Reincarnation Of The Legendary Sword Saint-Chapter 44: Crossroads

"Ah, thanks for the meal," Rowan said, finally setting the cup down.

"You’re welcome," Mira replied.

Rowan felt a strange heaviness in his chest as he looked at Mira.

"Rowan," she said softly, "don’t worry. You’ll be leaving this place soon and going back home. This place... it isn’t safe anymore."

"Why?" Rowan asked, frowning.

"When you were unconscious, something happened," Mira replied. "And because of that, staying here is no longer safe. We’ll be leaving soon."

Rowan looked at her quietly. "I see."

Mira turned toward the door. "I’m going to speak with your father. We should leave as soon as possible."

"Alright," Rowan replied.

As she stepped out of the room, Rowan leaned back against the bed and exhaled.

"So... we’re really leaving already," he murmured to himself. "If Mom decided it, then it’s settled. Once she makes up her mind, even Dad can’t change it."

He gave a small, tired smile.

"She really is the one in charge."

Then his expression slowly grew serious.

"But that’s not what worries me most..."

He raised his hand, staring at it intently.

"I still can’t use my power properly. I have the potential, the archives, the knowledge of the elements, but I can’t draw them out. I can’t form spells. I can’t shape mana with my hands."

He clenched his fingers.

"All I can do right now is fight with my sword. I can’t even create a basic elemental attack. No fire, no lightning... nothing."

He lowered his hand, eyes narrowing.

"And that’s dangerous."

Rowan exhaled slowly.

"If I’m going to survive what’s coming... I need to grow stronger. Much stronger."

He glanced at his hand again, imagining it gripping something invisible.

"My sword... my real sword. The one bound to me. The one meant for me alone."

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"I can’t summon it yet. Not until I reach at least half of my true power."

After a while, Rowan stood quietly in the room, his thoughts heavy.

It’s time, he thought. We can’t stay here any longer.

He stepped outside and spoke calmly. "You can go downstairs. I’ll pack our things."

Mira nodded, and together they left the room. As they walked down the grand staircase, Rowan glanced around one last time. The castle was vast, far larger than their own home. Yet it felt empty now.

Grandfather... Mother...

They were gone. And this place only reminded him of everything that had been lost.

Outside, voices echoed.

Edric and Aldwin stood near the courtyard, speaking in tense tones.

"You’re leaving already?" Edric asked. "After everything that just happened?"

Aldwin nodded. "Yes. My wife doesn’t want to stay. She doesn’t feel safe here anymore."

Edric frowned. "You’re really going to listen to her on this?"

Aldwin sighed. "You know how she is."

Before the discussion could continue, hurried footsteps echoed across the stone path.

"Wait!" Duke Will called as he rushed toward them. "Is it true? You’re leaving already? After everything that happened?"

"Yes," Aldwin replied calmly. "We are."

Duke Will turned to Mira. "Is that really what you want?"

Mira met his gaze and nodded quietly.

Rowan stood beside her, silent.

Duke Will looked at Rowan then. "Rowan... you’re really leaving too?"

Rowan didn’t answer. His silence said enough.

Duke Will exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging. "I see... Very well. If this is your decision."

Edric stepped forward. "I’ll have the carriage prepared."

Servants hurried into motion. Soon, the carriage stood ready at the gates.

As Mira stepped inside, Duke Will spoke once more. "Be safe."

She gave a small nod.

The carriage began to move, rolling away from the castle grounds.

Rowan looked back one last time as the gates slowly closed behind them. The place was beautiful.

Rowan slowly looked around, taking in the vast gardens and the towering stone walls. Though parts of the structure still bore scars from past battles, most of it had already been restored. Compared to where he had lived before, this place felt almost unreal.

This is far grander than any palace I’ve ever seen... even the one they gave me after the Demon Lord fell.

His thoughts darkened.

Back then... after the generals sacrificed themselves to revive the Demon Lord...

If he had managed to kill the remaining ones, the revival would never have happened.

And then... she wouldn’t have died.

Rowan clenched his fist, his nails pressing into his palm. The memory burned, sharp and unwanted.

It’s useless thinking about it now.

He exhaled slowly, forcing the tension out of his chest.

"Hey," a voice said gently. "Did you say something?"

Rowan blinked and looked up.

"No," he replied calmly. "I didn’t say anything."

He lowered his gaze again, his expression unreadable, quiet, controlled, but heavy with everything he refused to say aloud.

"It’s already late," Aldwin said quietly. "And this is the choice we have to make. We need to leave."

She glanced around the dimly lit path ahead.

"Still... it’s better than where he was before. That place belonged to my father. It’s where everything began—where Rowan’s ceremony was held. That was also where the assassins attacked us... where we nearly lost our lives today."

Aldwin let out a quiet breath but said nothing. The carriage rolled forward along the narrow forest path, the sound of wheels crunching against dirt and fallen leaves echoing through the trees. Shadows shifted between the trunks, but none dared come close. A faint protective barrier surrounded the carriage, repelling any creature that wandered too near.

After a long while, the trees began to thin. A familiar clearing appeared ahead—home.

The wooden house stood quietly among the trees, lanterns still glowing faintly despite the late hour. As the carriage stopped, the front door opened almost immediately.

A maid hurried out, relief flooding her face.

"You’re back," she said softly. "I was worried. You were gone much longer than expected."

Mira stepped down first. "It couldn’t be helped," she replied. "Things didn’t go as planned."

Aldwin followed behind her, his expression unreadable. The maid’s gaze shifted toward Rowan, and she paused, jokingly.

"He’s grown," she murmured. "It hasn’t even been that four days."