A tree rooted on a low hill.
A woman with light blue hair was biting her lip, facing away from the window with a clear view of the tree.
"······ Count Gaidar has secured the gateway to the north now."
"More accurately, they've taken control of the region where the gateway can be established. In order to go up north, they will eventually have to pass through us."
Stacks of documents piled beside her desk cast shadows over her face, blocking the incoming sunlight.
"Will they come to us?"
"······We can't be certain, but we must prepare nonetheless."
Alicia Hainal.
The head of the Hainal estate and the master of Deomar.
In front of her lay a spread map, with the words denoting the Gaidar Count's family placed upon it.
"It would be comforting to think they're coming. But we can't know when."
"Indeed."
The Gaidar Count's influence now reached directly beneath Deomar.
The new victors of the west continued their relentless expansion, now extending their influence into the northern and central regions.
"······We were busy blocking the central region, and suddenly the west is upon us."
Alicia struggled to dispel the unexpected anxiety brought on by the swiftly changing situation.
The blood of nobles should be blue.
They must always be capable of making ruthless judgments.
Alicia continued to struggle, determined to maintain this ability.
"I must write a letter to Count Bayezid."
Alicia chewed her lip as she gazed down at the map.
Thankfully, they had prepared for such a situation.
"They will assist us. They have obligations and reasons to do so."
"Indeed."
Bayezid would aid Deomar.
If they managed to break through their defenses, the next target would likely be Bayezid's territory, one of the pillars of the north.
There was a good reason why the honor duel, which was like a proxy war between the central and northern regions, took place here.
"You did well to give him the handkerchief."
"Yes, indeed. Rumors about that boy have been circulating lately. He's growing up splendidly."
As Duncan's praise for Vlad reached Alicia's ears, she shrugged her shoulders lightly and replied.
"He seems to have formed a connection with San Rogino this time. Getting closer to the church shouldn't be a bad thing."
Upon hearing Alicia's words, Duncan looked down at her with a subtle expression.
The fact that Shoara's investigation team had discovered ominous signs at Baron Utman's estate was currently the most talked-about topic in the north.
However, most lords would likely pay more attention to the subtle dynamics between Utman and Bayezid, or the traces of dark mages.
"....I've invested in that boy, you know."
"I understand."
However, Alicia was more interested in Vlad's movements than in such dynamics.
Continuously tracking his movements since he left Deomar, their spy network in the north had been strengthened considerably.
"I think I've made a wise decision."
"Indeed. As his reputation rises, it benefits us."
When Vlad received Lady Alicia's handkerchief, he knew he had a duty to respond to her summons.
And when the boy returned to Deomar with the pretext of the handkerchief, he wouldn't be alone.
That's what he had promised to Josef.
"Let's expand the surveillance range a bit. So we can detect any suspicious movements quickly. As we lack military strength, we need to buy time."
"...Understood."
Duncan saw Alicia quickly changing the topic and decided to move on quietly.
It's a busy and difficult time, so it would be a good idea to give her a moment to breathe.
"I hope everything goes smoothly."
"I feel the same way."
The world was changing rapidly.
More unpredictable than the old men who had ruled the world thus far could have foreseen.
The elderly knights could only sympathize with the young ones who now had to shoulder heavy burdens in this ever-changing world.
White flowers are blooming profusely on the hillside trees.
Since the boy's departure, these flowers had been the only comfort in Deomar.
※※※※
Clang- Clang-
Vlad sat grumbling as the hammer pounded loudly in front of him.
"That old man, acting like such a stickler. Honestly, I felt like giving him a piece of my mind right then and there."
"...Is that so?"
Seeing Vlad cursing the old man in front of him, the old blacksmith just struck the hammer in silence with a subtle expression on his face.
Even young lads had burdens to bear, but there were times when the old ones had to turn a blind eye.
"But what on earth did you cut this time?"
"It was a little difficult this time."
It was said as a reprimand as he looked at the sword, which had lost a lot of teeth despite how long it had been since it had been serviced, but the boy had a good reason for it.
"...A headless knight, huh."
The old blacksmith spat out words like a sigh upon hearing of an unheard-of existence.
The unadorned sword, usually gleaming, looked pitiful today.
"You seem to always end up fighting tough ones as you go."
"Seems to be my fate. Oh well."
Watching the boy, who was complaining that there would be no easy living anyway, the old man began to hammer the unadorned sword silently.
The lad had put all his strength into it, but this sword wasn't made for such purposes.
"Isn't it time to change the sword?"
"Pardon?"
Vlad's eyes widened in surprise at the old man's subtle remark.
The attitude of the old man, who seemed calm as if nothing had happened, seemed even more unfamiliar to Vlad.
"I created this sword thinking that at most I would be lucky if I just went out and cut up monsters. The material is just ordinary iron, and the person who made it is just an ordinary blacksmith."
"But..."
"If you keep using it like this, it'll break one day."
The boy would encounter more challenges as he grew, but the unadorned sword would forever remain as it was now.
The old blacksmith hoped that the sword he made wouldn't hold the boy back.
The sword lying wounded right now probably wouldn't want that either.
"I'm not telling you to change it right away, just think about it."
"...Do you take custom orders too?"
The boy's question made the old blacksmith chuckle.
Though he usually acted all grown-up, at times like these, Vlad couldn't help but reveal his youthful side.
"This one's my final masterpiece. Find another blacksmith."
Longing for farewells was a privilege reserved for the young and immature.
To the old and weathered, it was just another part of everyday life.
"Are you taking it with you today?"
"I might need to use it later."
"Alright."
The unadorned sword that came out after cooling down its heated body in a bucket of water had once again returned to its smooth appearance.
"Be careful, it's still hot."
"Yes."
The old man watched as Vlad, now walking confidently, left the forge.
'...'
Vlad's steps as he walked out were confident and sure, unlike before.
Now, he can easily get through the mud in front of the door.
"That's how it should be."
Nodding to himself as he watched, the old blacksmith closed the forge door with a creaking sound, along with a dry cough.
Business for today was finished.
After all, he had poured all his strength into Vlad's sword just now.
※※※※
Vlad's nerves had been on edge lately.
It wasn't just because of the recent probation from Josef.
'...'
[Someone is following you.]
True to the voice's words, someone had been following Vlad since yesterday.
Vlad, who seemed to know who the owner of the gaze was, quickly left the familiar alley and began to deliberately twist his path.
Vlad walked quickly in front of the skewer restaurant filled with acrid smoke, widened the distance, and passed by the crowded street, hiding his presence.
Then, seeing the boy suddenly disappear into a dark alley ahead, the old man halted in his tracks, raising an eyebrow.
'Quick on the uptake.'
Not only did the old man not notice his presence, but he also sensed the boy standing behind him, and shook his head.
There was indeed a reason why he received the leather armor from Bayezid.
"Why are you following me?"
"I was just going my own way, what's your problem?"
At the old man's calm answer, Vlad seemed to be unable to bear it any longer and began to growl.
"You've been bothering me since yesterday."
'...Sharp-witted.'
The old man nodded, looking at the boy who was angry but was not swayed by it.
He seemed to be someone with a broad mind, knowing how to control himself.
Then, his rebellion back then must have been intentional.
He seems like a noble.
"That's why you shouldn't have done something stupid in the first place. Did I say something wrong back then?"
"······."
Vlad noticed the old man frowning in front of him.
The old man is now provoking him.
There must be a purpose and something he wants.
"If there's something you don't like, just say it. Don't beat around the bush."
The old man smiled as he watched the boy growling and slowly grasping the sword handle.
There was a raw feeling in the boy, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
It was something he missed, but also something he was glad to see.
"If you have a problem, come at me. You brat."
Vlad hardened his resolve as he watched the old man clapping his hands towards him.
He didn't know who he was or why he was doing this, but the old man was someone Josef vouched for.
There must be a reason for this behavior.
"...You started it."
Vlad quickly drew his sword with the resolve to shatter even that intention if there was one.
The old man, who had survived countless battles, was undoubtedly stronger than himself.
However, the boy who lived in a world where being ignored meant death was a person who was ready to attack anyone at any time.
Swish!
Vlad swiftly drew his sword with a speed that surpassed prediction, cutting through the narrow alleyway where there was no room to escape.
'You know how to do some tricks!'
The old man's wrinkles smoothed out when he saw the sword approaching, sharply cutting through a narrow alley with no space to avoid.
For such a young boy, it was quite remarkable that he was able to imbued his own characteristics in a single sword.
There was a need for him to show something as well.
"Why are you hesitating instead of drawing it out?"
"...!"
Vlad was perplexed.
It wasn't because his strike was futilely blocked.
He had already predicted that.
If he moved to the right, he moved to the right.
If he moved to the left, he moved to the left.
As the old man continued to follow him and strangely pressed the tip of his sword, Vlad realized that his movements had already been read.
'Damn it!'
Watching the old man's amazing swordplay, Vlad quickly closed his left eye.
Though he expected it, it still wasn't something he could measure.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
The vast worlds always oppressed and kicked around the boy.
Now, fed up with such treatment, Vlad exploded with anger, rushing towards the nameless old man.
'Excellent!'
The old man raised the corner of his lips as he felt the trembling force of the boy beneath his sword.
Even in his prime, there were few who could handle such a sharp aura at this age.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Clang!
Within the narrow alley, the swords of the boy and the old man clashed.
The boy's energy, which could not be suppressed with technique alone this time, clung to the old man with a wild flame.
"You're in good spirits!"
It wasn't just good momentum.
Vlad, who was trying to cling as much as possible to prevent himself from doing anything, was thinking right now.
Although he might not catch up in skill or experience, he believed he could overwhelm in terms of strength.
The boy's movements, analyzing the opponent's weaknesses and asking for them, clearly showed a desire for victory.
With a rough sound, the old man was pushed against the wall.
Indeed, the cruel passage of time couldn't stop Vlad from pushing the old man away.
"It's impressive, but..."
"How long will you keep smiling?"
Seeing the old man's leisurely smile, Vlad became very intoxicated and thrusted his unadorned sword with all his might, aiming it at the old man's neck.
"It was a good move, but you picked the wrong opponent."
"...?"
However, as Vlad continued to see the old man's relaxed smile, he felt a sense of foreboding.
"What?"
The old man's sword.
No, the old man's arm was shining.
Seeing the old man injecting aura into his arm instead of his sword, Vlad was horrified. He had never seen a knight inject aura into their body instead of their weapon before.
"Not bad, right? It's enhancing my body."
The old man, who was joking as if introducing a toy, began to push Vlad's sword back with all his might as if it was now his turn.
"Uh, uh..."
Feeling a completely different force from before, Vlad's sword started to give way gradually.
The old man was overpowering Vlad with his strength.
"With a little creativity, even this is possible."
"..."
There was no time to be surprised by the strange flow of events. This time, the old man's palm glowed and effortlessly grabbed Vlad's sword.
Despite being freshly repaired, the sword was expected to be sharp, yet there was not a drop of blood on the old man's hand.
It was the strengthened palm of the old man that made it possible.
'What's going on!'
Vlad let out a silent scream inside.
It was a scream that shattered every bit of common sense he had built up so far.
[...]
The voice had no advice even in this situation whether he was doing it on purpose, so Vlad instinctively abandoned his sword.
He then quickly pulled out Jorge's dagger and dived into the old man's arms.
"....Ha!"
The old man exclaimed in admiration at Vlad's quick judgment.
Vlad, discarding his sword and rushing in, displayed a daring move that only someone with the heart of a beast could make.
Once again, the realization struck that this boy was born with this.
"You!"
In response to the unconventional move that a properly trained knight would not make, the old man, almost involuntarily, sent a powerful punch infused with aura.
"Urgh!"
It was just one blow.
It was a fierce struggle, but with one blow from the old man, Vlad stumbled back with a loud thud.
The force of the punch was so strong that the shoulder part of Vlad's armor burst open.
The snake's protection, which had been broken in the last battle, could no longer protect the boy.
"....Damn it!"
However, even though it was just a single punch, Vlad's resilience in provoking the old man's sincerity was commendable.
Perhaps if Josef or Zayar were watching the current situation, they would be astonished beyond words.
"Are you alright?"
The old man, blaming himself for not being able to control his strength, called out to Vlad, but the one who needed to answer was lying sprawled out in the distance, possibly knocked unconscious by the powerful impact.
"....The armor seems to have taken a hit."
The old man, who had finally caught one flaw, walked towards the fallen boy with a truly satisfied expression.
No wonder Zayar had smiled so mysteriously.
However, as the old man approached to help the boy up, he was startled when he saw the blue eyes glaring back at him.
Gregory had mentioned it:
The flame must not go out under any circumstances.
And the boy hasn't given up yet.
"Die!"
"....Damn it!"
Vlad grabbed onto the old man trying to lift him and delivered a powerful headbutt.
With no room to escape as they were tightly entwined, the old man had no choice but to endure the attack.
Crash!
The sound of something breaking echoed in the empty alley.
Vlad's intention had clearly succeeded.
"Damn..."
In his fading consciousness, Vlad muttered a curse.
The last scene that caught Vlad's sight before losing consciousness was the wrinkled forehead of the old man, shimmering with aura.