Chapter 252: Children’s Song (2)
S2HSz8The world inside the tree was so warm and comforting.D5EK
EDmtby8It was a world one truly wouldn’t want to leave, like the arms of a mother embracing you.EAWajkr
v7oGfd“…Where should we go now?”iq4
BwgkaS7However, some of the children who had been sitting by the campfire were now following Joseph.753y
kbUbIcNo matter how small they were, they knew they couldn’t stay there forever.ZOZCm
5ZT-Mister, where are we going now?gQcwoc
AEIX-Didn’t you know the way?X9QPh
lODBut this world they were wandering through was a world of trees without an exit.4PvB5
cwePJoseph, who had been unwillingly dragged here by a root that had pierced him, had no idea where to go.Tig
4ClGpu“It seems that way.”DBd5
kAR5zGHe thought that if there was a way to enter, there must also be a way to leave, but all he could see was darkness.k4Uq
3ltOnly the campfire behind them lit up the place, and as they moved forward and everything grew darker, the children began to cling to Joseph’s clothing, one by one.oR3
n5YMZ7YCrash! Crack!s8E
ByxeDO“Eh?”1TAc4Ul
VOxnSuddenly, above Joseph’s head, came the sound of something breaking.gEpZ
3WYLl2lA sharp noise echoed for the first time in this place where there had only been a comfortable silence.8R1Vs
BkRJoseph looked up toward the light that appeared along with the noise.hd2MR
X5DFd– Stop already!1JliFYC
s319ah“…Vlad?”ap8w
QCO1xThe voice of someone who seemed far away, like an echo.uLft9mT
tcz9uW– I’m telling you to stop already!1l3fuO
m3eXHowever, the voice that was clearly audible, no matter how distant it seemed, was unmistakably that of the knight who had been by his side.0lmID
uV9xEZR***D6dlJBF
yHJ“Aaaaaah! They’ve got us!”WXgjH
6dgdJAlong with Nibelun’s screams, pieces of the carpet, which had been torn apart, flew through the air.aVJ
7tffVBVlad and Nibelun swayed back and forth as if their flight was an illusion.vYCrEWA
lCvThey barely managed to stay standing on the mysterious piece of fabric but stumbled precariously as the carpet began to fall apart.kWPvj07
X5b“Good job.”FsSh
z4BGh“What?”uElqI
nKPvwqEven as they fell, Vlad’s eyes were fixed on the tree ahead of him.ImWcIw
2tW1More precisely, on the woman chanting a spell from the highest point of the tree.Uke
v0Wj“Even if it’s broken, I’m sure you can get down by yourself, right?”57y2Ei
GKZcVy“Vlad? Sir Vlad?”mL8sbL
Vqzaw“Then go safely!”vc4V
Tdp2yAu“No, no, no! You’re not really going to—are you?”FRkmWoT
25XPetShuaaaaaaa!fPxyZGX
Nr7KThe world in Vlad’s eyes now was the true path, as August had taught him.034eQFS
XD5iThat path led him straight toward a root speeding towards him.zfBNF
NyDbZAAs if there was no other way but this.pGZ
vFO“I don’t want to do this either!”GSmO
Hy53QNVlad began jumping off the carpet, barely avoiding the roots.3bMMj
CJ2g2The wingless dragon clenched his teeth at the dizzying sensation of falling, but now this was truly the only way.qLgp4XS
otO0C“Aaaargh!”aCNkytA
SGnCrunch! Crack!eVqhzF9
EQKBTeJust as he was about to fall, Vlad seized the moment and drove his sword into a passing root.2nVvOj
RF20wvzThe overwhelming shock that surged through his fingertips was painful, but Vlad didn’t loosen his grip until the very end.vSdBlH
Ae6yj03“I did it!”sg2L1
pQ2KVlad climbed onto the root, using his sword as a handle, and began running toward the tree ahead.OJwA5YV
RCQ6Riding on vicious roots that snarled like snakes.5wppT
pgtThe headless knights in the tree began murmuring about Vlad, who was climbing the roots.6b7h
aAWlLnX– He’s coming!c74R
zEEltB– Vlad of Soara! That madman!pjr
gLEo2N– Stop him! Cut the roots!gqc3s2V
Q1lJThe roots began to shake violently, as if they hadn’t expected anyone to use them to climb.6mwYuT
GKCBut a swordsman must never lose his balance, no matter the situation.IY3
1M570LThe heir to the one-strike technique, who must claim the battlefield as his own at any time and in any place, didn’t lose sight of his goal despite the tremors.us4
lHdf7A[They’re right in front of you!]ohjc8
RMBWVey“Haaa…”oHuk62J
j6rBd8[What did I teach you? How did I tell you to take the lead?]Bm9BQfE
1fx“Haaaaaa!”dRR
c3WWith Kihano’s voice ringing in his ears, Vlad’s magnificent horizon sliced through the black roots like a wolf’s maw.NDkiCc
DIjYGFrom the end of that golden horizon, a brilliant world began to rise.IA4R
TJyIwZThough it was smaller than the moon above, it was definitely a light that everyone there could see.oShY7
8Itc9“If you want to stop me, be prepared to pay the price!”M1ncn
Bc5qThe golden world shone as Vlad leapt over the headless knights.apD
EgQRamashthu’s limbs could only stare in disbelief as Vlad soared above them.zjVxbat
CesoDOThey didn’t even see the golden wind of his sword approaching.cfUQiQh
00CqThwack! Crack! Crack!diXy
LMMWherever the wind of his sword reached, black roses bloomed.dM0
p0ITThis beautiful painting, drawn with rotten black paint, reminded me of the knight of the blue moon seen in the smile of the rose.wy4VD
mfjGSoy[Excellent! You’ve recreated it perfectly!]ec5z
cQjFollowing the light of the blue moon, not revealed but deeply rooted in my world.Qcq
KypCVlad, who had recreated Godin’s swordsmanship, began charging toward Ramashthu, leaving behind the shattered remnants of the knights.G5h9
POAZWTL“Ramashthu-!”fZkm
BcMTo reach the moon.nyDL3pK
NStzThis time, to destroy it.IUDsCf
fWSWzTAThe path he wanted was clearly etched in Vlad’s steps as he ran.4mSD8Qo
YHC7A“Get out of my way, you bastards!”Br9g5WI
HnTatg2Crash-!B8AcQ
bSEicXfHe rolled to dodge the roots flying at him, breaking through the headless knights blocking his way.FLjv2l
VSnNYfBThough the space inside the tree was filled with darkness and enemies, Vlad began to accelerate, his advance growing fiercer.eio
ko1sTCl“Stop, Ramashthu!”a5N3qd1
T3L2e1To fly, those who fall to the ground need a platform from which to leap.0kfb
5vBpEven if the ground beneath their feet is filled with mud.Wyf
WhLSA“I told you to stop immediately!”5Awi
Ynp8Vroom—vroom—!Qh3N
rGayv4UAnd so, Vlad leaped toward the sky.VbE
UoniToward the woman who had created this entire tragedy, stepping on the countless swords beneath his feet.hHIGY
St9“…Vlad Aureo!”mCy
WhaThe brilliance of his attack was undeniable.00xb
SQOp1Ramashthu halted her spell and hastily erected a barrier, but it was as fragile as glass.gjysIeE
KqkSCrash! Crack!rbN
EOlofI“Kyaaa!”cQJTyD
3aD“Aaagh!”8ojWE
1HIRamashthu’s altar stood tall like an obelisk.DOEJA
tvnBX86The small altar was now filled with shards of broken barriers.KOuf4o
1kZeBut despite rolling over the sharp debris, Vlad’s advance did not falter.Pf1QMZ
cvljonc“I won’t give you time this time!”A1wdnu
GVakc“…!”MDLuP
fgYThe blonde knight charged forward as if he wouldn’t repeat the mistake he made before.Pgy8
HuU3MlCrack!x4Mz
LuN“Haa…”lsn
YktRamashthu’s spell, incomplete due to Vlad’s speed, had no time to finish.dnTTA9
roBDoCrash! Crack!RVS3QyM
rQN0aM“Aaaah!”mzu6
I95o“Stop, damn it! I said stop!”37nb
hS7The brutal strike of Vlad’s sword reached the woman, slicing through her delicate fingers.qklM5
wWrSFaced with the fierce fangs of the dragon, Ramashthu let out a cry of pain.dAD8W1
CSLr47e“Ick!”26RBc
LPVc3Sssss-3Ges
flWYHtzThough she tried to keep fighting, her malevolent hand clung to Vlad’s armor.VmhE
otJ0LFxThrough that touch, sadness, pain, and all manner of curses clung to Vlad, but the dwarf armor, forged with the breath of a young dragon, burned fiercely, refusing to tolerate a single impurity.wcEFA32
NAeAFmf“How many more people are you going to kill? You crazy bitch!”t3aL1n
JLJupW“My…children…my children.”kqC
zPtRS“I’m asking you, how many more are you going to kill for them?”BIQDb
DYRIz75Grabbing Ramashthu by the hair, Vlad dragged her and forced her to witness the scene below.rNzJX3
8Rb566The world below, where the black-toned trees took root, was quite like hell.OKY
H8NJ7ZqNow, in a place where you couldn’t even trust the ground beneath your feet, it was filled with countless screams, with no distinction between the North and the center.UACEi
GvmG“Do you see those people? What’s the point of killing more of them?”OEvw1j
x9UXwANThe knight’s voice was filled with a rage even he couldn’t control.kn5
XTIBut the eyes of the woman, darkened by her purpose, didn’t see the screams, only a means to achieve her world.0IH7
nuX“…It’s too filthy, isn’t it? No one can live there.”pEHmbgJ
qtxi5“Ramashthu!”T1LUM
Xh3Ba“I won’t allow my children to live in such a horrendous place!”j7NX1
7LXEe2xThe woman was shedding tears.wRzMOeK
3B2mShe cried for her dead children.1QCPE
RmCJlumThe tears the woman shed were clearly the same light as the black moon above.YDXxgJ
MbBKp2“My children will live in a pure world, free from all this filth!”wYC9M
VlDznKLMadness for her children and madness for God.px3A4
1FkkV0YVlad, who was watching both of them, was speechless as he witnessed the pure madness.3YToLIO
cCPsYrRFanatics who couldn’t relate to each other because it wasn’t their world.kLnxSr7
4isAmxqLooking at them like that, the knight of this era felt as though he were going insane.mK4m
j6e“…Do as you wish. I’ll do what I have to do too.”oJeN34
REr1IYHowever, unlike these people, the world that sustains Vlad is no one else’s world but my own world, which I created myself.i1E
za01eIMy world, filled only with what I’ve seen, heard, and learned, kept Vlad standing even amidst all the madness.4WhYzRq
D2jEb“I won’t go crazy. I’ll never be like you.”ABe
uMNWI hope that in this mad world, I don’t lose the color of the star I first embraced.yWVL8s
5fzbIn the midst of Achiuk, filled with madness and pain, Vlad raised his silver sword with that promise.zBUK
dKtkZCrash-!lazuH
MvAcQU0“No!”WDT
GAzWith Ramashthu’s scream, Vlad’s sword plunged into the sinister altar.HAF5eM
OOIp2It was a sharp cry that felt as if his soul were being torn apart, but Vlad gritted his teeth and didn’t show the slightest hesitation in his movements.SQjfp5
MQVk“This ends now!”Fvy7
tejJet-black tears began to flow from the tip of the blade, violently opening the wound.KfuA
5Y5Vlad’s eyes, noticing those tears, filled with an unhidden sadness.VSOQx
ooMS“I feel sorry for the children! Stop this now!”UsIy
yf5TSCrash!IJNF
kGtLPvfVlad’s sword pierced through the black, wolf-like altar.RwT
sRWfnHhEvery time the sword flashed, the black moon above began to let out a silent scream.OntLJ
CRhRKuoooooo-!AN6
D0CA woman, a disaster, crying and a black moon falling.rYS
jz7HbyAs if it couldn’t leave those poor beings alone, the tree in the sky raised its roots, but Vlad was no longer there.ZC93C7
aJZFFKVCrash!2PS27
18L[Vlad!]zGZMrwn
AYlC2L“Aghh!”4TPm
fD1JwThe altar crumbled beneath his feet.Kjc5
kUXkqByAn altar that fed off the countless deaths below and raised the black moon above my head.y43ZUR
sHAP3[Don’t be fooled! This altar is the connection between the worlds!]tYwwmt4
UN0KJThe world of trees began to appear beneath my feet.jc7hm
u2PumIn that world filled with nothing but black, wolf-like space, only an endless abyss awaited Vlad with its mouth open.KLqwVe
BOQ“Shit!”5YpX
mmmJXcVlad fell alone into a dark world without a mage to explain the mysteries.Chp
OJH2No matter how much he moved, Vlad was slowly sinking into a world without a place to hold on to.cvLP1
mq2YVgM– Vlad!Y2Lu
Kk0Uo“…!!”Mmuy
GXC3cPEBut Vlad didn’t know.zWn4k
L9d3XEven if you’re falling into this dark place, you’re like a shining star to those watching from below.VeQN
F9wUjf1– Got it!ZWDcJL
AwO6thThere was a hand reaching out to Vlad, who was endlessly falling.quEsL
H1dQNsThe hand, unusually pale and thin, was clearly the hand of someone Vlad knew well.8LHB
5SAioQP“Joseph?”bnWzy3X
7pRThe small hands that reached out countless times beside him.D2bj
g6UThe hands of the children emerging from the unseen darkness along with Joseph were clearly extended toward Vlad.m3b
leguz9***Ptn
ZMbABg“…I’m sorry.”oXth0
jP4pAndreas took the hand of the young deacon and looked up at the black moon above.EhJuO
XYF08The current sight of the moon was clearly too harsh for the young ones, so Andreas had no choice but to apologize.TDr0
orn3e0“Even so, I hope you don’t stop.”y7H
WAHBut even so, the boys’ song must continue.bt8Q
jn40rNo matter how hard the world in front of you may seem, you are the children who will have to live in this world from now on.nh1
dvd“If you don’t sing, who will speak of hope in this world?”HWJEHb
AsFLi8Q“…Bishop.”ymm7
iCxmThe current scene was surely too gruesome and terrifying for the children of the next generation to witness.QNj
RBoTayHowever, Andreas was someone who understood well that there was hope only for the children.e92RQco
rnF2z“We will carry all of this, so please, keep singing.”ZgMXoa
CqFTo encourage those marching ahead, to comfort those who had already died.s1a4N
YSG5With those words, Andrea’s rosary glowed.IPx41
sBf22c“Yes.”uuNvVD
WGayzEA woman wept beneath the moon that was falling from above.S9r
hc0MIt was so tragic that the world was sinking into this dirty world.967
lJAYet, even in this world that the woman called filthy, a song resonated.NW5
YjR“I really searched everywhere for you! Why are you here?”fmiy
o1vFPE– I’m sorry. Everything happened for a reason.Nmis6E
cdWCGEThe song the children sang echoed throughout the battlefield.hEFBkg
x0AAnd a star began to rise upon hearing it.J7h
n67GkJ“Now let’s go home.”Td9v
MSXgVlad, who had been saved by someone who lifted him up, smiled grimly as he looked at Joseph standing right in front of him.cR0f9
mSJlAs all the children here were smiling too.YxR
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