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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 95: I forgive your sins (1)

Chapter 95: I forgive your sins (1)

Even⁠‌ after the funeral‌ ended, Zemina kept‍⁠⁠ walking behind Vlad,⁠‌‌ sobbing.

Zemina​ had witnessed many⁠‌ deaths due to⁠⁠‌ living in the‌⁠​ rough and tough​⁠ alleys, but today,​⁠ the tears kept‍‌ flowing.

Perhaps‍‌ the death of⁠⁠‍ the old man‍ was enough to‌‍ shock Zemina’s heart.‍

“Now​ you only have⁠⁠ 1 gold coin​‍⁠ and 10 silver⁠​ coins left in‌ your salary.”

“…I​⁠ can’t help it.”‍‍‍

The‌ first salary of‍‍‌ 4 gold coins‍‌ that he received​‌ in his life‌​ ended up being‍‌​ used to buy​‌‌ a tomb and⁠​‍ a gravestone for​​ the old man.‌​‌

It‍⁠⁠ was a lot‌​​ of money to‍ pay for the‌⁠‌ funeral of someone‍⁠​ from an alley,‌ but Vlad still‌‌‌ decided to bury‍ the old man‍⁠‌ in the sunniest⁠‍ spot near the​⁠ monastery.

Still,‍​‍ he wanted to‌ get you out‍‍ of the alley‌ in the end.⁠⁠

“However,‍‍ I asked around‍ and no one‍‍ knew his name.”‌⁠

“Really?”​⁠

Harven‌‍‌ sent people specifically‍ to ask, but‍ no one knew‍⁠‌ the name of‍‌ the old blacksmith.‌

He​​‍ was just a person who had​‌​ existed for some​ time, like a component of an​ alley, and it⁠‍ was natural that⁠⁠​ it was so.‌

“I‌⁠⁠ didn’t know, so‍ there’s nothing I can do.”

So,​ he had no⁠⁠ choice but to⁠‍‌ engrave Vlad’s image‍‌​ in his memory‍​ instead of the​⁠ old man’s name‌ on the gravestone.‍

The​⁠​ finest blacksmith in⁠⁠‌ Soara.

It‌ wouldn’t be a completely incorrect name​ since he was⁠ an old man‌⁠​ who made a sword that cut​ through ghosts and⁠⁠ stabbed dragons.

“…But‌‍ why are they​ doing that?”

“Who?‍‌ The kids?”

Back​‌‍ at Rose’s Smile‌⁠ after the old‌⁠ man’s funeral.

There​ were people gathered‌​ in small groups​ all over the‌⁠‍ alleys, looking at‌‌ Vlad.

“I’ve‍ been hearing that‍‍‍ lately. If you​‍‌ want to beg,​⁠ go ahead.”

The⁠ children’s eyes gaze‌⁠ at Vlad from​ afar, whether he‌​ comes or not.⁠‍

Vlad‌‍ felt uncomfortable and‌​ uneasy about the‍ attitude of the‍‌​ children in the​ back alley, which⁠‌​ was quite different⁠‍​ from before.

“I‌ really don’t know​⁠ why you’re doing​​‌ that?”

“Why⁠‌‌ are they doing‍‍​ that?”

“It’s​ okay if you‌ don’t know.”

Harven‍​‌ was not oblivious​‍ to the looks‌ the children were‌‌​ giving him now.‌

Because‌​‍ Vlad, who is‍⁠‍ now by his⁠‍ side, also had‌ eyes like that‍⁠ when he was​ young.

“This‌ winter is colder⁠ than last year.”‍⁠‌

“I‍ know.”

Vlad,‍ frowning for no‍ reason and making​ eye contact with​⁠‍ each of the‌‍‌ children, licked his⁠​‌ lips and said.⁠

“A​ lot of people‍ are dying from‍ the cold.”

Only⁠‌ those who have‌⁠ experienced it know,‌‍⁠ only those who‍‌ have been absent‌⁠ understand.

Memories⁠‍‍ of a cold⁠​‍ and hungry childhood‍‍ were enough to‌ group Vlad with‍‍ the children who‌‌‌ were far away.​‍​

“You⁠​‌ can survive with‍​​ just one blanket,‌⁠ right?”

“That’s‌⁠ right.”

Vlad‌‌ cleared his throat,‍⁠ scratched his chin,‌‍ and looked at⁠ Harven.

“I​‌⁠ guess I’m not​ good at saving‍​ money anyway this‌ month.”

“It’ll​⁠⁠ cost 1 gold‌ coin.”

Harven‌‍ already knew what​⁠​ Vlad was trying⁠‌ to say.

“With​‌​ just 10 silver‌ coins, you can⁠‍​ live for over‌⁠‍ a month.”

“There​‍‌ was a time‍⁠‌ like that.”

The‌⁠ sword that the‌​ old man made‍‍‍ shone, giving Vlad​‌⁠ hope.

And‍‌ now, the brightest⁠‌‌ being in the​‌⁠ alleys of Soara‍⁠‍ is the blond-haired‍‍⁠ knight.

A person who was‌ born and raised​ in a dirty​‍ alley but managed‍​⁠ to achieve the‌‌‌ title of knight‍‌ with his own​​ strength.

There‌ is someone who⁠⁠​ did it here‌‍ too.

“I‍⁠ told you to‍ hand it over‌ to the kids‍ and say a single prayer for‍‌‌ the old man.”​⁠

“It’s⁠⁠⁠ a profitable business‍‍​ with just one‍‌ blanket and one​​ prayer.”

The‍ sword was buried‍⁠‌ in the ground‍⁠ with the old⁠‍ blacksmith, but the⁠⁠‍ star that the⁠‌ old man made‌​ still illuminated the‍​​ back alley.

Although‌​‌ the name and‌‌​ form may be‌ different.

***​

The‍ weather was so‍​​ cold that even⁠‍​ the breath I exhaled was icy,‍ but the smell‌‌​ of fish, blood,⁠​⁠ and rotting meat​​ emanating from various​⁠​ places did not‍​‌ easily diminish.

“They⁠​ say that if‌‍‍ you know how⁠ to make sausages,‍ you won’t be​ able to eat‍ them…”

Gregory⁠ seemed quite surprised‍​⁠ that meat was‌‍⁠ being slaughtered in⁠ such an unhealthy​ place.

The​‍ poor quality of​​ the black bear⁠⁠⁠ slaughterhouse clearly showed‌‍ the living standards​ of the people​ in the back⁠‍‌ alleys.

“Otar,⁠‌ yes. You open‍‌‍ the door first.”‍⁠‌

“Mmm.”⁠‌

As‍ always, Otar raised⁠​ his axe without⁠ hesitation in response‍ to Vlad’s instructions.⁠

“Do⁠ you have anything‌‍‌ to say?”

“What​⁠​ about this time?‌⁠ Can I relax​ a bit?”

However,⁠⁠​ Agge simply questioned‌⁠​ Vlad’s instructions in⁠⁠ silence.

Agge,​ being of the⁠ free spirit of​‍ the plains, was‌ still not familiar⁠‌ with the northern‍‌⁠ system of command.‍‍‍

“This‌‍‌ is the guy‍‌⁠ who sold pregnant⁠‍ women and babies​ to people practicing​‍⁠ black magic. What‌ do you think?”⁠

“I⁠‌⁠ can kill all⁠ the bastards you‌​⁠ want.”

Agge,​ as if he‌‍⁠ finally understood the⁠‌‍ situation, drew an‌ exclusive sword of‍​ the barbarians and‌ laughed heartily.

Although‌‌⁠ he was a guy who rode⁠​⁠ a magical horse,⁠​⁠ I thought it‍‌⁠ would be an​ uncomfortable coexistence.

However,‍ the young leader​​ who had actually‍ experienced it was​‌ surprisingly a person‌‌ with a temperament‍‍‌ that matched the‌‌‍ temperament of the‌‍⁠ prairie.

“You⁠‌ should have figured‍⁠⁠ it out by‍ now.”

“I’m⁠⁠ going in.”

Vlad‍ silently nodded at‌⁠‌ Gregory’s words.

Two⁠ knights dragged the⁠⁠‍ soldiers supported by⁠​ Joseph and their‍​ respective workers.

Although‍⁠​ they moved as‌​‌ secretly as possible‍⁠ along the path⁠⁠ laid out by‍ Harven, there was‍ no way the‍‌‌ black bear hadn’t⁠‌ noticed the movements⁠‌ of the approximately‌ 40 soldiers.

“Good.”​‌

The⁠‍ vanguard is the​‍‍ troops of Knight⁠‍ Vlad.

The‍ blond knight was​⁠⁠ the proponent and‌​ main responsible for​ this operation.

“Now!”‌

With⁠‍‌ Vlad’s signal, the⁠‌ two men ran​‍ towards the Black​⁠‌ Bear’s base.

As⁠ expected of the​ oldest alley boss⁠ building, the door⁠​​ was large and‍‍‌ solid.

“Sigh!”‍

Otar​⁠‍ mercilessly struck the​⁠​ handle of a door made with‍ strange bone decorations⁠​⁠ with his axe.⁠

However,⁠ because people were​ holding it from‍ behind, the door​‍ swung open forcefully​⁠ and did not⁠ move.

“Prepare‌ the ladder.”

The​​ flow must not‍ be interrupted, affirmed⁠​​ Jager.

They‍‌⁠ told me that​ even if the‌ attack was blocked,⁠⁠ I always had‍ to prepare for⁠‍ the next move⁠ and take the‍⁠​ initiative.

“Wait⁠‍ a moment.”

The‍ soldiers moved to⁠ fix the ladder​⁠ to the second-floor‍ window, but at‌‍ that moment, Agge⁠‌ raised his hand‌​‍ towards Vlad.

A small light began‍ to flicker between‌ the tattoos on‍​​ his palm.

“It’s​‍‍ time to show‌ it at least‍​ once.”

Your‌⁠⁠ world is not⁠ everything.

The‍ world manifests itself‍⁠ in various ways,‍ and the barbarians​⁠​ also had their‍ own customs and⁠ worlds.

“Weak‌‍ people hiding behind‍‍‍ doors.”

Agge’s⁠​ tattoos began to​‍‍ glow along with‍​ a small recitation‍‌ to his ancestors.‌

The​⁠ world of the​ barbarians is a world built together​⁠‍ with our ancestors.‌⁠​

The‍ spirits of the‌⁠ plains lent their‌​‌ strength to the​‍ poor descendants who​⁠⁠ had to bear‍⁠​ the burden of⁠ the duty to​ survive.

Rumble!‍

The⁠​​ vast northern plains‍ tolerate nothing that​ stands in their‍​‌ way.

“Out!‌⁠‍ Cowards hiding behind‍⁠ doors!”

The‌⁠ door began to‍​ break from Agge’s‍⁠ kicks, bringing forth⁠‌‌ the world of‌ the plains without‌⁠​ any roughness.

The‌⁠⁠ bone decorations hanging‌ from the door⁠ fell impotent along‌‍ with the sinister‍ sound of breaking‌⁠ wood.

“That‌​ crazy bastard!”

“They’re‍ barbarians! The barbarians⁠‌ have invaded!”

“They’re‌ barbarians, from the​‌ Budart tribe!”

They⁠‌​ said they were‍‌⁠ the ones who⁠‌⁠ sold the weak​​⁠ and the young.​⁠

If​‌ that’s the case,‍​‍ you can kill​ him.

The⁠‍ spirits of the‍​ prairie inside the‍​ tattoo also agreed‍ with Agge’s anger.⁠⁠​

Bang!‌ Bang!

Crunch!​

Otar’s‌ axe strikes extended‍‌​ through the breach​ Agge destroyed.

The‌ soldiers from Soara‍‌‍ waiting behind them​‌ also swallowed saliva⁠‍‌ as they watched‍⁠​ the two men‌‍‍ tear down the‍‍ solid door with‍ simple violence.

“You‌‍ can go in⁠‌‌ now.”

Gregory⁠⁠‌ smiled unknowingly at‌⁠⁠ how simple and​‌ ignorant he was,‌⁠ yet so efficient.‍

Sometimes​​ in life, you‍⁠‌ need something refreshing​‌‌ like this.

“So‌​‌ let’s go now…”⁠

Gregory​ looked at Vlad‌⁠ as if it‍ were time, but‍⁠​ the boy who⁠ should have been‌‌⁠ there had already​⁠⁠ run ahead of​ him.

“Move!”‍

Vlad’s⁠‌‍ whole body began⁠‍⁠ to glow, his​⁠ left eye tightly‌ closed.

“…!”‍

“Oh​‍ no!”

Quick​ and strong momentum.‍

Otar⁠​⁠ and Agge quickly‍​ stepped aside as⁠​‍ it seemed like⁠‌ lightning was approaching⁠‍‌ them.

Clang!⁠​

The‍ door, which could​ barely hold its​‍​ shape, was shattered‍ by Vlad’s powerful​​‌ charge.

However,⁠‌​ even from the‍⁠ hard impact of​​‍ breaking the door,​‍ Ramund’s stiff body‍‍ technique clearly protected‍‌ Vlad.

“They’ve​ entered!”

“Stop​‌ him! Block them!”​‌⁠

Vlad’s‌ sword gleamed amidst‍‌‌ the bone decorations⁠‌ scattered everywhere.

Although​‍ I lost against‍ the headless knight,​⁠ I can handle‍ them all with‌⁠ my own hands.‌⁠‍

“Bastards!”​‍

A bright world began‌​‍ to sprout from⁠​‍ Vlad’s fingertips, who‍‌‌ had wiped away‌‌‌ Anna’s black tears.​‌​

The‌‌ sadness and frustration‌⁠ felt in the​​ fog-filled city were‌ absorbed by the‌ boy’s world and‌ became a solid​ foundation.

Therefore,​​ the world that‌ Vlad now radiates‍ is a world⁠ that has been‍‍‌ established so firmly⁠ that it cannot‍‌ be compared to‌‌​ the previous one.​‌‌

“Enter!”‌‌

“Everyone,‌ enter!”

Agge‍ and Otar quickly‌⁠⁠ followed Vlad, and‌⁠‍ under Gregory’s instructions,⁠‌⁠ the soldiers of⁠⁠⁠ Soara began to​⁠ storm the Black⁠⁠ Bear’s base.

As⁠⁠⁠ the spacious lobby‍‌ filled with the‍‍ shouts and curses​‍ of organization members‌​ and soldiers.

“Listen!”⁠

There​‌ were people who⁠⁠ stood in the‌​ way, but they⁠‍​ were shot down.‍

Thus,‍‍​ Vlad created an‍ area where no‍‌ one dared to⁠⁠⁠ attack, pulled out‌ the scroll he‍⁠‌ held in his⁠‍‌ arms, and shouted‍​ loudly.

“I⁠ am Vlad of‌⁠ Soara! I am​‍‌ here to arrest⁠ the black bear‍‌ who disturbed the⁠⁠​ city’s order!”

A scroll falls with‍‍‍ a single gesture​ from Vlad.

At⁠‌‍ the bottom of​‍⁠ the scroll was⁠​⁠ the emblem of​ Joseph, the legitimate‍⁠ ruler of Soara.​⁠‍

“Murder!‍⁠‌ Fraud! Human trafficking!‍​‍ And even the‌ crime of deceiving⁠‍‍ the owner of‌‌ a noble city!‌

It‍‍ shines because it⁠⁠ is at the⁠ forefront.

Because​ it is just,‌ it has more⁠⁠ confidence than anyone.⁠⁠​

Therefore,‌ everyone here had​‍​ no choice but⁠ to listen to‍​⁠ Vlad’s voice.

“Black⁠‌‍ bear, come before⁠ me right now!”​‌⁠

The​⁠ only response to‌​ Vlad’s abstract order,‍‌ which was like⁠ a declaration, was​⁠ a heavy silence.​

Because⁠‍‌ no one could⁠‍ make excuses to‍​‍ the knight who​​⁠ came with a legitimate order.

“Damn⁠⁠ it.”

“…Shit.”‍

I know that if‌‍​ I get caught⁠ anyway, I’ll be⁠‌⁠ executed.

However,‍‌‍ unlike Jack the‌‌ One-Armed Man’s men,​​ the Black Bear’s‌ men couldn’t easily‍ approach Vlad.

“Anyone‍ who bothers me⁠ from now on.‌ I’ll kill them⁠ all.”

A small aura blossomed​⁠ between Vlad’s left‍⁠‍ eye, which was‍‍‌ tightly closed.

Now⁠⁠ there was here‌ a knight who​‌ could read orders‍​ without anyone’s help.​‍

***‌‌

“Ah!”⁠⁠​

“Help⁠⁠ me! Please save‍‌⁠ me!”

The‍‍ screams echoed up‌‍ the stairs.

They‍⁠ were the subordinates​‌ of the Black⁠‍⁠ Bear who were​ experts in killing⁠⁠‍ and cutting things,‌‍​ but when they⁠​‍ were attacked, they⁠⁠​ only screamed and‍‍ begged loudly.

“…”​

Vlad⁠⁠ silently ascended the​ stairs, following the⁠ path that Agge​ and Otar had​‌ cleared for him.​​‍

With⁠‍⁠ a presence as‌ heavy as an⁠‌ expanded bowl, he⁠ stepped on the‍‌⁠ blood-soaked floor and​⁠ walked upward.

“Open‌⁠​ it.”

Finally,⁠ there were men​‍​ guarding the boss’s‌ room, but they‍‌ only bowed like​​‍ poplars at Vlad’s‍ nod.

The​ duty of the⁠​⁠ knight, his own‌‌ anger, and Vlad’s⁠ momentum were too‌‍‍ much for a single gang member​‍ to handle.

Creak!‌⁠​

As‌ the boss’s room⁠‍ opened by Vlad’s‌⁠ order, a black​ bear was seen⁠​ sitting inside.

His‍ pupils trembled constantly,⁠⁠‍ and his forehead​‌​ was damp despite⁠‌‍ it being winter,‍ showing how nervous​​‌ he was.

“Welcome.​​ Mr. Vlad.”

But​ Vlad’s gaze was‍‌ not directed at⁠⁠ the black bear.‍

A man slowly rises,‌ stepping aside.

He⁠ wore a white​ robe.

“…Who⁠ are you?”

Vlad​‍ was momentarily taken⁠ aback by the⁠​⁠ unexpected appearance of⁠ the person, but‍‍​ soon he became‍ courteous.

If⁠ the person in⁠⁠​ front of him​⁠​ was a priest⁠ following the will⁠ of God, as‍ it seemed to​‍ be, he could​‌ not treat him‍‌ carelessly, no matter⁠​ how much of​ a knight he⁠ was.

Nobles​ and priests were⁠‍ taught that there​​‌ were areas where‍ they could not‍​⁠ interfere with each​ other.

“I​ am a person​ who left the​‍‍ Church of Soara⁠ following the bishop’s⁠‌ orders. I heard⁠‌⁠ there was a lost lamb here.”‍‍‌

Though‍ his face was‌‌⁠ wrinkled, his countenance‌ was full of‌‍​ brightness.

He​ was exactly the‌ opposite of Andreas,‌ the noblest priest‌‍ Vlad knew.

“I⁠⁠ came here following⁠‍⁠ Sir Joseph’s orders.‌‍ The person next​ to the priest​ is a clear‍⁠ sinner…”

“The‍⁠ criminal is no‍​ longer here, Mr.⁠ Vlad.”

A truly reassuring smile.​‌

The​ priest, with a smile full of​ kindness, immediately handed‍‌ a paper to​ Vlad.

“Your⁠⁠ sins have been​ forgiven in the⁠‍​ name of God.”‍⁠​

The⁠‍‌ black bear wiped‌​‌ his sweat and‌​​ breathed a sigh‍ of relief as⁠⁠‍ if he had​​ finally accepted the​‌‍ priest’s words.

“…”​‌⁠

Vlad⁠ silently looked at‌⁠‍ the paper handed‍‌ to him by⁠⁠ the priest.

The‍​ paper had just‍‌ been printed, and‌⁠‌ the wet ink‌ had not yet‍‌​ dried.

At‌ the top was⁠‌ written the word‌‌‌ indulgence.

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