I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 20: Ninja (1)

Time passed quickly. Raynard and our team diligently roamed about, collecting information on our target, but we hadn’t achieved much.

The residents weren’t cooperative. It was as if they knew something but chose to feign ignorance.

“Intentionally concealing information about the Reincarnator!”

Bang!

Theo slammed the table hard, his frustration boiling over at the uncooperative attitudes of the residents. Watching him, Raynard spoke calmly.

“Seems like the guy really won over their hearts. He stepped up to help when people were in trouble and didn’t expect anything in return. No wonder they’re protective of him.”

“Sir! Shouldn’t we just arrest them all?”

“Not that easy. He’s not yet confirmed as a Reincarnator. Until the situation is clear, we can’t force anything.”

“But didn’t you say he was searching for a blacksmith capable of crafting katanas? Doesn’t that confirm it?”

“Unfortunately, that alone isn’t enough to label him a Reincarnator. What if Rover’s an innocent citizen?”

“Urgh…”

I pulled out a crumpled bundle of papers from my inner pocket. 

They contained Rover’s personal information.

There weren’t any substantial charges against him. He had merely exhibited behavior that raised suspicions of being a Reincarnator, prompting us to investigate.

Until Rover was confirmed to be a Reincarnator, we couldn’t compel the residents to answer us or request support from the city guard.

“Frustrating, right? You’ll get used to it eventually.”

Raynard patted Theo on the shoulder, then ordered four beers. The server quickly disappeared to fulfill the request.

At that moment, Flora exclaimed in surprise.

“Wait, hold on! Beer?”

“What about it?”

“According to the first clause in the Azure Wings manual, drinking alcohol during missions is prohibited!”

“Oh, is that so?”

“What do you mean, is that so? Aren’t we in the middle of a mission?”

I nodded at Flora’s words. I distinctly remembered reading that. When I first learned to read simple words, the Azure Wings manual was the first thing I read.

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out the manual.

“I remember too, Flora. Here… It says here… Flora is right, and Senior Raynard is wrong.”

“You actually brought that…?”

Raynard scratched his head, clearly bewildered. He had never seen anyone bring the manual on a mission, much less consult it so diligently.

Raynard spoke. “It’s nighttime. We need to relax, too.”

Soon, the server brought over the four beers. Raynard grabbed his glass immediately.

The refreshing fizz soaked his mouth and coursed through his body.

“Ahhh~”

A contented sigh escaped him. Feeling the coolness seep into him, Raynard brushed back his hair, revealing his snake-like eyes that had slightly narrowed in pleasure.

Sniff, sniff—

I held my beer glass with both hands—it was too big to hold with just one.

It was my first time seeing alcohol in this form. A constant fizzing sound tickled my ears.

My gaze shifted to my companions. Theo was drinking his beer without hesitation, while Flora glared at her glass with evident reluctance.

I’d learned that rules in the Azure Wings manual must be followed. But I wanted to try it. I really wanted to taste this beer for the first time.

I decided to be honest with my desires.

“Ah! Saeorin!”

The moment I raised the beer to my lips, Flora shouted. But my actions were faster.

Swish—

I didn’t stop. The cold liquid flowed into me as I emptied the glass completely.

Clink!

“Ahh…”

Not bad. No, it was better than expected. I felt the warmth of inebriation spreading slowly.

“This… this can’t be…!”

Flora’s gaze darted about in panic. Our team leader had drunk alcohol, and her two peers were also drinking.

With the situation as it was, she felt like the odd one out.

In the end, Flora gave in and gulped down her beer.

What followed was a standard drinking session. More beer was ordered, and plates of various foods began to pile up on the table.

We drank heartily and enjoyed the moment.

The first to stop was me. My small frame meant I became full much faster.

“Ugh…”

I brushed my face with my hands and let out a long sigh. The heavy scent of alcohol on my breath made my stomach churn.

“Are you okay? Do you want to get some fresh air?”

It was Flora who looked out for me. I stared blankly at her worried expression.

“Cute…”

“What…?”

“Not as much as my little sister, though.”

“What…? Sister? Saeorin?”

I staggered to my feet, wobbling as I rose. Flora’s suggestion to get some fresh air seemed like a good idea. 

The smell of alcohol and food inside the tavern was unbearable, making me feel as if I’d vomit everything in my stomach if I stayed.

I slowly began walking away.

“I’ll step outside for a moment.”

“W-wait, Saeorin! Should I come with you?”

As I tried to leave, Theo called out urgently. His fork clattered to the floor, dropped in his haste.

I frowned and shook my head.

“I’m fine. I prefer to be alone.”

I staggered out of the tavern, heading to a relatively quiet spot nearby. Sitting down, I finally let out a deep breath.

“Phew…”

The cool air began to soothe my nausea. I glanced at a small mirror affixed to the front of a darkened building.

The reflection showed a dazed girl grinning foolishly back at me.

Look at this face. How could anyone call this a human face? My sister’s face was undoubtedly the charming, devilish visage that could ensnare any man’s heart.

I found myself mesmerized by my own reflection.

A light breeze swept through, gently brushing my white hair. I tucked it behind my ear and touched my flushed cheeks. 

My hand, still resting on my cheek, slowly moved downward until it landed on the hilt of my sword.

The relaxed, drunken atmosphere around me shifted abruptly.

A gaze.

I felt it again. The same sensation I’d felt upon first arriving in this city.

Someone is watching me. They’re close. If I go back into the tavern to alert the others, they might disappear.

There wasn’t much time to deliberate. I immediately summoned mana.

The night sky above was clear, dotted with stars that twinkled against the inky blackness.

I scaled the wall in an instant.

Thud-thud-thud!

At first, I relied solely on my legs. But as my movements grew swifter, my posture lowered, resembling a weasel darting across snowy plains. My hands gripped the wall, propelling my body upward.

The intoxication clouding my mind wasn’t much of a hindrance. 

Though my sense of direction wavered slightly, I quickly scaled the tall wall and perched atop the building’s roof.

The source of the gaze was there.

“Who are you?”

My sense of balance still off, I remained on all fours, growling.

“What the…”

I scrutinized the figure before me. Everything they wore was black—clothing, the cloth wrapping their arms and legs, and the mask covering their face. 

They looked like someone dressed to avoid detection under the cover of night.

Suspicious—too suspicious. My hand rested on the sword’s hilt. My instincts screamed that this person was definitely a Reincarnator.

Why was I so sure? I didn’t know. It was simply a gut feeling, and I trusted it.

Thud!

The instant my small feet pushed off the roof, I lunged into a four-legged sprint.

Thud-thud-thud!

My mana-enhanced body accelerated rapidly, closing the distance in moments.

Then, the masked figure clasped their hands together. Their fingers formed a peculiar shape. My hair stood on end, a sense of foreboding washing over me.

“火のトカゲ!” (Fire Lizard!)

It was the first time I’d heard those words. They sounded like the incantations the tribal shamans chanted before casting their spells.

Whoosh!

Flames erupted from the figure’s fingertips, growing into a massive form almost instantly. I immediately stopped and swung my sword in a wide arc.

Swish!

The mana imbued in my blade carried a chilling frost, scattering white particles in its wake.

“Grrk!”

Yet, the searing heat did not dissipate. I swiftly unfurled my cloak, using it to shield my face.

As soon as the cloak blocked my vision, the masked figure took the opportunity to hurl dark shurikens.

Thunk-thud-thud!

One lodged in my cloak, while two struck my arm and leg. I rolled to the ground, dropping from the roof.

The masked figure did not pursue. They stood for a moment, watching me fall, before leaping in the opposite direction and vanishing into the shadows.

I quickly got back on my feet. The pain in my arm and leg was sharp, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

I burst into the tavern, throwing the door open, and shouted.

“A Reincarnator! A Reincarnator has appeared!”