Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 121: Now it’s your turn (3)

Chapter 121: Now it’s your turn (3)

Blue‌ eyes with stars.⁠

Broken‌ fragments make noise in the night‍⁠ sky.

The⁠‍ divine protection of⁠‍⁠ the white serpent⁠‌ shining loudly with⁠‍‌ him.

And there was a magic circle with‍‍ a messy crack⁠‌⁠ right in front.‌‍

“This⁠⁠ is…”

Beyond‌ the broken magic⁠‌ circle, pale-skinned Geronimo‌ was stretching his‌ arms.

The⁠ red color of his lips from‌ a pure white is vivid.

“Vlad!‍ Snap out of‌‍ it!”

My vision isn’t focusing‌⁠ properly.

I felt like something⁠⁠ warm was flowing‌‌⁠ down my forehead.‌⁠

“Damn‌ it!”

The‍ sound of August crawling seems to‍ be heard from⁠ very far away.⁠

As⁠ my vision slowly⁠ returns, I can‌ see elves running‌ towards Nidhogg.

“Stop…”‌

“How‍‍ many do you‍ see? How many‌ fingers do you‌‍ see in me?⁠

It’s‌⁠‍ tough, sharp, and‍‌ cunning.

The‌‌ most powerful enemy⁠⁠ I’ve ever faced.‍

Nidhogg‌ was like a massive wall that‌‍‌ Vlad couldn’t overcome.‍‍

“I’m‌‍ not sure about his fingers, but⁠‌‍ first of all,‌ that guy had⁠‌ three toenails.”

“…Fine.‌‌ Get up.”

August‌ lifted Vlad and⁠‌ looked into his‍ trembling but focused‍ blue eyes.

This‌⁠ young knight has‍ not lost his‍‌ spirit yet.

“He’s‍ climbing!”

“Throw‍ the rope!”

Ropes⁠ thrown everywhere along⁠ with shouts.

However,‌ only a few⁠ dozen elves couldn’t⁠ stop Nidhogg’s rough advance.

Ahhh!

With‌‍ Nidhogg’s roar resonating,‌ the elves fell‌⁠ from side to⁠‌ side.

They⁠‍ tangled ropes around⁠⁠ its neck, feet,‍‍ and here and⁠ there, but it⁠ wasn’t enough to⁠⁠ stop Nidhogg, who‍ was crazed with‍‍⁠ hunger.

The‍ elves pulling the‌⁠ rope were being‍ dragged mercilessly.

“Can‌ you do it?”⁠‌‍

“…At‌ least once.”

Upon⁠ hearing August’s words,‌ Vlad quickly checked‌ his condition.

The‌ armor was half‍ broken, but the‍⁠ protection of the‍ white serpent still⁠‍ faintly shone.

Rutiger’s‌‌‌ sword was creaking‍ as it swayed⁠ sinisterly, but it‍ hadn’t lost its‌ edge yet.

Maybe⁠ you can fulfill your role at⁠‌ least once.

“Do‍ you know how‍‍ to climb a tree?”

“I’m‌ from the city.”‍

“Then⁠ it would be‌‍ good to learn‌‍‍ it this time.”‌

August’s⁠‌ and Vlad’s eyes‌⁠ were focused on the same spot.‍

Something‍‌ terrible to climb⁠⁠ the World Tree‍‌‍ under the moonlight.‍⁠‍

The⁠ cries of the‍ spirits heard from⁠‍ above were pitiful.‌

“Now!”‌

Elves‍⁠ swinging back and‌ forth while holding onto a rope.‍‍

An‍‍ old and a young knight ran between them.

The‍‍ two people, who‍ departed from the⁠‌⁠ ground but had‍ their sights set‌‍ on the sky,⁠‌ closed their left‌⁠ eyes without anyone‌ taking the lead.‌‌⁠

Two‌ stars twinkled behind‌ the ascending dragon.‍⁠‌

“Come,⁠‌‌ you bastard!”

August,‌⁠ who arrived first⁠ in a straight‌⁠ line, quickly jumped‍ near Nidhogg’s tail⁠ and plunged his‍ sword into it.⁠⁠‍

Although it can’t be⁠⁠ said to be‌ a weak spot,‌ it was the‍ weakest part.

Perhaps‍⁠⁠ here is where he can catch‌ its attention and‍ distract it.

Ahhh!‍‍

Nidhogg’s‌ pupils narrowed vertically⁠ as it felt‍‍ a tingling sensation‌‍ from behind.

“Tsk!”‍

The rapidly approaching tail‍ is scary.

In a situation where‍ he had to⁠⁠ hold onto the‌ tree with one‌‌ hand, August did his best to avoid it.

Whoa‍ Whoa!

Nidhogg’s⁠ tail barely missed⁠ him.

However,⁠‌ the thorns fly‍ past the constantly‍‍ fluttering tree fragments.‌

August‍ sighed thoughtfully as he watched Nidhogg’s⁠‌‌ attack, which he‌ had already experienced⁠‌ once.

“I‍ wondered why that⁠⁠‍ didn’t come to⁠ light.”

August’s‌‌⁠ upraised eyes gleamed‍ brightly blue.

The original intention of‌‍ detecting weaknesses is⁠⁠ to find the‌ most optimal path.‍‌

August’s⁠⁠ eyes saw a path shining through⁠ the dense flying⁠ thorns.

It‌‌ was the only‌ way to avoid⁠⁠ Nidhogg’s flying thorns.‌

“Ha!”‌

The‍‍‍ old body creaked‍‌⁠ among the young‌ thorns of evil.‍‌‍

August’s‌ movements, skillfully dodging‌ the thorns faster‌‌ than arrows, were‌‍ almost magical.

“…!”‍‍

Vlad⁠ returns with force‌ following the curve.‍

Vlad, who had arrived above Nidhogg, saw‌⁠ August’s movements through‍‍ his closed left eye.

The‌ dragon’s roar and‍ the trembling of‍‌‌ the World Tree.⁠‍

And‍⁠ his world, shining‍ under the pitiful moonlight, approached like⁠ a powerful stage.‌

It‌ was deeply engraved‍ in Vlad’s world.⁠‌

“Now! Vlad!

“…!”

August’s‍⁠ residual image still remains.

Vlad⁠ quickly fell towards⁠ Nidhogg’s head before‌ the residual image‍ disappeared.

Ahhh!⁠

I see it.

It‌ was as faint‍⁠⁠ as a shadow,‍‌ but the path⁠‌ reached it.

Vlad’s‍ right eye, which⁠‌‌ was wide open,‌‍ began to glow⁠‌ blue.

“What?”‌‌

Regardless‌⁠ of August’s panic,⁠ Vlad calmly charged⁠⁠ towards Nidhogg’s horn.‍‍

Clang!‍

Rutiger’s‌‍ sword shatters.

Nidhogg’s‌‌ mouth twisted as‌‍ it looked at⁠ Vlad, who had‍ lost his sword.⁠

Mockery⁠‍ towards humans.

However, the human still‍‌ had a goal⁠‍ and looked at⁠‌ it coldly.

Humans⁠‌ don’t stop.

“…!”‍‍‌

Although‌ it was creaking,⁠ I thought it⁠‍ would hold for‍ once.

That‍‍ was the only way I saw.‍

“Huaaaap!”‍‍⁠

Vlad’s⁠ right hand began‌ to glow among‌ the scattered sword‍ fragments.

The⁠ white beam that‍⁠ shot from Vlad’s‌⁠‍ hand mercilessly struck towards Nidhogg’s greedy‍‌ eyes.

“Try‍‍⁠ laughing again!”

The⁠ feeling of a sharp cutting blade.

A powerful sword because‌ it’s short.

Before he realized it,‍‍‍ Jorge’s unsheathed dagger‌ was piercing Nidhogg’s‌ eye.

Kuaa!⁠

Finally,⁠‌⁠ Nidhogg’s howl of⁠‌ pain echoed at⁠⁠ the top of⁠‌⁠ the World Tree.⁠

The⁠‍ blue-eyed knight managed‌ to create a blemish on a being destined for⁠‌ perfection.

It was Vlad’s move‌‍ towards the massive wall blocking him.⁠⁠

“Die…!”‍⁠⁠

I am Vlad of‍ Soara, but I am also Vlad⁠‍ of the alleys.‌

Vlad‍ did not hide⁠⁠ the dark memories‌ that formed his‍ roots.

Jorge’s⁠⁠ shining dagger.

Nidhogg’s⁠⁠ eyes widened with⁠‍ a single gesture‌ from Vlad.

Kuaa!

Die,‍ you bastard!

Two‍‍ dragons howled at⁠‌‌ each other for⁠ each of their⁠‍‍ wounds.

I will kill you⁠⁠ today.

I will kill you!‍‍

“Oh⁠‌ no!”

The‍ painful effort is‌⁠ intense and the⁠ gestures of confusion are large.

August‌ ended up losing‍ his way because‍ Nidhogg fought and‌⁠‌ gave it his⁠ all.

August,⁠‍ who even lost‍‍ his space to⁠⁠‍ attack, could no‍ longer help Vlad.‍

“Be‍⁠ careful!”

With‌‍‌ just one warning,‌ a star that‍‌‍ paved the way‌ for the young‌ knight was falling‍⁠ below the World Tree.

With‍ dark red blood‌‍‌ flowing from where⁠ he last cut.

“Damn⁠ it!”

Vlad‍‌ didn’t have time to worry about‍ August’s fall.

Nidhogg’s‌‌ eyes gleamed fiercely‍ towards the only‌ remaining enemy.

Boom!⁠‌⁠ Clash! Burst!

The⁠⁠⁠ World Tree trembled‌ mercilessly.

Nidhogg,‌ who had no‌ way to remove⁠⁠ Vlad from atop⁠ its head, was battering the young‍ World Tree with‌ its sharp horns.⁠‌‍

Vlad‌‌‍ trembled violently and‍ blood gushed from‌ his burst eyes.‌‍

“Argh!”⁠

Vlad‌ waved back and⁠ forth like a flag, relying on‌⁠ Jorge’s barely inserted‌‌⁠ dagger.

The‌‍ fragments of the‌ World Tree exploding⁠ from behind stung.⁠‌

“Son‍ of a bitch!”‍⁠

Jorge’s⁠ dagger was shallow‍ despite his best⁠ efforts.

It‍ would have been⁠‍‌ good to have⁠⁠ a sword that‍⁠ could go a bit deeper, but‍⁠ this was the‌ best Vlad had.‍

Kwaaaaang!

Nidhogg’s‌ head pierced through‍⁠⁠ the

World Tree’s trunk.‌

Though‍ he clung on‍‍‍ tenaciously, the handle⁠‍ of the dagger,‍ which had become‌‌ slippery with blood,‍‌ was not something‍ he could hold‌‌ onto for long.‌⁠

Vlad‌ finally fell from⁠‍‍ Nidhogg’s head due⁠⁠ to the strong⁠‍⁠ and continuous shaking.⁠

“…!”‍⁠

For‌⁠‍ a moment, Vlad⁠ felt the dizzying‌‌ sensation of falling,‌ and his hands‍ were shaky.

The‍⁠ interior of the⁠ World Tree that‌‍⁠ he saw with‍‍ the girl at‌‌‍ that moment was empty.

The⁠‍ World Tree has‍ been emptied to‌‌ receive the sunlight‌ and moonlight that⁠ fall to its‌‌⁠ roots.

A single starlight was‍⁠ falling towards that⁠ sacred root.

The‌ dragon’s howl coming‌‌ from above was⁠ fading farther and‍ farther from Vlad’s ears.

***⁠⁠

The⁠‍ air surrounding my‍ hair is cool.‌⁠

“…”‌⁠

As‍ Vlad struggled to‌ open his eyes,⁠‍‍ what he saw⁠ wasn’t Nidhogg’s fiercely‍ raised eyes.

“…Here it is.”

Bright‌ red maple leaves⁠ fluttered around.

What‍‍‍ greeted Vlad now‌ was the autumnal⁠‌‍ scenery contained within‍⁠ the amber stone.⁠‌

[Does‍‌ it hurt a lot?]

Vlad⁠‍ turned his head towards the voice.‌

Someone‌ stood beneath a large maple tree.⁠

Though⁠‍‍ only from behind,⁠‌ it seemed like‍ they knew who‌ he was, even‌⁠‍ though they had⁠‍ never met before.‍‌

A young knight covered⁠‌ in scars.

The‍ man looking at Vlad’s voice was low.

“…I‍‍⁠ tried my best.‌ It didn’t work.”‍

Vlad‍⁠ slowly got up and limped towards‌ him.

But⁠‌⁠ no matter how‌ much he walked,‍⁠ he couldn’t get‍ any closer to⁠ him.

“Still⁠ not working?”

[······.]⁠

As⁠‌‌ if it still⁠ wasn’t the time, the gap between‍⁠ the voice and⁠ Vlad couldn’t be‌ bridged.

Have‌⁠ I been walking‍‍ too hard, but⁠‌ still can’t reach⁠‌⁠ him?

The⁠‍ young knight was⁠‍‍ saddened by that.‌‌‍

“However‌ hard I try,‍‌ I can’t do⁠⁠ it. No matter‌ what I do,‍‌ it won’t work.”‍

A boy from an‌‌ alley becomes a knight and fights‌‍ a dragon.

Every‌ step was a step of patience‍‌ and chilling pain,‍‍ but there was‍‍‌ still only a tall wall and⁠‍ a huge world⁠ in front of‍‍ Vlad.

The‍‌ young knight grew‍ tired of the‌ fact that no‍ matter how high⁠‍‍ he climbed, all⁠‍ he got was‌ a measly handful⁠⁠ of success.

[······.]⁠‍

He‌ bit his lip‍ at Vlad’s trembling‍ voice from behind.‍

How⁠‍‌ can I console⁠‌ the sadness of‌⁠ not being able⁠ to have something even though you⁠‍ tried?

[Still,‌ I’m proud of⁠⁠ you.]

The⁠ world is a place where there‍ are more things‍ we can’t do‌ than things we‌‌ can.

However,‌⁠‌ the boy from‍⁠ the dark alley‌ never stopped reaching⁠ for the star⁠ hanging over the‍⁠‌ forge.

The⁠ voice couldn’t forget⁠ the light shining in the boy’s‌⁠‌ eyes at that⁠ moment.

[I’m proud of you⁠⁠ for looking up⁠ even though no‌‍ one noticed.]

The‌ world is bigger⁠‍ and crueler than⁠‌⁠ you.

But‌ we must not‍ forget.

The‌ place you look‍ at will soon become your world.‍

So,‍ lift your head.‌ You’re a young⁠ knight.

“…Was⁠ I doing okay?”⁠

[Yes.]‌

“It’s‌ very hard. I want to stop⁠ now.”

[You’ve‌‍ done quite well so far. You‌‌ just have to‌⁠ keep doing that‍ in the future.]⁠

With⁠ each word of‌‌ encouragement, the young‍ knight’s head lifted.⁠‌

I’ve walked it once,‍‌ so I know⁠⁠ how hard it‌‌ is for you.

Young⁠ knight, you’re doing‍ an excellent job.⁠

[Yes, you’re right.]

With⁠ those words, the⁠‍ voice tossed the‌‍ scabbard of the⁠ sword hanging from⁠ his waist towards‌‍ Vlad.

A silver sword.

It⁠ was the Sword‌‍‌ Master’s sword radiating‌⁠‍ noble light.

“This⁠ is…”

Vlad⁠‍ lifted his head‌‌ and looked at⁠ the voice.

Before‌‍ he knew it,‍‍ the man approached‌ him.

Though‌ the man’s face‍‍ was obscured by‌‌ dense shadow, his‌ lips were visible.‍

He was smiling.

[So‍⁠‍ now it’s your turn.]

Maple⁠‍ leaves flutter.

Before‍⁠ I knew it,‍ the bright red‌ leaves filling my field of vision‍ were spreading their‍ fingers as if⁠ saying goodbye.

The⁠ figure of the‌ smiling man under‌ the tree grew further away.

“…My‌ turn.”

The⁠‍ fall of fantasy‌ has passed with⁠‌ the fall of‍‌ the maple leaves.‍

When‍‌ Vlad opened his eyes again, what‌‌ he saw wasn’t⁠ the scenery of‍ an autumn day, but today’s moonlight‌‌ in the sky.

The⁠‍ pure white moon‌‌ shone in Vlad’s‌‍ blue eyes.

***⁠‍

Ah!‍‍

Nidhogg finally reached the‌ top of the‍⁠⁠ World Tree.

Its greedy eyes scanned‍ the young spirits‌ hanging among the‍⁠ branches.

Nidhogg⁠‌ laughed uproariously as‍ if amused by⁠ the many terrified⁠ young spirits.

The⁠‌ left eye exploded.

A tail halfway cut.⁠‌

Though‌ it remained in‍ poor condition, it‍⁠ mattered not.

Now‌ I will harness‍‍ the potential of those children and become a more‍ perfect version of‌‍ myself!

“That’s⁠ not how it‌ works.”

At‍ that moment, a stern voice flew⁠‍ from somewhere.

There‍ was a being‍ mocking coldly those‍ who dared to‌ become perfect.

Grrrr-‍‌

The‌⁠ knight with blue‍ eyes.

His‌ elevated eyes resembled‌ a fierce dragon,‍⁠ but what he⁠‌ wielded was a knight’s sword.

His‌‍⁠ name symbolizes two⁠⁠ worlds that cannot‍ coexist.

Vlad⁠‍ of Soara.

Grrrr!⁠‍

Nidhogg‍ erupted in wild‌ rage upon seeing‍‌ Vlad standing before‌ him.

Even⁠ if you remove‍‌ him, he sticks‌‍ back together.

The‌ young dragon with⁠ blue eyes was⁠‌ a terribly tough⁠ bastard.

“Get⁠‌ down from here.‍ You bastard.”

The‍‍ only individuals atop‍⁠ Ausurin’s highest point‍ are Vlad and‍⁠ Nidhogg.

Now‌ there’s no one‌ guarding the spirits behind him.

Now‍ it’s my turn‍‌ to do it.‍

‘…A⁠⁠⁠ bit deeper.’

Vlad⁠⁠ took a deep⁠ breath slowly and⁠ opened his left‌⁠ eye.

A deeper world.

Because‌ he knew it⁠‍⁠ wasn’t in his eyes but in‌ his heart.

Now‌‍ it’s my turn.

Now‌⁠ it’s my turn‍ to protect it.‍‌

A light emanating from‍ the heart began‍‌ to shine alongside‍ the silver sword.‍‌

“Huaaaa!”

Ah!‍‌‍

The‌⁠ starlight, leaving the‌‌‍ young spirits behind,⁠‌‍ began to spread⁠⁠ toward the dragon.

Faster⁠ and more intense‍‍ than anyone.

Only‍ with your own⁠ will.

“…!”‍

Avoid⁠‌ the sharp horns‍⁠‌ by taking the agile steps taught⁠ by the one-eyed⁠‌‌ knight.

I blocked the swiftly⁠ flying thorns with my armor blessing‍ along with the protection of the‍ white serpent.

“Ugh!”

Though I was slightly⁠‌ pushed, I managed⁠‌⁠ to hold myself‍ up with my‌ ankles strengthened with rigid body techniques.‌

Find⁠ the most optimal⁠⁠ path that someone⁠ showed you today.‌⁠‍

Someone‍‌ else’s world, built⁠ upon the sword⁠ skill of the‌ Sword Master, was‌‍‌ paving the way‌ for Vlad.

“Kaaa!”⁠

Nidhogg’s eyes widened as‍ it saw the‍‌⁠ young dragon attacking‍‍ him.

To‍‍⁠ become perfect, you‌ have to harness‌⁠ someone else’s potential.

However,‌‌ the young dragon‌ with blue eyes was scaling the‍‍ wall with his⁠ own potential alone.‌‌⁠

A gaze that would⁠⁠ make anyone proud.⁠

Ah!‍

Ferocious‍ thorns shattered against‌⁠ torn skin.

The⁠‌ slim possibility of‍‌ not being able‌‌ to fly alone‌ was crumbling with‍ the starlight.

The⁠ voice of the⁠‍ dragon dreaming of‍‍ perfection faded with‌‌ a scream.

“Now‌‍ it’s my turn!”⁠

Today⁠ a new star‌ shone at the highest point of‍⁠⁠ Ausurin.

For⁠⁠‌ everyone to look‌ up to, for everyone to gaze‌ upon.

That‍⁠‌ light was the⁠‍ starlight the child had always held‌⁠ in his heart.‍

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Chapter 121: Now it’s your turn (3)

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