Large padlock, sturdy chains.
Two boxes that were tightly sealed with magical spells and with the inscription of the church engraved on them.
A man stood in front of the box with his back turned.
"Report."
An old knight with almost white silver hair.
His strong beard and rebellious hair resembled a lion's mane.
"The subjugation of Lindworm was successful."
Behind the old knight who looked at Ham, Valkov stood with a stern posture.
"Fortunately, the knights of Bayezid finished the battle, so we were able to avoid handing over the cause to the Dragon Slayer Knights."
"What about him?"
It was a small voice, but it echoed everywhere.
The man was at a level where he knew how to convey strong energy just with his voice.
"Mirshea, the leader of the Dragon Slayer Knights, has left the North. We watched the knights of Bayezid until the very moment of their departure."
"Good."
After hearing Valkov's report, the man nodded and looked at the ships in front of him.
Just a few days ago, they were resonating with each other and spreading dragon energy, but now they were silent as if asleep.
"So there will be no reason for these guys to go crazy anymore."
The white dragon Lindworm died, and Mirshea, leader of the Dragon Slayer Knights, left the north.
That meant there were no more dragons these pieces could call from the North.
Because the dragons that have discovered their potential no longer exist in the North.
"I'm sure there is not only one Lindworm. Duke."
"I suppose so."
Tímur Baranov, the Steel Smith.
He agreed with the advice of the wizard by his side.
Even now, somewhere in the snowy fields of the north, there were probably young dragons holding their breath.
And when the time came to regain potential, something like this could happen again.
"As expected, this problem arises when two pieces are stored at once."
The ship was originally stored in the northern part of the country.
And when the Ramanovs collapsed, the priests moved to the western ship as if to rescue them.
It didn't matter when we were far from each other, but when we were very close, this side effect occurred.
"The pieces need to be dropped."
You need to separate two pieces that react with each other.
But who will take care of this?
As it requires great obligations and responsibilities, it may be a problem that cannot be decided solely by one's own thoughts.
"Duke. I have something to tell you."
"Is there anything else to report?"
Valkov nodded silently at Timur's words.
"A new Dragon Slayer has been born."
There was a boy chasing a white dragon in a snowy field.
The boy, who was not the strongest but the fastest, did not miss the opportunity he had created.
"What is his name?"
Timur arched his eyebrows upon hearing the sudden report.
In this generation of the Bayezid family, he thought only Rutiger was worthy of attention.
"He is a boy named Vlad. He is still just a seed, but he has great potential."
"Seed..."
After hearing Valkov's report, Timur stroked his chin and looked at the boxes containing the dragon pieces.
"And he is a boy."
A name he had never heard before.
He couldn't say whether it was hidden or whether it came to light on its own, but young things had always been hard to predict.
"Young ones grow quickly."
Because they were beings who couldn't know what they would become or what would happen to them.
Time passes and generations change.
Timur knew that time was no longer on his side.
The dragon pieces had to be removed before the new dragon realized its potential.
Because that was his job as the guardian of the oath.
***
Vlad set down his tray and looked around.
It had been a while since he passed through a vassal's restaurant.
Nothing seemed to have changed, but he could feel the vassals' eyes dining beside him focused on his sword.
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened. At least not to me."
Portly smiled as he looked at Vlad, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
Maybe it was because he was no longer being bullied, but his once chubby face seemed to have become brighter.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"...Can I ask you something?"
Portly hesitated for a moment, looking at Vlad, who was spooning soup into his mouth.
Although the environment he lived in had improved a lot, it seemed that he hadn't been able to overcome his naturally shy personality.
"One question, one sausage."
"But, did Mr. Rutiger give you that sword?"
Portly spoke as if there was nothing to think about regarding Vlad's suggestion.
Vlad frowned at Portly's reaction, wondering if he had made a deal too easily.
"Are you curious about that?"
"Not just me, but everyone else is curious too, right?"
Vlad suddenly felt the surroundings go silent along with Portly's words.
Probably, everyone wanted to ask.
Did Rutiger really give him the sword he now carries?
"My sword broke during the mission, so of course I should receive a new one."
The boy did his best to catch Lindworm, breaking his own sword in the process.
And Rutiger, as the group's leader, had the responsibility to compensate for that.
"That's incredible."
Vlad spoke calmly as if nothing had happened, but Portly and the vassals around him listening nodded with bright eyes.
"What?"
"You're the most likely person to be the next head of the family. It's definitely something special for someone like that to give you a sword."
The people around him didn't believe that Vlad received the sword from Rutiger simply as a reward.
That sword was proof that Rutiger recognized the boy and vouched for him.
"Maybe he gave you an option?"
"…Just stop there."
A boy who was Joseph's squire but was recognized by Rutiger.
To others, it would seem clear that Vlad was standing in a complicated airstream.
Vlad didn't like people around him imagining things about him.
"I have something to return to Mr. Joseph."
"…I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable."
Thinking of the old times, Vlad silently tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the soup.
There was a time when his current actions, which didn't seem special at all, were a lifelong dream.
Although it now looked bright, Vlad never forgot where he belonged.
It was only because a man named Joseph recognized the boy that he could take root in a place called Bayezid instead of in the dirty alleys.
Vlad had a duty to return the favor.
Because he wanted to do that.
"But you know what?"
Portly, who noticed that Vlad's complexion was very uncomfortable, quickly changed the subject.
"What?"
Vlad, noticing Portly's efforts, raised his head and looked at the squire who had a puzzled expression on his face.
If it were anyone else, he would have coldly ignored them, but Vlad was indebted to the Portly and Kannor families in one way or another.
Even Gregory was a person whose blood was mixed with Portly's standing in front of him.
"They say that all the Bayezid knights are gathering here."
"All of them?"
In response to Vlad's interest, Portly raised his spoon and spoke as if relieved.
"At least all those nearby have gathered."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"I don't know."
Sturma is the capital of the Bayezid family.
In a way, it would have been natural for knights to gather in such a place, but upon hearing Portly's words, something was definitely odd.
"It seems like all the service knights are gathering here. According to rumors, the Count himself summoned them. Do you know anything?"
Portly continued to think that Vlad, who was active outside Sturma, would be more sensitive to rumors than himself, who was still inside.
"No."
However, Vlad also didn't feel inspired by the sudden summoning of knights.
A knight is a symbol of strength.
The fact that people like them are gathering probably means that another threat like Lindworm is approaching.
"Time will tell."
There's no need to worry about what's to come.
Because the boy was willing to draw his sword at any moment.
The sound of plates quietly resonates throughout the dining hall.
Listening to that sound, the vassals silently observed Vlad's thoughts.
Vlad may not have known it, but the vassals who had seen the boy for the first time in a long time did.
The blond boy who had been with them as a squire was now so far away that they found it hard to look at him.
The presence in each action and the look in his eyes showed it.
The boy had grown too much to remain in the squire position any longer.
Only the boy, who was focused on his soup, didn't realize it.
***
"I'm going to stop making pilgrimages now."
"Have you decided?"
The head of the family's office.
Ramund set the teacup in front of him and continued.
"It was the choice I wanted, but it was a very difficult moment."
"...I understand."
With those words, Peter looked at the coin placed next to Ramund's teacup.
The coin, so worn and rusty that it was a rusted red color, seemed like something that wouldn't be welcomed even if handed to someone.
"So, do you plan to give the last ducat to a boy named Vlad?"
"Because he deserves it."
Ramund shook his head and responded to Peter's words.
From the intensity of their first encounter to the subjugation of Lindworm on this occasion.
The old knight who had been watching Vlad alongside him was convinced that the boy was fully worthy of receiving this coin.
"The shoulders of this boy named Vlad must be heavy since he received the price of honor."
"That's what I'm saying."
Ramund leaned back deeply in his chair's backrest and sighed, as if he had just relaxed.
"I feel relieved because I feel like I have fulfilled all my duties as a knight and vassal of Bayezid."
"Thank you for your effort."
Although Peter was a nobleman and the head of the Bayezid family, he didn't hesitate to bow deeply to Ramund in front of him to show respect.
The old knight, who has fulfilled his duty and honor, will now truly be able to retire.
It was the kind of ending every knight dreams of.
"But please stay a few more days."
"Is something wrong?"
Ramund seemed puzzled for a moment by Peter's words.
The person he knew as Peter was someone who didn't regret parting.
"When someone retires, shouldn't someone else step up?"
Ramund tilted his head for a moment at Peter's words, but then slapped his knee with his palm as if realizing what he was talking about.
"Even the head of the family approved it."
"However, I think it's a bit early."
It's only been a year since the boy arrived here.
And in Bayezid's history, no squire was recognized within a year.
"With this appointment, it seems like he'll break the record as the youngest and shortest-serving."
"It's okay to break those traditions."
Peter smiled faintly as he listened to the words coming from the mouth of the old knight who always valued tradition.
"...I feel even more reassured after hearing those words directly from Mr. Ramund."
Peter looked out the window as he said those words.
The walls of Sturma have always protected the city with a strong appearance.White winter flowers fluttered over the castle walls.
And Peter remembered the boy who came to Bayezid with the winter.
The knights were flocking to Sturma.
Holding the Bayezid banner.
Everyone eagerly awaited the birth of a new honor.