Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 81: No tree without roots (2)

Chapter 81: No tree without roots (2)

Large‍ padlock, sturdy chains.

Two boxes that were‌‌‌ tightly sealed with‌⁠‌ magical spells and‍ with the inscription‍‌ of the church‍‍ engraved on them.‍‍

A man stood in‍⁠ front of the box with his⁠ back turned.

“Report.”‍⁠

An‌‌ old knight with‌⁠ almost white silver⁠‌ hair.

His⁠‌ strong beard and rebellious hair resembled⁠⁠‍ a lion’s mane.⁠‌

“The‍ subjugation of Lindworm⁠‌⁠ was successful.”

Behind‌ the old knight‌⁠ who looked at⁠ Ham, Valkov stood‌ with a stern‌⁠⁠ posture.

“Fortunately,⁠ the knights of‌ Bayezid finished the battle, so we‍ were able to‌⁠ avoid handing over‍⁠ the cause to⁠‍⁠ the Dragon Slayer Knights.”

“What‌⁠ about him?”

It‌ was a small⁠‍ voice, but it⁠ echoed everywhere.

The‌‍‍ man was at‌ a level where⁠‍‍ he knew how‌‍ to convey strong‌‌ energy just with‌ his voice.

“Mirshea,‌⁠ the leader of‍ the Dragon Slayer Knights, has left‌‌ the North. We⁠‍ watched the knights⁠ of Bayezid until‍ the very moment‍‍ of their departure.”⁠

“Good.”‍

After‌ hearing Valkov’s report,‍‍ the man nodded‌ and looked at⁠ the ships in‌‍ front of him.‌‌

Just‌⁠ a few days‌ ago, they were‌ resonating with each‌‌ other and spreading‌ dragon energy, but⁠ now they were⁠‌⁠ silent as if⁠ asleep.

“So‍ there will be no reason for‍⁠ these guys to‍‍⁠ go crazy anymore.”⁠

The⁠ white dragon Lindworm⁠‍‍ died, and Mirshea,⁠⁠ leader of the‍⁠ Dragon Slayer Knights,⁠‌⁠ left the north.‌

That‌ meant there were no more dragons‌‌‍ these pieces could call from the‍‌ North.

Because‌‌ the dragons that⁠‍ have discovered their potential no longer‌⁠ exist in the‍ North.

“I’m sure there is⁠ not only one‌‍‍ Lindworm. Duke.”

“I‍ suppose so.”

Tímur‍‌ Baranov, the Steel‌‌‌ Smith.

He⁠ agreed with the⁠ advice of the‍ wizard by his‌‌ side.

Even‍ now, somewhere in‌ the snowy fields‍⁠ of the north,⁠ there were probably‌‌ young dragons holding their breath.

And‍‍‌ when the time‌‌ came to regain‌ potential, something like‌ this could happen‍ again.

“As‍‌‌ expected, this problem⁠ arises when two⁠ pieces are stored‌⁠ at once.”

The‌‌ ship was originally‌‌ stored in the⁠⁠ northern part of⁠‌ the country.

And‍⁠‌ when the Ramanovs‍⁠‌ collapsed, the priests‍‍ moved to the⁠⁠ western ship as‍⁠ if to rescue⁠‌⁠ them.

It‌‌ didn’t matter when⁠ we were far from each other, but when we⁠‍ were very close,‌⁠ this side effect‌ occurred.

“The‌ pieces need to⁠ be dropped.”

You⁠‌ need to separate‍ two pieces that‌ react with each‌⁠ other.

But⁠⁠ who will take‌ care of this?‍⁠⁠

As⁠⁠ it requires great⁠⁠ obligations and responsibilities,⁠‍ it may be‍⁠‍ a problem that⁠‍ cannot be decided‍‍ solely by one’s‍ own thoughts.

“Duke.‌‍‍ I have something⁠ to tell you.”‍

“Is‍‍ there anything else‍‌⁠ to report?”

Valkov‍⁠ nodded silently at‌‌‍ Timur’s words.

“A‍ new Dragon Slayer⁠ has been born.”‌‍

There⁠⁠ was a boy‌ chasing a white⁠ dragon in a snowy field.

The boy, who was‌‍ not the strongest‍‍ but the fastest, did not miss‌ the opportunity he‍⁠ had created.

“What⁠ is his name?”‌‌

Timur‍ arched his eyebrows‍ upon hearing the‍ sudden report.

In this generation of‌‌ the Bayezid family,‌‌ he thought only Rutiger was worthy‍‌ of attention.

“He‍‌ is a boy‍ named Vlad. He⁠‌ is still just‍ a seed, but⁠⁠ he has great‍ potential.”

“Seed…”‌

After‍‍ hearing Valkov’s report,⁠⁠ Timur stroked his⁠‍ chin and looked‌‍‍ at the boxes‍⁠‌ containing the dragon‍⁠ pieces.

“And‍‍ he is a boy.”

A name he had never heard before.‍‌

He‌‍⁠ couldn’t say whether‌ it was hidden‌‌ or whether it⁠ came to light‌‌ on its own,⁠ but young things‍ had always been hard to predict.‌‌

“Young⁠ ones grow quickly.”⁠⁠

Because⁠ they were beings‌ who couldn’t know‍‍ what they would‌ become or what would happen to‍‌ them.

Time‍ passes and generations‌ change.

Timur‍‌ knew that time⁠ was no longer⁠ on his side.‌

The‌ dragon pieces had‍ to be removed‌⁠ before the new‍‌ dragon realized its⁠ potential.

Because that was his job as the guardian of the oath.

***⁠

Vlad‍‍ set down his‍ tray and looked‍‍ around.

It had been a while since he‍‍ passed through a vassal’s restaurant.

Nothing⁠ seemed to have⁠⁠⁠ changed, but he could feel the⁠ vassals’ eyes dining‌‌‍ beside him focused‌‌ on his sword.‌

“Did‍ something happen?”

“Nothing‌ happened. At least‌‍ not to me.”⁠

Portly⁠ smiled as he⁠ looked at Vlad,⁠‍ whom he hadn’t‌⁠‌ seen in a long time.

Maybe‌‍ it was because‌⁠ he was no longer being bullied,‍ but his once‍‍ chubby face seemed to have become‍ brighter.

“If‌ you have something‍‌‍ to say, just‌ say it.”

“…Can‍ I ask you‍ something?”

Portly⁠ hesitated for a moment, looking at‍ Vlad, who was‍⁠ spooning soup into‌⁠ his mouth.

Although‍ the environment he⁠⁠ lived in had‌‌ improved a lot,‌‌ it seemed that‍‌‌ he hadn’t been‍ able to overcome⁠ his naturally shy‍ personality.

“One‌ question, one sausage.”‍

“But,‌‌ did Mr. Rutiger‍ give you that sword?”

Portly‍‌ spoke as if there was nothing⁠‌ to think about⁠ regarding Vlad’s suggestion.‍

Vlad‌ frowned at Portly’s‌ reaction, wondering if he had made‍ a deal too easily.

“Are‌‌⁠ you curious about‍‍ that?”

“Not‌‍‍ just me, but‌ everyone else is‌⁠ curious too, right?”⁠⁠

Vlad⁠‌‍ suddenly felt the‌⁠ surroundings go silent‌ along with Portly’s‌ words.

Probably,‌ everyone wanted to ask.

Did‌⁠ Rutiger really give⁠‍‍ him the sword he now carries?‌⁠

“My‌‌ sword broke during⁠⁠ the mission, so⁠ of course I should receive a new one.”

The‌ boy did his‍ best to catch⁠‍ Lindworm, breaking his own sword in‌ the process.

And⁠⁠ Rutiger, as the‌ group’s leader, had‌ the responsibility to compensate for that.‍‍

“That’s‍‍ incredible.”

Vlad⁠‌ spoke calmly as if nothing had‍‍ happened, but Portly⁠ and the vassals‌ around him listening‌ nodded with bright eyes.

“What?”

“You’re‍⁠ the most likely‌ person to be‌⁠ the next head‌ of the family.⁠‍ It’s definitely something⁠ special for someone‍⁠ like that to‌‌ give you a sword.”

The‌ people around him‌‍‍ didn’t believe that Vlad received the‍‌ sword from Rutiger‍⁠ simply as a reward.

That⁠⁠ sword was proof⁠‌ that Rutiger recognized⁠ the boy and‌‌ vouched for him.‌⁠

“Maybe‍‌⁠ he gave you‍⁠ an option?”

“…Just stop there.”

A boy who was‍‌ Joseph’s squire but‍ was recognized by⁠ Rutiger.

To⁠ others, it would⁠ seem clear that Vlad was standing‍ in a complicated‍ airstream.

Vlad⁠ didn’t like people‍⁠⁠ around him imagining‍‍ things about him.‍

“I⁠‌‌ have something to‌‌⁠ return to Mr.‌ Joseph.”

“…I‌⁠ apologize if I made you feel⁠ uncomfortable.”

Thinking‍⁠ of the old‌ times, Vlad silently‍⁠‍ tore off a piece of bread‌ and dipped it‌⁠‌ into the soup.‌‍

There⁠⁠⁠ was a time‍⁠ when his current‍ actions, which didn’t seem special at⁠ all, were a lifelong dream.

Although it now looked‌‌‌ bright, Vlad never⁠ forgot where he‌ belonged.

It‍⁠ was only because‌ a man named⁠⁠ Joseph recognized the‌‌ boy that he‌‌ could take root‍ in a place⁠ called Bayezid instead‍‍ of in the‌‌‌ dirty alleys.

Vlad‍‍ had a duty‍‍⁠ to return the‍⁠‍ favor.

Because‍‌‍ he wanted to‍ do that.

“But‍ you know what?”‌‍

Portly,‍‍ who noticed that‌‌ Vlad’s complexion was‍‌‌ very uncomfortable, quickly‌ changed the subject.⁠‌

“What?”‌‌

Vlad,‍‌ noticing Portly’s efforts,‌‌ raised his head⁠⁠‌ and looked at‌ the squire who‌⁠ had a puzzled⁠ expression on his‍ face.

If‌‍ it were anyone‌ else, he would⁠‍⁠ have coldly ignored‍ them, but Vlad‍ was indebted to‍⁠‍ the Portly and‌⁠ Kannor families in⁠ one way or‌‍ another.

Even‌ Gregory was a person whose blood‌ was mixed with⁠‍ Portly’s standing in‌‍ front of him.‌

“They‌ say that all⁠‍ the Bayezid knights‍ are gathering here.”

“All of them?”

In⁠ response to Vlad’s⁠⁠‌ interest, Portly raised⁠ his spoon and‍ spoke as if‍ relieved.

“At⁠‌ least all those‍‌‌ nearby have gathered.”‍

“Why‍‌‌ all of a sudden?”

“I‍‌‌ don’t know.”

Sturma is the capital⁠ of the Bayezid‍⁠ family.

In⁠⁠ a way, it⁠‌⁠ would have been‌‌ natural for knights‌‌ to gather in⁠‍ such a place,‍⁠ but upon hearing‍ Portly’s words, something was definitely odd.‍‌‌

“It‍ seems like all⁠‍ the service knights‌ are gathering here.‌⁠ According to rumors,⁠ the Count himself⁠‍ summoned them. Do‍ you know anything?”⁠

Portly‌ continued to think⁠⁠‍ that Vlad, who‌ was active outside⁠ Sturma, would be⁠⁠‌ more sensitive to‍‍‌ rumors than himself,‌‍ who was still‌‍ inside.

“No.”⁠‍

However, Vlad also didn’t‌‌ feel inspired by‍‍ the sudden summoning‌ of knights.

A knight is a symbol of strength.‌‍

The‌ fact that people⁠ like them are‌ gathering probably means‍ that another threat‍‌ like Lindworm is⁠⁠ approaching.

“Time‌‍‌ will tell.”

There’s⁠ no need to‌⁠ worry about what’s‍ to come.

Because the boy was‌⁠‌ willing to draw⁠⁠ his sword at‍ any moment.

The‌‌ sound of plates‌⁠⁠ quietly resonates throughout‍ the dining hall.‌⁠‍

Listening‌‌‌ to that sound, the vassals silently‌ observed Vlad’s thoughts.‌‌

Vlad‍ may not have‍⁠‌ known it, but⁠‍⁠ the vassals who⁠ had seen the‍⁠ boy for the‌‍ first time in⁠ a long time‍‍ did.

The‍⁠ blond boy who‌ had been with‌ them as a squire was now‍⁠‍ so far away‍ that they found⁠⁠‌ it hard to‌⁠‌ look at him.‌

The‍⁠ presence in each‌‌‍ action and the look in his‌‌ eyes showed it.⁠‌

The‌‍ boy had grown‌ too much to remain in the‍‍ squire position any⁠ longer.

Only‍ the boy, who‍‍‌ was focused on‌‌ his soup, didn’t realize it.

***

“I’m‍⁠ going to stop‍ making pilgrimages now.”‍⁠

“Have⁠ you decided?”

The head of the‍‍ family’s office.

Ramund‌⁠ set the teacup‌⁠ in front of him and continued.⁠⁠

“It‍ was the choice‍‍‍ I wanted, but⁠ it was a very difficult moment.”⁠⁠‌

“…I‌ understand.”

With‌ those words, Peter‌ looked at the‌ coin placed next‌‍ to Ramund’s teacup.‌‍

The⁠⁠ coin, so worn‌ and rusty that‍ it was a rusted red color,‍ seemed like something⁠‌ that wouldn’t be⁠‌ welcomed even if‌ handed to someone.‌

“So,⁠⁠ do you plan to give the‍ last ducat to a boy named⁠ Vlad?”

“Because‌‍‌ he deserves it.”‌‍

Ramund‍⁠⁠ shook his head and responded to⁠⁠ Peter’s words.

From⁠ the intensity of their first encounter‍‌ to the subjugation‍ of Lindworm on‍ this occasion.

The‌ old knight who⁠ had been watching⁠ Vlad alongside him‌‍ was convinced that⁠‌ the boy was‍ fully worthy of⁠ receiving this coin.‍⁠

“The⁠ shoulders of this⁠ boy named Vlad⁠ must be heavy‍ since he received‌‌ the price of‌ honor.”

“That’s‌ what I’m saying.”⁠‍

Ramund‌ leaned back deeply‌⁠ in his chair’s‌ backrest and sighed,⁠‌ as if he‌‍ had just relaxed.⁠‌

“I⁠⁠ feel relieved because‌‌ I feel like‍‍‍ I have fulfilled‍ all my duties⁠ as a knight⁠‍ and vassal of‌ Bayezid.”

“Thank‍‌ you for your‍ effort.”

Although⁠ Peter was a nobleman and the‍‌‌ head of the‌‌ Bayezid family, he‍‍ didn’t hesitate to‌‌ bow deeply to‌ Ramund in front⁠ of him to‍‌ show respect.

The⁠‌ old knight, who⁠ has fulfilled his⁠⁠ duty and honor, will now truly⁠‍‍ be able to‌ retire.

It⁠‌ was the kind‍‌ of ending every knight dreams of.‍‌⁠

“But‍⁠‍ please stay a few more days.”⁠

“Is⁠‍‍ something wrong?”

Ramund⁠ seemed puzzled for⁠‍ a moment by⁠ Peter’s words.

The‍ person he knew‍ as Peter was‍ someone who didn’t‌ regret parting.

“When⁠‍ someone retires, shouldn’t‌ someone else step‍ up?”

Ramund‌⁠ tilted his head⁠⁠⁠ for a moment‌⁠ at Peter’s words,⁠‌‌ but then slapped⁠‌ his knee with⁠‌ his palm as‌ if realizing what‌⁠⁠ he was talking‍ about.

“Even⁠ the head of‍‍‍ the family approved‍‍⁠ it.”

“However,‌ I think it’s⁠ a bit early.”‍

It’s⁠‌ only been a year since the⁠‍‌ boy arrived here.‍

And⁠⁠ in Bayezid’s history,‍‌⁠ no squire was⁠ recognized within a year.

“With‌ this appointment, it seems like he’ll‍ break the record⁠⁠ as the youngest⁠‌⁠ and shortest-serving.”

“It’s‍ okay to break⁠‍ those traditions.”

Peter‌‌⁠ smiled faintly as‍ he listened to‍⁠ the words coming‍‍‍ from the mouth‌ of the old knight who always‌‌⁠ valued tradition.

“…I feel even more reassured after hearing‌ those words directly‌‌‌ from Mr. Ramund.”⁠

Peter‍‍‌ looked out the⁠ window as he‍⁠ said those words.

The walls of Sturma‌‌⁠ have always protected‌‍ the city with⁠ a strong appearance.White‍ winter flowers fluttered‌ over the castle walls.

And⁠ Peter remembered the boy who came‌ to Bayezid with‍ the winter.

The knights were flocking⁠ to Sturma.