Chapter 182: Golden knight (2)
7M112Aureo.B8GCico
Vc6cIt is said that the surname, which perfectly matches the color of Vlad’s hair, was conceived by the Pope himself while contemplating the golden tree perched atop the ruins.MQUj
h9H“It will be a very precious castle, one that I hope will remain in the North for a long time. Even if you look at the empire’s history, there are only a few castles directly bestowed by the Pope.”KqoaPA
rKKEQ0k“I am honored as well.”SRa0
XAdVlad quietly observed Timur, who was pouring alcohol into his teacup.JC40m
RhyThough his hair had turned white with age, the muscles around his neck still bulged. His stature, about a head taller than Vlad, intimidated those who saw him.UPeB
Aw5Q3If Peter Bayezid had the aura of a precisely forged sword, Timur the Iron Lord had the aura of a solid axe capable of breaking anything.3jv3wp1
wVCA3Ml“Well, even if that’s the case, the imperial family won’t recognize it.”nt6
Op2Timur, who had put down his cup of alcohol, made eye contact with Vlad and began to smile.fSW
eej“It may be a precious honor for you, but in the end, it’s only peripheral.”RFZoi
Vhumvap“…Is that so.”g99Yum
eke0vVlad understood some of what Timur was trying to say.sGuveQR
F4mMSince it wasn’t granted directly by the emperor, it wouldn’t be included in the imperial record, and since it was granted by the Antipope, it wouldn’t be recognized by the Vatican.Ki3MY
R5U“But at least here in the North, it will be a noble name.”MYHkW0
HVVWJEven so, the value of the name Aureo would not diminish here in the North.5KcpV2
My6l“Drink.”5jgu
xAOP1R9Timur pushed the alcohol-filled teacup with his fingertip towards Vlad, who was still lost in thought.9ru
lMWWWA cup personally served by the noble duke, one of only four in the empire.ZpgtS
cyvSThe young noble sitting at the end of his cup still didn’t know what this action signified.dDKH
eSuVqA6“Come to the Northern meeting that will be held this time. Although it won’t be a place on the same level as the lords, at least a seat will be prepared for you.”7p4D
ZtLq“…Thank you for the consideration.”aAg
QtPXA man born in the North, raised by Bayezid, and recognized as valuable by the Orthodox Church. Vlad.qqv
IeCVqkTimur, who said he would support him through the cup he handed over, was looking at the small flag of Vlad hanging behind the black horse.itUvz
niH8‘You have gathered well.’gNEeR5
tRRld2iA small flag fluttering in the wind.AfxC
qijI09MThe flag, which bore the emblems of various families according to ancient traditions, still seemed to have room to engrave at least one more phrase.QTZ
kI4vin***z5lCg40
Snnp“Mmm.”5Mq
x7JSgLiVlad stepped out of Timur’s tent and noticed a man approaching him hesitantly.Yfv
n7FGdY“Maxim! Were you here?”7G1tdXG
O4OJr2q“Hehe, yes, by chance.”xwN
NvRQA man with a long scar on his shaved head.VBgNjyt
OU9The man, now laughing sheepishly, was Maxim, the knight who had protected the Rose’s Smile from the Vatican soldiers.Yz5F
qPZU6Y“By the way, I no longer dare to call you my apprentice. Should I call you Lord Vlad?”SjUrInI
bchKw“Just call me Vlad. I don’t have much to boast about.”iz0
VIyTNThough he was a noble given a castle, the current Vlad didn’t even have a mansion, let alone a fief.iT6uE7
280All the money he had saved was used to buy a ship for Harven, and the only place he invested in was the Rose’s Smile in Soara.3gxK9JF
32zjHowever, being qualified to hold something, even with empty hands, is probably the greatest honor and reward a knight can have.pgkaGw
0WBz“Still, you’re a noble by name, so can I call you by your name carelessly?”HIe3kdh
pRAu“Call me whatever you like, then.”aYaz
AqjVaYcAs Maxim, sensing the relaxed atmosphere, laughed heartily, the knights of Bayezid began to gather around him.vWH
jPN3“Ah, my noble lord. I knew you ran well since the time of the Death Worm.”ZCE
80P7k7s“Even if things go well for you in the future, you must remember me. I taught you the secret technique to defeat that damn Stephen, didn’t I?”tSD
WiiaAn“Wouldn’t it be fairer to also remember the times I was beaten while you taught me that?”8ZcpCGi
edt7TNVlad laughed as he saw the veteran knights rubbing their hands exaggeratedly.BIKBb5
uto9It was one of the few smiles Vlad showed since Justia’s death had plunged him into sadness.nlya3
Hue“I was born in Soara from the beginning! I am of pure Bayezid blood!”1cmUy7
lrk83b7“Unlike other families that recruit promising youngsters from outside, we raise them from within.”zZLcFpd
NDOl4kHowever, contrary to Vlad’s intentions, the voices grew louder.L7oNv
C52JHAlthough the actions of the shouting knights were fierce, they were not thoughtless.RCB2mT
gvFeGTThe Bayezid family had been criticized for not changing generations, so there would be few opportunities to showcase Bayezid’s vitality as now, with so many knights from the seven families gathered.iKI
WXeri[Don’t waste time here, go quickly and catch that guy first. There’s an old saying that a useful cat is very valuable.]W8xR3Y
cNo‘I understand.’Zn35hyP
8NfRQVlad, who had tried to ignore his elders, began to be busier.uFDHsFe
Eu7RAs the knights still spoke, Vlad, who had become the pride of Bayezid, had many things to prepare for.fZUQC
n4V7***c6fEe33
OUiyyMIt was difficult to find something worthy of entertainment in the ruined city.2bbaon
KWYSo now, all that was in front of Vlad and Nibelun was a glass of water in a slightly cracked wooden cup.IF4AG
w7MBut that alone was enough to start a conversation between the two.l7G9WIV
eNeW“Are you already leaving?”ltMxRO
3TD“Yes, because I’ve finished my work.”k6yNp
N4B377Vlad looked at Nibelun’s backpack placed in a corner of the room and clicked his tongue in disappointment.Sjbrm
4QxHe really wanted to keep him, but as a wanderer, Nibelun’s actions seemed unrestrained.32E8
7NDJxwY“Where are you going?”XdN6EC
WR3HgnU“I don’t have any specific place to go, but aren’t there many places one can reach?”3Jh
tbbpKhWhen Nibelun said there was no other place to go, Vlad nodded silently.IEB
3nSBeastmen mages who wander their entire lives chasing mysteries.ZC4
esf042Vlad, who had already heard about their harsh life through Kihano, set down the glass of water he was holding and said:gRWdW
b0gYZ“Are you searching for a mystery? Something strange and incomprehensible.”v8alp
VPMa“That’s right. The interpretation of mysteries is not only for my personal improvement but also for the aspiration of my entire race.”xz388K
4XH“…Is that so?”Khp
vARlMhVlad’s eyes lit up after hearing Nibelun’s response.Aqd5
bEy5Va2Joseph said:Nf6sdD
uarcThe most important thing in a negotiation is to know what the other party wants.sb8qx
KTY5ah0“Then how about something like this? A ship without sails or something like that.”ywTFaR
xlw6kZ“Yes?”IiqA
wzNWa6And now Vlad knew very well what Nibelun wanted.sfZI
ad5“No sails, but it moves. They say if you boil the water, it moves on its own.”nJ1iJQl
S8BBCats are naturally curious animals.wpW
kDwdIf you add the word mage, there’s no need to explain further.ShQf
Rw4MZTNibelun began to prick up his ears as if he was interested in Vlad’s hand gestures describing the ship’s wheels.QJq
MVlg2z“I think I’ll be invited to the island of the dwarves soon. Did you know that the place where the dwarves gather is still unknown? It’s the island that Gaidar couldn’t find despite his desperate search.”AxTzah
Q5th“Oh oh.”uN3
rj6goVlad, who was about to propose a contract to Nibelun, tried to recall the memories of that time as much as possible.Y6FmmLy
mMhjR4Joseph, who knew what he wanted and shook me while keeping the secret I was trying to hide.UtLtU4
ufmQAlthough he couldn’t grasp the weight Joseph had, the streetwise ways in which he was born and raised began to spill from Vlad’s mouth.41F
LHDpH“I wasn’t going to say this, but I actually know some elves. I even exchange letters with the elders there.”nnv
vFlR0r“Oooh.”C1UiKT
g2Tsf8An island of dwarves whose location is still unknown and the existence of a ship he had never heard of before.E0i0
cygH9DyAnd even the mysterious elf forest that rejects all visitors.aAODNl
JKjFor Nibelun, who found it difficult to even enter human cities, it was like a place that could only be seen in dreams.vW0
8XzbKq“If I introduce you, we can enter together. Are you looking for a mystery? Isn’t that place full of mystery?”GHt
1yK“Yes. It is.”1Wo3UM
wWZbVJNibelun’s eyes shone as he watched Vlad talk about uncharted lands.sq1o
gXc5For a mage who sought mysteries, they were an irresistible lure.mMr
pqeDQrk“Well, mages are valuable, but if you’re good enough, there’s no reason they can’t be introduced. Still, I thought it would be easier to do it with someone who has worked together before.”MGeN
jHmlZrVlad, leaning back deeply as if he had said all he wanted to say, seemed relaxed despite his internal feelings.5Mmv1
Jv9The tricks and false composure of back-alley thugs made even Kihano bite his tongue.GhS
wV2“I think we can give each other what we want. What do you think about that?”XGvpvO
71MvjNext to Peter is the advisor Ragmus.UpjT
oxfNext to Rutiger is the mage Dorothea.SQZ4dGb
Ve1IhEven Joseph, who didn’t have enough power, somehow managed to find a mage and keep them by his side.6sdYxl
6VXWctAnd now it was time for Vlad to have at least one mage with him.cCFVf
pP3“…Will you really let me in?”ykMU
ugHAr83“Of course.”g6h
YIrIEc“Elves and dwarves…”dUECwhw
Zcl“Is that all? Barbarian lands, Orthodox lands, and Northern nobles.”5jcuL
ryJ2Seeing Nibelun leaning heavily, Vlad gave a firm nudge.15MmwX1
jih9b2I“Everything is set. If you’ll just be my mage for a while.”pjUI
dQ1X1“I will. Please, let me.”INFDLb
NGrbaLooking at Vlad who was smiling brightly, Nibelun nodded unconsciously.1XVbDxa
IQuYQhIA noble and knight who can wander from place to place because he doesn’t have lands yet.KUborZQ
kfQ5XiHowever, Vlad, who had a clear reputation, was definitely someone Nibelun found difficult to refuse.IRH
pvtyW1OKonock konock.Kdm8y
R8f5“Come in!”l8NtBZ
lBh“This is not your room.”yOZRFlq
tfqhco4“I said it for you. I’ll take care of this kind of work from now on.”1b12JL
TkxNibelun called the owner back in, but Vlad didn’t particularly reprimand him.xJIo
yzsBecause he realized from his earlier attitude that their contract had been signed.gc61uB
yQiZp2“Long time no see, Sir Vlad Aureo.”w509m
1MTsu7“Ah, back then we…”eUHZ1E
UxZvBga“Do you remember me? I am Vastro, knight of House Hainal. Sir Vlad and I fought together in the battle against Gaidar.”q3mkMlO
ctxb4Standing at the door in a respectful posture, he was one of the few knights belonging to House Hainal.aJVzJxR
FmR9r5“I see Hainal is here too.”MkxkDR
YPKGp6“We are now a Northern house. We have a duty to respond to the call.”3Zw2
bpHWCliThe knight who introduced himself as Vastro couldn’t hide his excitement at seeing Vlad, now a noble.Hbep
FZ6o“Congratulations on receiving your title from the Pope. Lady Alicia will be very pleased to hear it.”KIG
JoRwwwe“I have many debts to her. I must visit her soon.”NWNBqCL
5mVSeeing Vlad say that his relationship with Hainal remained strong despite his changed position, Vastro smiled cautiously and opened his mouth.V38
jyCf“In that regard, if possible… would you be willing to escort our Baron during the upcoming Northern Conference?”sRa7i
WQ7rs“Hmm?”6bat
vjQJVlad was surprised to see Vastro suddenly bow his head.BRh9x
RknI5N“Why should I treat Lady Alicia, a proud noble…?”jG2
6xTd6K“The world of the North is a world of rough knights. But as you know, Vlad…”FTzJ
Krd32Vastro laughs awkwardly.WeWC
xqm55JQThe knight, who spoke of the house to which he belonged and his own shortcomings, laughed as if embarrassed and cleared his throat loudly.AjsL
KLCj“We need Lady Alicia’s knight more than ever. Sir Vlad.”PZzg
vGrYD“…”3a69
qhMAmong the seven families that will enter the Northern Council, Hainal will inevitably have the least weight.e0LzBF
SSQjVAlthough we had just started interacting with the elves, Hainal was a place without noteworthy businesses or items.XE6TGtT
d3EG3A‘Alicia probably has already arrived in Soara.’dKd
NyZf[The baron Alicia is in Soara… This somehow unsettles me.]bPcX4eO
SXnC5As Kihano said, Vlad, feeling somewhat anxious, began rummaging in his arms without even realizing it.7v5
7Sl8LsNTwo handkerchiefs deeply tucked into my arms.1g8ae2
Iool8Vlad, feeling the texture of the still-attached handkerchiefs, began to think deeply.fIVFHwe
wg7***kxLh
xLmoi“It looks like it’s here.”hjEOvR9
acHrTXIt was not yet night, but there was a woman standing in the dark alley of Soara.6r6KEJs
kYpF1An elegant appearance that did not match the dirty alley.8nfqIR
GiCfThe woman, guarded by the old knight, looked at the building directly in front of her, eyes wide open in amazement.vGph1uH
iNpugS1“Even though it’s in such a remote place, they’ve built up to four floors.”soupN
NMHl“Soara is a city that’s practically the logistics center of the North. Everything here will be big.”75svW5
ALwGdCUnlike the calm Deirmar, Alicia’s expression began to turn subtle as she looked at the bustling Soara.MZk
270mThe pride she had as the owner of a territory was slowly starting to irritate her.EC3Y
GqY“Would you like to go back now? This is not a place fit for a noble lady.”LzU
Vi32WH“Is that so?”hw1ACO
c7YRLvThe old knight Duncan looked at Alicia with somewhat tense eyes.0kgd
J0Eyp44There was a look in his eyes that made Alicia want to leave immediately, if possible.Cgls
v2QfHowever, contrary to what Duncan said, the building in front of Alicia was older and more magnificent than any other place around.kUoUN9
CNArz“Still, I’d like to see it. They say it’s like Lord Vlad’s home.”pQl1
6hbl“…Really?”9G0uI
4vM6Eo1If you passed through Soara anyway, there was a place you definitely wanted to see.fiJM7s
fZ1It is said that the Smile of the Rose is the place that Knight Vlad cherishes the most.AmPOx
tR3h9Alicia’s eyes began to shine as she tried to recall old memories of Vlad.C0lSzer
tuV12u6Creeeeek-qVTx
BuJIHowever, the owner of this place was not Vlad, but another lady.8HbXQSR
ZzMTo welcome the noble visitor, the Smile of the Rose began to open slowly.X3HTLZJ
1Fx8j“Welcome to our inn, Baroness Alicia.”xnkVCSu
wOvU5nA woman was slowly descending the stairs towards Alicia, who was standing at the entrance.RCs
LFvkFThe innkeeper had hair as red as fire, in contrast to Alicia.rg7nlvc
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