The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 859

 Chapter 859

 

“Haa…”

Sheryl, who was leaning against the Tiger Rock the same way Rimmer used to, let out a heavy breath.

“They’re leaving now, it seems.”

She bit her lip lightly as she watched the Light Wind division swordsmen departing from the fifth training ground.

“They’re handling this better than I am.”

Roenn clasped his hands in front of her while observing the Light Wind division.

"I still can't bring myself to let go of Sir Rimmer, but it seems the members of the Light Wind division have managed to collect their thoughts to some extent."

He chuckled awkwardly, saying it was embarrassing considering his age.

"It's not easy. Especially when you've spent so much time with that damned elf..."

Sheryl furrowed her brow deeply. Her complexion darkened, showing that she, too, was struggling to accept Rimmer's death.

“A swordsman always carries death on their back.”

Standing atop the Tiger Rock, Glenn finally spoke, voice heavy.

“But when that swordsman dies, the death they carried turns into a blade that pierces the hearts of those left behind.”

He muttered that he, too, was still coming to terms with the blade Rimmer had left behind—and that they would simply have to endure it.

"That's true. All the living can do is accept it." Contrary to her words, Sheryl clenched her fists so tightly that her arms trembled.

“That damn bastard…”

Unlike the strong front she showed before the Light Wind division, her eyes reddened.

"He was truly a good person."

Roenn stroked the Tiger Rock while looking up at the blue sky.

“He used to visit my workplace all the time, just to cause chaos and then leave.”

“…That doesn’t sound like a ‘good person,’ more like a lunatic.”

Sheryl let out a hollow laugh, as if it were ridiculous.

"Perhaps he was worried I’d feel lonely since I often work alone. Sometimes, when I couldn't suppress my killing intent, he'd spar with me."

Roenn nodded, recalling the various ways Rimmer had helped him during his visits.

“That guy?”

“Yes. While most would think he was at the casino if he wasn’t at the fifth training ground, Rimmer would wander around Zieghart, spending time with many people. He had a unique talent for making those around him happy just by being there.”

He clasped his hands together, saying that while he was carefree, he also had a serious side.

“Especially when he talked about the Light Wind, his eyes would sparkle. He’d go on and on about Raon and the other swordsmen, boasting endlessly.”

Thanks to Rimmer’s chatter, Roenn said he often knew what was happening at the fifth training ground without even visiting.

“He did the same with me. Whenever Raon accomplished even the smallest thing, he would come to the audience chamber and make a fuss all day long. It was like watching a proud father boasting about his child taking their first steps.”

Glenn said with a faint smile, nodding in agreement.

“He was probably the one who would’ve been happiest about Raon reaching Transcendence. That’s why he left us with a smile.”

He clicked his tongue regretfully, as if lamenting not having seen that expression himself.

“……”

Sheryl hung her head, listening to the two men’s stories.

“Oh, that reminds me—there’s one more thing.”

Roenn lifted his index finger, turning toward Sheryl.

“Sir Rimmer always seemed delighted when he talked about you, Lady Sheryl.”

“What? Me? What do you mean…?”

Sheryl tilted her head, not quite understanding.

“He often shared what conversations he had with you or how you fought. He even asked for advice regarding you several times.”

Roenn said that the ones who brought Rimmer the most joy were Sheryl and the Light Wind division.

“I heard it often as well,” Glenn said, stroking his chin as he looked down at Sheryl.

“When you embarrassed yourself or achieved something impressive, he’d come to me and talk endlessly about it.”

Most of Rimmer’s chatter revolved around Sheryl and the Light Wind division, Glenn added.

“That idiot…” Sheryl gritted her teeth, hiding her face behind her hair.

“Why didn’t he just tell me that himself?”

Her voice cracked as she muttered complaints about Rimmer.

“……”

Glenn and Roenn, sensing Sheryl’s feelings, remained silent, giving her the space she needed.

“…Truth is, I wanted to go.”

Sheryl glanced toward the Light Wind division, who were leaving the fifth training grounds. Her wrist trembled as she spoke.

“I wanted to deliver his sword myself, but I thought it was right to yield to the children who lost their master.”

Her eyes carried a mix of regret and sadness.

“Even if no one else knows, Rimmer would’ve understood.”

Glenn placed a reassuring hand on Sheryl’s shoulder.

“No. That idiot wouldn’t. Right now, I just…” Sheryl sighed deeply and wiped away the tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.

“…I just hope those children can overcome their grief and return stronger.”

She waved her hand as if bidding farewell to the disappearing Light Wind division.

“Yes. The Light Wind division will surely grow and return stronger. When that day comes, just as Rimmer wished…”

Glenn nodded with a somber gaze.

"I’ll promote the Light Wind division and Raon to palace and palace master."

*   *   *

‘Why is that?’

Raon sat with his knees drawn up, staring at the calmly burning campfire.

What do you mean?

After finishing his meal and the midnight snack prepared for the night watch duty, Wrath licked his lips and asked.

‘I still can’t quite believe I’ve reached Transcendence.’

Even though he had reached the Transcendence he’d yearned for, Raon didn’t feel a sense of accomplishment. Instead, the desire to climb even higher burned within him.

Mountains always seem tall before you climb them but appear small once you’ve reached the summit.

Wrath wagged his round finger side to side.

Now that you’ve climbed the mountain of Transcendence, it’s natural for it to seem insignificant. Had you stayed as a Grandmaster, it would’ve still looked like an insurmountable wall.

‘That makes sense.’

Raon nodded, glancing at the floating Wrath.

And ever since that shitty ears died, you’ve only looked forward, focused straight ahead, like a racehorse with blinders on.

Wrath sighed briefly.

Experiencing that shitty ears’ death made you vow never to lose anyone else. So you keep spurring yourself onward.

He shook his head, saying that otherwise, you wouldn’t have trained all night even on the day of the party.

‘…That’s probably true.’

Raon let out a heavy sigh. Just as Wrath had said, he wasn’t enjoying the realm of Transcendence—he was only pushing himself to climb even higher.

‘I just don’t want to lose anyone anymore.’

He wanted to grow as strong as Glenn so he could protect everyone in Zieghart—not just the Light Wind swordsmen but everyone.

‘How surprising.’

Raon smirked at Wrath.

‘I didn’t expect you to understand me this well.’

The King of Essence knows because he’s been through the same thing.

Wrath turned his cloudy gaze elsewhere as if recalling his past.

‘You’ve been through it, too? Come to think of it, there was a time you—’

Raon was about to ask Wrath about his past when he heard a sniffle to his right.

Turning his head, he saw Yua, who was supposed to be on night watch duty with him, burying her face in her knees and sobbing quietly.

“Yua?”

Raon approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

"I just... I keep thinking about Sir Rimmer."

Yua said, shaking her head without raising it.

“Whenever I was on night watch duty, he used to wake up partway through to check on me and chat a little. Remembering that made me cry…”

She sniffled, saying that memories of Rimmer brought tears without her realizing it.

“Don’t cry…”

Yulius, also on night watch with them, bit his lip as if suppressing his own grief over Rimmer.

"We can’t afford to falter. We need to stay strong so he can rest in peace."

Despite his own words, he couldn’t fully contain his grief, his face reddening with emotion.

Sigh.

Raon let out a short sigh as he watched the two try to stifle their tears.

‘Come to think of it...’

I haven’t even congratulated them properly.

Yua and Yulius had broken through the wall of Master and awakened their astral energy in their wrath over Rimmer’s death.

Though their use of astral energy wasn’t yet stable, they had undoubtedly reached the realm of Master. Yet, Raon realized he hadn’t congratulated them.

‘I’m the same, though.’

He, too, had reached Transcendence, but receiving congratulations felt out of place. He didn’t even want them.

But it was different for them, and Raon felt a pang of guilt.

“All right, then. Just for tonight—let’s cry it all out.”

Raon sat between Yua and Yulius, pulling them into his arms.

Though they were old enough to be considered adults, in his eyes, they were still fragile children in need of support.

“Hwaaaah!”

Yua sobbed into his chest, pounding it with her fists, while Yulius held back but eventually let large tears fall like chicken droppings.

Even in the Light Wind division’s tent, where the others were sleeping, faint sobs could be heard.

Raon held Rimmer’s sword tightly, lowering his gaze.

‘It’s more than I thought. Or perhaps it’s only natural to feel this empty without our master around.’

I thought everyone had accepted their sadness, but it turned out a part of them was still longing for Rimmer in some corner of their hearts.

Having realized just how much Rimmer meant to the Light Wind division, it was bittersweet—sad, yet strangely heartwarming at the same time.

Raon closed his eyes, feeling the wind brushing past as if comforting the Light Wind division.

*   *   *

Hoo.

Raon exhaled a heavy breath while looking at the vibrant world around him.

The Great Forest. A vast, green expanse guarding the Elves' holy ground, Seipia, stretched endlessly before his eyes.

The thick natural mana and the dense foliage spread out in all directions reminded him of Rimmer, who had accompanied him here before.

‘Even then, he seemed like a fool.’

Back then, Rimmer had momentarily forgotten that he himself was an elf, and only then did he first show his ability to converse with the forest. It was absurd, but also so typical of Rimmer that Raon couldn’t help but smile at the memory.

“Hmm…”

Yua’s lips trembled slightly, as if she, too, recalled the moment when she had teased Rimmer about whether he was really an elf.

“How do we get in here?”

Martha frowned at the sight of the dense forest, so thick there wasn’t a single opening visible.

“This is supposed to be a naturally formed maze, right? We probably can’t go in without a guide.”

She waved her hand dismissively, saying she didn’t want to wander around aimlessly.

“They know we’re coming. If we wait here, someone should come to greet us.”

Burren crossed his arms and answered calmly.

“…It smells nice.”

Runaan, enjoying the scent of the forest, embraced Yua, who was trembling slightly.

“Let’s wait. Just as Burren said, the guardian will come to us.”

Raon stepped back, suggesting they wait.

They were here to return Rimmer’s sword, so he didn’t want to risk damaging the forest by forcing their way through.

However, even after waiting for over an hour, no elves emerged from the Great Forest, and there were no signs of wildlife either.

“Don’t you think this is a bit strange?”

Krein frowned and muttered that it was taking far too long.

“You’re right. Elves wouldn’t forget about their promise like this... not unless it’s someone like our master…”

Dorian nodded, also finding it strange.

"Master is an elf too."

“Ah!”

At Burren’s comment, Dorian gasped and quickly covered his mouth.

“Let’s go in,” Raon said, rolling his wrist as he stepped toward the Great Forest.

“But it’s supposed to be a maze. How do we find our way?”

Martha narrowed her eyes, as if questioning whether he was sure about this.

“I think I can open the path.”

Raon nodded and extended his hand forward.

‘Just like master did.’

Recalling how Rimmer had opened the path before, Raon summoned the Wind of Garunua to connect with the natural mana spread throughout the Great Forest and create a way forward.

Fwooooosh!

As Garunua’s wind melded with the mana of the Great Forest, the tightly packed foliage shifted, parting to the left and right as if guided by will, revealing a pathway leading inside.

Raon’s fingertips trembled as he observed the gently swaying bushes and trees, which seemed to welcome him.

Recreating the scene Rimmer had once opened through his own power left him with a peculiar feeling.

“What on earth…?”

Krein gaped, his jaw dropping.

“The division leader can do something like this?”

He stared at Raon, wondering aloud if he had elf blood in him.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Martha rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

“This scent…”

Runaan sniffed the air and nodded.

“It smells like the vice division leader.”

“Yes. I just mimicked him,” Raon said, nodding as he explained that he had opened the forest’s path using Rimmer’s wind, just like an elf.

“You really are…something else…”

Martha let out a sigh, sounding incredulous.

“Anyway, let’s head in. We should get to Seipia before nightfall.”

Just as he stepped forward, a rumbling sound echoed.

Kugugugugu!

Near the center of the Great Forest, a massive figure rose into the sky, large enough to block out the sunlight, before transforming into a golden light and vanishing.

Raon narrowed his eyes, gazing at the sky that had brightened in an instant.

“A dragon?”

                         

 

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