The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 940

 Chapter 940

 

In the center of the royal capital of Balkar stood the Staff’s Rest.

The antique tea house, open for over a hundred years, was bustling with mages draped in robes and ceremonial garments of all kinds.

Mages who should have been enjoying the scent of tea with elegant poise were instead raising their voices as if they were in a back-alley tavern, celebrating their victory in the war.

"Who would’ve thought the Black Tower would actually fall."

A middle-aged mage in a red robe let out a dry laugh.

“I can’t believe it either. Those leech-like bastards disappeared all at once…”

The blond knight sitting across from him nodded his head.

"Had I known it would end like this, I would’ve joined them by any means necessary."

He clicked his tongue, as if regretful he hadn’t been able to join the war.

“To be honest, I thought this expedition would end in failure…”

The middle-aged mage shook his head, gently tracing the edge of his teacup with his finger.

“You thought it would fail?”

The blond knight blinked in disbelief.

“Yeah. Because I’ve seen the Black Tower’s master with my own eyes.”

The middle-aged mage’s finger trembled, and the tea in his cup spilled slightly.

“The danger of the Black Tower’s master isn’t just because of his strength. That guy never reveals his true self. He always hides his power and secures a path to retreat.”

He furrowed his brow as he continued.

"Lady Chamber said she was confident of winning, but I thought this war would be successful even if we only drove out the Black Tower."

The middle-aged mage frowned deeply, saying he wasn’t the only one who thought that way, many other mages did too.

“Indeed, the Black Tower’s master caused damage to us many times, and yet always withdrew without suffering any loss himself.”

The blond knight nodded in understanding.

"Someone like him surely would have prepared an escape route even from the Black Tower itself. He probably had more exits than a rabbit holes."

The middle-aged mage bit his lip as he recalled the Black Tower’s master’s insidious nature.

“That’s why I can believe the Black Tower has collapsed, but even now, I can’t bring myself to believe the Black Tower’s master is dead.”

“Hmm, then… is it a lie?”

The blond knight narrowed his eyes as he lightly tapped the table.

"Maybe it was just a white lie, told to boost morale in the war against the Five Demons..."

“That’s absolutely not it.”

The middle-aged mage shook his head firmly.

“If it were discovered that the Black Tower’s master was still alive, we’d lose the trust of the neutral factions entirely. Besides, Lady Chamber is not someone who would ever lie about the Black Tower’s master’s death.”

He took a sip of tea, saying that while he still couldn’t believe it, the death of the Black Tower’s master was certain.

“Then… could it really be because of Raon Zieghart?”

The blond knight leaned forward and lowered his voice.

“Lady Chamber acknowledged it herself. That Raon Zieghart was the one who beheaded the Black Tower’s master. We thought he only finished things off, but maybe he played a bigger role than we thought?”

He clicked his tongue, believing that to be closer to the truth.

“Hmm, in my opinion…”

“That’s not true!”

Before the middle-aged mage could respond, young mages from a table behind them stood up roughly, almost breaking their chairs.

"Lady Chamber was just being considerate!"

“There’s a vast gap even among Transcenders—how could Raon Zieghart possibly intervene in a fight between two absolutes!”

“They just needed a war hero, so they’re hyping up Raon Zieghart!”

“The one who killed the Black Tower’s master was Lady Chamber!”

The young mages, seemingly full of belief in Chamber, declared their conviction without the slightest hesitation.

“Hmm…”

“That does sound more logical.”

"No matter how strong Raon Zieghart's martial prowess has become, it's not enough to reach the Black Tower’s master."

The blond knight and others in the teahouse nodded as if they agreed.

"Well, everyone has different opinions."

The middle-aged mage smiled faintly, glancing at the young mages.

'They're young.'

Or perhaps it would be better to say, immature.

They couldn’t believe, no, they refused to believe, that the Chamber they respected and admired more than anyone else had been pushed to her limit by her injuries and left the final moment to Raon.

It was clear they simply didn’t want to believe it.

Those young mages, just as youthful as they were, did not truly know who Chamber was. She was someone who would rather die than tell such a lie. That’s why they had to be told.

“Lady Chamber, being the greatest mage on the continent, has pride that pierces the heavens. She may joke around often, but she would never bend the truth in a matter like this, not even in death.”

The middle-aged mage looked around with unwavering eyes.

“The one who beheaded the Black Tower’s master is without a doubt Raon Zieghart. As Lady Chamber herself said, she couldn’t have defeated him alone.”

He lowered his chin calmly, as if even the circulating rumors were enough to prove it.

“How do you know that, senior?”

“It’s not like you saw it with your own eyes.”

“Raon Zieghart probably just got in the way of Lady Chamber’s fight with the Black Tower’s master and only stepped in at the very end!”

“If Lady Chamber hadn’t been there, Raon Zieghart would’ve lost his head from a single touch of the Black Tower’s master!”

The young mages shook their heads furiously, as if asking how he could claim something he hadn’t seen.

"You are all impossible to talk to..."

“Let’s stop here.”

As the middle-aged mage sighed in resignation, a woman in a violet robe stood from a table further inside.

“And who might you be… huh?”

The young mages, who had thought they’d won the argument, opened their eyes wide when they saw the violet-robed woman.

"P-Princess?"

“Princess Jaina…”

With Jaina’s appearance, the noisy teahouse quieted as if it had become a library.

“If you’re that curious, I’ll tell you.”

The man in the red robe sitting across from Jaina flicked his finger lightly.

“Because I was there myself.”

When he removed the hood covering his face, the sharp-featured, middle-aged face of Morell Kazan was revealed.

“No way…”

“Sir Morell Kazan?!”

The mages in the teahouse gasped, looking back and forth between Jaina and Morell.

“U-uhm…”

“Why are Sir Morell and Princess Jaina here…”

The mages couldn’t string their words together properly, their shoulders trembling.

“We returned early to make a report in place of Lady Chamber. We were just having tea before heading into the palace, but this was truly unbearable to watch.”

At Morell Kazan’s cold gaze, the young mages swallowed dryly and took a step back.

“Did I see it with my own two eyes? Yes. I personally witnessed Raon Zieghart behead the Black Tower’s master. Would the Black Tower’s master not have been defeated without Lady Chamber? That’s true. But without Raon, Lady Chamber also would not have been able to kill him.”

He furrowed his brow and declared that Raon was the key figure in this war.

“I went up the Black Tower with him. We killed countless demonic creatures and demonized humans, including the Black King and the Demon Holy Lightning. And in the end, I clearly saw him sever the Black Tower’s master’s head with my own two eyes.”

Jaina nodded as she recalled the memory of climbing the Black Tower following Raon.

"I understand that you all want to hold Lady Chamber in higher regard. It must feel like the credit and fame were taken by Sir Raon. But there's no need to think that way. He's different from us."

As she defended the Raon she once so disliked, she strangely felt a sense of relief. It seemed that now, more than hatred, gratitude and affection had built up.

“What she said is true. Raon Zieghart is built differently. He’s a warrior who will surely rise to a place even higher than the current heads of the Five Kings and Five Demons who rule the continent.”

Morell Kazan gestured, saying Raon was someone who deserved to be raised up.

“Built differently…”

“Higher than the heads of the Five Kings and Five Demons…”

The young mages, seemingly shocked by Morell and Jaina’s words, swallowed dryly.

“What proves it is the new nickname Raon Zieghart has received. A nickname without any modifier, a name that only one person can ever hold.”

Morell Kazan looked around at everyone in the teahouse and slowly curled his lips.

“Sword Emperor.”

Just saying the name seemed to give him chills, and his shoulders trembled.

“Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart. A name that fits perfectly for a swordsman who overthrew kings and rose on his own to the path of an emperor.”

*   *   *

“Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart.”

Chamber smiled as she added the nickname Sword Emperor before his name.

“Sword Emperor…?”

Raon widened his eyes as he heard Chamber’s words.

“M-me? I’m the Sword Emperor?”

Since he had just woken up, it hadn’t even occurred to him that his nickname might’ve changed, but never would he have imagined it would be Sword Emperor.

“They were originally going to call you Sword King because of your age, but your previous nickname was Usurper, right? They said it didn’t feel right to call someone who overthrew a king the Sword King, so they changed it to Sword Emperor instead.”

Chamber smiled faintly, saying it didn’t seem like a bad decision.

“Even that nickname isn’t enough, when you think about it. You defeated the Axe King in the duel to death, cut down the Holy King who was possessed by a demon in Schper, and here, you even killed the Black King.”

“Mm…”

“Even the emperor of the Black Tower, who ruled over the Black King, fell to your hands, so going straight to Sword Emperor is fitting.”

She nodded, saying she didn’t know who came up with it, but that they really got the name right this time.

“Urgh… it feels a little burdensome…”

Raon lowered his gaze. Of all things, it was the emperor part attached to the word sword that weighed most heavily on him.

“There are sometimes weirdos who give themselves their own nicknames, but most nicknames are given by the public, based on that person’s feats.”

Chamber clicked her tongue and placed the lollipop back between her lips.

“Among them, there are the most prestigious nicknames. Like Sword Sovereign, King of War, and Tyrant King, Sword Emperor is a name that only a warrior who stands at the very top can receive.”

She raised her finger upward, saying it meant he had been recognized by everyone.

“In your grandfather’s case, he was called the Destructive King of the North because of the feats he accomplished in the north, but in the end, there’s only one name he’s known by now.”

Chamber looked at Raon gently and parted her lips.

“Sword God. The one who stands at the very pinnacle of this continent. Unless it’s the Heavenly Demon, no one can reach him.”

She chuckled, saying that even just saying the name was enough to give you chills.

“So then… I got this name because of my grandfather’s reputation…?”

“No. That man has nothing to do with it. You received that name because of your own achievements and the future that lies ahead.”

Chamber raised her small hand and placed it over her left chest.

“It’s a name you earned because you severed the Black Tower Master’s head. So make sure you don’t lose it and treasure it well.”

She nodded, telling him to continue showing achievements worthy of the name Sword Emperor.

“Hmm…”

Raon rubbed the back of his head and turned his gaze away.

“The Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart? It suits you well.”

Burren nodded, saying someone who leads the Light Wind Palace should be at that level.

“Now that I think about it, my nickname changed too. I guess it’s because I became a Grandmaster, they’re calling me the Sky Shadowed Star.”

He nodded, saying he liked his new nickname.

“Handsome Sword Emperor Raon!”

Runaan gave a thumbs up, seemingly pleased.

“Runaan’s new nickname is Full Moon Fairy. They say she's a fairy of the moon who saves people.”

Burren smiled as he explained Runaan’s new nickname. It seemed she had earned it from always stepping in to save others.

“Then what about you?”

Raon turned to look at Martha. She had also reached Grandmaster, so it seemed likely her nickname had changed too.

“Grgh…”

Martha didn't answer immediately and gritted her teeth, raising her shoulders.

“Hm?”

“Sua-am-ry…”

“Huh? Swamp fairy? What kind of nickname is—”

“It’s still Rakshasa Woman! Argh, damn it! Why am I still stuck with Rakshasa Woman?! I reached Grandmaster, couldn’t they change it already?!”

She bit down on the metal tray that had bandages placed on it, as if she couldn’t understand.

“Well, it’s because that nickname is still the most fitting one to describe how she fights…”

Burren looked down slightly as he explained why her nickname hadn’t changed.

“Rakshasa Woman—forever fixed.”

Runaan gave a faint smile, as if pleased that Marta’s nickname had stayed the same.

“Shut up, you bitch! It’s your fault I ended up as Rakshasa Woman instead of Rakshasa Sword!”

Marta yelled and lunged at her, while Runaan stuck her tongue out and ran away.

“Haa…”

Raon shook his head as he watched Runaan and Martha dash out of the medical room.

“Sorry about that. They’re still young…”

“No, that’s just how kids are at that age.”

Chamber smiled faintly, as if remembering her own younger days.

“Ah, and…”

She lowered her hand and placed it on Rensia’s shoulder.

“This child you saved. Would it be alright if I took her with me?”

She tilted her head slightly, as if carefully asking for permission.

“Take her with you… what do you mean?”

“Rensia seems to have a natural talent for magic. It might be because she became the core of the barrier I created, the Lantern That Awakens the Darkness, but it seems she already had talent even before that.”

She smacked her lips slightly, saying Rensia seemed to have a level of talent comparable to her own.

“Really?”

“Yes. It might be a little late, but unlike warriors, mages don’t have to start when they’re young.”

Chamber nodded, saying Rensia seemed likely to become an outstanding mage.

“Then why are you telling me this?”

Raon tilted his head slightly as he looked between Chamber and Rensia.

“She’s the child you saved. And she said she wants to get your permission first.”

Chamber gently patted Rensia’s head, adding that, unlike some people, the child also had a good personality.

Since they were around the same height, it looked more like a friend patting another friend’s head.

“I see.”

Raon gave Chamber a faint smile.

‘She really is different.’

Someone of Chamber’s status could’ve just taken Rensia along without bothering to ask.

But she still asked for his and Rensia’s consent. As always, she was someone who never put her status above others’ will.

“Rensia. What do you think?”

Raon looked her in the eyes and gave a small nod.

“Mm, I…”

Rencia lowered her gaze slightly and wet her lips.

“I just want my siblings to be happy.”

Even in a moment that could decide her own future, she thought of her siblings first.

“You don’t have to worry about that. You played a big role in this war, so I plan to repay you more than enough. If it were money, it’d be enough for you and your siblings to live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”

“Ah…”

“So now, choose what you want to do. Just once, think only of yourself.”

Raon told her to choose something for herself for the first time.

“I…”

Rensia slowly turned her gaze to Chamber.

“I want to learn magic!”

Though she wanted to follow Raon, she bit her lip, saying she wanted to grow stronger by learning magic.

“Then it’s decided.”

Raon lifted his hand from Rensia’s shoulder.

“Please take good care of her.”

“Of course. I’ll care for her even better than my own wounds.”

Chamber gave a breezy smile, as if telling him not to worry.

“You really don’t have to go that far.”

Raon let out a dry laugh and shook his head.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Sir Raon.”

Rensia smiled through her tears, not the fake smile she wore as a guide, but one that came from deep within, from the heart.

Perhaps, from the moment he learned about her circumstances, he had kept fighting to the end just to see that smile—this very expression.

“You’ve known pain. That’s why you have what it takes to become a great mage.”

Raon smiled and gently stroked Rensia’s hair.

Even after seeing the Black Tower collapse and the Black Tower’s master die, he didn't feel like they had won, but only after seeing Rensia's smile did he truly feel the war was over. His whole body relaxed, and all the strength drained from him.

It’s not over yet!

Wrath jumped up, gnashing his teeth.

The King of Essence hasn’t eaten yet!

‘Yeah, it’s over. Maybe I’ll just sleep a little more…’

It is NOT over!

*   *   *

Three days later.

A small festival was held in Montiro to celebrate the victory against the Black Tower.

Thanks to the supplies gathered from all over the continent, the festival was far bigger and more extravagant than any held in Montiro before.

"This is pretty good."

Raon nodded with satisfaction as he took a bite of a chicken skewer topped with fresh green onion and chicken.

Hmm. It’s not bad, but the King of Essence prefers soy sauce over salt.

Wrath waved his chubby little hand, saying he liked a richer sauce.

‘Should I get another with salt then?’

No, this time something else is calling to me. Let’s see…

Just as he was choosing what he wanted next—

Fwoooosh!

A pale blur swept past a food stall, and in the blink of an eye, all the food there vanished, leaving behind a single gold coin.

Sh-She’s here!

Wrath’s jaw trembled as he shouted.

That glutton rabbit is devouring everything!

He shouted for Raon to hurry and grab some food before it was too late.

'Alright, alright.'

Raon stood up with a small chuckle.

‘So what do you want now?’

The grilled beef intestines over there, cooking so nicely on that brazier…

As soon as Wrath mentioned the beef intestines—whoosh—they vanished completely. Not a single piece was left, only a lone gold coin sitting in their place.

‘Looks like they’re already gone.’

T-Then, how about the wood-fired pizza over there…

The moment the words left his mouth, two perfectly baked pizzas disappeared without a trace. And once again, only a gold coin remained on the stall.

“Oooh! The Golden God has come!”

“Over here too! Please come visit our stall!”

"Our meat is the tastiest!"

“Our meat is the best!”

Even though all the food was vanishing at once, the vendors were only delighted. Since paying with gold coins was such a rare luxury, they cheered instead of complaining.

‘Huh…’

Raon smiled awkwardly and waved his hand.

“Gluttony must’ve been really hungry.”

Ghhrr…. Then let’s just skip straight to dessert before it’s all gone! Get the bead ice cream!

Wrath, perhaps out of a desire for revenge against Gluttony, gave up on the food and urged Raon toward dessert instead.

‘You’re right. There’s probably still some ice cream left.’

Raon nodded and made his way to the bead ice cream stall.

But it seemed he was already too late. The owner was alone, sweeping the floor.

“Are you already closing up?”

Raon approached and asked the owner who was about to shut the stall.

“Ah, right before the festival began, a little girl came and said she wanted to buy all the ice cream. I thought she’d give up halfway through, so I agreed… but she really ate it all and left.”

The owner wiped a cold sweat from his brow, saying he still couldn’t believe it even after witnessing it with his own eyes.

T-that was her…!

Wrath clutched his head and shook it.

That damn glutton! She ate all the ice cream first, then moved on to the rest!

He groaned, convinced it was Gluttony’s doing.

W-we got played! Damn it! This is what he gets for getting too used to the human way of eating meals before dessert!

Wrath ground his teeth in frustration.

Summon the King of Essence immediately! He won’t be satisfied unless he kills that glutton himself!

He clenched his fists and waved them in the air, shouting that he couldn't take it anymore.

Raon had intended to buy everything Wrath wanted today, so even he was caught off guard by how things had turned out.

‘Just hold on for now.’

Raon was about to move and get him something else to eat, when Karoon approached from ahead.

“You seem to have fully recovered.”

Karoon, also apparently back to full health, walked over with his usual neatly pressed uniform and lowered gaze.

"Yes. Thanks to you."

Raon gave a faint smile and nodded. Since Karoon had taken charge of the ground battle during this war, he had been able to focus entirely on his fight against the Black Tower’s master above without worry.

It was his first time fighting alongside Karoon, yet it felt surprisingly natural, as if they had long trained together. There was a sense of calm.

"This time, I’ve come to understand what kind of warrior you are."

Karoon looked into Raon’s eyes—eyes that shared the same color as his own—and gave a slow nod.

"In the war against the Black Tower, the one who was most fitting for the name Zieghart… was you. You’ve done well."

With those words, he turned his body and walked away.

“Well then.”

As if that single statement was all he had come to say, Karoon disappeared without hesitation into the crowd of the festival.

"……"

Raon looked at Karoon’s back, now light and unburdened, and let out a soft chuckle.

‘So some people really do change.’

Some say people never change, but to Raon, there were those who changed, and those who didn’t.

‘I should change more too.’

Change? What change! You were a damned sly bastard from the very first time he saw you!

Wrath shook his head, saying there was never any change to begin with.

‘I don’t mean that. I mean my strength. I need to become even stronger.’

Next time, he wanted to be able to face the heads of the Five Kings and Five Demons on his own strength.

He was still far from that goal, but one day, he was sure it would be possible.

Hmph! You’ve got a long way to go!

‘I know. But if I check this, maybe I’ll be just a little closer.’

Check what! Even if you looked at it a thousand times… huh?

Raon ignored Wrath’s rambling and called up his message window.

W-wait a second… Kuhek!

As a massive wave of messages popped up all at once, Wrath was launched backward like he’d just been hit by a runaway carriage.

‘Hmm?’

Raon didn’t even glance at the flung-away Wrath. His eyes were fixed on the bottom of the message, slowly widening.

‘…Why does this show up here?’

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