Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 125: The return of the prodigal son (1)

Chapter 125: The return of the prodigal son (1)

The⁠⁠ end of winter‍ was coming to⁠ an end, but‌⁠ this place was‍ still filled with‍ coldness.

A cold place that‍ couldn’t even be‍⁠⁠ warmed by the‍ approaching spring’s warmth.‌

The‌ man sitting there had eyes as⁠‌ sharp as a sword.

“Have⁠ you come all‍⁠ the way here‌ just to say‌ something like that?”⁠

The‌ only Duke of‍‌ the North. Timur‌‍ Baranov, the steel⁠‍⁠ smith.

He⁠‍ was now looking‍ at the man‍ in front of‌‍ him with a cold expression.

“If‍⁠ you give me‍⁠‍ a piece of‌‌ the dragon, I’ll‍ go back.”

“Are⁠‍ you threatening me⁠ now?”

The‌ Romanovs of the‌ West have already‌⁠ disappeared.

The‍⁠ pilgrims who were‍ witnessing the oath⁠ brought the dragon‍‍‌ pieces that Romanov‌‌ had guarded and‌ left them in the hands of‍ the North, and⁠‍ the man in⁠‌ front of him‍‍‌ was now asking for one of⁠ them to be⁠ handed over.

“As⁠‌ you know, Duke,‌⁠ the potential of‍‍ dragons becomes more⁠ perfect as they‍ gather. Isn’t Lindworm⁠‍ already attracted to‌⁠ that possibility?”

“…”⁠

After‍⁠ all, things about‍‍ dragons cannot be‌‍ hidden from them.⁠⁠

Deacon Devious, sent by‍ the Dragon Slayer⁠‍ Knights, had already‌ realized that Timur⁠ was holding onto‍‌ both pieces.

“We,⁠ Dragulia, will share that burden. Please do not misinterpret our offer.”

Is‌⁠ it just an‍ illusion that I bow deeply, but I cannot feel sincerity in it?⁠⁠⁠

Timur’s‌‌ eyes as he‍‍ looked at Devious‌‍ were deeply sunken.

“I‍ believe Baranov will‍ be able to⁠ resolve this issue‌⁠ as long as‍‍ the steel smith‌‌ pays attention only to the North⁠‍ and not to‌‌⁠ the dragon.”

Timur’s⁠ steel knight’s eyebrows‍ moved when he‌‌ heard Devious’s suggestion.⁠

In‌ the end, Dragulia‌‌‍ was forcing him‌‌ to make a decision.

Is‌ it a dragon sculpture or is⁠‍ it for Baron⁠ Utman?

However,⁠‌⁠ no matter which⁠ of the two‌‍‍ was chosen, it would only be‍⁠‌ a painful loss‍ for Timur.

“Steel‍‌⁠ never changes.”

The⁠ man with his‍‌ head bowed had‍⁠ sinister eyes.

A dove sent by‌ a dragon.

The⁠‍ area where the‌‌ dove spat was⁠⁠‍ still filled with⁠ the smell of‌ blood.

“The‍‍ oath to the‌‍⁠ Sword Master will⁠ be like this⁠ too.”

Timur‌ shook his head‍‍ as if to‍ shake off his‍ worries.

After⁠‍⁠ making his decision,⁠ he slowly got⁠⁠ up and walked⁠⁠ towards Devious.

“Go⁠‌⁠ and tell the Lord of the‌‌‍ Dragon’s Blood.”

Ruler‌⁠‌ of the North‍‌‍ and guardian of‌‍‌ the oath.

Baranov,‍ a family recognized⁠ by the Sword⁠⁠ Master.

The⁠ Lion of the⁠ North approached Devius,‍ who had his‍⁠‌ head bowed, and⁠‍ opened his mouth‌⁠ with a cold breath.

“Don’t‍‍ talk nonsense.”

Get⁠‌ rid of those‍⁠ messy toenails. Fallen‍ dragon.

Because⁠ steel has no⁠‍ intention of bending to a dragon.⁠

“…Will⁠⁠ you not regret⁠ it?”

“That’s‍ nothing for you‌ to worry about.”‍

This‌‍ decision was made‍ not only for⁠‍ the oath but‌‍ also as a serene monarch.

We‍‌ must not give‍ chances to a bound dragon.

“We‌ will also support⁠‍ the Utman family.⁠⁠ Because you cannot⁠⁠ fraternize with those who have accepted⁠‍‍ an evil existence.”‍

The‌‍ family that was in charge of⁠‌ a pillar of‌ the once-strong Northern Union had rotted.

So‍⁠‌ you have to‌‌‍ cut it off.‌‌

To‍⁠⁠ rise with all the power of⁠‍ the North.

Spring‌ was approaching everywhere, but in the⁠‍ north, a cold⁠‍ atmosphere still prevailed.‌

***‌

The‍ light streaming through⁠‌⁠ the window scattered⁠⁠ here and there.‌‌‍

Vlad⁠⁠ furrowed his brow‌‍‌ slightly as he‍⁠‌ watched the sunlight‌ spreading haphazardly across the table.

“Sword,‍ sheath, armor…”

Goethe⁠‍ swallowed nervously as‍‌‌ he looked at⁠⁠ the elf armor‌ gleaming in the‍ sunlight.

“How⁠⁠ much does all‍ of this cost?”‍

“Get⁠ away from me.”‌‌

Seeing‍ the disrespectful squire‌ daring to put‌‍ a price on his weapon, Vlad‍‍‍ kicked Goethe and⁠ pushed him away‍ from the table.‌‌

“No,⁠ you can think⁠‌ about it for⁠‍‍ a moment.”

“You‌‌‍ just rolled your‍‌‌ eyes. Where’s the‍‍ scam?”

“…Did⁠‍ I do that?”‌⁠‌

Goethe⁠ felt overwhelmed by‌ the lingering presence⁠ of a street thug within the‍‌ noble knight, and he finally ceased to be himself.‌‍‌

Though‌‌ outwardly he appeared⁠ a noble gentleman, Vlad had been‍‌‍ fighting all his⁠‍ life, and inside⁠⁠‌ he still harbored⁠‍ a fierceness he‌⁠ couldn’t quell.

“Anyway,‌‌ it’s worth risking‌‌‍ your life. Isn’t‍⁠ it, captain?”

“…Try‌⁠ to shut up‍‌ a little.”

There‍⁠ was no way⁠⁠ he wasn’t happy‍ because the knight‍ he served was⁠‍‌ generously rewarded.

However,‌ the unfortunate thing was that the⁠ rewards received from‍ the elves were⁠ items that couldn’t‌ be shared with Goethe.

“They⁠ said the sword sheath was made⁠ from a piece‌ of the World‌ Tree.”

The⁠ sturdy-looking black sheath‌ still had a streak of light‌ wood despite being‍‌ processed.

Whether‌ it was the⁠ intention of the‌ craftsman who created‌⁠ it or the⁠ strong energy of⁠ the materials, it‍‌ exuded a unique‍ feeling.

“Is⁠ it flexible at⁠ the joints?”

“Besides,⁠‌ it’s thin.”

The‍⁠ plate armor provided⁠ by the elves‍ looked elegant despite⁠⁠‍ being clearly made‌⁠⁠ of iron.

This⁠ was probably because‌ there were many‍ empty spaces here‍‌ and there to‍ emphasize agility.

“And⁠⁠ this chainmail armor…”⁠‍

However,⁠‌ even if there‍‌⁠ were many empty‌ parts in the⁠ armor, there didn’t⁠ seem to be‍ much need to‌‌‌ worry.

A flowing silver inner‍ armor.

The‍ chainmail armor given‍ by the elves⁠‍‌ was sewn so‌‌ tightly that it‌‌ looked like normal⁠ clothing from a distance.

“This looks like it‌‍‍ could be worn as clothing.”

Though⁠‍⁠ his old gambeson‌‍ armor could be‌‌ functional, its comfort⁠‌ left much to‌ be desired. [1]‍‌

It‍ was the smell, the heat, and‍‌ above all, the‍ things hindering agile⁠ movements.

However,‌ the chainmail armor‍ he held now⁠‌ not only fit‍⁠ snugly to his⁠⁠ body but was‌⁠ also lightweight, so⁠‍ Vlad couldn’t help‍‍ but like it.⁠

Knock,⁠‌‌ knock, knock

“…Goethe.‌ I’ll show you⁠ the way.”

A girl knocking on‍⁠ the door making⁠ noises.

Goethe⁠‍‌ quickly composed his⁠‌ expression and opened⁠‌ the door to welcome the girl.‍

“You’ve‌ arrived. Miss.”

“What‍ do you think,‍‍ Vlad? Do you like it?”

He‌⁠ was greeted with‌‍ a bright smile,‍⁠ but as soon⁠⁠ as he entered,‍‌‍ Goethe’s expression turned‌‌ sour as he‍⁠ saw the girl⁠ only seeking out Vlad.

“It’s‍⁠ so nice. I’ve‌‍‍ never seen equipment like this in‌ my life.”

“Really?”‌‍

The⁠ tips of the‍‌ girl’s ears turned‌‌ a little red,‍ as if it were a compliment‍ to her.

“I’m‌‍ sorry. It’s because‍‍‍ I didn’t do it properly.”

With the girl’s apology,‍ Vlad’s eyes turned⁠ to the sword‌ on the table.‌

A long sword with‌ a light blue⁠‍ glow.

The⁠⁠ sword created by⁠‌ the World Tree,‍‌‍ the girl, and‍‌ the young spirits‌⁠ pounding the meteorite⁠⁠ might have had‌ a rough shape,‌ but it was a sword that⁠ seemed to possess‌⁠ extraordinary strength.

“It’s⁠‌ because it’s the‍ first time we’ve‍⁠ done it. I didn’t do it‌‌‌ well.”

However, though it may⁠⁠⁠ have a shape,‌ the sword in⁠‌ front of him couldn’t be considered‍ a finished product.⁠

It‌⁠ was something that‍ couldn’t be helped‌ since it was⁠ the young ones’‍ first attempt at⁠ this ritual according⁠‍‍ to the weak‍ records.

“My‌‍ grandfather used to⁠‌ say he sharpened⁠ the blade but didn’t temper it properly. Still, I think it’ll be usable…”

Toes‍ tapping the floor, kicking without realizing.⁠⁠

Vlad realized the girl‌⁠ was genuinely remorseful‍‍‍ as her voice⁠ grew quieter towards‌ the end.

“No.‌ Lady.”

The‍ girl said there‍ was an issue with durability, but‌‍ the old blacksmith‌ said it was‍ definitely there.

He‌‍ understood that if‍⁠‍ the weapon wasn’t‌ truly usable, he‌‍‌ wouldn’t even have⁠‌ been given it,‌ worried it might‌ be a danger to Vlad.

“This is a sword‌‍ I really like.”⁠

The⁠⁠ new sword, reminiscent of his old‍‍⁠ sword, subtly changed⁠‍ color each time‍‌⁠ Vlad looked at‍⁠ it.

Every⁠ time he saw⁠‌ that light, Vlad‌ felt as if⁠ something inside his⁠⁠ heart was being⁠ filled.

“If?⁠⁠ Then I’m very⁠ happy.”

The‌‍ girl, suddenly feeling‌ better after hearing‌⁠‌ Vlad’s words, quickly‌‌ handed him a letter and smiled.⁠‍

“This?”⁠

“This‍ is my letter⁠‌ to Alicia, the⁠‍ Lord of Hainal.‍‌ I wrote that‌ I regretted what‍ happened to the‍ amber stone.”

Vlad, who saved the‍ World Tree, received⁠‌‌ a reasonable reward,‍⁠ but Alicia, who‍ lost the relic, had nothing to⁠ give.

Perhaps⁠⁠ this matter should‍‌‌ be resolved within‌⁠ the realms of Hainal and Ausurin‌ rather than through individual negotiations.

“Maybe it’s just the priestess…”

“The⁠‍⁠ elders’ is included⁠ too.”

“Yes.”

I feel anxious handing‌ over a letter⁠⁠‍ from a girl‍ who doesn’t know‌‍‍ where it will⁠‍‌ go.

However, if it contains⁠‌ a letter from‍ the wise elder⁠‍‌ Geronimo, you can⁠‌ rest assured.

His⁠‍ item, which was‌ only a nuisance to Alicia, seemed‌⁠ to bring some⁠ comfort to the‍‍‍ letter he held.

“Maybe‌⁠ soon we’ll send⁠ scouts to Hainal⁠⁠‍ and Dobrechi. I also want to‌‍‍ meet the spirits‌‍ there.”

“It’s⁠ okay.”

If‌‌ the elves are‌⁠ going to form‌ a relationship with⁠ humans anyway, it⁠‍ would be better⁠‍ to form a relationship with lords‌ who are at⁠ least somewhat related⁠‌ to them.

And⁠ for Alicia, who‍⁠ has few places⁠⁠ to lean on,‍ wouldn’t the power‍ of Ausurin, though‍‍ far away, be‍ a source of‍ comfort?

“And‌ this.”

A note folded crookedly,‌⁠ unlike a letter.

The⁠⁠ note, folded like‌ a four-leaf clover,‍ was clearly something‍‍ the girl had personally handed over.‍⁠‌

“Open this later when‍‌ you come to‌ a crossroads.”

“…A‍ crossroads?”

A girl whispering softly⁠‍ in Vlad’s ear, wondering if anyone‌⁠ would hear her.‌⁠

The⁠ tip of her‍‍ toe raised in⁠‍ effort conveyed the⁠‌‍ girl’s sincerity.

“Then,⁠ goodbye. I won’t‍ be able to‍‌⁠ see you off⁠‍ tomorrow.”

“…”

A girl who only‌ says what she‍ has to say‍‌ and doesn’t respond.⁠

However,‌⁠ the bright golden⁠ eyes were filled⁠‌ with Vlad’s image.⁠‌

“I’ve‍ always been curious about this.”

“What?”‌‍

Now‍ it’s the farewell.‍

The‌⁠ girl, who didn’t know when she would see him‌‍ again, continued to smile to herself.

“Can‌ I ask you⁠ what your name⁠ is? I didn’t‌‍ even know your name until now.”‌‌

In‍ the human world,‍‌ relationships are established‍‌ by transmitting names.

Of⁠‍ course, out of⁠‌‌ courtesy, Vlad asked‌‍‍ the girl’s name.⁠

“…Name?”‌

However,‌‍⁠ upon hearing Vlad’s‍‍‌ question, the girl‍‍‍ simply stood there‍‍⁠ and froze like a pumice stone.‌‌

Her‍⁠ perked-up ears gradually‌ turned red.

“…Why‍⁠ my name?”

The‌ silence dwindled in‌ an instant.

Goethe’s eyes moved back⁠⁠⁠ and forth, trying⁠ to grasp the icy atmosphere, but‌ human common sense⁠‌⁠ and elf common‍‍‍ sense were completely different.

The⁠ girl’s perked-up ears⁠‌‌ gradually turned red.‌⁠

***‍

“There was a snowy⁠‌ field when I arrived.”

“Winter in Ausurin is⁠‌‍ short. The World‍ Tree doesn’t like the cold.”

After hearing Varadis’s words,⁠‌ Vlad lifted his⁠‌ head and looked⁠ at the distant‌⁠‍ mountains.

The barely visible mountains⁠ were still covered‍⁠ in white snow.⁠

“That’s⁠ all.”

“Thank‌‍‍ you for seeing‌ me off.”

The⁠‍ border between the‍⁠ worlds of elves‍‍ and humans.

Noir,⁠ standing in front⁠ of them, neighed⁠‌‍ as if reluctant‍‍ to leave, but‌ his world was‍⁠⁠ not in Ausurin.⁠⁠

“Ausurin‍ will not forget⁠ the favor you’ve‌ done.”

Though⁠ saying thank you,⁠ Varadis’s voice had become strangely stiff‌ and uncomfortable.

It⁠‍ seemed asking the‌ girl’s name was⁠ rather bothersome.

“For elves, the concept⁠‌ of names is‌ much more sensitive‌ than for humans,‌ so be careful in the future.”‌‌‍

“…Yes.”‍

Varadis‌⁠‌ introduced himself as‍‌ Varadis, but said⁠ it wasn’t a name with true⁠ meaning.

Perhaps⁠ the act of‌‌ saying it or‍⁠ asking about it‍⁠ seemed to be a rather sensitive⁠‌ matter for elves.⁠⁠‍

Though⁠ Vlad didn’t mean‌ to, he made another mistake as‌ his knowledge expanded.‌‍⁠

“And.”

Varadis‍‍⁠ approached Vlad and‍ spoke with a serious voice.

“I‍⁠ don’t know what⁠ the priestess said,⁠ but please don’t‌‌ ignore her words.”‍‌

“…Okay.”

Varadis‍‌ left Vlad with‌⁠‌ a small warning‍ in case something unexpected happened.

At‌ this moment, the⁠ girl who was‌‍⁠ the priestess of‌ the World Tree⁠ and his own‍ younger sister lay⁠‌ sick in bed.⁠

It‍ must have been‍ due to the‌ revelation given to‍ a knight named‍‌ Vlad.

“Please,⁠⁠⁠ tell him thank‌⁠ you for his⁠⁠ concern until the‍‌⁠ end.”

“Thank⁠ you for protecting‌⁠ the World Tree.‍ I hope to‌ see you again⁠‌ next time.”

With⁠‍⁠ Varadis’s farewell, the spirits riding on‌⁠‌ Noir’s back began‍ to descend.

Wings,⁠‍ tails, heads, etc.‍⁠

Each‍ one waved the‌‌‌ part they could‍‌‌ shake and bid⁠⁠‌ farewell to the‍ knight leaving Ausurin.‍‌⁠

“Then‌ let’s go.”

The⁠ rangers and spirits‌ waved them off‍⁠‍ lightly.

Vlad’s‍⁠ eyes saw a huge tree behind‌‍⁠ them.

Now‍ it seemed distant‌ and faint, but‍‌ the branches swayed‍‍‌ back and forth‍⁠ in the wind.‌

“Let’s‌‌ go.”

“Uh,‌⁠ Captain.”

A knight and a squire turning their horses’ heads.

A white flag started⁠‌ waving behind the‌‍ black horse.

On⁠‍ one side of the flag was⁠ an emblem that‍⁠ looked exactly like‌ the World Tree⁠ seen now.

***⁠

“By‍‍ the way, Captain. Where will you‌‌ go from now⁠⁠ on?”

It⁠ would be natural‍‍⁠ for Goethe, the‌‍‍ squire, to ask⁠ Vlad for directions.‌

It‍ wasn’t clear, but‌ Vlad had been‌ the one setting‍‌ the course up⁠ until now.

“…”

Three‌‌ forks in the‍ road.

However,‍ Vlad’s mood at‍ that crossroads was extremely heavy.

Vlad’s⁠⁠ brow furrowed gradually‌ as he read⁠ the note.

“…Where‍ do I go‍‌ to the right?”

“We⁠ came from there.‌‌ If you go‍ this way, it‌‌ will take you⁠‌ to Dobrechi via⁠ Tanovo. If you’re‌ heading back to⁠‌ Soara, this is‌ the way.”

It‌ seemed like Goethe‍ wanted him to⁠ return and say‌‍ something, but Vlad‌⁠ silently turned his⁠‌‍ head towards the middle path.

“And‌ if we go here?”

“If‍ you take the⁠⁠ middle path…”

Goethe‍ quickly pulled out‌⁠ the map and⁠‍ spoke up.

“I‍ think it will⁠ lead into the‍‌⁠ central region. The⁠ nearest city is‌‍ Marcia, to begin⁠ with.”

“Then‌‍⁠ let’s go here.”

Vlad,⁠‍‍ holding the note⁠‍ given to him by the girl,⁠ grabbed Noir’s reins‌‍ and headed down‌ the middle path.‍‌

“Why‌‍ does that note⁠‌ say not to‌ go left?”

“If⁠‌‌ you go left,⁠⁠ there’s something there.”⁠⁠‌

A black horse and‌ Goethe moving along the wider path.‌

Vlad,⁠ who had walked‍‌ until he couldn’t‍‌ see the fork‍ in the road, spoke to Goethe‍‍ quietly.

“I’ve‍⁠ seen it before.‍‌ If you go‌‍ left, you’ll find⁠‍ the road that‍ leads to the‍⁠ capital, Brigantes.”

“Yes?”‌‍‌

“Eh.‍ You’re probably heading there, right?”

Vlad,‌⁠ remembering August at Goethe’s words, felt⁠ his appetite sour‌ for some reason.‌

As‌‍⁠ a final farewell,‌ he told him‍‌ to come visit‌‌‍ him in Brigantes,‍‌‍ so he probably‍‍ followed Goethe’s words‌⁠ and headed towards⁠ the capital.

“I‌⁠⁠ guess I’ll have to look at‌‍ the list of⁠ dragon slayers later.”‌

Vlad silently closed his⁠ left eye and‍ burned the note‌ the girl had⁠ given him.

Pieces of paper fluttering‌ in the wind.‌

-Never‍‌‍ go left.

Small‍ letters written on‌ a burning note.‌

The‍ last thing the‌ girl gave Vlad‍ wasn’t a thank‌ you or a goodbye, but a stern warning.

T/N:⁠ (1): A gambeson‍⁠ is a padded‌ protective garment worn⁠ under armor to‍ provide cushioning and⁠⁠‌ protection against impacts⁠ and chafing. It‍‌ was commonly used‌ in the Middle‌⁠⁠ Ages and the Renaissance as an‌‍ additional layer of‍‌‌ defense for fighters.‍‌