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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 119: Now it’s your turn (1)

Chapter 119: Now it’s your turn (1)

A red maple leaf​‍ falling slowly.

The​‍ maple leaf finally⁠‍‍ landed on the⁠ sword stuck in‍‌⁠ the rock.

A noble and shiny⁠‍⁠ silver sword.

The‍‌‌ sword that everyone‌‌ seemed to covet⁠⁠‌ continued to draw‍‌ Vlad’s attention.

“…”‍⁠

However,‌ Vlad could feel‌​‌ it.

The‍‍ silver sword firmly‌​ standing on the‍‌‍ rock sharpened its⁠ blade towards him.⁠‍

A protective sword that⁠ shielded someone and‌‍‍ a bloody sword‍‌​ that slaughtered countless​ enemies.

And⁠‌⁠ the dragon-slaying sword⁠‍ that pierced the‍⁠ heart of the​ most perfect dragon.‌⁠

The​⁠ sword now stared⁠⁠ at Vlad.

With‌ a bright blue‌‌​ day ahead.

Do⁠ not come any‍‍ closer. I am‍ a child who‍ has not yet‌‍⁠ opened his eyes.‍‍

Before⁠‍ I cut you.‌

***​​‌

“Eh!”‌‍⁠

Wide-open‌​ blue eyes pierced​‌‌ through the dark‌​​ night.

Vlad,​‍ who had just​​ awakened from a nightmare, trembled incessantly.‍‌‍

“…Keuung.”‍‍‍

Vlad‌‌‍ unconsciously tried to‌‍ wipe his sweaty‌⁠ forehead, but sharp​ pain came from‌​⁠ the bandages wrapped​​ around both hands.‌⁠⁠

The‌‌‍ wounds from yesterday⁠​​ that had him​‌ on edge still⁠⁠ bothered Vlad.

‘The​ dream was a dangerous one.’

Vlad‍‍‍ clicked his tongue,‍‌ recalling the vivid‌⁠​ nightmare he had‍​ just experienced.

The⁠‍ vision from yesterday⁠‌‍ comes to mind‌​ with just a blink of the‌ eyes.

Contrary⁠‍ to its noble‍‌​ appearance, I definitely​ felt something uneasy‍‌ about the silver‌ sword I saw​⁠‍ yesterday.

So​‍ much so that​‍‍ it now feels⁠ like a nightmare.‍‍‌

“Why⁠⁠​ didn’t you sleep​‌ longer?”

“…You’re⁠ here.”

Vlad‍​ turned his head​ in the direction‌‍​ of the voice.⁠

A slightly open window.​⁠

August⁠‌⁠ stood with crossed‌ arms by the‌ window where the‍ soft moonlight streamed​⁠​ in.

“How⁠ is it? Have​‌ you inspected all​‍‍ the tea fields?”‌⁠‌

While‌ Vlad helped the​​‌ World Tree bloom,‌​‍ August investigated the​ tea leaves called⁠⁠‌ thujon in the‌‌ realm of the‍‌ elves.

However,‌‌‍ the two people​​​ I met now​ were in trouble‌​ despite finding their‍ own clues.

“The‍‍ fields were divided.”‍‌

“Yes?”‌​⁠

“…The‌​ story is that‌‌‌ they separated the⁠‌⁠ tea leaves they‌ would sell to‌ humans and the​⁠ tea leaves they​​ would drink.”

Two‍ tea fields, one​​ for humans and‌​ one for elves.‍

They⁠‍ may have simply⁠‍ separated it to‍​ facilitate sales smoothly,‌‍⁠ but August, who​​ approached the field,​⁠‍ noticed.

The‍​ two varieties of​⁠ tea leaves are⁠‍ subtly different.

“The‍‍ story is that‍ it was full​ of malice from‍ the beginning.”

“…”​‌

The⁠⁠ elves’ carriage. Absilon.⁠‍‍

In‍ a way, it⁠ can be said‌‌ that the green‌⁠‍ malice that started​‌ in the east⁠‍⁠ is the original‌‍‌ sin of the⁠‍​ empire.

Because​‍​ the elves’ obsession​‌ with humans was​​‍ entirely initiated by​​‍ the empire.

Who‍‍⁠ burned down the‌‌‍ World Tree was⁠‌​ the most perfect‍ dragon, but who​​​ pushed them out‌⁠ of the forest​‍ was none other‌‍⁠ than the Empire.​‌

“There‍⁠ are enemies everywhere.”‌

The‍ blood and tears‌ of countless people​⁠ are buried under⁠​‍ the shining empire.​‍⁠

The​⁠‌ empire was like‍⁠⁠ another dragon trampling​ their world.

And⁠‌​ now the empire​‍‌ must reap the⁠ seeds of the‌​ original sin it⁠‍‍ has sown.

Like‌⁠ it or not.‍‌​

In⁠⁠ the distance, there⁠‌⁠ was a tree​‌ still shining on‍​ its own under‍ the night sky.‍​

The‌ eyes of the​ old knight, gazing‍​ at the newly⁠⁠‌ blooming World Tree​​‌ in contrast to‍‍ the gradually fading‍ empire, couldn’t help​​⁠ but fill with‌‍ confusion.

***​​

“Then,‌​‍ why did you​⁠ hold the sword​​ upside down?”

“…”​​

It’s​ early in the​​ morning, the sun‍‌ has finally come‍ out.

The‍‍⁠ girl grumbled as‍ she unwrapped the​ tangle of bandages.⁠

She⁠⁠⁠ didn’t seem to‍ like the look‍​ of the bandaging,⁠‌​ which didn’t come⁠​ off easily even⁠ though she had​​⁠ wrapped it.

“If⁠ I had known​‍‍ things would be‌‌‍ like this, I would have taken⁠​‌ it with my​‍⁠ sword.”

“People‍⁠ who make excuses‍ aren’t trustworthy.”

A knight wounded by⁠‍ his own sword.‍

If⁠⁠ the wound was⁠‌​ caused by holding⁠ the sword upside‍‌ down, no one​ would hear anything‌‍ good about it.​​

“Then,‌‍ why didn’t you⁠ tell me beforehand?”​

“It‌ was also my‌‌ first time. It‌⁠​ was the first⁠ flower ceremony I’ve⁠‍‍ had in my‍⁠ life.”

I thought all I had to do⁠ was show the‍⁠‍ amber stone.

However,​ the two World‍‍⁠ Trees used their⁠ world as a conduit to come⁠ and go between‌‍ memories and reality,⁠‌ so Vlad had​ no choice but⁠‌‍ to grit his‌​ teeth and endure.⁠⁠

If⁠⁠ I had known‍​ it would be‌​‌ like this, I would never have‌​ lifted my sword‍‌​ that way.

“Who⁠⁠‍ can I blame?”‌

If‍​‍ we were to⁠‍⁠ be honest, it​⁠ was the girl’s‌‌‌ fault for not‍⁠‌ giving any warning,‌⁠‌ but it was​‍​ probably also Vlad’s‍⁠‌ fault.

As​‌ the girl just​‍ said, nothing seemed‍ as pitiful as‍‍ a knight’s excuse,‍⁠‌ so Vlad decided‌⁠‌ to keep his‍⁠ mouth shut for⁠ now.

“It’s‌​ done.”

The​ girl, who had​‍ finally removed all‍‍ the bandages, smiled‍‌ cheerfully and opened⁠​⁠ the wooden box⁠ she had brought.​‍‍

A container containing powders​ and colorful liquids.⁠⁠

The‌​ girl’s wooden box‌​‍ was so full‍ of bright colors‍‍ it looked like⁠ it contained cosmetics.‌

“Wait.‍ I said I could use this‌ and this.”

“I⁠‍ guess you’ve never‌⁠ tried it.”

“It’s‌‍‌ fine, I’ve had​‌ a lot of‌ it.”

Vlad‍⁠​ wished for a skilled hand if⁠‌‍ possible, but the⁠​ girl ignored his⁠‍‍ wishes and simply‌​ picked up the‍​​ vials.

“Give​‌​ me your hands.”‌

“…”⁠‌​

In⁠‌‌ response to the‍ girl’s reckless attitude,‍‌ Vlad had no​‌ choice but to⁠ extend his hands‍ forward.

Vlad’s⁠​ palm was deeply⁠‌ cut.

Looking⁠‍ at the knight’s​‌‌ palm, from which⁠‍ dark red blood‍ still flowed, the‌‌ girl unconsciously pursed‌‍ her lips.

“It‍‍ must have hurt.”‌⁠⁠

“Not⁠ particularly.”

Though‌ he responded casually,⁠ Vlad knew he⁠‌ was injured because‌​​ of his lack​ of skill.

However,⁠‍​ since it was⁠​⁠ the first time⁠⁠⁠ the girl had‍ seen the World‍ Tree bloom, someone​‌⁠ had to take⁠‍ care of her‍ mistakes behind the⁠ scenes.

Vlad’s‌⁠ wounds were those‌‌‍ traces.

“The‌​‍ elders gave you​‌​ many things to‍⁠⁠ use. It will‍‌ work fine.”

No​⁠‌ matter how much​ the elves ostracized⁠ humans, they were‍‌ the ones who​⁠​ helped with the‍ precious illumination ceremony,‍‍ so they planned​ to treat Vlad​ without regrets.

Besides,⁠‍ he said he⁠ had lost the⁠ family relic he‍⁠⁠ brought with him,‍‍ so he couldn’t‌‍‍ return it empty-handed.​‍​

The‌‌ current medicine was⁠‌​ a small part‌‌⁠ of the reward⁠ for coming.

“But‌ the sword that‌ was there at‌‌ that time…”

“Yes.‌ The sword of​ the Sword Master.”⁠⁠

The‌‌ girl replied lightly,‌‍ but the people​​ listening ended up​‌ shuddering loudly.

Not⁠⁠⁠ only August, but‌ also Goethe, who​ was helping by‌⁠ her side.

The‌ word Sword Master‍ had a special‌‌ meaning for the‍​ people of the‌‍​ empire.

“Why⁠⁠ him?”

“I⁠⁠ was curious why‍‌‌ it was stuck‍‍ there.”

I thought it would‌‍ be an unusual‌‌ sword, but I had no idea​‌​ it would be‌​‍ the Sword Master’s​​ sword.

From⁠⁠ retired knights to‌‍⁠ stable caretaker.

The‍⁠‌ three humans in‌ the room unconsciously⁠ stretched their necks‍‌‍ and began to‌⁠ wait for the⁠ girl’s answer.

“I​‍ heard that the⁠​ Sword Master gave⁠‍‍ it to me.”‍

“The​ Sword Master gave‍‌ you that sword?‌​‌ Directly?”

“Eh.”​‍

The‌ girl’s golden eyes⁠ that met Vlad’s‍ were shining.

It​⁠​ was a look‌‍⁠ in her eyes​⁠​ that contained not‍ a single lie.⁠‌‌

“The‍​ Empire was bad,⁠ but the Sword‍‌‌ Master was good.‍‌‌ That’s why he​ gave me a sword.”

“…What’s‍‌‌ that?”

Even‌‌‍ August lost composure‍‍ and asked at‍ the girl’s answer‍​‍ that seemed to​‌⁠ come out of‌ nowhere, but all⁠‍⁠ he got were⁠⁠ the cold eyes​‍ of the elf⁠ escorts.

There​‌​ was only one⁠​ person who could​ speak with the‍⁠​ girl in this​ place, Vlad.

“The‌⁠ sword there is⁠ a dragon-slaying sword.⁠‍⁠ A talisman that⁠ protects the World​ Tree.”

The‌⁠ girl’s eyes pointed‌‍ to the young​‍ World Tree outside⁠⁠ the window.

The‌‍‌ World Tree of⁠ Ausurin continues to‍‍⁠ shine and bloom⁠‍ slowly.

August⁠​ and Goethe may‌⁠ not have been‍ able to see​‌⁠ it, but Vlad,‍ who had absorbed⁠⁠ the remnants of⁠ the voice, could‌‍ see it, albeit⁠ faintly.

Small​ spirits running through⁠⁠⁠ the World Tree.​⁠⁠

“…What​⁠ are you protecting​ the World Tree​‌ from?”

We⁠​ must see the⁠⁠​ true hidden meaning⁠‍ in the phenomenon.‍‌

Joseph‍​ always told that​ to the inexperienced‌ boy.

Why‍‌ did the Sword‍‍​ Master leave his⁠ sword behind?

Why‌ did they do​‌ that to protect‌​⁠ the World Tree?​​

The‍‍​ only person who​ could say that​ was the girl​​ in front of‌ me.

“The‌ Sword Master’s sword⁠‍⁠ is the most‍‌⁠ perfect dragon-slaying sword.”​

A noble silver sword.‍​

The‍‌⁠ most perfect dragon-slaying‍‍ sword.

“So‌‍ all the dragons‍ in this world​ fear that sword.”‍‍‍

The‍‍ sword I saw⁠⁠‌ yesterday was speaking⁠‍ to Vlad.

Hurry⁠​ up and get⁠‍⁠ out of my​‌ way.

Before​​ I cut you.‍‌

“…I‌ see.”

Only‌⁠ then did Vlad​⁠ realize.

The‍​​ strange feeling I felt yesterday wasn’t⁠‌⁠ just an illusion.​

That‍ was a sharp‍ warning sent by‍​ the Sword Master’s‌‌ sword to Vlad.⁠⁠‌

Thump!​

‘······?’⁠​

Vlad,‌‌⁠ who was thinking​‌ about yesterday’s sword‍​ through the girl’s​⁠ words, suddenly felt‌ his heart beating.‍‌‍

An‍​​ unexpected heartbeat of‍‌ the heart that⁠​ he hadn’t felt‍‌⁠ lately.

Every‌⁠‌ time his heart‌‍⁠ beat, an uncontrollable‌⁠ feeling of anxiety‍‌‌ began to rise⁠​​ within Vlad.

It​ was a sound​ completely different from​⁠ before.

“Miss.”‍

As⁠⁠ Vlad panicked at‍⁠ the sudden attack,​⁠ the door to⁠‌​ the room slammed‍ open and the‍ elves escorting the‍‍ girl began to​ enter.

With​ hurried steps, like‌⁠ no one else.​

“You‍⁠‌ have to leave​‍‍ now.”

“I’ll‌⁠​ take you there.”⁠

A girl who heard⁠ the situation in‌ a whisper from‍ the elf escorts.‌‍‌

The⁠‌ girl’s eyes as‍‌‍ she looked at‍ Vlad began to‍​ tremble little by‍‍‌ little.

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