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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 173: There is a voice calling in the dark (4)

Chapter 173: There is a voice calling in the dark (4)

Worlds​ in Contact

There​ was a sad‌‌ city that had‌⁠‍ no proper lord.‌

A city where the⁠​​ flags of seven⁠‌ families waved, but​ no one took​ charge.

It‌‌‍ was a city​⁠ where even parents‍‍‍ who had lost​‍ their children cried​‌ breathlessly, but there‌⁠​ was an office​ that was still​ lit well into​ the night.

“…I​‍ can’t find it.”‍

Gunther‌ squinted under the‍​​ dim candlelight.

He‍​‍ was currently focused​ on finding something‍‍ as he opened‍‌‍ a book that​⁠​ looked old.

“There’s‌ nothing that fits.”‍‌

The‍ thick book he⁠ was opening at‌‌⁠ that moment was⁠⁠​ called the Book‍​ of Exorcism, a book that recorded‌‍‌ all the demons​‍ that had appeared​‌‌ in the history‌‍ of humanity.

However,‌ even as he‌ looked at the​‌‍ book, which was‍ no different from‍‌ the treasure of​​ the church, Gunther’s​‍‌ expression showed no​​ signs of calming‍ down.

“…Is⁠‍ this a new‌‍ demon?”

All‌‌ strange things leave⁠⁠⁠ their traces.

It⁠​ can change over‌‌ a long period‌​​ of time and⁠ can hide through‌ intention, but its​⁠ true nature cannot‍‌​ be concealed.

However,‍​⁠ Gunther could only‍​ discover it after‍‍​ flipping through the‌​​ last page of‌‌ the Book of‌‍​ Exorcism.

The‍‍‌ strange energy currently​ hanging over Moshiam​ is a new‌​ entity that has‌⁠ not been recorded⁠ in the long‍⁠‌ history of the⁠‍​ church.

Kuuuuuung!‌‍

“Tsk!”⁠⁠‌

Gunther⁠​ sighed as he​‍ closed the book,‍ and at that⁠‌ moment, he stumbled‌ and grabbed onto‌​‍ the desk due⁠ to the strong​ vibration he felt‍⁠ under his feet.⁠

“Is‍‍ it an earthquake?”⁠‌

The‌‍ office furniture toppled‌⁠​ as if there​ had been an‌ earthquake.

However,⁠‍​ Gunther was more‍‍ surprised by the‌ strange energy spreading⁠​ through the mist​ than by the​​‍ vibrations under his​‍‍ feet.

“…!”​⁠

Gunther​‌ quickly opened the​​ window and looked​⁠ outside.

When‍‍ he opened the⁠⁠ window, the first⁠‍⁠ thing that greeted‌⁠ him was the​ sharp sensation of⁠‍ the mist.

With⁠ that sharp feeling,​⁠ Gunther could sense​‌⁠ that something was‌ wrong.

Kugugugugugung!‍

Gunther⁠ tried to quickly‍⁠‌ awaken the Holy‍ Knights due to‍⁠‌ the sudden situation,⁠‌ but what soon​⁠‌ unfolded was something⁠ that even left⁠​ him spellbound.

“Majestic…‌‍​ exorcism?”

The‍​ darkest dawn before‍‍​ dawn.

In​ the distance, on‌ the outskirts of⁠⁠​ the city, there​ was a column⁠‍‌ of light piercing​ through the darkness.​​⁠

Although⁠‍‍ still pale and‌​ thin, the pillar​ that clearly reached​ the sky was‍‌‍ the only bright‍ beacon in a sea of mist.‍‌

***⁠‌

“…!”‍‌

Although⁠​ they constantly recited⁠‌ prayers, Pedro’s eyes⁠ never left the‌ two men.

A blond boy who⁠​​ wouldn’t be happy‌ even if he⁠​‌ got into trouble⁠‍ with a humble⁠ beastman mage.

However,‍​‍ Pedro’s eyes, gazing‌⁠ at the two,‍⁠​ were not filled​ with anger, but​‍ only with a different kind of⁠ look.

‘This‌⁠​ makes absolutely no‌​‍ sense…’

Even⁠‌‌ for Pedro, the​⁠​ current situation was‌​ a series of‌‌​ incomprehensible events.

The‌‌​ strange tree that‍‍ suddenly emerged from​​​ the ground was‍ one thing, but​‍ what surprised Pedro⁠‍ even more was​‍ the pillar of​ light touching the‍​ sky.

“So,‍‌​ what should you⁠ do with me?”‍

This⁠‍⁠ wasn’t the retreat⁠‌ line that was‍‌ supposed to extend‌⁠‌ so far.

However,⁠​ the majestic pillar‍​ of exorcism now‍​‌ rising above the​‍ exorcism line was⁠ so tall and​​‍ bright that it⁠​​ was beyond Pedro’s‌⁠‌ imagination.

“This‍‌ camp we’re in‌⁠⁠ is some kind⁠ of amplification camp!​​ It gives strength⁠ to the person⁠ standing on the⁠​‍ brink!”

Nibelun‍ was equally puzzled,⁠‍ but the mystery‌‌​ hunter could still​ figure out what⁠​ the camp they‍​ were currently in⁠‍ meant.

“However!”​‌

“It’s‍⁠‍ called cutting! That⁠‍‌ guy!”

As⁠ Pedro’s prayers grew,⁠ the light of⁠‌ solemn exorcism became‍‌‌ clearer.

Nibelun,⁠ realizing his role‌⁠‌ when he looked⁠⁠ at the broken‍ flask, quickly drew⁠ the hand seal‍⁠⁠ and began to​⁠⁠ connect the divine​‌⁠ light with a mysterious line.

“You​⁠​ can do whatever‌⁠⁠ you want!”

A triangle where points​‌ and lines touch‌‍‌ and lines and‍‍ points connect.

And‌⁠‌ in the last⁠ corner where they‌‌ connected, Vlad stood.⁠

‘Agh!’⁠‍⁠

The‌‌ sword of the⁠ World Tree you⁠⁠ hold heats up.⁠​⁠

However,​​‍ the heat wasn’t‌ pain, but just‌​ the cry of‍ a shell about‍​‍ to break.

It‌ wasn’t just the‍ city of Moshiam‌‌ that was shaken⁠⁠ by great tremors.⁠‌

Vlad’s‌ world was also​‌ shaken by finding‍​ new boundaries.

‘Isn’t‍​ this going to⁠⁠ be a big‍‍ problem?’

Vlad​‍⁠ was scared by⁠ the situation he​ faced both internally​​​ and externally, but​‌‌ that didn’t allow‌‌ him to let⁠​⁠ go of the⁠⁠ sword he held.⁠‍​

Krrrrr!‍‍

Because⁠⁠‍ the upside-down tree⁠‍⁠ noticed the strange,⁠ and began to​⁠ howl.

The‌ Qliphoth tree, which‍⁠ turned mist into‍‍ clouds and earth‍ into sky, raised​ its sharp roots‌ towards the column‍‌ of light rising‌‍ in the right‍⁠⁠ direction.

“Vlad!”‍​

“Idiot!‌ Dodge fast!”

Pedro‌ and Nibelun’s urgent‍‌ voices were heard⁠‌ among the prayers​ and incantations.

The‍​‌ world of divinity⁠‌​ and mystery was‌⁠ inside, the approaching​ threat was real,‍​ and the only​​​ thing that could‍ bring it down‌ now was Vlad’s​‍ red-hot sword.

“Damn​⁠ it!”

The‍⁠⁠ shadow of the‌​ roots is darker‍‌ than darkness.

Vlad,​​‍ seeing the beginning‌‍ of destruction looming⁠‌ over his head,​⁠ had no choice⁠ but to grit​​ his teeth and‍​ raise his sword.‍

The⁠‍⁠ completely dark world⁠ was something he‌‍ wouldn’t wait for‍⁠ until he was​⁠‍ ready.

[…!]‌​​

That’s​⁠ why it’s necessary.⁠‍

Though‌‍⁠ I believed I had grown, I still felt uncomfortable.‍

[Bend‌⁠‍ the boundaries of‌ the world! Let’s‌ support each other!]​​‍

“…!”​​

Vlad’s⁠‌ world was shaken⁠‍ by the sacred​ and the mysterious⁠‌ on the edge⁠‍‌ of the limits.​

A bubble hidden deep​‌ in the world‍​ finally began to‌​‍ surface.

The‌ name of the⁠‌​ world of which​‍‌ only traces remained​ was the voice.​

[Add​⁠‍ height to your‌⁠‌ world!]

My‌‍⁠ world is a point.

What⁠‍ you touched was⁠‌​ the line.

So⁠‌⁠ what was created⁠‌‌ was the cotton.​​⁠

When‌‍ they lean against‌‍ each other, another⁠‌ world is created.​⁠

The⁠‌​ child’s world was⁠ always looking at‍ the sky.

“Ugh!”⁠⁠

Following​‌⁠ the advice of‍ the voice resonating⁠‍ in his soul,​‌​ Vlad’s world slowly‍ began to take​ shape.

A triangular pyramid created‍‌​ by bending divinity,‍​‌ mystery, and my​‌⁠ world along the​‌ contact surface.

Vlad’s⁠​‍ world, ascending towards‍‍ the sky, began⁠‌ to take the​‌ form of a tree.

Craaack!‍

The​ majestic light of⁠⁠ the archangel, reaching​ the sky, began​‌ to quickly diminish.‍‌‍

Like⁠ a halo of​​ light formed at​⁠ the highest point‍ of a triangular‍ pyramid.

However,⁠ the light, which⁠⁠‍ sharpened as it‌‌ narrowed, still hung‍ from the tip​‌ of Vlad’s sword.‍​​

“Aaah!”​

Vlad,‍‍ burdened with a light heavier than⁠‍​ a mountain, swung​ his sword with‌​ all his might.⁠​‌

What‌‌ we need are⁠​​ words of encouragement​‌​ and very small‍ pieces of advice.‌

If‍‍ you’re in the⁠ right place, anyone​⁠ can handle it⁠⁠ correctly.

“Aaargh!”​​

A thin line following‌‍​ the path of​‌⁠ the sword.

The​ light that reached⁠ the sky passed‌⁠​ through the city‍⁠‍ of Moshiam and‍​ powerfully created a semicircle.

Kaaaaaaaa!‍

A trajectory that begins‌ in divinity, is‌‌⁠ guided by mystery,​‌ and is drawn‍ by possibility.

The‍ tree, which was‌‌ completely upside down,⁠⁠ only extended its‍‍ pitiful roots towards⁠​‍ the approaching sword.‌

Whoosh!‍​

Over‍‍ the city cemetery​‌ at dawn.

There​⁠ fell a rain‌ of dark red‌​ color.

Everything⁠​⁠ was upside down,‍‌ but the flowing​‌‍ blood fell to‌‍​ the ground.

***​⁠

“…What‍‌ the hell is‌ this?”

Gunther,‍​ who hurried to⁠‍ the cemetery with​⁠​ the Holy Knights,​‍​ was speechless when‌‍⁠ he saw the⁠ scene before his​ eyes.

A cemetery filled with⁠⁠ dark red blood.​‌⁠

There‌‍ was only one⁠ thing Gunther could‍‌ say about the​‌⁠ ground he walked⁠‍ on, the graves‌ he could see,‍⁠ and everything painted‍​ in bright red.‍

“What‍ the hell happened‌ here? Lord Vlad.”‍⁠

“Well.”​​⁠

The‍​ bursting copper light‌‍‌ still dimly illuminated‍ the remaining retreat⁠‍‌ line.

And⁠ three people collapsed⁠​​ there, gasping for⁠ breath.

Vlad,⁠​ bearing the heaviest‌ burden among the‍ three, lay down⁠​ and greeted Gunther⁠​ with a truly‌‌⁠ subtle expression.

“We⁠ found the culprit.”‍‍​

“What​ culprit?”

“The⁠‌‍ criminal who took‌‍ the children.”

Gunther⁠‍ turned his head‍⁠‍ to follow the⁠​ direction indicated by‌​ Vlad’s finger.

Then‌‌⁠ what he saw⁠ there was a partially split tree.⁠

It​​⁠ was a large‌‍‍ tree that looked​‍ like it had​​ grown for a hundred years.

“…That?”‌‍‍

But​​ Gunther couldn’t help​⁠​ but furrow his​‍‍ brow as he⁠‌ looked at the⁠​‍ tree.

That​‍ tree, still spitting‍ blood, emitted such⁠‍‌ a strange energy‍ that all the​ paladins present could⁠⁠⁠ feel it.

“Cough…‌ Ha. This idiot.”⁠‌

While‍‌⁠ all the knights​⁠⁠ were absorbed in‍​ the Tree of⁠‌‌ Qliphoth, Bishop Pedro,‍‌ dragging his weary‍​‍ body, quietly approached​‌ Vlad and whispered⁠​ in his ear.​‍

“The⁠‍⁠ old master of‌ the sword wielded‍‍ his weapon with⁠⁠ divine will, but‌‍ it seems you‍‌​ can’t even bear​​⁠ the divinity of‍ a single bishop.”⁠‍​

“…”‍

He‍ was glad he⁠ had cut down​‍‌ the tree and⁠‌ fortunate to be‌ alive, but it‍‌⁠ was inevitable that​‌ Vlad was making⁠‍⁠ a strange expression.⁠⁠‍

“Now​​ that it has⁠​‍ hidden again, it⁠ won’t be easy‌‌‌ to bring it‌ to light this⁠‌​ time. What are​‌ you going to‍ do now?”

“Just⁠​​ shut up.”

There‍‌ was a dark‌‍ bloodstain next to⁠ the root still‌⁠‌ spewing blood.

At​​ the end of‌ the bloodstains, which‌‍ seemed to have⁠‌‌ been torn by​ something, there was‌‌ a hole whose‌‍ depth could not‌ be determined.

That​‍ deep hole that‍ people were afraid⁠ to even look‌ at was also‌‍⁠ where all the‍⁠​ upside-down trees had‌‌⁠ climbed.

“…Hmm.”‍‍

Vlad,⁠‌ staring at the‍‍ hole with anxiety,​‌ closed his eyes​ as if he‍ had no other​ choice.

He‌‍⁠ didn’t reach the‍ tree, and Pedro⁠‍ beside him was⁠ trembling, but Vlad​‍‍ decided not to‌‌‍ worry.

[Good‌ job. This is‌ your first time,‌‌‌ but it’s enough.]‍⁠

He‍​ couldn’t hear it⁠ again now, but​‌ the breath of⁠ the voice still⁠‍⁠ lingering in his⁠‌‌ ear clearly told‌​ him that he​ had done a good job.

After‍‌​ silently reflecting on‍​ the sound, Vlad⁠⁠ nodded and got​ up.

The‍ rising sun of​​ this morning rested​‍ on Vlad’s blond⁠​ hair.

***⁠⁠⁠

There⁠ was a forest⁠‍ older than the⁠ history of the​ empire.

Specifically,‍⁠‍ it is a forest that borders‍⁠⁠ the central frontier​ area where the⁠‍‌ northern Barony of‌ Utman and Dobrechi‌‌ meet.

The⁠​ forest, dividing the‌ two areas as‌ if scratched with​⁠⁠ a nail, was​‌⁠ so wide and⁠​ deep that even⁠⁠ adventurers were reluctant​ to enter.

“Ha…”‍‌

The​​‍ deep sigh of‍ a woman echoed‌‍‌ from a ruined‌‍ mansion in the‍​ middle of the⁠ place.

The‌‍‍ woman, gazing northward⁠​ with the morning‍ sun rising, clasped‍ her hands without‍‌‌ even wiping away‌​ the tears forming‍‍ at the corners‍ of her eyes.​⁠

“Who‌‍ the hell dared‍‌‌ to intimidate my‌ children? These are⁠​ children who haven’t​⁠ even been born‍ yet.”

It⁠‌ was a seed‍​ barely sown through⁠​​ a fair transaction.​​‌

Her‌‍‍ eyes, looking northward,​⁠​ were filled with‍⁠​ powerless sadness.

It​⁠ was like the​​⁠ gaze of a mother looking at‌⁠⁠ her wounded child.​‍‌

“I⁠‌ can’t do that.⁠‌ I have to‌⁠ go see for⁠​ myself.”

She​ was clearly standing,‍ yet her toes⁠‍ wiggled as if‍ they hadn’t touched⁠ the ground.

Her‍ toes, floating as​ if tethered somewhere,⁠‌ rejected the existence‍ of the earth⁠ that living beings‌⁠ must tread upon.​⁠

“Will⁠ you come with‍‌ me? In the​⁠ north, there is‍‍‌ everything, not only​‌​ for my children‌​ but also for‍‍⁠ whatever one desires.”⁠‌⁠

The‍ crumbling mansion was⁠‍‌ filled with people⁠ who were dead​ but not dead.‍‍

But⁠ even among them,⁠ there was someone⁠ she loved most.‍

“There’s⁠‌ a dragon there.⁠ The dragon you⁠‍ tried to kill.”‌⁠

“…”⁠‍

The‍ man slowly opens‍ his eyes as‌ he listens to‍‍‌ her whispered words.​‌

However,‌⁠⁠ the reason he​⁠ opened his eyes‌​‌ was probably for‍ a single word​ he heard in⁠​‍ his ear instead⁠ of her telling⁠⁠ him to go⁠‍‍ with her.

“…Dragon.”⁠⁠⁠

“Yes,​‍ a dragon.”

The‌ man’s voice was​⁠​ very hoarse, as⁠​​ if he hadn’t⁠​​ used it in‌ a long time.⁠‍

However⁠‌‌ uncomfortable it was⁠‌ to hear, the​⁠​ words spoken were‌‍⁠ clear.

A man who opened‍​ his eyes at​ the word “dragon.”⁠‍

Those‌ eyes, covered in​‍ pure white fur,‌​ were whitish-gray eyes‍‍‍ devoid of light.‍‍‌

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