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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 86: The blue-eyed knight (4)

Chapter 86: The blue-eyed knight (4)

“I⁠ hate stupid people.”‍‍‌

Bayezid’s‍ office specially prepared‌⁠‌ by Alicia.

The‌ one-eyed knight sitting‌ there frowned and⁠ spoke with the‌⁠ only eye he‍ had left.

“And​‌⁠ you’re the dumbest​ guy I’ve ever‍‌‌ seen.”

Vlad⁠ is now a knight.

However,‌‍ in front of‌​ Jager, the boy,​‍ who was always​‌‌ a poor squire,​‍ politely crossed his‍⁠‌ arms.

“I⁠​⁠ think your foolishness,‌⁠⁠ by using a single handkerchief, has‍⁠‍ already reached the‌⁠‌ level of talent,​⁠ as you ruined​‌ all the preparations‍ Joseph had made‌​‍ so diligently.”

“…I’m⁠ sorry.”

Facing‍‍‍ Jager, who silently⁠‌​ muttered angry reprimands,​‌ Vlad simply remained‍ in a thoughtful‍ posture as he⁠ always did.

‘…In​ any case, it‍‍ was that moment.’⁠​

I really wanted to‌⁠⁠ do it right⁠ this time.

It​‍⁠ was my first⁠ job after becoming​​ a knight, and‌ in a way,‍​‍ it was the⁠‌ mission I was​​ the center of.‍​‌

However,⁠‍‌ things in the‍‌⁠ world do not⁠ always move according‍⁠ to one’s will.‍‍

“I‍⁠​ didn’t know it‍‍‍ could happen like‌​⁠ that.”

The‌ handkerchief Zemina gave‌​⁠ me and the​‍ handkerchief Alicia gave⁠‌ me were both⁠⁠ precious to me,​⁠‌ so I held‌‍‌ them in my‍⁠⁠ arms.

It‌‍ probably wasn’t Vlad’s⁠‍ fault that the⁠‍‌ two handkerchiefs ended​​​ up stuck together⁠⁠​ because he had​ stored them too​⁠ deeply.

But‍⁠ whatever his intentions,‍‍‍ Vlad ended up‌ making another big‌‍‍ mistake with Alicia.​

“…Leave.”‍​

“I’m​ sorry.”

Jager‍‌⁠ no longer hit‌‍​ the boy.

After​‌‌ this winter, Vlad‍ will turn 18.‍

Now‌‌‍ was the time‌ to become an​ adult instead of⁠⁠⁠ a child, and‌‍‍ since his title​​ had become knight,​ like Jager, he⁠‍‌ had to treat‌‌​ Vlad in his⁠⁠‍ own way.

“…”​‌⁠

However,​ Vlad, who was⁠ actually being treated,​ seemed very uncomfortable‍‌ with his current​‌ appearance, so he‍‍​ stood there looking‌‌‍ at me even​‌​ when told to‍‌ leave.

“Why​‌ don’t you leave?⁠⁠‌ Do you want‌ me to hit‍ you like before?”​

I think it would⁠ be more convenient‌‌‌ that way.

Vlad​‌ expressed his honest‌‌‌ feelings, saying the​‌ words he had⁠‌ kept in his‍​⁠ heart.

“Why​⁠ don’t you just‍​⁠ accept it? It‍ seems it would‌​ be better.”

“…What.”‍‍‌

Jager‍ shouted upon hearing​ Vlad’s absurd response.​

When⁠‍ I first took‌ him on, I thought he would​​ be difficult to‌ handle, but I didn’t expect him​ to be so​ unpredictable.

“Stop‌⁠‍ talking nonsense and‌‍⁠ get out. Please.”‌‌‍

When‍ Vlad saw Jager‌‌‌ stroking his eye​ patch and growling,​‌ he had no⁠‍‍ choice but to‍​ quickly leave the​‍⁠ office.

The​​ knight of the‌ green world was‍ preparing to venture⁠⁠ into an even‍​‌ deeper world due⁠‍​ to Vlad’s strange‍ words.

“…Why‍‌‌ are they looking‍‌ at me like‍​ that?”

Waiting‍‍‍ for Vlad, who​​ hurriedly left the‍ office in response‌‍⁠ to Jager’s murderous‍ order to congratulate‍ him, were the‍ knights of Bayezid⁠⁠ who had also‌ gone on a mission.

“He’s​ a great guy,⁠ but at least⁠ he should show⁠⁠‍ his face.”

“Aren’t⁠ you the prodigious​​ boy from the‌‌ North I’ve only⁠‌‌ heard about? I really respect this.”‌

“Carrying‍⁠ two women in​ one hand is‌ truly the mark⁠ of a hero.”​‌​

The​​⁠ knights laughed and⁠‍ laughed at Vlad’s‍⁠‍ foolish behavior.

However,​ their teasing was⁠‌ not an act‍⁠ of contempt, but​ rather an act​​​ of affection.

Vlad‌‌‌ had met the‍ knights of Bayezid⁠⁠ through his mission‌⁠‌ with Rutiger.

The‍‌ knights here had⁠ always seen the​​ boy fight and⁠‍ do his best,⁠‌⁠ and now that‍​ he had become​ a knight, they‌⁠‌ did not raise​​‍ any walls against‌ Vlad, who had⁠‌​ become the youngest⁠ of them.

In⁠​‌ other words, the‌ current teasing was‌⁠​ just to tease‌ the youngest knight.‍⁠

“I​‌ want to be​⁠ alone.”

“Oh,⁠ then should we⁠⁠⁠ leave the place?”‌

“The‌‍‌ youngest member who‍​ joined this time​‌‌ is different from⁠⁠⁠ the start.”

Seeing‌‍ the older knights⁠​ laughing at him,​ Vlad could only‌⁠‍ sigh and leave‍⁠⁠ the hall.

“Damn​ it.”

Vlad,⁠​​ who left to‍‌ avoid Jager’s anger‍ and the ridicule‌⁠ of his elders,​​‌ walked down the⁠⁠‌ hallway and ruffled‌ his hair.

It​‌ was a stupid‍‍ mistake that he⁠ had nothing to⁠‌‌ say about, so​‌​ there was no‌ way to respond.‌

“…Ah.”‍

At‌‌ that moment, familiar‍ memories began to‍ appear in Vlad’s​⁠‍ mind as he‌⁠ walked down the‍​‌ hallway.

The‍‍‍ memories that came‌⁠​ to his mind⁠ as a feeling‍⁠ of déjà vu​⁠ slowly stopped Vlad’s​ steps.

“It‍​‍ seems that people’s⁠ lives are similar⁠⁠‍ everywhere.”

The‌‍ smile of the⁠​ rose of that⁠​​ time is now‌ just a memory.‍

There‌ were men who⁠‌⁠ laughed at the‍ boy, like the​‌​ knights of today.‍

The‌⁠ laughter of the⁠⁠ knights still coming‍ from behind was‌ like the noise⁠ Burleigh and his‍⁠ superiors talked about⁠ back then.

Slowly‌​ leaning his back​ against the hallway‍⁠ wall, Vlad played​‍ with the handle⁠ of the dagger‌‍​ Jorge had given‌ him.

Longing⁠‍ was something that‍ could be eased⁠‌​ by sharing memories,⁠ but the boy‍ had few people​‍ to share his‍ memories with.

In‍ the middle of​ the empty hallway,‌‍ only the boy‍‍⁠ was reflecting on‌ his memories.

***​‌‍

“The​ more I think‍‌ about it, the​ more absurd it​ is.”

Alicia‍ pursed her lips⁠‍​ as if she‌‌‌ were angry, but​‌⁠ Duncan, who had⁠​ been watching her​‍⁠ for a long‍⁠ time, knew she⁠ wasn’t really angry.⁠⁠​

The‌‌​ attitude Alicia was​ showing now was‍⁠⁠ just a minor‌‌ complaint.

“As‍​ much common sense⁠ as you have,⁠ can you really⁠​‍ keep the handkerchief​ that another woman‌‍ gave you and​⁠ mine? Don’t all‌​ men do that?”​

“…But‍ the handkerchief was‌​​ clean.”

Alicia⁠ shot Duncan a piercing look upon‌ hearing the words‌⁠⁠ coming from his‌‌ side.

“That’s⁠ natural.”

“Of⁠‍ course not. Especially‌⁠ for a boy‍ of that age.”‌​‍

Duncan​‍‌ cleared his throat​ once and then​⁠​ opened his mouth.‍

It‍‌ wasn’t just something‍ he said because‌ the one-eyed knight​‌ who visited him‍ last night bowed‍⁠ deeply on behalf⁠‌ of the boy.‌⁠

“I​ heard that the‍ missions assigned to‌‍ him were difficult.‌​​ Still, the fact‌⁠⁠ that he kept‌‌ it well clearly‍‌ means he took‍​ special care.”

“…”⁠

Alicia⁠​‌ listened to Duncan‌‌ in silence, as‍⁠ if telling him⁠‍ to continue.

The⁠ documents she held​‍ were there, unturned.‍

“It​ was a mistake⁠⁠ born of ignorance.‌ In a way,⁠‍ it also means‌ he’s that pure.‍ Wouldn’t it be‍‍‌ nice to see‍ that at least‍ there doesn’t seem‌⁠ to be a scheme?”

“…That’s‍ right.”

Knights‍​ are people who​ are always eager​ to rise in‌ status, and from‍ the perspective of​‍​ those people, Alicia’s​⁠ handkerchief will definitely​ be an opportunity‌‌ to ascend in‍⁠ status.

Even‌​⁠ now, there were⁠ men everywhere drooling‍ over her, so​‌ in that sense,‌‍⁠ the mistake made​⁠⁠ by the boy‌ named Vlad seemed‌‌ somewhat admirable.

“Whatever‌​ happens, it’s true…”​‌

Faced‍ with Duncan’s excuse​‍ for Vlad, Alicia‌‍ finally released her‌⁠‍ bitten lips.

After‍ hearing Duncan’s words,​⁠‌ it seemed there⁠ was no reason⁠‌​ for her to‌⁠⁠ be angry.

“Look​‌‍ over there.”

Duncan⁠ glanced out the⁠⁠⁠ window as he​ watched Alicia slowly‌ regain her composure.‌​

“There⁠​ must be a reason why Bayezid‍ cares for the​ boy in each​‌ of those actions.”​

“…”‍⁠​

Alicia‍⁠‌ followed Duncan’s gesture‌⁠⁠ and turned to‌ look out the⁠ window.

There​​ was a boy‌⁠ kneeling on the‌ hill.

Anyone‍ who saw him‍ with his hands​‍ clasped could see‌​ he was praying‌‍ in a reverent​‍ posture.

“That‌ hasn’t changed since‍‍ then.”

The⁠​‍ boy’s blond hair​‍ fluttered in the‍ landscape she had‌ seen for a long time, but‌⁠ Alicia couldn’t feel⁠‌‌ any discomfort at‌⁠ the sight.

That’s‍‌ because Vlad’s appearance⁠‌​ seemed sincere.

“But‍⁠ who is that?”​⁠⁠

Alicia,⁠ who was observing​‌‌ Vlad praying in‌​⁠ peace, suddenly began‌⁠ to see something‍‍‍ unfamiliar.

From⁠⁠‌ the base of‍⁠ the hill, someone‌ was slowly walking‌‍ uphill as if​‍ it were their‌ own backyard.

The⁠ first sight of⁠‍​ his back showed⁠ that he was⁠ not from Hainal.‌⁠

“Damn‍‌ it.”

Duncan,‌ who had discovered‍ the man’s identity‍⁠⁠ before Alicia, quickly⁠‌​ grabbed the bell‌‌⁠ and began to‌‌ shake it violently.‍⁠

“Chamberlain!​‍ Are you outside?”‍

Upon‍ hearing Duncan’s urgent⁠​⁠ ringing, Alicia slowly‍​ approached the window.‌⁠

The​‌⁠ boy had received⁠‍ permission from the​​ owner of the⁠‌ place to climb‌​ the hill.

However,​‍ the person currently‍​ climbing the hill‌​ was someone who​​ had never received​‌‌ his permission.

“Hurry⁠ up and inform‍‌ Sir Jager!”

The‌⁠​ most dangerous person​ among those currently​‌​ in the mansion.‌​

A knight from the​ west who was​‌‌ not allowed to‍​​ do anything regarding‍​⁠ Deirmar.

Stephen​⁠ of Gaidar.

He​ was approaching the‌‌ boy who was‌‌ praying.

***⁠‌

It’s‍ sad to be⁠‍ far away in⁠‌ a place where‍‌ no one can‌‍‍ see.

Even⁠​⁠ if you shine‍​​ yourself, it will⁠‍​ be sad if‌‌‌ that light has‌⁠​ no meaning.”

Vlad,​ who knew the​ situation well, lifted​ his head towards‌‍‍ the white snake‍⁠⁠ that nobody remembered.​⁠​

The‌ snake that made‍​‌ eye contact with⁠ the boy through‌​​ the voice world‌⁠‌ was smiling.

“Still,‌ don’t you have‌‌ any specific memories?”‍‍

[I⁠ don’t know.]

I climbed back up‌‌ the hill of‍⁠ Deirmar to hear‌‍ the voice, but‌ I still didn’t‌‍⁠ seem to have⁠ any particular memories.​‌

“Didn’t‌‍ you say that‌ some things came‌​ to mind when⁠‍​ you saw Noir?”‍‍​

[It‍‌ seems I have​⁠ something to do‌ with the spirits.]‍

Still,⁠​‍ Vlad’s efforts were‍‍ not in vain.‌‍​

The⁠‌ voice could tell⁠‌ that he was‍​ obsessed with spirits‌ and old forgotten⁠‍ things from the​‌ memories that emerged‍‌‍ as fragments.

Although‍​ I couldn’t say⁠ whether that obsession‍ was a duty⁠ towards something or​‌⁠ if it came​ from my own‍‍ will.

[Someone‍​‌ is coming.]

Vlad​​ slowly got up,‌​⁠ feeling the warning​ voice and the⁠ confident expression as⁠ if telling him‍⁠⁠ to look over​‌‌ here.

Although‌​⁠ I didn’t look‌ back, I felt⁠‌‍ like I knew​‍​ who it was.⁠

“There’s‍‍ a cemetery in⁠​ a place like​⁠ this.”

Vlad​ stood up, pretending‍⁠​ to have finished‍ praying, and turned‍⁠⁠ to follow the‌ sound he heard.​

There‌‍ was a knight⁠‍‍ from the West⁠​‍ whose physique was‌ as robust as⁠​ his confidence.

“Do‌‍ you think someone⁠‍ you know is​⁠ buried there?”

Stephen⁠ Gaidar.

The⁠ eldest son of​‍ Count Sigmund and‌‌‍ suitor of Alicia.⁠‌

And‍‍ the person brought‍⁠‌ by the Knight‍‌ of the Blue​‍⁠ Moonlight.

“This​​‍ is a place‌ you can only​​‌ come with the‌‌ owner’s permission.”

“Now⁠ that you’re here,‌‍ I think I can stay too.”​⁠

“I‌‌‍ have permission.”

Stephen​ smiled as he‌ looked into the⁠​​ eyes of Vlad,‍ who was staring⁠‍‌ at him.

“Now‍‌​ you see me.”⁠‌‍

“…”‌⁠

“At‍⁠​ that time, you‍ were only looking⁠​‌ at Godin. I felt like I had become invisible.”‍​

Stephen,⁠‍ who passed by‍⁠ Vlad while casually⁠ joking, sat nearby‍ and asked.

“I⁠‌ heard you have‍ Baron Alicia’s handkerchief.”‌

A man who is​‍ proud even though‍ he is not‌‍ allowed to be.​‌

Stephen​‌ said, looking down‌⁠‍ at the mansion⁠⁠⁠ below.

“Godin‍ says if you‌ hand over the⁠‍ handkerchief now, he’ll‍ pay you a second dried meat.”‌‍

“…!”‌

Dirty⁠‍‌ chunks of meat​ fell on my‍ head.

There‌‌ was a boy​⁠⁠ whose life was​ saved because of‍ it.

It​ was a moment​‍ when I could‍‍ survive servilely because​ it was an‌ unfair price.

“I‍ don’t know what‍​​ that means.”

Stephen‍ said, reaching out​ to Vlad with⁠‌‍ an indifferent look⁠ in his eyes.‌

“Give⁠⁠ it to me.”‌

A confident posture, as‌‍ if asking for‍ something that is‍​ his.

Don’t‍ hide what you​‌ want.

If‍‌‍ you want it,‌ take it and​ get it.

The‍⁠ Western world, where‍ only the greedy​ could survive, was​‍ in the palm​​‌ of his hand.⁠‍

“…Take​‍ it.”

At​ Stephen’s request, Vlad‍‍ simply gave a cold response as⁠ if he had​‌⁠ been waiting.

“If​ you have the⁠ ability to do‍ so.”

The‍ North does not​ back down.

As‍ witnessed by the​‌⁠ red-stained walls of‍⁠‍ Sturma, they do‌‌​ not give up‍​‌ what they have​​ in their hands.​​⁠

The​ boy of northern‌‌ blood had no‌ intention of yielding​​ to the extremely‍‌‍ rude demands of‍​ the West.

“Well,⁠​‌ they said they​⁠​ wouldn’t listen to‍‌ me.”

The​‌⁠ West came here‍‍‌ to take and​⁠‍ the North came​​ here to block.‍

In​​ the end, they‌‌​ were destined to⁠ end up like​ this.

With​ a small sigh,‌ Stephen got up‌ from his seat⁠​‌ as if annoyed.‌​‌

Under​‌​ the Hainal tree,⁠‍ the knights of⁠​ the North and​‍ the West began‍⁠‌ to face off.‌⁠​

“There’s​ no choice.”

With‌⁠⁠ a grunt, Stephen’s​⁠ sword began to⁠​​ come out of‍‍ its sheath.

A form not seen‌​‌ in the north.​

Stephen’s​⁠⁠ greatsword, filled with⁠​ sharp teeth like‌‍​ fangs.

“I​ have no intention​ of going back⁠⁠‍ empty-handed. Northern brat.”⁠

Stephen’s​⁠ sword pointed towards​​⁠ Vlad.

“I⁠ challenge you to‍​ a duel for‌ Alicia’s handkerchief.”

The‌ winners are up,‍ the losers down.​

An‌‌ honorable duel where‌ only the winner​​⁠ takes all.

“Again.”⁠

However,​⁠ Vlad only crossed‍ his arms at​‌‌ Stephen’s request and‍ did not accept‌​‌ his challenge.

“What?”​‌

“Do​​ it again.”

The⁠⁠ cries of the⁠ boy, crawling on​ the blood-soaked ground⁠ and shouting at‍⁠ the Knight of‍‌​ the Blue Moonlight,⁠​⁠ were empty.

Because‌​​ the boy of‍ that day was‌ not qualified.

“I’m‌⁠ not a northern‍ brat.”

But‌ the boy today⁠‍⁠ was different.

The⁠‌ boy who had​‍ worked hard to‌​ earn his current⁠‍ qualifications was someone‌​ who deserved to​⁠⁠ have his name⁠ called out proudly.​‍

“I​​ am a knight⁠ of Bayezid and⁠​‍ a knight of‌⁠ Lady Alicia.”

A white snake began‍ to descend from‍ under the tree,​‌⁠ matching the boy’s​ momentum.

The⁠‍‌ boy was allowed‍⁠ and the lord‍⁠ and guardian of⁠ Deirmar acknowledged him.⁠

“If⁠‌‌ you want to​⁠‌ challenge me to‌‍ a duel, call‍‌ me by my⁠ name directly, West​‍ scoundrel.”

Just⁠‍ a moment ago,‍ Stephen thought he⁠‌‍ could suppress Vlad’s‍‌ impulse, but the⁠‍⁠ boy looking at⁠⁠ him now looked​‌ completely different from‍‌ before.

Blue⁠‌⁠ eyes burning brightly​​‍ with a blessing.‍‍​

At​‌​ the same time,​​​ the boy’s presence‍ grew as large‌‍‍ as the tree⁠ above.

The​⁠​ name of the‍ knight who was‌ more qualified than​​ anyone and therefore⁠​​ allowed was Vlad‌‍‌ of Soara.

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