Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II

“Try to make sure those kids don’t follow us,” he said.

“And how am I supposed to do that?” atomic Nibelun replied.

Vlad followed the familiar path toward the “Smile of the Rose.”

However, despite being on his way home, there was a sense of discomfort in Vlad’s expression.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“By the way, how old are you now to still be playing marbles with them?”

Behind Vlad, the children from the alley were sticking to him like glue.

“Aren’t you friends with them?”

Vlad sighed deeply, wanting to avoid the constant challenges from the children playing at being knights as he tried to return quietly to the “Smile of the Rose.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Unable to bring himself to dismiss those envious gazes, Vlad started expressing his frustration toward the calm Nibelun.

“If you wanted to play marbles, you should’ve done it with the kids from uptown. echo Do you know how cunning these alley kids are?”

The children’s eyes shone as brightly as the marbles in their hands.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

These were alley kids who had learned about the world far too early because no one was there to protect them.

“But I specifically wanted to play with these kids.”

“Really?”

Given that he was dealing with children who thought everything was about survival, it was only natural that Nibelun’s win rate was dismal.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Why?”

“Because the marbles these kids have are the brightest.”

Still, the mystery-seeking wizard was eager to win the children’s marbles.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Huh?”

The eyes of the children, looking at the brightest star in the darkest place, embodied the mystery Nibelun was searching for.

Of all the marbles I’ve seen, the ones rolling around here are the most radiant.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Then help me this time. artist Play marbles with me, please.”

“…Either way, you’re not going to win. atlas You’ve already become an easy target.”

“This is absurd.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

A wizard pleading with the sword master of this era to play marbles with him.

“Have all the kids left?”

After hearing that, Vlad laughed in disbelief and began to touch the rear wall of the building they had already reached.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Perhaps it was an act of respect toward the deeply ingrained territorial rules of the alleys.

“This is my territory now.” All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

The children who had been following Vlad closely stopped right at the entrance of the alley, not daring to cross.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

In the silent alley, Vlad began pushing hard against what seemed like a wall but was, in fact, a concealed backdoor.

“Why are you pushing the wall?”

“This isn’t a wall.”

“…I guess no one’s used this in a while.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Ugh!”

It was a backdoor that had constantly been used when the back alleys were dark.

Only members of Jorge’s gang knew about the secret entrance to the “Smile of the Rose.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Creak-

However, the hidden hinges were now covered in rust, as if no one had used them since Godin’s last visit.

The secret door opened with difficulty, as if even one had forgotten it was a door at all.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

As the door opened, old dust fell onto Vlad’s head, and what greeted him was a dark-skinned boy with wide, startled eyes.

“…”

“Wh-what?!”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

However, his surprised appearance was highly suspicious, as if he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.

“Vla—Vlad? zenith When did you get here?”

The first person to greet Vlad upon his return was Ned, who stood atop a large barrel holding a bottle of liquor.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Though unspoken, it was a scene that was easily recognized.

Because it was something Vlad himself had often done as a child.

“Hah.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“You better refill it before Otar comes and beats you for what’s missing.”

“Wait! portal I can explain!”

“Make sure you replenish the liquor you took. portal I’ll tell your brother if there’s anything missing from that barrel.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Vlad! alpha Hold on a second!”

Vlad opened the door as if he couldn’t even hear Ned’s desperate cries from behind him.

Ned hurriedly climbed down from the barrel as if he had finally realized the situation, but Vlad and Nibelun were already at the bottom of the stairs leading to the first-floor lobby.

“I told you, only the smart ones can steal.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Suddenly, bright lights flickered in the corner of his eye.

“Nothing’s changed here.”

Vlad frowned for a moment at the glow of the chandelier hanging above him.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Finally back where he belonged, Vlad began to take familiar steps with a faint smile.

***

But soon, the corners of Vlad’s eyes softened as he heard the familiar noise of the inn and the scent of food filled his nose.

Though time had passed, and people had changed, the “Smile of the Rose” still welcomed him.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“This room is small,” Nibelun remarked.

Vlad and Nibelun walked through the slightly altered halls of the place. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

Now, the “Smile of the Rose,” which had once been a brothel, had transformed into the only luxury inn in the North.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Why is it so hidden? autumn It seems like you’re the only one who uses this floor,” Nibelun asked.

Vlad had entered his room on the fourth floor, a modest space compared to the decorated halls they had walked through. beacon He began to unpack his belongings there.

“It’s large compared to the others,” Vlad responded.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“I used to talk to myself. afford I had conversations with Kihano,” Vlad explained.

The fourth-floor hallway, which only one customer could enter, was eerily quiet, unlike the bustling atmosphere below.

“Back then, I wasn’t supposed to be found.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

It was a larger space than needed, and since Vlad had no one to exchange words with anymore, it made the space feel even emptier.

The atmosphere on the fourth floor seemed somewhat lonely.

“Oh, that’s how it was.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Though Kihano was no longer there, someone was still waiting for Vlad in that place.

“…”

“You’re back already?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

A red-haired woman rested her arm on the banister, quietly observing Vlad.

“This time, you returned quite quickly.”

“Zemina.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

However, despite Zemina’s beauty, her eyes held the sharp thorns of a rose—piercing and direct—difficult for even Vlad to ignore.

Zemina, wearing a dress as striking as her appearance, stared intently at Vlad.

“Well, considering how in the past you’d be gone for over a year to end a war, six months is a decent time.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“How long do you plan to stay this time? advance A week?”

“Of course, you can go, cat.”

“Lady Zemina. acoustic May I excuse myself now?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“That’s potato stew. accent You hate potatoes.”

Nibelun, sensing the unusual tension in the air, quickly began to exit the scene.

“Oh, it smells so good. amber I quite like that meat stew.”

Vlad discreetly gestured behind his back, asking him not to leave, but knowing when to make oneself scarce was a valuable trait for a member of society.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“I decided I’d start liking them today. portal The potato stew looks truly delicious.”

Vlad lowered his head in exasperation as he watched Nibelun disappear down the hallway Zemina had created.

Nibelun floated along like water, despite Vlad’s silent efforts to dissuade him. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

“The guests keep arriving, but there’s no space left. avalanche It seems they’ll open the fourth floor soon as well.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

For two years, Vlad had traveled the world, never putting down his sword.

“This time, I had no other choice. armor You know the Orthodox Church requested it.”

“Yes, I know. attic I went after the witches at Andreas’ request.”

To quell the embers of the war and, at times, to hunt down surviving witches.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

But Zemina, who had been watching from the sidelines, knew well.

“Ha. arctic You don’t realize it because you’re still young.”

“But don’t you think it’s time to rest a little? afford Back then, I spent nearly several months bedridden.”

“Of course, I’d like to rest too.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“…”

The current Vlad was moving to fill the void in his heart rather than doing what he needed to.

“Later, when you grow older, all of this will return to you as bone disease. orbit You know what happens to mercenaries who act recklessly, right?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Hey…”

People around me praise me every time I swing my sword.

“Take a long break this time. absorb I heard Harven returned as well.”

But Vlad gave a bitter smile to the only person who told him it was time to rest.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“What?”

Vlad hesitated as he opened his mouth toward Zemina, who had turned her back as if she had already seen it coming.

“I’m going somewhere again right now.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Go. palette I’m busy.”

When Vlad said he had to leave as soon as he returned, Zemina’s eyes began to cool again.

“…Really?”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Zemina, who knew there was nothing she could do because she understood him better than anyone else, let out a soft sigh and began to descend the stairs. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

“Shall we go together? airport This time.”

A stubborn boy who always tried to follow his own path, no matter what others said.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Would you like to come with me to the Rutiger succession ceremony?”

This time, not alone, but together.

Zemina was surprised by those words and turned to see Vlad holding out a letter from Bayezid in front of her.

However, even Zemina couldn’t help but freeze in shock at the words she had just heard.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

The succession ceremony of the Rutiger family, where all the nobles of the North would gather.

Zemina was well aware that asking her to go there with him had a deeper meaning than just companionship.

“…Together?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

As she saw Zemina’s face gradually soften, Vlad began to smile along with her.

“Really?”

“…Can I go?”

“Of course. august I can’t take anyone but you.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“I don’t think so.”

“…Mmm.”

However, even his smiling face couldn’t help but harden when Zemina opened the letter she had taken out.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

For some reason, Zemina’s smile while holding that letter seemed cold.

“I was going to give it to you tomorrow so you could rest today, but I have no choice.”

On the outside of the letter was a white tree emblem that Vlad was very familiar with.

Zemina pulled out a letter as if to review it.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

The person who sent the letter was Baroness Alicia Hainal, another one of Vlad’s ladies.

***

A letter filled with the scent of lemons, sent with a rose’s smile.

“I have to decide, Vlad. adapt Who will I take with me to the succession ceremony?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“This year’s crop has been excellent, my lady. acid Everyone is pleased with the good harvest.”

“…Really?”

The city of Deirmar, filled with the scents of summer.

Through the window behind her, the trees of Deirmar, greener than ever this year, greeted Alicia.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Thanks to trade with the elves, the city prospered, and the faces of the people in Deirmar, the territory of Hainal, were full of smiles.

This year was a good harvest.

“And what good is that?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

However, on Alicia’s face, the lady of the city, there was no smile of joy, but rather a deep shadow.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Pardon?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“What good is it for the territory to flourish when Hainal itself is withering?”

“What good is it that the harvest is bountiful and the territory thrives!”

Everything was going well, but within Alicia’s heart, there was an unease she could not shake. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

But Alicia felt sorrowful, for there was no one to appreciate that beauty.

Even though her face was shadowed, the lady of Hainal was still beautiful.

“Lady Alicia…”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“That….”

In response to Alicia’s question, the old knight Duncan lowered his head as if unsure of what to say.

“…Have any marriage proposals come for me? arena Whether from a noble or even a knight of no status?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

In the past, marriage proposals that would have come in abundance had recently ceased altogether.

“Yes, not a single one.”

“Not a single one?”

“Not a single one this year…”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

However, though she had everything, there was a clear reason why no young man dared to propose to her.

Baroness Alicia had wealth, fame, and even a territory.

“It’s all because of Vlad!”

Watching Alicia shake her head and shout seemed quite odd.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Lady Alicia’s knight, Vlad Aureo.

However, Duncan simply nodded as if he understood her feelings.

“Why did he have to become so famous and ruin all my chances of marriage!?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

“Oh, Lady Alicia…”

Now that everyone across the continent knew of their relationship, with even rumors of exchanged handkerchiefs, no one dared propose to the lady of the Sword Master.

If this was how it was going to end, she wished she had never started anything with Vlad.

“Will this be the end of the Hainal line? auction Will I be remembered as the ungrateful daughter who let her family die?”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Alicia regretted that because of Vlad, her legacy and her family’s treasure were destined to fade away.

It was like the last stand of the Hainal line, shaped by noble blood.

Alicia’s eyes, as she gazed out the window, grew colder.

“No, this can’t be. atomic I can’t let Hainal, which I’ve protected for so long, be lost.”

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Alicia’s eyes sparkled strangely as she dreamed of that possibility.

“At this point, I just need to secure his seed. voyage Somehow, I must continue the lineage.”

Blonde hair and blue eyes. arrow And, furthermore, the bloodline of a Sword Master of this era, guaranteed.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

-······!

As if supporting Alicia’s decision, the trees of Deirmar swayed gently.

“What’s gotten into them?”

The small spirits dancing beneath the green trees and a white snake moving along the branches seemed to encourage her.

Translation of Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II by Indra Translations.

Even the elves sent to the city seemed confused by the spirits celebrating joyfully, as if calling out to Alicia to secure the seed quickly.

“What? ability Are they celebrating something?”