Chapter 124: Broken rope (3)
KGBFJWLate at night, the sound of drums resonates with a heavy beat.uUC75Gp
ndxDThe hem of the girl’s white skirt flares as she twirls to the rhythm of the sound.rGPf
3YgRbOiThe light emanating from the girl’s skirt is brighter than the torches erected here and there.mwWZgng
9aT“Remember.”WYsTV
P56As the old Geronimo said, Vlad closed his eyes in silence.4oy
udSgpr4The sound of the girl dancing around him drew nearer.21A
veSR8m“Can you think about what you want?”btlMz
cYLElders chanting spells.7gYP2O
egMyyBWarriors standing guard with weapons in each hand.3l0kA
0ODGAnd the drops of light falling from the young World Tree.LMwoCV
ZSHPeVlad felt the spirits forming over his shoulders and sank deeply into himself.AY1It
a8jIAbWhat do I want, and what am I trying to take?QJ6
BCjTDCJThe answer to that can only be found within oneself.MLOoR
u1qvtgAs Vlad meditated, the blue metal wrapped in billowing silk gradually rose into the air and began to glow.jQqoK5c
3XG6NRfVlad slowly lifted his eyelids, accompanied by the light and radiance.BGid
CX6“…”VJH
o4RFAZOThen, something appears.PQFM3
ve2gWTMA sword was visible floating brightly above the nostalgic image of the forge.FxyFU
mL0A sound is heard.8dmfdo
J9OPpbzThe sound of an old blacksmith hammering the sword.ktz
0NOXik8***mUz
mOsm“Then, do you need to stay here a little longer?”chk
rOXzUI“They said it would take a week. They say swords are made through rituals, but I don’t know what that means.”M48vn
hLwdNYAugust, who had packed his clothes, shrugged as he listened to Vlad’s words.m45ZqTm
B7n“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I have to accept what I have.”9YUJ
NF16jRBAugust must leave to complete the mission and Vlad must stay because he has something to receive.lFLv
XtAauJSince we came here with different purposes, perhaps it was natural for us to leave at different times.H4fauq4
E0i“Anyway, I’m curious too. Who is your master?”2qSWtu
CleyiPA young knight who does not know his birth roots but wants to find the roots of the sword he wields.nPr
UHjowOAugust, who perfectly understood Vlad’s feelings, decided to give him the right advice before leaving.3V6J
ZmhpdK“I don’t know about the imperial sword, but you can check the dragon hunter list by going to Brigantes, the capital. The Dragulia family keeps comprehensive records of everything related to dragons.”BGnoU
5gUjKnights who swore to kill dragons.feuz8R
HJ8TThe Dragulia family, sensitive to everything related to dragons, recorded the names of all dragon hunters who had ever killed dragons.KvC61L
LJfDbVlad’s name is probably also written at the bottom.FY6ZGmX
2Fv3J3D“There is a high possibility that your master is on that list.”ByVlGOj
mrmWAhA man who killed a dragon while wielding the imperial sword.CeVDP
YXbPO7bTo date, only one person has been officially named on those two lists.kj3Onga
WexqXmiA knight who faced the sharpest dragon with the noblest sword.6KXnV
oPEZCkmFounding King Frausen.P08Jg
zFDClangg-6IP2tr
1LDa5“…!”A9RMX
L0gRIn the moment of silence that fell between the two, August flicked a piece of metal between his fingers.PcngAw
YAQQAn old, rusty, and insignificant coin.b5qPX
IqkO“My name is August.”yjhHf9r
RlCA coin that only the lowest can deliver.RZRSzu
enpCbVlad accepted the ducat that Ramund had given him and looked at August incomprehensibly.In5t
kzwmr“If someone sees your sword later and says something, you can mention my name.”2gZr
yrCxSA young knight wielding the imperial sword.mZmY
xKIsQGVAlthough his personality was blossoming, August even added his own color because he was still very immature.KkW7Zop
pjVtdI don’t know who he is, but if he manages to uncover Vlad’s origins, he will be able to detect his weaknesses, which is his skill.hPyP3aS
O0CDx“But if possible, don’t get caught.”haiBJ
TwbAlthough it was a name that didn’t have much prestige, if it were worthy of being the name of a former head of the imperial guard, it would prevent him from reaching the worst situation.mN5Nn
RZYCP“Thank you. Lord August.”mFJ
m0OtfF“I feel strange hearing my name from you.”nlDIfd2
T6NvAugust smiled slightly as he looked at Vlad bowing before him.58uq4Rt
y0XUUoUIt was a short but powerful meeting.8j3bYIB
qpvAlthough he had set everything aside and was simply loyal to the empire, he still felt that in the end he had left only a faint trace, which made him feel relieved.n3AuhfM
ZX6Nbv“Please come to visit me later when you come to Brigantes.”S7M9d
BGdWith those words, August turned his head without hesitation.LAhnAM
dVmHClAn old knight heading towards the rising morning sun.VL4W
Ddx0When he came in, he came with many doubts, but when he left, his shoulders seemed lighter and happier.XZvdO
pOdi1F“…”YLj
bPNhVlad looked back and silently looked at the old coin in his palm.JMTZMF2
ZUZNow there are two ducats.PaFwrf5
KqoyIPxHolding a coin that was heavier than it seemed, Vlad placed the price of honor on his chest.eRTgO
SmxJ1wd***Nhe
lvyZ6F“The old man has left?”1PV4Tx0
xnu4TW“Yes.”LnfxeBr
bn2Now it’s a guest room where Vlad and Goethe are staying.Mz8D
WbywayWHowever, Goethe, who was supposed to be here, was always expelled somewhere, and the only person Vlad encountered was an unknown girl.eC9Nsc
jagk6Bb“Thank goodness.”OJA1x6e
opqp“Why?”XA53RS
zKcCTz“…I don’t want to talk.”Z2gy
ytQAHouThe girl’s occasional words are incoherent.sLsVDj
bwxjxThere’s no subject or object, and I don’t even know whom she’s referring to.JzdZcKg
iK36Y0However, since she’s a girl who only says what she sees, she wouldn’t know the details.cywb7
jyh2YV“But is there really a white snake in a place called Deirmar?”0QVJemw
569“…It’s so big.”NxvtpC
ua3Vlad, who read the girl’s intention to change the subject, grabbed the spirit by the neck as it climbed onto his shoulder and responded.6UELG
eCh“It’s big enough to swallow all the children here in one gulp.”jN5Iog
NeeThe spirit, whose eyes gleamed and panted as if asking to play, had a tail made of fire.9aDZ2a1
vXGZx“I want to see it someday. If I had to be specific, I’d say these spirits are on par with their parents.”SQfGcN
FXKUiu“Is there a genealogy among spirits?”onApZ
3RqU3“I don’t know about that. I just want to call it spirit.”tDGA9
8ldA white snake that clearly was born from the mother world tree.ACTihiA
PyzyThe young priestess of the world tree seemed very interested in the traces of her mother, the world tree, whom she had never seen since her birth.Atz5f
gZvIt would be worth it.UpzgS
gl3SBecause now she was in a position where she had to prepare for the ceremony while reflecting on the traces she had forgotten.1Lt
a5I“I just need a long and sturdy sword. It seems there’s a forge here.”0DEyqE
Xalx“Not me. I’ll do it.”RYn
8IsThe priestess, who was looking at an old book, looked at Vlad with stern eyes and said.ef7Fdm
flzTgOW“I said I’ll do it, but why do you do that? Everyone says they want to do it.”RfES
ldv1eADAs soon as the girl finished speaking, the young spirits opened their mouths and started screaming something.ndgyoTl
4C7ld2eThey’re probably whining or chirping.Aq1x7
e5XvXyAlthough he couldn’t hear it, Vlad closed his eyes when the atmosphere suddenly became chaotic.kKcfVAn
dEw2“Anyway, you have to try at least once. If I don’t, everything will be forgotten.”keRu
WdWul“…All right.”kmqIjOm
yEiIf it’s not connected, it will be forgotten.bs96Xi
bPjm9vThe numerous rituals that were supposed to be passed down from elders to juniors, and from previous generations to the next, now only remained in a few old books, and the person who would kindly teach the girl no longer existed, cut off by the passage of time.6dv
nJuCNA“Wait. We’ll make you something good.”Jkf
z0iVlad wasn’t the only one who had to find his own way.ZTCoa
s5SHere too, there was a girl who had to find her own way and build something.8QW
zfMy“Take your time.”oc8
ERIqSometimes there are burdens that can’t be shared.uVc
XIQHZaVlad, who didn’t dare to extend his hand to the girl carrying such a burden that she had to bear alone, decided to stay by her side.JuKo
NycF“Because I’ll be waiting.”CB4njn
5JnYkWith those words, Vlad lifted a cloth and wiped Jorge’s dagger.Ks8Swt
t4HKwohLooking at Vlad like this, the girl raised the book she was holding.Pjdmu
QOcPvUHer face was covered, but her pointed ears and golden eyes were directed at Vlad.SlUYs
xjFEdhI***Y23p7
9Pfa9On the full moon night of pure white, all the elves of Ausurin began to gather en masse in front of the World Tree.6CWYtg
9p2Do“This is quite a sight, Captain.”0Tt
4uc“I just consider it a festival or something like that.”x8X
jx37Vlad and Goethe were a little embarrassed by the situation where all the elves from the village had gathered and surrounded them.Glk5m5
MzxzEQ6The two still didn’t understand why they had to stay here instead of at the smithy to make the sword.jeiBx
kpwawH“The sun is strict, but the moon is kind. She closed her eyes for a moment.”HgtrJgM
ZnEEbThe staff he held trembled, but his voice was clear.d6jzxKC
5ouyeGeronimo, who had already recovered enough to move, slowly approached and opened his mouth to Vlad.9aPTi
EjOPR“So think about it. The shape of the sword you want.”o7YI
YHZu5“Is it okay to just think about it?”2mZYCC
4qIlVlad listened to Geronimo’s words and looked at the girl kneeling in front of him.6vJDvLD
I63PDDA girl dressed in pure white cloth.DBD
lUbZKA small crown made of flowers was placed on the girl’s head.oGNejq
f4s1lM“The clearer and more intensely you can remember it, the better.”LKgyrVS
J81ffNh“All right.”0bfkQlI
hYF0GIt seems new and different every time I see it.sPGZv6
VeiaRVlad, who felt that the girl, whose name he still did not know, was full of an inexplicable mystery, nodded to Geronimo.xCUtpix
OX2E“Close your eyes and get ready.”xS86S1
KxyykVlad silently closed his eyes as he spoke those words.8Lu
uT0RThe surrounding air suddenly became silent.qV9u9B
5iybTVlad swallowed unconsciously in an atmosphere of tension rather than fear.nRn5lI4
Kml“Let’s begin. Lady.”jsxvrFl
hgDThere was no grand beginning.2e9
ZrZEISEOnly the faint sound of drums could be heard.f2uw
FRZsPMCThe girl stood up to the sound, silently placed her hand on her chest, and looked at the young World Tree.8OoB4R
Ji9qig“…”URbr
deNk4The girl, who began to dance in an incomprehensible elven language, approached Vlad and began to spread the fabric she held.8sRC
hqqIoJIt looked like a butterfly fluttering its wings.MZxFZ8q
ogzUUJThe sound of the drum grew louder.7pz0H
sTbNhRBThe girl’s resonant voice spread widely through the sound.DahqV0r
tPwuThe surroundings were full of young spirit repair boxes.XIC8JqJ
V57Kkang-Kang-xl5
btUuNAnd the sound of a hammer could be faintly heard beyond those sounds.tEv
NLyxSVlad focused on the sound and fell into a deeper world.wHpFdE
FePVoC“…”p5uBX3
ghsrGvTotal darkness.Ys3
OmNVlad walked towards the dark mud, following the example of the fluttering butterfly.DDQJ
UGOfjThe soft feeling of the ground was familiar to him.2S4K
54hThe sticky, viscous mud was something the young man found difficult to escape from, but for Vlad now, it was just a momentary discomfort.skE
lRfT¡Kaang! ¡Kang!2gsfVo
NEYTA nostalgic sound was heard from far away.Cfa
q49XWWBefore he knew it, a white butterfly had flown away and was sitting quietly between the cracks of the door of the old smithy.pjusWT
IQ3Toh“…”r8b
P5vmVuVlad lifted his head and looked at the smithy where a butterfly was perched.Jkq
pazemFcA star hung high above the forge.43x
p0NThe sword, now lighter than a feather, was silently reflected.1HnF
O3WlMXX“Long time no see.”psznQbP
SPHv97zGuided by the butterfly, Vlad crossed the deeply engraved footsteps in front of the smithy and opened the door.NihIwn
uqErThere it felt stiflingly hot.j3i
GwxqAnd the constant sound of hammers.9v7pEtK
qqg“I’m here,” he said.R8J
aBO“Okay. Are you coming?”miiV58X
yqc7fCVlad silently closed his eyes as he heard the clearly audible voice.6Ch
IC16PirIn the illusion that seemed to disappear if he looked directly at it, the old smith smiled at him.rOfLCtp
aMMWE“I want to make a sword.”88qwS
m6o9A“A sword?”RqgF
Z0VazThe old man had said he would no longer make swords.qAYN
qZSHe said he couldn’t make a proper sword with an old body and a poor furnace.F9Do
l25p“Then, you’re in luck. Good materials just arrived.”W0Z9
n9A02VBut now he was saying he would.I89y
bamuKBecause his old body and his old tools could no longer be an obstacle for him.0Xxc
CjI6“This is a meteorite, but it’s a metal that fell from a star, so it has no impurities and is very hard.”dfA6C
gtbA voice full of power, not a languid voice.iOTn
rS3BMFUpon hearing that voice, Vlad smiled.jPmI
2lUG“I would like it to be of modest size, without adornments, and black in color. I guess I’ve grown fond of that first sword you forged.”Dri
f49xg“Indeed, I can’t do much more than that.”LEji7yo
hxLVThe old smith who had accepted the commission raised his hammer with determination and let it fall with force.P7d
UMliYVB¡Kraaang!djBwFbg
AzWiop0The sound of crackling fire in the forge sounded like the frolicking of a puppy’s tail.bEBsNK
dg8xGpZOn the anvil, a small sparrow pecked.289
35kIOA young blowfish cooled a bucket of water.9X0Uqfo
zdrZk3A lizard hatchling constantly poured sand over a sword tirelessly.gFtoXX
s12zI04The girl with the simple sword passed her hair as payment, but now the young spirits being created were paying in her place.WJn
Vx6elyH“It’s ready.”21zhp9
1snTA“…Already?”5xS
bx3tyHe wanted to stay here longer because he felt warmth for the first time in a long time, but his time here was not infinite.2VBTrct
VabShA white butterfly on the threshold was slowly weakening.tMI
3tB“Good to see you after so long. Now rest.”zcn1a6F
cEgdDThe white butterfly sitting by the door was slowly weakening.3r4tdV
JgVVlad silently opened his eyes when he suddenly felt the strong touch of a raised sword.u3g1
a5fYZeA blue light visible through fluttering white wings.LOE
JXNI9RhA sword but with a bright blue waiting for Vlad there.f7rJ3
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