The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 832

 Chapter 832

 

“You’re hilarious!”

Aris furrowed her brow and kicked the middle-aged man’s backside.

“Ugh!”

The middle-aged man clutched his butt and collapsed on the spot. Seeing him suddenly straighten his back, it seemed he had been pretending to be hunched over.

“Why—why are you hitting me? I risked my life to bring this information….”

“Have you already forgotten the suffering we went through because of that damned information?”

Aris tapped the middle-aged man’s forehead as if asking if he didn’t remember.

“Dirty! Cold! Hot! That dungeon was absolutely insane!”

She clenched her fist, trembling as she said she had considered destroying the entire dungeon.

“If it’s about the traces of the young master….”

Raon lowered his gaze and looked at the middle-aged man.

“Could it be about older brother Sif?”

“That’s right.”

Aris clicked her tongue briefly and nodded.

“I told you I went to the dungeon to find my son. This guy here is the one who brought me that information.”

She wrinkled her nose while looking at the now crouching middle-aged man.

“Sir Ra—Raon, right? I’m Paras, Lady Aris’ informant.”

The middle-aged man introduced himself as Paras and bowed his head.

“I am Raon Zieghart.”

Since Paras claimed to be Aris’ informant, he responded politely.

“No need to be polite. He’s a former thief.”

“…A thief?”

“Yeah. I met him on a mission and reformed him into an informant. He was pretty useful since he already had the skills, but now he’s too old and not what he used to be.”

Aris shook her head as if dissatisfied with his recent work.

“That’s why I went to check it myself this time.”

Still kneeling in front of Aris, Paras raised his head.

“The dungeon?”

“Yes! Isn’t it strange for such a dungeon to be completely empty?”

“Someone must have taken everything first.”

Aris shrugged, saying empty dungeons were very common.

“And what’s in the dungeon doesn’t matter. The problem is whether my damned son went there or not, and there was no trace of him.”

“But considering Sir Sif’s movements, there’s nowhere else he could’ve gone except that dungeon!”

Paras shook his head, pointing out that it was certain Sif had passed through Burang Village.

“Haah, so what did you see when you went back to that dungeon?”

Aris gestured with her chin as if telling him to go on.

“There’s something I discovered first.”

Paras lifted his sparkling eyes.

“I stayed in the dungeon for four days, but when I came out, only one day had passed outside. I thought the flow of time was slower there, but it seems the opposite can happen too!”

He shook his head, explaining that the flow of time could change randomly.

“You call that a discovery?”

Aris, as if expecting this, raised her fist.

“P-please, hear me out until the end!”

Paras waved both hands, trembling.

“When I was about to give up and leave, I saw some strange sorcerer-like guys heading toward the dungeon!”

“Strange sorcerer-like guys?”

“Yes. They were covered head to toe in robes stained with dirt and dust, and the energy I felt from them was ominous.”

He swallowed dryly, saying just looking at them gave him chills.

“Thinking there might be something there, I followed them, and as I expected, they entered the dungeon.”

“Hmm….”

Aris lowered her raised fist and nodded.

“Continue.”

“Y-yes!”

Paras took a deep breath and sat up straight.

“I followed them while suppressing my presence as much as possible. As you know, the dungeon constantly changes, making it easy to get lost, but they moved as if they had a map, finding their way with precision. They reached the end of the dungeon in just a few hours.”

Speaking in a lowered voice, as if someone might overhear, he continued.

“At the end of the dungeon, where we couldn’t find anything, they placed red gemstones on the ground and began chanting some kind of spell.”

Paras clasped his hands as if imitating the sorcerer-like guys.

“Enduring the painful ringing in my ears, I lowered my gaze. Black smoke rose at their feet, and a pitch-black hole opened up. It was a passage leading downward!”

He bit his lip as if he still trembled at the memory.

“A hole?”

Aris narrowed her eyes at Paras.

“That doesn’t make sense. When I spread my aura perception, I didn’t sense anything below. It was just ordinary ground.”

She shook her head, saying it was nothing unusual.

“I told you, they used a spell!”

Paras insisted that he saw it with his own eyes, describing the spellcaster’s actions again.

“Hmm….”

Aris narrowed her eyes, appearing to be in deep thought.

With a mother like that, even the King of Essence would run away! Not looking for him would be a favor!

Wrath shook his head, saying Sif didn’t need any more suffering.

‘You never know.’

It would be fortunate if Sif was truly trying to escape from Aris, but there’s also the possibility something bad happened. The priority was to find him first.

“You said there were gemstones too, right?”

Aris spread her fingers, looking at Paras.

“Y-yes! Each of them placed a gemstone on the ground.”

“Just a spell alone wouldn’t be able to fool my aura perception. But if the gemstones are artifacts, then it’s possible.”

She nodded, saying that if it’s a space created with artifacts and spells combined, even she might not notice.

“I had a similar experience recently.”

Raon stepped forward, looking at Paras.

“Even when it was right in front of me, I didn’t realize there was a path leading underground.”

Recalling the hidden door to the underground library in the master of the Shadow Agents’ office, he affirmed it could happen.

“Alright. Keep going.”

Aris gestured with her chin, indicating she would listen to the rest.

“T-thank you.”

Paras bowed to Raon before continuing.

“I followed those three into the swaying darkness of the hole. It was like a path leading to the devildom—it sent chills down my spine.”

Ridiculous! The devildom isn’t like that!

Wrath shouted, telling him not to speak of things he didn’t know.

“The path wasn’t long, but I could tell we were descending very deep. After suppressing my presence even more, I emerged from the black hole to find a bizarre space where the ceiling, floor, and walls seemed to be made of steel.”

“A space made of steel?”

“Yes. There was nowhere to hide, so I tried to move carefully when I heard groans coming from the steel walls and below. That’s when I realized it was a prison.”

He grabbed his shoulders, saying it still gave him chills.

“A prison made entirely of steel…”

Rimmer furrowed his brows.

“That sounds familiar.”

“It’s the Steelmasters Alliance that started a war a hundred years ago.”

Aris lowered her eyebrows, saying it seemed like a remnant of the Steelmasters Alliance.

‘Steelmasters Alliance….’

Raon slightly lowered his chin.

‘It’s been a while since I heard that name.’

The Steelmasters Alliance was a militant group that harmonized machinery and sorcery to create weapons and armor strong enough to withstand astral energy.

They were once strong enough to rival the Five Kings and Five Demons but eventually perished due to excessive conquest wars.

“I’ve never seen the Steelmasters Alliance’s prison myself, but from what I heard, it was similar.”

Paras exhaled a shaky breath before continuing.

“Those sorcerer-like guys proceeded through the steel passage as if they were familiar with it, but I couldn’t follow them any further.”

Shrinking his shoulders, he trembled as he spoke.

“My thief’s instincts, which have kept me alive, warned me that if I went any further, I would die.”

Paras said that if he had ignored that warning, he wouldn’t be here now, and he lifted his frightened eyes.

‘Makes sense.’

Raon nodded calmly.

If there really was a prison made entirely of steel, the internal defenses would be much stronger. The fact that Paras managed to return safely was remarkable.

“When I decided it was too dangerous and was about to leave….”

Paras gulped and lifted his head.

“I heard young master Sif’s scream from the innermost part of the prison.”

“Sif?”

“Yes!”

He exhaled heavily, saying it was undoubtedly Sif’s voice.

“Bullshit….”

Aris furrowed her brow, glaring at Paras.

“There’s no way Sif would be captured in such a place! Besides, plenty of people could have a similar voice!”

She shook her head firmly, but her expression hardened seriously.

“You know this well. I’ve heard young master Sif’s screams plenty of times after getting beaten up by you, Lady Aris.”

Paras said, since he had trained with Sif and often heard his screams, he recognized it, trembling the hand that touched the ground.

“And as I said earlier, it’s certain that young master Sif went to that dungeon. Could he have been captured by the sorcerer-like guys after entering alone…?”

He clutched his head, worried about Sif.

“……”

Raon turned his gaze away from Paras and looked at Aris. She was trembling and biting her nails.

It was a reaction she hadn’t shown even during the war. She was genuinely flustered.

“If we’re going, we must move as quickly as possible.”

Paras knelt down and bowed his head.

“Judging from that cracked voice, he might not last much longer.”

“Lady Aris….”

Even Rabawin couldn’t come up with any advice and just bit his lips.

“Ugh….”

Aris, sweating nervously and frantically messing up her hair, eventually seemed to make a decision and walked toward Raon.

“Raon. I’m sorry. I think I’ll have to go see Sif first.”

She shook her head, deciding to prioritize finding Sif.

“I’ll go too.”

Raon raised his calm eyes to meet Aris, who had bowed her head.

“Why would you…?”

“I want to meet the so-called outstanding older brother, and I want to see the faces of the ones who kidnapped people.”

Besides, he wanted to see that peculiar dungeon, which might have been created by his ancestor.

“But you need to save Sia! Think about your family first!”

Aris frowned, saying he should return to Zieghart and bring the Soul Stone first.

“Of course, that’s important. But….”

Raon gently held Aris’ trembling hand and smiled softly.

“You’re my family too, Aunt.”

“For once, you said something right!”

“That’s correct. We’ve always received help from you, so now it’s our turn to help.”

“Aunt….”

Martha, Burren, and Runaan nodded as if they shared the same thought.

“You all….”

Aris couldn’t continue her words and lowered her head.

*   *   *

“Hm….”

After finishing Sia’s examination, Federick scratched the side of his head.

“Wh-what is it?”

Sylvia leaned forward so far that she seemed about to fall, clasping her hands together.

“Is something wrong with Sia?”

Her desperate eyes seemed ready to offer her very soul for Sia’s sake.

“Sir Ragged Saint….”

Edgar, too, called out to Federick with lips pale from tension.

“It’s nothing serious.”

Federick shook his head lightly, saying there was no need to be so worried.

“It seems the intervals at which Sia’s soul trembles have sped up a bit. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

He furrowed his brows, saying it could be part of the adaptation process and wasn’t necessarily bad.

“…You should speak more quickly.”

Glenn frowned at Federick. He seemed tense as well, his complexion pale.

“I’ve never dealt with a patient like Sia before! Every step feels like walking on thin ice.”

Federick wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head. He let out a long sigh, looking exhausted from the examination alone.

“So, is she okay for now?”

Glenn asked about Sia’s condition with dry lips.

“Yes. There’s no significant meaning to this change. But as I said before, since we don’t know what will happen, finding the soul stone as quickly as possible would be best.”

Federick stroked his beard, saying they should minimize variables and treat her quickly.

“I’m sorry….”

Sylvia stroked Sia’s hand and buried her face in the bedside.

“……”

Edgar, who usually had plenty to say, kept silent, only gripping Sylvia’s shoulder firmly.

“…Understood.”

Glenn nodded heavily and left the room.

“Hoo….”

He breathed in the night air, letting out a sigh he couldn’t show to his daughter, son-in-law, or unconscious granddaughter.

‘How powerless.’

The nickname of Lightning God and the name Zieghart couldn’t help him now. It felt like he’d returned to the helpless days of his youth.

But he couldn’t act directly either. If any information leaked and the Five Demons attacked in his absence, the damage would be on a whole other level than before.

“This is frustrating.”

Glenn pressed his throbbing temples as he gazed at the night sky.

He clicked his tongue in irritation and turned to head back to the mansion, but in the distance, he saw Chad from the Shadow Agents running toward him.

“H-Head of house! Head of house!”

Chad gasped for breath, unable to form proper words.

“Calm down.”

Glenn gestured for Chad to calm down.

“What’s the matter?”

“S-Sir Raon sent you a letter!”

Chad handed over a white envelope, saying it had just arrived.

“Does that mean he’s reached the island?”

Glenn drew a faint smile and accepted the envelope. As he thought he’d relax his mind by looking at his grandson’s neat handwriting, he opened the letter.

“Hmm…?”

But Glenn couldn’t smile. He trembled as he read the letter.

“Is this real?”

“Since it was addressed to you, I didn’t see it….”

Chad blinked, wondering what it said.

“…He says he found the Soul Stone.”

Glenn immediately turned around and kicked open the door of Frederick’s mansion.

“F-Father?”

“Father-in-law?”

Sylvia and Edgar blinked in surprise at Glenn.

“What are you doing?”

Federick spun his finger near his temple, questioning if Glenn had lost it.

“Raon says he found the Soul Stone!”

Glenn held up the letter, showing it with a bright smile he hadn’t displayed in ages.

“Raon?”

“Already…?”

“Wow!”

Sylvia, Edgar, and Federick widened their eyes in shock.

“Raon….”

Sylvia shed the tears she had been holding back, letting them flow freely in her joy.

“I didn’t expect him to find it so soon. He truly is my grandson!”

Glenn exclaimed, voicing words he hadn’t dared say before, unable to contain his pride.

“No way! He’s my son first!”

Sylvia wiped away her tears with a beaming smile.

“H-he’s also my son… No, never mind!”

Edgar moved his lips but then lowered his head when he saw Sylvia’s and Glenn’s sharp gazes. “What about me? Calling him my lifesaver feels too….”

Federick clicked his lips, rolling his eyes.

After a long time, a warm atmosphere filled Sia’s medical room.

*   *   *

On the deck of the Azure Wind cutting through the waves, Raon gestured toward Wrath.

‘Wrath.’

Why are you calling me?

Wrath tilted his head slightly, rolling his eyes.

‘You were looking forward to the feast. Why are you just sitting quietly?’

The King of Essence understands the importance of family too.

Wrath shook his head.

Don’t think of the King of Essence as cold-blooded.

‘…Thank you.’

Hmph!

Wrath snorted, staring out at the sea.

‘And there’s something I want to ask.’

What is it?

‘Lust.’

Kyahahahk!

Wrath, who had been acting composed, slumped instantly.

Where? Where is she? Where is that madwoman?

“……”

Huh? What, what? She’s not here?

‘I just said her name.’

Raon let out a dry laugh, surprised at how afraid Wrath was of Lust.

Ahem! So, what did you want to ask?

Wrath floated up slowly, clearly embarrassed, his face reddening.

‘Um, Lust is also a trustworthy Demon King, right?’

Trustworthy, huh….

Wrath stroked his chin.

You’ve seen it too that in terms of stalking behavior, she’s absolutely not trustworthy. However, if you’re asking about fundamental reliability, there isn’t a demon more trustworthy than her.

He nodded, saying that aside from stalking, she keeps her promises well.

‘If you vouch for her, then I’ll trust her.’

Raon smiled and turned his body.

It’s not something you should decide so easily.

Wrath shook his head, telling him to make his judgment carefully, though he didn’t know what Raon was thinking.

‘I trust you, and you trust Lust.’

Urgh….

Wrath trembled slightly, unable to respond.

“Merlin, Lust. Come out.”

Although he couldn’t feel the slightest presence of Merlin and Lust, he called them out, certain that they were here.

Whooosh!

As soon as Raon finished speaking, a pink current appeared in the air, and the sea otter he had seen before leaped onto the deck.

“For you to call me first—this is rare!”

Merlin grinned, seeming delighted, while twirling a small rock she used to crack shells.

“Hngh….”

Lust was still sniffling, as if she couldn’t believe she had been defeated.

Wh-what the! These crazy things are still following us?

Wrath screamed at the sight of Merlin and Lust.

And why did you call these things!

Wrath shook his head, unable to comprehend.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

Raon pulled out the soul stone he had kept in his coat.

“Take this soul stone to Zieghart.”

As he said that, he held out the soul stone to them.

“Huh…?”

Merlin’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“My mother and grandfather must be worried. I want to reassure them first.”

Raon bowed his head slightly as he made his request.

“You’re entrusting something this important to me?”

Merlin’s eyes grew even wider, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Hm….”

Lust furrowed her brows, seemingly understanding the situation to some extent.

“Yes. Because I trust you.”

Raon nodded as he said those words.

No, no! You mustn’t say that to stalkers!

Wrath’s shout was futile. Raon’s words flowed out, and Merlin and Lust’s eyes blazed with fiery determination.

 

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