Ch.35Investigation Mission

Sae-erin had to go through an inspection to enter the territory. Since her possessions consisted only of a money pouch, bundles of dried herbs, and common healing potions, the inspection didn’t take long.

The soldier who completed the inspection asked for a final verification.

“Hmm. So, what’s your purpose for visiting our territory?”

“To research herbs that only grow in this region…”

“Will you only be researching herbs? Not collecting them for financial gain?”

“Perhaps a little, if necessary…”

“You need a separate permit to sell goods within the territory. If you need one, visit the lord’s mansion. You’ll face severe punishment if caught selling without permission.”

The soldier’s attitude was friendly. He treated Sae-erin completely differently from others who had passed through earlier. By now, she was accustomed to men’s kindness. It was clearly because of her appearance. Sae-erin sighed softly and turned her head.

“Next!”

She received permission to enter the territory without any issues. Before entering the city, Sae-erin glanced at the forest where her colleagues would be, then turned away.

As soon as she entered the city, the sweet scent of grapes filled the air. The Silver Hill territory was known for selling sweet grapes and wine as local specialties. Sae-erin swallowed her saliva and headed toward an inn.

She arrived at one of the more luxurious inns in the territory. It was about twice as expensive as other places, but it wasn’t her own money being spent. All expenses during missions could be claimed from the Cheongik headquarters.

Besides, this body belonged to her younger sister. Sae-erin wanted to provide the best accommodations and food for her sister’s body.

And conveniently benefit herself as well.

After renting a room and ordering some light food, Sae-erin reviewed the documents while eating the meal delivered to her room.

The documents contained quite detailed information about the target, including a sketch, preferences, and activity range.

‘Moves to a forest not far from the territory around 1 PM daily for sword training. Average training time is 3 hours… Main conversation topics of interest are swordsmanship and the country’s political situation… Born with a blessing…’

Sera was an herbalist. Her profession required traveling to various places. She could overlap with the target’s activity range without arousing suspicion. This meant she could gather information through natural encounters.

Still, going immediately seemed risky, so she decided to gradually expand her activity range over time.

After finishing her meal, Sae-erin immediately began her activities. She wandered around the city, seeking out elderly people and asking them various questions.

The main subject of her questions was, naturally, herbs.

“Do you know of any herbs growing in this region that are good for wound healing?”

“Good for wound healing? Why, that would be fairy leaves, of course!”

“You’re quite knowledgeable about herbology?”

“Knowledgeable? No… I’ve just accumulated random knowledge from living a long life.”

Sae-erin used exactly what she had learned during her training. She deliberately asked easy questions and then complimented the person. When people felt good about themselves, they tended to become more talkative.

It was true. The elderly man who received Sae-erin’s compliment smiled brightly and wanted to continue the conversation.

He had been idly passing time. In such a situation, having a polite and pretty young girl to talk with was most welcome.

“I haven’t seen you before. What’s your name?”

“I’m Sera, sir.”

“Hmm… Are you an herbalist by any chance?”

Currently, Sae-erin was giving off a faint herbal scent and carrying a large book related to herbology. She also had several clear potion bottles attached to her waist. It was an easy deduction for anyone to make.

That this girl was involved in herbology.

However, Sae-erin pretended to be exaggeratedly surprised.

“Oh, how did you know? You have amazing insight!”

“Hmm, hmm… Well, I suppose I do.”

The old man’s guard was completely down. Sae-erin sat beside him and asked various questions. She didn’t ask about the target yet. It wasn’t the right time.

‘I’ve just arrived in this territory. If someone who just arrived started asking about the lord’s son, it would look suspicious…’

Sae-erin’s current goal was to spread rumors about herself, or rather, about Sera throughout the territory. By now, the character of Sera should have been sufficiently established.

Sae-erin stood up.

“I enjoyed our conversation. I should be going now.”

“Aw… leaving already?”

When Sae-erin tried to leave, the old man was visibly disappointed.

Afterward, Sae-erin sought out other elderly people and created similar situations multiple times. Her kind and gentle attitude, combined with her radiant appearance, quickly broke down even the most stern elders’ defenses.

They were people who had been idly passing time. Since their main activity was gossiping, by the next day, rumors about a girl named Sera had spread throughout the territory.

Early in the morning, Sae-erin left the inn with tools for herb collection. Just then, the innkeeper stopped her.

“Oh, wait…! Miss Sera!”

“Yes?”

“I heard you specialize in herbology… Could you possibly find some herbs that are good for joints? I’ll compensate you generously.”

After just one day, someone recognized Sera. A good sign. Sae-erin smiled brightly and replied.

“I’m afraid I can’t right now. I haven’t fully identified all the herbs growing in this region yet.”

“Ah, is that so? Well, you did say you just arrived yesterday… Alright. But if you do find any, please let me know.”

“Yes, I’ll bring some if I find any.”

After finishing the conversation, Sae-erin immediately left through the city gate. Again, there were people who acted like they knew her.

The guards.

“Miss! Where are you going!”

“You should return before nightfall! There are bears around here!”

They were just trying to get her attention. Sae-erin simply smiled and waved.

On the second day, her activity range wasn’t very wide. She wandered near the territory, recording soil information and having light conversations with farmers working in the fields.

Among them was Andur, disguised as a farmer. The two exchanged brief eye contact before parting ways.

From the third day, she began to expand her activity range in earnest. This time, her range included the target’s training location.

Sae-erin entered the forest with her herb collection tools.

Once in the forest, Sae-erin didn’t focus on collecting herbs. It was just a cover for her disguise. She began to carefully examine the traces left in the forest.

First, she looked at footprints and sword marks on trees. Clean slash marks extended along the path, as if someone had swung a sword to clear away undergrowth and branches.

Her small hand caressed a tree trunk. The cut seemed to have been made some time ago, as dust had accumulated, and mushrooms were growing on fallen, rotting trees.

Trees thicker than an adult man’s waist had been cut with a single stroke. It was evidence that whoever made this forest path was a swordsman who used mana.

This was also mentioned in the documents. That the target possessed quite impressive sword skills.

Sae-erin walked along the trail, touching her empty waist.

After walking a certain distance along the forest path, the narrow trail ended, opening into a clearing. Evidence of sword use could be seen everywhere, as if someone had created the space by cutting down trees.

Without a doubt, this was where the target practiced swordsmanship.

A faint light gleamed in Sae-erin’s eyes. Sword marks contained more information than one might think. Through the footprints left on the ground and the marks carved everywhere, faint afterimages appeared.

It was a light and powerful swordsmanship. The swift sword movements, flowing like a dance, were flawless. Though not precise, the vague outline of the opponent’s sword technique was revealed.

Just as she felt a strangely familiar sensation, she detected a faint presence behind her.

The footsteps were steady, the breathing even. Characteristics of someone with a well-trained body. Sae-erin didn’t run away. Since the other person made no effort to hide their presence, they must have noticed her as well.

Running away would only arouse suspicion. Instead, Sae-erin carefully approached nearby undergrowth and began digging into the small patch of soil growing there.

“Hmm… this is my private space…”

A voice came from behind her. Sae-erin turned her head slightly to check. Dull blonde hair and light blue eyes. A face that matched the sketch of the target.

It was Silver Hill Rowen.

“I don’t recognize you. Are you perhaps the herbalist who recently visited?”

His informal speech came naturally. Also, his voice was thick with interest. Though it annoyed her, she couldn’t show it. The Sera she was portraying was a pure young girl.

“Um… I suppose so? You know about me?”

“Somewhat. I keep track of most rumors within the territory.”

Sae-erin continued the conversation while not stopping her actions. It was to faithfully perform her role as Sera. Eventually, she managed to collect a soil-covered herb root.

“Collecting herbs?”

“Ah, yes… I was investigating herbs growing in this area… I’m sorry for intruding on your private space.”

While brushing off the soil, she quickly assessed her opponent. Above his well-trained body, she could feel the unmistakable residue of mana.

Just a few months ago, he had reportedly been bedridden and near death. For someone like that to get up and train his body to this extent was certainly suspicious.

Just as she was about to leave, Rowen stopped her.

“Wait. Um, it’s fine. Could we talk for a bit?”

“Talk?”

“Well… I’ve been training my body recently. I was wondering if you could recommend some herbs that help with fatigue…”

His voice became even softer. And strangely, his tone lowered. It was something she often observed in Theo.

Sae-erin smiled lightly.

‘Easy.’