Indra Translations
Navigation
Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 142: It was also at sea (2)

Chapter 142: It was also at sea (2)

His‍​ green hair was​ disheveled as if⁠‌ it had been​​⁠ cut in a hurry.

Even‌‌​ the black cloak⁠‍ was so large‍ that it trailed​ on the floor.‌

The​ first thing Joseph⁠‍ noticed was the‍‍ thin wrist somehow​‌​ holding the loose‌⁠ cloak.

He⁠ was a child‍​ who seemed too⁠‌ miserable to be⁠ of noble blood.‌⁠⁠

“Hello‌​ Awn.”

“I’m​ Marcus now.”

“…Yes,⁠ Marcus.”

Bayezid’s‍‍ hidden sword whose‍ name isn’t even⁠ known.

He‍⁠‌ was the leader‍⁠ of an underworld‌‍ group that only‍​​ the head of⁠ the family could⁠⁠⁠ fully handle, but​ now we can‌‌ question that to‌​‍ some extent.

“Is‍​‍ the boy in‍⁠‌ front of me⁠⁠‌ really Karl Ravnoma?”​​​

“…”‌‌

Joseph’s‌‍ office in Deirmar,⁠​ tinted by the​‌ sun.

It​‍‌ was a quiet​ place, unlike the​ north, but at‌ the moment, only‌ a heavy silence​ prevailed.

“I’m‍‍ sorry.”

“Fine.”‍‌‍

It‍​ was an obvious‌ mistake, but Joseph‌​​ didn’t bother to‌‍ blame Marcus.

As‍ this child was​ dismissed with the‌‍​ last bit of‍‍ strength left in‍​‌ Ravnoma, everyone involved‍‌ in this must‍‍ have been desperate.​​

It‌‍‌ would have been‌⁠‍ impossible for Marcus​ to overcome all​⁠⁠ that struggle alone.⁠‌

“Anyway,‌‌ it’s probably true‌‍​ that he is‍​​ Ravnoma.”

A boy who claims‌⁠ to be the‌ last Ravnoma.

Bayezid‌‍‌ had to pay‌‌ a high price⁠ to get this‌ child out of​‍‌ the West.

However,‌⁠ if he had‍ known that this⁠‍​ child wasn’t Karl⁠​‍ Ravnoma, he wouldn’t​⁠⁠ have put in⁠ so much effort.​⁠

“Tell‍⁠‌ me your real‍​⁠ name. The last⁠ scion of Ravnoma.”⁠‍⁠

In⁠​​ response to Joseph’s‌ question, the boy​​ lifted his chin​ as if trying​‌ to look resolute,⁠ but his eyes‍ were still filled​ with helpless anxiety.​

Because‌ there was no​​ one here who‌ could defend him.⁠​

“I‌ am…”

“I’ll‍ tell you beforehand,‌ I hate lies.”‍‍

A child whom no‌⁠⁠ one can protect‌​ anymore.

For​‌⁠ a child like‍⁠ that, even the⁠‍​ slightest warning will‍​ come like thunder.‌‍‍

Therefore,‌ the only thing⁠ the child could‍‌ rely on now‌‌ was the black​‌ cloak he wore.‌⁠⁠

“…Charlotte.”⁠

A voice that seems‍ to have resigned​​​ to something.

To​⁠ survive, I had​‍‍ to hide.

That‌​ was the first⁠‌‌ survival method the​ child had to⁠‌‍ learn upon entering⁠⁠​ the world.

“Charlotte‍‌​ Ravnoma.”

And‌ when she finally⁠‍‌ revealed her identity,​ as expected, no​‌⁠ one rejoiced for‌‍ her.

From​ the moment the⁠‍ girl was born⁠ until now, when⁠‌ she barely survived.‌​

A girl named Charlotte​⁠ has lived in‍ such a world⁠‍‌ until now.

“…I​‍​ see.”

Bayezid’s​‍ men seemed frustrated‍⁠‌ at the answer​ they heard.

Charlotte‍‍‍ simply grabbed her​‌⁠ cloak again with‌‌ trembling hands, listening‍​‌ to the faint‌‍‍ sighs she had‌ heard countless times‌‌ throughout her life.‌‍

“Thank‍‍ you for being‍‌ honest.”

Though‍‍‌ disguised with a rebellious look, Charlotte’s​ eyes, trembling mercilessly,⁠​ were pitiful.

Like⁠‍ the boy I met one winter⁠‌⁠ day.

Joseph’s​⁠ mind began to​​ blur as he‍ looked at the⁠ girl who identified‍​ herself as Charlotte,‌ not as Karl.⁠‌​

***‌‍‍

The‍ sky was blue‍ and the waves​ calm.

Unlike⁠‍⁠ last night when‍⁠⁠ the storm raged.‌​

“…I‌⁠ hate Zemina.”

A man with black​​​ hair lay sprawled‌⁠‌ on the deck‌⁠ like wet seaweed.‍‍

A small voice, as​ if singing, escaped‌ from between the‍ lips of pure‍‍ white.

“Zemina‍ is too small,‌​‌ slow, and wobbly.”​⁠​

“Mr.​‍⁠ Rutiger. Please, snap​‍​ out of it.”​

Like‌​⁠ Rutiger, Vlad dried‌​ his wet hair‍ and quickly helped‌​ him up from⁠‍ his limp body.⁠

Vlad’s‍⁠ complexion was also⁠​‌ white, but he‌ still looked much‌​​ better than Rutiger,⁠ who was babbling‌‌ nonsense.

“I‌ hate the sea.‍‍‍ I don’t like⁠​⁠ storms either.”

“But‍⁠​ how did you⁠⁠⁠ manage to come⁠‍ out?”

“I’ll‍‌​ never set foot‍​‍ on a boat⁠‌ again. I’ll live⁠‍ on land for⁠‌‍ the rest of‍​ my life.”

Unknown⁠ sea. And the⁠‌ first storm I experienced.

The‍​​ ship Zemina could‌ only venture into⁠​​ northern waters today‍​ after surviving a brutal storm last​‍‌ night.

According​‌ to Harven, it‌ was a situation⁠ where everything could⁠‌ have been ruined‍ if the response‌⁠​ had been even‌ a little late.⁠

‘…Everyone’s‍ taste has vanished.’‌​​

Vlad,‌⁠‍ who was moving⁠⁠ Rutiger, who was‍ still babbling, to⁠‍ the hammock, looked‍ silently towards the⁠‍⁠ deck.

The⁠ men of the​ North tangle with‌⁠⁠ each other and⁠ roll without anyone‌ else.

Vlad‍​‍ sighed as he⁠‌‍ watched the forced​ unification of the‍​ North caused by​ the great forces​​ of nature.

“Why⁠‍ the hell isn’t‍‌⁠ there a captain’s‌‌⁠ cabin here?”

“To⁠ begin with, it’s⁠​​ because it’s small.‍‍​ Everything turned into‍ luggage space.”

Vlad‍ threw Rutiger, who​ was struggling, into‍‌ the hammock and‌ complained to Harven‌ with an unsatisfied​⁠​ voice, but returned⁠​‌ only with a proud excuse.

“Looking‌‌ at things like⁠ this, doesn’t the⁠​ name Zemina surprisingly‍​ fit this ship?​⁠​ They’re both small.”​⁠‍

“…Fine,‌ do as you‌ please.”

Vlad⁠‍‍ left Harven, who‍ was steering the​​​ wheel enthusiastically, and⁠ began to move‌ the Budart knights​​ and warriors inside‍ to replace the⁠‌​ sailors in the​​​ alley that were​‍‌ still occupied.

“I‌‌⁠ almost died.”

Although‌‍ he was moving⁠​⁠ as if nothing⁠‌​ had happened now,⁠‌ the lingering effects⁠⁠ of the storm​ he encountered the​‌​ night before were​ still strongly rooted⁠ in Vlad’s mind.​‌

It​ was probably a storm that would⁠‍⁠ have caused the​‍‍ ship to sink​‍ long ago if‌ the squid banks​⁠ hadn’t alerted them.‍‍

“They’re‌​‌ such amazing creatures.”‍​

Vlad‌‌‍ gripped the deck​​​ railing, a little‌​ wider, and looked‍‌ out to sea.⁠

The‍ glowing objects fall​​​ one by one‍‍⁠ as soon as​ the storm passes.‍‍‍

Vlad⁠‍ quickly closed his‍‍⁠ left eye as‍ he watched the⁠⁠‍ squid return to‌ the depths of​‍‍ the sea as⁠ if they had​‍‍ done their job.⁠⁠‍

“Just‍ looking at the‍ problem, it doesn’t‌⁠⁠ seem like a spirit.”

Glowing‌⁠‌ squid warning of‍‍ an approaching storm‍ and showing us​‍⁠ the way through​​ it.

But‌ even in Vlad’s‌​‍ world, where the‍​‌ remnants of the⁠‍ voice had been‌ absorbed, they were⁠‌‍ nothing more than⁠‍ ugly, ordinary squids.⁠

“…I‌​⁠ don’t know what‌⁠​ the hell it‌​‌ is.”

Harven‌‍ said that the​‍ squid banks that⁠​‌ came in mass‌⁠ last night must‍‌ have come out​⁠ to escape the‌ storm.

However,‍​‌ Vlad knew very​ well that the​​ squids now retreating​⁠‍ were not held‌⁠‍ together for such‌‍⁠ a natural reason.⁠​​

‘What⁠​ the hell did‌‍ you do to‌⁠ me?’

Vlad​⁠ silently looked at⁠ the blue sword‌ hanging from his⁠ waist.

The​ Star Sword that‌‌ the young World⁠⁠ Tree made along‌ with the spirits.​

The‌ dust that blew‌ from the sword​ last night was‍⁠ something that only‍ Vlad could notice.⁠‍

It​ was the same‌‌ scene as on​‍‍ Hainal Hill where‌ the white snake⁠⁠ was.

“The⁠‍‌ white snake really‍​⁠ liked this.”

Vlad,⁠ who had simply⁠ absorbed the remnants⁠‍ of the voice,‌‌‌ still hadn’t realized.‌​

The​ fact that you’re⁠ sowing seeds now.‌

The‌⁠ young potentials that​ hadn’t yet become‍ spirits were being⁠​ guided by the⁠ knight and spread‌ throughout the world.⁠‌

Just​​ as the old‍‌ Sword Master wanted‍ to do.

“I⁠ see it! I can see land⁠‍ over there!”

Vlad⁠⁠‍ was awakened from​‍ his thoughts by​​ the cry of​‌⁠ a sailor coming‌⁠ from somewhere.

Little‍ by little, traces​ of land begin‌​ to appear ahead.‍⁠‍

At​⁠​ the lookout’s call‍⁠ that land was⁠⁠​ in sight, the‌ knights who had⁠ collapsed began to‍ rise slowly.

I don’t know if​⁠​ it was my​⁠​ mood, but I felt like the​⁠ smell reaching my‍‍‌ nose had already​ changed.

“Good.”‍

Harven‍‌ looked at the‌⁠ dock seen in⁠⁠⁠ the distance through⁠‍ the telescope and⁠‌ smiled faintly.

“Tell​‍‍ your guests! We’ve‌ reached our destination!”‌​​

The‍ captain was the⁠‌‍ last one left​ and managed to‍‍⁠ deliver his cargo‍‌​ to its destination‌‌‍ despite the storm.​

Captain⁠ Harven’s performance was‌ so impressive that​ it was deeply​⁠ ingrained in Rutiger’s​ mind.

“Raise‍⁠ the flag! So⁠⁠ we can identify​​ ourselves!”

Following​​ the captain’s order,​ a red flag‍​⁠ was hoisted again​‍ over the small⁠⁠ but sturdy Zemina.​

A red flag resembling‍‍ someone’s hair color.​‌

The‌⁠‌ flag that proved‌‌ its worth waved⁠‍ not only on‍ land but also‍‍‍ at sea.

***​⁠

Neigh-​

Noir‌​‍ is staggering around⁠⁠ as if dizzy.‍

Fortunately,​ although it was‍ a tough journey,‍ no horse was‌​⁠ seriously injured.

“I’ll⁠​​ head back to⁠‍ Soara like this.”⁠

The⁠‌‌ dock of a small coastal town.⁠

On‍‌ the dock, where‍ not even the‌ smallest sailboat, Zemina,‌‌​ could fit, Harven‌‌ bid farewell to​​​ Vlad.

“Thanks‌ for waiting for‍‍‌ me in Nassau.”⁠

“If⁠​‌ you’re so grateful,‌ why don’t you‌ buy me another​ boat?”

Harven⁠‌ was smiling as‌ he stroked Vlad’s⁠‌ sleek armor.

However,​ when Harven looked​ closely at the​​ armor, his smile​‍ hardened at the‌‌ sight of the⁠ scars engraved in⁠‌⁠ various parts of⁠​‍ the armor.

“Of​​ course, I’ll buy⁠‌⁠ you one more.⁠‍‍ Still, it’s top-notch,‌ but would you‍ like to have⁠ a baby with‌⁠ just one pear?”⁠‌​

His⁠ blond hair fluttered​‍​ over his smiling​‍​ face.

It‌‌‍ looks beautiful from‌‌ afar, but up⁠ close, it’s full⁠‍​ of scars.

Harven​‌ couldn’t help but‍ smile bitterly as‍ he looked at⁠⁠‌ Vlad’s armor, which⁠‍⁠ was exactly like‍ its owner.

“…Don’t‍‍ overdo it. I make money now‌​‌ too.”

“I’ll‍​ stick that on⁠‌‍ someone’s nose.”

Though‌​⁠ it was a cold response, Harven⁠⁠​ raised the staff⁠ he held and⁠ opened his arms⁠⁠ to embrace Vlad.​‌

The⁠⁠ balance was a bit unstable for⁠ a moment, but​ when both sides‍‍ leaned on each‌ other, they could‍‌ maintain a perfect‌⁠⁠ posture.

“Don’t⁠​‌ forget that Zemina⁠​ is always waiting‍⁠ for you.”

“…Alright.”‌‌⁠

Take‌ care, stay healthy.‌⁠‍ See you later.⁠⁠​

Though​⁠‌ not necessarily expressed‌‌ in words, the​​ sincerity contained in‍‍ a hug was​​ fully conveyed through‌​​ the warmth of​⁠ the other.

“I‌⁠ still have cargo‌​‍ left.”

Harven⁠‍ pointed back with‍​ his thumb.

There‍ was Rutiger, looking‍⁠‌ at Vlad with‌‌​ a grim face.‍⁠‍

Bayezid’s​⁠ eldest son, who⁠‍‌ couldn’t bear to​⁠⁠ step forward even​‌‍ though the order​​ to board had​ been given.

He​ couldn’t stay ashore⁠⁠ like this and​⁠ had to return​​‌ to Soara following​⁠‌ Zemina.

Because​​ he had to​ join Peter, who‍ led the main‌​ army in the‌‍‍ impending war.

“Go‌‍ see him.”

“Alright.”‌​‍

After⁠ exchanging brief greetings,‍​​ Harven and Vlad‍‍ simply turned their​‌‌ backs on each​ other as if‌⁠ they were accustomed​‌ to their duties.‌‌⁠

For‍ men of the​ dark alleys, saying⁠‍ goodbye aloud was​ like a taboo.‍‌

Because⁠‍ they believed that‍⁠ only a simple‍⁠ greeting would lead‍⁠⁠ to tomorrow’s reunion.‌⁠‌

Vlad​ and the Budart‍ warriors leave the⁠ village through the‌​‌ port.

Harven,‌ watching them from​‌​ the ship, silently‍‍⁠ observed Vlad’s back‍‍‌ until he disappeared⁠​ beyond the end​​ of the telescope’s⁠ sight.

“As‍⁠​ soon as we‍ weather the storm,⁠ it’s war.”

Those‍ who rose alone‍‌ had to constantly⁠​ prove their worth.⁠⁠⁠

Like​ Vlad now.

“Otar.‌‌‌ Weigh anchor.”

“Yes.”‍‍‌

Haven‌⁠​ had no choice⁠‍ but to turn‍​ his head when⁠‍ he saw his⁠​ friend had to​⁠ enter the battlefield‌ storm once more.‌‍

However,‍‍⁠ unlike in the​‌ past, when he⁠ had no choice‌⁠ but to watch‍ from afar, Harven‌⁠ now had the​ legs to move​‌ forward.

“Get​​​ out! Everyone, get‍ ready!”

Though⁠⁠⁠ small now, there‌⁠‌ will come a day when we⁠‌​ can share it​‍ together.

Thinking​‌‍ of Vlad’s armor⁠‍ full of scars,​‌​ Harven quietly took​‌​ the captain’s hat⁠‌‌ in his hand.‌​

A small boat begins⁠⁠‌ to move slowly,⁠‌⁠ propelled by the⁠‍ wind.

Fortunately,‌⁠⁠ unlike yesterday, today‍⁠⁠ the sea seemed⁠‌ calm.

***⁠​‌

The‍⁠ group leaves a small coastal town​‌ whose name they‌‍ do not know‍ and heads towards‍​ Deirmar.

Perhaps‍‍‌ due to the⁠‍‍ resentment lost at‍⁠‌ sea, the Northern‍⁠‌ horses only advanced‌‍‌ with strength.

And​‍⁠ finally, when the‌ Hainal flag began‌‍‍ to appear in⁠‍ the distance, an​ unusual group of‌⁠‌ soldiers began to‌ enter the group’s‍ field of vision.​

“Is‌⁠‌ it Gaidar?”

“…I⁠‌​ don’t think it’s‌‍⁠ the main army.”​‍​

Gaidar’s‍⁠⁠ soldiers slowly raise⁠‍ their heads through⁠⁠ a small stream.​⁠​

As‌ Agge said, it‌ wasn’t the main⁠ force brought by‍‌​ Sigmund, but a group that seemed‌‍​ to be an⁠ advance party that‍ had already come⁠‍‌ to check the⁠⁠ situation.

“They’re‍‍ sticking their heads‍‌ out very openly.”‌

Everyone⁠‌ knows it and⁠​ there’s no need​ to hide it.​

Gaidar’s‌⁠ vanguard didn’t hesitate‍ to reveal their​​‌ presence, despite the‌‌ reconnaissance mission.

It​⁠⁠ was both confidence​ and disdain.

“Oh​⁠⁠ my. Give me‍ the flag.”

“Alright.”‍​‍

“No,‍​‍ not mine.”

If⁠⁠‌ they ignore you,​​‌ you have to⁠ return the favor.​​

Because​‍⁠ that was Vlad’s‌⁠ rule of life‌‌​ and survival method.⁠‍

“Please,​⁠ greet them in‌‍ advance.”

Seeing​ Vlad’s fierce smile,⁠​ the Budart warriors‍⁠ smiled too.

As‌‍ expected, the choice⁠‌⁠ made by the⁠ son of the‍‌ meadow was not‍ wrong.

“Let’s⁠⁠⁠ go!”

Warriors‌ running downhill on‌‍ the fields, not​‌ towards Deirmar Castle.‍

Gaidar‍ soldiers began to⁠​ panic at Vlad’s​⁠ sudden charge.

“Hey,​ what are those?”‍

“They’re‍​ charging towards us!”​‍

Warriors‍⁠ charging towards an‍⁠ advanced force of‍‌⁠ hundreds with just​‍⁠ ten units of‌⁠ cavalry.

Due‍‍‌ to Vlad’s sudden⁠ actions that went​⁠​ beyond common sense,​​ Gaidar’s formation began‌ to fluctuate with‍ no trace of‌‍ their previous relaxed⁠ appearance.

“Lower‍‌ your shield! I only came to⁠ greet you!”

However,‌‍ Vlad and the‍ warriors simply laughed​ and passed by⁠ the formation.

Vlad​⁠‌ and the warriors‌‍‍ began to scan‍ Gaidar’s formation, boldly⁠ passing as if⁠‍‍ to touch it.​

However,‌ the reason why​ Gaidar’s soldiers couldn’t⁠⁠ easily respond wasn’t⁠⁠‌ simply because they⁠​ were perplexed by‌‍ the sudden situation.​

“Is‍⁠​ that flag real?”‌⁠

“…No,‍ that can’t be⁠ possible.”

A blonde knight who‍⁠‍ looks beautiful to​‍‌ anyone.

However,‌‌‍ in contrast, the‌⁠​ flag held by‍‌ the knight was⁠ very torn and‌ stained.

“Tell⁠‌​ Count and Godin!⁠ I was grateful‍⁠ for the flag​‍‌ you gave me!”‍⁠‌

A familiar flag held​‌ by a Northern​​ knight they had‍ never seen before.‌​⁠

It⁠ was Gaidar cavalry’s‌⁠ flag, with the​ wings broken and‍ hanging limp.

What did you think of this chapter?
0 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.