Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The‍‌ man clad in⁠ armor was sitting‍⁠ on a rock⁠⁠ and sharpening his⁠ sword.

His⁠⁠ sword was covered⁠ in red blood,⁠ as if he‍‍ had caught a passing monster.

“You‌‍ can’t fool your‍ age. The winter⁠ air is so‌‍ cold that I can feel it‍‌ in my bones.”⁠⁠

He couldn’t be called⁠‌ old, but the scars and wrinkles⁠⁠ etched on his‍ face were sufficient‌ to hint at‌ the years and‌ environment he had⁠ endured.

“Hmm?”⁠

The‌‌‍ man stopped wiping⁠‍ the blood off his sword and‌ focused on the⁠ sound he heard.⁠‌

White‌ breath coming from⁠ man’s mouth scattered⁠‌‌ in all directions.⁠⁠‌

“It’s⁠⁠‌ quite convincing.”

He could hear a faint sound from‍ afar.

It‌⁠‍ was the chirping‌⁠ of a cuckoo.

A cuckoo was chirping⁠‌ in between the‍ strangely withered trees‍ along the road.

“Are⁠‍ you either stupid, or being stupid‍ it on purpose?”‍⁠

Tch,‍ the middle-aged man‍ licked his lips‍‌⁠ and confirmed that‌ there was no⁠‌ one around, then‌ walked off the‍ road and headed toward the direction⁠‍‍ where he heard‍ the cuckoo’s chirping.‌‍

Cuckoo-Cuckoo.⁠‍

The‌ cuckoo remained in its place even‌‌ when the man‍ approached it, and⁠‌ continued to chirp. As if it‍‍ were trying to‍⁠ convey its presence.

“I⁠ don’t know who⁠ you are, but come out. I am here now.”‍

The‌ man in armor‌ quietly spoke in‌⁠ the empty forest.‍‌

“…Are‍ you Sir Stanga?”‍‌⁠

Then,⁠ a person wearing⁠‍ a hood walked‍‍ out of the‌⁠ forest that seemed⁠ empty.

“Yes.⁠ It’s me, Stanga.”⁠‍‌

The‍ man addressed as‌ Stanga looked at‌‌ the person before‍⁠⁠ him with an‍‌ expression of annoyance.‌⁠

“So,‌‍ you’re the one⁠‍‍ called Vlad?”

“Yes.”‌

As⁠⁠ Vlad removed his‍⁠ upturned hood, Stanga‍ examined him with‌ a curious gaze.‌‍⁠

“I⁠⁠ heard the guide⁠‍‍ was from the‌ back alleys, but‌ you have blonde⁠ hair and blue‍‌‍ eyes. Anyone would‌‌⁠ think you’re from⁠ a noble family.”‍

“…Here’s⁠ a letter from⁠‌ my boss.”

Vlad frowned after hearing‌ Stanga’s words.

“Let⁠⁠ me see…”

Stanga’s⁠⁠ scars contorted strangely‍‌ as he slowly‍ read the letter.

Vlad⁠‍‌ couldn’t easily discern the expression on‍ Stanga’s face. It⁠ seemed like he⁠⁠ might be smiling,‌‍ but at the‌⁠ same time, it‍‌ appeared as if‌‌ he might be‍⁠⁠ getting angry.

“Very‍ well. My esteemed‌⁠ senior is telling me to follow⁠⁠ the kid before‌‌ me.”

“That’s‍‍‍ right.”

He‍⁠ was an unpredictable⁠ man.

Vlad‍ was born in‍⁠ the back alleys‌‍ and had developed‌⁠⁠ a keen sense‌⁠ for reading people, but he couldn’t‌ predict Stanga’s nature.‍⁠

“Follow‌ me.”

As‍‍ Vlad assessed Stanga,⁠ Stanga also evaluated‌⁠‍ the kid before‌ him. He deliberately⁠‍ created a rough‍‌⁠ atmosphere, but the‍ blonde boy seemed‌ unfazed by his‌ words.

‘Jorge might like this‌ kid.’

He⁠ didn’t know Vlad’s‍ true skill, but⁠ at least he‍ appeared to be⁠⁠ worthy of nurturing.

However,‍ now Stanga was‍‍‌ not a knight but merely a traveler who wanted‌⁠ to reach his⁠ destination early.

‘I‌ should give him⁠ a lesson here.’‍‍

In‌ order to move⁠ forward comfortably, it‍‍ seemed necessary to⁠ knead the boy’s‍‌ head who was⁠‍⁠ obstructing his path.‌

“Ha…‌‌ It seems like‌ you are quite⁠‍ foolish. I wonder⁠ if you can‍ guide me properly.”

“I⁠⁠ am good enough⁠‌ to give you⁠⁠ directions.”

“I‍⁠⁠ don’t think so.”⁠‌

Stanga‍ wore a deep⁠‌ smile while watching‍⁠ Vlad express his⁠‌ displeasure.

“How⁠⁠‍ can a guy‌‍ who makes the‌‍ sound of summer‌ migratory birds in‍ the middle of⁠ winter be smart?”

“Ah…”

Vlad’s‍‌ expression turned sour⁠⁠ as he listened⁠ to Stanga’s words.‌‌

“If‍ you even hint⁠⁠ that this isn’t the right way‍ while we’re on‍⁠ our journey, I’ll‌‍ kill you. You‌ idiot.”

Stanga⁠ smiled as he‍ sensed that his⁠ little tactic had‍‍ worked, watching Vlad’s‌‍ bewildered expression.

※※※※⁠

Knight.‌‍⁠

A word that can‌ make a back‍‌ alley boy’s heart‌ race.

A title that can⁠ only be held‌ by those who⁠‌ have qualifications, honor,⁠ and have proven⁠‍ their worth. And such a person‍ was right next‍‍ to him.

“Why do you keep‍‌ glancing at me?”‌

“…..‌‍ Do you get‌ tired if I keep looking?”

“Don’t⁠‌‌ lose the way.”⁠⁠

“Don’t worry. I know this path even with my eyes‍‌ closed.”

“Close‍ your eyes then.”‍

“…It’s‍ just a way‍ of saying that‌⁠ I know it‍‍ well.”

Even‍‍‍ though he had⁠ just received a jab, Vlad couldn’t help but keep‍‌‍ looking at Stanga.⁠‍

Vlad was well aware‌‌ that Jorge was‍ a former knight,⁠‍‌ but the demeanor‍‌ he exhibited was⁠ more that of‌‌ an organization’s boss‍‌‍ than a knight.⁠

However,⁠ Stanga, who was‌‍⁠ standing beside him, still retained the‌ image of the⁠‌‌ knight he had⁠ always dreamed of becoming.

A longsword, leather breastplate,⁠ firmly-clad gauntlets, and‍ the clinking sound⁠ of armor.

“Is‍‌ this your first⁠ time seeing a retired knight? Why‍⁠ do you keep‍⁠ staring?”

“Not‍‌‌ this close.”

“You’re⁠ quite the country⁠ bumpkin.”

“Where‍⁠ are you from?”‍

“From Dakia.”

“That’s⁠‌ a completely rural‍ area.”

“…”‍

Stanga‌‍‌ smiled grimly as‌ he looked at⁠ Vlad, who didn’t‍ give up on‌‍ him even though‍ Stanga had just‌⁠ taught him a lesson.

“You better not lose your way. I’ll‍ finish you off‍‍ in one blow‍‍‌ if you do.”‌‌

“We‌‌‌ will be camping⁠⁠ here tonight.”

“Do‌⁠‍ city folks usually‍⁠⁠ have this much‍⁠ attitude?”

Stanga‍ grumbled, but he‍‌ agreed with the⁠‍ boy’s decision to⁠ camp for the⁠‌ night.

The⁠‌‍ two of them‌ wandered through the‌ forest while trying‌‌ to avoid people’s‌‍⁠ eyes, and the⁠‍ sun was also⁠‌ setting faster in⁠ the woods.

“You’re‌ quite skilled, aren’t‌‌‍ you? For a city person, I mean.”

“I‍‍‌ haven’t had a proper home to‌‍ call my own.”‍

Stanga‍‌ smiled as he⁠ watched the boy⁠‌ skillfully and quickly‍ set up the‌‍ campsite.

“Are‍ you even making⁠‍‍ a spot for‌ me too?”

“Because‍ you’re Jorge’s guest.”‌

“Hmm.”‍‍

Before⁠⁠‌ he knew it,‍ Vlad had laid‌ out a spot‍ and was now‍‌ busy collecting firewood‌⁠ for starting a fire.

“Don’t‌‍ you have anything to eat?”

“I‌‌ have mine.”

“What‍ about me?”

“He didn’t pack me⁠ anymore.”

“…”⁠⁠

Stanga‌ sighed and reluctantly‍ took out the‍ jerky he had⁠⁠ with him.

It‍ looked meager compared to what a person in shining‍‌⁠ armor would be⁠ expected to have.‌⁠

Vlad hung the jerky‌ over the fire‌⁠‌ as the bonfire‌⁠ was lit.

“You’re⁠ making a fire⁠ even though we‌ are supposed to⁠‌ be moving secretly?”⁠⁠

“That’s why I took⁠‌ a long way‍ around to get here. Even if‍ there are people‍⁠⁠ here, it’s okay‌ as long as they don’t find‌‌‌ out that I’m⁠ bringing a knight,‌‍ Sir.”

This‌ meant that it‍‍ didn’t matter if⁠‌ their actions were‌ discovered, as long‌ as their intentions‌‌ remained hidden.

“It‍ seems like my‍ senior is in⁠ a tough spot.”‌‌

Stanga‌‍ surmised Jorge’s situation‌ through Vlad’s words.⁠

“We⁠‍ hide the sword‍ when we have‌ to stab someone.”‍‌‍

Vlad‍ didn’t say anything‍ more. He simply⁠⁠ acknowledged Stanga’s words‍‌ in silence.

“…..In‌⁠ the worst case⁠⁠ scenario, it’s fine‍ even if you’re‌‍ discovered, as long⁠⁠‍ as we return safely.”

Vlad‌⁠ was feeling the sharp senses of‌ a knight for⁠‌ the first time,‌ and was quietly‌‌ impressed.

Stanga’s words were correct.‍‍

He‌‍ had no need⁠ to sneak into⁠‌ Shoara.

However,⁠⁠ Jorge probably hid⁠‍ Stanga the Investigator⁠ because he intended⁠⁠ to finish Jack‌ for sure through‍‌ this fight.

A knight is a sword.

And‍‌‍ not just any‌ sword, but a very sharp one.

A sword that comes‍⁠ flying in from‌⁠ an unforeseen place‍ could be an excellent weapon.

Stanga is now retired,‌ but he is‍⁠ a former knight‌⁠ and could certainly⁠‍⁠ fulfill that role.‌‍

“But⁠ are you really‍‍ going to eat‍ it alone?”

Stanga‍ asked as he‌ alternatively looked between⁠⁠ his own jerky⁠ and the jerky‌ that Vlad had⁠ brought.

“Yes.”‌⁠

“Sigh…”‍⁠

Vlad⁠ responded as if⁠ there was no⁠ need for further‍ consideration.

Nom-nom⁠⁠

Stanga⁠‌ quenched his appetite⁠ as he watched‌ the beef jerky gradually become more⁠ palatable on the fire.

“But‌‌⁠ it doesn’t look‌⁠ quite good.”

“The⁠ person who made⁠ it wasn’t very⁠ skilled.”

It‌‌ was an unusual‍‌ jerky.

Rather⁠⁠ than looking like⁠⁠ jerky, it resembled⁠⁠ a lump of‌ meat that had‍ been carelessly put together.

But‍‍ it had a smell that could⁠ turn one’s taste⁠⁠ buds.

Even‌⁠‌ its smell is‍ killing me.’

The‌ aroma it emitted while roasting over‍‍‍ the fire was⁠⁠ nearly indistinguishable from‍ the scent of‌ meat being cooked.

“Uh…‌ hmm. Do you‌ have any questions‌ for me?”

“What’s⁠ this all of a sudden?”

“I’ll answer one question⁠⁠ for each piece‍‍ of jerky. This⁠ isn’t just a chance that comes⁠⁠‍ along every day.”‌

“…”‌‌

Vlad⁠ hesitated for a moment and looked⁠ at Stanga as‌ he munched on‍‍ the beef jerky‌ made by Zemina.‌

Why⁠ was this man⁠ acting like this?⁠‍

“If you want some,⁠ just ask.”

“I⁠ have the dignity‍‍ of a knight, you brat. Knights‌ only accept a fair reward.”

“But⁠ you are retired.”‌

“Still,‌ everything I have‍‌ done so far…”‌

“Name.”‌

“…Stanga.”⁠‍

“Age.”

“42…‍ Hey, brat.”

“Why⁠ did you come‌ all the way here?”

Stanga⁠‌‌ caught the two⁠ pieces of jerky‌ that came flying⁠⁠ towards him from Vlad. He was‌ momentarily taken aback‌ by the sharp⁠ question that came‌‍‍ straight at him.‌

Substance within emptiness.

Stanga‌‌ thought of Vlad‌‍‌ as a smart‌‌‍ guy, but this‍⁠‌ lad was quite‍ sharp-witted.

“What‌ should I say⁠⁠ as an unsuccessful⁠⁠ knight…..”

Stanga‍⁠ replied with a bitter expression as⁠ he skewered the‍ jerky on a twig.

“Success?”

“Give‍ me one more‍‍ piece of jerky.”‌

This‌ time, Vlad reluctantly‌‌‍ handed over the⁠ jerky he was‍ holding with a somewhat sullen expression.‍‍‍

“Land.⁠ It’s a foundation you can cultivate⁠‍ and a pillar‌‍⁠ that allows you‍‍‌ to stand up‌‍ on your own.”‌

“Are⁠‌⁠ you talking about⁠ manor?”

“….⁠⁠ well, that’s right.”⁠‌

Vlad⁠ was aware of‌ it too—the fact⁠‌ that manor was‍⁠ one of the‍ stepping stones that‌‌ turned knights into‌‌‌ something more than⁠ commoners. Manor is‌ considered as the‌‌ ultimate goal of‌‌ knights.

“Do‍‌ you want to‍‌⁠ become a noble?”‌

When‌ Vlad asked this‍⁠‍ question, Stanga just‌⁠ let out an⁠ empty laugh and⁠ quietly stuffed the⁠ jerky into the‌⁠‍ fire.

“I just wanted to‍⁠ receive my fair‍‍ reward.”

The‌‍‍ flickering light of‍⁠ the bonfire cast‍ a peculiar shadow‍‍ on Stanga’s face.

“…”‌

Seeing‍ the subtle change⁠‍ in Stanga’s expression,⁠ Vlad felt that‌ he was standing‍‍‌ on a line‌⁠ he shouldn’t cross‌‌ right now.

You⁠ must not cross‍⁠‌ the line.

Everyone⁠ has their own⁠‌ world that they⁠‌ don’t want to‌ share with others.‍

“Alright,⁠‌‍ then.”

To⁠ lighten the mood‌‍ and ease Stanga’s‍⁠⁠ expression, Vlad decided⁠‍⁠ to play the⁠ role of an ordinary boy.

“Do‍‍ you know how⁠‍‌ to use aura?”⁠‍

“Haha.⁠‍ Now I see,⁠‍ you are just‌‍ pretending to be‍⁠‍ innocent.”

In‌⁠ response to Vlad’s‍⁠ question, Stanga chuckled⁠‌ and turned his‌ head.

“Not all knights can‍ use aura. And…”‍

“And?”⁠

“Even‌ if they can‍⁠‌ use it, using it in real‌⁠ combat is a different story.”

“So‍‍ can you use⁠‌ it? Or not?”‌

Stanga‍ thought Vlad was acting, but he⁠ was mistaken.

The‍ boy was sincere.‌‌

A knight. Aura.

Those‌‍ two words were‍‌⁠ embedded in the‍‍ boy’s dreams.

“Take⁠ it all.”

“What?”‌

“The‍ jerky.”

Vlad⁠ handed over the‌ pouch containing the‍ jerky quickly, in case Stanga would‍‌ say something else.

“Knights⁠‍ only take their‍‍⁠ fair rewards, kid.”‌

“So‍ should I take⁠ some?”

At‍ Vlad’s words, Stanga‌⁠ swiftly snatched the⁠ pouch.

“Sometimes⁠ you need to‌‍‍ lift your spirit.”⁠‌

Vlad watched Stanga with⁠‍ sparkling eyes, and‍‌ he felt his⁠‌ heart beating strongly.‍‌

He⁠ could really see‍⁠‍ it—the essence of⁠ knights, the aura.⁠

For that, it is⁠⁠ not a waste‍‌‌ to give up‌ the jerky that‍‌ Zipfel had personally⁠ made.

Stanga‌‌ felt burdened by‌ Vlad’s sparkling gaze,‌⁠ and cleared his‍ throat before speaking.‍

“All⁠⁠ right, watch closely.”⁠

Vlad‌ accepted the jerky Stanga was grilling⁠ with bright eyes.‌

Szzzzz—

Stanga‍‌ drew his sword with both hands free.

The‍⁠ well-maintained sword came‌⁠ out smoothly and‍‌ silently. It was as if a virtuous lady was‌ extending her hand‍ shyly.

“Why‌ do you close‍⁠ your left eye?”‍

“I⁠ have to bring⁠ forth my own‍ world from deep‍⁠ within my soul.”‌‌

“…?”‍‍‌

Vlad‍⁠ didn’t understand his words and simply⁠ watched as Stanga⁠‌ was standing up.‌‍⁠

A knight standing under‍ the moonlight with⁠ the bonfire before⁠ him. However, his‌⁠ presence was not‍ concealed even in⁠‌ the presence of⁠ these two lights.⁠

Knight Stanga. He was someone who knew how to bring⁠ forth his own⁠ light.

“Look.‍ Kid.”

Stanga‌⁠ began whispering to‌ his sword as‌ he kissed it.‍

It was a conversation‌‍ with his sword⁠⁠⁠ and a kind⁠ of incantation to⁠ bring his world‍‍‍ into reality.

“Wow.”‍‍

As‍ he did, a faint blue light‌ began to shimmer‍‍ from his sword.‌

It⁠‍ was dim and⁠‌‌ faint, but it⁠ was undoubtedly imbued‌⁠ with moonlight.

Even⁠‌‌ Vlad, who knew‍‌ nothing, could recognize⁠ it.

It‍‌ was Stanga’s world,‍‍ and it was‍ also known as‌‌ the aura.

“It’s⁠ really cool.”

Something⁠‍ began to flicker⁠⁠ Vlad’s blue eyes⁠‌ as he looked‍ at Stanga’s world.