The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 900

 Chapter 900

 

Slaaaash!

Raon and the swordsmen of the Light Wind division strode toward the center of the training ground, following the path that the Zieghart armed organizations had opened for them.

They had erased all traces of their usual playful expressions, replaced by a razor-sharp energy wave as if they had become a single blade. They came to a stop in front of the platform.

Hoooom…

The spectators, who had been clapping and cheering, fell silent, lowering their hands as they sensed the solemn yet weighty presence emanating from the Light Wind swordsmen.

Even the swordsmen who had been performing the ceremonial sword salute gulped in surprise at the overwhelming pressure.

Lined up in front of the platform, their hands resting on their sword hilts, the Light Wind division exuded an air of unwavering composure. It was as if they were warriors standing in the midst of a battlefield, poised to turn the tide of crisis.

The training ground, once filled with clamor and noise, was silenced in an instant.

"…."

Standing at the forefront of the Light Wind division, Raon gave Chad a slight nod, signaling him to proceed with the next part of the ceremony.

“Hngh….”

Chad let out a faint groan, just meeting Raon’s gaze was enough to leave him breathless. He quickly nodded in response.

“Return to position.”

At his command, the swordsmen performing the sword salute returned to their original positions, while the spectators, still overwhelmed, exhaled quietly and sank back into their seats.

Even though it had only been a brief moment, cold sweat trickled down the foreheads of everyone present, as if they had just emerged from a harrowing experience.

“Hoo….”

Chad exhaled a rough breath and stepped forward.

“The Light Wind Division played the greatest role in leading us to victory in the war against the South-North Union. They killed the dragons that attacked Sepia, solidifying our alliance with the elves. They also rescued the Gray Hammer Guild from the demons, securing an opportunity for all Zieghart swordsmen to wield weapons forged from dragon bones.”

Speaking in a weighty tone, he recounted the numerous achievements the Light Wind division had accomplished thus far.

“Furthermore, in their most recent mission, the division leader of the Light Wind slew the DemonBlade, who was threatening the Warring Steel Division, raising Zieghart’s name to shine even above the Five Kings and Five Demons. In recognition of these and many other accomplishments, and with the unanimous approval of the head of house and all executives, the Light Wind division shall be promoted to the Light Wind Palace.”

With trembling hands, Chad flipped to the next page of the slightly crumpled document.

“First, we will hear a few words of encouragement from the head of house.”

He looked toward Glenn, who sat on the throne, before stepping back.

“Ahem.”

Glenn let out a soft cough before rising from the throne. His red eyes, crackling with lightning, gazed down at Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen in silence.

“Ugh….”

“Nngh….”

Just meeting Glenn’s gaze made both the Light Wind swordsmen and those standing in the training ground feel their breath had been stolen.

“The Light Wind Division had a humble beginning. Its leader was a washed-up swordsman still suffering from his injuries. The members, barely in their thirties, were mere novices who had only just set foot on the path of the sword. No one had any expectations for them.”

A faint smile crossed Glenn’s lips as he recalled the early days of the Light Wind.

“Yet, as the master of the Shadow Agents mentioned, the Light Wind Division had already accomplished many feats since its days as the Light Wind Squad, spreading Zieghart’s once-buried name across the entire continent. According to a recent black market survey, the Light Wind division leader was ranked first in the category of ‘most respected swordsman among the continent’s swordsmen,’ first in ‘most admired figure,’ and first in ‘most handsome man….’”

Contrary to the domineering energy he was exuding, Glenn slowly curled his lips into a smile as he continued listing all the popularity rankings in which Raon had taken first place.

“That is not all. He was also ranked first as the ‘swordsman with the greatest potential for growth,’ and naturally, first among those predicted to one day break the balance of the Five Kings and Five Demons….”

He went on, listing only the categories where Raon had secured first place, to the point where it was unclear where or how this survey had even been conducted.

“H-Head of house?”

Chad, his lips dry, called out to Glenn in a very small, trembling voice.

"Now is the time for words of encouragement…."

“…Ah.”

Only then did Glenn seem to notice the blank stares directed at him. He cleared his throat and let the corners of his lips drop back down.

"Do you know what ‘jeon’ means?"

He turned his now composed gaze toward the Light Wind Division, his eyes once again dry and emotionless.

"It means hall or palace."

Burren responded immediately, without hesitation.

“Correct. It means hall or palace. But it also holds another meaning.”

A thin smile crossed Glenn’s face as he locked eyes with Burren.

"It is not merely a building, but everything within it."

“Everything…?”

"A home, clothing, food, weapons… and people."

He nodded as he counted them off on his fingers.

"Let me ask again. What do you think a palace represents?"

Glenn turned his gaze to Raon.

"A house… A small house?"

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Glenn and then at the spectators seated behind him.

"That’s right. A palace holds an independent position even within Zieghart’s armed organizations. It often makes decisions and acts on its own, outside the direct command of the head of the house. As you said, managing a palace is no different from running a small house."

Glenn slowly turned his gaze toward Karoon, Denier, and Balder, who were seated among the spectators.

“And thus, another title given to a palace master is ‘successor candidate.’ Running a palace, managing a small house, grants one the opportunity to one day seize all of Zieghart.”

He nodded, stating that becoming a palace master was the same as becoming a candidate to inherit Zieghart.

“If you have ambitions for the position of head of house, you must ensure that your achievements surpass those of your rivals.”

Glenn gave a faint smile, implying that even more difficult times lay ahead.

“The same applies to the Light Wind members. If the palace master is the head of house, then you are the house members. If a member causes trouble, it disgraces the head. From now on, be even more mindful of your words and actions.”

He glanced at the Light Wind swordsmen standing behind Raon and briefly lowered his hand.

“Yes, sir!”

The Light Wind swordsmen placed their hands over their hearts and responded so loudly that the training ground seemed to shake.

“That is all.”

With those final words, Glenn stepped back.

"Next, we will now present the Light Wind Palace’s tablet. Starting with the Light Wind division leader, please come up to the platform one by one."

Chad quickly proceeded with the next part of the ceremony to ensure Glenn’s dignity remained intact.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded at Chad before stepping onto the platform and standing before Glenn.

"You said you became interested in becoming the head of house to protect those who are important to you. I’ll be expecting more from you."

Glenn, his expression now cold as if he had never smiled, handed him a golden tablet.

It was similar in shape to the golden tablet he had received before, but instead of a burning sword at its center, it bore an engraving of a sword with green winds rising from it.

It was the symbol that both he and the entire Light Wind division had chosen to remember Rimmer by.

“Thank you.”

Raon brushed his hand over the Blade of Requiem before accepting the golden tablet. It was a small tablet, but perhaps because of Glenn’s words, it felt far heavier than just a piece of metal.

“I trust you.”

Glenn spoke in a voice low enough that only Raon could hear.

"I won’t disappoint you."

“I doubt that will ever happen.”

With words that could be interpreted in many ways, Glenn patted Raon’s shoulder.

“…Thank you.”

Raon bowed to Glenn before stepping to the side of the platform.

As he looked down at the golden tablet resting in his palm, Rimmer’s image surfaced in his mind.

[Are you really not interested in being head of house?]

[I think you’d be better at it than anyone else.]

[Just give it some thought. No pressure. Okay? No pressure at all! Just consider it. Not that I’m trying to push you or anything—]

Rimmer had asked him at least once a week if he had ever considered becoming the head of house.

Maybe the reason he had even the slightest interest in it now was because of those words.

‘He would have been delighted to see this.’

Rimmer had always been the happiest when Raon achieved something.

He most certainly would have.

Wrath clicked his tongue and nodded.

That shitty ears thought of you all like his little brothers.

He sighed, saying that they had always seemed more like a family than a master and disciples.

‘Yeah.’

As Raon wore a faintly bitter smile—

Uuuuuuuung!

As if it understood his feelings, the Blade of Requiem let out a clear resonance, sending green winds swirling into the air.

Somehow, it felt as though Rimmer, though no longer here, was standing beside him, celebrating Light Wind’s promotion together.

“Team 1 leader, Martha Zieghart. Step forward.”

At Chad’s call, Martha climbed onto the platform.

“Your courage and recklessness have always been a great asset to the Light Wind division. I look forward to what you will accomplish in the future.”

Glenn offered his words of advice as he handed her the tablet of the Light Wind Palace.

“Yes! Don’t worry about a thing!”

Martha, as bold as ever, responded with confidence and accepted the wind-engraved tablet.

"Burren. Your greatest strength isn’t just your precise and sharp swordsmanship, but also your calm and steady nature. Keep honing it as you have been."

Glenn stroked his chin, reminding Burren of his strengths.

“I will never forget your words.”

Burren, deeply moved by Glenn’s words, held the Light Wind Palace’s emblem in trembling hands, clutching it close.

“Runaan. Because you’ve always been there to support everyone from behind, the Light Wind division was able to move forward. Thank you for taking on such a difficult role.”

Glenn’s warm smile deepened as if pleased with Runaan’s selfless nature, always putting others before herself.

"Yes."

Fortunately, she didn’t respond with informal speech, but her reply was as short as ever as she accepted the emblem.

“Uh….”

Glenn was momentarily caught off guard. However, upon seeing Runaan’s blank expression, he gave up on saying anything further and simply let her go.

"Dorian. Constantly looking terrified is not an ideal trait for a swordsman, but in your own way, you've given courage to those around you. I look forward to seeing more from you."

"Kuhup, h-heup…."

Dorian gasped as if his heart had vanished, clutching the golden tablet of Light Wind Palace.

His face had turned pale, if he had been any more nervous, he might have collapsed on the spot.

‘He really has been paying close attention to everyone.’

It was as if Glenn had seen through the entire Light Wind division. He not only praised them but also showed each of them a path forward for their growth. Just hearing his words made their hearts pound as if they would burst.

Clap.

After handing out the golden tablets to all the Light Wind swordsmen, Glenn lightly clapped his hands.

"Let us pay our final respects to the Light Wind Division—both for its ending and its new beginning."

The moment his words fell, the swordsmen in the training ground and the spectators in the stands stood up in unison, drawing their swords.

Shriiing!

Hundreds—no, over a thousand swords unsheathed in unison, forming a single glistening silver line that radiated brilliance.

“Honor to the Light Wind Palace!”

The second ceremonial tribute. A salute infused with even deeper reverence than the first, the unique gesture of Zieghart swordsmen poured out toward the Light Wind swordsmen.

Standing before the grandeur and solemnity of the tribute, the swordsmen of the Light Wind division clenched their fists tightly, holding back the emotions surging within them.

"Light Wind Palace master, please share a few words as the representative."

Chad, announcing the final part of the ceremony, called Raon forward once again.

“Hm….”

Like Glenn had done earlier, Raon stepped to the edge of the platform, looking out at Zieghart swordsmen and the gathered spectators.

After taking a slow breath, he began to speak the words he had prepared.

"At first, I felt no attachment to Zieghart. If anything, what I felt wasn’t goodwill but resentment. That was the impression Zieghart left on me, because from childhood, I had almost no good memories here."

At those words, the direct line members and executives who had scorned him and his mother bit their lips and lowered their heads.

"But there was someone who taught me how precious family is and how important people are."

Raon clasped his hands together and met Sylvia’s gaze as she looked at him.

"Thanks to that person, I came to understand the importance of bonds. Comrades became brothers-in-arms, and a family that once felt colder than strangers slowly began to reconnect. The hand I once extended for someone else’s sake later became the hand that helped me in return. It made me realize just how wondrous human relationships can be."

Shifting his gaze away from Sylvia, whose tears had begun to fall, he looked toward the Zieghart swordsmen.

“Because of that, I also came to understand what leads this house forward and what does not. I even found a small dream I wish to achieve within it. I will continue doing my utmost to pursue that dream.”

Maintaining eye contact with the swordsmen, Raon unsheathed Heavenly Drive and raised the silver blade in a reversed grip, returning the reverence they had shown him with the same gesture.

‘Hmm?’

As he observed the swordsmen, who looked deeply moved by his gesture, a small tremor arose from behind him.

“Hnngh….”

Turning around, he saw Glenn covering his face against his palm, trying—but failing—to stifle a laugh.

Raon quickly looked away. If he kept watching, he felt like he might lose his own composure as well.

‘Mother and father are happy too.’

Sylvia and Edgar had fully given in to their emotions, tears streaming down their faces, while Sia, seemingly thrilled to be the center of attention, waved her hands vigorously.

“Raon!”

Aris, as if she and Sia shared the same mental age, clung to the railing and waved her hands wildly.

“Hmph….”

“Nepheeeew!”

Karoon, trying to appear composed, lowered his brows slightly and peeked through one eye, while Balder, wanting to be noticed, swung his massive arms in exaggerated motions.

‘They’ve really changed a lot… huh?’

Raon gave a small nod, about to conclude the salute.

‘That man….’

Denier was smiling.

But it wasn’t the gentle smile he always wore.

It was twisted—like someone who had just achieved the wicked deed they had long desired. A smile so eerie and unsettling that sent shivers crawling down Raon’s spine.

 

 

 

 

Advance Chapters