Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 41: A vacation that doesn’t feel like a vacation (1)

Chapter 41: A vacation that doesn’t feel like a vacation (1)

Sturma,⁠‌ the capital of Count Bayezid.

There,‌ in a vast‍ mansion, a white-haired‌⁠ man and an‌ elderly man with‍⁠ a long white beard were having⁠‌ a conversation.

“They⁠ say a group‌ of pilgrims is⁠‍ passing through our⁠‍ city of Sturma.”‌

“Shall‍‌ we welcome them?”‌

Ragmus⁠‍‌ the Counselor shook‍‌ his head in‌⁠ response to Fether’s⁠ question.

“I‍ don’t think they’d‌ want that. They⁠ say they’re going⁠ to literally sneak‌‍⁠ by and trace‌ the dragon’s trail.”‍‍

“Very‍‌ classic.”

Fether‍ nodded, listening to‌‍ Ragmus’s words.

The⁠‌ voices of gods‍‌‍ that want for‍‌ nothing.

It‍ had been a long time since he’d seen faithful‍ pilgrims.

“I‍‌ hope you don’t⁠ mind if I take care of‌ it… without them‍ knowing.”

“I⁠‍ knew you would‍ say that.”

You‌‌ get what you‍ deserve.

Ragmus,‌ who knew Peter’s‌‌ disposition and character⁠ well, nodded and said he would‍⁠ handle it.

“And⁠ my second son,‌⁠‍ and… Vlad.”

And here were the‍‍⁠ other worthies.

Fortunately,‍ they were within themselves, so no‌ one would complain‍‌ if they took‍ care of them.‍

“I⁠‍ heard they did‍‌‌ a good job.”‌

“Yes.⁠⁠ There were words⁠‍‌ in the report‌ that made even‍ an old man’s⁠ heart skip a beat.”

“Hmm.”⁠‍

Fether⁠⁠‌ nodded, listening to‌ Ragmus’s words.

The‍‌‍ first discipline of the Sword Master.⁠

Fether‍‌ genuinely smiled at‌ the nostalgic words‍‍ he hadn’t heard‌ in so long.

“It‌ must have been‌ a rare sight‍ to see in‍ a time when‍ knights were so‌ scarce.”

“It‍ must have been‍ nice to be‌ there.”

Though‌‌ he didn’t say it, Fether agreed with Ragmus.

Knights⁠⁠ were precious, and‌ they were also⁠‌ a strategic weapon‌ that required a lot of resources‌⁠ and investment.

That’s‍‌ why most Houses⁠⁠ had provided elite‌⁠‍ training for knights⁠ from the start,‌⁠ selecting those of‌ proven noble blood⁠⁠ or exceptional talent.‍

Stones‍⁠ are carefully controlled.⁠

Young‍‍ knights and young‍⁠‌ squires whose behavior⁠‍ never reaches extremes⁠ that require the‌‌ discipline of a Sword Master.

Some⁠⁠ of the older⁠ knights grumbled about‍ the situation, but‍‍ times change.

But‍ that day in⁠‌ Deirmar, there was‍‌ a ray of‍ light that defied⁠⁠ time.

For‌ some, it was‌ a welcome light.‌‍

“There‌‌ must be people‍‍ who like it.”‍‌

“I’m⁠‌ reminded of Bayezid’s⁠ Golden Generation.”

“At‌⁠ this rate, the‍‍ old ones will‍ come with treats⁠⁠ in hand for‌⁠ the newcomers.”

Fether‌ put down the⁠ papers he was‍⁠ holding and sank‍‍ into his chair.‌

“Still,‌‍‍ they belong to‍⁠⁠ my son, and⁠ I’ll need his⁠‍ permission.”

“I’m‌ sure Lord Joseph‌‌ would be delighted‍‌ for you to‌ do so.”

“…That’s a problem.”

Fether‌ couldn’t help but‍ frown even as⁠⁠ he smiled.

Heaving⁠⁠ and thinking he‍ would give up⁠‍ at any moment,‌ but then he‌ felt around in⁠ the mud and⁠⁠ brought something shiny.⁠⁠

“I‌ have a lot⁠ on my mind.”‍

Thinking⁠ of his second son, who wouldn’t⁠‌ hesitate to roll‌‍ in the mud‍‌‌ to win, Fether‍ was lost in‍‌ thought.

Both‍‌⁠ are very good⁠ sons.

Too⁠⁠ good to be‍ true.

In‍ the end, I had to choose‍ one.

***‌‌

“Why‌ do you keep blinking your left‍⁠ eye, is there⁠‌ a stone in‍ it?”

Back‍ in Sturma, during⁠‍ my first training⁠‌ session with Jager.‌‌

There,‌ Vlad had grand⁠‍ dreams and wanted‌‌‍ to focus on‍‍ confirming his achievements.‍⁠

“I’m⁠‌‌ sure I told⁠⁠ you not to‍‌ try doing something⁠ you can’t.”

And‍ that’s exactly what⁠⁠ his master had⁠‍ told him not⁠‍ to do.

The‌‌ boy had just‌⁠ ignored the rule Jager had set.‌⁠⁠

“Stop!”‍‍

Vlad‍ rolled heavily as he looked at‌ the suddenly looming‍ sky.

Jager’s‍⁠ strike was as‍ fierce as ever⁠‍ but lacked any‍‌⁠ consideration.

“Get up.”

“Out.”‌

The‌‍‍ blow hurt so‍ much that Vlad‌ didn’t easily come⁠‍ to his senses,‍ but when he‍‌‌ saw Jager’s eyes‍ on him, he⁠ straightened up hastily.‍

Jager‍⁠‍ had always looked at the boy⁠ with something fiery,‌‍ whether it be‍ anger, passion, or⁠ anticipation.

“After‌‍ having a duel‍ with a knight‍‍‍ in Deirmar, do‌‍ you think you’re‍‍‌ something now?”

Now‌‍‍ there was a cold disappointment in‌‍ his eyes.

“…”‌

If‍‌ you don’t expect‌‍‌ it, you won’t‍‍‍ be disappointed in the first place.

So,⁠ for the boy,‌ it was the⁠‌ first time in‌‌⁠ his life that‍⁠‍ an adult expressed the emotion of⁠ disappointment.

And‍‍‌ it stabbed deep‌⁠‌ into the boy’s⁠ heart.

The‌‍ disdain, insults, mockery‌‍ of his insignificance‌‍‍ were so familiar⁠‍‍ that they didn’t⁠ even hurt.

But now, Jager’s disappointment pierced deep into‍‌‌ the boy’s heart.‌‍‍

It‌ was the tip⁠‍ of a hot needle piercing the⁠ frozen heart of‌⁠ the boy.

Vlad‌‍ was defenseless, feeling‌‍ the coldness emanating‌ from the warmth.‍‍

“You‌ should leave.”

“Yes,⁠ sir…”

Knowing Jager well enough⁠‍ to know that⁠‍ once a decision⁠‌‌ was made, it‌⁠ wasn’t easy to‌‌ reverse it, Vlad‌‍ had no choice⁠‍ but to lower⁠⁠‍ his head and‍‌‍ leave.

His‍‍⁠ training for the⁠‍ day was over.‍‌

It‍‍‍ was due to the boy’s clumsy‍ attempts to manifest‌ aura.

The‍ boy’s impatience did not prevail.

[I‌⁠ told you to‍‌ focus on the‍⁠ basics.]

“…”⁠⁠‌

While‌ the voice spoke, Vlad sheathed his‌ sword somberly and‌ without emotion.

[I⁠‍ would have been⁠ angry too.]

Jager⁠‌ had been very‍ sensitive with the⁠ boy since Vlad awakened aura.

He‍ seemed so precarious.⁠‌

Of‌ course, the things‍ the boy had⁠⁠ built were bright⁠ and grand, but⁠‍‌ the level he⁠ was at was like sand on‍‌ a beach.

Unusual‌‍‍ things that could‌‍⁠ be swept away‌ at any moment⁠‍ by a big⁠‍ wave.

Jager⁠ didn’t want the‍‍ boy to be like that.

“I‌⁠ just wanted to…‌⁠ manifest it again.”‌

[It‍ was just a manifestation of a possibility; it’s better⁠ to move on.]‍

And⁠‌ the voice was⁠‍‍ also concerned about⁠‍‌ the boy’s state.⁠

Do‌‌ all knights use⁠ aura?

It⁠‌ wasn’t the case.⁠

So, are knights who‍‍‌ can’t use aura‌‍⁠ inferior beings?

That‍⁠⁠ wasn’t the case⁠ either.

Being‍⁠ able to wield‍‌ a sword with⁠‌‍ aura is just‌⁠‌ a manifestation of‍‍ the potential to⁠ rise above other knights.

You⁠⁠‍ could only truly‌ say you used‌ aura if you⁠ could make it‍‍‌ your own and⁠‍ use it skillfully‌‍ in combat.

[Don’t⁠ forget that you’ve‌‌ just learned with⁠ the sword; great things can only‍⁠ blossom from a solid foundation.]

“…”⁠

But‍‌ the voice was‍ understanding.

A boy in the‍‌ prime of life⁠‍ has a shining⁠‍ sword in hand, and, of course,‌ he wants to⁠‌‌ wield it.

Anyone⁠‌‍ would.

[Think‍ again about Jager’s⁠ words; he wouldn’t⁠‍ have been angry⁠ with you if‌ you didn’t deserve‍ it.]

“Okay.”‍

So,‍‍ you can only hope he understands‍‍ what you’re saying.

That⁠ the boy who⁠ has just blossomed‌‍⁠ will be able‍‍ to resist the⁠ many temptations that⁠⁠ will come his way and keep‌‌‍ his head held high towards the⁠ sky.

A bitter feeling rose in his stomach,‌⁠ but Vlad pressed‍‍⁠ his lips without‍‍ flinching.

Anyway,‌‍ today’s training had⁠‍ been a failure.⁠

And⁠‍ crap.

Forget⁠⁠⁠ it for now.‍‍

The‍ boy who had⁠‍ lived in a block of frustration‍‍ was a man trying not to‌‍ be defeated by‌‍‌ false emotions.

The‌ world, everywhere, does‍ not extend a kind hand to‍⁠ those who fall‌⁠ once.

On‍‍‍ the contrary, it‍⁠ is this world that puts you on your knees.‍⁠‌

The‌⁠‍ boy who had⁠⁠ lived at the bottom was very‍⁠‍ aware of this harsh aspect of‌‌ the world.

“I’m‍ going to have‌ lunch.”

Vlad‌⁠ ruffled his blond‌ hair and headed to the dining‍ room.

The‌ squire entered the‌ dining hall with‍⁠ unsteady steps, carrying‌‍ a sword and⁠‍⁠ the shirt the countess had gifted‍⁠ him.

“…..”⁠

“…..”⁠‍

After‌‍ nearly a month⁠ on the mission,‌ Vlad’s reaction was one of incomprehensible‌ silence and a slight nod.

Some⁠‌ quick-witted squires had‌ already heard about Vlad’s work in‌‍⁠ Deirmar through their‌ own families.

So⁠ everyone present knew‍⁠ with certainty who‌ had become the⁠⁠⁠ most valuable and⁠‍⁠ accomplished squire.

It‍ no longer mattered⁠⁠ whether the family⁠ was good or⁠‍ bad, whether the‌⁠ status was high‍‍ or low.

The⁠ street fights of⁠ the children had‌‌ ended.

With‍‍‍ the appearance of‍ a single person⁠ with a different‌ world at his‌ feet.

From⁠⁠ now on, the⁠‌⁠ true leader of⁠‍⁠ this place was‌ a blond boy,‌‍ a newly rolled⁠ stone.

“Hey.”⁠

“Did‌ you get beaten up while I was away?”

“No,⁠ no one hit me.”

Portly‍ greeted Vlad with‌ a stack of‌‌ sausages higher than the food on⁠⁠ the table.

“I’ve‌⁠‍ missed this so⁠ much. These meats.”‌

“Eat.”‌‌

Vlad‍⁠ grabbed the sausages‍ with his hands,‌‍ not bothering with⁠⁠⁠ the fork.

The‍ salty sauce washed⁠‌ away his depressive⁠ feelings, and Vlad‌ looked incredibly satisfied.⁠⁠‌

“That’s it.”

When‍‍ he was in⁠⁠‌ Deirmar, he had‍ eaten salads with⁠⁠ lemon sauce and healthy bread.

Obviously,‌ they had been⁠ specially prepared by‍ Alicia for her‍‌‍ distinguished guests, and‍ Joseph had been‌ very pleased to‍ eat them, but‍ Vlad hadn’t liked them.

They‌ weren’t tasteless, but⁠‍ they were frankly‌ bland.

Nothing tastes like meat⁠‌⁠ for a growing⁠ child.

“After⁠⁠‌ all, flavors are⁠ salty and sweet.”‍‌‍

“That’s‌ right, that’s the⁠⁠‌ truth.”

Vlad⁠⁠‌ took a big⁠ bite of the‍ sausage, listening to‌‍ Portly’s sincere agreement,‍‍ and then looked⁠‌ around.

“…..”⁠‍

Everyone⁠ was staring at‌⁠ him.

“Does‌ everyone know?”

“More‌ or less…”

Portly⁠ scratched his head⁠‍ with a subtle‌ smile.

He‍ hoped that what‌‌ he was about⁠ to do wouldn’t‌⁠‌ seem like a superficial favor expecting‌‌‍ something in return.‍⁠

“..Yes.”‌‍

Vlad‍‍ sucked the sauce‌ off his fingers,‌ lost in thought.⁠

The⁠ squires’ attitude made⁠‌ him feel like‍⁠⁠ he was sitting⁠‍⁠ in a place‌‍ where he shouldn’t‍‌‍ be.

Still, he had no‍⁠ intention of leaving.⁠

“What⁠‍ are you going‍‍‌ to do on‌⁠ this holiday anyway?”‍‌‌

“Holiday?”⁠‌

Vlad had nowhere to⁠‍ go.

There‍⁠⁠ were places he‌ missed, but it⁠‍⁠ would take a lot of determination‍ to go back‍ there.

After‌‌‌ a moment of‍ thoughtful silence, Portly‌‌ continued.

“…Would‌ you like to‍‌ come to my‌‌ house, then? My father would like‌ to formally invite‍ you.”

“To‌⁠ your house?”

Some‍ squires who were‌ far from home⁠ went to a friend’s house instead of traveling in‍ a group.

The‍ idea was to‍‌ create connections.

“The‍ truth is, I’ve‍‌ never invited a friend before, so‌⁠ I’ve never been to…”

“You‌ have no background.”

Vlad‌ nodded, thinking about‍⁠⁠ Portly’s situation.

He⁠ had been pressured‍ to make contacts‍ somehow, and all‍ he had received‌‌ were bitter news.‌

So‌‍ the interest of‌‍ the head of the Kannor family‍ in the blond‍⁠ boy, now in‍ the public eye,⁠ was greater.

Not‍ only from the‌ family head’s perspective‌ but also from‍ the father’s perspective,‍ who was desperate to see the‍‌‍ boy named Vlad.⁠

“We‍‍ certainly know how⁠ to treat guests‌ in our house.”⁠‍

“Mmm.”‍⁠‍

Vlad‌‍ began to seriously‌ consider Portly’s offer.

The‍ mission to Deirmar‌ had been tense.⁠

Now‌‌ he wanted to‌‍ eat freshly roasted⁠ meat, not sausages.‌

“Did⁠‍ you say you‌ were looking for‌⁠ a horse?”

“Eh?”‍⁠‍

And‍‌‌ Portly knew what⁠ Vlad wanted besides⁠ meat.

“Like⁠⁠‍ I said, my‍ family is involved in livestock farming.‌‌ We may not‍⁠ be the best‍‍ family in the north at it,‍ but at least‍‌ we can get⁠‍ horses better than‌ some around here.”‍⁠

“Oh.”‌

That’s‍ it.

It’s hard to say⁠ no to this.‌

“Really?”⁠⁠

“Yes.‍ I heard there‌‍ are better horses‌ than the one⁠ Mr. Jager has.”

“I⁠⁠ can ask and⁠ try to get you one.”

Joseph‍‍ can surely get‍ him one, but‌⁠ it doesn’t hurt‍ to be prepared.‍‍‍

It’s better to find‍⁠ the right one‍‌ in person than⁠‍ to have it‌ handed to you.‍

“Phew!”‍‍

Vlad‍ smacked Portly on‍ the back of the head with‍‍ a flourish.

“Alright.”⁠‍‍

“Are⁠‍ you sure? I’ll‍‌ make sure to⁠ have the holidays.”‍⁠