Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 287: Side Story – What Do You Want to Become? (2)

Chapter 287: Side Story – What Do You Want to Become? (2)

‘Mother,‌⁠ I hope you⁠⁠ are doing well. I am doing‌ well here.’

Late⁠‍⁠ at night, when‌‍ everyone else was‍‍ already asleep, there‌ was still one‍‌ squire awake.

Sitting⁠ in a small,‌‌ cramped room that‍ would normally be⁠ used by servants,‌‌ the boy wrote⁠ a letter by‍‍⁠ the light of‌⁠ a single candle.‍‌

‘Everyone⁠‍ here treats me⁠ very well. I’ve⁠⁠ especially become friends‍ with a boy‌‌ named Emil. He⁠ is the Swordmaster’s⁠⁠⁠ son whom I wanted so much‌‌ to know.’

A smile appeared on‌ the boy’s lips⁠ as he wrote.‌

Because‍ he could perfectly‌ imagine the joy⁠‌⁠ his mother would‌⁠ feel upon receiving‌‍‌ that letter.

“He‌ did well yesterday.”⁠‍

“….!”

The⁠‍⁠ pen immediately stopped.‍

At‌⁠‌ some point, a presence had appeared‌ behind him.

The boy was so startled that the‌⁠ breath he exhaled caused the candle‍ flame to waver‍ dangerously.

“Lord⁠⁠ Razmael also said he is doing‍ well. He commented‌⁠ that you can‌ really tell the‌‌ difference when it‍‍‌ comes to imperial‌⁠ blood.”

“I-is that so?”

Although⁠‌ the man spoke‌ to him casually,⁠‍ the subordinate relationship between them was‍‍‍ obvious.

The boy did not‌ even dare turn⁠ around to look⁠⁠ at him directly.‌

He‌⁠ was too focused‍‌ on his reactions.‍

“Then⁠ I’m glad to⁠‍⁠ hear it. I couldn’t afford to‍‌ disappoint Lord Razmael.”‌⁠

“That⁠ is an admirable‍ attitude, Lord Renvar.”

Upon‍‍ hearing those words,‍‍ Renvar let out⁠ a sigh of‍‌ relief inwardly.

Lord‍‍ Chamberlain Razmael.

For⁠ the Mordian family, which lacked lands‌‍ of its own⁠ and survived as‌ court nobles, the⁠‌ position of Lord‍ Chamberlain inspired more‍ fear than the⁠ Emperor himself.

“They‌⁠ say it will⁠ be cold tomorrow⁠ morning. Dress warmly.”‍

And‍⁠⁠ with those words,‍ the man’s presence disappeared.

The‍ dark shadow that⁠‍ seemed to fill the entire room vanished as well.‍‍‌

The‌‍ candle, which had⁠‍ been flickering, returned⁠‍ to casting a calm light as‍‌ if nothing had⁠ happened.

“…Then I’ll have to⁠ do well.”

Renvar‍ loosened the collar‍‍ of his clothing,‌⁠‍ as if he could finally breathe‌⁠ again, and picked⁠ up the glass‍‌‍ of water on‌‌ the desk.

‘It’s⁠ still cold in the mornings. I hope you use‍ a thick blanket.’⁠

There‌ was a sadness‍ that not even⁠ a sip of⁠ water could ease.⁠

And‌ in an attempt to calm that‌ emotion that refused to disappear, the‌ boy continued writing.⁠‍‌

A night when sleep‌‍ was difficult to⁠ find.

And‌⁠ as he tried⁠ to think of‍⁠ his mother, a small smile appeared‍⁠‍ on his face once more.

***⁠

“Aaah!⁠ It’s way too⁠ cold!”

Beyond‌⁠ Sturma’s northern wall,‍ beside a lake‌ surrounded by reeds,⁠‌ a group of‌⁠ squires had gathered.‌

Even‍ though it was summer, dawn was‍‍‍ still cold.

Unable‌‍ to endure the⁠⁠⁠ wind blowing off‌ the lake, Tarenian‍ hugged the mole⁠ borrowed from Emil‌ while shivering.

“Isn’t⁠ it supposed to‍‍⁠ be summer?! Then⁠ why is it⁠ so cold?!”

The‍ air of the‍‌‍ North was cold‌ and dry.

That‌⁠‍ was why the‍⁠ temperature differences were‌ so extreme.

And‌ someone from the⁠ South like Tarenian⁠ suffered from it especially.

“I‍ think it feels‌ nice.”

“I do too. That’s⁠ why you should⁠‌⁠ have eaten more meat when you⁠⁠ had the chance.”⁠

Hampton‌ scolded him, saying‍ he was cold‍⁠‌ because he was⁠ too skinny.

Even⁠‍‍ more depressed, Tarenian‌‍⁠ hugged the mole⁠ tightly and buried‌⁠ his face.

“Very⁠‍‍ well, everyone pay‍ attention!”

Just‍‍ as the sky‌ began turning blue,⁠ a knight emerged‍ from among the⁠⁠‌ reeds.

He⁠‌ was dressed more‌ like a hunter‍‌ than a traditional‍‌‌ knight.

“Good⁠‌‍ job making it‍ here. Today we‌ needed an outdoor⁠‍‌ class.”

After‌ meeting so many‍‍⁠ eccentric knights, the‌ first impression that⁠ man gave was surprisingly normal.

However, no one there‍‌‌ dared to take‍ him lightly.

“If‌ you want to‌ become true knights,‌⁠‍ you cannot afford‍ to choose which‌‍‌ weapon to use.⁠‌ A knight must⁠‍ fulfill his duty‍ no matter where⁠ he is.”

The man removed the‍ bow hanging across‍‌ his back.

It⁠ was one of the great bows⁠ characteristic of the‌⁠ North.

And⁠⁠ the moment he‍‍ held it, he‍ began radiating a presence that was‍ impossible to ignore.

“So,⁠ at the very‍⁠ least, all of‌‍ you should know‌ how to use‍ a bow.”

It⁠‌⁠ was Cade, a knight of Bayezid.⁠⁠

Long⁠ ago, he had‌ fought alongside the⁠⁠‍ now canonized Saint Knight Justia to‍ defeat impure beings.‌⁠‌

And⁠‍‌ he was also‍⁠ one of the⁠ living protagonists of⁠⁠ the story that⁠ all Northern children‌‍‌ adored.

“The‌‍‌ Knight Who Protected the Breath of⁠⁠‌ Children.”

“Of‍ course, all of‍ you have handled⁠‍ a bow at‌ some point in‍‍ your homes. So⁠ today we will conduct a special⁠‌ training exercise.”

With⁠ those words, Cade‍‌⁠ removed the cloth⁠⁠‍ covering a metal‍‍ cage.

Fwoosh—‍

“Wow.”‍

Inside⁠‍ was a small⁠⁠⁠ white rabbit.

Its⁠⁠ fur possessed a faint bluish glow⁠ that did not‌⁠ seem fitting for⁠⁠ summer.

As‍ he watched the⁠⁠ rabbit shining like snow, Tarenian muttered‌‌ to himself that‍ he wanted one⁠ too.

“It’s‌⁠ a Frostbreath Rabbit.⁠‌ The Northern squires⁠ surely already know⁠⁠ it. This creature‍ has a rather⁠‌ peculiar characteristic.”

After saying that, Cade‌‍ struck the cage‍ forcefully.

Squeee!

The‌ Frostbreath Rabbit was⁠⁠‌ startled.

It‍‌‍ fell onto its⁠ back and became‌⁠‍ completely rigid.

It‍‍‍ looked like a corpse.

And shortly afterward, crystals‍ of ice began‌⁠ forming across its‌⁠ body.

“When⁠ faced with mortal‌ danger, this rabbit‌⁠ covers its body‌⁠ with solid ice‌ to protect itself. You, the chubby⁠ boy. Stand up⁠ and take the‌‌ bow.”

Hampton‌‌ stood up while‌ brushing cookie crumbs‍ off his hands.

“Hold the bow and‌ think about shooting‍‌ that rabbit. That’s‍ it. Very good.”

There⁠ was no arrow.⁠

But⁠⁠‌ Hampton followed the‌‌ instructions and drew⁠‍ the string while⁠‍ imagining he was‌‌‍ about to shoot.⁠

The‌ distance was considerable.⁠

However,⁠ the moment the‌ bow was aimed‌ at the rabbit,‌ it reacted immediately.‍⁠

Squeeek!‍

“Huh?”‍‌‍

Just⁠ from the intention⁠‌ to attack it,‌‍ the rabbit collapsed‌‌ and convulsed.

It was a perfect⁠⁠ demonstration of the‌ Frostbreath Rabbit’s extraordinary‍ sensitivity to killing‍ intent.

“That⁠⁠‌ is today’s lesson.‌‌ Hitting the target⁠‌ is important. But‍‍ even more important‌ is concealing your‍‍ intentions.”

To‍‌ surprise an enemy,⁠ you must hide⁠⁠ your true intentions.‌⁠

That⁠ is the nature⁠ of predators.

And⁠ also the method⁠ of hunters.

“Good.‍ Now come out⁠‌‌ one by one‌ and give it⁠‌ a try.”

When‌‍ Cade finished speaking,‍‌‌ several servants appeared‍‌ carrying small cages.⁠

“Since⁠‍‌ it’s your first‌‌ time, we’ll do⁠ it while hiding‍⁠ among the reeds.”⁠‌⁠

Cade’s‍‌ expression softened again⁠‍ once he put⁠‌⁠ away the bow.‍‌

***⁠

In‍ the middle of‍ the lake, several⁠‍ Frostbreath Rabbits remained inside metal cages,‌⁠ nibbling on carrots.‍

And‍⁠ hidden among the⁠‍‌ reeds, the young⁠‍ squires drew their‍ bowstrings while aiming at them.

At‌‌ first, it seemed‍ like a simple‌⁠ exercise.

But‌‌ once they tried it, they discovered‍⁠‌ it was absurdly‍ difficult.

Squee!⁠‌

Squeek!⁠

The‌‍‌ rabbits, which had been peacefully eating moments before, emitted‍ sharp warning cries‌ and stopped moving.‍‍

They‍⁠ did not completely‌‍‍ freeze over as⁠‍ Cade had demonstrated‌‌ earlier.

But⁠ they were extraordinarily‍⁠‍ sensitive to any‍ nearby presence.

“The‍ idea of camouflaging⁠‌ yourself was good.⁠ Try again next‍ time.”

“Yes…”⁠

Hampton‍‌ stood up with‌ his head lowered.⁠‍

His‌ hair was full⁠ of reeds.

And⁠⁠ he was not‌‍ the only one‍‍ who had failed.⁠‍

Some⁠ got too close.⁠

Others⁠⁠ made noise.

Others⁠‍⁠ were detected by⁠‍ their scent.

For‌‌⁠ one reason or‌ another, the eliminated‍ squires handed the⁠ bow to the‌‍ next participant and⁠⁠‌ left the trial.

Fweee!‍

Of‍‍ course, some did‍‌‌ succeed.

“Yes!”‌‌⁠

Lying‍ among the reeds,‍ Tarenian clenched his‍⁠ fist in victory.

His‍ light body and the feline agility⁠ of his movements⁠ were impressive.

Watching‍ him move like‍ a small predator,‍⁠‍ Cade nodded to‍ himself.

Baaang!

“…I⁠⁠ said not to‌ use arrows.”

And‍ there was another⁠‍ squire who had‌ also passed the‌‍‍ test.

“I⁠ don’t see the⁠‌ need to go‍‌⁠ through beginner exercises.”‍

A yellow-haired boy walked‍ out from among⁠‍ the reeds while‍‌‍ shrugging.

And⁠ as proof that‌‍ he was not bluffing, the Frostbreath‌ Rabbit pierced by⁠ his arrow remained‍ so relaxed that it had not‌‌ even tensed up.

That‍⁠ meant Renvar had‌‍ concealed his presence⁠ flawlessly.

“If‌‍ my class seems‍⁠ so boring to⁠⁠ you, I suppose‍ there’s no need for you to‍⁠ come back.”

“Let‍‍⁠ me know when⁠⁠ you’re going to⁠ teach advanced techniques.‌ Even in the⁠ center, Sir Cade’s‍⁠⁠ marksmanship is spoken‍‍ of highly.”

As if he had‌‍⁠ nothing left to‌ teach him, Cade⁠⁠‍ tilted his head,‍‌ signaling for him⁠ to leave.

Although‌‌ that cold attitude‌ might have intimidated‍‍‌ anyone else, Renvar‍‌ merely smiled smugly and handed the‌ bow to Emil.

“And‌ what about our‍ prince? Did your father even teach‌ you how to‍‌‌ shoot a bow?”‌

Having‌ passed the test‍‌‌ with ease, Renvar provoked Emil once‌ again as always.⁠⁠‍

He⁠⁠ was the talented‍ boy from the‍⁠‍ center.

The‌‍ one who clearly‌‌ stood out above‍‍ the other squires.‌‍

The‍‍ implied question was⁠⁠ simple.

Can‍ you do it⁠‌‍ as well as I can?

But‍ Emil’s response was completely different from‍ what he expected.‍

“These‌‌ Frostbreath Rabbits aren’t⁠ much of a challenge. Their hearts‌ beat so loudly‍‍⁠ that I can hear them from⁠⁠ here.”

Emil‍ accepted the bow‍‌ and smiled.

“Does‍ Sir Renvar scare‌ you that much?‌‍ I can hear‍‌ your heart pounding‍‍ like crazy from⁠ here.”

“…”‌⁠

He⁠‍⁠ raised a hand‍‌‌ to his ear‌‌‌ and wiggled it⁠ mockingly.

It⁠ was a light‌ provocation.

A simple joke.

But‍ Renvar was left‍ speechless, as if‍ he had been struck exactly where‌ it hurt the⁠ most.

“Let’s‍ see…”

Emil‌‌ licked his lips⁠‍‍ as he pushed‌‌ aside a few⁠ reeds and surveyed‌‌ the surroundings.

‘The‌ wind keeps changing.’‍‌

Several squires had tried⁠ to copy the participants who had‍‍⁠ succeeded.

They‍ positioned themselves in⁠ exactly the same‌‍ spots.

But‍ that only proved‍ that they understood‍ only half the‍ problem.

As⁠ the morning progressed,⁠‌ the chill of dawn was beginning⁠⁠ to transform into⁠ the warmth of‌ day.

‘This‍‍ spot will work.’‍‍

The⁠⁠ wind’s direction constantly‌ shifted because of the temperature differences.‍‍

The‍ reeds swayed chaotically.‍

But⁠ Emil’s eyes remained‌ cold and calm.

‘I‍ found it.’

And‌ then he perceived⁠ a fleeting instant.‌‌

A small hidden pattern.‌‌⁠

After‍‍⁠ mentally dividing that‌‍ instant into dozens‌ of fragments, he‌ found the true‌ direction of the⁠⁠ wind.

‘And⁠ Renvar’s heart sounded‍⁠⁠ from about this‍ distance.’

Now‌ it was time⁠ to calculate the⁠‌‌ range.

Using⁠⁠⁠ the heartbeat he⁠ had heard earlier⁠‍⁠ as a reference, Emil tried to‍⁠‌ estimate the hearing⁠ range of the‌‌‌ Frostbreath Rabbits.

Step⁠ by step.

Slowly.‍‍

He‌ advanced crouched among⁠⁠ the reeds.

And‍‍‍ after several steps,⁠‌ he finally found‌‌‍ the exact spot⁠‍ he had been‍ looking for.

‘Who taught him that?’‌⁠‍

Meanwhile,‌ a long-haired man⁠⁠‌ watched the scene⁠ in silence.

As an instructor, Cade‌ tried to remain‌‌ impartial.

But‌‍ he could not‍ help it.

‘Good.‌ Very good. That’s⁠‍ it. Excellent, Emil.’

The⁠⁠ blond boy before⁠⁠‍ him was the son of an old comrade-in-arms.

Perhaps⁠⁠ the age difference between them was‌ too great to call them friends.‌‌

But‌⁠ to Cade, Vlad‌ was one of the greatest sources⁠‍ of pride in‌‌ his entire life.‌⁠

‘Yes.‌ Right there.’

Tarenian⁠ had moved like‌ a small animal.⁠⁠

But‌‌ Emil was different.‍

His movements resembled those‍ of a predator.

A wolf.

Or⁠‍ a lion.

The⁠‌ only thing that‌ was certain was⁠‍ that he gave⁠ off the same‌⁠ feeling Vlad had‍ when he was⁠⁠ young.

The‌‌ feeling of a hungry beast.

‘Now‍‌ take the bow.’‌‌

It‌ seemed as though⁠‍ time had slowed⁠⁠‌ down.

If⁠‌⁠ it were not‌‍‍ for the reeds⁠‌ swaying around him, he would truly⁠ have thought it‌⁠ had stopped.

Without‌ breathing.

Moving‍ at exactly the‍ speed he himself‌ had chosen.

With‍ terrifying concentration, Emil‌ controlled every part⁠‌ of his body.‍

And‌⁠ finally, he drew‌ the bowstring.

‘Now.’⁠‌

The⁠⁠ direction of the‍ bow began to⁠‍ align with the⁠‌ position of the⁠ Frostbreath Rabbits.

An‌ imaginary line.

The⁠⁠‍ perfect trajectory.

The‌‌‍ path that separated‍‌⁠ life from death.‌

And‍‍ the instant all‍‌ those lines converged⁠ into a single point, the boy’s‌⁠ pupils began to⁠‌ narrow vertically like⁠‌ a dragon’s.

Baaang!⁠⁠

The‌ empty bowstring snapped‌‌ through the air.

And‍ at that very‍ moment, the cries‍‌ of the Frostbreath‌‍‍ Rabbits echoed across‌⁠ the entire lake.⁠

Squeeeeeeeeeee!‍

“Aaah!”‍⁠‍

“What‍⁠⁠ the hell was that?!”

It‌⁠‍ was a shriek⁠ so piercing that‍‍ the servants, squires,‍ and everyone present⁠ had to cover their ears.

It⁠ was a desperate scream.

The⁠ kind of cry⁠‌ a creature would‍‍ make right on‍ the brink of⁠ death.

And‌ then came silence.‌

Only‌ silence remained along⁠ the lakeshore.

While everyone stood speechless,‍⁠ Emil was the⁠‌ only one who‌‌ spoke.

With‍ a confused expression,⁠ he looked at‍ Cade.

“Was‌⁠ this a failure?”⁠‌

The question was cautious.⁠⁠

But‍‌‍ Cade could not‌‍⁠ answer.

Because‍‍ what stood before‌‌ him was completely‌‍ unbelievable.

It‌⁠ was the height‌‌ of summer.

And‌⁠ yet, a winter‌‌‌ landscape stretched out‍⁠ before him.

Snowflakes‍‌‌ drifted slowly from‌ the sky.

And‍‍ around them lay‌ the Frostbreath Rabbits, dead and frozen.‌⁠

There‌‌⁠ remained the miserable⁠ winter that those‍‌ creatures had vomited‍‌‍ forth in their desperation before the‌‍ terrifying killing intent‌ unleashed by a young dragon.