Chapter 112: Man in the fog (3)
dMJg3CAbove the table, there was a strange atmosphere.UyDS
YFaAvI feel overwhelmed by the golden eyes staring directly at me.qtQG8
tQIUnlike before, his face was expressionless, but his bright eyes shone like a butterfly fluttering in a dream.aFqd89J
jfSc‘Why are you doing that?’fZjQfwO
2lwContrary to his eyes, the elf looked at him with a cold gaze.lblJ
Ci7e2The gaze of the elf named Baradis was fiercely different from the girl’s.3MO6fd
L208It was like a look indicating that he had touched something he shouldn’t have.cPws
GTv9y‘Why are you doing that again?’bQeDohI
sCmIamWhile facing the gazes of the two elves whose auras were clearly different, Vlad was trying to maintain an impassive expression.4CgpYOJ
41AMIVlad was trying to keep a calm expression while facing the stares of the two elves whose temperatures were clearly different.mqVM
zJSANeither of them knew why they were doing this, but what was certain was that the image of the elves they had imagined was slowly crumbling.wz6Le7
5350‘When the hell is the tea coming?INn4l
AW9Knights and elves facing each other across the table.NbGipY
ASe86F2In the uncomfortable atmosphere where no one was willing to open their mouths, Vlad hoped that at least the tasteless tea would come out quickly.Tdtj5OI
tf72UBecause it wasn’t easy to ignore all the attention without doing anything.HPMERk
TFCx“…A knight who protected the lives of children.”O5d
Q1vIt was Varadis who first broke the heavy silence.4B7K8uu
R6IOXh“What does this mean?”nz6
ows6JVaradis’ navy blue eyes looked at Vlad’s armor.VPT
mwuaFNdThere was also an amber stone hanging from the tip of the sword.cmfu
2jt0rq2Although his mouth asked about the words engraved on the armor, his eyes clearly looked at something behind it.Jsd
pRRx“It was recorded by the Northern Diocese of San Rogino.”pod
rTJehGRVlad clasped his hands under the table as he watched Varadis’s reaction.VgJBF8F
fTY2aJust like the previous girl, the elf named Varadis was also looking for objects imbued with spirits.7LrSC
bwhRThe idea of asking the elves about spirits and amber was correct.XNAFa
q7IVONa“I had my own achievements during a mission to fight an evil being.”jrGI
KwiRvdFHowever, unlike the joy boiling in his heart, Vlad’s voice was calm.khIb
FrwBecause he knew very well that there was still a long way to go before he could celebrate with a single achievement. If Joseph were here, he would have definitely done this.DTa
tyOvYZ“If fighting against a special being… Impressive.”EkmUC
Q7Dp7zThe two elves listened to Vlad’s words and nodded at the same time.ub5N
tgeQVLooking at Varadis and the girl, who didn’t look alike on the outside but had similar actions, Vlad realized that the two had been together for a long time.jVmTIN
tEMZAW“The tea is ready.”vuhWZ
dthO3As soon as the door of the cabin was opened, a fragrant smell began to waft out.lL1kx
ZITIcwdIt was the smell that came from the tea cups brought by the elven soldiers.hlmT
UJnF7“I greet the knight who challenged extraordinary beings regardless of their race.”P93sk
lWHdg“Thank you.”uev1H
nvpRxiIHis expression was still cold, but the kindness he showed was clear.zDCZ62
j9nTcIf you treat someone with tea that is so valuable that you give it in exchange for a silver ingot, it would mean that at least you are not hateful.6Zq
AVvHMi“If I do well, everything will be fine.”nZxE
QcSVlad had not forgotten the purpose of coming here.41o
XDJVThe reason why he came here to help Count Vitskaya with his work was to enter the forest of the elves.9CA
nQYHS3xIf the current good atmosphere continues, maybe it will be possible to receive a direct invitation without going through the Count.Nmf
Jx9x“It smells good.”VSh97N3
sHNqVlad smiled as he looked at the tea, which emitted a clear green light.VBS
n26RAlthough it wasn’t my cup of tea, I could laugh as long as I could leave a good impression with just one sip.iVHtD
3rZjqIt should have been like that.dBO
Mfk“No.”tTlU
aQqBut Vlad couldn’t lift the tea cup.K9y6Gdw
TI1“You can’t drink it.”fLfoO
BQ7tWhite fingers urgently grabbed the tea cup Vlad was holding.MvwGWG
jg0QhA girl who was almost lying face down because of the great distance between the tables was looking at Vlad.O2O5Wcz
d0tyQB“…”wej
s9qGCI“…”3nLR
awnjMuThe air in the cabin stopped as a result of the girl’s sudden behavior.7F3NRQ
D10Not only the elves but also the knights of Vitskaya were frozen like stones, not knowing what to do with the situation unfolding before their eyes.l2tT
RmXpPU“…Why?”caNDd
hMFXq6Vlad barely managed to exhale a word after releasing the little air left in his lungs.Lw5hwC
o8tHowever, the girl simply buried her face, tried to avoid eye contact, and silently took Vlad’s tea cup.tb2so
wj4v3WThe girl’s feet hopping at the end of the table looked pitiful.SEVwPK
88zgN2U***jyBg
RPXDMNTea time was over.ErfWBNb
O52SCMeeting the elves for the first time in his life was as bitter as the lingering taste on the tip of his tongue, and Vlad still couldn’t easily escape from the shock.FmMF
O0qh“Captain, calm down.”dR2opc
TBKej“I didn’t do anything wrong.”cSz9ro
vOzVPXLooking at Vlad’s dazed eyes, Goethe tried to calm him down, but the response he received was hollow.rYH
FSqnNMV“Still, you have to come to your senses. The elves are still only looking at the captain.”VPq2PgX
sZk1It was a strange atmosphere.Ze04Wi
BgyThe elves distrusted Vlad, yet they looked at him with curious eyes.Hrd
4IPo9It was as if they were looking at a strange creature.Wr13j
oKi“Besides, that boy seems to have a high status. When I got on the carriage earlier, there were elves waiting by my side.”K0XDg
Ch0Among them was a girl who was looking at Vlad with the most passionate eyes.QYv5euR
rA701iiAn elf named Varadis was holding onto the waist of an elf and peeking his head out to look at him.qlxn
Oz27uVlad sighed as he looked at the girl whose eyes were desperately searching for something, yet what she was actually doing was pushing him away.ZLP
gerd“Anyway, I think it’s wrong to enter the elves’ forest.”YNHPvpX
CF9yIStAlthough it wasn’t his fault, something went wrong in Vlad’s recent meeting.V85ez
dK6LSince the elves already distrust humans, they won’t look favorably on the current situation.3xOi
2d2ZV1“Now let’s go. We have to leave before it’s too late.”Xwi
fdf“Alright.”jLBtBG
gzeUpon hearing from the Vitskaya knights that they had to cross the cliff before sunset, Vlad helplessly climbed to the top of Noir.xxIW1V
zEjbW“Wait a moment.”BRaV6U
llxOhBehind the group getting ready to leave, Varadis’s voice was heard.cfQt
htFCHe listened silently as a girl whispered something quietly.pKvl
eJvt4N8Varadis nodded upon hearing the girl’s words and with an awkward smile stopped Vlad.sb5GLPX
5jcW“I apologize for bidding you farewell in this manner.”0iG
5Qtt2Varadis’s strange expression, unsure whether he was smiling or angry.S48
I7vOcWVlad thought his cold impression from earlier was better.L3i
sJFpM0“Please allow our honorable person to apologize for the mistake he made towards you.”mkIrlD9
mCP“No, it’s okay.”2dMffuF
SdH“I heard something happened in the carriage earlier.”Vbr
W0fQti“…”45sdSvw
KeAGEZSeeing Vlad silently affirm, Baradis shook Vlad’s hand with a tired expression.w9von0q
sbxtCg“I hope to see you again soon. I would like to apologize for today’s rudeness.”PJL8tR
vMEVlad silently looked at the hand being extended to him.jT0AmXk
rodyyQIDoes a handshake mean the same thing for elves?MiVrJp
PJ4S“It’s just the way elves invite. Unlike humans, we don’t ask for a handshake so easily.”ZCw
OAI3Qf“I understand.”k14
Bg5The muffled gasps of amazement from the Vitskaya knights who heard Baradis’s words couldn’t be avoided.SStE7S
tyV8They couldn’t help but be surprised to see Vlad granted permission to do something they had worked so hard for, for so long, in just one day.p27
4Dti“Thank you for inviting me.”Mr9R
1J3Vlad was confused as he looked at the girl waving her hand in the distance.dcv
DT61eSuddenly, he jumped onto the sleeping person and immersed her in a fantasy.Mnd
OAsehThey took away a cup of tea from someone trying to enjoy the tea.xqxr
0VLRUHowever, now she invites me to the elves’ forest and says she hopes to see me next time.M5wvcJ
oO9K‘What are you doing now?’H5K
B8cDUA5Vlad couldn’t help but think for a moment as he watched the behavior of the most whimsical girl he had ever seen.KJpG
sA7jHowever suspicious the girl’s behavior might be, it was impossible to ignore the extended hand.RlGG
R0RYvU“It will be a valuable opportunity to broaden my horizons. I will definitely visit you sometime.”cPu5
hwcC“Alright. I hope you come to visit us sometime.”pUW0BQ
nPz8The eyes of the two men met as they shook hands.HKD
Ih7bkmGThe nervous Vitskaya knights let out a small sigh as they saw Vlad hesitate for a moment while shaking Varadis’s hand.Bxb
pV6“And be sure to bring the amber stone with you.”mBhP
aqENvM3“Yes?”1FH5
5HPz5“Our precious person is very interested in it.”NiKMB
qMWaVaradis let go and looked at Vlad again with a cold expression.2J6bNiF
LHOEu“The same goes for you.”LDyKTh8
0rPHKF“…”CZ90qdA
kpNVlad listened to Baradis and looked at the girl standing in the distance.ie4Lg
FIbkUXAmong the heads peeking out behind, a hand waving among the heads seemed to say, until next time.YOz
45iA***wIblD2i
UoGva“At the end, I didn’t even ask for her name.”MojDaH
bNybLVlad frowned as if he had just emerged from Noir’s trembling back.DyxDBG
6M9bESince it was a time when things were getting crazy, he couldn’t ask what he should have asked.xxMav
uE7Dy“Why the name?”1PQY
Y5D“I guess I’ll have to call her something when I see her again.”nhofD5m
m6E“Indeed, she was quite beautiful for an elf. If she were a bit taller, she would be hard to ignore.”geo
1ZpkYSRVlad looked at Goethe as if feeling sorry, listening to him smile meaningfully.cWO
muIsE“Do you want to think that when you look at your son?”L28xbge
Ay3“How old do you think the captain is to think like that?”Es15
1D3tOVlad was speechless at Goethe’s question in response.UBMOiH
RmzIncNow that he thought about it, he himself had only become an adult a few months ago.gtTN4T8
TGTM9“…Anyway, I am an adult.”R1t4GzG
5o7“She might be an adult too. You seem more mature than Zemina.”oYp8cK
4sIVlad had no choice but to keep his mouth shut as Goethe countered his words with embarrassing truth.zdSn
1pczIn this situation, using Zemina as an example was a low blow.xAsdZx
FPZagwa“Besides, you can’t guess the age of elves in the first place. Although she may seem so, she might be over a hundred years old.”UmXl
ZmQiBecause she was a long-lived elf, it was difficult to guess her age, but Vlad definitely thought that the golden-eyed girl was not an adult.SASu
gwOyZThe incomprehensible behavior she occasionally showed seemed clearly insufficient to be considered mature.DI6Y7pJ
EpSwX“We’re close by here.”NuJe6j
OmbAs he intentionally closed his mouth to end the conversation, the Vitskaya knight cautiously approached to report.4F8x
3lbq“It seems to be more effective than hitting them.”1w0LC
qioUntil yesterday, the appearance of silently ignoring him because he was a stranger from the north had disappeared.EbLa1
9PpVaradis’s invitation clearly had its effect.p5PI2
SF6MHPu“The area from here to the bridge crossing the cliff is a dangerous area. The raiders mainly came from this area.”EIEq
uyyAfter hearing the knight’s explanation, Vlad quickly unfolded the map and estimated the location.oDFfg39
RnlNGXeThe map reading skills he had learned in Sturma were finally paying off.cJY6P
ynrWsG“…The stone bridge I saw on the way seemed the most dangerous.”gu9oh
JMK“Indeed, we lost many wagons there.”hiOJ9g
PTBCJxFVlad was worried as he watched the sun gradually set.YZ8TfK9
aDPUThe sun was about to set soon, so he wanted to secure a spot if possible.ABMYLk
uBON“What if we stay here for the night and then leave?”ge4K
XIG“That’s impossible.”7sVu
AUKQhMThe Vitskaya knight spoke sternly, as if this wasn’t enough.xdF
4lpK3u0“Unlike the elves’ realm, the forest here is very cold. If we don’t get to Tanovo as soon as possible, the thujon leaves will freeze.”HeaP
l5Z194jThe elves only harvested and dried the leaves of the tea called thujon and did not perform any other process.Yep5
FGCaeNSo, unless he quickly returned to Tanovo, ground the thujon leaves into powder, and compressed them into a single piece, the thujon leaves would quickly freeze.OK3
UIiPz“From now on, we’ll have to move even if it means cutting down on sleep time.”0fc08
mGvNSl“…Alright.”deV7TJ
8VMXvIt was something he was prepared to do, but the conditions when he came and when he returned were very different.0Mic
BE10n3Still, he suggested it because he thought it would be fine for a day, but the knights’ reaction was too strong.x5vaHPi
zn0O4bTheir position was understandable, as their efforts up to this point would have been in vain if they hadn’t been careful.g5jbTv
dgEkHF“Let’s go. Stephan, go to the back.”vti
bpBKrgQ“Alright. Sir.”ZcYTLN
CoRHe was at the front, and the Thorn Mercenaries were at the end of the procession.2KA9
I6DiJs6Vlad formed a formation with the Vitskaya knights flanking both sides of the carriage and began to advance cautiously.Mb3wTfx
alynRThere probably wouldn’t be big bandits who would touch the current procession of only 6 knights.2FerCon
xk7“But if they come out, they definitely have a different purpose.”G0vD2X
mMVqEKyNo matter how expensive the elves’ carriages were, there was a cost to everything.5r0Yo7
VojL0A person who would fight against six knights and ten mercenaries to rob a carriage must have had other objectives besides money.Pyir
q75DVlad silently looked ahead as the forest darkened.LQNCINF
4FwakJA stone bridge stretched between the cliffs ahead.Wzu6RZ
tLFJBetween the darkening sky, a stone bridge that looked even stranger awaited the group.fdQbEhW
TvKu5hk***Lv132
X1X9GHAt first, I thought it was the starlight.q5m
lKMWyYIt was a dark night, and since it was a cliff area with a steep slope, the boundary between the sky and the earth was not clear.GayxM
PWem2“Kaaak!”m95gmb
aYIDL9qHowever, when the starlight approached quickly, Vlad realized that the light was not hanging from the sky.j5p
DlX“It’s an attack!”yqK91
mWRg“They are raiders! The marauders have arrived!”V0mlT
TICTorches trembling violently, horses neighing.euB0
phf8wIn the procession that quickly became noisy, Vlad looked at the Vitskaya knight who was already lying on the ground.4tZ
dwIElpl‘…I didn’t even see him!’9AlKb
ImAGLIt happened in an instant.kCsrM
2kV9GThe brutally distorted armor of the knight showed how much impact it had received.LQDAQQ
S7E“First, make sure to avoid the dust…”WlKFZv
Ptwe“Everyone run! Let’s leave the bridge now!”fj3
dNOV4JLOn a bridge with openings everywhere.wRmBI
FudArVlad shouted loudly as he watched the knights naturally forming their formation.4OoI4pe
npZkFv“But Lord Vlad!”dgikM
QgB1“Follow my orders!”3BBxoQ4
cqWMPiwVlad quickly placed the fallen knight on the saddle and growled in response.uIGq
2fC“If you stop here, he’ll simply do as he pleases!”k5WjRr0
oWcUnderstanding a predator is only possible by being a predator oneself.wMvC
ml1ab5There must have been a good reason to show a warning by defeating a knight.F8It
xgv0dz“Run! Let’s get out of here as fast as possible!”SvVs0
V9XVB“Hold the reins, everyone!”MRJz
qwHYOn a dark bridge, Stephan and Goethe repeated Vlad’s orders aloud.yof
OXWoAnd the Vitskaya knights, who were overwhelmed by Vlad’s sudden change in momentum, had no choice but to hastily mount their horses.W6DU
EX8XuPlop!7zkJI
slPx7AZThud!750BSH
XGWnMn“The rocks are flying!”K3X1x
WYeM“The perch is breaking!”7icg
HvzlcbGThe marauder in the darkness was hurriedly extinguishing the torch, perhaps confused by Vlad’s decision to cross the bridge as before.ld4fV
sRfoA knight with a sword must be able to face threats.IdoN
kfuwMzHowever, the knight from the alley was a man who didn’t mind fleeing at all.w8bNz
nZRQ9j“Don’t worry, just run!”MTgN
CKkVlad quickly closed his left eye and raised his sword high.WYU
WSHSdsE“Just follow me!”Ea8Df
AuYMk9Vlad’s aura forming between the sword.fIY0olc
hyUEw2oThe wagons began to creak along the single light shining on the dark bridge.xrp
TF8H5SZCreak!0Pvi
cyef‘Where!’3Fb
EEysnThis time, Vlad struck the rock flying towards him and quickly assessed its direction.kS4mMsX
962The trembling tip of the sword gave an idea of the power of the stone that had just flown.Zgs0oHP
Qmd‘There’s only one!’MQ32XL
XQ5It came from many places, which increased the confusion, but it was clearly thrown by one person.uw7Owz
UPQVXpbVlad’s sensitive ears caught the sound of someone moving in the darkness.s6mtuO7
ore‘He’s coming!’rY47O
luAjVlad gritted his teeth and looked towards the end of the bridge.sqcb2
J4AICertainly, it didn’t seem dark, but the unknown raider was standing in front of the path they were about to take, catching his breath.xXcu
dVS6Eg8“Move forward like this!”QrhmJ
RsKNyThe group runs like a furious bull.OT0X8
3W9A small horn sprouted from Noir’s forehead, which was at the front.VTr
olK‘Piercing!’xYd4
AjMXVNqVlad planned to trample the marauders with this momentum.HDaps4
nhIfcKThe person currently blocking the group was clearly a master, so if they lost their current momentum, they might never have the chance to cross the bridge again.4u7x
fk4OsT“Knights! Prepare for the attack…”haax
YVKDK1yVlad shouted loudly but couldn’t bear to continue with his next words.Qf1
w8sTTRpBecause it was getting brighter from that end as if receiving the light of dawn.i4JyO
mcxHD1Z‘Damn!’ZCj1IWX
835c0QOVlad felt the sudden change in the power of the assailant and quickly invoked his own world.Ce5dySS
YG0Xc4DOnly the Aurores can confront the Aurores.sZw0aD
Ks0The only person here who could create an aura was himself.j9A
3nLx“Noir!”CsazNwt
CN60a0ZNeigh-!YGR3wl
VHLAt Vlad’s shout, the spirit of the prairie, which pierced even the troll, slowly began to take its own form.BsuwSr
qpNThe death blow of a single strike is unexpected.M0VAPu
vXgbAnd the best way to create surprises is speed.zEFK
cPRKtOnly unexpected speed can block the blow of the man in front of me.9UQ
e3Cp“Now!”dTj
xxbfFVlad and Noir, who had been in line with the procession until now, took advantage of the strange rhythm and quickly ran forward.45ke
9OD3SS8At a speed three or four times faster than the speed I’ve been running at so far.SiW
HltOThe eyes of the unknown man who was watching that scene were widening.JlpWG6
zET“Pierce him!”hX1
lI9FXEFinish with a single blow.Zur1
Jz4OrJust as the voice told me.3UBquFs
nMJA white lightning that couldn’t be captured flowed from Vlad’s left eye, which he was trying to close with all his might.ofHRC7
A7zjoCaKwasik-!RGx5iP
F6Z6Kwazizig-!BVR0O
7pbDawn light and white lightning.tl9M31
liccLjLights of the same color clashed once, creating a loud roar on the bridge.HP5hwG
us5D5P***9AWCiY
6EmRFSn“…The path of the sword must be straight, firm, and unwavering.”bOF
C3eA hood, half-torn gray.gUfp
V3VRed blood splattered amidst white hair and visible wrinkles in between.0h5F
H2wget“And the only thing that paves the way is an unwavering sword based on the unexpected.”r3CSqWO
w1GYh“…Cough.”oZgpu
c57Through his fading mind, Vlad slowly reached out to grasp the sword that was far away.sZ6IZn
IWKRHowever, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes at the voice he soon heard.rAh
rhwh2vn“That’s the trick to a one-strike kill.”aY5qfV
wdXNxw“…What?”Phr
cahQJCThe carriages halted.cIOeg
hvOlQzNoir collapsed.qYFygWl
h5SbrAAnd Vlad lay on the ground, looking at an unknown man.OIDS
uJPPy“Who the hell are you?”FQQO
GLhbwA drop of blood flowed between his pure white brows.smbhh
89qpCj“Who are you, using the imperial sword technique?”kDC
QTY2The dense fog enveloped the dark precipice where light and darkness faded away.PYPO
D2EThe eyes of the two men, walking the same path yet unknown to each other, intertwined in confusion.dLlPw
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