Chapter 113: People who do not know each other (1)
ZwECpMy ears are ringing.W79n3BV
dbxnuI felt something was wrong with the first collision.i6hdon
HYvd30“No, Noir…”aIdflb
LaKVlad barely got up from his seat with blurred vision and walked towards Noir, who was far away.6DJJj
HGq0Hs9Neigh-Brr0lF
QtDA black horse recognizes Vlad, who approaches stealthily and rises with difficulty.g9K
afCFortunately, although his strength seemed to diminish, nothing seemed to be broken.ewBoMo
6UC“…Damn.”LsE0nny
6cUqZVlad, holding Noir’s reins, gritted his teeth as he looked at the scene in front of him.mAbg
xIlHIQOn a stone bridge covered in clouds and illuminated by moonlight.VSNQUT
7yi0EdFragments of the armor that had just broken were flying.bYLN
hpt40People were seen lying among the debris gleaming in the moonlight.t4SqX4
I63qoIu“Perhaps you should have rested a little longer.”tEG
QEvFAnd a person standing on a stone bridge.L6a
cnAjobdThe unknown man, who had finally defeated the remaining knights, sensed Vlad’s presence and turned around.dyvu
MFdThe man’s white hair shone brightly under the hood that Vlad had torn apart.8wnN
rPq“I think we have a lot to ask each other.”A87Rwsa
2UzDlhlUpon hearing the words of the unknown man, Vlad once again raised his sword.afGT4
2pNThe stance of holding the sword to the extreme for a single strike.48bj
i92The man, seeing Vlad’s posture like an arrow about to be shot, smiled as if he knew that would happen.VaTBk7
mbpktx“Well. That.”Cd2Y6a
T9QTwo men stood facing each other under the moonlight.3He
nLUWith another sword raised as if it were the same.YO9
0tKB ***suY61CK
dgv7N“Good job.”wm8
Axb1An office tinted by a bright light.kZGo6U
CzJEFlowers planted here and there peeked their heads into the sunlight streaming in beyond the window.cTf
X1g“It was a tough task, but you did well.”SJqQd
gZHv1u“Thank you very much.”ZIkF6
PZT4PRVlad listened to the Count’s words and stared fixedly at the teacup in front of him.mv1k6R
XG6LwgA light green elf carriage.tvy5
mmq5CoI walked the distance for over a week to take this sip.dWwKiT
uQZkj“I heard it wasn’t an easy match. It’s a pity we didn’t find his body.”R5Nkx
Pvzb2wVlad raised his head and looked at the Count.XR1cT
WQeA man with deep wrinkles on his dry face.qV4
x5NOkIn a body that looked ten years older than his original age, the only thing that seemed to have its own age were his bright eyes.qF3Giyv
OmzTDe“I was lucky.”uoRsqs
e4bq5tY“Haha! I guess you were lucky.”jYMpKX
JMhcThe Count leaned deeply against the chair’s backrest with a worried expression.6Xp
sKWn5w“You have no idea. How much trouble I went through because of that guy.”rwY76
AA34bJrThe Count closed his eyes with a relaxed expression, as if he had lost a tooth.S6H5qfb
lyRAzSince the city’s main industry had been threatened by an unknown, his difficulties were understandable.xum
OxdZHowever, Vlad’s eyes as he looked at the Count were cold.JqOf
Yryny“Who were you planning to call if it failed?”jWiTa
Bbm“Mmm?”43y
aLycFThe Count opened his closed eyes at Vlad’s sudden question.mUkVs
hXR2Ju“He was of a very high level. It was a level of skill that the Count’s knights couldn’t match.”rer
V2LSaid Vlad, stroking the rim of the teacup.xKH8IMj
DafLsDnSmall waves were forming in the transparent teacup.7hf4
VDBnUj“Saying I was lucky wasn’t just a sign of humility.”uIY
zwepRed began to spread over Vlad’s teacup.7LU1zIE
up2axoeOne of the countless wounds received during the fierce battle was hidden on Vlad’s finger.Ajat
tP5WeWIt was something he was willing to do, but the man I met on the bridge had even more extraordinary skills than the Count had mentioned.gseC9N0
nasThe Count’s request had been deceiving Vlad from the start.7QMc36q
qhhN0a“I guess that’s why you didn’t send the commander of the knights.”KLS
rXLlThe Count knew it.uu94
2P2qfuEven his own knight commander with outstanding skills would not be a match for the unknown marauder.vB3G
8cjUnk“…A person who is responsible for something always has to think about the future.”uxE4
gvBehAFThe Count replied and looked at Vlad sitting across from him.x9u
kANA face covered in scars, a swollen eye.ttue8
cGOlfHowever, the reason he made a strong impression instead of looking bad is probably because of Vlad’s unwavering blue eyes.ig7MA
0d8Llo“I was requesting knights from the Dragon Slayer Order in the capital.”j6Wc6I
rChAt the Count’s response, Vlad’s fingers stroking the teacup stopped.Pvv
HXHLvV“We wouldn’t have been able to drive him out with our forces alone. That’s what I know of his skills so far.”phxVjB
thtTo get the cooperation of the Dragon Slayer Knights in the capital, a reasonable basis is needed.J3wxUD
7opjDA reason like the appearance of a dragon or an enemy that is too difficult to handle.Irxh0D
8mq6If Vlad had failed in this matter, that would have also been used as evidence and noted in the Count’s report.4iD
BfAThe reason is that they are an opponent that not even so many knights can deal with, so please send the Dragon Slayer knights.PaEPs
0ft3K3h“Still, I’m very glad you’ve solved the problem. The Dragon Slayer Order knights are really costly.”tUnpD
8lDLyWith those words, the Count took out a leather pouch.SDI
APmL“I put in more than I promised. Anyway, you brought the carriage back safe and sound.”AwWr
Vw6Fodg“…”zqZ
CznA pocket that looks heavy.lvo
l8wuCLsHowever, Vlad’s eyes were deeply sunken as he looked at the pouch.Jp4WHB
V2Upul“You already received an invitation from the elves, so you don’t need my letter of recommendation. That also comes at a price.”1Q7RNN
HDdNrNo matter how much money there is.dGu6d
ScmThe gold coins in this pouch alone will not be able to replace the price of life.w47
gR0wy5Last night, Vlad was nearly dead on the stone bridge.BL4vXX
1A9“I accept it gratefully. Count.”4kWP
lTuCMw0However, Vlad accepted the gold coin offered by the Count.uNb
rp1dHdI need to know the exact amount it contains so I can charge the Count more later.gBf
W4aThe price of deceiving yourself.Zeep
fO4“Isn’t it a waste to rot in the North?”hPSf5a
WEoxThe Count’s voice reached behind Vlad, who was holding the office door handle.jBeJ4B
99Ltai“Wouldn’t it be better to work here than in the North, where there’s nothing special? Of course, I’ll pay more.”Z6gMB
Jg2BkCount Vitskaya says he wants to hire him.5GNq9I1
NWmXHis voice coldly climbed up Vlad’s neck like a snake.XcMMhM
zoLx“I heard you were banished from the city. Wouldn’t it be better to work for someone who understands you than for a lord who abandoned you?”SXk
9kyZ02Vlad slowly turned his head as he listened to the Count treating him like an abandoned dog.nRZ
074uThere was the figure of the Count raising a teacup to him.jwkXxJ
HQCkq4K“I want a lord I can trust. Count.”HIK
lPiZ1YThe blood of nobles is blue.f20D7E6
svp67zVlad seemed to know now what that meant.myW5y
pGxFM1The person in front of me right now did not see himself as a person.ahIoqL
JX4OOEP“That’s too bad.”OrTk
9sDPSiVlad left the office, leaving behind the Count who shrugged.PxgNA
UUq0UIVlad’s steaming teacup hadn’t diminished at all.NVKZXQ8
9QGet1***Be2hJ2a
4IksAfter leaving the Count’s mansion, Vlad walked silently towards the outskirts of the city.xqwX
QFcA strange yet familiar place.MK6CNh
6wpbZLGAlthough not as bad as the alleys of Soara, the alleys Vlad was currently walking through were disorderly and dark enough to remind him of a poor neighborhood.5aI4
fFc23Vlad quickly concealed his armor with his cloak and walked through the alley with familiar movements.Bc0oNn
aLN2TzSomeone in the darkness laughed as if surprised, watching Vlad change from the appearance of an honorable knight to the appearance of a disheveled rogue in an instant.5i2
2ePTap-pdKN1B
OygjyVlad stopped at the agreed-upon spot and soon felt small stones flying towards his boots.K0wO01d
7Ws9bbY“…”ByxtttJ
8DgUHe couldn’t see it or feel it.nyza
VPphOBAll he could hear was the sound of the blowing wind.zq7m1V
8axeJudging by the fact that not even the slightest sound of footsteps could be heard, the opponent seemed to have discovered in the previous duel that Vlad had a sensitive ear.iYH
taeTap-t6aUVM
UuJTap-fYhPUy
2PtAThus, Vlad followed the direction of the stone and ventured into the slums of Tanovo.The darkest place in the city.KSKE1
Y94i2xhScenes in every city were different, but people who had been expelled seemed similar everywhere.XI7
ZlEWbTAll the people living in the darkness were gray.VdoTc5
RLP6mj“But you know how to keep your promises.”ZmCOR
llZu0UAfter passing by the gray people, Vlad finally arrived at a dead-end alley somewhere.XRKW
4JkBAn unpleasant sound of metal began to flow through the black shadows.ZUq7
1fQ“I thought you’d run away like crazy.”xKT
yP1Marginal neighborhoods, darkness, and voices you didn’t want to hear.m57E
JOmwMu6These were factors that would have pressed anyone, but Vlad simply spoke calmly.fyr9vMc
fhr“No one followed me.”JrvK
mokvnEmpty threats didn’t impress Vlad.nVUaYyt
kKqvlThe familiar smell of the slums reached his nostrils, and the rebellious spirit of the boy suddenly surged within the rider.fzui
nNBR“So, could you stop saying those weird things?”KoEA9qX
dfXCu“Seriously?”kMC
SmUyAn embarrassed cough emerged from the shadows at the end of the alley.FrZv8
o01JwRIt was a voice completely different from the sound of metal heard earlier.a0FOgS
0lD“This worked well on the bridge.”lwQz9
UfaA man finally emerged from the darkness with Vlad’s rebuke.qoOsRr
4iL1He was an unknown marauder wearing a gray hood.xUr
hawt“Can we talk?”6ZzEO
dno0eSX“That’s why I came here.”CAU
yEycThe two individuals were similar, even in the way their hands held swords.CgQ
ix99l4oA disheveled-faced knight and a man with a gray hood sewn into a mess stood facing each other, looking at the traces left by one another.KNEj
siLrTCj***7ny
qv6uz“Why don’t you ask my name?”A5r1pc
Blq“I don’t think you’ll tell me even if I ask.”tYG
uKwrWwkVlad sat down at a corner shop, a common sight in the slums, and placed an order with familiar movements.4mfnNK4
nMqpJ8MA gangster with a fierce spirit that matched his disheveled face.burG0
ERVTvoThe man in the gray hood chuckled as he looked at Vlad, who had already assimilated into the darkness of the alley.JSj1uQ
YrMd9“I guess you’re from some poor neighborhood?”0oZ
JXX7gB“Even if I ask, you won’t tell me.”di9J
UolTLNU“…”k20fMu
PjIdAfter receiving the ordered food, Vlad sat on a randomly placed chair nearby and skewered a piece.71u
zGuMHR“Retired knights usually don’t give their names.”S19v
h7fhr“To be exact, only those who have become the lowest.”tGWGTK
PJx“Most people don’t have money.”xXpRk
pZrCGi“…”D0e
ndo7KFVlad recalled Ramund from the man wearing the gray hood.LKDEb6Z
OmVhB1kExtraordinary skills and composure that only experienced individuals can possess.T28iTI
oT8lSHowever, he even tries not to reveal himself.NeD
9RIodThat day, beneath the hood he removed was the image of a man with white hair, just like Ramund.nHr
fOs“Why was a retired knight robbing there?”OMKp8z
9aohF“…Retirement came sooner than I thought.”OCva53o
YCd9Sc8The man in the gray hood pulled up his hood as if that were enough and smiled as he looked at Vlad.eAbNg0
Y27sup“There’s still something I haven’t done.”1OH2
OOwzOEveryone dreams of an honorable retirement.PWJW5
YXtfHowever, very few people can choose the ending for themselves.eFeE8
yuRRpXJ“You owe me your life. You know that, right?”Hqv
BKFYPyj“Approximately.”N19m7P
FpWM9C“Approximately what?”QeRLl
PDywzO3“I mean, if you had stayed until the end, you wouldn’t have known.”D1kg
GldeBProbably not.aF6I7HU
IOmqXVThe man eating skewers beside me was the one who killed 5 knights, 10 dragons, and a group of men for dessert, then put a sword to his neck.Zg6
Q96cHonestly, he was the person with the most overwhelming skills of all the people I had ever crossed swords with.arzUdsB
vWLdZ9“Don’t talk nonsense.”CccD2LU
fF53UxThe retired knight took the skewer from Vlad’s hand and took a bite.WHXs
hvGM“Anyway, I have a lot to ask and a lot to do, so you’ll have to help me for a while.”6AoxCH
ft97dSa“Why is there so much to do?”Wzsb
FhussHIn response to Vlad’s question, the man in the gray hood pulled out a small pouch from his chest and tossed it over.qrk
7FuAjIt was a pouch containing elf tea leaves.UqFeVz
uv9v“They’re elf tea leaves. What’s this about?”N5ieH
pQEzosThujon leaves with a fragrant smell.rrUElp
ILWmsVyVlad still didn’t know why the man in front of him was plundering the count’s carriage.yrZfnS
eRmHp“For the tea?”5uj40fo
ev8tbKVlad looked at the man who was casually drinking his beverage.wnsxPe
G6EThere was a sneer on his face that Vlad couldn’t tell who it was directed at.LlMy
5I8Retired knights who left behind the name they had built and became the lowest of the low.u9eGF
Q25srIThey were people who embarked on a pilgrimage-like journey and picked up their honor that had been trampled on the ground.Zcmh
WiV“This is not tea.”jFyRzz
YdbpjAnd now, an unknown retired knight calmly drinks in front of Vlad.5znTV3a
oVwh49“It’s a drug.”YJTXM
B4xEHe was a man who poured his honor among the trembling tea leaves.ZiVbs
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