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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 133: She calls you (3)

Chapter 133: She calls you (3)

A two-story cabin built​ very closely together.​

In​‌ front of the‍‍ house, which was​‌​ too large for‍ a single villager​​⁠ to build, there​‍ was a vast‍‌‌ field of rye​​ about to be‍‍‍ harvested.

“Where​ is he?”

The​ ground creaks loudly.⁠

A sturdy man walked⁠‍‍ around the cabin‍⁠ as if it​‌​ were his own.​‌

“I​⁠⁠ came here knowing​​​ everything. So let’s⁠⁠⁠ not tire each‍ other out.”

Bloodstains‌‍ splattered on the‍⁠ brown wall.

The​ owner of the⁠‍ cabin, an old‍⁠⁠ man, looked at​‌ the red marks‍‌‍ with confused eyes.⁠‍

Under‍‍‍ the indelible red‍​​ mark was his⁠​⁠ son, who hadn’t⁠ even been able​ to close his​ eyes.

“…I‍‌⁠ don’t know what‌‌⁠ you’re asking.”

“Didn’t‌‍⁠ you see how⁠⁠‍ your son’s head‌ was blown off‍ while he said⁠⁠ that?”

His⁠​ behavior was that‍⁠ of a nobleman,⁠ but his tone⁠⁠‍ of voice was​​ extremely vulgar.

“Are‍‍​ you really going‌​ to open your⁠‌ mouth only if‍‌​ your whole family‍⁠‌ dies?”

The⁠ threatening man’s thick‍​⁠ eyebrows mercilessly furrowed.​‌​

The‌ muscles in the‌ upper part of‍ his body still⁠​ moved threateningly as​ if he were‌⁠‌ about to draw⁠ his sword.

“No‌⁠‍ matter how much‍⁠​ you’ve lived off‌⁠ Ravnoma’s iron, isn’t‌ it time to​‌‌ take care of​‍ your family? There’s‌‌⁠ no need to‍‌‍ be loyal to⁠⁠ a family that​ no longer exists.”‌

The​⁠‌ old man, once​ a knight, stopped​ laughing at the⁠‌ overflowing malice.

I can’t believe I have to see​‌ this guy boasting.‌⁠​

If​⁠⁠ you live too​​ long, you’ll end‌‍​ up seeing things​​ like this.

“No​ matter what you⁠‍ say, there’s no⁠​ trust in what⁠ you say. Vile⁠‍‌ usurpers.”

A retired old knight.‍

The​‍‌ old swordsman from⁠ Ravnoma, who tried‍ to quietly spend​ the rest of​ his life in‍⁠ his mansion, opened⁠ his mouth with‍‌‌ an ironic smile.⁠⁠

“Who‌ in the West​⁠ will believe you,‌⁠ dragon dogs?”

“Damn⁠ it…”

After⁠ hearing what the​​ old man said,​ Stephen lifted his‌‌​ head and closed​‍ his eyes, unable​‍⁠ to contain his‍​​ boiling anger.

“…If​‌‌ you tell me⁠⁠​ right now where​‍‍ the Ravnoma kid‍‍ has gone, I’ll​‍ kill you painlessly.‍ Anyway, you know​ that kid won’t‌​⁠ be able to‍⁠‍ do anything no‌⁠ matter where he‍ goes.”

An‍‍ uninvited guest who⁠⁠​ spoke as if‌ he were invited,‍‌ but who finally⁠ spoke of destruction.​​

Looking​​ at him like⁠ that, the old‍ man simply smiled​ silently.

“No⁠⁠​ matter where you⁠⁠ go, you can’t​‌⁠ do anything…”

The⁠⁠​ wrinkles were deep‌ on the old​⁠ man’s face as​⁠​ he looked at​ Stephen.

It​​‍ was a smile‌​​ like the expression‍‍ of a winner.⁠

“The‌​⁠ northern crow doesn’t‌ say that.”

“…!”​⁠​

After‌ hearing the response⁠⁠ he hated the‌ most, Stephen’s face⁠⁠ twisted like a demon.

No‌‌⁠ matter how fierce​​ the fire, if‌ the roots are⁠⁠​ alive, it will⁠⁠​ sprout again.

The⁠‍‌ true ruler of​‍ the West.

A family that brought‍ out the piece​ of dragon to⁠ swear before their‌​‍ own blood, even⁠‌ as they were‌‍‍ being defeated by​‍‍ a sudden attack.‌‌

Ravnoma.‍⁠

The‌ West still hasn’t​​​ forgotten them.

“Old‍⁠ man!”

Stephen‍​​ shouts as if‍ he were struggling‌‌⁠ to see the​ old man speaking⁠ as if mocking‌‌​ him.

“You‌⁠ should have looked‍⁠ carefully anyway!”

The⁠ sword extended from⁠‍ the tips of‌‍ his fingers and​ pierced the old‍⁠ man’s chest like‍ lightning.

“…Ugh.”‍

An‌⁠ old man collapsing‍​ with a single‍​ cry.

However,‌​⁠ the reason he⁠‍ can smile is‌‍ probably because of⁠ the knight’s pride‍ in having fulfilled‌‌​ his mission to‌‍ the end.

Because⁠ the old knight‌ from Ravnoma finally⁠ protected a seed⁠ to the end.⁠

“Burn‌ it all!”

With⁠‌‍ Stephen’s furious shouts,‍‍‍ the fire began‍‌ to spread throughout⁠ the cabin.

As‍‍ the cattle mooed‌​​ loudly, the unharvested​ rye stalks began⁠‌⁠ to bend.

The‍​ honorable mansion that‌ a man had‌ built throughout his‍‌ life was burning.‌

“Damn‍ it…”

An‍‍⁠ unfounded and despicable⁠⁠ usurper.

A promiseless shell.

Stephen​​ was trying to⁠ calm his anger,‌ recalling Gaidar’s contemptuous‌‌ names that still​‌‍ roamed the West.⁠‌

“…You‌‌ can take everything.”‍

If⁠‌ you lack honor‍‌⁠ and are scorned,​‍​ you just have​⁠ to take it.‍⁠‍

If⁠⁠‍ you are ignored‌ because you have‌‍ no history, just⁠ take it.

Because​ that was the‍ law of the⁠‌ West and Gaidar’s⁠⁠ history.

“Even​‌‍ my sword.”

Gaidar’s‌ veins roar to​⁠ the north.

Stephen’s‍ eyes filled with‍ the shadows of‌‌‌ flames fluttering in‌ all directions.

***​

“Ha…”‌​​

Stephan​​‌ let out a small sigh as⁠ he watched the​ scene before his‌ eyes.

The‌⁠ city I found‌‍‍ for the first‍ time in my​⁠‌ life.

The⁠​ city of Deirmar,‌⁠ bordering the frontier⁠‍ that separates the‌ central and northern​‍ regions, was a place with a unique flavor that⁠​ I had never​ seen before.

“You‍‌ were a very‌ famous knight in​ the North.”

“…Not⁠⁠ to that extent.”‌⁠⁠

However,‍ the reason Stephan‌⁠ and the mercenaries⁠‌‌ were surprised was​‌ not only due‌ to the first​​ impression of the​ city of Deirmar.‍‌

“Welcome⁠​ to Deirmar, Lord‍‍‌ Vlad!”

A small but sturdy⁠​‍ castle wall.

The‌‍ sight of soldiers⁠‍‌ standing below and⁠‌‌ saluting Vlad was‍​ enough to stir‍​ unfamiliar emotions in​​⁠ the mercenaries.

“No​‍‌ matter how you‌‍ look at it,‍ it’s not so​‍ bad, right?”

“Shut‍​ up.”

Seeing‌ the soldiers welcoming‍‍ them as if​‍ greeting a triumphant‌⁠ general, the mercenaries​‌​ unconsciously straightened their‌⁠​ shoulders.

The⁠‌​ life of a mercenary where there​ were many places​ to go, but‌ no welcome.

For‌ those who had​ lived a wandering​⁠ life like a drifting ship, the‌⁠⁠ current scene was‌‌​ clearly a completely⁠​ new experience, as‍ if they were‌ experiencing something like​‍‌ this for the‌ first time since⁠‌ their birth.

“Let’s‍ go for now.”‍‍‌

Vlad‍⁠​ felt the perplexed‌ looks of the​‍ mercenaries on his​‌‌ back, but decided⁠‍ to move for‍ now.

The‌‍​ relationship between the​⁠ city of Deirmar‍ and the knight‌⁠ named Vlad was‌​ too close to​‌⁠ explain in a few simple words.​‌

“Why⁠‌​ are they following‍ me?”

“Move⁠ away. You!”

The‍‌​ group entered the‍⁠ city as the​‍⁠ soldiers bid them⁠​‍ farewell.

It‌ was a quiet​ road, almost like⁠ a rural path,⁠ but the group’s⁠ progress inevitably slowed​‍ down little by​‍ little.

“…Why‍ the hell are⁠⁠⁠ they clinging to‍ me?”

The‌‌ mercenaries felt embarrassed‌ as they saw‌‌ the children looking‍ at him with‍⁠ bright eyes.

Children‍‍ clinging to the‌ mercenaries.

Although‍⁠ he had seen​‍‌ many children run‍‍‌ away, the ones​‍ who approached were⁠ mercenaries he had​ never seen before.​

“It’s⁠⁠‌ Vlad, a knight‌⁠ of honor!”

“I’ve‌‍ never seen blond‌​ hair like that‍ before.”

“I⁠ guess you really​‌‍ come from a noble family.”

“…”⁠

The‌ mercenaries, understanding what‌ the children were⁠ saying, looked at‌ Vlad once again.‌‍

They​‌‍ tried to keep‍ as quiet as​‌‌ possible and whispered‌⁠‍ among themselves, but⁠ the unique high-pitched​ voices of the‌ children were enough‌ to reach the‍​​ group’s ears.

“The​‌‌ children really like⁠‌​ the knight, sir.”‌

“…It​​ wasn’t to this⁠ extent originally.”

In‌‍ response to Stephan’s​​ question, Vlad sighed‌ and shook his‌⁠​ head as if‌​​ tired.

I’ve⁠ been to this​​ city several times,⁠‌ but this was​⁠ the first time​ I’ve seen a reaction like this.⁠

Apparently,‍ while moving with⁠⁠ a large group⁠​ of people, the‌‌ children noticed me.⁠

“It‍ becomes more like‍ this the further‍ you go.”

A northern star that‍ slowly spreads by‌⁠‌ word of mouth.⁠⁠ Vlad of Soara.‍⁠​

However,​ in this city,​ he is a known man with⁠ a slightly different‌​​ title.

Perhaps‌ it was natural⁠​ for children to‍​⁠ express curiosity towards‍‌ Vlad.

“It‍​ wouldn’t be a bad idea to‍‍ settle in a place like this‌‌‌ when I retire‍ later.”

“You’re⁠​ talking about retirement‍ as soon as⁠⁠‍ the contract ends.‍ I don’t think⁠ it’s appropriate.”

“Haha!⁠‌​ That means the‍⁠⁠ impression of this‍ place was good.”​‌‍

Stephan⁠ laughed at Vlad’s‍‍ resolute response and⁠ began to clear​ the way, pushing‌⁠ away the clinging​⁠⁠ children.

Apparently,‍‍ the young knight‍‍‍ in front of‍ me was not​‍‍ accustomed to this‍⁠ kind of hospitality.​​‌

“This⁠‌‌ is my first‌‌ time in a place like this.”​

All⁠‍⁠ the mercenaries nodded‌​‌ as Stephan spoke‌‌⁠ quietly.

They‍​‍ were men who⁠ had lived their⁠ whole lives in​⁠ a low and⁠ harsh place, so​ even though their‍ current situation was‍ quite shocking, it​‌ wasn’t particularly bad.⁠⁠⁠

The​⁠⁠ soldiers salute and‌​ the children follow.‌‌

And​ there was even⁠​‌ a white snake‌ waiting on the​‍ roof of the​ mansion, eagerly stretching‌‌​ its neck.

The‍⁠‍ small town of⁠‌‌ Deirmar now welcomed‍‌‍ them wholeheartedly.

***​

The⁠⁠​ color white silently⁠‍‌ fades away.

One⁠⁠‍ two. Without a sound.

“We‍‍⁠ believe they’re around​‌‍ 5,000 people.”

“5,000?”‍

The⁠​‍ knight from Bayezid​‍⁠ begins pouring sugar⁠‍⁠ cubes into a small teacup.

Alicia​‍ swallowed hard at⁠⁠‍ Bordan’s powerful movements,‍ who lived only​‌ for today, not‍​ for tomorrow.

“That’s‌‌⁠ right. It’s 5,000.”‌⁠​

Bordan’s‌⁠‍ teacup was rising,​​‌ but Alicia’s mouth‌‌ was actually closing.‌‌⁠

Because⁠‍ the word “5,000”​ he uttered carried‌​​ a lot of‌ weight.

“The​⁠ letter you sent​‌ clearly stated 3,000…”‍

“Gaidar’s​​‌ riders are following‌ us.”

Gaidar,⁠ the new ruler​ of the West.​​

They⁠ weren’t traveling alone‍ to the north.​​

They​ were also emerging​‌‌ with other families‌ from the West.‍

“This​‌​ is the fear​​ of monarchs who​ call themselves rulers.”⁠

“…”‌

As⁠ soon as Alicia​ heard Bordan’s words,‍⁠‌ she felt bitterness​‌ welling up inside‌ her.

She​‍ felt like she⁠ wanted to take​‍ the teacup held​‌ by the old​‍‌ knight and drink​ it right away.‌

“…What​​⁠ do you plan​​ to do, Bayezid?”⁠‌‌

Alicia’s‍ face hardened under‍‍‍ the increasing burden.⁠‍‍

The‌​‌ expression on the‍‌ face of the‌‍ old knight Duncan⁠​‍ also grew sterner‍ as he looked‌‍ at her.

“Currently,⁠ 500 reinforcements are‍​‍ on their way‍‌ to Deirmar. The‍ reason I came‌‍ here first was‌‍ to ask you⁠‌‍ to please open⁠‍ the gates for‌‌ them.”

“500?​‌‍ Is that all?”‍

The⁠ number of troops‌ sent to prepare‍‌‍ for 5,000 was⁠ only 500.

Upon‍ hearing Bordan’s response,​⁠ Alicia frowned as​‌‌ strongly as she‍ could, but the‍​​ old knight dealing‍​​ with her just‍ remained calm.

“We’re⁠‌‌ currently keeping Bayezid’s⁠​ soldiers in Soara.​ We even eliminated⁠⁠ the soldiers in‍ the north.”

The⁠‌​ city of Deirmar‍‌‌ was too small‍​‌ to accommodate thousands‌ of soldiers.

Although‍ it had strong‌​ walls, it was​ a small city‍⁠‍ that would be⁠‌ inefficient, so Peter⁠⁠​ Bayezid had to​​‌ manage his troops​‌ as flexibly as⁠ possible.

“…And⁠ you’re even eliminating‍ soldiers from the‍​⁠ North. So, what‌​ do the barbarians‌ plan to do?”‌‍​

Those⁠‌ who don’t believe‍​‌ in God.

The‍​​ barbarians beyond the⁠‍‍ Northern Limit Line⁠‌⁠ had always been​ a nuisance to‍​ the northern lords.‌‍

This​‍‍ was also the⁠ reason why the‌‌ Baranov family, which⁠‌ had blacksmith workers,​⁠ could receive the​ title of duke​ even though they‌‍ were despised northern⁠​​ lords.

“You⁠‍ don’t have to‌⁠ worry about that.​ Lord Joseph has‍⁠ already taken care‍ of it.”

Bayezid​‍‍ was already aware‌‌‌ of Gaidar’s ambition‌ to advance northward,‌ so he made‍‌ constant efforts to‌‌⁠ prevent the creation​​‍ of two fronts.​‌‍

Although⁠⁠‍ it may not⁠ be complete, appeasing​ the barbarians using​‌​ the Agge and‌‍ Budart tribes would⁠​‌ be effective at​‌‍ least in this‍ war.

“Lord​‌​ Joseph said he‌​‌ would protect Deirmar​ as if it​ were his own⁠​‍ body.”

Seven‍⁠ hundred fifty against​‌​ five thousand.

And‌​ the walls of‍ Deirmar, which had​‌ protected Hainal for​ a long time.​

Continue‌ with this and‍ counterattack while preparing.​

The​ cold northern wind‍ was already prepared​‍ for the harsh⁠‌ western wind.

“Can​ we just wait?”‍

“Of‌ course. Not only​‍ this, there are‍‌ many methods that‍ Lord Joseph is⁠ preparing…”

Knock⁠‌ knock.

As‍⁠​ the two exchanged⁠‍‌ detailed stories about⁠ the war, they‍ heard a soft​ knock.

“Lady‌ Alicia. A guest‌ has arrived now.”‌⁠

“Ah.​⁠⁠ It seems you’ve⁠‌⁠ finally arrived with‌ the soldiers.”

Bordan​​⁠ heard the butler’s‌ words and stood‍‌ up, rubbing his‌​ palms.

“Please⁠ believe in Bayezid’s​ sincerity. The person⁠ who led this​ reinforcement force of‌‍⁠ 500 is…”

Following⁠ the butler’s guidance,‌⁠ the door opened​‌ and the man‍‌‍ entered the office‍​ with Bordan’s introduction.‍

“Huh?”‌‍

Everyone’s⁠⁠ eyes widened as‌‍ they recognized the⁠‍ man.

The⁠ man’s blonde hair,‍ illuminated by the‍ sunlight, filled Alicia’s‌​ eyes.

“Long‍ time no see.‍‌ Lady Alicia.”

A man who came​ running from the​​‌ distant West upon‌ learning of Deirmar’s‌⁠ misfortune.

Lady⁠‌‌ Alicia’s knight had‌‍​ already arrived here.‌

With‍ Bordan’s puzzled expression⁠ as if asking‌‌ why he came⁠ from there.

“…You’re⁠⁠‍ a little late.‍‍⁠ Sir Vlad.”

Alicia,⁠​ who finally found​‍ the face she‌⁠‍ was looking for,⁠‌ greeted her knight‍ with a bright‌ smile.

The​​‌ tips of her‌ fingers, trembling slightly⁠ like her eyes,​ held a lump​⁠ of white sugar.‍

All⁠ her senses, which​⁠‌ until now had‍⁠ only felt bitterness,‍⁠‍ finally found the‍ sweetness that she‍⁠‌ could finally exhale.⁠​​

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