CHAPTER 127

On a night where even the clouds concealed the moon.

The malicious intent clinging everywhere was viscous.

"Cough, gasp······."

With every rough breath exhaled, a streak of blood flowed down his forehead.

However, the old knight, worn out by age, had no strength left even to wipe his forehead.

Time was especially cruel to old people.

"······Ha."

The old knight finally reached a dead end and sighed.

Though he had cleared the way and fought his way through, he had ultimately been led to the very place his adversaries intended.

"It would have been better if you could have rested peacefully."

A man approached, pushing aside the men surrounding him.

"Didn't I tell you to retire?"

Finally, the moonlight revealed his figure.

"······A noble person has arrived."

With blond hair and blue eyes.

His sleek appearance might have appealed to anyone, but the vigor in his eyes was as sinister as anyone's.

"You must have had a hard time coming all the way here just because of this insignificant old man."

"It was something worth taking on."

Grumbling-

At the man's gesture, the men surrounding Auguste drew their swords.

In a polite manner, as if it were a final courtesy.

"You think too lightly of me, don't you? Though my fangs may be gone, my claws are still sharp."

Auguste's eyes burned coldly, preparing for the last stand.

Though retired, he still had one last mission to accomplish.

Now that the elves had been stopped, all he had to do was deliver the evidence he had brought to the imperial family, and the harm caused by Absilon would be exposed to everyone.

That was all he had to do.

"Surely not."

Yet, even in front of the old knight attempting to ignite the last flame, the man before him remained composed.

"Isn't that why I came myself?"

Mirshea, the commander of Dragon Slayer Knight Order.

With his words, the tips of the knights' swords were aimed towards Auguste.

The killing intent of those who slay dragons seeped chillingly towards the old knight.

"It's nothing grand, but we've prepared a retirement ceremony for you. I hope it suits your taste."

The malevolence hidden within his blue eyes squirmed.

When he raised his sword, he looked like a noble knight, but when aimed at someone, he resembled a beast baring its fangs.

'Blond hair... blue eyes.'

And cruelty.

A strong personality that started out noble but blossomed into cruelty at the end.

That personality was now staring back at him from within those blue eyes.

'Ahh.'

Flashes of malice approached.

Towards the weary, old lion.

Seeing the most shining malice among them, Auguste recalled the young knight he had met in the elf forest.

'It wasn't a personality.'

He was mistaken.

It was the trace of a child whose beginning was noble but whose end was cruel.

The cruelty Vlad exhibited wasn't a self-developed personality.

It was a predatory instinct that runs through sticky blood.

Clouds once again concealed the moon.

In the darkness without even moonlight, someone's movements crumbled slowly.

Within that, green tea leaves were pitifully scattered.

The truth someone sought was dispersing so transiently.

※※※※

The city of Marcia.

The sole city under the jurisdiction of Baron Rosmitz.

It wasn't particularly old, nor did it boast anything noteworthy within its territory; it was simply an ordinary place.

And now Vlad and Goth were walking towards the city of Marcia... but they were not there.

"Thanks, Captain."

"Well, I was thinking of heading back anyway."

Vlad replied somewhat awkwardly to Gott, who was expressing his gratitude.

It made sense, as the group was currently heading towards a remote village about a day's journey away from Marcia.

The place, which had no proper name and was simply called Wisteria village, was also the hometown of Gott.

"How long has it been?"

"What? Since I left home? Let's see, about six years, I guess."

"It's been quite a while."

Gott appeared to be in his mid-twenties, so if he said it was six years ago, he probably left as soon as he became an adult.

Or maybe even earlier, like Vlad.

"I'll just check if Mom and younger siblings are doing well and then come back."

"······."

The leader of the group was Vlad, and Gott was just a squire.

If the two were anything like ordinary knights and squire, Gott wouldn't have dared to suggest visiting his hometown.

So even now, Gott was carefully watching Vlad's reaction.

"Does your mother cook well?"

".....Well! The potato stew my mother makes is on a whole different level from what you get at most inns."

"Is that so?"

The weather was warm, and the breeze was gentle.

They had found clues about the voice in Ausrina and had set goals for the future, so it might feel like a short vacation this time around.

"If it's that delicious, we might as well stay for a couple of days."

"······Huh!"

Vlad treated others coldly, but this was not the case for everyone.

When Jorge looked at Vlad and commented that he was a guy who would be the leader in any alley, he was not just saying that because of his outstanding skills.

"Hey there."

Gott's fingertip, pointing towards his hometown that he hadn't seen in a long time, was trembling slightly.

The blue leaves scattered haphazardly near the entrance of the village.

The flower buds, which would soon turn purple, were welcoming the village's prodigal son, who had returned after a long time.

※※※※

"Halt!"

A guard with no special weapons, but fierce eyes, blocked the path of Vlad and Gott.

"Who goes there? What brought you to our village?"

It was obvious that these weren't regular guards, given the small size of the village. 

They were likely local youths playing the role of vigilante, but they seemed quite proficient in stopping outsiders.

"Thomson. It's me, Gott."

"Who? Gott?"

The guard tilted his head as he saw Gott waving happily at him from the horse.

"You know, the guy from the barn house on the hill."

"Ah, that Gott!"

A subtle smile appeared on the face of a guard named Thomson, who had now recognized Gott.

"It's been a few years. Where have you been all this time?"

"Just here and there."

As the two chatted amiably, Vlad quietly stroked Noir's neck.

Despite their conversation, there was an awkwardness between them.

And even among the other guards standing nearby.

'It doesn't seem like they're particularly welcoming.'

Vlad, who always assessed the atmosphere whenever he entered unfamiliar places, realized that the reception for Gott wasn't exactly warm.

It seemed like there had been some issues when he left the village.

"Are my mother and siblings doing well?"

"Yeah, they're fine. Nothing out of the ordinary."

However, Gott did not seem to care much about their reactions.

Seeing Gott's nonchalant attitude, Vlad scratched his chin quietly.

"It's good to see you back after so long. Just passing through quietly?"

"Yeah, just here for a short while. Maybe a day or two."

Gott tried to smile as he looked at Thomson, who was more wary than happy to see him after a long time.

"Stop by the village chief and say hello first."

Gott walked quietly among the guards who had put away their spears, bowing his head.

"Stop."

".....?"

But soon enough, the path was blocked by spears again.

Even though Gott had confirmed his identity, the guards were once again blocking Vlad's path.

"Hey, Thomson. He's my guest."

"We still need to verify."

"Thomson!"

While it might have been standard procedure for guards in a big city, this was a small village and they were just vigilantes.

Given that Gott was a former resident vouching for Vlad's identity, they could have let it slide, but their continued reaction was only cold.

"What's your name? You look young."

".....Ha."

Gott felt ignored.

In front of the village where he was born and raised.

The boy from the back alley inside Vlad felt the unpleasant yet familiar air and squinted fiercely.

"I'm Vlad."

Vlad pulled back the cloak given by Oksana and placed his hand on the sword hanging at his waist.

The glinting blade of the spirits indicated that the person before them was no ordinary individual.

"Knight of the Bayezid family. Vlad."

Golden hair and blue eyes.

And within those eyes, the aura of a fierce predator.

Thomson's back was covered in sweat as he felt like a rabbit standing in front of a wolf.

This was a mistake.

"I hope you never dare to ask for my name again."

"I'm sorry!"

Finally released from Vlad's piercing gaze, Thomson bent forward and bowed deeply.

For a person with a personality as ferocious as the knight in front of them felt, it would not have been surprising if the sword was swung right away for such rudeness.

Having effortlessly subdued the guards with just his presence, Vlad looked at Gott with irritation in his eyes.

"Sorry, Captain."

It wasn't annoying at being blocked by the guards.

Gott, who always smiled carefreely, now wore only a bitter smile.

'Annoying.'

Returning to his hometown after a long time, why was he so despondent?

Vlad didn't like that sight at all.

"Take it."

"Huh?"

Gott hastily caught the white object flying towards him.

".....Why this?"

A white flag fluttering in the wind.

Within it, the symbols of many nobles and organizations were looking at Gott.

"You lead. Let's not have this happen again."

It was an indifferent tone of voice, but it contained consideration for Gott.

Vlad doesn't know what Gott looked like when he left, but shouldn't he look confident when he comes back?

"....I'll guide you. Sir Vlad."

"Good."

Seeing Gott quickly understand his intentions, Vlad nodded lightly.

A flag bearing honor.

The eyes of the young people in the village were filled with awe as they watched the rider carrying the shining flag.

"Excuse us. Sir. Welcome!"

The slowly opening gates welcomed the two of them.

An honorable rider carrying a shining flag.

The humble figure that left the village had returned to his homeland as the rider holding the shining flag.

With a faint smile, Gott's chest swelled slowly as he led the way.

※※※※

Who's that? But how did he become so successful?

You know, the second son of the barn family.

That little brat made it big? Oh my, it seems like he succeeded outside.

In a small village where news of newcomers spread quickly but quietly, the arrival of a new stranger was already circulating rapidly.

"Were you that little brat?"

"..."

"Well, better a cheeky little brat than a scammer."

Confirming Gott's assessment from the murmurs around, Vlad smiled slightly.

If he had been too wicked or had a complicated past, Vlad wouldn't have kept him around for long. But being just a "little brat" seemed fine.

"If we go this way, we'll reach the village chief's house..."

"Let's go to your place first."

"Huh?"

Vlad clearly realized what kind of position he was in by watching and learning from Josef's side.

Now, he could act not as the timid boy from the alley, but as a confident knight.

"Tell the village chief to come to your house. Because it's a hassle to get there."

Excessive politeness only lowers oneself.

Knowing how to behave appropriately was the key to receiving proper treatment.

"I got it."

"Don't go by yourself, just grab anyone and pass on the message."

"Got it."

Since coming to this village because of Gott anyway, it would be good to give him a little space while he was here.

"Hey, up there on the hill."

"Let's go."

Noir, who did not like having other horses in front of him, quietly followed Gott from behind this time.

The knight and his horse communicated their intentions through the close-knit world they shared.

".....Looks like lunch is ready."

"Looks like it."

A solitary house visible ahead.

Smoke was rising from the old chimney, which now seemed like it might not function properly anymore.

"Mom... Mom, I'm here."

Carefully opening the door attached to the fence, Gott called out.

Gott's voice gradually subsided as he saw his hometown look the same as when he left.

"Mom."

At the sound of the door opening, a woman emerged from the kitchen.

She looked worn out.

Although the scarf firmly tied around her head was clean, it looked worn out.

Her face was marked with wrinkles of time that could not be hidden.

Deep wrinkles that her poor son had probably never smoothed out.

"Gott? Is it really you, Gott?"

The ladle the woman was holding fell to the ground.

"Oh, Gott!"

"Mom."

While everyone in the village ignored him, she was welcoming Gott with open arms.

To everyone else, he may have been a nuisance, but to this woman, he was undoubtedly her precious son.

".....Today's lunch is potato stew, right?"

Seeing the mother and son embracing each other with tears in their eyes, Vlad tapped the ground for no reason.

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I had a home-cooked meal."

Vlad lifted his heavy eyes and saw smoke rising up the chimney.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen seemed to evoke memories long forgotten.

Today, Vlad would have a warm stew prepared by a mother for her son, something he hadn't tasted in a long time.