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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 205: By your name

Chapter 205: By your name

There‍⁠⁠ was a man‍ sitting alone in⁠‍​ an empty cell⁠​⁠ with his head​​ bowed.

It‍‍ was a prison‍ filled with coldness,‌‍‍ both where he‍‌ was seated and‍ where he was‌​‌ leaning.

However,‌ unlike the gloomy‍‌ surrounding landscape, his⁠ expression seemed peaceful​ for some unknown​​​ reason.

“I‍‍‌ suppose he has‌‍ already arrived.”

“Yes,⁠ probably.”

Jager,​ who was standing⁠ on the other‍ side of the‌‍ bars, nodded silently​ at Joseph’s words.‌‌⁠

In‌‍‌ fact, by now,​ it would be⁠ time for Vlad​‍ to have encountered⁠ Barbosa’s ships.

“Are‌​⁠ you alright?”

But,⁠‍‌ in reality, Jager​ was more concerned​ about Joseph than⁠⁠ about Vlad, who‍‌ would be on​⁠‍ the battlefield right⁠⁠‌ now.

This​ was because the​‍‌ cold winter air⁠⁠ always made Joseph‌⁠ cough dryly.

“I⁠‍ clearly know what‌ I must do.‌‌ Even though my‍ body is exhausted,⁠ my mind is‍⁠‌ at peace.”

“…”‍‌⁠

Though‍⁠‌ he was a bit pale, Joseph’s‍‌‍ face, seen through​ the bars, seemed​​‍ as relaxed as‌‌​ he had just⁠‍‍ said.

However,‍ Jager couldn’t smile‍ along with Joseph’s‍​⁠ smile.

Because​ he knew very‌ well how much⁠ thought was behind‌ that laugh.

“I‌‍⁠ wish I had‍ lived like this⁠ a long time​‌ ago.”

The⁠‌​ morning sun began⁠‍ to shine on⁠​ Joseph’s cold breath.‍​

The‌‌⁠ light, which used‍‌ to flee when‍ chased, now approached‍‍‌ him as he​ remained seated.

***‌

Kuwagagagagak-!⁠

The​‌​ strong waves began⁠ to rise above‍⁠​ the calm waters.​

It‌ was the sound​ made by one​‍⁠ of Barbosa’s ships⁠⁠ lifting into the‌ sky.

“…What‌ is this?”

The⁠‌‍ cold drops of‍ water hitting my‍​‍ face felt like‌‍⁠ a dream.

Tolbin,‌​ the commander of​​‍ this exploration group,‌ wore an expression‌‍ of astonishment as⁠‌ he watched the‌ ship rising at‌ a strange angle.⁠

Even⁠ for someone like‍ him, who had⁠ spent his entire‍ life at sea,‍​‍ this was the‌​ first time he​ had seen such‌ a sight.

“Everyone,‍ grab onto the‍‍ railing!”

But​‌‍ what goes up⁠⁠ must come down.​‌‍

But‌ falling doesn’t have⁠ wings.

¡Kwaaaaaaaaa!‍⁠‌

The‍‍⁠ ship that had‍⁠ challenged the sky‌‌‍ came crashing down​ violently, breaking into‍‍ pieces.

The‍‌ massive chain that‌‌⁠ had been tied⁠‍ between the reefs​‌​ flapped noisily among‍​ the crashing ships.‍

“It’s‍ a trap. Captain!”​

“We​‌ need to get⁠ out of here‌​​ now!”

It⁠‍ was a trap.‌

This​⁠​ maritime zone where‍‍‌ we found ourselves.​‍

The‌ place we reached​‍‌ after pursuing the⁠⁠‍ red rose was‍‌⁠ surrounded by reefs‍​ and confined with‍‍ enormous chains.

It⁠ was a trap‌ that couldn’t have⁠​ been set without‍ a long period‌ of preparation.

– They’re out again!​⁠

– Everyone, duck your‍​ heads!

Whoosh!‌⁠​

Sharp⁠‌ arrows began flying‍ again toward Tolbin’s‌ stunned ship.

I don’t know who‌‍ fired them, but​‌ they were arrows⁠‍ that didn’t lose⁠‌‍ any sharpness despite‌ piercing through the⁠‍ strong sea breeze.​⁠

“Argh!”‍​

“Ugh!”​​‌

The‍‍‌ deck was filled‍⁠‍ with the cries‌‌⁠ of sailors everywhere.⁠​​

Some​​ of them had‌⁠ already lost the‌⁠ will to fight​⁠ and were lying​‌ under the railing‌​‌ to avoid the‌ rain of arrows.⁠

“…Get⁠‍‍ up! Get up!​⁠ Everyone, get up​​ and fight!”

Tolbin‌ finally came to‍‍‍ his senses and‌‌ began shouting at⁠​ the sailors.

Even​ if it were⁠​ an exploration group,‍​ there was no⁠‌⁠ way ten ships‍⁠‍ could collapse like‌ this.

“Unknown⁠⁠​ ship! It’s approaching​‍‍ again! This time‌​ from the stern!”⁠‍​

“…What?”‍⁠

However,‌‍ even though they​ had just dealt⁠​‍ a great blow​​ through a trap,‍⁠‌ the unknown enemy⁠‍‌ seemed to have‍‍‍ no intention of‌‍ letting go of⁠​‍ the momentum they‌‌⁠ had gained.

Just‍ as I heard,​ there was a ship emerging from​ the fog.

It⁠ was a ship‌‍⁠ displaying a flag⁠​⁠ with a red‌‌ rose.

‘It⁠⁠‍ was right in​​ front just a moment ago!’

Just⁠​ a moment ago,⁠‌‍ the ship was‍⁠ luring them right⁠⁠​ in front of‌ them, but before‍ they knew it,​‍ it had turned​ around and was​​‌ aiming at their​⁠‌ rear.

Tolbin‍‍ felt a chill⁠⁠⁠ at the incomprehensible⁠⁠ and unexpected mobility.‌‍‌

“Prepare‍⁠ the weapons!”

“We’re‍‌⁠ out of range!”​‌​

Suddenly,⁠​⁠ a ship appeared​ behind the fleet,‍‌⁠ as if it‌‍‌ had emerged from‍‌‍ the sea.

Tolbin’s‌‌ crew let out⁠‌ loud shouts as⁠‍​ they saw the‌ ship reappear in​⁠ a place where⁠ it shouldn’t have‌ been.

“Then⁠⁠​ why do their​ arrows reach us?!”⁠⁠

The‌​ unknown ship began‍‍​ to turn sharply,‌‌ aiming directly at⁠‌‍ their flank.

“The‌‍ enemy ship is⁠ approaching!”

“What?”‍‍

A ship with the​⁠ flag of the⁠ red rose that​​ lured the enemy,⁠ trapped them, and‍⁠‌ then reappeared.

Tolbin’s⁠⁠ eyes widened as‌ he watched how‍‌ the ship moved,‍ making the most‌⁠‍ of its small‌‍‍ size.

Although⁠ the ship was‍ small, its ram⁠‌‍ was sharper than‌ any other ship‍‍ Tolbin had seen.‍⁠‍

¡Kwaaang-!⁠​‍

***‌⁠‌

“Everyone​​‌ hold on tight!”​

“¡Heeeeee!”​⁠

All‍ sorts of items‌⁠ rolled around the‍ Zemina, which was‌‍ tilted so steeply‍ it seemed like‍⁠ it might topple‍ over.

Even‌‌ the elves with​‌‌ their good sense​ of balance had‍​⁠ to struggle to​ grip the railing.‌‍

However,​ the reason the⁠​​ ship could maintain⁠​⁠ its balance was⁠​ probably thanks to​‌⁠ the captain’s elaborate​‌ calculations as he⁠⁠ held the helm.‍‌

“Send⁠ the wind! Wizard!”‍‌

“It’s​ not as easy​‍ as it looks!”⁠

From‍‌ the bow of⁠‌‍ the enemy to​⁠​ the stern.

Harven’s⁠ steering skillfully guided‌‌ through the fog,‍​⁠ made possible by​⁠⁠ the thick mist‍⁠ that obscured the‍ view and the⁠‍ wizard’s mysterious abilities.‌‌‍

“I⁠​ can’t do it‌ anymore! I’ve used‌ all the wind​⁠ we had!”

“Damn⁠‍‌ it!”

Nibelun‍​‌ used to send​ wind with a strange bellows he⁠‌ took out of⁠⁠​ his backpack, but​​⁠ even that seemed​​​ to have reached⁠ its limit now.​‌​

Just‍ a moment ago,​ the sail had‍‌ been swollen as​‌ if about to‌​‌ burst from the​‍ wind, but now‍‌⁠ it had visibly‍⁠ collapsed.

“Vlad,‍​ I can’t go‍ on. If we‍‌ lose speed, we’ll⁠​ get caught.”

“I​‍ understand.”

The‍‌‍ Zemina had used‌⁠​ the dense fog‍‌ as cover to​ completely devastate the‌​​ enemy’s blind spots,​‌⁠ but this was⁠ now their last​ attempt.

“Still,⁠‌‌ this is enough.”​​

However,​ thanks to this,⁠ we were able​​‍ to break apart‍​ the enemy fleet,‍⁠⁠ so it was‍ a sufficient success.‍​‌

Apart‌⁠‍ from the ships​​ currently trapped in‌ the snare, the‌ ships scattered beyond​⁠‍ the fog would​​ have become prey​⁠ for Nidavellir.

“What​ do we do?​‍ Do we run‍ now? I think⁠ we’ve fulfilled our​ decoy mission.”

“No.”‌

Vlad​‌⁠ raised his hand⁠‌‌ and looked into‍‍ the distance to‍ see that only​ four enemy ships​​ remained from the‌ original ten.

And‍‍ as if they‌​⁠ had dealt with‍ the scattered ships,‌‍​ the Nidavellir ships‍‍ were approaching from‌​‍ afar.

Now,⁠ seeing the enemy​​⁠ ships trying to⁠‍‍ change their course‍ by pulling out​‍⁠ the oars, Vlad‍ strengthened his resolve.‌

“We’ll‌‌‍ capture one.”

“What?”⁠‌​

“We⁠‍⁠ must capture one⁠⁠ with our own​⁠​ hands.”

Definitely‌⁠⁠ taking the initiative.⁠‍

And​ once you have‌ the momentum, don’t​‌​ stop.

The​‌ technique of using‍‌‍ a single strike‍ to achieve victory‌⁠ wasn’t limited to​​ the enemy.

“Only‌‌​ then will we‌ get an apology​‍⁠ from the dwarves.”‌

Vlad‍‌ clenched his teeth‌‌⁠ at the thought⁠ of the dwarves.⁠‌

I fully understand the‌ current situation where‍​ we were misunderstood,​ but in my​‌‌ heart, I wasn’t‌‍ completely convinced.

Joseph,‌‌​ who is still⁠​ imprisoned in a cold cell, was⁠‌⁠ Vlad’s benefactor and‌ a person of⁠ pride to him.​⁠

“…”​

Vlad‌⁠ looked at the​​⁠ elves standing silently⁠ by the railing.‍

It⁠ is said that​‍​ the elves of​ Ausurin are natural⁠​ archers from birth.⁠​‍

They,⁠‌ who would surely‍​ pierce an enemy⁠⁠⁠ with an arrow,⁠ looked directly into‌ Vlad’s eyes and‍ nodded.

“Let’s‌‍‍ see this through​‍ to the end.⁠ I don’t think‌ this is enough‍ to repay saving​‌ the World Tree.”⁠​‍

“Thank‌⁠‍ you.”

As⁠⁠⁠ Baradis spoke, the‍ elves drew their​​ swords instead of‌​ their bows.

The​‌‍ sailors, anticipating what⁠‍ was to come,⁠ drew their weapons⁠ with tense faces.​⁠‍

“…Never‍‍‌ thought I’d end‍ up ramming Barbosa’s‌‌‌ ship.”

A name probably anyone​‍⁠ working at sea​ would have heard​ at least once.​⁠ The Golden Lord‌‍ Kazan Barbosa.

Thinking⁠‌ about attacking that​‌‍ great name from⁠⁠⁠ now on, Harven‍​ felt dizzy.

“Don’t‍‍​ worry. The Zemina‌ has always been⁠ good at ramming.”​

“That’s​​​ your Zemina!”

Thud-thud-thud!‍

Yes,‌⁠‌ after all, they⁠ were born in‍​ poverty.

The⁠⁠ people who lived‌‌​ in back alleys,​​⁠ who had nothing‍‌ to lose because​⁠‍ they were born​ with nothing in‌ their hands, began‍‍‍ to shout at​⁠​ the roaring sea.​⁠

“This‍ is my Zemina!”‍​

At⁠ Harven’s gnashing signal,⁠‍‍ Nibelun’s bellows began⁠​ again.

Then,​⁠ the ship with‌‌ a lot of⁠​ momentum began to⁠ shoot towards Barbosa’s‌​‍ ships.

“I’m​‍ going to die…‍ If this continues,‌ we’ll all die!”‌‍

It⁠‌‌ was Nibelun who⁠​​ worked with the​​ bellows as if⁠ he was going‍‍‌ to die for‌​ the Zemina.

However,‌​​ Nibelun, who was‌⁠ so exhausted, didn’t‌ realize that the‍​⁠ bellows he was⁠ stomping on with‌ all his might⁠ had already exhausted‍ its usefulness.

“Prepare​‍ for impact!”

There‌‍ were clusters of​ lights gathering to​‍ replace the insufficient⁠ wind, pushing the‌⁠ rear of the‌‌⁠ Zemina.

The‌‍​ squids flocked, following‌​ the scent of​‌ the World Tree⁠⁠ taken by Vlad.‍​

The‍‌ unknown currents they​‌ created flowed directly​ towards Barbosa’s ships.‌​

***‌⁠‍

Crunch-!‌⁠​

“The‍‌ enemy ship… has​​⁠ impacted!”

The‍​⁠ sound of the⁠‌ planks tearing was​‌ thunderous. The deck⁠‌ they were standing‍‍ on trembled as​ if there had‌‍⁠ been an earthquake,⁠‍​ and several sailors‌‌ who couldn’t grab​‌ anything fell into‍‌ the sea.

It‌​‌ was small but‌⁠ fast, so the‍ vibration it emitted⁠⁠⁠ was surely enormous.⁠​⁠

“Why‍‌ didn’t we hit‍⁠ a single cannon?!l⁠‌⁠

“The‍ enemy… was moving‌‌⁠ too fast!”

“Shit!”‍‌‌

The⁠‍‌ speed was such‌⁠‌ that even for‌ the most experienced​ sailors, it was​ difficult to handle.‌​​

The⁠ Zemina, which maneuvered​⁠ through the passing‍‌​ projectiles and struck⁠​ Tolbin’s ship, was⁠​⁠ deeply embedded like⁠‌​ an arrow and⁠ had no intention‌‍⁠ of falling.

“Prepare⁠​‍ for hand-to-hand combat!”⁠‍

“Knights,⁠​ descend to the⁠ dock!”

Tolbin‍‍ shouted as if⁠⁠ furious and struck‍ the helm he‍​ was holding.

Even‌ considering the current‍​ situation of being‌ trapped by a small ship, where‍⁠⁠ it wasn’t enough​‌ to avoid the⁠​ dwarves’ attacking ship,​​ it was ridiculous⁠‍ to think about⁠​ it.

“Die,⁠ bastards!”

“Push​​‍ them back! Don’t‍⁠ let them board!”​​‍

Right‌⁠ next to them,‌‌ the dwarves kept‌‌ coming. And the⁠​‌ enemy sailors were‌‌‌ arriving like an⁠⁠ avalanche from below.‌⁠

In‌ an instant, men‌ began to emerge⁠‌⁠ from the Zemina,‍‌ which had been​⁠⁠ confined to the⁠ dock rather than​‍ the deck due‍ to the low​ ceiling.

“We‍‌ can’t hold them‌⁠ back!”

Because,‌‍‌ to begin with,⁠‍​ it was a narrow hole, making​​ it difficult to‍ pass through.

However,‍‌ if the person‌ in front is‍‌ a knight with‌ his own world,‍‌ it won’t be‍​‌ a big problem.​‌‍

-Kaaaaaa!”‍⁠

-It’s‍​ a knight! A knight with aura!​

The​ blood, as salty⁠⁠ as seawater, was⁠⁠‌ sticking to Vlad’s​ armor.

However,‌ the reason it‍⁠ fell before it‌⁠ could stay long⁠​ was probably due‌ to the vision​ engraved by the‌⁠‍ dwarf blacksmith.

“Otar,​ free the rowers!”‍

“Understood!”‌‍

It‍ wasn’t just the⁠‍ West’s privilege to​ keep dwarves as‌ slaves.

The​‌‍ dwarf rowers, who‌ were bound together‍⁠‌ and unable to​⁠ move, widened their‌⁠ eyes when they‍ saw Vlad suddenly​⁠​ breaking in.

“The‌‌ rest, follow me!”‍‌

From‌‍​ the hold to‍‌⁠ the deck, Vlad​‌‍ advanced, cutting down⁠‌​ the enemy sailors.‌​‌

“Don’t‍ block my way,​⁠ damn it!”

In​ the narrow space,​⁠ the gray armor​ repelled every attack.‍ The enemies fell‌ in his wake.⁠‌‌

Every​ time the Justia​‍‍ armor deflected an​‍‌ enemy’s sword, those⁠‍​ strangers’ heads fell‌‌ without fail.

“You’re‍‍ the rumored illegitimate‌⁠ son of Dragulia!”​

“…”​

In‍ the end, someone’s‌‌ footprints were left⁠⁠ on every step‍​⁠ taken upward.

If​ it weren’t for‍​ his help, he’d⁠‌⁠ still be in⁠ the mud.

No,⁠⁠⁠ probably not.

“Who​‌⁠ did you call​ Dragulia just now?”‌⁠

But‌‍‌ now I could⁠ shine with the‍​‍ name I wanted.​

Vlad’s‍ blue eyes began‌‍‍ to shine towards‌⁠⁠ the person who⁠‌⁠ called him by‌ the wrong name.‍

“Who​‍ did you call‍‌‍ Dragulia?!”

“”Kaaaaak!”​‍⁠

Not‍⁠‌ with swordsmanship or‍ techniques, but simply‌ with ferocity. The​ unknown knight blocking‌‌ the stairs could⁠​⁠ clearly see the⁠ bright blue eyes‌⁠ penetrating his world.‌​

“Aaaah!”‍‍

Vlad’s​‍‌ sword, full of‍‍‍ rage, did not‌​ lose any momentum.‍

Vlad‍‍ charged towards the‌ deck with the‌ knight still impaled​‌ on his sword.⁠‍

The​​⁠ blood running down‌ the corners of⁠‍ his eyes disrupted​ his vision, but⁠‍‍ Vlad did not‌‌⁠ stop.

Kwaaaaang!​

Vlad​‍ noisily broke through​ the hold and​ ascended.

As‍ the golden color‍‍​ of Vlad, engraved​⁠ deep in his​ heart, illuminated the⁠‌ ship’s dark interior,‌⁠ a clear path‌ began to appear​​ for the group‍ following him.

It​‌‍ was an upward⁠ path.

Rumble!‌⁠⁠

After‍‌​ knocking down the‍ door blocking the⁠‌ way with a loud noise, fresh​⁠ air finally began‌‌ to rest on‌ Vlad’s cheek.

It‍⁠ was the deck‌​ he wanted to​⁠ reach and the​⁠ upper world he​​ aspired to.

“Who…‌⁠ who are you?”‍​⁠

It‌​⁠ was a noisy‍⁠ appearance, but what​ greeted him was‍​​ only a silent‍ silence.

The​‍ knight impaled on‌​‍ the sword swinging⁠ as if to​​‍ shake it began‍​‍ to split in‍⁠ half.

Blue⁠​ eyes visible in⁠ that miserable gap.‍‍​

Tolbin‍‌⁠ swallowed involuntarily, looking⁠​ at the gaze​ in his eyes‍ that only a natural predator could‍ have.

“From​⁠ Soara…”

It⁠ was raining.

Rain‌ washing away the‌‍ flowing blood.

Vlad‍‍‍ felt the rain⁠ gently falling on⁠ the blood, which​ was as thick‍⁠‍ as the mud​ from before.

“I‌⁠ am Vlad, knight‍⁠⁠ of Joseph.”

For‌ today, I can⁠⁠ confidently say it‌ in the name‍ of another person​‍‍ and not my⁠⁠ own.

For⁠ Joseph, who allowed⁠⁠ him to be‌ here, Vlad raised​ his sword towards​ the golden flag.‍

That​‌ cold winter day,‌​‍ he was a sword for Joseph,⁠‌ who recognized him‍ as a person‍⁠‌ despite bearing another​​ name.

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