Chapter 143 - The day the cuckoo cries (1)

Joseph's office was bathed in gentle sunlight.

The office that Alicia had specially given to Joseph wasn't as large as the mayor's office in Soara, but it was a rather pleasant space.

"With just ten people, they went out and provoked..."

However, the only thing heard in this wonderful space wasn't friendly chatter, but only the sound of knocking on the desk.

Jager, who was expressionless but showed signs of discomfort by his side, was probably an advantage.

"According to the scout's report, they almost got into a fight?"

"..."

In response to the question, Vlad simply rolled his eyes back and forth.

Indeed, it wasn't just before they got into a fight, it was as if they had been beaten up.

Although they didn't draw their swords, some people quickly kicked them aside and returned, so it was a provocation that could be considered a real confrontation.

"I apologize."

Joseph hated lies.

Vlad, reflecting on the valuable lessons he had learned during his time as a praying mercenary, quickly adjusted his posture as if he were a model of thoughtful posture.

The posture of politely putting the back behind the back and slightly bowing the head seemed to be something that had only been done once or twice.

"...Alright."

Joseph didn't even sigh anymore as he watched Vlad simply admit he was wrong without any intention of making an excuse.

"I did it because I thought it was worth it."

From the first time I met him, I thought he was a difficult guy to deal with, but in reality, I was a bit wrong.

Vlad was the kind of person who shone when left alone, uncontrolled.

"I hope your provocation was made with calm judgment."

Joseph decided to respect his burgeoning individuality.

It was something I did according to my own judgment, not something lacking or wrong, so now I had to judge it based on the results.

The knight named Vlad sufficiently demonstrated that he had become a complete knight through this operation.

"Just remember. A knight's thoughts should be serious, and his steps heavy."

"I'll keep that in mind."

However, I wish you were a bit more careful.

From now on, when your name is known, the traces of everything you do will be engraved as footprints and follow your steps.

Until you stop. endlessly.

"Make sure to rest a bit. It would be a good idea to stock up on endurance."

"Alright."

Joseph's words told us to stock up on endurance in preparation for the impending war.

Contrary to what he expected, Vlad surprisingly didn't receive a harsh reprimand and felt a bit bewildered.

"What are you doing? I told you to leave."

"...Yes."

However, Jager was still looking at Vlad with his head tilted sideways.

With a somber look in his eyes as if telling him to look towards the future.

Unlike Joseph, Jager still seemed to find it hard to let go of Vlad.

Sigh-

Bordan, who was sitting in a guest chair drinking tea, paused to snort as he watched Vlad advance with a refined attitude without releasing tension until the end.

"That guy remains a mystery."

An absolutely ruthless knight in what he does, yet with an elegant appearance.

Bordan had never seen a knight with such a distinct appearance.

"He seems like an incredible mix."

"...He may bounce around here and there, but he's the color Bayezid needs."

A knight who has grown on his own, not a fabricated knight.

Joseph wanted a knight like that, and Vlad lived up to his expectations.

"It's a color even you covet."

Joseph picked up Vlad's report from the desk and walked quietly to the window and looked outside.

The soldiers seemed somewhat excited.

They're probably talking eagerly about Vlad's provocation that happened today.

"Among Bayezid's knights, how many of them want to do such crazy things?"

Joseph smiled faintly as he saw the garrison become more lively for the first time in a long time.

A tattered flag erected in a corner of the office.

Gaidar's eagle, along with Stephan's sword, became a great trophy and was turned into another decoration.

***

"Mr. Vlad."

"Yes, Stephan."

People crowded into a small mansion.

It was inevitable that Vlad and Stephan encountered familiar faces after just a few steps.

"Are you injured anywhere?"

"Say what you have to say first."

"I have nothing to say."

The mercenary leader Stephan, naturally, followed alongside Vlad and spoke to him.

"Where are you going?"

"To see the horses."

"Oh, that guy."

"I have to take care of him at least once a day. Because his personality is so damned."

Stephan nodded silently at Vlad's words.

Although his skills are excellent, his temper is dirty.

Although he was looking from the side, he was a formidable guy, so Stephan could easily think of Noir.

"Can we handle the small things? At least I can provide him with food."

"Yes, thank you."

I would appreciate it if you could do that, but I don't know if I can.

There was no stable keeper who was not a Goethe who could cling to him.

"I already requested a contract extension from Lord Bordan, so don't be too clingy."

"…Haha. I didn't necessarily mean that."

Vlad knew why Stephan clung to him.

Mercenaries are people who pursue shining gold coins.

However, as everyone knew the importance of gold coins, in this world there was always noise on the stage of giving and receiving.

"We just want to work with Mr. Vlad one more time."

"Speak with a little more restraint."

In that regard, Joseph Bayezid must have been a great employer.

Because he was not a liar like Count Vitskaya of Tanovo, nor was he poor like Baron Dalmatia of Dobrechi.

"Over here. They said the stable's location has changed compared to before."

Stephan follows Vlad as if he is familiar with him and finds their way.

Stephan, who had arrived in Deirmar ahead of time with Marcus, quickly discovered the location of the mansion.

Stephan knew very well that every little preparation like this would increase his own evaluation.

"However, it's right here. But it seems there's a passenger."

"Mmm."

Anyone can see that it's a black horse that occupies a large space on its own, unlike other horses.

However, there was already a small shadow clinging to Noir's side even though Vlad did not allow it.

It was a child with familiar green hair.

"What are you doing here?"

"…"

Charlotte had a very subtle expression on her face as she watched Vlad enter the stable.

It seemed she was happy to see me, but in a way, she also seemed uncomfortable.

"How often do you say this?"

"Why? If you have money, can you buy it?"

Vlad took the brush brought by the stable keeper and brushed Noir's fur without even looking at Charlotte beside him.

Noir was sensitive to unfamiliar touch, but when he felt Vlad's consideration for the first time in a long time, he began to purr like a dog.

"No matter how much money you give, there are some things you can't buy. He's like that too."

"…"

In a way, it seemed like a rude question, but it probably wasn't something she really wanted to buy.

I guess I said it because I had nothing else to say.

Seeing the awkward tension between Vlad and Charlotte, Stephan quickly left the stable and made room for them.

"Is she okay? The woman who was hit by an arrow."

"Ah."

Now there are only two people left in the stable.

Looking at Charlotte, who stubbornly refused to leave despite being warned, Vlad could feel that the child had nowhere to go.

Because Vlad was very familiar with the look of not being welcome everywhere.

"Martha is fine. She feels much better."

"Why don't you go take care of her?"

"They said I had to take it easy. So I shouldn't bother her."

A woman named Martha was not the mother who gave birth to Charles, but she was the nanny who raised him.

Since she saved the only person he could emotionally trust, it was understandable that Charlotte followed Vlad.

"A cloak. I'll return it to you."

"…Hold onto it for now. Anyway, it's just a hassle during battle."

Vlad thought of the woman cooling off while holding the child and felt lucky to be safe.

Even though she wasn't a related person, there was still something familiar about her that came to mind.

Vlad hoped his cloak would be of some help to her.

"…This."

"What is this?"

The girl disguised as a boy handed Vlad a small necklace as if she had thought about it for a while.

"I was taught to always show sincerity when expressing my will. Because that's what Ravnomara has to do."

"…"

A brown collar given by Charlotte.

The collar, which seemed to be made of brass instead of gold or silver, had a soft glow as if it had been carefully polished amidst all the chaos.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Because you saved Martha. And me too."

Charlotte remembered Vlad, who had pretended to be bait to save the group.

If it weren't for Vlad's sacrifice, she would already be rolling in the cold wasteland.

Because the grace of saving lives was a heavy burden, Charlotte was determined to give everything she promised, though not immediately.

"I have nothing to give right now. But I will later…"

"Put it inside."

Vlad tossed the brush he was holding into the bucket and this time opened his mouth bluntly, examining Noir's hooves.

"Is that a memento or a relic or something? I decided not to accept such items ever again."

"…"

It was an object that at first glance seemed to have a story.

Regardless of whether it was worth it or not, Vlad was a person who had decided not to indiscriminately accept such items.

The reason he still avoids Alicia here and there was for that reason.

"And…"

After examining all the hooves, Vlad put his hand on Noir's sturdy waist and laughed.

It was nothing special, but as he tried to say it, a strange feeling filled my chest.

The time has come to tell others about this.

I still don't know what's going on in the world.

"…A knight should only receive fair compensation."

These words will surely be heavy because I have always kept them in my heart.

Knights should only receive fair compensation.

There was someone who told that to the alley boy who was nothing.

Through him, Vlad confirmed the reality of the vague dream and still pursued it, looking towards the distant sky.

The child's arrow, which he had shot towards the blue moon, still flew towards the sky.

"I have already received fair compensation for this mission. So I will not accept what you give me in return."

"…"

When Charlotte finally looked at Vlad looking at her, she fell silent at the strange feeling of weight emanating from him.

A knight talking about qualifications and a girl who doesn't even have the qualifications to say Ravnomara yet.

Charlotte naturally reached for the collar she had offered again.

For some reason, I felt resentful.

"…But I will definitely return it to you later."

From a lying knight to an alley boy.

And back to the girl who has nothing to give.

The knight's oath, which had a strange resonance, continued to be transmitted to another person.

***

"It will arrive in the next two days."

"I understand. Godin."

Now Deirmar is so close that you can see it if you squint.

Although there were checkpoints and obstructions that made one grit their teeth, Sigmund managed to lead the main force without much trouble.

Although it was a swift movement, not many people left, which demonstrates Sigmund's excellent leadership skills.

"It's been delayed by a month, but it's still within the expected range."

Sigmund's fierce smile turned towards the north.

A place where your goals and objectives lie.

As he watched the black earth beneath his feet grow brighter, Sigmund could feel with his whole body that he was reaching where he wanted to be.

"..."

The fresh scent of summer, not the somber west wind.

Godin, like Sigmund, closed his eyes in silence and felt the approaching wind from Deirmar.

"Yes."

The singing of birds could be heard from afar.

Among them, Godin picked out the sound of the cuckoo's song that clearly reached his ears and opened his closed eyes with a faint smile.

"The cuckoo should cry in the summer."

Cuckoo's sound.

The sound of a cuckoo on a winter's day that announced the beginning of a lasting relationship.

Although we missed each other, we thought we would never see each other again because we passed by, but in the end, our fate took a turn, and we met again face to face in this place.

"There are many things to go after. There are some things that must be completely eliminated."

"You're right. Count."

The lord and the knight, thinking the same, nodded at the same time.

Allied Forces of the East with 5,000 soldiers.

Now they were taking their first steps into the territory of Deirmar.

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