Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 206: The Flag is a Red Rose (1)

Chapter 206: The Flag is a Red Rose (1)

A small ship cut‌⁠ through the waves⁠ of the sea,‍‍‍ leaning dangerously as‌ if it were about to capsize.⁠‍‌

Some dwarves clenched their‍‌ hands tightly without realizing it as‍‌ they watched the‌‍ Zemina attempt a sharp turn with⁠ an absurd tilt.

Knowing‍‌ the ship well,‍ they couldn’t help⁠ but feel more‍ nervous about the‌ current maneuver.

“Humans‍ are attacking the⁠‌ enemy’s flagship!”

“…”⁠‌⁠

The‍ Zemina attempted to⁠ charge the enemy‍‍ flagship without the‌‌ slightest hesitation, even‌ though it appeared⁠ to be larger⁠‌‌ than itself.

The‍⁠ sight of the‍ Zemina advancing while‌‍ dodging incoming projectiles⁠⁠‍ was so dizzying‌⁠⁠ that it was⁠ hard to look‌ away.

“Impact!”‍⁠⁠

Kkwagagagagak-!‌‌

With a loud noise,‍ the Zemina broke‌⁠⁠ through the enemy⁠ obstruction and collided with the enemy‌‍‌ ship.

Despite‌‌ their small size,‍ the dwarves raised‍‍ their axes high‌‌‍ due to the⁠ euphoria they felt⁠⁠ from the speed.‍

“Didn’t⁠‍ I tell you⁠ to only lure‌‌ them in?”

“I remember that, great‌ chief.”

Olmukar‌‌ scratched his chin out of habit‌ as he watched‍‍⁠ the Zemina’s crew⁠‍‌ board the enemy’s⁠⁠ flagship.

The‍⁠ sight of humans‌⁠ and elves moving‌⁠ together gave Olmukar⁠ a strange feeling.⁠‍

“He⁠‍ seems quite angry.”‍‌‌

Olmukar‍ was closely observing‌ the blond knight‍‌ at the front.‌‍

Indeed, Vlad’s statement that‍ he would prove‍‍ his innocence before‍ him was no‍⁠ lie.

“They’ve already taken the‌⁠ deck.”

“That’s‍‍⁠ fast.”

The‌ elves wield their⁠⁠ swords without losing balance, even on‍‌ a shaking ship.‌

A brilliant golden light‌ began to spread‍‌ along the path⁠ they had created.‌

It was a flash‍‌ that was clearly‍‌ visible even in⁠‍ the dense fog.‌

“Move‍ the ship forward!⁠‌⁠ We must not‌ let them be‍‌⁠ isolated!”

Olmukar’s‌‍‍ eyes were cold‍ as he waved‌⁠ his staff.

This‍ was because he⁠‌ saw the surrounding ships trying to place a crossing board to assist⁠‌⁠ the enemy’s flagship,‌‍ which had suddenly‌‍ entered close combat.‌

“They’ve‍‌‍ beheaded the captain!”‍‍⁠

“The‌ human knight has‌ taken the helm!”⁠⁠

But‌⁠ before they could‍ lend a hand,‍⁠‍ it seemed that‍ Vlad’s sword was quicker.

Vlad’s‍ sword, moving forward‌ while cutting down⁠⁠⁠ approaching obstacles, severed‍ the head of⁠‍ Tolbin, who was‍‌‌ holding the wheel.‌⁠

“…I‌⁠‍ will have to⁠‍ apologize.”

There was a sight along the gap⁠ that was getting‍ closer.

Because⁠‌⁠ it was still⁠‌ far away, it wasn’t clearly visible,⁠ but Olmukar could⁠⁠⁠ clearly tell that‍ blue eyes in⁠‌ the distance were‌ looking at him.‍

A silver-grey knight climbing the highest mast.‌

Vlad,‌ covered in blood,‌ crawled up to‍‌⁠ the ship’s lookout tower and looked⁠ directly in the‌‍ direction where Olmukar‌ was.

Looking‌‍ at Barbosa’s flag fluttering as if⁠⁠ this were sufficient‍⁠ proof, Olmukar had‌ no choice but‌ to nod.

***

A total of 10⁠ enemy warships.

There‌ were 7 Nidavellir ships in front‍ of him.

To‍ the Golden Duke,‌‍ the fleet was⁠ simply an exploration⁠ group, but Nidavellir⁠ had to deploy‌⁠ all its forces to face him.‍

If‌ it hadn’t been⁠ for the long-laid traps and the‍‌ fighting efforts of‍‍ Zemina, the battle‍ wouldn’t have ended‌ as easily as⁠‍⁠ it did now.‌

“Captain! You’re wrong!”

However,⁠ now Zemina was‌⁠ filled with someone’s shouts instead of‌‍ the joy of‌ victory.

It‍ was the sound‍ of a sailor standing precariously on⁠ a plank stretched‍‍⁠ over the sea.⁠‌‌

“Any last words?”

“I‍ was blinded by‌⁠⁠ ambition for a moment. I didn’t‍‍‌ recognize the captain’s‌‍‍ grace…”

“That’s⁠ trivial.”

Harven‌ turned as if‍⁠ there was nothing more to hear‍ from his meaningless⁠ excuses.

Even⁠‌ Vlad remained silent‍‌ for a moment⁠⁠⁠ at the cold‍‌ look in Harven’s‌ eyes.

It‍‍ seems that the‌⁠ Harven he had‌ as a captain‍ was a slightly⁠ different person from⁠ the Harven he knew.

“Captain!”‍

Kwasik-!‌

Otar’s‌‌ axe gleamed behind‌⁠ Harven, who turned without hesitation.

Bright‍‍ red blood spilled‌ over the sea‌ with a sound‍⁠‍ like a tree‌ splitting.

There⁠⁠ is only death‍‌ for those who⁠ betray the organization.‍‍

The‍‌ sailor’s body fell‍‌ lifeless into the⁠‌ sea.

“I’m⁠⁠ sorry. As captain, I should have‌‍ checked more clearly.”‍‌

“It’s‍‍‍ fixed, so it’s fine.”

Despite‍‌ Vlad’s consolation, Harven simply bowed his‍ head in embarrassment.‍

Whether intentional or by‍‍ mistake, it was true that the‌‍‍ location of Lemnos⁠‌ Island was finally⁠ discovered thanks to‌‍ the crystal ball‍‍ attached to Zemina.

Even if his honor⁠ had been restored‍ through the battle‍ now, the mistakes‍ that had already‌ occurred were irreparable.⁠

“And‌ it looks like‌ the Zemina’s keel⁠ is bent. Without‌ extensive repairs, it⁠⁠⁠ won’t be able⁠⁠ to withstand another⁠‌ battle like this.”⁠

“Really?”⁠

After‌‌ hearing Harven’s words,‌⁠ Vlad squinted his‍ eyes and looked at Zemina’s bow.‍

It‍‍ appeared twisted and‍⁠ strangely unbalanced and,‍‌ as Harven said,‍ seemed to need‌ major repairs.

“If⁠ the keel is‌ out… Should we‌⁠ change ships?”

“Maybe‌ we should.”

Although Zemina emerged victorious‍ from the enemy’s‍⁠‍ flagship, the price paid for that⁠‌‍ victory wasn’t easy.⁠⁠

When‍ Harven said that‌‍ he might have⁠ to give up‌⁠ the ship, Vlad‌⁠ just looked out⁠ at the sea⁠ without saying a word.

“Vlad,‌ wait a minute.”‌

It‌ was Harven’s dream,⁠‍ and it was⁠ the first ship⁠ he had given‌ him.

Baradis,‍⁠⁠ who was sitting⁠⁠ on the railing,‍ gestured to Vlad,‌ who was strangely⁠⁠ depressed by the‌ disappointment he couldn’t⁠ hide.

“What’s‍ up?”

“I think I found‌‌ it.”

Was‍ it some kind⁠‍ of consolation?

Baradis‍‍ informed Vlad of the presence of the spirits he had found.

“There⁠‍‌ were traces of‌‍ spirits in the‌ sea that weren’t‌ visible on the‍ island.”

“In the sea?”

“Yes,‌⁠‌ in the sea.‌ I want to⁠ see it more⁠ closely later.”

There‌⁠ were squids that pushed Zemina instead⁠ of the insufficient wind.

However,⁠ Baradis, who was⁠‌ focused on the‌ battle, couldn’t grasp‌ the exact reality,‌‍ so for now,⁠⁠‌ he had no‍⁠ choice but to⁠ be satisfied with‌‌ the fact that there was only a small success.⁠

“I think they were‍‍ attracted by the sword created by‌ the World Tree.‍ I felt a reaction.”

“I‍ understand.”

Vlad‍ lifted the sword‌‌ he was holding⁠ and looked at‌ it silently.

An‌⁠ unfinished sword overlooking‌‍⁠ the sea,Inside the⁠‌ sword, though the‌‌ color was pale,‌⁠ it was as‍‌ blue as the‍‍‌ sea.

“You‌‍ carry a rather interesting sword.”

And Olmukar, who was⁠⁠ steering a ship‍‍ next to Zemina,⁠‍ was also closely⁠⁠ observing the sword‌‍ that Vlad had⁠⁠ unsheathed.

A knight holding a ragged sword on a damaged ship.⁠

However,‌‌ looking at the figure strangely balanced‌‍⁠ despite being completely‌‍ ruined, Olmukar could‌ only shake his‌ head as if⁠ he had no‌‌ idea.

***‍⁠‍

¡Clang!‌

Joseph,‍⁠ who was sitting‍‍ on the cold‌ floor, carefully lifted his head when⁠ he heard the‍ sound of the‍ window suddenly opening.‍

“Mr.⁠‍‍ Joseph.”

“…Yes.‌ Good work.”

Although‍⁠ his face was⁠ a bit pale, the smile with‍⁠‍ which he looked‍⁠ at Vlad remained‍ warm.

It‍ seemed as if‌ he had anticipated‌ this situation, showing‌‌‍ a complete lack⁠‌ of tension.

“Did‌‍ you manage it?”‍‍‌

“There‍‌ were about ten⁠‌‍ ships. Although it‌⁠ was only a scouting expedition.”

“Being‌‌ the Golden Duke,‍⁠ it seems that‌⁠ even such a fleet is just‌‌ a scouting expedition⁠ for him.”

The‌‍ captured crew members‌ of the Barbosa‌ simply referred to‌ themselves as explorers.‌‌‌

This‌ meant that the‌ Golden Duke’s attempt‌‍⁠ to find the‌ island of Lemnos‌⁠ had not yet‍ begun in earnest.⁠

“He’s‍‍⁠ someone whose title‍‍⁠ includes ‘golden.’ I had heard rumors,‍ but it seems‌⁠‍ his wealth is‌‍ truly considerable.”

The‌‍ Golden Duke was‍‍ one of the‌ four dukes of⁠ the empire, someone‌ who, instead of⁠ wielding a sharp⁠‍ sword, handled shiny⁠‌‌ gold coins. For‍⁠ Joseph and Vlad,‍⁠‍ he was the‍‍ most powerful enemy‌ they had faced‍‍‌ so far.

“You‍‍⁠ seem cold.”

“The‍⁠ blanket was too‌‌ thin.”

Joseph’s‍ shoulders trembled slightly,‌‍ as if the‍‌ cold inside the‌⁠ prison had not‌ yet subsided.

Seeing‌⁠‍ the trembling look‌⁠ that even Jager‌‌‌ next to him⁠ gazed at with‌‍‌ pity, Vlad extended‌‌ the cloth he‍⁠‌ had prepared.

“Great‍‌‍ Chief Olmukar wants‍ to apologize for⁠ the misunderstanding and‍ wishes to speak⁠ with you, Mr.‍ Joseph.”

“Yes.”‍‌‍

A salty smell floated‍ from the cloth‍ that covered my‍⁠ shoulders.

But‌ despite that strong‌‍ smell, Joseph simply⁠ smiled.

– Joseph Bayezid and‌⁠ Knight Vlad have‍‌ arrived!

Although‍ there was a temporary misunderstanding, they‍‌ were now treated⁠⁠ as true guests.

Joseph, who had regained‌ his honor thanks⁠‌ to his knight,‌‍ made the eleven‌ chiefs rise from⁠ their seats.

Joseph,‍ wrapped in the‌ Barbosa flag as⁠⁠⁠ if it were⁠‌⁠ a cloak, deserved⁠‍ the respect of‌‌ everyone present.

“So,‍‌ shall we finish‍ the conversation we⁠‌ left pending?”

It’s‍ like a bottomless⁠‌ pit no matter⁠⁠ how much you‍‌ look at it.⁠‍⁠

That‌ was the impression⁠‌ the Nidavellir chiefs‌ had when they‍ saw Joseph sitting⁠‌ in his seat⁠‍ with a calm‌‌‌ expression as if⁠ nothing had happened.‌‌⁠

Joseph,‌ who clearly knew⁠ what he had‍‍ to do, prepared‍ for the next⁠ task with a slight smile.

***⁠‌

“Oh‌⁠ man! I told‍‌ you to be⁠ careful!”

With‌‌ every step, the precarious sound of⁠ the planks creaked.⁠‌

However,‌‍⁠ Barbosa simply jumped⁠ to the helm‌ with steps that⁠ seemed familiar to‍‌ him.

“You‍ only had to‍⁠ observe from afar,⁠⁠ but you couldn’t‌ even do that.‍‌ Tsk, tsk.”

Barbosa‌ made eye contact‍‌ with Tolbin and⁠ clicked his tongue‍‍‍ as if regretting‍‌ it, but no‌ matter how many⁠ times he asked,⁠‍‍ there was no‍ response.

Tolbin,‌‌ whose head and‍‌ body were separated,⁠⁠ remained still forever.

“I‍‌ sent ten ships,⁠‍‍ and only one‍⁠ returned. This is a business with‌ many losses.”

Barbosa‍‍ carefully laid Tolbin’s⁠‌ neck down and‍‍ scratched his head‌ as if the fog ahead worried‌‍ him.

There⁠‌ must have been⁠ dwarves and their‌ technology like a gold mine in‍ that dense fog,‍‍ but their tightly⁠ closed world seemed‌ to leave no⁠ room for invaders.

“And‌ that flag? Does⁠ anyone recognize it?”‌

“…We’ve never seen it before.”

“Then‌⁠ they are not⁠ from the south‌‌ or the west.”‍

On⁠ a ship that‍ was completely broken,⁠‌ cracked, and without‍ any sound, there⁠‍‌ was one thing⁠‌ that still retained its original form.‌

Barbosa,⁠ who was looking‌‍ towards the place‌‌⁠ where his flag⁠‌‌ used to wave,‍⁠‌ laughed as if‌ in disbelief while‍‍ looking at an⁠‍⁠ unknown flag that he didn’t know⁠‌ who it belonged‌‌⁠ to.

“…So‌‌ it’s the North?”⁠‍

A flag waving in‍ the wind.

Looking‌ at the flag‍ with a red‍ rose, Barbosa could‌ feel his heart‌‍‍ beating strongly for‌⁠ the first time‌‍ in a long‌‌‍ time.

Seeing‌‌⁠ the challenger’s flag⁠‌‌ after such a long time, Barbosa‍ felt as if⁠ his blood vessels,‍ which had been‍‍ hardened for a long time, were softening with excitement.⁠⁠

“What‍ a welcome! It‌⁠ seems we found‌‌⁠ the right way!”‌

A voice too loud‌‍ to be spoken‍‌‌ by just one⁠ person.

The⁠⁠ shouted voice echoed‍‍ like an echo‍ in the vast⁠ sea.

All‌‍‌ the ships behind‍‌‍ could hear the‍‌ thick anger hidden in the loud‌ shouts.

“Everyone‍ into the fog!‍ There are shiny‌‌ things in there!”‍

At‌ Barbosa’s shout, dozens of ships lined⁠ up in black⁠ began to enter‌‍ the fog.

It‍‌ was a fleet‍‌ whose number could not be matched‌ even by the‌‍ combined ships of‍‍ the north and‍ the west.

“Whoever‌ they are, they⁠‍ seem to know⁠ the rules of‌‌ the sea. That‍ declaration of war‌‍ is quite classic.”‍‍⁠

A new land, an‌ unknown fog, and⁠‌‍ an unknown challenger.‌

Barbosa,‍ heading to the‌ island of Lemnos,‌ had a deep⁠⁠ smile on his‍ face.

And‌ next to the‌ smiling man, there‍‍ was a box⁠ tied with a silver chain.