The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 860

 Chapter 860

 

“Hey! That thing that just vanished—wasn’t it a dragon?”

Martha squinted at the clear sky above.

“Why is there a dragon in Seipia?”

She bit her lip as if sensing an ominous feeling.

“A dragon…”

Burren clenched his fists, his murderous intent seeping out. He still seemed to harbor anger against the dragons that had destroyed Zieghart’s walls.

“A golden dragon. And it was much bigger than an ancient dragon…”

Runaan nodded, stating that it was an ancient golden dragon.

“T-then, isn’t it the Dragon Lord?”

Dorian gasped, his eyes trembling.

“The Dragon Lord is a golden dragon and the largest of them all!”

“It’s not the Dragon Lord.”

Raon shook his head while lowering his gaze.

“The Dragon Lord is even larger than the golden dragon that just disappeared.”

Having encountered the Dragon Lord a few times when it revealed its true dragon body, he roughly knew its size.

The golden dragon that had vanished moments ago was ancient-level, but it wasn’t the Dragon Lord.

That’s correct.

Wrath nodded quickly.

Unlike that old one, this one looked… full of vitality. Hurrp!

‘Why are you drooling all of a sudden?’

Raon tilted his head, looking at Wrath wiping his mouth.

That lizard’s flesh looked so soft and tender that the King of Essence couldn’t help himself. Slurp!

Wrath was already drooling incessantly, likely imagining roasted dragon meat.

‘Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s gone.’

Raon sighed coldly, his eyes sharp.

‘Wake up from your dream.’

In truth, there were countless questions he needed to ask the dragons.

Why did they destroy Zieghart’s fortress walls? Why did they join hands with the Five Demons? What were they hiding?

There were mountains of things to investigate and reasons to punish the dragons, but he couldn’t afford to chase after a dragon that had already vanished.

As Karoon’s warning suggested, there was no guarantee he would win.

The King of Essence has a feeling he’ll get to eat—he means, meet it again. Slurp.

Wrath blinked his dreamy eyes as if yearning for roasted dragon meat.

‘This glutton fool, seriously…’

Raon shook his head and turned around.

“Let’s go. We’ll understand the situation once we arrive in Seipia.”

He beckoned to the Light Wind swordsmen and stepped onto the path that the trees and bushes had opened.

Recalling the memories of visiting this place with Rimmer, he headed in the direction of Seipia.

“Stop.”

After advancing through the forest for about 30 minutes, Raon halted.

“What’s wrong?”

Burren swiftly looked around, his hand on his sword hilt.

“Someone is coming.”

Raon stretched his hand, lightly loosening his fingers.

Though still distant, he could feel faint traces ahead—a movement characteristic of elves who could blend seamlessly with nature.

As they stood and waited, dense bushes parted ahead, revealing elves equipped with bows and swords.

These were the guardians protecting Seipia.

Their stunningly beautiful features, which never failed to amaze, shimmered even more vividly in the sunlight filtering through the forest.

“We greet our benefactor.”

A blue-haired elf leading the group bowed toward Raon.

It was Erian, Rimmer’s friend and the leader of the Guardian.

Since Raon had summoned Ifrit to save Seipia, Erian had referred to him as their benefactor.

“We greet our benefactor!”

The other guardians followed Erian’s lead, bowing deeply to Raon.

“Hello.”

“Have you all been well?”

Dorian and Yua waved enthusiastically, greeting the familiar faces. However, their expressions were far from cheerful, as they had come to deliver sad news.

“It’s been a while.”

Raon bowed to Erian and the guardians.

“And I apologize for entering the forest without waiting outside. We had no choice since you didn’t come.”

Though they had been invited, entering without permission was akin to breaking in, so he apologized first.

“No need to apologize. It was our duty to come to you, but we were delayed due to certain matters.”

Erian shook his head, speaking politely, a stark contrast to when he had come with Rimmer.

“Does this matter have anything to do with the dragon?”

Raon asked, noticing the irritation flickering in Erian’s eyes.

“…You saw it, I assume.”

Erian sighed briefly, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Yes. A guest visited us briefly.”

He admitted it reluctantly, as though there was no point in denying what had already been witnessed.

“May I ask what it was about?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Erian firmly shook his head.

“No matter how much of a benefactor you are, it’s difficult to share our personal affairs.”

He clasped his hands together in apology, indicating he couldn’t disclose anything.

“No need to apologize. It was my fault for asking something unnecessary.”

Raon waved off Erian’s apology.

“…I’ve heard the news.”

Erian’s gaze briefly lingered on the sword at Raon’s waist—Rimmer’s sword. His lips quivered slightly.

“So, there’s one thing I want to confirm.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Rimmer. Is it true he’s dead?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

Raon took a deep breath and said that he personally sent off Rimmer.

“I see… So it’s true.”

Erian’s expression darkened as if shadowed by the trees, and the atmosphere among the other guardians grew heavy as well.

‘Something feels off…’

Sensing the sudden weight in the atmosphere, Raon narrowed his brows. Rimmer had once said that elves accepted death as a natural part of life, but they were clearly reacting differently now.

It is indeed peculiar.

Wrath nodded in agreement.

Even when those shitty ears died during the attack by that Crimson Flame Demon, the mood wasn’t like this.

Referring to the Crimson Flame Demon incident, Wrath narrowed his eyes.

‘So master was special to them too, after all.’

Looking at the eyes of Erian and the guardians, it seemed that Rimmer was someone special to all of them as well.

“We’ll guide you to Seipia now. Ah, before that, may I ask you one more thing?”

Erian started to walk off, then paused and turned back.

“What were his last moments like?”

He turned his head slightly, his expression pleading for an answer.

“He was smiling. As though he’d let go of all his regrets.”

Recalling Rimmer’s final moments, Raon smiled faintly, tinged with sadness.

“I see. Thank you for telling me.”

Erian nodded, his gaze slightly brightened, and resumed leading the way.

‘This feels frustrating.’

Raon bit his lip, watching Erian’s back. Seeing the normally composed Erian in such a state made him worry about how Siyan, who had been deeply influenced by humans, would react.

Sigh…

Gripping Rimmer’s sword, Raon let out a long sigh.

‘What should I do, master?’

*   *   *

The true holy ground of Seipia, where the World Tree was rooted.

“No.”

A female elf who seemed to shine gold from head to toe—like the sun itself was wrapped around her—slammed her hand down.

“This is something we can never accept!”

She insisted it was beyond consideration, shaking her head in firm denial.

“Siyan.”

Seipia’s Protector, Sterin, called out to the golden-haired elf with a short sigh.

His muscles had weakened, and his face was etched with wrinkles, as though nearing the end of his years.

“The situation isn’t good. If they launch a sudden attack, we can’t stop them as we are now.”

“But, grandpa!”

Siyan stamped her foot, biting her lip.

“Calm your anger and think rationally.”

Sterin shook his head gently, speaking in a measured tone.

“Even now, I am growing weaker, and you cannot summon Ellaim either.”

“That’s…”

Siyan trailed off, unable to refute his words as she clenched her lips.

“During the last war, we summoned Ellaim and Ifrit even though neither was in a stable state to leave the spirit world. Because of that, neither of the spirit kings has been able to answer your call ever since. Seipia has lost both its sword and shield.”

Sterin clenched his trembling fist, shaking his head.

“Then why don’t we ask for help? From Zieghart, for instance. There are other Five Kings, too.”

Siyan clenched her fists, suggesting they reach out to others.

“For how long?”

Sterin let out a short sigh.

“To protect this place, we need at least a Transcender. No one can afford to continuously station a Transcender here, especially when war could break out at any moment. Zieghart’s situation isn’t great either.”

He sighed again, reminding her of the circumstances she should already know.

“Siyan, one must protect their own tree with their own hands. If we rely on others, the land itself will wither.”

Sterin shook his head, saying there was a limit to relying on another’s strength.

“For now, let’s consider this from multiple angles—”

Just as he was about to continue, Leiran approached and bowed. (Reyran changed to Leiran)

“Protector, my apologies for interrupting. Sir Raon is on his way here.”

“Sir Raon?”

Siyan’s head shot up in surprise, like lightning.

“He’s already here?”

“Yes. While you two were talking, Erian went out to greet him.”

Leiran nodded, saying he would arrive shortly.

“I see…”

Sterin nodded and slowly rose to his feet.

“We’ll continue this conversation later.”

He opened the gate to Seipia, suggesting they go greet Raon.

“…Understood.”

Siyan bit her lip and nodded. She glanced at the World Tree before stepping outside.

*   *   *

It wasn’t that the forest had been developed into a village, rather, the forest itself looked as though it had become a village. It was a mystical sight.

Raon smiled faintly at how Seipia had hardly changed at all.

‘This place is the same.’

Much of it had burned during the battle with the Crimson Flame Demon, but it had seemingly recovered through the power of nature, returning to its original state.

‘No, not everything is the same.’

Unlike before, the natural energy now felt as though it were melting into his skin. It seemed to be a sensation he could now perceive, having reached Transcendence.

‘It feels like my aura is rising just by standing here.’

With the World Tree nearby, the dense mana naturally flowed into his body.

Pure mana was filling his entire mana circuit.

But it didn’t make him that happy. The person who would have been happiest about his growth wasn’t here by his side.

“We greet our benefactor.”

The elves standing at the entrance of the village bowed deeply to Raon. Like Erian, they also didn’t seem to be in high spirits.

“It’s been a while.”

Raon tightened his lips and bowed to the elves.

“Hello!”

“Have you been well?”

Dorian and Yua waved, greeting the elves warmly.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You sure give off a different vibe than that other guy.”

“H-hello…”

Burren, Martha, and Runaan nodded, observing the elves, who seemed to merge seamlessly with nature.

The Light Wind swordsmen, as if not forgetting that they came to deliver the news of Rimmer's death, enveloped themselves in calm energy waves without even turning their gazes elsewhere.

As Raon glanced at the Light Wind swordsmen and nodded in satisfaction, the elves at the village entrance stepped aside, and Sterin and Siyan stepped forward.

Siyan, her shoulders trembling, appeared to be suppressing her sadness, her reddened eyes brimming with tears. Sterin, meanwhile, looked as though he had aged decades since they’d last met.

Their emotions seemed to resonate directly with him, causing an ache in his chest.

“We greet the Protector.”

Raon bit his lip as he and the Light Wind swordsmen bowed to Sterin.

“Rise.”

Sterin’s calm tone filled the air as he motioned with his chin.

“I was planning to call you. Thank you for coming.”

He waved his wrinkled hand as if to say their arrival was timely.

“Sir Raon.”

Siyan, hands tucked into her sleeves, offered a silent nod in greeting. The fact that she didn’t utter her usual cry of “handsome” only made Rimmer’s death feel more real.

“Come with me.”

Sterin gestured lightly and turned his back. His steps felt weak, and it made Raon’s chest tighten.

“…Yes.”

Raon followed Sterin without being able to say what he truly wanted to.

They stopped in front of a small house that didn’t suit a Protector’s residence.

“Now then.”

Leaning against a tree that reached skyward, Sterin nodded.

“I read that he died, but the letter lacked details. You seem to have gone through a lot. Could you tell me everything?”

He nodded, seeming already aware of his realm, and requested an explanation.

“Yes. I’ll start from the beginning…”

Raon nodded, his lips trembling slightly.

Because he had comforted the children on the way here, he found it difficult to bring up the topic again.

Just as he steadied his breath, a warm presence touched his back. Runaan had placed a hand on him as if sensing his distress.

“It’s okay.”

Runaan nodded slightly, signaling for him to take his time.

“Thank you.”

Raon let out a small laugh, releasing some of the emotions he had been holding back.

“I’ll start from the beginning. During the last war…”

He recounted everything that had happened, ensuring Siyan and Sterin fully understood the situation.

“Ah….”

Siyan quivered, as if she could never have imagined all that had taken place.

“So that’s how it was. That means he’s definitely gone….”

Sterin sighed shortly.

“But why did it happen that way?”

Erian furrowed his brows, seemingly unable to understand.

“…I’m sorry.”

Raon knelt before Sterin.

“If only I had been calmer or stronger, this wouldn’t have happened. I’m truly sorry.”

He lowered his head, his lips trembling.

Accepting his master’s death was one thing, but conveying it to his master’s family was entirely different.

The pain felt like a blade stabbing into his chest, leaving his hands and feet trembling.

“It’s all right. He died protecting you all, so I’m sure he was satisfied. That’s why he could leave with a smile.”

Sterin reached out gently, placing his hand on Raon’s shoulder.

“Besides, you’ve heard it before, haven’t you? For elves, death is becoming one with nature. It’s not the end, it’s the beginning of something new.”

He shook his head, telling Raon not to worry.

"The reason we are this serious is not because Rimmer has died."

Erian sighed in frustration.

“Huh? Then…?”

“Elves’ souls always return to the World Tree after death, where they are purified and merged with nature. But…”

Siyan bit her lip and shook her head.

“My brother’s soul hasn’t returned yet.”

She explained that this was why everyone was so worried.

“That punk… Even in death, he gives us no peace.”

Sterin furrowed his brow deeply.

“……”

Raon glanced at the frowning people, placed his hand on the Blade of Requiem, and swallowed dryly.

‘Wait, then... Could it be that he was truly trapped here?’

 

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