The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 824

  Chapter 824

 

“…I see.”

Aris lowered her head after hearing the explanation.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know at all.”

She pressed her lips tightly together as she looked at Sia, who was lying in bed.

“I said I’d protect you all, but it seems I was too caught up in my own matters.”

Aris let out a deep sigh as if she regretted it.

“There’s no need for you to apologize.”

Raon approached Aris and shook his head.

“The head of the house deliberately didn’t inform anyone because, if this situation spreads externally, the Five Demons might see it as a weakness.”

Since Aris seemed to be blaming herself, he explained why the matter hadn't been shared.

“That’s right, older sister.”

Sylvia addressed Aris as “older sister” in a slightly trembling voice.

"Everyone is safe. We're really okay."

She smiled softly, momentarily setting aside her worries about Sia.

“…”

Even after hearing Raon and Sylvia, Aris continued to furrow her brow, glaring only at Sia as if she couldn’t forgive herself.

“Aunt.”

To change the atmosphere, Raon lowered his gaze and called Aris "aunt."

"What were you doing all this time that we couldn't contact you? The head of house said he sent letters even before I went to the Holy Sword Alliance."

“Ah…”

Aris let out a short sigh and raised her gaze.

"I was trying to find my damn son."

She ruffled her hair and clicked her tongue.

“You mean Sif.”

Sylvia narrowed her eyes at Aris.

“Still no contact from him?”

“No. I went to a place where they said they saw him two years ago, but it turned out to be a damn dungeon.”

Aris gritted her teeth as if she had been completely deceived.

“You went into a dungeon?”

Raon asked, looking at her.

"Yes. It was a dungeon filled with deadly traps and monsters. But that wasn't the main problem…."

“What do you mean by that?”

“It felt like it had been made just a few days ago, but also as if it was dug hundreds of years ago. I think it’s both. Time worked differently there.”

Aris nodded slightly, her brows furrowed.

“We spent a week inside the dungeon, but when we came out, over two months had passed.”

She shook her head, saying it was a very strange place.

“And what did you find in there…?”

“Nothing. Not a single trace of that damn kid, nor any treasure.”

“Hmm…”

Raon stroked his chin as he watched Aris click her tongue in frustration.

‘She’s really on edge.’

Normally, Aris would have welcomed such dungeons and adventures, but she seemed on edge because of Sif’s disappearance.

“Phew.”

Aris leaned back in her chair, gazing up at the ceiling.

“Honestly, I didn’t want to live like my father, so I trained Sif just enough and gave him his freedom….”

"He was just too talented."

Sylvia sighed lightly, as if she understood.

"Exactly. He was a kid who learned ten things from one, so I ended up putting my all into it without realizing. From his perspective, I must've seemed just like my father."

Aris clicked her tongue as if she found herself pathetic.

"I realized my mistake too late and told him to do as he pleased, giving him freedom. Maybe I went too far. I should have at least set up a way to keep in touch."

She lowered her gaze, her face filled with regret.

Hmm.

Wrath scratched his cheek as he watched Aris covering her eyes.

Even that punk has a mother’s heart, it seems.

'That's true.'

Raon thought the reason Aris cherished him so much might also stem from her longing for Sif.

He had always wondered why she didn't search for him more actively, but it seemed it was out of guilt for pushing him too hard during his childhood.

He had always thought of her as bold and did everything freely, but as Wrath said, Aris was a mother after all.

"But didn’t Sif enjoy training?"

Sylvia tilted her head as if she found it strange.

"I didn't see it myself, but I heard he was really diligent."

"He was."

Aris nodded calmly.

“But because I trained him from such a young age, he probably didn’t even realize it wasn’t normal.”

She lowered her gaze, regretting that she hadn't given Sif a choice.

“It’ll be okay.”

Sylvia smiled gently and shook her head.

“Children understand their parents’ hearts better than we think.”

She placed her hand over Aris’, glancing at Raon.

“Sif and our Sia will be okay.”

“Yeah, they’ll have to be. Sia and that damn Sif need to live long lives.”

Aris nodded gently, joining in the comforting atmosphere Sylvia had created.

“Aunt.”

Raon took this opportunity to completely change the subject and asked about the Soul Stone.

“Did you really see the soul stone?”

“I didn’t, but Rabawin did….”

Aris waved her hand, turning her gaze away.

“He’s not the type to lie, so you can trust him.”

She clenched her fist, saying she’d kill Rabawin if he was lying.

"That's right."

Raon nodded. From what he had seen, Rabawin wasn't a man who would talk nonsense. They would definitely find it.

"Shall we go then? We've delayed too long."

Aris smiled faintly as she brushed back her disheveled hair.

"Aunt will definitely bring back the Soul Stone."

She gently stroked Sia’s forehead and stood up.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

As Aris was bidding farewell to Sylvia, her eyes met Edgar’s, who had been standing awkwardly at the back.

“Ahem…”

Edgar cleared his throat and bowed his head.

“I, uh, S-sister-in-law, it’s an honor to meet you. My name is Edgar, and as you've heard, I'm from the Holy Sword Alliance. The Holy Sword Alliance isn't such a bad place, you see. Of course, there are bad guys, but there are also many good people, and now we’re improving relations with Ziegh—”

“You talk too damn much.”

Aris frowned as she looked at Edgar.

“Ugh…”

Edgar shut his mouth, looking shocked.

"It's our first meeting, and you're not even giving me a chance to introduce myself properly."

Aris tapped Edgar's arm lightly, telling him to pull himself together. Though it seemed like a light tap, it sounded like a club hitting a rock.

“I-I’m sorry. My thoughts were all over the place, and I didn’t even know what I was saying….”

Edgar stammered incoherently, his face turning red.

“There are good people and bad people everywhere. I know that.”

Aris nodded as if it was obvious.

“Once this is all over, let’s have a drink together.”

She gave Edgar’s shoulder a light pat and left the hospital room.

“Why were you stammering so much? Were you that nervous?”

Sylvia chuckled as she looked at Edgar, who seemed extremely tense.

“More than that, it hurt! She just tapped my arm, but it felt like my bones were breaking!”

Edgar shuddered, muttering that he needed to get checked immediately.

"W-well, I was nervous too. I don't know why, but I was more nervous than when I met father-in-law. I think I made a bad impression…."

“Don’t worry. That was a good reaction.”

Raon chuckled and patted Edgar’s shoulder, just like Aris had.

“R-really?”

"Yes. If aunt really dislikes someone, it shows on her face."

Telling him not to worry, Raon started packing his things again.

"Yeah, alright. Have a good trip. Strangely, I don't feel worried anymore."

Edgar let out an awkward laugh, his worries fading.

"I feel the same way. Seeing older sister made me feel relieved."

Sylvia nodded, her previously darkened expression brightening.

“Well, then. We’ll be off.”

Raon bid them farewell and headed outside.

“Let’s go.”

Aris, now in higher spirits, strode ahead with brisk steps.

“Yes.”

As they walked down the main road, Martha stood before the fifth training ground, shaking her fist.

“Hey, you jerk!”

Martha furrowed her brow and yelled at them, saying they were ridiculously late.

“Why are you so late? The sun is already up… huh?”

Martha was scolding him when she noticed Aris standing beside her and her jaw dropped.

“W-why is Lady Aris here…?”

“I told you to call me Aunt.”

Aris smiled brightly and patted Martha's head, as if she hadn’t been feeling down earlier.

“A-Aunt?”

Burren also widened his eyes in surprise as he looked at Aris.

“Aunt…”

Runaan, even though she wasn’t her aunt, called her 'Aunt' and hugged Aris first.

“Well, uh, it’s been a while, everyone….”

For the first time, Aris seemed flustered, blinking her eyes.

Well, that’s fortunate.

Wrath nodded slightly while looking at Aris.

'What's fortunate?'

Since the King of Essence is unable to properly exert his strength, having that woman around will be helpful.

It seemed Wrath had overexerted himself during the fight against the former Holy Sword Alliance’s master and was subtly welcoming Aris's presence.

‘Are you in bad shape?’

Raon narrowed his eyes at Wrath.

Not enough for a novice like you to worry about.

Wrath waved his hand dismissively, telling Raon to worry about himself.

Seeing Wrath acting like usual, Raon figured that with some time, he'd recover on his own.

“What’s going on?”

Rimmer approached Raon with a blank look.

“Why is that punk here?”

He tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand.

"She said she came to greet me."

Raon shrugged while looking at Rimmer.

“Greet you?”

Rimmer let out a helpless laugh, shaking his head.

“Still, it’s reassuring to have her from the start of the mission.”

He smiled, saying it seemed like it would be a smooth journey.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded softly as he watched Aris pulling Dorian’s cheek.

“It does feel reassuring.”

*   *   *

"We can already see the sea. But..."

Raon looked at the calm coastline and then turned around, letting out a chuckle.

"But everyone looks like they're about to die."

Rather than traveling to the closest coast near Zieghart, Aris had chosen to use consecutive dimensional gates, forcing the Light Wind swordsmen to endure the same rushed journey. As a result, the swordsmen looked pale and seasick before even boarding the ship.

"You really came in a hurry."

Raon chuckled, recalling how chaotic the dimensional gate route had been.

"Yes. As soon as I saw the letter instructing me to bring you, I immediately searched for the nearest dimensional gate."

Aris laughed heartily, as if her energy had fully returned.

“I wish I could be as decisive as you!”

Martha nodded, her eyes glimmering with admiration.

“It’s not really decisiveness. You just do whatever comes to mind.”

Aris lifted a finger and offered a simple piece of advice: follow your instincts.

“Alright! I’ll give it a try!”

Martha clenched her fist with determination.

“Hmm….”

Runaan also nodded quietly as if she had learned something.

‘If those two start living more instinctively….’

They'd just be beasts...

Wrath immediately responded, seemingly agreeing with Raon’s thoughts.

“The ship’s over there.”

Aris pointed to the largest ship docked at the harbor. It was the Azure Wind, which he hadn't seen in a while.

“But….”

Raon swallowed hard as he looked at the Azure Wind.

“You left the pirate flag up.”

This was a regular harbor city, located on the opposite side of Aris’ territory, and she had boldly left the pirate flag up.

"There's nothing to hide."

Aris grinned, saying she’d destroy anyone who dared to complain.

“Right….”

Raon let out a small laugh and nodded. That confidence always seemed to be a source of strength.

"Well then, let's get on board."

Aris gestured with her finger, saying that all preparations for departure were complete.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded, stepping up the wooden stairs and onto the Azure Wind.

“Hm? You returned quicker than I expected.”

Rabawin, who had been tidying the deck, bowed his head toward Aris.

"No need to waste time bringing the kids."

Aris spent some money but laughed, saying that speed is the most important thing.

“That’s true. What did the head of house say?”

“The head of house? Didn’t see him.”

She tilted her head, wondering why she'd need to meet Glenn.

"Uh...?"

Raon's mouth dropped open.

"You didn't visit the head of house before coming to us?"

"Why would I go see that old man? I don't want to listen to his nagging."

Aris waved her hand, saying that hearing Glenn's nagging from dawn would ruin her entire day.

“Sigh….”

"I figured as much."

Rabawin sighed, and Rimmer chuckled as if he had expected it.

"Everyone, guide the Light Wind members."

Rabawin quickly composed himself, as if he was used to this, and gave instructions to the crew.

“Yes! This way, please.”

The sailors carried the Light Wind swordsmen’s luggage and led them below deck. Having fought alongside each other during the war, they already had friendly expressions.

“It’s been a while, Sir Raon.”

Rabawin bowed politely to Raon.

“You look well.”

Raon smiled, returning the greeting.

“Thanks to a certain someone not causing trouble for a while, my complexion has improved a bit.”

Rabawin glanced at Aris, lowering his voice.

“By the way….”

Raon stepped closer to Rabawin, his tone growing serious.

“Did you really see the soul stone?”

“Yes.”

Rabawin nodded without hesitation.

“When the sun and moon seemed to align, the stone I stepped on glowed with rainbow light. Even though my life was in danger, it was so mesmerizing I can’t forget it.”

He explained the situation when he had clashed with the apostle of White Blood Religion because of Aris.

“The White Blood Religion….”

Raon swallowed hard after hearing Rabawin’s explanation.

"Which Apostle did you encounter?"

"The Second Apostle. She was stronger than me even then, so it was truly dangerous."

Rabawin shook his head, saying he barely survived.

“Did the Second Apostle also see the soul stone?”

"Well, I was knocked away by her bloody energy and happened to reach that place by chance..."

He tilted his head, clicking his tongue.

“The light wasn’t very bright, but considering how powerful she is, she might have seen it.”

Rabawin lowered his eyebrows, suggesting that the Apostle probably saw it.

“I see….”

Then it's possible that those searching for the Soul Stone are from the White Blood Religion.

With Glenn spreading information about the soul stone, many had become aware of its existence.

In other words, the story might have reached the ears of the Second Apostle, who didn't know about the Soul Stone before, making the Blood White Religion potential enemies.

“In that case….”

Raon let out a heavy breath, glancing at Rabawin.

“It’s best if we leave immediately.”

*   *   *

Standing at the bow of the Azure Wind as it sliced through the waves, Raon bit his lip.

"You suddenly seem to be in a hurry..."

Aris approached him, tilting her head.

"Is something wrong?"

“I’ve heard from a reliable source that we’re not the only ones searching for the soul stone.”

Raon rubbed his fingers as he shared the information he’d received from the Thespian Emperor.

“Ah, so….”

Aris’ eyes widened in understanding.

“Yes. Either the White Blood Religion is making a move, or those guys might have sold the information.”

Raon nodded, agreeing it would be best to act as quickly as possible.

“It’s definitely a strong possibility. After all, even I didn’t know what a Soul Stone was until now.”

Aris clicked her tongue in agreement, her expression contemplative.

Hoooooooong!

From the east, a massive warship, much larger than the Azure Wind, appeared with a fierce gust of wind.

“That’s….”

Raon frowned as he looked at the ship's flag.

"A pirate ship?"

The flag bore an intricately drawn skull, far more detailed than the one on the Azure Wind—a clear marker of a pirate ship.

“So there are people bold enough to approach despite seeing Azure Wind’s pirate flag.”

Raon chuckled dryly as he watched the approaching ship.

“This isn’t our territory, after all.”

Aris nodded calmly, as if she had anticipated the pirate ship’s arrival.

Whirrr!

A powerful light began to flicker from the cannons of the pirate ship.

It seemed they intended to attack without even attempting to communicate.

"How annoying."

Aris clicked her tongue briefly and grabbed the hilt of her sword.

“I’ll handle it.”

Raon shook his head and rested his hand on the scabbard of Heavenly Drive.

"Oh? Then shall I see how much my nephew has grown?"

Aris nodded and stepped back to give him space.

Boom!

The moment the pirate ship fired its magic cannon, Raon exhaled softly and activated the Dancing Sword.

Shiiing!

Heavenly Drive unsheathed itself from the scabbard, wrapped in a faint flame, and shot forward like a beam of light.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

The sharp blade of the Crimson Slash of the Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation, unleashed through the Dancing Sword, split the magic cannon in half.

The split cannon fell into the sea, creating massive waves.

Kugugugugu!

The violent waves surged, rocking both the pirate ship and the Azure Wind as if they were about to capsize.

Clang!

Raon didn’t stop at defense. Using the Dancing Sword, he unleashed the Fangs of Insanity and tore off three of the pirate ship’s steel magic cannons entirely.

“Light Wind division, charge.”

After destroying the enemy's weapons, Raon commanded the Light Wind division.

The swordsmen, already armed, leapt from the deck and boarded the swaying pirate ship.

“W-what is that…?”

“Insane….”

“The Dancing Sword?”

The crew of Azure Wind turned to Raon with wide eyes, their expressions filled with astonishment at his mastery of the Dancing Sword.

“Ha….”

Even Aris let out a breath of amazement as she watched Raon.

“I heard you used the Dancing Sword with your dagger when you took down the Red Flame Demon, but this is the real deal….”

“It’s still lacking.”

Raon sheathed the returning Heavenly Drive and shook his head.

"Still, being able to use it in actual combat is something! No one could have expected that!"

Aris repeatedly exclaimed how impressive it was, shaking her head.

“But you know….”

Her eyes began to sparkle with interest.

“How about adding something to that Dancing Sword?”

 

 

 

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