Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 228: The Reason He Left (2)

Chapter 228: The Reason He Left (2)

On‌‍ the hill of⁠‍ Kihano, where the‌ red leaves of‌‍ the maples fluttered,⁠ Vlad sat with‍ his head bowed.‌

Although⁠‍ Vlad had done nothing wrong, he⁠⁠‌ sat there feeling‌‌ like a sinner.‍ It took him‌‍ quite some time‍⁠ to calm the boiling sensation of defeat.

“…Can I win?”

[Probably‌ not now, maybe⁠ someday in the‌ future.]

“At‍‍ least you don’t‌ say I can’t.”‍

It’s okay to dream⁠ when you’re a child, but you‍⁠ can’t do it‍ when you’re an‌ adult.

He believed he could‌ overcome any obstacle,‌ but his opponent‍ was a high-ranking‍ sword master, and‍ Vlad had to‍‌ acknowledge the enormous‌ gap between him⁠ and Frausen.

“How‍‌ did you do‌ it, Kihano?”

[What‍ do you mean?]⁠‍‌

“The‌ most perfect dragon.”⁠‌

Finally‌‍ lifting his head‌ from his knees,‌‍‌ Vlad looked at Kihano, who was‍‌ sitting beside him.⁠

“How⁠ did you kill⁠⁠ it? It must‍⁠‌ have been a difficult enemy to‍ face.”

The only comforting thing⁠ was having Kihano‍‌ by his side.‌

Unlike‍⁠ when he was‍‍ a boy from⁠⁠ the alleys, now‌ he had someone‍ to ask, Kihano,⁠‌ someone who had‌ walked that path‌⁠ before.

“It‌‍ must have been‍ harder for you‌ than for me.”⁠‍‌

[…It‍ was.]

In‌‍ response to Vlad’s⁠ question, Kihano licked⁠‌ his lips as⁠‌ if he had‍⁠‍ a bitter taste‌ in his mouth.

The‌‌‌ only sound that‍⁠ emerged from his‍ delayed response was‍‌ the sound of‌ the wind swirling‌ under the World‌‍‍ Mother Tree.

[I‍‌ couldn’t win.]

“But⁠⁠ you killed it.”‌

[Yes.⁠‌‍ I killed it,‍⁠ though I didn’t⁠ defeat it.]

Kihano’s eyes got lost‌⁠ in memories of⁠ ancient times.

His‍ lips, trembling as‍ if hesitant to⁠ open, indicated how‍ deep his internal‌‍‌ struggle was.

“Kihano,‍⁠ I want you⁠ to tell me.⁠ What should I do right now?”‌

[······.]‍

Kihano’s eyes grew more‌ complex as he⁠ looked at Vlad,‌⁠ who bowed his‍‍‌ head again.

Should‌⁠ I tell him‍⁠‍ or not?

For‌ this young man‍‌ who is thinking⁠ about it right⁠ now, there is‍ not just one‍⁠ correct path in‌ this world.

[I⁠‍ saw earlier that‌ Frausen had a dragon fragment in‌‌ his heart.]

Children should only be‍‌ taught what is‌ right and just.⁠‍‍

However,‍ as we cannot live only in⁠‌ the right way,⁠⁠ there comes a time when we⁠ must also teach‍‌ in this way.‍‍

Even‍‌ for children who‍ have just become adults and must‍‌‌ go out into‌⁠ the cruel world.⁠

[There‍‍‍ will be times⁠ in life when you cannot worry⁠ about the means‌⁠⁠ or the method.]‍

Maybe‌‍ it wasn’t the‍ straight path, but‍ a diverted one.⁠‌⁠

In‌‍⁠ Kihano’s story, which‍⁠ he spoke after‍‌ a long period⁠ of reflection, memories‍⁠ of that day arose that did⁠‍⁠ not fit with‌‌⁠ the noble title‍‌ of a sword⁠‍⁠ master.

***⁠

“…Didn’t‌ we see each‍ other this morning?‍‍ Lord Vlad.”

The⁠‌ midday sun had‌ just risen and‍‌ shone through the‌ window onto the⁠‌ men sitting in‌ front of the‌‍ Count.

Among⁠ them was Vlad,‍‍ with whom he⁠ had had a serious conversation that very morning.

“You⁠⁠ look quite different from how you‍ looked this morning.”‍‌

“I’m‌‌‍ sorry, Count.”

Count‍⁠ Arnstein silently watched⁠‍ Vlad, who shook his shoulders as‌ if still out of breath.

And‌ even the old‌ man sitting next‌ to him.

Vlad’s⁠⁠ appearance was very⁠ disheveled, but what‍⁠ really caught the‌ Count’s attention was‌ the very pitiful‍ appearance of Radu.⁠⁠

“…Did‍ he have the‍‍ right to be‍⁠⁠ treated as a prisoner?”

A look of disappointment‌‌ slowly appeared on‍ the Count’s face‍⁠ as he examined‍ Radu.

This‌ was because the‌ Count, who had‌‌ been anticipating Vlad’s‌ potential, was not⁠ entirely satisfied with‌‌‌ the assertiveness he‍ was now showing.‍‌

“…I‍⁠‌ couldn’t call him ‘Hyung’.” [1]

“Hmm?”‌

Is⁠ it because he⁠‌ grew up in‍‍ the North?

The‍ Count felt a bit disappointed seeing‍‍ Vlad, who still‍⁠ retained the ferocity⁠ seen in northerners,‌ but the excuse⁠‌ that came out⁠ of Vlad’s mouth was quite unexpected.‍‌

“I⁠ finally found a blood relative, but‌⁠‌ he avoided me.⁠‌‍ And the sadness‍‌⁠ made me lose‍ control. Please forgive me for my⁠ mistake.”

“…Oh,‌ I see.”

The⁠⁠ Count’s eyes began‍‍ to shine, as‍ if hearing Vlad’s words was truly meaningful.

Certainly,⁠‍ with the current‌‌ excuse, it would‍‌ have been vague‍ for anyone to‍ criticize Vlad’s actions.‍‌

“Crazy‍ bastard! Why do you keep calling‌ me brother?”

“Fights‍ between brothers are‌⁠⁠ inevitable.”

“Count! How can you‍ associate Dragulia’s blood‌‌ with these northern⁠‌ barbarians?”

“…”‌

Looking‌ at the furious‌‍ Radu, the Count‍ slightly tilted his‍⁠‍ head.

Although⁠ both had the⁠ same blue eyes,⁠ the Count’s attitude‌ towards each was‍‌ clearly different.

“It’s‌‍ none of my‌⁠‌ business the family⁠‍ problems, I just⁠ know that Duke‍‌ Dragulia has a rather complex love‌‍ life.”

“…”⁠

Radu’s mouth, which had⁠‍‌ been snorting at the Count’s words,‍‍ closed.

As‌ he had just said, anyone who‍‌‌ knew anything about the Dragulia family⁠ knew about the‌⁠ numerous love affairs‌⁠ of the duke.‌

And‌⁠ since Radu himself‍ was born under⁠⁠ such complicated circumstances, there was no⁠ way he could‌⁠‍ refute the Count’s‌ words.

“The‌ issue of lineage‌‍ is like that.‌ Sometimes, what seems‍⁠ important now may⁠‌ be irrelevant in⁠ another situation. You‍ can’t always decide‍⁠ everything clearly.”

The⁠ Count looked at‌‌ Vlad as if⁠ he had done⁠ well, then turned‍⁠‍ his head towards‌‌ Radu and continued‍⁠ speaking.

“Do‍ you really think‌⁠ that Lord Vlad‌ beside you is‌ not your brother?”‌⁠

“Of‌ course he’s not!”⁠⁠

“Then,‌ I’m sorry to⁠ say you’re out⁠‍ of luck.”

The‍⁠ Count shrugged at Radu’s firm response, took a letter‌ from a drawer,‌‌ and showed it‍ to Radu.

“As‌ I said, nothing‌⁠ is more important⁠ than lineage.”

The‌‍ letter the Count⁠‌‍ waved as if‍‌ asking him to⁠‌ look at it‍‍‌ had a pattern‌⁠ drawn that was‍ very familiar to‍‍‌ Radu.

A line fiercely drawn‌ across the neck‌‍ of a fire-breathing dragon.

Radu’s‌⁠ eyes began to‌‌ widen as he⁠⁠ recognized the emblem‌ referring to the‍⁠⁠ Dragulia family.

“It⁠⁠ seems the Dragulia⁠ family has discovered‍ Bishop Pedro’s whereabouts.‌ They want me‍ to hand you⁠⁠‌ over to them.”

“I,‍ I…”

“For⁠ your information, the⁠‌ Dragon Slayer Knights‍ are half a day away.”

Radu’s complexion began to⁠ pale when he⁠⁠⁠ heard that Dragulia‍ was looking for⁠ him.

“The⁠ leader of the vanguard must be⁠‌ Mirshea, right?”

“Brother.”‍

A cause that not⁠ even the owner‍ of this territory⁠‍ can protect because⁠⁠⁠ they are blood‍ relatives.

Moreover,⁠ the person carrying⁠‌ that cause is‌ Mirshea, said to‍ be the one‍⁠ who resembles his‍⁠ father the most.⁠

Radu,‌‍‌ who quickly understood‍ the situation, looked⁠‌ at Vlad with‍ a determined look.‌

“I‍ want to go⁠⁠ north as soon⁠‌⁠ as possible. In⁠ fact, I’ve always‌‌⁠ admired the white‍ and snowy fields‍‌ of the north.”

“…Damn,‌ really.”

Being⁠ stung in a barrel of wine‌ or accepting Vlad‌‌‌ as his younger‌⁠ brother?

It‌‌‌ was such an easy decision that‌ Radu did not‍‌‍ hesitate in his‍‍‌ actions.

Seeing⁠ Radu like this, Vlad only showed⁠ a look of boredom.

***‌

From the capital, Brigantes,⁠ a group was⁠ moving quickly along⁠‌⁠ the imperial road.‌⁠

Their‌ name was Dragon‌‌ Slayer Knights, and‍ they ran with a flag that‌‌ anyone living in the empire could‍ recognize.

Among⁠⁠ them, the blue‌ eyes of Mirshea,⁠‌⁠ who was running⁠ in the front,⁠⁠ seemed filled with‌‌ cold anger.

“Stop!‍‍ From here on,⁠‌⁠ this is Arnstein’s⁠⁠‌ land.”

Although‍ it wasn’t the⁠ castle gate, it‌ was difficult to block the Dragon‌ Slayer Knights.

Judging‍ by the shabby‌‍‍ appearance of the entrance gate blocking‌ the road, anyone⁠‍ could see they‍ intended to stop‍⁠ the knights.

“My⁠ name is Mirshea.‍ Mirshea Dragulia.”

And‌‍ Mirshea could also‌‍ understand that intention‍ at a glance.⁠‍

The⁠‍ knights of Arnstein‌‍ shivered at the dragon’s force that‌ spread as soon⁠ as he arrived.‌‍

As‍⁠‍ such, the spirit⁠‌⁠ Mirshea was showing⁠ at this moment was unusual and‍ truly seemed like⁠ that of a knight representing the⁠ empire.

“I have already sent⁠ a message to‌ the Count.”

“What⁠ message?”

However,‍‍‌ although the knights⁠ of Arnstein might‌ have retreated for a moment at‍⁠‌ the ferocity of‌ the attack, they‌ never stepped aside.

Because⁠‍ they also had a knight at⁠‌‍ the front whose‌⁠‍ reputation was comparable⁠ to that of⁠⁠ Mirshea.

“Explain‍‍‌ in detail the‍‌ purpose of your‌ visit to the‌ territory, Mirshea Dragulia.”⁠

A knight with an‌‌ impressive large shield⁠⁠ on his back.‍⁠

With‌‍ a large shield‍‍ on his back,‌⁠ the imposing knight‌ Pablo faced Mirshea⁠‍‍ firmly.

“It’s⁠⁠‍ a family matter.”‌

“Why would you seek‌ your family here,‍ in Arnstein?”

Before‌‌ the roaring dragon,‌ Pablo stood firm‍‌ like a wall.

He‍ showed not the‌‌ slightest sign of‌ weakness as he‌‌ faced Mirshea.

“…It’s‍ about my missing‍⁠ brother.”

“Then,⁠‌⁠ why are you⁠‌ looking for that⁠ younger brother in⁠ our territory?”

As‌⁠ the two faced‌ each other without‌⁠ yielding an inch,‍ the tension began‍ to seep to‌ the point where‌‍ it was hard⁠‌ even to breathe.⁠

The‍ tension was so‍‍‌ great that even‍⁠ without orders from the captains, the‌‍⁠ surrounding knights spontaneously‍⁠ drew their swords.⁠⁠

“…I⁠‍⁠ have brought with‍⁠ me solid evidence‍‍‍ of Pedro’s whereabouts.⁠ So don’t provoke me any further,‌⁠ Pablo of Arnstein.”‌‌‌

“Evidence?”‍‌

According‌‍ to the empire’s⁠ custom, it was‌ natural to give‍ way to a pursuer of lineage.⁠‌

However, Count Arnstein decided‍‌⁠ not to yield.‍

“Whatever⁠‍ the evidence, the‍ Count said he‌‍ did not want‍ the dragon’s claws‍‍‌ to set foot‍ on this land.”‍⁠

This⁠ was partly due‍ to his relationship‌‌ with the Lord‍‌ of the Dragon’s‍⁠ Blood, which was‍‌ already deviating, but⁠ it was also⁠‍ a consideration for‌‌⁠ Vlad, in whom‍⁠ he had high‍‌ hopes.

Pablo’s⁠‍ attitude was as‍‌ firm as the Count’s resolute decision,‌‍ and Mirshea, who‌ was facing them, could also feel‌⁠‌ their determination.

“The‌‍‍ Count ignores the⁠ customs of the⁠ empire.”

“Would⁠ it be as‍ bad as you‌ who recklessly invade‍ foreign lands with⁠‌‌ armed personnel?”

Although‍⁠ it wasn’t said aloud, the war‍ had already begun.‌‍

Mirshea‍ and Pablo, who‌ knew this well,⁠‍ looked at each⁠ other as if⁠‌ the place they‍‍‌ stood was a battlefield.

“Mirshea!⁠⁠ Mirshea Dragulia!”

The‍‌‌ imperial road that‍‌ connects all the‍‍ lands of the⁠⁠ central region.

At⁠‍ the moment when‍ a dangerous spark‍ was about to⁠⁠ fall on that⁠‌ old road, someone’s⁠ voice was heard‌‍ from the Arnstein⁠‌‍ territory.

“I⁠⁠ have Radu Dragulia‌‌ that you’re looking for!”

A small flag waved by someone riding‌ a black horse.‍

The⁠ sight of flags⁠‌‍ with numerous patterns⁠‍ was clearly familiar⁠ to Mirshea.

“…Vlad?”‌⁠‍

A unique flag that‍‌ only Vlad Aureo,‍ the Knight of⁠‍ the North, could⁠ display.

Mirshea,‍ who recognized Vlad⁠ under the flag,‍‍ made a frustrated‌ expression.

He knew from experience⁠ that things got‍‍ complicated when he⁠⁠ appeared.

“Radu⁠ Dragulia will go⁠⁠‍ with me to⁠ the north! Not‌‌ by anyone’s order, but by my⁠ own judgment, Vlad⁠ Aureo!”

Not‍ by Arnstein nor⁠‌ by the Northern‍‌‌ Church, but in‍ my name, Aureo.‌‌

“If‍‍ you want Radu,⁠ come to the‌‌ north to find⁠ him!”

“…Damn‍‍‍ it.”

Seeing‍⁠ Vlad trying to‍‌ take control of⁠⁠ the situation, Mirshea‌ bit his lip‍‍ as if he‌ was annoyed.

Although‍‍ imperial customs granted⁠ Mirshea rights, in‍ front of Vlad,‍ a blood relative,⁠‍ those rights became⁠⁠ powerless.

“Is⁠ this okay?”

[Excellent.‍ This is enough.]‌‌‍

Although‍⁠⁠ they were received‍ as guests, they‌⁠‍ ended up causing‌‍‍ much damage.

So,‌‌ the best way‍‌ I could show respect would be⁠⁠ to clean up‌ the space I’m⁠‍⁠ leaving before I go.

“Thank‌‌⁠ you until the‌ end, Pablo.”

He⁠ might not have⁠ heard it because‍ it was so⁠ far away.

Vlad⁠‍‌ expressed his gratitude‌‌ to Pablo, who‌‌ defended him until‍ the end.

Neigh!‌

When‍ he pulled the‍‌‍ reins, Noir kicked⁠‍ the ground and started running as‌ if he had⁠⁠ been waiting.

Toward‌‍ the group waiting‍⁠ behind.

“Is‌⁠‌ everything ready?”

“Why⁠⁠‌ are you acting⁠‍ so friendly?”

However,‌‍ the direction they⁠‌ were heading while‍ riding was not⁠‍ towards the north‌ that Vlad had just mentioned.

A mage, an inquisitor,⁠ and two dragons,‌ one young and‍‍‍ one old.

The⁠ place they were⁠ heading was not⁠‌ the north, but‌ the opposite direction,⁠‌ the south.

T/N:

[1]‍‌ “Hyung” is a Korean term used‌⁠ to refer to⁠‍‍ an older brother⁠ or a close‌ older male friend.‍‌ It is an⁠ expression of respect and affection that‍⁠ a man uses‌⁠ to address another⁠ older man.