Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 74: One step at a time (2)

Chapter 74: One step at a time (2)

Life‌‍ is an endless⁠ series of choices.‌⁠⁠

There‌ comes a moment⁠ when you have⁠‌ to endure it⁠ alone because no‌ one can take‌⁠ your place.

“I⁠ can’t follow such‍ stupid orders.”

And‍ only when that⁠‍ moment of choice‍⁠‍ arrives, people realize⁠ who they truly are.

Because‍ that’s the moment‌ when you can⁠⁠ shed the shell that has surrounded‍ you until now.‌‍

Under⁠ the night sky⁠⁠ with a full⁠‍ moon, the dwarves‌ cried because they couldn’t board the⁠ ferry in front⁠ of Chama.

Their‌‍ gaunt faces and⁠⁠ unkempt beards displayed⁠⁠‍ their harsh lives.

“This⁠ is not it.”‌‌

A knight of enormous‌‌ stature.

The‌‌⁠ knight with the⁠ unsheathed sword stepped⁠‍ forward and shielded‍‍ the fearsome dwarves‍⁠ with his body.‍

“Are‌⁠ you going to⁠⁠⁠ ignore the orders,⁠‌ Jorge?”

“You’re⁠⁠‌ not my lord,⁠ Sigmund.”

A knight of enormous⁠‍ stature. Jorge.

He⁠ said, looking fiercely⁠ at the man‍ in front of‍⁠‍ him.

“I‌‌ am loyal to⁠⁠ Count Gaidar and‍ not to you.”⁠

“The‍‌‌ orders I brought⁠ bear my father’s‍⁠‍ seal.”

Sigmund‌ waved the order‍‌ briskly in front‌ of Jorge.

The‍ Gaidar family seal‍‍ gleaming under the⁠ moonlight was the⁠‍ unmanipulated truth.

“….”⁠

Whatever‌ the true intention‍ contained in the‍ order, Sigmund’s procedures⁠⁠ and justification were‍ flawless.

A knight who doesn’t‍‌‍ follow his orders‍⁠ is disobeying his‍ orders and breaking⁠ his oath.

“I‌ am a person.⁠ I cannot follow⁠ orders like that.”‍

“….”‍

And⁠‌⁠ Jorge chose.

He‍⁠‌ decided to spit‍ out the knight’s‍⁠ oath along with⁠ the false order.‍

With‌ those words, the⁠‍⁠ knights began to‌‍‌ move.

Those‍ who agree with Jorge’s words should go to his‌‌ side.

Anyone who wants to⁠ follow their master’s‍ orders, even if‍⁠ they are false, should stand with‌‍‍ Sigmund.

The‍ knights bit their⁠ lips as their‌ gazes crossed.

Godin⁠ looked at Jorge hesitantly, but his‍‍⁠ superior simply nodded‍ with the same⁠‍ direct expression as‍ always.

“Do‍‌ what you want⁠⁠ to do.”

“I’m⁠⁠ sorry.”

“Go.”⁠‍

At‍⁠ a crossroads of‍‌ choice where it‍‍⁠ was impossible to‌ say who was⁠‍ right or who was not, Godin‍‌ stepped forward.

Glory⁠ and honor.

And⁠⁠‌ toward a world that can shine‍ even brighter.

Godin⁠‍ was a knight.‍‍

***⁠⁠

“Go‍ ahead.”

Vlad⁠ took a deep‍ breath at the⁠ sound coming from‌ inside and opened‍‌ the mayor’s office door.

The‍‌‌ afternoon sun shone‍ brightly through the‌ window with the‌⁠ curtains open.

There‌⁠ was a man‌ with dark eyes⁠⁠ and his knights‌‍ seated with the‌⁠ sunlight behind them.⁠‌‍

“I‌‍ heard you called‌ for me.”

“Yes.”‍‍

Joseph‌ sat, straightened his‌ back, and looked‌‌ at Vlad, who⁠ opened the door‍ and entered.

The⁠⁠ boy, whom he‌‍⁠ first saw after‌‌⁠ dictating the arrest‌ order, seemed a bit more serious‍ than when he‍ confronted him.

“You’ve‌‌ been busy lately,⁠ haven’t you?”

“…A‍‌ bit.”

Joseph‌ smiled slightly as‌‌ he looked at⁠‌‌ Vlad, who muttered‌ his response.

Sometimes,‌⁠ he attacked like⁠ fire, but in‌ this case, he‍‍ stood firm and⁠ was impossible to⁠ control.

“There‍⁠⁠ was a rumor‌ circulating in town.‍ And the black‌⁠⁠ horse too.”

There was a moment of joy in⁠‌ Joseph’s smile as⁠⁠‌ he looked at‍ the boy.

“Something⁠‌ about Lady Zemina?”‌‌

“….”⁠⁠‌

“Baroness‌⁠ Alicia would be‌ heartbroken to hear‍‌ this. Do you‌ still have her⁠‍⁠ handkerchief?”

When Zemina’s story came⁠ up, Vlad couldn’t⁠‍⁠ help but smile‌‌ awkwardly.

Honestly,‌‌‌ he never imagined⁠‍ things would escalate‌‌ to this extent.‌‍

Some‍ may have called‍‍ it a joke‍ title, but the⁠ name Lady Zemina⁠ clearly floated around⁠‌ Soara along with‍⁠ the reputation the boy had built.⁠

“I’m‌ sorry.”

“Why‍ apologize to me?⁠⁠‌ Just be careful‌‍ not to let‍ sparks fly later‍‌‌ on.”

Joseph⁠⁠‌ nodded as he‌ watched the boy‌‍‌ slowly advance toward‍ his goal of‌‍‌ becoming a knight.⁠

Now,‍‌⁠ the value of‍ the boy’s name⁠‍⁠ had risen to the point where‌‍ it demonstrated not‌ only his own‍‌‌ honor but also‌‍‍ someone else’s.

So,‌ I have to⁠‌ tell you here.‍‌

Because‌‍ I couldn’t let‌ him go crazy‍ like a lightning‍ bolt forever.

“The⁠ reason I called‌ you here today⁠ is to tell⁠‌ you something.”

“…?”‌

Vlad‌⁠ looked up at‌‌‌ Joseph’s suddenly serious‌ tone.

“That‌ day, in a village in Baron‍ Utman’s territory, you‍ disobeyed my orders and saved the‍‍ children. Am I correct?”

“…That’s‌ right.”

When‍ the incident came‌ out of Joseph’s‍ mouth again, Vlad’s‍⁠ posture became cautious.⁠‌

But⁠ Joseph had no intention of scaring‍ the boy by‌‍ telling him what⁠ had already happened.‌‍

Because‌ Vlad had already‍ paid for his‍ sins by being‌⁠ suspended.

“What⁠‌ if something like⁠‍ that happens again?‌‌ Are you going to ignore my‍⁠ orders again?”

Vlad‍ was momentarily taken aback when Joseph‍ suddenly asked about⁠⁠ the events of‌ that day.

He‍⁠ quickly glanced at the other knights‍ nearby, but they⁠‍⁠ all made subtle⁠⁠‍ expressions and none gave him any‌‌‍ advice.

Now,‍ Joseph’s question was⁠‍ something only Vlad‍ had to think‍‍⁠ about, answer, and endure.

“The‌ children were dying.”⁠‍

Vlad⁠⁠ bit his lip⁠ and responded to‌ Joseph’s question.

Even⁠⁠ if I’m punished again, I can’t⁠⁠ help it.

As‍‌ he had sworn⁠‌ to be loyal‍ to Joseph, he⁠‍ couldn’t lie to‌‌ him.

“If⁠‌ you ask me‍‌ if I would‍‍ do the same,‌‌⁠ I would.”

Joseph⁠⁠ nodded as he⁠ looked at Vlad,⁠ whose movements were⁠⁠ hesitant but whose‌ eyes were firm.⁠‍⁠

You‍ choose the same.‌‍

Vlad’s response made Joseph‌ feel bitter, but‌‌ it also made⁠‍‍ him smile.

I chose the boy⁠ because he had‍ this kind of‌‍⁠ demeanor.

“Honor‌‌⁠ is the light⁠‌ that shines on‍ others, but conscience‍ is the light‍ that shines on‌‌ oneself.”

Joseph‍‍ slowly stood up‍‌ and spoke to‍⁠ the boy.

Although‍‍ he had a small body, his‍‌ radiant presence naturally‍‍ caught attention in⁠ Joseph.

“It’s‍‍‍ also a compass⁠ that shows the⁠⁠⁠ way when you’re⁠‍ lost.”

With‍ the response from‍ a moment ago,‍ Joseph clearly identified‌ the boy, and‍‌ the boy probably‌‌⁠ knew who he‌‌ was too.

Vlad‌‍ set his own⁠ standards to avoid‌ getting stuck in muddy alleys, so⁠⁠‌ he could look‍ at the bright‌⁠‌ stars.

And‍‍‍ if he had‍‍ to express that⁠ rule in one word, it would be conscience.

“You’ve⁠ found your way.⁠ I hope this‍⁠⁠ armor helps you protect your duty.”⁠⁠‍

With‍ those words, Joseph⁠‍‌ removed the cloth⁠‍ next to him.

An⁠ armor shining in‍⁠ the sunset sunlight.‍‌⁠

Vlad‌ opened his mouth‍ as he looked‍ at the light‍ shining toward him.‍⁠⁠

“This…”‌‍

“This‌ is the armor sent from San‍ Rogino. As they‌‌ are the group that handles the⁠ most iron armors,‌‍ they are armors‌ that contain a variety of technologies.”⁠

After‍⁠ Joseph finished speaking, Vlad looked at‌ his leather armor,‍‌ which was torn‌⁠ here and there.‍

The‌⁠ path he had⁠⁠ traveled so far‌⁠ was engraved in‍ every torn scar, but now it‌ was an armor‌‍‍ that couldn’t protect⁠⁠‌ the boy.

“Go get closer.”

Ramund,‌⁠ who had been‌⁠ sitting quietly at⁠‌ the reception table until now, looked at Vlad, who‍‍‌ was hesitating, and⁠‌ nodded.

You can’t use a broken shell forever.⁠‍⁠

Because‍‍⁠ Vlad’s existence has‌ grown to the point where it‍‌ can no longer‌ be fully contained‍‌ only in the‍⁠ word “possibility” that‍ Bayezid focuses on.‍⁠⁠

“Yes.”‍

The‌ boy took a step toward the‌⁠‌ armor illuminated by‌ the sun.

I did what I wanted to do‌ and what I had to do.‍⁠‍

Rogino,‍ who witnessed the‍‌ boy’s efforts, testified.‍

The‍ knights here serve‌ as witnesses.

A boy with armor‍‌ gifted by San‌⁠ Rogino.

On⁠ one bright side of the boy’s‌‍ armor was engraved‌ a phrase from‍ that day witnessed‍⁠‍ by the Sacred‍⁠⁠ Knights.

The phrase “The knight‍ who saved and‍ protected the lives of the children.”‍

***‌⁠⁠

“As⁠‍‌ expected, in the‍⁠ North we must‌ pay attention to‌ the Smiths and‌⁠ the Knights of‍ Bayezid. There are⁠⁠ rumors that Baron‌ Utman’s items are⁠‍⁠ showing unusual behavior⁠ these days…”

Inside‌‌ the candlelit office,‍‌⁠ Godin was reviewing‌‍ the report at‌‍⁠ a meeting of‌⁠ Gaidar’s knights and‍‌ vassals.

“Tell me.”

“Yes.”⁠‌‍

Following‍‍ Godin’s instructions, the‌‍ aide began reciting‌‌ the list of⁠⁠ knights he had⁠ investigated so far.‍⁠‍

“The‍‍ knights Schwanden, Mikhail,⁠‍ and Vastro from⁠ the Ravnoma family…”‌

“The⁠ knights of the⁠ Bayezid family, Antalas,‍⁠ Rutiger, and Agoth…”‍

Godin⁠‌ listened attentively to‌ the names of⁠‍ the knights in‌‌‌ his ears.

Gaidar,⁠⁠⁠ who expelled the Ravnoma family, was⁠ now the loser‍ in name and‌⁠ reality in the‍ West, and his‍ gaze was now⁠‌ turning to regions‌‍ other than the⁠‌ West.

“The‌‌ names of the‌‌ Bayezid family haven’t⁠ changed.”

“Except⁠ for Rutiger, the‍ son of Count‍⁠‌ Bayezid, there are⁠‍ no people who really stand out.”‌

In‌‍‌ the case of⁠⁠‍ the Ravnoma family,‌⁠⁠ a family of‌ blacksmiths, new names‌ kept popping up,‍‍ but Bayezid had⁠ not changed the⁠ names he mentioned years ago at⁠‍ all.

“It seems like the⁠‌ generational turnover has⁠‌ failed.”

“…You⁠‍‍ can’t judge it hastily.”

Godin⁠ shook his head‌‍ at the sound‌⁠ coming from his‌‌ side.

The‍ weight of the⁠‌⁠ name Bayezid was something that couldn’t⁠⁠ be measured from‌ a single report.‍

Perhaps there were knights‌‌ whose names were‌⁠ not disclosed like⁠ before.

“Now⁠ that I think‌‍ about it, there’s‌‍⁠ a slightly unusual‌⁠ trend in Bayezid.”‍

“Tell‍‍ me.”

The‌‌⁠ aide, wondering for‌ a moment if he should even‌⁠ say this, looked‍ at Godin urging‍‌⁠ him with his eyes and released‌ a name that‍‍‌ wasn’t written in‍‍ the report.

“It‌‍‌ is said that‍ there’s a boy‌ who is not⁠ a knight, but‍‌ stands out among‌ Bayezid’s squires.”

“What⁠ is his name?”

The‍‍ aide thought for⁠‍ a moment and‌ pulled out a name that had‍ been buried in‌⁠ his head.

“His‌⁠⁠ name is Vlad.⁠ His hometown is Soara, in Count‍⁠ Bayezid’s county.”

“….”⁠‌‍

Godin‌ heard the aide’s‍ words, furrowed his‍⁠ brow, and looked⁠ into the distance.‌‌

It’s⁠⁠‌ definitely a name‌ I remember, but‍ it didn’t come‌⁠ to mind easily.⁠⁠

“This‍ is the boy‌ who first appeared‍⁠‌ in the honor‌‌ duel in Deirmar…⁠ but these are‌‍ just incredible rumors,‌ so I can’t‌ confirm it with‍ certainty.”

There‌⁠ was a reason‍‌‍ why the aide‌‍ hesitated before pronouncing⁠ Vlad’s name.

“They‌ say he emitted⁠ an aura on the spot… but‌‌ I’m not sure.”⁠‌

“Aura?⁠ A Seed?”

The‍‍‌ other knights who‌‍ listened to the‍ aide’s report snorted‍‌ and laughed.

This⁠ was because judging‌‌ that the information‍ collected was incorrect was more believable‍ than believing the⁠ rumor that a young man who‌ wasn’t a knight⁠‍ had already emitted⁠⁠ an aura.

“Soara…‌ Vlad.”

However,‌⁠‍ despite the knights’‍⁠⁠ ridicule, Godin simply‍ closed his eyes⁠‌⁠ silently and recalled‌ the memories of‍‌ that day.

As‌‍⁠ he recited the‍ name of the⁠⁠‍ familiar city, he‌ could remember the‍‌ blond boy he‌ met in the‌⁠ white fields.

A child sitting by‍ a bonfire and⁠ looking at himself.⁠

The‍ blue eyes of⁠ the boy who‌ saw Aura for⁠⁠⁠ the first time‍‌ in his life were filled with‌‌ a star-like light.‍

“…I‍‍⁠ understand. I hope‍⁠ everyone knows the current names.”

Godin,‌⁠ the new knight⁠‌ commander of Count⁠ Sigmund.

With‍‌⁠ his order, Gaidar’s‌‌‌ knights bowed their⁠‍ heads and left‌‍ the leader’s office.‌

“Vlad,‍ Vlad.”

Godin‍ sat in his‍ chair, tilted his⁠ neck, and smiled‍ quietly.

He⁠ was a bold⁠‌ type.

I wanted to bring‌ him with me‌‍ if possible, but‌ fate separated us.⁠

Although Godin had no‍‍ idea that Bayezid’s⁠⁠‌ squire, who was‍⁠ said to emit⁠ aura, was the‌ boy he had‍⁠‍ seen, he could⁠ only remember the‍ faces of the‌⁠‍ people in his⁠⁠ memories.

“Do⁠ what you want⁠⁠‍ to do.”

Another⁠ person who came‍ to mind along⁠‌ with the boy’s‍⁠ name.

Godin⁠‌‍ silently thought about‌ what Jorge had⁠‌ told him that‍ night.

What would it have‌‍⁠ been like if⁠ I had followed‌‍‌ Jorge back then?‍⁠‌

“…It‌⁠⁠ couldn’t have been⁠ like this.”

Godin⁠‍ smiled bitterly and‌‌ shook his head.‌

At⁠ the crossroads of‌ choice, Godin crossed‌‌ the line to‍ Sigmund instead of⁠ Jorge.

The moment he took‌⁠ a step and⁠⁠‍ crossed that line,⁠ Godin realized who⁠ he was.

What‍‌ you want, what⁠‍ you have to⁠⁠ do.

Even⁠ what you have‌⁠ to do in‌‌ the future.

“Is‌ he living well?”⁠‌

Godin’s‍ soft whistle resonated‌‌ in the empty⁠‍‍ office.