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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 136: The last Ravnoma (1)

Chapter 136: The last Ravnoma (1)

Soldiers‌‌‌ walking along a narrow mountain trail.⁠⁠

The⁠ creaking of a carriage, likely loaded⁠‍ with something, echoed⁠⁠​ among the mountains.‍⁠​

“…But⁠‌ lately, a strange⁠‌ rumor has been‍‌ circulating.”

“What‍‌‌ rumor?”

The​ march was not‌​ only peaceful but⁠‍‍ also boring.

The​ supply convoy heading‌ to Deirmar had‍ traveled a very​​ peaceful path, and⁠​ everyone found themselves‍⁠ in a situation⁠‍ where tensions were⁠ decreasing one by⁠‌ one.

“They⁠‌‍ said that the⁠​ supply detachments heading​​‍ to Deirmar were​ being plundered.”

“Plundered?”​

One‌‍⁠ of the soldiers​ seemed bored with⁠⁠​ the walk and‍‍ began to talk​⁠ to the man​ beside him.

However,‍ the soldier who​​​ heard this simply⁠ snorted and laughed‌ as if it​⁠ were nonsense.

“They⁠⁠‍ say that some⁠‌ bandits are robbing‍​ a supply detachment​ full of soldiers.”‌⁠​

“And​​ it’s real. The‌‍ last time I was in the‌​⁠ city, I heard‌⁠ what the people‌ there were saying.”⁠‍‌

Who‍⁠ would dare to‍⁠‌ attack armed soldiers?​⁠​

Even‌​ if the supply⁠ unit is weaker​ than the general​‍⁠ military procession, it​‌ would be a burden for regular⁠ bandits to attack​⁠⁠ it.

“Don’t​‍⁠ talk nonsense. If​‍‌ it were a group capable of​​‍ robbing soldiers, rumors⁠‌⁠ would have started‍ a long time​ ago.”

“…That’s‍​ true.”

The‍⁠ soldier who was​ speaking seemed to⁠‍‍ realize that his‌⁠‍ concerns were unfounded,‍​‍ so he simply⁠ scratched his head‍ and kept his⁠‍ mouth shut.

Furthermore,‍ it’s currently a situation of war.‌‍

Even​‍‌ if there are​⁠ bandits capable of‌ robbing the supply⁠‌‌ depot, now is‍ the time to⁠ hold one’s head​‌⁠ and hold one’s​​ breath as the⁠ soldiers come and​⁠‍ go.

“Eh?”⁠

However,‌‍​ the existence of​⁠ misfortune has always‌‌ been beyond knowledge⁠‍​ and common sense.​​⁠

“It’s⁠⁠‍ an arrow! Fire‌​‌ arrow!”

“The‌‍​ carriage is on⁠‍ fire!”

A sinister being would‍ draw near when‍‌‍ called its name.‌

“The‌‍ tree is falling!”‍‍

From​‌ the bushes, arrows‍⁠ filled with murderous⁠ intentions shot out,⁠ and at the‍ same time, trees‍⁠‌ began to fall‍‍ in front and​⁠ behind the group.‌​

“It’s⁠ an attack! Attack!”⁠⁠

“Everyone,‍‍ take up arms!”‌​⁠

The‍‌​ road was blocked‍ in an instant.​​

A black horse rose‌⁠ from atop the⁠⁠⁠ carriage along with​‍‍ the screams of​‌‌ frightened horses. It‌​ was the moment⁠⁠ when the malice‍⁠⁠ of Bayezid, deeply​ rooted in the​​ West, bared its‌ teeth.

“Everyone,​ calm down!”

It⁠ was a sudden​⁠⁠ and unexpected situation,⁠⁠ but the leader⁠‌ of the supply‌ convoy quickly tried‍ to calm the‍ situation by encouraging‍ his knights and⁠‍ soldiers.

“Calm‍​ down! Protect the‌‌ cargo!”

A middle-aged knight looking⁠‍‌ solemn.

As⁠ experienced as he⁠​⁠ may seem, he⁠ quickly tried to‌‌ control the situation‌‌‍ and prepare for​‍ the impending surprise⁠‍‌ attack.

“…!”⁠

However,​‍‍ the rushed malice⁠‌‍ was faster and‌‍‍ sharper than he‌ expected.

Formidable‌‌⁠ speed.

But⁠‍​ when he saw​⁠‍ it, it was​ already too late,⁠ and when he⁠⁠‌ reacted, it had‍⁠ already passed.

“Look,​‍ gag!”

The‍ hot liquid throbbed‌​​ along with the‌⁠ cold sensation.

The​‌​ leader of the‍‌ supply unit clutched​⁠ his throat and‍ writhed as if‌ he couldn’t believe⁠‍‌ the current situation,​​ but the beats‍⁠ of his heart‍ were already pumping‌ continuously through his‌ throat.

‘…I‌‍ couldn’t even react.’​‍‌

While​‌ the soldiers were‌⁠ frozen in surprise⁠‌ at the sudden‌‌ situation, someone smiled‍‍ behind the splatters‍‌⁠ of blood.

A battle, not a duel.

However,⁠ the technique of‌ killing in a single blow was⁠ applicable on any​‌‌ battlefield.

“If‌‌ this is enough…‌ I suppose it’s​​ worth it.”

Where‌ am I and‍ how far can‌‍‍ I face it?‌‍​

The‌‌‌ young and inexperienced‍⁠‍ engineer tried to‌​ determine his position‍ through numerous cross-checks,⁠ so he was​ now sure.

“You⁠⁠⁠ two, try it‍‍‌ too.”

Now‌‌‌ I know I’ve⁠ become strong enough​ for someone.

“This‍‌​ is crazy! Captain…”​⁠

“Bastard!⁠⁠ Who the hell‍​ are you!”

Two​‌‍ knights, furious at‍ their captain’s death,​ quickly surrounded Vlad‌ with their drawn‍​ swords.

Two⁠ against one.

However,​‍ it was the​‌​ one opposing the​​ two who actually⁠ dominated the battlefield.⁠‌

“Who​⁠ am I?”

A calm yet resonant​​‌ voice.

With‌⁠ everyone paying attention,​⁠‍ a ray of​​ world began to⁠ slowly flow from‍‍ the blond-haired man.​​

“I‌ am a person​‌ who has received​‌​ legitimate authority from⁠‌ a noble person.”‍⁠​

A clearly shining aura​ began to flow‍‌ from his closed‌⁠​ left eye.

The‍​‌ flag, the name,​‌‌ and the world.‌​

Now‌ Vlad was a man qualified to‌‍‍ forge his own​‌‍ world in this​⁠‍ world.

“I​ am Lady Alicia’s‌ knight, Vlad.”

A shout silently resonates⁠‍⁠ in the middle⁠‌⁠ of the forest.⁠

The⁠ forest began to‍​‍ shake as if⁠‍‍ it had been​‍ waiting for the⁠⁠⁠ shout.

“Now!”‌‍‌

“Kill⁠⁠ them all!”

Fierce​ mercenaries, hungry barbarians.‌​

With‌⁠​ Vlad’s call, unidentified‌‌⁠ men began to​‌ rush out.

Among‍ the distorted tattoos,⁠ clearly visible were‍​​ white and gleaming‍​‍ teeth.

“Bastards!⁠​ Why did you​​​ arrive so late?”​⁠

“Now,‌ instead of trees,‌​‍ I’ll cut down⁠‍ some people!”

A shout followed by‌​ a scream.

The‍ soldiers’ helmets were‌‍​ split open under‍‌ the enormous axe.⁠

Under⁠ the constantly waving⁠⁠ West flag, the‌‍ grains loaded in‍‌‍ the carriage began‌‌ to quench their​ dry thirst by​‌ swallowing bright red‍‌ blood.

“Let’s⁠‌⁠ start quickly. If‍⁠ this continues, all‍ your men will​‍ die.”

“This‍​ bastard…”

Contrary​‍​ to Vlad’s relaxed⁠⁠​ expression, the two‌‍ knights were simply⁠ confused.

Unceasing⁠‌ screams coming from⁠ behind.

However,⁠​ that’s why the‍⁠‌ knights cannot easily​‍‍ extend their swords‍​ towards the intruder‌ in front of⁠​⁠ them.

“Aren’t‌⁠​ you coming?”

Because‍‌‍ this was now⁠‌​ Vlad’s battlefield.

Because‍‌⁠ the world that⁠ flowed naturally was‍⁠​ slowly coloring this​⁠ world with its​‌ colors.

***‍‍​

“Good​ job.”

“Yes,⁠​ father.”

A city with the‍⁠⁠ history of Bayezid.‌‌ Sturma.

The​​ two men from⁠⁠ Bayezid who were‌​ there looked at‍​‌ each other.

“As‌‌⁠ you ordered, I brought soldiers from⁠‍ all the fortresses‍ on the Northern‌ Boundary Line. There⁠‌ are approximately 1,000​ soldiers.”

“Good⁠ job.”

After‍‍ hearing Rutiger’s report,​⁠ Peter nodded satisfactorily‍​⁠ and accepted the⁠​ map handed to​‍⁠ him by advisor‍‍ Ragmus.

“The​ enemy is currently​‍‍ moving north, towards⁠‍‌ Deirmar. They have⁠‌ an approximate size​‍ of 5,000.”

Peter‍​​ explains the battlefield‌ in detail with​​‌ a map.

If​⁠ the soldiers were‌ moving openly as​‌​ they are now,​‍‍ there would be‍ no reason not‌ to notice.

“The‌‍⁠ total number of⁠ Hainal troops opposing​‌ them is about​ 3,000.”

“…Yes.”‌‍⁠

Gaidar‌ didn’t come alone.​

As‌ they came with​⁠⁠ direct and indirect⁠​‌ support from the‍ six families that​⁠ followed him, it‌ was safe to​ call them the⁠ Allied Forces of​ the West.

“What​⁠ does the master⁠⁠‌ blacksmith say?”

“He‍ said he would‌⁠ ward off any⁠‍ threat from the​⁠ barbarians, but… As​ expected, direct involvement​ in the war‌​⁠ seems difficult.”

However,‍​ despite the strong⁠ provocation from the‍​ West, the protector⁠ of the North,⁠‍ the blacksmith Timur⁠​‌ Baranov, could not​ participate in Gaidar’s‌ advance northward.

His​​ most urgent task‍⁠ would have been⁠⁠‌ to resolve the‍⁠‌ wicked existence of​​‌ Baron Utman.

The‍‍ forces in the​ center, still clustered‌‍​ and protruding like‌​ thorns, were tying‍‌‌ down the limbs​‌ of the blacksmith⁠ lord.

“On⁠⁠ the surface, it’s⁠​‍ a battle between‍ Deirmar and Gaidar,‌​‌ so apart from​ us, who are‍⁠ direct allies, other‌ lords of the⁠‍ north may not‍‌ have justification to‌ participate.”

Peter⁠ couldn’t help but⁠‌‍ frown at the​‍⁠ appearance of a disadvantage that seemed​​‍ as if someone​⁠ had set it‌ up.

A war between 7 families and 2 families.

Looking​ at the simple‍‌ numbers, it would‌ seem that the‌‌⁠ direction of the‌ game is already​⁠⁠ decided.

“But​‌ there are definitely​‌‍ gaps that can‍⁠ be overcome.”

Peter’s‍‌ finger pointed to‌ one side of​ the map.

The‌‌ back of the⁠⁠​ West.

It‌ was a place​⁠‍ where West families​ that had not‍ yet decided on​ a clear route‍​‍ were settled.

“Gaidar⁠‍ is still not⁠⁠ the complete ruler⁠ of the West,​‌‍ and his allies‌⁠‍ are like bundles‌ of straw tied‍⁠⁠ by loose bands.‌‌ So our target⁠ is this.”

The‌ main reason Gaidar​ aims north is‌ for system stability.​​​

The⁠​‍ main goal of⁠‍ this war will⁠‍‍ be to acquire‌‍ scarce resources and​​‍ at the same‍‍ time solidify his‍‌‍ system through strong‌​ military power.

“I’ll‌‌​ give you 800‍‌‍ soldiers.”

“Agreed,‍⁠‍ father.”

To​​ win, you must‌‍⁠ know your enemy​‍​ and know yourself.⁠

And‌ in addition to​​ his strengths, Peter⁠‍‌ had already seen‌‍ Gaidar’s fatal weaknesses.⁠

“Take‌‌ the soldiers I’ve‍ given you and​‌‌ descend by boat.”​‍

“…By‍‍ boat?”

Sudden​‌ direction southward.

Unlike‍‍​ Rutiger, who was‍ perplexed, Peter’s finger⁠​ was firmly pointing‍​ to the river‍⁠​ starting in Soara.‌‌⁠

“Enemies‌ are like grains⁠‌ of sand, that’s​‌‌ why we fill‍ the gaps.”

The‌ direction of war‌ is decided from⁠⁠⁠ the preparation stage.‍‌‍

From​⁠ the start, Peter‍⁠​ had no intention‌⁠ of deciding the⁠⁠ outcome of this‌‌⁠ war in a giant slalom between‍‌​ 5,000 and 3,000‍ men.

“Lead‌ your soldiers and​⁠ occupy Nassau, the⁠ city of Baron​‌⁠ Iznik’s Barony.”

“…!”‌

Peter’s​ fingers pointed towards​‍ the sea along‌‍​ the river.

No⁠⁠⁠ one would expect‌⁠ it.

In‍‍‍ the current situation,⁠‌ it’s unlikely that​⁠ Bayezid would pull⁠ out his soldiers‍‌‍ and launch a preemptive attack.

“It’s​⁠⁠ okay if we⁠​ don’t occupy it.⁠​‍ Instead, destroy it⁠​⁠ completely.”

It‍​⁠ won’t be possible‍‍ to directly enter⁠ the port of‍ Iznik, where there‌⁠‌ are many ships.‍⁠‌

However,‌​‍ it was clear‌ that Nassau city​ would have no​ way to stop‌ Rutiger’s soldiers if⁠‍ they successfully fell⁠‌ upon the nearby⁠‌‌ area.

The⁠‌‍ remaining land forces‍‌‍ were busy directing‌ a supply detachment⁠‌⁠ for Gaidar.

“It’s‍ okay, father.”

Rutiger,‍‍⁠ who finally understood‍​​ Peter’s intentions, took⁠​‌ the order handed​⁠ to him and‍‌ bowed his head.​‌‍

“Maybe​ we can get‌‍ an immovable port‌​ through this war.”​

“…It’s​⁠ not yet time‍‍​ to consider the⁠​‍ benefits.”

A war that no‌‌​ one can help.‍⁠‌

It‍‌‌ was clearly an⁠ unfavorable condition, but‌‌​ if you think​ about it the‍‍⁠ other way around,​ it also meant⁠ that all the⁠ loot from this​​‌ war belonged to‌ Bayezid.

Bishop⁠‍​ Pedro was a bishop who prepared⁠‌ not only for‌⁠ the worst but​‍ also for the‍‍ best.

“Go.‍⁠‍ Be careful.”

“Understood,​‌ father.”

Rutiger,​‌⁠ who acknowledged the‍​​ contained sincerity in⁠‍ his dry tone,‍ left the office‌‍​ with a small​‌ smile.

Crack-crack.‍⁠

The‍⁠ office where Rutiger‌​ left.

Peter‍‍ and Ragmus, who‍‌‌ were quietly looking‌‍ at the map,​​ were greeted by‍‌ a raven tapping‌​​ the window.

Judging‌‌ by the fact‍ that it was‌ tapping without hesitation,⁠‌ it seemed that⁠​‌ it was something‌ it had only‍‌‍ done once or‍⁠ twice.

“You’re‍‍ finally here.”

“Mmm.”​

A raven brought the‌⁠​ long-awaited news.

It‌ was a letter⁠‌‍ sent by a covert group that​​ Peter had cultivated​⁠ as diligently as​⁠​ the Templar Knights.⁠‌

“…I⁠‌⁠ suppose this time​‌​ he changed his⁠‌⁠ name to Marcus.”⁠​​

The​‍ name would be‌⁠‌ different each time‍‍ the letter was‌​‌ sent, but that‍‍ probably wouldn’t matter.⁠⁠​

The⁠‍ important thing is‍ whether what is‍⁠‌ written in it‌⁠ can satisfy Peter.‌⁠

“Very‌‌⁠ well.”

Peter‍‌​ didn’t easily reveal‍ his emotions, but⁠​ this time he‌ was smiling slightly.⁠⁠​

“Ragmus.​‌ Get ready to⁠‍‌ shine the crystal‌ ball on Joseph.”​‍⁠

“Okay,‍ Count.”

Looking‌ at Peter, who​‍ had a satisfied​⁠​ expression on his⁠⁠‍ face, Ragmus could‌⁠ guess what was⁠‍ written in the⁠ letter.

The‌ light of the‍ crystal ball begins‌​​ to shine brighter​ with Ragmus’s low‍⁠​ incantation.

Peter’s⁠‍‌ gaze, fixed on​​‌ the light, gradually‍ drifted away.

“…Since​‌‍ you started it,‌⁠ it’s only right‍‌⁠ that we finish​​‌ it.”

A pillar and noble‍ family of the‍ North. Bayezid.

The‍‌ eyes of the‍ head of the⁠‌‍ family, Peter Bayezid,​⁠⁠ were fixed on​‌⁠ the West’s usurper,⁠⁠⁠ who was approaching⁠ the North beyond‍‍ Deirmar.

The‌‌​ North’s cruelty had⁠‌ no intention of⁠‍ letting go of⁠‍ those who invaded‌ it.

***​

Suddenly,​⁠‍ the battlefield fell​‍ silent.

This‌⁠‌ place was filled​ with mercilessly cut⁠​​ swords behind the​ occasional groan.

There,‍‍ Vlad sat in‌‍ a half-collapsed carriage,‍‌ murmuring something.

“Is​ that good?”

“It’s‍‍ tasty. In its⁠‌⁠ own style.”

Hands‍‍⁠ were busy peeling‌⁠‌ the half-charred wheat​ husk.

However,‌ it’s a fact‌⁠‍ that no one‍ can deny that​‍‌ his behavior doesn’t‌‌​ match his appearance.‌‍‌

“Hey,​​ lieutenant. Were all‌‍ the supplies burned?”​‌‍

“Yes,⁠‍‍ they were all​‌​ burned.”

“And⁠‍​ the arrows?”

“Of‍‍ course, they were​​⁠ burned too. It’s‍‍⁠ not the first‌‍‌ time we’ve done​ this.”

Agge⁠‍ reported Vlad’s question‍ with a sigh,‍‌ as if he⁠​​ was confident.

After‍​ all, looting and‍​​ burning were one‍‍ of the barbarians’‍⁠‍ specialties.

“Did​ they loot all‍ the money too?”‍⁠‍

“…”‌‍⁠

“Bring​‌ it. Don’t leave​⁠ anything behind.”

Agge​⁠ sighed as he​​ watched Vlad’s palm​‍​ waving as if⁠ telling him to​ leave it.

“However‍​ you look at⁠‌ it, I think⁠ this suits you‍ better, not like⁠​​ a knight.”

“Bring​ it quickly. Are⁠‍ you saying they’ll​​‌ distribute it all⁠‌‍ later?”

A dark alley thug⁠‌​ naturally preying on‌ the magical meadow​ bandits.

Joseph’s‍‌‍ selection was very⁠ precise.

Stephan‍ shook his head‌‌ as he observed‌‍ the scene where‍​⁠ evil was being​ overcome by evil.⁠

“If⁠ you’ve cleared everything,⁠‌⁠ let’s go now.”​

I don’t know which​‍ family it was,⁠⁠ but Vlad’s raiding⁠ force managed to‍‌ attack the supply⁠ group according to⁠⁠⁠ instructions.

Following​⁠‌ Vlad’s instructions, the⁠‌ carriages began to⁠ ignite in various‌​‍ places.

The‍⁠​ fragrant smell of‍ burnt wheat seemed‌ to mask the⁠‌ slightly fishy smell‍‍ of blood.

“Leader.​⁠ excuse me. The‍​⁠ crow is coming.”‍⁠

“Mmm.”⁠​⁠

Like⁠ a barbarian with‍⁠​ keen sight, Agge​⁠​ spotted a crow‍ circling in the⁠⁠ sky.

Seeing​‌ that, Vlad could​‍ only nod his⁠​ head slightly.

“How‍ the hell do‍​‍ they keep coming⁠​‍ to me every‌‌ time?”

An‌ unknown item. The‍ crow, which must⁠ have been sent‍‌ by Marcus, descended⁠ slowly in circles‍ and began to​‌ approach Vlad.

The‌ sudden black feathers⁠ reminded me of⁠‌ the scarred man.‌‌

“…I‌‍ heard crows like​‌​ shiny things.”

“Is‌​ that so?”

Agge‌ shrugged and answered‌⁠‍ Vlad’s question.

“Isn’t‌⁠​ blond hair shiny?‍ I think even‌‌‍ a crow would⁠ find it easily.”‍

“…Now‌ I see you’re‍ a crow expert.”⁠⁠​

Vlad,‌​‍ responding to Agge’s‌‍ nonsense with a laugh, drew the​⁠ sword tied to​‍‍ the crow’s ankle‍⁠ with familiar hand​‍ movements.

“Where​‌ should we go‌‍‌ now?”

As⁠​​ soon as the⁠‌ mission was over,‍⁠⁠ another job arrived,‍‍ but no one​​ complained here.

After⁠‌ all, they were‌⁠ at war at⁠‌​ that time and​‍‍ knew that Bayezid​⁠​ would have an​​ advantage every time‍ they kept moving.⁠

And‍‍‌ Bayezid was one‍​‌ of the few‍ employers who paid⁠‌ generously.

“Should​ we follow the‍ crow?”

Two‍‌‌ instructions written on‍ a small note.‌‌‌

One​​​ will follow the​‌‍ crow.

And‌ one remaining command.‌​

‘Is‌ it the last​‍‌ Ravnoma left?’

From⁠‍ there, we will⁠ rescue the last⁠‍⁠ remaining Ravnoma.

Unlike​⁠‍ before, the bold​​ lettering showed the‍⁠ importance of this​‌ mission.

Caw-⁠​‌

After‍⁠ reading the final⁠ order, Vlad naturally​⁠ looked at the‍‍‌ crow, which was‍‌ stealing and eating⁠⁠ the wheat it⁠⁠‌ carried.

The​‌‍ look in our​‌‍ eyes seemed to‍‍‌ ask if we‍ were ready to‍‌‍ depart.

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