Chapter 68: The Blade Emperor (2)
When I returned to headquarters, many greeted me warmly. Given the physical demands of Azure Wings, the majority of its members were men. With my cute appearance, I had come to be regarded as a sort of mascot within the organization.
Despite myself, the feeling wasn’t unpleasant. Knowing I had a place to return to, and people who welcomed me, filled my heart with a bittersweet warmth.
After exchanging pleasantries, I wandered around the training grounds and living quarters, prompting a question from one of the knights.
“Saeorin, are you looking for something?”
“I’m looking for Theo and Flora.”
I was simply searching for my companions—my peers who had joined at the same time. I wanted to have a long conversation with them. It didn’t matter what they talked about; perhaps they could discuss my recent mission.
“Ah, if you’re looking for them, they’re not here. They’re out on a mission.”
“I see…”
At the senior knight’s reply, my lips drooped slightly. I had expected this. Members of Azure Wings rarely stayed at headquarters for long, especially intermediate-ranked knights. I wondered when I might see them again.
Pushing my disappointment aside, I turned away, my snow-white hair swaying softly.
The next morning, I awoke early and headed to the training grounds. Having just returned from my mission, I was technically entitled to a recovery period, during which I could skip training.
However, rather than exerting myself, my goal was to familiarize myself with my swords.
The training grounds were empty, as it was still during the scheduled training period. From a distance, the faint sounds of grunts and shouts marked the morning routine of Azure Wings.
Sitting in the center of the training grounds, I closed my eyes and placed my three swords across my lap.
The mana swirling within my body enveloped the blades. As if resonating with my mana, the swords emitted a soft humming sound.
Lost in thought, I sifted through the myriad memories etched into my mind. I focused particularly on the memories of the martial artists.
They wielded weapons, including swords, as if they were extensions of their own bodies and absorbed the natural energy around them to strengthen their physical forms.
To them, everything was martial arts. Their lives were inseparable from it. Perhaps that’s why their memories featured masters using powers I had never seen in this world.
Flying swords? It sounded impossible. If it were magic, perhaps, but infusing a sword with Qi to give it willpower? It was an unbelievable memory.
A sword is a delicate weapon. Subtle movements at the fingertips have a profound impact. A sword that leaves the hand can never perform to its full potential. At least, that’s what I believed.
‘The closest thing I’ve seen was what Raynard-senpai used to do…’
But even that wasn’t the same. Raynard had used fine threads with high mana conductivity tied to his sword’s hilt to control its movements.
Even transmitting mana to a sword once it left your grasp was a challenge. Was the Qi they spoke of a completely different kind of power?
Step, step.
The sound of footsteps broke my reverie. I didn’t panic. The training grounds were an open space shared by everyone, and the footsteps and presence felt familiar.
“Good morning, Deputy Commander Kanok,” I greeted first.
The approaching footsteps halted briefly. When I slightly opened my eyes and glanced to the side, I saw Kanok smiling awkwardly. Was he trying to sneak up and surprise me?
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Kanok walked over and casually sat on the ground beside me. His relaxed posture showed he didn’t care if his clothes got dirty.
“I’m sorry to tell you this right after you’ve returned, but you’ll be heading out on another mission soon.”
This was welcome news. The surge of emotion caused my mana to flare, sending a cold chill rushing off the swords. I quickly calmed the mana down.
For another knight, it might have been an unwelcome burden, but not for me. My body was in perfect condition, and I didn’t need recovery time. I was fully prepared.
“What kind of mission is it?”
“We’ve received reports that the Reincarnators are gathering their forces. The information comes from outside the empire, so we’re not certain yet. That’s why we’re sending out a team from headquarters to investigate further…”
“And I’m one of the selected members?”
“Yes.”
“When do we leave?”
“We’re still finalizing the team. There aren’t enough members currently at headquarters. Once those out on missions return, we’ll make the arrangements.”
I nodded at Kanok’s explanation. There had been instances in history where Reincarnators had banded together, but such alliances rarely ended well.
By nature, Reincarnators were arrogant, self-centered, and burdened by inflated egos. With the strength they had achieved in their past lives, they refused to follow anyone else’s lead.
A group with too many leaders inevitably lost its way, and the Reincarnators’ alliances always fell apart.
This time was likely no different. However, the empire’s concern was justified because of the sheer individual power of the Reincarnators.
Given enough time, they could easily surpass the skill of a high-ranking knight. If dozens or even hundreds of them gathered, they would form a force capable of threatening the empire.
“I’ll wait,” I said calmly, exhaling a breath that frosted in the air.
Kanok placed his hand on my head, intending to ruffle my hair, but I reacted faster and pulled away with a look of distaste.
Perhaps it was because of the mission date, but knights began returning to headquarters one after another. Within just two weeks, around ten knights had returned, including Flora and Theo.
As soon as I saw them, I ran to greet them.
“Flora! Theo!”
“Saeorin!”
I threw my arms around Flora, who seemed to have just returned, and the sight of the two cheerful girls brightened the atmosphere around us.
Ahem.
Theo, who had been standing awkwardly, subtly moved closer. However, contrary to his expectations, I didn’t embrace him. Instead, I stood on tiptoe and patted his shoulder.
“You did well.”
“Uh, yeah… I’m back…”
Saeorin looked up at Theo with a curious expression. What on earth had he been eating to grow this much? In just a few months, he’d grown tall enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Deputy Commander Kanok.
His youthful face still carried traces of boyishness, but if not for that, he could easily pass for an adult.
It irked me. My younger sibling wasn’t growing, but my friends were sprouting up like weeds. Flora, too, had grown in a noticeable way… her chest, specifically. It was hard to miss.
“You’ve both grown so much…”
A week had passed since the return of ten knights, during which the team for the upcoming mission had been selected.
The group consisted of one deputy commander, one senior knight, and five intermediate knights. Among the intermediate knights were Saeorin, Flora, and Theo.
The day dawned, and the trio packed their gear and headed to the headquarters’ entrance, where the others were already waiting.
“No one forgot anything, right?”
The mission leader, Deputy Commander Kanok, addressed the group. Everyone nodded in response.
“This brings back memories…”
Theo murmured, and I couldn’t help but agree. How could I forget the first mission we went on with Kanok? Flora, too, seemed lost in thought, recalling those early days.
After a quick final check, Kanok led the group out of the headquarters. This mission’s destination was outside the empire’s territory—a lawless region rife with Reincarnators and criminals, where the empire’s influence didn’t reach.
As always, Azure Wings’ departure point was the same. We stopped by a relay station near the headquarters to borrow horses. This time, given the need for speed, we didn’t take any carriages.
Each of the seven knights mounted a horse. The one I chose was the largest. When the station manager tried to give me a smaller horse, I refused and insisted on this one.
“Isn’t that horse a bit too big for you?”
“It’s fine.”
I brushed off Theo’s question, pulling the reins. Clop, clop—the massive horse moved with surprising lightness.
The group galloped swiftly. Within the empire’s borders, monsters were rarely seen.
The imperial army regularly swept through mountains and plains to keep the land safe. The few that did appear weren’t strong enough to pose a threat.
“New sword, huh? Where’d you get it?”
Raynard’s voice broke the rhythm of the journey. Even with one arm, he was an impressive rider. His question made everyone else tug their reins and draw closer.
Knights who wield swords naturally took interest in a comrade’s new weapon.
I recounted my recent experiences in a casual tone. I couldn’t deny I felt a subtle urge to boast a little—it wasn’t every day you got a sword like the reforged White Dragon Sword. The only reason I hadn’t shared earlier was that I’d been too busy preparing for this mission.
Chatter, chatter.
As I spoke, Kanok had an idle thought. My voice, clear and light, reminded him of a sparrow chirping away.
In less than a month, the group crossed the border. Everyone was a superhuman, and with minimal rest, our pace was incredibly fast.
“Wow…”
I couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation as I looked at the scenery before me. Vast plains stretched endlessly into the horizon, where dust clouds swirled in the distance.
This was the merciless wilderness.
It was a land where Reincarnators and criminals fled to escape the empire’s reach. According to what I’d heard, the natural energy had been drained from this place, leaving it barren and desolate.
“Everyone, remember this: never trust anyone here.”
Kanok’s voice carried through the dry wind, sharp and unyielding.