Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 156: Return home

Chapter 156: Return home

There⁠ was a man⁠ who climbed alone⁠‌ up the hill‌‍‍ of Deirmar.

Despite⁠‌⁠ the elegant attire⁠ he wore, the⁠ man’s hands were⁠⁠‌ filled with cleaning‌⁠ utensils.

Vlad,⁠‍ noticing that the⁠‌‌ sunset had lengthened‍ as the day‌‌ grew shorter, stopped⁠‍ in the middle‍ of the hill‌⁠‍ and set down⁠‍‍ the cleaning tools.⁠⁠

“I⁠ didn’t come to⁠ see you today.”

—–?‍

It‍‌⁠ was a white⁠ serpent wagging its‍‌ tail toward Vlad,‌ who was approaching,‌ but today Vlad⁠⁠ didn’t come to⁠‌ see her.

He‌⁠ had come to⁠ tend to the‍ Hainal family tomb‍‌ located in the‌ middle of the hill.

“It⁠ seems Alicia has‌ been very busy.”‌‌

Although‌⁠‌ it was another‍ family’s cemetery, he‌ couldn’t help but‌ feel sadness when‌ he saw the⁠ tombstones covered in⁠‍‌ moss.

In‌ reality, there wouldn’t‌‍ have been time‌‍‍ to worry at‌‌ all.

It⁠ was a time⁠‍‍ when the living‌‍ were too busy‍ trying to survive while thinking of‍‍ the dead.

“I⁠ suppose I should‌ clean it before⁠⁠ heading back.”

Vlad⁠ pulled out a bunch of straw‍ soaked in water⁠ from among the‌ tools he had‍‌ carelessly left behind and began cleaning‌‍ the tombstones with‌⁠⁠ the rough side.⁠

Looking⁠‌ at the tombstones, which were too⁠ many for some‌ but none for‌ him, Vlad kept‍‌ his mouth shut⁠ and began removing⁠ the moss.

“…First‍ of all, I survived without any⁠ injuries.”

I’m‍ grateful to have survived as it⁠⁠ was an intense⁠‍‍ battle.

Some people express their gratitude to God,‍‍‌ others to their‍‍‌ ancestors, but Vlad had no one‌ worthy of it.‍

Unlike⁠ the people in⁠ front of him,⁠‍ his mother, who was buried without⁠ a tombstone, was‍‍⁠ now fading even‌‌ from Vlad’s memories.‍⁠

“Thank⁠ you. For looking‍⁠‍ after me.”

However‌‌ weak, it won’t‌‌‍ disappear.

Although⁠‌⁠ they belonged to⁠ someone else, Vlad‌ used the tombstones‍ in front of‌‌ him as bridges‍ and began to‍ sing towards the‌⁠ distant sky.

“Wow.”‌

Cleaning⁠⁠ the graves of‌‍‌ Alicia’s parents.

The‌ parents of those‍‍‌ parents.

Vlad,‍ murmuring a word in his mind‍⁠‍ as he continued⁠⁠ to clean one‍ by one, finally found one of‌ the oldest tombstones.‌

“It’s⁠‌‌ this person.”

The name Hainal, the⁠ oldest, was written‍‍‍ between letters worn‍⁠ by time.

He‍ is the person‌ who passed down⁠ the yellow amber‌‌ stone to Alicia‌‌ and the first⁠ head of the⁠‌⁠ family who planted‌ the tree that⁠ now houses the‍‌ white serpent.

‘…’‍

He‍ didn’t know it‌ when he first⁠ found it, but‌‍ now he knows.⁠‍⁠

The‍ first lord of Hainal is clearly⁠ someone related to‌ the voice.

There⁠ was clearly something in common between‍ the first head‍ of Hainal, who‌‍ planted a tree⁠‍ with spirits, and‌⁠ the voice that‌‍‍ visited and protected⁠ the spirits, and‌‌ at the top‍‌ of that common⁠⁠ point was the‌ name Sword Master.⁠⁠

“What⁠ are you doing⁠ here? Lord Vlad.”

“…Ah.”‌‌

Vlad, who had been‍ lost in his thoughts for a moment when he‍⁠ heard the word⁠‌‌ “sword master,” quickly⁠‍‍ turned his head‌⁠ at the sudden⁠‍‌ sound of a voice.

“Lady⁠‌ Alicia.”

“You’re more straightforward than I am.”

There⁠‍‌ was Alicia smiling,‌⁠‌ holding her hair‌ in the wind.‍

Is⁠‍ it because I’ve‍ finally regained my‍ senses?

Her⁠ water-colored hair waving⁠⁠‍ with the vivid‍⁠ glow of the⁠ sunset.

Seeing⁠ the colors suddenly‌ turning so dark,‌‌ Vlad felt a little dizzy.

“They‌ say knights shouldn’t‍ get caught carelessly.⁠ Aren’t you too‌⁠ absorbed in that?”‌‌

“You’re‍‍‌ right. There’s no‍ room for excuses.”⁠⁠

It⁠‍ was clearly a joke, but Vlad‍ couldn’t help but‍‌‍ laugh.

What‍⁠ Alicia said was⁠‍‌ true, and it⁠ was also true⁠‌ that he couldn’t‍‌ feel her presence.‌‌

But‌‍ perhaps Alicia would‍‌‍ have realized if‌ she had approached⁠‌ Vlad from the⁠ front instead of‍‍ from behind.

While⁠⁠ Vlad thought of⁠⁠⁠ the word Sword‍‌ Master, his eyes‌ automatically drew his⁠‍ own world.

“Listen.”‌

After‌‌‍ confirming that Vlad‌ had done everything and had no‍‍ cemetery to take‌‌ care of, Alicia‌ casually sat down‍⁠‍ next to Vlad‍ as if there‌‍ was nothing else⁠ to do and⁠‌‌ silently began to‍ look downhill.

“You did it again.‍ Like last time⁠⁠ and this time too.”

Vlad,‍ who resisted being‌ alone, naturally sat‍ beside her and‍⁠⁠ looked at Deirmar⁠⁠ along with her.‌‍

“Thank you.”

“…Thank‌ you.” It was‌‌ just an exchange⁠‍ of words, but‍‍ it contained many‌‍ emotions.

He‍ protected her from⁠‌ an illegitimate heir‌‌ and protected Deirmar from West’s usurpers.⁠‌

In⁠‍ the process, the⁠ boy became a knight and finally‌‍ achieved his goal‍ of reaching the‌‌‍ moon.

In‍‍‌ the end, neither‌‍ Vlad from Soara⁠⁠‌ nor Baron Alicia‍ from Hainal would⁠ have existed without⁠ each other.

“To this city… I definitely want to‍‌ come back.”

That’s‌‌ why Vlad’s voice‍ now contained sincerity.‍‌

A man named Vlad⁠ was born in‌‌ Soara, but Knight‍ Vlad began here.‌‍

“I’ll⁠‍ welcome you as‌‌ much as you want.”

Alicia,‍ who was hugging⁠ her knees, smiled⁠⁠ at Vlad’s words⁠‌‌ and silently looked⁠⁠⁠ at Vlad’s face‌‍⁠ colored by the‌⁠ sunset.

Because‌ she wanted to‍ see his face‍‌ when he leaves⁠ tomorrow.

They⁠ were two people‍ who simply looked‌ at what they‌ wanted to see‍⁠ without saying a word, but it‌⁠ didn’t feel uncomfortable⁠‍ at all because‌‍‌ there was a passing wind.

The⁠ white serpent on‍ the hill watching‌‍ the two of‌ them raised its⁠ head to the⁠ warm wind blowing.‍

***‍

“It‌‍ was nice meeting‌ you.”

“It⁠‍ was nice meeting⁠ you too. Knights‌‍ of the humans.‍ Vlad.”

Autumn‍‌⁠ rain was falling.⁠

The‍‌⁠ cold rain, which⁠ was neither the welcoming spring rain⁠‌ nor the fresh‍‌ summer rain, still‌⁠ beat down on‍⁠‍ the shoulders of‌‌ the men gathered⁠ in front of‌ Deirmar.

“There‍⁠ will be a chance to see you again someday. I was already‍ planning to investigate‌⁠‍ the northern part⁠⁠ of the country.”‍

Varadis’s⁠ gaze focused through‍⁠ the raindrops falling‍ towards Noir, who‍ was standing next to Vlad.

A black horse, the‌⁠ son of the‌‍ prairie.

Noir, who surely has‌ unicorn blood, is⁠ definitely something the⁠ elves should investigate‍ at least once.‌

“Don’t⁠‌⁠ worry too much‌ about the revelation I gave you.⁠ If you keep‌ it in your‍‍ heart like a talisman, the day⁠ will come when‍ you recognize it‌‌ with your intuition.”‌‌‌ “It’s okay.”

After hearing Varadis’s words,‍⁠ Vlad casually touched‌ the image of⁠‌ the priestess on⁠‌⁠ his arms.

The⁠⁠ yellow bird, himself,‌‍ and the black‍ colors surrounding him‍‌‌ sinisterly.

It‍⁠ was clearly a painting that contained‍‍ the meaning of⁠ a warning, but⁠ the priestess who‌ delivered the painting‌‌ said she didn’t‌⁠ remember any additional‍‍ meaning.

Perhaps‍ it was scattered‌ among faded memories,‌‌ like a dream‌ I had last⁠‍⁠ night.

“Ready!”‍

Upon‍⁠ hearing the words‍‌ coming from afar, Vlad turned his‌‌ head with a small smile.

Vlad‌‍ may leave, but‍ the elves will⁠‍ remain here in‌ Deirmar.

For them, the human⁠‍ world was like an unknown sea,‍‍‍ so they planned to stay for⁠ a while in a place called⁠‍‍ Deirmar, which they‍⁠ had barely found.‍‍

“I’m⁠ ready. Lord Joseph.”‍

“…Alright.‌ Let’s go.”

Joseph’s complexion was pale⁠ as he rode‍⁠‌ in the carriage.⁠

His⁠‍ chronic cough was‌⁠‌ sensitive to temperature,⁠ and he had‌⁠ to be especially‌‌ careful in such⁠‍ weather.

“It’s⁠ okay.”

Vlad‍‍‍ nodded at Joseph’s‍‌ permission.

The‍ one responsible for‍ this return procession⁠ is none other⁠ than Vlad from‍ Soara.

Although⁠‍ it was still‍ a bit early‍ for the inexperienced‌‍ Vlad, Joseph entrusted‌⁠ him with the‍⁠‍ direction of this‍ return procession, and⁠ Vlad returned his‌ trust with the‍ present spectacle.

“Troops‌ at attention!”

Someone’s voice echoed along with Vlad’s gaze.⁠⁠

With‍‍ that voice, the‍⁠ Bayezid flags, heavily‌‌ soaked with water,‌⁠‌ began to line up in front⁠⁠⁠ of the walls‍⁠ of Deirmar.

Although‍‌ they are exhausted‌‍⁠ and wounded, they‍ are now winners.

Therefore,‍⁠ even though it’s‌⁠ a disheveled flag,‍⁠‌ it will be‌ worthy of being‌‍‌ raised.

“…”‍⁠

Alicia⁠⁠ noticed that blue⁠ eyes under the⁠‌ castle walls were‍ watching her.

Vlad’s‍⁠ eyes told her⁠‌ that it was‌‌ time, but the⁠‍ reason she couldn’t‌‌‌ keep her mouth⁠ shut was because‌ of her inevitable⁠ regret. “…Thank you⁠ to all who‍‌ came to save⁠‍ Deirmar from the‍‌ crisis.”

But‌ now is the‍⁠‌ time to leave⁠ and let go.‍

Alicia’s⁠‍ voice trembled slightly⁠‍ as she had‍ to bid farewell‌ with her own‍⁠ mouth.

“We‌‌ will never forget⁠ the peace we’ve‌ established with your⁠‍ blood.”

Soldiers‍ who arrived in‍‌ summer but departed‍⁠‌ in autumn.

Alicia⁠⁠‌ raised her voice‍‌ with all her‌ might for those⁠‍‍ who had just‌ fought the fiercest‌ battle of the‍ war against West.⁠

Alicia‍ was doing her‍⁠‍ best to make‍⁠‌ her death a small source of‍‌⁠ pride for them.‌‌

“Deirmar⁠ will welcome you‌‌ back anytime.”

However,‍ the last words‍‌‍ she says are solely for one⁠⁠⁠ person.

Alicia’s⁠⁠ eyes were looking⁠‌ at everyone, but‍ in that moment,⁠ they were watching⁠ Vlad standing under⁠‍ the flag.

Her‍ eyes told him⁠ he could come back to her‌‌ at any time.⁠⁠

The war is over.‍⁠⁠

Now‍ is the time⁠⁠ to return.

Although⁠‌⁠ the soldiers stood‌‌ like defeated soldiers‍ in the autumn‌ rain, each of⁠‍ them had a small smile on‌‌ their face.

***⁠‍

“Zemina!‍ Zemina!”

At⁠⁠‌ the edge of⁠ the city. A street where the‌ sun does not⁠‍ shine.

As‍ it was not yet night, someone’s‌⁠ voice began to‍ resonate loudly with⁠ a smile on⁠ Rose’s face as‍‌ she was not⁠ ready to open⁠ the door.

“…That‍ boy doesn’t do‌‍ as he’s told.”‌⁠

Zemina,‍ who had been raising her head⁠⁠ for a while‌ with a small‌⁠ pin in her⁠ mouth, frowned when‌‍‍ she heard a loud buzz coming‍⁠⁠ from below.

Unlike‌ her predecessor, Chopal,‍ the newly hired‌‍ boy this time‍ was not to‍ the liking of‍⁠ young Zemina.

Buzz!‌‍ Buzz!

“Zemina!‍ Are you in there?”

A voice calling mercilessly to the lady’s⁠ bathroom as if⁠ manners didn’t matter.⁠

Otar’s‍‍ younger brother, Ned,‍ was relentlessly pounding⁠‌ on Zemina’s room.‍‍

“What?”⁠

“…There’s⁠⁠‌ something.”

However,⁠‌ unlike last time⁠‍ when he was⁠ in a hurry,‌ Ned couldn’t help‍⁠ but shrink a bit when he‍ saw Zemina, who‌‍ had just opened‍‍ the door.

“What’s⁠ going on in‌⁠ this mess? If⁠⁠ it’s nothing, leave‌ me alone.”

It‌‍ wasn’t just because of her fierce eyes.

Makeup⁠ wasn’t finished yet,‍ but even if only the freckles⁠⁠ were covered, there‌‍ were flowers blooming‍‍‌ there.

Red‍ hair gathered with‍ colorful hairpins.

The⁠‍‍ red color and⁠ the slender nape⁠‍‌ were enough to‌ catch the boy’s⁠ attention.

“Ah!‌ This isn’t it!”‍‍

Ned, who had been‌‍ mesmerized by seeing‍ Zemina for a while, began to‌ clap his hands⁠ together and recall‍‌ the purpose of‍ his arrival here.‌

“All⁠ the priests from⁠⁠ the church are‌⁠ rushing out the‍‍ door right now!”‍

“Why?”‍

What’s going on with⁠ the church?

Perhaps due to her⁠ experience in the‍ convent, Zemina became‌‍ especially cynical about‌‍ the church.

“They said even the bishop has left.‌ That newly appointed person!”

“…Even‌ the bishop?”

However,‍⁠ although there were‌ no good feelings‌ towards the church,‌ unusual signs had‍‌ to be detected.⁠⁠⁠

Because‍‍⁠ now, Zemina had⁠ become the person leading Rose’s smile.

“Why‌ are you doing⁠‍ this? That’s why⁠⁠ he’s causing this⁠‌ mess now, isn’t⁠ it?”

When‌ Zemina’s big eyes‌ narrowed, Ned involuntarily⁠‌ swallowed.

Although it’s said that⁠‌‌ a place makes a person, the‌ current Zemina didn’t⁠ resemble the Zemina‍ from the past.‍‍‍

It⁠ felt like a shrunk Marcella was standing there.

“He’ll‌⁠ be here in⁠‌ a little while…⁠‍ They said the‍ soldiers who went‌ to Deirmar are‌ coming back and‌⁠ everyone went out⁠‍ to greet them.”⁠

“…What?”⁠⁠

However, in the face‌‌⁠ I see now,⁠ it seemed as‌‍‌ if I was‌ seeing my old‌‌‍ self for the‍ first time in‍‌ a long time.‌‍⁠

“The‍ soldiers who went⁠‍ to Deirmar have already returned.”

From‌ Ned’s words, I could feel the‌ traces of the⁠ person who had been waiting for‌ so long.

“Vlad‍ too?”

“Maybe?”‌

At‍ that moment, bright⁠ lights began to‍⁠ flicker in Ned’s⁠‌ eyes.

A halo of light‍ sent by a pair of earrings‍ hanging from Zemina’s⁠‌⁠ ears.

The‍ earrings were a gift from Knight⁠‍⁠ Vlad to Lady‌‌‌ Zemina before leaving‍ Soara.

***⁠‍

“Why are they‍ like that?”

“Because‌‍ they’re not Vatican priests.”

Cheers‌ began to resonate‌ along the procession⁠‌ as they saw‌ Soara ahead of‌ them.

It’s‍‌⁠ understandable that soldiers‍‌⁠ are excited because they’ve returned from a long deployment,‍ but Vlad is⁠‌ currently in charge‍‌ of leading this‌‍ procession.

Because‍ Vlad was like‍ this, he couldn’t⁠ help but seem⁠⁠ cautious rather than‌ happy when he‍‌ saw the priests‌ filling the front⁠⁠ of the castle‌ gate.

“Is this how the‍ Northern Orthodox Church⁠⁠ arises?”

“Not⁠‌ necessarily.”

Joseph‍⁠‌ was a little‍ paler than when‌⁠ he left Deirmar,‍‌ but he had a small smile‍ on his face.⁠‌‌

Although‍‍ Vlad was on⁠‍‌ guard as was‌ appropriate, Joseph knew‍‍ well why they‍ were like this.‍

“If it seems suspicious,‌ go ahead and check it out.‌ Isn’t that your‍⁠ mission?”

“It’s‌⁠‌ okay.”

Vlad,‌‌‌ suspecting the visions‍⁠ of the priests‌⁠ he had never‍ seen before, walked‌ alone towards Soara.⁠

My‍ hometown, which I haven’t been able⁠ to see for⁠ a long time‌ because I was‌ exiled.

However,⁠‍⁠ the current Vlad‌‍ was not a miserable outcast hated‌ by the church,‍ but a commander‍‍⁠ leading Bayezid’s army.

“Who’s that?”

“You‍ look very young.”

“It’s⁠⁠⁠ Vlad! Vlad of‍‌ Soara!”

The‌ soldiers in front‌⁠ of the castle⁠‍ gate began to⁠ murmur as they saw Vlad slowly⁠ approaching.

Because⁠⁠ the flag he‌‌ was holding showed‌‍‍ where Vlad was⁠ now.

“…No.”⁠⁠

Vlad‍ alone reaches the⁠ castle wall.

However, unlike him, who‌‍ was very cautious,‌‌‌ there was a priest standing there‍ with his arms⁠⁠‌ open as if⁠ welcoming him.

“Now⁠‌ you’re back. Vlad‍ of Soara. Are‍‌ you injured somewhere?”

Priest‌‌ Andreas now wore a red bishop’s⁠‌ robe instead of a white robe.‌

His‌ face was filled‌‍ with laughter as‍ he greeted the⁠ man he had⁠‍ given a name to.

“Priest!”

“Haha! You’re taller now‌ too!”

Vlad,‌⁠ who finally recognized⁠⁠‍ Andreas, ran towards‌‍ him and hugged‌ him.

The⁠ embrace that embraced⁠ Vlad after walking‍ the exhausting path⁠‍‌ was as warm‌⁠‍ and fluffy as⁠⁠‌ the white wheat bread he had‍‌ tasted for the first time in⁠‍ his life.

The⁠‌ twilight today falls‌⁠ on the priest‌ and the boy⁠‍⁠ embraced.

The‍ blue moon that‌‌⁠ had been reached⁠ but couldn’t be‌‌ surpassed rose again in the night‌‌ sky.

The‍⁠⁠ boy who fell⁠‌‌ with the tears‍ of the girl⁠ returned today with‍ the blue moonlight.‌‌