Plum Blossom Sword Empress (3)

I looked at Peng Jin-ah with a feeling of disbelief.

Occasionally, after finishing class alone with her, we would enjoy a cozy tea time.
Stories about her family home were often mentioned there.
Although it is said to be extinct now, she often boasted that it was a venerable place with a history of over 150 years.

Hmm, it seems to be true.
Peng Jin-ah’s lips curled up slightly.
It looked like she would smile like a girl if you just tapped her.

I turned my head and looked at the nameplate outside the window.
The word “ was written.
Indeed, the person who mentioned having business here, as Su Ok-bin said, was Peng Jin-ah.

“So this is the master’s family home.”
“Yes… it’s the house where I lived and grew up since childhood.”

Peng Jin-ah explained that she stopped by because she had some things to pack here.
She also apologized softly.

“I’m sorry, Cadet Yu Seha. I wish I could guide you inside as well, but the formation set up in the Peng family home basically prohibits outsiders from entering.”
“Ah, I see.”

After Peng Jin-ah finished explaining, the Sword Empress, who had been silently listening, wore a mischievous expression.
Chuckling softly, she subtly suggested to Peng Jin-ah.

“Jin-ah~ Since we’re here, why not register the disciple too?”
“What? No, Miss. You know, if it’s the same gender, maybe. But the opposite gender can only enter after marriage—”
“Yes, of course I know~ I’ve lived here for years. I said it knowing that.”
“…What?”

Peng Jin-ah spaced out for a moment.
She blinked her clear, distinctive eyes.
She tilted her head.
Soon, understanding the meaning, she blushed deeply like a ripe red radish.
The Sword Empress found it amusing and couldn’t stop laughing.

“Our Jin-ah, your reaction is cute~”
“D-Don’t tease me!”
“Teasing you~”
“Miss!!!”

A moment later.
Peng Jin-ah huffed and entered the Peng family home with a “hmph!”
Su Ok-bin also said she would get some fresh air and left her seat.

‘…Huh?’

Suddenly, only the Sword Empress and I were left alone in the car.
And what was this?
The Sword Empress was sitting right next to me.
She had been in the front seat, but as soon as Peng Jin-ah disappeared, she appeared beside me like a cat sliding silently.

“Hello~”
“Ah, yes!”
“Relax. Relax~ If you’re Jin-ah’s disciple, you’re mine too.”
“R-Really?”
“I told you~ Jin-ah and I grew up like sisters since childhood.”

Chatter chatter, mumble mumble!
The Plum Blossom Sword Empress, Wei Ga-ryeong, babbled on!

To me, it was truly fascinating.
A confirmed strong figure in ‘GAL.’
But almost no information was known about her.
She occasionally appeared in stories, swung her sword stylishly once, and disappeared—a cool woman.

Therefore, among the instructors, the general opinion was that she had a somewhat mysterious image.
But the reality was the exact opposite.

‘To think she has such a chatty and girlish personality.’

Additionally, although their fundamental temperaments differ.
There was a strange sense reminiscent of Peng Jin-ah…
Certainly, you could feel that they grew up like sisters.

Then, the Sword Empress suddenly started fiddling with both my cheeks.
Before I could say anything, she pinched them just like I did to the kids.

“Uh, eh? Sword Empress?”
“You can be like a little brother to Ga-ryeong. By the way, so soft and supple~”

I was a bit embarrassed.
This was my trademark move, yet I was on the receiving end.

Meanwhile, the Sword Empress hummed and examined my face from various angles.

“Amazing.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve already reached your 70s?”
“…!”

I flinched.
Because I understood that she was talking about my [stats].
The Sword Empress crossed her arms and nodded.

“Of course! From A-rank upwards, skills matter more than stats. And beyond skills, the mental image of the ability user controlling them is even more important. But you can’t ignore the basics. Your growth is truly amazing. When I reached your level of strength, Yu Seha, I was in my late twenties.”

“Th-That’s also incredible, isn’t it?”

“Of course~ I’m a genius who can hold my head high anywhere. But compared to your talent, Yu Seha, I’m humble. Your talent is dazzling.”

Indeed, the famous heroes are different~

Her words reminded me of the reporters from this morning.

“Um, am I really that good?”
“Hmm?”

The Sword Empress looked at me curiously.
She took out her phone from her chest, saying, ‘Of course~ Yu Seha, you’re very famous.’

Inside were numerous news articles about me flooding in.

Well, I had seen them too.
Whenever I turned on my phone, my face was plastered everywhere.
But I couldn’t quite grasp the reality.

‘…It actually feels less real.’

The Sword Empress smiled gently at my reaction.
She nodded as if she understood.

“Seha, you don’t seem to realize how big an impact your actions have.”

“…Yes. I don’t really feel it… and honestly, I don’t know if it’s worth all this fuss.”

“That’s understandable. But if you understand the ideology spreading in the world now, you’ll get it.”

“…Ideology?”

The Plum Blossom Sword Empress said, ‘It’s history time~’ while twirling her finger.

“Not now, but originally, hunters were those who vowed to protect citizens and fight against evil.”

Until the time when the greatest beings on earth, the , existed, justice was considered the highest virtue.

Therefore, they did their best to enjoy the glory of fighting back-to-back.

The word itself has been distorted.

“Originally, they were called .”
“…Pledgers?”
“Yes, it’s a term for awakened ones. Some of these pledgers gained the honor of ascending to a higher level through direct contracts with dragons. In such cases, they became one with the dragon and wielded tremendous power. Anyway, I digressed for a moment.”

The Sword Empress returned to the original topic.

Originally, such a shining heart was the greatest value.

But when the Demon King descended and most dragons died.
The flow of society began to change rapidly.

“They started acting only for their own benefit… and began worshipping evil without hesitation to gain stronger power.”

“That’s the demon villains, right?”

“Yes. Of course, even if not those two, most hunters now only look at their desires. Clans and such were ultimately created to satisfy their own desires. What I want to say here is this.”

As time passes.
As time goes on.
Those who risk their lives to face disasters are gradually disappearing.

“This can be seen in the decreasing number of volunteers for tasks like fighting S-rank monsters, which someone must do but no one wants to step up to. Also… it’s the reason why more people deliberately join late.”

“Uh, why? S-rank monsters get stronger over time when they appear in reality…?”

“Because that way, they can demand a higher price for themselves.”

“…Ah.”

“Mayors or village chiefs of disaster-stricken areas have to do that to hurriedly provide precious resources. Meanwhile, citizens keep dying. This is the mild part. If you dig deeper, you’ll find even darker abysses.”

I don’t particularly intend to criticize this.

They all fight risking their lives.

They seek just and greater rewards, so you can’t blame them.

But as these things accumulate… it’s true that eventually no one steps forward.

“In such a social trend, you appeared like a comet.”
“…Me?”
“Yes, a 19-year-old boy with a clear innate magic limit. And a mere cadet, not even active duty yet, risking his life to fight, and that scene spread throughout the world.”

The important thing here is that you stepped up.

“Skill and ability are important, of course, but that courageous act had a huge impact on the hunter world.”
“Uh…”
“I can assure you. Your actions will surely ignite a fire in some hunters who still silently hold onto justice.”

They will put aside interests and benefits.
They will unite beside you.

“Uh, um…”

I blinked.
I was dumbfounded by the sudden surprise compliment.
I wondered, is it really that much?

Also, thoughts like ‘I actually stepped up more to prevent bigger problems in the future than for this world itself’ came to mind.

Seeing me like that, the Plum Blossom Sword Empress chuckled.

“You are a child who shines like the sun.”

Finally, she whispered softly into my ear.

“This means the academy attack that Chairman Yu Neung-ha requested to prepare for someday.”
“…!”
“More hunters will be contacted to prepare for it.”

Including me.

I looked at the Sword Empress for a while.
Seeing her smile brightly, I sighed with joy.

“…So you were one of the people the Chairman contacted.”
“Yes, yes~ Our Yu Neung-ha, the spinster, begged me so much that I kept it in my heart for now.”
“Um, then…”
“Don’t worry. If a kid like Yu Seha risks his life to fight, adults can’t just stand by.”

The Plum Blossom Sword Empress puffed out her chest with a “ahem~.”

“If I get a call, I’ll warp there immediately, so don’t worry.”

I thanked her and held her hand.

“Thank you!”

Not just anyone, but the Sword Empress herself is joining the fight.
Literally a one-man army.
With this, I was confident we could handle the well.

“Yes, yes~ But I think you should let go of this hand. Your little master will explode with jealousy.”
“Huh?”

The Sword Empress giggled.
She pointed behind with her finger.
I turned around and was startled.

“…”

Peng Jin-ah.

She had returned quietly and was frowning, pressing her face against the window.

Her cheek was squished from pushing so hard.
A fierce look naturally radiated from her eyes.

“Our Jin-ah, you’ve become a true master who cares for her disciple while I wasn’t looking~”

Uh, um.
It feels a bit different from that…