Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 245: Burned Church (2)

Chapter 245: Burned Church (2)

Upon‍ opening my eyes,‍‍ it felt as‌⁠⁠ though they were‌ still closed.

Because‍ all I could⁠ see now was‌ total darkness.

Joseph,‌‌ who had awakened‍⁠‍ in a small,‌⁠ unfamiliar room, sighed‌ as he took‍⁠⁠ in the space⁠⁠ devoid of even‌ a single drop⁠⁠ of light.

“…Still, I’m glad Jager managed to escape.”‍

Even‍‍ though he should⁠ have been accustomed⁠‍ to the darkness,‌⁠⁠ Joseph still felt‌ like a blind⁠‌ man within it.‌⁠

His loyal knight, who‍ had always extended‌ his hand to⁠‌ help him, was no longer by‍ his side in‌ the coffin-like darkness.‍‍ Instead, he was likely in a forest full of⁠ green light.

Creaaak-‌

Even‌ though Joseph remained⁠ in the dark.⁠

Relieved‍ that Jager wasn’t‌‍ with him, Joseph‌‍ dressed with trembling‍ hands and left‍ the room.

‘No‌⁠ matter how many⁠‍ times I see it, it’s still⁠⁠‌ strange.’

The⁠ hallway Joseph walked‌ through after leaving⁠ the room was‌‌⁠ as dark and⁠‌ gloomy as it‌‍‌ had been the‍ first time he‍‍ saw it.

However,‌ despite the darkness,‌ he had no‍⁠ trouble moving, likely⁠ thanks to the‌‍ magic of that‌ woman named Ramashthu.‍

“…”‍⁠‌

Joseph,‍‍ walking alone down‍ the long corridor,‍ began to lower‍ his head each‍‍‌ time a sorcerer‍⁠ appeared in front‌‍ of him.

He⁠ tried his best⁠ not to draw⁠ attention to himself.‌

Carefully‌ sidling up to‌⁠ the wall, Joseph⁠‌ could overhear their‌⁠ conversation as though⁠ nothing had happened.‌⁠

“I⁠ heard the Northern⁠ Union Army is‍ coming this way‍‍ now.”

“They‌ couldn’t just let⁠ the Dragon Blood‌⁠ continue marching north⁠‍ without acting.”

“If⁠ this keeps up,‌⁠⁠ won’t you bring‍ us trouble for⁠‍ no reason?”

They‌ were shadowy figures,‌‍ the kind normally‍‍ impossible to encounter.‌‌

But‌ at that moment,‍ there were so‍‌‌ many gathered that⁠‍ Joseph felt a chill run down⁠‌‍ his spine.

‘…I‌‌ can’t believe there‌ are this many.’‍‌

As‌⁠⁠ a nobleman, Joseph‌⁠⁠ knew well how‍ much of his⁠ father’s budget had‌⁠⁠ been spent searching‍ for these dark⁠ entities.

Still,‌‍‌ despite all the‌‌ efforts, those hiding⁠ in the shadows‌ were numerous, and‌⁠‌ the endeavors of‌‍ Bayezid had been in vain, like‍ a captain steering‌ his ship in⁠ the wrong direction.

“If‍⁠ things get difficult,‌‌ we’ll just spread‍ more gold.”

“Baron‌⁠ Salonta is a proud man. If⁠‌ we stoke his‍ hatred toward the‍ North like before,‌‍‌ he’ll support us‍ without issue.”

“Indeed,⁠‍ sometimes humans are‍⁠ consumed by their⁠⁠ own hatred, not‍ realizing they’re destroying‍ themselves.”

“…”⁠

With‌ those words, the signs of the‌⁠ dark mages gradually‍ disappeared in the⁠ distance.

Once⁠‍‍ Joseph confirmed they‍ had gone, he⁠ finally raised his‍‍ deeply bowed head.‌⁠

‘So‍ that’s how it⁠ was.’

Biting‌‌ his lip slightly‍⁠⁠ in anger.

Joseph‌⁠ struggled to contain‍ the rage igniting⁠ inside him as‌ he realized all⁠‌ his efforts had‌‌ been futile.

‘That’s‍ why we couldn’t‌⁠‍ find them.’

Dark‌⁠‌ mages hiding in‍ the shadows.

They were beings I thought impossible to‍‍ find because they‍ were buried deep,⁠ but Joseph, who⁠⁠ had walked into‍ the darkness alone,‍ now realized why‌ they couldn’t be located.

There‍ were people laughing⁠ on the sidelines.⁠⁠

Because‌ the ground we‍⁠ walk on is‍‌⁠ different, the skin‌⁠‌ color we are⁠ born with is different, and the‍ gods we believe‍ in are different, a divide between‌ worlds is inevitable.‌

Those‍‌ who had constantly fueled hatred and‌ discrimination within that⁠ gap were now⁠ raising black fingers‌ like wolves’ mouths,‌ telling each other‌ to kill.

“…I⁠‌ can’t allow this⁠ to continue.”

When⁠ I was outside,‍‍ I didn’t know.‌ But now that I had touched‍‌⁠ the darkness, Joseph‌‍ could see.

In‌ the cracks of⁠⁠⁠ the world, skillfully‌ widened by these⁠ beings, the insidious‍⁠ poison continued to‍⁠ seep in.

Those‌ hiding in the⁠ shadows still laughed as they watched‍ the hatred and⁠ discrimination they themselves⁠‍ had manipulated.

“Now,‍‌ it’s just me.”⁠‌‌

With‍‍⁠ those words, Joseph‍‍ moved forward once‌ more.

Now,‍ the only person⁠⁠‍ standing where they⁠‌‌ should be in‌ the darkness, with‌ no one around,‌‌ was himself.

Though‌ he couldn’t swear it to anyone,⁠ Joseph ventured deeper‌ into the darkness‌⁠ to do what‌ he needed to‌ do.

***‌‌

“We‍‍‌ of Ausurin will‌‌⁠ never forget your‌ help.”

The⁠ old Geronimo, who had aged even‌ more, smiled at⁠⁠ Vlad.

But⁠ the vigorous handshake‌ that accompanied his‍‍ gesture conveyed a vitality that belied‌⁠ his appearance.

“Thank‍ you for accepting⁠ the Ruga tribe,⁠ Great Elder.”

Now‌‌ that he knew‌ where he needed⁠‌‌ to go, it⁠ was time to⁠ leave.

Vlad,⁠ shaking Geronimo’s hand‌‌ in farewell, glanced‌ at the Great‍ Mother of the⁠‌ Ruga tribe standing beside him.

“The children love it⁠‍ here. I suppose‌ they prefer the green forest to⁠‍⁠ dirty alleyways.”

The‍ Great Mother of‍‍⁠ the Ruga tribe nodded as she‍‍‌ caught Vlad’s gaze.‌

“At‍⁠‍ first, I thought‌⁠ you were a bad connection, but‍ now I see⁠ you’re a benefactor.⁠ Sometimes, blessings come⁠ disguised.”

They⁠ were wandering people,‌ unwelcome by anyone,‍‍ but the elves’‌ forest was vast,⁠ and the young‍ World Tree welcomed them.

It‍‌‍ was only then⁠ that Vlad felt‍⁠‍ a weight lift⁠ from his heart⁠ as he watched‍⁠ the small Ruga‍ children, who had‌ walked together along‌‍ the tunnel opened⁠ by the shining‍ mole, wave at him.

“Wait‍‍ a moment.”

“Hmm?”⁠

At⁠ that moment, a small figure squeezed⁠ through the gap‌ between the elders.⁠‍

With‍⁠ a small mole‌⁠ on her head,‍ the priestess, her‌⁠ fingers wrapped in‍ bandages, approached Vlad.‍⁠

“…It’s the first time⁠‌ I’ve done something like this. Does‍ it look strange?”‍‌

The‌‍⁠ priestess’s eyes, staring at Vlad as‌⁠ if embarrassed or⁠⁠ regretful, were somehow‌⁠⁠ full of moisture.⁠

But⁠ Vlad was more‌ focused on the‌‍ small banner she⁠ held in her⁠‌ hands than on⁠ her embarrassment.

“No.”⁠‌

From Bayezid in the‌‍⁠ North to Arnstein⁠ in the center.⁠‍‌

The‍ many family crests⁠ that Vlad had‍ collected to prove‌‌ his identity were‍‌ placed in the‍ palm of the‌ young priestess.

Looking⁠⁠ at the numerous‍⁠ inscriptions before him,⁠ Vlad couldn’t help‌‌ but think about his own journey up to this‌‍⁠ point.

“This is much better‍‌ than the drawings‍ you’ve made before.”‌

“Eh?”‍

And‌‌ at the end⁠‌ of that banner,⁠ the young priestess had embroidered a tree.

It‌‌ was her first⁠⁠ time using a needle. The emblem‌⁠ somewhat resembled the‌ young World Tree‌ that could be⁠‌ seen from above.⁠

“It’s‌⁠ full of emblems.‌‌ I bet half⁠ the Empire is‍‍ represented on this⁠‍ banner.”

Baradis‍‍ placed a hand‍‍ on the priestess’s‌ head, her eyes⁠‍⁠ wide as if⁠ she couldn’t understand‌‍ what was being‌ said.

“Thank‌‍‍ you for everything,⁠⁠‍ Baradis.”

The‍‍ leader of the rangers, who had⁠⁠ endured hardships together‌‌ regardless of age‌‍‍ or race.

He continued speaking, clasping⁠‌ Vlad’s hand firmly‍‌ without hesitation.

“Among us, the concept⁠ of giving and receiving doesn’t mean‌ much. So, if‌⁠ you ever need⁠⁠ help, don’t hesitate‍ to call me.”‍‍⁠

When‌⁠ they first met,‌ there had been⁠ an unbridgeable distance‌‌ between them, but‌⁠ now, there was‌ only connection, with⁠⁠ no chasm left⁠ to cross.

Vlad,⁠‌ aware of this‌‍‌ fact, simply turned⁠‌‌ the reins of⁠‌‌ Noir as if‍ there was no⁠ need for awkward‌ farewells.

“Don’t⁠ forget what I told you.”

Behind‌⁠‌ Vlad, who was⁠ preparing to leave, the Great Mother of the Ruga‍‌ tribe softly delivered‌ a final warning.⁠

Don’t‍ harm the world‌⁠‌ of others too⁠‌ deeply. Because if‌⁠⁠ you do, you⁠ will hurt your‍ own.

“…I‍‍ understand.”

Clop,‌‌ clop, clop-

After‌ hearing the words⁠‍⁠ of the Great‌ Mother, who had‌⁠⁠ cared for him‌⁠ until the end,⁠‌ a small path‍ began to open‌‍ in the forest.‍

The‌ trees, firmly rooted,⁠ moved aside to⁠‍‍ create a direct⁠‌ path to the‍⁠‍ village Vlad was seeking.

[It‍ seems they’re saying⁠ goodbye.]

“Indeed, it seems so.”

Vlad chuckled quietly as‌ he gazed at‌‌ the forest path,‍‍ now wider than‌⁠ the one made‌⁠‌ by humans.

He‌‍ felt as though‍ he could still‍‍⁠ hear the young⁠‍‌ tree’s voice because⁠ he had once held it.

“Let’s go.”

Neigh-‍⁠

When⁠‌ Vlad said it‍ was time to⁠⁠ leave, Noir glanced⁠‌ back, as if‌ feeling regret.

A familiar scene, for‌ they shared the‍‍⁠ same spirit.

When‌ Noir looked back,⁠‌ his eyes filled⁠‍ with the image‌⁠‌ of the World‌ Tree waving its‌⁠ branches toward him,⁠‍ with young spirits‌ sitting atop them.⁠

***‍‍

What‍‍‍ was visible above‍⁠ the total darkness‌ was not the sky but the surface of the water.

No,‍ more precisely, it‌‍ was the surface⁠‌ of a mass⁠ of bubbles.

“…What⁠‍ is that?”

Joseph,‍ who had finally⁠⁠ managed to enter⁠‌⁠ the heart of⁠ the dark sorcerers’‍‌ domain thanks to‍ a small amount‌‌ of trust, could‌‍ now see the⁠ large courtyard that⁠‍‌ awaited him there.‌

And‌⁠ in the middle of that vast‍‍ courtyard, there was‍ a large tree⁠‍ that filled the‌‍ entire space.

“That’s⁠ the tree where‍ it has taken‍ root.”

“…!”

Joseph⁠ was startled when he suddenly heard⁠ a man’s voice‌⁠ and quickly turned‍⁠ around.

Without Jager by his‍‌‌ side, the only‍‌‌ company he expected⁠‍⁠ to find here‍ were the dark‌‌ sorcerers.

“But‌‍ it’s still incomplete.⁠ It seems that the core of⁠‌ the Spirit Tree‌ isn’t enough to⁠‌ complete the magic of creation.”

However,⁠‌‌ the person behind‍ Joseph was not‌ one of the‍ sorcerers he had‌‍ just seen but‍‌ a man whose⁠‍ colors had completely⁠‍ faded.

Leaning‍‍ against the railing,⁠‍ Frausen stared fixedly⁠⁠ at the tree outside, without even‍⁠‍ glancing at Joseph.‌⁠

“…Sir.”⁠⁠‍

How‍ should I explain‌‌ why I came⁠⁠⁠ here secretly?

Joseph⁠‌ was trying to remain as composed‌⁠‍ as possible upon⁠⁠⁠ seeing Frausen right‌ beside him, but⁠⁠⁠ his voice trembled⁠ despite his efforts.‌

“Are‍‌ you Joseph of⁠⁠‍ Bayezid?”

“What?⁠‍ Yes, that’s right.”⁠⁠⁠

Even‍‌ in the midst‍‍ of the current‍ tension, it was⁠‌ Frausen who spoke first.

Frausen‍ merely opened his mouth without turning‍‌ his head, as‍‌ if he had no interest in‍ Joseph’s presence, standing⁠ there where he⁠⁠‌ shouldn’t be.

“Yes.‍⁠ I’ve always wanted‍‌ to call your‌‌ name someday.”

“…”‌‍⁠

Though⁠ these were the‍ same words he‌‍ had said the⁠ day before, something‍ about them felt‌⁠ different.

Joseph‌ slowly began to⁠ lift his stiffened head, feeling an⁠ odd sense of‍⁠ unease.

“Do‍ you have something⁠ to ask me, Your Majesty?”

But⁠‍ was it the‍ pressure surrounding me,⁠⁠ or the strange sight of the‍⁠ tree I had‍⁠⁠ never seen before?⁠‍

Though⁠ he tried to‌ respond as politely⁠ as possible, Joseph⁠ realized he had‌ just made a terrible mistake.

He⁠‍ had momentarily forgotten‍‌ Frausen’s words from‌ the day before,⁠⁠ when he had‌‍ told him not to call him‍⁠ “Your Majesty.”

“…Don’t‍‌ call me Your⁠‍ Majesty.”

As if those words‍ had truly been‍⁠ a mistake, the energy emanating from‌⁠ Frausen began to‌⁠‌ turn hostile.

However,‍ instead of feeling⁠ overwhelmed by his‌‍⁠ power, Joseph was simply perplexed by the voice that followed.

“I‌ was told you⁠ were the one‍ who first hired⁠ that Vlad, right?”⁠

“…!”⁠⁠⁠

And‍ the doubt Joseph⁠‌⁠ had just felt‍ turned into certainty.⁠‌

Joseph‍‌ finally raised his‌‍⁠ head and let‌ out a silent expression of astonishment⁠‌ at the man⁠‍ before him.

“If‍⁠ you give me⁠ an honest answer⁠ about that man,⁠‌ I’ll overlook today’s⁠⁠ disrespect.”

The⁠‌ man standing before⁠‍⁠ him was not⁠‌ the same one⁠ he had spoken to the day⁠‍ before.

A man who barely‍ even remembered the‍⁠ conversation they’d had yesterday.

The‍⁠⁠ man Joseph was‍⁠‌ facing now was‍ like a shattered‌⁠ glass bottle.

Do not harm the‍‍ world of another‌‌ too deeply, or‍⁠ you will end⁠ up hurting yourself‌ as well.

In‌‍ a world that⁠⁠ seemed like an overinflated bubble, Joseph‌ was now face‍‍ to face with‍ a man completely‍ broken.

A man who was‍ still slowly losing⁠ himself.

The‌‍ man, whose memories⁠‍ were leaking through the cracks, simply‌ looked at Joseph⁠‌ standing before him,‌‍ as if he‍‌ hadn’t forgotten Vlad’s‌ name.