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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 212: Dragon Slayer (2)

Chapter 212: Dragon Slayer (2)

The‌‌ golden line cutting‍‍‌ through Leviathan began⁠‍ to grow more⁠ intense.

The‍​ line, which shone​‍ even brighter because⁠‌⁠ both the sea‌‍ and the sky​⁠‍ were completely black,‍⁠ looked like a horizon containing the‍‌ rising sun when‍‍ seen from a distance.

“Wow.​⁠ Talent is inherited.⁠ Blood calls.”

A dragon killing a dragon.

Barbosa,⁠ the Golden Duke,‌ opened his mouth‍‌ in genuine admiration​ as he watched‍​ Vlad running along⁠⁠ Leviathan’s body.

GRRRROOOAAAARRR!‌​

The⁠‌ further the line⁠ advanced, the louder‌‍‌ Leviathan’s roar became.‍

Barbosa,‍ watching Vlad recreate​​ a legendary scene,⁠ began to clap‍ softly.

“Captain.”⁠

“…”‌

“Captain?”‍

After‍​ a long howl,‌‍⁠ the sea dawned.​

Barbosa’s⁠ aide, seeing the⁠ sea calm, belatedly‍‌ began to look​ for his captain.‌

The​‍⁠ battle with the‍​ dwarves, which began‌ with a fight​ of 43 ships‍⁠‌ against 7, suddenly​‌ turned into a disaster with the‌⁠ appearance of the⁠ dragon and the‍ kraken, and they‌ vaguely realized that​ even that situation‍‍⁠ was now a disadvantage for them.‍​⁠

Creak,​ creak!

“What?”​

However,⁠​ Barbosa, who had⁠‍ been applauding Vlad⁠ until a moment‌ ago, was no​​ longer there.

He‍​ had quietly gone​‌ to a corner⁠⁠ of the railing,‍ lowering a lifeboat.‍

“…What​​ is he doing?”‌

At‍⁠ the astonished question‍⁠ from the first​​​ officer, Barbosa only‍ shrugged.

“Hey,‍ do you know‌⁠ what’s more valuable‌‌ than gold in‍⁠‍ this world?”

“Yes?”‍​‍

As⁠ he asked that​​ question, Barbosa lowered‌‌‌ the lifeboat and,⁠‌ with a mischievous⁠ smile, climbed onto⁠‍ the railing.

“It’s⁠ life. Life. If⁠ you survive, we’ll⁠ see each other‌ again.”

Splash!‌⁠‍

With​⁠​ those words, Barbosa⁠ jumped into the⁠‍ sea without any‍ regret.

The‌ first officer, shocked‌⁠ by the absurd⁠ situation in front​ of him, soon‍​ looked up at​ the sky with​ wide eyes, as​‌ if understanding something.⁠

-······.⁠‌​

The‍ largest dragon had‌​‌ fallen, and now⁠ only the Kraken‌‍ remained over the​ sea.

The​‌‍ large eyes that​‍‌ looked at the​ humans began to⁠⁠​ squint.

“…Sh*t.”‌‍‍

As‍ the atmosphere grew​‌​ increasingly ominous, Barbosa’s‌‍⁠ crew began to‍​​ murmur anxiously.

Above‍ them, a huge​‌ tentacle rose high‍​ into the sky.‌⁠

“That,​ that can’t be…”​

“Is⁠⁠‌ it really not?”‍​

However,‌​ although they desperately‌ wanted to believe⁠ it wasn’t, the‍​⁠ sinister feeling was⁠⁠ always there.

One‌ of the Kraken’s‌‌⁠ tentacles, which had‍ stood tall like‍‌⁠ a long tower‌‍⁠ toward the sky,​‍⁠ began to bend‌ like a whip.​​

“Aaaah!”‌​‍

“Run!‌⁠ Everyone jump into⁠​⁠ the sea!”

Despite‌ the crew’s screams,‌ the Kraken’s tentacle⁠ did not stop.‌⁠‌

In⁠‌‌ front of the⁠⁠ gigantic world of⁠‌ spirits, the ships‍ brought by humans​⁠ were nothing more​⁠ than wooden boards.⁠

Kwaaaaaaaaaaa!⁠​​

“Ugh…”⁠

Screams⁠ echoed over the‌​‍ waves that splashed‌‍‌ like fireworks.

The‌​ dwarves shrank their​‍ short necks as‍‍​ they saw the⁠ remains of the‌ ships drifting aimlessly.⁠

The​‌ sun rose over‌⁠​ the horizon that​​ Vlad had drawn‍ for the dragon.⁠‍

Leaving‍ behind the tragic⁠‍⁠ collapsed island of⁠​ Lemnos.

The‍‍ sea, stained red​‍ with dragon blood,⁠‌ carried Barbosa’s golden​​ flag floating.

***⁠​

“Ugh…”‍⁠

In⁠⁠‌ the sea with‍​ bright red waves​‍ stained with blood.⁠‍‍

Vlad,‌‍ sitting on an​‍ uneven reef, was‍⁠‌ retching and had⁠⁠‌ a pale expression.‍‌‌

His‍⁠⁠ head was spinning,​⁠⁠ and he had⁠ no strength in⁠ his hands, a feeling similar to‌‍⁠ when he had​⁠​ borrowed Kihano’s strength.‌⁠‌

“…There’s⁠⁠‌ a problem with​ this.”

Vlad‌ wiped the corner‍ of his mouth⁠ and began to⁠​ look at the‍‍ sword that had​‌ just cut Leviathan.⁠

When‍ he received the​⁠​ power of the‍‌⁠ fragment, he felt​ a sense of⁠‍⁠ euphoria, but he⁠‍​ also felt the​​ aftermath was severe.‍‍⁠

Buzz,​ buzz!

The⁠​‍ World Tree sword⁠‌ was blue when‌ he first held⁠ it, but now⁠ it was wrapped‍⁠ in silver metal.‍​‌

No,‍​ the one that⁠​⁠ should now be​ called Dragon Slayer⁠​ because it contained‍ a piece of‌ dragon must have​‌‍ felt Vlad’s eyes⁠ on it, so‌​ it began to‌​ hum and say⁠⁠ something.

“What‍ is it saying‍ now?”

However,‌‌ the buzz had​ not yet fully⁠ reached Vlad.

The‌‌ knight and the‍⁠⁠ sword looked exactly​‍‍ alike, but they⁠⁠‌ had not yet​ been deeply assimilated​‌⁠ into each other’s​‍ world.

They‍​‍ still needed more⁠⁠‍ time to fully‌‍ trust each other.‌​

“…Are‍ you still looking‌‌ at me?”

[That’s‍‍ right.]

“Do​ I look angry?”‍‌

[No.]​

After‌⁠ hearing Kihano’s response,‌​ Vlad cautiously looked⁠ up.

When‍ he looked up,‍⁠ there were still‌⁠ giant eyes staring‍​ at him.

The‌⁠‍ ancient sea spirit.​‍ The Kraken.

The‍ being that had‍‌ just reduced 43‍ ships to dust‍​​ was now looking​‌⁠ only at Vlad‌‍‌ with its large⁠​ eyes.

“You​ don’t blame me​ for eating some‍‍ squid earlier, do​⁠ you?”

“You‍⁠ won’t blame me‍​ for having eaten​‌ some calamari before,⁠ right?”

[Who⁠‍⁠ knows.]

The⁠ Kraken looked at​‍ the young knight​‌⁠ who was a dragon, but not​ a dragon.

The‌⁠‌ sword Vlad held‌ emitted a familiar‌‌‍ energy, and his‌⁠⁠ blue eyes reflected⁠‍⁠ a glorious knight⁠⁠​ of the past.​

[It‌​‍ seems like it’s​ looking at me.]⁠​​

However,‌​ it seemed that‌‌ the glorious knight‌⁠‌ did not recognize​ it.

Well,‍ back then, it⁠ wasn’t as big‌ as it is‌‌ now, so it‌‍⁠ was natural not‌ to be recognized.⁠​

However,‌​ although it wasn’t‍‌ recognized, the Kraken‌​ decided to be⁠ content with the​⁠‌ encounter, drawn by‍⁠‌ a welcoming light.​

[I’m⁠ leaving.]

“Huff…”⁠

With‍‍‍ a sigh of​​ relief from Vlad,‍⁠ the Kraken began​ to submerge again⁠ into the depths​ of the sea⁠​ to do its⁠⁠‍ work.

The⁠ ancient sea spirit,‍‍ who had to‍‍ protect the young‍⁠ spirits from the‍ heat of the‌⁠‍ endlessly erupting volcanoes,‍⁠⁠ had to continue‌ with its duty.‍‌‍

Rumble!‌‌‌

With‍‍ a thundering sound,⁠​ the wounded sea‍⁠ spilled its blood.‌

That​‌⁠ hot, thick blood‍ spread across the​‌ sea and the‍‌⁠ island of Lemnos,‍ showing its presence.‍

“Vlad!⁠‌ Get up here⁠‌‍ quickly!”

The‍ sea where the​‌​ Kraken had disappeared.‌​‌

Lava​​ continuously flowing from​ the top of​ a collapsed mountain.​‌

Vlad,‍‌ who was quietly‍ sitting alone on‍ a reef in‍ the sea, contemplating‍ the enormous and​‌​ powerful world in​ his eyes, turned‍‌ his head when⁠‌‍ he heard a voice calling him.⁠

“We​ must quickly go‍ see the blacksmith!​ The island is‍​ sinking!”

“…”​‍

Vlad,‌‌ who heard Vulcan’s‌​ cry, silently sheathed​ his dragon-slaying sword‌⁠⁠ while watching the‌ sea heat up.​‍

The‌ one that kept⁠ buzzing seemed to‍‍‍ know that now‍‌ was the time‍‍⁠ to be silent,​​⁠ so it simply​⁠‌ settled quietly into‌‌⁠ its sheath.

***‌​‍

A week had passed‍‌ since the volcanoes​‌ in the west‍‌ erupted.

The​​⁠ sea of Lemnos​‍ Island, once covered⁠‍ by thick fog,‍ was now filled‌ with volcanic ash,‍⁠‍ and the dwarves⁠ who had taken‍‌ refuge in the​​ city of Nassau⁠ were still resting‍ their tired bodies​ in a place⁠‍‌ set up in⁠ the city.

“Thank‍​‍ you for keeping​​ your promise, Joseph​⁠ of Bayezid.”

“It​​‍ was something that‌⁠‍ needed to be‌‍​ done, Warlord.”

Olmukar‌ held the glass⁠​​ of whiskey Joseph‍ offered him, swirling⁠⁠ it around his​​ lips.

The‌‌ aroma spreading over​ the tip of‌‍ his tongue was⁠ certainly wonderful, but⁠​‌ he didn’t have‍‌ the time or‍ the qualifications to⁠​‌ savor it at​ this moment.

“…Still,⁠ we can’t stay‌‌ here forever.”

No​ matter how considerate⁠‌ Bayezid was, it‌ was true that‌⁠ the dwarves had​ once again lost​​⁠ their homeland.

If‍ the central point‌​ of Nidavellir is‍‍​ lost like this,​​ the dwarves will‌ face the same​⁠⁠ fate as the​ aimlessly wandering beastmen.​⁠

“In​ the end, we’ll‌ have no choice‍‌ but to accept⁠⁠‌ the Northern Alliance’s‍​ offer.”

With‍‍​ the whiskey glass​ on the table,‍​⁠ Olmukar let out​ a deep sigh.​‌‍

Surviving⁠ was a relief,‌ but to continue⁠ living, they would‍ have to fight‌‌ again.

Olmukar,​‌​ who realized that‍⁠​ the only alliance‌ he could choose‌‌ was the Northern⁠​ Alliance, felt a bitter water welling​⁠‌ up inside him.​‌

“You‌ won’t regret that‌ decision.”

Joseph,​ with his hands‌​⁠ behind his back,⁠‌‍ was looking outside‍ and saw a carriage approaching the⁠ mansion.

Although‍‍ the carriage was‌‌ the common type‌⁠​ in the north,⁠‍​ the flag waving‍ on it did‍‌ not belong to‍​ the north.

“The‍‌ last Ravnoma promised​ that if you⁠ help defeat Gaidar,⁠​⁠ the city of‌‌ Torchea will be‍⁠⁠ yours.”

Joseph,‌⁠ who confirmed that‍⁠ Charlotte Ravnoma had⁠‌‍ arrived at the⁠‌ mansion, looked at‌ Olmukar and raised‌ his tea cup.​​​

Torchea‌‍ is a port⁠​‍ city that originally‌​​ belonged to Gaidar‌ but was taken​‍⁠ by the Golden⁠‍ Duke Barbosa.

However,​⁠⁠ since Barbosa’s whereabouts​⁠ were still unknown,‌​ Torchea, without an‍‍​ owner, couldn’t protect​‍‍ itself from anyone’s‍‌ attacks.

“…I’d‍ rather trust Bayezid⁠⁠ than the illusory⁠‍‍ Ravnoma.”

Olmukar‌⁠ looked at Joseph,⁠ who was by‌⁠ the window, and‌​‍ pulled a letter‌⁠ from his pocket.‌

The​ letter, entirely in‍⁠​ sinister black, was​ the one Joseph‍‌⁠ had given him‌ when he first​‌ arrived on Lemnos⁠​​ Island.

“As⁠‌‌ you wish, we‌⁠ will hand over⁠⁠ the sacred artifact⁠ we have been‌‍ guarding. I hope​⁠ this serves as​ proof of our​⁠ alliance.”

“Of‍ course, it will.”⁠‍​

“And‌ please…”

Olmukar⁠‌ stood up after‍​ finishing what he​‌‌ had to say.​⁠

He‌​ finally spoke to⁠⁠ Joseph, giving him‍ a heavy look⁠ he couldn’t hide.⁠‌

“It’s⁠‍ not my place⁠​ to say things​ like this, but⁠⁠ take care.”

“…Thank‍‌‍ you for your‍‌​ consideration.”

A homeless leader sending⁠ his concern.

Joseph‍ felt a bit⁠​‍ bitter about the⁠ reality that even⁠⁠ Olmukar, who had‌⁠ a very busy‌‍⁠ future ahead, was⁠ sending his sincere⁠‌ concerns.

“But​‌​ I still have‍‌‌ to do it.”‍‌⁠

Joseph⁠‌⁠ slightly turned his​‌ head from the‌ window and looked⁠‍ at the black⁠​​ letter on the‍ desk.

The⁠​ letter, with its‍ blasphemous symbols drawn‌‍ on it, was⁠ filled with darkness​ that even the‌ sunlight coming through‌‍ the window couldn’t​⁠ illuminate.

***‍‌‌

Clang!​‌‌ Clang!

Somewhere​⁠ in the port​ of Nassau City.‌

Though​ it was usually‌ a remote and⁠ deserted alley, it⁠ was now crowded‌ with people.

“Someone​‍⁠ stepped on me!”‍⁠

“Get​‍​ in line! Weren’t⁠⁠‍ you behind me‍ just a moment​​ ago?”

“That’s‌⁠‌ why, who told​ you to lose‌‍⁠ your place?”

In‌ front of the‌ crowd of people⁠ arguing and fighting,‍ there was a small building with​‌ a chimney that‍ constantly belched smoke.​⁠

In‌​ the past, it‍‌‍ was just a rundown smithy that​ was falling apart,⁠ but now it‌ had temporarily reopened​‍ under Joseph’s instructions.​

Fuuu!‌‍

“The⁠​‍ old man and​‍ the kid are‌ having a hard⁠​ time.”

Vlad​ clicked his tongue‌ as he watched⁠‍ the young lizard​‌‍ constantly spitting fire⁠‌ at the old‍​​ tall furnace.

There‍⁠​ was probably no​‍ one whose heart⁠⁠ wouldn’t break seeing⁠‍ him work so‌⁠‌ hard to help‌‌‍ in any way‍ possible.

“There’s​‍‍ no other choice.‌ Without a safe‌ place, even children⁠​‌ have to do‌ their part.”

However,⁠ Rukhta, who was⁠ beside him, simply⁠ struck the metal​‌ silently as if‌‍ he had no‍‌ emotion.

The‍ old dwarf, who​​ had survived hardships​ as a slave,‌​⁠ was a man‌‌​ who knew well⁠ that even a child, no matter‌ how small, had‌​ to do their‍​⁠ part.

“So,‌‍ why did you‍​‍ come here? I’m‍ busy.”

“I’m​‌‍ leaving.”

Rukhta’s⁠‌⁠ eyebrows arched when​ he saw Vlad​ saying he was⁠‌ leaving with an‌ indifferent voice.

“Where‌ to?”

“I​ don’t know. I don’t have a fixed destination…”

Scratching‌‍ his head, Vlad​‍‌ answered Rukhta’s question.‍​

There​‍ was work to‌​⁠ be done, but⁠‍ he still couldn’t⁠ decide where to​‍ go.

“But‍⁠‍ anyway, I have‍​ to go.”

Vlad⁠ is the one‌ who promised to‌⁠ find Kihano’s name.​⁠

But‌ now Kihano’s name‌​ was split in​‍⁠ half and wandering⁠​⁠ somewhere in the​‌ empire with a sinister darkness, so‍⁠‍ to fully fulfill‍‍ the promise, he‌‌ had to find⁠‍ the man who​⁠​ identified as Frausen.‍​

“…There‍ are some things​‍​ I still haven’t​‍ repaid.”

And‌ also, for the‍‌ memory of Justia,‌‍⁠ who died for⁠⁠ him.

Vlad‌‌‌ would never forget​‍​ the little canary‍‌ that had tried⁠ to show him‍​‌ the way.

“Give‍‍⁠ me that.”

“What?”⁠⁠

“Your⁠‌‍ sword, idiot. Give​‍‍ me the sword.”‍

Rukhta⁠‍ extended his hand​ without even turning⁠ his head towards​ Vlad, who said‍​‌ he was leaving.​‌‍

“You‍‍ said you couldn’t​ fix it.”

“That‌⁠ was before.”

Before⁠‌‌ the knight who‍‍ had protected them‌⁠‍ left, he wanted‍⁠ to do him⁠​ one last favor.⁠

Rukhta‌⁠‌ nodded while looking⁠ at the dragon-slaying‍‌ sword carefully placed​⁠ in his hand.⁠‍‌

“It’s⁠ different now.”

The​ sword that had‍‌ found its desired‍ form.

The‍‌ World Tree sword,⁠ which wanted to‌ share its owner’s⁠⁠ burden, took a piece of a sinister dragon and‍‍⁠ assumed its complete‌ form.

The⁠‍‌ young sword, which⁠ had only been​ standing on the⁠ world’s border, had‍‍ now fully merged‍‌ into this world​‍ through Vlad, so‌​‍ Rukhta’s hammer would​​​ also be fully⁠ within its reach.‌‌

“Now​‍​ I can sharpen​​ the blade.”

Buzz,‍ buzz, buzz!

The‌‍‌ flames emitted by‌ the young lizard‍ reached the sword‍‌‍ that was crying.⁠⁠⁠

The‌​‌ heating process was​ not without pain,‌ but the Dragon⁠ Slayer sword decided‍​‌ to endure it.Because⁠​‌ now it realized⁠​‍ that to grow,⁠‌ it needed this‍‌ kind of cooling.⁠

“Wait‍ a bit. I’ll‌ do it quickly.”‍

Clang!‌ Clang!

Gathering‍ the breath of​⁠⁠ the young spirit,‌​‌ the last dwarf‍ blacksmith struck the‌‍ sword.

Wishing⁠ that the sword‍​ he was forging‌‍ for the knight‍​​ who had protected‍‌‍ them would become​‌‌ a little stronger.‌‍⁠

“…”⁠

As‍​ Vlad watched that‍‍ scene, for some‍​ reason, the image⁠‌ of the old​⁠ smithy in Soara‍ came to mind.⁠

Feeling‌⁠ the heat of​⁠ the smithy warming⁠ at the end‍‍ of winter, Vlad‍‌ simply sat there,‍ not understanding, and​‍ watched the old‍ furnace.

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