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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 221: The aroma of the tea was bitter (2)

Chapter 221: The aroma of the tea was bitter (2)

A dark line was‍ drawn on the‍​​ dragon’s neck.

The‌ flag, which had‌⁠​ a more powerful‍ presence than the‌​‍ countless corpses beside​​‍ it, now fell​⁠ heavily, soaked in​⁠ blood.

“…Who‌ the hell are‌​​ you?”

The‌​‍ question, asked with‍‍​ effort, lacked strength,​‌⁠ probably because his​‍ lungs were filled‌‍ with blood.

However,​ the knight, slumped⁠‌‌ on the ground‍ in a deplorable‌‍‌ state, kept his‌‌​ eyes wide open,​​ determined to get‌ an answer.

“Did​‍⁠ the… Grand Duke⁠‍⁠ send you?”

Members⁠​ of the Dragon⁠​ Hunter Knights had‍ been lured to‍​ this distant place‌​​ with the body‌‌ of a false⁠ dragon.

Their‌‌ leader uttered the‌‌ most plausible name‌ he could guess,⁠‍ but the listener’s‌ face didn’t even‌ flinch.

“Knights,‍⁠ when did I tell you to‍​ follow the words‌ of a dragon?”⁠⁠

With‍‍‍ a cold voice,​ he raised his​ silver sword.

The⁠ man’s sword, which​⁠ had already drunk⁠⁠ much blood, was‍​ losing its color​ like the folded​ flag of the⁠ Dragon Hunter Knights‌​ in the distance.‍‍⁠

Splat!⁠​

“Didn’t‍​ I tell you‍‌ to protect what⁠ must be protected?”​

With⁠‌‍ the sound of‌ flesh being pierced,⁠⁠ the trembling heart‍​⁠ of the knight​ stopped.

With‌​⁠ the death of‌​​ the last man,‌​⁠ the battlefield, which⁠ had been filled​⁠‌ with fury, fell‍⁠​ into a deep‌‌‍ and gloomy silence,⁠ like a grave.⁠‌⁠

“Thank‍⁠​ you for your​‍ effort.”

“The⁠‌⁠ dragon has lived⁠‍‌ too long; its‌⁠‍ claws have grown​‌ too long.”

A white hand handed⁠​ a handkerchief to‌ Frausen, who was‍ unfortunate with the​ sword.

Perhaps‌ because the clothes‍ she wore were​​‌ black, the white‌ color was particularly‍‌‍ noticeable.

“First,‍‌⁠ we must cut⁠​ those claws before‌⁠ we can stop⁠⁠⁠ its breath.”

While‌ wiping the blood​‍ from his face​⁠ with the handkerchief,​‌⁠ Frausen realized that⁠ the woman had⁠‌ something to say⁠ to him.

“What‌​​ is it?”

“One​ of my knights‍⁠ has not returned.”⁠‍​

“Why?”‌​​

A small question was‌ forming on his‌⁠ face, which was‍​‍ gradually cooling like⁠‌⁠ a corpse.

This​‌​ was because there⁠​ was no reason⁠ why the Headless‌‍​ Knights, who were‍‍ not bound by⁠​ the laws of‌‌ the world, could​‍‍ not return after⁠⁠‍ escaping death.

“According‌ to those who‌⁠ returned, he was‌ caught by a dragon.”

“A⁠ dragon?”

“It’s​​‍ the young dragon⁠​⁠ you released. That​⁠ child.”

Although⁠‌ his heart raced​​ at the word‌‍‍ “dragon,” upon realizing⁠‍ they referred to‌‌⁠ Vlad, Frausen showed⁠‌‍ a strange expression.​‍

“…In‍ that case, it‌⁠‍ is understandable. A dragon never loses⁠​ its marked prey.”‌​

Unlike‍ the other Headless‍‍ Knights, the knight‌‌ who had been‍‌ pierced by the​‍​ Dragon Slayer Sword‌​​ had not returned‍ with Ramashut.

It​ was a matter‍ of rank and‌ perfection that did​⁠ not tolerate death.‌⁠⁠

“I⁠ suppose I’ll have⁠ to go and​‍ find him myself.”⁠‌

Frausen⁠ turned his head‌‌ towards the distance,⁠ standing amidst the‌​‍ bloody and muddy‌⁠ disaster.

“Besides,​ I am curious‌⁠‌ to see how​⁠ much he has​​​ grown.”

That⁠ was the place​⁠ where the Headless‍ Knight had not‌​ returned, and where⁠ a strange creature⁠⁠ resided, not knowing​‌ whether it was‌⁠ a dragon or⁠‌‌ a knight.

***​⁠‌

The‍⁠ climate was different,‌‌​ the ceilings were⁠​‍ high and the​‌ windows wide.

Everything,​‍‌ from the vases‌⁠ to the patterns​‌‌ on the walls,‌​ reflected the vibrant​​ atmosphere of the⁠​​ center, distinct from⁠‌ the north.

“This​⁠ room is quite‌‍ good. With a living room, it‍ seems they are⁠ treating us well.”​

“…”‍​​

As‌ long as that​‍ old man sitting​‍ in front of‍‍​ him, chewing noisily,⁠‌ wasn’t there. He⁠​‌ seemed like an⁠‍ indigent old man,​⁠⁠ but he wasn’t⁠ a welcomed visitor.‌⁠‌

Vlad⁠ did not bother‌‌‌ to hide his‍ complicated expression when⁠⁠​ he saw Pedro,​⁠‍ who had suddenly⁠ come to see‍​‍ him.

“So,​ you still travel‌ with that cat.”​

“My‍​‍ name is Nibelun,⁠ you know that.”‍​

“I‌⁠ don’t care about⁠⁠ the names of‌ beast men. I only remember the​ names that God‍ has given me.”‍

Nibelun‍⁠‍ shook his head⁠ at Pedro’s disdainful‌ attitude.

In‌ Moshiam, which was​⁠ filled with mist,​ they were like‍ comrades, but to‍‍ the devout Pedro,​​ wizards were still⁠‍‌ a nuisance.

“How‍​ did you find‌‌ us here?”

Vlad’s​⁠‍ mouth opened heavily‌ as he watched‍‌ Pedro carefully put⁠⁠‍ down his spoon⁠⁠⁠ as if he⁠‌‍ had finished eating.​

He‍​ had waited patiently,‍‌ following the unwritten​‌ rule of not⁠‍ disturbing someone while⁠ eating, but now⁠‍ he needed answers.⁠‍

“And‍⁠ who the hell‌‍⁠ is that old‍ man you brought?”⁠

“…Hmm.”​

Vlad’s​​ head turned towards‍‌ the room.

While⁠​ Pedro still had‌⁠ the strength to‌‍⁠ eat, the old⁠‍‌ man they brought‌‍⁠ was on the​ bed, in a sleep that seemed⁠‍ like death.

“That‌⁠⁠ man is someone⁠‌ whose safety has​ been guaranteed by‍ the Northern Union.⁠ To them, he​‍ is a valuable‍⁠‍ witness.”

“I​ asked who he‍‌‌ is.”

Sensing⁠​ something ominous, Vlad‍​‌ was more alert​ than usual.

But⁠‌ Pedro just smiled⁠​ significantly as he‍‍ looked at Vlad.‌

“His‌‌ name is Radu.‌‌ Radu Dragulia.”

“…”⁠‍

Hearing⁠ the name come⁠⁠ out of Pedro’s⁠​ lips, Vlad’s hand,⁠‌‍ which was lifting‌⁠‌ a cup of‍ tea, paused.

At​ the same time,‌⁠‌ the fact that​‍⁠ the air in​⁠ the room turned​ cold was probably‌ not just an​⁠​ illusion to Nibelun.⁠‌⁠

“And‌‌‌ he is probably‌⁠ your half-brother.”

After‍ Pedro pronounced the‌ name, a strange‌​ silence began to⁠ reign.

Radu‍ Dragulia, a cursed‍‍​ name.

After⁠‍‌ hearing the identity⁠⁠⁠ of the old⁠‌‍ man from Pedro’s⁠ mouth, Vlad felt‌‌‌ a strange emotion​‍ arise that was‌‍‌ hard to explain‍⁠ with words.

“He​‌⁠ would be more⁠ like my grandfather‍​‌ than my brother.”​⁠

One⁠ of Pedro’s names‌ was causing a small ripple in‍‌⁠ his heart, but‌ Vlad was trying​​‌ to look indifferent.⁠⁠⁠

This​‍ was because he‍​​ had learned from​ Joseph not to⁠​​ show weakness in‌ a conversation.

“It‌ seems that the‌ Dragulias do not​‌ treat people well.⁠‍‌ That man seems​​ to have aged⁠⁠ prematurely.”

With‍​ a smile, Vlad​⁠⁠ lifted the cup‍‌‍ of tea.

He​‍ was speaking with⁠⁠ a smile, but​ his eyes contained‍‍‌ a warning not⁠​⁠ to say that‌ name in front‌ of him again.‌⁠

“You‍‍ can stay here‍‌‍ until someone from⁠ the Northern Union‍‌ arrives. Although this‍ is not my​​⁠ house.”

“…Thank‍​ you. I didn’t‌‍‍ expect to depend‌ on you.”

The‌‍ appearance is blond‌⁠​ and blue eyes.‍​​

But⁠ with a silver​⁠ sword at his‌⁠‍ side.

The‌ young Vlad had​‍ changed a lot⁠‌⁠ since his youth.​

Pedro‍ clicked his tongue,‍ lamenting the loss‌ of Vlad’s youth.‍

***⁠‌⁠

Vlad​⁠ walked down the‍ hallway of the⁠⁠​ mansion towards Rodrigo’s‍ parlor.

Although⁠‍ it was someone‌ else’s land, the​‌‍ knights of Arnstein⁠ he passed greeted‌ Vlad with their⁠​‍ gaze, and the‌​ servants showed him⁠⁠ respect.

[You​​ must be even‍ more humble at​‍ times like this.⁠​​ No one will​‌ see you as‍⁠ an inexperienced knight‌‍ now.]

“I⁠⁠‍ know.”

[But​ keep your head⁠⁠ high. The foundation‍ of a knight‍ is dignity.]

‘…I​‍ understand.’

Since​‌‍ meeting Rodrigo, Khano’s​ reprimands had become‌⁠‍ constant.

This​‍‍ was because he‍ was aware that‍ now was the‍⁠⁠ time to pay‍‍⁠ attention not only‍⁠⁠ to the sword‌‌‌ but also to⁠ other areas.

Although‌ it was annoying‍ that he interfered⁠⁠⁠ even in his⁠⁠‌ attitude.

“Sir‍​‌ Rodrigo.”

“Oh,‌ have you arrived?”​​‍

Upon‌ entering, he found‍‍ the Imperial Guard‌‍ knights gathered.

Although‍⁠ it wasn’t intentional,‍‌⁠ the simultaneous gazes​​‍ of the knights⁠​ made Vlad feel⁠‌‍ a strange pressure.‍

The​ knights sent by⁠ the Grand Duke⁠‌‌ to find August’s‌‍⁠ killer were not‌‌ ordinary knights.

“Did‌‌ you receive the‌​ guests well? It‍‌​ seems one of​ them is in‌⁠ poor condition.”

“You​ know everything, why‍​⁠ do you ask?”‍⁠‍

“It’s⁠⁠ my habit to‍‍⁠ ask what I already know.”

Why​‍ were all the‍​ people he met⁠‌ today so cunning?​

Rodrigo,​ a competent investigator,​​ had already grasped⁠⁠ the identity of​​‌ the old man​‌‍ but wanted to‌ hear the situation‌‍‍ from Vlad’s mouth.⁠⁠‌

“I⁠⁠ will protect them‍​​ until someone from​ the Northern Union​⁠‍ arrives. I am⁠ also a knight‍‌ of the Northern‌ Union.”

“Duties⁠ are important, as‍⁠ much as honor.”‌

Rodrigo‍ began to nod⁠⁠⁠ as if he‌‌‌ liked Vlad’s attitude.‍‍

However,​ when Vlad saw​⁠‍ that, he didn’t​​‌ hide his sullen​⁠⁠ expression.

Whether‌‍ good or bad,‌‍​ he didn’t like⁠‌‌ Rodrigo’s attitude of⁠‍‌ evaluating him without⁠ his permission.

“Once‍ again, I have⁠‌ nothing to do⁠⁠ with the founding‍ king.”

[Oh…]⁠

“And‍ my sword is‌‍ not his. So‌ stop paying so⁠ much attention to‍‌ me.”

For‌ Vlad, who was​ not used to⁠ receiving expectations from‍‌‍ others, Rodrigo’s nodding‌​ was just a nuisance.

Vlad,⁠ who had a vague idea of‍‌ what was expected‌​‌ of him, planned‌​ to use this‌ opportunity to draw⁠ a clear line.‌⁠

“Please⁠⁠ don’t expect anything⁠ from me. I will live my⁠‍​ life as I simply want to.”‍

“Of​​ course, I don’t⁠ expect anything.”

But⁠‌⁠ even in Vlad’s​ rude attitude, Rodrigo‍‍ showed no sign‌ of displeasure.

“Do⁠‌​ as you wish,​‍ as you did‌​‍ chasing the Headless​​‍ Knights last night.”⁠

“…”⁠

Because​‌‍ he was already⁠​‌ satisfied.

Although⁠ he said no​⁠⁠ with his mouth,‍⁠‌ the image of‍⁠‍ Vlad trying to⁠ respect the rules​ of the Sword‍‍ Master more than‍​⁠ anyone was also‌‍‌ the image that​‍‌ the imperial knights‌ had portrayed for​⁠ a long time.​

“I⁠‍ plan to return‍ to the palace⁠ now.”

“That’s‌⁠⁠ good news.”

“But⁠‌ before I leave,‍‍ I wanted to​ give you some⁠‌‌ advice.”

Vlad⁠⁠⁠ was happy to⁠‌‌ be away from‍‍ his troublesome group,‍‍⁠ but Rodrigo’s eyes‍ were serious as‌ he looked at⁠‍ him.

“Don’t‌​⁠ trust Joseph Bayezid⁠ too much.”

A high-ranking knight of‍ the Imperial Guard,‍‍​ responsible for the‍‌‍ security of the⁠‍‍ imperial capital.

He,​‌ who sought the‍‍⁠ hidden truth with​‍ a keener sense​⁠​ than a hunting‍ dog, was leaving​‌ a harsh warning‌ for Vlad.

“What‍‌‌ is that…”

“The‍‍ one who first‍ got the eastern​‌ drug in the⁠‌ north was Joseph.”‍

There‌‍ was a green​ drug that ravaged⁠⁠ the imperial family‌ and court nobles.⁠‌⁠

It​ was an elven‌ drug with wonderful‍‍ effects but deadly​‌​ poison.

The⁠​ capital Brigantes still‌​ suffered the aftermath​ of that drug.‌‍

“The​ Vatican had reasons‍​‌ to target Joseph.​‍ Don’t forget that.”​⁠

“…”‍‍

He​‍ wanted to firmly⁠ shout that this​ wasn’t the case,‌‌⁠ but the energy‍​ Rodrigo emitted made‌⁠ Vlad keep his‌ mouth shut.

Although‌‍ he had lived‌‌‍ his whole life‍‍ against someone, Rodrigo’s​ words, warning with​⁠​ the truth, were​ hard to dismiss.‌⁠​

***‍

A black powder fell‍‍‍ into the green​​⁠ tea water.

It⁠ was clear tea‌​ water that had​ been carefully prepared‍‍​ according to the​‍‌ basics of the⁠‍ tea ceremony, but⁠ now it had⁠ turned completely black,‌‌ as if the‌​‍ efforts were in⁠‍ vain.

“He‌ is locked in​ the basement. The‍​ territory’s priests have‌ strictly sealed him.”⁠

“Really?”⁠‍⁠

Joseph‌​‌ looked pained as​‍ if he had‌‍ a headache.

Joseph,⁠​ who liked to‌⁠ follow a detailed‍‌​ plan, was disgusted‌​ by the unexpected‌‌ situation.

“Why‌⁠ didn’t he run​ away? They usually‍ aren’t tied to⁠ one place.”

Although⁠‌ he asked, he‍ didn’t expect an‌​​ answer.

Jager‍ was a knight,​‍ not someone who‍​ understood sinister entities.‌‍‍

“Is‌‍‌ it because of‌​ Vlad?”

Vlad‌ of Soara is⁠⁠‌ the only variable‌⁠ Joseph Bayezid is⁠ willing to have.​⁠

Joseph,⁠​ thinking the guy​ probably did something,​​⁠ just smiled slightly‍ and threw the‌‍⁠ medicine bag he​⁠ was holding into‌‍‌ the fireplace.

“We​⁠ will receive news​‍ soon. Let’s wait.”‌‍‍

“Understood,‌​ Sir Joseph.”

The‌‌​ black tea flowed‍‍‌ down his throat.‌⁠⁠

With⁠⁠ each sip, Joseph’s‍ eyes regained their⁠​ brightness, and the​‌ shadows under his⁠‌‌ eyes disappeared.

“…I’ve‍ tried many medicines,‍ but this one​ is really bitter.”⁠

After⁠​​ emptying his cup⁠‍ of tea, Joseph‌ squinted and complained.‍

At‍ some point, he‌ had stopped coughing⁠ lightly.

It⁠​ wasn’t known since‌‍ when, but Joseph⁠‌ no longer showed‍ signs of illness.‍

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