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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 63: Heavenward (2)

Chapter 63: Heavenward (2)

Leaving‍‌‍ behind the exhausted⁠‌ Justia, Cade tightened‍​ his bowstring once​​‌ again.

Psshh!⁠‌

Along‍ with the flying‍​ arrow, his fingers​‍⁠ burst open.

Even‍ though there were⁠‍‍ already drops of‍ red blood dripping‌ from the bow,⁠ Cade didn’t stop‍ pulling the string.‍

Because⁠‍ he had to​ give Gregory some‌​‍ space.

The‍‍⁠ women who had‍​​ lost sight of​‍ the blond boy​ had changed direction‍ and were rushing​​ toward Gregory.

Justia,⁠​ who was outside‍​ the barrier she⁠‍⁠ had set up‌ with all her​‍ strength, had to​ face all the‍‌ evil surrounding the​‌​ church alone.

“If⁠‌⁠ only I were​ this popular with​‌‍ women all the‌ time!”

However,​‍⁠ Gregory was the​​​ sturdiest among the⁠‍​ Bayezid family knights,‍‌​ and despite how​ strong he was,​⁠‌ he stepped forward‍ with an unwavering‌ attitude.

The‍‌‍ dark hands of​‌ the women couldn’t⁠ even leave a scratch on his⁠‌​ brown leather.

“I’ve‍‍ seen too many‍​‌ disgusting things today.‌‌ To be precise,‌ including your face.”‌

Despite⁠ the interference of⁠⁠ the women, Gregory‌‌‌ raised high the‌​‍ sword blessed by‌‌ Justia.

After‍ all, if he⁠‍​ lowered it, everything‍‌ would end.

He‌‌ hoped the blond⁠‍ boy he had⁠‍ sent would bring​ back the children.‌

“You‌ keep fighting to⁠‍‍ the end.”

“Do​⁠ it.”

The‌‍‌ false priest lying‌​ on the ground⁠⁠ responded with a faint smile to‍⁠ Gregory’s blow, which⁠‍ was like that⁠​‌ of a charging‍‍ bison.

“Because‍⁠⁠ I’m someone who‍‍​ cannot be defeated⁠‌ by death.”

“Let’s​⁠ see if you‌​ can keep saying‍‌‍ that even if‌‌ your head gets⁠ separated from your​‍ body.”

Gregory’s‍​ words must have‍‍​ been so amusing​‍‌ that the false‌‍ priest burst into‍ laughter.

The⁠⁠ screams of the‌⁠‌ women and the‍​ man’s laughter mixed‌ and echoed.

“Yes!​‍ Laugh until the‌‌ end!”

Gregory’s‌​⁠ sword, shining with​‍ blessings, swung violently.⁠‌ With a strong⁠ strike.

Shing!‌⁠‌

The​​‌ laughing man’s neck​ was severed, and‌ his head rolled‍‍ under the altar.‍​⁠

When‌ the man who‌ was the object⁠‌⁠ of the curse⁠‌‍ fell silent, the​ movements of the⁠‍​ women crying stopped​‍​ at the same​‍ time.

To‍‍ destroy an army,​‍ you must destroy​ its leader.

Gregory’s​ decision, which was‍ like a gamble,‌ bore fruit.

Gregory,⁠‍‍ seeing the man’s‍‍‍ head fall, let⁠ out a long​​ sigh and collapsed⁠ onto the steps⁠‍ of the altar​ as if he⁠‍‌ were crumbling.

“My‍⁠ schedule is so⁠⁠​ packed today…”

Gregory,⁠‍​ who had exhausted​‌ all his strength‍​⁠ for the current‍‍ blow, took out‌‌ the bottle of‌⁠​ alcohol he had‌⁠ in his arms​ with trembling hands.‌

He‌ would be fine‌‍ drinking himself silly⁠​​ until his nose⁠‍ twisted today.

Because​ Gregory had taken​ on many things⁠⁠​ for this victory.‍

As​⁠ he thought about‌‌ all the things‍‍‌ he had to‌ shoulder when he‍⁠ returned to Soara,​‌‌ Gregory took a sip from his‍ bottle.

With‌‍‍ the blow from⁠ a moment ago,‌ the knights had​ won and deserved⁠ to enjoy the‌​ moment of victory.​‌

At​ least until the‌ fallen man opened‌ his mouth.

“Now‌ that I think⁠‌‍ about it, it‍ seems there was‍​ a shortage of​‍‍ wine at today’s‍‌ mass.”

“…What?”‍⁠⁠

The‍ comrades, who were​​‌ looking at each‍⁠ other with tired‍ smiles, were surprised‌ to hear a sudden voice.

“If​‌‌ it’s not too‍‌ much trouble, could‍‍⁠ you give me‍⁠‌ a sip of⁠​ wine too?”

The​​ comrades stood frozen,​ as if they‍ were stunned by⁠​‌ the voice coming​‌⁠ from somewhere.

The‌​ head of the‌​ priest that had⁠‍​ just been severed.​

A voice came from​‍⁠ his mouth as‍‌ it rolled under​ the altar.

“Lord⁠ Gregory.”

In⁠‌‌ a strange situation‍ where no one⁠​ could easily open​​​ their mouth, Cade​ stood up with⁠‌⁠ wide-open eyes.

Because‌‌‍ he saw something⁠ slowly rising behind​‌⁠ Gregory’s back.

Cade‍​ hurriedly searched his‌⁠⁠ quiver of arrows,‍ but all he​‌ found was emptiness.​

The​‌⁠ person slowly rising‌‌‍ behind Gregory.

Had​ no head.

“Dullahan…”‍

Justia​​​ looked amazed at‍‌​ the man staring​​ at her with‌‍ eyeless sockets.

With‌ the head of​ a man without‌ a body, the‌​ headless man smiled⁠‌‌ as he looked‌ at her.

“I​ grew fond of‍⁠‌ it because it‌⁠​ was a face‍ I had used​⁠⁠ for several years.”​

A standing corpse without‍⁠‌ a head and‌​‍ a head talking‍ without a body.⁠​‌

Justia’s‍ eyes trembled as​‍‍ she looked at⁠‍⁠ that strange scene.‌

Headless⁠​ Knight Dullahan.

A knight who is​⁠‌ free from death.‍

“It​​ seems we’re all​ gathered here now.”⁠

A head without a body looks up​‍ at the sky.‍

The‍​ decapitated body raises‌ its arms.

Before​‌ anyone realized it,‍ it was raining‍ outside.

***​‍

Kwagagang-!‍

The‍​‍ rain fell heavily,⁠ accompanied by thunder​⁠‌ booming loudly. Although⁠⁠ thick smoke spread​⁠‍ beneath his feet​‌‍ and dark clouds⁠​​ filled the sky,‌‍ the boy ascended‍⁠ towards the heavens,⁠ clinging to the​‍ slippery decoration of‍ the bell tower.⁠‍

To​ tear away the‍​ pattern containing the‌​ breath of the​⁠‌ children who were​⁠ there.

“Ew!”​

Vlad’s⁠ feet lost balance⁠‍ for a moment⁠ and hovered in‌​ the air. But‍ Vlad gritted his⁠​‍ teeth and endured.‍

He​‌ takes another step⁠⁠ and reaches out.‍‌​

Despite‌‌‌ facing the rain​‍​ and wind blowing​‌ strongly against his⁠ body, the boy‌ gritted his teeth​‌‌ and reached his‌ arms upwards.

Although‌ the boy was‍ not qualified, he‌⁠ was still climbing​ towards the sky‌⁠‍ to do what​​⁠ needed to be​ done.

If​ no one else​ will, then I will.

If​‍ no one else‌ can, then I will.

Because‌ I want to‌ do that.

“Just‌ a little more…”‌⁠

Vlad,‌⁠⁠ finally reaching the​‍ bottom of the‌‍‍ pattern, reached out⁠ with all his‌‍‌ might.

It⁠‌ was a position‌​ he could reach‌ if he stumbled⁠⁠⁠ once. But the‌‍ world didn’t let‍⁠ the boy catch​ the stars floating‍ in the sky.‌

It​‌ was very difficult⁠ to hold onto​‌‌ that one thing.‌

[Dodge!]​​

“…!”​

Even​​‍ if it wasn’t‍‍​ a warning in‍⁠ the voice, a threatening presence could⁠⁠⁠ be felt. Vlad⁠‍‌ quickly jumped back​‍ while twisting in‍ the air, watching‍‍ the scene unfolding‌ before his eyes‍​ with his mouth‍ agape.

Crash-!‍⁠

As‍​ if a line⁠ had been drawn,⁠​‌ the last section⁠ of the tower​‍​ was sharply cut‌ and fell downwards.‌​​ With the bell⁠⁠ tower collapsing.

Kwagagang-!‍‌‌

The​​‌ highest part of⁠⁠⁠ the church was​ collapsing like thunder‍‍ falling from the‌⁠‍ sky.

“Damn‍⁠‌ it!”

The‌ boy, who fell‌‍ to the ground​ to avoid the‍ collapse of the​⁠⁠ bell tower, quickly‌⁠ dodged the bouncing⁠⁠ debris by moving​​‍ his body backward.‍

Although‍‍ he might have‍ suffered a great⁠​‌ impact from falling‌⁠ from above, the⁠‍⁠ protection of the​ white snake kept​‍ him safe.

Vlad,​ who barely escaped⁠‌ the danger zone,‌ quickly drew his​​‍ sword.

There⁠⁠ was no way⁠ an intact building⁠‌‍ would have collapsed​ on its own.‌

“It’s​‌ impressive. Even from‌ my point of‍ view, it was⁠‌‍ a cool landing.”⁠​

In‍‌ the whirlwind of​ dust, someone began‍ to applaud Vlad.‍

Vlad‌‌ gritted his teeth​ when he heard​‌ a familiar voice​ from somewhere.

“You,⁠‍​ damn bastard.”

Suddenly,⁠ someone appeared holding​‌⁠ the sinister pattern‍​⁠ that was at‍ the top of​ the bell tower.‌‌‍

“I‍⁠‍ knew you weren’t⁠ human.”

A headless man clapped‍​ mockingly at Vlad.​

However,‌ instead of being​ surprised to see‌‍‍ the man in‍‌ front of him,​ the boy raised‌‍ his sword.

There‌‌ were things he‌ needed to do,‌​⁠ but there were‌​ things he couldn’t​​⁠ do because he​ lacked little.

“Hand‌​​ that over.”

“But‌​ the headless man‌‍ no longer responded‍⁠ to Vlad’s words.​‍⁠ He simply approached‍⁠ and tried to‍ mount the horse‍⁠‍ emitting a blue​⁠ glow.

A headless man.

A horse with only‌​ bones left.

Their‍⁠⁠ appearance was like‍ death.

“Hand‍⁠‍ that over!”

But⁠⁠ the boy didn’t‍⁠ hesitate to run​‍ towards them.

Vlad⁠‍​ charged at astonishing‍‍ speed and swung‌​ his sword towards‍⁠​ the headless man.​​

Clang-!⁠

It⁠‌⁠ was a lightning-fast‌ movement, but the⁠ headless man simply​‌‌ raised his sword⁠ and blocked the​‌ boy’s blow as‍‌‍ if it were⁠ nothing.

It⁠⁠ was astonishing, incomprehensible,‌ and pressing on‌​⁠ the boy.

“…‌‍‌ !”

[He’s⁠ twisting his joints‍ strangely. Don’t predict​ his movement!]

A headless man strikes‍​ the boy with⁠​‍ an inhuman movement‍ because he is⁠ not alive.

Thump-!​‍ Thump-! Thump-!

However,⁠‍ Vlad was blocking​​​ his blow with‌⁠ all his might.‍‍

He​‌ couldn’t predict it,​ but he could‌‍⁠ see it.

The⁠ boy’s natural visual⁠ acuity made it‍⁠ possible.

The⁠⁠‍ counterattack learned from‍‍‌ Jager was in‍‍⁠ full swing.

“Ahh!”​‌​

If⁠‌ you’re where you’re​⁠‌ needed, do it.​

If​ you’re able to‍‍‍ do it, do‍​ it.

The​‌ great Swordmaster knight‍‍‍ made his move.⁠​‌

“…”‌‍

The‌⁠‌ headless knight gripped​​‌ his sword with‌​‍ both hands when‌ he saw the‌​ boy, who had​‍ been retreating a moment ago, now‍‌ preparing to charge.​‌

Because‍‍ he realized that⁠⁠‍ only with sincerity‌​ could he get​​ rid of the​ boy in front‍⁠​ of him.

“Don’t​ push yourself too⁠ hard. I don’t⁠ know when my‌​⁠ kindness towards my​ comrades will fade​‍ away.”

“Why‍​ am I of‌ your class?”

“…I’m⁠‌ not talking to‍​ you.”

It​ was an incomprehensible​‍ speaking headless knight,⁠ but the boy‍ just moved forward​⁠ to do what‍ he had to​⁠ do.

“Isn’t‍​ it too slow?”‌‌

“…!”‌

Although‌​‌ he constantly wielded⁠ his sword, the‍ headless man’s movements‍ already far exceeded‍ the boy’s speed.‍

When‌⁠‍ the attack came⁠‍​ so fast that​​ it couldn’t be‍ repelled with a counterattack, Vlad instinctively⁠ turned his shoulders​‌‌ towards it.

[Vlad…!]​‌‍

Even‌‍ the voice shouted​‍ in shock at‌ the boy’s judgment,‌‍ but what followed‍ silenced it.

Clang-!⁠‌

Sparks​ rising as sword‍‌ and armor meet.‌‌‌

The‍‍ headless man’s sword‍ and the boy’s‌‍‍ armor clashed, subtly​ twisting their angles.‌

It‌ was an armor​‍⁠ spell he had‍ seen on the⁠​‍ woman with green‌⁠ eyes.

“Ugh!”‍​​

It‌‌ was a skill‌⁠ that could only‍ be developed with‍⁠ solid plate armor,‌ but the blessing‌⁠ of the white⁠⁠​ serpent made it‌‌ possible.

Bayezid’s‍​ leather armor chilled⁠ at the boy’s‌‍‌ movements, causing an‍‌ unacceptable shock.

“…!”​‍

Even‍ the headless knight‌‍‌ stopped for a moment, surprised by‌ the boy’s fierceness.⁠‍‍

The‌‌⁠ mastery of a fatal blow arises‌‍ from the unexpected.‍​⁠

The⁠‌ boy’s talent for​ learning and sensing,‌ just by watching‌ and listening, was⁠‍ more than enough‌ to disrupt an‌⁠⁠ established battlefield.

“Aaaah!”‍⁠

A pure white light​ began to flow​​⁠ from Vlad’s closed‌​ left eye.

In‍ the horizon where⁠ you and I meet, we become⁠‍ one.

The‌‌ boy’s world, which​ was still expanding‍​ even now, needed‌ to be filled,‌​ and it began⁠ to be drawn‌‌ from the world‌ of the voice​ that was in‍ direct contact.

The‍ voice allowed it.⁠​

The‍ voice’s world is​​ a world of⁠⁠⁠ deep colors.

A world full of‍⁠ storms and thunder.⁠​

A lightning bolt, even‌ denser than the​ thunder crashing at​ that moment, began​​​ to rise from⁠ the sword.

“Leave​ the children alone!”‍

Although​‌ he couldn’t do‍ it from the⁠​ top of the‍ tower, the boy‍⁠ could now take‌‌ the step he‍‌ had long desired.‌​⁠

With‌⁠‍ the sound of‍‌ breaking the shell​ around him.

Kwagagang!⁠⁠​

The‌ essence of killing⁠ with a single​⁠‌ blow that the‌‍⁠ voice had taught​ him was perfectly​‌⁠ replicated in the‍ hands of the​‍‍ boy.

A white lightning bolt‍​​ descended from the⁠⁠ boy’s sword.

***‌​

In‌​​ front of the⁠‌ church building filled⁠‍ only with the​ sound of falling⁠⁠ rain.

“Kkuuuuu…”‌​‍

Vlad,‍⁠‍ who had launched⁠ his attack with⁠ all his might,⁠ was so exhausted‍⁠ that he couldn’t‍ even wipe away‌‍‍ the fine drops⁠ of blood flowing‌ from his mouth.⁠‍​

I did my best,‍⁠‍ but I couldn’t‍ do it.

The‍ lightning-like blow, struck‌⁠ with deadly determination,⁠⁠​ stopped in front‍‍‍ of the headless‍​‌ knight’s sword.

The‍‍ boy was clearly⁠​ advancing, but for⁠​​ those ahead of​‌‍ him, it was⁠ just a feeble‌‍ step.

The‌‌ world was cruel⁠ to those who​​‍ tried to move‌⁠⁠ forward.

“I⁠​ was paying attention‍​ to you because‌​‌ I thought we‌ were of the⁠ same kind.”

From‍‍‌ the headless knight’s‌​ sword, a faint‍‌⁠ black mist began​​‌ to rise.

Perhaps​⁠⁠ the boy didn’t‍⁠ realize he had​ succeeded.

Because‍​ he had created​‌​ a crack called⁠​ anger in the‌​ world of the‍ headless knight, always‌ smiling and calm.⁠‍⁠

“Kkaak!”​‍

With⁠‌ the headless knight’s​ anger, the cursed‌⁠ sword struck the​⁠⁠ boy’s body.

Vlad,‌ who had exhausted‍‍ all his strength‌ and was simply⁠ staggering, was thrown‍⁠​ helplessly, like a kite that had⁠​ lost its strings.‍

Crash!​‌‌ Kwaaang!

Vlad‍​ kept rolling, knocking‍‌‌ down a nearby⁠‍⁠ wall.

Although​ the protection of‌‌ the white serpent‍⁠⁠ radiated its light​‍ and protected the‍⁠‍ boy, this was⁠ the end.

The​⁠⁠ rain kept falling.⁠

The‌ boy had climbed⁠⁠⁠ towards the sky​​ to catch a star, but ended⁠ up falling.

Not​ all attempts could⁠⁠⁠ yield results.

“I​ should take care‌ of you before‍‌⁠ I leave.”

The⁠‌⁠ headless knight paused​⁠ for a moment​‍‌ as he tried‌​​ to mount his‍​ horse and then​ approached Vlad with‍‍ his sword drawn.⁠‍

He​‍⁠ was a boy‍ with extraordinary potential.‌‍

The‌‌ presence within his⁠ eyes also seemed‌ slightly different from​⁠⁠ what he had⁠‍‍ thought.

You‌⁠ would feel an​‍‍ itch at the​‌‍ back of your‌‍ head for leaving‍ unpredictable possibilities alone.⁠⁠

The‍ Blue Moonlight Knight⁠ seized the opportunity⁠⁠‍ and spared the⁠​ boy, but the​‍ Headless Knight was​‍ trying to nip​ it in the⁠‌‌ bud.

The​⁠ two worlds, one⁠​ bright and the​ other dark, had⁠‌​ opposing attitudes towards​ the bright.

“…So‌‍ you were holding‌⁠ back?”

The⁠‍ youth, drenched by⁠ the rain, lay​ powerless on the​ ground.

However,⁠ the image of​ him holding the‍‌ sword convinced him⁠‌‍ even more that​ he must kill‌‌‍ him.

No​‍ matter how many‍‍‌ people are of⁠ the same kind⁠‍​ as you.

Raindrops‌ fell from the​ cursed sword and⁠ wet Vlad’s face.​‍‌

As‌‍‍ the rain poured‌‍‌ down, the headless‌ knight’s sword plunged⁠⁠ into Vlad’s heart.‌‌

Kkikiguk-!‍‍

“…!”​‌⁠

At​‌​ that moment, Vlad’s​‍ hand, which had⁠ lost consciousness, moved⁠ and twisted the‍‌‍ headless knight’s sword.​​

“This​ is…”

A final effort?

Although⁠ he was clearly‌‍ unconscious, as he‍‌⁠ watched his hand‍⁠ move on its‍‍ own, the headless‍ knight was surprised.​⁠​

[The‌⁠⁠ boy said we‍​​ shouldn’t mess with‌ the kids.]

There‍‍⁠ was a young⁠ man standing, swaying,⁠⁠​ with a sword.‌‍‍

No,​ it wasn’t the‌‍ boy standing with​ one eye closed.‍​⁠

[So⁠​‍ let’s now meet‍ as adults.]

A white lightning shone​⁠ from his left​⁠ eye.

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