I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 37: The Emperor’s Sword (1)

“Still couldn’t meet him today?”

“He didn’t even show up at the training grounds.”

As I walked briefly through the streets of the Silverhill estate, Flora and I crossed paths and exchanged a few words. 

Two weeks had passed since the investigation mission began. Flora and Theo, who had planned to enter the estate later, had already made their way in.

For more than three days, Rowan hadn’t been seen. Frowning, I pictured Silverhill Rowan, the eldest son of this estate.

It wasn’t a recurrence of his illness, nor was he secluded for training. He was simply staying indoors. At some point, Rowan had stopped appearing altogether.

It wasn’t likely that my identity had been exposed. If it had, I wouldn’t still be allowed to remain in the estate.

Strange…

My gaze shifted toward the Silverhill family mansion situated on the far edge of the estate.

Late in the evening, I left the inn. Normally, this was a time I wouldn’t be active, but I had gathered information about an herb that supposedly bloomed only at night.

If I were Serida, an herbalism scholar…

I wouldn’t give up. Someone could be watching me at any moment. I couldn’t drop my act for even a second.

Leaving the estate, I ventured into the forest.

The forest at night was shrouded in darkness. The only illumination came from the moonlight filtering through the trees. I pulled out a lamp to light my way.

Some noble families were rumored to have methods to see as clearly at night as they did during the day. Such techniques existed in other worlds too. 

By focusing energy into one’s eyes, the world could be perceived more clearly—a practice called Eye Techniques.

For now, I relied on the lamplight, rummaging through the underbrush. 

Each time my small hands parted the foliage, the moonlight spilled gently over the leaves.

Rustle—

Faint footsteps reached my ears. Slowly, I turned my head. I had already sensed someone approaching before hearing the sound but chose not to react.

The presence felt familiar.

“Serida…!”

“Rowan?”

Rowan sighed as he looked at me. Under the soft moonlight, I must have appeared breathtakingly beautiful. 

Perhaps this was what a fairy from legends would look like, or even a goddess of beauty who might envy my appearance.

Destiny.

Rowan clutched his chest. He had come out for fresh air, unable to endure his stifling emotions. Once again, we met by chance.

If this wasn’t destiny, what was? Repeated coincidences were said to be fate. Rowan felt a strong pull toward me.

If it’s Serida…

She’s a thoughtful and polite girl. The rumors spreading throughout the estate only confirmed it. She treated people without bias and was kind to everyone.

Perhaps she could understand the secret he carried. Or so Rowan believed.

I stood up, holding a small herb in my hand.

“Good to see you, Rowan. Enjoying a night walk?”

“Oh, yeah. Just strolling a bit.”

“I came out to gather herbs that bloom only at night. They’re said to be excellent for relieving fatigue…”

“Wait, is this for my sake…?”

I nodded without hesitation. In truth, I didn’t clearly remember what Rowan had asked of me. I hadn’t thought it was important, but coincidentally, the situation lined up.

Lucky.

After a brief silence, Rowan nodded, his eyes filled with resolve.

“Serida, could you spare some time tomorrow evening?”

“Of course. What time works for you?”

“Tomorrow evening… I’d like you to come to my house. Actually, I’ll send someone to escort you. I want to introduce you to my parents.”

Snap!

The sudden sound drew both our gazes to its source—my hand. The herb I was holding had been crushed, and white sap dripped from it.

Forcing an awkward smile, I nodded.

“Of course! Thank you so much for inviting me!”

“That herb…”

“Oh, I must have damaged the root while picking it… It burst.”

After arranging our plans, Rowan and I parted ways. However, I didn’t return to the inn. Instead, I wandered through the estate, leaving subtle traces in various places. After some time, Theo appeared, disguised as a laborer.

He was busily moving empty liquor bottles. As we passed each other slowly, I spoke.

“Tomorrow evening. The Silverhill lord’s mansion.”

There was no reply. He didn’t even nod. Theo simply walked away.

***

As the appointed time drew near, a large carriage arrived in front of the inn. Rowan’s words about sending someone had been true.

Members of the Silverhill family accompanied the carriage, looking for Serida. 

There was no way I could refuse. Leaving my room, I approached the carriage.

“Miss Serida…?”

They clearly already recognized me. I nodded and replied, “Yes, I am Serida.”

“Lord Rowan is waiting. Would you please accompany us?”

What would happen if I declined? I stifled a faint sense of rebellion, shaking my head inwardly.

I was currently on a mission for Azure Wings. Personal emotions needed to be suppressed as much as possible.

I stepped into the carriage.

The carriage moved at a pace that was neither fast nor slow. 

Watching the passing scenery, I soon found myself arriving at the Silverhill estate mansion.

Once I alighted, I was led to an opulent room. As I was ushered in, I asked, “Excuse me, where’s Rowan?”

“You cannot meet him yet. There are preparations to be made…”

Preparations? I tilted my head in confusion, only to realize that the preparations involved me.

The maids in the lavish room dressed me in fine clothing and adorned me with all manner of accessories. The entire ordeal took an hour.

“Oh my…”

“She was stunning to begin with, but…”

“My goodness… No wonder Lord Rowan is…”

The maids could not hide their admiration as they gazed at their creation. 

Sitting there calmly, the girl reflected in the mirror seemed like the embodiment of beauty itself. Her appearance left no room for negative thoughts.

Only after enduring the maids’ giddy chatter and clinging affection was I finally escorted to where Rowan was waiting.

The location was the garden.

Rowan stood by a large fountain, dressed in a black and crimson formal uniform that was far from his usual casual attire. 

His hair gleamed, and he wore accessories I’d never seen on him before.

I feel like throwing up.

It was like looking at Theo on the weekends.

“Ah, Se—”

Rowan’s unfinished words trailed off as his gaze fixed on me, his expression dazed. 

By now, I was used to such reactions. Smiling lightly, I brushed my hair behind my ear.

“Serida…”

The two of us strolled through the garden at a leisurely pace, engaging in a brief conversation. Despite its brevity, the content was surprisingly weighty.

“I mentioned before, didn’t I? About developing a new farming method that greatly increased the estate’s productivity… But it wasn’t me who did it.”

“Pardon? Really?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t the one who developed it. It was my father.”

“That’s not something you should tell just anyone…”

“You’re not just anyone, Serida. I don’t want to lie to you.”

As we spoke, many of the questions I had began to clear up. Silverhill Rowan was undoubtedly a suspicious individual. 

However, after observing him closely, I hadn’t found any additional evidence pointing to him being a reincarnator.

Though skilled in swordsmanship, he hadn’t shown significant improvement—a characteristic unlike any reincarnator. 

Those granted a second life grew rapidly, their progress seemingly unbound.

Rowan didn’t appear to be holding himself back. On the contrary, he always gave his best, eager to impress the woman he fancied.

“My illness was cured thanks to a mana cultivation technique my father developed.”

“Incredible… A mana cultivation technique capable of curing an incurable disease!”

An illness that no one could cure. It was said to be a terminal condition. And yet, it was healed by a mana cultivation technique? A technique developed by the lord of Silverhill?

The Silverhill family had spent generations on the outskirts, farming grapes. They had no history tied to martial prowess or mana.

Perhaps the reincarnator…

Might not be Rowan. That is, if what he said was entirely true. It was too soon to draw conclusions.

Just then, I sensed a faint presence not far away.

Step…

Footsteps drew closer. Rowan seemed to notice them belatedly and turned his head.

“Father?”

“Is that her?”

A seemingly ordinary middle-aged man appeared. His aura felt no different from that of a commoner, yet there was an inexplicable sense of enormity about him.

Silverhill Baron.

The current lord of the Silverhill estate. As Baron reached the garden entrance, it felt as if the sky itself had enveloped everything around me.

A monster…

A chill ran down my spine. This was no mere provincial noble who had spent his life tending vineyards.

I swallowed dryly and habitually reached for my waist.

The sword…

It wasn’t there.