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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 143: The day the cuckoo cries (1)

Chapter 143: The day the cuckoo cries (1)

Joseph’s‍ office was bathed‌‍⁠ in gentle sunlight.‍

The⁠⁠‌ office that Alicia​ had specially given⁠⁠ to Joseph wasn’t​⁠‍ as large as​​​ the mayor’s office​ in Soara, but‍ it was a rather pleasant space.‍

“With‍​​ just ten people,‍‌ they went out‌ and provoked…”

However,‍ the only thing⁠ heard in this⁠ wonderful space wasn’t⁠ friendly chatter, but​ only the sound​ of knocking on‌​⁠ the desk.

Jager,⁠ who was expressionless⁠​‍ but showed signs‍⁠⁠ of discomfort by​⁠ his side, was​‌ probably an advantage.‍​

“According‌ to the scout’s​‍ report, they almost‌​​ got into a fight?”

“…”​‍‌

In‌ response to the‌‍ question, Vlad simply‍‌ rolled his eyes​ back and forth.⁠

Indeed,‍‌⁠ it wasn’t just‌ before they got‍‍⁠ into a fight,‌​ it was as‍‌ if they had‍⁠ been beaten up.⁠⁠‍

Although‍ they didn’t draw‌​ their swords, some⁠​ people quickly kicked‍‍‌ them aside and​⁠​ returned, so it​​‌ was a provocation​​‍ that could be‌‍ considered a real​‌ confrontation.

“I‍​‌ apologize.”

Joseph‌⁠‍ hated lies.

Vlad,⁠‌ reflecting on the‍ valuable lessons he⁠‌ had learned during⁠⁠ his time as​‍ a praying mercenary,‍⁠ quickly adjusted his​ posture as if⁠‌​ he were a model of thoughtful​‍‌ posture.

The‌‍ posture of politely⁠⁠⁠ putting the back​ behind the back⁠ and slightly bowing⁠‌ the head seemed‌⁠ to be something​ that had only‍‌⁠ been done once​⁠‍ or twice.

“…Alright.”‌⁠​

Joseph‍‍‍ didn’t even sigh‌⁠ anymore as he​⁠ watched Vlad simply‍ admit he was‌ wrong without any​​ intention of making‌​⁠ an excuse.

“I​‌‌ did it because‌⁠⁠ I thought it‍⁠ was worth it.”‌

From‌⁠⁠ the first time‌ I met him,⁠​‌ I thought he‍ was a difficult​‌ guy to deal⁠ with, but in‌‌‌ reality, I was‍‍⁠ a bit wrong.​⁠‌

Vlad​⁠‍ was the kind​ of person who‌⁠ shone when left​ alone, uncontrolled.

“I‌ hope your provocation⁠⁠​ was made with⁠‍​ calm judgment.”

Joseph‍‍‍ decided to respect⁠​‍ his burgeoning individuality.‍

It‍‍⁠ was something I did according to‌⁠ my own judgment,‍‌‍ not something lacking⁠⁠ or wrong, so‍‍ now I had​⁠‌ to judge it​​ based on the​ results.

The‍⁠ knight named Vlad‍ sufficiently demonstrated that​ he had become‍ a complete knight⁠ through this operation.‌⁠‍

“Just​ remember. A knight’s‌⁠​ thoughts should be‍ serious, and his‌‍ steps heavy.”

“I’ll‍‌⁠ keep that in​ mind.”

However,‌ I wish you‌⁠ were a bit‌ more careful.

From​ now on, when‍⁠ your name is‌‌ known, the traces​​​ of everything you‍⁠ do will be‌⁠ engraved as footprints⁠ and follow your‍​ steps.

Until‍‌ you stop. endlessly.⁠

“Make​⁠⁠ sure to rest⁠ a bit. It‍‌ would be a good idea to⁠⁠ stock up on⁠‍ endurance.”

“Alright.”​⁠​

Joseph’s⁠ words told us‍‍ to stock up​⁠ on endurance in​ preparation for the⁠ impending war.

Contrary‌ to what he‌‌‍ expected, Vlad surprisingly⁠ didn’t receive a harsh reprimand and​ felt a bit‌⁠ bewildered.

“What⁠​ are you doing?​‍‍ I told you‍‌ to leave.”

“…Yes.”​‍​

However,‌​⁠ Jager was still‍‌ looking at Vlad‌‌ with his head‌‌ tilted sideways.

With⁠⁠ a somber look‍‌ in his eyes​‌⁠ as if telling⁠ him to look⁠ towards the future.‌

Unlike⁠ Joseph, Jager still‌ seemed to find‍⁠ it hard to⁠​‌ let go of​ Vlad.

Sigh-⁠

Bordan,⁠ who was sitting⁠⁠ in a guest​ chair drinking tea,‍ paused to snort​ as he watched​ Vlad advance with⁠‍‍ a refined attitude‍‌ without releasing tension⁠‌​ until the end.‍‌

“That‍ guy remains a mystery.”

An‍‍ absolutely ruthless knight‌‍⁠ in what he​⁠​ does, yet with‍​​ an elegant appearance.‌‌⁠

Bordan‌‌⁠ had never seen‍ a knight with⁠‍ such a distinct‍ appearance.

“He​ seems like an‌ incredible mix.”

“…He‍⁠​ may bounce around‌⁠‍ here and there,‌‌ but he’s the‍‍​ color Bayezid needs.”‍​

A knight who has​ grown on his‍ own, not a fabricated knight.

Joseph‌​ wanted a knight‍ like that, and⁠ Vlad lived up​⁠ to his expectations.​‍

“It’s‍​⁠ a color even⁠ you covet.”

Joseph‌‌ picked up Vlad’s​‍ report from the‌​​ desk and walked​‍​ quietly to the‌​​ window and looked‍​⁠ outside.

The​‌ soldiers seemed somewhat​‌​ excited.

They’re⁠‌ probably talking eagerly⁠​ about Vlad’s provocation‍​​ that happened today.‍‌

“Among‌ Bayezid’s knights, how‌‌ many of them‍⁠‍ want to do‌⁠ such crazy things?”‌⁠

Joseph​‌ smiled faintly as⁠⁠‍ he saw the‍ garrison become more‍ lively for the​​ first time in⁠‌ a long time.⁠⁠

A tattered flag erected‌⁠​ in a corner‌ of the office.​⁠⁠

Gaidar’s⁠‍‍ eagle, along with‌​⁠ Stephan’s sword, became​‍‍ a great trophy‌⁠ and was turned​ into another decoration.‍⁠

***​⁠

“Mr.‍⁠ Vlad.”

“Yes,‌​​ Stephan.”

People⁠‍ crowded into a small mansion.

It‌​ was inevitable that‌⁠⁠ Vlad and Stephan‍​​ encountered familiar faces‍‌ after just a few steps.

“Are​‍ you injured anywhere?”​​⁠

“Say‌‌‍ what you have⁠ to say first.”‍

“I‌‍ have nothing to​ say.”

The​ mercenary leader Stephan,‌‍⁠ naturally, followed alongside​‌ Vlad and spoke​⁠ to him.

“Where⁠⁠ are you going?”⁠‌

“To​ see the horses.”‍

“Oh,⁠ that guy.”

“I‍​ have to take‍ care of him⁠​ at least once⁠​ a day. Because‍‌ his personality is​‌‍ so damned.”

Stephan‍​ nodded silently at​⁠‍ Vlad’s words.

Although‌‍ his skills are​ excellent, his temper‍‌ is dirty.

Although‍‌ he was looking⁠‌‍ from the side,⁠⁠ he was a formidable guy, so​ Stephan could easily‍‌‌ think of Noir.‌‍⁠

“Can⁠‌ we handle the‌⁠⁠ small things? At‌‍ least I can‌‌ provide him with‌⁠‍ food.”

“Yes,‍‍​ thank you.”

I would appreciate it‌‍ if you could⁠‌​ do that, but‍​ I don’t know‌​⁠ if I can.​

There‌‍ was no stable​‌‍ keeper who was⁠‌‌ not a Goethe​ who could cling⁠​ to him.

“I​⁠ already requested a contract extension from⁠‍ Lord Bordan, so‌ don’t be too⁠ clingy.”

“…Haha.‌⁠‍ I didn’t necessarily⁠​ mean that.”

Vlad‌ knew why Stephan‍​ clung to him.⁠‍

Mercenaries‌ are people who⁠ pursue shining gold‌​​ coins.

However,⁠⁠⁠ as everyone knew⁠⁠ the importance of‌⁠ gold coins, in‍​‌ this world there⁠​ was always noise​ on the stage​⁠⁠ of giving and​​ receiving.

“We⁠‍ just want to⁠​ work with Mr.⁠⁠ Vlad one more‍‍⁠ time.”

“Speak‍‌‌ with a little‌ more restraint.”

In‌​⁠ that regard, Joseph​‌ Bayezid must have‍‌ been a great⁠‍‍ employer.

Because⁠ he was not‌⁠‌ a liar like​​​ Count Vitskaya of‍⁠ Tanovo, nor was‍‌​ he poor like⁠‌ Baron Dalmatia of⁠‍⁠ Dobrechi.

“Over⁠​⁠ here. They said‌‌ the stable’s location​‍ has changed compared‍ to before.”

Stephan‍ follows Vlad as‌ if he is‌‌​ familiar with him⁠‍​ and finds their‌‍‍ way.

Stephan,‍ who had arrived⁠ in Deirmar ahead⁠⁠ of time with​⁠​ Marcus, quickly discovered‍⁠⁠ the location of⁠ the mansion.

Stephan‍‍⁠ knew very well‌​ that every little‌‍ preparation like this‌ would increase his​ own evaluation.

“However,⁠​‍ it’s right here.​⁠‌ But it seems‌​⁠ there’s a passenger.”‌‌​

“Mmm.”‍​

Anyone‍ can see that⁠⁠ it’s a black⁠‌​ horse that occupies‍​ a large space​​‌ on its own,⁠ unlike other horses.⁠

However,​​⁠ there was already​⁠⁠ a small shadow​‌ clinging to Noir’s​​ side even though‌ Vlad did not​‌⁠ allow it.

It​ was a child​ with familiar green⁠⁠ hair.

“What‌​ are you doing‍​‌ here?”

“…”‌⁠

Charlotte‍ had a very‌‌‌ subtle expression on​‌ her face as‌‍​ she watched Vlad‌‌​ enter the stable.​​

It‌⁠ seemed she was​‌​ happy to see​ me, but in‍ a way, she⁠ also seemed uncomfortable.⁠‌

“How‌ often do you‌ say this?”

“Why?‌ If you have⁠ money, can you​⁠‍ buy it?”

Vlad⁠ took the brush​‌ brought by the‌‌‌ stable keeper and‌ brushed Noir’s fur‍⁠​ without even looking‍​​ at Charlotte beside‌‍‍ him.

Noir​‌‍ was sensitive to⁠⁠ unfamiliar touch, but‍⁠‌ when he felt⁠ Vlad’s consideration for‍‍ the first time​ in a long‌‌ time, he began⁠‌​ to purr like‌ a dog.

“No​⁠​ matter how much‍ money you give,‍ there are some‌​ things you can’t‍‌‌ buy. He’s like‍​ that too.”

“…”⁠‍‌

In‌​​ a way, it⁠⁠⁠ seemed like a rude question, but‍⁠‌ it probably wasn’t​ something she really​‌ wanted to buy.‍‍‌

I guess I said‌‌ it because I had nothing else‌ to say.

Seeing‌​ the awkward tension‍ between Vlad and‌‍​ Charlotte, Stephan quickly⁠⁠ left the stable‍⁠​ and made room‌‍ for them.

“Is‍‍ she okay? The​‌ woman who was⁠ hit by an​⁠ arrow.”

“Ah.”​

Now‍‌ there are only​‍‌ two people left​⁠⁠ in the stable.​‍

Looking⁠ at Charlotte, who⁠⁠‌ stubbornly refused to‌ leave despite being‌ warned, Vlad could​⁠‌ feel that the‌​ child had nowhere‍ to go.

Because​‍ Vlad was very​‍‌ familiar with the‍⁠ look of not​​​ being welcome everywhere.​​‌

“Martha​⁠⁠ is fine. She‌ feels much better.”⁠‌‌

“Why⁠‌ don’t you go​⁠‌ take care of‍⁠⁠ her?”

“They‌⁠ said I had‍​ to take it⁠ easy. So I shouldn’t bother her.”‍‍‍

A woman named Martha‍​‍ was not the⁠ mother who gave‌ birth to Charles,⁠ but she was‌​‌ the nanny who‌‌ raised him.

Since⁠‍ she saved the‌​ only person he‌⁠⁠ could emotionally trust,‌​ it was understandable⁠‌ that Charlotte followed‍‍ Vlad.

“A⁠‌‌ cloak. I’ll return‌‍⁠ it to you.”​

“…Hold​ onto it for⁠‌ now. Anyway, it’s‍ just a hassle‍ during battle.”

Vlad⁠‍ thought of the⁠⁠‍ woman cooling off⁠‍​ while holding the⁠ child and felt⁠⁠‌ lucky to be⁠‌‌ safe.

Even⁠‌ though she wasn’t⁠ a related person,‍ there was still⁠ something familiar about‌​‍ her that came‌⁠‌ to mind.

Vlad‍ hoped his cloak​ would be of‌ some help to​ her.

“…This.”⁠⁠‍

“What⁠ is this?”

The​​ girl disguised as⁠⁠ a boy handed‍‍ Vlad a small‍ necklace as if⁠ she had thought​⁠ about it for‍​​ a while.

“I​‌‍ was taught to​ always show sincerity​‌‍ when expressing my⁠⁠​ will. Because that’s⁠​​ what Ravnomara has⁠ to do.”

“…”⁠‌​

A brown collar given⁠‍ by Charlotte.

The‌ collar, which seemed⁠‌ to be made⁠ of brass instead​‍ of gold or‌⁠ silver, had a soft glow as​⁠ if it had⁠‌⁠ been carefully polished‌ amidst all the⁠⁠‌ chaos.

“Why‌‍​ are you giving‍‌ me this?”

“Because​‌ you saved Martha.‌​ And me too.”​

Charlotte​​⁠ remembered Vlad, who⁠ had pretended to‌ be bait to​ save the group.‍‌⁠

If‍ it weren’t for​‍‍ Vlad’s sacrifice, she‌ would already be‍​ rolling in the‍ cold wasteland.

Because​ the grace of‌‍ saving lives was‍ a heavy burden,‌‍⁠ Charlotte was determined⁠⁠‌ to give everything‍⁠‌ she promised, though‌​⁠ not immediately.

“I⁠ have nothing to‍​‍ give right now.‌‌‍ But I will​‍​ later…”

“Put⁠​‍ it inside.”

Vlad⁠ tossed the brush‌⁠⁠ he was holding‍​ into the bucket‍ and this time‌ opened his mouth⁠ bluntly, examining Noir’s‍​ hooves.

“Is‍​​ that a memento‌‌⁠ or a relic‍ or something? I decided not to‌ accept such items​ ever again.”

“…”⁠⁠‍

It‍⁠ was an object‌​ that at first​‍ glance seemed to​ have a story.‍⁠

Regardless⁠ of whether it⁠⁠⁠ was worth it​‌​ or not, Vlad​‌​ was a person⁠ who had decided‍⁠ not to indiscriminately‍ accept such items.‍

The​⁠ reason he still⁠‍ avoids Alicia here‍‌‍ and there was⁠ for that reason.​‍

“And…”⁠

After‍‍‍ examining all the​ hooves, Vlad put⁠⁠​ his hand on​​ Noir’s sturdy waist​⁠ and laughed.

It​‌ was nothing special,‍ but as he⁠ tried to say⁠‍ it, a strange‌ feeling filled my⁠⁠ chest.

The‍​ time has come‌‌​ to tell others‍ about this.

I still don’t know⁠​‍ what’s going on‍​ in the world.‌​

“…A‍​⁠ knight should only​​ receive fair compensation.”‍⁠

These⁠ words will surely​‌ be heavy because‌​ I have always​‍​ kept them in​ my heart.

Knights⁠ should only receive‌ fair compensation.

There​⁠‌ was someone who⁠‍‌ told that to​⁠⁠ the alley boy‍ who was nothing.‌​

Through‍ him, Vlad confirmed‍‌ the reality of​ the vague dream‌‌⁠ and still pursued⁠ it, looking towards​‌ the distant sky.⁠​

The⁠⁠​ child’s arrow, which​‌​ he had shot‍ towards the blue‌​ moon, still flew‌⁠ towards the sky.​‍

“I‌‍ have already received​‍ fair compensation for​‍ this mission. So​‌ I will not‍​​ accept what you⁠​ give me in⁠‍ return.”

“…”‍

When‍ Charlotte finally looked⁠ at Vlad looking‍​ at her, she​‌‌ fell silent at‍ the strange feeling‌ of weight emanating​‌‍ from him.

A knight talking about‌⁠‌ qualifications and a girl who doesn’t​‌​ even have the​ qualifications to say‍​ Ravnomara yet.

Charlotte‍⁠ naturally reached for‌‌ the collar she​​⁠ had offered again.‌

For‌‌ some reason, I felt resentful.

“…But‍ I will definitely⁠ return it to‍⁠ you later.”

From‍⁠ a lying knight⁠‍ to an alley​⁠‌ boy.

And‍‌ back to the​‌ girl who has​​ nothing to give.‌

The​⁠‌ knight’s oath, which​‍ had a strange​​ resonance, continued to‍⁠ be transmitted to‍‌ another person.

***​‌‍

“It​‌ will arrive in‍‌‌ the next two‌ days.”

“I‍‌​ understand. Godin.”

Now​​‌ Deirmar is so‌‌‌ close that you​⁠‍ can see it‍‍‌ if you squint.⁠

Although⁠ there were checkpoints‍⁠‍ and obstructions that‌​⁠ made one grit⁠​‍ their teeth, Sigmund‍‍​ managed to lead​‌ the main force‌‍‌ without much trouble.‌‌

Although⁠‍ it was a swift movement, not⁠​ many people left,​​​ which demonstrates Sigmund’s‌ excellent leadership skills.‌‍

“It’s‍ been delayed by‍‍‍ a month, but‍​‌ it’s still within‌⁠‍ the expected range.”​‍‍

Sigmund’s‌ fierce smile turned‍ towards the north.‍⁠

A place where your‌⁠‌ goals and objectives⁠ lie.

As‍⁠⁠ he watched the​‍ black earth beneath‌‍​ his feet grow‍‍ brighter, Sigmund could‌‍ feel with his​‍⁠ whole body that‌‌ he was reaching‌ where he wanted‍‌​ to be.

“…”​‍⁠

The‍‌‍ fresh scent of​​‌ summer, not the​‌ somber west wind.⁠‌

Godin,‌​ like Sigmund, closed‌ his eyes in⁠‌‌ silence and felt‌​‍ the approaching wind‌‍⁠ from Deirmar.

“Yes.”​⁠⁠

The⁠⁠‌ singing of birds⁠ could be heard⁠ from afar.

Among‌‌ them, Godin picked⁠ out the sound⁠‌ of the cuckoo’s⁠⁠ song that clearly‍ reached his ears⁠ and opened his‌‍​ closed eyes with‍ a faint smile.‌⁠

“The⁠​ cuckoo should cry‌⁠‍ in the summer.”​‌

Cuckoo’s​ sound.

The⁠ sound of a cuckoo on a winter’s day that‍ announced the beginning‌⁠‌ of a lasting⁠‍ relationship.

Although⁠⁠‌ we missed each‌‌‍ other, we thought‌⁠ we would never‌‌‌ see each other‍‌‍ again because we⁠‍ passed by, but⁠‌ in the end,‌​ our fate took‍​ a turn, and⁠⁠⁠ we met again​​‍ face to face​ in this place.‌​‍

“There​‍ are many things⁠​‌ to go after.​⁠ There are some‌‍​ things that must⁠ be completely eliminated.”‌‌​

“You’re⁠‍‍ right. Count.”

The⁠ lord and the‍‍ knight, thinking the​ same, nodded at​‍ the same time.​

Allied⁠ Forces of the⁠‍ East with 5,000‍⁠ soldiers.

Now‌⁠‌ they were taking‍ their first steps​⁠ into the territory‍‍⁠ of Deirmar.

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