The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 906

 Chapter 906

 

“Ugh…”

As soon as Raon saw the black-haired middle-aged man, his expression soured.

“You were here?”

"I came to relax for a bit, but I didn't expect to run into you."

The black-haired man chuckled and patted his own shoulder.

So it’s him, huh? Hah, it’s that "Huhuhu Old Man."

Like someone who’d just lost interest, Wrath snorted.

‘Huhuhu Old Man?’

He’s always going Huhuhu! That’s why he’s Huhuhu Old Man.

Wrath shook his head, as if that nickname was the only logical choice.

‘Well, it’s not wrong.’

Raon clicked his tongue as he gazed at the middle-aged man.

‘Anyway, I’m glad he’s safe.’

The one who had suddenly spoken to him was actually Roenn, disguised as a black-haired middle-aged man. True to his nickname the assassin king, his acting was flawless.

“How’s Montiro? It’s lively yet peaceful, isn’t it?”

“I just arrived today, so I don’t really know. I’m here on business anyway.”

" Business? I bet you’ll just dump all that on your underlings and go around having fun."

Roenn gave a knowing smirk, as though he could see right through him. It was amazing how not only his face but also his expressions and mannerisms had changed into someone completely different.

"That’s not true."

Raon shook his head curtly.

“And who might this be?”

The white-haired man standing beside Roenn narrowed his eyes.

‘Strong.’

He appeared to be in his mid-to-late twenties, and the strength he radiated seemed to be at least at the highest level of Master. Raon had never seen this warrior before.

“He’s the son of a senior I owe a great debt to.”

Roenn smiled faintly, indicating that he had a personal connection with the man.

“I see. Then, enjoy your conversation. I’ll be off.”

“Thanks for keeping me company today, Kalop.”

“I enjoyed it as well.”

The white-haired man, Kalop, waved a hand dismissively before turning away.

As he was about to leave the beach, he suddenly stopped upon noticing someone behind him.

“Rensia?”

“Sir Kalop! Hello!”

Rensia smiled brightly and bowed, as if she had just run into her own older brother. However, the way her fingers trembled slightly as they gripped her backpack did not go unnoticed.

“Are they with you?”

“Yes. I’ll be assisting them from today.”

“You’re working hard. That’s good to see.”

Kalop gazed at Rensia for a moment before gently ruffling her hair and walking away.

“Where are you staying?”

As soon as Kalop left, Roenn immediately asked where Raon was lodging.

“On that hill over there….”

“Valorence? Well, that’s the only place you’d choose.”

He nodded knowingly, as if it was obvious Raon would opt for such a place.

“I’m staying at Valorence too. It’s been a while—how about we grab a drink?”

Without leaving room for refusal, Roenn turned around, signaling Raon to follow.

“Haa….”

Raon let out a long sigh before calling out to Rencia.

“Looks like I have to drink with this old man today. Come back tomorrow morning.”

He handed her today’s pay.

“B-but I already received it…?”

Rensia widened her eyes, pulling out the silver coin she had received earlier.

“That was a tip.”

Raon tossed another silver coin her way, telling her to just take it.

“Thank you!”

Rensia caught the coin with ease and bowed her head.

“Hurry up, will you? Young people these days are so damn slow.”

Roenn called out in a relaxed, almost fatherly manner, as if he really were an old friend of Raon’s father.

“Yeah, yeah….”

“I took a look around already. This place is bigger than I expected, plenty to see. First, there’s the western cave….”

After sending Rencia home, Raon followed Roenn, feigning boredom as he half-closed his eyes and absorbed every bit of information Roenn shared about Montiro.

By the time Roenn finished talking about the stalactite caves to the west and moved on to mentioning a church in the east, they arrived at his lodging.

“Hmm. Take a seat over there.”

Roenn gestured toward a table by the window overlooking the sea with a slight nod of his chin.

“Yeah….”

Letting out a small sigh, Raon reluctantly nodded before taking a seat across from him.

“Have I been talking too much about myself? How have you been?”

“Same as always. Work, rest, work, rest. Rinse and repeat.”

He rolled his shoulders, emphasizing that all he’d done was work.

Even here, you're putting on an act?

‘Even if nobody's around, there might be artifacts or barriers that can pick up sound.’

Since it was certain that something was off about Montiro, it was best to stay cautious until the truth was revealed.

“How’s your father doing?”

“He’s so healthy it’s almost a problem.”

Raon nodded as he thought of Edgar. At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

At Roenn’s word, a guide entered, carrying a tray laden with food and drink. He brought it to the table.

“Here are the snacks and liquor you requested.”

The guide, who seemed quite used to this job, bowed his head and placed everything on the table.

“Thanks, Perin.”

Roenn gave the boy, Perin, a tip and patted his head.

“It’s nothing! Enjoy your evening!”

Perin clutched the tip happily before closing the door behind him.

“These kids work hard.”

“They do.”

“You need to work as hard as they do.”

Roenn smirked as if scolding him.

[It’s been a while, Light Wind Palace master.]

Yet at the same time he spoke, he moved his finger in the air, tracing out letters.

"I'm doing my best in my own way, so don’t concern yourself with me."

Raon gave a cold response, then, just like Roenn, he began writing in the air with his finger.

[I was worried, but I’m relieved to see you’re safe.]

[I trust my disguise and acting skills, but even if the Black Tower had noticed me, they wouldn’t have attacked. The moment they strike, any suspicions about this place would turn into certainty.]

Roenn shook his head slightly, indicating that, for now, he hadn’t drawn any unwanted attention.

[But how did you know I was here?]

[Before meeting you, I made contact with an informant from the black market. Thanks to that, I was able to learn about your current operation.]

Roenn smiled, relieved that he had met with the informant in advance.

[Did you find anything suspicious?]

[No. I’ve been exploring all of Montiro under the guise of enjoying a vacation, but there’s nothing out of the ordinary.]

Even as he verbally nagged Raon, his fingers carefully traced polite and formal words in the air.

[Rather, everyone here seems cheerful and content. There are occasional monster attacks, but the so-called ‘heroes’ always step in immediately, preventing any real damage.]

Roenn had visited this place in different disguises multiple times, yet he had never found anything suspicious. He shook his head.

[I see.]

Raon bit his lip slightly.

‘Well, that’s to be expected.’

Even Wrath failed to detect anything off.

Before learning that there was no energy of death in this land, even Wrath had failed to notice anything unusual.

It was only natural that Roenn hadn’t found anything unusual either.

[But these so-called ‘heroes’….]

[Do you remember the white-haired young man on the beach earlier?]

[Yes. He was young, but quite strong.]

Raon nodded as he recalled the white-haired youth carrying a greatsword.

[He’s Kalop, the leader of an armed group here. And there are five others like him. All of them are at the highest level of Master, yet none seem interested in making a name for themselves on the continent, they remain here instead.]

Roenn narrowed his eyes as he mentioned Kalop’s name.

[Could they be connected to the Black Tower…?]

[I had the same suspicion and have been keeping an eye on them, but no. There’s not even a trace of demonic energy in them, they use aura purer than mine. Their personalities are a bit rough, but they truly look and act like heroes.]

He emptied his glass, affirming that they seemed unrelated to the Black Tower.

[I see….]

Raon tapped his fingers on the table as he replayed his encounter with Kalop in his mind.

[To be honest, up to now, I can hardly believe that the Black Tower is here.]

Roenn shook his head, saying that based on what he had observed, it simply didn’t make sense for the Black Tower to exist in this place.

[Have you found anything, palace master?]

[There are a few things, but I can’t say for certain yet.]

Besides the absence of the energy of death and demonic energy, there was one more thing that seemed suspicious, but it wasn’t something he could confidently explain just yet.

[I see. Then, I’ll trust your judgment, palace master.]

Roenn gave a faint smile as he refilled Raon’s empty glass.

[But, Sir Roenn ….]

[I trust the palace master’s judgment more than my own.]

Lowering his head slightly, Roen expressed that he trusted Raon’s decisions over his own observations.

[Palace master—no, young master—you have been seeing far more than I have ever since you were a child.]

Roenn laughed heartily as if it were natural and drank his liquor.

[Sir Roenn….]

Raon could feel the sincerity behind his words, and his fingers trembled slightly as he held his glass. Receiving someone's genuine trust was both heartwarming and heavy.

[I’ve been in this disguise for too long. I should step out for a while.]

Roenn nodded slightly, indicating that he would return in a different disguise.

[That might be best. The Light Wind Palace and Central Martial Palace swordsmen are entering in small groups now, so it shouldn’t be difficult.]

[Then I should hurry and get ready.]

Roenn chuckled faintly, already preparing to leave.

"Have I been nagging too much? Your face looks grim. The problem with getting old is that you talk too much."

Roenn smirked and shook his head.

“Well then, I’ll be going. It was good to see you after so long. Send my regards to your father.”

He raised his glass and waved it in farewell.

“…Got it.”

Raon let out a deep sigh and rose to his feet.

“I’ll be off, then.”

“Don’t wander too far.”

Without looking back at Roenn’s waving hand, Raon opened the door and stepped outside.

‘He trusts me more than his own judgment….’

Raon clenched his fist, etching Roenn’s words into his heart.

‘I’ll find it.’

The secret hidden within this perfect city.

*   *   *

Three Days Later

“Phew….”

Raon exhaled slowly as he watched the sun sink beyond the horizon.

‘It’s already been three days.’

During that time, the Light Wind Palace and Central Martial Palace swordsmen had successfully entering Montiro under different disguises, while the black market agents had blended in, each carrying out their respective roles.

Yet no one had found anything suspicious about Montiro.

Tourists, merchants, and residents of Montiro were all enjoying happy times, and no one seemed to be experiencing misfortune.

Raon himself had spent an excessive amount of money meeting countless people, but no matter who he spoke to—young or old—no one ever showed anything unusual. At this point, he was beginning to wonder if the Black Tower even existed here at all.

‘Lady Chamber must be furious.’

Despite deploying elite forces from the Light Wind Palace, Central Martial Palace, and even the black market, they had found nothing. She was probably pacing in frustration by now.

Ssshhh.

Raon drained his bottle of alcohol and turned his gaze to the right.

“Hmmm~”

Rencia was sitting nearby, humming cheerfully as she worked on her knitting.

‘She’s just an ordinary girl, too.’

Since there was always the possibility that a demon could be hiding in disguise, Raon had kept an eye on Rensia as well. But in the end, she was just a lively girl full of smiles, typical for her age.

There was one thing that seemed off about her, but it wasn’t enough to make him suspect her outright.

“Rensia.”

“Ah, yes?”

Rensia set down her knitting needles and lifted her head. After spending three days together, she had grown somewhat comfortable around him.

“Everyone here seems happy.”

"Well, as you’ve seen, Sir Kayden, nothing but good things happen here."

Rensia nodded with a bright smile.

“The weather is nice, the sea is clear, and everyone is kind. Sometimes monsters appear, but the warriors take care of them right away.”

She clasped her hands together, as if there was no possibility of anything bad happening here.

“Is that so….”

Raon swirled his empty bottle and clicked his tongue.

‘Unfortunately, the world isn’t made up of only happy things.’

Even in the now supposedly perfect Zieghart’s annex building, negativity still surfaced from time to time.

Maids got into arguments, Sylvia shed tears out of concern for Sia, and Edgar knelt in prayer, unable to forget his sins.

In both his previous and present lives, he had learned one truth: perfect happiness did not exist. As long as people lived among others, absolute happiness was impossible.

“The sun has set. Shall we head out?”

Raon set down his empty bottle and gestured with his chin. Today was the day of the underground arena. It was only held once a week, and he had been waiting for this moment.

“Yes! I’ll guide you.”

Rensia quickly packed away her knitting materials into a blue backpack and stood up.

"The entrance fee is quite expensive. Are you okay with that?"

Even after watching him spend money so freely, she still asked the question.

"What kind of question is that?"

“In that case, let’s go!”

Rensia grinned and led the way down the street. At first, she had been wary of him, but after realizing he was just a rich guy with nothing better to do, she had grown pretty comfortable around him.

“This way.”

She took him behind Hotel Valorence, to a small church.

“A church? This is where the arena is?”

“Yes. Odd, right? I guess people don’t really believe in god here.”

Rencia spoke as if she, too, didn’t believe in god, then stepped inside the church.

“Welcome.”

A man towering over two meters, with copper-colored skin, approached them in a priest’s robe.

“Hello!”

As she always did when she saw an adult, Rencia greeted him cheerfully.

"You can pay the entrance fee to the priest."

She gestured toward the man, who looked more like a thug than a priest and her fingertips trembling slightly as if she were afraid.

“Hmph.”

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly before tossing a gold coin.

“May the blessings of the divine be with you.”

The muscular priest raised a hand, and the floor beneath an angel statue split open, revealing a staircase leading downward.

“Let’s go.”

Following Rensia down the stairs, Raon entered a space far brighter and more extravagant than the lobby of Hotel Valorence. Under dazzling lights, countless people were engrossed in gambling.

“This is the underground casino. The betting odds here are two to ten times higher than the ones outside.”

Rensia nodded, advising that it was generally best not to gamble here.

“You know, saying that—”

“—Yes, yes. It’ll only make you want to gamble more. I’m sorry….”

She bit her tongue slightly, realizing her mistake.

“…”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he observed the gamblers.

‘Even here, I don’t feel the energy of death.’

Montiro, being a tourist destination, had several casinos. Yet, even in casinos where people lost everything and fell into ruin, there was no trace of the energy of death. This place was no different.

There’s no demonic energy either.

Wrath scrunched up his nose in disbelief.

‘This doesn’t make any sense.’

Even among those despairing over their losses and those rejoicing over their winnings, there wasn’t the slightest trace of the energy of death. No matter how he looked at it, this was an utterly incomprehensible situation.

“Where’s the arena?”

"It's below this floor."

Rensia gestured for him to follow and led the way across the casino, descending to the second basement level. Since the ceiling was much higher than the floor above, they had to go down significantly more steps.

"Uwooooooh!"

As they approached the dimly lit entrance, a thunderous cheer erupted. The sound was electrifying, sending shivers through the body, it was the kind of energy that set one’s blood on fire. It seemed the arena was already open, and the fights had begun.

“Looks like it’s started!”

Rensia waved her hand excitedly, urging him to hurry.

“Take it slow.”

Raon descended at a steady pace, but as they neared the entrance, Rensia suddenly stopped in her tracks, mouth slightly agape.

"How did you get in here?"

A young man with blue hair, carrying a spear draped across both shoulders, blocked Rensia’s path and frowned.

“Ah, Sir Felix! I was guiding a guest to the arena!”

Rensia greeted him with a bright smile and bowed, indicating that she knew him.

“A guest?”

The blue-haired young man, Felix, turned his sharp gaze toward Raon.

"I get that you want to have fun, but bringing a child to a place like this… isn’t that a bit much?"

His tone was displeased, as though he found the situation uncomfortable.

“…”

Raon didn’t respond to Felix. Instead, he glanced toward Rencia, who was smiling brightly yet gripping her backpack so tightly that her hands were trembling.

‘This…’

It felt like he had just found a crack in the illusion.

 

 

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