Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 241: Knight of the World Tree

Chapter 241: Knight of the World Tree

Rumble-!‍‍

With a heavy sound,‌ the wooden fences‍‍ of Ausurin rose‍‍ again, their massive‌‌ forms standing tall‌ once more.

Count⁠⁠‍ Vitskaya’s eyes widened‍ in disbelief as⁠‍ he watched the⁠‌‍ shadows of the‍ trees grow taller‍⁠ and taller, almost⁠ reaching the sky.‌‌

“…Have⁠ they taken root‍ again?”

When‍ it fell, it‌⁠⁠ was just a felled tree, but‌‌ when it rose⁠ again, it was‍‍ a tree with⁠‌ proud roots.

Not‌⁠ only Count Vitskaya‌⁠‌ but also the‌ nearby sorcerers could‍ not hide their⁠‍ confusion as they looked at the‍ wooden fence of Ausurin, which had‍ now turned into‍‍ a small forest.⁠‌

[Those‍ fuckers.]

And‍⁠ there were green‍ eyes watching them‌ with fury.

With‌ his sharp sword‍ and his right‍‌ eye burning intensely,‍‌‌ Vlad watched the‌⁠ broken bodies of‍‍ the elves, feeling his anger flare‌ up fiercely.

[They‌ killed them.]

Green⁠⁠ energy began to⁠⁠ form in the⁠ sharp sword.

And⁠ the same was⁠ true for his‍⁠ right eye.

The⁠ young World Tree,‍‍ which had finally‍⁠ entered this world‍ through Vlad’s sword‌‍ and body, clenched⁠ its teeth as⁠ if it could‍ not contain its rage when it‍⁠ saw the corpses⁠ of the elves‍‌ who had tried‍‌ to protect it.

[They⁠‍‍ were all good⁠ people!]

Rumble!‌‍‌

The‍‍‌ young World Tree’s⁠‌ anger erupted with‌ a borrowed dragon’s‍⁠ roar.

Recognizing⁠⁠ its fury, the⁠⁠ green ocean surrounding‍‌ Ausurin began to‌ surge violently.

“What‌ the hell is‌‍ this?!”

Seeing‍⁠ the violent movement, Vitskaya’s soldiers began‍⁠ to panic greatly.‌

“The‍ trees are moving!”‌‍⁠

Because‌⁠ the trees around⁠‍ them were writhing⁠‌‍ and moving.

The⁠ trees, which could‍ only move with the permission of‌ the forest’s owner,⁠ were raising their⁠ roots that had‍⁠ been buried underground‍ towards the sky,⁠ in sympathy with‍⁠ the young World⁠ Tree’s anger.

Kwaaaaaaaaa!⁠‌

They‍⁠ were slow, but⁠ impossible to dodge‌‌ due to their‌ massive weight.

The⁠ formation of Vitskaya’s‌‍‌ army immediately began‌⁠‌ to disintegrate as the tree whips⁠‍ filled the sky.‌

“Aaaah!”⁠

“What‍‌ the hell is⁠ going on!”

The⁠‍ exploding bodies and⁠ the soldiers’ resounding screams suddenly began⁠ to fill the green forest.

The‍⁠ trees that were‌‌ supposed to stay⁠‍ still were rising‍ on their own.⁠⁠

Even⁠⁠ Ramashthu, who was⁠‍‌ watching from afar, lifted her veil⁠ and opened her‍ eyes wide at‌ the shocking scene.

“…Hmph.”‌⁠‌

And‍ there was a breath that took advantage of this‍ moment when the‍ enemies were confused.‍‍⁠

This moment, when a single move could⁠ gain momentum on‌‍‌ a battlefield that‌‌ had been heavily‌ tilted.

Vlad,⁠‌ who had sensed⁠‍ the optimal moment⁠‌ to step forward,⁠‍ shot out like‌ an arrow, his‌‌ eyes shining.

“Haaah!”‍

With⁠ a powerful swing‌‌ of Vlad’s sword,⁠⁠ the heads of‍ the corpses began to explode in‍ countless numbers.

It‍⁠ was a black‌ wave that had seemed unstoppable just‍‍ a moment ago, but the green⁠ world at the‍ tip of Vlad’s⁠‌ sword no longer‌ allowed their advance.

Screech!‌

Argh-!‌‌

The golden beacon that⁠‌ leaped into the‌ black sea began‌ to sway back‌‌ and forth.

The⁠ white, vacant eyes⁠ of the corpses‍ finally opened, but⁠ the forest, in‌ tune with the World Tree, was⁠⁠ now Vlad’s domain.⁠‍‌

“Vlad!”‌‌‌

Baradis‍⁠ urgently raised his‌ bow as he‍ watched Vlad, covered‌ in black, wolf-like⁠‌ corpses.

But‍‌‌ it was only‌‍ for a moment;‌ Vlad had already⁠‍ risen into the‌ sky, stepping on‍ the corpses around‍ him.

“…What?”‌

Kyu-!‌

The‍‍ knight of the‍ World Tree ran⁠‍ down the steps‌ made by the‍ glowing mole.

Vlad,⁠ riding down the⁠⁠ stairs created by‌‌ the glowing mole,⁠ charged towards the⁠ giant corpse that⁠‌ had broken through‌‌ the wooden fence.‍⁠

“Haah!”

It‌⁠ was too large to be cut‌⁠ down in a single strike, but⁠‍ it didn’t matter.⁠⁠

Because‌ the World Tree’s⁠ world I now‍⁠‍ hold is bigger‍⁠ than that.

The‌ world of the⁠⁠⁠ World Tree that he now held‍ was much vaster‌ than that being.‌‍ The sword he‌‍ wielded, though just‍ a blade, contained‍‌ the very essence⁠⁠⁠ of Ausurin, and‍ it quickly pierced⁠‍ the giant corpse.⁠‍

Crack!‌ Crunch!

Is‌ this how it‌ would sound if it were crushed⁠‍ by a massive‍⁠ rock?

The⁠⁠⁠ head of the‍ ragged corpse, pierced⁠‌ by Vlad’s sword,‌ began to be‌ miserably crushed.

Kuueeek!

Though⁠ there were hundreds‌‍ of corpses piled⁠ up, the weight⁠ of the sword⁠‌ was impossible to‍ bear.

The⁠‌ ragged corpse flailed‍ its ugly arms‌‌ wildly, as if it hadn’t anticipated⁠ its weight at‍ all, but Vlad’s‌ sword was driven‍‍‌ through without the‌ slightest hesitation.

“…Joseph.”‍

Because‌ he could see Joseph’s black eyes‌‍ watching him from⁠‍ beyond the overflowing⁠⁠‌ corpses.

A man who always smiled at me‌‌‌ in a room‌ filled with sunlight.‌‍‍

But‍⁠ now, seeing him⁠ among those he⁠‍ hated most, Vlad⁠ let out a fierce roar.

“Joseph‍‌⁠ Bayezid!”

Crack-!‌‍

The‍⁠ ragged corpse, unable⁠⁠ to withstand the‍⁠ presence of the‌ World Tree, began‍ to collapse.

Vlad‍ charged through the‌⁠‍ corpses, and although⁠⁠ it seemed like‌ a dangerous sight,‍ the sword he⁠‌ held shone with‍‌‌ a bright green.⁠

[Get‌ out of my⁠‌ forest right now!]⁠

“Everyone, get out of⁠‍ the way! You bastards!”

The dragon’s roar echoed‌‍ in unison with‍⁠‍ the young World‌⁠ Tree.

With⁠ the accumulated fury‍ of the World‌⁠‍ Tree, the star‍ and dragon’s sword‌ finally divided the‌‍ green forest.

Rumble!⁠‌

It⁠‌ felt like an‌ enormous mountain-like sword was falling.

The presence of the‌ World Tree, which‌ could not be⁠ contained just in‍⁠‍ the form of‍‌ a sword, covered‌ the sky, broke‍ the ground, and split the black,‍ wolf-like sea, and⁠ even the revived⁠ beings began to⁠ scream loudly as⁠‌ if in fear.‍‌

“…Good heavens.”

And‍ from the center‍ of that devastating⁠‍ scene, Ramashthu saw⁠ a golden line‍‍ advancing towards them.‍

It‌ was a sun⁠⁠ that could not‌ rise under Frausen’s⁠‌ sky, but in‍ his absence, it⁠ emerged in a way that no‌ one seemed able‌‌ to stop.

-Stop‍ him!

-He’s‌ coming towards us!

-Protect‍ Ramashthu!

The‌ Headless Knights quickly⁠ began to build a wall to⁠‌ block Vlad’s fierce⁠‍⁠ attack.

However,‍ the entity they‌ were trying to⁠ stop was not‌ just a swordsman,‌ but the will‍‌ of the forest‌‍ itself.

Crunch!‍ Crack!

With⁠⁠ the blade of‍‍ Vlad’s sword, the‍‌ headless knights were‍‌ sent flying.

They‍ were struck by an enormous world‌ they could not‍‍‍ possibly resist, and⁠⁠ were only shattered‍⁠‍ and thrown aside.‍‌

“Don’t‍ stand in my‌ way!”

Destroying‌ the headless knights,‍‍⁠ cutting down the‍‍‍ fleeing sorcerers.

Vlad‌ continued forward, offering‍ appropriate sacrifices to⁠ the furious World⁠ Tree. Finally, he‍ found himself facing⁠ the woman in‌‌ mourning black who blocked his path.⁠‌

“Ah,‌‍‍ you’re here too.”⁠

Vlad’s eyes gleamed ominously as he recognized⁠ Ramashthu.

The‍⁠ dark circle tainting‍ the green world⁠‍ continued to generate‍ ominous waves, polluting‍‍‌ the forest. Seeing‍ Ramashthu, both Vlad‍‍‌ and the World⁠‌‌ Tree felt the⁠ same growing hostility.‍‍

“…I’m‍ tired of your‍ damn tricks!”

Boom!⁠⁠ Bang! Bang!

Before‍‍ he realized it, Vlad was moving‌ towards her, breaking‍ the sinister words⁠⁠ that appeared before‍ him.

Ramashthu’s‌ circle, with its⁠ reversed divine words,⁠‍ was as terrifying‌ as it was‍‍⁠ unsettling, but the‍‍⁠ young World Tree,‍ the master of‌ this land, did‌ not permit its‌ existence.

—Keuheuk!⁠‍

Even‌ Ramashthu, who was⁠ always calm, could‌ not help but⁠ frown before Vlad’s⁠⁠ sharp sword.

Even she, standing outside‍ the world created‌‌⁠ by God, seemed‌ unable to ignore‍ the presence of‍‍ Vlad roaring right‌ in front of‌ her.

“Why‌ are you doing⁠ all this damn⁠ nonsense?!”

Vlad⁠ remembered the women‍ who died shedding‌ black tears.

Also‍⁠⁠ the unfortunate prostitute‌‌‌ who closed her‌ eyes in a town covered in⁠⁠ fog.

They say no one in the world‌ is without a story, but what⁠‍ she did was⁠ so cruel that Vlad didn’t want⁠‌ to see scenes⁠‍ like that again.⁠

“Damn‍ bitch!”

Clang!⁠⁠

With⁠ a furious cry‍ and breaking through‍ Ramashthu’s last circle,‍ Vlad finally reached‍⁠ her.

Hundreds‌ of corpses were‍ already lined up⁠⁠ behind the path‌‍ with the World⁠⁠⁠ Tree’s anger, and‍‌ none of them⁠‍ stopped Vlad’s advance.⁠

“…!!”‌‍

For‍ the first time‍ in a long‍ time, Ramashthu felt‍⁠ fear as Vlad’s‌‍ rough hands pulled⁠‍⁠ at her veil.‌

This⁠‍⁠ was because the‌ dragon’s wrath, which⁠‍ even Frausen, who‌ had implanted a perfect piece, could⁠‌ not replicate, was⁠ right in front⁠‍‍ of her.

“I‌ won’t forgive you‍⁠ even in death, Ramashthu!”

—Guh!‍‍

Anywhere⁠‌‌ else, Vlad wouldn’t⁠ have been able⁠⁠‍ to reach her,‍⁠ but this was‍ Ausurin.

The‍ golden dragon running⁠ free on the‌‍ green canvas had‍ all the space‌⁠ it needed to⁠ spread its wings.‌⁠

“Vlad!”‌

The sight of Vlad‌ holding Ramashthu’s hair‍‌ and raising his⁠‍ sword was the very vision of‍‌‍ an angry forest.‌‌

Joseph‍ shouted as he‌⁠ saw Vlad trying‍ to thrust all the anger he‍ had accumulated until‌ now into a single point.

“Damn⁠ it!”

At‌ the moment when‌ the World Tree’s⁠⁠ wrath was about‌⁠ to fall upon⁠⁠ Ramashthu’s neck, Vlad‌‌ could feel a very familiar energy‍‍⁠ stabbing into his⁠ side.

It⁠ was the presence⁠‍‌ of his master,⁠‌‍ the man who⁠ had guided him‌ into the world‍‌⁠ of knights.

“You‍‍ damned idiot!”

A strong aura flowed‍‍⁠ from the patch‍‍‍ Jager wore.

His⁠ sword, stabbing into‌⁠⁠ Vlad’s side, was‍ truly filled with‍⁠ the ferocity of‌ trying to twist‌ the momentum of‌⁠ the battlefield, just‍⁠⁠ as he had‍‌‌ learned.

Crack-!‌⁠

Jager’s‌ familiar and furious⁠ onslaught found a weak point in‍ Vlad, who hadn’t‌‌ anticipated it.

But‌⁠ just as Jager’s sword was about‍‌⁠ to strike, a root emerged to‌ block it.

“Jager!”‍⁠

“…!”‌⁠

Jager had an expression‍ of disbelief as‍‌ he looked at‌ the root that⁠‌‍ blocked his sword.‌⁠

However,‌‍ this was the‍‍⁠ moment when knights‌‍ were racing against⁠⁠ time, and Vlad‌ seized the opportunity‌‍ once again, and‍‌‍ this time, the original golden light⁠ began to seep⁠‍‍ from Vlad’s left‍⁠ eye.

“That‌ defiant look hasn’t changed.”

Vlad‍ quickly released Ramashthu’s⁠‌‍ hair, which he⁠⁠⁠ had been holding,⁠‍‍ and quickly gripped‌‍⁠ the sword with both hands.

The knight I met named Jager was‌‍ not a knight⁠⁠ strong enough to⁠ be defeated with‌ just one hand.‍‌

“Why‌ are you stopping‍ me?”

The‍ tip of Jager’s sword was sharp‌‌ as he charged⁠‌‌ at me.

Able‌ to conceal numerous‍‍⁠ intentions in just⁠‌ one step forward,‌‌ he managed to⁠ stop Vlad, if only for a short time.

“Because‍‍ it’s still not‌ possible.”

Jager‌‌‌ saw Joseph fleeing⁠ while supporting Ramashthu‌⁠ and began to‌‌ advance towards Vlad‌⁠ again.

Seeing‍ them moving further⁠⁠⁠ and further away,‌ Vlad gritted his⁠ teeth and swung‍ his sword, but‍‍ the man named‌ Jager who blocked his way was‌‍⁠ a master of‍ counterattacks and a swordsman with mysterious‌ steps.

Clang!⁠ Clang! Clang!

“Argh!”

Though‌⁠ the momentum far‌‌‍ exceeded his expectations.‌⁠‍

“What kind of bastard‌ sword is this…”‌⁠

Although‍⁠ Jager tried to‍ joke as usual,⁠ his arm visibly⁠ trembled from the intensity of the‍⁠ combat.

Vlad’s fury was something‌ he couldn’t handle⁠‌ with just one⁠ sword, but the‍ reason he had⁠ no choice but‌ to endure it‌⁠ was probably because‍⁠ he was also‌‍ a knight who⁠ followed his lord’s‍ will.

“Move⁠ aside! Please!”

“I‌⁠ can’t!”

The‍ few surviving sorcerers‌ began to disappear‌‌‍ into thick smoke⁠‌ along with Ramashthu.‌⁠‍

Seeing‍⁠ Joseph vanish with‍‍‌ them, Vlad gritted‍‌ his teeth and‍ swung his sword,‌ but the knight‍‍ named Jager blocking⁠⁠ his way was⁠‍‌ a master of‌‌‌ counterattacks and a swordsman of mysterious‌ steps.

“It’s‍‍ not time yet,⁠ Vlad… not yet…”‌‍⁠

Jager’s‍⁠ voice, whispering softly⁠‍‌ as if only‍ for Vlad to⁠‌ hear, lingered at⁠ the edge of‍‍ his ear.

But⁠ unfortunately, his words‌ didn’t seem to‍ reach Vlad, who‌ was immersed in⁠⁠ his own world.⁠⁠⁠

“Aaaah!”⁠⁠

Vlad⁠ began to scream⁠⁠‍ in fury as⁠‍ he saw Ramashthu⁠‍ and Joseph disappear‍‍ before him.

Though⁠ the young World⁠⁠ Tree did not⁠ allow it, the⁠ sorcerers who had‍ opened the breach⁠⁠ seemed to have⁠ found an exit⁠⁠ from the forest.‌

“Please,‍ move aside!”

Faced⁠ with an inevitable‍⁠‍ choice, Vlad had‍‍‍ to remember the⁠ oath he had‍‍⁠ made.

Do‌‌ what you need⁠‌ to do where you need to⁠‍‌ be.

Even‌‍ the young will have their potential‍⁠ taken again.

He⁠‍ knew he would⁠ have to pierce‍‍ through his respected‍‍ master to fulfill his duty.

Crack!‍‌

The⁠‍⁠ tip of Vlad’s⁠⁠ sword, which he‍ could no longer‍ resist, pierced through⁠ Jager’s body.

Though‌ his body, unable‌ to control its weight, was thrown against the tree⁠ right behind him, Jager was still‍‍ smiling.

“Ugh!‌ Agh!”

Though⁠ it was only‍ for a short⁠‌ time, Jager managed‌ to block the‌ forest’s fury with‌ his entire body‌‍ and finally gave‌ Joseph some precious⁠⁠ time.

“…You,⁠ kid, now I have a nosebleed.”‌

The‍⁠ knight who had⁠ completed his mission‌‍ could now only‍ see his disciple‌ crying in front‌ of him.

“Open‌ your eyes quickly.⁠ I don’t know,‍⁠⁠ but it seems‍‌⁠ like a huge‌‍‍ burden.”

Seeing‍ Jager hanging from⁠‍ a tree after‍ being pierced by⁠ Vlad’s sword was⁠‍‌ pitiful.

But⁠‍⁠ even in that‍‍ situation, his only‌‌ thought was for‍‍ his disciple.

“Jager.”‌‌

“I‌ knew this day⁠‌ would come.”

Vlad‍ finally opened his‌⁠‍ left eye, which⁠⁠ had been closed,‌ and saw Jager‍⁠ growing paler as‌‌⁠ the blood drained‍ away.

As the world, which‌⁠ no human could⁠ dare to endure,⁠ crumbled, Vlad’s entire‌‌ body felt intense⁠ pain, but Vlad⁠‍‌ still tried to⁠ hold Jager.

“You’re⁠ an insolent kid… you’ve grown too⁠ fast…”

Vlad,‍ his vision growing⁠‍⁠ blurrier from the⁠ pain, saw Jager‌ smiling at him.‌

Vlad‌‌ opened his eyes⁠‌ wide, trying not‌⁠ to lose sight‍ of his master,‍⁠‌ but even with‍ a dragon’s body,‌ the existence of⁠‍ the World Tree‍ was not something that could be⁠ easily contained.

“…You‍ could have told⁠ me.”

Vlad⁠‍ could only speak‌‌‌ those words he⁠⁠⁠ had been holding inside all this⁠⁠ time before he⁠⁠ collapsed.

“At‍‌ least to me.”‍⁠

“I’m⁠⁠ sorry.”

In‍‍ the darkness that‍ enveloped him, Vlad’s⁠‌‌ last vision was⁠‌ of Jager patting‍‍ his head.

Vlad, who was clutching‍⁠‌ Jager’s clothes, slowly lowered his head and leaned towards‍ him, as if⁠ pleading with him⁠ not to leave⁠ without saying a word this time.‍‍

[Thank‍ you.]

The‍‌ sky was clear,‍ and the wind‌ blew gently.

Although‍‍ there were angry‌ elven shouts and⁠‌‌ someone’s screams coming‌‍ from one side,‍ the only sound Vlad could hear‍‌‌ as he collapsed‍ after finishing his‍‍⁠ task was the‍ whisper of the⁠⁠‌ young World Tree⁠ telling him to rest.