Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 171: There is a voice calling in the dark (2)

Chapter 171: There is a voice calling in the dark (2)

The‌‍ blazing bonfire was‍‌ as warm as a mother’s embrace,‌‍‍ and the surrounding‌ darkness was as⁠ comfortable as a soft carpet.

To‍‍‍ be honest, it was so comfortable‍⁠ and nostalgic that‍‌‌ he wanted to‍ go there right⁠ away.

“…!”⁠

But⁠⁠ now Vlad was‍ looking forward, not‌ backward.

Someone‍‍ shouting at him‍⁠‌ to get out of there.

The‌ voice of the‌ faceless man was⁠ the voice Vlad‌⁠‌ had been searching‌ for.

[Vlad!]⁠‌

Now‌⁠ that he had completed his revenge⁠‌ against Godin and‍⁠ the contract with⁠‍ Joseph, all that‍‌‌ remained for Vlad was a promise.‍‌

It was a promise to find out⁠ the name of‌⁠⁠ the voice.

Vlad never forgot that promise for a moment.

“Long⁠ time no see.”⁠⁠⁠

[…Yes.]⁠

Seeing Vlad say it‍⁠‌ had been a while, the man‍ finally lowered the⁠⁠ hand that shook his shoulder as‌‍ if relieved.

Although⁠‍ his face was obscured by the⁠ backlight, Vlad realized⁠ he was smiling‌ happily.

***‍

– Vlad, Vlad?”

“…Ugh.”‍

The⁠ first thing I felt as soon‌⁠‍ as I opened‌‍⁠ my eyes was‌ a chill that‍⁠ froze me to⁠ the bone.

My‌‍ whole body ached‍⁠⁠ as if I were suffering from‌ body pains, and‌ the breath I exhaled felt cold‌ enough to make me shiver.

I definitely think I was in a warm place in‍ my dream.

“…Justia?”⁠⁠

“Long⁠⁠ time no see, Vlad.”

In‌ front of me,‌ finally coming into⁠‍ focus, was a mass of loose‍ platinum blonde hair.⁠

A woman looking at⁠‌ me through her‌ loose hair.

There‍⁠ was warmth in⁠ her eyes that‌ took away the⁠⁠ chill from earlier.‌

“I‌⁠ guess you were⁠‍ very tired.”

Justia,‍⁠ the paladin of‍ San Rogino.

She,‌ who had been together in the‌‌ fog-filled village, now‍ stroked Vlad’s chin‍ with a worried expression.

This was to wipe⁠‌ away the sweat‍ that Vlad had‍⁠‌ created while trembling.‌

“…Did you ever have‍‌‍ a dream?”

“Yes?”⁠‍⁠

Justia’s⁠ thin eyebrows furrowed‍ as she looked‌ at Vlad, who⁠⁠ still hadn’t fully‌‍‍ come to his⁠⁠ senses.

Along‍ with concern, a trace of anxiety⁠ began to form⁠⁠ in her eyes.‌⁠

“Wake up first.”

“Yes.”‌‍‌

At‌‍ that moment, an‌ unfamiliar voice came⁠‍ from behind Justia.‌

I don’t know if⁠‍ it was because⁠ of that voice,‌‍ but the surroundings‍ suddenly began to⁠ get noisy.

“Deacon!‌‌⁠ Wake up!”

“You‌‌ have to come‌ to your senses!”⁠⁠‌

It⁠ was a noisy commotion that was⁠‌ too much for⁠ Vlad, who had‌⁠ finally regained consciousness.‌⁠

Men’s⁠ voices and prayers‍‍ echoed all around.⁠‍

Sharp⁠⁠ sound vibrations pounded Vlad’s ears.

“…What‌‌⁠ is this now?”⁠⁠

When⁠‍‍ I turned my‌ head to look beside me, there was Nibelun, frozen‍‌ in embarrassment.

And⁠ even the sight⁠ of Jean, still‌‍ asleep, leaning on⁠‌ his shoulder.

The⁠ young deacon, who‍ couldn’t easily wake⁠ up even when⁠‌⁠ the Holy Knights‌‌‌ shook him roughly,⁠⁠ could only weakly⁠‍‍ repeat the lyrics⁠‍ of a song‍ as if he‍ were speaking in‌‍⁠ his sleep.

“…Spin,‍ around.”

Familiar‍‌ words that seemed to have heard them somewhere.

Jean’s⁠ faint singing voice pierced through the‍ prayers of the‌ paladins and entered⁠ Vlad’s ears.

‘Spin?’‍‌ Vlad’s armor and⁠‌‌ sword were warming⁠⁠⁠ up with the‌ sound of Jean’s‍ faint singing.

It⁠‌ was the warmth⁠‌‍ of the dream‍ moment when the‌‍ voice grabbed Vlad’s‌‌‌ shoulder and lifted‍ him up.

***

“Nice‌ to meet you.⁠ I’m Gunther, the‌⁠ second commander of⁠⁠ the Northern Orthodox‍ Church.”

“I’m⁠ Vlad, the knight‌⁠ of Bayezid.”

Perhaps due to the⁠ fog, the sunlight⁠ didn’t enter the‌ office even though‌ it was noon.⁠‍

Maybe that’s why Vlad‍ couldn’t properly recognize⁠ the face of⁠⁠ the man whose⁠‌⁠ back was now‌⁠⁠ facing the window.‌

“Yes.‍ Vlad. I already‍‍ knew your name.”‌‍

A man with impressive⁠‍ turquoise hair, oiled‍ and carefully combed‍ back.

The‌‌ man who introduced‌ himself as Gunther‍ was also the‍‍ person currently in⁠‌ control of the‌⁠‍ city of Moshiam.‍

“It’s‍‌⁠ an honor for⁠‌ you to recognize me.”

“Rather,⁠ I feel more‍ honored. Let’s shake‍‍‌ hands.”

Vlad looked at the‍‍ hand passing over⁠‍⁠ the table.

His⁠ hands were too‍‍‍ smooth and unscathed‍⁠⁠ to be considered⁠ a swordsman holding‌ a sword.

“Thank‌ you for bringing⁠ Deacon Andreas home‍⁠‌ safely.”

“What will happen to⁠ Jean?”

But⁠ this wasn’t important‌‌ for Vlad.

The‌‌‌ outward appearance of‍‌‍ the man in⁠‌‍ front of him or the public⁠⁠ comments he made‍ about himself had no significance.

“They‌‍‌ say he’s still‍ asleep.” “…He’ll probably⁠ be asleep until‍ night. According to‌‌‌ our investigation.”

Gunther‍‍⁠ rubbed his head‌ with a worried⁠ expression, pulled out⁠ a large cigarette‌⁠ from a drawer, and began to⁠ light it.

“What’s‌‍‍ the investigation about?‌‌ Hasn’t Moshiam been‍‍ purified yet?”

“There’s‌ probably someone in⁠‌ the Vatican who‌ can really tell⁠ you about that.”‍

The‍‌‌ smoke entered deeply‍‍ into his lungs‍⁠ and slowly began‍⁠ to come out‍ of his mouth.

“We’re‍ the ones who came to investigate⁠ it.”

“…”‌ The smoke from‌ the cigarette spread‌⁠‌ through the air,‌‍ obscuring the light‌ that barely penetrated‌‌‌ through the fog.⁠‌

A city where everything‍ is blurry and‍‍ confusing.

The‍ dark mist floating‍ around reminded Vlad‌ of the letter the priestess had⁠ sent him.

“I⁠ will take the‍ deacon with me.”‌‍‌

“That⁠ child belongs to⁠‌⁠ the Northern Orthodox‌‍ Church. It’s not‍ something you can meddle with.”

“I‍⁠ am the person‌‍ whom the bishop‍ has asked to‌ take care of‌ the deacon’s well-being.”‌⁠‍ “Even that bishop‌ belongs to us.”‌

Extend-⁠

The⁠ ring worn by‌⁠ the leader gleamed‌‍ on the slightly‌ lowered desk.

A ring signifying the⁠ rank of Knight‌⁠ Commander, a position‌⁠ of which there‌‍ are only two⁠ in the Northern⁠‌ Orthodox Church.

There‍‍‍ was probably no‍ one here now‍ who could oppose‍⁠ that authority. “Thank‌ you again for‌‌ bringing the deacon‍⁠ here. We will‌‌ take care of all matters related⁠⁠ to that child‌‍‍ from now on.”‌⁠‍

“…”‌

Gunther’s eyes began to‌ turn fierce as⁠⁠ he saw Vlad‍‌ daring to encroach⁠‌⁠ on his authority.⁠‌‌

A leader of the Holy Knights who is so noble‍ that it’s difficult‍ for even a single knight to⁠ dare to look‍ at him.

But⁠‌⁠ now Vlad stared‌ back at him‌‍ through the smoke.⁠

“Retreat.”‌

“…The‍ city of Moshiam⁠‌ is also the⁠ land of the⁠‍ Northern Union.”

There‌ was work to⁠‌ be done, but‌‌⁠ it couldn’t be‌⁠ completed.

Bishop Andreas said to‍⁠ take good care‌ of Jean, but⁠ the knight Vlad‌⁠ had not yet⁠ acknowledged the handover‌‌ of the young‍ deacon.

For⁠ Vlad, Gunther’s authority‍ was merely secondary.‍

“I⁠ am worthy of‌⁠ being a knight‌ of Bayezid in‍‍ the Northern Alliance.”‌

“What‍⁠ qualifications?”

A strange look began‌‍‌ to appear in‍ Gunther’s eyes as‌ he looked at⁠ Vlad.

When‍ I thought about⁠ it, this pale‍⁠ blue guy in⁠‍ front of me had never even‍‌ lowered his head⁠ in front of‌ me.

“From‍⁠‌ now on, I will use my‍ authority to investigate.”⁠‌

“What?”⁠ The duties and⁠‌ responsibilities of a knight are not‍⁠⁠ the only things he has.

Inherent⁠⁠ rights to the‌‌ articles. The knight⁠ Vlad had the‍ right to exercise those rights in‍⁠‍ this land where‍ the banner of⁠⁠‌ Bayezid waved.

“Since‌ you’re not telling‍‍ me the details‍‍‌ of why you’re‌‍ trying to take‌‌ Jean away, I have no choice⁠⁠‍ but to do‍ this.”

“…This is worse than⁠ rumors.”

A dense silence began⁠ to reign, accompanied by the cigarette⁠‍ smoke.

Gunther,⁠ the owner of‌ the silence, was‍ not particularly angry.⁠

He⁠ was just looking⁠ at Vlad with⁠ curious eyes.

“They‍‌⁠ said you were‍ a loser.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”‌⁠

The‌‍ cigarette burning between‍‌‌ his fingers represented his absurd feelings.‍

In⁠⁠ reality, the guy‍⁠‌ in front of him was the‌‍⁠ one who broke the indulgence granted‍‍ by Bishop Pedro.⁠

***

“Vlad.”

“Justia.”‌‌

Justia‍‌ approached Vlad and Nibelun, who were‍ leaving the town⁠⁠ hall.

“Are‌‍ you going back‌⁠‌ now?”

“No.”‍⁠

“Well,⁠ I guess I should rest a bit before heading‍‌ back.”

“…That’s‍⁠ not all.”

Justia,‍ who perhaps still‌ didn’t know the‍ details of the⁠‍‌ situation, didn’t hesitate‌‌ in her attitude‌‌ towards Vlad.

She⁠ was curious to‍ see how Justia’s⁠ face would look‌‍‍ if she found‍⁠⁠ out he had‍ just fought with‍‍‍ Gunther.

“Anyway,⁠‌ why can’t Jean‍ wake up yet?‌ As someone who⁠‍‌ brought him here,⁠‌ I’m worried.”

“Yes.”‍

Seeing‌ Vlad pondering where⁠⁠⁠ to go in‌ the fog, Justia⁠‌ naturally took the⁠‌ lead.

Vlad‌‍‍ and Nibelun naturally⁠‍ started to follow‌‍‌ her.

The‌ platinum blond horse,⁠‍‌ clearly visible even‌‌ in the dark⁠‍ fog, filled Vlad’s‍ field of vision.‌‍

“I‌⁠ can’t explain in⁠⁠ detail because it’s⁠‍ still uncertain. It⁠ wasn’t long before‌⁠ we noticed the‌ anomaly in Moshiam.”‌⁠

“What’s‍ happening?”

Justia,‍‍ who turned around‍‍ in response to‌ Vlad’s question, began‌‍‌ to look at‍‍ Nibelun.

“Is he someone you⁠‌‍ can trust?”

“No.”‌⁠

“…”⁠⁠⁠

In response to Vlad’s⁠‍ resolute answer, Justia‌ could only gesture‍ for him to⁠⁠ come closer.

Nibelun,‍ standing alone in the fog, simply‌ listened intently, confused.‌

“When‌‍ Baron Utman was⁠‍⁠ there, the city‍⁠ was closed off,‌ so I didn’t‌ know much about‌‌ the situation. But‌‌⁠ as the Vatican stepped forward, we⁠‌ thought only a few traces of‍ evil would remain.”

Vlad shot a warning‍ glance at Nibelun,‍ who blinked from‌ beyond the fog,‍ and focused on‌ the story being‍⁠ told in a whisper.

“But‌‍‌ I feel a weak but sinister⁠ energy in this‍ city. I don’t‍ know where the‌ source is.”

The‌‌‍ war that took‌ place in Baron‌ Utman’s territory was‌ of enormous scale.⁠‍‌ So much so⁠ that even the⁠ lord of steel‌ who tried to create the Northern‍‌ Union was shaken.‍

However,‌ there were still‌ unidentified roots left‍‌ behind, and the‍⁠ Northern Orthodox Church had just confirmed the reality of‍ those roots.

“So‌ Jean…”

“We⁠⁠ need to investigate‌⁠ the deacon you⁠ brought.”

Now‌⁠ that everything was‍ darkened by the‍‌ thick fog, the‌‌⁠ only clue in‍⁠ front of the⁠ Holy Knights was⁠ the young deacon who was deeply⁠⁠ asleep.

“Although‌ he’s not in‍ the best condition,⁠⁠⁠ the apprentice named‌‍⁠ Jean is somehow‌‌ connected to the‌‍ origin we’re looking⁠ for. It’s probably‍‌⁠ a curse targeting‍‌‌ young children…”

If‍ there’s an outcome,‌ there’s a beginning,‍ and following the⁠⁠ thread that connects‌ them is the⁠ basis of the‌ investigation.

Perhaps⁠⁠ Gunther was trying‍ to find the‌ root of the‍‍ evil spreading in‍ Moshiam, using Jean’s‍⁠ existence as a lead.

“But when I saw⁠‌ you earlier, I saw you were⁠ sweating coldly.”

Justia,⁠ who had conveyed‍ what she needed to say, now‍ hinted at the question she had⁠‍ been harboring before.‌

The‍ question was also⁠‌‌ related to the‌‍ curse she had just mentioned.

“Did‌ you also have‌‌ a strange dream,‌‌ Vlad?”

“A‌‍ dream?”

“Yes.”‍

The first thing the‍‌ Holy Knights did when they arrived⁠⁠ in Moshiam was⁠ to investigate a strange infectious disease that only happened⁠‍‌ to children.

The‍⁠ children of Moshiam,‍⁠⁠ who fell asleep⁠‌‍ when the sun‌‌ went down and‌ opened their eyes‌‌ when it set,‌⁠ said they had‌ the same dream.‍

“There’s‍ a bonfire, and‌ all the children⁠‍ are singing. In⁠⁠ the dream.”

“…”⁠⁠⁠

“There‍‍ are testimonies that⁠‌ the children told‌‍‍ their parents they‍‍⁠ had had those⁠‌ dreams before dying. If you ever⁠ had a dream…”‌‍⁠

What⁠‍‌ is the standard⁠ that divides children⁠‌⁠ and adults?

Vlad‍‍ felt a dizzying sense of despair⁠ as he recalled⁠‍‍ his own dream,‍ which was exactly‌ the same as⁠‍ the dream the‍ children had.

“Shit.”‍

A young deacon continues‌‍ to sleep in a city where‌‍‍ the sun is‍⁠ not seen.

It seemed that the‌ child Andreas had⁠ asked for was⁠⁠ still singing with‍ the children of Moshiam.

***‌‍

“Alright. You don’t‍‍‍ need to explain‍‍ further, I understand the situation.”

Following‌⁠ Justia’s guidance, Vlad⁠ verified that Jean‍ was still asleep⁠‌ in the church‌‌‍ they entered. Now,⁠ they were heading‌‍ towards the inn.‍‌

Although‍ the fog was‌ dense and visibility‌‌ was low, the afternoon was turning into evening.

“Isn’t‍‍⁠ there any clue,‌ mage?”

“Oh,‌ umm.”

Despite‍ Vlad’s question, Nibelun‌ continued to stutter as if unable to escape his‌‌ own thoughts.

“It seems that the curse is hidden‌⁠ in something intangible‍⁠ like the fog.⁠⁠⁠ Since it has⁠ no substance, you‌‍⁠ can’t see it.”⁠

“No,‌‍ don’t say such‌ nonsense.”

Vlad ran his hand⁠⁠‍ through his hair‍‌⁠ in frustration and‌ began to grind‍⁠ his teeth.

“Is⁠ there no way?⁠‍ If not, you’ll⁠⁠ leave here tomorrow.”‍⁠

“Oh!⁠ That’s not possible. There’s…”

Vlad’s‍⁠ threat seemed to‍ have worked as‍‌ Nibelun’s amber eyes‍⁠ refocused. “In fact,‌‌ I also recommend‍ the method used⁠ by the paladins. No matter the‌ method of the‌⁠ curse, it’s tied to the entity‌‍ called Jean.”

“Then,‌‍ what about Jean?”⁠

“What⁠‌ about Jean…?”

In‌ response to Vlad’s⁠‍ question, Nibelun scratched‌‌ his head with⁠ a worried expression.‌

“It‌ wouldn’t be good to leave him‍‍‌ like this.”

“…There’s⁠⁠ no need to⁠ wait until tomorrow.‍ Go now.”

I thought about lending‌ a hand to‌⁠ the cat to‌‍‌ see if it‍⁠ would help, but‍ the cat turned‍‍ out to be⁠‍ just a cat.‌‍

In⁠⁠⁠ that case, you⁠‌ don’t need to⁠ bring it with‍‌ you…

pop-pop pop-pop-

“What’s‍ that?”

“It’s⁠ a smoker. It’s⁠ something beekeepers usually‍ use to drive‌ away bees.”

The‌ object Nibelun hastily‍ pulled out of his bag, perhaps‌ in response to‌⁠‍ the threat, was‍ something Vlad had‍ never seen before‌‍ in his life.⁠

“Why‌‍ is that?”

“The‌⁠ fog is something‌⁠ that obscures what‌⁠ originally exists. The⁠ intention is obvious.”‌‌ pop-pop-pop-

When⁠⁠‍ Nibelun pulled the‌ handle, the smoker⁠ began to move‌ with an alarming sound.

However,‌‌‌ the strange thing‍‌ was that, contrary‌ to the explanation, no smoke came out of the⁠ smoker’s nozzle.

“Is‌‍ it broken?”

“I‌‌ tested it to‍‍ see if that was the case,‍‌ and it seemed⁠ to work fine.”‌

Nibelun’s⁠‍ face was turning‍ red, as if‌‍⁠ pulling the handle‌‍ was difficult, but⁠‌‌ Vlad seemed to‍ understand why he⁠ was going through‍⁠⁠ so much trouble.‌⁠

“…Is⁠⁠ it gone?”

“It’s‍‍ because it’s a fake fog. That’s‌ what this smoker‍‍‌ is for.”

In‍‍ the middle of⁠ the city’s empty‌ street, Vlad watched with curiosity as⁠ Nibelun vigorously waved⁠‌ the smoker.

As⁠ the frivolous sound⁠‍ grew louder, the⁠⁠ surrounding landscape became⁠ clearer.

The‍ cat’s magical object⁠‍ was absorbing the⁠ fog and illuminating‍‌‍ the surroundings.