Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 127: The return of the prodigal son (3)

Chapter 127: The return of the prodigal son (3)

Once,‌‍ twice, three times.

My‍ mother’s hands are‍ busy adding water‍‍ to the stew.‌‍

Since‌⁠ he was young,‍⁠ Goethe loved watching⁠‍ his mother cook‍‌ and eagerly awaited‌‍ the scent of the fragrant food⁠ she prepared with‌‌‌ the tips of‍ her fingers.

The⁠ current concentration is‌ probably appropriate.

Four‌‍‌ times, five times,‌ six times…

But‍ at some point,‍‌⁠ the taste Goethe⁠⁠ remembered began to‍‍ fade.

Even⁠ now, Goethe remembered‍‍ it.

In‍‌ front of the‍‍ kitchen, his mother‌ seemed apologetic, as‌⁠ if caught off⁠ guard.

“…”

The⁠⁠⁠ smell of stew⁠‌ disappears as the quantity increases.

The‌⁠ moment Goethe saw‍‍ his mother’s expression,⁠ he realized what⁠‌ he had to⁠⁠ do.

Cold‍‌ reality grabbed Goethe⁠‍ by the neck‌⁠ and shook him.‍

Poverty makes us bow⁠ our heads to‌ others even if‍‌ we haven’t done‍‌ anything wrong.

It‍ makes people shrink⁠⁠ and look only‍‌‌ downward.

So‌ Goethe decided to‍ leave.

Because‍ there was no‌⁠ longer any possibility‍⁠ of holding his‌‌⁠ head up high‌ in this cursed‌‍ village.

Before meeting the praying‍‌ mercenary, Goethe of‍ Wisteria Village wandered,‍‌‍ seeking an opportunity‌‍ to look up.‌

***‍

A simple dining table‍‌‌ that doesn’t even⁠ seem to need‍‍ a fork.

In‍‍‌ the steaming stew,‌‍ large chunks of‌‍‍ potatoes welcomed Vlad.⁠

“Is‌ this suitable for‍‌‌ the knight’s taste?”⁠

The⁠‍ table was set‍‌ with everything she‍⁠⁠ had, but Goethe’s‍ mother was anxious,‍‍ drying her hands‌ on her apron‍ as if the‍ ingredients were bothering⁠ her.

“I’m‌ sorry, sir. If‍‍ you had given me a message‍‌‌ that you were‍ coming, I would⁠‌‍ have prepared a piece of meat‍‌ in advance…”

A young knight who‌‌ appeared with his‍‌ son.

Just‍ by looking at‌⁠ his appearance, it⁠⁠ was clear he‍ was the son‍‌⁠ of an elegant noble family, so‍ he wouldn’t be‍‌‌ satisfied with the‌ skills of a country woman.

‘I⁠‍ don’t think they‍⁠ raise chickens.’

Vlad‍‍ looked at the egg in front‍‌ of him.

Since⁠‌ he didn’t hear⁠⁠⁠ the crowing of‍‍ any hen when‌ he entered, the‌ eggs must have‌ been urgently borrowed‌ from somewhere.

At⁠ first glance, they⁠⁠ didn’t seem to⁠ have enough money,‍‌‍ so they must⁠‍⁠ have done too⁠ much for their‍‌ son.

“Please,‌⁠‍ eat. Sir.”

There‌ are two eggs‌‍⁠ in front of‍ Goethe.

There⁠⁠⁠ are three eggs⁠‍ in front of⁠ Vlad.

But‍ even this single different egg knew‍⁠‍ it was ultimately⁠ for their son.‌

Even⁠ before putting the⁠‌ stew in his‌ mouth, Vlad could⁠ already taste the‍ flavor of a mother.

“Thank‌⁠‍ you.”

So⁠⁠ Vlad deliberately opened‍‌ the stew ladle‌‌‌ and poured it onto his plate‍ without hesitation.

In‌ moments like these,‌⁠ he knew that⁠⁠ acting confidently would‌ ease the burden⁠⁠ of the host.

“…I’m‌⁠‍ so happy. You’re⁠⁠ here at such⁠ a good time.”⁠

Goethe’s‌‍ mother, relieved to⁠ see Vlad spooning‌‍ without hesitation, immediately‌ began to shed‌ tears as she⁠⁠ took her son’s hand.

“The‌ boy I haven’t‌‌⁠ had any contact‌‌ with until now‍‌‍ comes here just‍‌ in time for⁠ his younger sister’s‍⁠ wedding. Your father‌ and older brother‍ must have called⁠‌‌ you here.”

Vlad‍ had his eyes⁠‌ and mouth glued‌ to the stew,‍‌ but he had‍ his ears open⁠ and alert to‌ the story being told.

“…”‍‍

A brown-haired woman made⁠⁠ awkward eye contact‍ over the stew⁠⁠ she held.

The‍ brown-haired woman who looked like a common country girl⁠‍‍ was Goethe’s younger⁠⁠‌ sister.

“Can⁠‍‍ you go see‍ Marie’s wedding, right?‌‌ Or do you⁠‌ have to leave‌ right away?”

“No,‍ this is…”

Not‍ only had it been a long‌‍ time since her⁠ son visited her,‍‌ but it was‍ really unfortunate timing,‌‍ so her emotions were probably special.‌‌⁠

However,‌ Goethe wasn’t in‍⁠ charge of the⁠ journey, and he⁠ was simply a squire by the‌‍ knight’s side.

“Do⁠ I have to leave right away?”⁠

“…”⁠

Goethe’s⁠ eyes awkwardly floated⁠⁠ in the air,⁠⁠⁠ unable to meet Vlad’s gaze.

Vlad,⁠ who was watching⁠‍ those eyes, simply‍ shrugged.

‘There’s no choice.’

He‍‌ didn’t want to be dragged into‌ unwanted circumstances, but‍ if it was‌ something like this,‍‍ he had no‌ choice but to⁠‍‌ stop for a while.

Anyway,‍ he was planning⁠‌ to stay here‍ for a day‍⁠ or two.

“The stew is really‌‌ delicious. Can I ask you often‍‌‍ during the last‍ few days?”

“…Thank⁠⁠ you. Sir.”

Goethe’s‍⁠‌ mother, who understood‌ Vlad’s response, began‌ to shed tears as she crossed‌ her hands over her chest.

A quiet rural village‍ he had never⁠ experienced before.

In‌⁠ this village, where‍ the warmth of‍‍ the stew comes⁠⁠⁠ with the arrival‍⁠ of spring, Vlad‍‍ decided to take a break for‌⁠⁠ the first time‌‌ in a long‍ time.

***‌

After⁠ finishing his meal,‌ Vlad left the⁠‌ house and began to walk around‍‍ the area slowly.⁠

It‌ was a consideration for Goethe, who‌ hadn’t been with⁠‍ his family for‍⁠ a long time,‌‌ and also due‌‌‌ to his old‍ habit of looking‍ at the surrounding‍ landscape.

“I‍ don’t think this‍⁠ house has a stable.”

Neighing-‍‍

Noir,‍ who came out‌ with Vlad, couldn’t‍‌⁠ find a place‍ to stay no‌‍⁠ matter how much⁠⁠ he looked around,‌ so he was⁠‌ nudging Vlad’s back‌⁠ with his snout.⁠

I don’t like humans,‌‌ but I like⁠⁠ what they create.‍‍

The‍‍‌ free spirit of‍ the prairie enjoyed‍⁠ the benefits of⁠ civilization that would‌ protect him from‍⁠‌ wind and rain.⁠

‘They‌ put in a lot of effort‍‌‌ to make it⁠ but don’t use⁠‌ it…’

While‌‍‌ Vlad silently observed‌‍ the village as‌⁠‍ he walked, he‍ saw a crumbling‌ mill.

Since‌⁠ it was next‌‍ to Goethe’s house,‌ he thought it‍ might have something⁠ to do with‌‌ it, but it‍⁠ was a mill⁠⁠ that seemed to⁠⁠ have been closed‍⁠⁠ for a long‍ time.

The⁠‍⁠ mill, gradually crumbling,⁠‌‌ seemed to harbor as many circumstances‌‌ as a fallen cobweb.

“…I’ll‍ give you a place to sleep,⁠‍ so stop playing⁠‍⁠ with me.”

Neighing-‍

Noir‌‍ began to shake‌‍‍ his head, as⁠‍‍ if finally relieved‍‍ by Vlad’s complaints.⁠

Even⁠ if it weren’t‍⁠‌ for Noir’s complaints,‍ Vlad also planned‍ to stay somewhere‌ other than Goethe’s⁠‌ house.

Goethe’s‍‍ house was as⁠ small as it‌‌⁠ was old.

It‌ wouldn’t be very comfortable to cram⁠ the whole family‍ into a small‌‍ guest room and‌‌ try to sleep⁠ there.

“Arriving‌⁠ just in time.”‌⁠

In‍ the distance, several⁠‌‍ men from the‍ village could be‍ seen climbing the⁠ hill towards Goethe’s⁠ house.

They‌‌⁠ were probably sent by the village‌ chief.

Since‍⁠ he learned that‌⁠ the stranger who⁠‌ entered the village⁠‌‌ was a knight,‍‌ it wouldn’t be‍ an easy matter‍ to overlook for the village chief.‌‍‍

‘…Seems⁠⁠‌ like something is‍‌ really wrong with⁠ Goethe.’

However,‍‍ Vlad frowned as‌‍ he watched the⁠ young men of⁠ the village approaching‍⁠‍ that place.

Men⁠⁠ climbing a hill⁠⁠ holding something in‌⁠‌ each hand.

No‌⁠ matter how you‌ looked at it,⁠⁠ it didn’t seem⁠‍ like they were‍‍ welcoming back a village member who had returned after⁠ a long time.‍‌

“Hey‍ Goethe!”

The⁠ voice was loud‌⁠ enough to reach⁠ Vlad’s ears as‍ he walked out.

A burly man started‍⁠ shouting loudly, as⁠ if for everyone‍ in the village‍ to hear.

“How‍‌ come the debtor⁠‌ who secretly ran‍⁠ away in the‍ middle of the‍⁠ night came back crawling?!”

An‌ attitude that doesn’t‍⁠ bother anyone.

Moreover,‌ he has a shiny scabbard that‌‍ doesn’t look like⁠‌ it’s been used much.

Looking‌‌ at the men⁠⁠ who looked like⁠ typical gangsters, Vlad⁠‌⁠ realized they hadn’t‍ come to Goethe⁠‌‍ with a common‌ purpose.

“…Thomas.”‌‍

Goethe,‌‌⁠ who had been‌⁠‍ resolving family disputes for the first time in a long time, came‌ out of the house with a furrowed brow.

It‍⁠ was a sudden and rude call,‍‍⁠ but Goethe’s attitude‍ was calm, as⁠ if he had‌ already expected it.⁠

“Midnight⁠ escape? I just‍ like the night‍⁠‍ and left after‍ seeing the moon.”

“If⁠ you sneaked out⁠ at night without⁠ paying the debt,‍ that’s a midnight escape, brat!”

The⁠‌ man who seemed to be the⁠ leader of the‍‍‍ group began to‍ shout at Goethe,‍‌‍ as if unsatisfied‌ with his relaxed⁠⁠‌ response.

“Pay‌ the overdue mill⁠⁠‌ usage fees!”

“What‌‌ you’re saying hasn’t‌ changed at all,‌ whether before or now. It’s like‍ these people who‍‍ haven’t seen any‍ development.”

Goethe‌ snorted as he⁠ looked at the‍ group coming with⁠ weapons pointed at them.

There‍ was a time‍⁠‍ in the past when he trembled‍ at this threat,‍ but for Goethe,‌‍ who had experienced⁠‌ the wide world⁠‍ as Vlad, the⁠‌ current situation seemed⁠⁠ like child’s play.⁠

“A⁠‍ total of 2 gold, including overdue‌‍ interest.”

“It’s⁠ time.”

Shiny‌ coins flying before⁠‌‍ he could finish⁠ speaking.

The‌ men seemed surprised⁠ as they watched⁠‍ Goethe casually toss‍⁠ the gold coin.‌

“Eat‍‌ that and get⁠ out fast. Damned‌ bastards.”

“…This‌ bastard.”

It’s⁠⁠ different from before.‍

The‍ Goethe they had⁠ been watching closely⁠⁠ now showed no⁠ trace of his‌ former self.

Goethe,‍‌ who had grown⁠ up, looked at⁠‌ them, and the‌‌‌ group’s leader, Thomas, grew angry at‍‍ the look in⁠‍ his eyes.

“Do⁠ you think you’d‍ receive this money‌‌ knowing what it⁠ is? Trickster.”

“What?”‌‍

“How‍ do you know‌‍ the money didn’t⁠ come from a fraud, like your⁠ father did?”

Now‍ that the debt‌ has been settled, there’s no need⁠‌ for further discussion.‌

However,‍ the man in⁠⁠‌ front of him‌‍ had no intention‍‍ of leaving easily as he dug‍‍ into Goethe’s wounds.‌

Perhaps‍ the twisted thread‌‍ of emotions that‌‍ has been twisted⁠ and twisted for⁠‌ a long time‍ is what is⁠⁠⁠ creating the current‌ situation.

“Did‍‍ I hear that⁠ you even brought⁠‍ some kind of⁠‌ knight, a brat?”‌⁠

“I‍‍ heard he even‌⁠‌ carried the banner‍‍‌ with pride.”

“Shut⁠‍‌ your mouth. If‌ you keep flapping‌‌ your gums, I won’t be able⁠ to handle you.”‍

“Why.‍‍ Are you afraid⁠‌ of them finding‌‍ out your stupid⁠‍‌ move?”

The man called Thomas‍ began to walk⁠ and shout loudly⁠‍‍ as if everyone⁠ could hear him.⁠

“It’s‌⁠⁠ better to believe‌ that the one⁠ you brought here⁠ is fake than⁠ to believe you’ve‌‌ become the squire⁠ of a knight.⁠ Not everyone is‌ like that!”

“True.‌‌ Of course!”

“Unless‍‌⁠ it’s fake, why would I hire‍⁠ someone like Goethe as my squire?”

“If⁠ you can use‌‍ a worm that‌⁠‌ can’t even handle a knife properly‌ as seed, then‍⁠⁠ you know the⁠⁠ level!”

Goethe’s eyes began to turn red as⁠ he heard the⁠⁠ gang’s taunts.

If‌‍ you’re not angry⁠‍ at their actions,‌ insulting not only‍‌⁠ your father but also Vlad, you‍ wouldn’t be worthy of being someone’s⁠ son or squire.

“You‌‌‍ crazy bastards.”

Goethe⁠⁠ placed his hand‍ on the sheath⁠ to draw the‍⁠ sword he held.

As‌ they say, he‌ hadn’t learned to‌‍ use the sword‍⁠ properly, but Goethe‍⁠ was still a man who experienced the harsh world⁠ through his career‍⁠ as a mercenary.

“You’re‍⁠ bastards.”

“…What?”

A situation close to‌ an accident before the sword is⁠ unsheathed.

At‍⁠⁠ the moment when⁠ Goethe’s mother and‌ younger sister, who⁠ were holding their⁠ breath inside the‌‍ house, came running‍ out to stop⁠‌ him, a voice⁠⁠⁠ was heard from⁠ behind.

“What‌‍ you’re doing is‌⁠ very familiar.”

A man approaches from afar, holding the⁠ reins of a black horse.

Although‍⁠‌ it was small,‌ it was a voice that contained⁠‍ the power to‍ stop everyone’s actions.⁠‌

“…You’re‍ the fake knight⁠ who brought Goethe?”

Vlad,‌‍ who took off‌⁠⁠ his armor for‍ a moment to‌‍‌ receive a gift,‌‍‌ looked like a bright blue baby‌‍ to anyone who⁠ saw him.

The‍ silver jacket he⁠‍ wore and the‌ spirit of the⁠‍⁠ horse he rode seemed unusual, but‌ the men who‌ had lived their⁠‍‍ whole lives in‍ a small village‍⁠‌ living in luxury‍‍ didn’t have the knowledge to distinguish‌ between real and‌‍‍ fake.

“A fake knight.”

Vlad‌ scratched his neck‍ after hearing the‌ man’s words.

How should I respond⁠ in times like‌‌ this?

The‌ gangster in the‌‍⁠ alley suddenly began⁠ to raise his⁠⁠⁠ head as he⁠‌⁠ looked at his‍ companions he hadn’t‍ seen in a long time.

“What‌ would you do if I were⁠⁠⁠ real?”

“What?”⁠⁠‌

He‌⁠⁠ had ignored him‌‌ and ignored his⁠ squire.

Since‌ his honor as‌ a knight was‌ ignored, he wouldn’t⁠ have anything to‌ say even if‌⁠‍ they cut off‌‌ his head.

But⁠⁠ this is Goethe’s hometown.

The⁠ force pressing on the men sharpened‍ as the blue‌ eyes turned.

All‍ the frogs in the well stopped‌⁠ crying due to‍⁠⁠ the force of‌ seeing the real‌‌ thing for the first time in their lives.

“I’ll⁠ give you my⁠ life.”

Probably‌⁠⁠ because of the⁠ stew.

The‌⁠ memory of the⁠⁠ stew and the‍‍‌ plump flowers reminded⁠‍ me not only of my mother,⁠⁠ whom I missed,⁠⁠ but also the‍ smell of the‍‍‌ dark alley.

“Come‌‍‍ on, bastards.”

Even⁠‍ if he wasn’t a knight, Vlad‍⁠ had been real‌ for a long time.

The‌‌‌ best perspective in‍‍ the alleys of⁠‍ Soara.

Born of a prostitute,‌‌ of pure blood,⁠ coming from the⁠ street, he fiercely‍⁠ confronted the naive‍⁠ thugs of the countryside, who knew⁠ nothing of the‌ world.

***

“If⁠‌ something like that⁠ had happened, shouldn’t‍‌⁠ you have told‌ me first?”

The village chief’s house‍ is well-built for‍⁠ a small village.‍⁠

But‍‌ now, a suppressed shout was coming‍ from inside.

“Stephan. Please calm down.”

The village chief brought‍‌ out a chair⁠⁠⁠ and spoke to the increasingly fierce⁠ mercenary leader as‍‌‍ if to calm him.

“What‌ kind of knight⁠ could come to this small village?⁠ Moreover, the boy‍ he brought along‍ was Goethe. That‍ guy is not‌‍‍ worthy of a true knight.”

“…I’ll⁠‌ say it again.‌ Chief.”

A man with scarlet⁠ hair.

Stephan, the leader of⁠‍‌ the Thornwood Mercenaries,⁠‍ raised his finger‌‍‍ as if warning⁠⁠ and threatening the⁠‌ village chief.

“Anything‌ related to security‌ in this village‌‌ must go through⁠⁠ me. Don’t forget‍ that this is⁠ also the Lord’s‌‍ will.”

Stephan’s warning, mixed with anger, had a force that couldn’t be easily ignored,⁠ no matter how experienced the village‍‌⁠ chief was.

“All‌‍ right. We will‌⁠ definitely do so‍ in the future.”‌‌⁠

Stephan⁠‍ didn’t want to ruin his work.‌

If⁠ something goes wrong⁠‌ from the start⁠‌ in this possibly‍ new location, the‍‌⁠ Thornwood Mercenaries will‍‍ have to start⁠‌ wandering without any promise again.

“As you said, nothing‍ like this will‌‌ happen in the‌ future…”

“Boss!”‌

The‍‌ village chief attempted⁠‌ to calm Stephan,⁠⁠‍ but he couldn’t‍ continue speaking because‌ the door suddenly⁠‍ burst open.

“There’s‍⁠ a problem, a big problem!”

Suddenly, a man burst⁠ in as if‌ he were breaking‌⁠ down the door.‌

It‌‍ was hard to‌‍⁠ recognize him because‍ he was so⁠‌ distorted, but he‍‍‌ was one of‌ the gang who came with his‍ son.

“That⁠ knight isn’t fake, he’s real.”

“…No, why you?”

The village chief looked‌ at him and‍ seemed surprised.

His‌ face was so‍‍⁠ pale and swollen‍ that not even‌‍ the parents who‍ gave birth to‍ him could recognize‍ him.

The⁠ sound of breathing‍‍ coming out between⁠ his very broken‌‍ front teeth was‌ a gasp.

“He‌‍ could kill Thomas!”‍‌

“…!”‌⁠‌

After⁠ hearing the shocking⁠ report, the village‍‌ chief, unknowingly, pushed‌ Stephan aside and hurriedly ran out‍ through the open‍⁠ door.

For‌ the village chief,‍ the safety of his only son‍⁠‌ was equally important.‌‍

“Aaaah!”

At⁠⁠‍ that moment, a scream came down‍‌‍ from the hill‌ above.

The‍ familiar voice was‍⁠ actually that of⁠ his son, Thomas.

“Damn it…”

Stephan gritted his teeth‍ and followed the‌⁠‍ village chief.

In‌ the end, the‌ village chief’s son, who was in‌‌ a bad mood,⁠⁠ must have done⁠ something wrong.

“Please, help me!”

A pitiful cry was‍‍‍ heard, and dust⁠‍‍ rose in the⁠ distance.

It⁠‌ was dust created‍‍⁠ by Thomas, who⁠ was being dragged‍⁠‌ with his feet‌ tied behind a horse.

“Thomas!‌‍ Thomas! Someone, please,‍ stop him!”

The village chief, seeing⁠⁠ this, lost his⁠‌ temper and shouted‌‍ wildly, but no one in the‍‍ village could easily⁠ stand in the‍ way of the‍‌ galloping horse.

Through⁠ Thomas’s explosive wound,‌ traces of blood‍⁠ began to appear‍‌ all over the‍‍ village.

“Who‍‍ is the village⁠‍‌ chief?”

The‌ black horse, which had been running‍ wildly for a while, finally stopped‍‍‌ in front of⁠ the village square.‍

Although he was still‌⁠ smiling, his anger⁠‌ didn’t seem to‌‍ have completely diminished.‌

“The‌⁠ chief of this‌⁠‍ village must come⁠‌ before me.”

Blond⁠ hair and blue eyes.

And‌ a man who is too fierce‍‌ to be called‍ a knight and⁠ too proud to‍‍ be called a rogue.

Stephan‌ recognized the stranger‌‌ from afar and‍ swallowed saliva unconsciously.‍⁠

When‌ he was an‌ ally, he was⁠‍ an incredibly reliable‍ person, but when⁠‌⁠ he was an‌‌ enemy, he was‌‍ someone Stephan couldn’t handle.

“Who‍‍ is the village‌⁠‍ chief who dares‍‌ to disrespect the‍‍ honor of a knight by sending‌‍⁠ such a careless⁠⁠ bastard?”

The‍⁠‍ voice that thundered‌⁠‌ made all the villagers freeze like⁠ stones.

Small‌ evils end up‍ being devoured by‌ greater evils.

The‌‍⁠ village chief’s son,‌ who until now⁠ had ruled the⁠‍ village with mediocre‌‍ power, was now‌ covered in blood‌ and panting heavily‌ at the feet‍⁠ of a true⁠ thug.