Chapter 31
Chapter 31: Sun Tail Mission(3)
Missed it. Although I held back to restrain him, I couldn’t even graze him with the tip of my sword. I was sure he had been right in front of me just moments ago—so why?
At the same time, I wondered. Would it have been different if it were Theo?
As the trajectory of my sword, which had shot straight forward, blurred, my body pivoted. My extended leg planted firmly on the ground, stabilizing my disrupted balance.
The seamless flow of swordsmanship shifted smoothly. The preparation to receive the next attack was complete. My sharp gaze swept across the venue.
But he wasn’t there. No counterattack, no trace of the opponent. Only the empty corridor stretched out before me.
“What is this…”
My vision blurred momentarily. The intoxication hadn’t fully subsided. As the lingering haze in my head was pushed out by a biting chill, my mind gradually cleared.
My gaze turned to Jiure. Sun Tail’s first prince smirked knowingly and shrugged his shoulders as if anticipating my reaction.
This must have been what he meant when he said I’d understand if I came to see for myself.
If that man’s ability was to disappear without leaving a trace, then it made sense why no soldiers had been stationed.
“Now do you understand? Why did we call upon the Azure Wings instead of deploying our own forces? The moment he notices someone approaching or senses their presence nearby, he vanishes. Even surrounding the entrance with soldiers or laying traps hasn’t worked.”
Hoo—
As I steadied my breathing, cold air escaped from between my lips. The heavy scent of alcohol wafted out alongside the chill.
“We left him because he’s not overtly aggressive… but it seems even you couldn’t manage, huh?”
Sniff, sniff.
I didn’t pay attention to Jiure’s words. Instead, I focused on a faint smell dispersing in the air.
Sweat, blood, and a faint trace of chemicals hung in the air—a lingering scent left by the vanished man. Mixed within was a strangely familiar aroma.
It was a unique scent I couldn’t forget, as it had accompanied us since our arrival here.
The smell of cool water and desert blossoms came to mind—a blend of natural fragrances synthesized unnaturally.
Perfume.
My gaze, which had been scanning the air, landed on Jiure. Why did the perfume emanating from Jiure resemble the scent left behind by the unfamiliar man?
As the chill of the White Dragon Sword coursed through me, clearing the intoxication, my thoughts regained clarity. Too many things didn’t add up.
This was a matter the Azure Wings should have formally been tasked with. If the man appeared here daily, we could have simply waited with Kanok to track him down.
Yet they went out of their way to summon us—accompanied by strong liquor, no less.
Snap—
The White Dragon Sword, emitting an icy aura, was sheathed. The bright white blade, which had reflected the surrounding light, vanished, and the space where I stood grew slightly dimmer.
“So, what did you think?”
“What do you mean?”
“The guy you just encountered. How did he feel to you?”
Jiure’s expression brightened, resembling that of a child eager to show off a creation. It was a look I’d often seen on the faces of children in the tribe when they proudly displayed their handmade items.
I conveyed my impression honestly.
“His frame was immense, yet there was no sense of presence. And he disappeared without leaving a trace. It was as if…”
A skill specialized in ambushes.
I swallowed the rest of my words, my gaze sweeping the spot where the man had been seated.
If he had counterattacked with hostility, what would have happened? My expression darkened at the thought.
“Theo, Flora, did either of you see him?”
“Uh, no. I didn’t notice anything. It wasn’t until you stopped that I realized he had disappeared.”
“Same here. I didn’t catch anything either.”
I nodded at their responses. If they had noticed, they would have acted first.
I turned to Jiure and asked, “What now? Are you going to wait for him again?”
“No. Once he goes into hiding like that, he doesn’t reappear for the rest of the day. Let’s head back.”
That confirmed it for me. Jiure’s goal had been merely to show us that enigmatic man. Resolving the issue had never been his intention.
But it was only a suspicion. Given our role as a diplomatic envoy, I refrained from voicing my thoughts to Jiure.
“Let’s go back.”
I turned smoothly but stumbled slightly. The effects of the alcohol hadn’t completely worn off yet.
***
The next morning, I woke up in my room and went straight to Kanok.
Since Kanok hadn’t returned until late at night, I hadn’t been able to report yesterday’s events to him.
In front of Kanok’s door, I found Flora and Theo already waiting. Judging by how Flora’s hand was raised as if about to knock, it seemed we hadn’t arrived much apart.
“Oh, Saeorin!”
The two greeted me warmly as soon as they noticed me. As I approached, Flora asked, “Did you come because of what happened yesterday?”
“Yes. Is Vice Captain Kanok inside?”
“Just about to knock,” said Flora, as she raised her hand toward the door.
Before she could, a sound came from inside, and the door abruptly swung open.
“Uh…?”
Kanok emerged, a mildly surprised expression flashing across his face before he gave a warm smile.
“Ah, perfect timing. I was just about to call for you.”
“You were…?”
“Yes. Sun Tail has a request for our knights. They want us to test the combat abilities of the soldiers they’re training. All you need to do is spar with them appropriately.”
I exchanged glances with Theo and Flora. Judging by their nods, they shared my thoughts.
A request to test the soldiers’ combat abilities? It felt like a continuation of yesterday’s events.
I asked, just in case.
“Are these soldiers clad in blue ore?”
“Oh? Did you see them already somewhere?”
So my hunch was correct. Theo, Flora, and I nodded in unison. Jiure had clearly set us up for a preliminary test without informing us.
“We’ve been duped.”
“Those people aren’t reincarnators, are they?”
“Most likely not…”
Kanok, observing our conversation, interjected.
“Something happened, didn’t it?”
We nodded simultaneously at Kanok’s question. As we followed him, we gave a brief rundown of what had occurred yesterday.
After hearing us out, Kanok chuckled lightly.
“So they took advantage of my absence.”
“Shouldn’t we confront Sun Tail about this? They deceived us…”
“They did… but did anyone hurt?”
Flora glanced at me in response to Kanok’s question. Even though I had drawn my sword and fought, I hadn’t been injured. The only real loss was our time.
“Well then, let’s see. How strong are these soldiers they were willing to deceive you for?”
We arrived at a training ground behind the estate. Other knights were already there, having arrived earlier.
We exchanged light nods of greeting with the knights we passed.
It wasn’t long before Sun Tail’s soldiers and nobles arrived. Trailing behind the crowd were men covered in blue ore, shuffling awkwardly into the area.
There was no doubt. While they weren’t the ones I had faced yesterday, they were created in the same way.
I placed my hand on my sword’s hilt.
“Thank you so much for your cooperation, esteemed knights of the Empire… These are the mana stone soldiers we’ve been researching recently…”
Their explanations didn’t matter. My gaze swept over the training ground, searching for the familiar figure.
But Sun Tail’s first prince, Jiure, was nowhere to be seen.
“Now, if you would select the first participant. These mana stone soldiers are quite formidable, so the opponent should be…”
Before the noble could finish, I stepped onto the training ground.
Kanok’s eyes met mine as I stood there—a small figure taking action before seeking permission. Amused, Kanok’s lips curved into a broad smile.
“We’ll go first. Any objections?”
Kanok’s playful smile and glance elicited nods from the other deputy commanders. No one objected.
I steadied my breathing as I stood in the training area. The icy chill of the White Dragon Sword radiated from within as I channeled mana through the White Dragon’s Heart technique.
The hatred I harbored was solely directed at the reincarnators—it had to be. But ever since I realized my hatred was being manipulated, fury burned inside me.
My breath escaped in visible wisps, carrying with it the chill of my anger. I let my emotions flow unchecked, the mana within me surging with an intense momentum.
“Number 22, step forward!”
One of the mana stone soldiers lumbered onto the training ground at the command. Its dull gaze focused on me, its expression devoid of reason.
“Begin!”
At the signal, I moved instantly. The mana coursing through my heart surged, spreading through my body.
The moment frost settled where I had been standing, my figure blurred.
Clang!
In the next instant, I appeared right in front of the mana stone soldier. My strike was blocked, but I didn’t falter. I immediately followed up with another move.
Before the mana imbued in my blade could disperse, I unleashed another slash.
Swish!
The white blade grazed the air in a quick arc. Just like yesterday, the opponent disappeared. I focused on the faint scent left behind, tracking where the figure had gone.
The broken flow of the battle reconnected.
Behind me.
The moment I sensed the opponent’s location, I spun gracefully. A faint dragon’s form coiled around my small frame.
Clang!
My sword clashed against the mana stone-covered arm of the soldier. Observers expected me to be overpowered.
But I wasn’t pushed back. Flowing like a river, I guided my opponent’s force away with my blade.
The imbalance in power caused the soldier to falter, its stance breaking. Meanwhile, I advanced fluidly toward the next move.
Thud! Thud-thud!
Three slashes struck in one breath. The mana stone’s hardness rendered them ineffective. If the exterior wouldn’t yield, I would target the interior.
Reversing my grip on the sword, I thrust my left leg firmly into the ground. My small fist shot forward like a bolt.
Boom!
A shockwave accompanied the strike, sending the soldier flying at great speed.
The soldier didn’t rise again, my mana wreaking havoc within its body.
On my extended hand, a faint outline of a white dragon flickered.
The Sun Tail representatives were stunned, with nobles fussing over the fallen soldier.
“She’s gotten stronger since the tournament.”
“She mentioned taking treasures from the royal armory. Must be thanks to that.”
“I’d like to arrange a position for her with my father’s help…”
Meanwhile, the Empire’s knights calmly discussed the outcome as if my victory was expected.
I straightened my posture and flicked the sword sharply, the blade pointed downward. A chill swept softly across the training ground floor.
“Next.”
With my declaration, I demanded the next opponent. The expressions of Sun Tail’s nobles turned grim.