Now live up to your name (2)
The white snake liked the boy.
The boy was a being with old memories in his eyes, and he was also one of the few people who could remember him.
Moreover, now that he was offering a fragrant offering, there was no reason not to spare the boy.
“It looks like you really like alcohol.”
[As expected, whiskey was the answer.]
Vlad followed the voice’s advice and took the whiskey and sprinkled it under the tree.
I was just about to sprinkle my tears on the ground when a voice told me that whiskey, a liquor made from barley, would go well with the white snake, the spirit of the earth.
“This is a special gift from Josef to commemorate being knighted.” [It’s expensive, so you have to spend it expensively. The snake’s protection is like an extra life.]
It was a sad drink to give and an expensive drink to drink, but Vlad had no choice but to nod when he heard the voice.
The protection of the white snake engraved on Bayezid’s leather armor always protected Vlad.
If it weren’t for the white snake’s protection during the fight with the headless man, the person lying on the ground drinking right now might have been himself.
[come. Don’t be too scared.]
“I felt this way last time when I was killing a dragon, but I think I hate scales.”
Regardless of Vlad’s grumbles, the white snake came down from the tree and began wrapping itself around Vlad, just like that day.
I wasn’t too surprised because I experienced it once, but the majesty of the white snake seen through the world of voices still felt pressure from its existence.
[I helped you during the duel, so I won’t harm you.]
“······I know.”
Vlad knew very well that he did not defeat Stephen with his full skills.
The western knight was arrogant, but he had the skills to do so, and no matter how much he prepared, it only lasted less than a month.
If there hadn’t been a lot of help for the duel, the match that day would have ended up being Vlad’s loss.
“······Thank you.”
There was a time when I thought that showing one’s honest feelings meant showing one’s weakness.
However, Vlad now had confidence in himself and had created a vessel capable of embracing even his weaknesses.
—–.
After receiving Vlad’s honest gratitude, the white snake raised its neck high and began to bob its head.
Since you have offered tribute and gratitude to me, I will share my blessings with you.
The sight reflected in the world of voices included a white snake singing toward the sky and the figure of Vlad in shining white armor.
The White Snake and Hainal.
Deermar of any world was welcoming the boy.
※※※※
The mission at Deermar is over.
Vlad and Bayezid’s knights, showing results that exceeded expectations, successfully drove out the uninvited visitors from the West, and now it was time to leave here with a fair reward.
“Come on in.”
Vlad, who came to Alicia’s office with Xayar, tilted his head without realizing it.
This was partly because of my long-standing habit of dealing with unfamiliar places, but also because the atmosphere felt quite different from Josef’s office.
“Are you at peace? Alicia.”
“Thank you.”
After greeting Xayar, Alicia turned her eyes to look at Vlad standing next to him.
‘······.’
Then, an image that she had not seen from afar came into Alicia’s eyes.
Small scars all over the face and steps that look somehow awkward.
There was a boy who willingly walked the path of hardship for a glorious victory.
“Are there any inconveniences? Lord Vlad? “Is there an injury?”
“it’s okay. Alicia.”
Although she said it was okay, from Alicia’s perspective, it was an answer that seemed rather sad.
Alicia knew very well that she was the cause of all of Vlad’s injuries.
“······I saw it yesterday and it looked like they were spraying alcohol on the hill?”
“you’re right.”
Every action the boy had shown so far was filled with respect for Deirmar.
Even when he was mistaken for a maid, Vlad would clean his parents’ graves.
“I gave my own greetings to the owners there. “It must have been possible because of their blessings.”
In addition, the faithfulness guaranteed by the famous priest Andrew.
Even if it wasn’t just because of his potential as a knight, there were countless factors that made Alicia think highly of Vlad.
“Every time I come to Deremar, I win a brilliant victory, so I guess the owners here view me favorably.”
“······is it so.”
Although Vlad was in a lower position compared to himself, a nobleman, even that was nothing short of an advantage for the current Alicia.
Even each other’s shortcomings were perfectly offset, so Alicia thought that her relationship with Vlad was like a shape where the broken vessels fit together.
“that’s right. “I also think that Sir Vlad and Deirmar are a good match.”
“······yes.”
Vlad rested his chin and felt something uneasy as he looked at Alicia looking at him.
When I first met her, her water-colored eyes gave a refreshing feeling, but now her eyes were so sticky that I could even feel them.
“Please tell Oksana. “Indeed, for the first time in a long time, she felt warmth in her veins.”
“All right.”
Jayar accepted the letter from Alicia and bowed his head.
Although this incident did not lead to a close relationship with Oksana, Josef would be satisfied with this level.
After experiencing trials in both the central and western regions, Alicia would have been able to clearly know which side she should stand on.
“And Lord Vlad, the knight who did my honor.”
The price to be paid to Josef has already been decided.
So now it was his turn to give up his sword for the boy who had raised it for him.
It will also have to be lifted very heavily so that it cannot be undone.
“I agree with you that the previous generations here will also like you.”
As soon as Alicia finished speaking, Duncan brought the box that had been prepared next to him as if he had been waiting for her.
It was a small wooden box, but even from the outside, you could tell that it had been treated with great care.
“So, my ancestors won’t say anything about me giving this to the Lord.”
Vlad, who protected Alicia, the rightful Hainal, and protected Deermar from the West.
In front of him, the wooden box that the Hainal family had kept in secret opened its mouth.
[······.]
“······.”
There was a round jewel emitting a brilliant yellow light.
It was a jewel that radiated an unusual energy that silenced the voices of Vlad, who was looking at the jewel right in front of him.
“It is said that the first head of the family was friendly with the elves.”
Elf.
Those who believe in a god different from the god that humans believe in.
There were different tribes that were pushed out to the eastern border because they believed differently.
“I heard that it was a gem obtained through a relationship with them. “My father told me that it was an amber stone made from the resin of a very precious tree.”
Even after Alicia finished speaking, Vlad just looked at the wooden box Duncan was holding with a cautious expression.
Vlad was focusing more on the words in the voice in his ear than on Alicia’s eyes looking at him.
[······I remember seeing that.]
Vlad promised the voice.
[If possible, please bring it. request.]
You give me the sword and I give you your memories back.
Using that promise as a stepping stone, the two of them were now standing here.
“My father used to attach this amber stone to the pommel of his sword. But since I had no reason to lift my sword, I was left rotting like this.”
Alicia smiled and nodded as if telling him to take it, but Vlad couldn’t move easily despite her laughter.
We know that you have to pay a high price for expensive items.
And the family treasure that Alicia gives away will definitely be more expensive than what she paid for it.
Because her smile that did not hide her laughter said so.
“······Do you dare take it to me?”
“Sure.”
But still, Vlad had his hands on the Hainal family treasure.
I decided to willingly hold that shining jewel in my hands and accept her bondage.
[thanks.]
I want to protect what I can.
The reason the boy was able to dream of stars even in the gutter was because he had his own standards that he fiercely refused to compromise.
“thank you. Alicia.”
It doesn’t necessarily have to be an article.
If only I could be confident in myself.
Vlad truly thought so, and so he held the yellow amber stone in his hand without hesitation.
The boy kept his promise.
[Look.]
The yellow jewel I held in my hand.
The jewel seen through the eyes of the voice was full of falling leaves.
It was always fall there.
※※※※
The distance between Deermar and Shoara was about three days by horseback.
Although it was a snowy road, the horses, adapted to the northern season, paid no attention to it and continued to lead their owners north.
“He was an ambitious guy.”
“I knew from the beginning.”
Bayezid’s knights constantly talk to Vlad, with Noir in the middle.
“Of course, if you’re a man, you should aim for high places!”
“How long have you been a knight and are you already aiming for a noble title?”
“······.”
Vlad just frowned as he listened to the sounds coming from all directions.
“It’s not like that.”
I really didn’t mean it that way.
It was just something I received to keep my promise to the voice.
“No, it doesn’t matter.”
“I really think it wasn’t a bad choice.”
However, to those around him, it didn’t seem that way at all.
Although it was nominally a borrowed item, Hainal’s treasure was practically handed over.
Since he gave it to the driver who took his handkerchief, it could be said that it was enough for others to misunderstand.
“You will have to report separately to Joseph.”
“······All right.”
If Vlad was still a squire, Xayar would probably have prevented Alicia from accepting the items she was giving away.
However, since Vlad was now a proud knight, it was bound to be an extremely ambiguous situation for him to step up on his behalf.
“I can see it!” “We’ve finally arrived.”
Amidst playful misunderstandings and vain excuses, the gates of Shoara finally began to appear ahead.
A city that was the boy’s hometown but was not always warm.
The gates of Shoara, locked in darkness, always evoked strange emotions in Vlad.
“You should try it.”
At that moment, a voice pushed Vlad forward, who was lost in thought for a moment as he looked at the walls of Shoara in front of him.
“Me?”
“Try it now.”
Vlad felt awkward for a moment at Xayar’s command pushing him forward.
Because it is a dark night, the walls that have been lowered will not open unless tomorrow morning comes to mind.
“Hmm.”
With a small cough, the boy and the black horse walked in front of the dark gates of Shoara.
Vlad, who was more accustomed to hiding in the dark and finding holes, found the current situation quite awkward.
“Who is there?”
The guard asked sharply as he saw the figure suddenly popping out, but Vlad simply raised his sword in its sheath.
The guard part of the sword given by Rutger had a pattern drawn on it that all of Bayezid’s knights had.
“I am Vlad, the knight of Bayezid.”
The location of the holes under the castle wall still remained in Vlad’s mind.
But the boy would no longer need to remember that place.
“I returned after completing my mission. “Open the door.”
Now, if you want to get in, you just have to say it confidently.
The boy was a man who had proven himself, and the symbol of Bayezid reflected in the torchlight was proof of that.
“welcome! “Vlad!”
With the shout of a guard who had confirmed the pattern, the gates of Shoara were opening through the darkness in front of them.
“······It’s really opening up.”
article.
It is a qualification, an honor, and a title that can only be held by those who have proven their existence.
A boy who has proven himself will no longer have to hide or wait.
From now on, the gates of Shoara will wait for the boy.
