Reset Life – Chapter 20

KR Translators:

・StarrySkySailor
・KawaiiKage
・ImmortalInk
・KingPotato
・SugoiSenpai

Chapter 20: That’s Not It. No, It’s Not! (1)

July 10, 372 Imperial Year.

Half a day south of Kinchedin lies the Aran River.

It’s one of the five largest rivers on the continent. From here, the delegation boarded a ship and headed towards Ast, the capital of the Azot Kingdom.

The river, with a maximum width of 6 kilometers and an average width of 3 kilometers, was a marvel, large enough to accommodate massive ships typically seen at sea.

The ship we boarded was enormous.

It was the Azot Royal Family’s dedicated vessel, with ample space even after carrying the 200 members of the delegation, Crown Prince Lymant, also known as the Crown Prince Orange, his escort of 100 Azot Royal Knights, and the original crew.

The ‘Blue Dragon’s Horn’ was gliding smoothly along the river.

We, on board, were enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Aran River, the refreshing breeze, and some entertainment.

And what exactly were we doing……?

“Alright! Get ready!”

We were watching an arm-wrestling match.

“One! Two! Three!”

“Ugh!”

Boom!

With a single grunt,

The moment Joey’s arm swelled up, the sailor he was locked with went tumbling down.

“He won!”

“Oh my god! Nix too?!”

“This is unbelievable!”

“Wooo! Joey is the best!”

It was a moment of contrasting emotions between the sailors and the Empire’s 7th Knight Order gathered around Joey and the sailor named Nix.

“As expected of Joey. Incredible strength.”

Levidian expressed her pure admiration. As his sworn brother, I couldn’t help but feel proud.

No matter how big the sailors were, they couldn’t withstand Joey’s strength.

It was understandable, considering Joey would later become renowned for his immense power. He might be on a different path now because he met me, but that didn’t mean his strength had diminished.

“That makes it 17 wins and no losses. He’s truly amazing.”

Aila also nodded in admiration.

Ah, there was a reason why a member of the delegation was mingling with the sailors.

Our delegation was officially dispatched by the nation, but in reality, it was more of a cultural exchange. We were sponsored by the government, not the Imperial Family, and while it would be a lie to say there were no political motives, we were, for the most part, a goodwill delegation.

Under that banner, we were comprised of individuals not involved in politics, meaning we had to engage in as much friendly interaction as possible. This explained the current situation, as we were fostering camaraderie with the crew of the Blue Dragon’s Horn.

I’ll ignore the reasonable question of whether we were just bored.

“By the way, is there really a need for such fierce competition?”

Rob-hyeong wore a puzzled expression. I gave a wry smile and explained simply,

“If you consider the relationship between the army and the navy, you’ll understand.”

“I understand that the two groups don’t get along wherever you go, but……”

Still unable to grasp the situation, Rob-hyeong crossed his arms and fell into a scholarly contemplation.

If I hadn’t served in the military before my death, I wouldn’t have understood the sharp rivalry between two groups whose operational areas were fundamentally different.

Simply put, the army had pride in their ability to reshape the land, while the navy had pride in conquering the vast ocean.

Naturally, the crew of the Royal vessel were all Azot Navy. And those tasked with escorting our delegation were the Empire’s Army.

To illustrate the extent of the rivalry between the army and the navy, rumors had it that within the Blue Dragon’s Horn, the Empire’s 7th Knight Order and the Azot Royal Knights, both army units, had joined forces against the Azot Navy’s Blue Dragon Unit, the ship’s crew.

It seemed the soldiers had already achieved camaraderie. Haha.

Anyway, the arm-wrestling tournament, which had begun for such a subtle reason, was now seeing Joey, who wasn’t even a soldier but was dragged into it because”He’s a man!”, contributing to the army’s winning streak.

While camaraderie was being forged through muscles and sweat on one side, on the upper deck, a different kind of camaraderie was being fostered over tea.

This was where Levidian, Aila, Rob-hyeong, and I were.

The Crown Prince Orange, who had joined us, spoke while observing Joey.

“Hmm. Jounin Yuse, was it?”

“Yes, Your Highness. We call him Joey.”

“I see. If he’s raised well, we might witness the rise of a legendary hero. Say, Risel, would you be willing to give me young Joey?”

“I appreciate your high regard for Joey, but I believe his future should be his own decision. Joey is my younger brother, not my subordinate.”

“Indeed. My apologies. Then I shall ask Joey himself.”

“Ah, even so, I have no intention of giving him away.”

I firmly declined, and the Crown Prince Orange stared blankly at me before bursting into laughter.

“Hahaha! I’ve been outwitted! Ibi, you have a rather amusing disciple.”

“He’s worth raising. He even beat me once.”

“What?”

The Crown Prince Orange wore a dumbfounded expression at Levidian’s words. I would probably have reacted the same way if I had overheard it without context. Could there truly be someone who could defeat the Sword King?

Before the Crown Prince Orange could try to scout me, I quickly interjected.

“Teacher was going easy on me. It was just luck.”

“A win is a win, Risel. You don’t think I’m only speaking formally to you because of your status, do you?”

“Of course not. I’m painfully aware of it.”

I nodded with a slightly dejected expression.

She had said the same thing every time she pummeled me during swordsmanship training disguised as sparring. She claimed she wouldn’t lower her speech if she didn’t acknowledge someone. So I shouldn’t whine about it.

Aila’s eyes widened in surprise at her words.

“Oh my? So, Sister Ibi doesn’t acknowledge His Highness?”

“I can acknowledge him in aspects other than swordsmanship. To be precise, I have a certain criteria for judging people. Whether they’re a swordsman or not. If they are, I consider whether they’re worthy of respect, and if they are, I speak formally. If they’re not a swordsman but someone I want to befriend, I don’t use formal speech. The same goes for Orange. He might be a failure as a swordsman, but he’s a respectable prince.”

“Being called a failure as a swordsman is quite hurtful, you know.”

“Don’t be so sensitive. Risel has heard much worse. Haven’t you?”

“Yes. Not that I’m proud of it.”

I had heard the phrase”Don’t even dream of defying me”so many times that it felt like everyday vocabulary. And just recently, she had asked if she could cut me open to check my insides. Being called a failure as a swordsman was mild in comparison.

The Crown Prince Orange gave me a sympathetic look. Hey!

“You’re having a tough time, aren’t you?”

“It’s actually quite beneficial for both my physical and mental training.”

“A harsh training regimen indeed.”

Aside from the sympathetic glances, the Crown Prince and I could relate to each other. See? Two disciples raised under the same master, showing each other their scars and seeking comfort. Isn’t it heartwarming? Boohoo……

“I’m feeling rather offended by the two of you right now……”

Levidian muttered while holding her teacup, and the Crown Prince and I wisely stopped our conversation. For some reason, Levidian was quite easy to tease.

That was part of her charm, though.

“Your Highness, we should be approaching ‘Bloody Harbor’ soon, right?”

Aila asked the Crown Prince Orange as if she had just remembered something. He nodded in response.

“That’s correct, Miss Hind. Once we pass that point, we’ll arrive at Breedpo. Knowing it as Bloody Harbor suggests you’re familiar with our kingdom’s history……Am I correct?”

“Just basic knowledge……I thought it would be rude to visit the Azot Kingdom without at least a rudimentary understanding of its history.”

“I’m delighted to hear that. I assumed the Maltad Sage would be aware, and Risel, are you familiar with it?”

“Of course. The history of the Empire and its neighboring countries is considered essential knowledge for the Herduke family.”

Bloody Harbor.

The name itself sounded horrifying, and indeed, a horrific event had taken place there.

I’ll skip reciting the historical timeline, but long ago, a rebellion was plotted in Azot. However, it was discovered before it could be carried out, and all those involved were beheaded. The location of the execution was Breedpo, the place we were about to reach.

The bodies of the executed rebels were thrown into the sea as fish food, and it was said that the blood that flowed from them was so abundant that the water remained tinged with red for a month.

Despite its name, it now served as a midway stop on the route to Ast.

I briefly shifted my gaze. From below, the enthusiastic cheers continued as Joey achieved his 24th consecutive victory. However, I could almost feel the despair of the navy soldiers in the air.

Perhaps their collective sighs of defeat had transformed into the river breeze. What a silly thought.

Just as I was having such frivolous thoughts, I noticed something strange in the direction the ship was heading.

What was that? It looked like black threads swaying……

At that moment, the lookout stationed on the mast shouted.

“Captain! Smoke ahead!”

“Identify it!”

The ship continued forward, and after a short while, the lookout shouted again.

“Black smoke rising from the direction of Breedpo!”

“What?!”

It was the Crown Prince Orange who responded. He furrowed his brows in thought and then abruptly rose from his seat. He gave us a brief farewell.

“It seems something has happened. Please excuse me.”

Despite the urgency, the Crown Prince maintained his composure and approached the captain with a dignified, albeit hurried, gait. We, the remaining members of the group, all looked towards the direction the ship was heading.

“Um……is there something there? I can’t see clearly.”

“Me neither. Risel, can you see anything?”

“It looks like black threads……rising from that direction. I can’t make out the details. Is that smoke?”

“It is smoke. If it’s visible from this distance……it must be a considerable fire.”

Levidian’s voice, which had been cheerful just moments ago, had now become subdued. Why was that?

Immediately after she spoke, the captain’s booming voice rang out.

“Alert! All hands to battle stations!”

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

“All members of the Empire’s 7th Knight Order, arm yourselves and assemble on deck!”

Following that, the voice of Ronen Trigger, the commander of our escort, the 7th Knight Order, also rose in volume. Those who had been engrossed in arm-wrestling just moments ago instantly changed their demeanor and began preparing for battle.

The atmosphere had undeniably shifted.

While preparing for combat might have been a hasty decision, smoke was billowing from afar, visible even from our distance. It would be wise to assume a situation where swords wouldn’t be necessary.

Levidian, with the expression of a fully prepared swordsman, spoke.

“Risel, let’s be prepared just in case. Call Joey back. And Aila, Rob, there should be a designated area for the passengers. Please head there.”

“Alright. Be careful, Unni.”

“I hope everything is alright.”

Aila and Rob-hyeong wished Levidian and me luck before heading towards the cabins. I then called out to Joey.

“Joey, go to the cabin and bring all the equipment!”

“What? Everything?”

“Yes! Everything, including yours!”

“Yes!”

Joey, who had been about to come up to the upper deck, turned and headed back towards the cabin.

Meanwhile, Levidian finished her brief preparations, tying her hair and tightening her boots. Both she and I were wearing clothes that were somewhat elegant but didn’t hinder movement.

A chaotic flurry of footsteps echoed from the lower deck as the sailors, who were originally soldiers, received weapons like crossbows and spears, preparing for any eventuality.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of nausea as I saw the crossbows.

The sight of the crossbow bolts that had directly killed me brought back memories of that day.

“Tsk……!”

I gritted my teeth and gripped the railing.

Levidian noticed my reaction and asked with a somber expression,

“Risel, are you sensing it too? The faint scent of death lingering in the air.”

“The scent of death……you could say that.”

Her words brought me back to my senses.

This wasn’t the time to be bothered by memories of death!

The scent of death she had sensed was emanating from the smoke ahead. It was different from what I had felt and reflected the current reality. Her keen senses, honed for danger, had detected something.

“Hyung-nim, I brought everything!”

“Good work. Get ready too, just in case.”

“Yes.”

Joey set down the equipment he had carried in his arms. Our swords, leather armor, studded gauntlets, several daggers, and the custom-made gear for Joey.

While she and I quickly donned our equipment, the oar ports opened, and oars extended from both sides of the ship. Then, the sound of drums filled the air.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Splash! Splash!

Thanks to the synchronized rowing, the ship’s speed increased. And the plumes of smoke ahead grew thicker.

“Are you ready, Risel, Joey?”

“Good. We’re ready.”

I finished my preparations by tightening the strap of my left gauntlet. Joey nodded while holding up his iron spear, its shaft and head entirely made of iron.

“Yes. I’m ready. Though I need to prepare myself mentally……”

“It’s alright. I don’t expect you to be a hero. But your strength will be a great help. You understand that, right? That’s for self-defense.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Joey nodded at Levidian’s words.

Anyone who saw Joey wielding a 3-meter iron spear would hesitate to attack.

I rested my hand on the hilt of my sword, ready to draw it at any moment, and licked my dry lips.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Splash! Splash!

From behind the bend in the river, smoke is now clearly visible. Large, black masses are rising into the sky in groups and scattering, creating smoke that looks like watching ink droplets disperse in water, but in reverse.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Splash! Splash!

“Helm one-third to starboard!”

“Aye! Helm one-third to starboard!”

At the captain’s order, the helmsman repeats and turns the wheel. The hull sways slightly as the Blue Dragon’s Horn slowly turns its bow along the river, moving forward with the black smoke directly ahead.

“Stop the oars! Retract the oars and close the oar ports! Let the current take us!”

Dong! Dong!

Splash! Splash-sh-sh-sh……!

The oars are retracted, and the ship slowly heads towards Breedpo, following the river’s current.

“Phew……”

I wish I could keep only the necessary amount of tension in my chest and shake off the rest with my breath.

The smell of death that Levidian mentioned.

I believe that she, who has earned the title of Sword King after countless battles, wouldn’t speak lightly.

Ah, right.

This air was familiar to me too. Why did I forget?

I covered my mouth and breathed.

Hoo Haa.

A familiar, unwanted, yet awakening breath.

Even though I always talked about what happened before I died, I might have actually forgotten it.

Ten years later, I died and returned to the present.

Along with all those memories. As someone who knows the future, there’s nothing for me to fear or be nervous about.

Only death can stop me.

I have battle experience accumulated from going through the military and wars. With that, I won against Levidian, called the Sword King, even if it was just once.

For me to be……nervous.

It’s ridiculous. Ha!

When I lowered my hand covering my mouth, I was smiling.

My stiff shoulders relaxed, and my senses seem to have sharpened. Like flipping a coin, I change myself to be suitable for battle.

“Phew……”

As I let out a low sigh, there’s nothing left in my chest.

I am not the sixteen-year-old me who was full of weakness.

I stood tall on both feet and looked ahead. With a calm expression. There’s no better or worse expression than this.

Just as I was truly ready, Levidian spoke to me.

“Risel, your atmosphere has changed.”

“Yes. I’ve made up my mind.”

“That’s good then. Be careful. The air feels ominous……Ris━!”

My body was already moving.

When she trailed off, I saw her eyes widen and, without hesitation, turned around and drew the dagger from my waist.

There was a black shadow in front of me as I turned, and when she uttered the first letter of my name, I threw the dagger.

Thud! Slash!

The black shadow, hit by the dagger, was immediately cut in two by Levidian’s outstretched sword.

Splash!

‘It’ dropped onto the deck with the sound of a lump of meat hitting the floor.

“Phew, that’s amazing, Risel.”

“You’re welcome. But this is……”

I looked at the giant frog, with a dagger stuck in its head, its waist completely severed, and its insides spilling out.