Chapter 153: Follow in their footsteps (1)
62lMGeronimo, the eldest of the elves and the elder elf, had spoken.
He said he went west.DvRBL6
IJkV“I don’t know why you’re searching for his whereabouts.”ononF
x36cIn an elven forest following the footsteps of the voice, but what they actually found there were not voices, but the footprints of the Sword Master.ReWTHH7
YeLThe more questions Vlad resolved, the larger mysteries awaited him.jmdp
KxrT“But if you want to find traces of him, you must first understand him.”gDZLDN
ZWHnpUA“…What should I understand?”lZNp
BIUEDkdThe sword I used was an imperial sword.MrcX
tq0233ESo, why does the voice use the imperial sword?KK3eDS
P0vThe actions of the voice clearly protected the spirits.Sw2NR
MOLddxSo, why did the voice protect the spirits?wPgq5
vRAG3h“I mean Frausen, just a man, not the founding king Frausen.”Qj4jy
QIes20“…”4qg
syFAOwThe questions that followed clearly pointed to a place.eofu
7C9YKing founder Frausen.ZOw5
mwCwBXZThe first Sword Master.0Bkm
rFh1And Frausen, a man who renounced all his glory.pyLY
yQBfyV“I want you to read about the concerns of why he did that.”VSxRN5g
esW3Geronimo, who had grown wiser with age, was able to tell Vlad the direction to take.jaj3Oj
R8mL1To know the end, one must see the beginning.mdg2
7NRa0XFHe probably had to revisit old memories countless times to get these words out of his mouth.ngn3O
M4B3“I’ll go west. He said he was going there.”p1csc
JksKU0“Is it the west?”U0D
RkcAlthough everyone praised the glorious beginnings of a man named Frausen, no one spoke of his end.8zmZj
cU9kpCYThe footprints of Frausen, who disappeared mysteriously, like in a legendary story.OFs
mJNfhiHPerhaps the current Vlad was the person who came closest to the footprints, even though it was not his intention.QXLO
1WWY7j“Yes. West. The place where our Mother World Tree once stood.”AENVJbd
thGMyCI walked here not knowing who I was looking for.dGXpJkz
4ki8However, a faint trace clearly remained, which was probably the struggle of those who tried to protect it.ejZCrto
FslJe4g“Go search for the dwarves there.”pbs7
ebXFThe sign placed by the old man pointed the next direction for the young knight.DR6
TrxThe west has now become a wasteland.RmbRj
KCXtTowards the dwarves lodged where the Mother World Tree once stood.FAZ
kz34XhB“Dwarf…”hyUA
PjKA noble silver color remained on Vlad’s face as he encountered once again an unknown world.tcNW
HmLA ray of light emanated from the silver sword lying there.lLu7
0zuThe light spread so subtly that Vlad, who was reflecting, could not notice it and stared at Vlad for a long time as if observing him carefully.ocp
jFCKf***vhJRE7l
vtY4Alicia could barely maintain her composure as she clung to her racing heart.fEb
Yfv“They want to compensate us for our relic?”dr5L
gq9j9CA trace of her cherished father and a long-standing family relic.MHtK
lmaysGiving Vlad the amber stone, which was so precious to Alicia, was not simply because she personally felt drawn to him.pLaqt
W1b4QSIt was a kind of investment.u8OB
PFCAn investment that foresees the future of Deirmar.2Df5G
29Lx3A promising knight named Vlad was clearly a great piece that could compensate for Deirmar’s weakest points, and Alicia really wanted that shiny piece.rcy
ZJT“That’s correct. Lord of the humans. Alicia of Hainal.”5MXmZ1c
HbbSFThe elf who introduced himself as Varadis was treating Alicia politely.MAhzm
NS73fbThis was completely different from the rumors that people were being ostracized.JPa
SUzfCThe vassals of Hainal simply remained silent, confused as they looked at the elves like this.wLBT
kpuvo“The precious family relic you gave to Vlad was really helpful to us, Ausurin.”SrijLcy
iqBqThere was a letter from the elves that Vlad brought, but it was just a greeting.ezdOf9j
e5qzWLqThe elves decided to offer a reasonable compensation to the human lord who had preserved the precious traces of the Mother World Tree and had also lost them.xb6ZEFF
n8tH“Although it’s just a small amount, I hope you like it.”Hqaeqe2
QQy6GrXAn ancient wooden box began to rise behind Varadis, who politely bowed his head.p5RmR
D2oVW3It seems that the box alone is worth the price.J2Igkw0
yAQEveryone held their breath and looked at the box as it began to open slowly, knowing that just having the Elf name in front would greatly increase its value.xnjE
ocX10“What is this…?”61tuu
ifJWDcfFinally, when the box was opened, a subtle aroma wafted out along with it.HXhCLn
ml1It was the kind of aroma that instantly brightened up this place that was filled with somber scents.UPFymW
llhsFu“It’s saffron. It’s a spice we especially love.”fChh
T1wzEiRed stalks that looked like dried flower petals.KSoMjG9
wxTThe aroma it emanated had a clear substance, as if you could catch it with your hand.QLxTdEA
6DPc8ct“Uh, uh. That’s all.”jYOxn2
cwvrEWAlicia’s voice somehow spoke but could not be brought to an end.VUN
Eo2AoJtAfter encountering elven culture for the first time in her life, Alicia was able to recognize immediately that the saffron in front of her was a valuable item.WRPkybd
YZbk“Baron Alicia. We would like to take this opportunity to build a strong relationship with the Hainal family.”8YpA4xZ
tLHEI don’t need to say it again.8EsVD23
cdPHH7Unlike humans who try to profit by hiding their true intentions in their words, the elves simply conveyed the story straightforwardly and correctly.682Yn
VsIY“Although it’s far away, if there are trustworthy people there, there will be nothing to worry about. Please consider our proposal carefully.”Owoy
5PC2Z4HThe floating aroma is dizzying and the words spoken are sweet.6SdrFWZ
LUrAlicia’s vassals could barely breathe as Varadis’ words echoed in their ears.cMMB
gyhuIs there such a ridiculous opportunity?z8T
4KmFaced with the most difficult moment and the most incredible opportunity, the heads of the vassals naturally turned to Alicia, who was sitting in the lord’s seat.OiRHzC
gGA5“I… I listened carefully to what you said.”BnJ1uym
LTDA4And Alicia Hainal, the only Hainal sitting there.QFWohEE
55RZ4fHer shoulders straightened triumphantly as she looked into the eyes of her servants.coU
pVISMw4“Welcome. All who came from afar.”58I52
1W1fqAlicia’s smile towards the elves brightly lit up the halls of Deirmar.L3V4JTA
pjaAWhat lay before Alicia, whose worth she recognized more than anyone, was a gift from Vlad to compensate her for the past years.pApbXVM
Djej***6eT
r5gThe conversation with the humans was successful.ZTo
2phXXqGiven that the elves were inevitably poor compared to the empire, they had no choice but to live always anxious about them, but a great wind of change was already blowing in the great world they had just faced.35BJJ
h0i7N“The rise of the Northern Alliance will definitely be beneficial for us.”bDLF
sSJ4n0“Perhaps it can provide an alternative to the Empire.”i0B21
qjRLM1HIt was said that the Northern Orthodox Church, which promotes the Northern Union, clearly has lenient standards for other religions and beliefs.6diAifr
5XS4qc8Not just a standard, but possibilities for you and for me.a0tl
SbvThis new sect that guarantees this will certainly provide another option for the elves.gLD
6YOgd“Here.”Yz4e
hVNwmThe Rangers, who managed to understand the world’s trends that they had ignored until then, asked Alicia for permission to look inside the Hainal tree on the hill to fulfill their original purpose.58eL
wzzmTfBecause this was the most important reason they left Ausurin.3Oycgfs
1yc2kOt“This is what Vlad said…”58ah
FmjI felt like I could know it without having to check.uuBq3
wJa6ulhA lemon tree that looks old to anyone who looks at it.0KX3u
BP9xAWgThe strong scent felt there was clearly similar to the scent of a young World Tree.sVa9C
BNl“After all, it was a snake.”xxXjC62
RTPjpJAlthough his left eye was not closed, the pentagram in his pupil illuminated Varadis’s eyes.XXEPJ7
paMThe world of the elves with the World Tree.dIYdMR
KmKKZ3bIn the dark-colored area visible through it, there was a white snake with its tongue greeting them.zRC
0vcIE9m“You survived.”AMJuvl
zEXQ1“It looks like the lunar mole of Dobrechi we saw before.”OFX5Ke
7S4hwVaradis and the elves followed the spirits’ tracks as Vlad said.2ggh2zl
xJ6N8ZThey left Ausurin and encountered the Dobrechi mole for the first time, and finally they were able to reach Deirmar, where the Mother World Tree was located.36zuYh
yPf“Could it have survived like this?”p3g8amq
ngT2KALong ago, the elves had no choice but to flee, taking only the World Tree seeds to survive.Rkely
DiFHowever, even when everything burned down, there were things and traces that someone had secretly spread throughout the world for them.SVXVRu7
kohBckwOne of those traces is probably the white snake you see now.IxV
oojT“Lord Varadis, excuse me.”dWJP
KKSH“Mmm?”rJqLMQ
IIooGOFVaradis turned his head to follow the finger pointed by his subordinate and soon he could smile cheerfully.qJrb
dcWsLcIThe young ones peeked behind the white snake.mIFo
6V2PThey were clearly the spirits of the young World Tree that had been sent with Vlad’s sword.K3vjo
wwhA“You’ve calmed down.”T0nfT
aJ4jI walked a long way, but it was worth it.BT8GK
uaue1UCBecause I saw something that was not only alive, but firmly rooted.Gz45Yb
U85pBright smiles began to form on the faces of the elves as they looked at the young spirits born in Ausurin.jQ2K
SPC6jyJ“I’ll have to ask Lord Hainal for his cooperation so I can stay here for the time being. Maybe there are other traces left.”ZO8
awZ1d1“Alright.”qLy
17aSmall worlds that were left rooted without leaving a trace within an empire that had become one.PUe
1AQlHowever, only now were the elves who had ventured out into the world recognizable.UE1V
DTkVhf5Yet, there are small worlds that still breathe.wATW
3HOK6And the traces lined up along the path of the young knight they followed.x12l68g
ulLqIt was similar to the actions of the Sword Master who had visited them long ago.wuBjgSh
R8Yeob***uanPHZ
PhO8yPUIn front of the harbor pier, where dusk is gradually falling.zHKWT
KD5Vlad stood there, silently watching as the ship disappeared over the horizon.6bT2fS
4KNOn the boat that departed from Nassau with a creak, many dwarves continued to gaze at the port where Vlad stood.WLY
itAtWkG“Mr. Rutiger probably won’t like it.”558t
Q6F9i“…I know.”uaZQGV
TXN8om7Vlad nodded silently as he listened to Marcus’s words behind him.nwWx
vToML4x“Perhaps so.”kHx
Pwj3zOf course Rutiger won’t like what I’ve done.h5Nql8s
GAvThis job was solely for Joseph’s benefit and also related to the brothers’ struggle for the family head position.QZ31
0wn“You won’t regret it, will you?”0dEFa
oElmBFMarcus’s question spread along with the sound of the waves, reaching Vlad’s ears.zurh
tbklDJYou won’t regret it, will you?x5Mr
kBzzADeirmar, who took care of you, will definitely be disappointed.SdgFz7
mAC“Regrets… I think I will have them.”TZfGli
MdUmRutiger Bayezid.pXZ8T
Snpd8The man who killed the dragon with me.kZwbH
AP2AEvery moment I spent with him was a moving experience and, looking back, it was a joyful experience.k1TGPBp
13dtWlm“But I think I’ll regret it even more if I don’t do this.”uN2i
qpXeBetraying Rutiger’s favor was clearly a painful decision.dAn
XauI5But Godin had said.vL2a
Qz1Start by observing where your feet are now.RL9x
NqANl“I am Sir Joseph’s knight.”rW7cQT
Pnm“…Yes.”i3TYh
Oa1D9The war with Gaidar was a variable that choked Joseph and at the same time raised Rutiger’s value.Ahdd6nR
44R0XrIf things continue like this, it will become clear that Joseph will end up dying without even being able to shine.EIuXtY
i21DLyIThat’s why Vlad didn’t hesitate to send the dwarves to their hometown.ocUXb
VP32jV3“I think I’ve done everything I was supposed to do here.”Fsffyk
dG9JlWith Vlad’s words, the boat on the horizon became a small dot and disappeared into the twilight.QstVjd
mwLhB6There are probably still dwarves on the now disappeared boat looking toward the port where Vlad will be.vFlRb
zWY“I have to go back now.”vKHl
kZgHeSZFor Joseph, who pulled me out of the darkness, and for the voice.VOqHGL
svXhpgVlad used a dwarf named Vulcan as a pigeon to send a letter to a world he had never seen before.rI1uNDq
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