Chapter 290: Side Story – The Song of the Forgotten (2)
9rPaJf“That’s what old age is like. You become a child again and end up returning to the past.”v8as
DxQLsSRamund patted Emil on the shoulder as he spoke.t5iyoH
6oCD“Of course seeing her must have surprised you. It’s the first time you’ve met someone like that. But don’t be afraid of Lady Oksana. She took care of your father since he was young. You should know that you also grew up surrounded by her affection.”GwU1X
Jo4The children who had seen Oksana the day before had been deeply shaken.5AO9
dilIn theory, they knew such illnesses existed, but seeing someone wandering through memories of the past was something entirely different.rZtT
sa4LSk0Even for them, it was difficult to process.Rg3BbDw
Qfe“That’s why you should learn to enjoy each moment as it comes. Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet. Look what a beautiful day it is today.”PRE
t2TpsRamund spread his arms as if he wanted to show them the world.oAWX
S4i“Eat as much as you want. I’ll pay for everything.”nDF8br
hp15U15At the end of Ramund’s outstretched hand rose the enormous walls of Sturma.qkxOBTP
I3rg1And above them shone the warm sun that had appeared after the rain.TfC7m
subwQuIt was a weekend morning.fIiAMnd
ruLrI86The cheerful voices of little fledglings leaving the Bayezid manor echoed everywhere.B7m88U
0BmGvB“Wow! Look at all those stalls. It looks like a festival.”fygDIv6
v3hh8Tarenian shaded his eyes with one hand as he looked over the scene.mcwggM
a1T“Was Sturma always such a colorful city?”IslvoHB
Mc86The city stretching below was already filled with open shops.UQL
PtaCImprovised stalls.3VdUP8Q
5yOUJrNClowns.2Hjc
DvNJNEverything prepared to create a festive atmosphere.9nl
8u1fCWIt was a completely different image from the cold and austere Sturma he had seen upon arriving.dsZJi3
y8fGCZTarenian’s face flushed with excitement.Aecd
bR5ojm“Dad, then today…”3NGHHC
4XGh“Yes. Eat as much as you want. Don’t worry about getting fat.”pTsIvf
8GsVlniPortly, whose belly was practically identical to Hampton’s, told him to forget all worries for one day.b36L
pkjE“Telsa, then can I also…”Dyur
bg1uClink.ag5C
iJl6PpsIn response to Tarenian’s question about whether he could buy more collectibles, his escort knight answered by shaking a pouch full of coins.Ei2oN
RhFB0mr“And what do you want to do, Emil?”eIJ8I
YWmPdhpEmil’s expression gradually brightened.yTD
gTiv8d3Just moments ago he had seemed depressed.W7omQ
FDYABut the festive atmosphere had reignited his enthusiasm, and his eyes regained their usual shine.Q4uz4Sh
dL0j6R“Will there be a horse market today too?”J0Ppa9
Lqudd“……”hXhaPPQ
QTIfA7mThe unshakable obsession with riding horses.pfcbh
xNKdlGRamund scratched his head awkwardly when he saw such stubborn determination.BSrIg
UULnHe could not help wondering who Emil had inherited it from.bZATzSF
Mgtb***dd5H6
7Vko“Knights, come take a look! We have delicious honey sweets!”acRsP0
ZLqzSW“Get your skewer here! It just came off the grill!”A0O
V8Qq7The merchants never stopped calling out to customers.TSxy
AWvMvrzIt was a tradition that had endured for generations in Sturma.irvd6e
J29McThe merchants worked hard to empty the pockets of the children and their companions, happy that they had entered the prestigious path of Bayezid.Xxhse
KZd5Rxv“I knew there would be one here too!”LBvAO
x9cAgrWith his cheeks flushed from excitement, Tarenian stopped in front of a shop.yIHv1
QCj4VIts name was Rose’s Smile.lhX
JnYbBThe sign was shaped like a rose, and the name sounded suspiciously adult.Xy7qmD
kaKXN5But the products they sold were completely innocent.ZvT
z2KECmFBecause the store was dedicated exclusively to memorabilia related to the Swordmaster Vlad Aureo.qEOI3q0
izyzUx8“I knew there would be one in Sturma. It’s a very rare shop.”mDKniVh
egm“Really?”YpogZ
MWCHF“Yes!”aT4GFLv
njGhaTarenian answered indignantly when he saw Emil’s lack of interest.L2M
OOMi“There’s only one in the entire city of Pelagos in the Southern Archipelago! And those guys used to be pirates, so they sell everything at ridiculous prices!”U7YG4Q
wkVPelagos.U72hq
SEDThe city ruled by Duke Kazan Barbosa, the Golden Duke.HqQd03
drgGs2nKnown as the City of Pirates.4hgYEbA
pTeAnd in a place like that, buying anything at a fair price was almost impossible.3U5UeKZ
PRTk9Tarenian had built his collection while dealing with swindlers like that.MDNVOG
82hcNaIt was understandable that he was so bitter about it.QLPecUL
qS0C“What do I care? Everything they sell here is already in my house.”0o5hD
WW32TuBut Emil was not in the mood to sympathize with him.678u0N
P37Because he had just been kicked out of the horse market.Hx2o
nQ8f“…Hmph! That’s why you can’t talk to rich people!”Sbd39CI
iYQeWhile he had gathered every piece with effort, Emil claimed to have all those things piled up at home.orQU
GmG2That infuriated Tarenian.Aqq
WEMY8gJShaking his coin pouch, he entered the shop accompanied by Telsa.bo0oYms
WqeIt was hard to determine which of the two was truly privileged, but one thing was certain.ARx53gR
4T3Emil’s attitude was absolutely offensive to any collector.CvIDjBe
qO3VS“…What are you looking at?”1i2P0nS
eulUAfter being left alone, Emil decided to pick a fight with another squire who was in the shop next door.B9HX
fRuN8“Have you never seen someone who can’t ride a horse?”5uX
iYJ9oD“What nonsense.”G2IWh8
on7aIt was Renvar.csb30V
NTnFHe was selecting merchandise on his own.rjHtQ
zIKThe stern-looking escort knight who normally accompanied him was nowhere in sight, but his relaxed attitude remained the same.YzmRj
nwhvy“Without someone leading you around on a leash, you’re practically a delinquent.”AMRhMV
DQKThe situation was absurd.VUWF6n
jzolEmil was supposed to be the one provoking others.QvG
BB8ov4And yet it seemed he was the one being provoked.o4t8tbU
VyT1EdcBut Emil’s personality was so rebellious that he did not even notice.z2p
QWCIEHe shoved his hands into his pockets and casually approached.kFO
RBEJ“What’s wrong? Do you have a relative with a coughing problem?”V3Z
4Ay4r“What?”BmxCWft
RHWqgu1Renvar was standing in front of an herbal shop.5qk
pleMore specifically, in the section for tea leaves.N0s8
0gh6dKHe was examining some Tuzon leaves, an Elven specialty.wbsdG
pugPAD“Don’t buy that. Buy this one.”4itr
HCVgWdIn the past, that plant had been distributed under the name Apsilon.q0rup9
fNZp8asA drug.LOO0
Azp2Now it was legally sold as Tuzon, an infusion beneficial for coughs and restoring energy.qdcLTXY
t5m“And who are you to—?”CV6u
S8SPJ“Buy this brand. It has dried lemon mixed in, and the leaves last longer.”kt21
lTwEmil waved a packet of leaves in front of him.4PkIJw
52V2cIt had a label decorated with a white tree.F2GQi
T1eqlIt was the emblem of the Heinal family, rulers of the territory of Daermar.zyymn
gYbcUxl“Your family lives in the capital, Brigantes, right? It must take months to transport tea leaves from here all the way there.”aCv
NCURvHV“……”nCyn
MPsIf you’re really worried about your family, this is better.IYV1S
fmeZUpon hearing that and seeing the hand offering him the package, Renvar quickly looked around.w69VKD
lGWm“……”Vb5
MQhJQWhen he confirmed that no one was watching, he took the packet and hurried toward the register.mKCWH
u0otPHe muttered something as he walked away.8Sp
lJtyBut he spoke so quietly that Emil could not understand him.KHE8Zs
4pd“People from the capital are incredibly picky. They don’t even know how to say thank you.”aJA
MHSg“What happened? What did you do now, Emil?”TSrqAI
uAT2ytAt that moment, Hampton returned carrying a pile of skewers and joined Emil.BqZ
6onAHe was still chewing something, as if he had just eaten.GKi
MYMjBut it was such a common sight that Emil did not even find it unpleasant.xEh
rMzHROb“At least one of us seems happy.”774
F7rI“Heh, want one?”ttnlIcD
PWfThe collector was angry.Vi9O
0AJfBPThe boy from the capital had not even said thank you.KFFXPgB
NkLjWAnd he himself had been kicked out of the horse market.6toBviu
2swGa“…Now you can even see it during the day.”LM6
Kvb0Emil looked up and stared at the black moon floating in the sky.l82du6
XGYDuring the day it appeared almost white, but just as the adults said, it truly seemed to be getting closer little by little.0kQc
5Ji[……!]nJmk5
SL9ANV“Huh?”lUB7t
VU01s2wSuddenly, a voice brushed against his ears.rXdpHTd
5N8yNO9With all the noise around him, he could not make it out clearly, but it sounded incredibly urgent.sVgnQ8
JI7ANy“Hampton, did you say something?”t2Z65G
ywzFCr8“No. You know I don’t talk when I’m eating.”8rQX0
HHvES“Really?”L1fFjMF
8QSuBThen what had it been?eIH5oTc
Siv8Without giving it much thought, Emil turned his head toward the Rose’s Smile shop.N6kYIQ
oCLU0U2Although it only had one floor, the exterior was identical to the establishment in Soara.OLd
hKpWAs he looked at the reflection in a window to see if he had something on his face, he noticed a man reflected in the glass.HZ00opm
H8skA black-haired man.PjE
JlLGda[Duck your head right now!]7iw
IoH2A8i“……!”t6p
GyOCrashhh!MEOe
VUfKE2The window exploded into pieces with a deafening roar.npGOGKj
t4szAt the same time, an icy sensation brushed the top of his head.U7sl
TfgIn that instant when time seemed to slow down, Emil saw strands of his own cut hair floating through the air.XNWB
Q0A9SD“Aaaah!”iTX3
ROAjFkR“Milady!”Wsnp
X6u6Grabbing Hampton by the head and forcing him down, Emil saw a red-haired boy being dragged out of the shop.Vaas91H
SniVSTarenian.9KMW
qqSVA rope was wrapped around his neck, and he was being violently dragged away.WgP
zdY0Behind him, Telsa ran with a horrified expression.CtQ
LIeIh“…Tarenian?”6gF
srjhThen screams began to erupt everywhere.HFuXq
1vYQEmFires.MnYQnH3
wngjVEeExplosions.plJiuTe
02XSyKIndiscriminate killings.rsm
Uf1JThe Sturma that only moments ago had been filled with children’s laughter had become a blood-soaked hell.VELmF
L9GC7aW“Tch!”rynprWt
i3aRealizing the situation, Emil grabbed Hampton by the back of the neck and threw him into the herbal shop.jRjfdo7
yEgfBeside him stood Renvar, completely stunned.wvGLf
8G90Without stopping, Emil shoved him aside and grabbed a pair of tailor’s shears that were nearby.kUDQm
UWw8vj“Hah!”YpcN
hGGALoAnd he threw them with his whole body.Db0
xM3n9CrJust as his father had taught him.Urxu
0ZGO2The way they did it in the back alleys of Soara.iabb
8I0J1gThunk!mYq2q
HkODfEThe scissors cut through the rope and embedded themselves in the ground.RMO
3ZNjU26He had thrown them so hard that the handle disappeared into the stone.vcOnqE
4cuN7“Cough! Cough, cough!”bpCcTy
Dlc“Milady! Milady!”UteUj
6cOCXFreed from the rope, Tarenian fell to the ground, coughing violently.GHDgyJw
hRmTelsa drew her sword to protect her.4m2ohp
CWsQysBut it was already too late.0OkQz
0dMJUDozens of masked men had surrounded her.4OsUJbW
BNwHqX7“Hampton! Hey! Hey!”xCw0K5j
l3xjm4Emil called out to his friend as if he were having a seizure.FaKOwf3
3XfzaTKHe slapped him several times until he reacted.EQSFG
kcfKs4“Run and get the adults!”ez8
jtAYAdZ“Ah… ah…”yOwbA
nsVIt was impossible for a thirteen-year-old boy to react normally in a situation like this.7B00
1kqsz2EBut Emil’s eyes brought Hampton back to his senses.cnf32
FvvThat cold gaze.VulI7
sqAjGSo cold it seemed to pierce the soul.DPqeg9
QdcA chill ran through his entire body.U2E2lcD
Qynnj“Got it! What about you?”gB6M
S5n6QsmHampton got to his feet and desperately began searching for the back door through the wreckage of the shop.G1K
1nHIIsEmil answered without even turning around.E49
9Kdd“I’m bringing her back!”qJi
fgu8FTarenian and Telsa were still trapped among dozens of assassins.E6WA
QFMm3NThe girl’s desperate cries made Emil’s heart begin pounding violently.MSVR
IQhqJJBang! Bang!BRev
bwTWhat should you do now?rrPaG
CQsbhtIf you are where you are supposed to be.lNFMQA
xHhILbvWhat is it that you have to do?lVlP8Rd
JrClSOV‘…Tch!’LJuB
oIICJSAfter making a decision, Emil swept all the herbs off the stall with his arm.Z52ciQr
3W1QTHis fingers were trembling.qQ9o
UMErlTension.qcbr
Q7zNFear.0d28Zs
AVRVnfExcitement.ITiJ
ds1Gg9kAnxiety.X8U
yKdXzcThey were emotions far too heavy for a thirteen-year-old child.RLdHimc
AiSDjBut Emil gritted his teeth and shoved the stall into the street.ES2uJ
T0EpV8t“Tarenian! Over here!”E9Wm0
DT68His instincts screamed only one thing.w35k13
3ZktfhHe needed to create a variable.aAK6
xvivBMrSomething capable of breaking the flow of that disastrous situation.TlY
i0aRWERumble—91E
ycsCkfTarenian, who was dodging swords between Telsa’s legs, reacted when she heard her name.SUy4dZ
gfThiqAnd then she saw it.Jr3CTxM
aDY2JThe blond hair she knew so well.Edg
p3zMmgAnd the stall approaching at a terrifying speed.WW12k7
Z8bvBJcCraaash!IbxQ
l9V“Aaaagh!”UTQM
jfpgIt happened so fast that the assassin did not even have time to move aside.SEsx0F
BPVgIttEmil compensated for the lack of weight with speed.eCPItb
dTqOdThe struck assassin was launched into the distance.8ox
FZW4A“I am Emil, son of the Swordmaster Vlad!”LZN1wmO
HUIIThe word Swordmaster instantly drew every eye.2yvlOA
Jp8Golden hair.UwC
8SXIPEBlue eyes.NJULw
NrvofAnd the child who had just spoken the name of the most honorable knight in the world tossed a yellow mole into the air.YqeQ27
ScxKG“Kyu?”EoOf
Bm2AaFirst, he had to establish his presence.TMfHP
stoOMake everyone look at him.VIDZI1
S0jtAnd if everyone was looking at him.viV5Mu
79eoWThen the real move could begin.79N5
8mlGFkw“Tarenian, close your eyes!”OK4JQ8y
pcLLBzzzzzt!tKq
UfUezTU“Aaaah!”3mE81JS
yZUhfv“My eyes!”WMmldT
uGNUYsfThe light emitted by the mole blinded the assassins.Fepu
JXkOYC“Kill them!”NxI
XpuEmlmAt the same time, dozens of blades descended toward Tarenian and Telsa.0PVpnh
IQ6KIt was the cold, ruthless instinct of trained assassins.GGFfA
rNqkAnd the girl standing at the center of that storm squeezed her eyes shut.BSQiQ
6Pgr5MClang! Clang! Clang!cSA0H
Zl9Iq“…This actually hurts a little!”t22
GemXc4STarenian’s eyes widened.Eb6roj
KqQQZsdStanding in front of her was Emil.htW
Ozd50Taking dozens of attacks in a completely terrible stance.Vu6Ke
GiJjoQo“Run, Tarenian!”QoPgf
FR6dhcAEmil caught the mole out of the air and pulled Tarenian up by the wrist.IiDN
vsISt1DBehind them ran Telsa.0x8SqyQ
1fneThe shining boy.5vpeqtw
V33o5hThe terrified girl.Tvf0p
xKFdAnd the wounded knight.1ji2
0SzH1liThe three of them began running down Sturma’s main avenue.RCtB
duA‘Where to?’xjOI1Oz
wRUJfP7He knew the city well.LvUWpyW
0FmBut his mind was chaos.WtT9
jyIXBang! Bang! Bang!fQdRa3
AosdH2The beating of his heart roared in his ears.uG2M0T
VavHis vision narrowed from the adrenaline.yYI
UKiLpi[This way!]5HT9Ym
Fzd0B1eThen he heard that male voice again.sryF
OkgkHe followed the sound.Wxhi
Y0P3KFragments of shattered windows.QC2VVr
r7DNiPuddles of water.yYb
kr5mrRain-soaked streets.8Xq
2Kbj8On every reflective surface, the same man appeared, pointing in a direction.kWF
jsAS“This way!”YvUZY
NNcZHe no longer even knew where he was.PqYq
6lkHe simply ran wherever that man told him to go.caA4GhY
30gauma“Damn it!”RSH9
2HL“Catch them!”LPx3
1Xb6The assassins finally reacted and began the pursuit.KU3CQ
rbkkiBut by then, the children were already far ahead.Aq36H8
5C4‘Just a little farther!’rOXCoj8
6ro2vJust a little farther and they would reach the city gate.OVR
BkJXIf they could make it to the guards—H00htMF
UwCYBang! Bang! Bang!QW9nZ
WwkxFfF“Ghhhh…”bOI7QQ
HXlmMA“Emil!”eav3dQ
Kh5UNThen it happened.YblnkWF
vJuAn unbearable pain tore through his heart.qsEmwSz
YdJ8kBang! Bang! Bang!vi4vg
YuB“Are you okay?”WbuWB
G7dcM“Aaagh!”IsK
TONQoIt felt as though someone were crushing his entire body.1gP
UZ1DAs if his heart were being squeezed flat.U3rYX
ppQJ1sKHe had never felt anything so cold and terrifying.fnER
3vsHis legs gave out.3Y64B
lAjUPqQAs though something were commanding him to remain on his knees.jow0c7M
e3bxX‘…It’s coming!’jsbEpX
wrezJRHe did not know what it was.x2cb
3VtuBut his instincts were screaming it at him.TDgfz
rBh4LS8“Get down!”RXRFb
Uez“Kyaa!”MVN
Tlbc8Emil grabbed Tarenian by the back of the neck and violently threw her to the ground.ign65XZ
C3UThe girl let out a scream.2TYH7
qH2But it vanished beneath the roar that came immediately afterward.JZDP49D
8OvyAubRumble! Rumble! Rumble!kz7
B5noDr‘An earthquake?’OiM752Q
t4N3dTelsa narrowed her eyes.OKU0Zo
1MDb6That vibration felt familiar.pl13
nH6UgoAnyone from the Southern Archipelagos would recognize it.GuP7E9g
xp0Gn5sThe vibration that rose from the depths of the earth.3q3866L
PMpWoIVIt traveled through her feet.64c6
D2ehsSaHer knees.70wgy
DRHWHer spine.jHyD
OLJMLajUntil it reached her head.m5ZGuhJ
juL5kRwAnd Telsa reacted instantly.aLo3d
AWSKlQDShe covered the children with her own body.LJB
477“Aaaah!”DExkl
CWiapav“It’s an earthquake! Get down!”8Fbk8z3
r4zThe earth roared.0Sgs
gHMhThe vibration was so violent that no one could remain standing.UFHq3Aq
sERThe tremor seemed to tear at their internal organs.3mft
DvmiJ“Aaaagh!”XmX
c3AbV“Don’t raise your heads!”9aPFP8s
S6pJVEBuildings collapsing.d91ia0H
4RTkKZPeople screaming.ElIfVz
ezZkAnd a gigantic shadow rising amid a storm of dust.YSFSiy
I4g1evLROOOOOOOAR!dM3l
FVs0qThrough the raging wind, Emil managed to open his eyes.Jrk
jgtAnd he saw a shadow so immense that it covered the entire city.DaY44
6l0McEHe looked upward.HRP
yrNLJ7SAnd kept looking.0vb
1sDgNwAnd kept looking.XKu5sLr
9lSgBut he never reached the end.KTKj
1UIgXWhen he finally saw the top of that monstrosity, he froze.R8YQOK2
zoXYd“What is that…?”E1ThbxJ
Y0HoA gigantic existence had emerged right in the center of Sturma.9Eea7
JsIColossal.ANSF
nxy5hlrOverwhelming.zf3
TD96cT9Indestructible.nQWpyhI
zewUIts head raised as though it wished to pierce the heavens.H8I6s
imGlz1“A Deathworm?”lXGAcT0
GKhuM3The most resilient dragon in the world.9TkW233
7Tr9pA Deathworm.0j0
MzPuQAnd at the center of its forehead shone a red gem radiating a sinister energy.iBoNJ
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