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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 131: She calls you (1)

Chapter 131: She calls you (1)

A garrison stood on​‍ the northern meadows,‌ now covered in‌⁠⁠ grass.

The​‌‌ flags waving among‌‍‍ the numerous tents‍‌‍ bore emblems representing​ the Holy See⁠⁠ and the Dragon​‍‍ Slayer Knights.

“…Why​‌‍ haven’t you entered⁠ yet? Lord Radu.”​​

Within‌ the commander’s headquarters,‍ more deeply decorated.‍‌⁠

Bishop‌ Pedro, who was​⁠‌ there, looked at‌⁠​ the man in⁠ front of him​ without even glancing‍ at the teacup⁠ the host had‌⁠ given him.

“It’s⁠ been two months‌⁠ since we sent⁠‌ the army. But​ you’re still looking⁠‍ on with great​⁠‍ anticipation.”

The‌ tone of voice​‍ is polite, but‌​‍ there’s an anger​​‍ within that can’t​‍‌ be hidden.

Bishop‍⁠‍ of Soara and⁠ inquisitor.

Pedro⁠ continued speaking forcefully,‌ as if he‌⁠ couldn’t bear it​‌ any longer.

“The​​ God above won’t‍ be very pleased‌‍⁠ with your current​​ faithless attitude. So,⁠⁠ Lord Radu, even‍‍​ now…”

“I‌‍‌ will.”

Pedro’s‍⁠ words contained enough​⁠​ anger to be‌‍ ignored, but the‍⁠ man seated before‍ him remained calm.​​

“At​‌ this moment, I’m‍ just waiting for⁠‍‌ an opportunity.”

His​​ carefully brushed red‌ hair, shining with‍‍ hair oil, caught​ attention.

However,‌​‍ the blue eyes⁠‌ that met testified​‍‍ clearly that Radu‌⁠‍ had dragon’s blood.‌⁠⁠

They⁠​ were blue eyes‍‌⁠ with an energy⁠ that was not‍‌ human.

“You‌⁠‍ haven’t confirmed how​‌⁠ long you’ll do‍​ this, have you?”‍​​

“…”‌⁠​

Radu​‍⁠ Dragulia of the⁠​ Dragonslayer Knights.

The‌⁠ man who inherited⁠‍ the blood of‌⁠​ the Dragon Blood‌⁠ Prince was looking‍⁠ at Bishop Pedro​‍‌ and suppressing his⁠‍ impulse.

“So,​​ when do you​ plan to draw⁠⁠ your sword?”

“Isn’t‌ it that simple?”⁠

Though‌ facing a bishop​ promoted by the​‍ Vatican, Radu’s attitude⁠‌ showed no hesitation.‌‍

Because⁠ there was only​‍ one person he‍ feared in this‌​ world.

“When‌ my father permits‌‌ it.”

“…”⁠

Radu‌‍ put both feet⁠​⁠ up on the⁠‌ table and shrugged.⁠‌⁠

Pedro‍⁠ was left speechless⁠ at that relaxed‌ appearance.

“…Please​‌‌ don’t mix human‍‍ intentions with the​ will of God‍‌ too much.”

“Don’t‌​ worry too much,‌ Bishop. It won’t‍ take that long.”‌‍

Radu‍‌ lifted the glass‌​​ of alcohol served‌​ to him and‌ shrugged.

Pedro‍ couldn’t help but‌​ be inwardly angry​‍ at his attitude,‍ as if he⁠⁠⁠ were telling him⁠​‍ to leave now.‍‌

The⁠ dragon’s impulse freed‍⁠⁠ from its leash⁠‌ was already looking‌ toward the Holy‌‍ See.

“…I’ll‌‌‍ find out.”

“I⁠‌‍ won’t accompany you.⁠​⁠ Bishop.”

In​ the end, Bishop⁠⁠‍ Pedro had no‍ choice but to​ bite his lip⁠‌⁠ and leave the‍ tent.

It⁠‍ was a matter⁠⁠⁠ that had to‍‍ be resolved with‌ a flag raised⁠⁠ in the name​​​ of God or⁠⁠ with a human​‌ sword, so an‌​ army could not⁠ be raised without‍​​ Radu’s permission.

Because⁠‍‍ it was a contract agreed upon‍​ to begin with.​

‘This‍ is bad.’

The‍⁠‌ midday sun illuminated‌​‌ Pedro’s eyes as​​ he exited the‍‍ tent.

This‍⁠⁠ is the sight⁠ I see when‍​‌ I cover my​⁠ bright eyes with‌​ my hand.

Flags​​ waving in the​⁠⁠ wind.

The‍‍ space between them‌⁠​ was filled with​​​ tents arranged in⁠ an orderly manner.​‍​

‘Even‍⁠ after all this.’​‍

Though‌​ he had prepared‌⁠ up to this‍⁠ point, in the​‌ end, he was⁠⁠‍ misled by the⁠⁠‌ intentions of the​‌‍ Dragon Blood Lord.‌

Before​ he knew it,⁠​ they had taken‌​‌ away his cause⁠ and the sword‌⁠ hilt was never​‍‍ his from the⁠​⁠ start.

“…”⁠

I know why you’re‌ so quiet.

They‌​ probably wanted to‍‌‍ keep the North⁠​ under control.

The‌⁠‌ central forces, which⁠⁠⁠ had risen after‌​​ a long time,⁠ were stuck like​‌‍ stakes in the‍‌ center of the⁠ northern part, justifying​ their special existence.⁠

What‍‍ was at stake‌‌‌ driven by Dragon‍‌‌ Blood was suppressing⁠‍​ the movements of‌⁠‌ Steel Ball and​​‍ the Northern Union.​

‘…I‍ hope it’s not​​‌ too late. ‘Dragon‌​ Blood’.

Pedro‍⁠‍ only hoped it‍ wasn’t too late.‌‍

Baron‌ Utman.

Where​‌ the garrison faces.‍‌

The​‌ sinister energy emanating⁠ from there had​ suddenly taken shape⁠‌⁠ and descended like‍ black mist.

The​ mist was so​‌⁠ thick that neither​‌ the approaching summer⁠​‍ energy nor the​ late afternoon sunlight⁠ could reach it.⁠​⁠

***⁠‌

Unlike​⁠ yesterday, the empty​‍ village seems unsettling.⁠

In‍‌⁠ the quiet village,⁠ as if everyone​ had left, only⁠‌⁠ tools and farm⁠⁠ things that hadn’t‌ been taken away⁠‌ were left lying‌‌ around.

“Mom,​ Marie, take care.‍⁠​ Even when you​​⁠ go there, keep⁠‌‌ your composure…”

Among⁠‍ the people slowly​⁠ leaving, Goethe tightly⁠‍‌ held his mother’s‌‌⁠ hand and begged​​ her to pray.​​

“Please‍ take care of‌ my mom and‍⁠‌ Marie. I thought⁠⁠ we were the⁠ same family, no,​ now we are‌ the same family,​⁠‌ right?”

“I’ll‍‌ do my best,⁠ big brother.”

The​‌ villagers start to‍‌⁠ leave Wisteria Village.‌⁠

In‌ front of him,‌ the village chief⁠​ shouted loudly, telling‍ them not to‌​ leave, but no​ one listened.

I saw the signs​​‌ of war approaching​‌ right in front‌‍ of me and‌‍⁠ it didn’t make​‌‍ sense to stay‍​​ silent.

“I⁠⁠ went to Marcia‌‌‌ and got locked⁠ up. No matter‌ how territorial a battle is, it’s⁠​​ rare for a city to be‌‌⁠ captured.”

“Be‌ careful, Goethe. Mom​ always worries about‍ you more than‍‌ anyone else.”

Goethe’s‍​ eyes are full⁠‍⁠ of concern as​⁠ he looks at⁠ his mother’s wrinkled​ face.

They​ were so moist‍ they looked like‌ they were about⁠‍ to drip.

“…Take‌‌​ care of the‌ money I gave‌⁠ you. Send a letter to Soara​‌‌ as soon as⁠ you arrive. At‌​⁠ least you should‌⁠⁠ be able to​‌ make contact there.”​​​

“You​‍‌ should also be‌‌‌ careful, big brother.”⁠

We⁠ were a family⁠‍ that finally reunited,⁠ but now we‍‌ have to part​ again.

Having‌⁠ to send his‌ family through a difficult and treacherous​ evacuation route also​ made Goethe feel⁠‍‍ like he was‍ going to lose⁠​‌ his composure.

“Tsk.”​‍

Vlad‌ clicked his tongue‌⁠ as he watched‌‌ Goethe, who was​‍⁠ worried about the‍‍ unfortunate parting.

A son preparing to‍⁠‍ bid farewell to​⁠ his mother.

Vlad,⁠‍‍ who observed the​⁠ scene in silence,​ scratched his head​⁠ and frowned.

“Hey.‌ Goethe.”

“…”​‍

“Hey.​ Can’t you hear​ me?”

Goethe‍ silently waves his‌⁠ hand as he‍‌ watches the people‌⁠ move further away.‌⁠⁠

Vlad‌‍⁠ grabs Goethe, who​​ is busy saying​​​ goodbye, by the⁠‌ collar and holds⁠ him up to⁠‍ his face.

“What’s,⁠‌‌ what’s going on,‌‍ Captain?”

For​‍ some reason, Vlad’s​ expression looks fierce.​

Goethe​‌​ shrinks back seeing‍ his expression as‌‌ if something about‌‌ it makes him‌ uncomfortable, but what​ he hears is‍​ completely unexpected.

“You’re‍‍‍ leaving too.”

“Eh?”‌‌‌

It‌‍ was a journey​ that anyway would‌‌ only return to⁠ Soara

So​​ he no longer‍⁠ needed Goethe’s guidance.‍​​

“…What’s‌ that?”

“These​​​ are vacations. I’ll‌​‌ give you plenty​ of time off.”⁠

Though​​ it was just⁠​ for a moment,⁠ Vlad could recall‌ old memories through⁠‌ Goethe’s family.

So,‌⁠ if possible, he‌⁠ just wanted to​​‌ fully remember it.‍

Now‍‌ the memories he⁠⁠ had were so‍⁠‍ old and worn‌‌​ out that he‍‌​ found it difficult​⁠ to remember them​‌⁠ properly.

“In​‌ exchange, it’s unpaid‍‍​ leave.”

“…Captain.”‌‍

Goethe​ froze, as if⁠ embarrassed by Vlad’s‍ sudden suggestion.

The‍ fingers of the⁠ cunning scammer trembled‌​‍ as if he‍ had noticed something.⁠

“Was‍ I fired?”

“…It’s‍​ vacations. You’re crazy.”⁠⁠‌

“Unpaid​‌‌ long leaves: that’s⁠ how employers usually​ talk about layoffs.”‌

Vlad‌⁠‌ felt like he‍‍‌ could feel Goethe’s‍​ life story through‌‍ the conversation he⁠⁠ heard.

“Leave‍​⁠ quickly. I’ll see⁠‌⁠ you later in​ Soara.”

“Eww,‍‍ uh!”

Only⁠‍⁠ then did Goethe⁠⁠​ understand Vlad’s intention‍‌‍ and quickly mounted​ his horse.

Consideration⁠‌⁠ contained in a cold tone of‌‌‍ voice.

Vlad’s⁠⁠⁠ consideration was even​⁠‌ felt in the​ spoon he stirred⁠‌‍ in front of‌​ his mother last‌ night.

“Thank​ you, Captain!”

For​‌‌ some reason, the‍ procession of people​‍​ visible over the‌⁠‍ hill in the⁠⁠​ distance seemed confused.⁠

The⁠‍ shorter the moment⁠‍⁠ of separation, the‌‌ better, but Goethe​​⁠ couldn’t easily leave​ his position.

“I’ll​‌‌ take my mother⁠⁠ to a safe⁠​⁠ place and come​‍ back for you‍​ right away!”

“Will⁠ there be space‌‌ for you by⁠​​ then?”

With​ sincerity.

But⁠‌ there would be​‍ no misunderstandings.

The​‌ two people who​ met on a winter day had​‍⁠ already reached a level where they⁠​ understood each other.‌‍

“…You’re‍‍‌ not good at⁠​ receiving ships like⁠‍ Harven.”

Vlad‍​⁠ smiled bitterly as‌ he watched Goethe‌ go to his​‌⁠ family.

When‍‍​ they met, he‍​ seemed like a fraud, but when‌⁠ he left, he‌⁠‌ seemed like a sincere person.

Goethe‍​ from Wisteria Village‌​‌ ran to his​​ family.

“It’s⁠​ okay, go quickly.”⁠‌⁠

Although‌‌⁠ he said he‌ would come soon,​‌ it was a farewell that, at‍⁠‍ best, would last‍ for several months.‌

Perhaps​‍​ I won’t see​ you again.

Vlad⁠⁠​ knew very well‍​⁠ that separation was‌‍‍ temporary.

“…To‌ be honest, it⁠‍‌ wasn’t delicious. Potato​‍ stew.”

Looking‍⁠​ at Goethe’s back⁠ as he left,⁠​ Vlad uttered a word he couldn’t⁠‌ bear to say.‌‍

It‌ tasted like mom’s,‍ but it didn’t‌‍​ taste good.

The​⁠ afternoon sun hanging‌‍ in the middle‌⁠ of the sky⁠​‌ tickled Vlad’s eyes.‌‌‍

Blue‌ eyes covered with⁠ palms to shield⁠ from the bright⁠‌ sun.

The⁠ color of the​‌‌ eyes watching the‍‌‌ departing people was⁠ cold, but the⁠​‍ warmth contained in‌​ them seemed warm.‌‌

***​

“As‍ expected, the further‍ north you go,⁠‍‍ the colder it⁠⁠⁠ gets.”

Men‍ walking along a small forest trail.‌‍⁠

Stephan⁠‍‍ joked and approached‍‍ Vlad.

However,⁠​⁠ his words only‍‍ made him tremble‍ under Noir’s fierce‌‍ gaze.

It‍‍​ seems that Vlad​ wasn’t the only‍‌⁠ one saddened by​‌‌ Goethe’s departure.

“How‌ far will you⁠​‍ follow me?”

“To‍⁠ the north. Is​​ it only a week until Soara?”⁠‍​

Stephan‍ and Thorn’s mercenaries.⁠⁠

They​ were now following‍⁠‍ Vlad.

“Why‌‌ do you have‍ to follow me‌ to Soara?”

“That’s​‌‍ because I haven’t‍‌‌ adapted yet.”

Their​⁠‌ wanderings, which began​ in the eastern​ city of Tanovo,‌‌ were not yet⁠ over.

As⁠ time passed, the‌ value of mercenaries‌ increased, but that⁠ didn’t mean they‍⁠⁠ could just sit‌⁠ anywhere.

“After⁠⁠‌ all, I’m in‌‌ the position to‍ do business with‍​‍ my own life.⁠​ You have to‍​‌ be picky when⁠⁠‍ choosing an employer.”‌​

“…After​ hearing that, it​⁠⁠ wasn’t necessarily my‌⁠‍ fault. Since you’re‍⁠​ so demanding, I haven’t been able​‍⁠ to find a place until now.”‍⁠

“Haha!‍‌⁠ Isn’t that why​ you’ve survived until​​‍ now?”

Stephan‍‌​ simply smiled cheerfully​⁠ at Vlad’s reprimand.⁠

If‌‍⁠ possible, he had‍ to please this‍‌ young knight.

“I​​⁠ can accept whatever‌ you want.”

His⁠ tone of voice‍‍ is rough, and‍​ his attitude is⁠‍ cold.

However,⁠‍​ since his behavior​‍‌ towards his squire‍‍ was warm, it​‍‍ was clear he⁠ didn’t have a bad personality.

‘Even‍‌‍ if his personality‌​‍ is a bit⁠​‍ messy, it’s worth⁠ following him.’

I recognized him as‍ Stephan, who had⁠ been with Vlad​‍ for a long‍ time, from the‍​ moment he rescued‍‌ him from the‍‍‍ Dobrechi forest to⁠‍ the Wisteria Village.​

This⁠ guy is going​‍⁠ to be big.⁠⁠

Unlike​‍ before, Vlad’s value‍ now shone so‌‌ brightly that anyone​ could easily recognize⁠​⁠ it.

“If⁠ you pass through​ Soara, how can⁠​ you receive the‍‍ mission there?”

“…I​‌​ don’t know, I’ll‍ figure it out‍‍ when I get⁠​ there.”

If‍​ he has good‍‍​ skills, a good​ personality, and great‍ prospects, then joining​​ without delay would​ be the right​‍‌ thing to do.⁠

This‌ was clearly an‌ opportunity, as even‌⁠​ the strongest competitors‌ were eliminated on​‍‍ their own.

“Why⁠‌⁠ are you asking‍ about my job?”‌

“Hehe.‌ Isn’t this also⁠ fate?”

How⁠‌ can I have‍⁠ a drink in⁠‍‌ Soara…?

Stephan⁠‍ shows a friendly​ smile and tries​​‍ to joke.

However,​​‍ Vlad’s eyes narrowed‌​‍ as he looked​ at him.

“Wait‍​⁠ a moment.”

“Yes?”​‌‍

Sounds‍​‍ following the wind.‌

Vlad’s‌ sensitive ear began‌‌ to pick up​⁠ something.

Sounds⁠‍⁠ coming from far‍‌ away.

It‌ was the sound‌‌​ of horse hooves.​​‍

“Someone⁠⁠ is coming.”

“…!”⁠​⁠

Vlad‍‌​ quietly places his‍⁠ hand on the⁠ hilt of his‍‍ sword.

Stephan,‍ who recognized that‍‌ Vlad’s appearance was‌‌​ unusual, quickly signaled‌‍⁠ to his group.‌‌

“Prepare​ formation!”

Following‍⁠​ his signal, a group of Thorn⁠ mercenaries immediately surrounded‍ Stephan and Vlad‌​​ with their horses.⁠‌

Vlad​‌ was momentarily surprised​ by their neat⁠‍ appearance.

“I​‌ can see it.”‍‍⁠

“Mmm.”‌‍

Naturally,⁠ Stephan stands beside‌⁠‌ Vlad and begins‍⁠‌ to report.

Through‌ their field of​⁠ vision, they could​‍⁠ see men approaching⁠‌‍ from the distance.⁠‌

“It‌‌ seems there are‌​ 20 people.”

Although⁠​ the number seemed⁠ to be double⁠‌ the group’s, there‌​ was no need⁠⁠ to back down.‌‌​

Thornwood’s⁠​‍ mercenaries were experienced‌‍ men and knew‍‍‍ clearly in what‍ position they stood.‍

“Halt.‌⁠ The person at​​​ the front must‍⁠ identify themselves.”

Men⁠ with black hoods‍​ approached confidently, as‌​‍ if they had‌⁠⁠ nothing to hide.‍⁠

Although‍ they disguised themselves⁠‍​ as ordinary people,⁠‍​ Vlad could feel‍‌ an unusual energy​ coming from them.‍

“I’m‌‍ starting to feel‍ a little more‍ annoyed now. I’ve‍‍ grown a lot.‍⁠ It’s completely different​ from what it​⁠ was back then.”‍‍‍

“…You⁠ seem to know​‌ me, don’t you?”‌​‌

A man with a smile on his​ face as if​​‌ he knew him.⁠

Vlad​‍ raised his sword‌‌ towards the unknown​‌ man.

I don’t know, but‍ there’s nothing more​ suspicious than someone​ who knows me.‍​​

“Who‌​ the hell are‌ you. Just answer​ the question.”

“…”‌​‍

A man who doesn’t⁠⁠ care at all⁠⁠ about Vlad’s increasing​​ impulse.

He‌ silently rummaged inside‌ his chest and‍​‍ pulled out a piece of stiff​‌ paper.

It​ was a piece​​ of paper with⁠‌ a familiar seal​⁠‌ engraved on it.​

“Lord‍ Joseph sent me​ here. Knight Vlad.”⁠‍

“What?”‍⁠

The‌⁠‌ man’s face becomes‌‍⁠ visible as he‍‍⁠ raises the hood​ along with the⁠ order he holds.‍‍

His​​ face was covered​​‌ in countless deep‌​‍ scars.

“From⁠ now on, you‌ won’t come to‍ Soara, but you’ll‌​​ go to Deirmar.”⁠

“What?”‍‌

Vlad​ recognized the man‍​ along with the‌​ scars.

It⁠ was only a single encounter, but‌ it was an‍⁠​ unforgettable sight for‍ Vlad.

He‌ was a man⁠‍​ remembered by Vlad‍ for his first‌​ impression as strong​​​ as his face.‍‍

“Until​ you receive new​ instructions, I order⁠‌‍ you to act⁠​ as a knight‌​ of Lady Alicia‍ and not as⁠‌ Vlad of Soara.”‍‍‌

The‌⁠‍ leather pouch that​​ Joseph showed in‍ the carriage.

Inside‌⁠ was the head‌‍‌ of a man‍ with wide-open eyes,​‌‌ unable to close⁠ them.

“This​​ is the name‍ of Joseph Bayezid,‌‍‍ the noble blood​ of the North.”⁠‍

The⁠‍ hidden sword of‍⁠‌ the Bayezid family.​‌

The⁠​⁠ unknown knight who‍‌ had cut off‍ Endre Hainal’s head‌‌‌ was now standing⁠ in front of‍⁠‌ Vlad.

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