Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 267: Extra 7 – The Path Leading to Starlight

Chapter 267: Extra 7 – The Path Leading to Starlight

No‌ matter how hard they tried, the⁠‍⁠ people of the‌‌‍ North had always‌‌ been burdened by the discriminatory gazes‍‍‍ of others.

To‌⁠ many, they were⁠‌ faithless souls who‍‌ did not believe‍‌ in God, or‌‌⁠ a vile race⁠‍ with the blood⁠ of barbarians coursing‍⁠ through their veins.‌⁠

For⁠ years, this was‌⁠ the prevailing perception of northerners.

“Congratulations‌‌ on becoming the⁠‌ new head of⁠‍⁠ the family, Lord‍ Rutiger Bayezid.”

However,⁠‌ in front of‌ the gates of‌⁠‌ Castle Sturma, it⁠‌ seemed that this‍⁠‌ discrimination was fading⁠‌‌ into the past.‌‌

Nobles⁠ from across the‍‌‍ continent lined up‍ to offer their‌‍ congratulations.

Not⁠‍ just northern nobles,‌ but representatives of‌ families from the far south had⁠‌ also attended the‌‌⁠ event.

Flags⁠‌ bearing unfamiliar emblems‍ fluttered in the‌‌ wind, and even⁠‌ the reserved inhabitants of Sturma lifted⁠‍⁠ their heads to‌ catch a glimpse.‍

“Hmm?”‍

Rutiger, not yet officially‌ the head of⁠ the family but‌ already sitting in‌ the leader’s seat,⁠‍ welcomed the guests‍ one by one.‍‌

At‌ that moment, he‍‍ noticed an unfamiliar‌ flag approaching.

“That’s⁠‍ the emblem of‌‌ the House of‍⁠ Baron Dalmacia. It‌‍ seems they recently‍‌ redesigned it,” Dorothea‍‌ explained from his‌‍ side.

Rutiger⁠ nodded at her‍‍ explanation, but the‌ surprise was still⁠ evident on his‍ face.

He knew he shouldn’t⁠‍ show such an⁠‌ expression in front‌ of a guest,‌ but anyone would‍‌ have reacted the‌‍ same way upon‌‍ seeing Dalmacia’s new⁠ emblem.

“Congratulations,‍ Lord Rutiger.”

“Thank‌ you for coming⁠‍ from so far.‌‍⁠ The Bayezid family‌‌ welcomes you.”

The territory of Dobrechi,⁠‌ located in the‌⁠ northern part of‍ the central region,⁠ had been too⁠‌‍ impoverished to participate‌ in high society.‍

However,‌ they used Rutiger’s‌ succession ceremony as an opportunity to‍‌ proudly display their‌⁠ flag.

“…If I may, I have a question.”⁠‌

“Yes?”‌‌

Rutiger,⁠ breaking formal protocol,‌‌ spoke after exchanging‌‌⁠ the customary greetings‍‍ with Dalmacia’s envoy.‍‌⁠

Even‌‌ after the usual⁠⁠ pleasantries were exchanged,‍ Rutiger still held‍ the envoy back.‍‍

The‌‌ exception drew the‌ attention of all⁠ the nobles in‍ the hall, who‌⁠ immediately directed their‌ gazes toward Rutiger and the envoy.‌‍

“The‌ emblem on your⁠‌‍ flag… could it be?”

“Ah,‌ this! You mean‌ this, right?”

Dalmacia’s‌ envoy, uncomfortable under‌‍‍ the unfamiliar attention,‌⁠⁠ straightened his back⁠‍ with pride and⁠ unfurled the flag.‌‍

Though‌ his reaction was⁠‌‌ not particularly elegant,⁠‍‍ it elicited smiles from those present.‌

“It’s a great source of pride for‍ our territory. This‌ design is based‍‌⁠ on a sacred‍‌ beast approved by‌ the Orthodox Church.”⁠

“The‌ Orthodox Church?”

The‌ words “approved by‌ the Orthodox Church”‍⁠ brought a hush⁠⁠ to the hall.

Worshipping‍ idols other than‌⁠ God was considered‌ heretical, so the⁠‍⁠ Church was known‍ for its strict⁠ standards when approving‌ symbols.

“So,‍ that creature…?”

“Yes,‌ that’s correct. It’s‍⁠⁠ a mole.”

While⁠ other noble houses‍ adorned their flags⁠ with walls, spears,‍‍ or other prestigious‌⁠‌ symbols, the House‍ of Baron Dalmacia‌ had chosen something‍ entirely different.

“It⁠ represents the spirit‍‌ of the earth,⁠‍‌ which brings prosperity.”‌⁠

The‍‍ flag depicted a small, adorable mole⁠ with a friendly‍‌ expression, giving a thumbs-up. It was impossible not to smile at such‍⁠ an emblem.

Kyu-!‍

From‌ Ausurin to Deirmar,‍ the mole had‍⁠ dug paths that‌ connected the east,‌‌⁠ center, and north.⁠

This‌⁠⁠ creature, which had⁠ once worked alongside‌ the Swordmaster and‌ earned the blessing‌ of the Orthodox‍ Church, was now‌ revered with great⁠‌ devotion in its⁠ homeland of Dobrechi.⁠

**‌‌

“There‌⁠⁠ was a rumor‌ spreading throughout the‍ town.”

“…”‍

“Shame‍⁠ on you, really,⁠⁠ of all the‌⁠‍ things you could‍ do, you get‍‌ to play marbles‍⁠⁠ with kids?”

On‌ the docks of‍ Soara, where the‌ summer breeze was‍ growing stronger, Zemina‌⁠ repeatedly poked Vlad⁠⁠ in the side with her finger,⁠‍ her eyes narrowed‍‍‍ in disapproval.

“Didn’t⁠⁠ you get to‌‍ play as a child? Is this‍ your idea of‌‍ making up for⁠‌ lost time?”

“That’s⁠ not it.”

“Well,‌‌ it would’ve been⁠⁠ less embarrassing if‌‌‍ you’d gotten drunk⁠ and caused a scene. Isn’t this⁠‍‍ just childish?”

Zemina murmured in a low voice, likely⁠ aware of the⁠ crowd around them,‌⁠ ensuring only Vlad⁠‍ could hear her.⁠

From‌ a distance, anyone‌‍⁠ watching might have‌‌ assumed the two‍ were closer than⁠ they actually were.‌

“…That’s‍ not it. Nibelun⁠‌⁠ said he needed‌‍ it.”

They‌‌ say life, from afar, is a comedy, but up⁠‍ close, it’s a tragedy.

Perhaps anyone who got‌‌ close enough would⁠ have noticed Vlad’s⁠ slightly worn expression.‌

“Nibelun‍‌ needed children’s marbles?‌ Why would a cat need that?”‍

“Well… it’s magic, okay?”⁠‌

Magic‌ is something you can’t believe unless‌ you see it,‌ nor understand unless you experience it.‍

Explaining‌⁠ it to someone‍ like Zemina, who‍‌ had never encountered‌ anything mystical, was‍⁠ almost impossible for‍ Vlad.

“Even until the last moment, they’re bickering‍⁠ as always.”

Watching the pair, a man descended from‌‌⁠ the dock.

It was Captain Harven,⁠⁠ who had become‍⁠ an admired figure‍ among the children‍‌‍ of the alleyways.‍

He walked, followed by‌‍⁠ a diverse group⁠ of robust men, including beastmen and‍ dwarves.

Harven,⁠ now an object of envy for⁠‌ the children in‍‌‍ the alleys, approached the two bickering⁠‌ figures.

“Yes, this is what⁠ one calls a homely scene.”

“Is‍ everything ready?”

Harven,⁠⁠ whose gait reflected his experience, wore‍‌⁠ a new captain’s‍ hat Zemina had‍ prepared for him.⁠‍‍

To‌‌‍ any observer, he‍‌ was the perfect archetype of a seasoned sailor.

“Everything’s‍ ready. I even modified the cargo‍ hold for the⁠ expedition and stocked‌‍ the ship with⁠ enough liquor to keep the crew⁠ happy.”

With‍ a grin, Harven‌‌ winked at Vlad.‍‌

“It⁠ seems someone pulled‍ a few strings.⁠ Even in peak‍⁠ season, the shipyard⁠ prioritized us.”

This⁠‍ journey was entirely‌‍ dependent on the‍⁠ season when the‍‌ northern glaciers began‌ to melt.

Without‍ luck, they could’ve⁠‌ lost an entire year, but thanks⁠ to Vlad, everything‍‌ was ready for‌ departure.

“Perhaps,‍‌⁠ around this time‌⁠ next year, we’ll‍ already be in‌ Ausurin. I’ll write‌ to you then.”‌⁠‌

“Agreed.”‍‍

The‌‌ goal of this‍ expedition was to‌ discover a new‍ maritime route through⁠ the Arctic.

For⁠ that reason, Harven’s‌‍ final destination was‌ to circumnavigate half the continent and‌‍ reach the elven‌ city of Ausurin.‍

“Well,⁠‍ you all have things to do⁠ too, so we’ll depart now.”

In‌⁠ front of Harven,⁠ who bid farewell‌‌‍ with a smile,‌‌ Goethe yawned indifferently.⁠

The‍‌⁠ captain would head‍⁠ out to sea,‍‍ while the knight‌‌ journeyed north.

Dragging‌ along even a carriage for emphasis,⁠ Goethe seemed to‌ be saying, “It’s⁠‌ time for us⁠‍ to leave as⁠⁠ well.”

“Take‍ care.”

“You too.”

With‍ a simple bump‌‍‍ of their shoulders,⁠‌ the two parted‌ ways.

They‌‌ knew there was‍‍⁠ no need for‍ elaborate goodbyes.

Both‍ now grown men understood that farewells‍ were easier when‍‌ kept natural.

“Sniff… hic.”

As‍⁠‌ Harven climbed back‍ onto the ship⁠‍ following his brief‌‌‌ words of farewell,‌ Vlad silently watched‌ him.

Suddenly,‍ a sob echoed beside him.

“Sniff.⁠‍⁠ That Harven… sniff. Look at how⁠ he doesn’t even‍⁠ glance back. Hic.”⁠

“…”‍⁠

The day was radiant,‍ and the wind, brushing through their⁠ hair, blew briskly.⁠

It⁠‌ was, without a doubt, the perfect⁠ day to set‍ sail.

However,‍ Zemina, her eyes‍‌ filled with tears,‍ didn’t seem to‍⁠ share the excitement.⁠⁠

“That⁠‍⁠ cold-hearted bastard.”

“Let’s‌‍‍ go now.”

“…You’re‍ all so heartless.”‌‌⁠

With‍ an order echoing‌‌ across the dock,‌⁠ the ropes anchoring‍ the ship were‌ released.

Following⁠‌‍ the river’s current,‍ Harven’s ship, the⁠⁠⁠ Zemina of Red‍ Hair, drifted away‌ slowly.

“He⁠ said he’d write⁠ to you next‌‍ year. You’ll see‍⁠ him then.”

The‍ people of Soara⁠⁠ waved vigorously at the ship receding‍⁠‍ into the distance.‍‍

Harven,‍ who had been⁠ born in the‌⁠ humblest corners of⁠⁠ an alley, was‌‌⁠ now heading to⁠ the farthest reaches‍‍ of the world.⁠

They‍⁠ weren’t bidding him‍ farewell because he‍ was off to‍ make a living—they⁠⁠ were sending him‍ off because he⁠ was chasing a dream.

“…”‌‍

While‌‍ everyone waved at‍‍ the ship, Vlad’s‌ gaze was fixed‌‌ in a completely⁠ different direction.

He‌ was looking toward an old building⁠ by the dock,⁠‌ one that had once served as Captain Hoover’s refuge.‌‌‍

“Feeling⁠‍ better now that‍ you’re out of‍ there?”

From‌⁠ the carriage, Vlad‍ directed his final‌ farewell to the Harven he once⁠ found trapped in⁠‌ a dark, suffocating‍‍ room, his face‌ pale.

***

“Raise⁠‌ the sails! Set‍ them halfway up!”⁠

“Confirm our position! Explorers,‍‌ check the constellations!”‌

The‌ salty scent of‌ the sea was beginning to overpower‍ the metallic tang‌⁠‌ of the river‍ water.

As‌ the sun slowly sank below the⁠ horizon, Harven’s ship sailed northward.

While⁠ the crew moved⁠ quickly to prepare⁠‍ for the night,‌‌ one figure stood⁠‍ still beside the⁠ captain.

“What⁠‌ are you doing here?”

Nibelun,‍ standing next to‍⁠⁠ Harven at the‌⁠ helm—a spot reserved‍ only for the‍‌‍ captain—seemed entirely unaware‌ of the rules.⁠

He‌ stared intently at‍⁠ the twilight sky,⁠ indifferent to the‌‍ inquisitive glances of‍ the passing sailors‍‌‍ or their awkward‍ throat-clearing.

“If‌ you don’t have⁠ anything to do, I can find‍ something for you.”‍

“I’m⁠ not here because‌‌ I’ve nothing to‌⁠ do.”

To⁠ the left, the‍‍ sea reflected a red sunset that‍⁠ had yet to⁠ meet the horizon.‌‍‍

However,‍ Nibelun seemed to‌‌ already be gazing‍ at stars in the night sky,⁠ holding a small magical sphere to‌ his eye.

“…There.”‌

After a long while,⁠ he finally found‌‍ the star he⁠‍ was searching for.‍

It‌‌ was the North‍ Star, the guide for all sailors‍ navigating the night‌‌⁠ sea.

“What’s‌‌ going on?”

“I‌‍ just saw it.”‌

“…What?”⁠

Harven‌‌ continued to ask questions, as though‌ still unaccustomed to‌‌ speaking with a mage.

But⁠ over time, Harven would learn, just as Vlad had.⁠

Mysteries cannot be explained—they must be experienced.⁠⁠

“The North Star. It’s‍‍ seen us.”

The‌ glow of a star in the‌ sky reflected its‍‍⁠ light onto the⁠ sphere Nibelun held,‌‌ which contained the‌‍‍ sparkles collected from⁠ the children.

“I‌‍‍ knew this sphere⁠ would attract the‌ stars’ attention.”

Two‌ lights connected, one⁠‌ in the sky‍‌ and one at‌‍‌ sea, tracing a path northward.

From⁠‌ the ocean to⁠ the night sky,‌ toward some place‍‌ in the north‌‌ where they were‍‍⁠ headed.

“…What‍ is this line?”‌⁠⁠

There would always be‍‍ someone—a child like‌ Vlad or Nibelun—who‍ looked upward to‌⁠ find the way.‍‍⁠

The‍ light of the‍ two connected stars‍‌ seemed to split⁠ the sea, carving out a line.⁠‍

As‍⁠ if to lead⁠ them, as if to ensure no‌‍ one got lost.‌‌

“Looks‍ like we won’t‌ be needing a compass, will we?”⁠

And‌‍‌ so, following the‌‌ path marked by‌‍ the stars, Harven’s⁠‍ ship continued its⁠‍ course toward the⁠‍ world’s edge, beyond‌⁠⁠ the boundaries of‌‌ known seas.