Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 111: Man in the fog (2)

Chapter 111: Man in the fog (2)

Two‌ wagons, with more‍ than 30 people.⁠

Anyone‌⁠‌ looking at the⁠‌ upstream route, which seemed to have‍ more people with swords than porters⁠ for loading and‌‌ unloading luggage, had‍‌ a strange composition.‍⁠‍

If‌⁠ you add in‌⁠ the sinister eyes‍ of the knights‍‍ seen here and‍ there, it seemed‌‍ as if they‍⁠ were attacking somewhere.⁠

“Is⁠ that why you brought me here?”‌

“…Whatever‍⁠⁠ it is, let’s⁠⁠ do it together.”

Stephan,⁠ scratching his sore‌ neck, smiled helplessly⁠‍ at Vlad’s insincere⁠ response.

For⁠‌ some reason, they‌ offered a high‌ application fee, but‌⁠‍ there was a hidden catch.

“We’ve only settled in‍ this city a month ago. But‌ it’s already starting‌‌ to get out of control.”

“The‍ Count said he‍‍ would take special‌⁠ care.”

“Even⁠‍ so, there are⁠‌‌ likely areas that⁠‍‍ those above cannot⁠‍ examine.”

With⁠‍ those words, Stephan‍ slightly turned his‍ head and looked‍‌ back.

There⁠‍ were Vitskaya knights‍ there, watching him⁠‍ and Vlad with unusual eyes.

“We‍ can make a big scene and‍ then move on.⁠ Isn’t that how‍⁠ mercenaries usually do‍ it?”

“…I‍ can’t say anything‍‌ when you say something right in‍ the wrong situation.”⁠

Stephan⁠‌ now knew very well that he‍⁠ couldn’t do anything about it even⁠ if he complained.⁠‍⁠

This⁠⁠ clumsy knight, who⁠ was lost in⁠‌ the forest, had⁠ already had a big fight with‍‌⁠ the Vitskaya knights,⁠ and they had been hired by‍‍ Vlad unknowingly.

In‌‌‍ other words, they‍‍ were wearing out the resentment Vlad‍⁠ had created.

“I’ll‍ give you a bit of my share later, so⁠ let’s do our⁠ best. There won’t⁠ be many cases‍ like this in⁠⁠ the future.”

“…I’m‌ going crazy.”

Vlad⁠‍⁠ deliberately pretended not‌ to have heard‌‍‌ Stephan’s last words.⁠⁠

Because‌ he was willing⁠ to accept as many complaints as⁠‌ he made.

Stephan⁠‍‍ was a man‍ well worth the‍⁠ price.

“It’s‍ good that I brought you here.”‍

The‍⁠‌ Thornwood Mercenary Group‍ skillfully controls the⁠⁠ future as expected of expert mercenaries.‍

Thanks‍ to their swift⁠‌ soldier-like movements, Vlad⁠ was easily able⁠ to take the⁠ lead.

The‍ idea of hiring⁠ mercenaries instead of‌‌ trying by force‍‌ with the uncooperative‌⁠ Vitskaya knights was‌ the right choice.‌⁠

“At this rate, we‌ should arrive in‍‍ three days.”

“Alright.”‍⁠

Vlad⁠‌ listened to Stephan’s‍⁠‌ words and stroked‍‍ Alicia’s amber stone⁠ out of habit.

The‍ only clue left‍ by the voice.‍‌

The‌ only beings that⁠ can recognize the landscape engraved within‍‌ are the elves,⁠ who are said⁠ to be deeply‌‍‍ connected to spirits.‌

‘…Three‌⁠ days then.’

A race called elves‌ who hide in⁠ mystery and are admired by some.‌‍

Vlad’s⁠ heart beat a little at the‍⁠ thought of possibly‌⁠ encountering them in⁠⁠ the next three⁠ days.

It‌ was a feeling‍⁠‌ he had never⁠‍⁠ felt before in‌ his life, but the heartbeats he‌‌ was feeling at‌‍ this moment weren’t‌ so bad.

The‌‍‌ beginning of his journey was to⁠‌ seek the name‌ of the voice,⁠ but the current⁠ journey was clearly‍ expanding Vlad’s world.

***‍‌

The‌ last day of‍⁠‌ the three-day journey.‍‍‍

Perhaps‌ due to the‍‌‍ dense trees, the‌ scent of the‍‌‌ air I inhaled‍ seemed to have⁠‌‌ changed.

The‍ carriage emitted a loud creak as⁠‌ the road gradually disappeared as we⁠‌‍ progressed.

“Lord Vlad, we will‌ lead the way⁠‌ from now on.”⁠⁠‍

“Alright.”‌⁠⁠

I didn’t flinch from⁠ the sharp look⁠⁠ the knight gave⁠‌⁠ me.

Vlad‍ followed him everywhere‍ to stop the⁠⁠ unknown marauder, and⁠⁠ as he safely⁠ led the ascent⁠ to this place,‍ half of the‌‍ mission was successfully‌ completed.

“As⁠‌ expected, it seems⁠ they are only‍ attacking loaded carriages,‍‍ as rumored.”

“Mmm.”

Naturally, upon hearing Goethe’s⁠ words from the‌ side, Vlad nodded‌‌⁠ from behind the‌ formation.

As‌‍ Goethe said, I haven’t been attacked‌ by anything during⁠‌ my journey so‌‌⁠ far.

Although‍ it was a carriage loaded with‌‌‍ silver ingots to‌⁠ pay for the‍‍ tea.

‘Are‌‌⁠ they on guard?’‍⁠

Perhaps‍‌ many armed staff‍‍‍ members did not‍‌ show up because‌‌⁠ they felt overwhelmed.‍‍

However,‌‍ since it was‍ said that the‍ unknown marauder only‍ appeared when there was a loaded⁠ carriage, it was necessary to watch‌‍ the way back to the end.⁠‍

“We’ve‌ arrived. I see‍ it up ahead.”⁠⁠

After‌⁠‌ pondering, Vlad looked‍ in the direction‍ Stephan pointed.

In⁠⁠ a dense forest,‍‍ there were several‌ small buildings built‌‌ as if they‌‌‌ were making their‌ way through the‌ thick woods.

It‍ looked like a logging camp, but‌ the fences surrounding⁠ it seemed quite‍⁠ sturdy.

“It‌‌‍ looks like a place for doing⁠ business.”

“I⁠‍ think so.”

Trade‍ is allowed, but‍‌‍ entry into the‌ forest is prohibited.‍‍

The‍ elves did not easily yield their‌‌ territory to humans,⁠⁠ and Count Vitskaya‍‍ had to find‍‌ his own way‍‍‍ to deal with⁠ the elves’ exclusive attitude.

Although‍⁠ the building you‍‍ see now looks small, the count’s⁠ arduous efforts must⁠ have been inside.⁠‍‌

“It‌ seems the elves‌‍ were the priority.‌⁠ Lord Vlad, could⁠‍ you watch over‌‍ my luggage for‍ a while?”

“That’s⁠ fine.”

The‍‍ knights of Vitskaya blatantly interfered in the encounter between⁠‍ Vlad and the⁠‌‍ elves, but their‍ behavior was understandable.⁠

Because the connection with⁠‌‍ the elves was⁠‌‍ the livelihood of the Vitskaya family.

It⁠‍ would be a natural decision not‌ to hire outsiders for such a valuable task.

Of⁠⁠‍ course, antipathy towards‌ Vlad may have‍‌ influenced it.

“I‍‌‍ wanted to see‍ those so-called elves…”⁠

Vlad‌ silently nodded at⁠‌‍ Goethe’s words and‌‌ climbed onto the⁠ carriage roof.

A fresh, more than‍‌ cold, wind tousled⁠‌ Vlad’s hair.

“Is⁠‍ there anything else?⁠‌ I have to‌ protect him. Everyone,‍ be on guard.”‍

The‌‌ good thing about‍⁠ being a knight‍‌ is that you‍ can give orders.⁠

After‍ instructing Goethe and the mercenaries, Vlad⁠‌ crossed his legs‍ and lay back⁠‍‌ on the roof,‍‍⁠ looking up at‍‍ the sky.

For‍‍ Vlad, who had‍⁠ lived his whole⁠ life in a crowded city, this‍ was the first‌ time experiencing such‍‍⁠ refreshing air.

It‍‌ was air he⁠‍ had never felt‍‍ before, neither on‌⁠ the northern plains‍⁠‌ nor in the‌ Kannor family’s fields.⁠‌⁠

***⁠‌

Inside‍ a small wooden‌ cabin, the men⁠⁠⁠ looked at each⁠‍‍ other across a long table.

“…So,⁠‍ this is all⁠‌ we can pay for now.”

A box is pushed⁠ forward, jingling slightly.‌‌

The⁠⁠ man’s ears perked‌‍ up as he‍‍ noticed the shallow‌ depth inside the⁠ box.

“It’s‍ different from what‌ was promised.”

A small yet resonant‍ voice.

The‍‍ Vitskaya knight swallowed‍‍ hard.

Because⁠‍ there was a deep resonance in‍⁠ that voice that‌ was hard to‌ grasp.

“The‌‌‌ process of making‍‍ tea from the‌‌ leaves of the‍ Tree of Life‌ requires a lot‌ of effort. It’s⁠⁠ not just a matter of one‍ or two workers.”‍

“I know very well,⁠‌ Lord Varadis. But…”‍

There⁠ was a chair‍ placed right across,‍⁠ but the elves⁠‌ remained still.

Under the silent pressure⁠‍ of wanting to⁠ end the current‌ conversation as quickly‌ as possible, the‌⁠ Vitskaya knight had⁠ to talk about‌‌ the unidentified assailant‍ currently blocking their⁠ trade route.

As a result, there’s‌⁠ also the inevitable⁠‍‌ delay in payment.

“…Is‌‍ the tea selling‌ well?”

Negotiations‌‌ can fail.

Since‍ they were very demanding elves, they⁠ were thinking of the worst-case scenario,‌ but the only‌⁠‌ question that arose⁠⁠‌ for them was‌ whether the tea was selling well.⁠‌

“It‌‍ is. So, if‍ you give us‌⁠ a little more‍ time, we’ll be⁠‌ able to pay‌ you in full.”⁠⁠

“What⁠‍‍ about other regions⁠‌⁠ besides the center?⁠⁠ Do they also⁠‍‍ like our tea?”‍

“It’s‌‌ becoming a hot‌ topic among central nobles, so I’m‌ sure nobles from‌⁠ other places will‌‍‍ like it too.‌‌ That’s what trends‌ are about.”

The‌‍ elf named Varadis‍‍ listened to the‍‍⁠ knight’s explanation and⁠ silently nodded.

I thought there would⁠‍ be trouble due‌‌ to the delayed⁠ payment, but it⁠ seemed the elves‌ also had high‍‍ expectations for the current business.

“I hope you don’t‍ make us go‌‌ through the trouble‍ of finding another feudal lord.”

“Thank⁠ you.”

You‍⁠‌ can always find‌‌⁠ other lords to‌ deal with.

With Varadis’s last words,⁠ which sounded like‍⁠ a threat, the‍ box on the⁠‌‍ table was handed⁠ over to the‌ elves.

Although‌ it was only⁠⁠‍ half the usual‌ amount, they decided⁠⁠ to accept it.⁠‌

“By‍‍ the way.”

“Please‌ tell me.”

The‍‌ knight, who sighed⁠ inwardly as if⁠ negotiations had finally‌⁠ ended, suddenly saw‌‍ Varadis squinting outward.‌‌

It‌‌ was a wooden⁠ wall, but the‍‌ way he tilted⁠ his head made‌‍‍ it seem like‌ he could see‍‍ outside.

“Who is that guy⁠‍⁠ who came with⁠ you just now?”⁠‍

“What⁠‌ are you talking⁠‌ about?”

“The‍‍ one lying in‍‌ the carriage.”

“…Who’s⁠ lying in the⁠ carriage?”

Varadis⁠ looked coldly at‌⁠ the human he‌ couldn’t communicate with⁠ and remained silent,⁠ feeling the strange⁠⁠ energy seeping in‍ from outside.

A murky and indescribable‌⁠‍ sensation, clearly unsettling⁠ his senses, couldn’t⁠‌ be defined with⁠‌‌ concrete words.

“It must have been‌ tough coming all⁠‌ the way here,‍‍ but I’ll invite⁠ you for a cup of tea.”⁠

“Yes?”‍‌

“I‍ won’t charge you‍ separately.”

The⁠‌ Vitskaya knight was‍‍ bewildered as he⁠‍ saw Varadis suddenly‍ treating him warmly.‌

However,⁠⁠⁠ the elf’s eyes‍ were not looking at the knight‍ right in front‍‌ of him but‌ at someone far‌‍ away.

“Invite⁠ those who are⁠ outside to drink‍‌ with us.”

An⁠ unknown yet familiar‍‌⁠ energy.

The‌⁠ guardian of the‍ forest felt obliged⁠ to investigate the‍ strange energy present‍‌ in the atmosphere.

***‍

I didn’t fall asleep,‍ but I dreamed.⁠

In‍‌ that dream, an old maple tree stood tall, a sight I hadn’t‍‌ seen in a long time.

The‌⁠⁠ colors of the‌‌‍ falling leaves were⁠‌⁠ deep.

“…What⁠‌⁠ is this?”

Vlad‌ closed his eyes‍ in the cold‍ winter, but woke‍‍ up on a hill where he‍ could feel the⁠⁠ soft aroma of autumn and was‌ confused.

In‌ a scene too⁠ vivid to be‍ considered a dream, Vlad quickly looked⁠‍‌ around.

The‌ sunset was setting‍⁠ over the distant⁠ horizon, coloring the‍‍ rolling wheat fields‍ red.

“I‌ don’t think this‍ is a dream.”‌

Vlad‍‌‌ was clearly aware‍‌ of where he⁠⁠‌ was now.

Now‍‍ he could only⁠‍‌ rely on the landscape inside the‍ amber stone as⁠ a memory.

It⁠ was a place‌‍ with a landscape‌‍ that the voice claimed to have‍‍ visited before.

Vlad⁠‍‍ quickly looked back.‌‍⁠

There,‌ standing firmly as‍ if it had‍‍ been there from‍‍ the beginning, was‌ a single maple⁠‍ tree.

“A flower?”

On⁠‌ that tree, flowers‍ were blooming.

The‌ maple tree had‌‌ no flowers, but‍ it was definitely‌ full of them.‌‌

Colorful⁠‍ flowers hidden among‌‍‌ the falling leaves.‌⁠‌

Following‌ the wind, one‍‍ of the flowers‍‌ along with the⁠ fallen leaves fell‌‌ towards Vlad.

It⁠ was a flower‌ with silver-white petals.‌‌

“…This⁠ is incredible.”

As⁠‍ it fell, it‌ was a flower,‌‌ but as it⁠ descended, it turned into a butterfly.⁠‌⁠

After‌ seeing that scene,⁠⁠ Vlad had no‌ choice but to admit it.

That⁠ this place is⁠ not reality.

The sight of the⁠ butterfly flapping its‍ wings in the‍‌‍ sky and the⁠⁠ sunset was beautiful.⁠⁠‍

In‌ a landscape where⁠⁠ everything was fading‍‍ away, only a butterfly, with its‌‍‌ own light, landed on Vlad’s nose‍ bridge.

Vlad‍ quietly closed his⁠ right eye as‌ he watched the⁠ butterfly slowly fold‌ its wings.

When‌‍ creating an image, use the left‍ eye.

When⁠ thinking about reality,⁠⁠‍ use your right‍ eye.

Vlad,‍‌ who understood the⁠ engraved rules of‌ the world even⁠‌ though no one‍⁠ had told him,⁠ slowly closed his‍‍‌ eyes and remembered⁠⁠‍ the scene in‍‌ which he had closed them.

“Captain… Captain!”

Goethe’s⁠⁠ voice sounded faintly⁠‌ as if in a dream.

Vlad finally returned to⁠‌ reality in the⁠ residual image that‍⁠‍ still shook like‌‌‌ a wave.

“…”‍

Vlad‍ opened his closed eyes and could‌⁠ still see a butterfly flying in⁠ front of him.‌⁠⁠

The‌‌ last breath of dusk passing over⁠‍ the mountains rested‌ on the boy’s‍‌ blonde hair.

“What‌‌‍ is this?”

An‍‌ armor imbued with‌⁠‍ the protection of‌ the white serpent.‌

“And this.”

Alicia’s⁠ amber stone with the blessing of⁠ the mole.

“And‍ this too.”

And⁠ a white finger‍ gently pressing the⁠ tip of his⁠ nose.