The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 822

 Chapter 822

 

"Thank you."

Raon stroked the head of the white hawk and untied the letter tied to its ankle.

‘A white whale...’

On the front of the letter was a drawing of a white whale, a symbol that only Ariel, the Thespian Emperor and master of the White Whale, could use.

There was only one reason Ariel would send him a letter now.

‘The Soul Stone.’

When Ariel came to Zieghart and was humiliated before leaving, he had requested information about the Soul Stone from her, and it seemed she was now sending it.

"Hoo..."

Suppressing his expectations—since the letter might say she couldn't find the Soul Stone—Raon unfolded the neatly folded letter.

W-what does it say?

Wrath, clearly curious, flitted around in the air, his eyes blinking rapidly.

'It says she saw the sea.'

Raon crumpled the corner of the letter slightly as he frowned.

The sea? What's with the sea all of a sudden?

‘It seems like the Soul Stone is located somewhere near the sea.’

Ariel's White Whale not only dealt with factual information but also information obtained through divination.

Since the content wasn't specific and merely said she saw the sea, it appeared Ariel had personally performed the divination.

Can you even trust something like that?

Wrath narrowed his eyes in doubt.

‘Ariel’s divinations are accurate—not just nine times out of ten, but ten out of ten.’

Raon lowered the letter and shook his head.

R-really, that accurate?

‘Yes. Since it’s not factual information, it’s not very detailed, but the content has never been wrong. It’s so accurate that people even say she can read the heaven's flow.’

As far as Raon knew, Ariel’s divinations had never been wrong.

However, the fact that she couldn’t foresee her own future was a good reason not to trust her blindly.

‘First, I need to consider the possibility that this information is fake.’

If the Thespian Emperor had sided with the Five Demons rather than the Five Kings, she could be trying to lure him to the sea with this information.

‘But...’

That possibility is extremely low.

The full-scale war hadn’t yet started, and no one could predict the strength of the Five Kings or the Five Demons.

For someone like the Thespian Emperor, who detested uncertainty, it was unlikely she would align with one side at this point.

‘In other words, this is genuine information.’

Raon raised his head confidently.

‘If it’s the sea, I know a few people to contact.’

Aris, the owner of the pirate ship Azure Wind, was an obvious choice, and Raon had also built connections with people in the coastal city of Aikar after hunting the mad dragon Kaibar.

Lastly, there was Flumen, who lived in the river but could move freely in the sea, so he could get various kinds of help.

‘First, I should thank Ariel.’

Even if their relationship was one of mutual use, it was still right to maintain a basic level of courtesy.

As he was about to write a note of thanks and reward for the information, he frowned.

‘This...’

What now? What’s the problem this time?

‘It says an unknown faction is also searching for the Soul Stone.’

Raon swallowed hard as he read the words written at the bottom of the letter.

Could someone have spread rumors about it?

‘That’s possible, but it’s not the only explanation. To be honest, it’s not surprising.’

Not only the Five Kings, but also vassal families and neutral factions had been given information about the Soul Stone. It wasn’t strange for external forces to get involved.

‘The important thing is...’

Who they are.

If they were searching for the Soul Stone to sell it to Zieghart, he would welcome it and gladly pay a fortune for it.

But if they were searching for the Soul Stone to use it themselves, the situation might not end well.

A chill crept up his spine at the foreboding thought.

This is truly complicated.

‘Indeed.’

Clicking his tongue, Raon wrote a reply to the Thespian Emperor and tied it to the white hawk’s leg.

"Please deliver this well."

After stroking its wings, he let it soar into the sky.

Caw!

The white hawk tilted its head in an arrogant manner before shooting upwards.

Watching its silent ascent, Raon could tell it was Ariel’s most cherished spirit beast, the Sky Hawk.

‘I should report this.’

Raon watched until the Sky Hawk disappeared into a white dot before heading to the lord’s manor.

*   *   *

Fwoosh!

The Sky Hawk spread its long wings, flying as fast as possible to return to its master.

Living up to its nickname, the Ruler of the Sky, it looked down upon the world and set its course toward the central continent when a small sparrow flew up from behind.

The Sky Hawk usually didn't hunt or eat during missions.

It considered itself a spiritual beast, not a mere animal, and resisted its predatory instincts. It intended to let the sparrow pass, but the little bird was flying at an unbelievable speed, catching up to it.

"Hey."

The sparrow flapped its tiny wings as it drew alongside.

"Stop right there."

A woman's voice emerged from the sparrow’s beak. The Sky Hawk was momentarily stunned, but hearing it come from a sparrow left it momentarily confused.

After its initial confusion, the Sky Hawk felt a surge of anger.

It was the Ruler of the Sky, capable of tearing apart not only eagles but most monsters with ease. Yet this tiny sparrow dared to command it to stop.

Kreee!

The Sky Hawk twisted its beak to glare at the sparrow.

It could kill the sparrow with a single swipe of its talons, but it restrained itself.

Getting back to its master quickly was the priority, so it decided to let the annoyance slide.

“Is your head as white as your feathers? Stop your wings if you don’t want them ripped off.”

However, the sparrow, seemingly unaware that it had barely escaped death, uttered even harsher words.

Caw!

Unable to hold back, the Sky Hawk veered to the right, raising its talons to tear the sparrow apart.

Whoosh!

From the sparrow, whose wingspan wasn't even half of his own, an enormous energy began to emanate.

The Sky Hawk’s talons froze midair as its entire body trembled.

It felt as though it had encountered a predator it could never hope to match.

"Is this the one?"

Pink currents swirled next to the sparrow. From the misty, cloud-like form came another woman's voice, and her presence was even greater than its master's.

"See? You should stop when told nicely."

The sparrow moved closer, tapping the Sky Hawk’s head with its tiny wing. The bird shivered, feeling as though it would die if it resisted.

"Hand that over."

The sparrow motioned with its wing toward the letter tied to the Sky Hawk’s leg.

Caw!

The Sky Hawk shrieked in refusal, shaking its head furiously.

"Ugh, kids these days just don't listen when spoken to nicely."

The sparrow clicked its tongue and lightly flapped its wings.

"You know what they say—if you don’t take one hit, you end up taking ten."

It flapped its wings as though readying for a punch, its eyes locked onto the Sky Hawk.

"Indeed. Back in my day, this was unimaginable."

The pink current deepened its voice, adding its own intimidating pressure. Two overwhelming presences crushed down on the Sky Hawk, causing its feathers to fall out in terror.

Keeeek...

Caught between loyalty to its master and the terror before it, the Sky Hawk finally extended its leg in surrender.

"Should've done that from the start. We're not bad people, you know."

The sparrow patted the Sky Hawk’s head as it took the letter.

Kkiiing...

The Sky Hawk lowered its head, its beak trembling as though it were a child cornered by bullies.

"What does it say?"

The pink current approached the sparrow, asking.

"It says thank you and that he’ll pay the price?"

The sparrow frowned as it read the letter.

"Pay what price? And thank you? I've never heard such words—who dares...?"

The pink current, seemingly angry, released an even stronger wave of energy.

"Oh, really? I hear it all the time,"

The sparrow mocked the pink current, flapping its wings.

"You’ve been told thank you by him?"

The pink current glared at the sparrow, its voice turning cold.

"Almost every day. I even heard it while gazing at the stars together."

The sparrow laughed slyly, singing mockingly.

"As expected, you’re hopeless. It’s only right that you die here."

"That’s my line!"

The sparrow and the pink current clashed, releasing intense ripples.

Even though mana wasn’t manifesting, sparks like lightning bolts erupted from both sides.

Keeee....

The Sky Hawk, known as the Ruler of the Sky, let out a pitiful cry, unable to either escape or retreat because of the letter clutched in the sparrow’s claws.

Kieeeeek!

*   *   *

Raon went to Glenn and relayed all the information he had obtained from the Thespian Emperor.

“The Thespian Emperor’s divinations are certainly reliable. But the sea...”

Glenn sighed lightly, saying the scope was too broad.

“Even so, we have to search for it.”

Raon folded the letter in half and raised his head.

“Please dispatch the Light Wind division. We will scour the entire coastline of the continent if that’s what it takes to find the Soul Stone.”

He couldn’t leave the Light Wind division idle any longer, carrying out a mission together was the best course of action.

“Hmm...”

Glenn gazed intently at Raon before shaking his head.

“As long as we don’t know who else is searching for the Soul Stone, relying solely on the Light Wind division is too dangerous.”

He shook his head, saying it wasn't the right time to act immediately.

“But—”

“I’m not saying you can’t. Just wait for now. I’ve already contacted someone.”

“Who is it?”

“Aris.”

Glenn lowered his hand, saying he had contacted Aris again, and once she replied, Raon should move with her.

“Hmm...”

Raon closed his mouth.

‘That’s certainly the best option.’

Aris wasn’t just strong, she was also someone who had sailed across the entire sea. With her help, searching for the Soul Stone would be much easier.

“I understand.”

Raon nodded deeply and left.

"You are at a very crucial time right now. Until a mission is assigned, focus solely on your training."

“I will keep that in mind.”

Even in Glenn’s brief words, Raon could feel his sincerity. He nodded deeply before leaving the audience chamber.

He was about to return to the fifth training ground for training when he sensed a familiar presence behind the lord’s manor.

‘This energy...’

Narrowing his eyes, he climbed up the wall of the head-of-house's private training ground.

Inside the training ground was Rimmer.

Soaking his training clothes with sweat, he was swinging his sword, and in his green eyes, Raon felt an unwavering conviction.

It didn't seem like mere training, it felt as if he were fighting someone with his life on the line.

‘So he wasn’t just lazing around?’

After finishing the focus enhancement training, he had given Rimmer and the Gambling Monster some time off. He thought he would spend his days at the casino, but he never expected to find Rimmer here, practicing his swordsmanship with such earnest determination.

‘Come to think of it...’

The vice division leader had been steadily growing too.

Rimmer had once been a Grandmaster, but an injury to his energy center had reduced him to a Master. Through sheer effort and the artificial energy center, he had clawed his way back to the realm of Grandmaster.

‘That’s not something just anyone can do.’

No matter how talented Rimmer was, it was clear he hadn’t reached this point without relentless effort.

It seemed he had been consistently training, even if he hadn't shown it to anyone.

A novice trying to act all tough.

Wrath wrinkled his nose. Still, the fact that he refrained from calling him shitty ears hinted at a grudging sense of approval.

‘Indeed, it doesn’t suit him.’

Raon chuckled softly and nodded. After silently observing Rimmer’s training for a while, he quietly left the training ground.

‘I can’t afford to fall behind.’

Although Raon’s level was currently higher than Rimmer’s, the latter’s experience far surpassed his own.

To ensure he wouldn’t be overtaken, he needed to continue working hard.

'Speaking of which...'

Absolutely not!

Wrath furrowed his brow sharply.

‘I haven’t even said anything yet.’

You’re going to suggest eating Nadine bread again today, aren’t you!

Wrath vehemently shook his head, refusing outright.

‘You’ve gotten better at reading the mood now.’

Raon glanced at Wrath and let out a small chuckle.

Reading the mood? Reading the mood, you say! He has told you before, you’re not even qualified to use the word ‘mood’!

‘It’s not that bad...’

It is that bad!

Wrath hit the back of Raon's neck, telling him to get a grip.

The King of Essence will enlighten you. Humans, by their nature, grow through their relationships with others....

Raon returned to the annex building while enduring Wrath’s long-winded lecture on the awareness needed to live as a human.

*   *   *

At a quiet pier.

Waves carried by the wind gently rocked a warship adorned with a pirate flag.

“Why won’t this open?”

A middle-aged man with a clean-shaven forehead frowned as he looked at the pure white envelope lying on the deck.

“Only its owner can open it.”

A woman wearing a red eyepatch shook her head.

“Owner?”

“Probably the captain.”

She explained that only Captain Aris would be able to open the letter.

“Speaking of which, why is the captain taking so long? It’s been over two months, hasn’t it?”

The man frowned as he glanced at the glaring sky. Over two months ago, Aris had left with most of the crew after receiving information about her son’s whereabouts, heading to a distant port. She still hadn’t returned.

Although she was known for doing as she pleased, this kind of extended absence without contact was unusual, and it worried him.

“There’s no need to worry.”

The eyepatched woman shrugged calmly.

“How can I not worry? Two months! It’s not common for her to go so long without contact.”

"No, that's not what I mean..."

“Cold-hearted! As ever! After everything the captain’s done for you!”

The middle-aged man frowned, calling her heartless.

“No matter how strong Lady Aris and Sir Rabawin are, they’re not invincible! It’s always possible something dangerous—”

Just as the middle-aged man shook his head in frustration—

“Ugh, I'm so tired I could die!”

Aris leaped onto the deck with a groan.

“Indeed, I didn’t expect it to be this tiring.”

Rabawin landed beside her, sighing deeply.

"H-Huh? Captain?"

The middle-aged man stared at Aris and Rabawin, his jaw dropping.

“When did you get here?”

“When you were yammering about us not being invincible.”

Aris frowned and smacked the middle-aged man’s shiny bald head with her palm.

Thwack!

“Gaahhh!”

The middle-aged man screamed, clutching his head, which now bore a red handprint.

"Thanks for worrying, but I am invincible."

Aris chuckled and shook her head.

“Ugh...”

The middle-aged man bit his lip as he turned to the eyepatched woman.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I did say there was no need to worry.”

“Ah...”

He let out a hollow sigh, recalling her earlier words.

“How did it go?”

The eyepatched woman stepped past the middle-aged man and approached Aris.

“Ugh, we were duped.”

Aris scowled and shook her head.

“Duped?”

“Yeah. There wasn’t even a trace of my son.”

“Then why did it take so long?”

“We entered a dungeon, and the flow of time was different.”

She let out a hollow laugh, explaining that although they’d spent only a week in the dungeon, two months had passed outside.

“Nothing unusual happened here?”

Aris leaned against the deck and tilted her head.

“Nothing for us, but there’s been a message from Zieghart.”

“Zieghart? Ignore it. That old man is probably spouting nonsense again.”

"Well, it was odd, though. He mentioned searching for a Soul Stone…"

“Soul Stone?”

Aris tilted her head, unfamiliar with the term.

“What is that supposed to—”

Before she could finish, the white envelope lying on the deck floated into the air and landed in front of her.

“Oh, it’s the special delivery from the Black Market. Looks like my father is in a hurry.”

Aris chuckled and opened the envelope. After reading its contents, her expression hardened.

“He's asking if I know about Soul Stone. At the moment when the sun and moon touch at their closest, the passage of the sky briefly closes, and sometimes a lost soul takes residence in a nearby object. That’s when, along with a rainbow light, a soul stone is created.”

She wrinkled her nose, clearly puzzled.

“Who’s supposed to find something like that?”

“The same thing was mentioned in the first letter we received.”

The bald middle-aged man rubbed his reddened head as he nodded.

"I’ve traveled all over the continent and never seen anything like…."

“Rainbow light?”

Rabawin removed his fake eyepatch and blinked.

"I’ve seen something like that before."

“...”

 

 

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