Chapter 16

There wasn't much to pack.

It's a new uniform, so Redin packed some clothes and the Sword Saint's sword he got from the weapon armory the other day.

A completely worn out scabbard.

Still not pulled.

He's going to have to visit a blacksmith soon and put in a request.

"That leaves the most important thing."

Harungel's final heart, which can only be obtained by earning all four previous hearts.

He grabbed everything and headed down to the first floor.

After leaving the dorms, He walked past the training grounds and deeper into the forest. It was a small forest, and Redin could see the end in sight.

A cliff overlooking the ocean.

Through the thick trees, Redin could see a vast expanse of blue ocean. There was something cool about it. He walked slowly, enjoying the atmosphere.

*crunch*

A dry branch was stepped on.

The smell of wood was everywhere.

Once he's outside, he can't have this luxury for a while.

And just like that, he was out of the woods.

If he walks toward the cliff in front of him, he'll find a space at the bottom that is large enough for a person to lie down. There he will find the last heart.

"Hmph…."

Redin heard a strange sound coming from the side of the cliff.

It sounds like someone is sobbing.

"Hmmm"

Coughing heavily, Redin walked towards the cliff. Someone stood up quickly. Long red hair fluttered, and the scent of roses tickled his nostrils.

It seems like someone he knows.

"Huuuuu…."

Rebecca exhaled, steadying her breathing. She raised her hands to her face, and after a moment, turned away.

The eye area is slightly swollen.

"If you go anywhere, you will die."

Redin shrugged, meeting Rebecca's icy gaze.

"I'll be out for a while."

"Hmph."

He glanced at Rebecca, who quickly left the area. Maybe it's because he knows what's going on behind the scenes.

Crying didn't seem like a big deal.

He tuned out his nerves and focused on getting deep. Redin stood where Rebecca had been a moment ago and lowered his posture.

Letters engraved on the floor.

He stretched out his hand over it and finished it.

[You have acquired Harungel's Heart 5].

[Realization of some of Harungel's insights].

[The Footwork of the Sword Saint is imprinted in your mind].

The upper body is an important part of the Sword, but so is the lower body.

Depending on how you move your feet.

You can add more power to your sword, or you can move quickly to counterattack.

Also,

It also contained tips on how to move quickly through distances. It's what we call a movement skill in games.

"Let's give it a try." Redin decided after fully absorbing the Final Heart.

He stepped off the cliff and looked toward the forest.

Redin didn't have a name for the footwork, He just remembered how to do it and pumped up his mana.

Decided on a distance to travel.

Gently push off with his hind foot and apply strength to his front foot. He stomped the ground hard, sending mana rushing out.

*Boom!*

His body moves with the wind.

Redin lightly stretched forward.

*Bam!*

When he stepped on a dry branch and stood up, he was surrounded by trees. He moved about 10 meters in a single leap.

"Good."

[bleep!]

[You've collected all of Harungel's insights].

[You will receive a special reward for taking over the legacy of the Sword Saint Harungel].

[You have acquired the title – God of War.]

[The more opponents you defeat, the higher your overall ability, and the shorter the time it takes to gain enlightenment].

[Sword Saint's Enlightenment Acquisition Rate 3.7%]

The sword arts of Harungel were forged on the battlefield.

He honed his sword through constant combat, improving his skills. The title reflected these effects.

In short.

The more he fights, the stronger Redin gets.

It was a fitting title for his lack of experience. It's like killing two birds with one stone: gaining experience and accelerating growth.

"Shall I head back now?" Redin muttered to himself.

He'd gotten all the Hidden Pieces, and there's nothing left to get. He'd also like to give the gale cut a try, but since he doesn't have a proper sword, it's a pass.

There were people waiting, so he got out of the forest and headed towards the infirmary.

The Bridge to Hell.

At the entrance, He saw familiar faces. Rebecca, who had left the forest earlier, and Daylon, who still looked like a beggar.

And Riena watching over them.

He nudged her to the side and asked her what was going on, and she was kind enough to answer.

"She wants to join the special task forces."

In the original story.

After a year or so in the arrest division, she caught the eye of a Special Forces Third Division commander and got transferred to Special Forces.

Is this another skewed future?

Or did this happen originally and was rejected?

"Do you accept?"

"Well."

Riena blurted out her words.

He can't read between the lines or in their eyes. But considering that the primary mission of the 7th Division is to provide information and support.

They probably know something about Rebecca.

"Hmmm… are we done?"

Rebecca's face flushed as bright red as her hair when Daylon gave her a look of disinterest.

Her nose flared and she swallowed hard.

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't want to bother you, but… Riena, what do you think, should we take it or not?"

Daylon handed the selection over to Riena.

Rebecca looked away, locked eyes with Redin, and then frowned in surprise.

"You…."

"Oh. Redin, are you finished?"

"Yes, Captain."

Daylon pushed past Rebecca and came to me, yawning tiredly at Riena as he stood beside me.

"If you like her, take it, if not, don't."

"Again!? Responsibility."

"I picked one."

Riena sighed heavily, then looked at Rebecca and spoke.

"Rebecca von Adrian."

"…!"

"If you're so great that you've been recommended as the next heir to the Ad Kingdom, why did you come all this way to hide your identity?"

Rebecca's eyes widened.

"That's…"

"Is it because of the death of your mother?"

"…."

Rebecca's face flushed almost as red as her hair. Her clenched fists shook.

She felt a deep sense of anger.

"For revenge? I don't really care. It's not like there aren't other kids like you. But you have to drop everything to get in here."

Riena's gaze turned sharp.

"But. I wonder if you really put it all aside."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Are you sure you've really let go of your whole past?"

"Yes."

"In the course of a Special Task Force mission, you may have to be a nobleman's maid or a tavern girl. Does that mean you can do it all?"

Rebecca replied, clenching her fists.

"Sure."

"Well, then. Get out of here."

Then, without a second's hesitation, Rebecca's hands went to her clothes, unbuttoning them one by one to reveal a bare chest.

Riena raised a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

"Go pack your things."

"Thank you."

Rebecca dipped her head in thanks, then sped off toward her quarters.

"It's only me who does this."

Daylon shrugged at Riena's complaint.

"I can't make you do that."

"It's okay."

"Great, Great. I guess I only have you and Riena."

"Hah… I don't know. If she goes wrong, there's going to be an uproar in the Ad Kingdom, and it's all on you."

"Of course."

* * *

*Pooh-Pooh*

Redin had no idea that less than a month after arriving on the island, He would be on this transport again, this time with Rebecca.

He turned and looked at Rebecca.

Hair tied up in a ponytail.

Light casual clothes, not a uniform.

The various expressions she had shown earlier were gone, and she was once again staring at Burning Hel, who was receding into the distance, hiding her emotions.

"Do you have something to say?"

Rebecca's eyes bore into mine.

"Not at all."

Rebecca turned and walked toward the cabin, her back to me, and Redin recalled her information.

A princess.

She wasn't raised in the royal family from a young age. Due to the nature of the Ad Kingdom, once an heir is chosen, other heirs are not allowed to live in the royal family.

When the heir was chosen.

Rebecca was only four years old, so she was more like a commoner with more memories of living outside than a royal.

Then.

Her life changed when the crown prince, Grandal, a man of great character and skill, died unexpectedly.

The King of Knights summoned his children.

He declared that the next throne would go to the one who had accomplished the most for them, and an invisible war of attrition began between the siblings.

Rivalry, backstabbing.

Sibling jealousy.

Rebecca, who had great talent, faced the greatest obstacles. As the child of a concubine, she was not in a strong position, and as a result, she was unable to protect what she had.

Her mother's death.

With that, Rebecca fled the royal court and hid her identity in Burning Hell.

To take a high position and uncover her mother's death.

"If it had been the original story, it would have been...."

She would have gotten her revenge by joining the Special 3rd Division and becoming the head of the organization in two years. She'd expose her brothers for what they really are.

And then she'd choose to stay in Burning Hell.

"Wait…"

The future as he knew it is gone.

Which means Rebecca's options could change. What if he help her get her revenge and make her king of the Ad Kingdom?

Gain the support of the Ad Kingdom, which is more closed and harder to capture than the Holy Empire.

If this..

Eventually, he'll need to make a connection.

"Rebecca!"

"Why."

"Want to make a bet?"

"With you? No."

Well. It's easy to change her mind.

He can use her competitive nature to his advantage.

"If you're worried about losing…"

"Who is scared!"

"This is the initiation test we have to do. Let's decide who made the greatest contribution, how about that?"

"What's the betting reward?"

"A wish. To be honored."

"Okay. I'm going to make you regret saying that."

And just then, Riena approached.

"Let me tell you about this mission."