Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 70: Lady Zemina (1)

Chapter 70: Lady Zemina (1)

Joseph⁠‍‍ handed her the‍‍ teacup and looked‍⁠‌ at the nun‍‌ sitting in front‌‌‍ of him.

An‍‍ elderly woman dressed⁠‍⁠ in worn-out yet‌ carefully ironed clothes.⁠

The⁠⁠ convent’s prioress spoke‍⁠ as she sipped‍‍ the tea Joseph‌‍ had given her.‍

“I‍‍ understand that the‍ mayor is considering⁠ cultivating that seed,‍ but we must‍⁠ be cautious.”

The‍⁠ convent’s prioress was looking Joseph straight⁠‍‌ in the eyes‍‍ with her head⁠‍⁠ held high.

Her⁠⁠ simple posture was‌ evident simply by⁠‍ her seated stance.‌

“From⁠‍‌ what I personally‍ observed, he was‍⁠ very impatient and‍ cruel, perhaps due⁠‍ to his low‌‍ social status. This child will definitely‍‍‌ cause trouble.”

That‌ day, Vlad dragged‍‌ Zemina out of‌ the convent without‍⁠ following the proper‌ procedures.

If he had thought‍‌‍ about the future,‌ he probably shouldn’t‍‌ have done it,⁠⁠‍ but in life,‌ there are moments‍ when emotions take⁠‍ precedence over reason.‌

“I told you this‍‍ because I was⁠‌ concerned he might⁠ damage the mayor’s‌ reputation.”

“…Is‍‌⁠ that so.”

Joseph already knew that⁠‌ Vlad had committed‌‌ some indiscretions in‍‌ the convent.

However,‌ it was quite⁠ intentional to question‍ that behavior and‌‍ issue a warning.‍⁠

There‌‍ must be a good reason why‌ the prioress is‌ doing this to‌ the boy who‍ received approval from‍‌ Priest Andreas and‌ Saint Rogino.

“Sir.⁠ Joseph.”

“What’s‍⁠ going on?”

Just as Joseph was⁠ thinking about who‌ might be behind‌‍ the prioress, Jager⁠ called, opened the⁠⁠ door, and entered⁠‍ the mayor’s office.‌

Although‌ Jager didn’t have⁠ permission to enter⁠⁠ and knew he‍ was speaking with a guest, he‌‍‌ had good reasons‍‍ for doing so.‍

“The‌ stable caretaker I sent with Sir.‌ Ramund has returned.”‌‌

Joseph‍⁠ narrowed his eyes‍⁠ when he saw‌ that Jager’s expression⁠ was unusual.

“He‍‍⁠ returned alone.”

“What’s‍ the reason?”

Joseph⁠ looked Jager in⁠ the eyes and‍ leaned in.

“Let‍ him in.”

Click-!‍‌

The⁠‍ prioress was sitting⁠⁠ right in front‌ of him, but‍‍‍ Jager’s attitude was⁠ urgent.

“Hello,⁠‌⁠ Sir. Joseph. There’s‌ been a major‌‍⁠ problem.”

While⁠‌‌ Jager nodded, Goethe, who had been⁠ waiting outside, entered‍ with urgent steps.⁠⁠

His⁠‌‌ face covered in⁠‍ sweat and dirt⁠‌ showed how urgently⁠ Goethe had moved.⁠‌‌

“Speak.”‍‍

Goethe⁠‍ swallowed hard with Joseph’s permission and‌ quickly began to‌‌ speak the words⁠ he had been‍ thinking.

“The‍ barbarians have appeared.”⁠

When‌‌ the word “barbarian”⁠ came out of‍ Goethe’s mouth, the‍⁠ nun covered her mouth unconsciously.

Having‌ lived for a long time, she‍⁠ knew well the‍‌ fear that barbarians‍‌⁠ brought.

“…Where.”‍⁠‌

“It’s⁠ a road that‍‌ connects Soara and‌ Varna. They were‍ attacking people there.”

It⁠‍ was an impossible‌‍ situation, but the‍⁠ man named Goethe‌‌⁠ was a person‌⁠‌ with a certain‌⁠‌ degree of confidence,⁠⁠‍ based on his‍⁠ past experience.

It⁠‍ was worth listening‌‌ to his report.‍⁠

“I⁠ was told to bring someone.”

Goethe‌ opened his mouth,‍ licking his dry‌ lips with his tongue, perhaps feeling⁠⁠ overwhelmed by Joseph’s‍ gaze or by‍ an urgent situation.‌

“Sir.⁠‌ Ramund and Vlad‍ are holding the‌‌‍ barbarian leader hostage.”‌‌

“…”‌

Goethe‍‌⁠ was saying.

That⁠ Ramund and Vlad‌ are conducting a sit-in, holding onto⁠ the barbarian leader‌ to protect the‍ people who were⁠⁠ attacked.

Just‌ the two of⁠‍ them.

“…Jager.‍‌ Gather the knights‌ and move out‌‍ immediately. Take charge⁠ yourself.”

“Yes.”‌‍

“Goethe. I’m sorry for you who just‌‌ returned, but you⁠‌ need to be‍ a guide for‍‍ Jager.”

“Alright.”‌

“Then hurry.”

Joseph,‌ who had dismissed‍ the two of‍⁠‍ them, bowed his‍ head with both hands on his‍ forehead as if‍⁠‌ praying.

But⁠‌ Joseph didn’t bow⁠‍ his head to‍ pray.

He‍ was suppressing his‍ anger, thinking of the barbarians who dared to defile⁠‍ and harm Bayezid’s land and someone⁠⁠‌ who warned him.‍⁠‌

“…Isn’t⁠⁠ it truly amazing?

Joseph slowly lifted his‌ head to the⁠ nun who was sitting across from‌‍‍ him.

“Although‌⁠‍ I am of‍‍‍ humble origin and impatient, don’t you⁠⁠ say that I am protecting the lambs according to‌⁠ God’s will?”

“…That’s‍ right.”

The‌‍ Joseph seen in⁠ the eyes of‌ the Mother Superior⁠ had a more‍ dangerous look than‌‍ the boy she⁠‌⁠ saw that day.‍

The‌‍ look in his‍‍⁠ eyes made it seem that if trouble were to‍‌ arise, it would‌ be him and‌‌ not the boy.‍

“Please,‍‌⁠ tell her my⁠ words. Mother Superior.”

The⁠‌ city of Soara‌⁠‌ moves with two⁠‍ hands.

Joseph‍ Bayezid, legitimate mayor⁠‌‌ of Soara, recognized‌ by blood.

“Thank⁠⁠ you for worrying about me.”

The⁠ bishop of Soara,‌⁠ who cares for‍ humans according to‍‍ God’s word. For‌ these two people.‍

“And‌‌ he will come‌‍ to see you soon.”

Although‍ they belong to⁠ different realms, the⁠ two people moving‍‍ in the same⁠ city were destined‌‍ to meet at⁠‌⁠ least once.

Ultimately,‍‌ both human power‌⁠ and divine power‍ come from the‌⁠ people.

Outside⁠ the mayor’s office‌⁠ window, the sound⁠‌‍ of horse hooves‍ could be heard‍‌ as the cavalry‍‌ soldiers galloped noisily.‌

***‌‌

If‌⁠‍ it were an⁠‌⁠ ordinary group of bandits, the leader‌⁠ would have surrendered‌ the moment they‌⁠ caught him.

However,‌ these were not‍ bandits but barbarians,‌‌ warriors from a barbarian tribe called Budayatra, and Agge‌⁠ was the son⁠ of the tribe’s⁠⁠ chief and its‍‍‍ leader.

“Don’t you think there‍⁠ are more and‌ more of them?”

“…Many‌ of them are‌⁠ moving south.”

Ramund‍‍ nodded heavily at‍ Vlad’s words.

The‌‍ barbarians didn’t abandon‍ their leader.

They‌⁠ continued to follow⁠ them, pressing Ramund‍ and Vlad, who‍ led the people and slowly headed‍‌ south.

Even⁠ now, the walls of Soara are barely visible.

“It⁠ seems like the‌‍ guy named Goethe‍‌⁠ has arrived at‍⁠ the right place.”⁠

However, this tedious confrontation,⁠ which lasted more‌‌ than a day,‍ has ended from‌ this moment on.

Ramund‍ held his sword against Agge’s neck⁠‍ and looked at‌ the dust rising⁠‌ in the distance.

They⁠⁠‌ were the soldiers‌ of Soara.

“We‍‌ arrived a little⁠ late.”

“Don’t⁠ forget that this‌‌‌ is the land‌ of Bayezid.”

Agge‌ watched as he‌‌ looked at the‌‍ troops coming from‌‌‌ Soara.

If‍⁠‍ the warriors he‌ had brought with⁠⁠ him had gathered‍⁠‌ even a little⁠ earlier, not even‌⁠ the two knights‌ using Aura would‍‍ have been able‌ to protect everyone‍ present. {1}

If‍ so, they could‍⁠ have at least liberated me.

“That‌ was a good‌ decision. Elder.”

The‍ decision to cling‍ to him and‌ press himself while‌⁠ leading the group‌ back to Soara.‍‌

Worried about being caught,⁠ he calculated the‌‌ appropriate distance and‍⁠ time and sent‍ Goethe to Soara.⁠⁠

If⁠ either of the‌‍ two had gone⁠‍⁠ wrong or had⁠‍‌ not attempted it,⁠ the group would⁠‍‌ have been surrounded by unknown barbarians⁠ instead of seeing‍‍⁠ Soara.

“Why⁠‌‌ the hell did‍‍ you come here?‍ Why did you⁠‍ come so deep?”‌‌

Ramund,‌ who had finally⁠⁠ achieved his intention,‍‌⁠ began to ask⁠ the questions he⁠ had been harboring.⁠‌

However, instead of the⁠‌ sword tip threatening⁠ him, Agge’s eyes⁠ were only focused‍ on the boy⁠ in front of‍⁠ him, mounted on‍ a black horse⁠ looking at his‌⁠⁠ comrades.

“We‍ needed the son‍⁠ of the steppes.‌⁠‌ That’s why he‍ followed you here.”‌

“Are‌⁠ those who followed‌ the horse plundering⁠‍ the people?”

“I guess that was‍ also a way‌‍ to earn pocket‌ money.”

Although‍ Vlad threw Agge‍‌⁠ to the ground,‍‌‌ he did not‌ lose his confident⁠⁠ attitude.

“But‌ I didn’t know‍ the son of the steppes would‌⁠ choose the boy‌ from the empire⁠‍‌ over us.”

Although‍‍ he was alone,‍⁠ the boy did⁠ an excellent job‍⁠‌ holding off the charge of the‍‌ barbarians on the way here.

Although⁠⁠ he didn’t want‌⁠‍ to admit it,‍ there must have⁠⁠‍ been a reason⁠ why the son⁠‌ of the steppes‌ chose the boy‍‍‌ over him.

“…You’ll‌‍ have to explain‍ this in detail.”‍‍

It seemed there was⁠‍ some story behind⁠ this, but the‌⁠ tip of Ramund’s⁠ sword did not‍ waver.

In any case, since⁠‌ these were the⁠ guys who entered⁠⁠ Bayezid’s land without‌‌ permission and plundered‌‌⁠ it, there would⁠ be no need‌ to investigate the‌ situation.

“Get⁠ back! Everyone get‍‌ back!”

Agge, realizing that the situation was already‍‌ over, shouted loudly to his companions.⁠‍

“Stay‌⁠ still!”

Due‍ to Agge’s sudden‌‌ action, Ramund’s sword⁠ lost its hold‌‌‌ on his neck‌‍ and bright red blood was forming,‍⁠ but Agge did‌ not stop shouting.⁠‍

“Get‌ back!”

The⁠ barbarian warriors who heard Agge’s voice‌ hesitated for a moment but nodded‌‌⁠ when they saw‍ the soldiers of‌ Soara running from⁠‌ afar.

Their‍‌⁠ leader failed and‌‍ was captured.

Since‍⁠⁠ we cannot have‌‌ a frontal clash‍ with the soldiers‌⁠‌ on the front‌‌ territory of Soara, we will have‍ to wait until‌⁠ a later date.‌‌

“Goodbye.⁠ Leader!”

Barbarians‌ turning the reins⁠ with a cunning‍‍ neighbor.

The people running as‍‌ if fleeing, dragging‌‌⁠ their bodies unaided,‌⁠ could only sigh‌ in relief at‌⁠ seeing that sight.‍⁠

“Thank‍ you. Sir!”

“Thank⁠ you for saving us!”

People⁠‍ fell to their‍‍ knees in sobs.‍‍

No⁠ one here thought‍ they could return‌ to Soara with their lives preserved.⁠‍⁠

The‍‍ pressure from the⁠ barbarians was intense‍ and threatening, and the situation was‌‌ desperate.

However,‌ there were men‍‌ who led them‌‌⁠ here, blocking those⁠‍ barbarians.

“…It’s‌ over.”

As⁠‌ the boy watched⁠‍ the barbarians recede,‌ he bit his‌ tongue and said⁠ that finally everything‍‍ was over.

Vlad’s‌‌⁠ blonde hair waved‍⁠ in the wind‍⁠ as he looked‌ at the people.‍⁠

His‍ name was Vlad‍‍‍ from Soara.

***

“What‍ happened?”

“I‍⁠ don’t know. The‍‌ barbarians suddenly appeared.”⁠

When‍‌ Vlad mentioned he had been involved‌ in the incident‍‌ but didn’t know the internal story,‍⁠ Jager approached quietly.‌‌

“…Good‌ job.”

As‌⁠ they neared Soara,⁠ the group of⁠ barbarians that Agge‌‍ had brought along‍ numbered almost 40‍ people.

Since⁠ only the two‌ of them were‍‍⁠ holding them off,‍‍‍ it was a situation Vlad was‍‍‌ exhausted from.

“But‍ where did that come from?”

Jager’s‍ gaze settled on⁠‍‌ the black horse⁠ carrying Vlad.

Even‍⁠‍ to the naked‍‌⁠ eye, it seemed‍ unusual as it was large compared to other horses.‌‍‍

“Oh,‌‌⁠ this guy?”

A smile crept onto‌ Vlad’s lips, as‌‌⁠ if he had⁠‌ been expecting that⁠‌ question.

“This‍‌ is the guy⁠‌ I saw when‍ I was dealing with the Death‍⁠‍ Worm back then.⁠ How did you‌⁠‍ find me?”

“Mmm.”‌‌

The kid seemed tired,‍⁠‌ but he shrugged,⁠⁠ saying he could‍ finally ride a horse.

Especially⁠‌ because he was‌ in front of‍ Jager, he seemed⁠⁠‌ desperate to be‌‍ more condescending.

“Stop‌⁠ acting so proud.”‍

“As‌‍‍ soon as I return, I’ll have‍‍ to saddle him‌ up first.”

“…”‌‍

Vlad was extremely excited⁠ and ignored his‍ own words.

Seeing that, Jager wanted‌‍ to kick him,‍‍ but as there‌‌ were still people⁠ behind him occasionally‍ shouting the kid’s‌ name, he decided⁠ to bear it‌⁠ for now.

“Now‍ you know you’re paying for the‍ food.”

A small growl escaped him.

He‍⁠ saved the people‍⁠ from the barbarians and also revealed‍ the identity of‍ the rumored ghost‌⁠ horse.

Vlad‍ nodded, thinking that‌⁠ was enough to‍‌ regain the points he had lost‌‌ with Joseph, but⁠ the job was not yet finished.⁠

“Huh?‍ Hey. Let’s go.”‍

Neigh-

It was a black⁠ horse that had‍‍‌ been following Vlad’s‌ words a moment‍ ago, but as‌⁠‌ soon as it‌⁠ approached Soara’s gate,‌⁠⁠ it started to⁠ move away and‌ refused to come‍ any closer.

“Huh?⁠⁠ Huh?”

Vlad began to panic‌ at the horse’s‍‌ sudden and strange‌‌‌ behavior, and the‌⁠ soldiers around him‍‌ started to hurriedly‍‍ flee the scene.

“They⁠‍ said they would‍ saddle him up‌‍ first.”

“Why is it like‍‌ this?”

Jager‍⁠‍ squinted and began‌ to notice the strange behavior of‍⁠ the black horse.‍‌

For‌⁠ some reason, it‌ seemed uneasy from‌ the moment the soldiers approached.

“…The‍‍ guy who seems‌ to be hated⁠‍ by horses, and‌ also the horse‌⁠ that doesn’t let⁠‍‍ anyone ride it‍‌‌ also hates humans,‍ so they really⁠ got along.”

Watching‍‌ the black horse⁠‍ that wasn’t even‌ stepping back now‌‌‍ lifting its front‍ hoof and gleaming,‌ Jager thought they‍ were quite the‍ pair.

Translator’s⁠ notes:

(1): Agge thinks Vlad⁠‌ is also a knight because he‌ used Aura so‍⁠⁠ I included 2 knights.