I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 7: Karma Empire

A gentle breeze brushed softly through my hair. I didn’t rashly draw my sword. That was because I didn’t sense any hostility from the other party.

It was simply a precaution.

Lowering my hand, I stepped aside.

As I backed away without resistance, the boy also lowered his stance from the sword posture. 

After glancing at me with an awkward expression, he began to walk at some distance.

I likewise began walking. There was no reason to stop since our destination was just a little farther ahead.

Step—step—

The sound of my small footsteps was joined by another pair. I turned my head to look behind me. The boy I had encountered earlier was following me at a steady distance.

It was a remote area with few people around. Even though I didn’t sense any hostility, the fact that he was deliberately following me hinted at some other intention.

I stopped in my tracks and called out to him.

“You there.”

“…Me?”

At my question, the boy halted. His face showed surprise, as though he hadn’t expected to be addressed.

“What’s your purpose in following me?”

“What? Following you? Why would I follow you?”

“This is a deserted, narrow path. There are plenty of other routes, but the fact that you’re intentionally following me suggests ulterior motives, doesn’t it?”

My suspicion was natural. This wasn’t the first time I had experienced something like this, and the boy I met this time seemed to be harboring romantic feelings as well.

How unfortunate.

I felt sorry for him. But what could I do? This was an inevitable outcome. My sister Saeran’s body was just that beautiful.

“Let me make this clear in advance. Boy, I can’t pursue any relationship with you. It’s not the right situation for that.”

The boy, who introduced himself as Theo, frowned and tilted his head at my words. It was hard to grasp what I, a small and ragged girl in appearance, was trying to say.

“What did you just…”

“Honestly, it doesn’t make me feel good. If possible, I’d prefer you not walk the same path as me.”

Theo stared at my retreating figure. Despite my rough appearance, the way I spoke seemed more like that of a noble lady. Arrogant nobles often misunderstood others’ actions in such a manner.

Anger bubbled up in Theo, and he shouted immediately.

“Hey! What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Who on earth would even like someone like you…! And I’m not following you; I’m headed to the Karma Empire!”

Theo exhaled deeply, venting his frustration. His shoulders rose and fell as his chest swelled with emotion—a clear sign of his anger.

I turned back to look at him, yelling with a flushed face. Seeing him so worked up, I realized my words had struck a nerve.

Children often—no, usually—reacted like this when their true feelings were exposed.

I nodded.

“If I misunderstood, I apologize.”

“Wha…”

Theo was taken aback by the unexpectedly quick apology. Regardless, I turned around and resumed walking.

Theo, who had been standing in a daze, also started walking again.

Our strange journey together continued for quite some time because our destination was the same.

I didn’t concern myself with Theo. However, Theo couldn’t stop thinking about me.

At first, he observed me out of curiosity, wondering just how exceptional my appearance could be to warrant such arrogance. But as time passed, Theo found himself entranced.

Even though my clothes were dirty, my hair shone with a radiant gloss. 

Despite the trail of dust settled along the sweat streaks on my face, my skin looked smooth. 

And my eyes—what about them? Whenever our gazes occasionally met through my half-lidded expression, an intense shock seemed to reverberate through him.

Hmm…

If I already looked like this, what would I look like cleaned up and well-dressed?

Theo shook his head vigorously to dispel the image that had formed in his mind. But once such thoughts began, they wouldn’t stop.

Eventually, Theo spoke up.

“Hey…!”

There was no response.

Theo called out again.

“Hey, you there!”

“What is it?”

Silver-white hair fluttered lightly as I casually turned my head. Theo’s face flushed as he spoke.

“I’m Theo. What’s your name?”

At Theo’s question, my right eyebrow twitched noticeably. I watched his reaction with mild amusement.

I looked at him steadily. Despite claiming to have no interest, here he was sneaking glances and now even asking for my name.

Debating whether to ignore his question, I glanced up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set.

At our current pace, it would take another day to reach our destination. Having someone to talk to along the way wouldn’t be so bad.

If the boy were to reveal any lecherous intentions and try to make a move, separating his head from his body would solve the problem.

Of course, that was unlikely to happen. Boys of this age tended to be overly proud. 

Stirring that pride just a little would prevent them from trying to get any closer.

I nodded slightly before responding.

“You claim to have no interest in me, yet now you ask for my name.”

“I…”

At my teasing tone, Theo’s face turned beet red. Before his breathing could grow more ragged, I quickly continued.

“Saeorin. And you’re Theo.”

To be honest, I half-expected to get hit. I had provoked him enough that a punch would’ve been warranted.

However, no punch came. The boy named Theo averted his gaze slightly and simply nodded.

How strange. When I teased my brothers, I often got hit a few times…

As time passed, the awkwardness between us seemed to dissipate, and Theo began peppering me with questions. How old was I? What were my hobbies? Where was I from?

Naturally, I didn’t answer them all. Depending on my mood, I would occasionally give a response.

After the flurry of questions, Theo began introducing himself, even though I hadn’t asked. Haltingly, he explained his situation.

Through Theo’s introduction, I learned that he too had suffered great losses at the hands of reincarnators.

“You’ve been through something horrible,” I said.

“Well, it’s not exactly uncommon…”

“Is your reason for heading to the Karma Empire to join Azure Wings?”

“Yeah.”

I studied Theo. Though he feigned calmness, his eyes burned with barely restrained fury.

Suddenly, I found myself curious. How skilled was this boy who shared my goal? How strong were the swordsmen of the Azure Wings that he aspired to join?

Placing a hand on the hilt of my sword, I asked, “Are you strong?”

“What…? Of course I am! Someone like me could join Azure Wings right away!”

I nodded thoughtfully. Theo, having lost his hometown to the reincarnators, couldn’t possibly be stronger than them.

This was merely a curiosity. I wanted to gauge the strength of a swordsman from a civilization and see how my own swordsmanship measured up against this self-proclaimed strong boy.

“If I defeat you, that would mean I could also join Azure Wings, wouldn’t it?”

“What…?”

“I’m suggesting we spar.”

I said this as I drew one of the five swords strapped to my back—the third one.

Shiiing—

The drawn blade was thin and short. The grip’s color had faded with age, but the blade itself remained sharp.

It was a rapier. Held lightly in my small hand, the sword moved gracefully. It extended in a straight line, carving an elegant arc in the air, leaving a beautiful trail.

Swoosh—!

It wasn’t a strike meant for depth—just a display of technique. 

Purely for show, the swordsmanship embedded in the rapier’s memory was all about aesthetics.

For now, that was enough. This style best suited my current body.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“What…”

After a moment of hesitation, Theo reluctantly drew his sword.

Shiiing—

The blade emitted a faint blue glow, reflecting the light of the setting sun as it was unsheathed.

Theo’s reluctance was obvious. He didn’t seem eager to spar but felt compelled to agree due to my insistence. 

I didn’t mind. Soon, his hesitant demeanor would be replaced by genuine determination.

Smiling lightly, I removed the heavy pack from my back and tossed it aside. The weight lifted, bringing a welcome lightness to my body.

Tap.

My steps grew lighter. Exhaling softly, I merged the memories of an unnamed swordsman with the techniques of the White Frost Tribe.

“Let’s begin.”

“If you get hurt, it’s not my fault…!”

Before Theo could finish his sentence, I stepped forward with my right leg. 

My steady breathing exploded in a burst of energy, channeling power into my right leg.

My forward-extended leg became a strong pivot. Maintaining that position, I swung the sword in my right hand.

Swoosh—!

The strike came from outside Theo’s field of vision. Among the swordsmen I had faced so far, none had been able to avoid this attack. But this time, I expected it to be blocked. I could sense Theo’s eyes tracking my sword.

Clang—!

A spark, reminiscent of the setting sun’s glow, flared as steel met steel. I gazed at Theo, who had successfully blocked my sword.

Theo showed no sign of surprise. His breathing remained steady. In response, I decided to quicken my movements.

Without hesitation, I rotated my wrist and stepped back.

Tap-tap—!

The thin rapier tapped against Theo’s longsword several times.