Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 87: The blue-eyed knight (5)

Chapter 87: The blue-eyed knight (5)

Godin‌⁠ had already expected‌ Vlad to reject‍ his offer.

Because‍‌ he knew the‌⁠ boy’s temperament well‍ as he had‌ experienced it before.⁠

However,‍ what soured Godin‌‍ was not so‍ much that his‌⁠ consideration was rejected,⁠‌‌ but the false⁠‍ bubbles surrounding the‍⁠ boy.

“He‍ would have grown‌⁠ well on his‍ own without having‍ to go this‍ far.”

The⁠ report that Godin‌‌ was currently reviewing‌‌‌ by candlelight contained‌ the achievements Vlad⁠ had accomplished so⁠‌ far.

An‌ organization from the‌ city of Soara destroyed.

The⁠ head of a false priest was‍‍ severed.

Dragged the Death Worm‍‍ and personally killed‍⁠ Lindworm.

“I‍‌ suppose Bayezid was⁠ in a hurry.”‍‍

Godin⁠‍ set aside the‍‌⁠ report he was⁠ holding as if⁠ he had nothing⁠⁠‌ else to look‍ at and took‍ a sip of‍ the drink next‌ to him.

There‌ is something called common sense in‍ the world, and‌ there is a good reason why certain norms become common sense.

“You rose too high.”‌

When⁠⁠⁠ Godin first saw Vlad, he was⁠ clearly just a boy who couldn’t‌‍‍ even wield a sword properly.

The‍‍ latter feat was‌ plausible, but it‌ was only an‍ expression of possibility‌‌ and definitely not‌ at a level‍⁠ that would allow⁠ him to ascend‌‍‌ to the position⁠‍‍ of Dragon Slayer‌‍ in less than a year.

“It’s‍ a possibility created…”⁠

Although‍⁠ the Knights of‍‍ Bayezid had an‍ exceptional reputation in⁠⁠ the North, they⁠‌ were considered not⁠ to have been‌⁠ able to change‌‌ the generations in‌⁠ this era.

So‍⁠ there was some motivation to inflate‌ Vlad’s evaluation.

“Still,⁠‍‍ I’m proud of‍ the fact that⁠ I noticed he‍‌ can use Aura.”‍

And‌ the reason Bayezid‍ did so was‍ obviously because of⁠⁠ the boy’s outstanding‍⁠ potential.

Since‍⁠ the manifestation of‌ Aura was not‌ something that could be achieved by⁠ teaching them, it⁠‍ was quite understandable‌‍ that Bayezid was⁠ excited to see‍ Vlad acquire Aura at an early⁠ age.

“…”‌⁠

Should‌⁠ I have somehow⁠ brought him here?‌

Although⁠‍ I left him⁠ alone because the direction of the⁠ relationship was not right, if I had been able⁠ to persuade him‌⁠ well, he could⁠‌‌ have already become‌‌‍ a possibility for‌ Gaidar.

“It’s‍ a pity.”

Throughout⁠‌‍ his life, he‌ will surely encounter⁠‍ many crossroads, and⁠ even if he‌ made the best‌⁠⁠ decision at that‍⁠ time, he will‌⁠ not be able‍ to avoid regret‌‍ when he looks‌ back.

Godin‍ was bitter because‌‍ he felt that‌⁠ the boy’s shining⁠‌ potential was being‌⁠ overshadowed by his⁠⁠‍ own wrong decisions.‍

***‌‌

Vlad’s‌‌ gaze wandered as‌ he saw Alicia‍‍ looking at him‍⁠ with a cold⁠⁠ expression.

“Are⁠ you going to⁠ do that again?”⁠⁠

“I’m⁠‌ sorry. I reflected⁠‍ a lot.”

Not‍ only was his⁠‌ energy strong, but‍‌ the numerous foods‌‍ placed on the⁠ round table tempted‌ the boy with‌⁠ their fragrant smells⁠ and appetizing appearance.‍

“I‍‍‍ swear I will⁠ never neglect your handkerchief again, Lady‍⁠ Alicia.”

“Excellent.”⁠

Alicia⁠ nodded as if‌ she was satisfied‌ with Vlad’s sincere‍⁠ response and opened‌⁠ her mouth with⁠⁠ a different smile than before.

“It’s necessary to know‌‍ how to overlook‌‌ a single mistake.”‌⁠

It‌‌ seemed as if⁠‌‌ they were teasing‍‌ him with food,‍ but anyway, he‌ was sure to‌‌‌ get a response‍ from Vlad, so‌ that was enough.⁠‍

I’ll‍ have another chance⁠ to talk about⁠ Lady Zemina.

“Alright.‍ Let’s all eat.”‌

Everyone⁠‌ picked up the⁠ plates in front⁠‌‌ of them as⁠‍ if they had‌‌ been waiting for‍ Alicia’s words.

All⁠ the knights of‍‌ Bayezid who had‌‍ been invited seemed‍ satisfied.

“Great. I haven’t seen‍⁠ a dinner like⁠‌ this in a long time.”

“I‍⁠ heard the lemon⁠⁠ harvest this time was incredible.”

The‌ voices of their⁠‌ elders beside them‌⁠‍ could be heard,‍‌ but Vlad only‍‌‍ focused on the‌⁠ food in front of him.

Vlad‍ had complained about the food here‌ when he visited‍⁠ Deirmar.

Joseph‌ liked it, but⁠ Vlad didn’t like‌ Deirmar’s vegetarian culture‌ at all.

“It’s‌ a whole roast⁠‌ pig with special lemon sauce.”

‘Oh⁠⁠‍ oh…’

But what was in‌⁠ front of Vlad‍ now was nothing‌ but delicious meat.‍‌

It’s⁠⁠ probably common knowledge‌⁠⁠ that growing children⁠‍ need proteins.

“Thank‍‌ you, Baron.”

“Eat‌ up.”

Vlad‍ took a bite‌ of a large‌ piece of meat⁠‌ and let out⁠‍ an exclamation without‌⁠ realizing it.

He‌‌ had eaten a lot of high-quality‍ meat in the⁠ Kannor family, but⁠ the barbecue he⁠‍ tasted in Deirmar‌ was on a completely different level.‍

[The‌‌‌ pinnacle of each dish comes from the sauce.]

The‍ voice seemed grumpy,‍‍‌ as if it⁠⁠ had eaten too much like this,‍ but Vlad kept‌‍ biting the meat‌ in front of‌‍ him to not lose the smell‍ in his mouth.‍

Alicia, who was sitting‍⁠⁠ in front of‍‌ the boy, watched‍ this with satisfaction.⁠‌

“…Are‍‍⁠ the preparations for the showdown going⁠‍‍ well?”

Duncan‌‌ seemed embarrassed by‌‌‌ the young man’s‍⁠ attitude and spoke⁠ to Jager, who‍ was sitting beside⁠⁠ him.

“I‍ still had some‌⁠ requests regarding that.”⁠

Jager⁠⁠ also felt embarrassed⁠ seeing the food⁠ being shamelessly placed⁠⁠‌ in front of⁠ Vlad.

I understand being considerate‍‌⁠ to the great warrior who will‍⁠‍ carry their honor,‍‌ but maybe this‍ is going too‍ far.

“Just‌ say the word.‍ I’ll do my‌‍‍ best to prepare.”‍

“Then…”‍

The boy who has⁠ to fight for‌⁠‍ the duel that‍‌‌ will take place‍ in a few⁠‌ days must eat⁠‍⁠ well, and those who have to‌ prepare must think‍‌ deeply.

The‍⁠ knight named Stephen⁠‌ was the eldest‌ son of the‍‌‍ Gaidar family, the‌‌ losers from the West, and he‌‍‍ was a true‍ talent who had‍‍‌ been honing his‍ skills since childhood.⁠‌

To‍ be honest, Jager⁠ didn’t believe Vlad’s‍ chances of winning‍‌ were very high.‌⁠

“Say⁠ what you want.‍ Deirmar will do⁠ everything possible for Mr. Vlad.”

“That’s⁠ alright.”

As‌ Duncan just said,‌ Deirmar will spare⁠‍ no effort to‌‌ support the boy.If‍⁠ the boy loses,‍ Alicia will have⁠⁠‍ no choice but‌⁠‌ to fully accept‍‌ Bayezid’s interference, another⁠ foreign power, to defeat the threat of Gaidar.

Everyone‌⁠‍ in Deirmar was‍⁠ preparing for what⁠‍ they wanted.

For‍‍ a cause, for⁠‌ self-sufficiency, and for‌ revenge.

Everyone‍‍‍ here knew that⁠ the current dinner was like the‍‍ calm before the‍⁠ storm.

The‌⁠‌ night passed amid‍ much laughter.

***‌⁠

“…”⁠‌‌

The‌‌ morning of the‌‍‌ duel.

Stephen,⁠⁠ who entered the‌ duel arena prepared‌ by Alicia, felt‌⁠ an uncomfortable sensation that he couldn’t⁠ explain in words.‍‌‌

“…Aren’t⁠ duels usually held⁠ in the foyer‍‍ or the hall?”‌‍

“There‍‍ was a special⁠ request from Baron⁠ Alicia.”

As‌ Godin said, Alicia‍‍ wanted this duel‍‌⁠ to take place⁠‌ outdoors instead of‍ in a foyer or hall.

Since⁠‍ it’s a proposal‌ of marriage, she⁠ said she would like her parents,‍ who are buried‌‌ in the ground,‍ to also see‌ it.

“So?”⁠

It⁠‌ wasn’t necessarily a comprehensible reason, but‌ Stephen still felt‍‌ reluctant.

The⁠‍ feeling of freshly⁠‍ cut grass against⁠ his toes.

A field that has⁠⁠‌ been carefully arranged‍ and even the‌‍‍ smallest pebbles have⁠‌ been removed.

“Did⁠‍ it rain this‌⁠ morning?”

“No.”⁠

And⁠ yet the grass‌‍ on the field‌‍⁠ was damp even‌‌ though it hadn’t‌ rained.

Though⁠ it was easy‌ to act quickly,‍ it wasn’t a good environment for⁠⁠ knights like him,‌‍ who had to‌ take firm actions.‌

“You have to endure‌‍ this.”

“You’re⁠ making quite an‌⁠ effort.”

Creating‌‍ an advantageous battlefield‌⁠ before a battle‍ is one of‍‌ the basic attitudes‍‍‍ of a commander.‌‍⁠

Stephen⁠ smiled fiercely as‌‌ he looked at‍ the one-eyed knight⁠ who had somehow‌ accumulated small variables‍⁠ for the boy.⁠

“Are⁠ you ready?”

Jager,‌⁠‌ who maintained an‌ indifferent expression despite Stephen’s significant smile,⁠‌ turned his head⁠ and looked at‍ the boy who‍⁠ was behind him.‍⁠

The‌ intangible strength of⁠ the Gaidar knights⁠⁠⁠ still aimed at Vlad to take‌‌‌ the initiative.

And‌ Vlad stood behind‌ the elders, who‌ were blocking the boy’s momentum, with⁠ his eyes closed.‍‌

“Yes.”‌

Jager⁠ nodded, gazing at‌⁠ Vlad’s steadfast blue⁠⁠ eyes.

He‍‍⁠ had been patient⁠ up until now.‍‌

He⁠ knew very well‌‌‍ that the reason‍‍ he had endured‌‍ ceaselessly even in‌‍ front of those‌ who could be‌‍ considered his enemies was to fulfill‍ the promise he‍‍‌ made to Joseph.⁠

“Alright.”⁠⁠⁠

So‌‌‍ now it was‌ his turn to‍‍ repay the boy’s⁠‍ patience.

When⁠‌‍ Jager signaled to‍ Duncan that he was ready, the‍‌ priest invited by Alicia stepped onto the duel arena.‍⁠⁠

He‍⁠ was a priest⁠⁠ who had witnessed the boy flourish‍⁠‍ his own world‌ during the last‌ duel for the‍‌ right to succession.⁠⁠

“Contenders from both sides, step forward!”

A priest standing.

A battlefield made for‍‍ the boy.

“Spectators‍ from both sides,⁠ please come!”

And‌ rules made for‌‍ the boy.

Following‍ the priest’s instructions, two knights entered‍ the duel arena⁠ behind Stephen and⁠‌‌ Vlad.

Godin,‍‍⁠ the Knight of‌ the Blue Moonlight,‌‍⁠ and Jager, the‍ One-eyed Knight.

The‍ knights representing Gaidar⁠‍ and Bayezid stood‌‍‍ facing each other.

“In‌ this duel, the‌ use of Aura⁠‌ is permitted.”

Jager,‌‍‍ who thought a pure battle with‍ sword against Stephen would be an‌ inevitable defeat, chose‍‌⁠ Aura to create⁠ a variable.

Because⁠ he believed that‌ the boy’s steadfastness⁠ in the world‌‌⁠ would be insurmountable.⁠‌

“Since⁠‍ this is not‌ a duel that will determine life or death, either‍ of you may‍‍ intervene if the⁠⁠ contenders are in‍⁠‌ danger.”

As Aura is used,⁠⁠ safety measures will⁠ be needed, and‌ the two knights⁠⁠ stationed now will‍ be observers preparing⁠ for the worst-case‌ scenario.

“Do⁠‌ you agree with the current rules?”‍‌

After⁠⁠ seeing the nods‍ of the two⁠‌ knights, the priest was now only⁠‍ making the final‍ preparations for the‍‌ duel.

“Both‌ sides, advance.”

A duel arena where⁠ the observers step down and only‍‌ those involved in the duel remain.⁠

There,‍ Vlad and Stephen‌ stood facing each⁠‍ other.

“Do‌ you have a good handkerchief? It’s⁠‌ complicated to go‍‌ through unnecessary procedures‍ to get it.”⁠⁠

“…”‌‍

A priest raised his‌‌ head while waiting for the clouds‍‍ to obscure the‍ sun.

Finally,‍⁠ awaiting the start‍⁠ of the next‌‍ duel, Vlad opened⁠ his mouth.

“If⁠ I gave you‌ a handkerchief, what‌ would you give‍‍ me?”

A weak dog tends⁠ to bark.

Hiding‍‌ one’s own fear‌⁠ and intimidating the other person with⁠ a threatening attitude.⁠

However,‍ instead of barking,⁠‌ the boy in front of him,⁠ who was obviously weaker than him,‍ simply smiled softly.‍

“I‍ suppose I should⁠⁠ get the sword‍ you’re holding.”

“This‍ son of a bitch…”

The‌ West wasn’t used⁠⁠⁠ to snatching only‌‌‍ temperament.

The⁠‌⁠ boy who lived‌‌‌ in the alleys⁠ where being robbed‍ meant death was⁠‍‍ also a greedy⁠‌‍ person like Stephen.⁠⁠

“I definitely think it’s‌⁠ a good balance.”‍

I took it because I wanted it.‍‌

I stole to live.‍

The⁠⁠‍ two beasts, accustomed‌‍ to taking, began‌⁠ to attack each⁠ other with their⁠⁠‍ sharp teeth.

“God⁠⁠ is watching under‌ today’s sun!”

With‌‍⁠ a signal from‍‌ the priest, the‌ duel began.

‘…What’s‌‌ that?’

Stephen‌‌⁠ wanted to jump‍ and tear Vlad‍ apart immediately, but⁠ Vlad’s unfamiliar stance⁠⁠ was holding him⁠ back.

He‌⁠‌ was in a position where one‍ couldn’t easily extend‌ the sword, and⁠‍ even if he‍ did, it would‌‍ be difficult to‌‍ reach.

A posture in which the body is⁠‍ held as laterally‌⁠⁠ as possible while holding the sword‌‌ with one hand.‍

The‌ boy’s posture, which‌⁠ allowed for striking‌⁠ the smallest possible area, was clearly‌‍ the stance mainly‍ used by swordsmen‍‌ who used rapiers.‍‍‌

“I‌‍⁠ hope you like‍⁠ it.”

Information⁠⁠‌ doesn’t always mean⁠⁠ truth.

Godin‍ made a wrong decision even though‍‍⁠ he had information‌‌⁠ about the boy⁠⁠ in his hand,‌ but Joseph used‍‍ the information he⁠‍ had on hand‍‍ to predict the⁠ current situation and⁠⁠‍ created it.

From the moment Joseph⁠‌‌ received Alicia’s letter,⁠ he was preparing for a duel with Stephen.

“I⁠⁠‍ prepared it for‌⁠‌ you.”

The Bayezid knights arrived‍⁠ at Deirmar only‌ after a long‌ time had passed,‌ enough for Alicia to distress.

It⁠ was to give‍‌ the boy time‍ to prepare.

“…”‍‍

Godin,‌‌ who was watching the duel, saw‍⁠ Vlad’s reluctant stance‍ and looked at⁠‍‌ the Bayezid knights⁠ who were behind‌‍ the boy.

‘He‌ was getting ready.’‌‍

The⁠ Bayezid knights watching‌ the boy outside⁠‌ the duel arena.⁠

Casually,⁠‌ all of them‌ were holding the‍ same large sword‌ as Stephen.

A knight only takes‍ his fair share.‍‍