Star-Embracing Swordmaster – 5



Knights of Whores (2)

An empty lot that can only be reached by going deep into the back alleys of the city.

There there was a boy sweating beadingly swinging a wooden stick.

“Sigh!”

Although it was a small and unsightly place it was the first territory that Vlad had gained on his own.

For a boy who had been unable to hold anything in his hands since birth it was the first thing he had achieved through struggle.

And until a few years ago it was also the place where the hut that housed Vlad Zemina and Haven was located.

‘There’s no need to fix it.’

A hut that used to be one’s home but has now collapsed because it cannot be used by humans.

Vlad who had been staring at it turned his head again and began to focus his mind on the tip of the stick.

Everything that has a shape is destined to collapse.

It may look sad but it has served its purpose so we just need to remember it.

Because I won’t be going back there anymore.

Boom-

The blond boy constantly repeats the basics that Jorge hinted at promising in his heart that he will never go back to the way he was before.

It was a cold winter but the boy’s back was already full of sweat.

Vlad was like a hedgehog surrounded by thorns of pride but he was also a child who always had a desire to learn.

Haven showed it.

Through his brilliant mind he learned letters and numbers on his own and is now using them to work under Captain Hoover.

Haven is a disabled person who has his fingers cut off and cannot even walk properly.

If he had neglected his studies he would probably have been starving and begging somewhere in a back alley by now.

“Sigh!”

The experience of learning through effort and rising to a higher level through learning.

It was a difficult experience for people in the back alleys living without any hope but Vlad was a witness who saw it right next to them.

That’s why I was swinging a wooden stick after finishing my day’s work.

however.

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Vlad who was repeating the basics while sweating began to frown.

[….]

“…shit. “If you just swing at something it’s all hell really.”

It was a quiet vacant lot with no one around but only Vlad could hear it clearly.

Someone’s voice echoing in my head.

Vlad shook his head vigorously to ignore it.

[The boy should narrow the angle of his elbow when he strikes down.]

However an unknown voice was persistently speaking to Vlad.

Even if you covered your ears and warned you to be quiet it was a voice you could hear as long as you were holding something similar to a sword.

“…I should start by buying holy water with the money I got this time.”

I couldn’t tell if it was advice or interference but the sound of it coming every time I practiced was enough to confuse the boy’s mind.

“Why did lightning strike me at that time?”

Vlad began swinging the wooden stick in frustration and anger.

For a boy who was overwhelmed just thinking about survival the current situation was enough to make him vent his anger.

It was a month ago.

Just like now I started hearing voices coming from Vlad’s head.

A month ago a bolt of lightning suddenly struck Vlad while he was walking down a back alley.

No matter how alert the boy was it was impossible to stop the lightning that fell from the sky.

It was literally a thunderbolt in a dry sky.

That alone was a strange natural phenomenon that was difficult to explain but the problem was that the lightning that fell had a dark black appearance.

The events of that strange and ominous day which were difficult to explain to anyone were still following Vlad in the form of rumors to this day.

Rumor has it that Vlad was possessed by the devil.

“So I went to church and made an offering with the money I didn’t have.”

And the ominous content contained in the rumor was somewhat true.

Vlad who was aware of this tried to prove his innocence and solve the problem by hurriedly going to church making donations and helping with chores.

“I just threw away money for no reason!”

Despite Vlad’s efforts the voice was still heard.

The boy became angry when he realized that everything he had done so far was in vain.

However if he told the church that there was someone speaking to him in his head Vlad who was just a boy from an alley might be caught and burned at the stake.

No it won’t.

Because the world was harsher on the weak.

“Whoa.”

Vlad who had been wheezing angrily for a while felt that the being talking to him had quieted down.

‘Ignore it! They said the more I answer the more I stick to it!’

Remembering Jemina’s words warning him Vlad tried to regain peace.

“Vlad! Long live Jorge!”

“….”

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I frowned when the girl I was thinking about just a moment ago came out right next to me.

“That’s it for today.”

Vlad was a man who could not just sit back and train comfortably like the sons of noble families.

He was just a person from the back alleys who had to starve for two days if he didn’t work for one day.

“okay.”

“Come quickly! “I knew you were practicing and I purposely bought you some time.”

“…I said I understood.”

Now it was time to wake up from the dream and go to the shabby reality.

Before answering Zemina’s call Vlad decided to swing his stick one last time.

“Whoa….”

Always do your best in the end.

Concentrate all your mind and strength.

Hit it down

[Narrow it down!]

“…!”

At that moment a voice echoed sharply in my head.

Startled by that voice Vlad unconsciously narrowed the angle of his elbows.

Boom-!

Unlike before I could feel the wooden stick being hit hard along with the sound of the fierce wind.

“wow.”

It fell so cleanly that even Jemina who was staring blankly from the side looked surprised.

“…shit.”

Only then did Vlad have no choice but to admit it.

It was correct to narrow the angle of the elbow.

And that the unknown being inside his head knows how to use a sword.

If what I had done until now was just a swing.

Because what I just followed the voice down was a sword road.

※※※※

Although it is described as a back alley it was clearly a part of the city.

As the size of Shoara was huge the area called the back alley was also large so naturally a section that could be called a downtown was created in the back alley.

Because the territories of the five bosses who ruled the back alleys were divided around this area each gang member refrained from making a big fuss or acting out in the downtown area.

Therefore it was always a place full of the voices of drinkers and merchants.

Not now.

“….”

“….”

Vlad and Jemina were walking down a busy back alley.

The two of them always bickered and exchanged words but now they had no choice but to quietly walk down the alley without saying a word.

“It’s too quiet.”

“Everyone knows.”

Vlad quietly turned his head and looked at the stores in the downtown area.

Some stores were completely closed and those that were open had all their stalls inside.

It looked like it was ready to close at any time.

“I think everyone thinks it’s going to be a big hit this time.”

“….”

There have been several instances in which members of the organization have clashed with one another but it has been a long time since anything as violent as this one has occurred.

The merchants in the downtown area probably expected a big storm as it had been lying there for a long time.

“Are you okay?”

Zemina looked at Vlad who spoke indifferently and asked.

Vlad may have to take the lead in the approaching storm.

Although she did not show it Jemina was trembling with anxiety that the boy she had been closely attached to for so long would not have much time left before he would plunge into wanton violence.

The boy named Vlad was a friend a family member and one of the few people the girl could rely on.

“…You shouldn’t go out alone for a while. No it would be better to just not leave the store.”

However rather than answering Jemina’s question Vlad was focusing on the men looking at them from the other end of the downtown area.

There One-Armed Jack’s subordinate whom he had defeated was staring with his eyes wide open.

“…okay.”

Gemina naturally left her behind and answered while looking at Vlad who was exchanging murderous glances with someone.

It has always been like this.

Vlad never hesitated to fight someone to protect himself.

Jemina was always grateful for that but she couldn’t say it out loud.

But now he thought that perhaps he should convey the words he had kept in his heart before it was too late.

Vlad and Jemina pass through the downtown area with different thoughts and arrive at the rose’s smile.

As the two people entered the store and opened the door the attention of the employees sitting in the lobby focused for a moment and then dispersed.

“What are you all doing? “Aren’t you working?”

Vlad asked out loud but no one answered him.

Last inspection time before opening Rose’s Smile.

It was a busy time with the employees moving around and arranging furniture and the women fixing their makeup but now they were just gathered in groups of twos and threes talking quietly.

“It’s annoying.”

The tension on the streets was reaching here.

“Is there some kind of war?”

Vlad who was appalled by that sight grumbled and went up to the fourth floor where Jorge was.

What will happen will happen anyway.

Vlad’s eyes turned cold as he looked at the people gathered together like rabbits in fear.

The boy who was bold in nature found it difficult to understand these aspects of ordinary people.

“I called. “Jorge?”

“uh. okay.”

And that was what Jorge expected from the boy.

When Vlad came up to the fourth floor he saw Jorge laying out food as usual.

The boy was relieved to see that.

Jorge was from the same family as himself.

“I heard you called me?”

“huh. “You don’t sell candles from today.”

Vlad’s lips lifted after hearing Jorge’s words.

Some people said it was good but Vlad thought that digging grass was not suited to his spiritual aptitude.

“Then what do I do next? Stores collect? Or area patrol?”

“Hmm….”

Jorge smiled as he looked at Vlad who was facing him with shining eyes.

Because the young boy in front of me had a strong heart that did not give in to being the boss of the organization.

If he had still been a knight he would have had no hesitation in making a boy named Vlad his squire.

“Intelligence has come in that One-Armed Jack is bringing in people from outside. “They say he was a knight and mercenary.”

“Like Jorge?”

“…okay. “Like me.”

Jorge smiled bitterly and drank the remaining beer.

The beer that he couldn’t finish flowing down his rough beard.

“It looks like he’s serious about trying this time.”

“….”

Vlad quietly shook his head as he listened to Jorge.

Money-making one-armed Jack.

He was a person who mainly worked in the private loan business and through his abundant wealth he was able to attract gang members and form the largest power in the back alleys.

However one-armed Jack was always as uncomfortable as Jorge with the rose smile and that was because of Jorge’s capabilities as a knight.

Even if they are numerous a flock of sheep cannot stand against a wolf.

Moreover no matter how much money they had truly talented people did not easily lend their swords to back alley bosses.

Therefore the real existence of Jorge was like a wall that was difficult for one-armed Jack to overcome.

So one-armed Jack is a member of the organization and Jorge is a person himself.

The two strangely balanced their power and did not invade each other.

If One-Armed Jack succeeded in inviting a prosecutor who could stand against Jorge the story was bound to be different.

“It is true that if this happens we are at a disadvantage. “That’s why I need you.”

“Me?”

Vlad looked at Jorge with wide eyes when his name suddenly came out.

“okay. “This is something only you a former brat in our organization can do.”

Jorge was smiling.

“As the boss of the organization I will give you your first task.”

Without a single speck of tension or fear.

The blond-haired boy who was waiting for his words was actually showing an expression of anticipation.

It was always fun to watch young children with potential.