The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 872

 Chapter 872

 

"Uh…"

Raon let out a faint groan as he watched Glenn's lips twitching like a freshly caught fish flopping around.

‘What’s going on with him?’

He had seen Glenn’s lips tremble before, but never this wildly. He was worried his mouth might fall off.

That old man seems to be having the time of his life.

Wrath snorted, commenting that Glenn finally seemed to be energetic again.

"Ahem!"

Glenn, realizing his lips were twitching, quickly raised his hand to cover his mouth.

"...Right. I’ve heard a rough report about you slaying a dragon, but not the details. Could you explain it yourself?"

He gestured with his chin, implying that not only he but the other executives present wanted to hear the story.

“Hey! Nephew! Is it true that you cut off the heads of three dragons?”

Balder waved his hands enthusiastically, urging him to speak.

"And I heard two of them were ancient dragons. You must've had the Protector's help, right?"

Denier narrowed his eyes into thin slits, insisting there was no way one person could do it alone.

"…"

Karoon remained silent but observed Raon with an even sharper gaze than usual. Raon couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but it felt almost like he was being glared at.

"Three dragons, huh…"

"Even with the Protector's help, that's an incredible feat."

"I’m more curious about how you did it. We’ll likely encounter them more in the future."

Not only the three palace masters but also the other division leaders and executives were fixated on Raon with curiosity and anticipation.

“In that case, I’ll report verbally. When we arrived in Seipia, we spotted a Gold Dragon leaving the Great Forest. After that…”

Raon explained in detail to Glenn and Zieghart executives about the war that took place in Seipia.

“…and that’s how I was finally able to slay Matirus.”

He simply recounted what had happened at the scene, without the kind of exaggerations one might find in Raon Zieghart’s Biography written by Siyan and Encia.

"The rumors were actually downplayed! As expected of my nephew!"

Balder flashed a bright smile and gave a thumbs-up.

"So the rumors really were downplayed, huh…"

Even Denier couldn't hide his surprise and let out a hollow laugh.

"…"

Karoon’s gaze grew sharper than before as he stared at Raon.

“Haah. He’s truly become a monster.”

“We should’ve spent every penny we had to bring him over to our side during the selection ceremony…”

"Judging by that, he must have reached stable Transcendence. We can't even dream of catching up now."

The executives, shocked by Raon’s accomplishments, talked amongst themselves, forgetting that Glenn was still on the platform.

"Keuh!"

Glenn, however, seemed extremely pleased with the situation, and not only his lips but even the hand covering his mouth began to tremble.

"He-head of house?"

Raon blinked at Glenn, who was trembling from head to toe.

"Ahem! Hmph, good job!"

Glenn forcibly lowered the corners of his mouth with his fingers.

"Three dragons. And two of them were ancient and saving Seipia is a feat beyond words."

He nodded enthusiastically, clearly delighted to finally have a reason to openly praise Raon.

“The Light Wind division also worked hard. Without you, Seipia might’ve fallen even if Raon was there.”

Glenn didn't forget to praise the Light Wind division for their efforts in the great forest.

"I still have a few more things to report."

Raon raised his hand again as Glenn finished speaking.

"More? There's more than this?"

Balder licked his lips, urging him to continue.

"Go on, then."

Glenn leaned forward, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"After slaying Matirus, Seipia's Protector informed us that his nest was nearby. So…"

Raon went on to explain how, after defeating the dragons, they raided Matirus' nest, gave the dragon heart to Sterin, and solidified their alliance with Seipia.

"You… raided a dragon's nest?"

Balder clutched his forehead and roared with laughter loud enough to shake the entire audience chamber.

"Of course you should! That’s my nephew! You really know how to get things done!"

He even clapped his hands, clearly pleased with how decisively Raon handled the situation.

"Quiet, Balder."

Karoon muttered about being in the presence of the head of house and quickly silenced Balder by covering his mouth.

Strangely enough, the sharpness in Karoon’s gaze softened ever so slightly.

"It was a good decision."

Glenn folded his hands and looked at Raon.

"It wasn’t intentional. The nest happened to be nearby…"

"I wasn’t referring to that. I meant giving the dragon heart to the Protector."

He nodded approvingly, his gaze filled with pride.

"Running alone lets you go faster, but running together allows you to go further. Helping the Protector and gaining Seipia as an ally is a greater achievement than slaying ten dragons."

He smiled faintly, saying only the Light Wind division could have accomplished such a feat.

"Hmm."

Karoon lightly stroked his chin, seemingly agreeing with Glenn. At that moment, it was harder to read his thoughts than Denier’s.

"I didn’t think deeply about it. It just felt like the right thing to do."

Raon shook his head at Glenn. Truthfully, his desire to help Sterin, Rimmer’s grandfather, outweighed his thoughts about gaining an ally, making the praise uncomfortable.

"Is that so?"

Glenn smiled gently, saying good things should be acknowledged regardless of intent.

"And raiding the dragon's nest was also a great feat. There hasn't been anyone like you in a thousand years."

"Ah, that wasn't me, Dorian took care of that."

Raon pointed to Dorian behind him.

"He found all the places where Matirus had hidden his gold and treasures."

"E-Eh? N-No! It was just luck!"

Dorian sweated profusely and waved his hands, unlike when he was frantically searching for treasure.

“Well done. Good work.”

Glenn nodded at Dorian, acknowledging his efforts.

"Heeek..."

Getting praised by the head of house seemed too much for Dorian, who plopped right down onto the floor in a daze.

"We divided the dragon corpses and brought them back by parts. Since there's a lot, if we have enough blacksmiths, we can provide all the Zieghart swordsmen with swords forged from dragon bone and uniforms made from scales."

Raon mentioned that Sterin had contacted the Blacksmith of the Continent Borgos.

 

“Th-Then I’ll get a sword made of dragon bone?”

"Three dragons are enough to equip all the swordsmen and still have leftovers!"

“I’m more excited about the fact the dwarves will be making them!”

The executives looked at Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen with eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.

"That’s great news! The dragon you took down last time was so thoroughly destroyed there wasn’t anything usable left!"

Balder elbowed Karoon in the ribs, grinning widely.

“Keep your mouth shut if you want to stay alive…”

Karoon ground his teeth, muttering again about being in front of the head of house.

"Hm!"

Denier looked at Raon and Martha with a smile that appeared to acknowledge their hard work. His expression didn’t reveal even the slightest trace of negativity. If that was an act, he would truly be a monster greater than even Raon himself.

"There’s one thing I need to say."

Glenn raised his finger toward the executives.

"The Light Wind division's trip to Seipia wasn’t an official mission. It was an unofficial mission to return their vice division leader’s sword. In other words, the spoils from that trip don’t belong to Zieghart but to you. And yet…"

He scanned the Light Wind swordsmen, his brows slightly furrowed.

"You're saying you'll use the gold and dragon bones to provide weapons and equipment to Zieghart?"

"Of course."

Raon nodded without hesitation.

“Why is that?”

The question didn’t come from Glenn but from Denier, his dark eyes shimmering like a lake under the night sky. It was unusual for Denier to speak up like this.

"Because I—no, Because…"

Raon looked from the Light Wind swordsmen to Denier and finally to Glenn, gently stroking the flame sword emblem on his chest.

"We are Zieghart swordsmen."

He bowed his head, saying there was no other reason needed.

"Ah…"

Glenn let out a small groan and dropped the hand that had been covering his mouth. The corners of his lips curled so high they seemed to reach his ears, trembling violently.

"The question was poorly worded, but the answer is to my liking."

Karoon erased all sharpness from his gaze and nodded with satisfaction.

"Exactly! A sense of belonging is what allows people to draw upon even greater strength!"

Balder clapped his hands energetically.

"Zieghart swordsmen, so that’s it…"

Meanwhile, Denier, who had asked the question, stroked his chin calmly with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"Even if it was an unofficial mission, there’s no way we can overlook the extraordinary achievements of the Light Wind division."

Glenn snapped his fingers, as if he didn't need to ask the other executives' opinions.

"Yes, it’s already been prepared."

Roenn chuckled as he carried a wide tray laden with golden tablets up to the platform.

"Each member of the Light Wind division will be awarded a golden tablet, and I will personally teach martial arts to the division leader Raon Zieghart."

Glenn, for the first time, officially announced that he would teach martial arts to Raon.

“F-Father is going to do that?”

Balder’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t imagine Glenn personally teaching anyone.

“The head of house himself…?”

“This is a rare opportunity. The greatest opportunity ever!”

“He more than deserves it, if you ask me.”

"I agree. This incident could change not only the history of Zieghart and Seipia, but the history of the continent."

The executives, seemingly amazed, glanced back and forth between Glenn and Raon.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

Glenn glared down from the platform with eyes that seemed ready to kill anyone who voiced dissent.

“N-no objections! I fully support it!”

Balder exclaimed, raising his arm enthusiastically.

“I also think it’s a fitting reward.”

Surprisingly calm, Karoon folded his hands in front of him, looking as if he found Glenn’s decision perfectly reasonable.

“…”

Denier didn't even open his mouth, appearing wholly uninterested in such matters.

"Ahem! Leader of the Light Wind division, come to the lord’s manor training ground today!"

“Uh, father, I think my nephew might be tired today…”

“Today!”

At Glenn’s thundering command, Balder shrank back like a turtle retreating into its shell.

Now, no one could stop the grandfather who had openly declared he would teach his grandson martial arts.

*   *   *

After everyone had left the audience chamber.

“Kh-heup! Kh-heuh-heuh-heup!”

Rain of laughter poured down from House Zieghart head of house’s throne.

“Are you really that happy?”

Sheryl let out an exasperated sigh as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Well, the head of house has every reason to be. His grandchildren are all outstanding, and among them, young master Raon is especially extraordinary.”

“I understand that, but I can’t stand that creepy laugh!”

Sheryl frowned, calling it a creepy laugh.

“Ahem, it’s just… I’ve gotten into the habit of suppressing my laughter.”

Glenn coughed and straightened his crumpled lips.

“I’m not sure about that laugh, but I understand the happiness.”

Sheryl gave a faint smile as she looked at the carpet where Raon had stood.

“I never expected Raon to grow this much.”

She shook her head, admitting she’d expected to be surpassed, but not so quickly.

“I too never thought that child would break through that wall in his twenties. But that’s not what truly makes me happy.”

Glenn slowly shook his head.

“What impresses me is that, even after reaching Transcendence, he hasn’t changed. He continues to walk his own path while looking out for others.”

Glenn’s serene smile deepened as he praised Raon for helping Sterin and solidifying the alliance with Seipia.

“That part is undeniable. As a human being, his character far surpasses even his martial talent.”

Sheryl nodded in agreement, her eyes lifting slightly.

“I still clearly remember how young master Raon protected Lady Sylvia during the selection ceremony.”

Roen chuckled, saying the image of young Raon protecting Sylvia was still vivid in his mind.

“At times like this…”

While everyone was reminiscing about Raon with soft smiles, Sheryl clicked her tongue.

"If that lazy fool were here, he’d tell the head of the house to be honest about his feelings, wouldn’t he?"

Even as she mentioned Rimmer’s name, Sheryl didn’t erase her smile, as if she had come to terms with it to some extent.

“And then…”

Roenn nodded with a chuckle.

"The head of house’s lightning would have struck him."

“After that…”

Glenn continued Roenn's words, waving his finger.

“He would’ve made a fuss demanding paid leave.”

The three of them smiled wistfully, reminiscing about Rimmer, who was no longer in this world.   

*   *   *

“Hey, nephew!”

When Raon stepped out of the lord’s manor, Balder, leaning against the wall, waved at him.

"Impressive! That decisiveness of yours must run in the family—just like me!"

He thumped his own shoulder heavily, as if the praise he had given in the audience chamber wasn't enough.

“Ahaha…”

Raon laughed awkwardly and shook his head when Karoon emerged from behind Balder.

“Central Martial Palace’s master?”

Raon's mouth fell open as he hadn't expected Karoon to be waiting for him as well.

“Come with me for a moment.”

Karoon gestured for Raon to follow him to the back of the lord’s manor.

“What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?”

Balder tilted his head, seemingly unaware that Karoon had been frowning since they were in the audience chamber. As always, his lack of awareness was unparalleled.

“Let’s just go.”

Raon clicked his tongue lightly and followed Karoon.

"Did you bring Matirus' head too?"

Karoon stopped near the entrance of North Grave Mountain and turned to face Raon, his eyes gleamed fiercely, as if he was about to go to war.

“Yes. We didn’t separate the teeth and horns, so we brought the head whole.”

“Can you show it to me?”

He lowered his voice as if it was a very important matter.

“I don’t have it on me. May I call one of my subordinates?”

“Please do.”

Karoon nodded as if to say it was no problem.

“Dorian!”

Raon nodded and gestured to Dorian, who was cautiously watching from a distance.

"What's going on? Did Matirus do something to you, brother?"

Balder, sensing the seriousness of the situation, furrowed his brows.

“…”

Karoon remained silent, waiting for Dorian to approach.

“Uh, y-yes? What’s going on?”

“Take out Matirus’ head.”

“M-Matirus’ head? Oh…ah!”

Dorian stared blankly at Karoon before jolting in surprise and nodding.

“O-okay.”

With trembling eyes, Dorian reached into his belly pocket and pulled out Matirus’ head.

Seeing a house-sized dragon's head emerge from that small belly pocket was nothing short of mystical.

“Hmm…”

Karoon examined Matirus' head with eyes even sharper than before, measuring its length from the tip of the nose to the horns with his hand, scrutinizing every detail.

“Master of Central Martial Palace, what is this about?”

Raon swallowed hard and looked at Karoon. Seeing his posture so serious, he felt it must be a very important matter.

“Hmph!”

After finishing his measurements, Karoon finally cracked a broad grin for the first time that day.

“The one I killed is two hand spans longer.”

He tilted his chin upward slightly, as if declaring his victory.

“…”

Raon narrowed his eyes in exasperation as he looked at Karoon, who was wearing a triumphant smile as if he had just won.

‘What is with this guy…?’

What else? Just another lunatic….

Wrath shook his head, muttering that every human around Raon seemed to have a screw loose somewhere.

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