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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 120: Now it’s your turn (2)

Chapter 120: Now it’s your turn (2)

Forest‍ of the Elves,‍‌​ Ausurin.

The​‍‌ place was filled‍​ with Nidhogg’s ferocious‍ attacks.

Ahhh!‍‍‌

Nidhogg⁠⁠‌ was angry now.‌

Even‌ now, an arrowhead​‍‍ fiercely pierced into⁠​​ his eye, causing​⁠‍ Nidhogg anger and‌⁠⁠ pain.

“Varadis…‍⁠ You take command‌ from now on.”​⁠

The‌⁠⁠ middle-aged elf shouted‌​ with difficulty, clutching⁠ his blood-stained shoulder.⁠​‍

Nidhogg’s⁠⁠ spine was already​⁠ deeply embedded in‌‍ his shoulder.

“If‌⁠‍ you get killed…‌‌ it won’t work.”​⁠

The​​⁠ great warrior of​⁠ the elves and‍‍ the one responsible‌ for this operation.​​‌

Even⁠ as he handed‌⁠‌ over command to​ Varadis, his lips‍​‍ were gradually turning⁠ black.

The‍ malice of the​ sharp dragon still​ flowed through his​​ veins and pierced⁠‌ his heart.

“…I⁠⁠‍ leave it to‌‍ you.”

Varadis​‍ nodded as he​‍ looked at the‍ increasingly pale Great‌​​ Warrior.

The‍‍​ great warrior, who‍ was said to‍⁠‍ have been born‍ under his mother’s​​ World Tree, had⁠​ been staring at​‍ Varadis with wide⁠​ eyes until the​ moment of his‌‍ death.

“Everyone,‍ gather around! I’ll‌ concentrate our firepower!”​‍​

So‌ now the remaining‌‌ leader is Varadis,⁠​ the leader of​⁠ the rangers.

At⁠​‌ this moment, a generational relay that‍‌ no one wanted‍ has occurred.

“Leader!⁠ That monster is⁠ so tough! Even​⁠ if I use‍​ the aura, the​​​ weapon can’t penetrate⁠​ its skin properly!”‍​

“Contrary‌​ to our expectations,​ it seems the​‍ dragon has already‌​ completed its growth.‌‌ It has a strong immunity to‍ magic.”

Varadis‍ bit his lip‌​ upon hearing desperate‍ reports from all​ directions.

The‍​​ elves did their⁠‍ best to stop‍‍‌ Nidhogg, but the‌ potential of the​​‍ dragon, which had⁠⁠ already fully awakened,‌‍ was too much​ for anyone to​ handle.

‘Do⁠‌⁠ we have to‍​​ retreat?’

In‌⁠ that case, the⁠‍​ only way left​‌‌ is to retreat​‍​ to the World‌‍​ Tree and join​‌ the main camp.⁠⁠⁠

If⁠​‌ we bring out​‌​ the power of⁠ the elders along‍‍ with the World​ Tree, there may​‍ be a way.⁠⁠‌

“No.‌ This must end‌‍ here.”

However,​‌ it’s absurd to​​​ fight while using‌​​ the object you’re​ supposed to protect​⁠⁠ as a shield.‌​

Even‍‍‌ now, hanging from‌ the branches of‌⁠​ the young World‌‌‍ Tree were young‍ spirits who were‌ not yet ready‌​ to flap their​ wings.

He⁠⁠ couldn’t put those​‍ children first.

“We⁠​ must do it.”‌‍‌

The‍ eyes of Nidhogg‌ and Varadis, growling‌ in front of‍​‌ him, met.

His​ own arrow still⁠​ hangs in one​​ of Nidhogg’s eyes.‌

It‌​ wasn’t over because​⁠ it was shallow,‍​​ but the existence‌ of the arrows⁠​ still bothering Nidhogg‌‍​ clearly showed that‍‍‌ there was a possibility.

“Make‍‍ a hole just​⁠ one more time.”⁠​‌

If‍ the arrow is‌ shallow, you can⁠‍ shoot closer.

And​ Varadis was a person willing to‍​​ intervene with any​ malicious intent.

“This‍‌ time, I’ll definitely​​ pierce your brain.”‍​‍

After‌⁠⁠ completing his preparation,‌ a small understanding‍‍⁠ began to appear​ in Varadis’s eyes.‌‍⁠

The⁠ magical eye that​‌ only a small​ number of elves⁠ could possess burned​ within his eyes.⁠

Varadis‍‌ of Ausurin.

His​ world, heated by‍ anger, was building⁠‌ up as clearly⁠‌ as Nidhogg’s.

***‍‍

“Please,‍‌ help me… please,‍⁠ help me.”

The⁠​ girl, trembling as⁠​ if having a fit, murmured helplessly‌ while clutching onto‌‍‍ Vlad’s sleeve.

“The⁠‍ dragon is coming…”​​‍

Although⁠‍ the girl’s voice⁠​ was weak, her​ grip on Vlad‌‌ was so strong‍​​ it turned white.⁠⁠​

The‍⁠⁠ priestess of the‌‍‍ World Tree, or‌‍ rather the young​​⁠ World Tree itself,‌‍‌ desperately wanted the‌⁠ knight in front‍⁠ of her.

Because​​⁠ the World Tree,‍​‌ which could see​​​ the outcomes beyond‌‍ the process, knew‍⁠ that only Vlad​ could protect it.‌

“This​ means that now…”‍‌⁠

“It’s‍⁠⁠ a revelation.”

A trembling voice was​​​ heard from the‍​ elf escort who⁠⁠‌ had never spoken⁠‍‌ before.

The​ priestess is the‍‍​ passage that connects⁠‌ the World Tree​​⁠ and the elves.​⁠‌

The‍ revelation of a divine tree that​‌​ could see beyond‌ mortal limitations was⁠​​ something that should‌⁠⁠ never be ignored.‍​​

“…The⁠‌​ dragon is coming.”⁠⁠‌

The‌​‍ World Tree and​‌ the priestess observed‌‍⁠ from the beginning.‌⁠

A threat in the⁠⁠⁠ future, eyes of‍‍ a dragon filled⁠‌⁠ with malice.

“…The⁠‌ dragon came.”

That’s​‍ why the elves⁠‌ could prepare in​ advance.

They‌ were vigilant around⁠⁠ them, discarded suspicious⁠‌ elements, and established⁠ strategies.

Therefore,‍⁠ Varadis and the​ elves could now⁠ confront Nidhogg with‌⁠ their own preparations.​​

“But⁠​ the dragon is​​ still watching.”

The‌‌⁠ dragon comes.

The‌‌‍ dragon sees.

The‌‌ World Tree and‌⁠​ the priestess read‍‍ everything they could⁠ about the future,​ but they were⁠ still young and‌​ inexperienced.

That’s‍‌ why they didn’t⁠​​ realize.

That​ there wasn’t just‍ a pair of⁠​‌ eyes looking at‌ the World Tree.​

“Ahhh!”⁠

At​ that moment, a terrible roar echoed​⁠ throughout the realm.‌‍

The‌ roar of a dragon was heard‌‍​

Resonating⁠‍ from the other‍⁠ side of the‍ barrier erected by⁠‍‌ the elves.

“…Shit.”‍⁠

Vlad’s⁠⁠ face began to‌ harden after hearing⁠ the fierce roar.⁠

Now,⁠​ anyone could notice⁠ it even if‍‍‌ it wasn’t a revelation.

“Grrrraaaarrr!”‌

The‌ elf village that⁠‌⁠ had barely taken‍‌ root began to‍​ collapse from the‍ border with a loud noise.

It​​ was another Nidhogg.​

“Help…‌‌‌ please.”

A single tear ran⁠‍‍ down the girl’s​​‌ cheek.

The​ girl’s fingers desperately‌‍‍ clinging to his‍ sleeves were pitiful.​

“…”⁠

Vlad,‍ seeing the girl’s‍ tears from the⁠ corner of his‌⁠ eye, unconsciously turned⁠⁠ to August.

What‍ should I do⁠ at times like‍‌ this?

“What​‍‍ will you do⁠⁠ now?”

However,‍‍ the person in⁠‌ front of him​⁠ was neither Joseph‌‍⁠ nor Jager.

There’s⁠ no lord or​⁠ elder knight now.‌‌‍ There’s only one⁠⁠⁠ person who can‌ give instructions to‍‌ Vlad at this‍‌ moment.

“It’s‌⁠‌ up to you.”‍‍

Only‍​ you.

The‍​ owner of the​ knight called Vlad⁠⁠‌ was just Vlad.⁠

“…That’s⁠⁠‍ right.”

The‍ white moonlight shining‌‍ through the window‍ illuminated Vlad.

There‌​ was a small‌⁠‍ message written on​‌ one of Vlad’s‍⁠⁠ breasts where the‍​​ moonlight remained.

Vlad​ raised his finger‍ and gently wiped‍‌‌ away the girl’s‍​ tears.

On⁠​‍ his chest, where‍ the moonlight pointed,⁠ there was an‍ honorable phrase written​‌‍ by Saint Rogino.⁠​

“I‌​ am Vlad of⁠⁠ Soara. I will⁠​‌ accept the priestess’s⁠‍‌ request.”

Vlad​⁠ of Soara.

A knight who protected‍ and saved the⁠‍‌ lives of children.‍

Vlad’s⁠ now empty pommel⁠ gleamed in the⁠ moonlight.

***​

“Ahhh!”​​

“It’s​ a dragon! Run⁠‌ away!”

“Everyone‌ flee!”

The⁠‌​ huge and agile​‌⁠ dragon ran through​ the elf houses‍​‍ as if they⁠​ were rubble.

There‍ were rangers shooting‍ arrows from all⁠​‌ sides, but to‌ Nidhogg, their attacks​⁠ didn’t even bother​‍‌ him.

To‍⁠⁠ reach the sharpest​​ dragon, a sword‍ with a deeper​⁠‍ understanding was needed.‍⁠‌

“Why​ are you following‍ me?”

“Of‍‍⁠ course it’s for‍⁠ my heart.”

Two‍‌‌ knights chasing after​‍​ Nidhogg.

Vlad‍⁠‌ and August pursued‍‌ Nidhogg, leaping over‌‌‍ buildings.

“The‍‍​ elves are enemies‌​ of the empire.”⁠⁠

“Where‌ is the enemy‌ and where are‌ the allies? In‍ this world, there⁠ are only problems‌ and solutions.”

Preventing⁠​ the distribution of‍​ absilon.

This⁠​​ prevents drugs from​​‌ being released into⁠ the empire.

August‍​⁠ decided to join‌‍⁠ Vlad solely to‌⁠ achieve that goal.‌

“After‍ doing them the⁠ favor, I plan‍⁠ to ask them‌‍‍ to only distribute⁠⁠​ tea to the​ elves. You can⁠​⁠ pay for your⁠ shameful mistakes later.”⁠​​

Rather​​⁠ than blaming someone,⁠⁠‌ the priority would‍‌ be to plug‍ the hole in‍‍‌ the dam that​⁠ is bursting.

The‍‍​ empire was in‌ such a weakened‍⁠‌ state that it​​ couldn’t let out​ its justifiable anger.⁠

‘Where‌‍‌ are you?’

The‍⁠ eyes of the⁠‍ former commander of‍‍‍ the Imperial Guard⁠‍⁠ as he looked‍​‌ at Nidhogg began‌​ to glow blue.⁠⁠⁠

It​ was a technique‌ that only August,​ who had been‍‌ able to distinguish​⁠‍ between truth and⁠ lies throughout his‍‌ life, could use.​​

“What‌⁠​ are you doing?”⁠⁠

“…Searching⁠ for weaknesses.”

Everyone⁠⁠ has a part​‍ of themselves they​‍​ want to hide.‍

A weak part of‌ yourself, a secret​​‌ you don’t want⁠ to reveal, a fatal weakness that‍ once stabbed you‌⁠⁠ can never stand​​‍ up again.

That’s‌‍ why people hide​ their weaknesses with⁠‍ lies and coercion.​‌

Like‌ Nidhogg now.

‘Toe…‍ The inside of‍‌‌ the membrane.’

The‍‍ scales are tough‌​ and the erect‌‍ spines are fierce.‍⁠⁠

The⁠‍⁠ horn on its​‍ forehead was sharp‌ enough to pierce⁠​ through anything, but​ Nidhogg wasn’t satisfied‌ with just that.​

“The​‌ armpit area within‍⁠ the skin seems‍‌ to be the⁠ weak point. Attack‌​ there.”

The⁠‌ eastern dragon, which​‌ had not given⁠ up its desire​ to soar into⁠‍⁠ the sky, still​‍‌ retained traces on​‍‍ its wings.

The​ layer of dirty,​‌‌ sticky blood, glued‍‍ by stubbornness and​‍​ pride, was precisely‍ Nidhogg’s weakness.

The‍ aura in August’s‌‌ eyes said so.‍

Ahhh!‍‍

Ahhh!​‌

At⁠‍​ that moment, Nidhogg’s‌ advance was blocked⁠ with a loud‌‌ noise.

Buildings​ collapsed and rocks‌‍​ from the ground‍ were pushed.

Suddenly,‍‍ a huge magic⁠⁠ circle appeared that⁠​​ blocked Nidhogg’s advance.‌‌

“It’s‌​‍ magic!”

After‍‍‍ hearing August’s words,⁠​‍ Vlad quickly turned‌‌ his head towards‌‍ the World Tree.‌⁠‌

Although​⁠⁠ I couldn’t see‍⁠ it in detail,​‌ I could see​‌ several elves gathered​⁠‍ in front of‌​‍ the World Tree.⁠⁠

They‌ were the elder⁠​ elves.

“Excellent.‍‍‌ Let’s take advantage‍⁠ of this opportunity…”⁠⁠⁠

Ahhh!⁠‍⁠

The⁠‌ magic circle created‍⁠ by the elders​ was clearly designed‍⁠ using noble techniques.‌‍

However,‌‍‍ Nidhogg has already​⁠ become an adult.‍

Dragons⁠ that fell short​‍ of perfection were​⁠ beings that were​‌‌ not deceived by​​ magic that deceived‍ the world.

“What​‌ kind of bastard…”‍‍⁠

Nidhogg‌ begins to bite​ the magic circle‌‌‌ as if it⁠‍‌ were a piece​‌ of meat.

The‌ magic circle was‌‌⁠ being torn apart⁠ by the dragon’s​‍ fierce teeth.

“Damn⁠ it!”

Magic⁠⁠‍ circles breaking in​ the sky.

Vlad​‌‍ gritted his teeth⁠‌‍ as he watched‍‌⁠ the remnants of‍‌ the magic circle‍ fall like shards‍‍⁠ of glass.

‘…Is‍​ this a dragon?’‌⁠⁠

The​‌ young worm of‌‌ death that had‌‌ not yet reached⁠⁠ adulthood.

Lindworm,⁠ which he discovered‌​ was a dragon​‍‍ late.

Vlad​⁠‍ had faced two⁠ dragons before, but⁠​‍ the Nidhogg in‍​ front of him‍ was completely different‌‍ from those guys.‍‍

Have⁠⁠ the Dragon Slayer​ Knights really faced‍⁠​ dragons like this?‍⁠⁠

Ahhh!‌

1st,​⁠ 2nd, 3rd.

The‍‌ magic circles that‌⁠‍ appeared each time​‌‍ they broke must⁠‍‌ have been created⁠ by squeezing the‍​ energy of the‍​⁠ elders.

However,‌​‌ the newly created​ magic circles became​​ weaker and weaker,​ and the amount‌ of spells flying​ around continued to‍​ decrease.

An‌‌ opponent against whom‌‌​ magic cannot do‌‌‌ anything.

The​‍ elves’ decision to⁠‌ intercept the dragon‌‌‍ from the outside‌​​ before it entered,​ hoping to find‍‍ some way out⁠⁠ if there were‌​‍ warriors, was now​‌​ proving to be‌‍‌ a fatal mistake.‍

“Vlad!‍ Run!”

“Damn⁠‍ it!”

The‍ huge body finally‌ reached the World‍‍⁠ Tree.

Old⁠ Geronimo tried to‍​ stop Nidhogg with‌⁠‌ his arms outstretched‌ to the end,‌​ but his old‌⁠ body could no‌‌ longer express his‌⁠‌ will clearly.

Dark​⁠⁠ red blood that‌ couldn’t swallow flowed​⁠ from the corner‌‌ of his mouth.‌

Ahhh!​‌‍

A fierce predator breaking​​ through all obstacles.‍

Finally,‌‌​ Nidhogg’s claws crushed​​​ the young World​‍ Tree.

—–!⁠​⁠

The⁠​‌ branches swayed wildly⁠‌‌ under the moonlight.​‍⁠

The⁠⁠​ girl’s body bounced⁠​ painfully away.

Both⁠‍ the young tree‌​‌ and the priestess⁠​‍ trembled in fear⁠‍ at the greed‍‌ emanating from the‍‍​ dragon’s claws.

The‌​⁠ sound of destruction​‌ was breathing right‍⁠ next to me.‍​

“I’ll‍⁠​ lure it!”

“It’s‌‌⁠ okay!”

Young⁠‍ spirits at the‍ end of the‍ World Tree.

As‌⁠‍ Nidhogg’s gaze focused‌‌ there for a moment, Vlad and‍​⁠ August quickly ran⁠ to both sides.​‍

“Hmph!”⁠

August⁠‍‍ manifested his own⁠​‍ world with his‍⁠⁠ left eye closed.‌⁠‌

The‍​ bright dawn began‌ to form from‌‌⁠ his sword.

August,​ former commander of⁠‌⁠ the Imperial Guard.​

His‌⁠‌ light was the‌ dawn that revealed​​ lies.

“It’s‌⁠ here!”

No‌ matter how much‌⁠‍ you identify a weakness, it’s meaningless⁠ unless you expose‌ it.

The​ sudden appearance of⁠‌‌ August made Nidhogg’s​⁠‌ mouth, which was​ about to climb‌⁠‌ the tree, quickly​‍ cover with his‍ arm.

“This‍ guy is really​ ugly.”

August’s‌‍ eyes grew more‌ intense as he‌⁠⁠ faced the fierce‍⁠​ breath.

Still,‌​​ if you’re catching‍⁠ this guy’s attention,‌‍ Vlad on the‍ other side will‌ definitely see a gap.

“What?”‍

However,⁠​ Nidhogg did not​‍‍ attempt to deal‍‌ with August.

He‍‌ simply threw sharp‌‌​ thorns and tried‌‌‌ to climb hastily.​‍‌

A rain full of⁠‍ poison began to⁠​ fall on the⁠⁠⁠ old knight’s head.‍⁠⁠

“Damn‌ it!”

Vlad,‌‌ running from the⁠​‌ other side, quickly‍‌⁠ closed his left‍‌‌ eye when he‍ saw August fall‍ in the distance.‌​

If​ possible, he wanted⁠ to seize the⁠⁠⁠ perfect opportunity, but‍‌‍ circumstances didn’t allow​⁠ it.

“Before‌‍ that guy climbs…”​⁠‌

Since⁠‌ there was no‍⁠​ time, he couldn’t‍ drag himself into‌​ the deep world.⁠⁠

However,⁠ Vlad clearly captured‌⁠ the remnants of‌⁠ his voice.

A white beam began​⁠‍ to form in⁠‌⁠ Vlad’s closed left‌⁠ eye.

“You​ bastard!”

Nidhogg⁠⁠‍ is about to​​ climb the World‌ Tree and climb.‌​

On​‌‍ the tips of​ the black-tone claws‍​⁠ were trembling young​​‌ spirits.

The⁠‌ dragon eats possibilities.⁠

To‌​‍ become more perfect.‌

And​ the newly born‌‌‍ young spirits were​‍ clearly full of⁠‍ potential that dragons‍⁠ could covet.

“I’m‌ here! Bastard!”

Vlad,⁠⁠ realizing Nidhogg’s intention,​‌​ began to climb‍‌‍ the World Tree‍‍ quickly and without⁠⁠‌ hesitation.

A lightning bolt struck​ from the ground​ and pierced Nidhogg’s​ side.

Quick,⁠ cunning, and more⁠​‍ fierce than anyone.‌​‌

“Done!”⁠

Perfect‍⁠ synchronization that made‍‌ even August, who‍‍ was rolling on⁠‌ the ground, clench​ his fists.

Vlad’s​⁠⁠ outstretched sword towards​‍ the weak point⁠​ did not waver‌ in the slightest.‍

“…!”⁠⁠

However,‍​ Nidhogg’s movements were‌ agile enough to‍ exceed everyone’s expectations.‌‌

Vlad’s‌‍​ world moved me‌ more sensitively than‍‌ any other world.‌‍‍

I like that. Recognized.​‌​

“Aaaaah!”​

A dark shadow crossed‍ Vlad’s gaze.

It⁠ was Nidhogg’s tail,‍⁠ full of poison.⁠‍

“Puff!”‌‌‌

The⁠ sound of something⁠‍ breaking.

There​⁠ were many pieces‌ flying from under⁠‌​ the World Tree,​⁠‍ accompanied by someone’s‌​​ screams.

They​ were pieces like⁠ broken starlight.

***​

The⁠‍​ deepest part of‌⁠ the World Tree.‍

Within​‌‍ the warm roots‍‌​ where the source‌​​ lies.

There‌ was a silver⁠ knight kneeling alone‍ with his head‌⁠ bowed.

······.‌

There’s​‍ no ego, but​‌⁠ there’s will.

The​‍​ silver blade sharpened‍ its edge in⁠⁠ response to the‌⁠‌ unpleasant sensation felt​ outside.

One​ is the greedy‌‍ dragon from the​​ east.

The⁠ other is a young dragon that​‌ brought the cold​ wind from the‌​​ north.

However,‍‍ it wasn’t easy‍ to judge the​‌‌ silver sword.

The​‌⁠ young dragon that‌‌ brought the cold⁠‍ wind with him‍‌‌ definitely felt an⁠‍‍ energy that was‌‍ not unfamiliar to⁠⁠ him.

That‍‌ energy was clearly‌​‍ a remnant of​⁠‌ someone who had‍ been with him.‍

······.‌

I am a talisman​⁠‍ that protects the‌ World Tree, but‌⁠‌ originally, I am‍‌ a sword.

Only⁠‍‍ when the sword‌‍​ is dried can⁠ its true form​ be revealed.

Then⁠​ you will come⁠ to me.

Because​ you might choose‌‍ me.

The​ silver sword that‌ was under the​‍ moonlight lifted its‌⁠ head.

A young dragon embracing‌‌ the starlight was‍‍⁠ silently being called​ across the worlds​⁠ that intersect.

The​​ moonlight tonight was⁠⁠ blue.

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