Chapter 227 - The Reason He Left (1)

The count's face was swollen, as if he hadn't slept well.

Pablo, who was next to him, and the guards who guarded the study door, also showed the same expression.

The people of Arnstein had been roused early in the morning, before dawn, and all sighed softly as they looked at Vlad in front of them.

"I'm glad you look healthy, Lord Vlad."

"Thank you for your concern."

"And you also seem to be full of energy."

"…I'm sorry, Count."

Vlad remained silent while looking at Count Arnstein, who seemed very tired.

It wasn't that he had nothing to say, but he realized it wasn't the right time to speak.

"I understand. You just woke up, so you probably haven't grasped the situation. Where should I start explaining?"

"No need, Count. I already received a summary of the situation from my mage."

It was dawn when he relentlessly beat Radu, who was trying to steal the dragon-slaying sword. Vlad, having heard the general situation from Nibelun and Pedro, who came running upon hearing the loud noise, already knew of Joseph's betrayal and disappearance.

"…To be honest, I still can't believe it."

"I suppose after being bedridden for two weeks, you'll need time to fully recover."

The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was Joseph passing by his side.

The image of him walking pale under the blue moon still seemed unreal, like a dream.

"Still, I'd like to ask you something. What do you plan to do now?"

"…"

The count's eyes, closely watching him, had a cold and bitter intensity that gripped Vlad's mind, who finally felt the pain rising from his chest.

"I feel sorry for having been invited as a guest and causing great harm to the host."

Vlad's deep bow, despite the large wounds he had not yet recovered from, clearly showed his sincerity.

Such an attitude even made Count Arnstein, known for being strict about manners, look at him with satisfaction.

"So please, give me a chance to compensate for the damage I've caused to this territory."

But the Count would not know.

That Vlad's posture was completely inspired by Joseph.

Although he was weak, the man with deep shadows in his eyes always remained proud, someone Vlad admired deeply.

"What kind of opportunity?"

Vlad's eyes shone as he looked at the count. Joseph had told him that opportunities are found in the midst of crises.

Arnstein was completely distressed by Frausen's attack, but this was the right time to speak since he was so upset.

"Please lend me the Arnstein coat of arms."

Vlad turned his head and looked at the Arnstein family emblem nailed in a corner of the study.

Although the study was in complete disarray, the sight of the upright flag symbolized the count's pride.

"If you lend me the Count's coat of arms, I will shout Arnstein's name first as I pierce their hearts."

Use me as a sword to replace your anger.

If you do, while piercing our enemies, Arnstein's name will be the first I shout.

"…"

Knock, knock.

There were three people standing in the study, but only one sound was heard.

The sound that echoed through the silence was Count Arnstein's fingers tapping on the table.

"It's an interesting move."

Count Arnstein, now leaning deeply in his chair, was smiling.

Although it was a transparent move, Vlad's intention was appreciated, and this was reflected in his smile.

"Yes, that's how it should be. People should always try something."

"…"

"I like your attitude. I would have preferred a bit more caution."

Originally, people felt more joy in seeing things grow than in seeing things created.

And now the count appreciated Vlad's wild efforts, despite his clear intentions.

"I will give you my emblem."

The count had noticed the small flag Vlad had brought with him when he first arrived at the mansion.

The flag hanging from his black horse was an ancient tradition of knights, much like the rules of sword masters.

"Prove your innocence and that of your companions with my emblem."

Arnstein's name, the leader of the central region, was definitely a popular name everywhere.

Even if he didn't know it in the north, Vlad had no standing in the central region, so his cooperation was essential to follow the steps of Frausen and Joseph.

"Thank you, Count."

"Please don't forget. The conditions you set for me."

However, there is no cooperation without compensation.

The count's mouth was smiling, but his eyes, which were looking at Vlad, were not smiling.

"You must drive my emblem into Joseph's heart."

"…"

Vlad turned around and did not see his eyes.

However, his voice, which was as cold as the doorknob he was holding, clearly carried a weight that was hard to ignore.

***

"I am Radu Dragulia. As a noble of the Empire, I have rights."

Although his face was that of a withered old man, his voice was young.

Nibelun's expression slowly wrinkled, as if the strange discrepancy was unbearable.

"I claim my rights as a legitimate prisoner. I am entitled to them!"

Radu, who had lost his mind in the Dragulia mansion's basement, had now recovered enough to be concerned about his safety.

Although the circumstances under which he expressed himself were quite pathetic, it was enough to make it seem like he wouldn't die on the way north.

"Then why did you try to steal someone else's sword? That sword is very precious to Lord Vlad."

"I didn't steal it! I was just looking at it!"

"That's enough to consider it theft."

Nibelun and Pedro, who had endured the commotion since dawn, lowered their heads as if they had lost their strength.

There was no hesitation in Vlad's fist, which struck Radu as if to kill him.

An ex-pickpocket who lived a life of stealing was someone who hated being robbed more than dying.

"Anyway, Lord Pedro, you have a duty to protect me. Didn't you bring me here in God's name?"

"…There are no dragons that I get along with."

Pedro shook his head as he looked at Radu clinging to him.

Instead of being grateful for having his life saved, Radu demanded protection loudly.

Isn't this the equivalent of rescuing a drowning person and then asking them to hand over their wallet?

"…Calm down first. I don't think they'll kill you."

"That guy is really a murderer! Even though I just met him, my knight's instinct tells me so!"

Seeing Radu intimidated by Vlad, his half-brother and another dragon, Pedro tried to calm him, but his efforts were in vain.

¡Kwaang-!

"Why are you making so much noise?"

"Aaaah!"

"Why do you enter by breaking the door? It has a handle!"

Pedro held his head as if it hurt when he saw Vlad enter the room where the three of them were gathered with a loud bang.

This was because Radu, who had managed to calm down due to Vlad's sudden appearance, began to panic again.

"Excellent. Stay here for a moment."

"Vlad, Vlad Aureo! I have rights!"

"What are you talking about? Didn't I hit you enough before?"

Although Vlad was usually rough, today he seemed even more annoyed.

Radu looked at Vlad and quickly shut his mouth, following his instinctive judgment.

"Nibelun. Can you use the magical telegram now?"

"I think so."

"Then connect me with Sturma. I already obtained Count Arnstein's consent."

Vlad said as he handed Nibelun a small note.

The note contained a number that could connect to a magical sphere linked to the Sturma mansion, Bayezid's home.

"Should I connect you with Lord Rutger?"

"No."

"Then, with whom?"

Nibelun, who expected to connect with Rutiger, was surprised to hear the name Vlad mentioned.

"With Dorothea, Lord Rutiger's mage. I need to ask her about the inscriptions."

Rutiger's mage, the human beast Dorothea, was also the first person to reveal the mysteries to Vlad.

Vlad remembered well how she etched a vibratory mark on his sword when he fought the toughest dragon, the Death Worm.

"It seems I need to inscribe something on my sword. So I need her information."

"Understood."

Nibelun silently got up, though not without some unease.

This was because Vlad's eyes, as he looked at him, shone as if he had found a clue.

"…Radu Dragulia."

In the room where Nibelun left, a heavy silence suddenly fell.

This was because Vlad's eyes, as he looked at Radu, had a strange and indescribable kind of madness in them.

They were like the eyes of a predator watching its prey.

"I heard about you. You are from the Dragon Slayer Knights, right?"

"Yes, that's correct!"

"You were also a confidant of Duke Sarnus. So, did you serve as commander of the army that came to attack Moshiam?"

Vlad, who was sitting near Nibelun, was so close that he could hear Radu breathe.

"Well. I was in charge at that time."

Upon Vlad's words, Radu's back began to straighten as if recalling his former self.

Although he had now become very miserable, Radu was once a promising knight and Dragulia, who dreamed of becoming a perfect dragon.

"You know that woman, right? A witch dressed in black mourning clothes."

The Dragulia army in Moshiam was clearly acting suspiciously.

That is, they spent almost half a year simply besieging, ignoring the claims of Bishop Pedro, who was also in the war.

Although it was a delay to put pressure on the north, the fact that such a smooth delay was possible was clear proof that there was some relationship between Ramashthu and Dragulia.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"Don't lie. Just hearing this story makes me smell something bad."

Vlad's growl right in front of him was unusual, but Radu was struggling to keep his mouth shut.

In the first place, the question Vlad was about to ask was the answer the Northern Orthodox Church wanted, and it was also the only valuable condition under which he could reach an agreement.

"You've met those guys, haven't you?"

"I'll go north and talk."

"You know what you saw, don't you? You probably know the meeting point."

"I'll go north and talk."

Seeing that Radu did not easily open his mouth to survive or recover, Vlad drew Jorge's dagger.

The sharp dwarf dagger was so bright that it could open a closed mouth, but it was soon stopped by Pedro.

"Don't do that. Torture is not allowed."

"Why?"

Vlad paused at Pedro's stern expression.

No matter how busy he was, he knew who the person who wrapped the bandage around him was.

"Radu Dragulia is an imperial noble and a person protected by God. He has the right to be guaranteed safety according to imperial law and the providence of the Church."

"Who granted that protection?"

"I did."

When it came to heresy, Pedro was the most ruthless torturer of all, but when it came to Radu, he had to be a great protector.

"I asked for God's protection in my name. In other words, the rights he has as a prisoner are the holy war I am waging."

"…"

It was a sudden accident that occurred early in the morning, but now that I know, it was something that couldn't be helped.

Unless he was willing to ignore the protection provided in Pedro's name, Vlad also had to acknowledge Radu's rights as a prisoner.

"When are the people from the north coming?"

"In three days."

"I don't have time."

When Vlad said he didn't have time, Radu straightened his head even more.

It was a threat right in front of him, but it was because he confirmed that Vlad could not harm him for a just cause.

"…Can I simply acknowledge your rights as a prisoner of war?"

Vlad's eyes shone as he looked at Radu.

Things were going strangely, but Radu, who was related to Ramashthu, could not be sent north in this way.

"Well. Because you're a knight. Protecting Radu is fulfilling the duty of a knight."

"Aren't you a knight?"

"What?"

Pedro did not hide his surprise as he saw Vlad hastily removing his armor.

It was armor he had put on with great effort with Nibelun's help, but now Vlad was taking it off.

"It's okay to hit someone when you're not a knight, right?"

"What does that mean?"

There was no time to stop him.

Vlad's agile movements were not something Pedro could stop, no matter how injured he was.

Boom!

"Big brother! Nice to meet you!"

"No no!"

As Vlad shouted, calling his brother, fierce punches began to fly.

"It's nice to see you, but why don't you tell me what interests your brother? You're ignoring me now!"

"Crazy bastard! Stop!"

It definitely won't be torture.

It's just the behavior of a younger brother looking for his older brother.

Radu's eyes widened when he realized what kind of trick Vlad was trying to pull.

"Why are you my brother?"

"We have the same father, but why am I not your younger brother?"

Pedro, who simply saw the brothers fighting instead of being a torturer trying to get information, nodded at Vlad's eyes that looked at him.

"…Should I step outside?"

"I think it will take an hour."

"Don't leave!"

Neither imperial law nor the discipline of the sword master can stop personal fights between brothers.

Pedro, who realized this, simply left the room quietly to attend to his needs.

Then, in the room where no one was watching, the fight between the younger brother and the older brother was the only thing that broke out.

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