Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 183: Wars of the Roses (1)

Chapter 183: Wars of the Roses (1)

There‌ was always a place where visitors⁠‌‌ were greeted by‌ stacks of piled-up⁠⁠ documents.

It⁠‍‍ was an impressive‍ place with the⁠ spicy aroma of‌⁠‍ whiskey and the⁠⁠ gaze of a dark-eyed man.

“Mr.‍⁠ Vilmosi. Can I keep sending magical‌⁠ letters like this?”⁠

“…”

However,⁠‍ now that Joseph was gone, the‌‌ only thing that⁠ filled the mayor’s⁠ office was someone’s⁠‍ anxious gaze.

The‍‌ newly appointed mayor‍‌ by Peter was⁠‌‍ worried about the‌ gold coins that‍‌ would be burned while he kept⁠ watching the bright⁠ lights of the magical sphere.

“This⁠⁠‌ is the first⁠ time in my‍‌‌ life I’ve written so many letters…”⁠‍

“Don’t‍⁠ worry, I won’t‍‌ pass it on‍ to you.”

Even‍ if you are‌⁠ the mayor of‍ Soara, you can’t‍ help but feel‍‍⁠ anxious if you‍ burn hundreds of⁠ gold while having⁠‌ a cup of‌ tea.

However,⁠ the man in‍ front of him was still sending⁠‌ a letter to‍ someone without even⁠⁠⁠ blinking.

“The⁠ current letter is something the head of the family‍ would fully agree‌ with, so you‌ don’t have to‌ worry too much.”‌

“I⁠ see. If that’s‌⁠ the case, I’m‌ really fortunate.”

The‌‌ mayor of Soara‌ touched his heart‍‍ with his hand⁠ after hearing that‌ he didn’t have to bear the‌‌⁠ cost.

The‍ scarred man looking‌ at him snorted‌‌ and set down‍ the tea cup‍ he was holding.⁠

“He’s‍⁠ a man it’s⁠‍ embarrassing to even compare to the‍⁠ former mayor.”

Gold‍ coins are certainly‍ valuable, but there are things that‍ can’t be bought⁠ with them alone.⁠

It’s⁠‌⁠ valuable because it’s⁠‌ real and recognized‌‍ by everyone.

However,⁠⁠ the mayor in‌ front of me‍⁠ didn’t seem to⁠⁠ have the acumen‌ to recognize such‌‌ things.

‘The more I think⁠ about it, the⁠ more unfortunate it⁠ becomes. It would‌⁠‍ have been good‌ if he had‌‌ quietly left the‌ competition.’

The‍‍ man, who had‌ finished assessing the new mayor while⁠‌ reminiscing about his‌‌ regrets over Joseph,‌‌‌ awaited the next‍ news with an‌‌ indifferent gaze.

And‌ shortly after, the⁠‍‍ magical sphere began‍ to shine.

-Don’t⁠ spare support for‌ red roses for⁠ the birds that will return. Expected⁠‍ to arrive soon.⁠

“Mmm.”⁠⁠

The⁠‌ man’s eyes began‌⁠ to narrow as‍‌ he looked at‍‌ the note the‌‍⁠ wizard had written.⁠

Although⁠⁠ the note was written with strange⁠‍ pronouns and complex⁠ ciphers, the man‍‌⁠ called Vilmosi could⁠‌ immediately understand the⁠ letter’s intent.

“…As⁠⁠ I said before,‌ I need data‌ on the smile‍ of the rose.”⁠

A scarred man began‌ to burn the⁠⁠ letter he received⁠ in the flame⁠⁠ of a candle⁠‍ as a custom.⁠‌

Under‍ the candlelight, an‌‍ unknown name that⁠ had not yet‍ been burned fluttered.‍‍⁠

“Especially⁠⁠ about the new‍ Madame.”

A golden name that‌‌ even a bright gold coin cannot⁠ buy.

The‌⁠ word Vlad was‍ clearly written in⁠⁠ front of the name.

***‍

If‌‌‌ one were asked⁠⁠ to choose the‍ most talked-about place‍ in Soara, everyone‌‌ would choose the‌‌ same place.

The smile of a rose nestled in‌‌‍ an alley.

This⁠‌ place, offering high-quality‍⁠ food and a recently introduced beer⁠ called ale, is‌⁠⁠ special because it‌‍‌ is guarded by‌ Vlad of Soara.‍⁠

“The‍ interior is as beautiful as it‌‍‍ looks from the⁠‌ outside.”

“Thank⁠⁠⁠ you, Baroness.”

Alicia‌ closely watched the⁠‍ back of the⁠ woman guiding her⁠ as she spoke‌‌ those words.

‘This‌ person… Lady Zemina.’‍⁠

Though⁠ small in stature,‍ she had beautiful⁠‌‍ hair.

Indeed,‌‌‍ the building called⁠‍ Rose’s Smile was‍‍ not the only thing that seemed‍⁠ out of place‍‌ in the dilapidated‌ alley.

“When‍ I became interested⁠ in Lord Vlad,‍ my eyes naturally‍‌ fell on the⁠ smile of the‍ rose.”

“…I‌‍ see.”

Alicia⁠‍‌ said she was⁠ interested in Vlad,‌‌ but Zemina merely‌‌ held her breath.‌

The‌‍ two ladies had‍ known each other‍⁠‍ from afar.

“It‍ feels strange, as‌‌‍ if I’m traversing⁠ Lord Vlad’s childhood.‌ I want to‍ know much about‌‌ that time.”

Unlike⁠ Alicia, who could‍‌ offer much, the‍‍ only thing Zemina‌⁠⁠ could offer were‌ the memories they‍ shared together.

However,‌‍ when Alicia said she wanted to‍⁠⁠ take that as‌⁠‍ well, Zemina’s eyes‌ began to grow fierce.

“This‌ is the place.‍‍⁠ It is a private room for‍ special guests.”

If⁠‌ you fight, you‌‌ have to accept‌‍⁠ it.

Because⁠ that was the‍⁠ law of the‍⁠ alleys.

Vlad‍⁠⁠ was not the⁠ only one who⁠⁠⁠ survived in a world where surrender‍‌ meant death.

“Wow…”‍‍

“…”⁠‍‌

Looking‍‌ at the extravagantly‌ decorated private room⁠ on the third‍‌ floor, the old⁠ knight Duncan let out an exclamation⁠⁠ of admiration without‌⁠ even realizing it.⁠‌‌

This⁠ place, which could be said to‍ be Marcella’s last‌‌ work, was too‌‌‍ wonderful for two‍‍ people living in⁠ a remote estate⁠‍ to bear in‍‍ silence.

“…These‍ are wallpapers that‍ follow the central⁠⁠ trend. It must⁠‍ not have been‍‍ easy to obtain.”‍

“It⁠ was not as‍‍ easy to get‌ as you said, but Countess Oksana‍‍‌ worked hard.”

This is the smile⁠ of a rose.‌‍ Lady Zemina’s space.‍‍

Zemina‍‍ began to use⁠ the weapons Marcella‌‍‌ had engraved on⁠⁠⁠ her, one by‍ one, towards Alicia.‍⁠‍

“Countess‌‍‌ Oksana?”

Alicia‍⁠ meant to say it was a wallpaper that didn’t‍ suit the cold‍‍‌ of the north,‍‌ but as soon‍‌ as Oksana’s name⁠ was mentioned, Alicia‌ had no choice‍‍ but to remain silent.

No‌⁠ matter how noble‍ Alicia was, in‍ front of Oksana‌‌ she was like⁠ a candle before‌ the sun.

“…Do⁠‍ you know the⁠‍ countess too?”

“Not‍⁠‌ directly.”

The‌‌ maids entered behind the smiling Zemina⁠⁠ and began to‌‍ carefully place the‌ dishes.

These⁠ women, all of‍⁠‌ extraordinary beauty, were‌‍‌ once the roses‌ that adorned the‌ alleys of Soara.‌

“It‍‌‍ seems that your‌ interest centers on‍ Lord Joseph and⁠ Lord Vlad. The⁠ interest is truly⁠ undeserved.”

An⁠⁠ inn protected by‍⁠⁠ the knights of⁠ the Son in⁠‍ the land governed‍ by the Son.⁠

There⁠‌ is no place‍‌‍ like the smile‍ of a rose⁠ that can give⁠ strength to a mother who missed⁠ her son far‌‌ away.

Marcella,‌‌ the former lady,‍ took advantage of⁠ that support and⁠ managed to create‍‍ the most luxurious⁠ inn in the⁠‌‌ history of Soara, and the appearance⁠‌⁠ of the new⁠ alley was directly⁠⁠ attributed to Joseph’s‍ achievements.

“Yes.”‍⁠

Alicia⁠ was left speechless‍‌ as she looked‌ at the dishes‍‌ placed before her⁠‍‌ with the name‍‍ Oksana.

Because⁠‌ I noticed that⁠⁠ the shape of the plates being‌ placed was unusual.‍

Dominating‍ the opponent with⁠ elegant dishes was‌‌ something quite familiar‌ in the world⁠⁠ of noblewomen.

“…There‌ were rumors, but‌ I had no‌ idea it would be such a fantastic place. It‌ was really worth it.”

“Thank⁠‍‍ you for thinking‍‍ that way, Baroness.”‍‍

Alicia’s‌⁠ words were not‌‍ empty words.

She‌‌ really didn’t think‍ it would be like this.

However,‌⁠⁠ Lady Zemina was‍⁠‌ a much bolder⁠⁠ and fiercer woman‌⁠ than she had‌ imagined.

In‌ some ways, I think she has⁠⁠‍ some similarities with⁠ Vlad’s temperament.

“I⁠‌ am very eager⁠ to eat it.‌ Even the dishes to be served‌‍ look good.”

However,⁠ Alicia’s cold blue⁠ blood was not⁠‍⁠ shaken by Zemina’s‍ provocation.

She⁠‌ was a person‍ who had gone‍ through too many trials to be⁠ swayed by this‍ level of provocation.‌

“Could‍⁠‍ you prepare the menu that this restaurant is most⁠‍ proud of?”

If‍‌ she couldn’t even‌⁠ get a man‍⁠‍ from a woman‌‌ in the dark‍⁠ alley, she wouldn’t‍⁠ even be qualified⁠‌ to govern a territory.

At‌⁠ first, Alicia had⁠‍ planned to try‌‍⁠ to persuade her with the best⁠‍ words possible out‍‍ of respect for⁠ Vlad’s memories, but‌‌ if she attacked‍⁠⁠ so clearly, there‌ was nothing she‌⁠ could do.

“I⁠‌⁠ hope it is food that gives‍‍ you a sense⁠⁠ of the North.”⁠

“I‌ will do my‌⁠ best, Baroness.”

But Zemina didn’t know.⁠‌

The‍‍ fact that her⁠⁠ actions were actually⁠ strengthening Alicia’s resolve.‌‍

“I think it was⁠ a very good⁠‍‌ idea to come‌⁠ here.”

Alicia,⁠ who knew Vlad‍‌ as a knight⁠⁠‍ but didn’t know much about Vlad‌ as a man,‌‍ could be sure‍‌ when she saw‍ Zemina now.

The⁠‍‍ man she wants‍‍ to protect, even⁠‍ against himself, a noble, is Vlad.‌‍‌

The‌⁠ man who cleaned his parents’ tombstone⁠⁠ with the sunlight‍‌ shining in the‍⁠ twilight of the⁠‍⁠ evening.

Alicia⁠⁠⁠ now decided to⁠ face that man⁠ as well.

***‍⁠

“The‍ order is… The‍‍⁠ menu I have⁠⁠ the most confidence‌ in.”

The⁠⁠ kitchen is located‍‍‌ on the fourth‌‍ floor, not on⁠‌ the first floor.‌

Marcella,⁠‌ standing there, looked‍⁠ at the note‍ in front of her and began to smile silently.⁠‌

“Good job, Zemina. Of‌⁠ course, I have‍ to do this.”⁠

Several‌‍ women behind Marcella⁠⁠ began to nod‍ as she murmured‌ to herself.

“Marcella‌ can really retire‌⁠ now. The next‌‍‍ lady won’t fall‌⁠ behind either.”

“I‌⁠ didn’t know she⁠ would grow up like this.”

“I‍ guess there’s something about the kids⁠ of that generation,‌⁠ including Vlad and‍ Harven.”

The⁠ women in the old alley started‌‌ chatting upon seeing‍ the first victory‌ report brought by Zemina.

They⁠⁠ have lived their‍ whole lives wrinkled,‍‌ torn in this‌⁠ way, and beaten‍ in another.

However,⁠ now they greatly‍ empathized with Zemina’s‌ attitude of trying‌ to have confidence‍ even in front of the nobles.‌‍‍

“…I‌ really need to⁠‍ retire after cooking⁠ this dish today.”‍‍

Marcella,⁠ who quietly wiped⁠ the kitchen knife‌⁠ with a dry‍ cloth, was satisfied‌ with Zemina’s effort‌‌ and began to‍⁠ take out the‍ ingredients she had‌‌ prepared in advance.

“If there’s a dish‌ that captures the‍ taste of the⁠⁠ North, it’s this⁠‍ one.”

From‌ light appetizers to whet the appetite‍ to main courses‍ and desserts.

Due⁠ to the nature⁠‌ of the North,‌ where food is‍ served all at⁠‌ once and then‍‌ cools down, the‌⁠ nobility here enjoyed‌ a meal where‍‌ dishes were served‍‍⁠ multiple times.

In‌ other words, it‍⁠ meant that it‍ was a dish⁠ that couldn’t be⁠‍‌ served in a street restaurant.

“I‌‍‌ don’t have to worry about the⁠⁠ cost of ingredients‍ today, do I?”‍

However,‍ the street chefs‌‌⁠ that Marcella brought today were all‍ women with at⁠‍⁠ least 20 years‌ of experience.

They‍ were women who‍ survived in the‍⁠ tough alleys only‌ with their skills.

They⁠ decided to do‍⁠ their best for‍ the rose of⁠⁠‍ the back alley,⁠‍ who plans to⁠ retire today.

***‌

Neigh-‍

There‌⁠ was a black‍⁠⁠ horse and a donkey standing on‍‌ the cold street.‌

Noir let out a sigh with a neigh and looked⁠ at Soara in‍ the distance, losing‍⁠⁠ his temper as‌⁠ if asking why⁠ they weren’t entering‌ quickly, but Vlad,‌ who was actually‌ holding the reins,‍‌ remained still and‍ unmoved.

“…Why‍ is this happening?”‍‍⁠

A transparent glass bottle‍ filled about a third with water.‍

Vlad’s⁠ eyes trembled as⁠‍ he looked at⁠ the glass bottle‍ that was oddly‍ upside down on⁠ the cold ground.‍

“Is‍⁠‍ this also magic?”‌

“Indeed.‍ It’s magic.”

Nibelun⁠‌ struggled to lift⁠ the glass bottle‍ that was upside‌‌ down and tossed⁠ it up into‌ the sky once more.

Crack-!⁠

The‌ sight when a glass bottle, which‌⁠⁠ had been floating high and spinning,⁠‌‍ fell.

Looking⁠‌ at that scene,⁠‍ Vlad involuntarily opened‌⁠ his mouth.

“If⁠⁠‍ this isn’t magic,‍ what is?”

“…Ugh,⁠ what is this?”

It⁠ was surprising that⁠ it could stay⁠ upright because it⁠‍ was thrown so‍ high, yet it‌‌ stood there upside down.

Even‌⁠ after tossing it‌‍ dozens of times,‌‌ Vlad had no‌‌ choice but to⁠‍ admit it as‌ it remained there⁠‍ the same way.⁠

“If⁠⁠ you enter the‍‌ city now, something‍ very ugly awaits you. As my⁠ advisor mage, I advise you to‍‍ stay here just‌ for a day.”‍‌

“There’s a city right⁠‍ in front of‍ us, so is‌⁠ it okay to camp? In this winter?”

Moshiam,⁠ trapped in fog,⁠⁠ took two months‌‌ from Vlad, and⁠‍‍ as a result,⁠‍ the current season⁠‌ was full winter.‍

Now⁠‌ Nibelun was talking⁠ about setting up‍‌ camp right in‍‍ front of Soara.‌

“Of‌‍ course, it’s Lord⁠‌‍ Vlad’s decision.”

“…‍⁠ ”

Vlad’s⁠⁠ expression began to‌⁠‍ turn serious as he heard Nibelun’s‌ words handing over‍‍‍ the decision.

A mystery is literally‌ something that cannot‌‌ be explained by‌ reason or common⁠‌ sense.

Vlad⁠ had no choice‍‍‌ but to seriously‌‌ ponder this strange‌‌‍ situation that could‍ not be explained by probability.

“So,⁠ if you go‍‍ to Soara now,⁠ will it become⁠‌ very sinister?”

“According⁠ to my divination,‍ yes.”

“So‍ something sinister is‌ happening in Soara?‌ Or not…”

“Prophecy‍‍ and divination are‍ something you can’t‌‌⁠ recognize unless you⁠⁠‌ encounter them.”

Vlad‌ began to scratch⁠ his head when‌‍‌ Nibelun said he⁠‌ would have to go to know⁠⁠‍ the details.

“I’m‍‌‍ definitely not a swindler.”

If‌‌ a street swindler‌‌‌ had said this,⁠‍ he would have⁠‍⁠ hit him, but‌‍ Nibelun’s ability to‌‍ pursue mysteries was⁠⁠⁠ vouched for by⁠ Vlad himself.

“…⁠ Let’s enter right‌ away.”

“Are‍ you sure it’s⁠ okay?”

Divination‌⁠ is only a guide, not a direction to follow.‌‍‍

Nibelun‍ took the mysterious⁠‍ glass bottle and‍ asked again, but‌⁠ Vlad had already⁠ made a decision.‌‍⁠

“They‍ say it’s sinister.‍ Then we should‍‌‍ go faster.”

The city pointed out⁠ by the evil divination was Vlad’s‌ hometown and was full of people‍‌ who shouldn’t be‍‍‌ missed.

He wasn’t sure in‌ which direction the‌⁠‍ sinister fire was coming from, but‍⁠ Vlad decided to run and stand⁠⁠⁠ beside them.

“Is⁠ that donkey a breed that can‌ run fast?”

“By‍ nature, donkeys are⁠⁠‍ not horses prepared‍ for running.”

“Then⁠‌ do your best‌‌ today.”

Noir⁠‍ felt Vlad riding‍ on his back⁠ and gave him⁠‌⁠ a strong hug.‌‍

Noir,‌⁠‍ the meadow’s son,‌‍‍ longed for the⁠ redhead to brush‍‍ his hair.