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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 137: The last Ravnoma (2)

Chapter 137: The last Ravnoma (2)

Westward,‍‍⁠ even further west.‌

A city located only‌ in a place​⁠ where an endless​ stretch of desert‌‍ extends.

The⁠⁠ troops departing from​‌‍ Gaidar’s capital, Trinova,‌ passed through the⁠ center of the⁠‌ west and advanced‌⁠⁠ slowly northward, toward‍‌ Deermar.

“Ha…‌​‌ hahahaha.”

Among​ the rows of‍ soldiers lined up⁠‌‍ in black, stood​ the man under‌‌ the most striking⁠⁠‌ banner.

Count⁠ Gaidar, whose wide-open‍⁠ eyes were as‌⁠‌ impressive as his​​ well-developed upper body,​ was looking at⁠⁠‌ the report with​ a helpless smile.‌⁠

“So,‍​ you’re saying all⁠‍ of this was‍​⁠ done by one​⁠⁠ man?”

“That’s‍⁠​ correct, Count.”

The‍‌ reason he now‌⁠ smiled with empty⁠‍‍ hands.

That‍ was because the⁠⁠⁠ contents written in‍​‌ the report he‍‌ held were absurd‌ even to himself.​​

“A​‌ total of 7 supply units from​⁠​ 4 families were⁠​ attacked along the​​ road… Goods were‍ completely destroyed, and⁠ the troops were‌ annihilated.”

Though⁠⁠‍ he read it⁠⁠‌ slowly, it didn’t‍ immediately catch his‍ attention.

It‌‍ was hard to‍ humbly accept the‍‍‌ painful loss, but‍‌​ more than anything,​ it was something​ difficult to understand⁠‌‍ with common sense.​

“But⁠⁠ it only took‌⁠‌ them six days‍⁠ to do this.”‌‌

Count​​‌ Gaidar, looking over⁠‌ the exhaustive list,‍ smiled despairingly and‌‌ scratched his chin.‍​‌

“If⁠ you follow this‍⁠‌ report, there was‍​⁠ even a moment⁠ when I bathed⁠​ twice in a day.”

The‌‍​ inevitable anger that​​ arises after feeling​‍⁠ powerless.

Count‍ Gaidar’s thick brows‍‌⁠ suddenly moved wildly‌⁠ as he looked​⁠ over the report.⁠‍

“So,⁠⁠ this is the​ lad? The one​​ who took my​‍ son’s sword?”

“Yes,⁠​ Count.”

Godin,​ standing beside the⁠​ Count, nodded silently‌ and spoke up.⁠‌

“Vlad⁠‍‌ of Soara. He’s‌‌‌ now a knight⁠ working under the​ name Lady Alicia.”​‍

Vlad‌‌ of Soara.

A knight from the‌⁠​ north raised by‍​⁠ Bayezid.

“And​⁠‍ this is the‌‍‌ lad Jorge raised​ in the alley.”‍‌⁠

“Jorge…”​‌‌

And‍‌ the lad who‌⁠ was Jorge’s Dagger.‌⁠

As​ Count Sigmund pondered‌ over the old‍ name, the image‍‍ of a man‌‌‌ came to mind.‍‌​

Huge‌‍​ body, blunt character.‍

And‌‍ the faithful dog‍‌ of the former⁠ head of the‌ family, who always⁠​⁠ eyed him warily.‌

“…You‌ should have killed​​‍ him when you⁠ first met.”

“I’m⁠ sorry.”

After​‌ hearing Godin’s report,⁠⁠ Sigmund shook his‌‍ head and clicked​ his tongue.

That‌ guy’s footprints, whom‌​​ he disliked even⁠‌ in death, were⁠ now sweeping over‌ the West.

As‍‌ expected, this lad‌ named Jorge was‌⁠‌ someone whom Sigmund​‍‌ didn’t like even‌ after his death.‌​‍

“Bayezid​ clenched his teeth.‍ It seems they‍​⁠ trained hard to⁠ prepare for this​‍ moment.”

Thought⁠‍ Sigmund Gaidar.

Those​​ now stirring the⁠​⁠ rear must be⁠ specially trained talented⁠⁠ individuals by Bayezid.​

Otherwise,⁠ they couldn’t be⁠‌‌ racing along the‌ roads of the‌ west coast at‍⁠⁠ such ludicrous speeds.‍​‍

That’s‍⁠ why Vlad’s movements‍ were so swift‌ they forced Sigmund​​ into making a wrong decision.

“It‌ seems Count Bayezid‌​​ wants to buy⁠⁠​ time.”

However,‍‍ Sigmund could read⁠‌ a bit of‌⁠ Peter Bayezid’s intention⁠‍⁠ through this series‌‌ of events.

Though​‌‍ the looted supplies‌⁠‌ were a painful‌ loss, they weren’t​‌​ just a heap‍‌​ of ashes.

“Increase‌‌ the speed of‌‌‌ the entire army’s⁠ advance. We must⁠⁠ reach Deirmar as​⁠ quickly as possible.”‌⁠

As​⁠ big as a bear, yet as‌​⁠ cunning as a fox.

He‌​‍ was Count Sigmund⁠‍ Gaidar, the Usurper‌‌​ of the West.‌

“You⁠‌‍ won’t be able‍ to prolong it​ until winter as⁠‍ you intended.”

The‍​⁠ current was on​‍ Gaidar’s side, but​ time was on‌⁠‍ Bayezid’s side.

Peter‌ Bayezid pressed Sigmund,​ reminding him meticulously‍ of the basics​ of war through​ this series of‌‍‌ events.

An​‌‌ attacking expeditionary force⁠‍​ and a defensive‍ army performing a sit-in.

It​⁠ was clear that​‌⁠ the longer the⁠​ time passed, the⁠ more disadvantageous it‌ would be for‌⁠‌ the West, so‍​⁠ Peter must have‍ been trying to​ buy time, waiting‍⁠ for the next⁠‍ winter.

“All‌ troops, listen up!‍⁠⁠ From now on,‍ the pace will‌​⁠ be faster!”

Sigmund‍⁠‌ decided to speed​‍ up the soldiers’⁠ advance, personally encouraging⁠‍ them loudly.

Once⁠‌ you’ve felt the​ other person’s intentions,‌‍​ there’s no reason⁠⁠ to let yourself⁠ be carried away.‌‌

In‌ the fierce battle‍​⁠ to gain control‌‍‍ of the battlefield,⁠ Count Gaidar decided​⁠‍ not to forget‌‍‌ his ultimate goal.​⁠⁠

In‍⁠​ the end, Deirmar‌⁠⁠ is where the​⁠‍ first step in‍‍ this war will‍ be taken.

“Count!”‌​‍

“What’s⁠​‍ happening?”

However,⁠‌‍ the report from⁠⁠ the scout who‍​‍ was now running‌‌‌ towards him was‍‍ enough to distract‌ him from his‌ reasoning.

“The…‍‌ bridge over the‌‍‌ river ahead of‌⁠ us.”

A report that could‌‌‌ be understood without‌⁠ having to hear‍‍​ the background.

Before‍‌​ the scout finished‍‍​ speaking, Sigmund hurriedly​‌ began reprimanding the‍‌ soldiers who were⁠ still in front.‌⁠

“It’s​ destroyed.”

“Damn‍‍​ northerners!”

As⁠‍​ Godin had said,‍⁠‌ the bridge over‍‍‌ the river was​‌‌ destroyed as if‌‍ it had been‍ waiting.

Anyone‍‍ could see that​ the damaged bridge⁠ was a warning⁠ and provocation to‌‍ Sigmund.

“…How‌ many days will‍‌ it take for⁠‌‍ that lad called​​‌ Vlad to get​⁠⁠ here?”

“Around‍​​ a week at‍ the very least.”‌‌‍

After​ hearing Godin’s report,‍‌ Sigmund lifted his⁠‌​ head and looked‍ up at the‍ sky.

Rain​⁠ clouds were gathering.‌​

It⁠⁠⁠ was a sinister‍‌‍ sign foreboding a rising tide.

“…It⁠​⁠ seems there are‍ more than one​ or two spies​​ who have infiltrated‍⁠ the West.”

Peter⁠ wasn’t a man‍‍⁠ who simply waited⁠ for the opportune‌‌‍ moment.

Lightly​⁠⁠ and widely. And‍ Peter’s intention to‌ shake up the‌‌‍ West boldly was‌ exactly right.

Plop-⁠

A heavy rain began⁠ to fall on⁠​⁠ Gaidar’s banner.

The​‍ army in the‍‌‌ west began to‍‍​ slow down with‍‍ the falling rain.⁠‌

The​‍ rain clouds that‍​⁠ began in the‍​‌ north slowly began​‌ to encircle the⁠⁠ soldiers in the‍​ west.

It​ seemed the first⁠​ person to take⁠‌⁠ the initiative in‌‍ this war wasn’t‌ Sigmund.

***⁠

“It’s‌⁠ raining.”

“Not⁠⁠​ bad.”

Men‌⁠‌ hidden on the​​ hill.

Observing⁠⁠⁠ the appearance of⁠‍⁠ all kinds of‌⁠ mixed clothing without‌‍ unity, they seemed​ like bandits, but‌‍‌ their refined spirit⁠ proved otherwise.

“Are​⁠‌ they slave traders?”‍‌

“Yes,‍​‌ they are. After‌ all, the slave‍⁠​ trade has always⁠‍⁠ been active in‌ the west.”

The‍​ slave traders hurriedly‍⁠ begin to set⁠‍ up their tents​ as the rain⁠ falls below.

Their⁠​ movements were as‌​​ swift as the‌‌​ cold raindrops falling,‍‌​ but the carriage⁠ they were pulling⁠‌ was filled with⁠‍‌ standing people, unable‌ to do anything.⁠‍‌

People​ trapped behind thick‌ bars, facing the⁠‍ rain falling powerless.​‍

They⁠ were all captured​ slaves.

“Aren’t⁠⁠ you going to​‌ do something to​ those people?”

“Did​ you see them​⁠⁠ setting up a tent for cows‌⁠⁠ or horses just‍​‍ because it was​⁠ raining?”

Those​ who are worse‌⁠ than cattle or‍⁠ horses.

Now,​⁠ people who had​⁠‍ been deprived of‍​⁠ their human status‍‌⁠ trembled in the‌ rain, relying on⁠​ each other.

“…I⁠ can pay.”

“You⁠ clearly have control​​ over your words.”‌‌⁠

Marcus,⁠⁠‌ a man covered‌‍‌ in scars, smiled‍ at Vlad’s words⁠​‌ and began to‍ silently observe the‌ slave traders.

“Probably​⁠‌ there is the‍‌ blood of the‌⁠‍ last Ravnoma.”

“Are⁠⁠ you one of​ the traders?”

It’s‍ like an eternal⁠⁠‌ ember in a pile of ashes.‌‍‌

Ravnoma’s​ influence was still​​‍ alive deep in⁠⁠ the West, and‍‍ Gaidar spared no‌‍‌ effort to find⁠‍ and exterminate their‌ lineage.

Perhaps,​ to get here,‌ a deception strong⁠‍ enough to hide‌ the eyes of​‌‍ the usurpers was⁠⁠⁠ necessary.

“I‌‍ don’t know who‌‌‍ it is, but⁠ he’s surprisingly well-disguised.‍‍ None of the⁠‍ people there seem‍‍ to be from⁠‍ noble families.”

“Of⁠⁠ course, they aren’t.”‌‍‍

Marcus,​‍‍ silently indicating the‍ crew’s location with​⁠ hand gestures, looked⁠‌‍ at Vlad and‌‌ smiled.

“Because‍ the last Ravnoma⁠ is acting as‍‌​ a slave.”

“…I⁠‌ understand.”

To‌‍‌ survive, you have‍​⁠ to roll even⁠​‍ in the mud.‌‌

The⁠ last Lavroma, whose⁠ identity is unknown,​⁠ currently lives behind‍​ bars, suffering humiliation.​‍

“We’re⁠⁠‌ in charge of⁠‍ the carriage. We’ll‍‍ rescue the Ravnoma​​ lineage, so all‍​‌ you have to‌‍‍ do is draw‌ attention from the‍‌‌ traders up front.”​‍​

“Can‍ I kill them‌ all?”

A single blue eye​​ began to gleam⁠ in the rain.‌

Vlad‌⁠‍ grew up in‌⁠⁠ a crime-filled alley,‍‍ but slave traders‌ were people he‌​ didn’t want to‌​ associate with.

“Agreed.”‍

“Good.”‍

Vlad‌‌⁠ silently nodded at‍‌⁠ Marcus’s permission.

A single black tear‌ still hung from‍​ Vlad’s fingertips.

In‌‍‍ the fog-filled village,​⁠‍ the hand that​ had wiped Anna’s⁠⁠‍ tears away silently‍‍⁠ moved toward the⁠​‌ sword.

“Let’s‍​ begin.”

“Yes.”​​⁠

The​​ men began to‍‍⁠ disperse following Vlad‌ and Marcus’s nods.‌‍⁠

Barbarians⁠ and mercenaries started‍ following Vlad, who⁠‌⁠ broke away from​‌ the covert group​‌‍ and slowly descended⁠⁠‌ the hill.

“…I‍‌ told you to​ draw attention, not⁠⁠‍ to attack head-on.”‍‌

Marcus,‍‌ who was sitting‌⁠‌ calmly on the‍​⁠ hill, smiled as‌‍ he saw Vlad⁠ and his companions​ not even attempting‌⁠ to hide.

They​ say Bayezid is‌​‍ the best hunter.‌⁠⁠

Indeed,⁠ it was a sure step that‌‍​ not even the‍​‍ dragon could avoid​​‌ noticing.

***​

Plop-‍​⁠

The‌⁠ rain falls like‌‍ sharp spears.

Intense‍​ rains that are‍⁠ hard to come⁠‌ by in the‌⁠ north.

Vlad,​‍ who had been​⁠‌ silently watching the⁠ rain, walked directly​⁠‌ towards the camp‍‌ in front of‍ him with an​‍​ expressionless face.

“What⁠ is this again?”‍⁠

Crash!‌

Blood‍ begins to spurt‍‍ along with the​​‌ severed neck.

The⁠ acrid smell mixing‌ with the rain‌​‍ was bothering Vlad.⁠‌​

“Kill‌ them quickly.”

I don’t much like‍‍ rain.

The​ humid air that‍ comes with the⁠​‌ rain always reminds‍ me of unpleasant​ smells and memories​ buried deep in‍⁠ my heart.

“I​​ will.”

“Good.”‍⁠⁠

Stephan‌ picked up a small nearby bell‌‍⁠ and began to‍ vigorously shake it.⁠

The‌⁠​ ringing of a small bell that‌​‌ couldn’t even capture⁠ the sound of‌ the rain.

Warning​⁠ sounds warning of⁠ unknown intruders began​ to resonate throughout‍‍ the camp.

“What!‌ What’s going on!”​

“Everyone,‌ grab your weapons!”‍⁠

As⁠ the bell rings,‌‍‍ men begin to⁠​ hurriedly escape from⁠‍⁠ the tent.

But‌ they never made⁠ it out of⁠ the tent.

The​ small tents began​​‍ to shake violently​ due to the​​ sudden intrusion.

The⁠ terrible screams ceased,​ and the only‌ person to emerge‍⁠ from the silent‍⁠ tent was a barbarian covered in​⁠ tattoos.

Drip-‍‍

“What⁠ the hell is​‌ that?”

He⁠ looked like a bandit, but the‍‍​ finish was very‌ clean.

With‌‌ shouts echoing throughout⁠‍ the camp, black‍‌ crows began to‍⁠⁠ descend from the‌⁠ hill.

“Kill⁠‍​ them all. If‌​‌ possible, catch even​ those who flee.”​

With‍​ the order hinted​‌‍ at, Vlad, with⁠‍ his hood down,⁠‌ silently blended into⁠ the heavy rain.‌‍

Those‌​ who don’t notice‌ quietly pass by.​

Those​ who recognized them​‌ were quickly slain.⁠‍‍

He⁠⁠‌ walked slowly like‍‌⁠ this and finally‌‌‍ arrived in front‍⁠ of the largest​⁠ tent.

Tense‍⁠‍ but calm breaths⁠⁠‍ can be heard‍ from both sides⁠‍ of the tent​​​ entrance.

“That’s⁠‌ clumsy.”

Swish-​‍‍

“Aghhh”⁠⁠

Vlad’s‌⁠ sword made a long cut through‍⁠‌ the tent, making⁠‌⁠ the tense wait‌​ in vain.

Blood​ stains splattered so⁠ violently that they​‌⁠ hit the tent‍ so hard they‍​ could be felt‌ even from the​‌ outside.

“Is‌‍​ there an owner?”⁠

Now‌ it’s a silent‍⁠‌ tent where not‌​ even the sound⁠⁠ of breathing can⁠ be heard.

Upon‍​‍ entering, the loud‍​ sound of the⁠ rain calmed down‌​‍ a bit.

Vlad​​‌ calmly shook the‍⁠​ raindrops from his‍‍‍ cloak and entered⁠‍ the tent, passing⁠‌ by the corpses​ that had been⁠‍⁠ cut in half‌‌​ at the waist.​

“I‍ just wanted to⁠ ask you something.”​‍

Vlad’s⁠‌ blood-streaked footprints slowly⁠‍ began to line⁠ up on the‍⁠‌ floor.

“I⁠⁠ was wondering if‌​ there was a suspicious person among​ the slaves I recently bought…”

Another‌​ space foreseen inside​‌ the tent.

Vlad‌‌ entered, lifted the​ billowing fabric, and⁠‍‍ there he found‍‍​ a completely unexpected⁠‌ sight.

“This.”⁠‌

A middle-aged man lay​‍ dead on a bed with his‌ eyes wide open.⁠‍​

The​ acrid smell of‍ blood that spread⁠​ along with the⁠ humid air pierced⁠ my nose strongly.‍

There‌ were two pairs​⁠ of eyes looking‍​ at him next​⁠ to the corpses‍ lying so miserably.⁠‍

“I’m⁠​ going out.”

The‌ dimly burning lamp‌ light is dim.⁠‍‍

A woman and a child looked into⁠ each other’s eyes‍ in a narrow,‍⁠ dark space.

“I​ told you to⁠ get out of​⁠‍ here. Before I kill you too.”‍‌

It‍​‌ is lamentable the‌ nudity of the‍ woman shielding her‍ child with frightened‌​​ eyes.

And⁠⁠ the child trembling⁠ in her arms,⁠ holding the blood-stained​‍ dagger.

Vlad,‍‍ caught by an​ inexplicable sense of‌⁠⁠ déjà vu as⁠⁠ he watched them,⁠​⁠ stopped stunned.

“…”⁠

In‍‌⁠ the arms of⁠ a woman weary‌⁠ of being tormented​ by men, a young man held​ a blood-stained dagger.⁠‍

They⁠ were protecting each⁠‍ other, but their⁠ feeble struggle reminded‍‍ Vlad of a memory buried deep​‍ within him.

“Did‌‍​ you… kill him?”‍‍

“I‍‌​ told you not​ to come!”

The​‍ smell of blood⁠​‌ filled the air‌‍ under the faint​‌ light.

Long​‌⁠ ago, there was‍‍⁠ a mother trembling‌‍ as she hugged‌ her son in​​‍ a small room‌‌‌ full of acrid⁠‌ odor.

Like⁠‌​ the woman she‍ is now.

“So?”‌‍‍

Vlad​‌⁠ silently lowered his‍​ head as he‌‍⁠ listened to the​ faint sound of​‍‌ rain coming from​‌‍ outside.

In‌ a cramped room,‍ bright red blood⁠‌‌ flows across the​‌ floor.

It‍⁠ probably rained that‌ day too, just​‌​ like today.

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