Chapter 65: Today’s youth (1)
toogf8The crackling and tranquil sound of a fire burning in silence.H7TyuPE
R6nkrC“…”ba204
hkCVlad thought, watching the fire sway with the breeze.PFZ
wjkIt felt like himself now.l80bp
xvrMVHe wanted to stand firm, but the flickering light swaying in the direction of the wind reminded him of a child who, though he wanted to stand tall, was tossed back and forth by beings bigger than himself.t3kA
hB3l“Why are you thinking so intensely?” Gregory asked, looking at the boy who was closely watching the fire but not really focusing on it.aE2Ko5g
6nsXy24“It’s just… various thoughts,” Vlad responded quietly to Gregory’s question.MKkJO0k
XrOAL“…There are so many incredible people in this world.”MqJrUQy
ls7A“Really?”EsCaz
sWs“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep up among those incredible people in the future.”D9V
a5yfZQcThat night, the boy lost.gct1I
YBJtPwrThey probably would have died if they hadn’t had the voice.Ov8EKxd
Mxoh26Just like Jorge, Jack, and Anna.R0cmXb
reSc4r3Like them, they would have been crushed by a world they couldn’t fight against.K07
FlXC“…There are moments in life when you find yourself thinking about things like that.”95HpiS
jmkoGregory, who had a vague idea of what the boy was thinking, threw a branch he was holding into the fire.B11bcD
KbZWDBThe fire, having received something to burn, crackled louder than before.xEbzm2
MDMAPc“Is it burning well?”MoQJJU
SiXUr8A“Yes.”bqnKWYz
x0aF0In the darkness of the church that night.d4IHZ1
p2CC5The boy had approached the church’s bell tower whipped by the wind and reached out to where the children’s breaths intertwined.c2e8xg
5ZseZAlthough Gregory didn’t see that scene, he imagined it was something that fit perfectly with the boy.s2IKD9J
PB6u4A child born in the lowest part of the world desperately trying to reach the heights, but one day he might reach the highest point.ai0
HiUMaybe there he would put a star with his name on the edge of the sky.EKvdh
EMLG“In the end, it’s about survival.”4gO
cg3SXVlad, stepping away from the flickering flames, turned to look at Gregory, who was sitting on the other side of the fire.GnU
Pj94There, the robust knight with a strong beard looked back at him, smiling contentedly.efvhLt
td858“You just have to keep burning. As long as the fire doesn’t go out, you can always reignite it whenever you want.”Ttt
kx2Fk6CIt’s impossible not to sway with the wind.Z5z
19TrdBut what’s important is to keep burning.5NCPdZ
nK58uLAs long as the flame that is you doesn’t go out, it can be reignited even under the strongest winds.Rt3
yRsdUnderstanding what Gregory was trying to say, Vlad nodded in response.1GZ
wf0K2“I see.”RGa2r0
B0YjTWTo face the vast world that suddenly loomed ahead, he too would have to become a giant flame.Atfbhw
FuJp6YAs the boy watched the fire burning in silence, a ray of color began to seep into his world.ytKltfS
yCj3UGregory passed the bottle of alcohol to the worried boy. And a dark horse, in the distance, watched from the hills the reflection of the boy in the fire.z10Y
84dOKIt was one of those nights when each of them thought of something missing and threw their worries into the fire.h6Q
PlbtVThe last night of camping on the way to Soara was fading away.irmt
xeJbbN***X2HIL
yKT“Good job.”tOijs0A
swxWvN9Seated in the hall, Joseph greeted the research team returning from their mission.QmMJH
q18LdgWVlad thought that the dark circles under his eyes had become darker since he had last seen him a few weeks ago.M5j
VHPIt probably wasn’t just because he was sitting under the sun.GBQ6WmA
AX9c“I want to praise your diligent attitude towards the task and also appreciate your ability to address the problem at its root.”vwx
O1keJoseph calmly evaluated the performance of the research team, despite their tired appearance.fvyz
HbjkR9But although he praised with words, his eyes showed no hint of emotion, which made the whole research team feel a strange pressure.f0nX
nhP“You’ve done well but… I can’t easily overlook the fact that you drew Bayezid’s sword on another lord’s land.”glK
AqZ8What he feared had come.ZcO
dzvJdGregory had already anticipated that Joseph, who had clear criteria for punishment, wouldn’t let this pass without further action.aumv4
2qfwE“I’m very sorry.”j8U8s
pVJo7rGregory took a deep breath and prepared to say what he had been thinking since their return.RTnC7x
VbsuAs the leader of the research team, he wanted to take responsibility for everything.Zaf
n30kVrX“We’re living in unstable times, and it’s not appropriate to get into trouble on others’ lands without reason.”6ND3
5rkBut a strident voice interrupted Gregory’s apologies.g6K
nHW9aG4It was a voice as heavy as the accumulated years.Wjj
iw2“Moreover, you knew very well how things would unfold, yet you acted recklessly.”0JXaQ
9oBXGgUAlthough it was the first time he had seen the old man, his presence was not ordinary.xzl
O5MobM0Vlad felt increasingly pressured by the old man’s momentum.24J8dA
afSOnce again, a higher world was crushing the boy.Buh5N8
GdTVaO“…You’re right. You struck a sensitive nerve in the midst of a complicated moment.”zXn
7AaThe atmosphere in the hall froze at the words of the stranger, but Joseph, very aware of his intentions, took a moment to catch his breath before continuing.luIvihj
o5QY“There are many territorial wars, big and small, throughout the country. The royal family hasn’t been able to keep them under control, so everyone is letting loose things that had been held back. The North, where we are, is no exception.”D6P7
2TpvnThe old man had good reasons to rebuke Gregory.OQg
mMiqDThe empire was crumbling.IUGFb
DvOqUnder the sword of the founding king and Sword Master, Frausen, all lords gathered their swords, but that was a long time ago.Wp6oYbx
nR6ie7ZIn such a time, giving the slightest cause would be like throwing embers on dry straw.dF2ZU
o9Yr“In a time like this, even the damned old ones show up, and even the iron forges watch over the present.”LFyB
4PGxd17Even the iron master, another key figure in the North, was watching, and Joseph had to be sensitive.4BiGc
xjRXqzGregory simply nodded in understanding as Joseph reprimanded him for having good intentions but playing too much with fire.13VFIm
QIDXb“So you should have made a proper retreat. You said there was a Paladin of San Rogino there, so you should have followed the proper procedure and handed it over to him.”P6c
woAkHc“…”lBb
gi7VCVlad’s heart began to race as he heard the old man’s voice scolding him for not following the rules.X4j
CXyIt was like a child’s instinct to defy the great world.UUlIV8t
wI2ZT6“…You weren’t even there!”RG7LZ32
zMddThe children’s labored breaths and their parents’ cries were there, more than simple words could convey.V5td
Fm2dGIn Vlad’s eyes, Gregory had done everything he could and had made a brave decision.J6w
KOwIt wasn’t the kind of decision that a nameless old man could belittle.YquG0m
53j0“After all, today’s youth only think about the moment and don’t consider the long-term consequences…”bH1s
4P0“The children would have died. If we hadn’t intervened.”n7XPIL
XcSepYou have no right to say that without knowing anything.lio
tje2The young man, with his blue eyes fixed on the unnamed old man, said it like that.g17vQK
F0PJ9hP“…What?”P6m
1FrThe elderly man was interrupted by the sharp intrusion of the young man into their conversation, momentarily leaving him speechless.EeROsf
ghoK5He wanted to protest immediately, but the burning gaze of the young man stopped him dead in his tracks.ktJ1M
7MiE“Sir Gregory did everything he could for the children. And San Rogino ensured it. And…”IYi
ZVlzMGlancing sideways at the old man, Vlad began to let out the burning anger he had been holding in his chest.APXGOAr
MqG6“Of course, I would have done the same. I believe that the decision made by Sir Gregory deserves praise, not reprimand.”ANX8
vNm5EbfIt was a heap of unrefined heat due to his inexperience.fg44xln
eJTHowever, precisely because it was unrefined, it could be sincere.TgibP
TtfKFEveryone present was left speechless as the boy poured out his feelings without a hint of hesitation.D6u
FLuAR“…”XtXeM
88LezXtBut the reality is that sincerity alone is not enough.IOJ71Sp
FfkJager’s eyes narrowed as he watched Vlad release his unauthorized comments, forcing Gregory to lower his head even further.8PeDq
XVoQJwThe boy had good intentions, but he had just crossed the line.MwF6dHN
AP4Ar“Vlad.”MwV
AErJoseph Bayezid.Rd5lOL
1Sh2The man who cared for the boy more than anyone else, but who needed to restrain him gently, stood up.rZjl
5YmuE“That’s enough. Don’t test my patience any further.”fMW
JB15PW5Joseph couldn’t wield a sword, but the power emanating from him overwhelmed everyone present.s0I
FJupNo one from the blood of Bayezid could possess such power.jeCZ
QuwkAr“…”v1B3c
58xp6AVlad bowed his head at Joseph’s stern warning.G9v7Q
S0w3mvSThe hard look from Jager, indicating that he should not go on, also quelled the boy’s growing momentum.X89RCB
eInRDrv“…I believe Sir Gregory will understand. The Second Rule of the Sword Master is particularly sensitive.”WSodq
3xCJoseph subtly shifted the conversation towards Gregory, but those who knew him well could see that he was now containing his anger.E1Ov5
BBC1p6Evidence of this was the way he silently unbuttoned one of the buttons on his collar.fOUU
Nk8J“I made a bad choice. I’m sorry, Sir Joseph.”BNZMS
NwBFY7Gregory quickly acknowledged his mistake to avoid further fire from the boy defending him.VSyf2Nl
157it“There were complicated circumstances. We had to act before complaints were sent directly from there.”InaQ
TfTJoseph glanced at Vlad for a moment, then turned on his heels and approached the window.xOZBDCO
jWlfNGHe gazed out at Soara and opened his mouth to speak.lEQE44
zWmhF7“Sir Gregory will be punished for an indefinite period. He will not receive his salary for the time being, and he will not enjoy any of the rights that Bayzed guarantees to his knights.”9T1
LtB93Nh“Understood.”NL18Lsv
iNzBGregory lowered his head in acceptance of the punishment.bR1KN
pcEbHowever, Joseph, after giving the orders, turned to the boy who was staring at him and met his eyes.PJc4
SIlZOThere were procedures and rules for everyone, and they had to be applied to the boy.Xof
aEquz“Squire Vlad.”ncH
zC4DS3eThe boy looked at his summoner with a slightly subtle angle, still the rebellious child he had been.5VOM
4wFjIYB“…”Smv
W0gI can’t believe I’ve fed, clothed, and treated him so well, and he’s still not tamed.UG6
mYFRoSeeing the boy, unchanged since the first time he saw him, Joseph felt an uncontrollable pang of regret.vo6Z
nreaal“I deeply regret offending you with my unauthorized comments.”uTK5
xake2Vlad looked into Joseph’s deep eyes and nodded his head.OAoS
RMzs4KfThe young man had always seemed calm with himself, but now he had the gaze of a sharp-minded monarch.qYZHGVU
dUnr8“By this, you are also punished to a week of supervised freedom, and for the time being, you must stay out of my sight.”qK01i
kvXjU“…Yes, sir.”RVPB
4woRLifting his head in response, Vlad looked at Joseph, who was giving him cold orders, deliberately avoiding his gaze.4ZK
uNIEThe boy couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret realizing he had done his best to comply with the order, only to be sent home on probation.HVy
q3p“Everyone, leave. I have to write a letter to Baron Utman explaining the situation.”r11
vbqwoThe knights, who had reported and received their orders, were about to leave when Joseph thanked them.sMh
qEaEBut as the old man watched them, he couldn’t help but smile at the blue eyes that hadn’t lost their shine.upL5Lx
9k8NrgSo it was you.bLz
U1dLNuVNo need to introduce yourself.30uGM2G
LeyMLXp“You’re the one called Vlad.”h83
Fj6SYMe“…”4KU
OzDHaxVlad, who had just returned from his journey, came to a halt at the old man’s words.xQs
kwPOQfJA moment of silence enveloped the hall.5wc8v8
boXore“You don’t even answer when an adult speaks to you. I guess you weren’t taught good manners.”Fq3t0XJ
YvQDE31Vlad’s eyes widened at the sarcasm from the old man.ZkeCnw
Uj8C6I’ve had plenty of manners.UYw
dc1aFrom the lady with maternal eyes.kuLsLJT
a6WgrTurning to the old man addressing him, Vlad introduced himself with more politeness than ever.w4dd8yH
0qY“That’s correct. I am Vlad.”Flhygn
0h21epRThe boy’s greeting was straightforward, with all the fierceness he could muster before drawing his sword.qDW
hJSxJ“May I also ask for respect?”p5K19sS
AxROkThe old man felt a shiver rise from deep within his chest as he observed Vlad’s courteous yet fierce demeanor.8sHyeHn
HPcAIt was almost as if they were asking each other’s names before beginning their confrontation.ojXo
yf1wB“So, you want to know my name.”Wo0Tv
XL0The old man smiled at the boy, who radiated an unusual sense rarely found in young people today.yqL9XC
Jtqz“But unfortunately, I can’t tell you my name at this time.”MwP
Ynze“…”sSwxdcg
6M9eFKVlad’s expression hardened at those unintelligible words, but only now did he pay attention to the tattered flag behind the old man.QLMYKe8
B7ULy5It was similar to his own, but unlike his, which bore only two crests, the old man’s banner had more than a dozen.XzBhj
ztmcxsThere were knights who, without having died or aged, remained low.gohS
yrvHaving been unable to retire honorably from the battlefield, they had to reclaim the honor they had lost for a long time.gOfUfM5
VLxSdSuch was the final appearance of the first Sword Master.dTZi
4Ir6gBaThe nameless old man who looked at Vlad with deep eyes was celebrating his honorary retirement.ARl
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