The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 886

 Chapter 886

 

"Huh?"

Raon blinked as he looked at Vulcan and Kuberad, who were smacking their lips.

"Are you saying you'll look at my swords first?"

"That's right. With such rare materials gathered here, it would be a waste not to use them right away."

Vulcan nodded as he scanned the dragon bones, fangs, claws, and scales that filled the workshop.

“I’ll make a sword that will never break, using the fangs, bones, claws, and even the scales.”

He clenched his fist, saying he would make Raon’s Heavenly Drive even stronger.

“I created Heavenly Drive when you had just graduated from being a trainee. It’s about time for an upgrade, isn’t it?”

Vulcan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he claimed that now was the perfect moment.

“I share the same opinion.”

Kuberad, standing beside Vulcan, nodded.

“I’ve told you before, but The Blade of Requiem wasn’t originally designed for combat. Since you’ve been using it as a weapon, I’d like to reforge it a little.”

Rotating his thick wrist, he added that he wanted to improve the blade so its energy could be utilized more efficiently.

“If the two of you are willing to do it, I have no reason to refuse.”

Raon clasped his hands together and expressed his gratitude.

Had a blacksmith from another land made such an offer, he would have refused without hesitation.

No matter how skilled they were, reforging a sword made by another was a difficult task.

But Vulcan was the very one who forged Heavenly Drive, while Kuberad was the original creator of the Blade of Requiem.

If it was these two, they could adjust Heavenly Drive and the Blade of Requiem to perfectly suit his current self.

"Can I join in too?"

Borgos asked, stepping between Raon, Vulcan, and Kuberad with his short legs.

“Sir Borgos?”

Raon widened his eyes as he looked at Borgos.

“What’s a dwarf got to do with this? You don’t even have a weapon you made for him.”

Vulcan waved his hand dismissively, telling him to just rest.

“I do. I once made daggers for our benefactor.”

Borgos lifted his chin, gesturing toward the Heaven Slaying Dagger tucked inside his Black Dragon Coat.

“So you’re saying you want to reforge that dagger?”

“There’s something else, too.”

Borgos raised his finger and pointed at the sword hanging on his right hip, Rimmer’s sword.

“Don’t tell me...” Raon was surprised.

"Could elves, who only know how to grow trees, have made that Wooden Ring Sword? Of course not—it's a masterpiece from my ancestor."

Borgos said proudly, claiming that Rimmer's sword was made by his ancestor.

“Wooden Ring Sword….”

Raon bit his lip as he grasped Rimmer’s sword.

“So that was its name.”

Until now, he had simply called it Rimmer’s Sword or Leaf Sword, never knowing its real name was Wooden Ring Sword.

It was just like Rimmer to leave without even telling him its name.

“You didn’t even know its name?”

Borgos tilted his head, puzzled.

“Well, it wasn’t mine to begin with.”

“Ah, right. Rimmer took it with him at one point…”

He nodded, understanding.

"I appreciate your offer, Sir Borgos, but this sword isn't mine, so I'm afraid I can't."

Raon shook his head, saying that he needed Sterin’s permission.

“No, it should be fine. When the Wooden Ring Sword was in Seipia, I was the one who regularly maintained it.”

Borgos snorted, saying he would have reforged it sooner if he’d had the necessary materials.

“I even told Sterin that I’d like to fix it. If you don’t believe me, I can write him a letter right now.”

Pounding his chest, he urged Raon to trust him.

“You can trust him.”

Vulcan chuckled as he looked at Borgos.

“Dwarves never lie when it comes to hammering.”

He gestured for Raon to leave it to him.

“Yeah. If he’s been maintaining that sword all this time, he should be able to handle it just fine.”

Kuberad also nodded, signaling his trust in Borgos.

“Hm.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Raon unfastened all three swords from his waist.

“Alright, then. I’ll leave them in your hands.”

Handing Heavenly Drive to Vulcan, the Blade of Requiem to Kuberad, and Wooden Ring Sword to Borgos, he bowed his head in gratitude.

"Wait just a little. I will reforge it into a sword that can uphold your goal more firmly."

Vulcan reassured him with a firm pat on the shoulder.

“As for me, I’ll adjust the Blade of Requiem so that the souls inside can move more freely. At your current level, you should be able to control their power.”

Kuberad’s calm eyes glimmered as he mentioned that the Blade of Requiem would end up changing quite a bit.

“I will reforge you a weapon like a demon itself—one that can cut down anyone.”

Borgos pressed his lips together as if he intended to instill the emotions he felt when he faced Balrog into the sword.

The three blacksmiths of the continent seemed evenly matched in skill, but their approaches to blacksmithing were vastly different.

“Since things have come to this, why don’t we make a bet?”

Borgos raised his finger.

“Let’s see who can create the finest masterpiece.”

He shrugged as if suggesting it would be fun.

“Refining a sword isn’t about competing with others—it’s a battle against oneself….”

“What? Are you scared?”

Borgos rolled his eyes teasingly at Kuberad.

“Who do you think you’re talking to?! I am Kuberad!”

Kuberad, who had remained composed, suddenly roared. It seemed that beneath his calm demeanor, a fiery side was hidden.

“Not a bad idea.”

Vulcan nodded approvingly.

"Since we have gold ingots, the result should be quite interesting."

He took six golden ingots and handed out two to each of them.

“The time limit is one week. Is that fine?”

“Of course.”

“That’s more than enough.”

Gathering the materials they needed, the three blacksmiths of the continent each headed to a different workshop and began working immediately.

"…Are those old men really the top blacksmiths of the continent?"

Burren exhaled in disbelief, finding the three of them as childish as kids.

“They looked like they were having fun….”

Runaan nodded her head, saying it felt like watching children play together.

“All well and good, but when are they going to make our swords?”

Martha scrunched her nose, concerned that all three of them were busy working on Raon’s swords.

“Don’t worry about that.”

Palentun shook his head.

"Now that they've turned this into a competition, they'll only push themselves to create even better works."

He chuckled, saying that if they waited patiently, a flood of top-grade weapons and equipment would come pouring in.

“They’ll be back soon enough, so for now, we should focus on organizing the materials.”

"You're right. Let's move quickly."

Palentun and the village chief of Mirtan nodded and called over the blacksmiths to begin organizing the materials.

Perhaps because their leaders were on good terms, the blacksmiths of Mirtan Village and the dwarves of the Grey Hammer Guild worked together seamlessly, organizing the materials as if they had known each other for years.

“Chief….”

Runaan approached the Mirtan village chief, who was moving dragon bones and scales.

“Ah, Lady Runaan. It has been a while.”

The chief bowed his head, apologizing for the delayed greeting.

“Thank you for the sword. I’m using it well.”

Runaan took out the Snow Flower Sword and showed it to him before bowing her head.

“I’m glad. Soon, you’ll be able to wield an even finer sword.”

The chief smiled, saying that one of the three blacksmiths of the continent would surely craft a superior masterpiece for her.

“I don’t want that.”

Runaan shook her head.

“…Pardon?”

“I want you to do it, chief.”

She refused to part with the Snow Flower Sword and asked him to reforge it, just as Raon's sword was about to be reforged as well.

“A-are you serious?”

The Mirtan village chief stammered, surprised.

"If you wait, they’ll craft you a masterwork. Do you really want to entrust it to me instead?"

“Yes.”

Without any hesitation, Runaan nodded.

“…Please reconsider. While I am confident in my skills, I am nowhere near their level.”

He waved a hand, saying such opportunities don’t come around twice.

“This sword suits me perfectly. It even has the same materials as Raon’s sword.”

Runaan shook her head, explaining that the Snow Flower Sword was a pair with Raon’s Heavenly Drive.

“A pair, you say….”

The chief let out a soft laugh and nodded.

"Since the materials were divided between them, I suppose you could say that. Alright."

Clenching his lips, he looked at the dragon bone in his hands.

“I’ll do my best not to be outdone by those three.”

As he accepted the Snow Flower Sword from Runaan, his red eyes burned with determination to catch up to the continent's blacksmiths.

"Okay. Me too..."

Dorian, having witnessed Runaan’s decision, immediately strode over to where the Grey Hammer Guild’s blacksmiths were gathered.

“Hello!”

“Yes? What can I do for you?”

Palentun, lifting a bone larger than his own body, looked up.

“I actually have a favor to ask him.”

Dorian walked up to Borgos’ apprentice, who was moving dragon scales.

“M-Me?”

The apprentice blinked in surprise at Dorian.

"Please reforge my sword!"

Dorian bowed his head deeply before the apprentice.

“Uh….”

The apprentice looked shocked at the unexpected request.

“But my skills are honestly lacking….”

He insisted that he was far behind even Mirtan village’s chief and shook his head.

“No, that’s not true.”

Dorian stroked his sword and smiled faintly.

“I’ve handled and tested many swords, but none have suited me as well as this one.”

He bowed again, asking him to reforge it into a sword that would suit him even more perfectly.

“Since you say so, I will give it my best.”

Borgos’ apprentice said he was the grateful one, taking Dorian’s sword and heading off.

“Maybe I should have mine reforged as well.”

Martha clicked her tongue as she drew her sword.

“My father gifted me this, so I don’t want to replace it.”

She shook her head, saying she wanted to keep using the sword that Denier had personally given her.

“….”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he watched Martha clutch her sword dearly.

‘Now that I think about it, Denier isn’t here today.’

Denier had been away on a mission. Strangely, this didn’t bring him relief—instead, a deep unease settled over him.

Until he could determine whether Denier was truly an ally or an enemy, this ominous feeling wouldn’t go away.

Hey!

Wrath suddenly struck Raon’s shoulder hard.

You’re not planning to stand around here forever, are you?

‘Of course not. I have to head back.’

Raon erased his unease and smiled faintly.

‘If I don’t, my sister will beat me up.’

*   *   *

Before leaving, Raon asked them to contact him once the swords were completed and returned to Zieghart.

Damn it!

Wrath ground his teeth as he looked at the darkened annex building.

Going to that hot village made us late. It's way past dinner time! He didn’t even get to eat two proper meals!

He sniffled, saying he had missed both lunch and dinner.

It’s late, so there’s probably no food left….

Rubbing his head in frustration, Wrath dreaded the possibility of having to eat Nadine bread.

‘You won’t have to eat that.’

Raon chuckled as he opened the door to the annex building, where the mouthwatering aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air.

“I heard you were coming back young master, so I got everything ready. You’re right on time!”

Helen, carrying plates from the kitchen, smiled and waved.

“Raon’s back?”

“Son! You’re always right on time!”

Sylvia and Edgar waved at him from the dining room.

“Raon!”

Sia burst between them and threw herself into his arms.

“Why are you so late?!”

She pouted, saying her stomach had been rumbling nonstop.

“Sorry.”

Raon patted her back to soothe her.

"Come on! Mom and the others have prepared everything!"

Sia pulled him toward the dining room, where the table was filled with steaming hot dishes.

W-What is this? It’s late, yet why is dinner just being served now…?

Wrath widened his eyes in confusion.

‘I asked Yua for a favor—to prepare dinner a bit later today.’

Raon waved at Yua, who was standing behind the table.

‘Of course I didn’t expect it would be this grand.’

Huh….

Wrath trembled in disbelief.

Y-You… actually planned this?

“I also bought you some bead ice cream. Have some after your meal.”

Helen waved, saying she had picked out several flavors.

B-Bead ice cream too?

‘Because I promised.’

Krrrk!

Wrath wiped his tears with his round fist and nodded.

You’ve finally come to your senses!

He nodded vigorously, as if deeply moved.

Good! Now, the King of Essence shall accept you as a demon!

Wrath stretched out his arms as if welcoming him.

‘I don’t need it at all…’

Raon let out a long sigh. Wrath was still as delusional as ever.

*   *   *

Three days later.

Raon stepped out of the annex building, dressed in a deep crimson formal uniform.

“Where are you going?”

Sia, who had been swinging her sword in front of Edgar and Sylvia, tilted her head.

“There’s a conference.”

“A conference?”

“Yeah. All the executives are gathering in one place.”

He waved at her as she approached with quick but heavy steps.

“A conference?”

“A sudden conference… I wonder what it’s about.”

Edgar and Sylvia furrowed their brows in concern.

“I don’t know what it’s about either, but it seems important.”

Two days ago, he received a summons for a conference at noon today. Since it involved all of Zieghart’s executives, it was bound to be a significant matter.

Tsk!

Wrath clicked his tongue from where he perched on Raon’s shoulder.

We should be out searching for tasty street snacks right now! It’s a shame, but he supposes we’ll have to eat at that old man’s place today.

Despite his words of regret, he smacked his lips as though he was looking forward to it.

From gourmet cuisine to street snacks, there was nothing Wrath disliked. It was still a mystery why he had become the Monarch of Wrath instead of Gluttony.

“Should I go too?”

Sia tilted her head, looking like she wanted to tag along.

“It’ll be boring. You just sit there the whole time.”

“Ugh, then I don’t wanna….”

“I’ll play with you after I’m back.”

Raon stroked Sia’s head as he promised to play with her later.

“Don’t worry about things here. Just focus on your work.”

“Yeah. We’ll take care of Sia.”

Sylvia waved her hand with a smile, and Edgar chuckled as he scratched his head.

Just watching them warmed his heart. They now seemed like a truly happy family without a single shadow of the past.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

With a faint smile, Raon left the annex building and headed toward the main building.

On the way to the lord’s manor, he encountered many swordsmen, who all bowed their heads with nervous eyes.

Hmm….

Wrath looked at the deeply bowing swordsmen and gave a short nod.

In the past, they only hurled insults at you, yet you’ve really grown. You finally have the presence befitting the King of Essence’s vessel.

He nodded approvingly.

‘You still haven’t given up?’

Raon glanced at Wrath, who was sporting a serious expression, and tilted his head.

The King of Essence never gives up! Someday, one way or another, he shall devour your body!

Wrath shook his head, saying he couldn’t let go of the stats and traits Raon had stolen from him.

‘For someone so determined, you haven’t even been picking fights with me lately.’

S-Silence! The King of Essence is simply waiting for the perfect moment! Like a cheetah! Yes, like a cheetah, waiting to strike from behind and—

‘Yeah, sure. Whatever you say.’

Raon chuckled as he teased Wrath and stepped into the audience chamber.

Whoooom.

The massive iron doors of the audience chamber, intimidating at a glance, stood wide open. Inside, the executives were lined up in a row.

As befitting a grand conference, many rarely seen executives and senators were present, making the huge audience chamber feel crowded.

“Hey! Nephew!”

Leaning against a pillar, Balder shouted loudly.

“….”

Karoon, on the other hand, stood with his arms crossed and eyes closed, showing complete disinterest.

“Come stand over here!”

Balder gestured for Raon to stand beside him with a flick of his fingers.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not my place yet.”

Raon shook his head, saying he couldn’t stand in the palace masters’ spot yet.

"Hmph, I wouldn’t be so sure about that."

Balder smacked his lips, adding that it wouldn’t hurt for Raon to step in a little early if he wanted.

“I still have a long way to go.”

Raon gently declined and took his usual spot, waiting for Glenn’s arrival.

Once all the executives, except for those on missions, had gathered in the audience chamber, the door at the back opened, and Glenn, Roenn, and Sheryl stepped inside.

“We greet the head of house!”

At Karoon’s greeting, all the executives in the audience chamber knelt and bowed their heads.

“….”

Unlike usual, Glenn did not tell them to rise immediately. Instead, he walked up to the platform with heavy steps.

However, he didn’t sit on the throne. Instead, he stood at the edge of the platform and gave a small nod.

“Rise.”

“Yes, head of house!”

Only after his quiet command did the executives straighten up and lift their heads.

A tense atmosphere lingered on their faces, different from usual.

Whoooooooom.

Glenn exuded a pressure that weighed upon their shoulders as he scanned the gathered executives of Zieghart.

For a moment, he seemed to have reverted to the cold, merciless ruler he had been two decades ago.

“The agenda of today’s conference is….”

Glenn’s dry gaze shifted toward Raon, who stood on the right.

“The promotion of the Light Wind Division.”

He declared that this was the most important matter of the day.

“…What?”

Raon widened his eyes at Glenn. He had expected the conference to be important, but he never imagined it would be about him.

"I will explain from here."

Standing beneath Glenn, Chad, the Shadow Agents master, stepped forward and bowed his head.

“After reaching Transcendence, the Light Wind Division leader thwarted Derus Robert’s schemes, rescued Aris Zieghart, and defended Seipia from the ancient dragons.….”

Chad listed the numerous achievements of Raon and the Light Wind Division.

"...Therefore, the Shadow Agents acknowledge that the Light Wind Division has accumulated sufficient accomplishments to be promoted to Light Wind Palace."

He nodded firmly, stating that the accomplishments were undeniable.

"If anyone opposes this decision, please raise your hand."

Chad gestured, inviting objections.

“Hmmm.”

“It does feel a bit soon….”

“There’s no reason to object.”

“If we’re talking about achievements, this is overdue.”

Not a single executive raised their hand. Most of them wore expressions of quiet acceptance, as if this was something they had already expected.

“Since there are no objections, we shall proceed—”

“I object.”

A cold voice echoed through the audience chamber, drawing all eyes to the far right. Karoon, who stood against the pillar closest to the platform, had lifted his hand.

“…Karoon?”

Glenn furrowed his brows in disbelief.

“Have you finally gone mad? You’re the one who proposed it in the first place!”

Balder twirled his fingers around Karoon’s forehead and furrowed his brow deeply.

"Did you get dementia or something?!"

 

 

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