A vacation that doesn’t feel like a vacation (1)
Sturma, the capital of Bayezid County.
In a huge mansion there, a man with half-white hair and an old man with a long white beard were having a conversation.
“They say a group of pilgrims are passing by our sturmah.”
“Should I pick you up?”
Advisor Ragmus shook his head and answered Peter’s question.
“I don’t think they want to do that. “They said he was literally passing by quietly and seeing the traces of a dragon.”
“Very classic.”
Peter quietly nodded while listening to Ragmus’ words.
These are the voices of God who do not want anything.
It’s truly been a long time since I see faithful pilgrims.
“······I guess it’s okay to take care of them without them knowing?”
“I thought you would say that.”
Those who deserve it have the right to enjoy it.
Ragmus, who knew Peter’s tendencies and personality well, nodded and answered that he would prepare.
“And my second son… and Vlad.”
And here were other qualified people.
Fortunately, these were people who were inside themselves, so no one would say anything no matter what they took care of.
“I heard you did a great job.”
“That’s right. “The report contained words that made even an old man’s heart beat.”
“hmm.”
Peter nodded while listening to Ragmus.
The first discipline of the Sword Master.
Peter smiled sincerely at the words he missed hearing for the first time in a very long time.
“It must have been a rare scene to see in a time like today where knights were prized.”
“It would have been great if you were there.”
Although he didn’t show it, Peter agreed with Ragmus’ words.
Knights were valuable beings and also strategic weapons that required a lot of resources and investment.
Therefore, from the beginning, most families have selected those with proven noble bloodlines or exceptional talent and provided elite education to become knights.
Gemstones that are thoroughly managed.
Therefore, young knights and young squires do not go to extreme situations that require the discipline of a sword master.
Some old knights complained about the situation, but it was inevitable that times would change.
But that day in Deremar, there was a ray of light that went against the times.
For some people, it will be like a welcome romance that they haven’t seen in a long time.
“I’m sure some people will like it.”
“It reminds me of Bayezid’s golden generation.”
“The old men will bring snacks for the chicks.”
Peter put down the documents he was holding and buried his back deeply in the chair.
“Even so, since it’s my son’s, I’ll need his permission.”
“Joseph will like it if you do that.”
“······I have a lot to worry about.”
Peter couldn’t help but frown even while smiling.
Since I was out of breath, I thought I would give up after a while, but I crawled through the mud and picked up a shiny object.
“I have a lot of worries.”
Peter fell into deep worry as he thought about his second son, who was willing to roll in the mud to win.
I also worry about things that are too ugly.
I also worried about things that were too good.
In the end, you will have to choose just one.
※※※※
“Why do you keep blinking your left eye? Did a rock get in there?”
My first training with Zayar after returning to Sturma.
There, Vlad had big dreams and wanted to focus on confirming his achievements.
“······I would have told you not to do something you can’t do.”
And that was also the thing my teacher told me not to do the most.
The boy had just ignored the rule that Xayar had laid down.
“Gagging!”
Vlad rolled over hard as he saw the sky suddenly rushing towards him.
The blow Xayar had just received was as harsh as always, but there was no consideration at all.
“Get up.”
“Keueuung.”
Vlad couldn’t come to his senses easily due to the blow that was so painful, but he quickly adjusted his posture when he saw Xayar’s eyes looking at him.
Jayar always treated the boy with burning things, whether it was anger, passion, or anticipation.
“Do you think something happened to you when you succeeded in a clumsy counterattack at Deremar? “Has what I say become so ridiculous that you can just ignore it?”
There was a cold disappointment in his eyes now.
“······.”
If you don’t have expectations, you won’t be disappointed in the first place.
Therefore, for the boy, it was the first time in his life that he had seen an adult express his feelings of disappointment.
And it was stabbing the boy’s chest so painfully.
“······sorry.”
“That’s it for today.”
Xayar said as he sheathed his sword in a simple movement.
“If you’re forcing it, don’t come, and if you think you can do it without me, don’t come looking for me.”
“······.”
Unlike usual, the words didn’t contain any swear words, but Vlad felt like it would be better to be cursed.
Things like contempt, contempt, and ridicule for being insignificant were so familiar that they didn’t even hurt.
However, the disappointment that Xayar was showing right now was digging deep into the boy’s heart.
Because it was the tip of a warm needle that could deeply pierce the icy boy’s heart.
Vlad felt the coldness that came from the warmth and was at a loss as to what to do.
“Go see.”
“······yes.”
Vlad, who was well aware of Xayar’s temperament of not easily going back on a decision, had no choice but to bow his head and follow his decision.
Today’s training is over.
It was because of the boy’s clumsy attempt to rely on Aurors.
The boy could not overcome his impatience.
[Starting from the basics.]
“······.”
Listening to the voice, Vlad gloomily sheathed his unadorned sword.
[I would have been angry too.]
Xayar had been treating the boy very sensitively ever since Vlad unleashed his aura.
Because it looked so dangerous.
The things the boy had built were certainly shiny and impressive, but the place where they were located was like a sandy beach at the seaside.
Things that are not solid and may be swept away by big waves at any time.
Xayar didn’t want the boy to do that.
“······I just wanted to take it out again.”
[It was just a manifestation of possibility. It’s better for you too if you forget it quickly.]
And the voice was also worried about the boy’s condition.
Can all knights use aurors?
It wasn’t.
So, are knights who don’t know how to use Aurors low-level?
That wasn’t it either.
Being able to handle Aurors is just a manifestation of the possibility of rising higher than other knights.
Only when you can make it your own and use it skillfully in actual combat can you truly say that you are using an auror.
[Don’t forget that it hasn’t been long since you picked up the sword. A wonderful flower blooms only on a solid foundation.]
“······.”
But I understood the voice.
A boy in his prime holds a shining sword in his hand, and of course he wants to swing it.
Anyone would do that.
[Think again of Zayar’s words. You wouldn’t be angry if you didn’t deserve it.]
“all right.”
So I just hope you understand what I’m saying.
I hope that the boy who has finally blossomed will endure the countless temptations that will come his way and raise his head straight towards the sky.
A bitter feeling rose up in his stomach, but Vlad only frowned and did not sit down.
Today’s training was poor and bad anyway, so it was a failure.
Since it’s ruined, what can be done?
You should forget it for now.
The boy, who seemed to have lived in a state of frustration, was a person who tried not to be defeated by false emotions.
No matter where you are, the world does not kindly extend a hand to those who once collapse.
Rather, it was this world that brought me down to my knees.
The boy who lived in the lowest place knew well the harsh side of the world.
“······I guess I should go get something to eat.”
Vlad walked towards the restaurant, his blonde hair messy.
A squire enters the dining room with plodding steps, wearing an unadorned sword and wearing the shirt the Countess gave him.
“······.”
“······.”
The response to Vlad, who returned from a nearly month-long mission, was inevitable silence and a little respect.
Some squires who were quick to hear the news had already heard about what Vlad had done in Deirmar through their families.
Therefore, everyone here could clearly know who the most valuable and outstanding person among the current squires was.
It no longer mattered whether the family’s prestige was good or bad, or whether the social status was high or low.
The children’s alley fight is over.
As the appearance of only one person whose world is different.
From now on, the true leader of this place was the newly rolled stone boy with blond hair.
“I’m here?”
“Did you get hit while I was gone?”
“No, no. “I didn’t hit anyone.”
Portli greeted Vlad by holding out sausages piled higher than the food on the plate.
“I missed it so much. “These meats.”
“Eat a lot.”
Vlad picked up the sausages with his bare hands without even lifting a fork.
Vlad, who had succeeded in overcoming his depressed feelings with salty gravy, looked truly satisfied.
“This is it.”
When I was at Deremar, I ate things like salads made with lemon sauce and healthy bread.
These were obviously items that Alicia had specially provided for the precious guests, and Josef was also very pleased with them, but Vlad did not like them at all.
It wasn’t that there was no taste at all, but honestly, it was tasteless.
For a growing boy, there is nothing more delicious than meat.
“As expected, the taste is salty and sweet.”
“that’s right. “That is the truth.”
Vlad took a big bite of the sausage and looked around, listening to Portli’s heartfelt sympathy.
“······.”
Everyone was glancing at them.
“Does everyone know?”
“Roughly…”
Portli smiled delicately and scratched his head.
I hope that what I am doing now will not be seen as a shallow favor hoping for something in return.
“······okay.”
Vlad was lost in thought as he sucked the juice off his hands.
Looking at the servants’ attitude, I felt like I was sitting in a place I shouldn’t be.
Still, I had no intention of leaving.
“Anyway, what are you going to do this vacation?”
“vacation?”
Vlad couldn’t help but wonder as unexpected words came out of Portli’s mouth.
“I did not know? The squires are all on vacation this week. “It’s a regular vacation that happens about twice a year.”
All of the squires here, including Portli, were children from noble families, if not noble families.
It is natural that such seeds must be handled with care.
Therefore, the Bayezid family gave regular vacations to their servants to relieve the accumulated tension and fatigue.
“······Do I have a vacation too?”
But Vlad was a man with nowhere to go.
There were places I missed, but I would have to be very prepared to go back there.
Looking at Vlad, whose eyes were blank for a moment, Portli continued speaking.
“······Then do you want to go to my house? “My father wants to formally invite me?”
“Your house?”
Some servants who lived far away from home visited their friends’ houses instead of wandering around among themselves.
The purpose was to form another networking site there.
“Actually, I’ve never taken a friend with me…”
“There was no performance.”
Vlad nodded, thinking about Portli’s situation.
I somehow pushed him into becoming a seed to build connections, but all I got in return was bitter news.
Therefore, the interest of the head of the Kannor family in the blond boy who is now attracting the public’s attention was extraordinary.
It was Potli’s father who desperately wanted to see the boy named Vlad, not only from the perspective of the head of the family but also from the perspective of the father.
“At our house, we make sure to treat guests well.”
“hmm.”
Vlad began to seriously consider Portli’s proposal.
It was a tense mission in Deirmar.
Now I also want to eat freshly grilled meat instead of sausages.
“You said you were looking for a horse?”
“huh?”
And Portli knew very well what Vlad wanted other than meat.
“As I said before, my family mainly engages in ranching and livestock farming. “We may not be the best family in the North in that field, but at least we can secure horses around here.”
“······oh.”
It’s quite good.
This is hard to refuse.
“I wonder if they’ll ask if I have any vacation time…”
“I heard there are some guys with better pedigree than Lord Xayar’s horse.”
“I’ll ask for it. “I think I can probably get it.”
I mean, Josef will take care of getting it for you, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check in advance.
It might be better to see it in person and find someone you like rather than receiving it from someone else.
“Ugh!”
Vlad slapped Potli on the back of the head as if he was being brave.
“good.”
Whether Portli was embarrassed or not, Vlad just smiled.
This was also a greeting used only between close friends in the back alleys.
The boy remembered old times for the first time in a long time.
