Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 196: Towards the Unfulfilled Duty (2)

Chapter 196: Towards the Unfulfilled Duty (2)

Although‌‍ the north had⁠‌‌ short days, there‍ was an office⁠‌ located in the⁠‌⁠ sunniest spot.

It‍‌ was a place⁠ specially prepared by⁠‌⁠ Countess Oksana, but‍ now it was so disorganized that‍ the sunlight streaming‍ through the window seemed almost shameful.‌⁠

“Sir⁠⁠ Joseph, I brought tea.”

“…Leave‌ it and go.”‍‌

“How about taking a break while you⁠‌‍ work?”

Bordan,⁠ who had personally⁠ brought the hot tea, sighed as‍ he saw the‌‌ cluttered office.

‘It’s⁠‌ better than being‌ depressed and shut in, but…’

When‍⁠ Joseph first returned‍‌‌ to Sturma, he‍‌‌ locked himself in⁠ his room and‌ refused to come‍ out.

The‍ accumulated fatigue and the sense of‌ failure from being eliminated from the⁠‍ competition had overwhelmed‌‌‌ him.

It⁠ was said he⁠⁠‍ had been so⁠‍ weak that he⁠ even coughed up‌‌ blood, so his‍‍ current energetic state‍ might be a good sign.

“I told you to‌‌ leave it and‍‍‍ go.”

However,‍⁠ Bordan, who had⁠‍ served Joseph for‍⁠ a long time,‌‍‌ couldn’t get used‍‌ to the fierce⁠‌ look in his‍‌ eyes now.

Joseph’s‍‌ eyes, gleaming like⁠⁠ a beast’s, along‌ with his deep⁠‌‍ dark circles, created an unsettling atmosphere.⁠⁠

“…Lady‌ Oksana said she⁠ would like to have dinner with⁠‌ you tonight.”

“I⁠‍ understand.”

It wasn’t clear if⁠‌⁠ he truly understood,‌ as he simply⁠‍ waved his hand⁠ to shoo Bordan away.

Looking‍ at Joseph like‍ this, Bordan had‌ no choice but‍ to leave with⁠ a worried expression‍‍ on his face.⁠‌

“…”‌

Once‍⁠ Bordan left, the‌ office was silent‍‍ again.

Though⁠‍‌ the cup of tea grew cold,‍ Joseph frowned as⁠‌ he stared at⁠‍ the map in⁠‌‍ front of him.‌

‘Why⁠⁠ did they do⁠ it this way?’⁠

It‌‍ was a map‍‌ large enough to‌ cover a big⁠ wall.

However,‍ the large map‌ was filled with⁠ newly drawn lines‍⁠⁠ and letters, and‍ Joseph was now‌ deeply troubled as⁠ he looked at‍ them.

‘If⁠ you simply crave‌ power, there’s no⁠ need to tear⁠ things apart like‍‍ this, right?’

Even‍‌ though he had‍⁠ been eliminated from‍ the family head‌ competition, Joseph had‍⁠ not given up⁠ on everything.

There‌ was something called‍‍ perspective that you⁠⁠‌ could gain by‍ stepping back, and⁠ the appearance of⁠‌ the empire from⁠‍ a distance was truly a mess.‍⁠

‘…The‍ central region is‌‍‍ divided into the‌ Dragulia faction and‌ the court faction.’⁠‍⁠

The⁠ territorial battles of the central families,‌‌ which still take‌‍ place on a large and small‌ scale, are ultimately nothing but proxy⁠ wars fought in‌ the name of⁠‍‌ the Dragonblood Dukes‌ and the court.‍

The‌ lords who relied‍ on central power‌‌⁠ continued an endless‍ war according to⁠⁠‍ their factions.

“In‌‍‌ the East, discontent⁠ with the elves’‍ forest is growing.”‌‌

The⁠ elves’ forest shown‍‌ on the eastern‍‍ side of the⁠‍⁠ map. Ausurin.

The‍ arrows pointing towards‍‌ that place were⁠‌ drawn thick and⁠‌ dense.

Every‍ single arrow drawn by Joseph originated⁠‍‌ from the eastern⁠⁠ territories.

“It’s⁠ not that I don’t understand because‍⁠ I suddenly couldn’t⁠ breathe.”

It‌ is said that‌ the lords of‍ the eastern region,‍‌‌ whose trade was⁠⁠‍ unilaterally blocked by the elves, are now gathering soldiers‍‌‌ centered around the‍ family of Count⁠‍ Vitskaya.

From⁠ the eastern point‍‌ of view, it⁠‍ was necessary to‌ open the gates of Ausurin at‌ all costs to‌‌‌ reopen the suddenly‌⁠ blocked trade.

‘The⁠ west is quiet‌⁠ for now, but‌‍⁠ it won’t stay⁠⁠‌ that way.’

Gaidar⁠⁠‍ suffered a heavy⁠‍ blow in the⁠⁠ decisive battle with‌ Bayezid and hid⁠ beyond the desolate‌⁠ canyon, but he‌ is probably still‍ constantly looking for⁠ opportunities to recover‌⁠ and take revenge.

Because‍‌ of these concerns,‍ Timur the Iron⁠ Lord initially installed⁠ an entry fortress‍ blocking the canyon.‍

The‌‌ northern part has‍ declared independence, but⁠ the central part⁠‌ is still in‌ turmoil.

The‌ east was preparing‌ an offensive against‍ the Elves and the West was⁠ still sharpening its⁠⁠⁠ teeth against the‍⁠⁠ North.

I don’t know about‌ the southern region,⁠ which doesn’t yet have a proper‌‌ information network, but⁠ it wouldn’t have stayed calm in⁠‍ this chaotic situation.

“…What‍‍ are you trying‌⁠ to achieve by⁠ tearing the empire‌⁠ apart this way?”⁠

Throughout‌ the history of‍‌ the empire, there‍⁠‍ were heaps of‍ conflicts that had accumulated over time.⁠‌⁠

By‌⁠ race, by region,‌ and by religion.‍⁠

And‌‌ the one who‌ had ignited the‌‍⁠ fuse of these‌ conflicts had been‌ Dragulia.

If⁠‌ you followed the⁠ arrows on the⁠⁠ map in reverse,‍⁠ they all pointed‍⁠ to Dragulia.

“…”‍⁠⁠

Only⁠⁠ by knowing the‍ opponent’s intentions can⁠‌‌ you face their moves.

However,‍ Dragulia’s behavior gave‍ no clues about‌‌ his intentions, so‍‍ the shadow in⁠‍ Joseph’s eyes as‍‌ he looked at‍ the map only‍‍‍ grew darker.

***‍⁠

Although they departed at‌ the same time,‌‌ their destinations were⁠‍ different.

Some‍ headed west, others‍‌ south.

The‍‌‌ lords who had‌⁠‌ left the city‍‍‌ of Bastopol, governed⁠ by the Iron‍ Duke, now turned⁠⁠ their horses toward‌ their respective territories.⁠

“Now⁠ we are the‍⁠ last ones.”

At‌ the crossroads where‍‍‍ they had to‍⁠ part ways, Vlad looked at Alicia,‍‌ who extended her‍⁠‌ hand.

Seeing⁠ the white hand‌⁠‍ extended from the⁠⁠‌ carriage, Vlad quickly‍‌ took her hand,⁠ fearing it might‍⁠ get cold.

“I’ll accompany you to⁠⁠ Deirmar.”

“It’s⁠ fine. I also‍⁠⁠ brought my knights.”

Although they were not‍ as strong as⁠ Vlad, Alicia’s group‍ was sufficient to⁠‍⁠ reach Deirmar.

“I⁠‍‍ have always been grateful to you,‍ Lord Vlad, from‌ the time at my parents’ grave‍⁠‍ until now.”

Alicia’s‍‌ eyes fell on‌ the load Noir‌ was carrying.

The‌‍ luggage the black‌‍ horse carried with a dissatisfied expression‍ contained small gifts‌‌⁠ the northern lords had given Vlad‌⁠ before departing.

They⁠⁠ might have been‍ simple gifts, but‌ they were signs‍ of recognition.

“…I‍ haven’t been able⁠‌⁠ to repay all that you’ve given‍‌ me, but at‍⁠⁠ least I don’t‌ want to be‌ an obstacle in your path.”

Seeing‍ those gifts, Alicia‍‍ had to admit‌⁠‌ that the name‍ Hainal was already too small to‌ retain Vlad.

The image of Vlad, walking down the‌ hall leaving behind‌‍ the seven northern‌⁠ lords, appeared larger‍ and freer than⁠⁠ ever.

“Go.‌ I heard you‍‍⁠ must go to⁠ Sturma.”

“…”‌

As‌ Vlad watched Alicia‍ smile while telling‌⁠‍ him to leave,‍ he unconsciously remembered‍ Zemina in Soara.‌‌

This was because the‌ expression on Alicia’s‍⁠ face when she‍ said she didn’t⁠‍ want to be‍‌ a burden at‌‍⁠ the crossroads where they had to⁠ part was exactly‌‍ the same as‍ Zemina’s from before.‌⁠

“But‌‍ please, once…”

“I‍ will definitely come‍‍ to see you.”⁠

What did I do‌ back then?

What I said to⁠‌ appease Zemina, who⁠ was sad about‍ the separation.

“Yes?”‍‍

“I‍‍ don’t know when,‌⁠ but I will⁠⁠ definitely pass through‍‍ Deirmar.”

I might leave now,‌‍ but I will‌ definitely come back to see you.⁠‍

I think I said‌‍‌ this and Zemina⁠‌ laughed.

“Look.‍‌ Now I keep‌ it separately.”

Vlad‍‍⁠ took out a small cloth bag from his chest‌ and waved it‍ in front of‍⁠ Alicia.

When‌‍ he opened it,‌‌‍ what he saw⁠ was a carefully⁠ folded handkerchief.

Seeing⁠ that Vlad kept⁠⁠ her handkerchief so‌‌ it wouldn’t mix⁠ with those of‌‌ other ladies, Alicia‌ couldn’t help but‍⁠ smile despite her‍ sadness.

Even⁠⁠ though the nest‌ became small and‌ the bird flew‌ away, it would‌‌‌ always return to⁠⁠ the nest.

Seeing‌ Vlad, who considered‍⁠ Deirmar his nest⁠‍ in addition to‌ the smile of⁠⁠ the rose, Alicia couldn’t lament the‌‌‍ farewell at the‍ crossroads.

***‌‌

Even‌ though there was‌ no wind, the⁠‌⁠ waves crashing into⁠⁠ the port were‍ strong.

These‌‌ waves were created⁠ by the enormous⁠‍ body approaching from⁠⁠ afar.

Devious,‌‌‌ the butler of‍ the Dragonslayer knights,‍⁠ raised the collar‍⁠ of his cloak‍ as he watched the massive ship⁠‌‍ drawing nearer.

“What⁠⁠ kind of ship‌‌ is that…?”

Some‍‌ soldiers, upon seeing the approaching vessel,‍‍ exclaimed in amazement.

Even if you looked up, its size‍‌‍ was overwhelming. The⁠ ship’s growing shadow⁠ loomed over them‌‌ as it drew‍‍⁠ closer to the⁠ shore.

“Drop‍⁠ anchor!”

“Lower‌ the boarding plank!”‌

The‌⁠ ship reached the⁠⁠ port as the‌‌ soldiers held their‍ breath. When the⁠ recognizable red sail,‌ visible from a distance, was folded,⁠ a long boarding‌ plank began to‌ descend from the⁠ ship to the‌ ground.

“Ha, ha! I didn’t‌ expect you to come in person!”‍⁠⁠

A man said as‍‍⁠ he descended to‌⁠⁠ the port with⁠‍‌ a loud laugh.⁠ His gruff demeanor⁠‌ was that of‍‍‌ a typical sailor,‍ but his clothes‍‌ were made of expensive silk.

“You‍‍ look much better‍‍‍ than the last⁠⁠ time I saw‍‌ you on my⁠ lands.”

“Welcome,‌‌ Duke Barbosa.”

Though the plank was⁠‌ wide enough for‌ two people to walk side by‌ side, the burly‌‌ man took up all the space.⁠ He had the‌ characteristic red hair⁠ of the south‌⁠ and a hearty laugh that only⁠⁠ a man in‍ his prime could⁠⁠ have.

“Thank you for coming⁠‌ from so far⁠‍ away.”

“It⁠‍ wasn’t a problem.‍ This is a trip I make‌‍ every day.”

Devious,‌ bowing respectfully to⁠‍ Duke Barbosa, noticed‍ that the man,‌‍ with his friendly‍‍ laugh, brought with‌ him the salty‌‌‍ smell of the‍‌ sea.

“It’s strange, I’ve been⁠ on land so‌‍‌ long that I’m⁠⁠‍ getting seasick.”

The man called Duke‌‌ Barbosa pulled a bottle of alcohol⁠‌ from his pocket,‍ saying that at⁠ times like these,⁠ one should drink.‌‍‌

“Though‍⁠‌ it’s late, Duke Dragulia sends his⁠‍ congratulations on the conquest of the⁠‍ southern archipelago.”

“I’ll‌‌ discuss that when⁠ I reach the⁠ capital.”

Duke⁠⁠‍ Barbosa responded as‍ if nothing had‍ happened, but his achievements were truly remarkable.

Unlike‍ other regions where⁠ a strong power‍‍⁠ structure was already⁠⁠⁠ in place, such‌ as Ravnoma or‌⁠‌ Baranov, the Southern⁠‍‍ Archipelago had never⁠ been governed by‍ a single family‍⁠‍ throughout the empire’s‍‍ history.

“Anyway,‍ I heard you’ve been having some⁠ trouble lately?”

“That’s‍ right.”

Devious‍ responded politely but⁠ didn’t take his⁠‌⁠ eyes off the‍‌ boat being lowered⁠ from the ship.⁠

The‌‍‍ boat, which the‍ sailors were struggling⁠ to lower as⁠ if it were‌‌ heavy, was secured‌‍ with a silver chain since it⁠‌ contained very valuable⁠‌ items.

“The⁠‍ north has declared‍⁠‍ its independence. It‍⁠ seems the pressure‍⁠ from the west‍ wasn’t enough.”

“My,⁠ the country is‌⁠ falling apart.”

Duke‌⁠ Barbosa took a swig from the‌⁠ liquor bottle he was holding and‍‌ continued speaking while frowning, as if‍‍ the bitter taste⁠ lingering on his‍‌ tongue was strong.‍‍

“That’s‍ why I said⁠‍⁠ Count Gaidar wasn’t‍⁠ suitable.”

Although⁠ he had suffered‍⁠ a significant defeat,⁠ Count Gaidar remained⁠⁠ the ruler of‌ the west? However, Barbosa spoke of‌⁠ him with utter disdain.

“I⁠ told the Dragon Blood Lord that‌‌‍ great things should⁠‌ be done with‌⁠ important people.”

Duke‌ Barbosa carelessly tossed‍ away the bottle‌⁠⁠ he had just‌‌ finished drinking.

Ebony-black waves approached from behind him as‍‌ he removed his‍ captain’s hat.

Coming‌⁠ from the distant⁠⁠⁠ blue sea, they‌‍‍ were the private‍ fleet that Duke⁠‌ Barbosa took pride⁠ in.

“So‌ you won’t fail‌‌ this time with‌ me.”

The‌ duke’s narrowed eyes‌ seemed playful, but‍ the waves he⁠⁠ brought were not‍ so light.

Because⁠‌ he was the‌‌‌ only Duke of‌⁠ the south, the‍ Golden Duke Barbosa.⁠⁠‌

There⁠‌ are only four‍‍‌ noble dukes in the empire.

The‌ Iron Duke of‍⁠ the north.

The Dragon Blood Duke of the center.⁠

The‌‍⁠ palace duke of the imperial family.‌⁠

And⁠‍⁠ now the Golden Duke of the‍ South.