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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 114: People who do not know each other (2)

Chapter 114: People who do not know each other (2)

Absilon.‍‍

An⁠ imperial word that​‌ means elf tea.‍‍‌

However,‌ long ago the‌​ word referred more‍‍ to imperial teas⁠‌⁠ than elf teas.⁠⁠‍

“The‌ number of suicides‍‌‌ among young noble‌‌‍ sons has begun‌⁠ to increase significantly.”​

The⁠ aroma spreading is‍‌‌ refreshing enough to⁠‍ remind you of​‍‌ a forest, and‍​ the taste in‍​‍ the mouth is⁠‍​ spicy enough to‍‌‌ brighten your eyes.​​‍

Absilon,⁠ which was not⁠​ only a passing​⁠⁠ fad but also​​ had great practical⁠⁠ utility, spread by‍ word of mouth​‌ among young nobles.‌⁠

“But⁠ when we found‌⁠ out that this⁠‍ was the cause,⁠​ it was already‍‌ too late.”

The‍ gray hooded man‌​‌ looked at the‌ pouch in his‍ hand and smiled‍‍ with empty hands.‌⁠

“Suicide,⁠ does the tea​ called Absilon cause‌​​ some kind of⁠‍​ hallucination?”

“No.”⁠⁠‍

The⁠‌ gray-hooded man looked​​ at Vlad and​‍ shook his head.‌⁠⁠

“If‌⁠‌ there had been‌‌⁠ such serious side​​ effects from the‍‌ beginning, we would⁠ have noticed long‌‍‌ ago.”

Any​‍ medicine called a medicine will surely‍‍‌ cause severe side‌‍⁠ effects.

Drugs‌‌ are those that​ cause not only‌‍‍ mental confusion but‌ also various negative‍ physical effects, making‌ normal activities in⁠‍ society impossible.

“So,​‍⁠ what are the‌ side effects of‌ Absilon?”

If​​‌ there are no‍⁠​ serious side effects,‍​ there’s no big‌‍⁠ problem, right?

The​‌​ gray-hooded man sighed‍ at Vlad’s obvious⁠ question.

“High​​​ dependency, exceptionally strong​ excitement effects, and‌‌ depression.”

“What‌‍⁠ can you do‌⁠⁠ with that?”

Vlad‍ stopped laughing when‌ he learned about​ the side effects‌​​ of Absilon.

Did‍ you really want‍ to talk so‍ seriously about this⁠ level of side⁠ effects?

However,⁠ unlike Vlad’s indifferent⁠⁠‌ reaction, the gray-hooded‍‌ man was only​‍​ speaking seriously.

“It’s‌‍ the kind of‌​​ depression that makes‌‍‌ you want to⁠‌ jump out the‌ window in front‌ of your mother.”​

“…Mmm.”⁠‌

Vlad,‌​‌ who didn’t think‍​ it was a big deal, stopped‍‌ and closed his‌‍‌ mouth with a stifled breath.

The​‌‌ weight of the⁠ response he heard‍‌ was so heavy​​‌ that he felt‍‍​ sorry for daring​ to laugh at⁠​ it.

“Today’s‌‌ youth are always​‍‌ depressed. Such are‌‍‍ the times.”

Possibility​⁠​ is something beautiful,‍‌⁠ and youth who‌‌ can express it​ in their own​ world are precious.‍

That’s​ why you must​‌ protect that moment.⁠

“That’s​​ why I didn’t​​ realize.”

The‌⁠ first founding king,‌⁠⁠ Frausen.

He‌⁠ was a person​⁠ who cared for​ and loved children​ and the potential‌ of youth.

However,⁠ contrary to the​‍ will of the⁠ first king, the⁠​ current empire could⁠⁠​ no longer offer⁠​‌ a future to‍‍​ the youth.

The‌⁠ empire’s weakened situation‍⁠ continued to push‌​ future comrades into‌ dangerous battlefields, and‍⁠‌ those who had‌‌ already taken their​​​ positions no longer‍ left glorious positions​​ for the youth.‌

These⁠⁠​ were depressing times‌‌​ for everyone.

“So,⁠‌‌ shouldn’t it be​​ banned by law?”‍

He​⁠‍ didn’t know much⁠ about the law,⁠ but if it’s⁠‍ such a dangerous‍‌ product, it would​‌‌ be right to‌​ ban it anyway.⁠

However,‍​ the gray-hooded man‌‍ only smiled like​‌ a sigh at⁠‌‍ Vlad’s innocent question.‍⁠⁠

Look‍ at this innocent⁠ youth.

A child who doesn’t⁠⁠⁠ know the dark‌​ web that stretches​​⁠ into the depths‍‌‍ of this world.‍

“…Someone’s‌⁠ misfortune is another‍‍ person’s happiness.”

The⁠​‍ gray-hooded man opened​ the opening of‍⁠‌ his pouch and⁠‍ began to pour⁠‌​ out the elf‌‌‍ tea leaves.

Tea​​​ leaves fluttering in​ the wind.

The‌‌​ elf tea leaves,‍‌⁠ fluttering like ashes,‌‍ flowed slowly through‌‌ the dirty mud‍‌‍ of the dark⁠ alley.

“Absilon’s​ interests are already​​⁠ deeply rooted in‌‍ the depths of‍‍ the empire. It’s‍ so bad that‍‍ it can’t be​​ stopped with just‌ the death of‌ a few people.”‌

Absilon​​ makes money.

And⁠ money turns into‍‌ power.

The⁠​ powerful people of‌ this era were​⁠‍ people who didn’t​‌ care at all​⁠‍ about buying the‌⁠‍ bright gold of‌‍ young people’s death.‌⁠​

“I​‌​ want to stop⁠‍‍ it.”

An⁠ unknown marauder.

A retiree with a tattered hood.

However,⁠‌ he was a person who saved‍‌ someone’s life as​⁠‍ much as the‍⁠ weight of the⁠​‌ tea leaves he‌⁠ plundered.

The‌ sword of the‌ man he found​ that day on⁠⁠‌ the stone bridge​ was so shining‌⁠ that Vlad dared‌​⁠ not take it.‌

***​

Dark⁠‌ night.

Vlad⁠‍‍ was quietly climbing‍‍ the hill alone‌​ at the city​​​ entrance.

Although‌⁠‌ not very high,‌ it was a place with a view of the​ urban landscape.

From⁠ there, looking towards⁠⁠ the city of​‍ Tanovo, Vlad could⁠ see that what‌⁠‌ the man in‌‍ the gray hood‍ had said was‍ correct.

“…That’s‍ right.”

In‍‌ any city, there⁠‍ were surely places‌⁠ where light didn’t‌⁠⁠ reach.

The​⁠ existence of slums​‌ was a phenomenon‌‍ that occurred naturally‌⁠‌ regardless of the​‍ ruler’s ability.

“It‍‌ was built not⁠ too long ago.”‍‌

However,‍ what Vlad saw‍​ now seemed a bit different.

A boundary in the⁠⁠​ form of a line between the‍⁠ center and the‌‍⁠ outskirts of a poor neighborhood.

Vlad’s⁠ eyes were drawn⁠‌ to the outskirts’​ slums that suddenly‍​ changed color instead‌‌ of slowly accumulating‌​ and being dyed‍ the same color.‍‍‍

“…”‍

There​‍‌ must be a reason for the‍ sudden increase in‌‍ the size of‌ the slums.

When​​ people are pushed​ out of the⁠‍ ground they stand​‌ on, stories are⁠ likely to emerge.⁠‍

Vlad,​ who knew this,‌ turned his head‍‍ and looked at​‌ the large building​ near the slums.​‍

A four-story building whose​⁠​ lights don’t go​‍⁠ out even though‌ it’s a dark‍‍‌ night.

Depressing​​ smoke billowed from⁠ the chimney atop‍⁠ the building.

“It’s⁠⁠ the same everywhere.”​‌

The‌ city of Tanovo⁠‌‍ is becoming richer⁠ over time, and​‍ the Vitskaya family‍‍‌ is consolidating as⁠​ a new power‍​​ in the central⁠⁠ region.

However,⁠ the residents who‍ should have enjoyed​‌‍ the benefits were‍ increasingly pushed to​ the outskirts of‌‌ the city and‌ used to manufacture‍ drugs.

Everywhere,‍‌‍ the powerless were‍ crushed by the⁠‌ vast world and⁠ struggled.

Vlad‌‍ began to descend‌‍ the hill, spitting⁠⁠‍ out the bitter⁠⁠ energy rising from‍ within him onto​​ the ground.

“I​ guess I should‌‍​ do this.”

I owe my life​ on the stone‍‍ bridge.

He‍⁠‍ also has an‌ idea about the​ voice.

And​‌⁠ Count Vitskaya also⁠ has a personal⁠​​ debt to settle.​‍

There‌‌ would be no⁠ reason to worry‌‍‍ about the proposal‍‌ of the man​​ in the gray‌ hood.

“Kill‌‌​ the dragon, use‍‍⁠ the imperial sword,‍​ and make friends‌⁠ with spirits here​ and there.”

However,⁠ there was something​ else troubling Vlad’s‍⁠‍ mind.

‘What⁠‍⁠ the hell did‍ you do?’

A person related to‍⁠ spirits, who probably‌‍​ killed a dragon,‌‍⁠ and, above all,​‌‍ a person who‍‍ uses the imperial​‌ sword.

The‍‌ more Vlad learned‍‌⁠ about the clues‍⁠ about the voice,⁠⁠‌ the more confused​ he felt.

How‍⁠‌ did a person​‍ who was obviously‌‌‍ as grand as‍‍ a black lightning‍​ bolt come to​ me?

Vlad⁠‍‍ was now more‍‌ curious to know⁠‌‌ why than about‍ the identity of‌​ the voice.

***⁠

Even⁠​ though it was​⁠‌ winter, the forest‌‌ was lush and‍‍ green.

No‍ matter how much‌​‌ he looked up,‍ there were houses​ so tightly packed​​‌ that it was⁠ hard to see⁠‌ them beneath the‌‍‍ trees.

No,‌‌⁠ there were trees​ that looked like⁠‍ houses.

Elf‌⁠⁠ forest. Ausrina.

There​ was a busy‍​ man in the​‍‍ place that dominated‌‍‍ the World Tree.⁠

“Varadis!⁠⁠‌ The priestess…”

“…I​‍‌ know.”

He⁠ was trying to⁠ maintain his usual⁠​⁠ calm expression, but​⁠ even now his⁠‌‍ dark blue eyes‌‍ were constantly trembling.‌‍‌

“Open‍​​ the door.”

“Yes.”⁠‍

Varadis,⁠ escorted by his​‌‌ subordinates, entered the‍‍‌ largest tree under​‌‍ the World Tree.‍

In⁠‍​ a huge tree⁠ that would have‍‌‍ been 10 stories⁠ tall if it‍ were a human‍‍‍ building, there was​‍ a tree that​⁠ naturally took the⁠ form of a house even though​‍​ no one had⁠ touched it.

“Are‌ you here? Varadis.”​

“…Excuse​ me for the‌‍‍ delay.”

“No.”‌

The‌⁠‌ closest place to​‍ the World Tree.‌​⁠

Varadis,‌‌⁠ who ran up​ to the highest‌ point of the⁠‌ tree, bowed his‍​‌ head as he⁠⁠‌ looked at the‍ elders who were​ already waiting for‍‌⁠ him.

“Is⁠ it a revelation?”‌‌‍

“I‌ suppose so.”

The‌ eldest among the‍‍ elders.

The‍‍‌ old elf, as‌⁠ cracked as an​⁠⁠ old tree, nodded‍ silently, holding his‌⁠ staff.

However,‍‌ although his face‍ was hardened by⁠‍ age, there was​⁠‌ an anticipation in‍ his eyes that‌‌⁠ could not be​ hidden.

“…This‌​​ is really the‍​​ first revelation I’ve‍‍‍ received in a long time.”

A story of hardships⁠‌ and trials.

It‍​ may have been⁠ a glorious time‌‌ for humans, but‍​ it was a shameful time for‌‍⁠ elves, who were⁠‍ increasingly pushed to‍ the outskirts of‍ the continent.

Even⁠‌ during that time,‍‍ only a handful⁠​​ of revelations from‍‌ the World Tree⁠​ arrived, so the⁠ elves must have⁠⁠​ felt like they‌⁠ were crossing a vast and dark⁠ sea without a single light in​ sight.

“Are⁠‍‌ you sure you’re⁠​‌ okay?”

However,‍ unlike the elders⁠​⁠ who were eagerly‍ awaiting him, Varadis⁠⁠ had a concerned​ expression on his⁠‍ face and entered,⁠ breaking through the‍‌⁠ wall of elders.‌‍‌

Fragrances⁠ rising from everywhere.⁠

Numerous‌‌‌ candles burning among​​ the incense.

The​‍⁠ girl lying in⁠‌⁠ the middle still​‌​ felt pain, and‍‍ her whole body‍‌ was shaking.

“This‍⁠ is the first‌‍‌ revelation from the‍​‍ World Tree that​ I received after⁠‌ being named a priestess. Surely there‌​ will be a burden.”

Varadis⁠​ heard the words​ coming from behind​‍​ and carefully stroked‌⁠ the sweaty white​ blond hair of‌⁠ the girl.

Even​⁠​ now, her hands‍⁠ and feet were‌⁠‍ constantly trembling. And‍⁠ even the two‌ white eyes without‍‍ pupils.

“…”​‌⁠

Varadis‍‌⁠ held both hands⁠‍​ tightly towards his​ sister, who was​​⁠ trembling as if‍‌ she had epilepsy​⁠‌ and was struggling​‍ with the energy⁠‍ of the World‌‍⁠ Tree.

The​ girl’s hand he​​ held was very⁠‍‍ cold.

“Come.”⁠

The‍ girl began to‍ slowly open her⁠‍ mouth, as if‍ she had finally​​‌ felt Varadis’s warmth.​

As⁠​⁠ he spoke, the​‍ candles and incense⁠ around him began​‍‍ to tremble dizzily.‌​

“Everyone,‌ be silent.”

As‌‌ the elder said,​‌⁠ the elders even​‍‌ breathe carefully.

As⁠‌⁠ everyone held their⁠ breath, the candles‍​‍ placed here and⁠ there began to‌ burn brightly as‌ if they were‌‍‍ about to explode.‌

It‌‍ was a revelation.⁠‍‌

“The‍‌​ dragon… is coming.”‍⁠⁠

Varadis​‍‌ felt the girl’s‌‍‍ hands tense.

The​‍ girl’s furrowed expression,‍‌ as if she‍ were having a nightmare, was pitiful.​

“The​‌ dragon has seen‌ us. What should‌⁠ we do?”

A voice that changes⁠​‌ every time you‌​ spit it out.⁠

As⁠ the revelation of​⁠ the World Tree‌‍​ and the girl’s‌‌‍ voice alternated, the⁠⁠‌ words coming out‍​ of her mouth⁠ gradually began to‍⁠ take shape.

“…Show​‍ me.”

The‌​ girl’s breathing began‌⁠ to become increasingly​ difficult as she⁠⁠​ gasped.

“Great​ Elder.”

Varadis​‍ urgently turned to‌‌ see the girl‌ whose complexion was‌‌ becoming paler.

“…What‍‍​ do you mean?”‍​​

The‍⁠ elder nodded as‍ he looked at‌‍⁠ him, closed his‌‍ eyes in silence,‌‍‌ and grabbed the​‌ staff he was‍⁠ holding.

This‍⁠ new girl is⁠​⁠ still young and⁠ inexperienced, so they​ should forgive her.‌

Here,⁠‌‌ the elder showed‌ willingness to open‍ his world and​⁠​ share revelations with‍ the younger.

“What⁠‌⁠ can I show⁠⁠ you?”

An‍​⁠ elder who brings‍ forth the revelation⁠‌ of the World‍⁠⁠ Tree through questions.​‍⁠

Drops‍​​ of sweat slowly​⁠‍ fell onto the‍‍ hands that were‍​ clasped together in‍⁠‌ prayer.

“Sword!”‌​⁠

The⁠ revelations that had⁠ not yet been⁠⁠ transmitted through the‍‍⁠ girl’s mouth began‍ to flow into‍‍⁠ the elder’s mind.‌​

“Ack!”‍

A clear place began‌​ to appear in​⁠ the Grand Elder’s‍​ mind.

Under‌‍​ the roots of⁠⁠ the trees.

Damp⁠ caves, stalactites, rocks⁠‍‍ in the deepest​​‍ part of there.‍

A sword stuck in‍ the rock.

“…This​⁠ is it.”

A sword that has⁠‍ not lost its‍​​ shine even with‍‍‍ the passing of‍ years.

The​ elder’s eyes widened​ as he recognized‌ the sword.

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