Star-Embracing Swordmaster - Chapter 31

Tree in Memory (1)

“Waiting inside.”

“I’m ready.”

Josef and the knights go inside following the knights’ guidance.

“You can wait here.”

“……All right.”

But Vlad, the squire, could not go in with them.

“…….”

The door to the hall closes with Josef’s fluttering cloak.

That place was not yet a place permitted to Vlad.

As always, only small things were allowed to the boy.

‘It’s a continuation of boredom.’

I didn’t know how long we would talk there, but Vlad had no choice but to wait here.

Not being able to use your time as you wish.

That was the sadness that those who were tied up somewhere could not help but feel.

‘Let’s take a look around.’

The boy, who was almost lost in sad sentiment for a moment, shook his head and instead revealed his curiosity about the new place.

Even though you are tied up, it will still be possible to look at nearby places.

About ten steps?

When entering an unfamiliar place, Vlad always snooped around.

To be precise, it was because of the habit of looking for a way out, but it was an action that originated from the instinct of an alley outcast who has to take care of his own life anytime, anywhere.

‘It’s smaller than Bayezid’s mansion’

I felt from the moment I entered, but Deirmar’s mansion was small and looked old.

Perhaps it was wrong to compare it to the mansion of a powerful count family, but even in the judgment of Vlad, who had lived in the back alleys, this was not a very large mansion.

Although it didn’t feel that way because it was neatly maintained, it felt like it would quickly become a beautiful abandoned house if maintenance was neglected even a little.

‘I guess that’s not really the case.’

But it was visible in Vlad’s eyes.

Dust accumulating in every corner of the hallway.

As if to indicate that it was a very dizzying time, cracks were slowly spreading in places that the eyes could not reach.

“Hmm.”

“…….”

Vlad figured out the approximate radius of movement based on the coughing sound of the servant who was waiting with him, and from then on, he began to walk around the space he was allowed to get to know the atmosphere of the place.

The hallways are narrow and winding, making it easy to get lost.

Looking at the wallpaper of different colors here and there, it appears that something like a picture frame was removed in the near future.

Judging from the fact that the old maid was whining and lifting the bucket, it appears that the employees were recently fired.

‘It looks like you don’t have any money.’

Through things that could only be seen if you looked closely, Vlad was able to get some idea of the situation here.

This estate, famous for its lemons, is currently having financial problems.

‘Aren’t you just wasting your time?’

I don’t know the full story because he didn’t tell me in detail, but at least the story that Josef came here in person is probably to get something.

Things that he could report to his father, Peter Bayezid, and build his own track record.

However, from Vlad’s perspective, it seemed like it would be difficult to get at least a shiny gold coin.

‘I guess I’ll take care of it.’

After all, he is just a seed.

Although they are on the same boat, their roles are completely different, so there is no need to worry about that.

Although I had no right to care.

While I was looking around for a while to relieve my boredom.

[W-Wrong-Wrong-]

The sword on my waist was calling out to Vlad with a short sound.

“hmm.”

Vlad momentarily turned his head to see if anyone had seen him, and after confirming that no one was there except his servant, he grabbed the handle of his sword with a natural gesture.

The moment when Vlad grabbed the unadorned sword to hear the voice that could only be heard by holding the sword.

[I think I remember coming here.]

“……Oh.”

Vlad let out a short exclamation without realizing it.

※※※※

“Thank you so much for coming here. “Josef Bayezid.”

“The call to blood is more important than anything else. “If it is a crisis for legitimate blood relatives, then of course we must respond.”

A woman sitting at the highest point here.

“…….”

A young woman with sad, aquamarine hair was sitting in a seat reserved for only the head of the family and waiting for Josef.

Although she was a young and beautiful woman, the clothes she was wearing seemed heavy and the seat she was sitting on seemed burdensome, which is probably not the only sentiment that Josef felt.

“Please say hello to Oksana too.”

“of course.”

They have mixed blood with each other.

Although they were more than 8th cousins through maternal blood, Alicia and Josef had that kind of relationship.

It was the kind of relationship where if it was far, it was far, and if it was close, it wasn’t that close, but if what each person wanted was the same and there was something they could give, that was in fact nothing more than a justification.

“My father, Count Bayezid, has already given permission. All that remains is Alicia’s decision.”

As soon as the brief courtesy was over, Alicia closed her eyes for a moment as she watched Josef get straight to the point.

The fluttering eyelashes looked darker today.

“…….”

Fear of responsibility Fear of an uncertain future.

When Alicia was slowly shaking from being pushed by them, the old knight next to her quietly held her hand.

“…I have already decided.”

Even when everyone turned their backs, Alicia strengthened her resolve as she looked at the old knight who gave her his sword.

I am the owner of this place.

I have to find my place.

“It will be as the Count wishes.”

“thank you.”

Joseph bowed his head and smiled at Alicia’s words.

With this, you can take the first step towards what you have planned.

“If victory in the duel is given to me.”

However, the woman with light blue hair was a confident person.

In this situation where everything is just a promise, she has yet to receive anything in return.

“Of course.”

Josef simply responded to Alicia’s hysterical remarks with a relaxed smile.

“The sword of the Bayezid family has always promised victory. Alicia.”

With Josef’s words, the one-eyed knight quietly placed the sword in his hand.

“…….”

Looking at the old knight protecting the woman.

Although there was only one eye left, the energy contained within it had the power to shatter hundreds of eyes.

The knight promised his victory by force.

A knight who wants to protect and a knight who wants to take.

A young man who must make a promise to a woman he must give away.

In the largest hall of this mansion, the gazes of four people were intricately intertwined.

※※※※

“You shouldn’t think too lightly of her.”

“It looked precarious, but I still maintained my balance. “I can see your temperament as a female leader.”

“That’s how I see it.”

As Josef walked down the hallway, he thought about meeting Alicia.

Judging by the urgent request for help, it seemed like she was already in a corner, but she did not let go of the initiative until the very end.

It means you didn’t give up.

“Even so, our actions will remain unchanged.”

Josef said, looking at Bordan who was walking along without saying a word.

“Prepare just in case, just like you planned.”

“yes. Josef.”

There is a use for everyone.

That was also the reason why Josef carried Bordan, who was not even half a sword.

When Xayar opened the door to the living room prepared for Josef, Vlad was there alone, waiting for his companions.

“Are you here?”

“okay. “It must have been boring.”

Josef sat on a chair in the living room and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m tired.”

As Josef said that, a dark shadow had settled around his eyes.

It was a trip that lasted over a week, and on top of that, I fought with Alicia without any time to rest.

It was quite an unreasonable situation for Josef, who had a weak body, so it was time to stabilize from now on.

“Vlad.”

“Yes, Josef.”

However, the reason they came from Sturma to Deermar was to make a profit.

Now that the originally intended benefits had been confirmed through the conversation just now, it was time to take care of the small gains as well.

“You can move freely from now on.”

“Alone?”

“okay. “You can take a guy named Goat with you.”

Josef instructed Vlad to move around as freely as allowed and see as many things as he was allowed.

“Of course, I will have to assist Xayar on the day of the duel.”

“I…well, it would be nice if you said yes.”

Josef was lost in thought as he watched the boy scratching his head as if he did not understand his command.

A boy wearing the armor his father gave him over the clothes his mother gave him.

Josef opened his mouth as he looked at the boy who did not hesitate to place expectations on the owners of the Bayezid family.

“For me, the less I move, the better. “Not only are there no nobles here that I should know, but everyone is watching me.”

Deermar was the city of the Haynal family, but if we were to simply consider status, no one here could match Josef, the legitimate son of the Bayezid family.

Rather, everyone here would be drooling to meet Josef more than Alicia.

From Josef’s point of view, as he was weak, it was not only pointless but also inconvenient.

“Think about why I brought you here. “You can’t ride a horse yet.”

“……”

There was a good reason why Josef took Vlad, who still had a lot to learn, out of training.

“The honor duel is a spectacle that is difficult to see unless you go and see it. Moreover, the honor duel taking place in Deremar this time is a group fight, not a single fight.”

Usually, an honor duel means that two swordsmen chosen by each representative face off against each other, but there were also cases where it was held as a group fight, as in the present case.

A trial that took place within the family and was filled with only suspicion and no solid evidence.

Moreover, since it is a duel where everything is at stake, the two Hainals decided to take the same approach to overcome this complicated situation.

“There are knights with such diverse backgrounds here in Der Mar. “You should feel what you feel when you see them.”

“All right.”

It goes without saying that showing something once will be more memorable than telling it 10 times.

Since he was a boy who had decided to raise him properly anyway, Josef thought that it would be desirable to expand Vlad’s world through various experiences if possible.

“You have to warm up and spar in the evening, so don’t go somewhere and get beaten up like an idiot.”

“…I’m not that stupid.”

If Josef was the carrot, Zayar was the stick.

It was a warning not to act rashly, but it was inevitable that a thorn would always stick out of Xayar’s mouth.

“no. “You have already lost trust in me.”

“…….”

Vlad lowered his head and looked downcast at the insult he had just given, but Xayar, who was looking at him, was shocked.

‘You bow down so shockingly that I have nothing more to say.’

Xayar knew.

Even though the guy in front of me was acting like he was scared, in reality, there was nothing wrong.

Xayar’s force would have made other squires burst into tears, but Vlad could only accept it with his head and understand it.

False threats had no effect on this boy.

“good. “Please report to me every evening, and if any unusual trends occur, please let me know without delay.”

“I understand, Josef.”

Josef, who had specified Vlad’s course of action, told him to go back to his room and rest as it was late in the evening.

“…….”

Vlad left the room, leaving behind Xayar’s disapproving gaze.

Vlad, who was walking toward the servants’ room through an unfamiliar hallway, stopped for a moment.

Bright moonlight shone through the window in the hallway.

As I looked along the light, there was a low hill that could only be reached through the mansion.

[I remember that tree.]

On top of the hill there was a tree with bare, dry branches.

A poor voice that didn’t even know who it was was saying that it remembered that tree standing under the moonlight.

It was spring in full swing, but the evenings were still chilly.

But for some reason, Vlad felt warm as he looked at the tree standing on the hill over there.

The branches swaying in the wind seemed as if they were waving at him.

“I guess I need a place to pray after a long time.”

The boy signed a contract with the moon of that day as a witness.

you give me a sword

I give you memories.

I had received it so far, so now it was my turn to give it back.