Ch.67Myriad Sword Emperor

The excavation work continued day after day. The mages from the Magic Tower and Sae-rin were completely excluded from this endeavor. This was the case despite having claimed the title of first discoverer.

Sae-rin didn’t mind much. She considered herself fortunate just to avoid punishment for collapsing the mine. However, the mages from the Magic Tower apparently felt differently. They formally protested to the kingdom.

The results of their protest became immediately apparent. The Magic Tower mages had to hurriedly prepare to leave the kingdom. Though the surface reason remained unclear, there was definitely a small discord between the mages and the Dwarf Kingdom.

It was the mages’ characteristic inquisitiveness that had caused the trouble.

Early morning. While the Magic Tower mages were hastily packing their belongings, Sae-rin went to the training ground set up in the annex and drew her sword.

Shing—

The sword, drawn with an eerie sound, gleamed brilliantly as it caught the soft dawn light. Red lines raced across the pure white blade. The cracks that had spread like spider webs were now filled with a new material.

The girl recalled the face of the dwarf who had smiled with confidence.

“Hoo…”

Exhaling a low breath, Sae-rin moved. Not fast, but concise. The basic swordsmanship of Cheong-ik, the Imperial Dawn, unfolded in her hands.

The center of gravity had changed. The moment she recognized this difference, Sae-rin also altered the distribution of force in her hands. She added strength to her pinky and ring fingers while extending her index finger to widen the gripping surface. She slightly raised the base of the sword to allow the impact during rotation to flow through.

It was a small change, but it made things much more comfortable. She couldn’t immediately modify her familiar sword grip, but with repeated training, she would be able to handle the newly reborn White Dragon Sword as skillfully as before.

Tap—

Sae-rin moved her feet after finishing her practice. A cold chill scattered beneath her shoes like a swirling gust.

The Magic Tower mages finished preparing to leave by lunchtime that day. A procession of mages on horseback formed behind a long line of carriages. Sae-rin also joined the ranks.

She stood out due to her unusually small stature.

Sae-rin rode her horse toward a group of mages. The hierarchy among the gathered mages was quite high. Most were Ether-grade mages.

“You seem to have been quite busy.”

A pointed remark about how they had split their party and departed earlier. However, the mages were shameless. A middle-aged mage stepped forward and laughed heartily with a broad smile.

“We had no choice given the importance of the matter. Did you enjoy your sightseeing?”

With the other party responding this way, she found herself at a loss for words. Sae-rin mumbled before nodding her head. She could have questioned them about cutting off the bridge, but there was no clear evidence. To others unaware of the situation, it might have seemed like a child’s tantrum.

“Things seem to have ended well. Seeing how quickly you’re leaving despite having just arrived…”

This time her words hit the mark. Sae-rin could observe the middle-aged mage’s face subtly contorting at her comment. It was such a fleeting moment that few would have noticed, but with her exceptional dynamic vision, Sae-rin didn’t miss it.

It was a place with heavy foot traffic. This was especially true in front of the royal palace. With so many people gathered, there were bound to be many onlookers. Perhaps that was why the reception for the Magic Tower was so splendid. Key figures from the royal palace came out to greet them, accompanied by troops.

The discord between the two powers was officially a secret. On the surface, they maintained good relations.

‘I wanted to see the main palace…’

Sae-rin swallowed her disappointment. Since she wasn’t an official visitor, she hadn’t been granted access to the main palace. She never got to see the royal palace crafted by the hands of master artisans.

That fact left her feeling regretful.

“Depart!”

At the signal, the way opened. Carriages and horses galloped along the straight main road. Sae-rin followed behind.

They were retracing the path they had come. The surrounding scenery inevitably felt familiar. Yet it was also new. This was due to the weight she felt on her waist and back.

The Mage Killer and the Moonlight Sword.

And now the newly reborn White Dragon Sword.

An unexpected strengthening of her power had occurred. It meant she was one step closer to her revenge. She couldn’t help but feel a fresh sense of emotion. A subtle smile lingered on the girl’s lips.

A cold wind raced across the vast plain.

***

“Next time! You must visit next time!”

It was time to part ways with the Magic Tower. Envy tearfully grabbed Sae-rin’s hand. It was thin and soft. Sae-rin recoiled in disgust. Her initial irritable demeanor was nowhere to be seen. After crossing the line between life and death together several times, the distance between them seemed to have been shattered.

“I’ll visit next time.”

“Yes! No! Next time I’ll come visit you!”

There was a high probability she wouldn’t be there even if Envy visited. Members of Cheong-ik rarely stayed at headquarters. They spent more than eighty percent of the year outside. Sae-rin didn’t bother to mention this fact.

“What a shame… But I can’t keep a busy person.”

Shave also expressed regret at parting with Sae-rin.

But what could be done? Where there are meetings, there must also be partings. This separation wouldn’t be forever, but it was also awkward to promise a reunion. Sae-rin silently turned away.

Now alone, Sae-rin rode again. Since there was no set deadline for her mission, there was no need to hurry, but there was also no reason to dawdle.

Winter had passed, and spring had arrived. New sprouts emerged on the land ruled by the Empire. The frozen ground thawed and became moist. It was a rare sight in her homeland, and Sae-rin gazed at it in a daze.

Why had her ancestors put down roots in that frigid land? It was a question she had never pondered before. But now it occurred to her occasionally. If they had integrated into civilized society, they could have led a more convenient life.

Sae-rin needed to change horses about twice before reaching the imperial capital. The horse lent by the Magic Tower had left quite an impression. As the girl savored the faint memory, she passed through the city’s large main gate without any special procedure.

She merely exchanged brief eye contact with the soldiers guarding the gate. The soldiers, seemingly accustomed to such situations, didn’t stop Sae-rin. This wasn’t just for her. Imperial knights had free access to the capital. They recognized her despite not wearing the Cheong-ik uniform. The Cheong-ik badge on her shoulder played a significant role.

Finally, the Cheong-ik headquarters. Sae-rin had returned.

The Cheong-ik headquarters she returned to was quiet. A familiar scene. By now, this place felt as comfortable as her own home. Had her mind and body recognized this place as her new nest?

“Who are you?”

An unfamiliar voice. Sae-rin turned her head to look at the person who had spoken. A tall young man. Kindness emanated from his entire being. Judging by his good skin and hair, he was a nobleman, but unfamiliar.

“Are you lost?”

Lost? What nonsense. How could she possibly be lost here? This place was like a second home to her. Sae-rin’s head tilted askew.

“Who are you?”

The young man’s eyes sparkled. As if he had been waiting for that question, he straightened his chest and tugged at his collar once. His well-fitted Cheong-ik uniform gleamed in the sunlight.

“Doma Price. A knight of Cheong-ik.”

An unfamiliar face was posing as a Cheong-ik knight. Given that he was wearing the uniform and walking around inside the headquarters, he didn’t seem to be lying, but he didn’t have a badge on his shoulder.

“Ah…”

After staring for a while, Sae-rin recalled something she had forgotten. Before leaving on her mission, she had heard that there would be an exam to recruit new members. It seemed the dates of her mission and the new member selection exam had overlapped.

Without realizing it, she had gained a junior. It felt strange.

“Hmm…”

“Where are your parents who came with you?”

Sae-rin’s expression crumpled at the continued questioning. Despite her small stature, being treated like a child didn’t sit well with her.

That’s when Price took out a candy from his pocket and offered it to her.

Sae-rin’s lips curled up crookedly.

“I came alone. This works out well. I need to visit the administration office, so please guide me.”

“Uh… well… um…”

Sae-rin walked past the flustered Price. As a senior, she wanted to test her junior. Indeed, had this new recruit memorized the structure of the headquarters building?

Judging by the date, it hadn’t even been two months since he joined. That was plenty of time. If he hadn’t memorized it, she planned to give him a small punishment.

“What are you doing? I request your guidance promptly.”

Price, who had been standing dazed, hurriedly ran over. As he walked ahead, something felt odd. The girl’s authoritative attitude strangely suited her. He felt the same pressure from this small girl that he occasionally felt from his seniors.

‘Now that I look, why does she have three swords…’

She had one sword on each hip and one on her back. Suspicious. A suspicious girl. Just as Price thought this and was about to stop in his tracks, a man walked from the opposite corridor.

The vice-captain of Cheong-ik. It was Karnok.

“Oh! When did you get back?”

Price’s body stiffened with tension. The vice-captain, who had shown tremendous charisma during the entrance exam, was greeting someone he knew. He couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

However, Karnok walked past Price. Feeling puzzled, Price turned around to see Karnok happily greeting the small girl.

“Did you just return?”

“Yes. I just got back.”

“Where’s your uniform? And I see you’ve added a new sword?”

“A lot happened.”

“Don’t feel like telling me what happened?”

“I’m tired…”

That’s when the two of them turned their heads, feeling Price’s gaze.

“Um, Vice-Captain… that child, I mean, that person is…?”

“What? Didn’t you two already greet each other?”

At Karnok’s question, Price’s gaze wavered greatly. His restlessly moving eyes landed on Sae-rin’s shoulder. Two feather badges, indicating an intermediate member, were clearly shining.

Realizing his mistake, Price swallowed with a pale face.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sae-rin.”

A faint breeze gently caressed Sae-rin’s hair. A subtle smile played on her revealed face. Due to the unexpected encounter, the game with the new recruit ended quickly. It was quite disappointing.