Star-Embracing Swordmaster (Full)

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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