Chapter 221 - The aroma of the tea was bitter (2)

A dark line was drawn on the dragon's neck.

The flag, which had a more powerful presence than the countless corpses beside it, now fell heavily, soaked in blood.

"…Who the hell are you?"

The question, asked with effort, lacked strength, probably because his lungs were filled with blood.

However, the knight, slumped on the ground in a deplorable state, kept his eyes wide open, determined to get an answer.

"Did the… Grand Duke send you?"

Members of the Dragon Hunter Knights had been lured to this distant place with the body of a false dragon.

Their leader uttered the most plausible name he could guess, but the listener's face didn't even flinch.

"Knights, when did I tell you to follow the words of a dragon?"

With a cold voice, he raised his silver sword.

The man's sword, which had already drunk much blood, was losing its color like the folded flag of the Dragon Hunter Knights in the distance.

Splat!

"Didn't I tell you to protect what must be protected?"

With the sound of flesh being pierced, the trembling heart of the knight stopped.

With the death of the last man, the battlefield, which had been filled with fury, fell into a deep and gloomy silence, like a grave.

"Thank you for your effort."

"The dragon has lived too long; its claws have grown too long."

A white hand handed a handkerchief to Frausen, who was unfortunate with the sword.

Perhaps because the clothes she wore were black, the white color was particularly noticeable.

"First, we must cut those claws before we can stop its breath."

While wiping the blood from his face with the handkerchief, Frausen realized that the woman had something to say to him.

"What is it?"

"One of my knights has not returned."

"Why?"

A small question was forming on his face, which was gradually cooling like a corpse.

This was because there was no reason why the Headless Knights, who were not bound by the laws of the world, could not return after escaping death.

"According to those who returned, he was caught by a dragon."

"A dragon?"

"It's the young dragon you released. That child."

Although his heart raced at the word "dragon," upon realizing they referred to Vlad, Frausen showed a strange expression.

"…In that case, it is understandable. A dragon never loses its marked prey."

Unlike the other Headless Knights, the knight who had been pierced by the Dragon Slayer Sword had not returned with Ramashut.

It was a matter of rank and perfection that did not tolerate death.

"I suppose I'll have to go and find him myself."

Frausen turned his head towards the distance, standing amidst the bloody and muddy disaster.

"Besides, I am curious to see how much he has grown."

That was the place where the Headless Knight had not returned, and where a strange creature resided, not knowing whether it was a dragon or a knight.

***

The climate was different, the ceilings were high and the windows wide.

Everything, from the vases to the patterns on the walls, reflected the vibrant atmosphere of the center, distinct from the north.

"This room is quite good. With a living room, it seems they are treating us well."

"…"

As long as that old man sitting in front of him, chewing noisily, wasn't there. He seemed like an indigent old man, but he wasn't a welcomed visitor.

Vlad did not bother to hide his complicated expression when he saw Pedro, who had suddenly come to see him.

"So, you still travel with that cat."

"My name is Nibelun, you know that."

"I don't care about the names of beast men. I only remember the names that God has given me."

Nibelun shook his head at Pedro's disdainful attitude.

In Moshiam, which was filled with mist, they were like comrades, but to the devout Pedro, wizards were still a nuisance.

"How did you find us here?"

Vlad's mouth opened heavily as he watched Pedro carefully put down his spoon as if he had finished eating.

He had waited patiently, following the unwritten rule of not disturbing someone while eating, but now he needed answers.

"And who the hell is that old man you brought?"

"…Hmm."

Vlad's head turned towards the room.

While Pedro still had the strength to eat, the old man they brought was on the bed, in a sleep that seemed like death.

"That man is someone whose safety has been guaranteed by the Northern Union. To them, he is a valuable witness."

"I asked who he is."

Sensing something ominous, Vlad was more alert than usual.

But Pedro just smiled significantly as he looked at Vlad.

"His name is Radu. Radu Dragulia."

"…"

Hearing the name come out of Pedro's lips, Vlad's hand, which was lifting a cup of tea, paused.

At the same time, the fact that the air in the room turned cold was probably not just an illusion to Nibelun.

"And he is probably your half-brother."

After Pedro pronounced the name, a strange silence began to reign.

Radu Dragulia, a cursed name.

After hearing the identity of the old man from Pedro's mouth, Vlad felt a strange emotion arise that was hard to explain with words.

"He would be more like my grandfather than my brother."

One of Pedro's names was causing a small ripple in his heart, but Vlad was trying to look indifferent.

This was because he had learned from Joseph not to show weakness in a conversation.

"It seems that the Dragulias do not treat people well. That man seems to have aged prematurely."

With a smile, Vlad lifted the cup of tea.

He was speaking with a smile, but his eyes contained a warning not to say that name in front of him again.

"You can stay here until someone from the Northern Union arrives. Although this is not my house."

"…Thank you. I didn't expect to depend on you."

The appearance is blond and blue eyes.

But with a silver sword at his side.

The young Vlad had changed a lot since his youth.

Pedro clicked his tongue, lamenting the loss of Vlad's youth.

***

Vlad walked down the hallway of the mansion towards Rodrigo's parlor.

Although it was someone else's land, the knights of Arnstein he passed greeted Vlad with their gaze, and the servants showed him respect.

[You must be even more humble at times like this. No one will see you as an inexperienced knight now.]

"I know."

[But keep your head high. The foundation of a knight is dignity.]

'…I understand.'

Since meeting Rodrigo, Khano's reprimands had become constant.

This was because he was aware that now was the time to pay attention not only to the sword but also to other areas.

Although it was annoying that he interfered even in his attitude.

"Sir Rodrigo."

"Oh, have you arrived?"

Upon entering, he found the Imperial Guard knights gathered.

Although it wasn't intentional, the simultaneous gazes of the knights made Vlad feel a strange pressure.

The knights sent by the Grand Duke to find August's killer were not ordinary knights.

"Did you receive the guests well? It seems one of them is in poor condition."

"You know everything, why do you ask?"

"It's my habit to ask what I already know."

Why were all the people he met today so cunning?

Rodrigo, a competent investigator, had already grasped the identity of the old man but wanted to hear the situation from Vlad's mouth.

"I will protect them until someone from the Northern Union arrives. I am also a knight of the Northern Union."

"Duties are important, as much as honor."

Rodrigo began to nod as if he liked Vlad's attitude.

However, when Vlad saw that, he didn't hide his sullen expression.

Whether good or bad, he didn't like Rodrigo's attitude of evaluating him without his permission.

"Once again, I have nothing to do with the founding king."

[Oh…]

"And my sword is not his. So stop paying so much attention to me."

For Vlad, who was not used to receiving expectations from others, Rodrigo's nodding was just a nuisance.

Vlad, who had a vague idea of what was expected of him, planned to use this opportunity to draw a clear line.

"Please don't expect anything from me. I will live my life as I simply want to."

"Of course, I don't expect anything."

But even in Vlad's rude attitude, Rodrigo showed no sign of displeasure.

"Do as you wish, as you did chasing the Headless Knights last night."

"…"

Because he was already satisfied.

Although he said no with his mouth, the image of Vlad trying to respect the rules of the Sword Master more than anyone was also the image that the imperial knights had portrayed for a long time.

"I plan to return to the palace now."

"That's good news."

"But before I leave, I wanted to give you some advice."

Vlad was happy to be away from his troublesome group, but Rodrigo's eyes were serious as he looked at him.

"Don't trust Joseph Bayezid too much."

A high-ranking knight of the Imperial Guard, responsible for the security of the imperial capital.

He, who sought the hidden truth with a keener sense than a hunting dog, was leaving a harsh warning for Vlad.

"What is that…"

"The one who first got the eastern drug in the north was Joseph."

There was a green drug that ravaged the imperial family and court nobles.

It was an elven drug with wonderful effects but deadly poison.

The capital Brigantes still suffered the aftermath of that drug.

"The Vatican had reasons to target Joseph. Don't forget that."

"…"

He wanted to firmly shout that this wasn't the case, but the energy Rodrigo emitted made Vlad keep his mouth shut.

Although he had lived his whole life against someone, Rodrigo's words, warning with the truth, were hard to dismiss.

***

A black powder fell into the green tea water.

It was clear tea water that had been carefully prepared according to the basics of the tea ceremony, but now it had turned completely black, as if the efforts were in vain.

"He is locked in the basement. The territory's priests have strictly sealed him."

"Really?"

Joseph looked pained as if he had a headache.

Joseph, who liked to follow a detailed plan, was disgusted by the unexpected situation.

"Why didn't he run away? They usually aren't tied to one place."

Although he asked, he didn't expect an answer.

Jager was a knight, not someone who understood sinister entities.

"Is it because of Vlad?"

Vlad of Soara is the only variable Joseph Bayezid is willing to have.

Joseph, thinking the guy probably did something, just smiled slightly and threw the medicine bag he was holding into the fireplace.

"We will receive news soon. Let's wait."

"Understood, Sir Joseph."

The black tea flowed down his throat.

With each sip, Joseph's eyes regained their brightness, and the shadows under his eyes disappeared.

"…I've tried many medicines, but this one is really bitter."

After emptying his cup of tea, Joseph squinted and complained.

At some point, he had stopped coughing lightly.

It wasn't known since when, but Joseph no longer showed signs of illness.

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