Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 139: Arrows colliding (1)

Chapter 139: Arrows colliding (1)

City of Nasau.

One‍ of the few‌ port cities in⁠‍ the West.

The⁠ ruler of the‌ place, Baron Iznik,‌ looked at the‌ report on his⁠‍ desk with a furrowed brow.

“…Work‍ hard to get‌ rid of him.”

It‍‌ was a report‌‌ that made perfect sense at first⁠ glance.

Damn‍ bastards from the‍⁠‍ north.

The⁠ act of someone‌⁠‍ afraid to mix⁠ the blood of‌ barbarians is extremely⁠ cruel.

“After⁠‍ all, they are⁠⁠⁠ servants who should not interact with‍‌ each other.”

The‍ baron shook his‍ head and tucked away the paper‌ he had been‌ looking at.

After‌ all, it’s unfortunate‍ to have anything to do with‍⁠‍ the North.

It⁠‌‌ was a maxim‍ that seemed like⁠ a deeply ingrained⁠ prejudice in the‌ empire, but it‌⁠ had never seemed as clear to⁠‍ me as it⁠ does now.

As⁠ much as now.

“Baron!‌‌ We’re in big‍⁠ trouble!”

In‌ an instant, the office door opens as if it‌‌‍ were about to‌⁠ break.

In⁠‍‌ the moment of⁠‍ silence that followed‌ the noise, I saw the knight commander leaning against‍‌‌ the threshold, breathless.‍‌

“What’s⁠‍ happening!”

“…Baron,⁠ Baron.”

The‍ knight commander is‌‌⁠ catching his breath,‌ unable to continue speaking despite the‌⁠‌ baron’s urging.

Baron‍ Iznik’s judgment had‍⁠⁠ already been greatly distorted by a man named Vlad,‌⁠ but he couldn’t⁠ help but show embarrassment instead of‍‍ anger at the‍‍ words he soon‌⁠ heard.

“It’s‌ an attack…!”

“What?”⁠‍

The‍‍⁠ knight commander fell⁠⁠ to the ground⁠ with his last words spoken as‌ a groan.

Bright‍⁠ red blood flowed‌ from the threshold he was leaning⁠⁠ against.

“What‍ the hell is‍‍‌ this…?”

In⁠ an incomprehensible situation,‍‍ the baron’s mustache‍ began to tremble.⁠⁠

No⁠‌‍ matter how experienced⁠ the baron was,‌ he found it⁠ difficult to immediately‌⁠ understand the current‌ situation.

Because there was no⁠‍‍ warning.

The⁠ enemy was trapped‍‍ in the north,‍ and the only‌ ones wandering in‍ the west were‌ a detachment of⁠‌‍ about 20 people.‍

“Are⁠‌ you Baron Iznik?”

However, misfortunes and accidents‍‌ always come from⁠‌⁠ outside our knowledge.‍‍

The‍‌ chief’s body leaned⁠‍ forward, blocking the⁠ office.

There‌‌ was a man‍‍ who casually stepped‌‍ over the corpse.‍

Shouts⁠ I had never‍ noticed before began‍ to come through the open door.

“…Who,⁠‌ who are you?”⁠

Black⁠⁠ hair and black⁠‌ eyes.

The⁠ slight smile on‍ his face was‌ wonderful, but the⁠‍ coldness inside him‍⁠⁠ was colder than‍‍ the snowy cold of the North.⁠‍

“Rutiger‌‌ of Bayezid.”

“…!”‍

Rutiger⁠‌⁠ Bayezid.

A knight of Bayezid‍‌ whose name is⁠ known not only‍ in the North but also on⁠⁠ the continent.

“How…‍ how.”

“It⁠ has been necessary‍ to work hard‍ to get here.”⁠

Although‌⁠‍ he was not‌‍ told to sit,‌ Rutiger pulled a nearby chair and⁠ brought it closer⁠ to the desk.‍‍

Though‌‌ the intruder behaved‌ confidently as if⁠ it were his⁠‌ own, Baron Iznik‌ could only swallow saliva.

“I⁠ guess the salty⁠‌ breeze doesn’t suit‌‍ me well.”

‘…Ocean!’‌‌

Baron⁠ Iznik was able‌ to figure out⁠‍⁠ where the path‍‌ opened through Rutiger’s‍ words.

The place where I felt safest because⁠ it was the‌‍ hardest.

Northern‍ invaders boldly penetrated⁠⁠ the heart of⁠ Iznik.

“I‍ have come to‍⁠ convey the words of Peter Bayezid,‌ the commander of⁠⁠ this war and‍ my father, to‌ you, baron.”

The‌ fierce scent that‌‍ had been building‍‍‍ up for so long floated on‌ the man’s serious‍‍ face.

Baron‍‌ Iznik, a noble‌ of the West‌ and experienced trader,‍⁠⁠ knew well the‍ kind of people‌ who emitted this‌ smell.

“Baron⁠ Iznik must stay‌⁠ out of this‍ war.”

The⁠‌ black eyes rose‌‌ fiercely.

In‌⁠ the harbor rose‍⁠ black flames.

With⁠⁠ the cries of‌ the sailboats anchored in Nassau.

The⁠ city of Nassau‌‌ fell.

To‌ northern invaders who⁠ arrived in waves‍‌ that seemed incongruous.‍‍

An‍⁠ arrow from the‌ North, which no‌‌ one expected, lodged⁠ deeply in Gaidar’s‌ shoulder.

***‍‌

“¡The⁠⁠ road ahead is‍ blocked too!”

“…That’s⁠ rather quick.”

The⁠‍ streets are becoming⁠ increasingly blocked.

The⁠ lords of the‍ west had been‍ like grains of‌‌ sand until now,‍‍ but now they‍‍ were blocking the⁠‍ group’s retreat with⁠ all their might.‍‍⁠

As‌ if someone were⁠ giving direct instructions⁠‌ right behind them.⁠

“The‍ lords’ movements are‍‌ swifter than expected.‍ If I make‍⁠ a wrong move, they’ll catch us.”‍

Marcus‍ spoke of a desperate situation, but‍‍‌ he didn’t lose⁠ his relaxed attitude.⁠‌

No,⁠ it seemed like‍⁠ he was trying⁠ to maintain it.‍⁠

“What if we try‌ to break through‍‌‍ from the front?”‌‍

“Not⁠ a bad method,‍ but it’s not‍‌ a good option‌‍⁠ either.”

At⁠‍⁠ Vlad’s suggestion, Marcus⁠‌ pointed to a woman riding a horse behind him.‌‌

The⁠ woman’s lips were‌‍ turning completely white, as if her‌ condition was worsening.‌‌‌

The‍‌‌ trembling eyes of⁠ the child she‍ held in her‍‍ arms filled Vlad’s⁠ gaze.

“However,‌‌⁠ you might be‍ able to make⁠‍ it through.”

The‍‍ soldiers of the‍‌‍ west had firmly‌⁠ blocked the road,‍ but considering a certain amount of‌ sacrifice, they should‍ be able to‍‍‍ break through.

Of⁠‌⁠ course, the problem‍‍ was that the‌ safety of the⁠ child couldn’t be‌ guaranteed.

“And⁠⁠ what about it?”⁠‍

“There‍ are still some⁠‌ undiscovered escape routes.”

The⁠⁠‌ crows continued to‍‍⁠ fly from the front along with‍‍ Marcus’s words.

However, unlike before, the‍⁠‍ decreasing number of⁠⁠ crows seemed ominous.‌

“…But⁠⁠ don’t go there.”‍

“Yes?”‌

It‍ was a fierce‍‌‌ battle with the‌‌ intent to bite⁠‍ and attack, but‌ Marcus was able⁠ to discern Gaidar’s‌‌ intention before it‌ was too late.‍‍

“Turn‍‌ your head! We’re‍‍ heading to Nassau!”

If‍ they cleared one⁠⁠ or two paths, they would head‍‌ straight north, but‌⁠⁠ Marcus decided to‍ turn around and‌⁠ head to Nassau.‌⁠

This⁠ front road wasn’t‌ an escape route, but a path to the grave.‍

“If⁠ it’s Nassau…”

“I‌ know someone. Let’s‍ borrow a boat⁠⁠ from them.”

“…”⁠‌

Marcus,‍ who knew the‍ inner workings of‌‌ Bayezid, knew that Rutiger would have‌ already occupied Nassau.⁠

However,‍‍‌ there was no‌ time to explain‌ the whole situation‌ to Vlad who‌ was by his⁠ side.

“We’re‍‌ going to the‍⁠‌ moor! I’ll cut‍ through the path⁠‍⁠ in a straight line!”

The group members swiftly turned their horses according to Marcus’s orders.

Agge‍‌‍ and Stephan hesitated⁠ at the sudden‌‍ change of direction,‌‍ but finally, seeing⁠⁠‌ Vlad grit his teeth and forge ahead, they also changed their minds.‌

“There‌‍ are people following‌ us from behind!”‍‍⁠

“Understood.”‍‌

Seeing‍‌‌ Marcus with a faint smile, Vlad‌ turned his head‍ to look behind‍⁠ him.

A group of people‌⁠ who had not‍ been seen until⁠‍ just a moment ago.

However,‍‍⁠ seeing them suddenly‌‌ start to catch‍ up, Vlad felt‍ a chill in‍‍ his stomach.

‘…I‌ can’t bear this kind of battlefield.’⁠‌

A knight is a swordsman in times‍⁠‍ of peace, but‌‍‍ a commander in⁠ times of war.⁠

Vlad‌⁠ was also in command of the‍⁠ attacking force, but‍‍‌ this was the‍ first time he‌ had experienced such‌ a complex skirmish.‍⁠

If‍‍ it hadn’t been for Marcus’s judgment,‌ they would have‌ been trapped and surrounded back and‍⁠ forth as they‌‍ had intended.

“Don’t‍ look back, just look forward, look⁠ beyond.”

“…”⁠

The⁠‍ world is vast‍ and there is⁠‍ much to learn.‍⁠

Vlad‍‍ looked at Marcus,‍ who still hadn’t lost his composure,‌ and realized that‍⁠‌ he was still‌ only halfway to‌ being a knight.‌

“It’s⁠ an arrow!”

Arrows start flying from⁠‌ behind as if‌⁠ there’s nothing left‌ to hide.

Among‍ them, a malicious arrow pierced the most delicate target.⁠

“Aaaah!”‍‍

Vlad yelled loudly upon⁠‍ seeing the arrow⁠ lodged in the⁠ woman’s shoulder in⁠ the blink of⁠ an eye.

“Damn‌‍ it!”

The⁠ bloodstains spreading from⁠‌ the shoulder become⁠ clearer.

The‌ woman’s complexion gradually‌ turned paler.

“Martha!⁠ No!”

The⁠ child’s cry holding onto the woman‍‌ in his arms⁠ began to stir‌‌⁠ one of Vlad’s⁠‌ memories.

“…Everyone,‌‌ use shields!”

At‍ Vlad’s command, the‌ Thornwood mercenaries hung⁠‍‌ their shields behind⁠ their backs.

It‌⁠ was a shield⁠ made of wood‌‌ with thorns, their‌‍‌ symbol.

“To‌‍ the bramble cove!”‍‍

Agge‍‍ and Stephan, following⁠⁠ Vlad’s instructions, began‍ to cross.

Thus,‌ the Thornwood Mercenary‌ Group was in⁠⁠ the rear.

When they erected a temporary barrier, the‌‍ number of flying‌ arrows began to‌ decrease slightly.

“It⁠‌ won’t last long!”‌‍

Vlad‍ silently bit his‌ lip at Stephan’s‌‍‌ shout.

Even‌‌ if you block⁠ it with a small shield, it’s‌‍ only a temporary‍‌ solution.

Vlad‌‍⁠ was surprised to‌ see the pursuing⁠ group starting to⁠‌‍ increase from behind.‌

“It’s‌‌⁠ a wasteland.”

“Yes?”⁠

Marcus’s‍⁠ voice spoke to‍‍ Vlad like that.‍

As⁠⁠‌ soon as Marcus⁠ finished speaking, a brightly yellow moor‍‍⁠ began to spread⁠⁠ before my eyes.⁠‍

It’s‌ hard to believe‍‍‌ that just a moment ago it‍ was a forest⁠ path.

It‌ was the beginning⁠ of the West‌‍‍ with no end‍‌ in sight.

“They’re‌ Gaidar’s cavalry. They’re⁠‍‍ called desert outlaws.”

When‍ they emerge into⁠‌ the open field,‌ the pursuers are‍ finally completely identified.‌‌

A flag waved over‍‍ all those with fierce eyes.

A flag with a wild eagle engraved‍‌ on it.

It‌ was the emblem‍‍ of Gaidar, the⁠ ruler of the‍ West.

“How⁠ is it? Is⁠‍ it worth a try?”

As‍‍⁠ a leader, judge‌ for yourself.

Can‍⁠ you stop them?‌‍

“…”

In‍⁠ response to Marcus’s⁠ question, Vlad quickly‌‌ closed his left‌ eye.

In⁠ the midst of‍‍ the dust blowing⁠⁠⁠ wildly, the Aura‌‍‍ sent waves of trembling enemies through⁠ his gaze.

“There‍⁠⁠ are five knights.”‌⁠

Five‍ knights reacting to‌‌ Vlad’s Aura.

These‌‍ were Gaidar’s knights‍⁠⁠ said to be‌ more capable than‍ anyone else on‍ horseback.

“Can‍⁠ I really do‍‍ it in this‌⁠ situation?”

“…It‌‍‍ can be done.”‍

“Is this confidence based⁠‌ on fundamentals?”

Vlad⁠ looked at Marcus with his left⁠ eye closed.

Vlad’s world, slowly flowing,⁠ was clearly filled with confidence.

August’s‍ footprints showed the‍ way to Vlad.

“If‍‍‌ there’s no one⁠ to guard it.”⁠⁠

“Good.”⁠⁠

If‍ you’re alone, you‌⁠‍ can go through⁠ it.

Because⁠ there’s nothing to‌ worry about.

There’s‌‌ only one way‍ pointing there.

“Then‌‌ we’ll see you‌ in Nassau.”

The‌ members of the⁠ covert group lift‌‌ the staggering woman‍ following Marcus’s gaze.‌

The‍‌ eyes of the⁠‍‍ boy among them‍ looked at Vlad.‌‌⁠

The‌ tears that fell‌ from the boy’s‍⁠ eyes were carried‍‌ by the wind‌‌⁠ and touched Vlad’s cheeks.

‘…’⁠

A single tear passed⁠⁠‌ from child to⁠ boy.

Just‌ like that child in front of‌⁠‍ me, we all have those vulnerable‍‌ moments where we⁠ can’t help but‌ shed tears.

“Oh!”‌‌

“Why!”‍

However,‌⁠⁠ Vlad decided not⁠ to open his⁠ closed eyes even‌ in the face‌ of tears.

Because⁠ now he was‍ someone who could.‍‍

“Someone⁠⁠ said they are‌‌ the fastest cavalry⁠ in the world!”‌

“…Who‍ said that!”

Although‍‍ he knew it‌ was a clumsy‌⁠‌ provocation, Agge decided⁠ to ignore it‍‌ with all his‍ might.

The‍⁠ experienced barbarian warrior clearly understood Vlad’s‍‌‍ intentions.

Those who do not‌ yield to Gaidar’s⁠ outlaws.

“Who‍ dares say such‍‍ a thing to‌⁠ the Budart tribe?”‍⁠

Following‍‌⁠ Vlad’s intent, Agge‌‌⁠ began to boost⁠ the morale of‌ the warriors by‍‍ shouting loudly.

After‌⁠ his shout, the‍ Budart warriors raised‍ their weapons.

“Stephan!‌ Follow Marcus!”

“But!”⁠‌⁠

“Complete‍⁠ the mission without fail!”

Talent‍ in the right‍⁠ place.

Now⁠⁠ is not the⁠ time to protect⁠⁠ with a shield.⁠

“Alright!”‌⁠

Nodding,⁠ the Thornwood mercenary⁠‌⁠ group joined Marcus‌‍ as if they⁠ were being absorbed⁠‍ into Agge’s open⁠‌ formation.

As they watched the‍⁠‍ group move further away, the Budart⁠⁠ warriors began to‍⁠‌ shout loudly.

“Are⁠ you ready?”

“Of‌‍ course.”

Vlad‍⁠⁠ could see Gaidar’s‌ cavalry starting to⁠ approach from behind.‍‍‌

It’s‍‌⁠ a threat, but‍⁠‍ it’s definitely an‍ opportunity to prove⁠‍‍ oneself.

The‍‍ Budart warriors simultaneously‍ began to look⁠‍⁠ back, toward the approaching threat.

A horse racing without⁠‍ pause.

Up‌⁠ top, the warriors‍‍ of the Budart‌ tribe look back‍ and maintain their‍⁠‍ balance solely with their thighs.

The⁠⁠ arrowheads hanging at the end of⁠‌‍ the group are‍‍ as sharp as‌ their fierce eyes.⁠‌

Vlad‌‍‍ found his way‍ in the paths‍‌ of these ruthless men.

“Fire!”⁠

Sharp‌ arrows flew from‌ the hands of‌ the barbarians.

A special stance that⁠ cannot be imitated‍‍‌ even with training⁠‌ and can only⁠⁠ be brought about‍‌ by innate fatigue.‍

The unique method of‌ expulsion of the‍ barbarians, which had‍ been harassing the‌ northern warriors, was⁠‌⁠ being demonstrated in‌‌ the western wastelands.

***⁠

“The‌⁠‌ enemy! They’re turning‍‍⁠ around!”

“What?”‌‍‍

Wagner,‌‍ commander of the 3rd Gaidar Cavalry,‌⁠ was surprised to‌⁠ see the sudden‌‍‌ retreat of the⁠‍‍ northerners.

“No, they’re just shifting⁠‌ their advance, that’s‌‍ all!”

“What⁠‍ a strange thing…”⁠⁠‌

A rare method never⁠‌ before seen in‍⁠ the West.

From‍‌ the position where⁠ it seemed possible, sharp arrows began‍‌ to be fired.‌‌

“Kaaak!”‌

“Tsk!”‍

The⁠ cavalry soldiers fell one by one‍‍⁠ to a tactic‌‍‌ they had never‌⁠‍ encountered before.

Wagner‍⁠‌ clicked his tongue‍‍ as he saw‍‍ the arrows hitting‍‌ with great precision‍‌ even as they‍ fled.

“What⁠ is this…”

But‌‍ even though he‍ was bewildered, he‍ did not hesitate.⁠‌

Even‍‌‍ as his men‌⁠ agonized, Wagner’s eyes⁠‍ were fierce as⁠ they dug into‌ the breach.

“Speed‍‍ up!”

It’s‍⁠ natural for the‌‌ speed to decrease‍‌ because you’re not holding the reins.⁠

The‌ desert outlaws began‌ to accelerate, greatly‌⁠⁠ intoxicated.

If⁠‌ you’re going to⁠ pull off a trick like that,‍⁠ it would be‍‌⁠ more effective to⁠‍ close in and‌‍ strike.

“Eh?”‍

However,‌⁠ this wasn’t the‍ end of the‍⁠‌ arrows that flew‌ from the fingertips‍‍ of the North.‌

“What!”⁠‍‍

The‍ formation of barbarians‌‌ split in the‍‍ blink of an‌‌ eye.

There‍‍ was a black horse running from‍ within.

It⁠‌⁠ was a horse‌‍ with a bright‌ white horn hanging‌⁠ from the middle of its forehead.⁠⁠

“…This‍ is thrilling.”

The⁠⁠ speed of catching‍ up and the‌‍‌ speed of running.⁠‌

Even⁠⁠‌ during the dizzying‍⁠⁠ moments of charging‌‌‍ head-on, Vlad’s blue‌⁠ eyes did not⁠ waver.

“Let’s‌ go!”

A small northern flag⁠‌ began to run‌‌ towards the Gaidar flag.

The⁠⁠ world that began⁠‌ with a child’s‍ tears flowed through‍‌ the left eye‌⁠ of the knight‌ who had proven his worth.

There⁠‍ was not the‌‌ slightest hesitation in‍ the charge of‌ knights and horses,‍‍ pushing the limits⁠ at the world’s‍⁠ end they were‌‍ in contact with.⁠

Kwaaaaang!‍⁠

Such‍ a terrible shock⁠ that the sound⁠⁠‍ couldn’t even be‌ heard.

Bodies‌⁠ started to mercilessly‌⁠ bounce.

Bright‍ red blood began‍ to splatter against the prematurely risen daytime moon.