Chapter 263: Extra 2 – Marble Game
Yn1BL2One morning, while leaving Ramund’s estate and heading towards Soara, despite it being summer, the cool air of the northern plains spread a light mist across the grasslands.FKqHP
pC8“What’s going on, what’s happening?”WYA
lDgOnly in the northern plains could you feel such refreshing summer air.Sp6
fqfqhBut Noir stood still, gazing quietly at the hill in front of him.Dg90
iLEpi“What’s happening?”9zpO
4lc1eSeeing Noir frozen, Vlad narrowed his eyes, looking towards the distant hill.i3T
Y0hOn a hill in the plains where a black horse and a blonde knight were staring together, a herd of wild horses—who had silently followed them—stood watching, rising like a wave of green.bBVM
GC5Xis“Aren’t those your old friends?”LUU1
DmRIm-Snort.BDwMpj
9FwzAcAt Vlad’s words, Noir, visibly uneasy, began pawing at the ground.DNH3A
ZvplNow, he was known as the black horse, Noir, but before Vlad had named him, he was a wild horse, a son of the plains.Vh5H9
6vERY3VThe surviving members of the herd, from the time of the strongest dragon, Deathworm, were now roaming the Varna plains, watching their former leader.RRSvDzx
exz“Do they want you to follow them?”UNcjaBc
PMfxPT9Hearing Vlad’s words from behind, Noir lifted his head silently.2uZ
cE2AExcept for the herd of wild horses visible in the distance, it was just the two of them in the vast green sea.xg3
7x334At that moment, Noir seemed to contemplate the world he had once belonged to, as if reminiscing.ih3Mh
OzQpJJingle, jingle.7xDxDhS
RqppBehind Vlad and Noir, who stood still, the sound of small bells echoed.DCq
kbaCCaravans laden with goods began to appear, moving through the morning mist that was slowly dissipating.pmjsZsP
LDulGM-Whoa.S6Vd
lqD-Who goes there?4yKwIG
UHpu2The merchants, leading a long line of caravans, emerged.BqudVw
AmBapqoThey were traders from a large trading company, carrying dozens of wagons in a single convoy.8Lo
fRhy-We are from the Kannor family. If you have no business here, kindly move aside.nzDIf
uyQ4jxIn the deserted plains, it was natural to be wary of strangers. Although things had changed now, a few years ago, these merchants had suffered great losses due to the barbarians roaming the plains.QBbq7ZG
DCgUv2T“…Kannor, huh.”B7ov2qC
SyT1FHowever, Vlad didn’t respond to the sharp question from the merchants.hpXLf0
A7aKdHe only looked silently at the familiar banner flying at the center of the caravan.lnK
QD5“I wonder if he’s here.”W1biR
KXhVlad murmured to himself as he pulled out a small flag he had stowed behind his saddle.UUe1
Ye9A small banner with a white background filled with various crests.hUa6D
o0VWagPPointing to one of the crests, which seemed to have been carved a long time ago, Vlad smiled and spoke.KLE8JT7
a8jO“Do you know Portly Kannor?”2ws
6JJg“What?”K4jCzA
4ZEThe merchants were surprised to suddenly hear the name of their employer’s son.CP43b
nqBXNo, more precisely, they were startled to see the flag raised by the blonde knight.xFp
VkP6“That guy was my companion back when I was a squire.”BoU3
h5a9Among the many crests engraved densely on the banner, the Kannor family’s crest was prominently placed, as if it had been one of the first to be carved.EZZCO53
x5IN“If he’s here, tell him that Vlad from Soara is looking for him.”UrOxiW9
ktjoGNow, many families would vouch for his name, but just a few years ago, he had been a scrawny boy, thrilled by any sausage offered to him.fliBPn
9DQfk81The boy who could barely ride a horse was now calling out for his old friend by name.JFbcZiu
4kb***qesMzBO
ofAr5oO“Wow, I didn’t expect to find you here!”guPSl
gMo2tMKA young man poked his head out of the carriage, beaming with a wide smile.mFk
4bjw8He was well-fed, his round cheeks gleaming with fullness.5kVRM
RT8“Where have you been all this time? In Sturma? Or Varna?”w6ubm
FNd7“At Lord Ramund’s estate. I went to learn a bit about farming.”tR7L
wJmPortly’s voice boomed loudly, echoing through the caravan. Though they were walking side by side—one riding the carriage, the other on horseback—Portly’s voice, as loud as his joy, broke the stillness of the morning.wygFsf1
1Xuq3“Anyway, I’ve been wanting to see you, but…”6MX
KA8COoAs they moved along, Portly’s demeanor toward Vlad seemed somewhat reserved, despite both of them heading in the same direction.xJjFsLD
6wjM5m“Come visit me. I’ll be staying at the Inn of the Smiling Rose for a while.”0VJ
ci1bVlad spoke first, understanding Portly’s cautious attitude. It was true that there was now a huge gap between the swordmaster known across the continent and the son of a merchant family—something that couldn’t be easily compared.aNYPMl8
HN9hNcHowever, Vlad acted as if nothing had changed from their days as squires, biting into a sausage as he responded.LVXQG
9xnIrb“There are a lot of people wanting to see me, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it…”cl6nP8
ZqLxnu1“I’ll tell the innkeeper to let you in. Come whenever you want.”3Q1oQCT
wwIa“Can I really?”8QUwDFP
NJlZ“…It seems you haven’t changed much. Is someone still bothering you?”FILuHCv
hlFPsThough their time together hadn’t been long, they had helped each other with whatever they needed.NzJI6z
yqL9Perhaps Vlad’s remarkable growth from his days as a squire could be credited to the provisions given by the Kannor family.wHhKZ
zxFD“And what’s all this? Does Soara need so much meat?”eRq
Nrsv3G“Oh, this…”cvPs
cA8B3Vlad shifted the conversation, marveling at the long line of Kannor’s wagons.hRL5v38
ClZThe caravan stretched so far that one had to crane their neck to see the end of it.KuOXEtd
OiahThough the Kannor Trading Company, which had conquered the Black Bear territory, was impressive, Soara wasn’t large enough to require such an abundance of supplies.WCUUgD
v6FY“We’re leaving half in Soara, and the other half we’re shipping west by boat.”fIUxJMr
Ht4o3NG“West?”efWG7
pLat“Yes, to the west. To be precise, to Nidavellir.”7mAhBq0
udbTlNidavellir, once the name of the Dwarf Liberation Front, now referred to a city instead of an organization.pqTYeJ
yQh0It had replaced the island of Lemnos, which was sunk by the mightiest dragon, and became a new home for the dwarves.oMf
cOVOJy“I’ve heard a new dwarf city has risen near Trinova. But the dwarves sure love their alcohol and meat.”MkQ
UI2n“That’s true.”Nx2JgRT
5jIThe dwarves had found their roots and established themselves again.Jj3
0ME66wPHowever, it would take time before the land—still filled with sand—returned to its former state.r86Ur
wZFS7x“But I’ve heard that the dwarves are requesting a drink called Captain Q. I’ve never heard of it before. Do you know what it is?”IXWmPCD
AMs6G“…No.”igB
pcTXAbThough Vlad clearly remembered the name—a sticky, dark brown drink—he pretended ignorance as the city walls appeared in the distance.ca6
QYmFen“There it is, Soara!”R6vnAS
M4KEpFrom Sturma to Soara.cQHY
lqAL2At the end of the expansive northern plains, Vlad began to see his hometown.3FOAN
fkxOiY“…What’s that?”jWH21
PxiJAThe boy’s hometown, the city he had promised to return to.q9Kwr
ZpY2AZHowever, though the wall of the castle was familiar, the sight of the gate below was something he had never seen before.ThGQ
xiDU“Hey, don’t cut in line!”MAdoW
XUosB“I’m not cutting in!”3JJ
T7vISThe gates of Soara were always crowded, as it was the logistics hub of the north.74Ct8W
nbceT“I’ve been waiting here for three days! When can I get in?”T7c4H3
BAepnLR“Is it true that Lord Vlad is here?”gDujN
wHGE0njBut now, countless people were camped out, turning the gate into a bustling marketplace, with no room to pass through.qaYMZF
3Fhi“…Why are there so many people?”fHYMQ
gFKB“The war just ended.”Jl3y1dT
Jnf“And what does that have to do with anything?”loxNbVJ
sPC2b“What does it have to do with it?”Ulvg
ELoWbIYPortly shrugged, looking at Vlad with a puzzled expression.IL9
mvTwGf“The knights, now without wars to fight, where do you think they’ll go? Before heading home, they want to see the famous Sword Master at least once.”jhWxQ
JrGPjMaGolden coins were a reality, but the Sword Master was a legend.kP9
MeOBJN6A title every knight held in their heart had finally come to life in this era, so it was only natural that knights from across the continent flocked to Soara.VkPv
20g“What am I supposed to do?”gPwT
ah9Q5But the swordmaster that everyone wanted to meet was simply overwhelmed by the horde of knights in front of him.Txa
2ia21IAt a glance, there were hundreds of knights gathered at the city gates.UFQ
bFjNot all of them had come just to shake his hand.j3Ef9
1053o8“So, have you become an emperor?”VR7WDX
cmqJwUtA swordmaster of this era, free from all allegiances.leBfo8y
qF5XD3Yet the freedom he sought came with a price.z37vSP
t8mNTCo***xIjU
KLCThe tall, wide church in the city of Soara.DHXNMI
hyy2Sood as a grand structure, with only the distant city hall comparable in size. However, instead of the usual solemnity, it was filled with the sounds of children running about.qyMP8vK
XdcVb“Don’t run in the hallways.”aMQU3O
Aq0lI“…Yes.”7rd6
VHEC2In front of the bishop, dressed in a red robe, stood several children nervously fidgeting with their fingers.ze9uo8
FYRAHJust moments ago, they had been running as if the world were ending, but upon seeing the tall figure with cold, gray eyes, anyone would lower their head in submission.nxFn
wH1KIVQ“If you understand, go now.”2qSI
NQ3K8F“Yes!”2eIa41
nvTnvb0Despite their agreement, the children resumed running almost immediately.kEL31
KMJlAs Pedro watched them, a vein throbbed helplessly on his forehead.Hyg8z
sDUPly“Damn city…”Iw7nX
HtuOIxPedro, the bishop of the city of Soara, was now the head of the Orthodox Church here. Yet inwardly, he was furious at the state the church had fallen into in just a few years.H4HJ
Go3SBang!M69Xjb
y99NI“What a shock!”ClV
9g9WPedro, with long strides resembling those of an angry stork, stormed into his office.d73K
xsHbInside, in his private space, an uninvited guest awaited him.YNf
19WrZ“…What are you doing here?”ZNHm
nN1A man with striking red hair, gleaming under the sunlight.puG
5nkVAAQHowever, the elegant armor beneath his uniquely colored hair clearly marked him as an Orthodox Holy Knight.EQj8T7
83quWu“I was waiting, Bishop.”DZ1
H9oA1D“Waiting? More like wasting time, as always.”2YIZ2
L9vuFrustrated by the man’s words, Pedro slumped heavily into his chair, running a hand through his hair as he sighed.PyKAX
OWniJzL“Why are there so many children in the church lately?”Z4Afr
0Bwf“That’s because you called them here, isn’t it?”Q7IJ3j
CczM“Me?”zMhjm
9wbJHYPedro’s gaze sharpened as he caught the mocking smile on Radu’s face, but the man before him wasn’t easily intimidated.xfcjJ
q76“A city that birthed a swordmaster and a bishop who outlawed pedophilia—where else would the war orphans wandering about go?”4zT08l
OoquS“…”YkPtNT
RXp“I’d come here, too. The world is a dangerous place—terrible things happen if you sit idle.”qKBaRP
jTV4Perhaps, as Radu had just said, the northern city of Soara might indeed be the only refuge for war orphans who had lost their parents and were now wandering aimlessly.GjD
uzC“Besides, Madame Marcella even opened an orphanage, so this seems to be the right thing to do.”LsQN2
N1e“…Get out.”6biJtN
Kh1xpLpThough Radu’s words were not without reason, they were all the more infuriating because of it.Qqnh4
5SxLZ0fEven now, knights and orphans continued to flock to Soara in droves.Y94UwhB
7auvcPedro, whether he liked it or not, was the bishop of this city, responsible for managing the numerous incidents caused by these new arrivals.ib2Tw
beWx5vS“Should I leave?”mEjcX0
iOOOTpM“Yes, get out.”uQw
fmA“I can’t. If I leave…”6lDhQhx
KTmzMQ“Why!?”Ee0x
MRtYqqPDespite the elderly bishop’s outburst of rage, Radu responded only with a smile.9WkrrOa
GyF“If I leave, there will be dozens of knights challenging me to duels.”MDv
UlATkd“…”Ah2
Wu5“If Vlad of Soara is not around, then the next in line is Radu of Dragulia. Although I’ve already discarded that surname. In any case, if I leave, the city’s security will be in real jeopardy…”aBql7eJ
Cj9Radu’s words, spoken almost provocatively, weren’t wrong from the start.29Wru
yLQ28“…I told you to leave.”p4anq5
ISHg3EaHowever, just because something is right doesn’t mean it’s always welcome.bxrimj
Qnt1Pedro’s anger finally boiled over, seeing Radu speaking only about himself during this busy time when the bishop had to deal with endless chaos.3PV
hhO“Take the children with you and get out too!”11uI1
hCtK“Ahhh!”FTVJXf
zlMxThe deep, booming voice of the old bishop echoed powerfully through the halls of the church, resonating even in his old age.bfg7DCd
ZmnHUj***KB0FioM
7Yr“Hmm…”13B
zEUQUnlike the commotion at the city gates, there was an eerie silence in a back alley of Soara.Jrlr6wW
0fT2In a small, hidden tunnel, a man poked his head out.cLm
cNu7“This hole is even smaller now.”SB0h
eHk2It was a narrow opening in the city wall, known only to the children who roamed the alleyways.bin2
S4fHStanding in the shadow of the wall, Vlad straightened up, brushing the dirt off his body.xGrSQA
7UTr“Noir will know how to get in on his own.”QAvt6Qe
QJYB7fHe had left Noir in the care of the Kannor Company; the horse would enter the city with Portly.1dLY3UQ
NTEBeing as intelligent as he was, Noir would find his way to the Inn of the Smiling Rose.I4C3
JUzcClap, clapdSokB
EqpRMU“Huh?”CmIO2
fMDeVlad had snuck into Soara to avoid the mass of knights gathered outside.y1vVs
aFymSxTaking a moment to catch his breath while looking at the familiar scenery, he suddenly heard an unfamiliar sound.P4Au
kPZWk“What’s that?”z85M
N5ZS24GThough the scenery was familiar, the atmosphere in Soara’s alleyways had completely changed.V3a4Nbi
Qw8NhAs he walked through the streets, now filled with sunlight rather than the darkness of old, Vlad stopped when he saw a group of children gathered ahead.MktAv
MNaacR“Wow! This guy really is bad at this.”9WGypO9
nlf83“How do you expect to win playing like that?”5va
OXbhiChildren in the back alleys gathered during the day, no longer at night.pxRN
NX6DBThese were the same children who used to beg and steal on the streets, but now they were laughing, their hands filled with shiny marbles.rilh
xrDK“…Can we play one more round, please?”XFhkfg
xH0iZ3pAmidst the children, a beast-man stood, wearing a worried expression.2I2z
AChAjW“One more round of marbles, just one more.”R1EMV17
P7DxVAThe man trying to convince the children while clutching his marbles was none other than Nibelun, the wizard.ckHmB2
wrvaMDUSeeing him in such a ridiculous situation, Vlad couldn’t help but laugh.Vj8PYc
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!