I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 47: A Short Rest

Dragging my weary body, I headed out of the forest. The shamanic power that once filled me had long since dissipated. Even when I tried speaking to my sister, no reply came.

It was as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

‘She seemed to know so much about souls…’

I picked up the severed head. Its slack tongue, blackened from death, hung lifelessly, and its pale, lifeless eyes stared blankly. The body, now devoid of its soul, resembled a dried, withered branch.

The neck had been severed with ease.

Had he not been a Reincarnator, I might have spent long hours conversing with him. But that wasn’t an option. The very existence of a Reincarnator was inherently untrustworthy.

Emerging from the forest, I handed the severed head to the informant. My role was complete. The traces of the Reincarnators and the damage caused by the battle were now the Empire’s problem to clean up.

“Thank you for your efforts, Saeorin,” said the informant.

“There’s another male corpse further inside. It exploded during the fight, so it’s not fully intact…”

The informant’s expression shifted. The way his eyebrow twisted suggested he recognized the description.

‘As I thought… the missing person…’

I decided not to say more.

It would take many people to erase the traces of necromancy left in the forest. From a distance, I observed the individuals gathered for the task.

They appeared to be hunters, woodcutters, farmers, or merchants—seemingly ordinary residents. But I knew better. Every single one of them was an informant affiliated with the Empire’s royal family.

The saying that the Empire’s eyes and ears reach everywhere held a deep significance here. Without a word, I mounted my horse and turned away from the scene.

My destination wasn’t the Empire’s capital. My body was in shambles. Riding would likely aggravate my injuries, so I planned to stop at a nearby village for rest and recovery.

The small horse trotted along the path, carrying me over a gentle hill where a soft breeze greeted me. It was a pleasant wind. Closing my eyes, I let myself feel its embrace.

I arrived at a large village as the sun dipped toward the horizon, signaling evening’s approach. Steering my horse to the gate, I approached the gatekeeper.

The middle-aged man raised his spear at the sight of a shadowy figure but soon relaxed upon seeing the face of a young girl.

“Wh-Who are you?”

Suppressing a cough, I offered no words and instead presented the insignia of the Empire’s knights.

“T-That’s…”

No one would mistake its meaning. The griffon, symbolizing the sovereigns of the skies, represented only one place.

Without further trouble, I was allowed into the village.

“Uh, Knight… What brings someone from Azure Wings here? Has a Reincarnator been found nearby?”

I studied the gatekeeper’s face. His nervous, darting eyes scanned the surroundings anxiously, but his behavior wasn’t that of someone trying to conceal a Reincarnator. Through experience, I could gauge his emotions with some accuracy.

“Don’t worry. I’m not here because of a Reincarnator.”

“O-Oh, that’s a relief!”

I strolled leisurely through the village, taking in the peaceful scenery. At dusk, the streets bustled with a calm energy. The villagers appeared cheerful, and children laughed among themselves as they played.

‘Hmm… Not much different from anywhere else.’

People’s gazes were always similar. I brushed my hair back, feeling the prying stares from all directions. The intensity of the men’s gazes was so palpable, it felt as if they could melt flesh.

Since joining Azure Wings, I no longer worried about money. The Empire covered all mission expenses. I secured a room at the most expensive inn without hesitation.

Once in my room, I immediately discarded my tattered uniform. In the mirror, a small girl’s body stared back at me, marked with wounds. It was difficult to find an unscathed spot. White skin was covered in blue bruises, and red lines marred my forehead, hands, and thighs where the uniform hadn’t covered.

‘I’ll recover in a few days.’

I had grown accustomed to my sister’s body and could estimate my recovery time just by examining the injuries.

After changing into light clothing, I headed out. My attire was uncomfortably familiar—an adaptation of martial robes from the Murim world, modified to suit this one.

The loose fit allowed for ease of movement, a stark contrast to the constricting uniform I had been wearing. Comfortable as it was, it was a reminder of the Reincarnators who had left traces across this world.

I wanted to get a gift for my sister. Now that it was clear we shared this body, I thought of her delighted face as I wandered the streets.

The village of Voltor was built around a large hot spring, and its shops offered souvenirs and specialties catered to visitors.

I approached one of the stalls lining the road. Vibrant trinkets, decorated with colorful stones, sparkled in the evening light. The wares weren’t expensive but were eye-catching nonetheless.

“Hmm…”

My gaze settled on a beauty treatment water, touted for improving skin. The label claimed that applying this special liquid from a wooden barrel would brighten and moisturize the skin.

“Interested in Voltor’s signature beauty water?”

I scrutinized the merchant’s skin. Despite being a middle-aged man, his complexion was bright and blemish-free, even better than that of nobles in the Karma Empire’s capital.

“There aren’t any side effects, are there?”

“Of course not! I stake my village’s pride on it. You won’t regret buying it. A beauty like you deserves only the best care!”

“Indeed… You’re right. This is something I could use. A beauty must maintain her standards.”

The merchant looked momentarily flustered. Though he’d met many confident customers, someone like me seemed to be the first.

“I’ll take it.”

I purchased five barrels of the beauty water. Three were for my use, while the remaining two were gifts for Flora.

Next, I visited a stall selling accessories. Officially, Imperial knights weren’t allowed to wear such items. However, there was an exception for days off duty.

“Oh my, what a lovely guest we have! Are you looking for something in particular?”

I casually scanned the jewelry on display. Honestly, I couldn’t tell what was good or bad.

To me, they all looked the same.

“Pick something that suits me. Something that enhances this already stunning appearance.”

“O-Of course…”

The merchant’s expression turned odd, but her hands moved deftly. A seasoned merchant wouldn’t let a potential customer slip away.

Soon, I was adorned with glittering accessories from head to toe.

“They suit you perfectly!”

“Do they…?”

“Yes! There’s no beauty like this in the world! It’s so dazzling I can hardly look directly at you!”

“Hmm…”

The corners of my lips curled softly. They were praising my sister’s beauty. As her older brother, how could I not feel proud?

The merchant’s words seemed quite plausible upon reflection. In the mirror, the girl’s figure shimmered brightly.

“Good. I’ll buy everything.”

“Thank you so much!”

I stayed in the village of Voltor for about two more days. The large hot springs behind the village helped my injuries heal faster than expected, allowing me to finish my preparations sooner than I’d anticipated.

Pleasant times always seem to pass quickly. I donned my martial robes and draped only the uniform’s cape over them. The long, flowing cape enveloped my small frame with gentle ease.

‘Let’s go back, Saeran.’

Though there was still no answer, I kept speaking to my sister. It didn’t matter if she didn’t listen or respond. Just knowing she was there was enough.

I wasn’t alone. Realizing that brought me a sense of calm.

“Haa…”

Exiting the inn, I mounted my horse. A heated gaze from behind made me turn my head, revealing a group of village boys peeking from around the corner.

They weren’t the only ones staring. A few girls also watched me with infatuated expressions.

“Hmph…”

Brushing off the stares, I gently ran a hand through my hair. The beauty of my sister’s body—of this body—captivated people of all ages and genders alike.

It was a natural phenomenon, a law of the world. Saeran and beauty were practically synonymous.

***

It was about two weeks later that I returned to the Azure Wings Headquarters. After completing the formalities of my return, including a mountain of paperwork, I finally headed to the living quarters.

“Oh? Saeorin? When did you get back?”

The first person I encountered was Flora. Approaching her, I handed over two barrels of the beauty water.

“I just returned. And here, take this. They say it’s good for the skin, so use it later.”

“What did you bring back? Your bag looks stuffed!”

“Nothing much. I simply bought accessories to enhance this body’s radiance.”

I rummaged through my bag, pulling out a variety of trinkets—bracelets, rings, headbands, and pins all tumbled out in a colorful heap.

“How do they look? Beautiful, aren’t they? If there’s one you like, pick it. I’ll give it to you.”

“Ah…”

But Flora didn’t take any of the accessories. Crestfallen, I let out a sigh of disappointment.