Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 30: Invitation from Deirmar (2)

Chapter 30: Invitation from Deirmar (2)

A white mansion surrounded⁠ by a forest.⁠

Behind the old mansion,‌ a dark hill⁠‍ rose in the‍ distance.

A single tree and many tombstones.

The‍‍ spring breeze gently⁠ brushed through the‍⁠ woman’s hair, but⁠ she remained motionless.

“…”⁠

Sitting next to a small tombstone, she‌ pulled her knees⁠ close and silently‍ gazed at the⁠ mansion.

The⁠‍ place where she‍‍ was born and‍ raised.

The‍ place she was⁠ supposed to keep‌ living.

And‍‍ the place that⁠‌ was supposed to‍⁠‍ be hers.

The‌ woman stared at‍ it.

Tears‌⁠ were forming in‍ her eyes, and‍‍ her vision was becoming blurry, but⁠‌ she didn’t stop⁠ looking at the‍⁠ mansion.

Her⁠ tears didn’t flow‍⁠⁠ down.

She⁠ simply concealed her⁠ presence in silence.‍⁠

With‍ the grief that‌‍ should have been⁠ shed.

The‍‍‍ time to weep‌‍ has ended.

It‍ comes for everyone.‌

***‍

“Oh,⁠ my heart has‍ been beating out⁠ of control lately.”⁠

Goethe‌‍ said, unnecessarily chewing‌‍‌ on jerky next to Vlad, who⁠ turned his head‌‍ from side to‌‌ side to warm⁠ up.

“Isn’t‌ it an illness?”‌

“I‍‌ don’t know. I just feel something‍ off. I can’t focus strangely.”

“Like‍ a spring breeze.”⁠

“Maybe‌‌ because it’s been‍ a while since‍ I went out.”‌

Insincere‌ questions, insincere answers.‌‌‌

But⁠‍ it didn’t matter.‍

They‍ were just talking⁠ because they wanted⁠ to move their‌⁠ mouths anyway.

“How‌ much longer?”

“The coachman says we‌⁠ have three more days.”

“Aren’t‍‍ you the coachman?”‍‌

“I’m‌ the coachman’s assistant.”

Although‍ they traveled by⁠‌‍ carriage, it was⁠ a tediously long‍‌⁠ journey for a lad in the prime of life.‍

“Here⁠‍ we go!”

“We’re‌ leaving. Captain.”

“Uh-oh.”‌

Vlad⁠‍‌ got up from‌‌ his seat, making‌ a noise that⁠‌ only an elderly‍ person could make.‍‌‍

“But‌ can’t I have‌‍ a piece of‍⁠ that ham or‍ whatever?”

“No,⁠ this one’s mine.”⁠

Goethe‍⁠ whispered to Vlad,‌‌ but he simply walked away without‍ looking back.

“That’s‌‍ why you should‌‌ have taken a bite when it⁠‌⁠ wasn’t mine.”

Upon⁠‍ Vlad’s response, Goethe let out the‌ bitterness from his⁠ chest along with‍⁠‌ the jerky he‍ was chewing.

The‌‍‌ wind was warm,⁠‌ and the weather‌⁠ was sunny.

The‍ group was traveling‍⁠ south along the‍‌ spring.

***‍‌

City⁠ of Deirmar.

The⁠‍ only city under‌ the control of⁠ Baron Heinal’s domain.‌⁠⁠

Its⁠⁠ location was so‌⁠‍ far north of‌‌ the center that‍ even to Sturma,‍‌ the home of‌‍‌ House Bayezid, it‍ could be reached⁠‍‌ in a week‍‌ by cart in⁠‌ good weather.

“It’s‌ famous for its⁠ lemons.”

“Isn’t lemon a fruit‌ that grows in⁠⁠ the south?”

“Yes,⁠ that’s why they’re⁠‍ in high demand.”

Balancing⁠‌ on the northernmost⁠ climate capable of⁠ producing lemons, the⁠ city’s main business‌ was lemon production,‌ and secondary products⁠‌ made from them‌⁠ were well-known.

“They harvest lemons when⁠ others aren’t selling⁠ them and sell⁠ them when there’s‌ no market. They‌‍‍ don’t produce many‌⁠⁠ lemons due to‌‌ the climate, but‍‍ they time it⁠‍⁠ very well.”

“Oh.”⁠

That’s how they sell⁠‍‍ them.

That’s⁠ how you can increase the value⁠ of the same⁠ item.

Vlad’s‌⁠⁠ eyes brightened, and‌‌ he nodded at⁠‌‍ Joseph’s explanation.

Being‍‌ in the company⁠‍ of the talkative‍⁠ Joseph was a challenge at times,‌‌‌ but the knowledge⁠ and observations he‍‌⁠ shared were a great source of‌ nourishment for Vlad.‌

“It’s⁠⁠ a great city‌ for us Northerners‌ who haven’t tasted‍ the fruit. Plus, it’s one of‌‌ the gateways to‍‍⁠ the center of‍‍ everything.”

Joseph‍‌⁠ observed Vlad’s fingertips⁠⁠‍ while cutting the‌ ham.

“That’s‍ how important it⁠‌‍ is for Northerners.”⁠⁠

Vlad‍‍ seemed to see‌ something red flicker‌‍ in Joseph’s black‌‌‌ eyes.

“That’s‌‍ enough.”

“It’s⁠⁠ harder than you‌‌‌ think because I have a knife.”⁠

Boom.⁠

Joseph‍ clicked his tongue⁠‍ and turned away‌ at Vlad’s explanation.‌‍

“So⁠‌ that’s why Lord⁠⁠⁠ Jager is moving?”

“That’s⁠‍ right.”

At⁠ that moment, the group was headed⁠⁠ to Deirmar, the‌‌ city of Baron‌‌ Heinal.

They⁠ had received an⁠⁠ invitation from Alicia⁠ Heinal, the legitimate‍⁠ heir of the family.

“A‍‍‍ crisis is an⁠⁠ opportunity, especially when⁠ it’s not yours.”⁠

But her invitation, though‌‍ seemingly in the form of an‍ invitation, was actually‌‍ a plea for‍‍‌ help.

“The‌ world of nobility‌ is so complicated.”

“It’s⁠ complicated when you‌ look at it⁠‍ complicated and simple‍ when you look‍‌ at it simple.”⁠

Jager‍⁠ grunted, grabbing the‍‍ slice of ham⁠‌ that was finally‍‍ offered to him.‍

“In‍⁠⁠ the end, it’s⁠‌ just a fight‌⁠⁠ for the land‌‌ of Deirmar.”

“And⁠‍‌ among families who⁠ share blood.”

“It’s‍ an old tradition‍‌ of nobility to⁠ feud with those⁠ who have blood‌⁠ ties.”

As‍ he said this,‌‌ there was a bitterness on Joseph’s⁠ face that was‌ hard to hide.⁠‌

“…”‍

Seeing⁠‌‌ that look, Vlad‌ simply focused on‍⁠ cutting the next⁠ slice of ham.‍

Each⁠ had a burden⁠⁠⁠ to bear alone.⁠⁠

The‌ same was true‌ for Alicia, who‍‍‍ had invited Joseph‍ to her territory.‌⁠

Currently,⁠ she was in‌ the midst of a succession dispute.‍‌

Like‍ any fight, the⁠⁠⁠ Heinal family’s succession‌⁠ dispute was turning‌⁠ into an endless‍‍‌ chaotic battle.

“But⁠⁠ it’s rare,” Joseph‍⁠ said, “because it’s‍ a family matter.”⁠

Alicia’s‌ uncle, Endre Heinal,‌ claimed that his‍⁠ niece was not⁠ his brother’s blood‌ daughter but the‍ result of an‌‍‌ extramarital affair.

It⁠ was unknown if‌ she was really‍‌⁠ born out of‍ wedlock, but what‍‍⁠ was certain was‍⁠ that if Alicia‌⁠ disappeared, he would‌ be the next‌‍⁠ Baron Heinal.

Alicia,⁠ the only daughter‌ of the former‍ Baron Heinal, but⁠‌⁠ with a weak⁠‍ foundation due to‍ being a woman.‍⁠⁠

The⁠‍‌ only way for⁠ her to resolve⁠ the looming troubles⁠ was to prove her innocence in‍ an honorable duel‌‍ organized by the‍‍ Church.

But⁠ even this was‌‍ only the direction‍‌ Endre wanted her‌ to take.

“I’ll‍‌ take this opportunity‍⁠⁠ to settle my‌⁠ debts with House‍ Heinal. It’s an‍‍ idea my father⁠ agreed with.”

“I‌ see.”

Vlad‌‌ looked at Jager‍‌ through the carriage‌‍‌ window.

A knight of such‌ distinction that Alicia‍ Heinal had specifically‌⁠ invited him to‌ entrust him with her honor.

“That’s⁠‍ great.”

Fame‍‌ and skill weren’t‌‍ necessarily proportional.

A knight who traveled‌‌ a lot would‌ have more opportunities‍‌‍ to make a name, but a knight like Jager‌⁠ who focused on⁠‌⁠ the internal workings‌‌⁠ of the family‍⁠ would have fewer⁠‌ opportunities.

“What⁠ are you looking‍‍ at, being rude?”‍‌

“…”‍‍

Jager’s‌ judgment twisted again‌ at the suspicious‍ look his squire sent him.

“Why‍ do you think⁠‍⁠ only horses hate‌⁠ me?”

“Is⁠ it only horses⁠⁠ that hate you?”

“…”⁠‌⁠

ll knights can ride‍‌‍ horses. There probably‍ aren’t squires who can’t ride horses.⁠⁠ Even Goethe, who‌ drives the carriage‌⁠ in front, can⁠‌‌ ride a horse.‍

“I⁠‍ might… be able‌ to ride an⁠ expensive horse, maybe…”‌‌

“I’m⁠⁠ the one who‌ should ride the⁠⁠⁠ expensive horse. I’m⁠ more valuable than‍‍ you.”

Vlad‍ could only bow‌ his head in‌‌‌ silence as Jager‍‌ wrinkled his face as if that⁠ was an excuse.⁠‌

It⁠‍ wasn’t just that⁠ he didn’t dare‍⁠ to look.

I don’t understand.

My⁠⁠⁠ heart is racing‍ as if I ran a marathon.‌

It’s⁠ a feeling I’ve‍‌ been having a lot lately.

“Is it because of all the scolding?”‍‍⁠

With‌ Joseph talking non-stop‍ in front of‍ me and Jager⁠‍ next to me,‌⁠ it was reason‌ enough to think⁠⁠ about it.

Mental‍ pressure is the‍⁠⁠ root of all‍ evils.

Hit,‌ hit, hit.

Vlad‍‍ breathed slow and‌⁠ deep, trying to‌ calm his heart,‍ but this time‌‍ it wasn’t going‍ to be easy.‌‌

“Eh?”‍

And⁠ it wasn’t just‍ Vlad’s heartbeats that‍‌ made strange noises.⁠⁠⁠

“The⁠ ground is shaking.”

Not‌‍ only Vlad, but⁠‌ Joseph also began to stiffen as‍ he felt the‍⁠⁠ trembling vibrations.

It‌ wasn’t the kind⁠⁠ of vibration you‌ feel when you‌ move.

Everything⁠‌ around them was‍⁠ shaking.

“Stop!”

Outside,‍ Jager also felt‍‍‌ something unusual and‌‍ stopped, quickly looking⁠⁠⁠ around.

“The‌‌ trees are shaking.”‍⁠‌

Vlad‍‌‍ looked out the‍‍‍ window and realized‌‌‌ that the surrounding⁠‍ trees were trembling.‌⁠

The⁠‌ suddenness of the⁠ situation makes everyone‌ hold their breath.⁠‍⁠

Ddddddddddd-!⁠

With⁠⁠ a loud roar,‌⁠ the ground began⁠ to shake.

“Earthquake!”⁠

“Everyone get off the⁠‌ horses!”

Heeeeeeeee-ing‍

The‍‌‌ horses, sensitive to‍ the strong pounding⁠‌ starting at their‌ feet, began to‍⁠⁠ buck wildly.

“Damn!”‍‌

Vlad‍‌ quickly surrounded Joseph with his arms⁠‌⁠ and kicked open‌‌ the carriage door‌‍ as the ground⁠ trembled and the‌‌ horses ran wild.⁠⁠‍

Vlad‍‍ felt a great‌‍ panic at this‍ unprecedented situation, but acted on instinct‌ and helped Joseph‍‌ out of the‌⁠ carriage.

“Aaaah!”‍‌

“…..”‍

He⁠ surrounded him with‍‍ his arms and let him fall‌ to the ground.

But‍‌ the protected Joseph‌‌ remained calm, as‌ if nothing had‌‌‍ happened.

“Your‍ concern is admirable,”‍‌ he said, “But⁠‍‍ don’t be too‍⁠ scared.”

“What!⁠‌ Is it an earthquake?”

“No,‍ it’s not. It’s‍ probably…”

Ddddddddddd-!‌

Before‌⁠‍ Joseph could finish‍⁠ his sentence, the‌‌ ground tremors reached⁠ their peak.

It rumbled so strongly that even if‌ you stood still,‍‌ you could see‍‌⁠ the earth rising⁠ from the ground.‍

“It’s‌ over.”

“….Phew.”⁠‍‍

It‌‍‌ had only been⁠‍⁠ a few minutes,‍ but the gin‌‍ had run out,‌ and Vlad rolled‌‌ to the side,⁠ away from Joseph.‍

It had only been⁠ a few minutes,‍ but the gin‌⁠⁠ had run out,⁠ and Vlad rolled⁠ to the side,‌ away from Joseph.⁠⁠

“I’ve‍‍ never felt an‌‍‌ earthquake before.”

“This‌‌‍ is not an‌‍ earthquake.”

“What?”‍

Vlad‍ sounded incredulous as⁠ he watched Joseph‍ get up, shaking⁠‌ off the dust⁠ as if it‌ wasn’t a big deal.

“Look.”‍⁠

Vlad‌ turned his head⁠⁠ in the direction‌⁠ Joseph was pointing.⁠

“Huh?”

He‌‌ could see the‍ ground moving on‍‍ the plain in⁠‌ the distance.

It‌⁠ looked like a mole digging in⁠‌ the ground.

But‌‌ it was moving⁠⁠⁠ at a very⁠ far distance, so‌‌ even if it⁠ was a mole,⁠ it must be⁠⁠ very large.

“It’s‌‍‌ a giant worm.‌‌ It’s a remnant⁠ of the fallen⁠ dragon. They are‍⁠ native to the west, but at‌‍⁠ this time of‍ year, they head‍ to the center⁠ of the country‍ in search of‌‍ food.”

“A‌ remnant worm from⁠‍ a fallen dragon?”

Vlad‍ looked at him‌ as if he‌ didn’t know what‌‌ that was, and‌‌ Joseph realized he‌ owed him an‌‌ explanation.

Because‍‍‍ the boy, a mass of possibilities⁠‍‍ but lacking in‌ everything, was a vessel that could‌ never be filled.‍⁠

“It‍‍ comes from dragons.‍‍ It’s like an‍‌ earthquake, except humans‌⁠ can’t control it.”‌

“Dragon…”‍

“Technically,‌ the remains of a fallen dragon.”‌⁠

With‌⁠ these last words,‌‍ Joseph walks away,⁠ leaving the group‌⁠‍ bustling, checking their⁠⁠ equipment.

“….”‍⁠

The boy stood still‌⁠ and watched something‌ moving on the‌ ground, advancing.

He couldn’t help but⁠‍ watch, although, naturally,‍‍ his eyes watered‍ from the dust⁠⁠ that hadn’t settled⁠ yet.

“Incredible.”‍‌

For‍⁠‌ the first time‌‌ in his life.‍