The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 849

 Chapter 849

 

“Sir Derus.”

Cubara knelt on one knee beside Derus to his right.

"Both Beorn and Vardiel were defeated by Raon Zieghart, who had only just reached Transcendence. But why...?"

The report submitted to Derus confirmed that while the plan to seize Aris’ power had been perfectly executed, but it also said that Vardiel and Beorn were killed by Raon Zieghart, who had reached Transcendence here.

Despite the verified information, Cubara couldn't understand why he had to personally come all the way here.

“I can’t believe it.”

Derus frowned as he gazed at the clearing before the dungeon, where even the blood had burned black.

“Even if Vardiel wasn’t specialized in combat and Beorn hadn’t fully adapted to Aris’ power, it doesn’t make sense that they were defeated by Raon Zieghart, who’s just reached Transcendence.”

He shook his head, turning the feather he held, once belonging to Vardiel, into gray ash.

“If you told me the demon lurking inside that brat’s body jumped out and did the job, that’d almost sound more plausible.”

Derus narrowed his eyes, determined to uncover the exact process and outcome for the sake of future plans.

"Losing Vardiel was one thing, but I couldn't afford to lose Beorn here. To break Glenn Zieghart's neck, I needed a piece to sacrifice."

Grinding his teeth in irritation, Derus chewed his lip with his pristine white teeth.

“Raon Zieghart. No, Raon.”

Derus Robert muttered Raon’s name, a dry smile spreading across his face like a withered wasteland.

From the wounds engraved on the back of his hand, thick, sticky blood dripped down.

"You always stand in my way, obstructing my path."

Derus’ rage distorted the air. The ground trembled as if the earth itself was crying out, and the assassins and sorcerers behind him clutched their throats, trembling as they struggled to breathe.

“S-Sir Derus…”

Cubara, too, couldn’t endure Derus’ oppressive energy wave and coughed up blood.

“Hoo…”

Derus suppressed the fury and frustration welling from deep within his soul and reined in the energy that had spread across the entire island.

“Search. Don’t miss even the smallest trace—find every last thing.”

He ordered half the sorcerers and assassins to scour the dungeon interior, while the others were to investigate the clearing.

“M-My apologies.”

After one hour had passed, a middle-aged man, who appeared to be the leader of the group of assassins, approached Derus and knelt down.

“It seems everything in this area was burned. Not a single trace remains.”

He lowered his head, explaining that there was no recoverable information in this land.

“Sir Derus.”

An old man draped in a worn robe stepped forward and tapped his staff.

“There are no traces left that can be retrieved through sorcery. It seems even the residual sorcery in this clearing has been erased by fire.”

The old man squinted, noting that someone skilled in sorcery seemed to be among Raon’s group.

"However, I did manage to extract some information from another source."

He summoned gray mist into his palm, stating he had called forth a spirit from another location.

“It’s a wandering spirit residing in the forest. It claims that a blond human killed both the winged human and the red-haired human.”

He remarked that, while the spirit couldn’t see the details from that distance, it was absolutely certain of that part.

“The winged human would be Vardiel, and the red-haired human, Beorn…”

Cubara sighed briefly.

Crunch.

Derus clenched his fists so tightly that his bones seemed to groan.

‘Raon Zieghart.’

You have no idea how much I want to kill you right now.

His identity had already been exposed, and it was certain a demon resided within Raon. Keeping him alive might serve a greater purpose in the grand scheme.

But with Beorn, who had required astronomical resources and extensive preparation, dead so easily, a seething rage pushed Derus to want to end Raon here and now.

‘With the second blade broken, I have no choice but to hone the first one sharper.’

There was no time to prepare another pawn like Beorn. He would have to pour his efforts into the one he had prepared from the beginning.

Tch.

Derus clicked his tongue in irritation, frowning deeply as assassins and sorcerers returned from the dungeon.

“Sir Derus.”

The leader of the assassins who had entered the dungeon approached and knelt before him.

"The cave has collapsed, making it impossible to enter. If we forcefully dig through the soil, the ground might cave in further, leaving no way to proceed."

He shook his head, confirming there was no way in.

"We did check the dungeon’s sorcery circuits, and there are traces of someone forcibly twisting it to manipulate the dungeon’s time."

The assassin leader frowned, noting that the sorcery had been tampered with by someone other than their own sorcerers.

“So it’s true they manipulated the dungeon’s time.”

Derus let out a hollow laugh, unable to believe what he was hearing.

His gaze turned cold, and killing intent began to emanate from his fingertips.

"Even if a demon resides within him, his adaptability and growth rate are incomprehensible."

Suppressing the turbulence in his heart, Derus bit his lip.

"From now on, adjust Raon Zieghart’s threat level to that of the Five Kings and Five Demons' heads. Avoid him unless absolutely necessary."

He acknowledged Raon once again and exhaled a deep, red breath.

"Let’s return."

Derus paused for a moment, staring at the scorched ground still stained with Vardiel’s and Beorn’s blood, then walked toward the port.

“……”

Cubara swallowed dryly as she watched Derus walk away with an unnervingly composed presence.

‘To maintain such calm even in this situation….’

Derus had spent years preparing Beorn as one of the key pieces to incapacitate Glenn.

Even though much had been gained from the experiments on Beorn’s body, his most critical role had vanished without purpose.

Yet Derus, having just lost him in vain, remained terrifyingly composed. His calm demeanor sent chills down Cubara’s spine.

‘He’s becoming more and more terrifying.’

This man—no, this being called Derus Robert—was becoming something beyond human, and fear crept into the depths of her soul.

When Cubara and the assassins reached the port village, fishermen preparing their nets for the early morning looked toward them.

“Hmm? Why are you coming from that direction at this hour?”

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you okay?”

“Did you encounter monsters or something?”

Looking concerned, the fishermen set aside their nets and approached the pale-faced Derus.

“……”

Without a word, Derus brushed past them.

Boom!

The moment his foot touched the village entrance, the fishermen’s heads exploded like fireworks.

“Uwaaaaaagh!”

“W-What the hell…!”

Two young members of the local militia, on guard duty, screamed as their bodies tore apart, collapsing in a mass of gore.

Step.

Wherever Derus walked, blood pooled, and buildings collapsed. His very presence was a disaster, bringing death with every breath he took.

“Aaaaah!”

“S-someone, help…”

“What kind of catastrophe is this…?”

The few who had barely survived knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, unable to believe that the village they had lived in their entire lives had turned into a living hell.

Step.

When Derus stepped onto the far end of the port, a towering wave rose high enough to touch the sky and slammed down on the entire village.

Neither the survivors nor the wreckage of the buildings could withstand the fierce currents. Everything was swept away.

“Ugh….”

Cubara bit his lips tightly as he watched Derus’ back.

‘He’s grown even stronger….’

With just his will, Derus killed people, destroyed buildings, and raised a tsunami. His growth was beyond Cubara’s imagination. At this rate, Derus might soon catch up to Glenn.

But even so, Derus never relied on his strength alone. He constantly gathered information and devised strategies to exploit the weaknesses of his enemies.

That cold, calculating nature was far more terrifying than his strength.

“Let’s return.”

Derus exhaled, as if his anger had subsided, and disappeared into a dimensional rift.

“……”

Cubara suppressed the nausea churning in her stomach and followed him.

Whoosh.

With Derus and the shadows gone, the island reverted to its original state, as if it had always been uninhabited, leaving only the sound of waves behind.

*   *   *

“Head of house.”

Raon approached Glenn, who was watching the smoke rise from the cremation site. 

“Thank you.”

He placed his hand over his chest and bowed.

After reading Rimmer’s letter, Glenn had asked Zieghart’s blacksmiths to build a new crematorium, one meant solely for Rimmer.

Words of gratitude were all Raon could muster for such a gesture.

“There’s no need for you to thank me.”

Glenn shook his head calmly.

“The real problem was that fool being troublesome until the end.”

He let out a short sigh, saying the man never made things simple, not even in death.

“Exactly. What nonsense about wanting to become the wind!”

Vulcan, who had been involved in the crematorium’s construction from start to finish, snorted.

“I thank you as well, Sir.”

Raon smiled faintly and bowed to Vulcan as well.

“It’s fine. I’ve known him longer than you have, so I just did what I had to.”

Vulcan said, waving his hand to dismiss the need for gratitude.

“Still… I didn’t expect it to end like this.”

He clicked his tongue bitterly, as if he still couldn’t fully accept Rimmer’s death.

“Sir.”

Raon approached Vulcan and clasped his hands together.

“I’m sorry, but could I ask one more favor after the funeral?”

“A favor?”

“Yes. I’m planning to bring my master’s sword to Seipia, but I’d like you to take a look at it first.”

Rimmer’s sword was one of Seipia’s divine relics.

Though Raon wished to keep it at Zieghart, it felt right to bring it along as a symbol of delivering the news of his master’s death.

“You’ve thought well.”

Glenn nodded his head, as if he hadn't thought that far yet, saying it was the right thing to do.

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Vulcan nodded indifferently, as though it were nothing.

“But first, I have to examine the black sword that stabbed Aris—so bring it by later.”

“Understood.”

Raon bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Creak!

The crematorium door opened, and Sheryl, with dark circles under her eyes, emerged carrying a white urn.

“It’s all yours now.”

Sheryl handed over the urn with trembling hands, entrusting the next steps to him.

Though Raon wanted to gather the ashes himself, he had yielded, understanding the bond between Sheryl and Rimmer.

“Thank you.”

Raon took a deep breath as he received the urn. Despite its light weight, it felt heavy—almost as if Rimmer’s soul resided within it.

“Let’s go.”

With a slight bite of his lip, Glenn led the way up the North Grave mountain. He stopped halfway up, in front of a tiger-shaped rock.

“He used to love leaning against this rock and watching all of you.”

With trembling fingers, Glenn caressed the back of the tiger-shaped rock.

“If we send him off here, he’ll be satisfied.”

“…Yeah.”

Raon stood beside the tiger-shaped rock, looking down below.

As Glenn had said, the fifth training ground was clearly visible below.

“Raon. Begin.”

Glenn lowered his chin slightly, signaling the final step of the funeral.

“Yes…”

Raon nodded and carefully opened the lid of the urn. He stared at the white ashes for a long moment before speaking, his voice heavy.

“Burren.”

“Yes…”

Burren closed and reopened his eyes before taking a handful of the ashes and scattering them into the air.

“Thank you for everything.”

Summoning the Barren Wind, he respectfully performed a sword salute to send Rimmer off. “Martha.”

“……”

Without a word, Martha stepped forward and held the ashes in her hand.

“Goodbye. There were times I couldn’t stand you, but I don’t think there will ever be another master like you.”

Biting her lip until it bled, she summoned the wind of the Light Wind Style to send Rimmer away.

“Runaan.”

"Sniff…"

Tears still lingered at the corners of Runaan’s eyes as she stepped forward.

"Sleep as you please there, my napping friend…"

She couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and sent Rimmer off as drops of her sadness fell.

“Dorian.”

“Yes…”

Dorian nodded, holding the ashes tightly.

“Thank you. I’ll live with a smile, never forgetting you, vice division leader. And I’ll protect the children, no matter what.”

He vowed to continue visiting the orphanage as he bowed his head and sent Rimmer off. He seemed to have finally shaken off some of his grief.

“You damn master!”

Krein shouted as he sent Rimmer away, while Yua and Yulius sobbed uncontrollably before managing to scatter the ashes.

Though everyone in the Light Wind division bid farewell to Rimmer, they buried his spirit deep in their hearts, so they could bring it out anytime.

“Master.”

Raon raised Garunua, the very wind of Rimmer.

“You once said, ‘All who meet must part, and those who part will meet again.’ If we meet again, I want to be your disciple once more.”

With those final words, he sent the last of Rimmer’s ashes toward the fifth training ground.

Whoosh!

The green wind that enveloped the ashes swept through Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen before drifting away into the distance.

It seems he’s finally at peace.

Wrath nodded, saying Rimmer’s expression must have softened in the afterlife.

‘Yes.’

Raon watched as the green wind flowed toward Zieghart’s sky, nodding in silent agreement.

‘He gave me salvation until the very end.’

Rimmer didn’t want anyone to continue mourning his death. He wanted them to move forward.

For his sake, he couldn’t afford to stand still.

So then…

‘Yes, it’s time to train.’

Raon nodded with a faint smile.

No, you idiot! Keep your promises first!

*   *   *

After Rimmer’s funeral, Raon trained with his sword in the clearing at the foot of the North Grave mountain.

Starting with basic swordsmanship to loosen his body, moving on to every techniques he had learned, including the Raon Zieghart Style Swordplay.

Once he finished, he bowed toward a tree on his right.

“You can come out now.”

“Ahem…”

Glenn emerged from behind the tree, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Now that you’ve reached Transcendence, it seems I can’t hide from you anymore. It’s no fun anymore.”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“If grandfather had truly wanted to hide, I wouldn’t have been able to sense you.”

Raon said, smiling faintly.

“Right. So, are you alright now?”

“I’m slowly adjusting.”

Had it not been for Rimmer’s will, Raon might still be mourning. But knowing his master’s true feelings brought him some comfort.

“What about you, grandfather?”

"Do you think I’ve reached this age without losing people? There have been many."

Glenn shook his head, looking up at the thin crescent moon.

"…But this time, it hurts more than usual."

He admitted, honestly, that it wasn’t easy.

“…Yes, I suppose it would.”

Raon bowed his head deeply.

“Still, letting him go was the right thing to do.”

Glenn clicked his tongue softly and turned to Raon.

“What’s it like, having reached Transcendence?”

"I’m not sure yet. At the time, it felt like I could do anything, but now, it just feels like mana is more familiar to me."

"That’s how it starts."

Glenn nodded calmly.

“It’s the realm where your mana harmonizes with the natural mana of the world, where you become one with the heavens and earth. It’s a realm where anything is possible. Since you reached it by mastering the versatile sword, you’ll have more potential than anyone.”

Glenn smiled faintly, as if looking forward to what lay ahead.

"Yes, I’ll do my best."

“In that case…”

He extended his hand.

“How about a spar?”

“…With you, grandfather?”

"Yes. I’ll take it easy, so come at me."

Glenn’s outstretched hand showed he was serious.

“Understood.”

Raon nodded. Sparring with Glenn was an opportunity to push his abilities to the limit—a rare blessing. He felt grateful Glenn had suggested it.

“Then…”

Just as Raon was about to prepare, he noticed Rabawin running toward them from the annex building.

“S-Sir Raon! Huff! Oh! The head of house is here too?”

Rabawin froze momentarily, startled, then quickly tried to bow.

“Enough. What is it?”

Glenn stopped him with a nod.

“Lady Aris…”

Rabawin bit his lip and lifted his trembling gaze.

“Lady Aris has woken up….”

 

 

 

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