Ch.33Sun Tail

The day of the delegation’s return had arrived.

Saeeurin’s gaze followed the procession that stretched from the entrance of the royal palace. The straight road cut across the city of Sun Tail.

It was said to be a path prepared by Sun Tail to welcome the departing delegation. A ceremony conducted before a dear friend embarks on a long journey.

‘About two thousand people, they said…’

However, that sincerity seemed a bit excessive. No ordinary citizens were visible. The aura emanating from those standing in line to form the path was incredibly intense.

It was a path created by selected royal knights and well-trained soldiers. The aura they emitted was as sharp as a well-forged blade.

“Wow… this is suffocating.”

“Is it because of what happened yesterday? Even the Royal Knights have come out.”

“They’re trying to salvage their last bit of pride.”

Among the Imperial delegation, only the lower-ranking members and ordinary nobles seemed tense. The deputy commander and several mid-ranking members were merely smiling lightly, as if finding it amusing.

“Let’s depart now. We can’t just stand here while they’re waiting like that.”

Everyone nodded at Karnok’s words. Just as the delegation was about to leave the main gate of the royal palace.

Thud-!

An invisible collision of energies erupted into a rough impact. These were the deputy commanders of the Imperial Knights, who were said to be able to handle a thousand soldiers alone. They revealed their aura without restraint.

They didn’t yield in presence. Rather, they pushed back. As the Imperial delegation moved forward, the royal forces positioned near them had to retreat with pale expressions.

Saeeurin’s gaze turned to Karnok’s back. Though she thought she had become stronger, she was still far from matching the deputy commander.

Her small hand gripping the sword wave tightened.

Thud-! Thud-! Thud-!

Just five people withstanding the aura of nearly two thousand enemies. The fact that their expressions remained unchanged meant the deputy commanders had that much composure.

Thud-!

The aura emitted by the royal forces changed. They stomped their feet and sang songs that were close to battle cries. Mana was infused into their aura, creating an even more formidable energy.

A phenomenon created when mana cultivation methods of the same type resonate.

‘It’s similar to the formation techniques of that other world.’

Which one is the root? There are many similarities. Mana cultivation methods and heart techniques, swordsmanship, powers called mana and inner force.

Saeeurin closed her eyes with a relaxed expression. After all, it wasn’t her walking the path, but the horse she was riding. She just needed to use this moment as a stepping stone for the prologue.

Let it flow. As she employed the verse of the White Dragon Heart Technique, breathing became easier. Instead of confronting the powerful aura, she deflected it like flowing water.

This was something only the deputy commanders could accomplish. In her current state, she couldn’t fully withstand the aura emitted by the royal side. She would have surely collapsed, coughing blood.

That’s exactly what they were aiming for. A light smile appeared on Saeeurin’s lips.

“Next time we come, it’ll be more fun.”

At Karnok’s words, Saeeurin looked back. She gazed at the nobles of the kingdom who had come out to welcome the delegation.

‘He doesn’t show up till the end.’

The first prince of the kingdom, Jiyur, was nowhere to be seen. She had wanted to say something to him if they met. Saeeurin closed her eyes again.

The Imperial delegation finally reached the edge of the city. The aura emitted by the royal forces was also coming to an end.

Flutter-!

A sudden desert wind made the Imperial Knights’ flag flutter.

***

A week had passed since the delegation returned to the Imperial Castle. Thanks to the divine power Saeeurin had shown, many members from other headquarters sought her out, but Saeeurin rejected all meetings, focusing on rest to recover from her injuries.

Her upset stomach had settled. There was no pain when moving her arms and legs. Her senses had also been revived sharply.

Saeeurin’s revival.

Rising from her sickbed, Saeeurin first lurked around the men’s dormitory. All the members dispatched to eliminate Hayato, her sworn enemy, were male.

As she wandered near the dormitory, Saeeurin’s gaze caught a familiar figure. It was Theo.

Theo was heading to the laundry room with a large basket in his hands. Since the boy couldn’t possibly wear all those clothes himself, it must include laundry from his seniors as well.

Saeeurin approached Theo in one breath.

Swish-

Saeeurin’s figure, bouncing lightly, landed gently. Her white hair, swaying slowly, melted in the sunlight like dissolving snow.

“Theo.”

“S-Saeeurin…?”

The distance was close. Theo was greatly flustered by Saeeurin’s sudden proximity. The scent of the opposite sex he had feelings for was too stimulating for the boy.

Theo took a big step back.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, has Senior Reynard’s group returned?”

Theo rolled his eyes around. Wondering if she might have developed an interest in men, he observed Saeeurin’s expression.

“Theo. Answer me.”

“Ah, no. They haven’t returned yet.”

“Hmm… not yet then.”

At Theo’s answer, Saeeurin nodded and tucked her flowing hair behind her ear. Then she quickly walked away. Left alone, Theo stared blankly at Saeeurin’s retreating figure before dropping the laundry basket he was holding.

“Oh no…!”

Now alone, Saeeurin headed straight to the training ground. In the Sun Tail Kingdom, she had felt her inadequacy while observing the deputy commanders.

Even those deputy commanders weren’t sent alone on the mission to eliminate Hayato. Several mid and high-ranking members went together. The Empire considered the opponent that formidable.

She needed to advance further. The moment her small hand gripped the pure white White Dragon Sword.

“Saeeurin!”

A familiar voice. Saeeurin’s gaze turned to the entrance of the training ground. It was Karnok.

“Deputy Commander.”

Why had he come looking for her? Seeing no document envelopes in his hands, it probably wasn’t about a mission.

Approaching closer, Karnok said:

“The master of the Empire is looking for you.”

The master of the Empire. It meant the Emperor. Why would the ruler of a country be looking for her? Saeeurin couldn’t help but tilt her head in confusion.

“Me…? There must be some mistake…”

“He seems to have liked your achievements mentioned in the delegation’s report. He said he wants to meet you right now, so get ready quickly. Oh, and leave your sword behind.”

“Uh, ah… yes…”

Despite her bewildered expression, Saeeurin followed Karnok’s orders. She immediately returned to her quarters, changed into her formal uniform, and came back down.

“Let’s depart right away. It shouldn’t take long, so don’t be nervous. Just answer the questions well. You did receive proper ceremonial education, right? You can’t do it like we do at our headquarters…”

Saeeurin looked up at Karnok with a strange expression. He was talking more than usual. He seemed anxious that she might make a mistake.

The distance between the Blue Wing headquarters and the Imperial Palace wasn’t very far. For an average adult male, it would take about twenty minutes of walking to reach the main gate of the palace.

Of course, Saeeurin, with her short legs, had to half-run.

It seemed that their entry had already been approved, as Karnok and Saeeurin were able to pass through the main gate of the palace without any special procedures.

After passing through the main gate, an old man greeted the two.

“I’ve been waiting. Karnok of Blue Wing… and Saeeurin. This way…”

Saeeurin’s gaze turned to the old man. He was extraordinary. Even without revealing his aura, strength could be felt in his breathing and movements.

His hands, glimpsed briefly, were covered in calluses. He must be a swordsman. Feeling Saeeurin’s gaze, the old man smiled lightly.

Following the old man’s guidance, they arrived at the entrance of a spacious garden behind the Imperial Palace. The old man blocked the garden entrance and said:

“His Majesty wishes for a private audience.”

It meant Saeeurin should enter alone. After exchanging glances with Karnok, Saeeurin nodded.

“Then, inside…”

Even the old man who had guided them this far couldn’t enter the garden. Saeeurin thus wandered the garden alone.

The small girl’s hand touched her waist. The familiar weight was missing. She felt empty without her sword.

Saeeurin, who had been walking slowly, stopped. At the edge of her vision, magnificent golden hair appeared. The well-textured golden hair scattered like broken sunlight.

Beneath it, red eyes continued like the sky. The natural aura of a king. The dignity of a ruler that flowed out even without consciousness. A certain elegance was felt in his movements even without formality.

Saeeurin’s gaze met the Emperor’s.

“Are you Saeeurin? Just as I heard.”

The Emperor began to approach. Recalling what she had learned in ceremonial education, Saeeurin knelt on one knee and bowed her head.

“I greet the master of the Empire.”

“Raise your head. I don’t like unnecessary formalities.”

Saeeurin recalled what Karnok had urged. He had told her to listen well to the Emperor’s words. She immediately raised her head.

At that action, the Emperor’s right eyebrow twitched greatly. But it was only for a very brief moment. Returning to his original expression, the Emperor spoke:

“I’ve confirmed the contents of the report. I hear you gave the Sun Tail Kingdom a great humiliation.”

“Yes.”

“… You’re audacious.”

“Thank you.”

A moment of silence fell at Saeeurin’s answer. The Emperor, letting out a small chuckle, continued:

“The sword of the Empire must always be the strongest. I was quite pleased with the achievements you showed as a lower-ranking member. I called you here to give you a reward befitting those achievements.”

Saying so, the Emperor took out a small box from his bosom. On the surface of the box, smaller than a fist, the image of a griffin symbolizing the imperial family was engraved in gold.

“It’s an elixir called the Dragon’s Breath. They say it increases the mana in your body when consumed. I asked Karnok what would be good for you, and he asked for this.”

At that moment, a gentle wind gathered around the Emperor’s hand. The box containing the Dragon’s Breath floated up with the gathered wind and slowly flew toward Saeeurin.

“Take it.”

Saeeurin, who had been in a daze, extended both hands and barely caught the box. She couldn’t feel the movement of mana. The divine power shown by the Emperor must be his innate special ability.

At that moment, a strong wind blew. When sand and leaves obscured Saeeurin’s vision, the Emperor’s figure disappeared.

“Your Majesty…?”

Not even his presence could be felt. His scent was also cut off. Saeeurin looked around blankly before having to get up and return.

Leaving the garden, Saeeurin immediately joined Karnok and headed to the Blue Wing headquarters.

A gentle breeze blew behind the old man who was left alone.

“How was it?”

At the old man’s question, the Emperor’s figure appeared from the wind. Landing lightly, he said with a small smile:

“There were two souls in one body. But not a reincarnator… Did they use Astruine sorcery?”

“I’ll look for related materials.”

“No need. I don’t particularly want to dig into it. Rather, are there any positions left in the palace?”

“You seem to have developed an interest.”

The Emperor laughed at the old man’s question.

“A little.”