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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 154: Follow in their footsteps (2)

Chapter 154: Follow in their footsteps (2)

The⁠​‍ window outside the​‌​ unfamiliar office was⁠​ filled with the‌⁠‍ blue sea.

Peter,⁠‌⁠ standing by the⁠ window, silently opened⁠‌ his mouth as‌‍ he watched the‌‍​ sunset gradually spread⁠​ through the blue⁠ light.

“Did‍‌ you send the​ dwarves off safely?”‌​

The‌‌‌ head of the‍ Bayezid family was⁠ looking out the​ window, his back‍​‌ to him.

The‍‌ scarred man looking‌⁠​ at Peter responded⁠ to his question.​

“That’s‌ right. There were​​‍ about 20 people.”⁠‌

Beyond‍​‌ the window that⁠‍ he squinted at,‍‌​ there was a ship slowly heading​‍ into the sunset.‌​‌

A small boat where‍‌ the enslaved dwarves⁠‌ and Vulcan, who⁠ had infiltrated to‍‌⁠ rescue them, would​⁠ travel.

“I‌‌⁠ sent them as‌‍‌ you ordered.”

“Good.⁠⁠​ Well done.”

Although​ Vlad may think‍​ he was sent⁠‌ away in secret,‍‌⁠ the city of‍ Nassau already belongs‍ to Bayezid.

The‍ ship containing Joseph’s‍‌ wish was able‌ to set sail⁠ because Peter gave‍ permission.

“In​⁠ the end, that‍ guy chose Joseph​​ over Rutiger.”

A young knight is​ still alone at‍⁠ the port, watching​ the ships depart.​‍‍

As⁠ always, Peter stood​‌‍ watching Vlad in​ the distance.

“It⁠‌ seemed like his‍ determination was strong.‍‌ Joseph definitely has‍ a good knight.”⁠

“Yes.”​‌

Peter‌‍ smiled bitterly at‌‌ Marcus’s report.

One​‌‌ thing is perfect,‍ but when two‌‍ people try to‌​ receive it.

Peter‍‍⁠ had no choice‍ but to worry‍‌ a lot as‌‍​ he watched Joseph⁠⁠ struggle to survive.⁠

“…Nassau‌​ is a warm‌‌‌ place even in‍ winter.”

His⁠⁠‌ son Joseph is⁠ intelligent and thoughtful,‌‌ but he was‌‍ born with a weak body.

It’s​‍ definitely not the⁠​⁠ child’s fault.

However,‌ the world sometimes‌ imposes an unfair‍⁠⁠ burden on someone.‍⁠⁠

“With‍ weather like this,​ it will probably‌⁠⁠ be much less‍⁠⁠ hard on the‍‌ body than in⁠‍​ the north.”

Peter​⁠ silently looked at‍​⁠ his palms.

His​‍‌ palms, illuminated by⁠⁠ the setting sun,​⁠ were tinged with‌ bright red.

Hands‌​ that seemed stained​‌ with blood.

Looking‌ at that color,‌‌​ which he could‍‌ probably never erase,‌ Peter thought of‌‍​ his brothers who​‍ were no longer​ in the world.‍⁠⁠

“…Still,​‍‍ as a father,‌‍‌ I would like‌⁠​ to suggest at​‌ least one alternative.”‍

The​‍ story of Bayezid⁠⁠​ must repeat itself‌​‍ as his children‌​⁠ grow up.

However,‍ Peter wanted to​‍ provide them with⁠ at least a small emergency exit​⁠⁠ that would allow⁠‌‍ them to escape‍ from a tragedy‍‍ that would repeat​‌‌ itself.

“Understood.⁠​‌ Count.”

Peter​‍‍ constantly wrestles with​​ his duty as​‍‍ head of the‍ family and his​⁠‍ compassion as a father.

Feeling‍⁠ his feelings, which‌‌‌ could be guessed⁠‌ even without saying​‍ anything, Marcus quietly⁠⁠ disappeared into the‍​ darkness of the‍‍⁠ office.

“…”⁠​

Where‌​ the nameless shadow‌‍ went.

Now‍ alone, Peter clenched‍​‍ his red palms⁠ and looked up‍ at the sea‍⁠ through the window.‌​‍

A wide sea that‌ you can’t get‌​‌ used to no​‌ matter how much⁠​ you look at‌ it.

However,⁠ even if it’s⁠ an unknown expanse​ to oneself, it‌​​ can be a lifeline for others.‌

Peter‍⁠⁠ hoped that could‍‌ happen.

***‌‌

A group of what‌ looked like twenty​ people was slowly‌ walking on horseback.‍‍

The‌⁠‌ Budart tribe led⁠​‌ by Agge, the​⁠⁠ Thornwood mercenaries led⁠⁠ by Stephan, and‌‍‍ even Vlad, who‍ was at the‍‌ forefront among them.‌​

Those‌⁠‍ who had left‍ Nassau were now⁠ heading north, toward‌ Deirmar.

“That’s⁠‌‍ good. If I had played in⁠‍ these conditions until‌​ winter, I would​‍ have suffered quite​ a few bone⁠ problems.”

Fortunately,​ there were no‍‌‌ deaths, but there​ were some wounded.⁠‌

They‌​‌ had been fighting‌⁠ since the beginning​ of the intense‍⁠ war, so, as⁠ Stephan said, everyone‍ needed their own‌⁠‌ rest.

“…But‍​​ you said you⁠ knew.”

“What‌‍ do you mean?”‌

“The⁠ Northern Orthodox Church.”​

Vlad’s‌ eyes looking at‍‌ Agge were quite​‍ sharp.

How​ dare the aide​ hide something from‍​ the captain?

Faced‍ with that sharp‍ interrogation, Agge simply‌ smiled good-naturedly, gently⁠​ suppressing Vlad’s gaze.​‌‍

“It’s‍ not that I knew, it’s that‌‌​ I was aware.”‍⁠

Agge’s‍‍​ eyes began to⁠ open as he‌ absentmindedly drank the​​⁠ beer Vlad had‍‍ brought.

“What’s⁠⁠ this. It tastes​⁠ better when it’s​‍​ cold, doesn’t it?”⁠⁠⁠

“Just‍‌‍ answer the question.”⁠‍⁠

Northern⁠ knights, central mercenaries,‌‌‍ and barbarians.

The‍ only topic they​‌‍ can talk about‌⁠‌ is the Northern‍‌‍ Union and the‍ Northern Orthodox Church,​‍​ which are hot​ topics these days.​⁠

“In⁠ fact, I don’t​​‌ know much about⁠‍‌ the process. Bayezid‍​ gave me a hint, and my‍ father figured it‌​‍ out.

There⁠⁠⁠ is a world⁠​ that cannot be​⁠ mixed.

Like⁠ the imperialists and‍⁠ the barbarians who⁠‍ believe in different‌ gods.

However,‌​⁠ since the biggest‍‌ barrier that separated​⁠ the two worlds​​‍ had a hole‍⁠ in the name​ of the Northern‌⁠ Orthodox Church, it⁠​ would have been⁠​⁠ something that even‍‌​ the barbarians would​‌ have considered at​​ least once.

“They‌⁠​ say even the‌‌⁠ ancient spirits we‍⁠ worship are acknowledged.⁠⁠ If it weren’t‌‌​ for that promise,‍‍‌ we probably wouldn’t‌⁠ have cooperated.”

The⁠​‍ Budart tribe, whose⁠‌‍ power was greatly‌‍ diminished by the‌⁠ raids of Lindworm​⁠⁠ and the Dragonslayer‌​ Knights, but still,⁠​​ they wouldn’t have⁠‌ cooperated easily with‌‌⁠ an empire that​⁠ didn’t even treat​ them as human⁠ beings.

However,​ since the newly‌⁠ created northern ship,⁠​‍ not an empire,‍⁠ was created with‌⁠ expansion in mind,⁠⁠‌ it was an⁠⁠​ alternative that even‌​ the barbarians would⁠ have to consider.‍

“But‌ they say some⁠⁠‍ tribes are wreaking​‌ havoc to kill​ us too. So,​‌ I was thinking‍ of returning to‌⁠ the tribe this⁠​​ winter.”

Still,⁠ there is nothing​⁠⁠ that can be‌‍‍ done about the⁠ long-standing hostility between‍‍ the two parties.‍​

That’s‍‍ why the chief‍‌‌ of Budart sent‍ his son into⁠⁠‍ the world ahead‍‌ of time.

The‍ decision on whether⁠ it would be⁠‌​ right to continue‍​ cooperating with Bayezid‌ would probably start⁠‍ with Agge.

“Is‍‌ that so?”

The⁠‌ question was sharp,‌‌‍ but the answer‍ brief.

Vlad’s​ mind was becoming‍ complicated as he‍‌ heard about the‌⁠ events of the‍‌ Northern Union, of‌​ which he had‍‍⁠ no idea.

I thought I had‍⁠ reached a certain⁠ level, but the‌⁠⁠ waves of the‌​⁠ world still crashed​ against Vlad’s will.​

“Deirmar​ is in front‌​​ of us!”

At⁠‍ that moment, there‍‍ was a report‌ from someone who​‌ broke the silence.‌‌

Leaving‌ the forest path,‍⁠‌ they see a meadow where the‍‍‍ smell of blood⁠‌​ has not yet‍‌ disappeared.

However,​​ despite the sinister​ smell, the sight⁠‌‌ of the city‍ in front of​ them suddenly became​‍ welcoming.

“Huh?”⁠‌​

Everyone⁠⁠ was excited to​‍ see the destination⁠​​ they had finally‌⁠ reached, but Vlad‌‍ squinted as he‍‍ felt an unfamiliar​ sensation coming from‌⁠ Deirmar.

“What’s⁠‍ going on, Vlad?‌​‍ Is something happening?”​

“…Wait‌ a second.”

Vlad​ quickly closes his​‍‍ left eye and‍ begins to summon‌ his aura.

The⁠‍ men, who knew‌​‌ Vlad’s senses were⁠​ sensitive, quickly began‍‍‍ to be alert‌‍​ to their surroundings.‌⁠

As⁠‍​ they had been‌​‍ working together for⁠‌‌ a while, the​​‌ mercenaries and barbarians​‌⁠ quickly joined together​ and began to​⁠ adopt a firm⁠‍‍ defensive stance.

“What’s‍ that?”

However,‌ despite their great‌ caution, Vlad did⁠​ not manifest his⁠‌​ Aura with that‍⁠​ intention.

Deirmar‌‍‌ looks familiar to‍ me but looks‍ somewhat different.

“Are⁠ we going to‍ have a festival⁠ or something?”

“Huh?”‍

Beyond​⁠ the fading twilight,​‌‌ the Hainal trees‍⁠ were flickering loudly⁠ in the distance.⁠⁠‍

At​ the top of⁠‌‌ the tree, which‌‌​ was constantly flickering⁠⁠ with excitement, there‌‌​ was a white‌​ snake with its​​​ head held high‍‌⁠ and its mouth‍ wide open.

“Hmm?”⁠‍

Vlad,⁠‌⁠ who had been‌‌ observing the strange⁠‍ behavior of the‍​ White Snake for‌‌ a while, was‌ able to feel⁠‍ a drop of‌ water falling on‍ his shoulder.

“…Damn.⁠‍⁠ It’s raining.”

If​‌ you go a little further, you‍ will reach Deirmar.​‍‍

But​⁠⁠ as if it​ could no longer‌ bear the bird⁠​‌ anymore, the surroundings⁠‍ began to darken.‍​‍

The‍‍ last rain of‍ summer was falling,‍​ as someone had‍ said.

The‌‌ rain that fell​‍⁠ before autumn still​‍‍ had a warm‌‍ energy.

***⁠

“…Saffron,‍‍ saffron.”

Alicia’s⁠​ eyes, peering through⁠‌ a magnifying glass,‍‍ were strangely enlarged.‍​‌

A spice called saffron⁠⁠‍ that was gifted⁠​ by the elves.‍

They⁠​​ said it was⁠ a spice mainly‍‌​ used for cooking,‍‍‍ but it had‍⁠‍ a pleasant aroma​‌ that could easily‌ be used as‍⁠‌ perfume.

“Could‌​‌ this be something‌ like that? I heard that the⁠ elves’ tea called⁠‌‌ Absilon was actually⁠​​ a drug…”

Old‌​ Duncan appeared more‌ cautious than happy​⁠ about the sudden‍‌⁠ good news.

It‌‌ would be worth⁠ it.

I heard that the‍‌‌ series of purges‍‍ that took place⁠​‌ far away in​ Brigantes originated in‍ Absilon, from the‍ elves’ tea.

“They⁠⁠ say they didn’t​ know, so we⁠‌⁠ have no choice‍​⁠ but to believe​ them for now.”‍⁠

For‌ the elves, it‍‍‌ was just ordinary‍​‍ tea, but for⁠ humans, it was‌ a drug.

Varadis’s​ explanation that it‍​ worked that way‌‍‌ due to different‌​ body structures was​⁠‍ quite understandable.

Although​ I don’t know⁠⁠‌ what the real​​‌ intention is.

“We‍​ can experiment first⁠‌ among ourselves before‍ distributing it. This⁠‌‍ is something worth​​⁠ bearing the burden‌​ for.”

What⁠ Varadis brought was⁠‌ not just a gift.

Ausurin‍‍⁠ really wanted to​ have a relationship‍‌⁠ with Deirmar, and‌​‍ as proof of⁠​‍ that, he brought‌​ not only processed​ saffron but also​⁠ the bulb of⁠‍⁠ the flower.

With‌ Varadis’s cryptic claim⁠ that the flowers​ will bloom in⁠​​ Deirmar, even if⁠‌ it may not​⁠​ be anywhere else.⁠​‍

“Are‌‌ you sure you‌‌ want to cultivate‍⁠ this?”

“Is‍⁠ there any reason⁠⁠ not to?”

The‍​ water-colored eyes with​‌‌ the magnifying glass​⁠‍ down were sharp.‌‌​

“In‌ a small territory​‍‍ like ours, cultivating​ cheap things is⁠‌‌ a loss. It‍‌​ barely reaches to​⁠⁠ feed the residents​​‌ of the territory.”⁠⁠​

Alicia​‌ could feel it​⁠ painfully during this‌‍​ war.

Deirmar⁠‌ is truly a small territory.

“We⁠‍ are completely ruined⁠​ now. I have⁠⁠⁠ no money.”

Alicia‍​ couldn’t help but⁠ feel angry as⁠‍‌ she looked at​ Deirmar, which simply‌‌‌ swung back and⁠⁠ forth, caught between‍‌⁠ the great families.‍‌⁠

In​‍ the end, all‌‌ this humiliation was​‌‌ due to lack⁠ of power.

“My⁠​ father probably knew​⁠‍ that and that’s‍​ why he focused​ on the lemon⁠‌⁠ business, but we⁠ need a crop‍ more valuable than‍ that. That’s how⁠​ we make money‍⁠ and attract knights.”​

Alicia’s​ father, and the‍ previous lord, also‍⁠​ tried hard to⁠ overcome this situation,​​ but Hainal’s power​‌ alone had its​‍‍ limits.

However,⁠⁠‌ now there was⁠‌ a harvest in⁠ front of Alicia‍‌ that was ten​⁠‍ times more valuable‍ than lemons, so​​ there would be⁠ no cause for⁠ concern.

“…Bayezid​‌‍ will not sit‍‌​ idly by and​‌‍ watch this incident.​‍⁠ They also know‌⁠ how to smell‍‌‌ money.”

Alicia⁠​‌ wasn’t the only‍​​ one surprised by⁠​‌ the elves’ visit.‍

Even​​⁠ Joseph, lying in‌ a hospital bed,⁠⁠ wanted to get⁠​ up and meet‌⁠ them, but this‍⁠⁠ was something not⁠⁠ even Bayezid could‍‌‌ concede.

“But‍ it doesn’t matter.”‌‌

Although‍‍ it doesn’t matter.⁠‍‍

Alicia‌ had already made⁠​ a decision, and⁠‌ if she was‌⁠ going to win,‍ it was now.‌​‌

“I⁠ cannot yield in‌ the least.”

Apparently,⁠‌​ it was said‌‍ that Vitskaya, located‍⁠⁠ further east, also⁠⁠ expanded its power‌‌⁠ through trade with​ the elves.

There​‌ is no law​ preventing Deirmar from​‍ doing the same.‍​

Knock​​​ Knock-

While​‍‌ Alicia was contemplating​ for a moment,⁠‌ a polite knock‌​​ reached her ears.​‌​

It‌⁠ was a sound‌‌⁠ so clear that​ it couldn’t even‌​ be compared to⁠ when the elves​‌‌ arrived.

“Lady‍‌ Alicia. It is‍‍ said that Lord‍ Vlad has just​ arrived in Deirmar.”‍⁠⁠

“Already?”⁠⁠​

Alicia’s⁠​​ eyes began to⁠​⁠ shine after hearing‍ the butler’s words.⁠‍

Now‍​‌ that everything is‍ uncertain, the person‍‌‍ she will inevitably​‌​ welcome the most⁠‌​ will be Vlad.‍

“Tell‍ Lord Vlad to‌​ come see me​⁠ immediately.”

A man who always⁠ gives more than⁠⁠ he takes.

If​‌⁠ it weren’t for​​ Vlad, this opportunity⁠ wouldn’t have come.‍⁠

“…Last⁠‌​ time, I was‌‍ so busy that​ I couldn’t even⁠​ say thank you.”​‌‍

Alicia⁠ glanced at Duncan’s‍ suspicious eyes and⁠⁠ quickly came up‌‍​ with an excuse,​‍ but still, there⁠⁠​ was no change​‍​ in her order⁠ to bring Vlad.​‍

What⁠⁠‌ awaits us is‌​ saffron.

The⁠​‌ people walking up‍ the hill are‌⁠ elves.

And⁠‌ the person who‍‍‌ has arrived now​ is their knight,‌‌‌ Vlad.

A smile appeared on​ Alicia’s face as‍⁠ she looked at⁠⁠⁠ the pieces that‌ seemed to have‌​‌ some shape.

***​

“Are‍ you so happy?”‌⁠

In⁠‌ front of the⁠ castle gate, where‌ it begins to‌⁠ rain under a dark sky.

Varadis,​ who hurried to⁠ enter through the‌ castle gate, smiled‍⁠‌ as he saw‌‌ the cat-shaped spirit‌ playing on his‌ shoulder.

The⁠ cat-shaped spirit, looking‍‍ healthy to anyone‌‌ who saw it,‍​ informed us that‌‌‌ the white snake⁠‌ had been taking⁠​ good care of​‌ these children.

“Yes.‍​ They are coming​ as you said.”‌​

As‍​ the cat spirit​​ said, Vlad’s name‌⁠⁠ began to be‌‍​ heard among the​​⁠ voices of the‍​ guards.

The⁠ gates of Deirmar‌‍‍ begin to open⁠​ slowly.

Varadis,‍‍​ looking at the​ beautiful blond hair‍ visible through the‌‌ dark space, pulled⁠⁠​ out a letter‍ he had in⁠‌ his arms.

“It​ would be best‍‍⁠ to deliver this‍‌⁠ quickly to the​ boy as instructed.”⁠​​

The‍ letter, still carrying⁠ the strong scent​ of maple, was‍ handed to him​‍ by his younger​‍‍ sister, the priestess‌‍ of the World​⁠‌ Tree.

A letter from a priestess that wasn’t⁠ even sealed.

However,‌⁠ instead of words,⁠⁠ the letter contains​⁠ a childlike drawing‍‌​ that seems to‍‌​ have been drawn‌ by a child.⁠⁠

The‌⁠ prophecy of the⁠‍​ priestess, which could​ only be understood‌ at that moment,depicted⁠​‌ a blond knight​ looking worriedly at​‍‍ a young canary.​​‍

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