Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 146: Crash (1)

Chapter 146: Crash (1)

The‍ soldiers of Gaidar‌‌‍ cling to the‌‍‌ walls like a swarm of bees.‌‍

The acrid smell of boiling oil spilling‌ toward them began⁠ to sting their‌ nostrils.

Agh!‍‍

A scarcely audible scream‍ came from below.‌‍‌

A soldier falling while holding his melted‌⁠⁠ face and men‍‍⁠ falling trapped in‌ their struggle.

Although‍ that scene was⁠⁠‍ only a moment,‌‌‌ it was also⁠ a moment that‌⁠ contained all the‍ feelings about war.‍‌‍

“Shit.”⁠⁠⁠

Cade⁠⁠‍ had to endure⁠‌ the arrow again⁠ without even having time to wipe⁠ the sweat off.‍‌‍

His‍‌ fingers were already⁠‍‍ calloused, but now‍ red blood flowed‍ from his fingertips.‍⁠

The‌ intense sitting that‍ lasted three days‍‍⁠ was tough enough‌‍‍ to even peel‌‌‍ off deeply embedded‌⁠ calluses.

“It⁠ would have been‌‌ better then.”

Cade‍‌⁠ quietly drew his⁠‌‌ next arrow, recalling‍⁠ his experience in⁠ the fog-filled village.⁠

Every⁠ time an arrow left his hand,⁠ inevitably someone fell,‌ but that only⁠‌‍ lasted a moment.⁠

5,000‍‌ people versus 1,300‍ people.

The‍ strategic theory that‌ with a castle‍‍⁠ wall three times‌ as many troops‌ could be managed‍‍ did not apply⁠⁠ in the current‍‌ situation.

This⁠ was because this‌‌‌ small castle wall‍‌⁠ was not originally‌ built with the‌‍ assumption of such‌‌‍ a large-scale war.‌

Sigmund’s‍ firm determination to⁠⁠‍ capture Deirmar at⁠⁠ least for today‍ was making the‍⁠ situation increasingly chaotic.⁠⁠

“Yes,‍ bastard!”

While‌⁠ Cade was momentarily⁠‍‍ stunned, suddenly a hand appeared from‍⁠ an unattended ladder.

His‍‍ blood-covered hands roamed‌⁠‍ the walls of⁠ Deirmar and managed⁠‍ to climb.

“You‌‌ little bastard. I’ve‍ been watching you‌ for a while!”⁠⁠⁠

A faint smoke-like thing‌⁠ escaped from the⁠ left eye of‌⁠ the man growling.⁠‍

A person who has⁠⁠ built his own⁠‍ world. Evidence of‌ it.

It⁠‍ was Aura.

“Die!”‍

“Agh!”⁠⁠

It‍ hit!

I did my best‍⁠ to block it,⁠ but in the end it turned⁠ out to be⁠‌ a hole.

A strong wave from‍‌‍ the hole began‌‍ to violently crash⁠ towards Cade.

“Idiot!‍ You don’t draw‍‍ your sword until‍ the end!”

The⁠ cracks in the‍‍ beam gradually extended‍⁠ along with the⁠ grimace of the⁠ unnamed knight.

Cade’s⁠‌ pride and the⁠‍ foundations of the‍⁠ world he had⁠‌‌ built so much‌⁠ were crumbling.

“As⁠ expected, they are⁠ like those northerners⁠‍‌ with no roots. I can’t believe‌ this bastard is‍ a knight and⁠‌ is mocking me!”‌

A Gaidar knight who‌ despises him for‍ using a bow‌ instead of a sword.

However,‌⁠‌ Cade’s efforts were⁠ still weak to dispel the ridicule.‍⁠

“Agh!”‌

In the end, the‍‍ bow could not‍ withstand the blow‍ charged with aura‌ and broke.

The‌ tip of the‌ sword, which he‌‍ couldn’t block, grazed‍‍ Cade’s chest.

“This‍‌ was just a rumor, and the‌ Northern Knights said‍ nothing about it.”‍‍⁠

The‍ eyes of the‍ unknown knight looking⁠⁠ at Cade were⁠ filled with a joy that couldn’t‍‍ be hidden.

Proof⁠ of myself through‍ the weak.

Since⁠ he had no‌ confidence in himself,‌‍⁠ a world that‌⁠‍ he could only‌‌ feel through others‌ floated at the tip of his sword.

“What’s your name? When‍‌ we meet, we⁠ have to speak⁠ to each other‍‌ clearly.”

A Gaidar knight spitting⁠⁠ on the blood-soaked‌⁠ castle wall.

The‌ tip of the⁠ knight’s sword began‍‌ to tremble in‌‌ anticipation of the‍ red color returning‌ to paint it.‍

“I⁠⁠ asked you what⁠ my name was.‍ You’re a bastard.”⁠‍⁠

Cade‌⁠⁠ smiled for some‍ reason even as‌‌ he faced death.‌⁠

He⁠ was leaning against⁠‍ the wall with‍‍‍ difficulty as he⁠ looked at the‌ knight, his eyes‌‍ seeming a bit‌ distant.

“Vlad⁠ of Soara.”

“What?”⁠‌‍

Squeak!‍

I asked forward, but‌ the answer I heard came from‌‍ behind.

The⁠‌ world began to⁠‌‌ spin with a cool response.

From⁠ sky to earth,⁠ from earth to‍⁠‍ sky.

The‌ knight’s gaze, spinning,‍‌ finally caught sight‌⁠‍ of Gaidar’s flag‌ waving in the‍‍ distance.

Thump!⁠⁠

“Cade.‌‌ Are you okay?”⁠

“Hahah…”

Cade,‌‌ who was leaning‌⁠‍ against the wall, saw Vlad’s appearance‍‌‍ and only weakly‍ smiled.

“Go‌‌ quickly. Our side‍ has also been⁠‌ breached.”

“…The⁠ walls are too‌ small. To begin‌ with, it was‌ not a suitable⁠ place for a war.”

Vlad,‌⁠‌ supporting Cade, simply⁠ nodded silently at‍‍ his murmurs.

Stephan’s⁠ and Vlad’s soldiers⁠‌ followed him from⁠ behind.

One‌ by one, Gaidar’s‌ soldiers began to⁠‍‌ infiltrate the place‌ they were retreating⁠ from.

“Let’s‍ join first.”

Vlad‍‍ kicked the head‍⁠ of an unknown⁠⁠‍ knight rolling on the ground from⁠ a distance.

Vlad⁠⁠ didn’t ask his‌⁠⁠ name until the⁠⁠ end.

He‌⁠‍ just looked at‍‍ Gaidar’s soldiers blocking‍ his way.

Even‌⁠ now, the sound of the ladders‌ clinging to the‍‌ castle wall was‌ constantly ringing in‍ Vlad’s ears.

***⁠

“The‍‍ wall has fallen! Gaidar’s army is⁠‍ currently climbing the‍ walls and reaching⁠ the gates!”

“The‍‌‍ gates won’t last‌ long. Unless you‌ destroy the cart.”‍⁠

Joseph⁠‍‍ closed his eyes‍ silently and opened‌ his ears.

He‌‌ could tell without⁠‌ having to listen to reports from‍⁠⁠ all over.

A dull sound mixed with a sinister air.

It‌‍ was the sound⁠⁠ of Gaidar’s siege‍‌ continuously pounding the⁠‍‍ gate.

“Will‍ reinforcements always come?⁠‍ At this rate,‌ we’ll last three⁠‌‍ days!”

One⁠‌ of Hainal’s knights‍ seemed unable to‌‍‌ bear it anymore‍‍ and threw a tantrum, banging his‌‍⁠ desk against the castle wall.

His‌‌ armor became sticky‍‌ with the blood⁠‍‌ of his enemies.⁠

It seemed as if‌ Gaidar’s soldiers, who⁠ constantly charged at‍ him no matter‍‍⁠ how many he‍‍ killed, had eroded⁠ even his patience.‌

“You’re‍‌ a little late.”‌

“…”‌‍

However,⁠⁠ the voice responding‌‍ to his anger‍ is very calm.

“I‍ will give up⁠ the right wall.‍‌‌ Destroy the stairs‍⁠ descending into the‍‌ castle.”

“But!”‌‍

“From‌‍‌ now on, we‍⁠ will prepare for‌‍ the fire war.‌ Set fire to‌ the houses near‍⁠ the wall as‍ planned.”

Even‍ amidst the endless‌ shouting, Joseph’s response⁠‌ was calm.

Joseph⁠‍‌ Bayezid was a man who always prepared for the‌ worst.

“Are‍‍ you going to‌‌‍ give up the⁠ walls?”

“I’m‍ sorry. Sir Duncan.”‌

Duncan⁠ simply lowered his‌‌‌ head in response‌ to Joseph’s apology.‍‌

He‍ wanted to say‌‍‍ he shouldn’t do⁠⁠ that, but the‌ old knight already⁠ knew that the‍‌‌ situation was at its limit.

In the current situation,‍ anyone would have‌‍⁠ no choice but to resign.

“This‌‌⁠ is what happens‌‌ in the end.”‍⁠

We⁠‌⁠ must give up Deirmar.

Seeing the despair of‍ the old knight⁠‍ who had protected‌‌ Hainal all his⁠‌ life, the knights‍ of Hainal also⁠ bowed their heads.‌

“…?”⁠

At that moment, there‌‍ was a faint‌‌‍ persistent sound in‍‌ Duncan’s ears.

A sound so low⁠ but deep that‍ even he, who‌‌ was deeply distraught,⁠‍ could understand it.‌‌⁠

It‌‍ was an unfamiliar‍ sound that he⁠ had never heard⁠ on the battlefield‌⁠ before.

“…It’s‍⁠ a teeth trumpet.‍‍ It’s made with‍‌ saber-toothed tiger teeth⁠‍ that only live⁠‌⁠ in the northern‌ part of the‌ country.”

“Yes?”‍

Duncan’s‌ eyes were wide‍‌‌ open as if‍‍ asking for more‍ explanations, but Joseph⁠‌ simply sat down⁠ with a small⁠ sigh.

“I’m⁠‍ sorry. I didn’t tell you because⁠ I was afraid‍⁠ the plan would⁠ leak.”

The‌⁠ image of a young man that‌ I could finally‍ see up close.‍

Clear‌ complexion, darkened eye⁠ sockets.

It‍‍ seemed that his‍ struggle to appear⁠‍ calmer than others‌‍ was finally visible.‌‍

“…Sigh.”‌‌‍

I’m⁠⁠ getting old.

Duncan, who now understood⁠ the situation, closed⁠‍ his eyes silently‍‍ with furrowed brows.⁠

How‍ long had he⁠ been enduring?

For‌‍‌ the decisive moment,‍⁠‌ Joseph had to‍ take responsibility not‍ only for the⁠ enemy’s attacks but⁠ also for the‌ fears of his‍‌ allies.

That‍ was the weight‍⁠⁠ of a commander⁠‍ and the duty‍‌ he had to⁠⁠ assume as Bayezid.⁠⁠

“Is⁠‍ it whiskey?”

“Yes.”‌‍

No one from Hainal‌ present here was angry at Joseph⁠ for deceiving them.‍⁠‌

Joseph’s‌‍‍ fingertips holding the⁠ flask trembled slightly.⁠‌

The young man with‍ dark eyes had‍ clearly risked his‍ life on the⁠ walls of Deirmar.‍‍

“It⁠⁠ was something I treasured, but fortunately‌‍ I was able to drink it‌ alive.”

After‍ all, hot wine⁠ or light tea‍⁠‌ doesn’t satisfy you.‌

This‌ drink, which penetrates‍ my throat and burns my internal⁠ organs, is the‌‍‍ only thing that‌‍ makes me feel‌‍ alive.

Woo-woo-woo-‌⁠

The‍ sound of a trumpet is heard‌‌ from afar.

As‍‌ the sound approached,⁠ the humid air⁠‌ of the battlefield⁠‌ disappeared and the‌⁠ cold northern wind⁠‍‍ blew in.

Joseph‌ raised a glass‍‍ of whiskey that‍‍ he had not⁠‍ seen in a long time, accompanied⁠ by the familiar‍⁠‌ sounds of the‌‍ North.

***‍‍⁠

“Stick‍⁠‍ fast! We’re climbing!”‌‍

The‍ Western loser shouted‍⁠ furiously.

Sigmund⁠ drew his sword‌ and shouted like⁠ crazy.

“I‍ will personally kill‍‍‍ the kid who‍ comes down quietly!‌ I’m telling you‌ to stab something‌‌⁠ and come down!”‍

His‍ blood vessels burst,‌ his eyes turned red, and he‌ ran non-stop as‍ if he had⁠⁠ lost all respect.‍

According⁠⁠ to all reports,‌⁠ he didn’t seem‍⁠ like a noble‍ nobleman, but still,‍ Sigmund had no⁠‍ intention of stopping.‌‌⁠

“Today‍ is the day.⁠⁠‍ Today we will‍ cross this damn‌ wall!”

Although‌‍ not sophisticated, this‌ was definitely one⁠‌ of the methods⁠⁠ of leadership.

Gaidar’s‍ passionate, even crazy,⁠⁠ gestures clearly encouraged‍⁠ the soldiers hard.‌

“Done.‍‌ It’s okay.”

Sigmund‍ smiled happily as‌ he felt the‍ momentum of the⁠‌ battlefield gradually increasing.‌

Crack!‌⁠ Crack!

The‍‍ castle gate was‍‌ weakly broken, and‌‍ the castle walls⁠ were already filled with their own‌‌ soldiers.

This‌ was it in‍‌ the end.

No‌ matter what kind‍ of brilliant strategy⁠‍ emerges, to suppress⁠⁠‌ the protesting opponent,⁠‌ in the end‌ there is no‍⁠⁠ choice but to⁠‍⁠ force the soldiers to enter.

And‍‌ Sigmund was a man with a clear strength in‍⁠ the virtue of⁠‍‌ honesty.

“Go‍‍ to the forefront.⁠‌‌ Son. Go and‌‍⁠ strengthen your broken⁠‌ pride.”

“All‍ right. Father.”

At⁠ Sigmund’s command, Stephen‍ began to breathe‍ heavily.

Somewhere‌⁠‍ between tension and⁠ excitement.

His‌⁠ father’s order clearly‌‍‍ spoke of a moment Stephen had‍ been waiting for a long time.‌‌

If‍ the sword they‌ took from me‌ wasn’t there, I would even choose‌ a forget-me-not flower.‌‌

“The⁠‌ castle gate has⁠ been breached!”

“Perfect!”‌‍

It⁠‌ was a siege‍‌ that could last⁠‌ more than a year.

However,‍‌‌ Sigmund was confident‌‌‌ that he could‌‌‌ capture Deirmar and⁠‍ had strong soldiers⁠⁠ who could back up that confidence.⁠‍

“But even though you’re⁠‍ a child, you⁠ persevered.”

Sigmund‍‌ smiled deeply as he looked at‌⁠ Deirmar’s blackened walls.

Although⁠‍ Bayezid’s efforts were‍ made, the walls⁠‍⁠ could not withstand‌ 5,000 soldiers.

Although‌⁠ he would have⁠⁠⁠ had to resort⁠ to evil while⁠⁠⁠ waiting for his⁠ father who did‍‍ not arrive.

“Knights,‌⁠ listen! I will⁠⁠ give 300 gold⁠ coins to the‌ first person who‍ cuts off Joseph⁠‍‍ Bayezid’s head!”

When‍⁠ the golden promise⁠‌ began, cheers were‍ heard from all⁠ around.

Sigmund’s⁠ voice, resonating within‌ him, was clearly‌ filled with confidence.‍⁠

“And‌ to whoever brings⁠‍ Baron Alicia…”

However,‍⁠‌ he couldn’t continue⁠‌‍ his words to‍ the end.

Woo-woo-woo-

A sound like that‍‌ of a howling⁠ animal.

The⁠ chilling sound of‍ the trumpet interrupted Sigmund’s words.

Everyone‍ had no choice⁠ but to turn‌ around at the‌‍‌ sudden sound.

“…What‌ is that.”

There‌‍ an incredible sight⁠‌ was unfolding.

In⁠‍ the forest behind‌ the formation they‌‌ were in.

From‍‌ there, soldiers began‌ to emerge onto‌⁠ the blackened plains.⁠⁠

By⁠‌ the best estimates, there were about‍‌ 3,000 soldiers.

“No…”⁠

Sigmund‍ looked at this‍ and his eyes‍‍‍ widened as if⁠⁠ he couldn’t believe‍ it.

He hurriedly tried to‌‌ rub his eyes‍ with his hand,‌‍ but his eyes⁠⁠‍ were still full‍‍‌ of soldiers standing firm.

“…Sturma abandoned?”

I thought it was⁠⁠ a trap I couldn’t escape from.‍‌⁠

But‍⁠ what they now‍ had in front⁠ of them was clearly the banner‌ of those who⁠‍ shouldn’t be here.‌‌

“Why?”⁠

The‌‌‍ North has long⁠ been waiting.

A time when we⁠ can rise proudly, overcoming discrimination, contempt,‌‍ and constant controls.‌

The⁠‍ threats of Dragulia‍‍ and Gaidar only⁠ served as a spark to hasten‌ that time.

“Bayezid! Why Bayezid!

Bayezid’s‍ banner waving in⁠ front of me.‍

That⁠‌‍ banner was the⁠ North’s answer to‌‍ the West.

The‌‍ walls of Sturma,⁠ waving banners, said⁠ that we had⁠‍ been patient for a long time.‌‌‍

***⁠

“As⁠‍‌ expected, it’s a bit late,” Peter‍ frowned as he‌‍⁠ looked at the‍⁠‍ charred walls of‌ Deirmar.

However,‌‌ it wasn’t too late, as the‌ flag of Hainal‌‍ still waved high‍‍‍ atop the castle‍ wall.

“You’ve‍ held up well.”‌‍

It⁠‌‌ was evident that⁠ it wasn’t reasonable‍‌ to take a detour with a large force of⁠‌ 3,000 soldiers.

But‍ it was probably‍ better than Joseph,⁠‌ who endured.

Peter⁠ smiled bitterly at‌ the thought of his second son,‌ who must have‌‌ been fighting all‍‍ this time.

“Son,‌ take the lead.”‍‍‌

“Yes,⁠ father.”

Rutiger⁠‌ raised the spear‌⁠‍ he held by‍⁠‌ Peter’s order.

Towards where the spear‍ points so high.⁠‌⁠

There,⁠‌ the formation of⁠ Gaidar’s army awaited‌ with their backs⁠⁠ wide open.

“No detours! My knights,‍‍ show them what‌ we’ve got!”

From⁠⁠‌ Peter’s black pupils,⁠ a deep anger‍ began to slowly⁠ emerge.

Those⁠ who dare challenge‌ me, insult my⁠‌ wife, and torment‌ my son.

Peter’s‍ coldly forged anger‌⁠ transmitted through the‌‌⁠ Bayezid blood to‌ Rutiger’s heart.

“Who‌ is Bayezid?”

Along‍‌ with Peter’s order,‍‌ the knights’ shouts⁠ began to sound.‌‍

Bayezid’s‍ cavalry begins to‌ charge along the⁠‍ wide meadow.

Gaidar’s‍ army, which had‍‌ finally seen them,‌‌ quickly began to‌‍ form a formation,‍ but it was⁠ already too late‍‍ to stop the‌ cavalry that had‌ already begun to⁠⁠ charge.

“What’s that!”

“Why‍‌ are they behind‍ us?”

“You⁠‍ can’t avoid it!”⁠

The‌‍‍ front where hundreds⁠ of horses charge.⁠

Behind⁠‌ them is a castle wall that‍ has not yet⁠⁠ been breached.

Rutiger,‌ with his left⁠‌‌ eye closed, silently‌‌ waved his spear‍‍ with his finger.‍

“When⁠ they came in,‍ you were alone.”⁠⁠

A sound from the‌‌ deep world began‍ to spread through‌ the tip of⁠‌ his spear.

Rutiger‌⁠ silently smiled, anticipating‌‍‍ the destruction that‌⁠‌ would soon hang‍ from the tip⁠ of his spear.

“But‍‍‍ not when I’m⁠ gone.”

Quaaaaang!⁠

“Argh!”⁠‌