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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 149: Crash (4)

Chapter 149: Crash (4)

The⁠‍‍ moon sets.

I remember Jorge’s gaze,‍​‌ staggering without strength,‌​​ aimless and lost.‍

Even​ the cries of​ the weeping prostitutes⁠⁠ and the smell⁠‍‌ of fish chunks‌ falling on his‍ head.

The​‌ man who destroyed‍⁠ my home left​‍ without even looking‍‌‌ back.

Yes.‍⁠ I brought that​ man here.

“God.”‌​⁠

A familiar man was​‌ seen through the​ gap opened by​‌‍ the knights.

A man whose behavior​‌ was a mess,​‌‌ but the sword‍‌ he held still‌ gleamed.

“You’ve‌‌ finally made it​‍​ here, rookie.”

Godin,‌⁠ whom I finally‌​ saw up close,⁠ smiled faintly.

Like⁠‍⁠ that time he‍​​ introduced himself with‌ a false name.​

However,​ unlike before, the⁠ sword he was⁠⁠‍ raising pointed directly⁠‍ at himself.

“State⁠⁠ your name. Knight​‍⁠ of Gaidar.”

“…What?”‌

A man who is​⁠ now a knight,‌ not a boy⁠​ from an alley.‍

Toward‌ the blue moon​‍​ he was finally⁠​‍ looking at, Vlad​‌⁠ uttered the words​ he had held‌‌ for so long.‍​​

“Your‌ name. Tell me.‍ Right in front⁠ of me now.”⁠

The‌​ anger he had‌ harbored for so​​ long, which had​ now turned into‌⁠‌ a desire, was‌ coming to light.⁠⁠‍

I want your true⁠⁠⁠ name, not the‍ false name from‌‍‌ that day.

Now‌⁠ that we face‍​‍ each other on‌​‌ equal terms, I am probably the⁠​⁠ one who deserves​​ to hear those‌ words from you.‌‌

“Yes,​⁠‌ I suppose so.”‍‌‌

Godin​​​ nodded as if​‌⁠ understanding everything upon‌ seeing Vlad’s eyes‌ filled with a strange desire.

Though⁠ it was a brief meeting, I liked this side​​ of him.

It‌ would have been⁠‍ good if I had taken him‍​‍ with me back⁠​ then.

“I‌ am Godin of⁠‌‌ Gaidar.”

“Vlad‌⁠⁠ of Soara.”

The⁠ true name that​ I can finally‍ hear from his⁠‍​ mouth.

Upon‍ hearing that name,​​‍ Vlad clenched his‌‍⁠ fists tightly.

Finally,⁠ it has come.​ To this point.​‍​

The​ man who once​​ seemed as distant​ as the moon⁠‌ in the sky​ is now standing‌⁠⁠ before me.

“You‍​⁠ said a knight​​⁠ would only accept​ a fair price,‍‍ didn’t you, Godin?”‌‌⁠

Now,‌​ the two individuals⁠ face each other‌ with true names,‌ not as the​​‍ boy from the⁠ alley and the‌ false knight.

After⁠‍‌ exchanging names, Godin​‌ and Vlad closed‌‍ their left eye‍‍‌ simultaneously, as if​‌ making a vow.​‌‍

“I​ have something I have yet to‍​ receive from you.”‌⁠

A destroyed home never⁠ returns to its‌‍⁠ former state.

So‍ today, I will​​ destroy the moon.⁠⁠

I will kill you,⁠ Godin.

Because​​⁠ that would be‌‌‌ my fair price‌‍ for that day.​⁠

***‍⁠

Kwaaaang!‍

In⁠‌ the midst of⁠‌ the battlefield where​​ countless knights face‍‍ each other.

However,⁠​‍ there was a space where the​​​ most spectacular clash​‌ occurred.

It‍‍ was a place⁠​‌ where an explosive‍​⁠ blue color and​‌ a color similar‍​ to that white‌‍​ color faced each​‌‌ other.

‘That’s‌‍ fast!’

Speed⁠‌ beyond prediction.

It‌‍ was clearly a very simple route,​​ but Vlad’s attack⁠​‌ was fast enough‌⁠⁠ to surprise Godin.​​​

“Huaaaap!”‍‍‍

The⁠⁠‌ suppression of momentum⁠⁠‍ was spectacular.

And​‌⁠ never let go​⁠⁠ of the momentum​ you have gained.‍⁠​

As​‍ the voice instructed,​‍⁠ Vlad managed to‍​ attack first and‌‍ began running towards‌ Godin, shaking off⁠‍⁠ the initiative he⁠​ had gained to⁠‍ his liking.

“You⁠ covered him again.”‍‌‍

Numerous‌‌ numbers are hidden⁠⁠ in the fluid‍⁠ steps taken, but‍‌ the sword’s cut‍​ is simple and‍ clear.

A sword with clear​‌ intentions, unlike his​‍ unpredictable movements.

A truly contradictory existence.‍‍

There​ are no longer‌​ any traces of‌ harsh past experiences.​

“…!”‍

He‍ could see Godin’s‍‌‌ world from his‌​⁠ closed left eye.⁠‍‌

Where‍⁠‍ is he looking⁠‍​ and what is‌ he aiming at?⁠

‘Now!’​

And‍‍ even where it’s​ empty.

The‍⁠‌ sharp vision learned​‍ from the Imperial‍ Sword was showing​ the way to​ a space where⁠⁠ the blue moonlight‍​​ couldn’t reach.

Go‌‌ go go go!‍​⁠

“Agh!”‌⁠‍

Run‌⁠ without hesitation because‌⁠⁠ you are confident.‌

The⁠‍‍ residual images of⁠ the Aura exploded‍⁠ loudly with him.⁠

Everyone​‍​ here was fighting‍‍ for life or‍ death, but it‍‌ was still a light that made⁠‍ it impossible to⁠​‌ look back.

“I‌‌⁠ told you then.”‍​⁠

“…!”‍

What⁠‍ he holds is⁠‍‌ a black tooth‌​⁠ and what he⁠⁠ looks at is‌​ a beast.

Two⁠‍ swords making a loud crunch.

In⁠‌ the blue eyes​​‌ that were so​​ close, a strange‌ madness began to​‌ bloom that no‌ human could dare​‌‍ to embrace.

“I‍​ will definitely kill​ you!”

Vlad’s⁠ cry was as‌ if he were‍‌ shouting, “Look at​ me.”

There‌⁠ was a sound⁠‌ in front of​‍‍ Godin that he‍‌‌ could no longer‍‍ ignore.

“Die!”⁠​

I was out of​‌ breath due to‍‌ my exhausted body,‌ but the steps⁠‌ I took were⁠‍‍ light.

Because​​ the opponent he​ faced was Godin,​⁠ Vlad was able⁠‌ to focus on⁠ the battle by⁠⁠ diving into a deeper world than​⁠ ever before.

So​ much so that​‌ he doesn’t even​​‍ realize that the‌‍ light forming at‍ the tip of​‍ his sword is⁠‍ gradually changing from​‍ blue to another‌ color.

Kwaang-!​ Burst! Burst!

Wild‌ sparks flew between‍​ the sword containing⁠⁠‍ the stars and‍ the sword where​‌ the moonlight remained.‍‍‌

A blond knight who⁠‍ doesn’t hesitate to⁠‍ burn in fire.‍⁠⁠

The​‌ world he wished​‌​ for, hoped for,‌ and truly desired‍ to reach is‌‍‍ now before me.‌‌

“This⁠ is it! You​​⁠ child!”

“Don’t​‌‍ call me child!”​

When​ I look back​‌ now, the things​⁠ left behind are⁠ just traces.

From​⁠ the name given​⁠ by the true‍‌​ priest to the​​⁠ sword he currently​‌​ holds, everything came⁠ from traces of‌​​ someone else.

“You‍‌​ can’t even call‍ me a child.”‌

Among⁠⁠ them, one of⁠⁠ the most deeply‌‍ engraved marks.

It‌​ was a scar⁠⁠ and the most​ painful memory that‌ was rooted in⁠‌​ Vlad’s world.

“Because‍ now we’re facing‌‍‍ each other.”

“…!”‌⁠

A rose’s smile. The‍ child’s home.

There‍​ were bright red⁠ roses in full‍ bloom there.

I remember Burleigh’s neck​⁠ turning and Jorge’s⁠ gaze trembling with‍ helplessness.

“I‍‍ couldn’t do anything⁠ back then.”

A clear shape began‌⁠ to spread from‍ Vlad’s sword.

The‍ world that was‌ only inside me⁠ is outside the‍‍‌ world.

Now,‌ in a way⁠ that anyone can‍⁠​ recognize.

With⁠⁠​ that, his left⁠‌‍ eye began to​ slowly open.

“Not‌​ now.”

There‍⁠ was a ray⁠​ of aura flowing​‍‍ like a tear⁠‌ through the world‌ that I could‍‌ finally see with‍ my own eyes.‍⁠‍

Golden​​‍ yellow.

The⁠ color was a bright golden color⁠ that the child​‍⁠ had retained since⁠⁠ birth.

——!‌

Knights‌⁠⁠ fighting in their‍​ own battlefields.

And‌⁠⁠ Peter, watching from⁠‍ afar, couldn’t help‌ but widen his​​‍ eyes when he‌‌ saw the ray‌‌ of light.

Golden‌‍‌ waves began to‌ curve around the​‍ tip of the⁠‍‌ sword as it​‍‌ swung widely.

“Avoid!”​

“Everyone⁠‍ bow your head!”‌‌​

Vlad’s​ world began to‍ materialize above the‍​ world he found​ completely.

Beautiful‍‌‌ yet sharp waves.⁠

It‍ was a wave‍ like the scene‍⁠​ when the moonlight‌‍ spread.

I’m⁠ here.

I,⁠⁠ Vlad of Soara,⁠ come for you.‌‍⁠

My⁠‌ world, now firmly​ established, stretches towards‌ the moon, which​‍​ is you.

“Ugh!”⁠⁠

Facing‍‌ the golden waves‌ unfolding, the world‍ called Godin began​‌ to bloom with​⁠‌ bright red blood‍​ and a single‌‍ rose.

It‍​ was the same​⁠ wave as mine,​⁠ but the color‌‌ was clearly different.‌

“Hahahah!”‍

Although‌​ he found him‍⁠‍ as an enemy,‍‍‌ Godin laughed as​⁠ he looked at‍ the young world‍‍‌ following him.

Although​ it was not⁠​‌ my intention, I felt an inexplicable​​ sense of satisfaction‍‍ seeing the world‍‌‌ grow alongside me.‍

“It’s​​ a shame we​⁠‍ met as enemies.”‍⁠

Godin⁠​‌ said he was‍ disappointed and a blue aura began​ to form at​ the tip of​​ his sword.

The‌ blue moonlight, which⁠‍ was like the​‍‌ beginning of the‍ story, was as‌‌ lamentable as back​​⁠ then.

***⁠‌​

On⁠​‍ the battlefield, once‍⁠‍ filled with cries,​⁠​ now only silence‍ reigns.

The​⁠ spilled blood mixes‌‌ with broken spears,‍​ sticky.

“Ah,‌‍‌ ah…”

It​ was so sticky‌​‌ that Vlad couldn’t​⁠ even lift his​​ head, so all‍​‌ he could do⁠‍ was kneel and​‌‌ breathe deeply.

Even​ though the cold‍ blade of the‌⁠ sword was touching‌‍‌ his neck at⁠​ this moment.

“But,‍ boy. Didn’t I tell you back‍ then?”

Despite⁠​ being told not‍ to call him‌​‍ a “rookie,” Godin‌ kept calling him⁠‌ a “rookie.”

That‌‌⁠ was to be⁠​ expected.

I lost to him.‌‍‍

“I‍ told you to⁠​ check where you⁠ are before moving​⁠ forward.”

A lesson was taught​ to the boy⁠​ running in the‍‌ darkness of Soara.⁠‍

Don’t​⁠ panic and take⁠ your time.

From⁠​ where you are⁠ now and how‌⁠ to move forward.‍

“Only⁠ then will we‌​‌ take the right⁠⁠ direction… right?”

Instead‌​ of going fast,⁠‍‌ we must find⁠‌‍ the right direction.​⁠‌

Only⁠ then will you​ not stray like⁠‌ you do now.⁠‌

“Cough.”‍​

A thread of dark‌‍⁠ red blood ran⁠ down the blade‍‌⁠ touching Vlad’s neck.⁠‌⁠

The​‍ bright red blood‍⁠ that had slowly​ flowed down the​‍ sword descended slowly⁠​‍ down Vlad’s neck​‍ and reached his‍⁠⁠ cold fingers.

“Still​‌ for you… Only‌⁠⁠ up to the‌ name. Rookie.”

Like⁠ the tip of​⁠‍ a sword waving,‌⁠​ Godin’s words gradually⁠‌ faded away.

Before‍‌‍ Godin’s words were⁠​ completely consumed by⁠ darkness, Vlad quickly​ raised his head​​‌ and looked at⁠ the man in‌​⁠ front of him.⁠‌‍

“…”​

Before‍ we knew it,⁠​​ Bayezid’s knights were​ surrounding Godin.

The⁠‍ swords stuck throughout⁠ Godin’s body blocked‍⁠⁠ each of his⁠ movements as they‌‍‌ reached Vlad’s neck.⁠‌

Among⁠‌⁠ them, the sword​ piercing through his⁠​ heart bore an‍ emblem that only​‌ the head of‍ Bayezid could use.‍‌

“…Welcome.‌ Rookie.”

The⁠‌​ moon above the​ sky falls.

By‌‍ the swords of‍ others, not mine.‍​⁠

“Welcome‌ to the world‍‍ of knights.”

Thump-⁠

Bright‌ red blood began‍‍ to spurt from‍​​ the wounds of‌‍ the swords that‍‌​ were slowly being⁠ pulled out.

Godin​​ is slowly crumbling⁠‌​ as the blood⁠‌ flows.

However,​‌⁠ as he looked⁠⁠ at Vlad, his​ face showed no‍‌‌ pain or anger,‍⁠ only a faint⁠ smile.

It‍ was a smile​⁠‍ that only a winner could wear.​

“…I‌‌ lost. Godin of‌ Gaidar.”

Although​‍​ he couldn’t hear​⁠ what he was‌​ saying now, Vlad⁠⁠ still said the‌ last words he​⁠ had to say‍⁠ as a knight.‍

The‍ blue moon that‍ he hated but‍​‍ admired.

Looking‍​‍ at the moon‍‌ that he wanted​‍‍ to reach so‍ much, but couldn’t‌ overcome, Vlad simply​‍ bowed his head‍ again.

The‍​ winner is above⁠⁠ and the loser‍​ is below.

And‌ now, the blue⁠ moon, which I can no longer‍⁠​ challenge, is eternally⁠ above me.

So​‍ Vlad could only‌‌​ whisper silently to‌ the moon that⁠​‌ had fallen to‍‌‌ the earth.

***‌

“Count!⁠⁠​ Count!”

“…”‌‍

A knight of the⁠⁠ guard shouting loudly‍ beside him.

However,​ despite his shouts,‌‍‍ Sigmund simply stood​ silently with a somber expression on‍‌​ his face.

He‍ had a helpless‌ expression as if⁠‍‌ something had gone,⁠​ leaving behind an‍⁠‌ expression of emptiness.​⁠

“You‍​‌ have to escape‍​ now! The gates⁠​‍ of Deirmar have‌ been opened behind‌‌ us!”

Indeed,‌⁠ as he said,‌ soldiers were slowly‌ emerging from behind‍⁠ Gaidar.

Hainal’s⁠‍ army finally gathered​ their troops and‍‍ opened the castle‌ gate.

The‍​​ way they escaped‍ along with the​‍ young dark-eyed man‌‌‍ was as brutal​ as what they‍‌ had gone through​⁠ so far.

“…Take​⁠ care of my​​‍ son. He is​ now the second⁠ most valuable thing⁠‍ after me.”

“All‌ right. Count!”

The⁠​‍ battle is lost,‌ but the war​⁠​ is not over⁠​‌ yet.

Since‌⁠ the war was​‌‌ not decided in⁠​ one battle, Sigmund⁠‌​ had to promise⁠‍‌ the next.

“…Damn.”⁠‍

In​‍ a battlefield where⁠ countless cries echoed,‍ Sigmund silently looked​ towards the hill​​‌ above.

The⁠⁠‍ eagle flag clearly​‌‍ fluttered proudly just​ a moment ago,⁠ but it stopped​⁠ before I knew⁠ it.

It⁠​ seemed that the‍‍ burden was too​​ heavy to rely‍ on that single‌⁠⁠ flag for everything.⁠⁠‍

“Everyone‍ retreat! Survive on‌‍ your own somehow!”‌⁠‍

This‍ battle has been‌‍‌ lost.

Life‍‌​ is a series​ of uncertainties, but‍‍‌ I never expected‌‍ it to be⁠⁠​ like this.

“My‌ bones ache.”

However,‍‌‌ what bothers Sigmund‍ more than a defeat is his‌ knight, who has⁠ now been defeated.​

Although‍​⁠ he may not⁠‍ have been loyal,⁠ the Blue Moon​​‌ Knight clearly had​⁠ the same dream.‍‍

I was able to‌‌ climb up here​​‌ because I was​ with him.

“Count!”‌

“…Let’s‍ go.”

You‍​ didn’t need permission​‌​ to enter, but⁠ you had to⁠⁠ leave behind many‌ things when you​ left.

That‌⁠ was Peter’s request,‍‍ and now Sigmund⁠​ had to hide‍ miserably to avoid​⁠‍ risking his life.‌⁠​

The‌⁠ resentment and curses‍ of countless soldiers‌ coming from behind.​

Beside‌​‌ Sigmund, who was‍‍ leaving them behind‌​ in a hurry,⁠ there was only‍ a ragged army⁠⁠‍ of less than⁠​ 100 people.

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