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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 179: The Biggest Path (2)

Chapter 179: The Biggest Path (2)

There‍ are three men​‌ dividing a city‍​ shrouded in mist.​‌‍

The​‍‌ sword is at‍​​ the forefront, followed‍ by divinity and‍​‍ mystery.

They⁠ were three men​‌‌ of different ages,‌⁠‍ races, and origins,‌‍‍ but their destiny‌​ was the same.​‍

It⁠ led them to⁠ the tree floating​⁠‌ upside down in‌ the middle of​⁠⁠ the city.

“We’ll​ be there soon!”⁠⁠

The⁠‍ staff Pedro was⁠ holding trembled as​ they approached the‍‍⁠ plaza.

The‌‍⁠ staff of the​⁠⁠ Heretic Interlocutor, which‍ repels evil beings,​ had already sensed⁠ the beings in‌⁠ the plaza and​‍ was expressing a wild rage.

“Then,⁠ let’s start with​​ the tree… Ugh!”‍

However,‌⁠ as the group‌‍ approached the plaza,‍‌⁠ the sound of‍⁠‍ singing resonating through⁠​‌ the mist became‌​‍ clearer.

“Aaaah…”​⁠‌

The⁠‌‌ first to collapse‌ was Nibelun.

And​​ next to fall⁠‌‍ to his knees‍‍ was Vlad, who‌ had sensitive hearing.​

A sinister voice that​⁠ could not be‍ described in words‌⁠ rang in the‌‌‌ ears of the⁠ two trembling men.‍⁠‌

‘What​‌⁠ a damned song!’​⁠

A sound that shakes​ the soul.

The⁠‌ voice I heard⁠ was clear and⁠‌ caught my attention,⁠​‌ but the sorrow⁠‌​ and anger contained‌‌ in the song‍⁠‌ brought to the⁠‌ surface the debris⁠‍ that had sunk‍⁠‍ deep within my‌‌ heart.

“…This⁠‍ won’t work!”

Priests‌​‌ follow the same‌​ will of God,‌ but walk different‌ paths.

Pedro,​‌​ the Inquisitor and⁠‌​ exorcist, realized he⁠‌​ had no way​‌‌ to fight against‍⁠‍ the song and⁠‌ quickly began to⁠⁠‍ point his staff​⁠ at the heads​​ of Vlad and‍ Nibelun.

“One‌​ strike will suffice.”​‍

However,‌​ just as he‌‍ was about to‌ extend the staff,​ a faint singing‍‌‌ came from behind⁠‌ Vlad.

-It’s⁠ truly beautiful. The‌​ rising sun of⁠‍ the morning.

“Hmm?”‍⁠⁠

The⁠ young deacon finally​‍‍ regained his senses⁠​‍ and began to​ sing with all‍⁠ his might.

It​​ was impossible to⁠ completely fend off‍​ the song, but‌​ Jean’s singing, which‍‌‍ he did his​‌ best at, was​ at least enough‌​ to protect the⁠‍⁠ group.

-Blue⁠ peaks visible in‌ the distance. The‌ craftsmanship my father‌‍ created is profound.⁠

A woman’s song that⁠‌ was strange but‍ clearly based on​​ a hymn.

Jean⁠ interspersed his voice⁠‍ with the rhyme⁠⁠⁠ and saved the⁠‌ group from the​ curse.

“…I‌‍‍ should have brought‍⁠ a deacon too.”‍

As⁠⁠ Jean’s song began,‍ the hands of⁠ Vlad and Nibelun,​‍‍ which had been‍‌⁠ covering their ears,⁠‍ started to fall.​‍‌

A mind that begins​⁠​ to clear as​ the emotional residue​ slowly diminishes.

The​‌ one at the‍‌‍ forefront was Vlad’s⁠⁠ sword, but this⁠​ time the divinity⁠​ of the young‌​ deacon was protecting‍​ them.

***‌‍‌

“Keuuuuuuu!”‍​‌

Even​ now, false hymns⁠⁠ continued to be‍​ heard in the‌⁠​ ears of the‍‌⁠ Paladins.

Some​ Paladins even had‍ their eardrums burst,⁠‌‌ but the voice‌⁠​ actually reached them​ through the soul,‌ not the ears.‍​

A woman who could​ not touch the⁠​​ ground smiled as​‌⁠ she watched the‍ suffering Paladins.

‘I’m​‌ completely trapped!’

Hot​ blood flowed between​‌⁠ Gunther’s tightly closed⁠⁠ lips.

A desperate situation where‍​ neither advancing nor​⁠ retreating was possible.​​

They‍⁠ had always shown​‍ great power when‌​‍ dealing with evil​​ beings, but this‍‍ time they were​⁠​ completely blocked due⁠‍ to incompatibility.

“…Everyone,‍‍⁠ listen carefully.”

Paladins‌​ hid in a thick formation, using‍‍ themselves as walls.​⁠‌

However,​‍ I know that​​‌ if I continue​ like this, only​‍ certain death awaits.‌

Gunther⁠ decided to fight‌⁠​ as best he‌ could before the‌ moment came when​​ he had no​ other choice.

“I‌ will gather it⁠​​ all and strike‌‍​ it down at‌‍‍ once. Gather the‌⁠ threads of divinity​⁠ and connect them​⁠ to me.”

“But,‌‍​ Captain!”

“If​‌‍ someone has to‍ do it now,‌⁠⁠ it’s me.”

The​⁠‌ knights surrounding him⁠‍ realized what Gunther‌​⁠ was trying to​​⁠ do, but his‌⁠ resolve was already​‌‍ firmly established.

If⁠‍ destruction cannot be⁠‍ avoided, the attitude​‍⁠ of a commander‌‍‍ would be to⁠⁠ choose the lesser‌⁠⁠ evil.

“Please,​​ let at least​ one person survive​ and tell of‍‍ this.”

If⁠⁠ I can’t avoid‍ the sacrifice of⁠​‍ another, I will​​​ do it.

Gunther​⁠ slowly raised his‌‍‍ sword and brought‍ it to his​‍⁠ forehead with the⁠ stigmas.

The​ Paladins lowered their‍​‍ heads as they‍​‌ saw him trying​‌⁠ to become a symbol by turning⁠⁠⁠ himself into the⁠​ symbol of the‍​‌ church.

“Yes…​‍ it seems there’s‌​‌ no other choice.”⁠​

And‌⁠‌ there, looking into⁠‌‌ the distance at‍‍ the knight, was​​‍ a woman.

Observing⁠​ the knight’s stance,⁠⁠ she began to⁠ gather the headless‍‌ soldiers, as if‍⁠ anticipating something, to​⁠‌ form a formation.‌

“But​⁠⁠ no matter how​‍⁠ much I approached‍ him, he did​ not respond to​‍ me.”

She‍ knew very well⁠​ that humans, with‍‌ all paths blocked,​​ ultimately have no‍​⁠ choice but to‍⁠‍ pray for God’s⁠‍ grace.

But‌ I know because​‌ I’ve walked it.​

The⁠‍​ fact that God’s⁠⁠⁠ will is too⁠‌ far to approach​​ and does not⁠⁠ respond as easily‌ as desired.

She‍‍ was someone who​⁠ knew that fact‍‍⁠ better than anyone‌⁠⁠ in the world.⁠‍‍

-San‌‌‍ Rogino, commander of⁠‍‍ the celestial army.‌

According‍​ to Gunther’s prayer,⁠‍ the Paladins’ swords​​ pointed at each⁠‍⁠ other.

-I‌ trust that you‍ will guide the​ way to His​‍⁠ glory.

And‍‍ the divinity of⁠⁠ each person was‌ transmitted through the‌‌ sword.

Their‍‍ divinity, which contained‌ the world of⁠ God and not‍‌‌ their own, flowed​​‌ through the sword‍​​ without difficulty and‍‌ began to form‍​‍ a bright light⁠​‍ at the tip‍ of Gunther’s sword.‌‍

-I⁠​⁠ dedicate it. Through⁠‍​ me. Infinite glory.‍‌‌

The​⁠ first step towards‍ God through sacrifice.‍‍ Ain soph.

The‌‌‍ divinity created by‍ the Paladins became‌ a shining ladder‍‌ and sent Gunther⁠​​ along with the⁠‍​ commander of the‍‍ celestial army.

-Now…!​⁠

Gunther‌ tried to escape​​ the bonds of⁠​‍ his body and‍ ascend to a higher world.

He‌ was planning to​ burn the evil​​‍ beings with the‍⁠⁠ light that would⁠⁠‌ remain on the⁠ ground for a very short time.‍‌

-Huh?⁠

For‍ a moment, a twinkling star appeared​​‍ in his eyes.‌

Although‌ it trembled precariously‍ in the dark‍ night sky, it‌ was clearly a star that shone⁠​‌ intensely.

“I​⁠ can’t hold on‍‍⁠ any longer! Three‌​‍ are too heavy!”‌⁠

“But‌​‌ what should I do if I go?”

There‍‌ were three men​‌‌ swaying on the‌​ carpet.

Pedro,‍‍ who was completely‌ white, and Nibelun,​ who struggled to​‌ move while clinging‌‌ to the edge⁠​⁠ of the carpet.‌​‌

Unlike⁠‍⁠ the carpet used​‍ in the prison,​⁠‍ this one was⁠ much larger and‌‌⁠ more colorful and​ gradually approached the​ tree floating in‌​​ the air.

Flying​‍ directly into the⁠ sky.

“…If⁠ it’s here, even​⁠‌ if I fall,⁠‌ I can still⁠ reach it.”

Seeing⁠ the tree twisting⁠⁠⁠ beneath his feet,​ Vlad silently began‌​ to breathe deeply‌‍ as if he‌‌ had made a decision.

A golden light began​ to flow from⁠⁠​ Vlad’s left eye​‌‍ as he looked⁠ at the tree‌‍​ in the sky.​​

“Let’s​​ go!”

“Damn​ it!”

A small prayer began‌‍‌ to flow from​‍ Pedro, who tightly⁠​‌ closed his eyes‍ to avoid looking‍‌‌ down.

From‌ Pedro to Nibelun‌⁠‍ and back to‌⁠‍ Vlad.

The⁠‌ three worlds, which⁠‍ seemed never to‍ overlap, slowly began‍‍⁠ to support each⁠​ other once again.⁠‌

[What‍ is the trick​ for a single‍⁠ strike?]

“From‍ the unexpected.”

[What‌ about suppressing the​⁠ baseline?]

Vlad‌ responded in a low voice to‌‌ the question of​⁠‌ the voice.

The‌ more he remembered‌​‍ his teachings, the​ deeper the golden⁠‌‍ light in Vlad’s‍‍ eye became.

“Magnificently.”⁠

[Good.]‍‍‍

Vlad,⁠​‌ who had assumed⁠⁠ the light of‍​‍ divinity and mystery,‍ stepped off the​⁠​ carpet.

A starlight that has‌ nowhere to go‍‍ and begins to‍‌ fall.

It‌‌‌ didn’t start from‌ a high place,‍​ but it was‌⁠ clearly a beam⁠⁠‍ of light piercing‌⁠ the dark night‌‍ sky.

“No!”‌‌

A precious golden color‌​ that would catch​‌ anyone’s eye.

The⁠ woman watching from‌ below shouted in⁠ confusion, but Nibelun’s‌‍ mystery had already‍​‌ deceived her eyes​‌ and sent a single starlight underground.​‍‌

“Hmm!”‍

I fell because I had no wings,‍⁠‌ but I was‌​⁠ the only one⁠ who picked up‌‌ the tip of‌‍ my falling sword.​

It‍ started as a small flash, but‍​ when it met,​ it became a large cluster of‍ lights.

The⁠‌​ meeting of worlds‌ was sometimes the​ beginning of a great struggle.

“Why!‍ Kids! Why!”

The‍​ triangular pyramid of‌⁠ Vlad, sharpened by‍ anger, fell toward​‌ the tree waving‌⁠ its tentacles.

A triangular pyramid on​ which the world‍​‌ of divinity, mystery,‌​⁠ and swords rested.‌‌

And​‌​ at the bottom‍‍ of the horn⁠‌ lay a white‍​⁠ world that was⁠‍‍ more legitimate than‍‍ any other world.⁠

“Did​⁠ you kill him?‌ You son of⁠ a bitch!”

Because⁠⁠⁠ it is sharp,⁠‌ it cannot be​ stopped and because​ it is just,‌ it cannot be‍⁠ rejected.

Ahhh!‌‌⁠

Claang!‍⁠​

From‌‍​ where the knight’s⁠​‌ sword fell, an⁠ enormous wave of⁠‌​ mist began to‌‍⁠ swirl.

The​ wave was so​‌ great that the‍​‍ bell of the⁠⁠​ adjoining bell tower​‌⁠ trembled as if‌‌ it were going‌​​ to break.

For‌⁠ those who have​​ will, there is‍‌ a way.

By‍⁠ finding a way​‌⁠ to do it‌​ instead of a reason why it‌‌ couldn’t be done,​​ the tip of‌‍ Vlad’s sword pierced‍⁠‌ through the woman’s‌​ mist and sank‌⁠‌ into the Qulipoth⁠‍‌ tree.

***‍

-Let’s‌⁠‌ spin, let’s spin.​‍‌

-Let’s‌​ go get the‍ matches.

-Huh?‌‌⁠ What’s that?

Vlad,⁠⁠​ who was slowly​ falling, saw dark​ children circling around⁠ a tree below.‍

The​‌​ children, who kept‌‌‍ circling the tree,‍ began to tilt⁠ their heads as‌ they watched Vlad‌ descend through the​‍​ dense darkness.

“Are‌‌⁠ you in a dream again?”

[No,⁠⁠ this is the⁠​‍ world of the‍​ tree.]

This​ time, it wasn’t​‌‍ in Jean’s dream‍⁠‍ but in the‍ world of the‍ trees.

Kihano⁠ was informing Vlad‍ that he had​​ fully arrived at‌ the source of​‍ the curse.

“What​​⁠ do we do​ now?”

[You‌‍‍ have to cut⁠‍ it. That thing.]‌​

There‌‍‌ were children going‌‌ around in circles‍‍‌ down there with‌ no way out.​‌

The‌⁠‌ children raised their‍‍ palms as if⁠⁠ they were dazzled​‌‍ upon seeing Vlad⁠‍​ fall.

However,⁠ their gaze was​‌​ directed solely at‍‌ the radiant Vlad.‍

“What‍⁠ happens if I cut the tree?‌⁠‌ What about the​ children?”

[…They​ will be cut‍‌ as well.]

There​‍⁠ was a reason‌⁠ why Vlad asked‍ Kihano about the‍​ children.

Tree​​ branches intertwined around⁠ the children’s ankles.​​‍

It⁠​‍ was unfortunate, but⁠⁠ the children’s souls⁠ were already tightly‌‍ entangled in the​⁠​ tree’s branches.

It‌⁠​ was such a strong curse that​ escape was impossible.⁠‌⁠

[If​‌​ you don’t cut⁠‌⁠ it here, the‌ curse will keep‍​ spreading. You wouldn’t​​ want the whole‍‍ North to end‌​ up like this,⁠‌ right?]

“…”⁠

The​‌ tip of Vlad’s​‍ sword trembled slightly⁠​⁠ when Kihano said​‍ that even the​ children would have‌ to be killed‌‍ together.

“Is‌⁠ there any other⁠ way?”

[…Hah.]​‍

Kihano’s‍‌‌ sigh was deep,​ but Vlad’s hesitation​‌‍ wasn’t due to​‍ a simple sense‌​​ of justice.

“I‍⁠ didn’t come this​​ far for this.”‌

[…Yes.‌‍ You’re right.]

Vlad⁠‍⁠ is someone invited​ to a dream⁠​‍ that only children‍‍ can dream.

Vlad,‍‍‍ who might still‌ be a child⁠‌‌ because he dreams‍‍ of becoming something,⁠‌⁠ wanted to depict⁠​ another possibility instead‌‍‌ of the harsh​ reality.

[Then‌​ this is the⁠ last lesson.]

If⁠ that’s the case,‍‍ you should be‍⁠ made aware.

He⁠​‍ said he would⁠ walk the difficult​‌ path without giving​‌ up.

[My‍​⁠ existence is a world. It is⁠​‍ a precious possibility‌​ that no one‌‌‍ can replace.]

The‌‍‍ world starts with‌ me.

Starting​ by knowing who⁠⁠ I am.

[The‌​‍ sword is a pen. The colorful‌‌‍ hues painted with​ a swing become‌‌‌ a tool to⁠‌ express who you‌​​ are.]

The​ starting line of‍ the world begins‍‌ with the sword.‍

The‌⁠‌ beginning of a knight is to​ inform the world‍⁠⁠ that I am‍​⁠ here through the​⁠ sword.

“Keuuuu!”​

After‌​​ dodging the twisting‌‌ tentacles, Vlad slowly‌‍ raised his sword⁠ and began to⁠ stab toward the‌⁠ tree in the‌‍ sky.

The‌‍‍ cry of the‌‍‍ severed tree began​​ to resound loudly⁠⁠ from the tip​​​ of the sword​​ that touched it.‍‌​

[And​ if you’ve been⁠ painting your colors‍ until now, now⁠‍ is the time‌‍‌ to complete it.]​

If‍‍‍ you’ve created a drawing paper with‍⁠ dots and lines,⁠ now is the​⁠‍ time to paint‌ it with your‍ own colors.

If‍‌ I could bring​ to light the⁠‌⁠ world I’ve drawn⁠‌⁠ this way, the‌⁠⁠ world that was​⁠ mine could become‍ a world that‌‌ everyone recognizes.

[A​​‌ person who can​ complete their own⁠ world at the⁠‍​ top of the​⁠ world. That person‌ is called a Master of the⁠⁠ Sword.]

“…!”​

The‌ words I heard​ were teachings, but‌ what I felt‌ was guidance.

Vlad​ followed Kihano’s words‌‌ and began to​ turn the hilt‌‌ of the sword‍ embedded in the‍​‌ tree with all⁠‌ his strength.

To⁠‌ straighten a world⁠⁠⁠ that has been⁠​ turned upside down.​​

“Kwaaah!”‌‌⁠

Geaaaa-!‌‌

I feel sorry for‌‌‍ the children who‌⁠ are burning in​‍ this very, very​‌⁠ dark world.

Even‌⁠​ if I can’t⁠‌ bring them back,‍​ sending these children‌⁠⁠ in the right​⁠ direction is the‌ world I envision.⁠⁠

Kwaang-!‌‍​

Depending⁠‌‌ on the direction‍ Vlad turned, deeply⁠​ embedded branches began‌ to rise.

The‌ roots that had⁠⁠ risen to the‌⁠ sky began to​ sink.

“Huaaaa!”⁠​​

There⁠​ was a gesture‍‌ from Vlad trying‍⁠⁠ to change the⁠ world through the‍⁠​ strike of his​⁠⁠ sword.

It‌ was the struggle‍ of a knight‌‌‌ to restore the‍⁠⁠ original color by‌ scraping off the‌ black world that‍​ the woman had‌‍​ painted.

***⁠‍

Collapsing!‍

Little​⁠ by little, the‍‍​ darkness began to⁠ clear over the‍‌ black sky of‌⁠​ Moshiam.

And​‌⁠ what arrived above⁠​‍ were the rain‍‍‍ clouds that were⁠ supposed to be​‌‍ there.

“What​⁠‌ the hell is​ this…”

Gunther⁠‍ was surrounded by​‍​ divine light, but​ he was not‍​ the one shining‌⁠ the brightest here.​‍⁠

“No!”​

The‌‍ fog was being⁠‍ swept away by⁠⁠ the heavy rain.‌

And‍‌ a tree slowly‌ moving under the​ falling rain.

“Give‌​ me back my‌⁠ children!”

“Now!‍​ Everyone charge!”

The​​ woman hurriedly pointed⁠‍‍ at the beast,‌ but now the⁠⁠​ Holy Knights, who‌‌‍ had finally seized​‍‍ the opportunity, were​⁠‌ stepping in.

Gunther’s​‌ entire body glowed‌⁠​ with divinity, as‍⁠‌ if he had​ never been closer⁠ to heaven than‌ today.

The‍‌‌ roots go to‌‌‍ the ground and​‍​ the branches to⁠ the sky.

To‌ where everyone belongs.​‍‍

The‌‍ sound of children’s‌‍ laughter began to‌ be heard, heading​​⁠ towards the sky‍‍​ along the tree‍‌ that was slowly‌ leaning.

“…Keep‍‍ going. Vlad.”

Vlad’s⁠ world was being‍ painted over the‍‍ black canvas drawn​⁠ by the woman.⁠‌‍

Realization‌ of status.

A tree that Vlad​​ had drawn began​​‌ to slowly fall​‍ to the ground⁠‍ in Moshiam.

Because‍​‌ it was of‍ a brighter golden‍​‌ color than anyone‍⁠‍ else’s, it was‍‍⁠ an image even‍​ a white-haired man‍ from afar could‌​ recognize.

[…Now‍‍ then.]

And​ the biggest imprint‌‌⁠ left on that‌‍ drawing.

[All‌⁠ the children are‍ asleep, so let’s‍⁠‍ talk like adults⁠​‌ from now on.]‌‍

The‍​ sword he held​‍ was the Sword​ of the World‍ Tree, but what‍ was unsheathed was‌​ a silver sword.‍

After⁠⁠‌ falling asleep from‍ exhaustion, someone rose⁠ in Vlad’s place‍‍ and smiled.

Before⁠‌ he realized it,⁠​​ a white lightning​ bolt fell on‌‍‌ the sky that‍⁠ had been drawn‍⁠​ in Vlad’s name.​‍

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