Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 66: Today’s youth (2)

Chapter 66: Today’s youth (2)

A tree rooted on‌⁠ a hillside.

A woman with aquamarine‌⁠ hair bit her lip as she‌ stood behind a window with a clear view of⁠‍ the tree.

“I‌ see that… Count⁠ Gaidar has now‍⁠‍ prepared a strategic move northward.”

“Or,⁠ to be more precise, he has taken an area‍‍‍ where he can‍ establish a strategic⁠ passage, as ultimately⁠‍‌ he will have to pass through‍‍ us to reach⁠‌ the north.”

Piles⁠‍‌ of papers on⁠‌ one side of‌⁠ her desk blocked‌⁠ the sunlight, casting⁠‍ shadows over her face.

“Do‍⁠ you think they’ll⁠‌ come to us?”⁠‍

“…I⁠‌ can’t be sure,‍ but you should‌ be prepared.”

Alicia‌⁠⁠ Heinal.

Baroness‌‌‌ of Heinal and⁠‌ Lady of Deirmar.⁠‍

A map was now⁠‍ spread out before‍⁠‍ her, and on‌ it were the‍‍ markings of House‍ Gaidar.

“I suppose it’s comforting⁠ to think they’ll⁠ come, though I don’t know when.”⁠⁠

“That’s‌ right.”

House‌‌ Gaidar was now‍‌⁠ right in front⁠ of Deirmar’s nose.

The⁠ new losers of‌ the west expanded⁠ tirelessly, their influence‌ now reaching into‌⁠‍ the north and‌‌ center.

“One⁠‍‌ minute we were‌⁠ holding off the⁠‍ center… and the‌ next the west was closing in.”⁠

Alicia‍‌ observed the unpredictable‌‌ course of events, striving to push⁠ away the anxiety‍ that had been⁠ building up.

Noble‌‍⁠ blood must be‍⁠ blue.

The‌‍ blood of a noble must be‌‍ blue because they‌ must be capable‌ of making judgments coolly at any‌‌ moment.

Alicia‍⁠ was working hard to ensure she⁠ could do just‍‍ that.

“We⁠‌ should write to‌‌ Count Bayezid a letter,” she said. Alicia looked at⁠⁠ the map, biting‌ her lip. Fortunately, she had insurance⁠⁠ prepared for moments‌⁠ like this.

“They‌ will help us.‌⁠ They have a duty and a reason to do‌‌ so,” she asserted.‌

“That’s⁠⁠‌ right.”

If⁠⁠ it were Bayezid,‍ they would help‌‍‍ Deirmar.

Their⁠ location means that‍⁠ if they are‌⁠ attacked, their next⁠⁠ target will be‌‌ Count Bayezid, one‍ of the Pillars‌ of the North.‌

The⁠⁠ Duel of Honor,‌ a war of⁠ powers between the⁠⁠ Center and the North, was fought‍‍⁠ here for good‍ reason.

“I’m‌‍ glad I gave⁠‌ him the handkerchief.”‌‍‌

“You’re right. Lately, I’ve⁠ heard rumors about‍‍ that boy, and⁠‌ he’s growing up⁠‌ very well.”

Alicia‍ unnecessarily shrugged off‌ the praise for‍ Vlad coming from Duncan’s mouth.

“It‌ seems he has⁠‍ this time established⁠⁠ a connection with⁠ San Rogino, and⁠ being near the⁠⁠ church, that’s not⁠ bad at all.”

Duncan‌‍⁠ heard Alicia’s comment and looked at⁠ her with a subtle expression.

Everything⁠‌⁠ was rumor in the north these‍‍⁠ days, that the⁠⁠‌ researchers from Soara‌ had found ominous‍ signs in Baron‌ Utman’s territory.

But‍ most lords would‌⁠ be alert to‍⁠⁠ signs of witches‍ or subtle inclinations⁠⁠ between Baron Utman⁠‌⁠ and the Bayezid.⁠‍‍

“Because…⁠ I invested in‌‌ that boy.”

“I‍ understand.”

But⁠ Alicia was more‍‌‌ interested in Vlad’s‌‍ behavior than that.‌⁠

Since‍ Vlad had left⁠‌ Deirmar, she had⁠⁠ been watching his⁠ movements, to the⁠ point that her‍ spy network in‌ the north had‍ been reinforced.

“I‌ also think it‌⁠⁠ was a good⁠ thing.”

“Yes. The higher his‌‍‍ name rises, the‌‌ better for us.”‍⁠

Taking‌ Lady Alicia’s handkerchief,‍⁠ Vlad had the decency to respond‌⁠ to her call.‍‌‌

And‌‌ when the boy‍ returns to Deirmar‍ claiming the handkerchief,‍⁠ he won’t come‍ alone.

He⁠ had promised Joseph⁠ he would.

“Mobilize⁠ a wider scouting‌ radius, so we‌ can quickly pick⁠‍ up any suspicious‌ developments. We don’t⁠ have many troops,‍‍‌ and we need‌ to gain time.”‍⁠‌

“…Yes,⁠ Lady.”

Duncan‌ watched as Alicia quickly changed the‌‍ subject and decided‍ to remain silent.

It‌ would be nice‌‍‍ to have a breather, if only⁠ for a few⁠‍ moments.

“I hope you’re okay.”⁠‍

“I‍ hope so too.”‌

The‍⁠ world was changing⁠ rapidly.

More than the old‌‍ ones who had⁠‍ always ruled it could have predicted.‌‍

The‌‌⁠ old knight felt‌⁠‌ sorry for the‌ young ones who⁠‍‌ had to bear‍‍⁠ the heavy burdens of this changing⁠ world.

On‍⁠‌ the trees of‍⁠ the hillside, white⁠ flowers bloomed.

They‍‍ had started to‍‍ bloom shortly after‍ the boy’s departure,‌‌ and they were‌⁠‌ the only comfort‍‍ that existed now‌⁠ in Deirmar.

***‍

kwang-‍‌ kwang-

Vlad⁠ sat, frowning at⁠⁠ the hammering sound.‍⁠

“That‌ darn old man. Part of me wanted to crush him right there.”‌‍

“…Really?”⁠⁠‍

The old blacksmith made a subtle expression‌‌ as he saw‌ Vlad curse the⁠‌ old man in⁠⁠ front of him, but he simply⁠‍‌ continued hammering in⁠ silence.

Youngsters⁠‌‌ had their own‌ burdens to bear,‍‌ but sometimes one‍‌⁠ had to turn‌⁠ a blind eye‌‍ to the old‍ ones.

“What‌ were you cutting⁠ this time?”

“This⁠ one was a bit too much⁠‍‌ for me.”

It‍‍ had been a long time since‌‍ he tended to‌‌ his sword, and⁠ he had good‍ reasons to scold‌ the boy for‍ yet another chipping.

“…What‍⁠ more can you‌‌‍ expect from a headless knight?”

The⁠ old blacksmith let out something akin⁠ to a sigh‍‍ at the mention‌ of a being‍‍⁠ he had never‍‍ heard of in‌ his life.

The‌ sword resting on‌⁠ the forge looked‍‍‍ particularly sorry today.‍‍

“It‍ seems like you’re‌⁠ fighting tougher guys‍‍ wherever you go.”‍

“Seems⁠ to be my‍⁠ fate. Whatever.”

Watching‍‌⁠ the boy complain‍‌ about not having a good deal‍⁠ to live comfortably,‍ the old man‌ quietly started hammering‍‍ the sword.

Though‍ he was a swordsman who had‍ put all his‌⁠‍ effort into it,‍⁠ this sword was‌‌‍ not created for⁠ such purposes.

“Don’t⁠ you think it’s time to change‍‌ your sword?”

“What?”

Vlad’s‌⁠ eyes widened in⁠‍⁠ perplexity at the‍‍ old man’s seemingly‌⁠⁠ casual statement.

The⁠‍⁠ old man’s seemingly⁠‍ nonchalant behavior was‌ even more peculiar⁠ to Vlad.

“At best, you’ll be‌‍ lucky if you⁠ can go out‍ and slice monsters⁠ with it. The⁠‌ material is nothing‌ but ordinary iron,‌ and the man‍ who made it‌‌‍ is nothing more‍⁠ than a mediocre⁠⁠ blacksmith.”

“But…”‌⁠‍

“If‍‍ you keep using‍‍ it like this,‌ someday it will⁠ break.”

The⁠ boy will face more challenges as‍ he grows, but‍‍ the sword will⁠⁠ forever remain as‍ it is now.⁠⁠⁠

The‍‍⁠ old blacksmith hoped‍ that the sword‍⁠ he had made‌‍ would never reach‌ the boy’s ankle.‌‌

Surely‍‍‍ the boy, who‌ now lies wounded,‍‌‍ doesn’t want that‌ either.

“I’m⁠⁠ not asking you‌‍‌ to change it‌ now, but think⁠‍‍ about it.”

“Do‍‌ you do customizations?”⁠

The⁠ old blacksmith just‍ laughed at the‌ boy’s question.

He normally behaved like⁠ an adult, but⁠ at moments like‍⁠ this, he couldn’t‌⁠ help but feel‌⁠ young.

“This‍ is my last‌‌ piece. Look for‌‌ another blacksmith, not‍‌‌ me.”

It’s‍‍‍ the privilege of‍ the young and⁠ the young at heart to mourn‍ the parting.

For‌ the old and⁠⁠ the sympathetic, it‌ was just another‌ day in life.‍‍

“Are‍‍ you taking it‌⁠ with you today?”‌

“I‍ might have to⁠‍ use it later.”‌

“Sure.”‍⁠

The‍‍ sword gleamed again‍ as he dipped‌‌ it into the⁠ water bucket to‍ cool off.

It‌⁠ still seemed like‍ it would stand‌⁠ by the boy.

“Be⁠⁠ careful, it’s hot.”‌‍⁠

“Yes.”⁠‍

The‍‌ old man gestured‍‍ for the boy‍ to take it⁠ out of the water, eyes stinging⁠ from the flames.‍‍

“…”⁠

The boy stepped out‍‌ confidently, unlike before.‍

Now,‍⁠ he could barely‍ step on the‌ mud in front⁠ of him.

“Of‍ course.”

The‌‍ old blacksmith nodded,‍‌‍ and with a hearty laugh, he‍ closed the forge‍‌ door and locked‌ it.

The⁠‍ business of the⁠‍ day was done.⁠‌

For‌ he had just‌⁠ expended all his‌ strength on the boy’s sword.

***‌⁠

Vlad‍‌ had been more‍⁠ sensitive than usual lately.

It⁠⁠ wasn’t just because‌ he had been‍‌ disciplined by Joseph.‍‍

“…”‍⁠

[Someone is following you‍‌ from behind.]

Since‌⁠ yesterday, someone had‍⁠⁠ been following Vlad,‍‍ as the voice‌‍ said.

Almost as if he‍ knew whose gaze‌‌ it was, Vlad‌ quickly moved away‍‌ from the familiar‍‍⁠ alley and began‌‌ to follow a deliberate path.

He⁠ hurried past the⁠⁠ skewer shop, filled‌‌ with acrid smoke,‍⁠ to gain some⁠‍‍ distance, and then⁠‍⁠ skirted the crowded‌ sidewalks to conceal‌⁠ his presence.

The⁠ old man stopped‌ abruptly when he⁠‍ saw the boy⁠‍ suddenly disappear in front of him‌‍ into a dark⁠‍ alley.

‘You’re‌ quick on your‌ feet.’

The⁠‍⁠ old man shook⁠⁠ his head, feeling‍ like the boy⁠‌⁠ was behind him‌⁠ as if he‍ hadn’t noticed.

There‌‌ was a reason‌‍⁠ he had been‌‌ given Bayezid’s leather‌ armor.

“Why⁠ are you following‍‌ me?”

“I‌‌‍ was on my‍⁠ own way, what‌ do you mean?”⁠⁠⁠

Vlad⁠ couldn’t bear the‍‍ nonchalant response from‍ the old man‍ any longer and started to growl.‍‌

“You’ve‍‌ been playing with‌ me since yesterday.”‍

‘…He⁠ has a strong‌‌ impulse.’

The⁠ old man nodded‌‍ as he saw‍ the boy, despite‍‌ being angry, not‍ letting it get‍ the better of‍⁠ him.

‘He‌ seems to be‌ someone with a great ability to⁠⁠⁠ control himself.’

Then,⁠ his challenge from that moment was⁠‍ surely intentional.

He’s‌ a good kid.‍‌

“Then⁠‍‌ you shouldn’t have‍‌ done the stupid‌⁠‌ thing in the first place. What‍⁠‍ did I say⁠ was wrong?”

“…”‌

Vlad looked at the‍ old man who‌⁠ was provoking him‌‍⁠ while frowning in‍⁠ front of him.‌‍

The‌ old man was‍ clearly looking for‍ a reaction from‌ him.

He⁠‌ must have a purpose, something he⁠‍‌ wants from him.‌⁠

“If‌ you don’t like‍⁠ something, why don’t‍ you just say‍ it, instead of⁠ beating around the‌⁠ bush?”

The‍ old man smiled⁠ as the boy‌⁠ growled and slowly grabbed the hilt of his sword.‌

There was a rawness⁠ in the boy‌ that he hadn’t‍‌ felt in a long time.

It‌‍ was something he‍ missed, but it was also something⁠‍ he appreciated.

“If‍ you feel like⁠ fighting, then come‌ and do it.‌ Idiot.”

Vlad⁠‌ prepared himself as⁠⁠ he saw the‍ old man reaching⁠ out his hand⁠‍ to him.

He didn’t know who‍‌ the old man⁠‌‌ was, or why he was doing‍ this, but the‍⁠‍ old man was⁠ someone Joseph vouched‍ for.

If‍ he did it‌ now, it must‌⁠ be with intention.⁠

“…You‍ started it.”

Vlad‍⁠ quickly unsheathed his‌ sword, ready to‍ shatter any intent,‌⁠ if there was⁠ any.

An‌ old man who‍ had survived countless‌ battlefields must be stronger than him.⁠

But‍ the boy, who⁠‌ had lived in‍‍‌ a world where⁠‍‌ disrespect meant death,‌‌ was willing to‍‍ take on anyone⁠⁠‌ at any time.⁠

Clang!‍⁠⁠

Vlad‍ unsheathed his sword⁠‍ at a speed‍‌ that surpassed his⁠‌‍ expectations, using the‌ technique of the‍‌ deadly strike.

‘You’ve‌ got some tricks‍⁠ up your sleeve!’‍

The⁠ wrinkles of the‌⁠ old man widened‌ as he saw‌‌‍ the sword piercing⁠⁠ through the narrow‍‍‌ alley with no‍ room to dodge.‍‌

He‍ almost felt proud‌ of the boy‍‌ for being so‌ young and putting so much of‍ himself into a single sword.

Perhaps⁠⁠ he should teach‌‌ him something of‍ his own.

“What are you doing‌ here without taking‍ her with you?”⁠⁠

“…!”‍

Vlad‍ was panicking.

It wasn’t because his blow had been‍⁠ blocked in vain.‍‌⁠

He‍‌ had already anticipated⁠⁠⁠ it.

Move⁠ to the right,‍‍⁠ move to the‌⁠‍ right.

If‌⁠ you move to the left, to‍‌ the left.

As‌ the old man continued to follow⁠‌‌ him, strangely pressing‌‍⁠ the tip of‌ his sword against‌ his, Vlad realized⁠ that his movements⁠⁠ had already been⁠ read.

“Damn⁠‍⁠ it!”

Vlad‍⁠‌ quickly closed his⁠ left eye as the old man‌‌ mocked him with his sword.

Even‍‍‌ though he had expected it, he⁠‍ did not expect‍‍ the difference to⁠⁠ be so great.‌

“Why‍⁠ the hell are‍ you doing this!”‌‍

The‌ big worlds always⁠⁠ oppressed the boy, constantly beating him down.

Now,‌ tired of being‌⁠ treated this way,‍ Vlad unleashed the‍ anger he had‌‌ been accumulating and‌ lunged at the unnamed old man.‍

“Magnificent!”⁠‌

The‌ old man raised‌ the corner of⁠‌ his lips as⁠‌ he felt the‍ boy’s momentum trembling⁠‌‍ under his sword.‍‌

Even‍ in his time,⁠‍ he had rarely seen someone of his age handle⁠⁠ aura as clearly‍ as this boy.‍‍

“I’m‌⁠⁠ not that good!”‌‍‍

Clash!‌‌

The‍ boy’s and the‍‌⁠ old man’s swords‍ clashed in the‌ narrow alley.

For‌ once, the boy’s momentum, which could‍⁠⁠ not be suppressed‍ with finesse alone,‍⁠ clung to the⁠⁠ old man with‌‍ wild sparks.

“You⁠ have a good‌‌ momentum!”

It‍‍ wasn’t just momentum.‍

As he struggled to‌‍‍ keep the boy‌⁠ from using his‌⁠‍ tricks, the boy‍ was clearly thinking‌‍‍ about his next⁠⁠ move.

Although‍‍ he might not‌⁠ be able to match his skill or experience, he‍⁠ could surely overwhelm⁠‍ him with his youthful strength.

The‍ boy’s movements, as‌‌ he analyzed his‌ opponent’s weaknesses and‍⁠ clung to him,‌ were clearly eager‌⁠‌ for victory.

Clash!‌

With⁠⁠ a metallic sound,⁠‍‌ the old man‌‌ was pushed to‌ the end of⁠⁠⁠ the alley.

The⁠‍ relentless flow of‌ time could not‍⁠⁠ stop the young‌ man pushing him.⁠

‘Looks‍⁠‌ promising.’

“Let’s‍‍⁠ see how long⁠‌ you’ll keep laughing.”⁠

Vlad,‌‌ annoyed by the⁠ old man’s smile,⁠‍⁠ pushed his sword⁠ forward with all his might, aiming⁠ at the old‍ man’s throat.

“That‍ was a good‍⁠ move, but you’ve‌ chosen the wrong‌‍‌ opponent.”

“…?”⁠⁠

However,‌‌⁠ at that moment,‌‌ Vlad felt a chilling premonition as‍ he saw the old man’s calm‍⁠ smile.

“What?”

The‍ old man’s sword…‍‌ or rather, his⁠⁠ arm, was glowing.‍⁠

Seeing⁠‌ the old man⁠ infusing Aura into‌⁠ his arm instead⁠⁠‍ of the sword,‌ Vlad was left⁠ speechless and horrified.‌‌⁠

He⁠ had never seen‍ a knight use‌‍⁠ his body instead⁠⁠‌ of a weapon‍ to manifest Aura, but this was‌‍ the first time.‌

“It’s‌‍ quite useful, isn’t‍‌ it? It’s for strengthening the body.”‍‌

The‍‍ old man smiled‌ as if presenting‍ a toy, and‍ then, as if‌⁠⁠ it were his‌ turn, he began‌ to push Vlad’s sword away with⁠ all his strength.‍⁠

“Ugh,⁠‌ ugh…”

Vlad felt a completely⁠ different force this‌‍ time, and his sword began to‍⁠‌ retreat more and‌‍ more.

The‍⁠‌ old man was‍‍ pushing the young⁠ man back with⁠‌‍ his strength.

“If‍‌ you apply it‌‍‌ correctly, this is also possible.”

“…!”‍

He‌ didn’t have time‍ to be surprised‌‌ by the strange⁠‌ situation unfolding.

This‍ time, the old‌‍‍ man’s hand glowed,‌ and then he‍⁠⁠ grabbed the boy’s⁠ sword without hesitation.‌‌

Although⁠ it should have⁠ been sharp after‍ being recently repaired,‍⁠ the sword in⁠ the old man’s‌ hands had not⁠ a drop of‍ blood on it.‌‍‍

The⁠‍ old man’s palm,‍ harder than steel,⁠ made it possible.‌‌

‘What⁠ is this!’

Vlad‌‌ let out a choked scream inside.‌

It‍ was a scream‌ that shattered any ounce of common‍‌‍ sense he had.

[…]

Without⁠ the voice advising‌‌⁠ him whether he⁠ was doing it⁠‍ on purpose or‍⁠ not, Vlad’s instinct‌ told him to‌‌ let go of‍ the sword.

Then,‌ he quickly drew‍⁠ Jorge’s dagger and‌⁠ lunged at the⁠‍⁠ old man.

“…Ha!”‍

The⁠⁠‌ old man, admiring⁠ Vlad’s quick judgment, let out a sigh of admiration.‍

The‍⁠ boy, without caring about pride or⁠⁠⁠ dignity, abandoned his‍ sword and ran⁠ towards him as⁠‌ if he didn’t⁠ care.

It⁠‍ was a bold move that only a boy with⁠ the heart of⁠⁠ a beast could make.

Although‍ he had felt‌⁠ it before, this‌ boy truly had‌ exceptional talent.

“Damn⁠ you!”

Surprised‌ by the unconventional‌ move that a well-trained knight shouldn’t make, the old‍ man unknowingly threw‍⁠ a punch imbued⁠ with Aura towards‌ the boy.

“Crack!”⁠⁠

It was just a punch.

Although‍‍ it was a fierce fight, with‌‌ just one punch‍⁠ from the old‍ man, Vlad staggered‌ backwards with a dull noise.

The‍‌ blow was so‍‍⁠ strong that it broke a piece of armor from‌ the boy’s shoulder.

The‍ snake’s protection, which⁠‍ had been broken‍ during the last‌‍ battle, could no‌ longer protect the boy.

“…Ouch!”

But⁠‌ even if it‌ was just a blow, Vlad’s resilience⁠‍‌ to sincerely provoke‌ the old man‍ was clearly commendable.‌

Probably,‍‌ if Joseph or‌⁠⁠ Jager were watching⁠‍ the current situation,‍⁠ they would be surprised to the‍ point of disbelief.

“Are⁠ you okay?”

Although‍‌‌ he was regretting⁠ not controlling his strength, the old‌‌ man who blamed‍⁠ himself headed towards‍ the boy, but‌ the real target‌⁠ he had to⁠‌ respond to was⁠ lying far away,‍ apparently unconscious.

Perhaps‍ it was a blow so strong‌‍ that he lost‌⁠⁠ consciousness.

“…He’s‍‌⁠ weakened a bit.”⁠‌

Finally⁠⁠⁠ finding a flaw,⁠‍ the old man was truly satisfied⁠‍‍ as he approached⁠⁠‌ the fallen boy.⁠

Somehow, there was a reason for Jager’s‌⁠ smile.

“…!”⁠‍

But⁠ when the old‍‍‌ man took a step forward to‍ help the boy‌ up, he was‍‍ stunned to see‌‌ a pair of‌‌⁠ flashing blue eyes⁠‍ rushing towards him⁠⁠ rapidly.

Gregory had said it.⁠

No⁠ matter what happens,⁠ the flame must‌ not be extinguished.‍

And‌ the boy has‍‍⁠ not given up‍ yet.

“Damn you!”

“This‍⁠ is…”

Vlad⁠‍ punched the old⁠‌ man, grabbing him‍ with his whole‍ body as he‌ tried to get‍‍ up.

Immobilized‌‍‍ and with no‍ space to dodge,‍ the old man⁠ had no choice⁠⁠ but to accept⁠‌ the attack.

Crunch!⁠

The⁠⁠ sound of something‌ breaking echoed in⁠‌ the silent alley.

It‌ was clear that Vlad’s intentions had‍ succeeded.

“Curse‌‍ you…!”

Amidst‍‌‌ his confused mind,‍⁠ Vlad muttered a curse with a choked voice.