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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 147: Crash (2)

Chapter 147: Crash (2)

Sounds​ that I couldn’t‌⁠ distinguish if they‍ were screams or​​‌ buzzing echoed in‌ my ears.

Someone’s‌​ limbs were scattered​⁠​ here and there.‌

A soldier who couldn’t​‌ bear death cried‍ as he picked‌‌‍ up the internal​ organs spilling out.​

“What‍‍⁠ is this…”

Stephen⁠‌ felt as if‌​‍ he were walking‌​ through a dream⁠ as he watched‍⁠⁠ the scene unfolding⁠ before him.

This‌‌ can’t be happening.​⁠‌

Until‌‍‍ recently, we were‌ confident in victory.‌⁠

“Come‌ to your senses!”⁠‌​

A sudden tug on‌ the collar.

Only​ then could Stephen⁠ shake off his⁠​⁠ strange floating sensation⁠‌ as a voice‍⁠‌ pierced through his​⁠⁠ deaf ears.

It⁠ was Godin, the‍‍ knight commander.

“We‌ need to move!⁠ It’s not over‌​ yet!”

He⁠‌ could feel the‍​ force suppressing the​‍⁠ chaos in Godin’s‍​‌ eyes, shining brighter​​ than ever.

Godin’s⁠ drive usually felt‌ like poison, but​ in the current⁠‌ situation, it actually‍‌‍ became a boon​‌ for Stephen.

“Yes…​⁠ that’s right. It’s​​‌ not over yet.”​​

It‌‍ was only then‌‌‌ that Stephen, meeting​‌‌ Godin’s eyes, could‌ catch his breath⁠⁠‌ and look out​‍‍ onto the battlefield.‍​

As⁠‍ he said, it‌​ definitely wasn’t over‍‌ yet.

On⁠​‌ the battlefield, his‍‌‌ father still shouted‌ loudly and prepared‍​ his formation.

“Hurry⁠‍⁠ up and stay​⁠‍ on the right‍‌ wall! Don’t be‌ foolish and get⁠ hit by arrows!”​‌​

Bayezid’s‌‌ cavalry suddenly attacked.​

They⁠‍‍ took whatever they⁠ wanted with their‌⁠ first charge, but⁠ Gaidar had not‌‌ yet fallen.

“Wagner!​ Lead the cavalry!‌‌ Drive those madmen‍‌‌ away!”

“Alright!”‍‌

Although‍‍‌ he was a knight who lost⁠‌ his banner, everyone‍⁠ had to do⁠ their part in‍ a situation like​⁠⁠ this.

Wagner‌⁠​ quickly gathers the‌ cavalry and separates​‍‌ from the main‌​‌ unit.

And​‍⁠ Sigmund moves his‍‍ formation toward the⁠ right wall they⁠ occupied.

Rutiger,‍⁠ who was catching⁠‌⁠ his breath for‍⁠⁠ the second assault,‌ bit his lip‍ as he watched​‍ Gaidar’s army resolve‍​⁠ the confusion faster‌‌​ than expected.

“Stephen,‌‍ you stupid son!​⁠‌ Didn’t you understand‌ what I said?”⁠⁠

Only‍ when Sigmund shouted‌⁠⁠ his name could⁠‌‌ Stephen return to⁠ his normal gaze.⁠‍

His‍ actions are frivolous‍‍ and light, but⁠⁠⁠ his qualities as‍‍‌ a monarch are‍⁠ true.

“They​​⁠ don’t listen to​‌‍ my orders to⁠‍​ set fire to‌ the combat sieges!”‌

Stephen,‍ suddenly regaining his‌ senses at Sigmund’s‌‍ shout, looked at‍‌‍ the charred gates⁠​ of Deirmar.

Several‍ siege weapons were‌‌ scattered about.

Until⁠ recently, they had⁠‍⁠ been used to‍ capture the castle‍‍ gate, but now‍⁠ they were used​ to block the⁠​ exit of the⁠ Hainal army.

“Your‌ squad follows me!‌ Take all your​‍ oil and torches!”‍

Even‍ now, Bayezid’s eyes,⁠​ staring at them‌‍ head-on, are fierce.​

However,​ the person more‌​ worrisome than them‌⁠⁠ is Deirmar, who‍​⁠ has no choice⁠⁠ but to be​​‌ placed right at‌‍⁠ the end of⁠ the formation.

“Damn‍​‌ it!”

Bayezid‌​‍ and Hainal are⁠ completely trapped between⁠‍‌ the two.

To‌ overcome this situation,‌​ they must step‍⁠⁠ forward.

The​‍‌ walls of Deirmar,⁠‍ which had been​‌‍ struck so forcefully,‍​‌ had already lost‌‌ their function, so‍ it would be‌ pointless to break⁠ through them.

“Light‌‌​ it quickly!”

The​‌ carts and siege‍⁠ towers begin to​‍⁠ burn one by‍ one according to‌‌‌ Stephen’s instructions.

As⁠​ soon as the​ massive bodies began‍ to ignite, black‍ smoke began to​​ block the gates‍‍​ of Deirmar.

“Done!”​

As‍​​ he watched the​⁠‍ roaring flames, Stephen’s‌‌ face began to‌‍​ turn red.

With​‌ this level of⁠​ obstacles and fire,‌‌ no matter how​‍ much you open​ the door, you⁠ won’t be able⁠‍ to rush through⁠​​ immediately.

It‍​‌ would probably take‍ several hours to‍ remove the scattered‍ siege machines, and‍​⁠ that was enough​ time to buy.‌

Now⁠ Gaidar’s army only‌‍ has to deal‌‍ with Bayezid in​‍ front of them.​⁠

“…!”‌‌

However,​ at that moment,​⁠‌ Stephen’s shoulders shuddered‍ due to the‍‍⁠ sudden force he‌ felt.

“Damn‌‍‍ it.”

A cold presence was‍ felt behind the​ castle gate.

It‌ was so quiet‌ it seemed sinister,​ as if someone‌ were lurking behind‌‍ the iron gates‌‌‍ of Deirmar.

“This⁠‌ bastard…”

Obviously,‌ he couldn’t hear‌ it, but he‍ could feel it.‍

The​‌​ signal that someone‌‌ is slowly catching‍‌ their breath behind​ the gate.

The⁠⁠‌ unforgettable duel of‌​⁠ that day was⁠​‍ slowly emerging in​​ Stephen’s mind.

***⁠‍​

Soldiers‌‌ descending the narrow‍ stairs, leaning on​​ each other.

The⁠‌ stairs, which had‍​⁠ been deliberately designed⁠ to be narrow​‌ for fear that‌ the castle walls‌​⁠ would collapse, held‌⁠ the soldiers’ ankles​⁠‌ and slowed their​‍‌ movements.

However,‍ despite the slow‍​​ retreat, they were‌ able to reach​⁠ the ground safely​​‍ thanks to a knight still behind​‍​ the soldiers.

“Ha…”‌

Bayezid’s‌ Knight. Vlad de‍‌ Soara.

The‍ once beautiful blonde‍ hair was now‌ dyed bright red‍‌‌ here and there,‌‍‌ showing the fierceness​‌ he had maintained​ until now.

However,‍‌‌ if there was‌⁠‍ one thing that⁠ couldn’t be taken‍ off him, it⁠​‌ was those blue‍⁠ eyes that shone​‍​ alone.

Despite‍‌ being completely soaked​‌ in blood, it‌‍‌ was the only‍​⁠ thing that retained​​ its original color.​

“Come⁠‌ again, bastards.”

The‍‌‌ end of his‍‌ halting words echoed⁠‌ like the growl⁠ of a beast.⁠

But‌⁠ knowing it wasn’t​⁠ a simple threat⁠ but a sharp​⁠‍ warning, Gaidar’s knights⁠ gritted their teeth.​‌

“That‌ crazy bastard.”

“Leave‌ that guy. Let’s‌ not waste our​‍ strength here.”

Gaidar’s​​ knights began to​ retreat slowly, as‌ if tired of​​ the sound.

It‍‍‍ was as if⁠ they were moving​​ to open the⁠​‌ way and let‌ them go, but‍​‍ somewhere in their‌‌ steps, there was​ a sense of‍‍⁠ helpless defeat.

It⁠​⁠ was a path⁠‍‌ of bright red​‌‌ blood that seemed‍​ to continue endlessly​‌⁠ along the castle​​ wall, but behind‍​‍ Vlad, the ground‌⁠ was completely exposed.⁠‌⁠

As​​⁠ if he had​‍​ cut off the⁠​ head of a snake, the young‌​⁠ knight had cut‌ the bloody path.‌

“Sir​ Vlad. Everyone has⁠‌‍ retreated.”

“…Good.”‍​​

Vlad‌⁠ looked back and​ confirmed that all​ the soldiers had⁠ retreated as Stephan⁠⁠⁠ had said.

“Let’s⁠ go.”

Vlad‍⁠ and Stephan slowly‌ step back as‌⁠ they watch Gaidar’s‍ knights.

Clearly,​ he was fighting,​‌‌ but he couldn’t​ hold out any​‍ longer.

The‍‌‍ right wall of‌‍⁠ Deirmar was already⁠‍ crowded with Gaidar’s‍ soldiers, and even⁠‌‌ now, the knights‌‌‍ who had fixed​ on a bright​​‌ blue day were‍⁠ staring at him.​⁠

“Be⁠ careful.”

Vlad⁠ looked at the‌⁠‌ knights in front‌ of him without‍​ even blinking and‍ slowly descended the‍ stairs, relying on‍‍‍ Stephan.

A strange distance is‍​‌ created between Vlad​ and Gaidar’s knights.​​‍

However,⁠​ although it was​‍‍ Vlad who was‍ stepping back now,‍​⁠ the expression of‌ relief was beginning⁠‍⁠ to emerge from‍‍⁠ Gaidar’s knights.

‘Gaidar…’‌​

As‌‍ Vlad slowly descended‌⁠ the stairs, his​ eyes filled with⁠‌⁠ the flag waving​ above.

A flag with the​⁠‌ eagle of Gaidar,​ not the tree⁠ of Hainal, engraved‌ on it.

Seeing​​⁠ the target of⁠‍​ revenge so close​​ that he could‌⁠ no longer avoid​‌ it, Vlad silently‍​‍ strengthened his determination.⁠

“Are​‌​ you okay? Are‌​‍ you injured anywhere?”‍

After‌‍‌ escaping from the‍ castle walls, Vlad‌‌ and Stephan quickly‍‌​ ran toward the‍​​ reserve unit behind​‌‍ them.

As‌⁠ Vlad approached, voices‍‌‌ of praise began⁠‌ to be heard⁠ gradually.

As​ soon as the‍​ soldiers of Hainal,​ who had collapsed⁠ from exhaustion in​ various places, saw‍‌‌ Vlad, they began⁠ to rise with​‍ their heavy bodies.‌⁠

“I’m​​‌ fine.”

Vlad​ wiped the blood‌‍‍ from his face​ with the towel‌⁠ Jager gave him,⁠⁠ then turned his​ head to the​‌‌ blue eyes staring‍‍‍ at him in‍⁠ front of him.⁠⁠

“Because‍ it was something‌ I had to​ do.”

His​​‌ pursed lips seemed​​ as strong as⁠‌ his neatly tied‌ hair .

However,‍‍ his worried gaze​⁠ was something that‌⁠ couldn’t be helped.‍

Vlad,​​ who had a keen ear, remembered​‌ a faint voice⁠ shouting from afar,‍‍ telling him to‍​ hurry down.

“Good‍​ job. Now rest.”‍

Joseph‌​ said many words​‍ as he hugged‍‌ Vlad’s blood-stained shoulder.‍⁠‍

The⁠‌‍ person who watched​​⁠ Vlad’s struggles on⁠‌ the castle wall​‌ with more anxiety‌ than anyone would‍‌ have been Joseph.​​

“I’ll⁠⁠‍ go.”

“…Don’t​ be stubborn.”

“Please⁠⁠ let me follow‌‍‍ you. Didn’t you​ promise me?”

However,⁠‌‍ Vlad didn’t sheathe⁠‌​ his sword, as‌‌‌ if he didn’t⁠‍ want to receive‍‍ Joseph’s consideration.

A solid red line​⁠ still dripped along​ the length of‌‍‌ the sword.

Vlad’s⁠ trembling shoulders, as​ well as his⁠‍⁠ ragged breath, showed​ his condition, but​‌ he couldn’t stop⁠​ there.

“You⁠‍ said you would‍‌​ send me with‍​‌ Godin, didn’t you?‌ That was our⁠​‌ promise.”

“…”‍‌

The⁠‌​ time promised by⁠‌ both had come.⁠‌‌

The‍ young knight was‍⁠ closer than ever‍‌ to the blue​ moon and now‍ confidently demanded his​⁠ rights.

“If.​⁠ It certainly was.”⁠

Joseph⁠ remembered it clearly.⁠

You‍‍ have faith, and‍‍​ I have honor.‍⁠‍

So,‌ if the opportunity‍‌ arises and the‍⁠⁠ qualifications, I will​‍‌ create a space‌ for you to⁠​ be able to⁠ seek revenge.

Because⁠​ that was the‍ condition imposed for​ seven years.

“I⁠​⁠ promise. I won’t‌‌​ act recklessly this⁠ time.”

Vlad​​ wasn’t just asking⁠⁠‌ for it.

“Even​ if I stand​⁠⁠ in front of⁠ Godin, I will⁠‌‍ prioritize my responsibilities⁠​‍ and duties as​⁠‍ a knight.”

I have made many‌​ mistakes so far,‍‍ but I hope‍‌‍ that this time⁠ you trust me.‌

Because‌⁠ I know who‌⁠⁠ I am and‍ what I must‍‍ do.

Vlad,‍⁠ taking on the‌ responsibility of being‍‍ a knight, could​⁠‌ no longer be‌‌ a child who‌ only thought of⁠ revenge.

“I​ won’t ruin this​ war with my​​ personal grudges.”

“…”‍

Duty⁠⁠‍ adds weight to​​ life, and weight​⁠ makes it more‌⁠​ serious.

Joseph⁠​‍ could only nod‍‍⁠ as he watched​‌ the boy, of‍⁠ whom only traces⁠‌‍ remained.

“It’s⁠‍ alright.”

Joseph‍‍ ignored Alicia’s piercing​ gaze as she​⁠ approached him from​​‌ behind and gestured⁠​‌ to Noir to‌‍‌ bring him.

“I⁠ trust you. The‍ trust you’ve shown⁠⁠ me all this‍‌​ time was clearly​​​ sincere.”

The‍ reason Joseph didn’t​‌‌ let go of​‌‍ Vlad despite numerous‌ mistakes was not​‍ simply because he‌‌ coveted his talent.‌⁠

Even⁠​⁠ as a child,​​‍ Vlad was clearly‌‌ a man trying‌ to keep his​‍ word.

No⁠‌⁠ matter how big‌⁠​ and unbearable those​⁠‌ words were.

Joseph⁠‌‍ appreciated Vlad’s sincerity.⁠

“You⁠⁠ must not lose‍​‍ yourself to any⁠‌‌ anger. To lose‍ oneself means to‌‍‍ lose the way​‌ forward.”

Noir’s⁠‌ whinnies start to⁠‍ approach from afar.⁠‍⁠

However,‌⁠ the reason we⁠‍ can’t take our​ eyes off Joseph⁠​ is probably because​‌ the words he‌‍ conveys contain many‍‌ things.

“Gaidar⁠ blocked the door.​ The path we‍ have ahead is​ narrow, and there‍ will be no⁠‌‍ one to help‌⁠ you.”

“Alright.”‌⁠‍

Vlad⁠‌⁠ finally looked away⁠ from Joseph’s eyes‍⁠​ and looked at‌‌​ the tightly closed‌‌ gates of Deirmar.‌​‌

The‍⁠‌ pitiful castle gate‌‍‌ was about to​‍‍ burst in several‌⁠ places because we‍ did our best.‍

However,⁠ to move forward‍‍‍ to a wider​‍‌ world, they would‌​ eventually have to‌​​ venture out of​ the safety of‍⁠ the walls.

“Go.‌‍‍ Go ahead and​ show our strength.”‍​

The​ gate begins to​‍‍ open slowly following‍⁠ Joseph’s orders.

What​ was visible through‌ the narrow gap​ in the gate‍ was only an⁠‍ obstacle in several​⁠ places, but even​‌‍ so, Vlad could‌‍​ clearly see the‍⁠ path he had‌ to take.

A path appears through‍​ my deeply closed‍‍​ left eye.

Because⁠⁠⁠ the traces left‍​ by August showed​ the direction Vlad​⁠⁠ had to take.‌‍

“Then‌⁠⁠ I’ll be back.”​

If⁠‍⁠ there’s a way,‍‌ there’s no reason‍⁠ to hesitate.

Vlad,​​‍ trapped in a closed world, was‌ a person ready‌ to break through⁠‌‍ even the narrowest​ gap.

Beyond‌​ the red flames⁠‌​ and black smoke,‌ Vlad’s blue eyes‍⁠​ began to gaze​​‍ out from the‍​ castle gate.

***​

“This‌‌‍ is insane!”

Stephen​ looked at the⁠ scene in front⁠​‍ of him and‌​⁠ cursed inadvertently.

A blue perch burned‍⁠ silently beyond the‌​ black smoke.

Because⁠‌​ that position was‍⁠ now running towards‌⁠⁠ me without hesitation.​‍

“Stop!‌⁠ Stop!”

The‍⁠‍ gates of Deirmar⁠​​ were only half-opened,‌​​ as if something​‍ had been damaged​‌ by the harsh‍‍ offensive.

However,‍ even if it’s‌⁠ just that much,⁠ it will be‌ enough to overcome‌‍ the short-term crisis.‍

For‍‍ the boy from‌​​ the dark alley,​ an opening like​‍ this was nothing​ short of a blessing.

“That​ guy is running!”⁠⁠‍

“You‍⁠​ can’t get through‍ anyway! Just one⁠ or two obstacles!”​

Lined-up‍‌‍ siege carts ablaze.‍

No​​ matter how skilled‍​​ a rider he⁠‌⁠ may be, he‌‌ won’t be able⁠ to overcome these​‍​ obstacles.

Stephen,​ who knew this‍ well, kept his⁠ eyes wide open,​‍⁠ waiting for the‍ moment when Vlad⁠ would stop.

Neigh!‍‍

However,⁠‍⁠ the black prairie​⁠ horse was a spiritual creature that‍‌‌ defied common sense.⁠⁠

Noir,​‍ who perfectly recognized​​ Vlad’s path through‌‍‌ the worlds they​‌‍ faced, ran forward‌‌‌ without the slightest​⁠‍ hesitation, cutting through​‍⁠ the fire and⁠ invisible smoke.

“Oh‌ my god.”

Stephen⁠⁠​ opened his mouth‍​ stunned as he​‍⁠ watched Vlad leap‌ over his head.‌

A knight whose sword​⁠‌ was taken away.​​⁠

Vlad​​ had been showing‍⁠‍ his teeth until‍‍ now, but now‌ he was looking‍‌‌ beyond them.

“Let’s⁠​ go! Noir!”

Neigh!‌​

The⁠‌‌ blue moonlight reminiscent⁠⁠ of flowed through‍ my deeply closed⁠‌⁠ left eye.

No‍ matter how painful‌‌⁠ the wound, it‍‌⁠ cannot be denied‌ that it is‍ the foundation of‍⁠ Vlad’s world.

The‍‌‌ world of the‍ knights he first​ encountered at the⁠​⁠ bonfire. And for⁠‌‌ that, he lost⁠ his home.

Vlad,⁠ who had been‌​⁠ repeating these words​‌ over and over⁠ until now, finally‌‌‍ obtained the right⁠ to fully utter​ the name Moonlight.‌

“Go,‌ Dean! Godin, Knight​⁠ of Gaidar!”

Vlad⁠‍‍ and Noir run‌⁠‌ through Gaidar’s still​ unformed formation, cutting​ down the soldiers‌ in their way.​​‌

Everyone​​​ in Gaidar turned‍‍⁠ around as the⁠ knight suddenly appeared⁠ from behind.

“I’m​​ here! You’re a knight who didn’t‍‍ pay a fair‍​ price!”

Vlad⁠ advances alone through‍ the towering waves.​‌

Godin’s⁠‍ fleeting gaze was‍ looking at Vlad​ as if he‍⁠​ couldn’t believe it.​⁠⁠

“Retract‍‍ this, you son‍⁠ of a bitch!”‌

Although‍ I still can’t​ fully reach him.​

But⁠ now the blue‌ moonlight sees me.‍

A black lump thrown‍‌‌ by Vlad flew‌​ towards Godin’s wide-open​ eyes.

“I⁠​ told you!”

On⁠‌ a cold winter​​ day, there was⁠ a boy screaming⁠‌‌ as he crawled​‌ on the blood-stained⁠ ground.

“I’ll⁠ definitely kill you!”​⁠‍

The‍‍‍ smile of a rose filled only‌‌‍ with silence.

A place where only​⁠ the trembling of⁠‌‌ Jorge’s neck and​​ the sobs of‌‍⁠ the women became‌​ witnesses to the‍ boy.

It⁠ wasn’t just blood‌ and tears that⁠ flowed there.

“Yes…”⁠

A knight only accepts​⁠ a fair price.​‍

But‍ Vlad, when he⁠ was a child,‍⁠ didn’t accept the⁠ false reward offered⁠​​ to him.

I kept it for​​ a long time.‌​

Like⁠‌ a scar left‍‍‌ by a wound.​⁠

“…Do‌ you still have​⁠ this?”

A piece of spoiled‍‍ meat.

That​⁠ day, a piece⁠ of beef jerky‌​ spilled over Vlad’s​‍‍ head and ended‍‌ up in his‍⁠‌ hand again.

Godin‌ smiled helplessly as‌‍‍ he looked at‌​⁠ the black lump​ flying directly towards‌⁠ him.

“Get‍‍⁠ out of the⁠‌‌ way!”

Vlad⁠​⁠ cut directly through​ Gaidar’s army formation‌ and headed towards⁠‍‍ Bayezid.

A gap in the​ formation split straight⁠‌‌ like the tracks​​ of an arrow.⁠

Meanwhile,​‌​ Vlad threw it⁠​‌ with all his⁠‌ might towards the‌ blue moonlight that​​ finally looked at‌⁠ him.

Even⁠‍⁠ the painful memories​​ of that day​ that I kept⁠‌‍ with the jerky.‌‍

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