Chapter 199: Nidavellir Dwarf Liberation Front (1)
ANxEarly in the morning, when everyone was still asleep, Vlad and Jager stood facing each other in the empty training hall.W76l9S
jrvhAMAlthough the battlefield wasn’t filled with the intent to kill, the tense atmosphere between them evoked the sensation of a real combat.aVTMC
yGh“Come on, come at me.”3axI
vZv2CHearing Jager say he was ready, Vlad silently held his breath.rRl
PXyxIt was a sparring match with Jager that he had done countless times in the past, but there was a reason he was particularly nervous today.BYyqh
bNj[As you know, Jager is the kind of swordsman who digs traps and waits. Be wary of his provocations.]KOl
DI8mN‘Understood.’8IPWh49
pLMLThe smiling figure with the lowered sword was full of cunning.tBgRZ
D0NWiHowever, Vlad knew well that there was a glint inside Jager that was sharper than a snake’s teeth.0zaRL
esVDGo“Why? Do you want me to attack first?”8rqY
Xpm“…”67SA
FDOIt’s not always necessary for swords to clash to begin a fight.G08O
XvBKlRThere are variables determined before a battle begins, and Jager had taught Vlad to secure as many invisible variables as possible.kaUo
8qx7OkfIt was as if he was mocking Vlad with a sneering expression.2hwV4
3Hww7q“I should attack first. You’re getting on in years, and your joints must be weak.”6En
kC8v“…Impertinent.”pGck
E1B8S“And who taught me to be like this?”n1qeg
gPVK“No, you always had the seed of insolence.”AmdwS62
SfNThe position of the toes, the angle of the raised sword, even the constant shifting glances and gestures.maHr5
7xnThough the swords hadn’t clashed, Vlad and Jager were already fiercely fighting, trying to deceive each other with traps and feints.RngjY9D
QwLDmBZFinally, at the end of this preliminary duel, Vlad’s sword began to gleam under the moonlight.vYJ
qUTS“Then, here I come!”C8laM
sr3“…!”rqVllkE
ifupXWVThe heap of dirt thrown behind Vlad bounced loudly into the night sky.7HLh
3axlSjAn unpredictable speed.KNv
nbwN4Though he wasn’t using aura, the explosive power of Vlad’s charge was something Jager hadn’t anticipated at all.W3zm
OD05‘What the hell?!’shE
zLsUrSrClang!gR0pKK
Oe6n9With a loud crack, the frozen ground began to fracture.kTVwWM
QtsdQJager was pushed back, unable to withstand Vlad’s force, leaving a trail in the ground.O8u
Lrk7Ct“You’ve learned a charming trick!”zU6
XIy“This is just a rush!”01RMMgF
9MUxThrough the vibration of his trembling sword, Jager could see Vlad’s eyes.qX2lJ
dtO8His eyes were bluer than when he was a child and had gone beyond the ferocity of his youth, now reaching the realm of fierceness.qsrMTM
faBjVJ‘They say he has the blood of a dragon.’NrWUa3M
wkqiThough he wasn’t using aura, Vlad’s world felt palpable.KFYFss
nWdvsJVlad realized who he was and accepted his identity as Dragulia.qz3CRL
ntfHe was no longer just Jager’s apprentice but someone who had forged himself, as reflected in his blue eyes.fJX
o9GvI7“Don’t stop. Keep the offense going.”ufEXC
miTAJager said, nodding as he saw Vlad’s eyes grow even bluer.KaO4y
f513YXIf you fail in a strike, you must never stop.ZGml
rEp9ffOpportunities will arise only through constant movement.qbVGf
GJojfZi“Haaargh!”C068
7apAj9UThen, what now filled Jager’s gaze was the roar of a young dragon.sE3
uuHeAmid the incessant barrage of sword attacks, Jager’s eye patch began to shift.sTmU
cDMP‘…I can’t keep up.’x7PS
SYeDFThe thrust was as fierce as lightning, but its direction was as fluid as water.lzsma1
N7kqxJager couldn’t hide his surprise seeing Vlad, who was able to embody completely different sword skills from others.ZicJMO
2yN“You’ve become a mix of techniques!”VhiQCz
gN7cSp“What do you think? Not bad, right?”mFFgI
98PLSThough it was an insult, Vlad knew it was a compliment, and he began to smile.RFoGV
R1RoSeeing Vlad, who had grown more than expected, Jager also smiled fiercely.hGunoRA
iwiyU“Impertinent!”sHJNo
0BtgOhBut that smile didn’t just come from joy.bUUL
LhbHY9QIt was the laughter of a predator that had found a weakness in its prey.TpNUL
AAsN3RThump! Thump!FS4ahU
N50From the tip of Jager’s sword, sophisticated counterattacks unique to the original master began to emerge.LnPiC
9QOcThe tip of Vlad’s sword began to tremble due to Jager’s elegant counterattack to provoke the flow.sfOoh1
85Ew“Your center is still unstable, boy.”KYH1
PQ589Bk“…Argh.”f0Bl
QWyaGpZThough his world was strong, his swordsmanship still had gaps.6npvC
x3xPVlad, who had always compensated for that weakness with single-strike techniques, couldn’t help but show those gaps in front of Jager, who meticulously wrapped around his opponent.92uj5m
7c5“If this is all, you disappoint me.”Vthuj
oVN2y“That… can’t be.”J0J63dk
H3PelVlad, blinded by the movement of his cloak, quickly widened the distance and escaped Jager’s trap.Cvl
GNwCHowever, the reason Vlad could smile despite the tilted momentum was probably because he could see it was completely different from before.w4yj3
ABtvfCp“You still haven’t hit my shins, have you?”rBg
6L3YsgO“Ha. You’ve only learned to be insolent since you left.”Vt1Gvc
yUBAGHow much have I grown as a person now compared to when I started?0OPf
T0EiwThe only person who can fully answer the question Vlad is curious about is probably Jager, standing in front of him at this moment.51HIGf
xJyThe marks of their past training were still present in Jager’s world.oIuS
HDL“This time, I’ll break your shins so you won’t climb again.”zu4ty
ob0e4Pm“Does that mean you’ll aim for the upper part instead of the legs?”eyTgBaR
BCRThough they were glaring fiercely at each other, both knights smiled as they raised their swords with joy.RKNG4J
kNlQBecause it was time to confirm how much they had both grown and how much they had nurtured.koFk5W
LnbZEven after disappearing, the traces of their existence would remain, thought Jager, as he touched the patch on his eye.NxLE4EW
QrgUe7***cMH
4yf5“Did you win?”lvHD
FMSnmHE“…What?”3sIfLDu
FJLtIt was the morning Vlad was supposed to leave Sturmar.oDR
sc6545Vlad loaded the last of the luggage into the carriage and pulled Noir along with a limp.tDyM9
dNRbuc“Didn’t you have a duel with Lord Jager last night?”tRsbMSh
CqDi“How do you know?”ZY9Mi
yRKo“How could I not know?”Kuuc
DHgS2Portly spoke excitedly, his cheeks red from the cold.a0oUCUZ
rIxJX“The noise you two made last night was so loud that even I noticed. Probably all the knights and squires in the mansion know too.”G1S
LIq“…Really?”TyO5C
3zdMya6After hearing Portly’s words, Vlad glanced slightly toward the mansion.UwdEe
1HziAs expected, just as Portly said, there were many knights lingering nearby.x80aPK
Nhf“What are they so curious about? Eh, Portly?”ZaZxNKS
cEK“Uhm…”Oxg
FEL11dPortly’s fingers, which were counting the boxes, returned to their initial position upon hearing Vlad’s severe voice.1ytJ
YRAd1B3His shoulders shrunk, making his rounded figure look even rounder.LwYMH
dvVTFd“I was just curious… If you don’t want to say, then don’t.”0V3M0Pc
6OgpBwe“I won.”ZMzbq
C49t“Really?”lDG
cnwP5Although Portly was surprised to hear that Vlad had won, he soon looked skeptically at Vlad’s limping leg.2oCanSS
nrCd4“Is Lord Jager okay?”Ab1ZsoF
wBpy“That’s because he cheated.”Khbl
V242xLooking at Jager, who was at the front of the line, Vlad bared his teeth in a smile.wXz
yY0H‘…He said he wouldn’t use aura.’oEQUrc
wp5d7Jager’s world was a green glow, like the aurora in the night sky.cPtvyU
1083trJIt was the color Vlad saw just before being struck on the shin the night before.fNNws
DOx‘Oops! I did it unintentionally.’Vts86
XrPZUWhy did it feel like he had lost despite winning?zDOs7
Ot9UxHe could still hear Jager’s mocking voice from last night, as he watched him suffer in pain.Q9RKXL7
aiFRDLv“Vlad, Vlad.”1f7zO
3sfXSC“What?”5p0yEz0
qwkw2“There. The countess is looking for you.”Bpt
nufKMm“Eh?”0tEF
XaGfnQvI didn’t realize because I was focused on Jager, but there was a gesture calling Vlad from the mansion’s entrance.V2s
HZZTIt was a gesture from Oksana, who had come out to see the group off.Zql
DBIcj“Was she calling me?”yUKuq6H
L5H“Yes, Vlad.”3VwoM
L2PSxZFor some reason, there was a small tear in one of Oksana’s eyes.4l90PX
wCBgKmHowever, the reason she tried to smile was out of consideration for Vlad who was right in front of her.kVqdub
ZvRV“If you had told me in advance that you were coming, I could have prepared more.”hhG
ZqAg“…”zdm9kN
rtBE3TVlad saw the bundles of luggage the maids were bringing out for Oksana.39Zk
LacHcw6They were all bundles containing clothes.fvKO5
Tpx“In summer, you should wear summer-appropriate clothes, and in winter, you should wear winter-appropriate clothes. Now that you have become a noble, you shouldn’t dress like you do now.”u4NM
exdLzG“I’m sorry.”J7Ot607
8VFcOksana said, caressing Vlad’s protruding neck.uW9FqF5
t6gAlthough made of high-quality fabric, the clothes that seemed unusually thin were the summer clothes Oksana had given Vlad when he was a squire.TOGB
O8E2m7“I cut it a bit bigger than before, so it will probably fit well.”bW1jK
yYKS“Thank you for your consideration.”BHh
vhGW6p“And also…”VUcpDh
4UqRpEYA woman with whom it was always difficult to make eye contact.OsJ7J5
nB793Therefore, Vlad kept his head bowed for no reason, but he had no choice but to raise it when he felt a firm touch around his shoulder.AHWANpB
lcv“What did you do with the cloak I gave you before?”SwyjBoP
V4kE58“…Ah.”gQ4d7j
xc7gVlad unconsciously touched the fur that gently wrapped around his shoulders.Uf0LCG
k0u8COrIt was much thicker than the cloak he had given to Charlotte and kept him so warm that he could forget the winter cold.1zw
KEUItkY“It’s an ermine fur cloak. This time, don’t lose it.”Xm0iu
1jdKsAs Oksana untied the old cloak and tied the new one with her own hands, Vlad was left speechless.nwHOR
jiIGQT“Please take care of my son during this journey, Vlad, or should I say, Lord Vlad.”sX34pE9
Jdrp9Looking into Oksana’s eyes, which seemed somewhat sad, Vlad nodded silently.cRm
fBNENRAlthough she was someone else’s mother, the warmth that emanated from her penetrated deeper than the ermine fur cloak.yBYFztN
u4aMs7“Then I will leave.”hUwFCyb
lJF1“Yes.”iHjC
uIZnkVlad bowed his head deeply, feeling tickled, and quickly found his assigned seat and entered.lrF
ij0He noticed Oksana’s eyes constantly watching him from behind, but he didn’t want to take away the time for the mother and son to say their goodbyes.5bs
i2x“Wow… that cloak.”3ypd0H
6YBP“What about the cloak?”gKG4
4LSNibelun, who was traveling on the roof of the carriage instead of the donkey he used to ride, began to laugh as he looked at Vlad’s new cloak.QM3
sAMf“Could you lend me that cloak later?”TAuia
xBPs“Why?”kqrvZk
OQwb“My heating pouch is empty. I think it escaped because I hit it too much.”oPI6CC7
drK6Nibelun smiled sheepishly as he shook his old heating pouch.9t03fX2
9PQeAs he said, the pocket, which had thinned out, seemed to contain nothing.XiVtT
hzVO“This won’t do.”bZSv
CEAve“Oh, come on, don’t do that.”8G0
RyuLUkDespite Nibelun’s pleading, Vlad just adjusted the collar of his cloak and didn’t give him the slightest chance.D1nS
WA9mI“Find something else. This isn’t possible.”UWLP
3OyjRealizing there was no hope, Nibelun’s ears drooped in sadness.oBX
FDe“Understood… But, can I ask you for a favor?”OzDH
zTsG“What?”7Xt
gzoD“Could you ask the one-eyed knight at the front to leave a bit later? I already tried, but he didn’t listen to me.”1BC
G97m“Leave later? Why?”QDCX
FGNKxc2In a winter like this, it wouldn’t be enough to leave before dawn, but Vlad couldn’t hide his confused expression when Nibelun told him to leave later.kYdzhK
mNWel“It’s just… there are people who haven’t arrived yet.”Qun
67TLThe wizard on top of the carriage let out a deep sigh as he looked at the castle gate in the distance.kq6EVc
lQHo3Sz“I think they’ll arrive if you wait a little.”lgSr4
0Oa3“…Sometimes I don’t understand what you say.”Lae
MQM2AIt was an incomprehensible advice from a wizard who deals with mysteries, but Vlad decided to heed it.vsWikT
quMzfSince it was a world I had personally known, I knew very well that he didn’t speak in vain.RQAAE
pjO“Mother, I’m leaving.”Gxv
3vQDJ“Yes, yes.”MqvIO
sADmAs Vlad approached Jager, Joseph and Oksana were saying their final goodbyes.YRfa
lfBni2Although her words told him to leave, Oksana was still holding Joseph’s hands.3pbD
hf9G6JBut knowing it was time to leave, she let their hands part.nGaIOcQ
FDQ“I’ll always be here, so come back whenever you want.”GZV0K
XEv6P“Yes, Mother.”G0oq
ZaANow, seeing his mother cry, Joseph made an effort to turn his head and look at the mansion.qRoKn5W
v4ZYThe morning sun, shining over the castle walls, illuminated the mansion where he was born.SpLpcD
zxhwv1G“…I’ll come back.”k8A
0dkContrary to what he said, the mansion felt somewhat distant, but Joseph decided to make an effort to return.lxC
Xh6bc***pqScWx
WgVUCOn a dark morning, a group of people approached the gates of Sturma.ecoRr
jwwENThe men, wearing thick hoods pulled up over their heads, constantly exhaled white breaths, as if unaccustomed to the cold of the North.GUu
YHpBNH“This is Sturma…”rHTW
yRkM5YiA man who seemed to be the leader of the group began to look at the walls of Sturma with deep eyes.hPu8
aUcRtAs they got closer, the majesty of the castle’s tall and strong walls left a deep impression on anyone who saw them.Z6Y
RsMvi“Stop! Whoever is ahead, please identify yourself!”n1G
aHlAlthough it was not yet time for the gates to open, the men stood still, gazing in awe at the castle walls.MJ3r
7k9t9Seeing them, the guards of Sturma seemed cautious, but ultimately had no choice but to lower the spears they were holding when they heard a word.HD8gu
isDsNo, to be precise, it was because of the pointed ears of the men that became visible when they lowered their hoods.Yxp8k
PhMk“We are from Ausurin.”71WksJ6
GGURqUpon hearing the now familiar demands of humans, Baradis, the leader of the rangers, searched inside his chest and raised a document.xGep
nQYZ8The emblem of Hainal was drawn on the beautifully sealed exterior of the document.F2j
ijW“…Elf?”Mpv
PlZRK“This is a letter of guarantee written by Baroness Alicia Hainal.”RGaB
kRLO7The guards seemed quite bewildered when they saw the elves in front of them, who were said to be difficult to see even once in a lifetime.yb3
NyFThis is because Sturma is a place where it is hard to see not only elves but even the beastmen who roam the continent.pur
TpDdys“And if the knight, Lord Vlad, is in this city, I would like you to inform him that we have arrived.”Ka2i
5itmThe elves seek out Knight Vlad with the certified guarantee from Baroness Alicia Hainal.BHc
1c2oPThe people whom the clairvoyant mage had been waiting for were now standing in front of the gates of Sturma.B2sdUmD
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