Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 141: It was also at sea (1)

Chapter 141: It was also at sea (1)

Inside⁠ the tent, illuminated⁠‌‍ only by the⁠‌‌ dim light of‍‍ candles.

There,‌‍ Sigmund looked at‌ the report published‌⁠ by Godin and‍‌ ended up laughing.‍⁠

“They⁠⁠‌ even stole their flag?”

“That’s‌ right.”

“…And that was just⁠ by a brat‌⁠ and ten barbarians?”⁠

Although he was smiling,⁠‌‌ he felt a deep chill buried‍ deep within his⁠‌ being.

For‍⁠ Sigmund, whose anger⁠⁠ had already crossed⁠ the critical point⁠‍‌ and extended far,‌⁠⁠ a cold smile‌ would have been⁠ the only way‍‌‌ to express it.‍⁠

Wagner,‍‌ the commander of⁠ the 3rd Cavalry,‌⁠ who was there‍ feeling like a criminal, dared not face his smile‌⁠⁠ and simply bowed⁠‍ his head.

“Furthermore,⁠ the city of Nassau was razed‍⁠ and only opened‍⁠ up the intact‌⁠ sailboats and took‍ them away…”

Bitterness‍‍⁠ increases with every‍‌⁠ word I spit⁠⁠ out.

A port city in‌ flames. Nassau.

The news of Baron Iznik’s bankruptcy even‌ before the war‌‌ began was already⁠‌ spreading throughout the‍‍‌ West.

Perhaps⁠‍‌ it cannot be⁠⁠ said that the news of the⁠‌ delayed incorporation of⁠⁠ each family is⁠ completely unrelated to⁠ this matter.

“I⁠‌ don’t know how⁠‍‌ Count Bayezid has‌‌ been holding back⁠‌‍ all this time.”⁠

Sigmund⁠ smiled faintly as‍⁠ he rotated the glass he was⁠ holding.

Bayezid’s⁠‍⁠ hands move agilely,‍‍ as if he⁠‌⁠ had been waiting.‌⁠

The⁠ plans that Peter had devised up⁠ to now were‌⁠ clearly too painful⁠ to have been‌⁠ carried out solely⁠ with improvised ideas.⁠

“Well, it’s been too‌‍ easy so far.”⁠‍

Seeing‌‍ how things were‌‍ going, Sigmund had‍ no choice but to admit it.‍‌

That‌‍ they were not‍‍ the only ones‍ who had been‌⁠ waiting for this⁠ war.

In⁠‌‌ the midst of‌ turbulent times, Bayezid⁠‌‍ was also seeking‍ an opportunity.

“…As‍ expected, it was‍ difficult, but it⁠ was the right⁠ path.”

Sigmund‌⁠ took a sip‍⁠‍ of his drink⁠ and let out‌⁠‍ a sigh.

Peter‌⁠‍ Bayezid. As expected,‌ he’s not an‌ easy opponent.

It⁠ wasn’t just one‍ family, but he⁠ was gathering forces⁠‌ from the west‍⁠ and advancing, but⁠ instead of being‌ shaken, he was⁠‍ trying to take‍⁠‍ the initiative in‌ the war.

“After⁠‌ all, it should⁠ be like this.”‍‌

However,‌‌‌ the reason Sigmund‌‍ is willing despite⁠‍ being a tough‍ opponent is because‍⁠ Bayezid is a valuable person.

The⁠ brighter the hunt,‌⁠ the greater the‌ value of the‌ hunter.

As‌‍⁠ long as they⁠‌ catch the great‌‌‍ man called Bayezid,⁠‍‍ not only Oesye but no other‍‌ family will be‍‍ able to call themselves usurpers.

“God.⁠ Be prepared to‍ send a letter.”‌‍

“Where⁠‌ should I send‌⁠⁠ it to prepare‌‌ you?”

The‌⁠ tip of the⁠‍ candle flickers.

Sigmund‍⁠ silently opened his‍ mouth as he⁠ watched the candles⁠⁠ swaying here and⁠ there with the‍ wind.

“Dragulia.⁠ The Lord of‍ the Dragon’s Blood.”‍

I know why they took the last⁠‍ Ravnoma.

They⁠ probably wanted to⁠ ignite a spark behind the unstable⁠ West.

But‍‍‌ Bayezid should know‍ better.

“It’s⁠⁠ time.”

It‍⁠ was Dragullia, not⁠ the North, who first lit the‌⁠ fire in the‍‍ rear.

Behind⁠‌ Bayezid, the central⁠‌‌ forces that were‌‌‍ stuck like stakes‍ in Baron Utman’s⁠‌ territory were gradually‌ changing the direction of their banners.‍⁠‍

***⁠‍

“It’s⁠‌ really wide.”

Vlad⁠⁠⁠ leaned on the⁠⁠‌ deck railing, gazing⁠ at the blue⁠‌ waves under the‍‌ sky.

It‌⁠‍ was his first⁠‍ time seeing the⁠⁠ sea.

The⁠‌ size was on‌ a completely different‍ level from the gray walls of‌ Soara, which he⁠‌ promised to leave⁠ someday.

Vlad‌ was once again⁠⁠‍ amazed by the⁠‍‍ vastness of the⁠‍ world as he‍⁠‌ gazed upon the endlessly expanding sea.‌⁠⁠

“It⁠‌ would have been‌ really unfair if‍⁠‍ I had died⁠ without seeing this.”‍

The‍ blue waves that⁠‌ reached deep into‌ your heart along⁠⁠ with the strong⁠ salty breeze.

A deep blue wave, which he had‍ never seen in‍ his life, was‍‍ forming white foam and slowly flowing‍‍ into Vlad’s world.‌‍

Crash-‌

Vlad admired the blue⁠ of the sea‍‍ for a while.⁠

However, even looking at‌‍⁠ the same sea,‌ each person’s impression⁠‌⁠ was different.

“Are you okay?”

“…No.”‍⁠

Cheeks‌‌ grew thinner, and‍‍ the skin noticeably‌⁠‍ paler compared to‌ yesterday.

As‍ he watched Rutiger’s⁠ eyes narrow more⁠ and more, Vlad⁠‌ couldn’t help but think of Joseph.‍

As‍‌⁠ soon as I cast a shadow⁠ on their eyes,‍ wondering if they‌ were brothers, they were two incredibly‍‌⁠ similar people.

“…Why‌‌ are you okay?”‌⁠‍

“I guess I have the constitution of the sea.”

“What⁠ kind of person‌ has lived in‌ the city all‌‍ his life?”

Rutiger simply waved his‌‌ hand as if‌‍⁠ Vlad’s response made‍⁠ no sense and‍ leaned back on the railing.

“If⁠ you were going‍⁠ to buy it‍ anyway, why not⁠ buy a bigger⁠⁠ boat?”

He‌ had no reason to resent, but⁠ he simply wanted⁠ to.

It’s‌‍ a small boat⁠‌ that inevitably rocks‌⁠ more because it’s‍ small.

Since‌ horses and people‍ were loaded to‌‍ the limit, the⁠ burden for Rutiger, who was prone‍ to seasickness, would‌ surely double.

“If⁠ I had more‍ money, I would‍ have bought a bigger boat.”

“…Then‍‌‍ I told you‌⁠‌ to come under‌ my command, not‌⁠ Joseph’s.”

Rutiger’s‌‍‍ words were unclear‌‍ whether they were‍ joking or serious.‌‌

But⁠‌‌ knowing that there was no turning‌‌ back, the two‍‍ men simply looked‍⁠ silently at the⁠ sea.

“Thank‍⁠⁠ you for waiting.”

Vlad⁠ knew that the‌ reason he was able to board‍ Harven’s boat safely‌ was thanks to⁠⁠ Rutiger.

If⁠‍ it weren’t for‍⁠⁠ Bayezid’s knights intercepting⁠‍ hundreds of others,‍ he would probably‌‍‌ still be fleeing,‍ wandering the wasteland‍⁠ without rest.

“I⁠‍ just did it‌‌⁠ because it was worth doing.”

With⁠ those words, Rutiger‍ began to collapse⁠ on the deck‌ as if he⁠‌ had exhausted his‌ last strength.

Even⁠⁠ the boastful knight⁠‍ of Bayezid seemed‍ unable to avoid the queasiness coming from within.

‘Worth‌ doing…’

Vlad‌‍ carefully pondered Rutiger’s⁠⁠‍ response.

What⁠‌⁠ level of skill‌‌ must you possess‍‌ to be able‍⁠ to make such⁠ a decision even‍ in the face of hundreds of‍ people?

‘I⁠ don’t know yet.’‍

Vlad‌‌ turned around and‌⁠ leaned on the‌ railing, tilting his head up to‍‌ look at the⁠‍ highest point of⁠⁠ the ship.

A red flag fluttering‍‌⁠ back and forth⁠‌‍ in the wind.

Vlad,‌ squinting, perhaps due⁠‍ to the piercing‍ sunlight, looked at the flag and‍‌‍ murmured softly.

“When⁠ I return to‌‍ Soara later, I’ll first have to⁠‍ ask them to⁠ change the name⁠ of the boat.”‌‍

A small boat heading⁠ north between the⁠‍ calm waves.

The red-haired Zemina was⁠‌‌ currently heading to‌ a small port‌ city near Deirmar.⁠

***⁠‌⁠

Three‌ men huddled beneath the night sky.‌⁠‌

The‌ night sky of⁠ the sea, which‌⁠ had more stars‌ than the city’s‍ night sky, looked bright even if‌ you didn’t bring a lantern.

“I think Noir has⁠⁠ lost a lot‍‌⁠ of strength. I guess he’s not‍ cut out for the sea.”

“…I‌‍⁠ suppose so.”

Vlad‍‍ could only silently‍‍ nod at Otar’s⁠ report.

Noir‍ had no choice‍‌⁠ but to be⁠ loaded into the‌‌ trunk because the‌ boat was narrow.‌‌

Regardless⁠‌ of his damn‌ temper or whatever,⁠‌‍ Noir couldn’t regain‍‌⁠ consciousness on the‍⁠ swaying boat.

“But‌ you’re really something‍‌ too. There are⁠‌‌ people who don’t‌‌ get seasick like‍ that.”

Vlad‌⁠ simply suppressed his‌‌⁠ temper silently as‍‌⁠ he watched Harven‍‍‌ smiling at him.⁠‌

As⁠ it was Harven‌ who waited at‌ the port until‌ the end, this‌ incident had to‌‌⁠ be overlooked silently.

“…But‌ isn’t it a bit strange to‌ put Zemina’s name‍‌‌ on a boat?”

“Did‌ I do it⁠ because I wanted⁠⁠ to? Zemina said⁠ I had to‌‍‌ do it, so‍‍ I did.”

Harven‍‌ slyly turns the‍‍⁠ wheel with his⁠ response.

Watching‍‌ him now driving‍⁠ a boat seemed‍⁠ as familiar as⁠ the captain’s hat⁠⁠ he wore on‍⁠ his head.

“You‍‌‍ said you have⁠ a stake in‌‌⁠ this boat. You⁠ said it all‍‌ started with the‍ sword she gave‌‌ me.”

“That!”‌‌

Vlad stopped snorting after‍‌ hearing Harven’s words.

No, according to that⁠‌‌ logic, does it⁠ mean he’ll go‍‍ step by step⁠ in everything he‌‌⁠ does from now on?

“It’s⁠‌ not exactly wrong,⁠ but it’s wrong.”

“Well,‌‌ you two can‍⁠ figure it out⁠‍ on your own.”

They‍‌ were told to‍‍ figure it out⁠ together, but the⁠ way they smiled‍⁠ was very suspicious.‌‍

It was clear that when Zemina told‌ him to put‍‌⁠ her name, he⁠‍‍ thought it was right and accepted⁠‍‍ it.

“No,⁠ I wanted it⁠ to be Marcella,‌⁠ the smile of⁠ a rose.”

“…Why‌⁠ are sailors so⁠ eager that they‌⁠ can’t name their boats after women?”⁠‍

The⁠‍ world of sailors⁠ sensitive to superstitions.‍‍

It‍ was a superstition‌‌‌ that I don’t⁠ know where it⁠⁠ started, but even⁠‌ at that moment, countless women would‌‍ be wading the sea, cutting through‌‍ the wind.

“Well,‌ let’s go. I don’t know about that.”

“…”‍

Harven‌ has always felt a little intimidated.⁠

However,⁠‍ seeing him naturally‌ take a swig‌‍‌ from the rum‌ bottle beside him‌⁠ filled him with‌ nothing but laughter.

Now,‌ relying on the⁠‌ wheel instead of‍ a cane, his‌ appearance seemed to⁠ have no intimidation‌‌ at all.

It’s‍ a strange name,‌ but it was‍ good to have‍⁠‌ a boat bought⁠ for him.

“Anyway,‍‍⁠ is business going‍ well?”

“Our‌‌‌ situation is fine.‍ Because we have⁠ regular customers.”

Before‍ Vlad left Soara,‌ he had connected‍‌ the Kannor family⁠ with Harven.

Perhaps‌ his skill in⁠ handling animals came‍‍ from the experience‍ he gained from‍‍ trading with Kannor.

“But⁠ winter is inevitable.⁠ Because the river‍‍ freezes.”

This‌ was inevitable in‌ the cold north.⁠‍

This‍ was the reason‍‍ why Soara didn’t‌‌ have a navy despite having a wide river leading⁠‌ to the sea.⁠

“That’s‍ why all the‍⁠‌ traders from Soara⁠‍⁠ were driven out⁠‌‌ during Nassau. It’s‍‍⁠ a floating port⁠‍ that doesn’t freeze‍ even in winter.”⁠

“Is⁠ that so?”

War‌‍ is an opportunity.‌

I heard that the⁠ traders from Soara‌ volunteered for this‍ job to seize⁠ the opportunity that might arise.

If‌‍ Bayezid gains control‌‌ of Nassau through‍‌‍ this war, the‌ traders who followed this raid will⁠‍‌ be able to⁠ settle in the‌‍ new northern port.‌

“If‍ we only had‌ Nassau, the northern⁠‍ route would be‌ quite diverse. It’s‌ an opportunity for‌‍‍ us too.”

Harven,‍‍⁠ who had been‌‌‌ rotting away in⁠ a small room⁠ by the riverbank,‍⁠ was now looking‌ further ahead.

Vlad wasn’t the only‍ kid in the‌‌⁠ alley who was‌⁠ hungry for opportunities.⁠‌⁠

“Please‌‌ continue treating me‌ well, sir knight.”

“If‍ you wish to ask for something‍⁠‌ in the future,‍⁠ please be kind enough to return⁠ it.”

Feeling⁠ embarrassed for some‍‍⁠ reason, Vlad took⁠ the bottle from‍‍⁠ Harven.

“Eh?”‍

Vlad,‌‍ who had been following the calm‌‍‌ flow of the‌⁠ sea near the helm and looking‌ away, soon spotted‍ luminous objects glowing⁠ around the boat.⁠‌‍

“Shelter.‌ What’s that?”

“What‌‍ where?”

As I moved my gaze along Vlad’s⁠‍⁠ fingertips, I saw‌‌ groups of light⁠ beginning to attach around the boat,⁠⁠ as if blue⁠‍ paint had been⁠⁠ released.

Otar,‌ who was silently observing the scene‍⁠ beside Harven, quickly⁠ passed through the⁠ deck and looked underneath.

“Otar, what is that!”‌‌

“…Hmm.”⁠⁠

Instead‌ of responding to‌‌ Harven’s words, Otar‌ quickly grabbed a harpoon and began‍ to look beneath the boat.

A dark-skinned man who‌⁠‍ always shows his⁠ actions more than‍ his words.

“Sigh!”⁠‌

At‍‌ the end of⁠ the harpoon, which‍ had been powerfully‌ released from his‍‌ hand, there was‍‌ something struggling helplessly.‌

“Squid.”‍‌

“What?”‍⁠

“This‌⁠ is squid.”

A white sea creature‍‌ wriggling on a black hand.

What Otar had in⁠ his hand was‍ a squid that‍‌ looked substantial and‍⁠⁠ the size of‌ a person’s forearm.

“…Squid?”⁠‌⁠

Vlad,⁠‌‍ curious to see‌⁠ sea creatures for‍ the first time,⁠ ran towards Otar,‌ but Harven, who‍ was watching, only‍ furrowed his brows.‌⁠‍

“Is‌‍ it okay as⁠‌ a side dish⁠‍‌ with drinks? This is the first‌ time I’ve eaten sea fish!”

Vlad‌⁠‍ takes the squid⁠‍ from Otar and‍ shakes it as⁠ if he’s excited.‌

However,⁠‍ while Harven watched‌‌⁠ Vlad like that,⁠ he simply tilted⁠⁠ his head as‍ if he didn’t‍ understand.

“…It’s‍ summer now.”

Although‌ he had little⁠ experience at sea,‍ Harven had certainly‍‍‌ learned to have⁠‍ common sense and‌ knew very well‌‌‍ that there was‍⁠ no way squid⁠ could be in⁠ the south at⁠‍⁠ that time.

Squid, a fish of‍‍ cold currents that‍⁠ moves through cold‍⁠ waters.

However,⁠‍‍ the things that⁠‍ were currently glowing‍‌ with a pale‌‍‍ light and surrounding the redhead Zemina‌‍ were clearly squids.‍‌

And‍‍⁠ it’s so big‍‍ that we can’t even count it⁠ with our eyes.‌‍

From‌ Vlad’s sword, which‍ he was happily‌‍‌ holding a squid, small sparkling pollen⁠ was emanating unknowingly‍‍‌ from its owner.⁠‍‌