Chapter 80 - No tree without roots (1)

Bloodstains scattered on the white snowfield.

"..."

Vlad sat bewildered in the snowy field and gazed at the blue-sprinkled snowfield.

He still couldn't believe the traces of Lindwurm scattered across the cold snow.

And so did the sensation of the sword in his hand, with a weight different from before.

"Good job."

Rutiger waved his sword in the air, shaking the blood off the blade and walking towards Vlad.

Although the boy inflicted a mortal wound, it was Rutiger's sword that ended the dragon's agony.

Because Vlad's world was still not strong enough to cut through the dragon's scales.

"...Are you alright, Mr. Rutiger?"

"Mr.? Haven't you told me your name yet?"

Vlad felt Rutiger's warmth as he approached and sat quietly beside him.

It felt similar to the warmth of the old knight who blocked the breath of the white dragon.

"Well, I guess I'll let you know soon."

"..."

An old knight on pilgrimage with the lowest grades rushed to save the boy.

Although he may not have acted with the current situation in mind, his actions ultimately produced excellent results.

Actions taken for the greater good would surely come back later.

"It's broken."

Rutiger looked into Vlad's still unfocused eyes.

The place where his eyes rested was a sword that had been shattered, leaving only the hilt.

"I did my best."

"Yes. It seems so."

Rutiger nodded at the boy's incoherent words.

At that moment, when everyone was frozen, he was the only one who saw the boy's tears falling with the snow.

"You did your best."

Rutiger remembered seeing a boy polishing his sword by a campfire on the plain.

Watching Vlad carefully polishing the sword as if it were a ritual, he could see how much the boy cared for the sword.

"I'll prepare something good for you."

It was only natural that a sword made by a craftsman sought after by Rutiger would be superior to a sword made by a blacksmith in an alley.

Moreover, since it was handed down by Rutiger, one of the family's successors, it must be a sword with special meaning.

"..."

However, while for other knights it might be an exciting opportunity to jump for joy, Vlad sat quietly, holding the hilt of his sword.

The boy's blue eyes, lamenting their separation, turned to Rutiger.

"Are there other swords like this?"

It doesn't have to be sharp.

It's okay if it doesn't shine or if it's not strong.

The boy just wanted to have a meaningful sword that fully contained his world.

Like the sword that gave him hope in the dirty alley.

"...Who knows."

Rutiger, who seemed to understand what the boy was talking about, simply turned his head with a bitter smile.

Because he didn't have enough confidence to give that up.

Snowstorm disperses.

A fallen white dragon.

Lindworm, who had been haunting the north, was subdued.

And the dragon left behind another title with its body.

Dragon Slayer. Vlad of Soara.

He was the second dragon hunter of this generation from the territory of Bayezid.And the broken sword testified to that title.

***

Soara's office.

While Joseph focused on his work, using the sunlight coming through the window as illumination, a one-eyed man quietly opened the door and entered.

"Mr. Joseph."

"What's happening?"

Jager let out a small sigh as he looked into Joseph's darkening eyes, handed him the letter he was holding, and said.

"This is a letter from Deirmar. It was sent directly by Baroness Alicia."

"From Deirmar?"

Joseph, who had been reviewing documents for a while, shifted his gaze from his work when he heard the word Deirmar.

For Joseph, the matter of Deirmar was as important as the mayoralty of Soara.

"Has there been any particular trend from Gaidar?"

"At least there hasn't been any military movement."

Joseph nodded at Jager's report.

In tumultuous times like these, the information you have is important.

Security and success can only be ensured if you hide your information as much as possible and allow the other person's information to be clearly visible.

"There wasn't any particular military threat, but they sent a letter directly..."

Joseph picked up a letter opener nearby and carefully opened the envelope that Alicia had sent him.

Although Alicia lacked experience as a lord, she was someone who tried to be careful in all her actions.

This meant that, while she was a solid ally, she wasn't someone whose value could be diminished by trivial requests or demands.

"…"

Jager silently watched Joseph, who held Alicia's letter.

This was because his brows were gradually furrowing, showing that the situation wasn't as straightforward.

"…Hmm."

Joseph, who remained lost in thought for a moment, set down the letter he was holding with a subtle sound.

"When will Vlad return?"

"He'll take another month. They've at least made it to Bernhem Fortress."

Joseph, who hadn't yet heard the news that the punitive force had subdued Lindworm, furrowed his brows at Jager's words.

"There isn't enough time."

"Do you need him?"

Joseph silently nodded in response to Jager's question.

"There seems to be a vague lack of time."

Knock, knock, knock.

Joseph, tapping the desk and leaning back deeply in his chair, pondered twice as long as when he read the letter.

"The dragon subjugation team will return to Sturma after completing their mission, right?"

"Perhaps."

"Then I suppose I should head to Sturma as well."

Jager was momentarily surprised by Joseph's sudden intention to return to Sturma, but then he nodded and replied.

"I'll get ready."

Once you've made a decision, you must act swiftly.

Hesitation only wastes time and doesn't aid in results.

"Please do."

As Jager left the office to prepare to go to Sturma, Joseph clasped his hands together and rested his forehead against them.

"This is how it's done."

Although it wasn't a visible threat, there was a movement with a clear intention.

Alicia had been startled by the movement seen in Gaidar and had sent him a letter.

"The mistake of that day turned out to be the best move."

Joseph stopped silently laughing after saying those words.

This was the first time in Joseph's life, where he always had to think about what would come next, that an involuntary action had decided his next move.

There was a blond boy who had erred with a noble lady with celestial hair.

At that moment, Joseph was simply bewildered by the scene before him, but as that incident became a clue to the problem he now faced, he couldn't help but laugh.

"I need to prepare you."

That day the boy accepted the lady's handkerchief with both hands and at the same time assumed a duty and a cause for her.

Now is the time to rectify that mistake.

Joseph sat in his chair and silently looked out the window.

The urban landscape, the sturdy gates, and the snowy fields of the north in the distance.

The direction Joseph was looking was where the blond boy was.

***

"What the hell are you doing? Are you moving a corpse? Why the hell do you have all these cloths over my head?"

Vlad grumbled as he looked at Ramund murmuring beside him.

"The wind is getting in."

"Do men from the north fear the winter wind or what?"

"They say when you get older, the wind hits your joints."

"..."

On top of the creaky carriage.

Lying on it, Ramund, covered in leather and scraps of cloth, was left speechless at the boy's comment.

"Honestly, if you look at it now, it's just a receipt."

"At this age, there are some words that make you more sensitive when you hear them from others, you know?"

Vlad was doing his best to take care of Ramund, who blocked Lindworm's breath.

However, the old man and the boy, who were not used to caring for anyone or being cared for by anyone, but continued on, grumbling at each other.

A punitive force returning after defeating the dragon.

Rutiger, who had temporarily transferred his position as captain of Bernhem Fortress to his original knight, was returning to Sturma with a punitive force.

With the Steel Forge Knights joining forces to face the dragon threat.

"Aren't you planning to go to Sturma together like this? I think my father will be pleased because you are guests from a prestigious place."

And along with the Dragon Slayer Knights who suddenly invaded the north under the guise of a cause.

"I don't think the opportunity to see the matriarch of Bayezid in person will be so rare in the future."

Mirshea stroked his chin and smiled at Rutiger's courteous invitation.

"But I'm not sure I can go there and live peacefully without getting excited."

Although they spoke to each other with the manners and conversation of nobles, there were warnings shining brightly in a brilliant blue within.

Just like the knights from the north and center who still watched each other.

"Then I suppose we should part ways here."

Mirshea could only smile bitterly at Rutiger's clear order to congratulate the guests.

The cause of the Dragon Slayer Knights is the subjugation of Lindworm.

However, that cause was lost due to the actions of the boy, and he no longer had the right to remain in the northern land without the owner's permission.

"What should we do with the barbarians? Can we handle it?"

"Leave the northern affairs to the northerners."

No matter how barbaric they may be, they cannot be handed over to the Dragon Slayer Knights.

Agge, who had been silently following Rutiger's firm denial, perked up.

"If you say so."

Two groups gradually split according to Mirshea and Rutiger's gestures.

A gap that could no longer be bridged began to widen between the knights of the center and the knights of the north.

"May I finally greet the new Dragon Slayer?"

"…."

"I have some things to ask him."

Equals recognize equals.

Therefore, the Dragon Slayer Knights never hesitated to show respect and appreciation to those covered in dragon blood.

If Mirshea and Rutiger had not opposed, their relationship would have been quite different from what it is now.

"Just for a moment."

"Thank you."

Rutiger nodded at Mirshea's strong will to do at least that much.

It was ridiculous to extend his hand just to avoid a simple greeting.

Mirshea slowly advanced among the northern knights.

The threatening force and the stares coming from all directions were harsh, but Mirshea didn't seem to mind at all.

Because those who are confident in themselves can create their own territory at any time and place.

"Bayezid's squire, Vlad of Soara."

After passing among the knights, there was a boy standing there as if blocking the carriage where the old man lay.

Blond hair and blue eyes.

And Mirshea, who glimpsed the temperament within him, smiled.

"That sounds quite nice."

"Quickly say what you mean."

The blue eyes that bore into him.

Recalling the memories of those moments when his intentions were not good, Vlad showed Mirshea his teeth.

If it hadn't been for his interference, Ramund would be fine right now.

"I'm happy for you, but I guess you're not."

"There's no reason to be happy, but there are plenty of reasons not to be."

Although there was no sword in his hand, the force he emitted was sharp enough to cut.

Vlad expressed his anger not with his mouth, but with his eyes and energy.

"Is that so?"

Mirshea narrowed his eyes and looked at the air currents flowing around Vlad.

The boy's hair, which had been fluttering, and the snowflakes that had been flying nearby, stopped.

Although it wasn't his intention, the boy was building his own territory with fervor like Mirshea's.

It was proof that the world's methods of expression had become more mature.

"This is a little disappointing. It seems my intention of not going to dangerous places was not adequately expressed."

"Don't talk crap."

Mirshea smiled silently as he looked at the boy growling in front of him.

It really has to be like this.

You must be able to hold your head up proudly wherever you are.

"Then I'll ask you some questions and disappear."

However, compared to Mirshea, his world is still fragile.

Mirshea traversed the boy's territory with one step and slowly approached Vlad.

So close that we can feel each other's breath and see each other's faces reflected in our blue eyes.

"First question."

Then Mirshea began to whisper quietly.

Don't let anyone hear you.

With a voice only the boy can understand.

"Do you not feel your heart beating faster every time you see a dragon?"

"…!"

Mirshea slowly gained momentum with a question.

Just like that time, Vlad squeezed his chest unconsciously with a force only a dragon could perceive.

"…What are you saying?"

"Second question."

Mirshea smiled as he listened to the boy's heartbeats, which he could feel even if he didn't respond.

"Lindworm's blood was blue."

Vlad, who could barely stand while his heart beat strongly as if it were about to burst, was puzzled by Mirshea's next words.

This was because his question was very absurd.

"Don't you feel the dryness in your throat at the sight of that blood?"

"What?"

There's something strange about the question.

Vlad, sensing something suspicious in Mirshea, slowly backed away and looked at the man in front of him.

Leader of the Dragon Slayer Knights. Mirshea.

Mirshea Dragulia.

"I'm asking if you wanted to drink dragon blood."

The blue eyes resembling the boy's smiled coldly.