The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 972

 Chapter 972

 

“Raon changed your daughter?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at the blue-haired man.

“What do you mean by that?”

"My daughter, as capable as she is, had a twisted personality and got into a lot of trouble. But after meeting that young man, she's changed a lot," the man in blue said, gracefully raising his hand to point at Raon.

“I just wanted to offer a word of thanks, so I came ahead of time.”

He gave a soft smile, saying he truly came just to express his gratitude.

“Haah, this crazy…”

Chamber let out a long sigh, her hand on her forehead, clearly familiar with the situation.

‘Hmm…’

Raon furrowed his brow as he looked at the blue-haired man standing in front of him.

‘So this man is the king of Balkar…?’

The strikingly vibrant blue hair of the man gave off an aura as if he contained the entire ocean within it. He appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties, possessing immense mana, and Raon had initially thought he was Balkar’s hidden secret weapon, but never imagined he was the king.

“I am Xanthos Ruin Balkar,”

The King of Balkar gave a short bow, clearly presenting himself not as a king, but as a father.

“…I’m Raon Zieghart, master of the Light Wind Palace of Zieghart.”

Raon placed his hand over his chest and gave a deep bow.

‘He’s bowing to me…?’

Even if he came as a father, Raon never expected a king to lower his head to someone far younger. His voice cracked slightly from the surprise.

"Jaina caused all sorts of trouble, yet you watched over her to the end. Thank you."

Xanthos smiled, saying that he believed Raon was the one who had changed Jaina’s disposition for the better.

“I didn’t do anything.”

Raon stared blankly at Xanthos for a moment, then waved his trembling hand.

‘This is uncomfortable.’

He had not expected the king, with all his status and honor, to be the one to greet him first, let alone speak so formally. It felt burdensome.

“You seem far shier than my daughter described.”

Xanthos smiled lightly and clicked his tongue.

“What did the princess say about me?”

“She said you were a reckless boar who charged in without any thought for the consequences.”

Xanthos chuckled, but then added that, seeing Raon in person, he thought he looked more like a dragon flying in the sky than a boar.

A dragon, my ass!

Wrath shook his head violently.

This guy is indeed a boar that charges into everything he sees! And his greed is even worse!

Wrath flailed his arms as if warning Xanthos not to be fooled.

"...I just choose the people I want to be around."

Raon pushed Wrath aside and lowered his gaze.

"You choose people?"

Xanthos swept his blue hair back and burst into laughter.

“Normally, that should be something bad to hear, but hearing it from the Light Wind Palace master… somehow it doesn’t.”

He shrugged, insisting the speaker mattered more than the words.

“D-Dad? No, Your Majesty, father!”

Jaina, who had arrived late, widened her eyes at the sight of Xanthos.

“What are you doing here?!”

She bit her lips hard while rushing to him.

“I got angry when I learned it wasn’t me but some other man who changed my daughter, so I came to see him.”

Xanthos patted her back, claiming it was just a casual greeting.

“Nooooo!”

Jaina let out a scream, her face turning bright red.

"What are you talking about! No, that’s not true!"

She returned to her old personality, shouting and waving her arms.

“P-Please go already! Everyone’s waiting for you!”

She pressed her hand against Xanthos’s back and pushed him toward the royal palace.

“The conference is boring. Palace master, How about we skip it and have a drink, just you and me?”

Xanthos made a drinking gesture, inviting Raon casually.

“Damn it, Your Majesty…”

Chamber muttered, slightly lifting her hat, looking like she was gritting her teeth.

"This is embarrassing. Can you stop? Let’s just go to the conference hall, alright?"

She seemed about to explode, with a thick vein popping out from her forehead.

“Uhh…”

Even Xanthos couldn’t ignore her anymore and swallowed dryly.

“I-I was just joking. You’re all way too serious.”

He waved his hand as if to say it was all in jest and stepped back.

"Head of house, let’s go. I’ll guide you."

Xanthos subtly moved to Glenn’s side, as if to avoid Chamber’s gaze.

“Alright. But…”

As Glenn followed behind Xanthos, he slowly spoke again.

“How exactly did the Light Wind Palace master change the princess? Can you tell me more?”

He gave a small nod, his curiosity evident.

"Shall I tell you?"

Xanthos raised his ears and slowed his pace.

“I’m just a little curious.”

But Glenn licked his lips in a long motion, clearly far more than just “a little” curious.

“As I mentioned earlier, my daughter used to be quite the brat. To the point where she thought the world belonged to her.”

“I see.”

Glenn immediately responded, eager to hear more.

“Being the youngest, I spoiled her, and she was talented, so I pampered her. When I was struggling with how to fix her behavior, Raon’s encounter with her at the underground auction in Cameloon seemed to have changed her little by little.”

“Dad!”

Jaina stomped her foot loudly, begging him to stop.

"Her personality actually got worse after that for a while, but thankfully, her relationship with the Light Wind Palace master didn’t end there. When she clashed with the apostles, her pride completely shattered..."

Xanthos chuckled as he recalled each incident Jaina had gone through, seemingly enjoying the recollection.

“Ugh…”

Jaina bit her lips so hard it looked like she might draw blood, but she didn’t have the nerve to interrupt Glenn and Xanthos’ conversation.

"Uh, um, that is..."

Jaina pulled her hood over her head, trying to avoid Raon’s gaze as she turned away.

"You don’t need to be ashamed of your past."

Raon gave Jaina a subtle nod, his voice calm.

“…It’s true I did some disgraceful things.”

Jaina let out a heavy sigh, embarrassed by it all.

"If you were still that same person, it would be right to feel ashamed. But..."

Raon shook his head as he looked at Jaina, who was chewing on her lips.

"Now, you are someone completely different from the person you were before. You don’t need to feel ashamed of your past anymore, you should be proud of who you’ve become, for having emerged from that shame."

Raon slowly raised his finger and pointed it toward her.

"Becoming a better person is much harder than just being born with a good nature."

I've seen countless people, but the only one who changed so dramatically is Karoon.

Jaina had also undergone her own change, so it was now time for her to accept her shameful past and move forward.

“Ah…”

Jaina's eyes widened in surprise at Raon's words.

"Well, she has changed a lot. At first, I was almost ready to slap her every moment."

Martha nodded, saying she still didn't like her completely, but she acknowledged the parts that had changed.

“Just like the palace master said, you are truly an excellent princess now. You stood at the front of your subordinates until the end during the war with the Black Tower.”

Burren also smiled, impressed by Jaina’s change.

"Her expression has brightened..."

Runaan nodded, saying more than anything, she was glad to see how much brighter Jaina looked.

"Honestly, at first, I couldn’t even approach her because her face was so intimidating, it scared me. But now, she’s much easier to talk to."

Dorian scratched his belly pocket and laughed contentedly. Having been one of the first to meet Jaina alongside Raon, he seemed all the more surprised by her change.

“Ah…”

Jaina dropped the staff she had been holding, shocked by the change in how Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen evaluated her.

“Th-thank you.”

She lowered her head, hiding the transparency that had welled up in her eyes.

"I was annoyed because of the King, but just seeing these kids calms me down."

Chamber let out the breath she had been holding, feeling her heart lighten just by watching them.

"Are you feeling a bit better?"

Raon stepped forward to check on Chamber’s condition.

“I’d love to say I’m fine, but I’m not.”

Chamber shook her head with a sigh.

“Looks like I pushed myself too hard. My upper energy center isn’t recovering.”

She bit her lip, as it seemed like the injury was not one that would heal easily.

“Olga. If it’s you right now…”

Raon turned to look at Olga, who was standing with the Light Wind swordsmen.

“It’s no use.”

Chamber shook her head as she glanced at Olga.

"This injury isn’t physical, but mental. And since I inflicted it myself, it can’t be healed with holy power."

She smiled, saying she was already grateful that Olga had healed her physical wounds in Montiro.

“Lady Chamber is right. There’s nothing I can do…”

Olga clicked her tongue in frustration.

“And if I don’t recover on my own, I won’t be able to return to my previous realm. Transcendence is like that.”

Chamber insisted it was better not to rely on others for this.

“Anyway, let’s head in.”

Pointing at Xanthos and Glenn walking ahead, she suggested they enter the conference hall.

“I-I’ll lead the way.”

Jaina wiped her eyes with her sleeve and stepped forward again.

Raon followed Jaina into the massive white building, where huge red curtains hung like drapes.

The interior corridors stretched long with walls and ceilings that seemed to blend yellow and white, giving off an ornate yet warm feeling.

"Everyone else has already arrived. The actual conference, including the neutral factions, will take place in three days once they arrive."

Chamber winked, saying that the conference in three days was the real one.

“Shall we go in, then?”

“Just a moment.”

Raon stopped before entering the conference hall and turned around.

“You all stay outside and rest.”

He ordered the Light Wind swordsmen to take a break.

“Yes, sir!”

“And…”

Raon raised a finger as he looked at the swordsmen who answered loudly.

“You remember what I told you this morning, right?”

“Of course!”

The swordsmen nodded, understanding what he meant.

"Martha, feel free to go wild."

“Really?”

Martha let out a rough breath, as if she couldn't believe it.

“Yes. I’ll take responsibility. Do as you wish.”

Raon nodded and lowered his hand.

"You might regret those words. Let’s go!"

Martha ran out of the palace with Runaan over her shoulder, seemingly eager to let off some steam from all the training.

“Wha— Hey! Wait, palace master?"”

Burren blinked rapidly, looking back and forth between Raon and Marta.

“It’s fine. You go enjoy yourself too.”

Raon chuckled lightly, then opened the door to the conference hall.

Rooooar…

Before a massive round table that seemed to resemble the continent itself, six thrones were set up, and seated there were the heads of the Five Kings, along with Xanthos.

“Raon! You’re finally here!”

The first to greet him was the Beast Union leader, Ogram.

“I heard the news! You saved that old mage!”

Ogram shouted in delight and waved his hands, which were as thick as pot lids.

“Brother! I believed in you!”

“You never fail to surprise.”

Garona and the chief of Suran, standing behind him, also extended their hands in greeting.

"The protagonist always arrives late, huh?"

King Lecross smiled and nodded. Looking at his dark complexion, it seemed he hadn't fully recovered yet.

"I owe you a great debt, and I apologize for not being able to greet you properly before leaving."

The Third Prince Greer bent deeply at the waist, showing his apology.

"Now, you’ve become someone who is almost impossible to even look at. I don’t even have the words to say how envious I am."

Borini Kitten bowed his head with a gentle smile.

"Ah, hello?"

Larian, the master of the Magic Tower, spoke with a voice that seemed to slither out from under her robe, which was pulled up to her head

"Sir Raon! It’s been a long time! I bought three copies of your biography! One to read, one to keep, and one to display!"

Meanwhile, the now larger Yurian, who seemed to have gained more size, shook Raon Zieghart’s Biography in his hands. It was unclear what he meant by buying three copies of the same book.

“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”

Raon let out a deep breath and bowed toward everyone seated at the round table.

“I’m Raon Zieghart, master of the Light Wind Palace.”

Since it was a serious gathering, Raon bowed to everyone before stepping behind Glenn, just like Sheryl and Roenn had.

“Hrm…”

Glenn hummed softly, as if pleased by the way everyone was welcoming Raon.

That old man isn’t even trying to hide it anymore…

Wrath let out a dumbfounded laugh.

"Haa, I feel tired already."

Chamber sighed and took a seat next to Xanthos.

“Now that everyone is seated, let’s begin the Conference of the Five Kings.”

Xanthos tapped the round table with a serious look, as if to signal the start of the conference.

“Before we begin the conference, there’s something we should do.”

Ogram stood up and looked at Raon.

"Isn’t it only right that we first give our applause to the mages of Balkar and the swordsmen of Zieghart, without whom this gathering would never have happened?"

He stomped his foot, emphasizing that without them, this gathering would never have happened.

“He’s right. I owe my life to Glenn.”

King Lecross of Lecross Kingdom said with a soft smile, applauding.

Ogram, Xanthos, Chamber, and even Larian all joined in, applauding Raon and Glenn.

‘Hmm…’

Raon clenched his fingers as the warm sound of applause echoed in his ears.

'This feeling is different again.'

While he was happy when he was cheered by the citizens of Balkar in the royal capital, hearing words of thanks from those at the very top of the continent made his heart race, as if it would burst from the emotion.

"Looks like the protagonist is touched, so let's get started."

Xanthos turned his gaze from Raon and placed his hand on the round table. His expression sharpened like a falling axe.

“This is a conference to crush the Four Demons completely.”

*   *   *

The tavern, Brown Potion, located on the outskirts of the Balkar royal capital, was bustling with people, packed to the brim even in the middle of the day, fitting for a festival period.

However, it wasn’t only Balkar's citizens who filled the tavern. People from neutral factions who were invited to the conference were also enjoying their drinks early in the day.

“Did you see Raon Zieghart?”

"I saw him. My eyes just naturally went to his face. How can someone even look like that?"

"I saw him head-on, and honestly, not even angels are probably that good-looking."

"Looks aside, did you feel the pressure coming off him? Just watching made my heart feel like it would explode."

"The Light Wind Palace swordsmen standing behind him… they felt like they were on another level too…"

The people in the tavern were talking about Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen, who had just entered the royal palace a little while ago, swallowing their breath in awe.

"Seeing the master of the Light Wind Palace in person today… I can believe the rumors that he killed the Black Tower’s master."

A mage in a red robe nodded, saying his energy wave was terrifying.

"I’m not sure about that. We all know well enough what kind of monster the Black Tower’s master was."

A blue-robed mage frowned, still unable to believe it.

"He’s right."

A red-haired man in martial robes bearing the mark of a crimson hawk on his left chest nodded.

"The Light Wind Palace master is definitely strong. Even the word 'genius' fits him well. But killing the Black Tower’s master? That’s something else entirely."

He narrowed his eyes sharply.

"The Black Tower’s master was a monster that even Lady Chamber couldn’t defeat. For him to be killed by Raon Zieghart, who was just at the beginning of Transcendence? That’s impossible."

A black-haired man shook his head, clearly unconvinced by the rumor.

"The Black Tower’s master is the kind of guy who always puts his own safety first. If Lady Chamber had finished him off, I could believe that. But saying the Light Wind Palace master did it? That’s hard to believe."

He shook his head, advising that rumors shouldn’t be believed too easily.

"I agree. We shouldn’t believe it just because of the rumors. After all, the Black Tower’s master’s body hasn’t been found."

A knight in silver armor clicked his tongue briefly.

"Then why are they saying the Black Tower’s master is dead?"

"Because if it gets out that such a large-scale operation failed, it would cause a huge problem."

The black-haired man shook his head, warning that one shouldn’t make decisions based solely on rumors that spread externally.

"Now that you mention it, the Black Tower's master’s body was never found."

At the words of the black-haired man, the white-robed mage swallowed nervously.

"That’s right. They say it was all burned by the Light Wind Palace master’s flames..."

"It’s strange that they burned it. Just showing the corpse would’ve boosted the morale of the entire Five Kings, but now their spirits have completely dropped."

The black-haired man shook his head, questioning how odd that was.

"Well, it’s hard to just believe it blindly."

"Especially since our lives are at stake."

"And if we side with the Five Kings, who knows when the Four Demons might attack us?"

The neutral warriors and mages bit their lips, seemingly remembering what they had suffered so far.

"Sure, maybe Raon Zieghart really did kill the Black Tower’s master. But we have to consider the possibility that it may not be true. A single choice can change the course of our entire lives."

The black-haired man raised a finger, urging careful thought.

"Look, I’ll admit Raon Zieghart is impressive. But the Light Wind Palace? Not so much. Just look at their eyes. They’re all blank. They have high potential, but they don’t know how to fight."

He had just started running his mouth about the Light Wind Palace too, when Martha stepped in.

"Then why don’t you show us? How we’re supposed to fight?"

Glossy black hair and jet-black eyes. Martha curved her lips into a smile more wicked than a demon’s, then grabbed the black-haired man by the head.

"Th-The Sword of Rakshasa! Wait—!"

"Why’s your tongue so damn long?"

Martha ignored the man’s words, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him up.

"Get out here, you bastard!"

 

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