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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 145: Letter to Soara

Chapter 145: Letter to Soara

Ravens⁠ flying from all‌ directions.

Even‌‌ Dorothea’s magical sphere​ continued to glow⁠ even now.

One‌ after another, ominous​⁠ news arrived at‌ the Bayezid army‍‌ heading towards Deirmar.⁠‌

“This‌​‌ is an urgent⁠ letter from Bayezid.”​​

Dorothea,‍ with the characteristic‍⁠‍ pointed ears of​⁠ the beast race​‍ erect, looked at​⁠ Rutiger unable to​‍​ hide her worried​​ expression.

“Lady​ Oksana, a summons⁠ letter has just⁠⁠‌ arrived from the‍‍ Vatican…”

It‌ was a mother’s‌​ effort to care⁠⁠ for her sick‌‌⁠ child, but from​ someone’s perspective, it​ seemed like a wicked act.

Oksana,⁠‍​ a person named⁠ Oksana, had been​⁠​ shaped in such‍‍⁠ a way by‌ people who only⁠⁠ saw what they‍ wanted to see.⁠‌

Even⁠‍ though he shouldn’t⁠‌ be like this.⁠‍⁠

“Father.”‍

“…”‍‍‍

Deirmar⁠​ is just around‌‍‍ the corner.

Although​ it was only‍⁠ a half-day hike⁠ to reach the​​⁠ battlefield, ominous news​​ still arrived.

From⁠ spies scattered everywhere,​‌ to the church⁠ sharpening its fangs,‌‌​ and even the⁠‌ lords of the⁠‍ surrounding areas pushing‍​⁠ the boundaries of‌ territory.

They‌ all warned in​ unison that something​‍ big would happen‍​ in Sturma.

“I​‍​ guess I should‌​‌ go back.”

Peter,‍⁠ who even received⁠‌ the raven sent⁠⁠ from the farthest‍ North, spoke with‌‌⁠ a serious expression‌​‌ on his face.​⁠

“But,​‌ Count. If we‍‌ go back now,‍ Joseph will be‌ left alone.”

When​‌ Rutiger heard Peter‍‍​ say he should​‌ go back, he‍ began to strongly‍​⁠ oppose, saying they​ couldn’t just leave.​⁠

“I⁠ don’t know about‍ Deirmar, but we​ need to get‍‌ Joseph out. If‌ you give me⁠ soldiers…”

Is⁠⁠ it because it’s‌ an urgent situation?‍​

Although‍ it was just‌‍ a little, Rutiger‍​‍ radiated sincerity.

Although‍ they were brothers‌ destined to fight‌‌‍ from birth, they⁠ were still the⁠​ same Bayezid.

“Don’t‌​ worry. I won’t‍​ leave Joseph alone.”‌⁠‍

“Yes?”⁠‍⁠

Rutiger’s​‌ eyes widened as​‌​ he saw a faint smile on‍​ Peter’s face.

The‌ count’s wife had⁠ been summoned to‌ the Vatican, and‌‌​ now with the​‍ central army threatening​​ Sturma, Peter seemed‍ oddly relaxed.

“The​​ essence of war‍ is to obstruct⁠⁠ what the enemy‍‌​ is trying to​‍​ do.”

Victory‍‍ in war largely​⁠⁠ depends on how⁠⁠ many resources are​‍ sent to the​‌ front lines.

That’s⁠⁠ why Sigmund and‌ Dragulia had been⁠⁠ using the same‍‌ trick to separate​ the main army‍‍ of Bayezid from‌ the army of⁠ Hainal.

Through​‍​ a grave threat⁠⁠‌ that couldn’t be⁠‌​ ignored.

“Now‌ that we clearly⁠‍ know the enemy’s​ intentions, it’s easier⁠ to respond.”

Peter‍‍​ carefully folded the⁠⁠ last letter from⁠⁠⁠ the master blacksmith.⁠‍⁠

The⁠​‍ anger that had​‍ been stored up‌​‍ until now began‌ to show in‍​ his dark eyes.⁠

“We​‍​ have to return​‍​ in force. It‍ may be a bit late.”

After​ finishing speaking, Peter’s⁠ eyes looked into‍ the distance.

It‌ was a slightly‍⁠ different direction from‌‌ the one they‍‍‍ had taken so​‍ far.

***‌⁠‌

“…For⁠‍ this reason, Joseph​​‌ of Bayezid should‍​ come forward and‌‍​ apologize for his‍‌​ rudeness so far!‍‌⁠ I hope Baron​ Alicia shows respect‌‌⁠ for the West‍ through this marriage!”⁠‍

A knight from the⁠ West runs loudly⁠ in front of⁠​ the castle walls​​ while holding a white flag, symbolizing‍‍​ a messenger.

Although⁠‌ Vlad didn’t know‌‌ his name, he​ thought his courage‍⁠ to confidently spout​ nonsense in front​‌ of so many⁠⁠ enemies was worthy‍ of great praise.​‌⁠

“Why?”⁠​⁠

However,​ the soldiers surrounding‌‌​ him didn’t seem​ to think the‌‌ same.

The⁠‍⁠ soldiers of Hainal‌‍ begin to look​ at Vlad one‌ by one with⁠‌ expressions of dissatisfaction.​

The⁠ expressions on their​ faces were as​‍ if they thought​​ he should at‍‍‍ least step forward‌‌ and say something‌ here.

“…Hmm.⁠‌​ That guy. What’s‌‌⁠ his name?”

It​‌⁠ wasn’t just because​ of a strange⁠​ feeling of pressure.⁠⁠​

I said this because‌ now, as commander,‍‌⁠ I have to‌‌ think about my‍ soldiers’ morale.

“How‍ dare you insult​‍⁠ the baron! Reveal​ your name! You’re​​ a rude bastard!”‍​⁠

“Lord‍‌ Vlad is asking‍​​ for your name!”‌⁠

The‍​‌ words that started​‌ as a quiet⁠​‍ murmur from Vlad‌ turned into waves​ and began to​‌ echo through the‍ soldiers and the​​ castle walls.

“You’re⁠‍ seeing! Lady Alicia’s⁠​ knight! You!”

“If​ we meet on‍‌ the battlefield, I’ll⁠⁠‍ cut your body!”‌⁠

Not‌ only the knight‌​​ who had come⁠‌⁠ to declare war,‌​⁠ but even Vlad⁠​⁠ himself, were bewildered​ by the sudden⁠‌ outburst of curses⁠ from the soldiers,​​ as if they‍ had been waiting‌‍ for it.

I didn’t think it​‌ would catch fire⁠‌ like this.

I don’t know if⁠‍ it was my‌‍‍ mood, but I felt like I could feel Joseph’s​ eyes from far‌​ away.

“Whoops!”‍⁠‍

Suddenly,‍⁠ an arrow flew,‍⁠ as if thinking​‌ things couldn’t go‌‌ on like this​ while glaring at⁠ the angry Deirmar⁠‍ soldiers.

Although‍ there was no‍​​ threat to his‍ life, the arrow‍​⁠ stuck in the⁠⁠ horse’s rear was​​ enough to embarrass⁠‍ the messenger.

“A‍ bastard like me​‍ fell!”

“Get‍‍ out and kill​‌ him!”

Gaidar’s​ intention to pressure​‌‍ his opponent by⁠ declaring war was⁠‌⁠ shattered.

The​⁠​ Gaidar knight runs⁠⁠ towards the first‌​ escaping horse.

Watching‍ him run after‌‍ falling off a horse and writhing‍⁠ as if he⁠ had hurt himself‍ seemed comical.

“…This‌​ is a very⁠​⁠ high dose.”

Joseph,⁠⁠⁠ who was observing⁠ the battlefield from⁠ the castle wall⁠‍​ under the most‍‍‍ colorful banner, scratched​ his forehead as⁠ if worried seeing‍‌ Gaidar’s army beginning​⁠‌ to move at‌ the other end.‍‌

“No‌⁠ matter how you‌ look at it,⁠⁠ that’s talent. With‍​‌ just one word,​⁠ you moved 5,000⁠​‌ people.”

“…I’ll‍‍ say something later.”‍

Gaidar’s⁠ army begins to⁠ approach from the‌​​ end of the‌‍ meadow.

At‍⁠‍ first glance, you‌​‍ could see the​ siege tower, built‌​​ up to the⁠‌ height of the⁠ castle wall.

“You’re⁠‌‍ well prepared.”

There‍⁠ were probably dozens⁠⁠ of siege weapons.​

The‍​⁠ only consolation is⁠‍ that they can’t⁠ use catapults because‍ it’s a place​⁠​ without rocks.

“Light​ the arrow.”

However,‌ Gaidar wasn’t the‌‌‍ only one who‍​ was fully prepared.Archers​​⁠ carry arrows to‌ the torches and‌ begin to set‌ them on fire.‍‍‍

Hainal’s‍ army arrows rose‌‌‌ towards the finally‌ risen sun.

“Not​ yet.”

Joseph‍‌‍ calmly measures the‍‌‌ distance and checks‌​⁠ the range.

Joseph‍⁠ knew very well‌‌​ that when it⁠ comes to fortifying,⁠⁠‌ there’s no safer‌‍ attack than the‍ arrow fired at‌⁠‌ the beginning.

Definitely⁠ the most valuable⁠⁠ opportunity.

“Next.”‌‌

“Not‍‍‌ yet.”

The‌⁠‍ shouts of Gaidar’s⁠‌‌ army can be‌ heard from the‌​⁠ front.

Western⁠ marauders running towards​‍ each other, each​‌ with a shield.‌‍​

Some​ of those moving⁠‍ quickly had already‍⁠ reached the foot​ of the castle⁠‌ wall.

“Now!”​​⁠

The​​​ edge of the‍‌⁠ siege tower suddenly⁠‍‍ leans.

Joseph,⁠⁠⁠ who saw this‌​⁠ and realized the‍‍​ moment had come,‍‌ shouted loudly and​ gave a signal.​

It’s⁠⁠ a trap! The‌​ enemies have dug‍‌ a trap!

Holy⁠‍​ crazy! I crossed​ a while ago!​‌

A trap that activates‌⁠ based on weight.⁠

The‌‍ deep traps, like⁠​ ditches, had finally‌‍ been revealed and‌ were swallowing Gaidar’s‍ siege weapons all​​‍ at once.

Arrows​ ablaze began to⁠⁠‌ rain from the‍‍ sky.

***‍​

“…What’s‍​ that guy’s name?”‍​‍

“His⁠​‍ name is Joseph.​‌‌ He is the​⁠ second son of‍​‍ Bayezid.”

Sigmund​⁠⁠ sat on his‌​ horse, looked at​‍⁠ the battlefield, and⁠ burst into laughter.‌​

“That‍‍⁠ guy wasn’t in⁠ his right mind⁠‌ either.”

“Argh!‍​‍ It’s an arrow!”⁠

“The⁠‍​ siege tower is⁠ on fire! Put​​ out the fire!”‌

There‌ are so many​‍‌ traps dug here​‌ and there that‌ you might think‌⁠ you’re crazy.

Sigmund‌ laughed as he‍‌ looked at the‌ traps that were‌‌‌ so extreme that‍ they made him‍‌ laugh.

It⁠⁠ was a tactic‍⁠​ that only a coward would use,⁠ but if he​‍‌ was really trapped⁠⁠‌ at this level,⁠ he had no‌‌ choice but to​​ acknowledge it.

“Now‌⁠ I see he‍​ was blindfolded.”

The⁠ reason Peter launched⁠‌ a special unit​​ to disrupt the​‍‌ rear was not‍​ simply to cut‌‍ off the supply.‍​

Scouts‌‍‌ acting as eyes​‌‍ on the battlefield.‌

Numerous‌‍ Western scouts who‍⁠​ should have been‌ spying on the‌ battlefield long ago‍⁠ couldn’t figure out​⁠ the current situation‌​ while chasing a detachment like Vlad.‍‌

“Just​ avoid the collapsed​ area and send‍⁠‌ them back. Anyway,‌‌ it’s just a waste of time.”⁠⁠

“Alright.⁠‌‌ Count.”

However,‌‌⁠ even though the​ damage was greater​⁠ than expected, Sigmund‌​​ did not lose⁠ his composure.

In‍⁠ any case, in​‌​ a siege, damage⁠‍ to the attacking⁠​ side is inevitable.​⁠

Sigmund⁠ decided to focus​‌ on the results​ rather than being‌⁠‍ pressured by the​ process.

“Anyway,‍‍​ all you have‌⁠ to do is⁠⁠‌ cross the castle‍​‌ wall.”

The‍ walls of Deirmar‍‌ are low and‌​ there is no​​⁠ terrain blocking them.‍

Moreover,⁠ the difference in‍​ troops was almost‍ five times greater⁠​ than that of​‍‍ 1,300 versus 5,000.‍‍‌

Furthermore,‌​‍ his soldiers were​ strong soldiers who‌‌‌ had accumulated experience​⁠⁠ in many fights,⁠ so this battle‌⁠ was only a matter of time.‍⁠‌

The​​‌ frantic traps clearly⁠‌⁠ revealed the defenders’​⁠⁠ anxiety.

“No​​ matter how long​⁠​ you wait, the​‍⁠ father you were​​⁠ waiting for will⁠‍ never come. It’s​ really unfortunate.”

Any​​ lord would try‌ to avoid losing⁠‌‌ the capital.

I won’t leave Sturma​ just to protect‌ Deirmar, a foreign⁠‍ land.

“The‍⁠ first siege tower.⁠​ It landed on‌ the wall.”

“Yes.‌⁠⁠ I saw it.”‌​​

As​‍​ reported by Godin,‍‍‍ a charred siege⁠ tower managed to‌ get stuck in‌‌ front of the‍‌‍ walls of Deirmar.​‍

Seeing‌ the puzzled figure‌ on the castle‌‍ wall beginning to⁠‌ murmur, Sigmund simply‌ smiled as he‌⁠​ stroked his thick‌‍‍ chin.

***​​​

“The⁠ siege tower is‍​ approaching!”

Shoot‌‌ arrows! Kill it​⁠ before it gets‌⁠ here!

“Hmm…”‍

Vlad​ took a deep‌‍ breath calmly and‍​ looked at the‍​⁠ siege tower approaching​​‌ right in front.​‌

A huge body that‍‍⁠ burned but did‌‌ not stop.

At‍​‌ the top of⁠ the siege tower‌‍ full of malice,‌ Gaidar’s soldiers crouched‍ with shields raised.‍‌‍

“Lord‌⁠ Vlad!”

“I‍​​ know.”

Stephan,‌‌ the mercenary leader,⁠‍‍ was helping Vlad​⁠⁠ to the fullest‌‌⁠ extent of his‌ experience.

“Aren’t⁠ there any other​‍ guys lurking around​‍ besides those?”

“Yes,‌‍ yes! There are‍ none!”

However,⁠⁠ his superior, who⁠ was clearly inexperienced,⁠⁠ maintained a much​‍‍ calmer appearance than‌​⁠ expected.

‘…That’s​‍ interesting.’

Sometimes‍ there are people⁠‍ like that.

People​​⁠ whose blood is‌​ naturally suited for‍ the battlefield.

There​‌ used to be​‌​ people in this⁠‍ world who were‍⁠ too prepared for⁠​‌ the battlefield to​⁠ be described as‌‍⁠ strong in actual⁠‍ combat.

“It​⁠ has reached the‍‌ siege tower!”

“Bastards!‌ Die, all of​‌⁠ you!”

Gaidar’s​⁠ knight jumps and‌ kicks down the‌⁠ flaming wooden door​ of the siege‌‍ tower that finally​‌⁠ reached the castle‌ wall.

“I‌ am Hommel of​​ Gaidar… Agh!”

Gaidar’s‌‌ knight let out​‍​ his pent-up anger‌⁠ and roared.

However,‍‌⁠ he was only‌⁠​ pushed into the​​ tower with a strong kick without​⁠‍ even being able⁠‍ to pronounce his‍‌ own name.

“Stephan.”‍‍​

“Yes!”​⁠

“Close⁠ the door.”

“Yes?”​

A knight was pushed‌‍‌ into the siege⁠⁠‌ tower with a loud thud.

Soon,‌‍ Vlad followed suit⁠ and ran towards‌ the tower, where​‌ his blue eyes⁠ turned a bright⁠‌ red.

“The⁠‍ siege tower’s door.‍‌ Hold it and​​ close it.”

Without​​ hesitation, Vlad advanced⁠​ towards the siege​ tower full of‍‌ shouts, cries, and‍ clamor.

“Yes,‌‍ the guy who​ said something earlier.​⁠ What’s his name?”⁠​

Vlad‌⁠‌ decided to become‌‌ the uninvited guest‌ of the enemy‌ even before the‌‍ uninvited guest arrived.​​⁠

Inside‌⁠‌ the flaming siege⁠‌ tower, Vlad’s left‌ eye burned white.‍⁠‌

***‌‌⁠

The​‍ smile of the‍‌​ rose in Soara.‍

The⁠‌ red-haired lady finally​​⁠ picked up a letter that had‍‌ just been delivered​⁠​ to her and⁠⁠‍ smiled, unable to​⁠⁠ hide it.

“No,‌‍​ what’s with him⁠‌‌ wanting to write⁠‌ on the swaying​ boat? He said⁠​ he was too‌ busy to write‍‍‍ until now.”

“Well,⁠‌‍ Vlad must have⁠‍​ insisted on it.”​‍

Harven‍‍ scratched his head‍‍ at Zemina’s strong​‍‍ reprimand and sat⁠‍ in a chair.‌‌​

A table on the⁠‌​ fourth floor where‍ only the most‌‍ cherished guests can​​⁠ sit.

There‌​ was already a cup of aromatic​⁠‌ alcohol on the‍‌​ table for the⁠ captain who brought⁠ good news.

“Anyway,‌ it’s true that⁠​ he wrote it.”‌

“…Hmm‌‌⁠ no. I know?”‌‍‍

Contrary⁠​​ to her words,⁠‍​ Zemina opened Vlad’s⁠ letter with trembling‌ fingers.

The‌‍ shiny ornament in​ her hair stood​‍‌ out under the‍⁠‍ lamp.

So‍⁠‌ much so that​ no one can‌⁠​ look at Zemina‍​​ now and think⁠‍ of her past.‌​​

The‍‍⁠ knight’s letter to‌‍​ Lady Zemina began⁠‍ to unfold in​‌ front of the​​ beautiful smile of‍‌ a rose.

The​​​ traces of someone⁠⁠​ she had missed​ were engraved in​‌​ the twisted handwriting.‍⁠

***‍‍

To‍⁠​ Zemina.

I’m⁠​ doing fine.

“What‌ a crazy guy!”‍

“Kill!⁠‍ Kill him!”

It’s​‍⁠ a bit dizzy‌‌ because it’s on​ a swaying boat,‍ but it’s still​ bearable.

“The​ siege tower is‌ shaking!”

“That⁠‍ crazy guy broke⁠ the ladder!”

Well,‍‌ there were missions​⁠ here and there,‍ but they were‌‍ all trivial, and​⁠ sooner or later​​ there would be⁠‍‍ war, so I didn’t have to‍ worry too much.‍​‌

Anyway,​ since I’m Joseph’s‍​ escort knight, I don’t think I can go too‌‍ deep.

That⁠ means it’s safe.⁠​

“Vlad!⁠ You must come‌‍ out now!”

“The‌‌ siege tower is‍⁠⁠ collapsing!”

So‌ don’t worry too​⁠ much and see‌‌‌ you later in⁠ Soara.

Okay​‌ then.

***​⁠‍

Although⁠‌⁠ it was daytime,​⁠​ it was in‍⁠⁠ a field with‍​⁠ a cold wind‌⁠ blowing.

The​​‌ corpses were piled‌ up among the​‍‌ fallen flags everywhere.⁠‌

Meanwhile,⁠⁠⁠ the living and‍ the dead remained‌⁠ silent, there was⁠‌ a man who⁠ only let out‍‍‌ groans.

“Ugh!‌ Agh!”

“I’ll‌​ ask you again.⁠ Where is this?”‍‍‌

A knight with impressive​‍ bright red hair.‌​⁠

However,‌​​ Radu’s hair had‍ turned a darker⁠⁠ red than its‌​ original color.

“North…‍⁠ It’s the North.”‌‌

“Yes.⁠‌‌ This is the‌‍ North.”

Appropriate​ light hair color‌‌⁠ for age.

However,​ the lion’s expression‍ in the north⁠ was full of‍​​ liveliness. Lord of‌ blacksmithing Timur.

“But‍​⁠ why did the‍​​ North ignore me?‌⁠ Was I amusing?”⁠​‍

“Bwak!”‍​⁠

Radu‌ was once again‍ thrown into the‌‌⁠ damp mud by​ a rough hand.⁠

The​ nape, which was‌⁠ turning white from‍ not being able‍‍ to breathe, began​‍⁠ to tremble urgently.‍‌‌

“Red‌⁠ bastard, although you‍ were born with​‌ dragon blood, you​⁠ only inherited half.‌‍ Listen carefully.”

“Ah!‌ Stop!”

Timur’s​ arm simply remained⁠​ firm despite the​ aura he emitted‍‍‍ powerfully to survive.​

A cruel smile began⁠ to form on‌ the lion’s face,​‌‍ who was giving‍​ the day-old puppy⁠‌⁠ a death warning.‌‌‌

“I⁠​‍ already knew that⁠⁠ the emperor, who‍​ now lies in‍ his bed, had‍​ become a corpse.”‌⁠⁠

“…!”⁠

Radu’s‌​ hands began to‍‍‍ vigorously grip the‍⁠ mud at Timur’s‍‌ words.

His⁠ rough, wandering hands‌​ showed that he‍ was reaching his‍‍⁠ limit.

“Ugh!⁠⁠ Agh!”

Radu‍⁠‌ finally emerged from‍⁠⁠ the mud when⁠‌ the strong pressure‍‍ on his head​​​ disappeared.

“Ha.”‍⁠

The⁠ area surrounding the⁠ hastily raised hill​⁠ was full of⁠⁠‌ colorful flags of⁠⁠‌ different shapes.

Flags‌​‍ representing the lords‍⁠ of the north.⁠

There⁠​​ was no mercy​ in the lord’s⁠⁠‍ eyes as he‌ coldly looked at‍‍ the dragon.

“Since‌​‌ when on earth…”‍

Timur’s‍​‍ white teeth began‌‍‌ to laugh at‍⁠‍ the dragon, who⁠ finally realized the​⁠ situation.

However,‍⁠‌ even if you⁠‌ repent soon, it’s‌‌⁠ already too late.⁠‍

The​‍​ corpses of countless​‍‌ soldiers heading to‌‍‌ Sturma will never⁠​⁠ be able to​ rise again, despite⁠ Radu’s belated repentance.‌

“I‍ will spare your‌​⁠ life. So go‍‍​ and tell your‌‍‍ father.”

“Kwaaaaaak!”⁠​‌

Timur’s‍ sword was drawn⁠⁠‍ so quickly that‍⁠ no one dared‌⁠‌ to notice.

The‍ sword tip pierced​‍⁠ Radu’s palm and⁠⁠‍ sank deep into​‍​ the ground.

“I‍⁠⁠ will no longer⁠ be loyal to‍⁠​ an empire without‍ a legitimate emperor.”‍

A dragon crying at‍‌ death. And the‌‌‌ lion of the‍​ north smiles at​ that sight.

His​​ smile, which had⁠ been hidden for‌‍⁠ a long time,⁠ shone brightly.

This​⁠ is the North,‍ full of cold​​⁠ silence and suppressed‌‍ screams.

It​⁠ was his own⁠ land where the‌ laws of the​‌ empire no longer‍⁠‍ applied.

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