Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 229: City of Outlaws (1)

Chapter 229: City of Outlaws (1)

Although the long winter⁠ was coming to‌ an end, a cold atmosphere still⁠ lingered in Sturma.‍‍⁠

While⁠‌ this could be explained by the⁠ northern characteristic of‍ resisting winter’s retreat,⁠‌ it wasn’t enough‌ to justify the⁠‌ melancholy that permeated‌ the mansion.

“…There‌ are so many⁠ documents.”

It‍‍ was daytime, but‍ the office was⁠⁠‍ dark, and there‌‌ wasn’t enough sunlight.⁠‌

Rutiger,‌ who was holding‍‌ a pen there,‌ looked again at⁠⁠ the piles of‍⁠‌ documents stacked on⁠ both sides of‌⁠ him, and his‍‌‍ face hardened once⁠⁠ more.

“It’s‌ endless, endless.”

Even‌ though he had‌ spent the night resolving matters, more⁠‌ tasks had already⁠ accumulated for the‍⁠ day.

Looking at the documents waiting for him,‍ Rutiger rubbed his‌ face with both hands, exasperated.

Knock,⁠ knock, knock.

“Come⁠‍ in.”

The‌‍ sound of knocking on the door‍‍ was small but lively.

Rutiger,‌‍⁠ who had already⁠ figured out who‌ was visiting by‍‍ the sound of⁠ the steps, spoke‌ without even raising‌ his head.

“Lord‍⁠‌ Rutiger, here it‍⁠ is.”

“Lately,⁠‌ I’m always here.‍ It seems you’ve‌‍‌ lost interest in‌‌ me, Dorothea.”

He⁠‌ said it jokingly, but the corners⁠ of his smiling‍ lips actually seemed⁠‌ bitter.

The‍‍ tasks increased as⁠‌‌ the situation changed‍‌ rapidly.

Dorothea,⁠ standing in front‌‌ of Rutiger, pursed⁠ her lips for‌‍⁠ a moment at‌ his seemingly depressed⁠ attitude.

“I‍ have a telegram‌ for you.”

“From⁠‍ whom?”

“It’s a telegram from⁠‌ Lord Vlad.”

That’s why she hurriedly mentioned Vlad’s name.⁠

Though‌ it felt strange‌ to add the title “Lord” to⁠‍ a young man‌ who barely knew⁠⁠‍ how to ride‍‌ a horse, Rutiger’s‌‌ surprised expression made‍ her feel the‍ effort was worth⁠ it.

“What’s‌⁠‍ happening? Did he⁠⁠ ever contact me separately?”

To‍‌ Rutiger, the name⁠ Vlad was certainly‍ welcome, but it‍ was also a name that worried him.

Because‍ he knew very‌⁠‌ well that the⁠‌ depression currently hovering⁠‍⁠ around the mansion‌‌⁠ started right next‍‍ to Vlad.

“…Is it about Joseph?”‌‍

“No,‌⁠ it’s not that.”‍‌

Dorothea‍ carefully placed the⁠ notes she brought‌ and spoke.

“I‍‌ don’t know why,⁠‌ but he asked‌‍ about the tribe‌‌ I was born⁠‌ in.”

“Your‍⁠ tribe?”

Rutiger’s‌⁠ eyes narrowed at⁠⁠⁠ the completely unexpected‌ response.

It wasn’t a matter⁠ related to Joseph,⁠ nor to Radu⁠⁠ and Pedro, but⁠ something about Dorothea,‌ which was surprising.

“Did⁠ you answer him?”‌‍

“…There‍ was no reason‌‌ not to.”

Unlike‌‍ other races living‍‌⁠ in a fixed place, the beastmen,‌ who had lost⁠‍ their homeland, wandered from city to‍‍ city.

To‌ find the whereabouts‌ of such beastmen,‍⁠‍ they inevitably needed‌⁠ the help of‍‍ tribe members.

“This‌‌ year they are in the city‌ of Namarka.”

The‌‍ finger pointing at‌‌ the map spread‍‍⁠ out on the desk stopped at⁠ a place.

The⁠⁠ city of Namarka.‍

A city located near‌ the south of the central region.‍⁠

However,⁠ Rutiger’s gaze did‌‍ not focus on‌‍ Dorothea’s finger but‍⁠ on Vlad’s telegram‌ that she had‌ left.

“…I‍ don’t know what‌‍ he plans, but‍ I’m sure he’ll⁠⁠ handle it well.”⁠⁠

As⁠‍⁠ only short text‍ messages could be‌‍ exchanged, it was‌ a magical telegram‌ that could only‍‌‍ write a few‌⁠ words.

Therefore, it was a telegram that had‍ no choice but‌ to be written⁠⁠‍ in detail, but⁠‍ at the end⁠ of Vlad’s words,⁠ there was clearly‌⁠⁠ a greeting to‍‍ someone.

It⁠‍ was just a few words of⁠ greeting, but no‌ greeting could be⁠‌ as comforting as‍ this for Oksana,‍‍ who had now⁠ lost her strength.

***⁠

“Why‌‌ is it in‌ such a remote place, Namarka or‌‍ Nimirka?”

The‍⁠ road was filled‌⁠ with mud, as⁠ the frozen ground‌‌‍ began to thaw.‌

Even‌‍ though he was‌‍⁠ on horseback, Radu‍ frowned and grumbled⁠‍‌ as the mud‌‌ reached his thighs.⁠

“If⁠ you keep complaining,‌‍ go back north.”⁠

“…”‌⁠

However,‍‌⁠ Radu had no‍ choice but to‌ quickly shut his‍⁠ mouth at the⁠ chilling voice that‍‍ came from beside‌⁠‍ him.

Although he disliked the⁠ destination, he preferred⁠ it to heading‍⁠ north.

“I⁠ was just saying.‍‌ Are all northerners‌‍ this extreme?”

“Yes,‌ we are all‌ extreme. So please⁠⁠‍ shut up.”

Not only extreme but‍ also very difficult.⁠‌

However,‍‌⁠ Vlad was the⁠ one holding his‌ life in his⁠ hands, so Radu⁠⁠‍ had no choice‍⁠ but to stay⁠‍‌ quiet.

“I‌‍‌ told you to⁠‍ go back north.‌‍ Why do you⁠‌⁠ insist on walking‍‍‌ into the dragon’s‍‌‌ mouth?”

“It’s⁠⁠ too late. We‍ can’t go now, so what are⁠⁠ we going to⁠‍⁠ do?”

The‍ group that left‍ Arnstein’s territory was‌⁠ now heading to a southern city,‌ not north.

Pedro,‍‌ who disliked the‌‌ direction, also started murmuring, but Vlad‍⁠ clearly had a good reason to⁠‌ come here.

“Marcus told me the road north is already covered by⁠‍ the Duke’s men.‌ Will we be‍ able to overcome‌ all that with‍‌‌ just us?”

“Damn‌‍ it. I don’t‍ like any of‌‍⁠ those damned dragons.”‌

“…You’re not talking about‍‌ me, are you?”‌

The‌‌ county of Arnstein‌⁠‌ was located near‌⁠ the center of⁠ the central region.‍‌

What‍‍ this meant was that for Vlad⁠‍ to head safely‌ north, he would‍ have to pass⁠ through quite a few central territories,‍‌ and it also‌⁠ meant that it‌‍‍ would ultimately be‍ difficult to break‍⁠‍ through the siege⁠ of the Dragon⁠‍‌ Slayer Knights.

Of⁠‍ course, Vlad had‍ no intention of⁠‍ heading north from‌‌ the beginning.

“There⁠⁠ are properties written‍ by Count Arnstein‍ himself. From now‌⁠ on, we will‍‍ follow the territories⁠⁠⁠ where the Court‍ Duke’s faction is‌⁠‌ located and head‌‌ north as he‌‍ told us.”

When‍ Vlad said he⁠‌⁠ would follow the‍⁠ most reliable route‌ and only choose⁠⁠‍ safe places, even⁠ Pedro had no‌‍ choice but to‌‌‍ nod as if‍ he had no‌ other option.

“There⁠‌ it is! That’s‌ Namarka.”

“Ah,⁠⁠ today we can‌‌ sleep at an⁠ inn.”

With‍‍‍ a sigh of‍ relief from Radu,‌ the sprawling city‍‌ was seen through‌‌⁠ the fingertips of⁠ Nibelun, who took⁠ the lead.

The‌ city, surrounded by⁠‍ flimsy fences, seemed‍ dangerous, but it⁠⁠⁠ was actually a bustling place with lively people inside.‌‍‌

“…Namarka.”‌⁠

Vlad,‌‌ contemplating the view‍ of Namarka from‍‌ the hill with⁠‌ Noir, began to‍ laugh wildly at⁠ the vaguely strong⁠‌ smell of his⁠‍‌ hometown.

“Looking‍ over there makes‍ me feel at⁠ peace for the first time in⁠⁠ a long while.”⁠⁠

City⁠ of Namarka.

Disputed‌ by three lords⁠ who claimed it⁠‍‌ as their own.‍ For this reason,‍ no one truly⁠ dominated it, and⁠ the locals called‍ it the city⁠‌ of outlaws.

***‌‌‌

“Where‍‍ are you going?”

“Why⁠ do you care?”⁠

“…I’m⁠‍ a guard.”

“Really?”‍

Vlad,‍ who was passing‌ through a wooden⁠⁠‌ fence that didn’t‍⁠ look like a castle gate, looked‌⁠ at the man‌ who grabbed him.‍⁠

The‍ guard, with several‌ missing teeth, seemed⁠ accustomed to Vlad’s‌ indifferent attitude.

“Then‌‍ you should have said so earlier.‍ I couldn’t distinguish‌‍ you from the⁠⁠‍ others.”

No‍ matter how crazy‍ a lord was,⁠ he would at‌ least equip his‍‍⁠ guards who watched‍ the castle gates‌‌ with proper gear.⁠‌

However,‍ the city of‌⁠ Namarka was filled‌‌ more with criminal‍ organizations than lords,‌ so the guards’⁠⁠ outfits were no‌⁠ different from those⁠ of thugs.

“Identification.”⁠

“I‌ don’t have any.”‍⁠

Although⁠ Vlad spoke with‍ such confidence, the‌ guard naturally extended⁠ his palm as‌‌⁠ if knowing he⁠⁠ would.

The‍‌ appearance of the⁠‍ group, vividly recreated⁠⁠ by an old‌‌ veteran from the⁠ alley, didn’t seem‌‍‌ out of place‍ at all compared to the people⁠‌⁠ currently lined up⁠‌⁠ in front of‌ the castle gate,⁠ so the guards‍‍ had no reason‌ to be particularly‍⁠ cautious.

“What⁠ are the tolls⁠ these days?”

“Pay‍⁠ upfront.”

“Oh,‍ you really shouldn’t⁠‍ be doing this.”⁠‌

Truly a city of‍ scoundrels.

Vlad scratched his forehead‍‍ as he combed‌ his tangled hair,‌‌ seeing them shout⁠ to make the⁠‌ first move, which‌ is almost like‍ an unwritten law in the North.‍⁠‌

The‍‌ tall face visible‍ thanks to his‍‌ raised head was‌ impressive, but the⁠ smile with many‌ dark spots seemed‌‌ so raw that⁠⁠ there was no‌ need to ask‌⁠⁠ where he was‌⁠ from.

“Two old men, a cat, and a child…”

The⁠ guard, who had let his guard‌ down at Vlad’s‌ open attitude, looked‌ at the group‍⁠ lined up behind‍‍ him.

Looking⁠ at the old‍ man coughing loudly and the beastman‍ with cross-eyed pupils,⁠ they were a pathetic group of‌ people who seemed‌‌‍ to have nothing‌ to eat.

“Three⁠‌‌ silver coins. The‍ elders simply treat‍‌‍ it as such.”‌

“You’re‍ doing a good‍ job. Take it.”‍

Vlad,‍‍ who deftly slipped⁠‍ the silver coin‌⁠ into the guard’s‌⁠ arms, quickly let⁠ the group in‌ through the gate.⁠‌

Pedro,‍ trembling with anger, lay down for‍⁠⁠ a moment, but⁠ in the guard’s‍⁠ eyes, he was nothing more than‍‍ a tall, thin⁠‌⁠ old man.

“What‍ a disgrace…”

“You⁠ have to endure‍ it. This is⁠ the way to‌ the next territory.”⁠‍

The⁠ scene in Namarka,‌⁠ where Pedro was⁠ dragged with much‌⁠ effort, was as⁠⁠⁠ chaotic as expected.

“…It’s‍ a completely corrupt‍‌‍ city. God tests⁠‌ me again today.”‍⁠⁠

Beggars‍⁠⁠ lunging at the⁠ slightest distraction, half-naked‌ prostitutes in the‍⁠ alleys.

Moreover,‍⁠ the sight of⁠‌ drunken people lying⁠ here and there‌‍ was so bad‍ that it was hard to tell‌ if they were⁠ corpses or not.⁠‍

“Radu,⁠ come here.”

“…You⁠ call me brother,‌‌ right?”

Vlad‌ called his blood⁠⁠‌ brother as if⁠ he were a dog, but Radu‍⁠ couldn’t express any‍ discontent.

If⁠ he followed Mirshea,‍ he would die,⁠ and if he went north, he‌⁠ might be trapped‌‍ forever, so only⁠ Vlad was his⁠ option.

“Take‍ this and stand in the street‍⁠ for a while.”⁠‌

“Hmm?”‌

Vlad,‌ who didn’t know the city’s geography⁠⁠ well but had‌⁠‌ found his own‍‌ way through his experience in the⁠⁠⁠ back alleys, was⁠ now standing in⁠ front of the⁠‌⁠ main street where‌ there seemed to⁠ be more beastmen‌‌ than humans.

The‌ subtly different atmosphere‍‌‍ along the way⁠‍ clearly indicated that⁠⁠‌ this was the‌ territory of the‍ beastmen.

“What’s⁠ this for?”

“Maybe‌⁠ you don’t know⁠ yet, but northerners‍‌‍ have an impatient‌ personality.”

“…Yes?”‌

“Go⁠‌ quickly.”

Radu,⁠‍ who grabbed the‌ jingling money bag,‌ stood in the‌⁠ middle of the street without understanding‌‍ anything.

The sight of Radu‍⁠ standing by the‍ road as if⁠⁠ everything was awkward was the very‍ image of an⁠ old man who‍⁠ had gotten lost.‍

“…It‌‌ seems it’s not‌‍ just the body‍‍ that’s aged.”

Vlad,‌ who was observing‍‍‌ Radu while standing‌ in an invisible‌‍‌ corner, clicked his⁠‍‍ tongue.

Although‌ he was someone‌ who led the⁠⁠‍ Dragon Slayer Knights,‍ the current Radu⁠‍ didn’t even notice the pickpocket who had just passed⁠ by him.

“Let’s see where he⁠ goes.”

Even⁠ though he was⁠ walking among the‌ crowd, he could‍⁠ clearly see Vlad’s⁠ blue eyes.

The⁠ tail of the young beastman was‍‍ moving a lot,‌‍ with ears perked‍ up as if he was nervous.⁠

The⁠ young pickpocket, who‍‌ looked around to⁠ see if anyone⁠⁠‌ was following, checked‌ the bag he‍⁠‌ had just stolen⁠‌ from Radu and⁠⁠ hid in a dark alley.

***‌⁠

A pitch-black cat darted‌ out of a dizzying alley.

Although⁠ it was breathless,‍‌ showing how much⁠⁠ it had run,⁠ the young cat’s speed did not⁠ decrease at all.‌‍⁠

“Damn‍ it!”

It⁠ was a young‌‌ pickpocket who jumped‍ over a wall⁠ and hid in‌‌ a familiar alley,‌⁠‌ but he soon‌‌‌ started at a sound he heard.‌‌⁠

“Are⁠‍ you here?”

“…!”⁠‌‌

Blonde‌ hair and blue‌ eyes that were⁠ clearly visible even in a dark⁠ alley.

Vlad’s‌‌ eyes, looking at⁠ the pickpocket as‍ if all his‌ running had been in vain, even‍ had a hint‍⁠ of mischief in⁠ them.

“Idiot,⁠‍ you followed me‍ all the way‍‌ here.”

Seeing‍ Vlad like that,‌‌ the young pickpocket‌⁠ laughed.

The‌⁠ surprised expression he⁠‌‍ had shown before⁠‌ disappeared, and other⁠‌‍ young beastmen who‌‌‍ had been waiting‌‍‌ behind the boy⁠ with a deep‍⁠ smile began to‌‌ come out.

“These‍ guys don’t know⁠ what’s coming. They⁠⁠ just follow the‌⁠ money without valuing⁠ their lives.”

“Yes,⁠ I know. I did it on‍‍⁠ purpose.”

However,‍ Vlad simply nodded‌ despite the boy’s⁠‍‍ ridicule.

“Aren’t‍ there more beastmen‍ to call? If‍‍‌ possible, I’d like them to be⁠⁠ high-ranking people.”

Jorge‌ had said:

The best bait was⁠ the one that⁠⁠ didn’t know it‍‌ was bait.

Vlad⁠‍‍ simply smiled at⁠ the young pickpocket⁠⁠ who led him⁠ to the alley‍ where the Lu‌‍ family was staying.‌‌

This⁠‌ alley where Vlad‍ smiled was the‍ territory of the‍ beastmen.

Specifically,‍ the Ruga tribe‍‍ to which Dorothea⁠ belonged.