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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 122: Broken rope (1)

Chapter 122: Broken rope (1)

Nidhogg,‍​‍ the sharpest dragon.‍‌⁠

But‍ now, an elf​ was catching his‌ breath on top‌⁠‌ of the halted‍‌ dragon.

“…I‌‍⁠ have to go.”‌

Two‌‍ arrows protruded from‌ the still very​​‌ open eyes of⁠‌ the dragon.

From‌‌ the tip of⁠​​ the arrow, which‍​ was deeply embedded​‌ up to the⁠‌​ arrowhead, white brain‌ fluid flowed.

If‍‍‌ you don’t have‍ enough strength to‌⁠⁠ dig, just shoot​​⁠ straight ahead.

Varadis​⁠​ got close enough⁠⁠‍ to see each​ other’s faces in‍‍‍ their eyes and​‌ finally managed to​ shoot an arrow‍ into the dragon’s​ brain.

That’s​​⁠ how I managed‌ to stop a dragon.

“Everyone,‌‍ get up!”

However,‌‌ the glory of‍ victory was short-lived,⁠ and Varadis’s voice​‌‍ trembled as he‍ shouted to his​⁠ colleagues.

I killed the dragon⁠‍

But‌⁠ you can’t stop.‌​

Because​ there wasn’t just​ one dragon aiming⁠‍ at the World‍‍‌ Tree.

“We⁠‌​ have to go⁠​ back right now!”​‍⁠

At‍​ Varadis’s command, the⁠ warriors scattered everywhere‌‍ began to rise⁠‍ with groans of⁠⁠‍ pain.

They⁠⁠‍ did their best‍‌ to clear a path for a single arrow, but‌ they still couldn’t​ rest.

Nidhogg⁠⁠​ was climbing the‌‍ World Tree.

It‍ seemed as if⁠‍​ the screams coming​‍ from the young‍ World Tree in​‍⁠ the distance could‍​ be heard all‍‌‌ the way here.⁠

‘…Damn.’‌

Everyone’s​‍ eyes were alive,‌⁠‌ but they were⁠‍ very exhausted.

The‌ adult dragon was​‌ nothing short of​​ a disaster, and⁠​⁠ the warriors had‍⁠‌ to give everything‍⁠ they had to⁠ stop its evil⁠ intentions.

Destruction‍⁠ was creeping towards​ the World Tree,‍⁠​ but the warriors‌​ weren’t where they​‍ should have been.⁠‍

Roaaaaar!‌

At​⁠​ that moment, along⁠‍ with the dragon’s‍‍‍ roar, a bright‍‌ light suddenly began‍ to surge from‍ the end of‌⁠‍ the World Tree’s‌ branches.

Although‌ it was only‍‍⁠ for a short‌⁠ time, the light‍​‌ shone so brightly‍⁠ that everyone couldn’t⁠​⁠ help but look⁠ at it.

“…!”​​

A powerful presence that‍​ forced even exhausted​⁠⁠ Varadis and the​‌ wounded warriors to‌‌ lift their heads.‍​​

In‍⁠‍ the forest of​⁠ the elves, at‍​‌ the highest point‍‌⁠ of Ausurin, shone⁠​‌ a light that​‍ had never been⁠‍ seen before.

Like⁠‌ the light of⁠ the stars rising⁠⁠⁠ towards the sky.‌⁠​

Let‍ the stars rise.‌‌

The​‌⁠ dragon was falling.‍

***‌⁠

The⁠⁠ World Tree is​​​ something very valuable⁠‌ to the elves.‍

Therefore,​ even August, who‌‍ was just a guest, was able​‌⁠ to create the​‍‍ current situation.

Because​​‌ he was the⁠​ benefactor who protected​⁠​ the World Tree​⁠‌ last night.

“Why‌​⁠ did you want​‍​ to see us?⁠ Knight of the​⁠ humans.”

Elder​‌ elves seated sporadically⁠​‌ without uniform intervals.​

Although‍⁠ the knight protecting⁠ the World Tree‌⁠ stood before them,​⁠‍ the eyes of‍ the elders, who​​​ had not yet‌‌ escaped from the​ nightmare of Nidhogg,‍‌ were still sharp.‌

“I⁠ have something urgent​ to tell you​ all, so I have requested your​ current position.”

However,​‍ August seized this​‌‌ moment to demand​ a seat from⁠​ the elders.

The⁠​ former commander of​‍ the Imperial Guard‍⁠⁠ knew well that⁠​ there was no‌ more vulnerable moment‍‍‌ than one shaken⁠‌‌ by anxiety.

The‌​ elves’ resentment against​​‌ the empire was⁠​⁠ well established, so​​‍ the only moment‌⁠‌ August could deepen‍⁠‌ their antipathy was​ now.

“Tell​⁠ me.”

“…Absilon,​⁠‍ please stop the⁠​ distribution of the​‌ tea called thujon‍‌⁠ here.”

As⁠‌ August spoke, the‍​‌ lips of the​ elders tightened.

Because​​ the old knight’s​ words were not⁠⁠ a request for‌​‍ compensation, but rather‍⁠ a declaration in‌​​ a completely unexpected⁠ direction.

“…Why‍ are you telling⁠ me not to‌‍ sell a tea‍ that is in‍​‌ good condition?”

“No​ matter how much⁠‌​ you protected the‌ World Tree, interfering​‍ in our internal‍‍‍ affairs is going​‌ too far.”

Resistance‍‍ from the elders‍ was rising here​‌ and there.

Selling‌ Thujon leaves to‍⁠ humans is a newfound avenue and⁠‍‍ opportunity for the‍ elves.

Even​‌ if Geronimo had‌‍ been sitting here,⁠ he would not‌‌​ have readily acceded‍​ to this request.‌‍

“I⁠ guess I was‍​ too blunt.”

However,‌‌‌ August was a person who knew⁠​ the behind-the-scenes stories​ that the elves​​​ had not yet‌ told.

The​ eyes of the⁠ former commander of‌⁠ the Imperial Guard,‍ who had devoted​ his entire life‌​ to uncovering the‍ truth, shone brightly.‍⁠⁠

“What‍‌‌ I’m saying is,‍​ please stop distributing‍ drugs to the​‌ empire.”

“…What​‌ did you say‌ a moment ago?”⁠

A red light began​​ to flicker in‍‍ the eyes of⁠⁠​ some elders as‌ August’s comments shot⁠⁠ out like arrows.‌

“I’m⁠‌ not sure what⁠‍ you’re talking about.”‌⁠

“The‍​ knight in front‌ of me is​‍⁠ so dangerous that⁠⁠ I can no⁠⁠⁠ longer accept him⁠‌ as a guest.”⁠

August⁠ felt a clear​‍⁠ change in the​ eyes of the​‍ elders looking at‍​ him and smiled‌⁠​ gently.

After‌​⁠ all, the elves​ knew that Absilon‍‍ was a drug.​

“Why⁠‌‌ are you trying‌ to influence us‌‍​ with such clumsy‌ lies? As expected‌‍ of an arrogant‌ knight from an‍⁠⁠ empire…”

“If​​‌ we sell more⁠⁠ Absilon, the newly​⁠ populated forest will⁠‌‍ not be safe.”​‌⁠

The‌⁠​ knight who finally​ revealed the truth​ could see beyond​⁠ someone’s dirty intentions.‌‍

As⁠​‍ expected, the elves​⁠‍ were not the‍‌​ starting point.

It​‍ began with Brigantes,‌‍ the capital of​⁠ the empire.

“…What⁠‍‍ are you saying⁠ now?”

The‍ elder who had‌⁠ the most voice​⁠‌ on behalf of⁠ Geronimo frowned.

“I‌ thought you would⁠ notice it someday.”​⁠

However,‍‍​ the following words​⁠ of the old​​ knight were completely‍‍ inexplicable.

“It​⁠ is evident that⁠⁠⁠ the empire is‍‌​ now trembling and​​​ the authority of‌​ the imperial family​‍ is collapsing. It’s‍‌ not that I don’t understand your‍​ intention to seize‌ that opportunity to​⁠‌ release the resentment‌⁠ that has been‍‌‌ building up for​‌​ a long time.”‌‍

The‍ vast world called⁠ the Empire still⁠ stood upright on​ the corpses of​‍ countless worlds.

And‍​ the same goes‌ for the world‍ of the elves.‍

It‌‌ was the most​‌‍ perfect dragon that‌‍​ burned the World⁠ Mother Tree, but⁠⁠ it was the⁠ Empire that seized‍​ the forests of⁠ the elves in‌​​ the west.

“…You’re⁠ talking too much,​⁠ human knight. No‌⁠ matter how much⁠⁠ you draw your⁠ sword for the​‍ World Tree, your​‌​ current statement has⁠ crossed the line.”‌

Eyes⁠ as sharp as‌ the cold autumn‌ frost.

The‌ strength is fierce,⁠ as if no‌ more comments are⁠ allowed.

“By‌​‌ the grace you⁠‍​ gave me, I will let you​ go with your​​‍ life saved.”

No‌ matter what August⁠ said, the elves‍‍ had no intention‌⁠⁠ of stopping the​‌​ forest’s vengeance.

There‍‌​ was never a moment when the‌ mighty empire was⁠‍ as shaken as​⁠ it is now,​⁠‍ so I thought‌‍‍ that if I spread poison a little more and‌⁠⁠ gathered strength, I could free myself⁠⁠ from the empire’s‌‍ influence.

“You‌⁠‌ must not be‍‍ mistaken, sirs. The⁠ empire is not​ weakened.”

August‍⁠⁠ is loyal to⁠​ the Empire.

And‍‌‍ it is the‌ imperial family that​​‍ forms the center‍‌ of the empire.‌

“It’s​​ just that the‌ power of the⁠⁠​ imperial family has‌​ weakened.”

“…”‌‌

The‌‍‍ nobles of the⁠ empire were increasing⁠‍ their power without‍​‌ a single major‍‍‍ war.

And‌ now their influence⁠ has become so​ strong that it⁠​​ cannot be controlled​​​ solely by the‌⁠ power of the​​ imperial family.

“The​ nobles have long‌⁠⁠ been looking for‌ a reason to‌ raise their own‍ flag.”

August‍‍⁠ knew this well.‌

There‍‌ are people in‌⁠​ the empire who‌ believe that only‍‌​ a small crack‌‍⁠ can break down​​ the sturdy walls‌‌​ and end the​​ era of the⁠ Swordmaster.

“And⁠ it seems to‍‌ me that here‍‌⁠ is a good‌‍‌ cause and excuse​‍ for them to​ raise their flag.”​

They​⁠ were biting the​ straps that bound⁠‍‍ them.

“…Who⁠‌‌ are you?”

As​‍​ I was locked​ up for a long time, I couldn’t see the‍⁠​ wider area.

However,​‌‍ the knight in‍ front of them‌ was forcibly widening‌⁠ the elves’ field‍⁠ of vision with‍​ a sharp warning.​⁠

“My‌​ name is August.”⁠

August‍‍ removed the gray‍ hood and raised‍​ his sword.

A black sheath extravagantly⁠‍​ decorated, unlike his⁠‌ worn appearance.

The‍ red gem embedded​ at the end‌​ of the handle,​ in the center,‍⁠ had a shining‍‍⁠ pattern engraved.

“I‍ am the former​‍ commander of the​‍⁠ Imperial Guard.”

A fierce dragon.

And‍⁠ a sword holding‌ the dragon.

August‍​ currently held the‌‍ imperial emblem that⁠‍⁠ only a few​ could wear.

“The⁠‌ sale of Absilon​​ will eventually also‌​‌ become a fatal‌‌‍ poison for you.”‍⁠

August,⁠ former commander of‌‌‍ the Imperial Guard.⁠‌‌

A knight who wants‍‌ to complete his‍ unfinished mission despite⁠⁠‌ being the lowest​​ of the low.‌​‌

He‍ was giving it​‍‌ his all for‌ his final mission.‌‌

***‌‌

“…”⁠

The⁠⁠ morning sky gradually‍ dispels the darkness‍ with the increasing‍ energy of spring.‌

Although‍ last night was⁠​ noisy, this morning​‍‍ was quiet.

However,‌⁠‍ Vlad woke up⁠‍ from his sleep⁠‌ due to the​​⁠ loud sound of⁠ birds in his​ ears.

The‌ birdsong early in‍​‌ the morning is‍ cheerful.

“It’s​⁠ very noisy.”

Vlad⁠ had no choice‌ but to open‌​‌ his eyes and‌​⁠ wake up with‍‌⁠ a groan.

“Keueuung.”​

The⁠ bandages wrapped around​‌⁠ everywhere were constricting⁠​‌ Vlad’s entire body.​⁠

It‍ felt like the​‍⁠ hands of the⁠⁠ girl who had⁠ been crying and‍‌‍ applying all sorts​ of medicines were​⁠ still stuck to‌ various places.

“…If​​ I continue like‌​⁠ this, I won’t⁠ be able to​‍ die.”

The‍ body full of⁠ wounds caused by​ the sharpest malice.⁠‌‍

However,⁠​ for Vlad, it⁠ was harder to⁠​‌ bear the emptiness​ he felt from‍‌‌ within than the​‌⁠ palpable pain everywhere.​⁠

‘Have​ I used too⁠‍‍ much?’

Although⁠ not clearly visible,​⁠​ mental power is⁠⁠ also a resource​‍‌ that is clearly⁠‌‌ consumed.

Last⁠⁠​ night, Vlad went⁠ beyond his limits‌‌‌ and invoked a deep world, and​⁠‍ the backlash against​​ him now tormented‌⁠​ his body beyond⁠‌ his mind.

It‍​​ felt similar to⁠ when he used⁠ the power of‌ the voice forcefully.⁠​

“Captain,​⁠‌ why are you⁠ already awake?”

“Because⁠ it’s noisy.”

“Noisy?”‌

Goethe,⁠‌ who entered the‍​‌ room to serve,⁠⁠​ opened his eyes‍‌⁠ wide as if‌⁠ puzzled by Vlad’s‌‌ response.

“Is‍‍‌ it really quiet​ now?”

Contrary​ to what Vlad‍ said, it wasn’t‌ noisy, but a quiet and clear​‍‌ morning, typical of​⁠ an elf forest.⁠‍

Goethe​‌ began checking Vlad’s​‌ hearing by snapping‍ his fingers here⁠​ and there, wondering​ if something had⁠ gone wrong as​⁠​ a result of⁠ yesterday’s battle.

“Did​ you hurt your​‌‌ ear in yesterday’s​ fight?”

“No.”​

He⁠‌​ was checking, but‌ Vlad knew very‌​​ well that it‍ wasn’t that kind⁠ of problem.

‘Children⁠​ are noisy. Really.’‌‌​

Even​‍ now, Vlad frowned​‌‌ at the chirping‍​ coming from above‍​‌ his head.

Goethe⁠‍​ wouldn’t know.

Right‍⁠ now, this room‍ is filled with‍​‍ small chirps, whimpers,​ and purrs.

A young bird sitting​​​ on Vlad’s head‌​⁠ as if it​ were its own⁠ home flapped its‌‌ tiny wings that‍ couldn’t even fly.​‍⁠

“Ha.”‍‌​

Vlad​‍‌ raised his hand‍​ and wiped his‌‍‌ face in response‍⁠ to the commotion⁠‌ of the youngsters,‍⁠⁠ which he could‌⁠ no longer see‌⁠⁠ without closing his‌⁠ eyes.

The‍‌ deep world that​​‌ had been forcefully⁠⁠ evoked had not⁠​‌ yet sunk into​ Vlad’s mental world,‌‌‍ like a stirred​ pond at the‍‌ bottom.

I probably won’t be‌‌​ able to sleep​ for a few‌‌⁠ days because of​‌‌ the harassment from​​‍ these guys.

“…”⁠‌⁠

Vlad,‌ struggling to look⁠⁠‌ away from the⁠‌‍ spirits, looked at‍​⁠ the sword lying‌‍‍ beside the bed‍‍⁠ between his fingers‍ covering his face.​

A silver sword surrounded‍⁠‍ by young spirits⁠‌ like him.

The​ appearance of the‍‌ morning sun shining​⁠ through is elegant.‌‌‍

“By‌​​ the way, Captain.‍ What is this⁠ sword? It’s the​‍ first time I’ve‌ seen it.”

A sword that displays‌ extraordinary strength to‍‍⁠ anyone who sees‌‌‌ it.

Goethe’s‍‍‍ question about the​ sword he saw​‍‍ for the first⁠ time was natural,⁠‍‌ and Vlad honestly‍​​ answered the question.‌

“The‌ Sword of the‌‌ Sword Master.”

“Eh?”​‍

“They‍‌ say it’s the⁠‌ Sword of the⁠‍⁠ Sword Master. The​⁠​ elves said so.”‌

The‌ silver sword that⁠​‌ was with him​​ last night.

As​ soon as Vlad​ finished speaking, the‌ Sword of the⁠‍‍ Sword Master glowed​​ as if in‍ response.

“Then…‍ Master? Sword Master?”⁠‌

“Don’t​ make so much​⁠‌ noise yourself. It’s⁠‌‌ already quite noisy⁠⁠​ here anyway.”

A legend and an‌ honor.

A noble silver sword‍​ that will clearly⁠‌ show its brilliance‌ even if it’s‌​​ hidden among all​​ the treasures of⁠‌‍ the world.

However,‍ Vlad’s eyes were‍⁠​ complex and sunken​‌​ as he looked⁠⁠ at the sword.‍

“I‍ definitely need to​ ask about this.”‍

A man who said‌ he would kill‌‌​ a dragon.

A man who sees‍ the now forgotten‌ world of spirits.‌

And​⁠⁠ a man who​‌ wields the imperial‌‌‍ sword.

Clearly,⁠ that man handed‌⁠⁠ me this sword‍ in a dream.⁠

As‍‍‍ if it were⁠​‌ mine.

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