Chapter 195: Towards the Unfulfilled Duty (1)
PekThe previous night had been very difficult.Uwdp
NRXK4The ground trembled beneath their feet and wyverns roared in the sky.wQ9
abGFtHowever, no matter how much of a nightmare the night had been, today’s sun inevitably rose.65va
CRh2As dawn broke over the distant white plains, the residents of Bastopol began to poke their heads out into the now quiet city.lXa
gW2qg“…I definitely should have killed him then.”QmR
bfZG8“Yes.”nnQs
Q4t7VN“It’s your fault for not guiding him properly.”UvFuh4l
eBTr“Yes, fine, I accept that.”YQgI
vNaTzfAAs the rising morning sun cleared away the darkness, the first thing visible were the ruined castle walls and the city.MF5
N0LAmong them, Rutiger and Vlad lay in the most disordered place.kSBiic
rUPToday’s sun shone on the two of them, their heads lowered as if they had exhausted all their strength.CvUv
Yi84E“Still, hitting that guy felt good.”X30yP
HRR4yf“…”Mq2pj
mYsrGHOVlad, who was listening to Rutiger, turned his head and looked towards where the castle wall stood.5uaa
oqa2A deep and enormous crack.lVyV
VYZ0CThe crack starting from the mansion extended exactly to Bastopol’s walls.Z18e
4aMb“Yes, it must have felt good.”u9Dc5D9
TKaC9TVlad nodded, observing the trajectory of Rutiger’s sword, thrown with such fury.mScP
E3ApAWell, if anger were vented to that extent, anyone would have no choice but to feel satisfied.H2ZkR
mxDuIWY“Are you going to Sturma now?”QgF
vQARdx3“Yes.”mL0D
0iKam“To see Joseph?”vdBlvz
dNDvMB“…Yes.”H0UJ9X6
ianrMoA knight who now stood on his own name.OlzR4
XboVlad was a free man who no longer belonged anywhere, but because of this, he decided to leave to do what he wanted to do.Naf5i9j
nBp0Because he thought there was still something he couldn’t do for the person who first recognized him.Zo7q
ZKgEg“We worked well together yesterday, didn’t we?”Sb4
Zfm28E“Just a moment ago you said I didn’t guide him properly.”OzQkSGL
zKDdWVlad, knowing what Rutiger was trying to say, casually kicked a nearby stone.2fLHwdQ
K2nHe couldn’t see it because he had turned his head, but Rutiger was probably making a disappointed face.SOCwct
6iJpkB“Yes. Take care.”3Za446q
iGvZvB“Aren’t you coming with me?”JFMXX
FmaOFKwWhen Vlad asked if he would like to go to Sturma with him, Rutiger shrugged and continued speaking as if it was no big deal.XIl
tFqMCdZ“The mother there isn’t my mother.”xz8vxX
TXHTx“…”pnik
HgS5“Neither you nor I have family to rely on.”XL56
jOORutiger got up as if it was time to leave, playfully ruffled Vlad’s hair, and walked towards the mansion.r8RYXZV
8uGbkRutiger’s world is like a volcano.JeL38n1
jCNdqWatching his back as he walked away with difficulty, Vlad seemed to understand a bit why the anger in his soul was so strong.pdc
BmFW8go***XKZbr6
UyNaQA cannon that can only be reached by crossing a field of pure white snow.5Ujc
ZTfa6The crowd gathered there hung their heads low and remained speechless.3ND2F
YaeUj4“What’s the damage?”CY2
xt3lI“A total of four Wyverns were shot down during the operation.”iHAYtDx
dzuQ“What about the knights?”wr8Dcm
b1vt1MM“…”DU3a
NCkCMirshea, leaning against the cliff, understood the assistant’s silence.1bro
kKd3tMpAt a glance, it was evident that half of the knights were missing.xbY9t
ONTSwallowing bitterness at the loss of those chosen and carefully prepared, Mirshea could only lament.yBMdXg
4xs“Perhaps I should have brought the death worm.”1kTfh
GNscHETen wyverns and fifty elite knights. The northern knights took advantage of the inaccessible sky for a surprise attack, and the plan was to use the dragon, which perfected itself as it approached the fragments.ihZ5d
GirzWHowever, despite the full support of the Dragon Archduke and the use of infiltrators within the city, the visible result was a resounding failure.6v2Y66z
7iRy2“You said the young Ravnoma is still in Soara?”mndybZ
Motfg“We received a telegram saying he just left for Sturma…”q0YtBce
OrwsAlthough no plan can be perfect, Mirshea was not one to tolerate such unforeseen circumstances.O630Kq
GxcHe had been extremely cautious, but the problem arose in a completely different place.2xCNI35
cKycI“The pact was transferred even though the young Ravnoma wasn’t…”0qx
HfdJThe oldest dragon, Sarnus Dragulia, had been watching the scene since the seal to contain the pieces was created.wpNa3Kk
xYEZHe knew very well that the guardian of the oath could not be changed without the Swordmaster’s permission, but in reality, the oath was transferred from Ravnoma to Bayezid, and it ended up failing now.15bFMPx
OSyvwbvIf the Ravnoma’s chest had acted according to the initial plan, Mirshea and the wyverns would not have withdrawn so easily.uglpwJ
YET‘…It wasn’t the Swordmaster’s sword.’D1O
I1zReflecting on the failure, Mirshea realized.EQ22KI
jsLIXThe energy of the Swordmaster that my father felt in the north was not just a trace of the sword.QqoXk
yV6S95OIt meant that somewhere in the north, someone carrying his blood or his will existed.Q5my
lfQo“…That’s impossible.”owusQG
1ylEven the Dragon Archduke had anxiously searched, but could not find it.wWQ3qn
0XRIt couldn’t be from the same bloodline. If so, it would be a successor to his will. Coming to this conclusion, Mirshea smiled, imagining a possibility that couldn’t happen.ADRE
x9UyWpz“What’s impossible, commander?”nwWYj
fbsGr“Nothing.”VXtD
Vs5iI suppose not.cTI4W4
QwJKZCA knight born as a dragon and fulfilling the will of the Swordmaster.dWY49
DrgsshLThere cannot be such a contradictory being in this world.Vht
gbyMKq“Bind the wounded. We’re leaving.”WdK
pCVHY0T“Understood, commander.”GnECYF
Vmk3After giving the order, Mirshea looked at his charred palms.XQ4mc
w5fThe black scars that remained over the word “perfection.”3Os
pnA8LbaMirshea, clenching both hands tightly, engraved a name that should not be forgotten alongside the scar on his heart.Zbuh
yn1ES***8R0F
kVEuJvInside the mansion in ruins, Timur and Peter were having tea.mwwinU1
XBtAlthough it was a meeting between a noble duke and a count, the atmosphere was very calm and felt familiar.pgDDw
WgDt“There’s no liquor left to offer because everything is destroyed. I barely found some tea.”T09K
3AHjUEj“It’s okay, this is enough.”lfDi
rSU8RrYPeter, holding the teacup, shrugged as if understanding Timur’s difficulties.SNn
pjsQuMPerhaps it was because he was facing Old Iron, an old acquaintance.hd0
HZIHe seemed relaxed in a way that reminded one of Rutiger when he smiled and Joseph when he drank tea.rzRUWKL
3ZXTWXd“Somehow, this turned out well. Thanks to this event, we can unite firmly.”XcGDDJ
NWAyBAlthough there were unfortunate incidents, the northern meeting was successfully completed because of them.Tin
bUHq0IThere’s nothing more effective in uniting us than an external threat.IVjejK
rywOmY“Look there.”lDkyb9
gU3pTimur nodded with the tip of his chin as if gesturing to look over there.5VHV
BklflPeter, sipping his tea, observed the procession leaving the castle gate through the half-broken window.y27Y
NIho87It was a group of lords returning to their respective territories after a meeting.vUPP6
HCH“If they have the same destination, why don’t they leave together?”XTE
gBk“There’s no need to stir up dragon’s blood.”jBiDZxc
B9EfPeter recognized the blond knight riding away among the group.VCMT
AKaAb4qThe knight departing on the black horse was probably headed to his territory, Sturma.BCB1A
hwcTnuF“From now on, the dragon fragment will be sealed in Sturma.”ayPQEPM
s1fi5KA knight born as a dragon but decided to fight against the dragon.OQF
dvUfRWatching the small flag behind the horse crossing the city gate, Peter smiled faintly.HSMj
DuieThat flag hanging behind the black horse was definitely made by his wife.IyPT
OLNuu3C“By the way, how’s your second son? I understand that the next head of the family has already been decided.”0P9M
ohc1NxnPeter didn’t immediately respond to Timur’s question.k5G
x4nWIP3He simply tilted his empty teacup and made a bitter expression.fOM
F22“…He has something he wants to do to the end.”HtpTM
yJ6There may not be a finger that doesn’t hurt when bitten, but there are probably some that hurt especially.yAyo
kHDhqFor Peter, that finger was Joseph, so he couldn’t refuse his wish to give his all to the end.j5bb
rsbG“You should rest a bit now, even if it’s just a little.”3ILgA
xLX6Hoping the blond knight leaving the city and heading to him would offer comfort.N1BYC
5RJjWqThe last sip of tea Peter took was incredibly bitter.uAFepce
YGgFG0***2ih0T2
vEsu1Long ago, our ancestors made a promise to a man.nEWbW3
SlHpLkLet us unite under the same banner to drive out the most perfect dragon.c3RGFW6
VDj2w9DThe promise at that time was true and honorable, and we, the Lords of the North, have still tried to fulfill that promise.FzUVUvQ
aMg3GZLBut what about the current empire?qGCAq
kFbDo you remember the promise we made back then to become one?9j7e1E
eTeGrgDo you remember the city that protected human pride to the end?rQlQvA
XYXEV6Is the current emperor really qualified to fulfill the promise of the founding king?PmIshVR
faZlThat’s why we decided here.FlLHe
8eeCWe will no longer follow the orders of the empire that broke its promise to the North through discrimination and disdain.BeGl
1XbOF3From now on, we will not recognize the emperor born of false blood.4qIc
gPs5YThe founding king and grand master of the sword.WOjEM1
jOp9rqtUntil the legitimate successor of Kihano Frausen, who killed the most perfect dragon, arises, the North will remain solely in his name.E1R6
4OxjeiThis is the resolution of the seven lords of the North to the empire.akT4U
xeMIYm***e6b
rjEBA deep forest in the east.3aa
x0WThere was a deep and vast forest that did not allow human access.WMyQ
wuBAusurin, a forest with a young World Tree and the young spirits that embrace the World Tree.g5RM3
OB6However, the forest was now frozen by a cutting tension, as if a sword had touched it.r09
U5WOk“…Back off, back off! Everyone back off now.”Hp4ZR
8N1WIeTAll the elves of the village had gathered in front of the young World Tree.gxuA
p7JgWjThe atmosphere was so intense that it seemed like something could be cut by the murderous energy emanating from the elves.g6y
aBgZ9hPThis time, the determination of the elves to protect the World Tree, no matter the cost, was clear.HUhRGUb
NnTYm6“But, elder…”Ty3GN
PT3R“It’s a revelation.”qLB
HEaLNow, in front of the World Tree, there were strange beings covered in black.UQio
Rgr4Regardless of whether they were humans or monsters, they had no heads and said nothing, but they were contaminating the elves’ forest with their mere presence.hAl32
SdkIn“No matter how much it’s a revelation from a priestess, are you really going to hand over the Sword of the Swordmaster? To that sinister human?”zONa
JUf“That cannot happen!”EbZ1yBl
boo5KThe elves seemed ready to pounce on the man in front of them at any moment, but Elder Geronimo firmly restrained them.utGfw4
LMwZ‘…Why have you returned like this?’pu27
ZTwBYHe was a man whom Geronimo had seen when he was a child hundreds of years ago, but Geronimo remembered him clearly.FWm2v
F37The clothes he wore were worn out, and the color of his hair was faded gray.6uOb
Ns70Even the look in his eyes was as old as a corpse.26J
9FRygTSeeing him, a great man but returning in such a pitiful state, Geronimo felt a sense of confusion that couldn’t be described in words.4ch
mxdIR“…Everyone, please step aside.”dRoMEQC
dZVEAt that moment, a voice was heard behind the murmuring elves.V2HlB
mJSBwfAlthough the sound was not loud, it resonated in everyone, following the will of the World Tree.JqkDD9r
7dUuE7“Priestess!”ueZRl3F
awx6J6“It can’t be, not that sword…”w2BbJzv
KppHDespite it being winter, the priestess of the World Tree wore only a thin cloth.Gl0
8WHaDpObserving the scene she had seen in her dream, the priestess’s eyes seemed on the verge of tears.LtT
BHflPxu“Please step aside. All of you.”y3U8jO
CZxRIf they didn’t step aside, they would all die.ZB81
VCLLEThat’s what she had seen in her dream and what the World Tree had warned.5JJU
QScEt9ZThe sinister woman, still gazing at the World Tree, smiled at the young spirits playing there.NEojX
EfGYE2“Take it. Because you are the rightful owner.”1mRR7qU
FjeQe“…”ULxbCsp
5gbHolding the silver sword with both hands, the priestess of the World Tree looked at the man in front of her with a pained expression, as if she were about to cry.S8xSp
xLGaazqFor the priestess to cry meant that the World Tree cried too.eK3y
UC730BDespite it being winter, the green leaves of the World Tree rustled in the wind.ljtB2g
vfmwc“Can you hear it? The sword is crying for your current state.”z0rp
VVQMmDespite the priestess’s choked words, the man simply took the Sword of the Swordmaster with an indifferent expression.2boS
d70His creaking movement, like an old mechanism, seemed desolate.GGHMN
pAc14I8“…It doesn’t matter if you can’t hear it.”l6uDA
OBpFAs the priestess said, the silver sword cried sadly at seeing its master return in disheveled appearance to fulfill the duty it could not fulfill.MZyoAu
wRYoKfBut the man holding the sword seemed to hear nothing, indifferent to everything.IxSvW
2E947“Because this time I must kill all the dragons.”WKVbrDK
AplIdSThere was a great dragon slayer who killed the most perfect dragon.2nqH2c
72WHis name is Kihano Frausen.Xz4Yp
N3xs3hBut now, completely exhausted and drained, he had forgotten his own name and only remembered his duty.crHA
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