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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 90: Live up to your name (2)

Chapter 90: Live up to your name (2)

The‍​​ white serpent liked⁠⁠​ the boy.

The​​⁠ boy was a being with old​⁠‍ memories in his‍​ eyes, and he‌⁠ was also one‌ of the few‌ people who could‍​ remember it.

Furthermore,‍ now that he‍‌‌ was offering a fragrant offering, there‌‌‍ was no reason​​ not to forgive​‌ the boy.

“It⁠‌ seems he really⁠ likes the alcohol.”‌⁠

[As‍‍⁠ expected, whisky was⁠⁠ the answer.]

Vlad⁠⁠​ followed the voice’s‍‌ advice, took the​ whisky, and sprinkled‌‌⁠ it under the‌ tree.

He⁠⁠ was about to⁠ shed tears on​​ the ground when⁠⁠​ the voice told⁠​⁠ him that whisky,‍⁠ a liquor made‌⁠ from barley, would‌ go well with​ the white serpent,⁠⁠ the spirit of‍​ the earth.

“This​‌ is a special‌⁠ gift from Joseph​‌ to commemorate my​⁠ appointment as a knight.”

[It’s⁠‌⁠ expensive, so you​ have to spend⁠‌ it. The protection​‌ of the white⁠ serpent is like⁠ an extra life.]‍

It‌‍ was a sad​‍ and expensive drink‍ to consume, but⁠ Vlad had no‍ choice but to‍⁠‍ nod when he‍‌ heard the voice.​‍

The‌ protection of the‌‍ white serpent engraved​​ on Bayezid’s leather⁠ armor always protected​‌⁠ Vlad.

If‌‍ it weren’t for​ the protection of⁠‌ the white serpent‍⁠⁠ during the fight‍ with the headless⁠‌ knight, the person‍‍​ lying on the⁠​ ground drinking right⁠ now could have​⁠ been himself.

[Come‌ closer. Don’t be‍​ too afraid.]

“I​ felt that way‍⁠ last time when‌ I was killing‍ a dragon, but​​​ I think I hate scales.”

Regardless‌ of Vlad’s complaints,​ the white serpent‌‍ descended from the‍ tree and began‌​‍ to coil around‍ Vlad, just like​​‍ that day.

It⁠‍ didn’t surprise me‌ too much because‌⁠ I experienced it​ once, but the‌​​ majesty of the‌⁠ white serpent seen‍‍ through the world‌ of the voice​ still felt the⁠​‌ pressure of its​ existence.

[I​ help you during‍ the duel, so⁠‌‍ it won’t harm⁠​ you.]

“…I‌​ know.”

Vlad​⁠​ knew very well‍‌ that he wouldn’t‌ defeat Stephen with‌⁠​ all his skills.‍

The​​‌ Western knight was​ arrogant, but he⁠⁠​ had the skills​⁠ to back it‍‌⁠ up, and no​ matter how much‍ he prepared, it‍‌​ only lasted less‌‍‍ than a month.‌

If​ there hadn’t been​⁠‍ much help for‍‌‍ the duel, that‍ day’s match would‌‍‍ have ended up‍ being Vlad’s defeat.‌‌‌

“…Thank⁠⁠ you.”

There​⁠‌ was a time‌ when I thought‍‍ showing honest feelings⁠‍ meant showing weakness.‍

However,​‌ Vlad now had‍‍⁠ confidence in himself‍⁠ and had created‍⁠‍ a vessel capable‍‍ of embracing even⁠ his weaknesses.

.…‍‍

After‍⁠ receiving Vlad’s sincere‌ gratitude, the white​ serpent lifted its‌‌ neck and began⁠‍⁠ to move its​ head.

Since‌ you have offered⁠‍ homage and gratitude,​‌ I will share⁠‍‌ my blessings with‌⁠ you.

The​⁠ view reflected in​ the world of‌ the voice included‌⁠​ a white serpent‍‍ singing toward the⁠ sky and the‍​⁠ figure of Vlad‍ with a shining‌‌ white armor.

The​⁠ White Serpent and⁠‍ Hainal.

The‍‍‌ world of Deirmar‌​ was welcoming the​‌‌ boy.

***⁠

The‍‌ mission in Deirmar‌‍ has ended.

Knights⁠⁠ Vlad and Bayezid,⁠​ showing results that⁠ exceeded expectations, successfully‍ expelled the unwanted‍⁠ visitors from the⁠​ West, and now⁠ it was time‍​⁠ to leave here​ with a fair​‍‍ reward.

“Come⁠⁠ closer.”

Vlad,⁠⁠⁠ who arrived at‍ Alicia’s office with‍ Jager, tilted his⁠​⁠ head unconsciously.

This​ was partly due⁠​​ to my old‌‍ habit of dealing⁠ with unfamiliar places,‍ but also because‌ the atmosphere was​⁠​ quite different from‍⁠​ Joseph’s office.

“Are⁠ you at peace?​⁠ Lady Alicia.”

“Thank​ you.”

After‍​⁠ greeting Jager, Alicia​‌ turned her eyes‍‍ to Vlad standing‌​ next to him.‍‌

‘…’‌‌‌

Then,‌​​ an image that‍ she hadn’t seen‌⁠‍ from afar appeared⁠ in Alicia’s eyes.‍‍⁠

Tiny‍‍⁠ scars all over‌‌⁠ his face and​⁠‍ steps that seemed‌​ somewhat uncomfortable.

There⁠​​ was a boy‍ who willingly traversed‌ the path of‌‌​ difficulties to achieve‍⁠ a glorious victory.​⁠

“Is‌ there any inconvenience?⁠ Mr. Vlad? Do​ you have any⁠ injuries?”

“I’m⁠ fine. Lady Alicia.”‍​‍

Although​ he was saying‍ he was fine,‍‍ it was a response that seemed‌​ rather sad from​‌⁠ Alicia’s point of‍ view.

Alicia‍​​ knew very well⁠ that she was​⁠‌ the cause of‌‍ all of Vlad’s‌​​ wounds.

“…Did‍‍⁠ I see you​ yesterday and it​‍‌ seemed like you​⁠‌ were sprinkling alcohol‌‍‌ on the hill?”⁠

“You’re‌‍​ right.”

Every‌⁠⁠ action the boy‍‍ had shown so⁠⁠‌ far was filled‍‌ with respect for⁠‌ Deirmar.

Even‍‌ when mistaken for‌ a servant, Vlad‌‍‍ cleaned the graves‍​ of his parents.​‌‌

“I‌‌⁠ offered my own‍‍ greetings to the​ owners there. It​‌‌ must have been⁠‍ possible thanks to​​ their blessings.”

Furthermore,​​⁠ the fidelity guaranteed‌⁠‌ by the famous⁠ priest Andreas.

Even‍‌ if it wasn’t​‌‍ just for his‌ potential as a knight, there were‍⁠⁠ countless factors that‌​​ made Alicia think‌‍ very highly of‌⁠ Vlad.

“Every​ time I come‍⁠⁠ to Deirmar, I get a brilliant​​‍ victory, so I think the owners‌ here look favorably⁠ upon me.”

“…I⁠​ see.”

Although‍‍‍ Vlad was in​​ an inferior position‍‍⁠ compared to herself,​ a noble, even‌ that was nothing‍‌ short of an‍ advantage for the⁠​ current Alicia.

Even​‌​ each other’s flaws​‌⁠ were perfectly compensated‍ for, so Alicia‍ thought their relationship​‌‍ with Vlad was‍⁠ like a form​ where broken vessels​ fit together.

“That’s‍​ right. I also⁠⁠‍ believe that Mr.⁠‍​ Vlad and Deirmar‍ make a good​⁠ match.”

“…Yes.”⁠​

Vlad,‍⁠ looking at Alicia⁠‍ with his chin‍⁠​ resting on his‍​ hand, felt a certain hesitation in⁠​​ his gaze.

When​ he first saw​⁠‌ her, her eyes​ were a clear,⁠‌​ refreshing blue, but‍‌ now her gaze‍⁠ was so intense‍ that it even⁠​​ seemed sticky.

“Tell​⁠ Lady Oksana that‍‌ I felt a warm connection to‌‍ the blood after⁠ so long,” he‍​​ said.

“Alright.”⁠‌⁠

Jager⁠​‌ accepted Alicia’s letter​ and bowed his​ head.

Although​​‌ this incident did⁠‍ not lead to‌‌‌ a close relationship‍​ with Oksana, Joseph‌‍ would be satisfied​ with this level.​⁠

After‍ experiencing trials both‍‌⁠ in the central‌ region and in‌​ the west, Alicia‌‌​ would have been‍⁠‌ able to clearly‍ know which side‌ she should be‍ on.

“And​ Mr. Vlad, the⁠​‍ knight who defended‍​ my honor.”

The‍‍‍ price to pay‍ to Joseph is‌⁠‌ already decided.

So⁠‍​ now it was​⁠ her turn to​‌⁠ hand over her⁠⁠​ sword for the⁠⁠‍ boy who had⁠‌ raised it for‌⁠​ her.

It‍‌‌ will also have​‌ to be raised⁠ very strongly so​‍‍ that it cannot⁠⁠ be undone.

“I​‍ agree with you​ that you will​‍​ also please the​ previous generations here.”⁠‍

“The⁠ previous lords of‍ this mansion would‌ also agree with‌ what you have‌‍‌ done here.”

When​ Alicia finished speaking,‌‌ Duncan took out​‍‌ a box he⁠​ had prepared on‌⁠‌ his side, as​‌ if he had‍⁠ been waiting.

It‌​ was not a very large wooden​ box, but it​ was decorated in​ a way that‍‌ it was evident‌​ it was treated​​‌ with great care.‍⁠‌

“So⁠ I am sure‍‍‌ that my ancestors⁠ would have no‌‌‍ objections to me​​‍ handing this over‌ to Mr. Vlad.”⁠‌‍

Vlad,‍‍​ who protected Alicia,‍ the legitimate Hainal,⁠ and protected Deirmar⁠‌‍ from the West.​⁠⁠

In⁠​⁠ front of him,‍​ the wooden box⁠‍‌ that the Hainal⁠​‍ family had secretly‍‌ kept opened its‌‍‍ mouth.

[….]​‌⁠

“…”​

There​​‌ was a round‍ jewel emitting a bright yellow light.‌‌

It⁠ was a jewel⁠‍​ that radiated an‌⁠​ unusual energy that‌​ silenced the voice‍​​ of Vlad, who⁠⁠ was looking at​‌‌ the jewel right‍​‍ in front of⁠⁠‌ him.

“It‌ is said that​⁠ the first head​‌ of the family⁠ was friends with‌‍‌ the elves.”

Elf.​

Those‌‍‌ who believe in⁠⁠ a god different​​‌ from the god‍ that humans believe‍⁠ in.

There​​‍ were different races⁠​​ that were expelled⁠ to the eastern‍ border because they‌‌‌ believed differently.

“I‌‍‌ heard it was⁠‌ a gem obtained‍‌ through a relationship⁠⁠​ with them. My‍⁠‍ father told me⁠ it was an⁠⁠ amber stone made⁠‌‌ from the resin⁠ of a very‌‍‍ precious tree.”

Even‍ after Alicia finished‍⁠ speaking, Vlad just⁠ kept looking at‌ the wooden box‌ Duncan was holding​‍ with a cautious⁠ expression.

Vlad⁠ was focusing more‌ on the words⁠‌‌ of the voice‍‌⁠ in his ear‌‍​ than on Alicia’s‍ eyes looking at‌​ him.

[…I⁠‌ remember seeing that.]‍

Vlad‌ promised the voice.⁠

[If​‍ possible, take it.]‌‌⁠

You‌‌ give me the‍ sword, and I’ll​‍‌ give you back​‍⁠ your memories.

Using​ that promise as⁠⁠ a springboard, the‌‌‌ two were now‍​ standing here.

“My‍ father used to⁠‍‍ place this amber⁠⁠ stone on the⁠‌ pommel of his‍‌‍ sword. But as‍‌ he had no‍ reason to raise​ the sword, it⁠‌‌ was left to‌​ deteriorate.”

Alicia‌‌ smiled and nodded⁠ as if telling​ him to take‍⁠ it, but Vlad​‍ couldn’t move easily⁠ despite her laughter.⁠

We⁠‌⁠ know that expensive‌ items come with‍​‍ a high price.⁠‌‌

And​​‌ the family treasure⁠‌ Alicia was giving‌ away would definitely⁠‌⁠ be more expensive‍⁠ than what she⁠⁠‌ paid for it.⁠

Because​‌ her smile that‍ didn’t hide her‍​⁠ laughter said so.‍⁠‍

“…May‌‌ I dare to‌ take it?”

“Of⁠ course.”

But‌​ still, Vlad held‌‌ the Hainal family⁠​ treasure in his​‍ hands.

He‍ voluntarily decided to​⁠⁠ hold that shiny⁠‍‌ jewel in his‍ hands and accept‍‍ its price.

[Thank‌‌ you.]

I want to protect​ what I can.⁠⁠​

The‌⁠ reason why the​‌ boy could dream‌‍ of stars even‍ in the dirt‍‌ was because he​⁠ had his own⁠ standards that he​‌ fiercely refused to⁠‌⁠ yield.

“Thank​‍‌ you. Lady Alicia.”⁠‌

It⁠⁠ doesn’t necessarily have​⁠⁠ to be a knight.

If​​ only I could‌⁠‍ have confidence in⁠​ myself.

Vlad‌⁠‍ really thought that,‌‍‍ and that’s why⁠‌⁠ he held the‍⁠ yellow amber stone​​ in his hand‌ without hesitation.

The‌‍‍ boy fulfilled his​ promise.

[Look.]‍‍​

The​ yellow jewel he‌⁠ held in his‍⁠ hand.

The⁠ jewel seen through‍​‍ the eyes of⁠ the voice was​⁠ full of falling‍‌ leaves.

It​‌ was always falling‌ there.

***‌

The⁠​ distance between Deirmar‍⁠ and Soara was​⁠⁠ about three days‌ by horse.

Although‌⁠ it was a snowy road, the‌‍‍ horses, accustomed to‌⁠⁠ the northern season,​‌ paid no attention​ and continued to​⁠ drive their owners‌⁠ northward.

“He​ was an ambitious​⁠‍ guy.”

“I​‍​ knew it from⁠ the beginning.”

Bayezid’s‌‍ knights constantly spoke‍‍⁠ to Vlad, with⁠‍ Noir in the‍⁠ middle.

“Of​​ course, if you’re‌‍ a man, you⁠ should aspire to‌‌ high places!”

“How​ long have you⁠‍ been a knight‌​⁠ and already aspire‍⁠​ to a noble⁠ title?”

“…”‌

Vlad​​⁠ simply frowned as⁠ he listened to​ the sounds coming‍⁠⁠ from all directions.‌​⁠

“Not​‍‍ like that.”

I really didn’t say‍⁠‌ it that way.⁠

It‍⁠ was simply something​ I received to​ fulfill my promise⁠‌ to the voice.​​⁠

“No,‍⁠⁠ it doesn’t matter.”‌

“I​ really don’t think​‌ it was a bad choice.”

However,⁠ for those around‌‌ him, it didn’t‍‍​ seem that way⁠⁠‍ at all.

Although⁠​ nominally it was‌​‌ a borrowed object,‍ the Hainal treasure⁠⁠​ was practically handed⁠‌ over.

As‌ he handed it​ over to the‍‍‌ knight who took​⁠ his handkerchief, it⁠‌⁠ could be said⁠⁠ that it was⁠ enough for others⁠‌⁠ to misunderstand.

“You’ll⁠ have to report‌ separately to Mr.‌⁠ Joseph.”

“…Okay.”​‌

If‍​‌ Vlad were still‍ a squire, Jager‌‍‌ would probably have‍‍‌ prevented Vlad from⁠‌ accepting the gift‍‌ Alicia was giving‌‍⁠ him.

However,⁠‍⁠ since Vlad was‍‌ now a proud‍​ knight, it would‌‍ surely be an⁠ extremely ambiguous situation​⁠ for him to⁠‍ step forward on⁠ his behalf.

“I‌ can see it!‍​‍ We’ve finally arrived.”‌

Amid⁠ amusing misunderstandings and‌​ vain excuses, the‌ gates of Soara​ finally began to⁠ appear ahead.

A city that was⁠ the boy’s hometown​‍⁠ but was not⁠ always warm.

The​ gates of Soara,⁠‌⁠ closed in the⁠ darkness, always evoked​​⁠ strange emotions in​‌ Vlad.

“You‍ should try it.”⁠​‌

At⁠‌⁠ that moment, a voice pushed Vlad⁠ forward, who was‌ lost in his⁠ thoughts for a moment as he‌‌​ looked at the​‌ walls of Soara‍‍ in front of⁠‍ him.

“Me?”​

“Try⁠​ it now.”

Vlad‌ felt uncomfortable for⁠​ a moment at⁠ Jager’s order pushing‌‍‌ him forward.

Because⁠‍​ it’s a dark‌ night, the lowered‌‌‍ walls won’t open⁠​⁠ unless someone comes‌‍​ tomorrow morning.

“Ahem.”‍​⁠

With​ a small cough,‌​‍ the boy and‌​​ the black horse⁠ walked in front⁠‍⁠ of the dark​ gates of Soara.‍​‍

Vlad,⁠​‍ who was more‍ accustomed to hiding‌ in the darkness⁠ and finding holes,​ found the current⁠‌ situation quite uncomfortable.⁠⁠‍

“Who‌ goes there?”

The‍ guard asked sharply‍ upon seeing the‍ figure suddenly appear,⁠​ but Vlad simply‍‍ raised his sword‍ in its sheath.​‍

The⁠​ protective part of‌ the sword given⁠‍ to him by‍⁠ Rutiger had a pattern drawn that​‌ all of Bayezid’s‌⁠‍ knights had.

“I‍⁠ am Vlad, the⁠⁠ knight of Bayezid.”⁠‍‍

The⁠‍‌ location of the​‍​ holes under the‍⁠ castle wall still​⁠ remained in Vlad’s​ mind.

But⁠‌ the boy would‍ no longer need‌‌‍ to remember that​​⁠ place.

“I​‍ returned after completing‌​​ my mission. Open​‌ the door.”

Now,​‍ if you want‍‌ to enter, you‌ just have to‌ say it confidently.‌⁠​

The​ boy was a man who had​ proved his worth,‍‍⁠ and the symbol‍​​ of Bayezid reflected​ in the torchlight⁠​ was proof of‍‌ that.

“Welcome!​ Vlad!”

With⁠ the shout of⁠ a guard who‍⁠ had confirmed the‍‍ pattern, the gates⁠‌⁠ of Soara opened⁠​​ in the darkness​‍‍ before them.

“…It’s​​ really opening.”

Knight.‌⁠

It’s‍ a qualification, an‍ honor, and a title that only⁠⁠⁠ those who have‍ proved their existence‌ can hold.

A boy who has⁠⁠‍ proved his worth‍⁠ will no longer‌​ have to hide‍‌ or wait.

From‍ now on, the‌ gates of Soara‍​‍ will wait for‍​‍ the boy.

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