Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Push⁠ forward!”

“Narrow‍ the encirclement! Don’t‍ let them escape!”⁠‍

In‌‍ the silent winter‌ forest, there was⁠‌‌ now more intense‌‌⁠ noise than ever‍‍ before, at a time when all life should be peacefully asleep.

Squeak,‌ squeak!

“These‍⁠ guys are so‌‍⁠ ugly.”

Puhh-‍‌

Droplets‍ of blood inevitably‍‍ sprayed with every⁠ breath from the‌ armed men.

“Advance!”⁠

Mercenaries⁠ had tightly formed⁠‌ an encirclement around‌‍ the goblin village‍ and were advancing‍‌ cautiously yet boldly.‍‌

Goblins‌⁠ were famous for their outstanding breeding‌ ability.

If‌ you missed even‌ a few here,‌ a similar-sized village‌ would rise again‌‍‍ next winter.

If‍⁠ that happens, the‍ employers in Varna⁠‌ wouldn’t be pleased.⁠‌

“Die,‍‍‌ you little bastards!”⁠‍

“Kiki-grech-!”⁠‍

Among⁠ bipedal monsters, goblins‌ were considered lower-tier,⁠ so the mercenaries⁠⁠ skillfully cut them.‍⁠⁠

But‍ life is a series of unpredictable⁠ events.

“Holy⁠ shit…”

The‍ mercenary who was⁠ laughing and chatting‌ until yesterday probably didn’t know that⁠ his head would‌ explode today.

Puhh!‌⁠

It’s‍‍ also said to⁠‌ be difficult to‍‍ encounter a Hobgoblin.

Kraaaaaaah!‍‍

A ferocious roar echoed⁠‌ above the snow-covered‍‌ winter forest.

“The⁠‌‍ 5th sector has‌ been breached!”

“It’s‌‍ a Hobgoblin! A Hobgoblin!”

Mercenaries,‍ who had been‌ fighting goblins for⁠‌ a while, spotted a massive being‍‍ that did not‍‍ fit the description‌ of a typical⁠ goblin.

It‍ has threatening and‍ rugged muscles on⁠ its brownish and sticky-looking skin, this‌ Hobgoblin was nothing‍‍ like the others.⁠‌

Kraaaaaaah!‍‍

This‍‌ Hobgoblin seemed to‌ be the leader‍⁠‍ of this village.‍⁠⁠ He was pouring⁠‍⁠ out boundless rage‌ upon the human⁠⁠ intruders who had‍ killed its kin.‍

“What the hell… Why⁠ is it here?”‍

As‌‌ the formidable Hobgoblin⁠ appeared, the mercenaries‌‍ swiftly withdrew and‌ readied their formations.‍

“What‌⁠ are you doing?‌ Get out there‍⁠ right now!”

“We‌ didn’t hear anything⁠‍ about a Hobgoblin!”⁠⁠

“Do‍ you think you’ll‍ get paid for⁠⁠ acting like this?”⁠‍

“Then‌‍ why don’t you⁠ go out there‍‌‍ yourself, Knight?”

Even‌‍ the Knight who‌ was leading them⁠ in a loud‍‍⁠ voice fell silent‌‍⁠ at the mercenaries’‍ criticism.

“This…⁠⁠ this guy!”

The⁠‍ Knight only trembled‍⁠⁠ in anger, but⁠ he didn’t draw⁠‍‌ his sword.

The‍ knight wasn’t particularly⁠‌ skilled even in his youth, and⁠ now, after aging⁠⁠ considerably, he had long lost his⁠ abilities as a Knight.

“Damn‍‌‍ it! We can‍⁠ handle it if‌‌ we charge together!”‌‍

The‌ Knight couldn’t bring himself to step⁠‍ up, but some of the mercenaries‍ started banding together.‍ If they cooperated well, they might⁠‌ stand a chance‌ against the Hobgoblin.⁠

However,⁠ the individuals in‌⁠ this place were⁠⁠ not dispatched as‍ a group from⁠⁠⁠ a single mercenary company.

“Then‍ you should have‌⁠ hired the expensive⁠‌ mercenaries!”

They had no long-standing camaraderie to rely⁠‌ on, and there⁠ was also no⁠⁠⁠ one skilled enough⁠ to be noticed by the mercenary‌‍⁠ group in the‍ first place.

Ssruurk-⁠‍

Except for one.

“…⁠⁠ I’ll do it⁠ this time.”

While⁠ the enraged Hobgoblin was searching for its next prey,‌‍⁠

Paat-⁠

White‌‌⁠ snowflakes flew up‍ from behind the Hobgoblin.

Huh?‌‌

The⁠ hobgoblin turned its‌ head in response‌ to the disturbance,‌ but it saw‌‍ nothing but a snowstorm that seemed‌‌ created by someone.⁠

“Hmph!”‌⁠

One⁠ mercenary swiftly approached⁠‍ the Hobgoblin with‍‌ a graceful dash.‌

The‍ sparkle created by‌ the unadorned sword‍ instantly cut through‍‍ the hobgoblin’s heels.‌⁠‌

Kraaaaaaah!⁠⁠

[Above.]

“I⁠ saw it.”

Hobgoblin,‍ who finally saw⁠ the man running‌‌ towards him, let‍‍ out an angry⁠‌ roar and struck⁠ down his huge‌ club.

Puh-!‌

“Agh!”‍

“What‍‍ kind of strength⁠⁠ is this?”

It‍ was a formidable‌ strength, to say‌ the least.

The⁠ Hobgoblin possessed an‌‌ incredible power that‍ was difficult to‍ believe, boasting strength⁠ far beyond what one would expect‌ from a typical‍ goblin.

The⁠‌ aftermath of its‍⁠‍ strike turned into⁠ a lightning bolt‍‌‌ made of snow, bounced off at⁠⁠ those around it.‌‌‍

“Fall⁠‍‌ back!”

“I⁠⁠ can’t see anything!”⁠

A pure white curtain‍‍ made of snow‌ covered everything in⁠ the surroundings.

[Now!]‌‍‍

And‍ it was now.‍

The moment the mercenary‍‍ had been waiting for.

The‍‍⁠ Hobgoblin brought its club down onto‍‍ the ground with‌ all its might⁠ and it stiffened⁠ for a moment.⁠‌

“This time, it’s for‌ real.”

The‍ blonde man’s blue⁠⁠ eyes gave off‌ a peculiar glint.⁠‍

Huh?

The Hobgoblin saw it.⁠

Even‌‍‍ in the mist‍ of snow, it‌‍ saw the cold‌ and focused gaze‌ fixed upon it.‍⁠

This‍ was unlike the⁠ eyes of humans⁠ it had seen⁠ until now.

It was like the⁠ gaze of a predator hunting its‌ prey.

“······!”‌

In‌ an instant, a flash of light‌ colder than snow‌ passed by the‌‌ hobgoblin’s waist.

A clean horizontal slash⁠ was executed before⁠‍ its upturned eyes could fall to‌ the ground.

The⁠‍ sword alone at⁠‌ a moment when‍ everyone else was‌‍ standing still, and⁠‍ it was a sword path with‌ will, not just‌‌ a swing.

I will cut you.⁠

Kraaaaaaah!‍⁠

The‌‌ Hobgoblin, who had‍ been triumphant moments⁠⁠ ago, suddenly let‌‍ out a piercing‍⁠ scream as the‍ solid steel penetrated‌‌‌ his skin.

“Damn‌‍ it!”

[Pull⁠⁠ back!]

It‌ was excellent, but⁠ still not enough.

Hearing‌ the hobgoblin’s ear-piercing⁠ scream, the blonde⁠⁠ man realized that⁠‍‌ he had not⁠ been able to⁠ cut down his⁠‍ target with a single blow.

“Another‍ failure!”

Kraaaaaaah!‌⁠

Wow-!⁠⁠

Vlad’s‌‍ sword was not‍ yet ripe enough‌‌ to cut through the tough hide‌⁠ of the hobgoblin‌‌ and break its‌ hard bones.

Puh-!‌‍‌

Just⁠ as Vlad rolled out of the Hobgoblin’s reach, a gust of wind‍ swept across the‌‌ ground where he‌‍ had been moments‌‌ before.

[Are‌⁠‌ you really that dumb? Can’t you⁠‍ do it even‌ if I tell‍ you?]

Vlad‍ clenched his teeth‍ as he heard‍ the voice echoing‍ in his head.⁠

‘You‌⁠ would be a genius if you⁠‌ could do everything‍‌ just by following instructions.’

Regardless⁠ of the criticism⁠⁠ of voice, Vlad‍ couldn’t help but⁠ be proud of⁠ the strike he‍ had just made.‌‌ He had created‍ it in just⁠‍ one month of‌⁠‍ serious sword training.‍‍

It‍⁠ was just that‌⁠ it hadn’t finished the job in⁠‍ one blow.

“It’s just a bit⁠⁠‌ of a turnaround.”‌

Vlad’s‍‌ eyes lit up as he saw⁠ the Hobgoblin swinging‌ his club back and forth while‌ holding onto his‍⁠⁠ side.

“If⁠ it doesn’t work in one strike,⁠⁠ I can just‍‍ hit it twice.”‍

[The‌ fact that you‍‍ think you will⁠ get a second‍ chance in a real battle is⁠‍ proof that you‌ are still a brat.]

Ignoring⁠ the voice in‍⁠ his head, Vlad‌ exerted more power in his leg‍ muscles.

Vlad‌ utilized his exceptional⁠ physical abilities, and‌ once again leaped into the snowstorm.‌

Kraaaaaaah!⁠‌

The Hobgoblin swung its‌‌ club furiously at⁠ the approaching unseen⁠ silver light, but‍ it was all‍ in vain.

“Praying‍ Riemann…”

The white curtain was‌ lifted, and an‍ unbelievable sight unfolded‌ before everyone present‍ in the area.⁠⁠

The⁠‌ ruler of this⁠ domain was retreating‌ in fear, and⁠ the sword path⁠ that cut it‌ in half without‌ hesitation.

Bright⁠ red blood stains‍ spread across the‌‍ white snow field.‌

※※※※-‍⁠ Part 2

The⁠‌ aftermath of the⁠‍ recent subjugation in⁠⁠ the winter forest.‍

The mercenaries who were‍ well aware of⁠‍ the goblins’ trait‍ to collect shiny‍ things were combing‍ through the goblin’s‍ tents, scattering across the village.

Precisely⁠ speaking, only a few of the‍⁠ mercenaries were doing⁠‍ this, while others‌⁠‍ were eagerly waiting‌‍ for a chance‌ to approach the⁠‌ scene but refrained‍ from doing so.⁠

Because they hadn’t received permission from the‍⁠‌ owner.

The‌‍ current owner of this place lay‍ in a state of disarray—a Hobgoblin—and⁠ the person who‌‍ had brought it‍‌ down was a blond man who‍‍ was rubbing his blood stained hands‌⁠ in the snow.‍

This‌‍ place belonged to‌‍ him from now on.

Taking‌‌ what belonged to the person who⁠‍ defeated it was‌ the unique right‍‌‍ of the victor in any world.⁠⁠

“Captain, you were amazing⁠ this time too!”⁠‌

There‌ was a man‍ with a bright‍ smile approaching Vlad‌ who was wiping‌‍⁠ away the blood.‌‍‌

“Go⁠‌‌ and take care⁠ of my share.”‌⁠⁠

“I⁠‍‌ already did it.‍ Who would dare to touch what‍‌ is yours, captain?”⁠

A man who stood out even among⁠ the mercenaries of‌‌⁠ the subjugation party.‍

“Do‍⁠ you want to‍‌ try working with‍‌ me after this⁠ is over?”

“I‌⁠ am not working‍ with swindlers.”

“Come‍ on now.”

The‌ brown-haired man just⁠‌⁠ smiled despite Vlad’s⁠‍ harsh words.

“Mercenary⁠ Badge.”

Vlad⁠⁠ stopped what he⁠ was doing when he heard the‍ man’s whisper.

“You‍‍ can’t keep using‍ that badge. I know someone who‍ can counterfeit it‍⁠ perfectly.”

“…If‍ your tongue is‍ light, your head‍⁠‌ becomes light too,‍⁠⁠ Gott.”

“Too‌‍ bad. Have I ever caused any‌ harm to you,‍ captain?”

Is it a threat‌ or an offer?‌⁠

Vlad‍ pondered as he‍ looked at the‍‍ man with the‌⁠ long chin who‌‌ spoke in a whisper, wondering if anyone would see.

If‌ it’s an offer, I will warn‍‌⁠ you, but I will kill you‍ if it is‍⁠ a threat.

Anyone⁠ who intends to⁠‍ exploit his weaknesses⁠ would have to⁠ face the consequences.⁠

Gott,‌‍⁠ who noticed that‍‌ Vlad’s eyes had‌‍ become heavy, whistled‍‌ and avoided eye⁠⁠ contact.

“Take‌‍ your time to⁠‍ think. I said‍⁠ it out of consideration of you,⁠ captain…”

Gott‍ backed off instinctively,⁠ as if he⁠ had perceived Vlad’s‌ warning in his gaze.

Gott, who had been‌‍ by Vlad’s side‌‍‍ all along, knew‍‍ better what happened‍‍⁠ to the few⁠⁠ who ignored this warning.

Vlad‍⁠ held the position‌ of the captain⁠⁠⁠ of a ten men team in⁠ the subjugation unit, leading only seven mercenaries.

“Have‍⁠ you all collected⁠⁠ everything!”

Vlad‍ shouted loudly to‌‌ his team members,‌ as if he‌‍ didn’t want to‍⁠ listen to Gott’s words anymore.

“Almost‌‍ done, captain!”

“I‌‌‍ thought we might‍ find something valuable since there was⁠ a Hobgoblin. Damn!”‌

Even⁠ so, the men⁠ held various ornaments⁠ in their hands.‌⁠

“Stop talking nonsense. Gather‌ those things and⁠ bring them all⁠ to the Knight’s‌⁠ tent.”

“Everything?‍‌⁠ We should at‌‍‌ least skim off⁠⁠ some.”

Vlad‍‌‍ looked at Gott⁠‍‍ with a disdainful⁠‌ eye.

“There has to be‌ something to leave⁠ for them. You⁠ idiot.”

“Still…”‌‌

“And,‍‍ anyway, you’re going⁠ to skim off‌ anything, at least⁠‍ do it with‍ something big. Why waste time over‍ trivial stuff?”

There‍ was nothing particularly⁠‍ wrong with what‌ the man named⁠⁠ Goat said.

Even⁠‍‍ the knights receiving their share of‍‌‌ the loot knew‍ that the mercenaries⁠‌ would sneak away‍ with various items.⁠ It was a common practice and‍‍ an accepted norm among mercenaries.

“I‍ will keep an‌‍‍ eye on things‍ from a distance.”‌

However,⁠‌⁠ Vlad had a different perspective from‍ the ordinary mercenaries. While he had⁠⁠ grown up in⁠ the back alleys,⁠ there were adults‌⁠ around him from‌‍‌ whom he could‍‌‌ learn.

He⁠ learned from Harven⁠‍⁠ and Jorge, and‌⁠ even Marcella was‍⁠ also a woman⁠‌ with a lot‌ to learn.

“Look,‌ these guys have‌⁠ a different mindset. If we have‍ your sword and‌ my mind…”

“If‌ you don’t want‌ your head and‍ body speareated, go‍‌ away right now.”⁠‍‌

Dealing‌ with those who‌⁠ couldn’t understand his‌ words was tiring.‍

“Right‍‍ now.”

And⁠ Vlad hated being‌‌ tired.

“Okay,‌ okay. I’m going⁠‍‌ right now.”

Gott, who had been‍ overwhelmed by the⁠ momentum Vlad was⁠ giving off earlier,⁠‍‍ quickly gathered the‌‍‍ loot and started‍‌ running towards the‍ thick-cheeked knight.

“Hey,‌‌ keep an eye on me for‍ a bit.”

“Are‌‍ you going to‍⁠ pray?”

“Yeah.”‍

“You‍⁠⁠ sure are persistent.”⁠⁠

Vlad‌⁠‍ called one of‌ his mercenaries from⁠ the group, and‌ moved away from⁠ the battlefield to⁠ a nearby grassy area.

“Don’t⁠‌ come too close.”⁠⁠

The afternoon sun was‌ streaming through the⁠ straight coniferous trees.‍‌

“Hu.”

Vlad⁠⁠ planted his sword⁠⁠⁠ in the ground,‌‍ got down on‌ one knee, and‍‌ lowered his head.‍‍

“O⁠ Lord… Thank you‍ for watching over⁠ me today.”

The‌‌ golden sunlight rested‍‍ upon his tousled‍ blond hair.

Although⁠ he was at‌ a distance, all‍ the mercenaries in‌ the vicinity were‌ watching him.

“The⁠ sight is killing‌‌⁠ me.”

“Is‍ he a real‌‍ noble?”

“At‍‍ least, he can’t‌⁠ be from the⁠⁠ same background as‌ us, right?”

Vlad’s‌‌‌ appearance, bathed in‌ golden light and⁠‍‍ accompanied by his⁠⁠ sword, left no‍ doubt that he‍‌‍ resembled a holy⁠‌‍ knight.

Some⁠ people, who were‌ looking at Vlad,‍ whispered that he‍ must be the⁠ son of a nobleman who had‍ left his family,‍⁠ while others believed‌‍‌ he was an‌ abandoned child of‍ some noble lineage.

Vlad⁠‍ exuded an aura‍‍ of mystery that⁠ made it difficult‌ for anyone to⁠‌ approach him lightly.‍

However,‌‍ if anyone were to get a little closer to‍⁠ the enigmatic figure,‌ they would surely⁠⁠‌ uncover the truth⁠ about him.

“Ah,‍‍ shit. This isn’t working. But…”

[Dumbass.‍‍ Haven’t you heard⁠ that the secret‌‍ to a single-strike‌‌ kill lies in⁠‌ its unpredictability?]

This‍ person named Riemann wasn’t praying.

The‌ prayer was only‌‌‍ a facade, and‌‌ it was full⁠ of only suspicious‍⁠‍ conversation.