Chapter 20: Seira’s First Mission

Slash, thrust, and swing. The sword allows for infinite combinations of these three actions.

Depending on the lines you draw, the sword’s possibilities approach infinity. That’s why swordsmanship is a martial art that’s so hard to master.

Hundred-Day Spear. Thousand-Day Saber. Ten-Thousand-Day Sword.

They say it takes a hundred days to learn the spear, a thousand for the saber, and ten thousand for the sword—that’s not just empty talk.

The sword is the king among all weapons. They say ten thousand days. Even if you spend your whole life learning, it’s impossible to truly master it.

‘Of course, if you dive deeply enough, all martial arts are similar, but just getting started with the sword is quite difficult.’

Thump, thump—

Perhaps my heart beats like this when I hold a sword because I’m a martial artist of the Jegal Clan. This is a sword Jegal Hyeon never managed to wield before his death.

Whoooosh—

The bright, white blade slicing through the air is exhilarating.

“Nice.”

Such a sword was wielded by the Jegal Clan. And now, I intend to wield it too.

‘There are separate sword techniques for the Eighteen Arms Martial Arts…

But I’m going to start right from the basics.

The starting point is the Socheonseong Sword Art.

The Jegal Family Method always begins and ends with understanding.

From the understanding of sword principles, sword forms, and sword movements—it all starts with comprehension, and in the end, seeks to capture all the sword’s movements within your own understanding.

The Socheonseong Sword Art is built on that very foundation of sword comprehension.

It’s a sword art that is rooted in understanding the sword, so there’s no other technique that explains swordsmanship better.

‘That’s why there’s no need to learn the sword separately from the Eighteen Arms Martial Arts.’

The Socheonseong Sword Art focuses on three basic forms: swinging, thrusting, and slashing.

Shingirae Sword.

The ultimate form of slashing, this technique channels a sense of extreme speed.

Whooosh— Crack!

It tears through the air. The movement is refreshing. The Geomnyeok is impressive.

‘If I infuse my internal energy here…!’

Wooooom— Wooom—

In a single swing, I could put in at least ten variations. At a higher level, more than twenty changes can be woven into a single stroke.

To the opponent, it’s like facing a sword that transforms ten thousand times in just one move!

“Good.”

Power and speed—satisfying.

If I’d learned to use the sword before encountering the Assassin, maybe I would have handled things more easily.

There’s still a lot to refine through experience. The experience in Jegal Hyeon’s head—I have to embody it by moving directly.

“Next, with the sword…”

By the time I pause to catch my breath, I’ll surely have advanced further.

It took Father, as the clan head, several more days just to settle the fire incident and reassure the people. From what I hear, tracking the sudden disappearance of that underworld organization is proving quite difficult.

‘Black Snake… What a shabby name.’

The organization Max leads as boss is called Black Snake.

It’s not because he’s especially skilled, but because the retainers hiding within are blocking information from leaking out.

That’s clearly causing Father a lot of trouble. Not that he’s foolish—rather, he’s a sharp Father. By now…

‘He might be starting to catch on.’

Anyway, only after those few days did Father finally have some free time for the first time in a while.

That means his favorite tradition: a lively family lunch together.

Of course, eldest brother is currently in the North to suppress monster activity. Mother looks utterly exhausted from managing the estate in Father’s absence.

Mealtime is both the same and different as always.

‘Well, I suppose that’s what it’s like.’

If there’s anyone who acts the same no matter what, it’s my sister.

“Father, try this too.”

“Seira, mind your table manners.”

“Come on. It’s just us, right?”

“Still, be careful when you’re out.”

“Yes! Got it.”

Just like always. Bright, loud.

‘Only outside does she act differently.’

At home, she never pretends. Both a fox and a training fanatic—my sister really is unique.

Thanks to her, the weary faces of our parents seem to relax a bit.

Suddenly, Father speaks up.

“Hmm hmm…”

“Father?”

“It’s not great to discuss business at the table, but… It seems I must head north to support the front.”

It was an abrupt announcement.

‘Things must be really bad up north.’

Even Master, who said he’d stay near the city, ended up traveling far away again. Clearly, things are more complicated than I thought.

Seira asks quietly.

“Then what about the Spiritual Land? I heard the Guard Corps still haven’t finished dealing with the fire, either.”

“How did you know?”

“I heard it around. Hehe.”

‘Just how did she hear about that?’

‘Wasn’t she always just training?’

No idea when she manages to pay attention to such things, even while training.

She may act lighthearted, but she’s no fool—she has sharp insight. She’s hit right at the heart of the current situation.

If Father leaves, even if Mother manages things internally, public security could suffer.

It’s the presence of Father, both strong and the clan head, that keeps the Spiritual Land at peace.

‘If he’s gone, it could become a real problem…’

The now-quiet organization and those rotten enough to support them might try something while Father’s away.

“Hmm.”

Father’s face hardens with worry. But it’s not a problem he can avoid.

At that moment, as if waiting, Seira speaks up again.

“Can I take charge of this matter?”

“You mean you?”

Surprise flashes in Father’s eyes.

“Yes! I’m an Auror Practitioner now, after all.”

“Haha…”

“Really?”

Even I’m surprised.

“Yup! Well… I’m only halfway there?”

“Wow, impressive.”

“Hehe…”

It seems she’s already reached the Practitioner level, surpassing the Auror User.

She probably broke through that barrier a while ago, but it took time because her Auror reserves were lacking.

‘If not… Hmm, I can guess why.’

Even if she’s only halfway there, it’s still an amazing feat.

She’s only now telling us, but judging from our parents’ reaction, they already knew.

That means my sister’s abilities are by no means lacking.

‘Maintaining public security isn’t only about brute force, anyway.’

With decent martial strength and the right people supporting her, she’ll be able to manage security just fine.

“Will you be able to handle it?”

“Of course!”

“Good. But don’t take any reckless risks. Your job is only to secure public order. Understood?”

“That’s all I need to do!”

“Absolutely no overdoing it?”

“I know, I know. Hehe.”

Even though he sounds anxious and keeps nagging, Father ends up entrusting her with the task.

“Hehe…”

It might be her first real responsibility within the Spiritual Land. No wonder she’s so pleased. The problem is—

“Rayrn!”

“Huh?”

“You’re going to help too, right?”

“What?”

All eyes—my parents’ and my sister’s—are on me. I can practically hear their thoughts without them saying a word.

“Go help her.”

“Keep her out of trouble.”

“Finally, a mission!”

Ugh. With the mood being what it is, I really have no way out.

“…I’ll go.”

***

My sister’s first mission: patrolling the Spiritual Land and securing public order started just two days later.

‘That was fast.’

In just one day, she’d gathered the soldiers she’d need. The knighthood even assigned five knights just for her.

Accomplishing that much in just a day shows real resourcefulness.

She must have been planning this for quite some time, even if she didn’t say so.

Come to think of it, she’s already eighteen. Other noble ladies her age have long since married or found fiancés.

‘But my sister is an exception.’

As the daughter of a count, plenty have set their sights on her.

Once, there was even someone whose engagement with her almost became official. Unfortunately for him—

‘She beat him up properly.’

She didn’t like him, so she crushed him completely.

Even though he was said to be quite a talent in swordsmanship, he was utterly defeated.

There was no rumor thanks to each family’s intervention, but as a direct family member, of course I knew.

‘After all, I was there.’

Since then, no one dared step forward as a suitor. Father, too, didn’t bother trying to arrange a match for her.

When it comes to marriage, she’s essentially left alone.

Maybe that’s exactly how my sister wants it. Either way, she’s not the type to waste her life as a noble lady.

I figured she’d become a knight, or do something significant. The result:

“Everyone, halt!”

That’s her now, leading knights and soldiers with a clear, ringing voice.

Wearing armor specially made for her by the estate’s artisan, she commands her troops—her appearance almost shines. Perhaps it’s because she’s finally doing what she wants.

She’s still a bit awkward, but not lacking.

Rather than start with the inner fortress, she began with the outer one. The places with more anxiety, where fires broke out, where the lower classes wander.

She’s hitting the exact points where the people of the Spiritual Land need reassurance.

‘She’s a natural.’

Give her a few more days and even her awkwardness will vanish. She’ll become the perfect patrol officer.

She’s not just going through the motions.

Everyone knows the poor tend to live where security is weakest. But few nobles seek out those places themselves.

My sister is one of those rare nobles.

She personally ventured into places beyond the Guard Corps’ reach—complex areas most wouldn’t bother with.

“From here, let’s make the search even more thorough.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The more I watched, the more obvious it was that she’d been preparing for this patrol for a long time.

‘Still, there are some rough spots I should help with.’

Just enough. I’ll give her just enough help.

“Sis. This place is good, but I think you should check further inside, too.”

“Inside?”

“Yes. Usually, people don’t go all the way in there.”

“How do you know?”

‘How do I know? I’ve been everywhere in this place.’

“Isn’t it obvious just by looking?”

“Hmm… That’s true. Here! Let’s check here too, Itun!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

She doesn’t insist on her own way and listens to advice. Considering how kids her age often make mistakes by being stubborn, it’s impressive.

‘I used to think she was only good at swordsmanship and couldn’t really trust her…

But unexpectedly, she’s talented. If she’s got ability, I should help her as much as I can.

‘That’ll make things easier for me, too. If she manages the Spiritual Land well, she’ll be a big help later.’

It’s something the family wants—there’s no reason not to help.

“Sis, here too!”

“Oh, nice job!”

“I think we should check even more thoroughly around here.”

“You’re right! How did you know? You really are amazing, Rayrn.”

“Hehe, you’re even more amazing, Sis. Also, I think you should check below here, too.”

“Ooh.”

With just a bit of guidance, the patrol proceeded smoothly.

“Over there! Get him!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Surround them with magic. Bind!”

And then, there’s me. Sensing the surroundings with my inner power and finding those in hiding isn’t difficult.

“Aaargh.”

With my magic—or sometimes the knights’ help—we even managed to catch some suspicious-looking types.

‘Surprisingly fruitful, isn’t it?’

All in all, the Spiritual Land patrol went more smoothly than expected.