Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 165: A place to come back to (2)

Chapter 165: A place to come back to (2)

The‌ afternoon sunlight streaming through the stained⁠⁠ glass is vivid.⁠‍

“…”‍

A grand chapel in‌‍ a convent with⁠‍ no one inside.‌

Vlad,⁠ standing there alone, silently reached out⁠‍‍ and grasped at‍ the colored lights‌‍ illuminating him.

However,‍‌ the lights he⁠ attempted to capture only scattered into‍‌⁠ the void.

The light streaming through⁠‌ the stained glass⁠⁠⁠ was bright, but‍ in the palm⁠‍⁠ of his hand,‍ only a small⁠‌ dust floated.

“What‌‍‍ is this?”

Vlad‌⁠ chuckled helplessly as⁠ he watched the‌‌‌ dust scatter under⁠ the sunlight.

From‍ afar, it seemed‍ so large and⁠ tall.

“…”‍‌‍

Vlad let out a small sigh and‍ turned his head‍⁠ to look back.‍‌

At‍‌ the back, where not even the⁠ window light reached,⁠⁠‍ stood the door‌ of an ancient⁠ convent.

It‌‍ was also the‍‍‍ door that never‍⁠ allowed Marcella in‌⁠ on a cold‍‌ winter day.

“Just‌‍ for that.”

Virgins‍ inside, prostitutes outside.‍

Although‌‌ not pure, the⁠‌ prostitute who was⁠ purer than anyone‌ even lost the‌‌ right to enter.‌

The‌⁠ rules imposed by⁠‍ someone, not God,‌‌ were not fully‍‌ understood by Marcella.‍

It‌⁠ won’t just be‍⁠ Marcella.

Everyone⁠ lives like this.⁠‌‌

They⁠⁠‌ are evaluated and judged by the‌ standards of others,‌ not their own.

“I don’t like just‍ looking at the⁠‌ cancer.”

And‍ Vlad hated it.

Even when he was Vlad from the⁠‌ alleys and even‍ when he was‍‌‌ Vlad from Soara,⁠‍ Vlad was just‍ Vlad.

Vlad’s‌‍⁠ eyes began to‌‌ harden as he‍ looked at the‌ convent door, knowing‍⁠ that not everyone‍ could have someone‌‍ like Andreas the‍‌⁠ same way he‍⁠‍ did.

***‌‍

Although⁠ it was the⁠ beginning of winter,‌ the atmosphere in front of the‍⁠ gates of Soara‍ Castle was warm.‍⁠‍

The⁠ sound of spears‌ clashing and soldiers‌‍ swinging echoed everywhere.‍‌‌

However,⁠⁠ at the end⁠‌‍ of those sounds,‍ there were no‍ cries of pain, but cheers of⁠‍⁠ joy that extended⁠ to the town hall in the⁠‌ center.

“Have‌ you returned, father?”‌‍

“Yes,‍‌ you have worked‌‌ hard all this⁠‍ time.”

The‍‍ sound of spears‌ being shaken and‌ clashed by soldiers.‌‌

A man with a face similar to‌‌‍ his walked in⁠ front of Joseph,‍⁠ who courteously bowed⁠⁠ his head.

Although‌‌ he looked well-dressed,⁠ dust fell from‌ his shoulders, indicating⁠ the distance he⁠⁠ had walked.

“Congratulations‌ on your victory.”⁠‌

“…I⁠⁠ do too. I recognize your effort in defending Deirmar.‌ Son.”

Although‌ loud voices could‌ be heard outside,‍‍ the atmosphere inside⁠ the mayor’s office‌‍⁠ of Soara was‍‌ calm.

With⁠⁠ councilor Ragmus and‌ Joseph’s knight, Jager,‍‌ holding their breath,⁠⁠ only the shared‌‌‍ gaze between father‌‌ and son was⁠⁠ filled.

“Are‌ you in good health?”

“I‌‍ have improved greatly.”⁠‌‌

The⁠‌⁠ eyes that looked‍‌ at his son⁠⁠ were still full⁠ of power, but‍‍ his previously black⁠‍ hair now seemed⁠‌ to have more‌ white.

Peter‍ was now at‍‌ an age where‍‍ he had to‍ think about the‌ path that those⁠⁠‍ who stayed would‍⁠‍ follow rather than the path he himself would take.‌⁠

“Did⁠‍⁠ my brother not⁠⁠ come with you?”‌‌

“Rutiger‍⁠ will stay there until the new‌‌ connecting gate is‍ installed.”

Therefore,‍ now was the⁠⁠ time to make‍‍ a decision.

This⁠ war was short‍⁠ but intense, and‍ it was a good opportunity to⁠⁠ reflect on his‌‌ children.

“…Is⁠ that so.”

Peter‍‌ guessed his son’s⁠ intentions as he watched Joseph’s eyes‍ deepen.

Other‌⁠ people may not⁠⁠ have noticed, but‌ that intelligent boy‌ would have noticed.‌

The‌‌‍ newly built western⁠‌ fortress was a monumental first step‌⁠ taken by the‍ Northern Alliance, and‍‌‌ it was a place that Timur⁠ the Lord of‌ Steel, the leader⁠⁠‍ of the alliance,⁠ paid special attention⁠⁠ to.

Rutiger,⁠‍ who would stay⁠‍ at the fortress‍ as Bayezid’s representative,‍ would meet there‌‌ with numerous figures‍ from the north⁠ and also strengthen‌‌‌ his political position.‌‌

“We‍ managed to invite⁠⁠ the people of⁠‌‍ Nidavellir, the Dwarven‌‌ Liberation Front. They⁠⁠‌ are now at‌ the docks of‍ Soara…”

“I‌ see.”

The‍‌ pitiful look in‍‍ his eyes deepened⁠ at Peter’s cold‌ interruption.

Joseph’s eyes began to‌ tremble as if‌‍ he guessed something‍ from Peter’s attitude.‌⁠

“Good‌‍ job. It was‍ great.”

Joseph⁠‍ clearly accomplished what‍ needed to be‍‍‍ done and did everything he could.‌⁠

However, Peter could not⁠‌ congratulate his son‍ with complete joy.

He‍‍⁠ had been thinking⁠‍ a lot while‍ facing the bleak⁠ winds from the‌‍ west, and now⁠⁠ it was time‍‌ to give Joseph‌⁠ the answer.

“…How⁠ about Nassau as‍ compensation for that?”⁠

Jager,‌ who was one‍ step behind Joseph,⁠‌ shuddered at Peter’s‍‍ words.

It‍⁠‌ was a statement⁠ that omitted many⁠‍‌ explanations, but there was a fluid⁠⁠⁠ atmosphere, and it‍‍‌ was enough for⁠‌ everyone here to‌‍‍ think the same.⁠⁠

“It is warmer there‌‍ than Soara, and‍ the air is‌‌ better. It will⁠‍ definitely be a good place to‍‌ care for your weak body.”

“…”‍‌⁠

There⁠ are three cities‌‌ that represent Bayezid.‍ Sturma, Varna, and‌⁠‌ Soara.

However,⁠‌⁠ Peter was recommending‍ Nassau, a city obtained from the‌ west, instead of⁠‌‌ these three cities.⁠⁠

Nassau⁠‍‌ was certainly a great city, but‌⁠ it was not⁠ a place with‌ the history and‍‌ traditions of Bayezid.‌⁠‍

“…Father.”‍

“I‌⁠ want to give‌⁠‌ you an option.‍‌ Son.”

History repeats itself, and‍⁠⁠ so Bayezid survived.‌‍

A world where only⁠‍ the strong can⁠⁠ survive.

Peter⁠ still seemed to‌ remember the expressions‍‌ on the faces‌ of his brothers⁠⁠ who had been‌‍ pierced by his‌ sword.

“I‌ will give you‌ the position of‍ governor of Nassau.‍ There will be more authority and⁠⁠ support than now.”‍‌

So‌⁠ stop being the‌ head of the‌‌ family.

Because only then can you live.

“…Is⁠ this the end?”‍⁠

“Yes.”‌

Joseph‌ felt dizzy hearing‍‍ Peter’s final words.‍‍

A long, endless test⁠‍‌ that began from‌‌ birth, though I did not want‍ it.

I did my best⁠ with my weak‍⁠ body for the‌‍ test, which I do not know⁠⁠ when it will‍⁠ end, but my‌‍‍ struggles ended here.‌

The exam is over.⁠‌

In⁠‌⁠ the end, the‍ person my father‍ chose was my⁠‍ older brother, not‌‍ me.

“I‍ have had many‌‌ conversations with your‍‍ mother. She also‌ said she would‍ accept this decision‌‌‍ as long as⁠‌⁠ she could be‌⁠ sure of your‌‍ safety.”

The deep sense of‌⁠ defeat that he‌‍ had been repressing for so long⁠⁠‍ began to surround‍‌‍ Joseph’s entire body.‍

It‌⁠ felt like the‌ emotions that had‍ been suppressed by‍ reason were spilling‍ out like a broken dam.

“I⁠‍ think you will‍ understand my decision.”⁠

“…”⁠‍

Of course, it is understandable.

The⁠ current world is⁠⁠ going through a difficult time, and it will take a strong lord‌ to overcome such times.

Joseph‍ already knew that‌ a weak lord⁠‌ who would fall‌‍ to his knees‌‌ with a single‌⁠ blow was not⁠ suitable.

But⁠⁠ how I feel.‍‍

Who⁠ the hell understands‍ how I feel⁠⁠ about losing the‍ goal I have⁠ pursued all my life?

“After‍ this winter, pack‍ your bags and⁠ head to Nassau.⁠ Your mother will‍ be with you.”‌‍

“Father.”⁠

Joseph⁠ slowly raised his⁠ head amidst Peter’s‌‍ words, which were‍ full of consideration for his son⁠ but ultimately were‌‌‍ only unilateral comments.‍

This‍⁠ was the head‌ of Joseph, who‌ was repressing frustration, defeat, and helpless‍‍ anger.

“Wasn’t I good enough?”‍⁠

“…No.”‍⁠‌

However,‌ in the gaze‌‍ they met, the‌ sticky emotions had been soothed unknowingly.‍⁠

Although‍ not as strong‍⁠⁠ as Rutiger, Joseph‌ had survived until‍ now by enduring‌ much pain and‌‍ had risen to‌‌ the occasion.

“Was I a son⁠‍ who embarrassed my⁠ father and wanted‌ to hide?”

“…No.⁠ You are my‌ son of whom‍ I am proud.”⁠‍⁠

Children⁠ are great.

Even‌ if it is‌ different from the⁠‌ direction and limits‌ set by the parents.

Joseph’s‍‌⁠ soul, thickened by‍ hardening, was more‍ persistent than Peter‍‌ thought.

“Then I will die.”‍⁠

Parents⁠ can determine the⁠‌ beginning, but they⁠ cannot determine the‌ end.

My‍ life is mine‍ alone, and it‌ is I who‌ can decide its‍ end.

“I‍ want to die with my name⁠‍ engraved on at‌‌ least one star‌ among the countless⁠⁠ stars floating in‍⁠ the sky.”

“…”⁠

Because⁠⁠ my body is‌⁠‌ weak and I lack talent.

I do not want to live a life where I simply exist as I was born‍⁠ because I couldn’t⁠ do it.

Because‌ I, your proud⁠ son, was not⁠⁠ born to live‌ like that.

“As the proud son⁠⁠‌ of my father,⁠ I want to‍⁠‌ become the next⁠⁠ head of the⁠‌ Bayezid family.”

Joseph,‌ who floated in‍‌ the night sky‌⁠ but no one‍‌ looked at, now⁠‌‍ decided to burn⁠⁠ his entire life‍‍ without hesitation.

Only according to your⁠ own will.

Although‍⁠ it may not‍ work for everyone,‍⁠‍ I followed something⁠ worthwhile because I wanted to.

***‌‍

Boom!‌

A strong explosion shook‍‍ the convent of⁠ Soara.

The‌ noise was so⁠ loud it made⁠‍ the ground tremble.⁠

“Stop!‌‌ Stop!”

The⁠⁠ mother superior, startled by the blast,‍ rushed down the stairs, incredulous at‌⁠ the scene before‌‌ her.

The⁠ convent chapel was⁠‍‌ still filled with‌‍‌ smoke.

Wooden‌‌‌ boards were scattered‍‍ everywhere, rolling in⁠‍⁠ a mess.

“What’s‌‌ going on, bishop?⁠ Even though I am a follower⁠‍ of the Holy⁠‍ See!”

“Ha ha.”

Andreas,‍ who was conversing‌⁠⁠ with her in‍⁠‌ the office, was‌ also startled by the noise and‌ descended the stairs.‍‌

Stephan,⁠⁠ the leader of⁠⁠‌ the mercenaries, felt uneasy as he‍‌ watched the nuns‍ gather, looking nervous‍ as he swallowed‍ nervously.

However, the man drawing⁠ all the attention‍‍ simply closed his‍‌‌ left eye again,‍⁠‌ as if nothing‌ had happened.

“They‍‍ said the door‍⁠ wouldn’t open.”

Although‍‌ he smiled wryly,⁠ the golden light‍ flowing between his‍‍ closed eyes was‌ somewhat unsettling.

“A‍‍ door that doesn’t‌⁠ open for prostitutes,‍ nor for the⁠ absent, nor even‌ for the needy.”

A door that was‌ built with noble⁠‌ intentions but opens‌‍ and closes according⁠‍ to the standards‍‌‍ of those who‍ hold it.

For‍⁠ Vlad, who recognized‌⁠ the shallowness of⁠⁠ the standard, the⁠‌ firmly closed door‍ of the convent⁠‌ was nothing more or less than⁠‍ something to be⁠ removed.

“So‌⁠ I tried to⁠⁠ fix it, but‌‍ it didn’t work.”⁠‍

“…If?”⁠

There‍⁠ was a nun⁠ beside him yelling at him, asking⁠‍ him what the‍‌‌ hell he was⁠‍ doing, but Bishop Andreas only nodded‌ and smiled.

“It’s‌ fine! It was‍⁠‍ a door I was planning to‌ put a new‌‌ one on anyway!”‍

This⁠‌ was why he,⁠‍‌ who roamed the⁠‌⁠ desert, assumed the position of bishop.He‍‍ was planning to⁠‌ break it anyway.‍‌‍

He was tired of‌ the high threshold‍ you set, ever since he was‌ a priest.

“Aren’t‌ there still a few things left?⁠ There are no‍ men here to‍ help, so you’ll‌ destroy everything to‍ the end!”

As‍⁠⁠ Andreas said so,‍ there was a door that still‌⁠ trembled.

Vlad‍ was surprised to‍ see Andreas get‍‍ excited and tell him to destroy‌ more, but since‍‌ he got permission,⁠ there would be‌‍ no reason to⁠ hesitate.

“It’s‍ okay. Bishop.”

Vlad’s light began to⁠‍ flow from his⁠⁠ closed left eye.⁠

Your‌ own light that‌‌ not even the‌ colorful stained glass‌ shining from above could erase.

Though‍ he couldn’t surpass‍⁠ the moon, Vlad,⁠‍‌ who had his own world, was⁠ someone who shone⁠ brighter than anyone‍ else at that⁠⁠⁠ moment.

The‌ first blow was‍⁠ for the prostitute.‍‌

The⁠‍ second blow was‍ for the girl.

They⁠ were all people⁠ who fought not⁠ to live as‌⁠ they were born.‍‌

“…!”⁠

With⁠‍ the permission of the noble Bayezid⁠⁠ and the assurance⁠ of the bishop,‍ the knight’s blow⁠‌ surged through the⁠‌ highest hill of‌⁠‍ Soara.

Kwaaang!‍

The‍ roar was louder than before, and‍⁠ even the soldiers‌ below startled and‌⁠ looked up at‌⁠ the convent.

The‌ convent door exploded‍⁠ after Vlad’s angry blow.