Chapter 263: Extra 3 – The War of the Roses II
UWTKfVlad followed the familiar path toward the “Smile of the Rose.”FMcf
nYbHFHowever, despite being on his way home, there was a sense of discomfort in Vlad’s expression.rfq9
SPaL0xf“Try to make sure those kids don’t follow us,” he said.0BsD5
ruZh8L“And how am I supposed to do that?” Nibelun replied.Bci
uv0“Aren’t you friends with them?”RePljE
37eOaBehind Vlad, the children from the alley were sticking to him like glue.1Vu
UupTVlad 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.”L1YX
wdrFZdT“By the way, how old are you now to still be playing marbles with them?”Oli
wITf4yThe children’s eyes shone as brightly as the marbles in their hands.2Nwh
gVhjkqUnable to bring himself to dismiss those envious gazes, Vlad started expressing his frustration toward the calm Nibelun.kHC4o
AWmKrJo“If you wanted to play marbles, you should’ve done it with the kids from uptown. Do you know how cunning these alley kids are?”Wowg
2JtdHVp“Really?”SStq
IsAThese were alley kids who had learned about the world far too early because no one was there to protect them.xgsm
BtnSUGiven that he was dealing with children who thought everything was about survival, it was only natural that Nibelun’s win rate was dismal.Urd
92x2HK8“But I specifically wanted to play with these kids.”9CVZ
opwg“Why?”4ubJH
lgpStill, the mystery-seeking wizard was eager to win the children’s marbles.Fo3uV
yqx841“Because the marbles these kids have are the brightest.”W9O8
DIz“Huh?”Vg6m
ER0TlRLOf all the marbles I’ve seen, the ones rolling around here are the most radiant.dz1rG5h
CO8l42CThe eyes of the children, looking at the brightest star in the darkest place, embodied the mystery Nibelun was searching for.4YvmmH
7eA“…Either way, you’re not going to win. You’ve already become an easy target.”CYOB
9ZV“Then help me this time. Play marbles with me, please.”Aiwul2q
ux0Qkl“This is absurd.”H5mg
OnVA wizard pleading with the sword master of this era to play marbles with him.j0D
gkCAfter hearing that, Vlad laughed in disbelief and began to touch the rear wall of the building they had already reached.xvML
oFNUOS3“Have all the kids left?”TAcI1b1
IPin“This is my territory now.”49AlQAU
Axzkf1fThe children who had been following Vlad closely stopped right at the entrance of the alley, not daring to cross.OZT
nFaPerhaps it was an act of respect toward the deeply ingrained territorial rules of the alleys.XZL
tZB“Why are you pushing the wall?”5egOZ
7Znd“This isn’t a wall.”CFR
bDsgOQIn the silent alley, Vlad began pushing hard against what seemed like a wall but was, in fact, a concealed backdoor.8jztzS
ETawGl“…I guess no one’s used this in a while.”07TPu
BsFgP24Only members of Jorge’s gang knew about the secret entrance to the “Smile of the Rose.”FiV722
1Rtd“Ugh!”CXT
2mNVkWIt was a backdoor that had constantly been used when the back alleys were dark.egbqN4C
NruwupHowever, the hidden hinges were now covered in rust, as if no one had used them since Godin’s last visit.oN5KRj
mFT4Creak-wgYU4P
cGFThe secret door opened with difficulty, as if even one had forgotten it was a door at all.3qJPI
sXghKAs the door opened, old dust fell onto Vlad’s head, and what greeted him was a dark-skinned boy with wide, startled eyes.tCo
x6SPH“Wh-what?!”SAxvF1V
zqBAEg“…”bu3Ezc1
AwjPThe first person to greet Vlad upon his return was Ned, who stood atop a large barrel holding a bottle of liquor.FlpOF
L2TaMHowever, his surprised appearance was highly suspicious, as if he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.wbdn
g2a“Vla—Vlad? When did you get here?”NAqk
wmR6Zij“Hah.”ZMOr6Z
t0hlThough unspoken, it was a scene that was easily recognized.1dSf
73j1AbBecause it was something Vlad himself had often done as a child.9v7
qAfh“Make sure you replenish the liquor you took. I’ll tell your brother if there’s anything missing from that barrel.”011
0snq“Wait! I can explain!”JVW8nNs
qHTDeO“You better refill it before Otar comes and beats you for what’s missing.”VaMj8GN
pUqsPNed 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.6JlV
vpVMJuS“I told you, only the smart ones can steal.”Jy9Ps
dnti“Vlad! Hold on a second!”6OP
9KrgVlad opened the door as if he couldn’t even hear Ned’s desperate cries from behind him.zvB2
oLKVaVSuddenly, bright lights flickered in the corner of his eye.zkaUU
fDMwyPVlad frowned for a moment at the glow of the chandelier hanging above him.B67xI
0kHVZG“Nothing’s changed here.”NuQVk
CLPBut 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.hye
CVjAcThough time had passed, and people had changed, the “Smile of the Rose” still welcomed him.vYltG
XEsg31Finally back where he belonged, Vlad began to take familiar steps with a faint smile.dhGm8O
tDMPS***htbqpsB
sqgcxENow, the “Smile of the Rose,” which had once been a brothel, had transformed into the only luxury inn in the North.PvFuWHY
WWeEOVlad and Nibelun walked through the slightly altered halls of the place.Q0EG7rQ
vRkN3y8“This room is small,” Nibelun remarked.713
a4MmFKR“It’s large compared to the others,” Vlad responded.8KxTf
pUXVlad had entered his room on the fourth floor, a modest space compared to the decorated halls they had walked through. He began to unpack his belongings there.HITlS
a9G“Why is it so hidden? It seems like you’re the only one who uses this floor,” Nibelun asked.TDW9
t9utO“Back then, I wasn’t supposed to be found.”0C2f
ChMstThe fourth-floor hallway, which only one customer could enter, was eerily quiet, unlike the bustling atmosphere below.S95w4Tc
NmR3yde“I used to talk to myself. I had conversations with Kihano,” Vlad explained.kZYQRqx
xjb“Oh, that’s how it was.”D0zS
u2RiThe atmosphere on the fourth floor seemed somewhat lonely.Hc2fqa
zGTXRzlIt was a larger space than needed, and since Vlad had no one to exchange words with anymore, it made the space feel even emptier.KrxQ
Zfs“You’re back already?”nhu
Q5PwzVt“…”rUiIh
H4WtTyoThough Kihano was no longer there, someone was still waiting for Vlad in that place.DwESxQ
6Wyspg“Zemina.”qP8A2
VP4Qqg“This time, you returned quite quickly.”bFqKdOf
n1Cm2KA red-haired woman rested her arm on the banister, quietly observing Vlad.jM5
oc9nlqDZemina, wearing a dress as striking as her appearance, stared intently at Vlad.Rj4i
6wLrtoP“Well, considering how in the past you’d be gone for over a year to end a war, six months is a decent time.”t0kQBKO
n1ztYKeHowever, despite Zemina’s beauty, her eyes held the sharp thorns of a rose—piercing and direct—difficult for even Vlad to ignore.Vn3u
gd2OQ49“How long do you plan to stay this time? A week?”es2
Vlj01RB“Lady Zemina. May I excuse myself now?”YO3lSoN
alcAuy“Of course, you can go, cat.”5a2MwpY
PQ9zjxNibelun, sensing the unusual tension in the air, quickly began to exit the scene.zxck22t
RFILy1Vlad 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.IDhNT
0iL“Oh, it smells so good. I quite like that meat stew.”Od5lOL
QytSVn“That’s potato stew. You hate potatoes.”Qeiu
Cz1“I decided I’d start liking them today. The potato stew looks truly delicious.”GnMN
k9vhJgHNibelun floated along like water, despite Vlad’s silent efforts to dissuade him.3nHQlc
ucBVlad lowered his head in exasperation as he watched Nibelun disappear down the hallway Zemina had created.clYIjs
jfv“The guests keep arriving, but there’s no space left. It seems they’ll open the fourth floor soon as well.”IFO2cI
sSHJH“This time, I had no other choice. You know the Orthodox Church requested it.”dBbxqP
VzFC“Yes, I know. I went after the witches at Andreas’ request.”LV2f
5nSEBSTo quell the embers of the war and, at times, to hunt down surviving witches.r9JiSQ
6yn6WoFor two years, Vlad had traveled the world, never putting down his sword.7ObG0Ue
OKV“But don’t you think it’s time to rest a little? Back then, I spent nearly several months bedridden.”FY1S
BkV“Of course, I’d like to rest too.”7r8RB
sAMgi“Ha. You don’t realize it because you’re still young.”p4iMw
DxxUBut Zemina, who had been watching from the sidelines, knew well.w2Y71M
5AgOVThe current Vlad was moving to fill the void in his heart rather than doing what he needed to.grqm
QUXLDR“Later, when you grow older, all of this will return to you as bone disease. You know what happens to mercenaries who act recklessly, right?”7ewjLmz
PZ3m“…”FDQlBD
l8aUrj“Take a long break this time. I heard Harven returned as well.”Hxs0
8L8vPeople around me praise me every time I swing my sword.oq0Sgys
9lzBut Vlad gave a bitter smile to the only person who told him it was time to rest.iou08g
sV1RR“Hey…”ErviR
3ocd9Vlad hesitated as he opened his mouth toward Zemina, who had turned her back as if she had already seen it coming.3piYpx
pPO“What?”oo6
y7TnW0w“I’m going somewhere again right now.”d3RxPK
cYeghL6“…Really?”GMRHMw
ZceqWhen Vlad said he had to leave as soon as he returned, Zemina’s eyes began to cool again.7rtR
afmh“Go. I’m busy.”P9pBvy
0K3Mg97A stubborn boy who always tried to follow his own path, no matter what others said.MAxon3
EQdxe6Zemina, 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.aWr6
mqxfx29“Shall we go together? This time.”Ghsvzw
EH6YHowever, even Zemina couldn’t help but freeze in shock at the words she had just heard.fquGgA
XxDHThis time, not alone, but together.KCXPUx
lO3Zemina was surprised by those words and turned to see Vlad holding out a letter from Bayezid in front of her.ZRS
l16ErP3“Would you like to come with me to the Rutiger succession ceremony?”vZCLyO
QolfsC“…Together?”6e5ZI
Ta4The succession ceremony of the Rutiger family, where all the nobles of the North would gather.rYys
QUU3Zemina was well aware that asking her to go there with him had a deeper meaning than just companionship.c2HzW
G9naJoI“…Can I go?”yxBvv4
QgXH2“Of course. I can’t take anyone but you.”996V
BTZcG8“Really?”gldRt
LQ6kT9TAs she saw Zemina’s face gradually soften, Vlad began to smile along with her.xF35Kc
6GSHowever, even his smiling face couldn’t help but harden when Zemina opened the letter she had taken out.YM64R
eENz“I don’t think so.”d3a
J0saE“…Mmm.”tWLh
0k4g1nZemina pulled out a letter as if to review it.4rwsdYA
WJpkOn the outside of the letter was a white tree emblem that Vlad was very familiar with.sMSBDSN
WoX0vbF“I was going to give it to you tomorrow so you could rest today, but I have no choice.”pwtnOmc
w7hFor some reason, Zemina’s smile while holding that letter seemed cold.ko7z
JLA“I have to decide, Vlad. Who will I take with me to the succession ceremony?”5JHy8cE
zxJpfA letter filled with the scent of lemons, sent with a rose’s smile.V6st
wnnThe person who sent the letter was Baroness Alicia Hainal, another one of Vlad’s ladies.jiBoz5
WqscR***yoN
TMUt“This year’s crop has been excellent, my lady. Everyone is pleased with the good harvest.”YHbNz8
89b3yvThe city of Deirmar, filled with the scents of summer.f3GWqv
naQ5ZGHThrough the window behind her, the trees of Deirmar, greener than ever this year, greeted Alicia.QeiRr6
RC4“…Really?”LsLBWfq
XwSEHbThis year was a good harvest.gHO9gR
GVgN3Thanks to trade with the elves, the city prospered, and the faces of the people in Deirmar, the territory of Hainal, were full of smiles.xncH
FutQps4“And what good is that?”fMZ
gvt“Pardon?”1DLWMQ
p9mqAHowever, on Alicia’s face, the lady of the city, there was no smile of joy, but rather a deep shadow.FUR
n89O“What good is it that the harvest is bountiful and the territory thrives!”PbGU
ExYXKJEverything was going well, but within Alicia’s heart, there was an unease she could not shake.5er9ZsS
ciC89z“What good is it for the territory to flourish when Hainal itself is withering?”naHcdF
ppi“Lady Alicia…”8isDI
1AiQiBEven though her face was shadowed, the lady of Hainal was still beautiful.ewI
ocdSXBut Alicia felt sorrowful, for there was no one to appreciate that beauty.6N2N1
v52et3“…Have any marriage proposals come for me? Whether from a noble or even a knight of no status?”gOM
LVPhVPj“That….”YuCmiXT
uWp43In response to Alicia’s question, the old knight Duncan lowered his head as if unsure of what to say.HH0rHe
Mdr“Not a single one this year…”mWC3
HdzE0“Not a single one?”X0FL2z
rJXLIY“Yes, not a single one.”kNVBle
0R2MIn the past, marriage proposals that would have come in abundance had recently ceased altogether.9FyfF
WUefBaroness Alicia had wealth, fame, and even a territory.1Ah34
kGhHowever, though she had everything, there was a clear reason why no young man dared to propose to her.sBJ
1wDq“It’s all because of Vlad!”NGI
yilrnpWatching Alicia shake her head and shout seemed quite odd.5IHBN
Jj8THowever, Duncan simply nodded as if he understood her feelings.fxIBCi
ZIR“Why did he have to become so famous and ruin all my chances of marriage!?”iVFVKu0
zNxnHLady Alicia’s knight, Vlad Aureo.JGgjIA
ZLBHNow 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.nTl
w5glja“Will this be the end of the Hainal line? Will I be remembered as the ungrateful daughter who let her family die?”qef5Ff
gEA“Oh, Lady Alicia…”33F2kD
opKIf this was how it was going to end, she wished she had never started anything with Vlad.Rw3WjvG
fdOGKIVAlicia regretted that because of Vlad, her legacy and her family’s treasure were destined to fade away.kXdu1
oc7BRP“No, this can’t be. I can’t let Hainal, which I’ve protected for so long, be lost.”3wiv
o71Alicia’s eyes, as she gazed out the window, grew colder.yJIVBo
w7tIt was like the last stand of the Hainal line, shaped by noble blood.sno
tN6BKRT“At this point, I just need to secure his seed. Somehow, I must continue the lineage.”oRnw
UFQtLVWBlonde hair and blue eyes. And, furthermore, the bloodline of a Sword Master of this era, guaranteed.aoN4
bO6TSzAlicia’s eyes sparkled strangely as she dreamed of that possibility.jOAz
wUBsk-······!gFO
Z181As if supporting Alicia’s decision, the trees of Deirmar swayed gently.89x0D
pnl3yRThe small spirits dancing beneath the green trees and a white snake moving along the branches seemed to encourage her.Caw
kSyTdMQ“What’s gotten into them?”NMg
A66“What? Are they celebrating something?”K62tAT
tr9Even the elves sent to the city seemed confused by the spirits celebrating joyfully, as if calling out to Alicia to secure the seed quickly.j9pif
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