Chapter 302: Side Story – My Father’s City (3)
0jBjWMore than a week had already passed since Emil and the other children returned.0An8h
gvt3fVNAnd as time went by, Soara was gradually regaining stability.tGLJd
eXcneRefugees from Sturma and Varna were still arriving in large numbers, but Zemina was managing the situation calmly by mobilizing all available manpower. In addition, as news spread that the mysterious attackers had withdrawn, many people began returning to their homes.SuQe
1v7PGH“To Lady Alicia…”V8i0gd
6us9Thus, on the fourth floor of Rose’s Smile, now completely immersed in summer.RQ2
IwRjlKZemina was writing a letter in her office.wQxNe
Gnuxe8q“I am sending this letter because I imagine you must be worried.”eeDkG
TkvxLuShe already seemed completely accustomed to holding a pen.cM1I
FTPTIYRAnyone who saw her would perceive the dignity befitting the owner of Rose’s Smile.6am
VVjtAlthough, if Vlad were beside her at that moment, he probably would have teased her for behaving in such an uncharacteristic manner.ynkw
yXmr“I ask that you forgive me for having to communicate by letter since the magical telegrams are still not functioning…”qSXXTd
leUBut Vlad was not there.6ziph
kbbNeither were Harven nor Otar, people she could trust completely.1pIror
RfpWlrDAnd that was precisely the problem.IjBY2z
tSed“L-Lady Zemina!”fmI
L698Hurried footsteps could be heard climbing the stairs early in the morning.uqIOm
UjrfDIt was the administrator.R1NMPT
JHRUnlike his usual refined and elegant demeanor, he had run all the way up and his face was filled with confusion and concern.RUy
B3xws“You must come see this!”ETJoV
WxgLhI2“What is it?”78j
SQ6zAt Zemina’s question, the administrator swallowed before answering.OXh7BC
lByK“A visitor… a visitor has arrived.”bEAcwkl
TNBsRose’s Smile was a place where anyone could enter and stay.Tfj2K
Ror8But the administrator’s reaction made it clear that this was no ordinary visitor.h5Ml
dtxl“……”l8D84OS
kP3Because the people who had arrived at the door were not welcome guests.ZPX
EmdJ8mZemina walked to the window and looked down.pUkrxH
wlU2YOuWithout realizing it, she let out a brief sigh.Mpu9
aB2Ofcc“Administrator, who are those people?”DJwR7
IWsqA military force completely surrounded Rose’s Smile.fUU9Mh
1wp1Their banners bore the image of a sword’s trajectory piercing through a dragon’s neck.KKDwVS
TRI“T-The Dragon Slayers Order.”fq70Nr
kmoA name that had remained forgotten for more than twenty years.Kbqi
5gsIKYOAfter breaking a very long silence, the first place they arrived was Soara, the northern city still groaning from its wounds.PmjWY3I
PIrM***Gje
ygc8Hw“Please forgive this sudden visit, Lady Zemina.”wOFJHdc
i79rSDHe was a middle-aged man with striking blond hair.ZtGszn
CIahkHe possessed the elegance characteristic of the central nobility.vYk
K2OEven the way he bowed his head made him seem completely different from the rugged people of the north.TtY8z1
Aux8“I am Gabriel Mordian, provisional commander of the Dragon Slayers Order.”fnHjU
rDp00jThe man introduced himself as Gavril.3z3DiX
6vLKiaAnd from the second-floor railing, a boy watched him.LCglN4p
wp7With a complicated expression.Oib0
E1X7HeAfter all, they belonged to the same family and shared certain features.pAdq
phM3x4“I had no idea the Dragon Slayers Order had been restored. This is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing.”7jm
rocC“There was no other choice. It was a decision made in haste, and the magical telegrams were not functioning either.”VEEMu
IAlAt that response, Radu slowly rotated his teacup and showed a deep smile.jtzivF
1YHtc“Precisely.”slmig
E6Alj2ERadu’s blue eyes pointed directly at Gavril.4FFmrnS
53mRThey did not contain open hostility, but the coldness inherent in those blue eyes was enough to freeze the atmosphere.1Bx
ThejnUO“What I’m saying is that you arrived at an awfully convenient time.”9TG
QzvPkThere could not have been a worse moment for Soara.2C1
OFMThe Swordmaster, the symbol of the city, was absent.jYXTYKE
yMuaPThey had suffered a dragon attack.ZG9
Wt0And they were only just beginning to rebuild.bKu
YiwAnd right then, the newly reorganized Dragon Slayers Order appeared.lsCs
WLWy20“It gives the impression that you had everything planned out. Or am I getting too far ahead of myself?”gkA
2YkDmhlThe pressure radiating from that dragon made it clear that he understood their intentions perfectly.Hzsyx
2qjpHowever, the man from the Mordian family kept his smile intact.EbpGPKG
es9d1Gf“I deeply regret it as well, Sir Radu. Had we arrived earlier, the situation would never have reached this point.”9Pn7
AtWzx8AHe was a man who had survived in the depths of the Imperial Court, a place filled with conspiracies and intrigues.LnjIK8
myJcThere was a reason why the Protector of the Empire had chosen Gavril specifically to lead the new Dragon Slayers Order.ULzXM
cr5d“But you no longer need to worry. We did not send only the Order.”0LpzHXv
0EGnAnd indeed, both Rose’s Smile and Soara were filled with soldiers carrying the banners of the Dragon Slayers.AtQ
ltqLThey had entered through the destroyed walls under the banner of noble intentions and an apparently just cause.xrZ2
i7f6oRZSome refugees who had lost everything were even welcoming them with gratitude as they distributed bread.Snnd
R9UN“This is an overreach of authority. The North, including the Bayezid family, has already been granted autonomy officially recognized by the Empire.”PaG
otWFZemina’s voice was sharp.E9pit
Fwzq4“What the Dragon Slayers Order is doing ignores our autonomy. I formally demand that Sir Gavril and all of his troops withdraw from Soara.”dKBC3
h5CXMOUTwenty years ago, during Dragulia’s uprising and the activities of the necromancers, the Empire lost much of its influence over the North.2PlYt
bzLTherefore, everything Zemina was saying was perfectly reasonable.cTnhw4
QAnKBut the real problem was herself.Qt2Ga
XkGPykA“Lady Zemina. I do not mean to disrespect you, but I cannot comply with that request.”dvvKPKB
aR5iYvQ“And why not?”Wtu
QBLxKiLGavril’s words caused the atmosphere to grow heavy.zwOBDAk
vcnkvvpThe knights on both sides already had their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.N54YOYV
hOFXYEach stood beside their own banner.pIJ
9JAGWx5But today, legitimacy was not on Zemina’s side.BFH
F3Cg“Because you do not hold any officially recognized position.”ux44
QMDThe Red Lady.9FUNthz
jdGqSBThe Rose of Soara.2oC7jtM
LfP9nZShe was admired throughout the city.KHN0U
nLYIVShe had been the one who held Soara together during the crisis.N2Qh9
3IFkSBut the problem was that, in the end, she was only a shining symbol.f48
NJP5“Only Sir Vlad, recognized by His Majesty as Swordmaster, Lord Bordan, the mayor of Soara, or a representative officially appointed by him has the authority to claim the city’s autonomy, Lady Zemina.”QOJ
OjRcDCThe deliberate emphasis Gavril placed on the word “Lady” caused Zemina to grip her skirt tightly.ptzS3E
biLU79E“And I understand that the acting representative of the mayor died during the recent attacks. A truly unfortunate tragedy.”mS46Q3W
VcDSoara’s political authority was vacant.H4INK
eN3Perhaps Bordan was already making his way from Sturma to the city.KwN
DwGnv6iBut by the time he arrived, the Dragon Slayers Order would already have taken control.HznmE
Ls0llKt“A dragon has appeared. All three cities of the Bayezid family have suffered damage. Even now, the people remain trapped in despair. In a situation like this, what does it matter whether it is the center or the north?”dQzdA
wMtRwQAGabriel picked up the banner placed beside him.Qrhi
B4dThe insignia of the Dragon Slayers.vO14r77
aNTDA banner dedicated to killing dragons.w36b
UYvSEgA banner that was undoubtedly connected to the noble will of the Founder King.11A
eWHK“According to imperial law, the Dragon Slayers Order possesses the authority to legitimately utilize all facilities and manpower located within the Empire’s territories when confronting a calamity such as a dragon.”BDllqAE
83dK2However, the one holding that noble banner was someone who hid behind justice to pursue his own interests.dRb
dnPdOOSomeone who crushed the worlds of others using names so glorious that no one dared raise their voice against him.e4q0sP0
TVh“Therefore, we present our request.”Fsdb
k8SGavril pulled an old document from within his clothes and handed it to Zemina.dfdqnrQ
EljjzVWhen she lowered her gaze, she saw names so illustrious that it was difficult to even look directly at them.lhi
Kxe“We wish to recruit your children to track the dragon, Lady Zemina.”z6jl
UKWczSnThe Emperor of the Empire.aOaPc
5uvt1The Protector of the Empire, the new leader of the Dragon Slayers Order.xhiN
B85D5hPAnd the Court Duke, who had planned all of this.DllzrTr
U2EblT“After all, a dragon always recognizes another dragon.”Owo6GR
Wl5hIDIZemina’s hand began to tremble as she received the document.KiZs2zA
zb6Yw4Beneath the names of the three most powerful figures in the Empire, Lady Zemina’s world was being mercilessly crushed.NLpQ
NgY5***JsX
KdWQ“Form a line. A line.”CYT
JLA1It was a street filled with people and noise.xPTICa
rgjEveryone gathered there was a refugee from Bayezid, and each person received a bowl of soup and a piece of bread.F40r
wxzE“A line. I said form a line. Seriously.”BkYHUaB
YXoqJjIt was a free soup kitchen for refugees.yxc
x31x8DtA place jointly organized by Rose’s Smile and the Church of Soara.IrO
hMB8vfAnd there was Emil, sweating profusely as he continuously handed out soup.tPcgy4
ioJXxA“Our Emil has grown so much. Just look at him, helping his aunt like this.”taT
DXKy5mQ“……”W5xNq
v0CfHe heard a voice beside him, but he didn’t respond.wvw2g0Y
5epm9oHFrom experience, he knew that if he continued a conversation with Marcella even once, she would never stop talking.AP072E4
kDcGGyA“Who would’ve thought that little baby who used to crawl around would grow this much~ Hmm?”k1xP
IBQ9“…Could you move away a little?”uZAz0
D4I7EMarcella was hugging him from behind with pride.NkU
bVukZ5But Emil was more concerned about the gazes of others than about her.YPDPQL
rNXk“People are staring, Marcella.”pRHUi1
t1YPG7eThe sensation against the back of his head was far too soft.FhQ
U5AMB7WSome men were watching Emil with obvious envy as Marcella hugged him.ZYxmCaB
yICnmAnd he didn’t like those looks one bit.vIqpN3y
DWW“……”a2U
SKjIn addition, he was keeping an eye on a certain person sitting farther ahead.NNM8sEb
F5NdjKB‘This is complicated. It seems like it, but I’m not sure.’BTeMq8
O0ePHe was a man too old to be middle-aged and too young to be elderly.xOk2
G7YiWHe seemed to be around the same age as Jager, but the elegant mustache he wore made it difficult to tell.ZTL6Mq
UYxm0j“What are you staring at so much?”G6g
Yp8Skx“…Me? Nothing.”vWz
CrSWas he a retired knight or not?tm2
tiGpvJMHe looked too young to be one.w00
8knfBut too sturdy to dismiss.2A6KhZ
emuvExFurthermore, he dressed with surprising elegance, very different from the image Emil had of retired knights.1Ebcyg
8UOyc“You’re the one who keeps staring at me, old man.”37b
0VxIJpt“Old man? I don’t even have grandchildren yet.”8JbuIl
v6cXD2SThe problem was that the man was looking at him the same way.1jSt3UT
J4L7eWith a gaze that seemed to say.RhVPH
QIR3‘Could it really be him?’RuQ0
X0DbNAnd so, both of them kept throwing furtive glances at each other while mutually suspicious.SITD
HivlZq“If you don’t have grandchildren, you’re still an old man. Everyone becomes old when they get older.”p6yUkdW
3QJTrcm“…Yes, it’s definitely you. All I had to do was listen to those bad manners.”prEKNf
cQ8BThe old knight finally seemed convinced after hearing the way Emil grumbled.DIOF
k64Bz“So your father became the Swordmaster?”0pl
E0huBlond hair.Rq3k
uoXKBlue eyes.l4nK
F6O1NAnd a defiant stare that was impossible to ignore.MQANW
ceBAs he looked into those eyes, so similar to those of that boy from long ago, the man was momentarily speechless.Dgew2
xHWs“Everyone here knows my father is the Swordmaster.”IesH
4JH“…Really?”BdH2yXV
iIbYIt was a brief thought.UPFOu0
nzmBut a deep one.Df0cz0J
NFYYUJ1A thought capable of taking him back twenty years.atJg17W
1O8j70And there, in that past, he wondered.pi4KoYn
Y3DWhat would have happened if he had made a different choice?MUQtm
IMIzq“When an adult asks you something, you’re supposed to answer properly.”j0D0
QI1Fn7He didn’t believe the choice he made back then had been wrong.AAEnIm
TrmBut people are always curious about the roads they never walked.FKiy
z5pV4“First, you should tell me your name.”xRsee
gfFJAJSo the retired knight decided to ask the boy’s name.ABHp
3dcn3lJIt was a path he had never taken at that crossroads in his life.xi00L
gEfx“…I’m Emil. Emil Aureo.”PIIwS
QQLdjAnd when he heard the name, he finally smiled.zo6
KO1MaYAt last, he had set foot upon that unknown path.kYTWMY
g4Pl8GYThen, in the distance, he saw the banners of the Dragon Slayers Order approaching.Tieei
CaUEb2aAnd he said to Emil,IyU
xMwJJ“What an old-fashioned name you’ve got, brat.”3it6aF
9F8Boom!lEFAqE
2EgNjSEmil jumped when he heard an explosion above his head.7a9wJA9
24pe“What the hell?!”RTP6Jy
rk7MThe man had just burst a sack of flour over him.n1G3M
p9qE2UsInstantly, a cloud of white powder scattered everywhere.h2p
tqzqtAnd the boy’s hair became completely covered in white.ZIV
gr28“You brat!”8VE
Pr5pmkNAt the same time, the man grabbed him by the back of the neck and shouted loudly.1i2P
wi4C21“You couldn’t find anything better to do than become a pickpocket!”9vXE
4w5UThe sudden commotion caused the crowd to begin murmuring.GW4sp
TEaMarcella and the others watched in surprise.Awet2JD
1OaEven the members of the Dragon Slayers Order who were approaching were startled by that thunderous voice.IqGzQ
upm“If you’re hungry, work and earn money! What kind of upbringing did your parents give you?!”NICFh
ngki84XHe was accusing him of a theft he had never committed.6nW
cKlHe was even dragging his parents into it.tXp
haFBBut Emil couldn’t answer.uxkoVMG
5ubKZBecause the man’s hand was gripping exactly the point on his throat that prevented him from speaking.BTXWPTL
74yls“Today I’ll teach you a proper lesson! Where are the guards?”ktOW
yCWLH0With an overwhelming presence, the man pushed through the crowd while dragging Emil along with him.epyK1qF
0wPASWGEverything seemed so natural that even Marcella, who had seen everything in her life, could only blink.vJBMd
iR4CKAnd then the knights arrived.Wzj
uTGlKak“We are looking for the son of Sir Vlad the Swordmaster. We were informed that he is here.”m62
Cd5JZu7The knights were looking for Emil.1z7fU
iqH3And Emil had just been taken away.9Hq
dpthKMarcella was completely confused by the chain of events.0PoM7
5qzmpBut she immediately recognized the banner they carried.jDgS
IruOS3The Dragon Slayers Order.exD1mV
oqUPKnights sent from the center of the Empire.G3QtE52
zJRXR9“Do not give foolish answers. From this point on, refusal to cooperate may be punished under imperial law.”a30L2A
AXmFGbMarcella knew how to recognize dangerous men.516y
t6J3WAnd she knew how to recognize liars.h7kOX
AZuSThe original owner of Rose’s Smile immediately understood that those men were a threat to Emil.dzm
0MsX“…Oh, that boy was here a moment ago, but he already left.”llv
gMtPJ“Where?”x9h4GD
qsA2i“Well, where did he say he was going?”Z4u7
AdpWjMarcella softened the knights’ vigilance with a smile capable of enchanting anyone.N8Fp
L4ypKThe moment they hesitated before that smile, the man who had taken Emil disappeared from the street.fjo5RhC
8KF19Fk“I don’t know. That child is so restless that it’s impossible to keep up with him.”bozBO6
Neh1RMarcella smiled sweetly while pretending ignorance.kZ9
ltvWWMThe knight looked at her suspiciously before turning his attention to the refugees at the soup kitchen.kq6Por2
2b5hh“We are looking for Emil Aureo! This is a direct order from His Majesty the Emperor!”sNaLyd
xL4eIThe voice echoed throughout the street.RPYTu
3dzyThe crowd’s shoulders stiffened.L85
YyuGNAnd then everyone understood something.7pgGk
eVVXuVeNot just Marcella.4pcrz
rGvEveryone else as well.DTS
IzihaZIf those men found the boy, a great deal of trouble awaited him.7zayNB
5XKEW“H-He’s over there.”MwSfBH
oFNLD4RUnable to withstand the pressure, some people began pointing.4e00GQn
yAEpOWChildren.836d2cC
AUdH16yElderly people.wRJJg6
du8oEveryone present.U93
gb6pIBut when the knights followed the directions being pointed out, they gritted their teeth in frustration.d0aXEo
jf4i“Damn northerners…”WO1F
siBzQ6FBecause every person pointed in a different direction.Tu5PMZ9
UIkFingers pointed everywhere imaginable.AS3p
8stejhBut one thing was certain.n8qR92
XuUNot a single one of those hands indicated the path Emil had actually taken.LKto
gqc“Search for him! Find Emil Aureo immediately!”TVEizp
vgKcAs the knights moved away, countless fingers continued pointing toward false directions.m8kvas
a6krThis was Soara.AGHE
xhSGuFQThe city of the Swordmaster.yXR3mDT
ibbAnd throughout the city, people were doing everything they could to hide a boy from those whose purpose was killing dragons.2vikr
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