Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 155: Follow in their footsteps (3)

Chapter 155: Follow in their footsteps (3)

Sweaty⁠ forehead, pale lips.⁠‍

A girl writhed in⁠ pain on a bed under the⁠ moonlight.

“…Huff,⁠ Huff.”

The⁠ smell of the‍‌ night mist coming‌ from all directions‌ was terrible.

An‌‍ inexplicable thick sensation‌⁠⁠ between her fingers⁠‌ was giving the⁠‌ girl an eerie‌ feeling.

“Follow‍ me. Quickly…”

This was no ordinary‌⁠ mist.

The‌‍ World Tree Priestess,‍‌ noticing this, grabbed‍ Vlad by the‌‍⁠ waist and urged⁠ him to hurry,⁠‍ but her words‍ probably didn’t reach‌‌‍ Vlad.

Because⁠ this was a dream, not reality.‌‍

A dream that only‍ the Goddess of‍⁠ the World Tree‌ could enact.

-Tweet.⁠‌ Tweet.

A young canary chirped⁠⁠ in front of‌⁠‍ Vlad, who struggled‌ to walk in‍ the darkness.

As⁠ if to guide‍ Vlad, the canary⁠ was like a torch, illuminating the‌ path even in‍ the darkness.

“Quickly‍‌ hurry up.”

The⁠‌ priestess instinctively knew.

That⁠‌ only that child⁠ could lead Vlad‌‌ out of the darkness.

However,‌ even though the‍⁠ encroaching darkness was‌ thick and deep,⁠ the chirping of‌ the young canary‍‌ against it was⁠‍ very weak.

Wham!

As‍ if someone suddenly‍ blew, the young‍‌ bird disappeared as if by magic.‌‌

The⁠‍ priestess, who was guided by its‍ light, was surprised.‌

“…!”⁠‌

In⁠ an instant, the‌ mist began to⁠⁠⁠ slowly gather around⁠ Vlad and the priestess.

In⁠ that space filled only with darkness,⁠ the World Tree Priestess hurriedly embraced‍ Vlad’s waist and⁠⁠ fiercely looked at⁠‌ the spot where‌ the canary had‍‍ disappeared.

-······.⁠

Someone was there.

With‍‍ lips brightly red,⁠‍‍ as if laughing.‍

A small feather that⁠ had now lost‍‌ its light floated‌‍ around.

“I‍‍ will never give⁠⁠‍ it to you.”‍‌

The‌⁠‌ light guiding Vlad⁠ had not gone out.

It‌‌ had been eaten.‍‌

Even⁠ now, she smiled‍ in the darkness, but her feet‍‌‍ were not on‍ the ground.

***‌‍

Alicia’s⁠ office filled with‍⁠‌ the afternoon sunlight.

Looking‌ at the Hainal‍⁠ hills through the⁠ window, Vlad silently⁠ picked up the‍‌ teacup in front⁠ of him.

The‌⁠ white serpent on‌⁠ the hill seen⁠⁠ from afar was⁠⁠⁠ curled up and‌ silently lifted its⁠‍ head as if‍ basking in the‌ sun today.

“Lord⁠ Duncan said there‌ aren’t many knights‌‍ with contracts as⁠‌⁠ special as yours,”⁠ Alicia said.

With‍‍ water-colored eyes fixed⁠⁠ on Vlad, bright‌ but seeming hungry‌ for something.

Vlad,⁠‌ facing Alicia’s eyes,‌ silently put down‌‍‌ the teacup he⁠‌‍ was holding.

“…I⁠ probably would have‍⁠‍ accepted even if⁠‌ more than 7 years had passed.”⁠⁠⁠

Vlad‍ decided not to reveal that Alicia‌ knew about his contract with Joseph.‍

That⁠ was probably what⁠ Joseph told me.⁠

If⁠‍ so, Joseph would‌⁠‍ also be predicting⁠⁠‍ the current situation.⁠‌

“It‌‍‌ was a short‌ contract, but it‍ was too much‍ for me. I am still grateful.”⁠‌‌

Although‌‍ he didn’t say⁠ it out loud,‍⁠ Alicia was hoping⁠ to recruit Vlad.‍‍

A brazen atmosphere that⁠ even Vlad, who‌ is not used⁠⁠ to conversations with‍‌ nobles, couldn’t help but notice.

However,‍ since Alicia had‍ expressed interest in‍⁠ him many times,‍‍ Vlad also had⁠ a response in⁠ mind regarding the‍ current situation.

“If‌ possible, I would‌‍ like to remain‍ faithful to my contract with Lord⁠ Joseph. Just like‍‍‍ now, in the⁠ future.”

“Ah.”‌‍

I felt sorry for⁠ his sad expression,‍ but still decided‌‍ to respond honestly.‍‌

Because I didn’t want‌ to cause her‍ unnecessary trouble with‌ an uncertain answer.‍‍

Vlad,‍ who was also‍ Alicia’s knight, had‍ a certain attachment‌ to her and‌‍ wanted to convey this offer favorably⁠‍ if possible.

“…Is‍⁠ that so.”

Although‌⁠‌ I shouldn’t think‍ so, Vlad thought‌⁠ that her sad⁠ gaze trying to smile matched well with the color of her water-colored‍ hair.

“I⁠‍ guess that’s why⁠‌‌ Joseph said it‌ was okay to⁠‌‍ ask.”

I gave you this‌‍ opportunity because I was sure you⁠ wouldn’t be shaken.‌‌

Alicia,‌‌ who had finally discovered Joseph’s intentions,⁠ raised her teacup, feeling the anger boiling quietly inside‌ her.

“It⁠ would have been‌ better if you⁠‍⁠ had known me before Joseph.”

“If⁠⁠ that were the‍‌ case, I would definitely have signed‌‌ a contract with‌ Lady Alicia.”

“…”‌

Vlad’s⁠ smile when he‌ said he should‍‍⁠ have done so‍⁠ was a bit‍⁠⁠ funny.

If‍ you assume what would happen if, what can you‍⁠ say you can’t‌ say?

But‌ what Alicia needed‍ now was Vlad⁠ right in front⁠ of her, and⁠ he had just‍‌ rejected her offer.⁠‍

After‌⁠‌ all, it would‍ be Soara and‍ not Deirmar.

Although⁠‌ Alicia already expected‌ it, she couldn’t‍ resist.

“Besides,⁠‌ you also have‍ a friend named‍⁠ Zemina in Soara.”‍

“…Yes?”‌⁠

Vlad⁠‍ was taken aback‍ by the sudden mention of Zemina’s⁠ name, but Alicia’s‍ smile didn’t waver‌‍‌ one bit.

“You⁠ still have four‌ years left, and‌⁠ no one knows‌ what will happen‍‍ in the future.⁠⁠‌ Right?”

“That’s‌ right.”

Alicia⁠ returned to her‍ original form as‍ if she hadn’t⁠‌‍ even said what⁠ she just said.‍

Vlad‍ could only silently‍ observe her attitude,‍‍‌ which seemed different‍‌⁠ from before.

“I‍ will offer you my mansion.”

“…Yes?”‌‌

The⁠ flax flowers are⁠‍ no longer here‍⁠ to be swayed‍ by the wind.

“A⁠ mansion. It’s inherited‌‍ land that will‍ be passed down‌ to your children.”‌⁠

Now‍‌‌ Alicia’s eyes are simply filled with‍‌ an unmistakable desire.⁠‍

Mansion‍⁠‌ (莊園). The greatest‍ reward any knight‌‌‌ can receive from⁠ their lord. [1]⁠

Upon⁠ hearing those words,⁠ Vlad couldn’t hide⁠‍‌ his surprise and‍ could only look⁠ at Alicia in‌⁠ front of him.‍⁠

“Fortunately,‍‌ we were able‍ to expand our⁠ territory through this‌ war. Of course,‍‌ there was Bayezid’s⁠ consideration.”

Until‍‍ now, the Barony‍ of Hainal had‍ only one city‍ and two villages, but through this war, it was‍ able to have two more villages.‌

Among them, the coastal‍‌‌ village where Vlad⁠‍ arrived with a flock of squids⁠‌ now has a location that could‌ become a city,⁠‍ so her words‌‌ offering her mansion to Vlad were⁠ by no means‍ a lie.

“This‍‍‍ is probably a condition that not even Joseph can⁠‍ impose.”

If‌ it’s what I need, even if⁠‌ I have to⁠‍ snatch it away,⁠‍⁠ he must come.

Whether⁠ from a dark-eyed‍ man or a red-haired woman.

Alicia‍‌ knew very well‍‍ that Vlad fit‍⁠ perfectly not only‍ with these two,‍⁠ but also with‌ herself.

***‌‍

‘…Mansion,‍⁠ mansion.’

Vlad⁠ tried to calm‌‌‍ his troubled mind⁠ as he walked‍‍‍ through the now⁠‍‍ familiar corridors of‌ the mansion.

‘Is⁠ the mansion really⁠ that good?’

The‌⁠ word “mansion” whose‍‌‍ value I don’t⁠ even know because‌ I had never‍‌ dreamt of it before.

But‌‌ Godin had clearly‌ said so.

For a knight, the‌⁠ existence of a mansion is like⁠‌‌ a gateway to⁠‌ the world of⁠⁠‍ nobility.

Although‌‌ Godin gave a false name, his‌ smile at that⁠‌ moment when he‌⁠‌ wanted to receive‌ fair compensation through‌‌ the mansion was‌ genuine.

“I’m‍⁠‍ not saying you⁠ have to decide⁠‍ right now. I ask you to‍⁠ remember me when⁠ the time comes.”⁠

The‍‌ lord of Hainal,‌⁠‌ who had said‌⁠‌ he would give‌ him a mansion,‌ made the offer⁠ to Vlad with⁠ a confident voice‌‌ that was completely⁠ different from before.⁠⁠

‘Not only me, but‌‍ all the residents of Deirmar care⁠⁠ about Lord Vlad‌⁠ and like him.‌ Although it may‌ not be as⁠ good as Soara,‍‍‍ where you were⁠‍ born, this place⁠‍ can become another⁠‌ home for you.’‌‌

Even‌‍ if you’re not‍ the first to‍‌⁠ notice, you can⁠‌ be the one who cares the‌⁠ most.

After‌⁠ hearing Alicia’s sudden‍ suggestion, Vlad simply⁠ frowned as he‍‌ walked down the‍ hallway.

“…I don’t know.”

There‌ were many things⁠⁠ he didn’t know,‌‍ but one thing‌ was certain: he⁠ couldn’t share this‍ concern with Joseph⁠⁠ or the other‍ knights of Bayezid.⁠

Alicia‌ conveyed her concerns⁠‍ to Vlad with‌‍ a meaningful smile,‌ and it was‌‍ probably the best revenge she could‌‍‌ give him.

This‌⁠ is the kind‍ of revenge you⁠⁠ give to an⁠ unpleasant knight who‌ dared to reject⁠‌‌ her.

“It‌⁠ would be fantastic‌‌ if he showed⁠‍‍ up at a time like this.”⁠

As‍‍‌ Vlad walked down‌‌‌ the hallway, following steps as dizzying‍ as his complicated thoughts, he suddenly‍ remembered the presence⁠ of the voice.‍

A voice that only‍⁠⁠ you know and⁠ can freely reveal.‌

Although his identity was‍‌ unknown, he was‍ a person with‍⁠ a lot of⁠ common sense, so he must have‍ been a great‍ help in times‍‌ like this.

“Eh?”‍

Suddenly,‍⁠ Vlad, walking down the hallway, stopped⁠ and listened intently when he heard‍⁠ a familiar sound⁠‍ ringing in his ears.

“Wooden‌ sword?”

It‌‌ was the sound‌‌ of someone holding⁠‍ something that looked⁠‌‍ like a wooden‍⁠ sword and swinging‌⁠ it in the‌⁠ air.

However,‌⁠ the sound of⁠⁠‌ the wind that was still subtly‌ different allowed him‌ to guess the‌ level of the⁠‍ person holding the⁠ wooden sword.

‘What⁠‍ is this.’

Vlad‍‌ stood still in‍ the hallway at‌ the sound of‍ a strong blow‌ but couldn’t find⁠‍ the way.

The‍‌‍ sound of working‌ hard but not‌ seeing any improvement⁠‌ was mixed with⁠⁠ a sadness that‍⁠ only those who have experienced it‌‌ can recognize.

“…”⁠‌

Unknowingly, Vlad followed the⁠‌⁠ sound that dragged‌‍ him and walked⁠‍ into a hallway⁠ he had never⁠ been before.

The‍‌‌ corridors of Deirmar⁠⁠ are as narrow‌ and winding as‌‍‌ old ones.

Perhaps⁠ due to poor‍‌ finances and fewer‌⁠ people, the corridors‌ that had long‌ been untouched were‍‍ filled with dust‍⁠‌ that was slowly⁠ being stepped on.‌

What‍⁠ followed that narrow,‌ dark hallway was‍ a very small⁠ garden that Vlad⁠‍ had never known‍‍‌ about.

To‌⁠ be precise, it‍ is a rundown‌ vacant lot that‍ is not receiving‍ proper maintenance.

And⁠ there, Vlad found‍‌ someone swinging a wooden sword with‍ all their might.‌‌

“Ha…”‍‌

Charlotte‍‍ Ravnoma.

A green-haired girl who‌ is now the last Ravnoma.

In⁠ this place where⁠⁠ no one looked, Charlotte held a stick that didn’t‌ look like a wooden sword and‍ swung it forcefully⁠⁠ in the air.‍‌‍

“…What‌‌ a mess.”

Senseless⁠‌‌ movements where you‌ don’t know whether⁠‌ to strike down‍ or up.

Vlad,‌ seeing Charlotte who‍‌ didn’t have a clear path, unknowingly‌‍‍ hid beside the⁠ hallway.

“Is no one teaching her?”

She‌‍⁠ probably ended up‍ like this because⁠ there was no⁠ one to teach‍ her.

The‌‌‌ awkward title of‌⁠ Ravnoma must have bothered the girl,‍‌‍ and the sharp‌⁠ atmosphere caused by‌ the war must‍ have intimidated her.‍

In⁠‍‍ the end, Charlotte⁠‍ wouldn’t have been⁠ able to ask⁠⁠‌ anyone for help‌⁠ in this unfamiliar‌ city.

“…”‍

Vlad,‌⁠‍ who guessed Charlotte’s‌⁠ situation, quietly scratched‌ his cheek and‍‍ listened to the⁠⁠ sound of the‌‌‌ wooden sword.

A wooden sword that‌‍ kept striking even‍ though it couldn’t hit anyone.

Vlad, who was quietly⁠‌‌ leaning against the⁠ hallway wall, closed‍ his eyes in‌‍ silence as he‍⁠‌ listened to the‌ sound.

“Mmm.”‍

The‌ more you listen,‌⁠ the more familiar‍ the sound becomes.‍

The⁠ sound Charlotte was‌ making now was‍ the same sound‌‌ as the boy‍‍ who was swinging‍‍ a wooden sword‍ alone in an empty alley.

It‌⁠‌ felt like he was meeting his‍ younger, weaker self,‌‌ so Vlad left⁠ the hallway and entered a small‌ garden.

“…Hey.”‌⁠‌

“Yes?”‌⁠‍

There‍ was embarrassment in‍‌⁠ the very wide‌⁠ and round eyes‌‌‍ when Vlad suddenly‍⁠‍ appeared.

However, it certainly wasn’t‌‌⁠ Vlad’s illusion that‍ the slightest welcome‍ was visible.

“That…⁠⁠ That’s not how⁠‍ you do it.”‌

While‌‌‌ facing Charlotte’s eyes‌ full of anticipation, Vlad’s voice even‍ trembled with surprise,⁠ wondering if he‌‍ had approached without‌‍‌ any reason.

Although‌ he was used‌ to learning, he‍ was not accustomed‌‌ to teaching someone.‍‌

The⁠ boy from the‌ dark alley was⁠ still not used to giving his‍ things to others.‌

“Don’t⁠ just strike, try⁠⁠ to narrow the‍ elbow angle a little.”

Still,‌ there’s something I learned.

I know now.

If‌‍ it weren’t for‍ the voice, I would have been‍‌‌ bound in a vacant lot in⁠‍ an alley for‍ the rest of‌‌ my life.

“Yes?”‍⁠

“I‍ told you to‌⁠ draw a line⁠ like this.”

At‌ the end of‍‍‍ my steps following⁠‍ the familiar sound,‌ there was a scene that looked‍⁠‌ exactly like the⁠⁠⁠ previous one.

However,‌‍ if there is‌ a difference from‍ then, it is⁠ that the standing⁠⁠ position is different.⁠

“Like this?”

“…You‍⁠ have to relearn how to grip.”‍

Vlad’s‌‍ hand was careful‍‌ as he gently⁠‍‍ opened the girl’s‍ tightly crossed hand.⁠‌⁠

A small garden in‍‌ a mansion that‍‍ no one visits.⁠

– It seems that⁠‍ the boy needs‍⁠ to narrow the‍‌ elbow angle a little more when⁠‍ striking.

The‍ beginning of the⁠ sound that is‌⁠ heard from there⁠‍ probably came from some dark, vacant‌⁠ lot in a back alley.

T/L:⁠‌

(莊園)‌‌ is a word‍⁠ in Korean that translates to “property”⁠‌ or “estate.” The⁠⁠ character “莊” means‍ “villa” or “farm,”⁠ and “園” means‍ “garden” or “orchard.”‌