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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 172: There is a voice calling in the dark (3)

Chapter 172: There is a voice calling in the dark (3)

Buzzing!‌⁠

Some​⁠⁠ say that before​ dawn is when⁠‌‍ the darkness is​​ deepest.

And‌‍ now, in the‍ deepest darkness of‍​⁠ the city of‍ Moshiam, two men⁠ were walking in‌‍ the dense fog.‌⁠

With‌‌‍ a very unsettling‍ sound.

“How‍⁠ long do I have to keep⁠‌ pulling this?”

“Until​ we find it.”⁠​

“And⁠​‍ when will that‍‌ be?”

“I⁠‌‍ guess when we⁠​ see it, no?”⁠​‍

“…”​​​

Vlad‌‍⁠ was constantly pulling‌ on the handle,⁠‌⁠ and small blood⁠⁠ vessels were already‌ appearing on his​‍‍ forehead.

It‍‌⁠ looked like an​⁠⁠ ordinary fumigator, but‌ it was so‍⁠​ incredibly stiff that​⁠ it was hard‍ to hold it‌‌ for long, even‌‍‌ with Vlad’s grip​‍ strength.

“Anyway,‍‌⁠ we have to‍​ find it quickly.‌​ Our situation right‍ now is very​​⁠ suspicious.”

“I​⁠‌ agree.”

As‌ Vlad said, both‌​‌ of them were‌ dressed so suspiciously‌‌​ that they wouldn’t​​​ dare to make​​ excuses if the⁠‌​ guards caught them.⁠

Nibelun‍‌ wore a strangely‍​ shaped crow mask,⁠​‌ and Vlad covered​‌​ his mouth with​ a mask.

Anyone​ who saw them​ now would be‍‍‌ surprised, but both‌ had their own‌ reasons for dressing⁠ like this.

“I’ll‌⁠ say it again,‍ you must not⁠ take off the​‍ mask. What’s in⁠ the fumigator is‍‍‌ poisonous herb.”

“I​‍‍ said I understood.”‍​​

A sharp warning reached‍‌ Vlad, who was‍‌ trying to take​‍​ off the mask.​‌

To⁠⁠ burn a lie,‍ something crueler is​⁠⁠ needed.

The‍​​ fumigator that burned⁠⁠‍ the fake fog‍​ was filled with‌‌‍ poisonous herb powder⁠​ specially made by⁠ Nibelun.

‘Damn‍ cat.’

He‌ cursed inwardly, but‍‌‍ he didn’t dare​ let it out.‍⁠‌

In‌ an unknown situation⁠‌‌ like the current⁠​⁠ one, even Vlad⁠⁠ needed a guide.⁠⁠

And​ the wizard Nibelun⁠ was also a person with enough​⁠⁠ ability to guide.⁠

“Wait‍ a minute.”

“Did⁠‌​ you find it?”​⁠

Vlad​⁠ couldn’t hide his​ joy when Nibelun​⁠ told him to‌​ stop for a moment.

He‌‌​ couldn’t say it‌ out of pride​‌‍ as a knight,‌‍‌ but pulling the⁠‍⁠ strangely stiff fumigator⁠​ was quite a difficult task even⁠‍⁠ for Vlad.

“…Yes.‌⁠⁠ I think I found it.”

Nibelun‌⁠​ looked at his​⁠ palm with tense​‌‍ eyes.

A small rag doll‌ danced on his⁠⁠​ palm.

Although​ the button eyes‍​​ blinked a little‌⁠ due to the⁠​⁠ lack of skill⁠‌⁠ of the maker,⁠ the dancing movement⁠⁠ seemed as lively‌‍‌ as if it⁠‌ were really alive.​‌

“Here​ it is.”

“Hmm.”‍

Towards‍​‌ where the dancing⁠‌ doll pointed.

Vlad‍⁠‍ and Nibelun, leaning‍‍ against the alley​ wall, looked in​ the direction indicated‍ by the doll’s⁠​ fingertips.

“…I‌ think we’ve come​ to the right‍ place.”

“That’s‌⁠ right.”

The​⁠‍ outskirts of the‍‍ city without a single person in‍ sight.

In‌ the place where⁠ both their gazes​​⁠ were directed, there‍ was a sign‌‌‌ swaying slowly in​‍ the wind and‍⁠ creaking.

-Common‌‌ Cemetery of the‌​‍ Holy Focos Foundation-‍

Following‍​ the doll’s guidance‌​‌ and burning the‍​‌ fake fog, they‌ arrived at a cemetery located in‌⁠⁠ Moshiam, the city.​

“Why​‍ don’t you go⁠ in?”

“You’ve‌ always been leading.”⁠

“Now​⁠ that we’ve found​ our destination, it’s​⁠ your turn to‌‍ lead.”

“…Come⁠‍​ to think of​‌ it, I think‌ I didn’t like​ cats.”

With‍‍‍ a murmur saying​⁠‍ that dogs were⁠‍‍ the best, both‍⁠ Blad and Nibellun‌‌‍ switched positions.

Without‌ anyone needing to⁠‍​ say it, the⁠ dry sound of‌​⁠ swallowing saliva from​ both of them⁠​ was heard as⁠‌⁠ they looked at⁠‌‍ the cemetery.

***⁠‌

The⁠⁠ strange curse that‍⁠ had spread among‍​​ the children of‍‌‍ Moshiam was accompanied⁠‌‍ by the following​​ symptoms: deep sleep,‍​‍ similar dreams, and‍​​ a progressively lower⁠‌‍ body temperature. And‌⁠⁠ here, at this​⁠‌ moment, the newly⁠ awakened young deacon‍​ also exhibited the‍‌ same symptoms.

“Do‍ you feel cold?​⁠ Do you want‌‍ me to bring⁠ you a blanket?”‍‍⁠

“Uh…​ yes.”

The‌​ paladins around him​ made bitter expressions⁠ as they saw‍‌ Jean shivering as‍ soon as he​‍⁠ woke up.

Moshiam‍​⁠ was full of​ parents who had⁠‍ lost their children,‍‍ and the last‍​ memories of their‌ children while they‍ talked as if⁠ they were paling​​ were exactly the‍‍ same as Jean’s‌​ behavior now.

“Have⁠‌ you felt anything⁠‌ strange in your​ dreams?”

Justia,​‍ holding Jean’s trembling‌ shoulder, was doing‍ her best to⁠ prevent the child‍ from getting scared,​ but she had‍‌ already seen too‌ much to do‌​ so.

Paladins⁠ surrounding the bed‌​ and people noting⁠‌​ down everything they​⁠‍ say.

No​ matter how innocent‍ a child is,‌ in a situation⁠‌‌ like this, he​​‌ would have no‌⁠‌ choice but to‌ realize that something⁠ is wrong.

“…Well,⁠‌ that’s it.”

“Tell​​​ me.”

Justia’s‍​ voice was warm,​​​ but Jean’s lips⁠‍ only murmured.

Feeling‍‌​ anxious in an‌‍ unfamiliar environment and‍‌ among unfamiliar people,‍ the young deacon​​ turned his gaze‍ to the familiar‌ blond hair.

Seeing‌‍⁠ the child’s eyes‌‌‌ as if seeking⁠​‍ help, Vlad silently⁠‌‌ walked to the‍ bed.

“Tell​ me, Deacon. I can’t help you‌⁠⁠ if you don’t‌ tell me.”

“But…”‍⁠

“Don’t‌‍ worry.”

Vlad‍ grabbed Jean’s shoulder,‌ trembling with anxiety,‌‍​ and looked at‌ the young deacon⁠ with wide eyes.⁠

“Look.⁠‌ I haven’t abandoned​⁠ you yet, Deacon.”​

A guide who has⁠ been with Andreas​‍ so far at​‍ his request.

Jean’s⁠‌ eyes, which had‌‌⁠ been shaken by‍​ Vlad’s words saying​‍‍ that he was‍ still under his⁠‍ control, were slowly‍‌‍ calming down.

“I‍ don’t know about‍ the evil energy,‌‌‌ but…”

“Yes.”⁠⁠

“There⁠⁠ was something I felt for sure.”‌‌‍

Not‌‍⁠ an ordinary child,‍‌‌ but a deacon‌‍‍ directly under the‌​ command of Bishop‍‍ Andreas.

He⁠‍ testified a child⁠‍‌ who had been⁠ raised in God’s​⁠​ arms for a long time.

“The⁠​ bonfire I saw⁠⁠⁠ in my dream‍‍​ definitely felt sacred⁠​ inside it.”

“Yes?”‍‍⁠

Both‍⁠‌ Justia, who was‍‌ questioning Jean’s sudden⁠‍ response, and Gunther,​ who silently crossed​​‍ his arms behind​⁠ him, stopped what‍‌ they were doing.‌‌

A bonfire as warm⁠ and comforting as‍⁠‌ a mother’s embrace.​‌​

The​​ young deacon said⁠‍‌ he felt divine⁠​‍ energy within it.‍

“…Sacred‌ energy.”

“What‍‍⁠ the hell is‌‌ this?”

Sacred‍‍ energy mixed in‌​‍ a sinister dream.‍​‌

Amid⁠​ the commotion over‍⁠ Jean’s unexpected answer,‌​‍ there was a man who acted​ quickly on his⁠ own.

“Ah!”⁠⁠

“Thank⁠‍ you for your‌‌ effort.”

Jean‌‌ suddenly shouted from‌‌ the stabbing sensation‌⁠ in his neck,‍ but meanwhile, Vlad,⁠‌ who was embracing‍​​ him, was stroking⁠ his head as‍⁠ if nothing was​​​ wrong.

“Don’t‍‍ worry. Rest for⁠‍ a bit now.”​‍

“…Yes.”⁠​

Seeing‌ Jean scratching his⁠ neck bewildered, Vlad‌ quickly covered him‍‍​ with a blanket.⁠

Vlad⁠​ was stroking the​⁠​ young deacon, and‍⁠ before he knew‍‍​ it, there were⁠⁠ some wet strands​​ of hair on​‌⁠ his fingertips.

It‍ was Jean’s hair.​‌⁠

***‍⁠‌

“I’m‍ sure that’s where​ the curse I cast is pointing.‍⁠ Let’s take the‍⁠​ lead.”

“I⁠​‌ said I understood.”‍​

Jean’s​‌⁠ hair was tied⁠‍ to the still⁠⁠ dancing doll.

A sinister mage and​ a plague doctor​​‍ following death.

The​​ method Nibelun chose⁠‌‍ to understand the⁠ source of the​‍⁠ curse transmitted through‌‍‍ dreams was to⁠​ curse Jean himself.‍

“There’s⁠ no time. Dawn‍ will come soon.”​​

“I‍⁠ also know that.”⁠​‍

Nibelun,​‍​ who tied his⁠ thread to the‌​ end of an‍​ unknown dream, successfully​‍‌ completed his mission‍‌ just as Vlad‍‍⁠ wanted.

And⁠⁠‍ from now on,‍⁠ as Nibelun had​​‌ just said, it‍‍ was time for‍ Vlad to take‍ the lead.

‘I​ can’t call for​‍‍ help…’

Affiliation‌⁠‌ wasn’t the issue,‌ but rather time.⁠

The​ curse floating around‍ Moshiam City was‍⁠‍ hidden in the‌​‍ fog and floated‍⁠​ like a weak​ bubble.

It​ also meant that​ if it wasn’t‌‍‌ now, even the​‌⁠ place we worked⁠ so hard to⁠‍ find would soon‍​ be useless.

“Can’t​⁠‍ I cross the‌‍‍ wall?”

“Aren’t‌​ you a cat?”‌⁠

“I’m‍‍‌ not a cat,​​ I’m a beast⁠‍​ man.”

“…He’s​ actually being condemned.”‌⁠

Vlad​ quickly scaled the‍‌ cemetery wall, but⁠‍​ Nibelun, who was⁠ below, simply blinked,‍‍ still.

“Hmph!”‍

“He’s‍​ a guy who⁠⁠ requires a lot⁠ of effort.”

Vlad⁠⁠⁠ climbed the wall,‌⁠ almost carrying Nibelun​⁠ on his back,‍⁠ and as soon‍⁠⁠ as he entered,⁠‍​ he quickly looked‌‌⁠ around.

The‍ atmosphere of the‌‍ cemetery instantly calmed‍ any irritation you​⁠ had just felt.‍‌⁠

Under​‍⁠ the thick fog‌​​ were filled with‍⁠⁠ names of countless‍⁠⁠ deceased people.

“The‍​​ fog has become⁠​‍ thicker.”

Even‍‍‌ Nibelun, who was​‍⁠ always distracted by‍ the increasingly sinister,‍ was tense and​‌‍ listening intently.

I don’t know if‍‌⁠ it was my‍ mood, but I felt like I could feel a small vibration beneath‌⁠⁠ the ground I was standing on.‍​

-There’s‍ a voice calling​‌ in the darkness,​‌​ and when I turn my head‍​ to that place…⁠​​

The⁠ sound of an‌‍‍ order came from​‍ the two who⁠ were hiding among⁠ the tombstones and‍​‍ holding their breath.⁠

No⁠​​ matter who heard⁠ it, the suspicious​‍​ spell came from⁠ the depths of​‌‌ the cemetery.

“Let’s​ go.”

“Yes.”⁠‍

The‍‍​ eyes of the‌‍⁠ knight who wanted⁠ to lift the‍ curse and the‌⁠ mage who wanted​ to see death⁠‍⁠ lit up at‌ the same time.⁠‌

The⁠​​ doll’s dance intensified​ as it followed⁠‍ the orders it⁠ heard.

-I​‍​ think that if​ I’m with you,‍⁠ I won’t be‌⁠​ fooled by those‍‍ eyes that look‍ in the darkness.‍‍⁠

“I‌‌ think it’s three‌ four?”

“From‍ what I saw,‌​ it was four.”​‍⁠

A cemetery in the​‌‍ darkest dawn before⁠⁠‍ sunrise.

There⁠​ was a magic‍ circle faintly glowing.​⁠‌

It⁠‍ was a magic‌‍ circle drawn by‍ unknown men wandering​⁠​ the land of⁠‍ the dead.

“We’re⁠ completing the gin​​‌ through orders. I don’t exactly know​⁠​ what you’re trying‍ to do.”

“Anyway,‍‌ it’s better to⁠ stop it before‍‍​ it’s completed.”

As⁠​‍ the barely audible‍ spell progressed, the⁠ magic circle drawn​ on the ground‌ began to glow‌ brighter and brighter.​

As‌‍‌ the magic circle‌​ glowed, impatience began⁠‍ to arise in⁠⁠​ Vlad’s heart.

‘Not‍ yet!’

Still,⁠⁠ the situation can‍‌​ only be resolved‍ if you know​⁠ the enemy and​​ understand the situation.​‍

The⁠ teachings of August⁠​ that pierced the‍‍ darkness were showing‌ Vlad the way.‌

There⁠ are four men‌ wandering the cemetery.‌​‍

Among​ them, there are​⁠​ two at the​ camp.

And​​‌ an unidentified flask​⁠​ placed inside the⁠ magic circle.

“Can‌ you break that‍ flask?”

“If⁠‍ only it were‍ just a flask.”​‍

“Alright.”‌⁠⁠

This⁠ time, in response‌‌ to Vlad’s words,‍ Nibelun carefully pulled⁠ out a sling‌‍ from his backpack.​

Seeing​ him prick up‌‌ his ears as‌ if he had‌‍ finished preparing, Vlad‌ quietly closed his‌​ left eye.

‘Restrain⁠​⁠ the impulse impressively.’​​

As‌‌⁠ he took a deep breath, an‍​ ancient voice of‍ counsel echoed in⁠‍‌ Vlad’s mind.

Vlad’s​‍ left eye, which​‍‍ was closed, had​ a golden light​ brighter than any⁠‍​ other color.

***‌

“…!”⁠‍​

“Who‌ are you?”

“Who’s‍ there?”

A single golden stream​‌ that didn’t fit‍⁠ in at all‍⁠ in this place.⁠

Vlad’s‌⁠ attack, finally appearing,​ was so swift‌ that the men⁠ weren’t able to​⁠​ react.

Crack!‌​​

‘One​‌‌ down!’

Vlad‌ cut down one‌ of the two⁠‍‌ outside.

He‍ didn’t even realize‍‍⁠ Vlad was coming.‌⁠

“Stop!”​‌

“No!‍​‍ Starting with the‍​ bishop!”

One⁠​​ man inside the‌‌‌ camp can be‍ seen drawing his⁠‌ sword urgently.

But‌‌⁠ it was already‍⁠‌ too late.

Swoosh!​‌⁠

‘Two!’⁠‌‍

The‍‌ second man saw​ Vlad coming, but​ couldn’t draw his​‍ sword.

He‍‌ was dazzled by​​ Vlad’s magnificent colors.‍‍

“Protect‌​⁠ the sacred relic!”‌

“Aaaah!”‍​

The⁠‍ man who seemed‍‌ to be the‌ leader of the⁠‍ group quickly pointed‍‌ to the jar,‍⁠‌ but the suspicious⁠‍‍ jar belonged to‍​ Nibelun.

A sharp, unidentifiable sound‌ resonated from the​‍⁠ slung shot fired.⁠​‌

Clang!​

A broken jar with‍​ a sound like⁠ that of a woman crying.

The‍​‍ scent emanating from‌‌​ inside was that⁠ of fresh herbs.⁠​‌

“Someone⁠⁠ told me!”

Vlad⁠⁠‌ cut down two‍⁠⁠ of the four‌‌⁠ in an instant​⁠‌ and even broke‍​ the suspicious jar.‌‌⁠

Standing‌ in front of​‍⁠ the man who​‍ seemed to be‍​ the group’s leader,⁠ Vlad looked at‍⁠ his face and‍ grinned fiercely.

The‍⁠ man who couldn’t⁠ hide his bewildered‌ expression as he‌‌​ looked at the​ sword pointed at‌​⁠ him was also​​⁠ someone Vlad knew‍‍​ well.

“What’s‍ going on here?⁠​‌ Bishop Pedro!”

“Shit!”​⁠‌

Literally‍ in the blink‍ of an eye.​‌‌

The‌‌ only man not‍‍ subdued tried to‌⁠‌ approach, but Nibelun’s⁠​‌ slung shot was⁠‌ already aiming at​​ him.

“You‌ spread a curse​ here!”

“I‌ am a faithful‌​ follower of God​‍ and Bishop of​​​ the Holy See!⁠​ Do you think⁠‍‍ I would do‌‍ such a thing?”⁠‍

“Then,⁠​ why are you​‌ here!”

A broken jar and​ subdued men.

And‍‌⁠ even the triangular​​‍ flag that is‌ gradually losing its‍​ color.

Pedro⁠‌ exploded in anger​‌​ towards Vlad, who‌ ruined everything he‍ had planned.

“I’m‌‌‌ here to lift⁠ the curse! Idiot!”​‍​

“Those⁠‍ words…”

Can​‍ you believe it?‌⁠‍

You’re⁠ the one selling‍ false indulgences and‍ blaming me.

Knock,⁠ knock, knock –

However,‌ Vlad didn’t dare‌‍​ to say the⁠ words that had‌⁠⁠ come to his⁠⁠ lips.

“It’s⁠​ all done! This​⁠ is because of‍‍​ you!”

“…!”⁠⁠​

A triangle that gradually‍⁠‌ loses its light‍ under the darkest⁠​ sky.

The⁠ vibrations felt from⁠⁠ below grew stronger⁠⁠ and began to​ break Vlad’s balance.⁠⁠‌

“What‍⁠ the hell are‍⁠ you doing here!”⁠​‌

“Kwaaaak!”⁠

Such⁠ a large vibration​⁠⁠ that even Vlad’s‍⁠​ voice was absorbed.‌

However,‍⁠‍ there was a scream from someone‌​‌ that pierced even⁠‌‍ the vibrations.

“Help​ me!”

The⁠ man Nibelun’s slung​ shot was aiming​‌ at.

He‍ was now suspended‌‍‌ in the air.⁠​‍

Clung‌ to the tips‌​​ of his toes​‌‌ was something that‌‌ looked like a bunch of unidentifiable‌‌ tentacles.

“It’s‍​ the Qliphoth tree!‌‌ God’s will spoken‌‌ backwards!”

A huge body that​⁠ emerged crawling from⁠ the land of‍‍​ the dead.

Branches‍‌ going to the​​‌ ground and roots⁠ to the sky.‌​⁠

And⁠‌ leaves that eat‌‌ darkness instead of‌‍ light.

What‍ finally appeared was​‍​ an upside-down hanging⁠​ tree defying all‌ the laws of‌​ the world.

“Bishop.”‌‍​

Swoosh!​​

The‍ man pitifully crying‍​ in the air‍ was split in‌​‌ half along the⁠ roots.

Internal‍​‍ organs spilled and⁠ fell onto the‍ broken jar.

“What⁠ the hell is​‌ that…”

“I⁠‍ can’t even flee‍​ now!”

The‌‌‌ land of the​‌‌ dead where only‍⁠ Vlad, Nibelun, and⁠‌ Pedro stood.

The​​‌ triangular formation drawn⁠ underneath only emits⁠​ a faint light.​

“If​⁠⁠ you want to​​⁠ survive, help! I need to finish‍ the vortex!”

“Lord​​ Vlad! Let’s do​ it quickly! Grandpa⁠​‌ is right!”

Nibelun,⁠​‌ who understood the‍ situation when Pedro‍‌​ shouted that the⁠ team needed to⁠⁠‍ be completed, quickly⁠‍ placed Vlad in‌‍ one of the⁠‌‍ vertices of the‌ triangle.

“What​ am I supposed‌‌ to do?!”

“Speed⁠⁠ up the aura!”‌

Nibelun⁠ quickly went in‍‍ to find the​⁠⁠ spot of the‍ broken jar.

Vlad​⁠ standing in the⁠⁠​ place of the⁠ man he killed.‍‌‌

“I⁠ mean, create your‌ own world that‌ you’re so proud‌‍ of!”

And⁠‌‌ Pedro reciting a prayer.

Three‌​ people standing in​​ front of a fallen tree.

– There’s a voice‌⁠ calling in the‌​ darkness, even if​​ I turn my​‌​ head towards that‌‍‍ place…

The‍‌ voice had spoken.‍​‌

There​‍ are only three‌ ways to break‌‍ the evil curse.‌‌

– I think if⁠​ I’m with you,⁠ I won’t be‌⁠⁠ deceived by the‌​ eyes that look​‍‌ at me!

A knight with his‍‌ own world.

A wizard who defies‍‌ the rules of‍‌ the world.

And​‍‌ a bishop who​ exercises the will‍‍ of God.

The⁠⁠‌ prayers sung under‍​​ the darkest sky​⁠‍ rang loudly through⁠‌ the fog of‌‌ Moshiam.

A triangular ginebra shining⁠‌‍ with it.

It​ was an exorcism‍⁠ to drive out⁠⁠⁠ evil beings.

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