Ch.36Investigation Mission

A new wind blew through the Silverhill domain.

People were always interested in romance. Especially when it involved the lord’s eldest son. It was only natural that rumors about Sera and Rowen would spread.

“Where did that girl Sera come from again?”

“Some kingdom or other… She came here to study herbology, they say…”

“Is that wench really that pretty?”

“Ah, it goes without saying. They say she’s far prettier than your daughter.”

“What…? You bastard…!”

Various stories circulated. The truth of the rumors didn’t matter. If they were true, great; if not, so be it. The rumors grew, transformed, and spread to others, gradually becoming distorted.

Sera had somehow become the daughter of a fallen noble family.

“I’m so jealous… They say she’s close with Lord Rowen?”

“He barely even acknowledges greetings from others… but they went for walks together.”

“I guess nobles only mingle with other nobles after all?”

Jealousy and envy only arise between those of similar standing. Sera’s overwhelming beauty easily crushed the romantic feelings harbored by the young women in the domain.

Now, she could hear stories about herself wherever she went. Sae-rin brushed her hair behind her ear as she walked.

Five days had passed since she began playing the role of Sera. After her first meeting with her target, Silverhill Rowen, she had encountered him frequently.

She repeated meetings disguised as coincidences. As these encounters accumulated, Rowen began seeking her out first.

Today, she had an appointment with Rowen. He had promised to show her around the domain during a walk together. Before arriving at their meeting place, Sae-rin adjusted her appearance.

Her outfit wasn’t particularly special. A wide-brimmed hat to shield her from the sun, a flowing dress, sandals wrapping her small, cute feet, and a small leather bag slung to the side—that was all.

What made the ordinary extraordinary was her natural beauty. Her sister’s appearance that would shine even wrapped in rags. Following Flora’s clothing recommendations had produced tremendous results.

People walking by would turn to look at Sae-rin two or three times. Workers carrying heavy loads would bump into walls and spill their goods.

Sae-rin stood waiting at the meeting place in this state.

Young men who would normally have approached Sae-rin now only watched from a distance. Those who had occasionally spoken to her on the first day. But since she became close with Rowen, the boys no longer approached.

The target, Silverhill Rowen, appeared about five minutes later.

“Sera.”

“Mr. Rowen.”

Sae-rin’s gaze quickly scanned Rowen’s appearance. His hair gleamed, his face was brighter than usual, and his clothes were luxurious.

His gaze was full of affection. The strange heat visible beyond his eyes felt like it was choking her. Sae-rin deliberately suppressed the physiological revulsion creeping up inside her.

“It’s good to see you.”

“Shall we go?”

Rowen extended his hand. Sae-rin stared blankly at it. He seemed to want her to take his hand, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to reach out.

So Sae-rin pretended to be oblivious.

As she continued to stare blankly at his hand, Rowen cleared his throat and withdrew it. He walked quickly ahead to cover the awkward situation.

The two walked along the path. Rowen was the first to speak. He pointed to a large vineyard beyond the town and said:

“The grapes of Silverhill domain boast exceptional sweetness. Have you ever tried wine?”

“No.”

When drunk, judgment and physical abilities are greatly reduced. She had learned that lesson well from her previous mission. She would never touch alcohol during a mission.

“That’s a shame. I’ll bring some good wine next time for you to try.”

Most of what came from Rowen’s mouth was information Sae-rin already knew. But she didn’t show it. She had learned that making the other person feel good would allow her to extract more information. Sae-rin responded to Rowen’s words by clapping or smiling softly, matching his mood.

Indeed, what she had learned at Cheongik was effective. Rowen’s stories gradually began to include personal details. Brief mentions of family matters or domain management flitted by, and marriage talk subtly emerged.

“I’ve been troubled lately. Father told me to start considering marriage prospects… He selected candidates with the domain’s future in mind, but well…”

“You don’t like them, I take it?”

“I’d prefer a love marriage over a political one… I want to live freely this time.”

“This time…?”

“Ah, until now I’ve only done what my father told me to.”

Sae-rin carefully observed his demeanor. Seeing him casually bring up marriage, this fellow was clearly thoroughly enchanted with her. If she asked questions now, he would likely spill everything.

Sae-rin asked:

“Come to think of it, I heard you were gravely ill in the past…”

“Oh, that?”

“Yes. I heard you were bedridden all day… What illness was it?”

“Well… No one knows the exact name. None of the priests or doctors who came could identify it precisely.”

“What were the symptoms?”

Sae-rin immediately opened her notebook. According to her cover, Sera was a girl studying herbology. Showing interest in illness was perfectly natural.

“Hmm, the mana in my body became dim, and all my muscles stiffened. There were digestive issues too.”

“I see… How was the illness treated then?”

According to rumors, the Silverhill domain had tried everything to cure Rowen’s illness. But nothing worked. Expensive medicines, doctors with the highest skills, priests with immense divine power—all were ineffective.

Yet such a man suddenly rose from his sickbed. It was suspicious, extremely suspicious.

“Well…”

Rowen looked into the distance, letting his words trail off. Sae-rin patiently waited for his answer. A faint breeze gently caressed her hair.

‘He’s stalling too much…’

Perhaps there wasn’t enough closeness between them. Sae-rin let out a small sigh and leaned slightly against Rowen.

‘Disgusting…’

But she had to endure it. Some sacrifice was essential for the mission.

“Ahem…!”

Rowen stiffened and awkwardly moved away. His expression showed surprise at the sudden closeness.

Sae-rin looked up at him blankly.

“I, I just remembered something urgent… I’ll have to go back for today.”

“Ah, yes…”

Sae-rin nodded. They had already seen most places in the domain anyway. She had been thinking it might be time to part, so this worked out well.

It was a bit disappointing not to get an answer, but time was on her side. Rowen wouldn’t forget what happened today.

Absolutely not.

‘Seiran, your beauty is frightening.’

Seiran and Rowen said their goodbyes and parted.

“I had a good time today, Mr. Rowen.”

“Me too. I enjoyed it, Sera. Could you spare some time for me again later?”

“Of course. Just call for me anytime. I can always make time until my herb research is complete.”

“Ah, you’re staying in our domain for herbology, right…? How long do you plan to stay?”

“Probably until next month, I think.”

Rowen’s face stiffened slightly. After maintaining silence, he hastily continued.

“Um, perhaps…”

“Yes?”

Rowen looked at the girl before him. Though he had something to say, he couldn’t easily speak it. In the end, Rowen had to swallow the words lingering in his mouth.

“No, it’s nothing. I’ll be going now.”

“Okay~”

After parting with Rowen, Sae-rin returned directly to the inn. She should have explored more places to gather additional information, but she simply couldn’t bear it anymore.

She locked the door and immediately washed herself. She focused especially on the parts that had touched Rowen.

Even after washing thoroughly, her anger wasn’t appeased. Sae-rin struck the pillow on the bed.

Thwack-!

When her small hand hit the pillow, it burst. Covered in white floating feathers, Sae-rin let out a long sigh.

“Hah…”

When her mind was troubled, it was better to train. Sae-rin operated the White Dragon Heart Sutra to control her emotions.

A cold energy arose and enveloped her entire body. As negative emotions subsided, her senses were honed sharply.

Her legs spread shoulder-width apart, and her posture lowered. Her right hand, clenched into a fist, rose above her shoulder, while her left hand went below her knee.

Most martial arts of the White Frost tribe were derived from animal movements. The way of moving the body borrowed the agility of frost wolves, the breathing method took from the stealth of white martens, and the use of the body embodied the majesty of snow bears.

Whoosh-!

Cold frost scattered over her small hand as it extended in a straight line. Immediately after, she rotated her hand and extended it toward the next position.

Crack-!

Through the scattering white frost, the faint form of a dragon appeared. The transition between techniques was smooth. Since the mana properties were similar, the strain on her body was minimal.

It seemed possible to weave the two martial arts into one if done well. A pleased smile appeared on Sae-rin’s face.