Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 175: People who returned (2)

Chapter 175: People who returned (2)

The⁠⁠ man walks and‍⁠ the boy follows‍‌ him.

Behind‍ the steps of⁠ the man walking‌ in the darkness,‍ the steps of‌ the boy overlapped⁠ once again.

Only‍ the light of⁠‍‍ the stars following‌‍⁠ them silently illuminated‍ the overlapping footprints.‌

“I‌‍ think I’ve seen‍‌ that sword somewhere‍‍ before.”

[Yes?]‍‍

No⁠ matter how many‍‌ times I walked‌ the unknown path, it had no‍⁠‍ end, and surprisingly,‌ the voice ahead‌ did not draw⁠‌‍ closer.

When‌⁠ even the surrounding darkness seemed faint,‌‍ a sword gleaming‍ in the starlight‍⁠ suddenly entered Vlad’s⁠⁠‌ field of vision.⁠‌⁠

A silver sword richly⁠ adorned with colorful‌ jewels.

However,‍‍ the familiar shape‌‌ hidden behind the‍‌ splendor stirred something⁠ in Vlad’s memory.⁠

“At⁠ first glance, it‍‍ seems expensive. Is‌‍ that yours?”

[In‍⁠‌ a way. It’s‍‍⁠ a title that‍ seems quite unfamiliar.]‌⁠

“So,‍‍ what should I do then? I really don’t have‍⁠ a name to‍‍ call you.”

The‍ voice stopped laughing‍ as it watched⁠⁠‌ Vlad shrug.

Now‌ that I think about it, we‍‍ haven’t even exchanged⁠‍ names yet.

“You‍ still don’t remember‌⁠‌ your name?”

[No.]‍‌‌

“It⁠ seems like you⁠⁠‌ got hit pretty hard on the‍‍⁠ back of your‍‍ head. If this‍ happens, it’s pointless to search high and low for‍‌‍ it here.”

[Then‍ tell me. Who‌‍ am I that⁠ you’ve been searching for all this‍⁠ time?]

The‌‍ voice ahead suddenly‌ stopped and looked⁠ at Vlad.

His‍ figure was close,⁠‍⁠ but somewhat vague.‌

Seeing⁠‌‍ his appearance flicker‍ like a candle,⁠⁠ Vlad quickly began‍ to speak.

“…First‍⁠ of all, it⁠ has to do‌⁠ with spirits. It‍ seems you’re moving⁠ lost spirits from‌‌ one place to‍‌ another.”

[Go‍ on.]

Following⁠⁠ the voice urging‍ him to respond,‍‌ Vlad began to‍‍ follow, lost in‍ thought.

I don’t know if‌⁠ it was my‌ mood, but I felt like his⁠‍‌ distant back had drawn a little‍‌ closer.

“It‍‌⁠ also relates to‍‍ other races. Elves⁠⁠ and dwarves. Your‍ tracks led there.”‍‌⁠

[And?]

“Judging‍‌ by the fact‌‌ that the White Serpent of Deirmar‍ recognized you, it’s‌⁠ also related to‍ the first chief⁠ of Hainal.”

The⁠‍‌ more he answered,‍ the more slowly⁠⁠ Vlad’s steps caught‍ up with the voice.

However,‍ Vlad was so‍ focused on responding‍ that he didn’t‍ notice the distance‌‍ between him and‍‍ the approaching voice.‍‌

“And…”⁠‍⁠

Vlad‍⁠ had always thought‍ about this.

What‍‍ kind of person⁠‍ is the voice?‌

What kind of person‍‌‍ was the one⁠ who reached me⁠ through a black‌⁠ lightning bolt?

“It’s⁠‌ the swordsmanship I use.”

[Is⁠ it?]

“Did‌ I hear that‍ this is a sword technique used‍ by the imperial‌ family?”

[So⁠ what? Is that‌‌ how it went?]‌

The⁠ swordsmanship taught to⁠ me by the‌‍ unknown voice was‍ an uncommon swordsmanship⁠ said to be⁠ taught only to⁠ knights of the imperial family.

Seeing⁠ that the voice⁠ didn’t pay much‌‍ attention to the‍ mention of the⁠ sword as an imperial sword, Vlad⁠ simply pursed his⁠‍ lips.

“Hey,‍‌ maybe… No, really?”⁠⁠

[What.]‍

A word too big‌‌ to pronounce was‍ caught in Vlad’s‍⁠⁠ throat.

All⁠‍ the clues gathered⁠‌ throughout the journey⁠ so far pointed⁠⁠⁠ in the same‌⁠⁠ direction, and there‍‍ was only one‌ person standing at‍ the end.

Unless‍ I made a mistake.

“Tsk!”‍‍

[They’ve⁠ all arrived.]

Vlad,‌ who had been‌ pondering for a while, suddenly approached‌‌ and knocked his‌‌ forehead against his‍⁠ back.

The‌‌‌ distance between the‌‌ man who had‍ become so close‌‌‍ to me and⁠ me was now‍ just one step.⁠

[I‌ almost got lost‍ too. I don’t⁠‌ know who did it, but it‍⁠ was placed quite‍ crudely.]

Vlad‌ peeked his head⁠‌ behind the voice‌ in front of‍‌‍ him and could‌‍ make out a large tree floating‍ in the distance.‌

It‍‍‌ was a strangely‌⁠⁠ shaped tree, with branches that reached‍ down to the‍ ground and rose⁠ fiercely toward the⁠⁠ sky.

“…I couldn’t even see⁠‍ it until now.”⁠

[That’s‌‌ the existence of⁠‍ the Other. You‍‍ can’t see it⁠‍ even if you’re‌‍ right next to‍ it and it‍‍ can be clear‌‍ even if you’re⁠ far away.]

Vlad,‌⁠⁠ who had reached‍ the border of‍ his own world, only then could⁠ see the other‍‌ world he was⁠ in contact with.‍⁠‌

That’s‌ Jean’s dormant world.‍

In⁠ reality, they were side by side,‍ but the world‌ of the young deacon following fate‌‍ was very far‌‍ away.

[My‍⁠ name is Kihano.]⁠

“Yes?”‍

[I’d‌⁠ like you to⁠ just call me‌‌⁠ Kihano. I don’t like the other⁠ names.]

Vlad⁠ looked at the voice shaking his‍⁠ hand.

The‌‍ man who finally found his name‍⁠⁠ introduced himself as‌ Kihano.

“…I’m⁠ Vlad.”

[Yes.‍ Vlad. Nice to meet you.]

A man and a boy exchanged names⁠‌ in front of‍⁠⁠ a twisted tree.⁠‌

Although‌‍ the two could‍ not overlap in⁠‍ any place, time,‌‍ or space, they could at least‍ see each other‌ in the world‌ they faced.

***‍‍⁠

[You‍ will notice the‍ moment we enter⁠ Jean’s world. You⁠⁠ did notice it,⁠‌ right?]

“I⁠ noticed because you spoke to me.”‍

[I‌⁠ told you to‍⁠ call me Kihano,‍ not “you.”]

The‍‌ two knights standing⁠‌‌ before Jean’s world⁠ took a deep⁠‌ breath and stepped‍‌ towards the world’s‍‍ border.

Kihano‍ said.

Entering‍ a foreign world⁠‌⁠ other than one’s own is an⁠‌ action that carries‍ great risk.

“Let’s‍‍⁠ go.”

[Yes.]⁠

But⁠ it was a path they had‍ no choice but⁠ to take.

Even now, the strange‌‌ tree floating in‍‍ Jean’s world slowly‍⁠ descended and approached.‍

“…What‍ is this place?”‍‌

[Don’t‍‍ be deceived.]

With‍ firm determination, they took a step‍‌⁠ forward.

It‍‌ was clearly a space filled with‌‍ darkness just a moment ago, but‌‍‍ the surrounding area‍ had already turned‍‌ into a hallway‌ full of grayish-white bricks.

“It⁠‌ must be a church. Well, after‌ all, he said‍‌ he was a deacon.”

“It⁠ looks like the⁠ church in Varna.⁠‍ I’ve been here‍⁠ once.”

[Is‍‌ it a building you know well?]‌

“…Only‍ the basement?”

[Then‍ you don’t know‍⁠ it well.]

Jean’s world was built around the church‍ in Varna.

For‌‍‌ Jean, who had lived his whole⁠‌ life as a deacon, the clearest place was the⁠‌⁠ church in Varna,‌‍‌ so it was‌‌ only natural.

[If‍‍ we’re talking about‍ a church, it‍‍ must be the⁠⁠ prayer hall.]

“Will‌ Jean be there?”‍

[We’ll⁠⁠‍ find out when‌ we go.]

The⁠‌‍ most important goal⁠ for both of‍ them now is⁠⁠ Jean’s safety.

The⁠ world of the young deacon, who⁠‌ was about to‌‍ be consumed in⁠ three days, still⁠ tilted with a creak somewhere.

[Let’s‌‌ go first.]

“The⁠⁠ chapel is on⁠⁠ the first floor.”⁠‌‌

The‍‌ two realized they were underground during⁠‌‍ the rescue and⁠ quickly began to⁠‍‌ run down the⁠ hallway.

“I’ll‌⁠ take the lead!”‍

[Okay.]‌‌

The‌ church in Varna‍‍ was also a significant place for⁠ Vlad.

It‍⁠ was also where‌‌ Vlad received the⁠‍ name Vlad of‍‌ Soara from Andreas.⁠‍

Vlad‍‌ recalled the memory‌ of carrying the‌ cursed woman’s coffin‍⁠ and quickly located‍‍ the stairs.

“Here!”⁠‍

[Good.]⁠

Vlad‌ reached the end⁠⁠‌ of the hallway,⁠ which was much‍⁠ longer than he⁠‍ remembered, and kicked open the familiar⁠⁠ door.

Boom!‍‌‍

There⁠‌ was no point⁠ in being cautious‍‍ as they would⁠ have discovered it‌‍ already.

All that matters is‍ swift action.

A stone spiral staircase‌ with a swinging‍ door appeared.

However,⁠ the appearance was⁠ completely different from‍‍⁠ Vlad’s memories.

“Why‌‌ is this so⁠ high?”

[It‌ seems the boy‍ named Jean was‍‌ afraid of the⁠⁠ basement.]

The⁠‍ stone staircase rising‌‌‌ endlessly upwards was‌⁠ much higher than‌ when Vlad had‍ descended with the coffin.

It‍ was as if‍ the staircase completely divided the ground floor from the⁠‍‌ basement, leaving Vlad⁠⁠ puzzled.

[Let’s go up first.]‍⁠

The‍ two knights began⁠ to ascend the stone steps that‌ were as long‍‍ as the fear‌ harbored by the‌‍ young deacon.

At‌‍ the end of⁠ the seemingly endless‌⁠‌ stairs, they began‌⁠⁠ to hear someone‌ singing.

– Spin, spin around.⁠

– Until all the‌ matches are out.‌‌

[Doesn’t‍ sound like a hymn, does it?]‌

“It‌‌ sounds like a song I’ve heard in a dream.”‌⁠

Despite‍‌ the long staircase,‌ they finally reached‌⁠‍ the end and⁠ cautiously held their‍‍ swords as they⁠‌ heard a song⁠‌‌ coming from the‍ other side of‍ the door.

[Will‍⁠ you do it, or should I?]⁠

“I’ve‍⁠⁠ been doing it⁠‍ until now.”

[The young man has‍ no guts.]

The⁠‌ door didn’t budge‌ an inch when‍ they tried to‌ push it open.⁠

A door that doesn’t⁠ open is like a prison, so‍‍ Kihano quickly closed‍‍‍ his left eye.

“Hey, Kihano.”

[What?]‍‌

“Not‍ to rush you,‌ but I’d appreciate‍ it if you‌‍ did it quickly.”⁠

[Why?]⁠‌‌

“Because⁠ something’s not right⁠⁠ downstairs right now.”‌‍‍

As‌‍ Kihano prepared himself,‌‌ Vlad looked towards the stairs and‌‍ clicked his tongue.⁠⁠‍

A dark mist slowly‌ began to rise⁠ along the spiral⁠‍ staircase, like rising⁠‌ water.

Following‌ the mist, the‌ familiar figure of‌‌ a woman, whom‌‌ both Vlad and⁠ Kihano knew, became⁠ visible.

“I⁠‌‌ definitely nailed the‌‍‌ coffin shut.”

[The‌‌‌ deacon must have‍‍ had a strong⁠‌ memory of that⁠‍ time!]

There⁠‍⁠ was a woman‌ approaching from below,‌‍ shedding black tears.‌‍⁠

A woman who clung‍ to Joseph as she searched for‍ her son.

It‌ seems that for‍⁠ young Jean, the‍ memories of that⁠ day were a fear difficult to⁠‌⁠ bear.

“Hurry‍‌ up!”

[Wait‌‌‍ a moment, it’s‍‌‍ been a long‌ time since I’ve⁠‌ done this, and⁠ it’s a bit‍ tricky.]

Kihano tilted his head‍ once and then smiled as if⁠⁠⁠ he had finally‍ figured it out.‍

Crack!‌‌ Crackle!

Lightning‌ began to emanate‌‌ from his closed⁠ left eye.

Residual‍⁠ images of lightning‌‍ began to flow⁠ from his closed‌‍⁠ left eye.

A matching color began⁠ to flow from‍ the silver sword‌‌ that was drawn.⁠‍

A radiant white world.‌⁠

It⁠‌⁠ was such a bright light that‌ even the woman‌ who now crawled‍ with tears in‌ her eyes had no choice but‍ to turn her‍ head.

[Hmmph!]‍‍⁠

The‍⁠‌ large door was⁠‌ cut through, and⁠⁠ Quijano took a deep breath.

Vlad’s⁠⁠ eyes widened as‌ he looked at‍ the cleanly cut‍‍ cross-section without a speck of dust‌‌ rising.

“Are‍ you going to⁠ teach me this‍ technique?”

[This‌ is not a technique, it’s just⁠ a skill.]

Vlad,‌ who was surprised‌‌⁠ to see Quihano’s⁠ sword for the‌⁠‍ first time, looked‌‍⁠ back to see⁠‌ if the woman⁠ with black tears‍ was following them.‍

“…!!”‌‍

However,‍ there was only‍ a new door⁠⁠‌ there, blocking the basement.

Only then did Vlad‌‌ realize he was⁠‌ in a dream‌⁠ world, while standing⁠⁠⁠ there as if‍‌ the previous blow‌‌ had never occurred.⁠‍

[Chapel‍ room, prayer room.⁠⁠ Where is the‍⁠ chapel?]

“Follow‍ me!”

Although he had only⁠⁠⁠ entered the building‍‌ once, Vlad had‍‍⁠ found the route⁠‌ as he was⁠ accustomed to in the back alleys,⁠ and the hallway⁠‌ leading to the‍ chapel was still clearly in his‍ mind.

“Here it is!”

[Good.⁠ If the deacon is here, it‍⁠ would be perfect.]‍

Inside‌‌ the chapel, they⁠ could hear the‍ strange voice they‍‌ heard before, but‍‌ the two had⁠‍‌ no other choice.

They⁠⁠⁠ could only hope‍‌ to find Jean⁠‌‌ here.

“Ugh…”‍⁠

However,‍‍ beyond the door‍⁠ they opened, there‌ was no sign‌ of Jean, whom‍‍ they were expecting.⁠⁠‍

There⁠ were only countless gazes tainted in⁠ black.

“Why are they all‍‍ here?”

[It⁠ seems the curse‍ has already infiltrated.⁠⁠ These are not⁠‍ children who belong⁠ to the deacon’s‍‍ world.]

There‍‍ were many children⁠⁠ in the chapel.‌‍⁠

Their‍⁠‍ clean clothes and‍⁠‌ carefully groomed hair‌ were impressive, but⁠‍ the eyes of‌ the children staring‍ at Vlad and‍ Quihano were vacant.⁠‌

[…Why⁠‌ are they so‌‌ fixated on the‍ children?]

Kihano,‌‌ facing the black-eyed‍⁠ children, looked towards‍‍⁠ the highest point‌‌ of the chapel.

The⁠⁠ highest seat in⁠‍ the chapel, richly‌ decorated with colored‌ crystals.

There,‍ where the children had been looking,‌⁠ there was a sinister emblem of‍ the church overturned.⁠

The⁠⁠ appearance reminded me‍ of a pattern‍⁠ I had seen⁠ in the mist-filled⁠‌ village.

***‍

In⁠‌ front of the‍⁠ mist-filled gate of‌ Moshiam.

A procession was approaching.‌‌

A carriage escorted by‌‌‍ dozens of people.⁠‍

It‌‍ was a procession⁠ that seemed to⁠‍‍ be attended by⁠‍⁠ nobles, but the‌‌‌ strange thing was that none of‌ the guards had‍ heard them coming.⁠‍‍

“Stop!‍ The procession ahead‍‌ must stop!”

The‌ fog thickened.

It⁠ was as if‍‌‍ the procession in‍ front of me‌‌ was emitting fog.⁠‌‌

Now,‍‌‍ in fog so⁠ thick that it⁠ was difficult to even recognize the‍‌ soldiers standing beside‍⁠‌ it, the commander‍‍ of the guard‍ decided to step‌ forward and stop the unidentified procession.⁠‍‌

“Where‍ are you from?”‍

“…”

As‌ we approached, the‌ carriage we saw was completely painted‍ black, almost like a coffin.

However,‍‍‌ unlike the sinister‌ color, every single detail made seemed‍‌ unusual.

“If‌‌‌ you don’t reveal⁠‍ your affiliation, we‌⁠⁠ won’t be able to let you‌ in.”

The‍ appearance of an‌ eerily silent procession,‍‌‌ though it seemed‌‌ like anyone would‍ step forward and⁠‌ respond.

Sensing⁠⁠‍ a suspicious atmosphere,⁠ several guards slowly⁠‍ began to apply‍ force to the‍‍‌ spears they held.‌

“…Everyone‍‍‌ is happy to‌‍ have returned to⁠‌ their hometown.”

The‍⁠⁠ captain of the guard listened carefully⁠ to the faint‌ sound coming from‍ inside the carriage.⁠‌

Though⁠ it wasn’t the‍ response he expected,‌⁠ the woman’s voice‍⁠‍ following the mist’s‌⁠ sound was clear‍⁠ and beautiful, something‌ anyone would listen‍‍ to attentively.

“Yes.⁠⁠ Shall we get⁠ off now? This‌‌ is Moshiam.”

“Wait‍‌‍ a moment…”

The captain of the‌ guard tried to‍‍ prevent them from‌⁠⁠ getting off the⁠⁠ carriage, but at‌⁠ that moment, he⁠‌ felt a strange⁠ sensation and held‌ his breath.

Creeeek!⁠

The⁠ sound of hinges‌ echoed from the‌ fog.

However,‍ the captain of‍ the guard was⁠ looking under the‍ slowly opening carriage‌‌ door.

“This‍⁠‍ is…”

Looking down at the ground, the captain⁠‌ of the guard⁠⁠ finally understood how⁠⁠ they had reached‌ the castle gate⁠‌ without making any‌ noise.

The⁠⁠ carriage wheels that‌ should be in⁠‍⁠ contact with the‌‍‌ ground.

However,⁠⁠ the carriage wheels‍ visible through the dense fog simply‌⁠ floated in the‌‌ air.

Finally,‍ even the tips‌⁠ of the woman’s‍ toes.