Star-Embracing Swordmaster (Full)

The wind that blew carried the warm energy of spring.

However, within the helmets worn by the men, the cold wind of the north still persisted.

Numerous soldiers marched southward.

Behind their long, endless columns flew the banners of the seven families that symbolized the Northern Alliance.

"…Did you say the enemy is advancing south?"

The Allied Forces of the North were leaving the North and moving towards the center.

After seeing the army commanded by the Iron Duke Timur, the Blood Dragon Duke Sarnus furrowed his brow as if he couldn't understand.

"That's right, Father. According to the scouts' reports, approximately 40,000 soldiers are currently moving near Achiuk."

The Northern Alliance forces numbered 40,000.

While that was indeed a large number, it wasn't unexpected.

However, the reason for Sarnus' confusion was that they were coming towards them, leaving behind the castle, which was a strategic advantage.

"It's a decision I cannot comprehend."

Instead of fortifying themselves in the castle, they had chosen to engage in open battle.

If an incompetent commander had made this decision, it would have been easy to ridicule them for their stupidity, but the one leading those 40,000 men south was the formidable Iron Duke Timur.

"There must be a reason behind this."

There had to be a reason.

There was no way someone as young as Timur would leave the castle in a fury without cause.

Yet Sarnus couldn't discern the strategy behind this move.

"…Could it be?"

A flock of migratory birds flew over Sarnus' tent as he pondered.

Migratory birds descend from the north after spring and rest high in the sky.

However, among the birds, there was one with an unusual color.

Grr-grr-

A pure white pigeon flew towards the capital Brigantes, in a direction different from the other migratory birds.

Tied to the pigeon's leg was a secret note from Timur meant for someone.

***

A group was racing along the empty Eastern Road.

A flag fluttered behind the black horse that led the way.

Vlad and his group, unaware that the central army was following just a few days behind, were now moving relentlessly toward the fortress of the dark group Jager had mentioned.

"Achiuk is to the right!"

"I know!"

To be exact, they were heading further north than that.

Vlad shouted back to Pedro, who had cried out that they were going the wrong way.

"We're heading to the headquarters of the Northern Orthodox Church!"

Vlad was now moving toward the Northern Orthodox Church, not Achiuk.

Though his heart was still anxious for Joseph, Vlad's mind remained equally cold.

"We need to gather more forces there first. They say there are over a hundred sorcerers!"

Jager had said that more than a hundred dark sorcerers were hiding in Ramashthu's mansion.

It was as if all the sorcerers on the continent had gathered there, so for only four people to enter such a dark place would be nothing short of suicide.

"You've grown a lot. In the past, all you did was tear apart indulgences without thinking."

"…What are you talking about?"

Though he seemed to burn fiercely, Vlad's blue eyes were steady.

The knight of the North was now trying to think not only of what lay ahead but also what lay behind.

Even though their colors were different, there was something in Vlad's gaze that reminded Pedro of Joseph, and it wasn't just an illusion.

"Stop!"

However, there was a sharp shout from Radu, coming from the group of riders.

"Look at those crows up ahead!"

Radu's fingertips pointed toward the sky as if in surprise, and something like a black cloud swirled around.

Caw-caw-

A large flock of crows noisily descended from the sky.

Seeing the black crows like the maw of a wolf land before them without warning, Vlad had no choice but to pull on Noir's reins as they raced forward.

"This is… they're blocking our path."

"Have we already been discovered?"

As if Radu's prediction was correct, a curtain of crows lined up and began to block the group's way like a dark wall.

Just as Vlad was about to place his hand on the hilt of the sword he carried, a familiar voice came from beyond the curtain of crows.

"I'm glad I'm not too late."

The flock of crows that had stopped the group began to beat their wings and rise into the sky once more at the sound of the familiar man's voice.

The place where the crows had parted was now filled with men in black cloaks who had never been seen before.

"We've been waiting for you."

"…Marcus?"

The hidden blades of Bayezid and their nameless leader.

The subjects of the information network that spanned the North now appeared before Vlad.

"The decision to head to the headquarters of the Northern Church was a wise one, but it wasn't necessary. We've already prepared everything."

"…How did you know I was here?"

Seeing the group suddenly blocking their path, Vlad showed a brusque attitude, but that too was expected by Marcus.

"Jager told me. He informed us that you had left Ausurin and were heading towards Achiuk."

"Jager?"

"Of course, don't ask how we communicated. That's one of the secrets of our organization."

Marcus opened his mouth calmly as if it were no big deal, but Vlad's eyes only grew colder as he looked at him.

"You've been in contact with Jager?"

"Yes."

"…So you knew everything from the beginning?"

"Yes."

From Jager to Marcus.

The situation with Joseph that everyone knew about, but I didn't.

At Marcus' final nod, casually saying "yes," Vlad's blue eyes began to burn with anger.

Grrr!

"Then why didn't you tell me, you bastard?"

"…!"

Marcus, who always kept his composure, was taken aback for the first time.

Because Vlad, who had been across the distance, was now right in front of him, grabbing him by the neck.

Though there had been a proper distance between knights, Vlad crossed it in an instant, as if it held no meaning.

Clang! Clang!

"Let go of Lord Marcus, Sir Vlad!"

"Calm down, we have our reasons too!"

The crows reacted late and drew their swords with startled expressions, but Vlad's eyes, still glaring at Marcus, were filled with rage.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"…"

"No matter how important safety is, you should have told me. Don't you think?"

It wasn't that he was angry about being deceived all this time.

The real reason for Vlad's fury was the fact that he had been standing outside of Joseph's protection all this time.

For the boy from the alleyways, Joseph had been a wall that shielded him from the world.

"…He said not to tell you."

"Who?"

"Lord Joseph."

"What?"

Marcus' choked voice came through his squeezed throat.

But it wasn't Marcus who truly choked on the answer he heard—it was Vlad, who held him by the neck.

"Everyone was watching you. From our people in the north to the Blood Dragon Duke, the Holy See, the Imperial family…"

Vlad of Soara.

A boy born in the North with the blood of a dragon.

A knight who tore apart the indulgences produced by the Vatican and was recognized by the Pope of the Northern Orthodox Church, which opposed them.

"And even a woman named Ramashthu."

And the sole successor to the Sword Master's vow.

A being named Vlad, who not only deserved recognition from everyone on the continent but also warranted their hatred, was likely someone who had drawn as much attention across the continent as the great knight Kihano Frausen.

"The more you raged about Joseph, the deeper he could dive."

"…Huff."

At Marcus' words, Vlad let out a deep sigh, as if finally understanding.

While Joseph moved toward the dark moon, Vlad had been shouting at him.

The voice of Vlad, who had yelled at him not to leave while clutching his abdomen pierced by Frausen, must have held a level of sincere fury that no one could doubt.

"You successfully completed your mission, Vlad."

"You bastards!"

It was a mission he didn't even know about.

However, Joseph had trusted that Vlad would make the right moves even without specific instructions.

Because the person Joseph had seen all this time, Vlad, was someone who always wanted to shine, even if he was in a place where no one could see him.

"…"

"Come on. Lord Joseph is waiting for us."

However, Vlad's raised hand only trembled with boundless rage.

The reason he couldn't lower the hand that held Marcus was that he knew very well that the true targets of his fury were not Marcus.

"…Lead me."

"Understood."

The only ones worthy of his wrath were Ramashthu and Frausen.

Marcus had a bitter expression as he watched Vlad slowly loosen his grip around his neck.

"I'll take you to the place you want."

***

"What the hell is going on?"

"Why are the Allied Forces of the North rushing to Achiuk?"

Ramashthu's world, a realm of shadows, churned like froth. In the midst of that world, held up by a fragile tree, the anxious shouts of the dark sorcerers echoed.

"What's happening?"

Their cries, full of fear, could even be heard by Ramashthu, who was lying in bed at the time.

Ramashthu, who had exerted himself greatly in Ausurin, was extremely uneasy after witnessing the problem that occurred during his purification.

"The forces of the Northern Alliance are now converging on Achiuk."

"…Why is an army that should be facing the Blood Dragon Duke heading there?"

It seemed obvious that the advancing army was meant to stop Sarnus in his push toward the north.

However, the unexpected movement of the Northern Alliance even baffled Ramashthu, who frowned deeply.

"I don't know. But the numbers surrounding us are unusual."

The movement was so precise that it seemed like everything was perfectly coordinated.

The Northern Alliance Army, storming into Achiuk, a deserted ruin, had already completely encircled the village before the sorcerers could make a move.

"Cut the connection. From now on, we'll close the gates to Achiuk."

If there had only been soldiers, it wouldn't have been a problem.

Achiuk village was merely an entrance, not their operational base.

The world within the bubble, hidden by strange mysteries, was not only difficult to see but even harder to open.

"Ramashthu…"

However, the blue-eyed knight trembled with unease as he looked at Ramashthu.

"I can't close the gate."

"What are you saying?"

Ramashthu's connection to Achiuk remained unbroken.

Despite their best efforts, something—or someone—stubbornly clung to that gate.

"It's not just an army. The Northern Church is with them."

"…!!"

Evil darkness must be countered by the light of God.

The sword of the Northern Orthodox Church had finally found its place, rising against the cancerous beings it had long harbored.

"You said they were coming to face Sarnus."

With those words, Ramashthu, who had risen from the bed, started floating in the air as if in shock.

"That's what he said…"

It was said that it was highly possible the Northern Alliance forces would fall.

That it had nothing to do with them.

The young man with dark eyes, who knew the North well, had clearly told her that everything would be fine.

"…Joseph Bayezid."

When Ramashthu recalled that name, her lips twisted cruelly, as if she had finally figured it out.

The name of the man who had assured them that there was nothing to worry about was Joseph Bayezid.

The young man from the North, who had shown his confidence by drinking himself to death, had indeed said so.

***

Achiuk, a village that had burned down due to an epidemic of plague several decades ago.

It was a ruin that no one usually visited, but now it was filled with the tense silence created by tens of thousands of soldiers.

"A telegram from the crows. They say they've made secure contact with Lord Vlad."

"Good. It was worth delaying our advance."

The Iron Duke Timur, upon hearing the report, nodded with satisfaction.

Although their progress had been slower than expected, the results were good.

In the end, all those who needed to join had done so.

"It seems the timing is right."

The Iron Duke Timur, upon hearing that Vlad had arrived, carefully bowed his head toward the elderly man at his side.

Though his appearance was that of a kind old man, the red robes he wore indicated that he was no ordinary person.

"…Indeed."

With slow, measured movements, the elderly man stood up.

Conrad, the Pope of the Northern Orthodox Church, smiled as he picked up an old Bible that clashed with his elegant robes.

"I'm glad I'm not too late. For a long time, I feared I would have to pass this burden on to the next generation."

Even as he was about to enter a fierce battle, Conrad smiled peacefully.

At this stage in his life, he was confident that he could free the next generation from a heavy debt before departing.

"Andreas."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

The Pope stood up slowly and quietly called the Bishop Andreas to his side.

"If something happens to me, will you take on the role of Pope?"

"…Your Holiness?"

It was a calm voice, but firm enough for all to hear.

Bishop Andreas, along with the seven bishops of the Northern Orthodox Church, could not hide their bewilderment at the Pope's words in front of the Iron Duke.

"What do you mean by this?"

"My time has come to an end."

The Pope's wrinkled hands covered Andreas'.

"They were hard years, filled with storms. During that time, the young sprouts could not take root."

The old Bible, which the Pope always carried with him, conveyed a sense of connection as he placed it in Andreas' hands.

"However, after the storm passes, recovery takes time. And I've never seen a priest as skilled at nurturing growth as you."

God said that by saving others, you would also be saved.

Vlad of Soara. A name that now stretched beyond the North and across the continent.

The person who had directly embraced the name no one had paid attention to was Father Andreas, who had become someone who proved his worth by raising that name.

"This is where my duty ends."

Andreas could not bring himself to speak further as he watched the Pope depart with those words.

The image of the old Pope entering a completely burned church.

As he walked slowly, the sound of a choir singing began to echo behind him.

"…This is truly the place you were meant to be."

Pope Conrad finally entered the dark church, accompanied by the high-ranking priests.

There, Pope Conrad, seeing the symbols of the church all reversed, silently made the sign of the cross.

Determined and straight.

Rumble-rumble-

A bubble-like world began to tremble with him.

At the holy call of the Pope to turn the inverted symbol upright, a world that had been hidden beneath the surface began to shift.

"This place where I stand is His temple. It is my home."

The inverted symbol began to shake violently in time with the verses shouted by the Pope.

"Aaaah!"

"The building is turning! They're being dragged away!"

"Why is the Pope here?"

At the same time, the trembling world of bubbles filled with the constant screams of the wicked.

The tremors were so intense that even the false roots of the tree created by Ramashthu couldn't bear to hold it up.

"Because God's temple is holy, so too will this place be. And if anyone tries to defile the temple of God…"

The sound of the Bible, recited by hundreds of priests, filled the air behind the solemn mass being led by the Pope himself.

The sound of their prayers held the door to the hidden world and caused the tree, which stood with false roots, to shake its head.

"…He will destroy you."

Rumble! Rumble!

Like an overturned ship.

Each time the Pope's sweat fell to the ground, black foam began to rise from the depths of the church.

It was the dark, wolf-like mansion that Ramashthu had been hiding, and it was the world itself rejecting God.

"W-what is that!"

"Ugh!"

With a tremendous roar, a new black-toned building appeared from the ground alongside the soldiers' screams.

Ding-Dong!

The building that was ripped from the earth with the mournful toll of a bell was a church entirely covered in black soot, as if someone had burned it.