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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 150: Beast of Possibility (1)

Chapter 150: Beast of Possibility (1)

“I’m⁠‌ sorry, father.”

Today’s‌‍‍ twilight was falling‌⁠⁠ behind the man‍‍ who bowed deeply.⁠​​

Crimson‍⁠​ twilight, a red-headed⁠ man with his‍ head bowed and​⁠‍ even a blood-stained⁠​‌ bandage around his​​ hand.

Radu,‌⁠ who bore the‌​​ strong warning sent​⁠‌ from the north⁠‌ engraved on his‌ body, was lost,‌ as if unsure⁠ of what to‌ do.

“It​ couldn’t be helped.⁠ I understand.”

A gruff voice echoed‌‌ through the dark‌ shadows cast by​ the twilight.

Radu‍ raised his head‍ cautiously and heard‌​‍ a breathing sound​​‍ akin to a groan.

“This⁠​ generation’s Steel Lord…‍ Wasn’t an easy‌​ person.”

At‌⁠‌ the end of‍⁠ Radu’s line of‌​ sight stood an‌ old man struggling​⁠ to stand while‌ leaning on a cane.

An‍​​ elderly figure descending‌ the stairs, stepping⁠ on today’s setting‌‍⁠ sun.

His​⁠⁠ faltering steps slowly‌ descended the soft⁠‌ carpet towards Radu.⁠⁠‍

“Still,‌ it’s a bit‍‍‌ disappointing. Son.”

“…!”​​‌

Despite​ his faltering steps,‍⁠ the old man⁠​ quickly came down​​ and embraced his​‍ son as if⁠ to comfort him,⁠ but Radu, held‌​​ in his father’s⁠‍​ arms, was only‌⁠ too tense.

“After‌⁠ receiving so much‌​‍ hospitality from the‍‍ North, you should‌‍‌ have given back‌‌ a little.”

“I’m‌‌​ sorry, I’m sorry.”‍

A clear voice, different⁠‍‍ from the gruff​⁠‍ voice just now.‌‌

The​‍‍ middle-aged man looked‍​⁠ at Radu’s red-stained‌​⁠ left hand and​‌ stroked his rough‍​ beard as if‍ displeased about something.‍‍

“It’s‌ in bad shape,​ not fitting for‍‍‍ someone with dragon’s‍‍ blood.”

Defeat,‍ dishonor, and even‌‍ intense challenges to‌​⁠ oneself.

Duke⁠​ Sarnus, the Dragonblood​ Duke, could only‌ keep his lips‌⁠ tightly sealed as‌⁠‌ he looked at​‌ his son, who‍ had come here‍​ covered in all‍ sorts of dirt.‍‍

“Thank‌⁠‌ you for coming.‌⁠​ Take a rest.”‍‍​

“…Yes,‌​ father.”

The‍ dark hallway where​​ only the two​‌ of them stood​ suddenly filled with‍‌​ candlelight, even though⁠ no one had‍ lit them.

His‌ father’s young face‌‌ seen in the‌ light swaying back⁠‌ and forth with​‍ the wind.

Radu‍⁠ bowed his head⁠ again as he​‍⁠ looked at the‍​⁠ face of the‍⁠ dragon’s blood ball‍ covered by the‍​ shadow.

“…Mirshea.”‌⁠

“Yes,‍ father.”

Where​‍⁠ Radu bowed his‌⁠⁠ head and left.⁠‌

At‌​⁠ Sarnus’s call, there⁠‍‌ was a shadow​‍ that slowly lifted​​ its head from​⁠‌ the space they⁠ believed to be​‍ alone.

“I‌‍‌ suppose that’s it⁠⁠⁠ for that fellow.”​

“…Is⁠ that so.”

Mirshea,⁠ who had a similar complexion to‌ her father, could‌ immediately understand what​​ Duke Sarnus was⁠ talking about.

“If⁠‍​ you keep unripe⁠‌ fruit, it will‍‍ only rot.”

A man compares his‌‍​ son, who inherited‌‍​ his blood, to⁠‍⁠ rotting fruit.

Unlike⁠‌‌ Radu, Mirshea, who⁠​‍ could see through⁠​‍ the darkness, could‍‍⁠ see what kind‍‌ of expression her‍ father was wearing⁠‌ at that moment.‍‌‌

“Anyway,⁠⁠​ I’m curious to​ see how far​‌​ this son will‍⁠ grow.”

The‌​‍ hands of the⁠​‌ dragon’s blood ball,⁠‍ which had become‍ soft without a single wrinkle, carefully‌ released the cane‍‌‌ that was no‍⁠ longer needed.

“This​‍‌ is the first‌ time I’ve experienced​ the potential to⁠‌‍ spread mud.”

Candles‍ were lit all‍‍⁠ along the dark‍‍ hallway, from places‍ untouched by sunlight.​​​

The​​‍ glow they created‌ illuminated the oldest‍‍⁠ dragon’s blue eyes.⁠‍

***​⁠⁠

Bloodstains‌‌ still splattered all​‌ over Deirmar, along​‌​ with piles of⁠‌ ash.

And​ the occasional sound⁠‌ of someone crying‍ demonstrated that Deirmar​⁠⁠ still groaned from‌ the wounds of‌ war.

*Cough,‍ cough.*

Although‌​ the war was​‍⁠ won, what remained‌‌ here was nothing‌⁠​ but inevitable sadness.‌⁠​

In‌ this city filled‌ with dead bodies⁠​ and the groans⁠​‍ of the wounded,‌⁠‌ Joseph simply lay⁠‍⁠ quietly on the​‍‍ bed and looked​​​ out the window.‌

“…Nothing‌⁠ has changed yet.”⁠

Joseph’s‌‌‌ frail body finally‍‍‌ couldn’t bear the‌ consequences of the​ fierce siege.

Still,‍ one would have‌‌ thought it lucky‍‌ that he collapsed‌‌ after completing all⁠⁠ his duties, but‍ Joseph’s eyes as‍‍ he looked westward‌ were filled with‍‍ anger that was​ hard to calm.‍‍‍

From​‌ childhood until now,‌ Joseph’s cursed body⁠ had constantly held‌ him back.

“Do​​ you think we’ve‍‌‍ reached Nassau yet?”‌‌

“Maybe‍⁠⁠ so. The nearby‍‌ lords won’t have‌‍ the power to​​ stop us.”

Jager,⁠‌​ who was by‍ his side, seemed⁠ to understand Joseph’s⁠​ feelings and simply⁠ looked out the‌ window while quietly‍​​ stroking his eye‍‌ patch.

As⁠‍ Jager said, Bayezid’s‍ army was probably⁠ still marching westward‍‍‌ without hesitation.

The⁠ battle had ended,​​​ but the war⁠​​ had begun, and​ Bayezid deserved to‌⁠⁠ pay the price‍ for the western​ lords who dared⁠ to take up‌​​ the sword first.‍

“…Is‍ it so? And⁠‌ was Vlad still​​​ weak?”

However,‍ unlike those who‍⁠‌ advanced, those who​ stayed here had​ to face the‍ wounds that had⁠‌ accumulated so far.⁠​⁠

Any​​​ violent clash inevitably‍​⁠ resulted in scratches,⁠‍ and Joseph, who⁠‌​ was inadvertently left⁠ behind, had the⁠ duty to tend‍‌​ to those wounds.​‌

“Is​⁠⁠ this the first‍ time he’s lost?”⁠

“Officially,⁠​​ yes.”

Joseph‌‌‌ chuckled upon hearing‌‌ Jager’s words.

“The‍‍‍ first opponent he⁠ lost to was‌ Godin of Gaidar…”‌​

Although‌ his current situation‍​‍ was depressing, there⁠ was still reason​‌ to smile a little.

Although⁠ everything seemed bleak​⁠​ in Deirmar, there​‍ was still a small residue of​‌‌ glory left in⁠​‍ the city.

“Should‍⁠ I describe this⁠‍ as a good​‍‍ loss? If you​ honor the name⁠ Godin, you won’t‌ be ignored anywhere.”​​

“I’m‍ sure it’s a relief he didn’t‍⁠ die.”

Jager‌‍ only pursed his‌​​ lips as if‍ he was disgusted‍​‍ with something in‌‍ Joseph’s words, but‍ he couldn’t actually​ refute them.

As‌ Joseph said, there‌‌ was a mountain⁠⁠ in the world​‍‍ that was highly​ regarded just by​ climbing it.

There‍‌⁠ are steep mountains‍‍⁠ where you can⁠‍‌ be brought down‌⁠​ just for trying,⁠​​ regardless of the‌ outcome.

And‌ Godin of Gaidar,​‌‌ whom Vlad challenged,‌ was definitely worth​⁠⁠ it.

“Whatever⁠ the outcome, Vlad‍‍ will now enter⁠⁠⁠ the world of‌⁠‍ full-fledged knighthood.”

If​‍ there are shooting‌ stars, there are‌ also those on‍ the rise.

Perhaps​‍​ by the time‍​ the results of‍‍ this war are‍⁠ widely known, all‌⁠‍ the magistrates of⁠⁠ the empire will​⁠‍ have heard of‌​‌ a new name.​​​

A novice who broke⁠​⁠ through Gaidar’s formation‍​‌ and survived despite‍‌ facing a powerful​⁠‍ enemy named Godin.​⁠

Vlad‍​‍ of Soara.

Now,​⁠ it’s a name‍‌​ that others recognize‌⁠‍ first without me⁠⁠‌ having to shout‍⁠ it out first.‌

Seeing‌‍ Jager trying to​‍‍ deny that it‌⁠ was still far​‍ off, Joseph simply‍ coughed and smiled.⁠⁠

***‍

“That⁠ bastard who climbed⁠ the castle wall!​​ What the hell‍‌ is that!

“It’s‌‍⁠ Vlad! Vlad of​‍ blue eyes!”

Nassau,‌​ the city of‍ the Barony of‍​​ Iznik.

The‌⁠ city, which had⁠ already been set‌⁠‍ on fire by‍​​ Rutiger, aimed its‍‍‌ spear at Bayezid’s⁠‍​ army, but it​⁠⁠ was not a very significant action.⁠

“Are​ you going to​⁠‌ open the gate​ or not?”

“…Keuuuu.”​⁠

The​ path I walked⁠‍ was filled with​‍⁠ blood, and the‌ blue eyes I looked at were‌‍ full of murder.‌‍‌

Indeed,⁠ as much as‍⁠⁠ the notoriety spread​‌⁠ in Ossye, the‍⁠​ young knight of‍‍ Bayezid did not‍‌ show mercy at‍ the tip of‍‌‍ his sword.

“If​​ you don’t respond‌‍⁠ this time, you‍​ will die. Are​ you the only⁠⁠ one who opens‌‍ the gate here?”​​

“I’ll‍​‍ open it, I’ll⁠⁠ open it.”

Nassau,​ a city that‍​​ initially had only‍ a few hundred‍‍⁠ ground troops.

Nassau’s‌‌ power was further‌‌⁠ weakened because the⁠⁠⁠ walls were already‌ destroyed and not‍⁠ functioning properly, and‌‌​ due to the‍⁠ excessive support sent⁠ to sympathize with‍‌ Gaidar, and Peter,‍⁠ the commander-in-chief of​‌​ this war, was​‍‌ fully aware of​ this weakness.

“But‍ you. What did⁠‍ you tell me‌⁠ before?”

“If‌‌ yes?”

There​‍ were only about‍‌‌ ten knights, but‍ they took control‌‌ of the castle⁠⁠ walls as well‍‍ as Peter had‍​ hoped.

Even‍‍ if the number‍‌ was small, the‍‌‌ value of the⁠‍‍ knights’ name was⁠⁠⁠ greater than that⁠‌ of hundreds of⁠‍ soldiers.

“They‍‌ say you have​​‍ blue eyes. Vlad‍‍​ the Blue-Eyed.”

Vlad‌⁠‍ smiled as if‌ it were amusing‍⁠​ and frowned when‍⁠‍ he saw Rutiger‌⁠​ pass by.

Blue⁠ eyes.

Isn’t‍ it too weightless‌‍ to use a title in front‌ of a knight?‍‌‍

Knock,​ knock!

Whatever​‌‌ Vlad’s complaints, Nassau’s⁠‌ drawbridge began to‍ sink into the⁠‌ moat along with​‌ its heavy iron​⁠ chains.

Only​ a knight could‍‌ face a knight.⁠

Unfortunately,​​ Nassau did not‌​ have skilled knights​‌ who could face‍ Bayezid’s knights.

“Every‍‍ commander, make sure⁠‍‍ to convey this‍​ to your soldiers.”​‍

As‍‍ he watched the​⁠ drawbridge slowly descend‌​⁠ in front of‌‍​ him, Peter once‍‍ again issued a cold warning.

“Looting​‌‍ is not allowed​⁠‌ in Nassau. Anyone⁠‌​ who violates this​‌​ will be severely​‌​ punished.”

The‍​​ soldiers around him​ involuntarily swallowed as‌ they heard Peter’s​‌ stern order.

No​​⁠ matter how strict‍⁠ military discipline is,‍ looting that occurs⁠‌‌ in secret is‌​⁠ something that cannot⁠ be avoided.

However,​ Peter Bayezid had​ complete control over⁠⁠ the army thanks‌ to a presence⁠⁠⁠ harsher than the‍ northern wind’s cold.​⁠‍

“Enter.”⁠‌‌

“As​⁠‍ ordered. Count.”

City‍ Nassau.

The‍ northernmost port city‍‍ that never freezes.⁠​‍

Although⁠ in feuds wars⁠ it was customary​‌‌ to ensure each⁠‍ lord’s right to​‌ rule according to‍ an implicit promise,⁠⁠⁠ Peter had no⁠​​ intention of following‍⁠ that custom in‍‌ Nassau.

“If‌​‌ possible, I would​‍ like to take‍​​ it with minimal‌‌ loss.”

From⁠​ the start, I thought of choosing‌​ at least this⁠ city.

Yearning‍‍⁠ for a wider​ world is not‌‍ necessarily a privilege⁠‍ only small children‌ have.

Bayezid‍‌ also did not⁠‍‌ want to remain⁠⁠ confined to the‍‍ north.

“Run‌⁠ to the harbor!‍ Do you know‌‌‌ where it is?”⁠⁠

“The​⁠‌ way we came​ is completely different!”⁠

After​‍ confirming that the‍‌ drawbridge was lowered,‌ the knights hurriedly‌‌‌ ran along the‌⁠ castle walls and⁠⁠⁠ began to run⁠​​ towards Nassau’s harbor.​‍​

In‍ the distant end,​‍⁠ a huge ship‍‌ he had not⁠​ seen before began‌ to unfurl its​⁠ sails.

“As⁠​ expected, I was‍​ preparing to jump!”​⁠

Just⁠ like Vlad’s shout,​ Baron Iznik probably‍⁠ intended to do‌‍‍ this from the‍⁠‍ beginning.

Gaidar,​​‍ who traveled on​⁠ it, fell to‍‍⁠ the ground and‌‍‍ could not stop‍ the northern army,​ which had descended‌‌ to the west,⁠‌​ with all its‍⁠​ might.

“Run!”‍

Rutiger’s‌ knights, each with‍‍ their own world,‌ began to run‍ hurriedly towards the⁠ harbor.

“The⁠‌ one who reaches‍‍ the harbor first…”‍‌

“Noir!”​‍

Before​​ Rutiger could finish​‌‍ speaking, Vlad began‍‍‌ to shout loudly​ towards the gate.⁠

It⁠‌⁠ may be inevitable⁠​‍ to lose Baron‌⁠ Iznik, but it⁠ is also inevitable‍​ to covet the‌‌​ wealth he has‍‍ amassed.

War⁠ was a monster⁠‌ that ate up‍ gold coins, and​​⁠ gold coins were‌⁠ clearly the wealth‍⁠‌ the loser had‍‍‌ to pay.

“What‍ about the one​ who arrives first?”⁠

“…Anyway,‍‌ I’ll take care⁠ of you a lot.”

He‍⁠‍ only spoke one‌​​ name, but Rutiger‌⁠ sighed as he‍ saw the black‌‍ horse approaching him.​

“I’m‍ looking forward to‌​​ this winter when‌‌⁠ the money from‌ the deal comes‍⁠ out.”

“If​ we set sail⁠‌‍ now, everything will‍​ be in vain.”⁠​

Although​‍‌ he said that,​‌ Rutiger knew that‌​​ Vlad with Noir⁠‌ would reach the​‍‍ harbor faster than⁠‌ anyone else.

The‍​​ vision of me‌ piercing through Gaidar’s⁠‍ formation was still‌ vivid before my‍​ eyes.

“Let’s​⁠​ go!”

Neigh!‍

There⁠‍ was a black⁠ horse running downhill‍ towards the harbor‍⁠ with Vlad shouting.​

The‍ blue sea shimmered​​ under the summer​‌​ sun.

The‍‍ light of the‌​‌ blue moon that⁠⁠‍ had floated in‍ his world remained⁠ in Vlad’s eyes⁠ as he looked⁠​​ at that light.‌

“You​‌‌ must not let‍‍‍ him go to‌‍‌ the harbor!”

“Stop‌‌ that bastard! Halt!”​

Looking​⁠‌ at the soldiers‍​ blocking his way,⁠ Vlad silently closed​ his left eye​ above Noir, who⁠⁠ was running.

Vlad’s‌ world now came⁠​‌ to life.

“Get⁠ out of my‍‌ way, bastards!”

It‌‌‍ may now be‍‌‌ unreachable, but there‍⁠ are things that‍⁠⁠ don’t change.

Godin’s⁠⁠ moon was no‌ longer high in‍⁠⁠ the night sky,‍ but for Vlad‍⁠ it was still‌​ a bright moon.‌⁠​

Vlad’s⁠ own color, neither⁠‍​ white nor green‌‍ nor blue, began‌​‌ to ripple like‍‌ waves from the‌​ tip of the‍⁠‍ sword.

The​‍ beginning of the​​ golden world probably‌ began with the⁠‍ blue moonlight rising‌⁠ alongside the bonfire.⁠​​

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