Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 186: Value of Aureo (2)

Chapter 186: Value of Aureo (2)

Vlad,‍‌ who had been tossing and turning‌ all night, only⁠‍ managed to fall‌ asleep at dawn.⁠‍⁠

This‍ was because even‍‍ when he closed‍ his eyes, the‌ thoughts that came‌‌ to mind kept‍ chaining together non-stop.

[What⁠ is the virtue⁠ of a knight?]

“…Please.”‌⁠

However,‍ even though he had fallen asleep‌ late, today’s sun‌ was not going⁠ to wait for‌‍ him.

[You‍⁠ can only be‌ called a true‌‌ knight if you are always fully‍ prepared for action.‌ The incidents and‌ accidents that will‍ come won’t wait‍ for you.]

After⁠‌ the tense incident⁠ in Moshiam, Vlad⁠‍⁠ finally found a moment to rest.⁠

Therefore,‌ even though he‍⁠ wanted to sleep⁠ a little longer,‍ the problem was‍‌‍ that the presence‌ within him was⁠ none other than‍‌ Kihano, the knight‍⁠ of knights.

[Always⁠ be on guard…]

“I‌‌ just want to‍ sleep. Please.”

Struggling⁠‍ against fatigue and⁠‍‍ worries, Vlad protested‌ irritably to Kihano,‍ but the problem‍ was that there was another person‌‌⁠ hearing his words‌‌ besides Kihano.

“Be⁠ quiet, will you?”⁠⁠

“Huh?”⁠‍‍

Vlad’s‌‍ eyes opened when⁠ he heard a familiar voice coming⁠⁠ from inside the room.

The‌‌ fatigue intertwined with‍⁠‍ bloodshot veins still⁠ persisted in Vlad’s‌ eyes, but now‌‌‌ was a moment⁠⁠ when he shouldn’t‌⁠ be able to‌‍‍ comfortably close his‍ eyes.

“It’s‌ fine. I’ll go.‌ Keep sleeping.”

“No…⁠ Wait a minute,‌‍ Zemina.”

Vlad‍ jumped out of‍ bed and grabbed‍ Zemina, who was trying to leave‌ the room, making‍‌ her turn around.

“Can‌ we talk for a moment?”

“If‍ it’s just a moment.”

Leaning⁠‌ against the door⁠ she had just‍⁠ slammed shut, Zemina‍⁠ slightly nodded, seeing‍‍⁠ the urgent expression‍ on Vlad’s face.‍‍

[See?⁠‌⁠ Incidents and accidents‌⁠ won’t wait for‌‌ you.]

Vlad⁠⁠ deliberately ignored Kihano’s‍ words and carefully sat Zemina down‍ on the somewhat‍‍‌ gloomy-looking bed, cautiously‌‍‍ opening his mouth.‌

“What‍ happened yesterday? Why were you alone⁠ with Lady Alicia?”‌

“You⁠‍ ask so quickly.”⁠

Sitting⁠ on the bed,‍ swinging her feet⁠‌ that didn’t reach⁠‍ the floor, Zemina‍ looked at Vlad‌ and replied.

“It‍‍ wasn’t a big‍‌ deal.”

“Really?”⁠

“Yes. Lady Alicia just⁠‍ asked me to⁠⁠ stay away from⁠⁠‌ you.”

[Oh,‌‌ wow.]

Even⁠⁠ though it was⁠⁠ too heavy news‌ to hear first‍ thing in the⁠ morning, Zemina, who‍‌ was saying it,‍ seemed perfectly calm.‍‍⁠

“I‌‌‍ used to see‍⁠ things like that‍ at the Rose’s Smile. But I didn’t expect it‌ to happen to⁠ me.”

Seeing‍ Zemina shrug as‌ if it wasn’t a big deal,⁠ Vlad felt a mix of frustration⁠ and anger.

“And‍⁠⁠ what did you‍‌⁠ say?”

“What‍‌ could I say⁠‌ to her?”

Zemina’s‌‍‌ eyes, looking at⁠⁠ Vlad, seemed somehow sad.

“I⁠ can do anything‍ for you.”

“…”‌‍

Although‍‌ she was present,‍ she had no‍‍ right to cling‍ to him.

Implicitly,‌ it was functioning,‌ but if you‍‍ asked about Vlad’s⁠ qualifications like yesterday,‌‍ Zemina had nothing‌‌ to say.

Because‌‌‍ between them, officially,‍⁠ there was nothing‍ concrete.

“I‍‍ had nothing suitable‍ to say.”

As‍ Vlad watched Zemina⁠‍ speak so indifferently,‍‍ he realized he‌ had been too⁠ insensitive.

“I’m‍ sorry… I apologize.”⁠‍

“Why⁠‌ are you apologizing?”‌

“…For‌‌‍ not telling you‍ clearly.”

With‌ Zemina sitting in front of him,‌⁠ Vlad scratched his⁠‍ neck and sincerely admitted his mistakes.‍

He only needed to‍‍ say one word.

And‌‍‌ now he had⁠ the right to⁠⁠‌ say that word.‌‍‍

“Listen⁠‌ carefully.”

“…!”‍‍

Zemina⁠⁠ held her breath‍ when Vlad suddenly‌ grabbed both her‌ shoulders.

Vlad’s‌ eyes, struggling to⁠ look at the‍⁠ abruptly changed atmosphere of the room,⁠‍ were now focused⁠ solely on Zemina.‍

The⁠ atmosphere in the⁠⁠‌ room had changed⁠⁠‌ abruptly, and Vlad’s⁠⁠‍ eyes were looking‌⁠‍ intensely at her.‍‍

“I‌ wanted to tell⁠ you for a long time, actually⁠ I…”

KNOCK,‍⁠ KNOCK.

“I…”

KNOCK,‍‌‌ KNOCK.

Vlad‍‌⁠ was trying his‍‍ hardest to create⁠‌ a special moment, but the persistent‌⁠ sound of knocking‍ interrupted his efforts.‍‍‌

“…It’s‌⁠⁠ bad, isn’t it?”‍‌⁠

“It‌ wasn’t a bad‍ try.”

For⁠‍ each attempt, there⁠ is a suitable moment.

Seeing‌ Zemina smile and‌⁠ point to the‍‍‍ door with her head, Vlad realized that today was⁠ not that moment.⁠

“Who‍‍ the hell…”

“Good‌ morning, Lord Vlad.”

Vlad,⁠ whose pride was‌ wounded by Zemina’s⁠ comment that it‌⁠‌ wasn’t a bad‌‍ try, opened the‍‌ door irritably.

However,‌‍‍ contrary to his⁠ annoyed mood, when⁠⁠ he opened the⁠⁠ door, what he saw was Alicia‌⁠‌ smiling brightly at him.

“…Lady⁠⁠⁠ Alicia.”

“If⁠ you haven’t had‍‌ breakfast yet, I thought we could‍‌‌ have it together.”⁠‍‍

Although‍⁠⁠ she could have‌‌‌ stayed at the‌⁠ lord’s mansion, in‍‍ Soara there was‌‌ only one market.⁠⁠‌

Alicia‍ had unpacked her⁠⁠ luggage here, maybe‌ because she thought‌‍‍ a luxury inn‌‌ called Rose’s Smile‍ would be more suitable than the‍‌ crowded town hall.⁠

“I‌‌ tried the food‍ here last night,‌ and the chef‍‌⁠ is excellent. Also,⁠ there are things‌ I want to‌ talk about over⁠ breakfast.”

Even⁠ though it was early in the⁠ morning, Alicia seemed‍ to have put‌‌ a lot of‌ effort into her⁠ appearance.

With‌ her hair carefully braided and a light scent of‍‌ perfume, it was⁠ evident she had⁠‍‌ gotten up much‍ earlier.

“To‌‌‌ get to Bastopol,‌⁠ the city of‌ blacksmiths…”

But,‌⁠ despite her neat‍‍⁠ appearance, her head⁠ was tilting more⁠‍ and more.

“To⁠‌ get there, to‌⁠ get there… Oh, God…”

Alicia‌ was leaning more and more to‍ see past Vlad.⁠

Vlad‌‍ turned his head‌ to follow her‌⁠ gaze and was‌ astonished.

“I‌ guess I should‌‍⁠ have come later.‍‍ What a lack‌ of consideration.”

“No,‍ no…”

Zemina,‌‍ who had been‌ sitting for quite⁠ a while, was⁠⁠⁠ now lying on‌‌⁠ the bed in‌ disarray, looking at‍ the two of⁠ them.

With⁠‍ her disheveled hair‌ and wet eyes,‍‍‍ the situation could‌‌ be easily misinterpreted.‍⁠‌

“…I‍‍ suppose I’ll have⁠ breakfast alone. You‍‍ two can continue⁠⁠ what you were‍‍ doing.”

The⁠⁠‌ sound of footsteps⁠‌ echoing down the‌ hallway, uncharacteristic of‌ a noble, represented‍⁠‍ Alicia’s current feelings.‍‍⁠

And‌‍ Vlad was so‍⁠ bewildered that he⁠ couldn’t stop her.‍

[How⁠ about that? Didn’t‌‌ I tell you?]‍⁠⁠

“…”‌‌

Kihano was indeed right.⁠‍

Incidents⁠‍‌ and accidents don’t always wait for⁠‍ the right moment.‌

***‍⁠

There⁠ was a space‌ where not even‍ the power wielded‌‍ by a lord⁠ could be arbitrarily‍⁠ invaded.

A place that belonged‍‍ to no one‌ but the will of God: the‌‍ church.

Not‍ even the landowner‍‍‍ could enter without‌‌‌ permission, but now‍‌ there was someone‌⁠‌ moving freely in⁠ that place.

“Bishop,⁠‌ I’m here.”

“You’ve⁠‌ arrived? Come in.”‌‍

Knight⁠⁠ Vlad Aureo.

The‍ title preceding his name was guaranteed‌⁠ by secular power, and the surname⁠⁠ following it was⁠ certified by the⁠‌ will of God.‌‌

“Come⁠ here. I was⁠ just preparing the⁠ tea.”

Vlad sat in the‍ place Andrea indicated,‍‍ observing as he⁠ poured the tea‌ himself.

As soon as he‌⁠‍ sat down, he‍ felt calm and⁠‍ peace wash over‍⁠⁠ him.

Vlad,⁠ who had barely‍ escaped the chaos⁠⁠ of the morning,‍‌⁠ could take a breather while sipping⁠ the tea served‌⁠ by the faithful‌ bishop.

“Looking‌⁠ at it now,‌‍ the office itself‌⁠ hasn’t changed much⁠‌ since Varna.”

“…Have⁠ I ever shown‍‍ you my room‍‍‍ in Varna?”

Vlad‍‍ simply smiled as‌ he looked at‌ Andreas, who had a puzzled expression‌⁠ on his face.‍

“I⁠‌ said it because it seemed like⁠ it could be‌ so.”

“Wow,⁠ how simple.”

Andreas⁠ laughed disheartenedly at‌⁠ Vlad’s trivial response,‍‌ but in reality,⁠ Vlad had already‍ seen his office.‍

His‌‍‍ room, which seemed‍ too simple to‌ be a bishop’s⁠ office, was not⁠⁠⁠ much different from‌‍‌ the scene he‍‍‍ had seen in‌‍⁠ Jean’s dream.

“I‌‌ heard that many⁠⁠ things happened in‌ Moshiam. I’m truly⁠ grateful that you‌‌ protected Jean to‌‌ the end.”

“I‍ simply did my best to repay⁠‌‌ the favor I received.”

Indeed, the incident in‍‌ Moshiam had not‌‌ been widely disclosed.‍‍

There‍ was strict control of the situation‌‍ by the Iron‌‌ Lord to prevent‍ unrest in the‍ north.

“I‍ understand it wasn’t‌‍‌ an easy problem to overcome.”

However,‍⁠ the people who⁠‌ needed to know‌⁠‌ were well aware⁠⁠ of the incident.‍

Andreas,⁠‍‌ bishop of Soara,‌‌ was very aware‍ of the hardships‍ Vlad had gone through to save⁠‍‌ his young deacon.‌

“The⁠⁠ idea that there⁠ is salvation in‌‍⁠ reciprocity is not‌ wrong. Through you,⁠ I have come‍⁠ to understand the‍ profound meaning of‌‍‍ His designs once again.”

Watching⁠‌ Andreas mutter a prayer silently, Vlad could only raise⁠⁠ his cup with‍⁠ a sheepish expression.‌ Although he was‍ known as a devout knight, he‌‍ had never actually‌ read the Bible.

“Although‍‍ we managed to⁠⁠ overcome the situation⁠ in Moshiam, I feel uneasy for‍‌‍ not having resolved⁠ it completely, Bishop.”⁠⁠

“I‍ understand that feeling‍ well.”

Among⁠‍ the concerns that⁠ had tormented Vlad⁠‌ the night before⁠⁠ was the unknown⁠ woman and the‌⁠‍ man who had‍⁠ introduced himself as‌‍⁠ Frausen.

The deeply engraved memory⁠ with the name‍‌ Justia was an⁠⁠ indelible wound for Vlad.

“Is‌⁠ this incident related‌‌ to the woman‍‌ who shed black‌⁠ tears that we⁠⁠ first saw?”

“Mmm…”‍‌

A woman shedding black‌ tears that were‍ a curse towards⁠ Joseph.

And⁠ this recent incident that occurred in⁠ Moshiam.

Andreas⁠ heavily set down‍‌ his tea cup as he looked⁠‍ at Vlad, who‌ had experienced it‌⁠ firsthand and demanded⁠ an explanation.

“We⁠‍ all walk the‍ path, but we‍‌ do not know⁠ where it ends,⁠ and that tires‍ us.”

Andrea‌ took out a pen with a grave expression and‍⁠⁠ began to draw something carefully.

Andreas had pursued the⁠ black curse since‍⁠‍ his days as‌ a priest in‍ Varna.

And‍⁠⁠ the church’s and⁠ his own relentless search had finally led them to‍ a name.

“The will of God⁠⁠ is far away,⁠ dark temptations are‍‌ close. Therefore, our‌‍‍ body and soul‍‍‌ are the places where His holy‌‍ war is constantly‍ waged.”

Vlad‌⁠ began to closely‌‍ observe the patterns⁠‍⁠ Andreas was drawing.‍

It‌ looked like the‌‍ pattern of a church, but somehow‌‍ it was twisted⁠ and upside down.⁠

“This‌ is…”

What⁠‌ Andreas was drawing‍ was a symbol‍ of an upside-down‍‌ church.

That⁠ pattern, full of⁠ blasphemy against the‍ sacred, was also⁠ a pattern drawn⁠⁠ by a headless‍ priest in a mist-filled village.

“It‌ is the pattern of apostates. It‍‍ represents the lost‌‍ lambs.”

Andreas’s⁠ eyebrows furrowed as⁠⁠ he looked at⁠⁠ that sinister symbol.‌‍

“People‍‍ who have walked‌ the path to⁠ God but have‌⁠‍ become more dangerous than any demon. The woman you‍⁠ encountered is one‌ of those people.”‍‌‌

Andreas‌⁠‍ quickly covered the‌ paper with his hand as if‌‍‌ he felt disgusted⁠ just by looking⁠⁠⁠ at it.

By‌ the way, the⁠‍ correctly drawn pattern‌ of the church‌ was already established⁠‍‍ within his reach.⁠

“Long‍‍ ago, there was⁠ a nun called‌‍ the mother of all orphans. She‍ was God’s voice‍⁠‍ recognized by the‌⁠ Vatican and was‌ called the saint of her time.”‍

Although‌‌ he didn’t say⁠ it explicitly, Vlad‍‍ knew what Andreas⁠ was about to⁠‍‌ tell.

It‍‌ is a very⁠ deep secret that can never be‍‌‌ heard by anyone‌⁠ unless they are‌ related to the‍ church.

“The‍ choir she created‌⁠ for the children became the first⁠‌ choir of the‌ Vatican, and to‍‍ this day, it⁠‌ is known as Tramashu in honor of her name.”⁠

However,⁠‍ even the woman known as a saint could not⁠‍ bear a certain‌‍ reality.

The events of that⁠ day, which took⁠ place in the‍‌‌ name of God⁠‍‌ and no one else, ultimately caused⁠‍ the faithful nun⁠ to shed black‌‍ tears.

“The‌‌‍ name I’m going‍‌ to mention from now on is‍‍ one of the‌ darkest and deepest⁠ secrets the Vatican‌ is trying to⁠⁠ hide. You must never tell anyone.”

“I‌‌⁠ understand.”

Andreas⁠‍ carefully approached Vlad’s⁠⁠ ear, as if‌⁠ he didn’t want⁠‍ to leave any trace.

A barely audible voice,⁠ one that not‍ even the wind⁠ could carry away,⁠⁠ whispered in Vlad’s⁠ ear.

“Ramashthu.” [1]

“…!!”⁠

Although⁠ the voice was‌ from the devout⁠⁠ bishop, the name resonated with an unmistakable stench.

Upon⁠⁠ hearing that name,‍ Vlad involuntarily shuddered.‌

Before‌⁠ God, it was Tramashu, but when⁠⁠ turned away, the⁠‍ name was reversed‌‍⁠ and became Ramashthu.‌⁠‍

There was a woman⁠ who shed tears upon seeing her⁠‍ children completely charred⁠ by fire.

It‍‌ is said that⁠‌ on that day,‌‌ the woman shed‌ black tears mixed⁠ with ash towards⁠ the sky as⁠ she looked at⁠‌ the corpses of‌‍‌ the children, which‍ were more charred‌ than the remaining‍ matches.

***‍‍

Today‍ was a day⁠ with dense fog.⁠

The mist was so‌ thick that the Sturma wall couldn’t‌ be seen in⁠ the distance.

“Cough,‍‌ cough. Hm…”

And⁠‌ the days when‌‌‌ there was such‍ thick fog were⁠ also the days⁠‌‍ when Joseph’s cough‌ worsened.

For‌‍ him, with weak lungs, the moisture-laden‍‌‌ air was like‍‌‍ an unwelcome visitor.‍‌

“You‌ need to breathe.‌‍ Slowly.”

“I’m‌ fine, mother.”

Joseph‍‍⁠ said he was⁠‍‌ fine, but Oksana’s‍ fingertips followed him⁠⁠ to the end‍ and patted his‍ back.

“…”⁠

On⁠⁠ that cold winter‍‍ day, Joseph gave⁠⁠⁠ a bitter smile⁠‌⁠ as he felt the warmth of‍ his mother’s hand.‌

Although⁠ he was a failure and a loser, his mother’s‍ concern hadn’t changed‌ at all.

“Joseph,‌⁠‌ have you thought‌‌ about what I mentioned last time?”‍‍‌

In‍‍ front of him was a steaming‌ hot cup of‌⁠ tea, and behind, his mother’s hand‌ was gently stroking⁠‍ his back.

Everything⁠‍ in the room⁠‍ soothed Joseph’s heart,‍ but precisely because⁠‌ of that, the sadness felt even‍‌ sharper.

“Your‌‍ grandfather already knows‍‍⁠ how smart you‍ are. So…”

Oksana⁠⁠‌ started speaking, but‍ her voice faded,⁠‌ as if she‌ found it hard⁠‍ to finish the⁠ sentence.

No mother would simply‍‍ watch her son‌ run towards destruction.

That’s‌ why Oksana wanted⁠⁠ to send Joseph‍ to her mother’s‌ family, the Oskar⁠ family.

“If⁠ you go there,‌ you’ll have a chance to demonstrate⁠ your skills, even⁠⁠ if it’s not⁠⁠ a high position.⁠ Besides, the weather will be warmer than here.”

“Mother.”‌‌

Joseph‍‍ silently took his‍ mother’s hand as‍⁠‍ she continued to‍ stroke his back.⁠

His‌ mother’s hand, which‍ he hadn’t touched in a long‍ time, was much‌‌ rougher than he⁠ remembered.

“Thank‍ you for caring⁠ about me.”

Up⁠ close, Oksana’s face‌ was lined with⁠ slight wrinkles.

Joseph‌ knew very well⁠ that each of‍ those wrinkles was‍ there because of‍ his cough.

That’s‌ why he was⁠⁠ eager to prove⁠ it.

That⁠ the son she‌⁠‌ brought into the world had become‌ someone to be‍‍ proud of.

“But⁠ I don’t want‍ to stop.”

Therefore, Joseph could only‍‌⁠ tell these words‌ to Oksana.

I won’t live a life of giving⁠ up.

“I⁠‍ want to always⁠ live giving my‍‍ best, as you‌‌‌ taught me. With‍⁠ intensity.”

“…Okay. I understand.”

At⁠‌ that moment, mother‌‍ and son felt⁠ guilty towards each‍‌‍ other.

Oksana‍‌‍ knew very well⁠ that even if‍⁠ the words started‌‌ as warm consideration,‌ they would turn‌‌ into painful wounds‌ when touched upon.‌‍

“But mom will always‍ be here. Make‍ sure to call‍⁠ me when you’re⁠‍ going through a tough time.”

“Yes,‍ mother.”

Oksana,‌⁠ once again confirming‌⁠ her son’s firm‍ determination, reluctantly left‍ Joseph’s room.

Joseph‍ could only bow⁠ his head as⁠ he watched his mother hurriedly turn⁠‍‍ away before the⁠‍ sadness he had‍ been holding back‍‍ overflowed.

“…I’ll‌‌ prove to you‍ that I wasn’t born useless.”

Not‍⁠‍ just my life,⁠‌ but also the‍⁠ life of my mother, who gave⁠ everything for me.‍‍

Joseph,‌⁠ with his head‌ bowed, quietly opened the drawer of his desk.

Inside‍⁠‍ was an envelope‌⁠ as black as‍⁠‍ coal.

“…”‌

Joseph⁠ slowly opened the‍⁠ envelope.

Outside,‌ the window behind⁠ him was filled⁠‌ with thick fog.⁠

Today,‍ as he opened the black letter,⁠⁠ it was a day shrouded in mist.T/N (1): This‌‌ character has already⁠ been mentioned by‍ the headless knight‌‌⁠ chapter 64.