Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 72: Lady Zemina (3)

Chapter 72: Lady Zemina (3)

“I‍ came to see‌‍ Vlad.”

“….”⁠

Marcella’s⁠ eyes widened as⁠ she looked at‌‌ the men who‍‍ flocked to the‌ inn, which had‍‍‌ not yet opened.‍

The same happened with⁠ the former prostitutes⁠ and current employees⁠‍ who had maintained‌‍‍ Rose’s smile for‍ a long time.‍⁠

Having⁠‌⁠ lived their whole⁠ lives as prostitutes,⁠ they had never⁠⁠‍ seen as many clients as there‌‍⁠ were now.

“Uh,‌ Vlad… just left‍ because he had‍ work to do.”‌‌

Although‌ it wasn’t necessary‌ to add a name, Marcella realized‍ that now was‍ the time to⁠⁠‍ elevate Vlad’s existence‌‌‍ if possible.

Because‌ that’s what her‍⁠⁠ senses, honed over‍ a lifetime of⁠⁠ dealing with people,‍ told her.

“You’re quite busy these days. I suppose⁠‌‍ it’s because you‌‍ have a talent‌ the mayor appreciates.”‍‌

“Oh,‌ oh. That’s right.⁠‌ I’m sure that’s‍ it.”

The⁠⁠ men who flocked‍⁠ to the inn⁠⁠ continued to nod‍ as they watched‍ Marcella explain the situation with a smile.

Marcella,‍ attending to the‌‍ clients with a dignified attitude, instilled⁠⁠ confidence in the‍‌‌ men with just⁠‌ her smile.

“So,‌‍‌ when will he‌ be back?”

“I’m⁠ not sure about⁠‍⁠ that either. Do‍⁠ you want me⁠⁠ to leave your‌ name?”

In‌ a showdown with⁠ the barbarians that‍‌⁠ lasted more than a day, the‌ old knight threatened⁠‍ with his sword⁠ and the young⁠⁠ squire used his‌ strength to fend⁠ them off.

The‍ merchants heading to‌ Varna and the⁠ people from there‍ could clearly see⁠⁠ the two men⁠ fighting, and the⁠‌ result was what⁠ it is now.

The‍‍ rumors about Vlad‍‌ that had been⁠⁠ circulating for a while now had‍ a tangible basis and were spreading⁠‍ to the people‍⁠ of Soara.

“Zemina.”⁠

The‌ men left gifts⁠‌ with their names‌‍ for Vlad.

On⁠‌ their way out, Marcella called the‌ girl who was‍⁠ observing the situation‍‍⁠ from the second floor.

“Yes.‍ Madam.”

Zemina‍ responded to Marcella’s‌‌ call with a slightly disheartened look.‍‍

The⁠‌⁠ brighter the boy‌‌ shone, the more‌‍‍ disheartened Zemina became.‌

This‍ was because she wasn’t sure if⁠⁠ she, with her‌ unpleasant inner self,‍‍ could continue to‌ stand by Vlad.‍‌

“From⁠ now on, you’ll‌ be in charge⁠ of all the guests looking for‌ Vlad.”

“Yes?”‍

And‍ Marcella, who knew‍⁠‌ well why Zemina‌ was upset, decided‍ to give the‌ girl a chance.⁠‌

Marcella‌ was one of‌‍ those who truly‍‍‍ supported the girl‌‌‌ and firmly believed‍‍ that Zemina deserved‌⁠ it.

“But…”‍

Zemina‌ was bewildered by‍ Marcella’s words.

Not⁠‌‍ only because her words were unconventional, but because she‌ knew them well.‍

“Looking‍⁠ at it, it‌⁠‌ seems like everyone‌‌ is seeking a meeting… I think⁠ it would be‌⁠⁠ right for you‌⁠ to handle it.”‍

Undoubtedly,‌ it was a great opportunity, but‍ Zemina shook her‌ head and rejected‍‌ Marcella’s offer.

Part‌‍ of the reason⁠ was that she⁠‌⁠ couldn’t believe in⁠ her own abilities,‍ but the most important reason was‌ that she was‌‌ afraid of making‌ a mistake and⁠ causing trouble for‌ Vlad.

“Zemina.”‍‍⁠

Seeing‍‌ Zemina depressed, Marcella spoke in a stern tone.

“If⁠ you’re qualified to‌ receive Vlad’s guests, then there’s no‍‌ one more qualified⁠‌ than you. Isn’t that right?”

“….”‌

In‍ response to Marcella’s‍ question, the women around her silently⁠ affirmed.

If‍ it weren’t for‌ the red-haired girl,‍‌⁠ the Vlad who‌ is today might not have existed.‍⁠

So‍‌ Zemina needed to⁠‌ have a little⁠‌‌ more confidence in‌ Vlad’s success.

“I…?”⁠

“Yes.‌‌‌ Who else?”

“I’m‌⁠ sure I’ll make‍‌ a mistake. I don’t even know‍‌⁠ what to do.”⁠

Marcella⁠‌ nodded as she‍ watched Zemina with⁠‌ wide-open eyes.

Of‍‌ course, she won’t‌ be able to‍‌ do a great‌ job right away⁠ just because she’s⁠‍ told to.

To‍⁠ attend to important‍ guests, it’s necessary‌ to accumulate her⁠ own experience and knowledge, and Zemina‍‌ wasn’t yet familiar‍ with those things.

“What⁠ if I make‌ a mistake? Vlad will have to‍⁠ bear that burden.”‍

But you don’t need‌ to worry.

Because here now was⁠‍ a woman with⁠‍ the best skills‍‌ to attend to‍ the clients.

“And‌ this time, he⁠⁠⁠ even asked you⁠ to guide the‌⁠⁠ horse? Look at⁠ this. Vlad still‍ needs you.”

Zemina‌ silently nodded as Marcella’s words quietly‍‍‌ echoed in her‍ ears.

The‍ boy clearly had⁠‍ a debt to‌‌ repay to the‌⁠⁠ girl.

Even⁠‌ if he asked for it now,⁠‍ it wouldn’t be entirely unreasonable action.‍‍

And⁠‍ even more so⁠‌ if the reason‌‌ is a fight‌ to stand by‍ the boy’s side.‍‌⁠

Marcella‍ gently lifted Zemina’s⁠ head, lost in‍⁠ her thoughts, and‍ stroked it.

It‍‌ seemed they fit‍ together as well‍ as she thought.‌

“Let’s⁠⁠‌ go to my⁠ room later.”

“Yes?”‍

Zemina‌⁠⁠ seemed bewildered by⁠ Marcella’s words, but⁠‌ she simply smiled.‍‍

It’s‌ not just men‌ who go to‍‍ battle.

Women‍‍⁠ also had their⁠ own battlefield.

And‍ Marcella planned to‌⁠ give Zemina a woman’s weapon today.‌⁠

Just⁠‍ as Jorge gave‌ Vlad his dagger.

***‍

“The Gaidar family won’t⁠‍‌ come to the‌ North immediately.”

Ramund‍‌ was drinking the⁠⁠ tea provided by Joseph and sharing‍⁠‌ his opinion based‍⁠‌ on his experience.‍⁠

“Expansion‍⁠ requires stability. Although the expansion momentum⁠⁠ is fast, remnants‌‍ of the Romanov⁠⁠ family, the original⁠‍‌ leader, still exist⁠ throughout the West.”‍

Joseph‌ listened attentively to‌ Ramund.

Although⁠ he was a Northern knight, Ramund⁠ was active in⁠⁠‌ the West when‌ he was at⁠⁠ his lowest.

“Furthermore,⁠ the Dwarf Liberation⁠ Front is behind⁠‌‌ them. If there’s⁠⁠ order, why not address the concerns⁠‌ behind us first⁠ before advancing into⁠ the northern or‌⁠ central region?”

“…I‍ was thinking about‌ that too.”

As‍‍ Joseph spoke, a letter from someone‍‌ was placed in front of him.⁠‍

It⁠ was a letter‍ with the seal⁠ of the Heinal‍⁠ family.

“But⁠ I’m worried.”

Ramund⁠‌‌ assured Joseph that there was nothing to worry about⁠ for now, but‍‍ in reality, he⁠ leaned back deeply‍‍‌ in his chair and sighed.

“What⁠ do you mean?”⁠‍‍

In response to Joseph’s‌‍ question, Ramund weakly⁠‌ smiled and turned⁠⁠ his head.

“There’s⁠ only one duchy‍⁠ left, and there‍‌ was a reason⁠⁠ I thought I should use that‌ coin for the⁠‌⁠ servants of Bayezid.”⁠

Although‌ it was a retirement ceremony to‌‍ free oneself from‍ honor and duty⁠ and return to⁠ being a pure natural person, the⁠‌ poor knight ended⁠ up thinking about‌ Bayezid until the‌‍‌ last moment.

Because‌⁠ it was a place he was loyal to, a place he protected‍ all his life,‍ and a place⁠ he loved.

“The‌ knights of the⁠ West have already surpassed those of⁠‍ the North.”

“…Is⁠‌ that so.”

However,⁠ as fond as‍ the place was,‍ the assessment had⁠ to be cold.⁠‌

Ramund⁠‌‍ firmly believed that‍‍ doing so would‌‌ truly benefit Bayezid.

“I⁠ think I’ve been⁠ too complacent. The‍‍ moment I saw⁠‍ the Western Knights,⁠‍‍ I realized I hadn’t done my‌ job.”

With‌ those words, Ramund‌‌ closed his eyes‍ in silence and‍ thought of the‌ past North.Constantly fighting‌‍ against barbarians and⁠⁠ monsters.

And discrimination in the‍ center is colder‌ than the cold‍ northern wind.

The‍‍ knights of the‍ North were the‍ ones who fought⁠‌ against all of‌ that.

Therefore,‌‍ they were stronger⁠‌ and more honorable⁠ than knights from‍ any other region.‍⁠

“Perhaps because of the⁠‍⁠ nature of the‍ frontier, the knights⁠ there are always‌ hungry and want to steal. Master,‍‍ you’ll have to‍ prepare for them.”‍

However,‍ time passes and⁠ people can’t always⁠ face the next‍⁠ era in the‍‍ same way.

The⁠⁠ empire was crumbling,‍‍ the harsh North⁠‍ was stabilizing, while⁠⁠ the West was‍⁠ expanding.

It‌ was a time‌ when the balance⁠ of power was shifting.

“…”⁠‌

Joseph‌⁠ rose from his⁠‍‍ seat following Ramund’s words and approached‌‌ the window.

The beautiful view of⁠ Soara always guided‌‍ his steps to⁠‌ the window.

“But‌ does the North⁠ still not yield⁠⁠ strong fruits?”

And⁠‌ the landscape outside⁠ the window comforted‍ Joseph’s frustrated heart.⁠

Ramund‌‌‌ nodded at Joseph’s‌‍⁠ words as he‍ recited them quietly.‍⁠

“Of‌‌⁠ course.”

People‍‍ were gathering at⁠⁠ the gates of Soara, visible in⁠‌ the distance outside‍‍ the window.

Although‍ the era of⁠‍ the old knight‍ had ended, a new era was‍⁠ emerging once again.‌

***‌‌

“Why‌ are people coming‌‍‍ here?”

[There’s‌⁠ something interesting to‌ see, so of⁠ course they’ll come.]⁠‍‌

Vlad, who was pulling⁠‍ the black horse‌ with barely any‍ reins, was speechless‌ at the voice’s⁠ response.

“Is⁠‍ it fun?”

[It’s⁠‌ fun. Think about‌ what you’ve done‌ so far.]

“…”⁠‍‌

As‍ he thought about‌ what the voice had said over‌‍‌ the past few⁠⁠‌ days, Vlad truly‍ understood its meaning.⁠

Vlad⁠ had been desperately⁠‍ trying to bring‌‌ the black horse⁠ to Soara.

He tried blindfolding it,‍ pulling it forcefully,‌‌ coaxing it to‌⁠‍ eat, and even tipping its head‌ to ask it.‍‍⁠

At‍ Goethe’s suggestion, he‌ even tried to‌ captivate the horse,⁠‌⁠ but the black‌⁠ horse didn’t budge.‍

A boy who had‌‍ been making a name for himself⁠⁠‌ in this way‍‌ for a long⁠‍ time was doing⁠‍ something unusual, so‌‌ people’s attention would‌‌ probably focus on him.

“…But⁠‌‌ it’s not like⁠ it’s going to get to this‌ point, right?”

And⁠‌ today was the‍ last moment to‍⁠ highlight that attempt.‌

Vlad‍ bit his lip at the perverse‍‍ attention of the people, but he‍⁠ was sure that‌ this time it⁠⁠ would be different, and he would lead the black horse to the‌ castle gate.

“How⁠⁠‍ long are you‍‍ going to make‌ me wait!”

As‍⁠‌ Vlad made a decision, someone’s voice‍⁠ sounded in his⁠ ears.

When‍‍ he turned his⁠⁠ head, he saw‌‌ Zemina standing in‍ front of the⁠ castle gate, dressed‌⁠ in a red‍‌‍ dress and covering her head and‌‍ face with a cloth.

“Why on earth are⁠ you wearing a dress?”

[The‍⁠ dress is a woman’s combat uniform.‍‌ I was impressed‌ by the complete⁠ preparation.]

Vlad, who had been‌⁠ murmuring despite his‍ request, turned his‍ head and shouted‌ loudly that he⁠ was ready.

“Zemina!⁠ It’s okay!”

“…”‍

At⁠‍ Vlad’s words, not‍⁠ only Zemina but‍⁠ also the spectators‌⁠ held their breath.‌‍

“Good.”⁠‌

Zemina,‍⁠ who was breathing‍ deeply to regain‌‍ her breath, nodded as if she⁠‍⁠ understood Vlad’s signal.⁠

Although‍‍⁠ the stares of⁠‍ the people were‌‌ heavy, and the‍‍ size of the black horse was⁠ much larger than‌‌ expected, Zemina bit⁠‌ her lip forcefully‍‍ and removed the‌⁠ cloth covering her.

If‍‍⁠ you only doubt‍ out of fear,‍⁠ you have no⁠ right to be‍‌ by the boy’s‌‌ side.

“Oh‍‍ oh…”

“Hey.‌‌‌ It was really‍‍‌ worth hiding it.”‍‍⁠

Along⁠⁠ with the girl’s‍ determination and the‌‍ admiration of the‌ people, a beautiful‍⁠ red flower bloomed⁠‌ under the bright⁠‌ sunlight.

Zemina’s⁠ red hair finally‌ appeared, and as‌‌ expected, it caught‌ the attention of⁠‌ the black horse.⁠

“…Why‍ are you wearing⁠⁠⁠ earrings?”

“It’s‍‍‍ a dress and‌ a set!”

The‌‍ girl, dressed in⁠ an elegant dress‍‍ and shining earrings, looked completely different⁠ from the Zemina‌ that Vlad had‌ seen until now.⁠

When‌‍ Vlad saw Zemina’s‌⁠ beautiful appearance, he was speechless and⁠ stared at her‌ for a moment.⁠

“It’s‍‍ here. here.”

However,‍‌ Zemina ignored Vlad’s‌⁠ reprimand and only looked at the⁠‍ black horse in‌ front of her.

Perhaps‍‌ Vlad didn’t know‍‌ it, but Zemina⁠‍ had come out‍‍ with her own‌⁠ determination.

“He’s‍ nice. Come here.”‌⁠

A redhead girl waving a bouquet of‍ roses hidden behind⁠ her back with⁠⁠‌ solemn determination.

The‍ black-toned boy began‍ to move as‍‌ he watched the‌‍‍ girl whose small body was full‌‍⁠ of red roses.‍⁠

“It’s moving!”

“It’s⁠ working!”

The people around applauded‍‌ and admired the⁠‌ current situation.

The⁠ boy is the‍⁠ possibility that Bayezid focuses on.

A black horse proudly‌‍⁠ displaying itself no‍⁠ matter who sees⁠ it.

And even a girl⁠‍ with colors so‍ beautiful that you‍‍ wouldn’t even believe‌ she was born in an alley.‌

The⁠‌ people gathered in the three parades⁠⁠‍ full of spectacular‍ attractions were focusing‌ their attention without‌‍ realizing it.

Neighing‌‌ –

When‍ the black horse‍‍ finally entered through‌ the gate with⁠ the boy holding‌‌⁠ the reins, the⁠‍ people started to‍ shout.

“There’s‌ not much to‌‌ see!”

Vlad’s blue eyes turned⁠‌⁠ white, and he‍‌ scolded them upon‌ seeing himself turned⁠ into a spectacle,⁠‍ but the current‍‍ situation was already‌‍ beyond the boy’s reach.

“It’s‌‌ okay, keep pulling!”‍

“Well‍ done!”

People‌ were going crazy at this strange‌‌ sight.

Because‌ a little girl⁠‍ was pulling a huge horse without‌ even stepping back‍‍⁠ an inch.

A girl with fierce‍ raised eyes, grabbing‍⁠‌ the hem of‍ her skirt with‍⁠ one hand and‌ holding a bouquet of red flowers‌‍‍ with the other.‍

The⁠ confident appearance that‍‍ anyone could see⁠ resembled that of‌ a knight with a drawn sword.‍

“Zemina!⁠ Lady Zemina!”

Among⁠⁠⁠ the people who were excited about‌‌ the girl’s confident‍‌ appearance, someone started‌ shouting loudly.

“She’s‍ the Red Lady!⁠‍ The Rose of‌⁠⁠ Soara!”

A brown-haired youth limping‌ with crutches shouted‍ loudly as if‌‍‍ everyone could hear⁠ him.

“Lady Zemina!”

“Zemina!‍‌ Lady in red!”‌

At‍ Harven’s pier, the‍ people gathered around⁠ began to shout‌‌‍ loudly. Harven looked‌⁠ at that and‌‍ laughed so hard‌‌ that his voice‍ faded away.

When‌ have street kids‌ ever received so‍ much attention?

When‍‍ have you received‌ so much applause‍⁠ and enthusiasm from⁠⁠‍ people?

But‍ today, Soara was‌ watching the boy‍‌ and the girl.⁠

Soara’s⁠ gates.

This⁠‌ is the battlefield‌ of the girls.⁠‌

Lady⁠‍ Zemina, who broke⁠ the boundaries of‌ the world using‌⁠ a bouquet of‍ flowers as a weapon, smiled joyfully⁠ as she saw⁠⁠ the black horse‍‍ following her.

Her⁠ smile was brighter‌‌ than her shining‍ earrings.