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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 193: The City Where the Dragon Roars (1)

Chapter 193: The City Where the Dragon Roars (1)

The​‍ Dragulia mansion in‍ the capital, Brigantes.​

Sarnus,⁠ The Blood Dragon,​ stood by the‍‍ window, gazing northward‌⁠‌ into the distance.‌⁠

His​ reflection in the⁠ window looked very⁠​​ gaunt, perhaps due⁠‌‍ to the white​‌ bandage wrapped around‌ his neck.

‘…The‌​‍ Sword Master’s blade‌ was drawn.’

On⁠​​ that day when‌‌ the pact suddenly⁠‌⁠ activated, Sarnus was⁠ sure of it.‍

The⁠ Sword Master’s blade⁠ has been unsheathed‍‌​ somewhere in the⁠‍ empire at this‌⁠⁠ moment.

Though​​ it was only‍‍​ for a short‌⁠ time, the pact​ with the Sword​⁠⁠ Master that was‌ activated could only⁠ be connected through​ blood or will.⁠‌​

‘The​​ Duke of Iron?‍⁠‍ Or Bayezid?’

There‍​ was no way⁠⁠‍ a successor to‍​ the already deceased‍ Frausen could suddenly​⁠ emerge, so the⁠‌‍ only possibility left‍​ was the Sword‌‌ Master’s blade.

And​‍ according to rumor,⁠ there was a white lightning bolt⁠⁠ that split the​ fog-filled city of‍ Moshiam.

“If⁠ I find it​‍​ and get rid‌‌ of it, I will be free.”‌

Sarnus,‌‌‌ who as someone⁠‌‍ who took by‌‌‍ force but was⁠‌ bound by an‌ oath and had‌‌‌ no choice but​ to become a protector, now dreamed‍​⁠ of true freedom.‍‌​

And‍ at the end‌ of the dream⁠‌ he envisioned, the‍‌ perfection desired by‍​ dragon blood would‍ be waiting.

“Hmm?”⁠‌

However,‍ for a brief​​⁠ moment, really a very brief moment,‍ Sarnus felt a twinge in his​‌​ neck.

It⁠‍‌ was something different​‌‍ from the sensations​ he had felt‌‌ before, but it‍‍ was definitely a familiar pain.

“…Blood?”‌

A fleeting sensation that⁠​ was almost like‍​ an illusion.

Touching‍ the bandage with⁠‌ his fingers, Sarnus‌⁠‌ was surprised to⁠‍ see the red‍⁠‌ liquid spreading across‍‍ his fingers.

“Could‍ it be that‍‍⁠ the sword has‍ already been drawn?”‌⁠

The⁠‍​ sword might have‍‍​ been unsheathed, but​‍⁠ without a legitimate‍ successor to the‌​ will, the silver​​ knight could only‍​⁠ remain silent.

However,​‌⁠ a single drop‍⁠ of bright red‍⁠ blood spread across⁠‍ the white bandage⁠ that Sarnus wore.⁠‍

Though⁠‍​ it was a very small trace,‌⁠​ it clearly revealed‍‍ its presence.

***‌⁠​

Is⁠‌‍ the person in⁠‍‍ front of me‍​​ a dragon or​‌ a knight?

The⁠​⁠ northern lords, with‍‌⁠ their swords drawn,‍ watched Vlad, who​⁠ silently bowed his⁠‍ head.

The⁠‍ blond knight who‌ had been roaring⁠‍​ fiercely a moment‌ ago was clearly‌‍ shouting with the​​ voice of a dragon.

“We‍‍ must kill him‍⁠ right now.”

“…Wait.”⁠‌

“Count​‌‌ Peter, I understand‌⁠‍ your concerns, but‍⁠ this is for‌​‍ the greater good.”‍‌​

“…”​⁠​

Peter⁠​ gritted his teeth⁠‌‍ hard when he⁠‍‍ heard the voice​‌⁠ of someone beside​‍ him.

He⁠‌ was right.

If⁠⁠​ you are where​‌ you need to‌ be, you have‌ to do it.⁠⁠

For‌‌⁠ the North, which⁠‍‌ needed to become​‌‍ one, the blood‍​ of Dragulia was‌⁠⁠ like poison.

“Even​‍‍ so, let’s wait‌ a moment.”

However,‍‌ Peter could not​​​ easily move his​​‍ sword.

A young knight born‍‌‍ in Soara and‌​​ found by Bayezid.​‍

Peter‍ remembered the young⁠ squire who had‍‍⁠ wielded his sword​‌‌ countless times under​ the walls of⁠ Sturma.

And​‌ he also remembered‍‍ his son’s smile‍‍⁠ when he brought‌​‌ that squire.

“He’s‌⁠ moving.”

Vlad⁠ was kneeling on​‍ one knee and​⁠ bowing his head.⁠

As⁠ he slowly began⁠⁠​ to rise, the⁠ eyes of the​ lords sharpened.

Some⁠ were already invoking‍‍ aura through their‍‍ closed left eye.⁠​

“Lord‌​ Vlad…”

Alicia,‍ who was behind⁠‌ the lords, looked‍​ at Vlad, who⁠⁠ was still silent,⁠‍ and seemed about‍​ to cry.

The⁠⁠ inexplicable vibrations that​ still shook the‌‌ ground continued to​ shake her anxious⁠‍ heart.

Crash-thud-thud-​

Dust‍‌ fell from the‍‌‌ stone ceiling.

Amid⁠ the cries of​‍‍ the fragments urging‌‌ to hurry and‍​ return to this‍‌‍ place, Vlad silently⁠ opened his eyes.⁠‌

Vlad’s⁠‍⁠ opened eyes were‍⁠ still pale blue,​ but they were⁠‍‌ clearly focused.

“Vlad⁠‌ Aureo.”

In​‍‌ the heavy silence,‌‌‍ the voice of‍​ the Iron Lord​‍​ Timur was heard‌‌​ from the highest​⁠ position in the⁠‍​ conference hall.

Although‌ he tried to‌⁠‌ suppress it, his​ voice could not‌‍ help but tremble,⁠‍⁠ blurring the end‍⁠‌ of Timur’s words.⁠

“Tell​ us here. Who‍‌​ the hell are⁠‍ you?”

There‍‌⁠ was something in⁠ the world Timur‌​ saw and felt‍​‌ but could not​ believe.

The‌ other lords might​​ not have known,​​ but Timur, the​⁠ guardian of the​‌‍ oath, saw the⁠ young dragon recognized‍‍‍ as a knight‍​ under the shining⁠‌ tree.

“I​⁠‌ am Vlad.”

How​⁠ many people in⁠‍​ this world know⁠ who I really‍‌‍ am?

But⁠ today, Vlad truly​⁠ realized who he​ was.

He⁠ had found his‌​​ roots and the‌ goal he wanted⁠ to reach in‌‍ his life.

“The​⁠​ master of myself.‍⁠ Vlad.”

With‌ those words, Vlad⁠​ turned his head⁠ away from the‌ boundary of becoming‌ a noble.

Because​ he no longer⁠ needed others to⁠ give him his⁠⁠‌ name.

Thump-⁠⁠​

In‌⁠​ his chest, which‍‌⁠ he had been‍ holding tightly, a star still shone.​⁠

Vlad‌​​ gathered the stars‍‌ and silently transferred​‌ them to the‍ Sword of the‍​ World Tree.

Seeing‌‌‌ the light following‍‍‍ the heart of‍​ the dragon, the‌‌ sword of the​ world tree began⁠ to shine.

“Then​⁠‌ I’ll do what‍​ I have to‍‌​ do.”

Although‌ no one allowed‍‍ it, Vlad began‍ to walk towards⁠ the doors through​ which he had⁠ entered.

These‍‌‌ were the doors‍⁠⁠ he had been‍‌ trying to enter‍⁠⁠ until now, but‍​​ when Vlad turned,‍ he showed no⁠ hesitation.

***‌​

Following‍ the dragon fragments’‌ roar, the wyverns‌⁠‍ in the sky​⁠⁠ echoed with their‌​‍ own roars.

The⁠​ more the fragments​ roared, the stronger‍​⁠ the wyverns’ scales⁠⁠ became, no longer‍​ yielding to arrows.‍‍​ With their constant‌‍‌ breath, they pushed⁠‌‍ the knights of‌​ Bastopol into a corner.

The​‌​ northern knights gritted‌​‌ their teeth and⁠​​ fought as the​ dragons grew more⁠​​ perfect with each‍‍​ passing moment.

“Is​​‌ this all, Rutiger‌⁠ Bayezid?”

“…!”​‍

Kaaaaang-!​​

The‌‍ clash of swords‍⁠ sounded like an⁠‌⁠ explosion.

Mirshea’s⁠‍​ roar filled the⁠​ hallway with hot⁠ wind.

“It’s‌⁠ almost like losing‍‍​ momentum at this‍ point!”

Between​‌ the clashing swords,​‍ Mirshea could be‌ seen laughing fiercely.‌

Though‍‌‌ his golden hair​ was stained all‌​ over, his blue‌ eyes, full of‌​ madness, remained unchanged.​

“That⁠​​ bold strike. Why‌​ don’t you try⁠ it again?”

“If‌‍ that’s what you‍ want…”

Beyond​​ the grinding swords,‌ their gazes locked.‍⁠ Ignoring their positions‍​​ and the situation,‍‌ both focused solely‌​ on each other.‍

“…I​ will!”

Rutiger‌ struck his sword‍ forcefully and used‍⁠ the recoil to⁠​‌ lift it high‍⁠ once more.

Rutiger’s‍ world, dragged from​⁠ the depths and‍ unleashed through the‍ crater of anger,​ manifested a hot​ aura at the‌‌ tip of his‍ sword, like lava‌ erupting from a volcano.

‘I‍‌ see it!’

However,⁠‍ Mirshea, looking at⁠ Rutiger’s sword, continued‍‌ to smile.

As‌ he approached the⁠⁠ fragment, Mirshea’s senses​ became more perfect.⁠‍

The​‍ dragon’s vision, which​‍‍ could see even‌⁠​ from afar, showed⁠‌‌ him exactly where⁠​⁠ Rutiger would strike.​‍​

Kwoooang-!​⁠

With‍​⁠ a thunderous sound,​⁠‌ stone dust began​​ to fly in⁠‌‌ the aura.

However,‍​ what the tip⁠ of Rutiger’s sword‌ touched was nothing‌‍ but empty air.​

“…!”​‍‌

“I‌⁠‌ told you before.”‌

Rutiger‌‌ could feel a chilling energy reaching⁠​ his ears.

A voice that brushed‌‍ past but penetrated​​​ sharply.

With‌‍ an instinct faster⁠‍⁠ than thought, Rutiger​ began to roll‍ down the hallway.‌‍‍

“You’re⁠⁠ too slow!”

Kwaaang-!‍⁠‌

The⁠‌ spot where Rutiger⁠ had been was​‌ shattered by Mirshea’s‍‍ blow.

The​‍ hallway wall, unable‌⁠ to withstand the‍ unleashed force, broke‌ and slid away.‌⁠

Seeing⁠‌⁠ the superhuman strength,​⁠ Rutiger felt a chill.

“…This‌ is…”

Mirshea‍​‌ smiled as he​ looked at the‍​‍ dust-filled hallway.

Though‍ he had seen‌​​ it with his‌‍ own eyes, he‌‍ couldn’t believe the‌‌ strike he had‍ just delivered. The‍​‍ sensation still transmitted‌‌ from his hand​‌⁠ to his brain.‍

“This⁠⁠ is what it‌‌ means to be‍ a dragon.”

I am an entity‍​⁠ that can be‍ felt through others⁠‌​ who have been⁠​ wounded.

Seeing​​ Valkov and the‍‍ northern knights lying​‌​ in the distance,​⁠⁠ and Rutiger thrown‌‍⁠ by the wind,‌‍ Mirshea finally realized⁠⁠ who he was.​

I am a dragon.‍⁠

A perfect being that‌‍⁠ such miserable people‍‍ cannot stop.

“Let’s‌ finish this. I have nothing more⁠‍ to do with⁠ you.”

Although​⁠‍ they had been‍‍​ face to face⁠ just a moment⁠‍‍ ago, now, with⁠ dragon vision, Rutiger​ was an inferior‌ existence.

A moment ago, he​ had been directly‌​ in front of‍⁠​ Rutiger, but looking‌‌⁠ through dragon vision,⁠ Rutiger suddenly became‍ an inferior existence.‌‍⁠

Dragons‍‌ have the instinct​‌ to crush what‍​ is below and‍⁠ look upwards.

Mirshea⁠ decided to climb‍⁠‌ Mirshea’s body to‍⁠ meet the higher‌‍ world of the‍‍‍ Iron Duke.

“It’s‌​​ time to say​​ goodbye.”

“…If⁠​‍ you can, try‌‍‍ it.”

Rutiger‌‌ silently began to‍​ breathe deeply as⁠ he watched Mirshea​ prepare for the⁠‌‌ final blow.

Though‍​ he didn’t know​​‌ how, his opponent⁠‌⁠ grew stronger over‍ time.

Before‌ Mirshea’s strength became‍‍ an unstoppable torrent,‍ Rutiger had to⁠‌⁠ cut him down.‍‍

“…”⁠

Mirshea’s⁠ world, seen through⁠⁠‌ closed eyes, was⁠‌ like a shining​​ jewel.

A world polished by⁠​⁠ someone else, seeking‍⁠ perfection without allowing‌⁠⁠ the slightest flaw.​

Thump!‍

However,‌⁠ Mirshea could not⁠ summon his own‍ world from the⁠ depths.

This‌‍‌ was because he‍⁠⁠ noticed someone running‍​⁠ behind Mirshea at​⁠​ an incredibly fast‌ speed.

“Who​‌ are you?”

A speed that even‍​⁠ the eyes of​​‍ a dragon couldn’t‍ keep up with.‌​​

However,‍ the light was‍‍⁠ golden and nothing​ less than beautiful.‌

Kaaang!​‍

Faster⁠ than the fastest​‍‌ dragon.

Cleverer‌‍ than the cleverest‌ dragon.

“I​⁠ am Vlad of‍ Soara!”

Finally,⁠​ two worlds met.​

The⁠‌ two people who​‍ met had exactly⁠⁠​ the same blue​ eyes.

***‍

Crunch-⁠

As‌ the dragon met⁠‌​ the dragon, the‍​​ pieces below began‍​⁠ to roar loudly.Among‍‌ the dragons I have summoned, they​​⁠ are the closest‍ to perfection.

Recognizing‌​ their brilliant potential,⁠ the fragments cried‌ out to be‌‍⁠ taken.

“We‍‍ are not meant⁠​⁠ to be fighting.”​

“So,​ what is our⁠⁠ relationship?”

The‍​⁠ swords clashed thunderously,⁠​⁠ with no space‍‍‌ between the advancing⁠‌ and defending.

“Now​‍‌ you know, don’t‍⁠​ you? Who you‌‌ are.”

Screech-!⁠​⁠

The​ balance of the​‌​ clashing swords tilted‍‍​ heavily towards Vlad.‍​⁠

The⁠‌⁠ force only dragons‍​‍ can possess was‌​ pushing Vlad relentlessly.‍⁠‌

“Ugh…”⁠​

[Get‍​ out of there!⁠‌‍ Don’t try to‌⁠​ understand that guy​⁠ by human standards!]⁠

The⁠⁠⁠ marble floor Vlad‍‌‍ stood upon mercilessly‌​⁠ cracked.

It‍ was marble that⁠‌⁠ had been preserved‌⁠ for a long⁠‍‍ time, but it​ couldn’t withstand the‌ force of the​⁠⁠ pressure and was‍​ crumbling.

“Come‌‌ with us. Brother.⁠​ If you are​ who you are‍⁠ now, you are‌ more than qualified.”‍⁠

The⁠ brightest among the⁠​‌ seeds scattered by‌⁠ my father.

Mirshea’s‌ words upon coming​‌‍ to Dragulia were​ clearly sincere.

Because​ that’s how the​‌‍ Dragulia family was‌​ maintained.

“Damn⁠​ it!”

“…!”​

However,​​​ Vlad was greatly‌ angered by Mirshea’s‍​⁠ words about going‍‍ to Dragulia.

“That‍⁠ offer should have‌​⁠ been made before‍⁠‌ my mother died.”‌‍‍

“…!”‍

If​ they were so‍ proud, they should⁠ have come and‍​‌ extended their hand​ a long time‍​ ago.

When​ my mother died,‌‍‍ it was so‍​ cold and I was so young⁠‌​ that I couldn’t​​‌ even make her‍ a grave.

Kwankwang-!‍​

With‌​​ Vlad’s anger, the‍‍​ Sword of the⁠‌ World Tree rebalanced⁠ itself.

Vlad’s‌ muscles began to‌‍​ burst with the​ strength that pushed⁠​⁠ back the force.‍⁠‍

“You‌‍ can’t be my​​⁠ older brother when‍⁠ you weren’t there‍​​ then.”

Bang!‌⁠‍

If‍‌ you are a dragon, then so​ am I.

Vlad‌​ accepted his identity‌‌​ as Dragulia with​‌ bitter memories.

Although⁠​‌ he hated and‌​ wanted to reject‍ the blood running‌ in his veins.​⁠

“Agh!”⁠

Although⁠‍‍ he could strike,‍‌‌ he had never​ received a blow⁠‍ from a dragon⁠ before.

Feeling⁠⁠ the strength for‌​ the first time,‍​⁠ Mirshea was pushed‌ to the end‌‍​ of the hallway.⁠​

“Lord‍‌‍ Rutiger!”

“Yes.”​‍

There​‍ is something called‍‌ an idea that‌​ communicates even without​​ being said.

The​ two made eye​‍⁠ contact and decided‌ to do their‍​‍ part through a familiar experience.

“Buy‍ us time!”

Thud!‌​‍

Rutiger‌‍ plunged his sword​​‌ into the ground,⁠ quickly closed his‍ left eye, and‌⁠‌ fell back into‌​⁠ his deep world.‌‌‍

Deeper​‍‍ than before, touching⁠​ his essence.

Taking​ advantage of the​ time gained by​​ Bayezid’s finest Dragon‌ Slayer.

“Vlad!⁠‍ Vlad Dragulia!”

“Don’t‌‌ call me Dragulia!”‌

Vlad​⁠ shouted loudly at‍⁠‍ Mirshea approaching in‍⁠‌ the darkness.

He‌‍ accepted the blood,⁠‍ but couldn’t bear​‌ to be called​‌‍ that.

Because⁠ that was the‍‌‌ name they gave‍‍​ him.

“I​ will not live‍‍​ as you do.”​⁠

Vlad,‍⁠ Vlad, Vlad.

Vlad,‍‌ who had established⁠ the names he⁠‍ had gained, began‌⁠‌ to build his‍​​ world remembering the‍​​ people who helped‍​ him obtain those‌ names.

The‌‍‍ golden tree Vlad‌‌⁠ created rose above​⁠‍ the land given‌​ by his mentors.‌

“I⁠‍ will live as‍ a knight, not​ as a dragon.”​⁠

One​‍ step ahead of‍⁠ Jager.

The‌​​ art of forging‌‌‌ armor by Justia.‌

The​‍⁠ optimal path to‍ attack taught by⁠​ August.

The‌​ solid energy surrounding‍​​ my entire body‍​​ by Ramund.

And​‌‌ from now on,​ the technique of‍ killing with a single blow by​‍⁠ the knight among‌​ knights. From the‌​ Sword Master.

“Huaaaa!”‌​

With​ Vlad’s powerful roar,‌ the Sword of⁠⁠⁠ the World Tree‍‍‍ began to glow⁠‌ intensely.

That‌​⁠ light was his​‌‌ deep world, carried​‍ by his pulsating‍ heart alongside the⁠‌ stars.

Look⁠ at me, dragon.⁠ It’s me.

No​‍ longer with someone​‍ else’s name, but​⁠ shining with my​‍​ own name.

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