, which had⁠‌ been rubbing the‌‌ tree branch, suddenly‍⁠ stopped at Goethe’s⁠ question.

“Ahhh.⁠⁠⁠ He did. I’m‍ sorry.”

If⁠⁠ the church in⁠‍ Soara had presented‍ this certificate, it‍⁠‍ wouldn’t have been‍ necessary to bring‍ it here, but‌ the issue was‍ that Vlad had been so offended⁠ that he couldn’t‍⁠ even dare to speak to the‌⁠‌ church.

“Alright,‍ alright, I get⁠⁠‌ it.”

Goethe rummaged through his‌‌⁠ luggage again, avoiding⁠ Vlad’s stern gaze,‌ but gritted his‍ teeth when he⁠⁠ still couldn’t find‌ the item he⁠ was looking for.⁠⁠

“But‍ how can you‌⁠ bring all these⁠ precious and expensive things without even bringing a flint?‌ I don’t understand‍ that.”

“…”

Vlad’s‌⁠ hands, which had‍‍‍ momentarily stopped at⁠⁠ Goethe’s angry words,‌⁠ began to move⁠⁠ quickly again.

“I‌ was busy in‌ various ways last⁠⁠⁠ night.”

Of‌‍ course, you were‌⁠ busy.

Because‌‌ popular people are‌⁠ usually busier at‌‍ night.

“But‍⁠ you only brought‌ one flint.”

“At⁠‍ least I brought‍ mine!”

Goethe,⁠⁠‍ irritated, pointed to‌⁠ the debris around‍ Vlad.

Remnants‌⁠⁠ of flints rolling‍⁠ in pieces.

All⁠‌ of them were‌ brought by Goethe.‍⁠⁠

“Power⁠ is good too.⁠⁠ You destroyed everything‌ and ate it.”‍

A man named Vlad‌⁠ was not so‌‌ inexperienced as to not be able⁠‍ to even start⁠ a fire.

Rather,‍ one could say⁠ he was more accustomed to this‌ kind of thing‍‍ because he had‌ lived a hard‌ life.

“There’s‍ no such thing‍‌ as bad luck.⁠ Are they all‍‌‍ defective?”

However,‌⁠ as a result,‍ Goethe broke all‌⁠ the flints he⁠ brought and ate⁠ them, and he‌‌ himself couldn’t even‌⁠ bring a flint,‍ which was essential‍ for camping, so⁠‍‌ there was no‍ way he could⁠ have anything to‍‍ say.

The‍ mistake was clear‌‍ to anyone who‍ could see it,‌ so in this case, there would⁠ be no choice but to sit‍ silently and fan‍‍ the flames.

“Hey.”‍⁠

“Why‍⁠‍ are you stopping?‌ Aren’t you going⁠ to light the⁠ fire?”

Goethe⁠⁠ opened his eyes‍‍⁠ when he saw‌‍ Vlad suddenly throwing‌‌ away the branch⁠ he was rubbing, but Vlad had‍‍⁠ already picked up‍⁠ the sheath of⁠‍‍ his sword instead‍‍⁠ of the branch.‍‍

“Why‌ are you doing‌ this all of⁠ a sudden?”

No⁠ matter how deep⁠‍ the relationship was, Vlad was a knight.

Vlad‌‌ holding the sword⁠⁠ would surely be‍‍‍ completely different from‌‌⁠ when he was⁠‌ rubbing the tree⁠‌⁠ branch before.

Goethe’s‌ slightly trembling voice⁠ was evidence.

“I’ll‌ rub it. Captain.”‍‌

“Alright.”⁠⁠

Vlad‌ spat harshly on⁠⁠ the snowy ground,⁠⁠ silently lifted the‍‌‌ sheath of his‌⁠ sword, and stood‍ up.

“Captain,⁠ I’m sorry…”

“I’ll‍ borrow some embers.”‌‌

At‍⁠ Vlad’s sudden words, Goethe began to‌‍ look around unknowingly.‍⁠

A winter forest where darkness begins to⁠⁠ fall.

Among⁠‍⁠ the forest came‍‍ a crunching and‍‍ the giggles of‍⁠‍ men.

“Wow,‍‌ looks like you have sharp ears.”‌

“If you had noticed,⁠‍ you should have fled. What were⁠ you stretching for?”‌‍

A group of men‍ who seemed to‌⁠ be around twenty⁠⁠ years old.

Traveling in winter wasn’t‍ just about being‌‌‍ careful with the‍ cold and the‌ monsters.

“If‍ you sell something‍ that looks good anywhere, you’ll get‌‌ the right price.”⁠

“Where‍⁠ are you from,‌⁠ young master? If‌ you tell us about your parents,‍ we can hand‌ you over for‍ a reasonable price.”‍

A group of just‌ two moving.

One‍‍ of them was⁠‍ a young chicken⁠ that looked freshly‍‍ molted, and to‌⁠ the eyes of⁠‍ the bandits, there‍‍ was no prey‌⁠⁠ as easy as‍ this.

“Brothers.‍ Let’s borrow some⁠ fire.”

“Eh?”

However, instead of feeling‍⁠ intimidated, the blond‌‌ youth who greeted⁠ the bandits simply⁠‍ smiled cheerfully as‌ if everything had⁠ gone well.

“What’s‍ this crazy guy‍ saying now…?”

They‍ were bandits with‍ absurd and fierce‍⁠ expressions and high weapons, but they fell silent at‌ the sight of‌‌ the object reflected‍‍ in Vlad’s cloak.‌

Shiny⁠ plate armor.

There⁠‌⁠ were items there‍⁠⁠ that were difficult‍ to use for a simple child.‍

“Give⁠ me everything you‍ have. You guys.”⁠‍

A wild smile began⁠⁠ to form on⁠ Vlad’s face.

Old‍ Vlad was a hungry and always⁠ longing man.

And‌‌ now the young‌‍ blond, who had‍ finally ventured into the world, was⁠ as hungry as⁠⁠ when he was⁠‍⁠ a child.

“I’ll‌‌⁠ take care of‍⁠‌ everything.”

One⁠‍ thing I decided‌‍ to do after‍ leaving Soara.

It was a decision⁠ to return to⁠‍‌ my roots.