Ch.13First Mission

“Theo, that’s not how you execute the Imperial Dawn. Are you trying to create an entirely new sword style?”

“Flora, didn’t I order you? Use only the Imperial Dawn. Don’t rely too much on the Pel family’s swordsmanship.”

“Seorin… you’re the best among the three. Perfect. With just a slight correction to your posture, there would be nothing to criticize.”

Seorin, Theo, and Flora lay sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily. Theo and Flora’s expressions were not pleasant.

The two had trained in a single sword style their entire lives. They had practiced to the point where the forms appeared unconsciously in all their movements. Despite knowing better, their bodies moved on their own. They rejected the unfamiliar and displayed the familiar.

That’s why using only the Imperial Dawn in sparring with Karnok was extremely difficult for both of them.

Conversely, this condition wasn’t a major problem for Seorin. It was thanks to the blessing that allowed her to utilize others’ memories as if they were her own.

Seorin frowned. Frustration was gradually building up. She had joined this organization called Cheongik solely for revenge. Training to become stronger was fine, but she was growing eager to track down the reincarnators and avenge her brothers’ resentment.

From Seorin’s perspective, with just Karnok’s help, she could capture and kill the reincarnator who had destroyed her tribe.

It wasn’t just Karnok. The other members staying at Cheongik headquarters were also incredibly strong. There were three more warriors as powerful as Karnok, so what was the problem?

Unable to contain herself any longer, Seorin spoke to Karnok.

“Vice Commander.”

“What?”

“When are we going to hunt the reincarnators?”

“I was wondering when that question would come up.”

Karnok nodded as if familiar with such inquiries.

“On the last day of my intensive training with you all. That’s when we’ll go on our first mission. With me, of course.”

At Karnok’s answer, Flora and Theo jumped to their feet. The boy and girl fired questions one after another.

“R-really! Are we truly going to subjugate a reincarnator?”

“Does that mean we can use sword styles other than the Imperial Dawn then?”

Karnok didn’t answer until the two calmed down. When they appeared somewhat settled, Karnok opened his previously closed mouth.

“Of course, we’re really going to subjugate a reincarnator. We’ll be dealing with an uninvited guest who crossed over from another dimension, not a person of this world.”

They had received an answer to their question. Theo nodded and took a step back. Karnok’s gaze turned to Flora. It was time to answer the second question.

“My orders remain valid even during missions. Use only the Imperial Dawn, not personal sword styles. However, if there are no other members around, you may use your personal style.”

After answering Flora’s question, Karnok looked at Seorin. His eyes seemed to ask if she had no questions.

Seorin sat up. She had mountains of questions she wanted to ask. However, she couldn’t ask them all.

So she asked what she was most curious about.

“I’m curious about the appearance and attire of the reincarnator we’re targeting. I mean, I’m curious, sir.”

If the date for the mission was already set, they must have already obtained information about the target. Seorin’s assumption was correct.

“Age 15, light blonde hair with blue eyes, using the name ‘Akmin.’ He uses a sword as his weapon, and his hand-to-hand combat skills are also top-notch, so it would be wise to be cautious. I’ll distribute more detailed information documents later, so check there.”

Karnok’s gaze lingered on Seorin. Despite hearing the answer, her expression hadn’t relaxed, so he wondered if she had another question.

Seorin opened her mouth again.

“Is it not possible to pursue a specific target?”

“You don’t have a habit of reading books, do you?”

“Books…?”

“The [Cheongik Manual] in your room. It’s all written in there.”

Seorin nodded blankly at Karnok’s answer.

‘I need to learn how to read. It wasn’t unnecessary after all. It’s an essential element for living here.’

After training ended in the afternoon, Seorin headed to the adjacent room. It was the room of Flora, who had joined at the same time as her.

[Knock knock]

As she knocked as she had been taught, Flora appeared from inside the room.

“Seorin?”

Flora’s face had returned to its original pretty state, with all the swelling gone from the past few days. The human body was truly mysterious. Seorin poked Flora’s cheek, which had been swollen before.

“W-what are you doing…?”

“It’s all healed.”

“Well, yes…”

Seorin withdrew her hand. Then she naturally entered Flora’s room. The action was so natural that Flora couldn’t react at all.

‘Did I invite her in…?’

Sitting in a chair, Seorin immediately got to the point.

“Flora. Can you read books?”

“Um… yes?”

“I have a favor to ask. I would like you to teach me how to read.”

Saying this, Seorin took out the money pouch she had brought. She had learned that to borrow others’ labor, one must pay an appropriate price. That’s why she had brought the money pouch.

“You want me to teach you how to read…? Don’t tell me…”

Flora, in the middle of speaking, gaped blankly. She had remembered Seorin’s origin.

“That’s right. You were an Astrian.”

“So that’s what you call us… Vice Commander Karnok said the same thing… So, is it possible?”

“Hmm. Every day would be difficult. I need to do my personal training too.”

Flora said this as she placed a blank notebook, a pen, and a book titled [Cheongik Manual] on the table.

“Keep your money. It’s not that difficult a task.”

Flora was kind.

***

Time passed quickly. The repetitive training that continued for about four days succeeded in somewhat erasing the forms of the existing sword styles from Theo and Flora’s bodies. This meant they had become that much more accustomed to the Imperial Dawn.

As they became familiar with the Imperial Dawn, the three’s coordinated attacks became more proficient. Their strikes, which slipped through gaps and openings, became sharper, and their defense became more solid, as if complementing each other’s vulnerabilities.

During that time, Seorin learned to read in her spare moments. Now she could read and write a few simple words, including her own name.

Waking up early in the morning, Seorin found herself unusually excited. It was the day of their first mission. The thought of being able to capture and kill the hateful reincarnators with her own hands made it impossible to calm her excitement.

She felt this way even though it wasn’t the person directly responsible for destroying her tribe.

Rising from her bed, Seorin immediately prepared to go out. Since she had packed her bag the night before, she didn’t need to gather anything else.

She put on the uniform she had been issued and placed three swords in the scabbard on her back. Originally, Seorin had five swords, but the other two had broken during training.

The remaining space felt quite empty.

After completing all preparations and opening the door, she found Flora waiting in front. She too was dressed in the same uniform as Seorin.

“All ready?”

“Yes.”

The week had rapidly brought Flora and Seorin closer. Also, as Flora stayed up late to help Seorin with her reading lessons, the two had become something like friends.

“Oh, you two going on your first mission?”

“Don’t get yourselves killed by sticking your necks out.”

Those who had joined before Flora and Seorin each threw a comment and disappeared. Seorin and Flora stared blankly at their seniors before turning away.

As they left the living quarters, they found Karnok waiting with Theo. Seorin and Flora immediately joined them.

“Everyone’s here… Let’s depart right away.”

Karnok carefully examined the three people he was in charge of. First, Theo. He looked quite tired. Though trying to hide it, he seemed to have tossed and turned all night from excitement and tension.

Next, Flora. Better than Theo, but her breathing was slightly trembling. Her expression was also stiffer than usual, seemingly hardened by tension.

Finally, Seorin. Better than the other two. She didn’t appear tense, and her breathing was calm. She didn’t seem to have had trouble sleeping either.

‘She’s the best…’

That was Karnok’s assessment.

Karnok immediately led the three out of Cheongik headquarters. Since he had completed all the complicated procedures the day before, there was no need for additional effort.

As they left Cheongik headquarters, Karnok said:

“You won’t die as long as you stay by my side. Don’t be nervous.”

His tone was confident. Theo’s expression noticeably brightened.

Karnok smiled lightly and said:

“I’ll only be with you for the first mission. I won’t be there after that, so learn well now.”

The first place Karnok headed was a post station operated by the Empire. It was also a place where members of the Imperial Knights could borrow horses and carriages at any time.

“Show the Knights’ emblem, and you can borrow horses and carriages from any post station in the Empire. You must use this when traveling long distances, so remember it well.”

Saying this, Karnok borrowed two horses and a small carriage. Normally, knights don’t borrow carriages when going on missions. He borrowed it only because he thought there might be injuries.

Karnok didn’t bother telling the children this fact.

“Everyone board!”

At Karnok’s command, the three hurried into the carriage. After confirming that everyone had boarded, Karnok went to the driver’s seat, sat down, and pulled the reins.

Clop-clop-clop-clop-clop—

The carriage quickly left the Imperial Castle.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was tense. This was because Seorin was reading the document containing the reincarnator’s personal information with a serious expression.

“Hey, Flora. Did something bad happen to Seorin yesterday…?”

“I don’t know… I’m not sure…”

Theo and Flora whispered, watching Seorin’s mood.

There was no significant reason for Seorin’s unpleasant expression.

‘Sword, swordsmanship? This word is… village… boy… This is so difficult.’

For Seorin, the writing of civilized people was truly challenging.