The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 979

 Chapter 979

 

“Kuahahahaha!”

Ogram looked up at Raon and burst into a booming laugh that seemed to shake the ground.

“That’s Raon for you! He actually pulled off something that ridiculous!”

He nodded with a wide grin, saying the result was even greater than expected.

“Huh…”

King Lecross exhaled as he looked out at the capital, now filled with renewed vitality.

“To think he really managed to bring everyone back to their senses…”

He scanned the faces of the citizens one by one, their eyes now filled with clarity again, and his chin trembled slightly.

“That’s not all.”

Xanthos swallowed dryly and raised a hand to his ear.

“He said he’d save the people who were enchanted by the archangel but somehow ended up making all of them sing the song in unison as well… I didn’t think something like this could even happen…”

He blinked blankly at the people of Balkar, now singing hymns to Wrath.

"How is something like this possible?"

Xanthos wrinkled the bridge of his nose, saying he couldn't believe it even after seeing it himself.

“It’s unbelievable, even watching it firsthand.”

Chamber smiled faintly as if in agreement.

“I never imagined that childish lyrics could become such a moving piece of music.”

She nodded, saying the lyrics were definitely childish, but somehow the song made her want to sing along

“To think something like this is possible without any magic… I really want to dissect it…”

Larian brought her hands together and licked her lips with a creepy glint in her eyes, as if she truly meant it.

“Huh…?”

“What did you just say…?”

Ogram and King Lecross turned to her in shock.

“This psycho woman…”

Chamber bit her lip, dumbfounded.

“You know you’d die too if you touched those two, right? You do know that?”

She showed her teeth as she sucked on her candy, making it clear Larian should never even try.

“I-I meant the song, not the person…”

Larian shook her head, saying she wanted to study the song that broke Raphael’s enchantment.

"Kheuheung!"

No matter what was going on beside him, Glenn simply wore a long, trembling smile, unable to hide how happy he was.

He was showing the full picture of a doting, overproud grandfather.

“See? If you trust him, he’ll always prove himself.”

Burren brushed off his hands confidently, saying he never doubted Raon for a moment.

“But I still don’t want to sing that song…”

Martha shook her head, saying she’d rather die than let those lyrics come out of her mouth.

“Same…”

Runaan squeezed her eyes shut as if just hearing it was hard to bear. It had been a long time since the two of them agreed on anything.

“I’ve served Sir Raon for a long time, but that song is just a bit…”

Even Dorian couldn’t bring himself to sing Wrath’s hymn, pulling out earplugs from his belly pocket and plugging his ears.

“It definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste.”

Even Mark Goetten, who thought of Raon like a teacher, let out a quiet groan.

“Huh? Isn’t the song kind of good though? The more I listen to it, even the lyrics are starting to sound nice.”

Krein tilted his head, saying he had come to like both the melody and the lyrics.

“…”

The Light Wind Palace swordsmen blinked blankly as Krein, the one who usually talked back to Raon the most, honestly said he liked it.

“…I don’t think I can just sit still like this anymore.”

Ogram clenched his fist, a serious look in his eyes.

“What do you mean by that?”

King Lecross narrowed his eyes at Ogram.

“Raon has been throwing himself into everything for the sake of the Five Kings, back during the Black Tower war, and even today. Meanwhile, I’ve just been sitting around recovering, using my injuries as an excuse.”

Ogram slapped his own cheek, as if disgusted with himself.

“I’m going to recover my strength no matter what it takes. I can’t keep leaving everything to that young man.”

He bit his lip and said he’d try whatever it took, even soul-shaking sorcery, to test himself.

“I want to say, ‘Don’t do anything that reckless and just stay still!’ but…”

Chamber shook her head while biting down on the candy in her mouth.

“I can’t say that, not when I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

She ground her molars together, saying she couldn’t let herself waste time when Raon was working hard enough to create something like that song.

“I’ll try to heal the damage to my upper energy center as fast as I can. Even if it takes forbidden techniques, I’ll find a way. I don’t want to see Raon die.”

Chamber nodded, saying she wanted to recover not for her own sake, but for Raon’s.

“That’s why I’m asking you to help too.”

She nodded her chin at Larian.

“You… you’re seriously asking me?”

Larian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah.”

Chamber sighed and lowered her brows.

“Then if you die, it’s not my responsibility, all right?”

Larian curled her red lips into a smirk, a chilly glint rising in her eyes. The moment something interesting came up, it felt like her personality had shifted again.

“Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart. I thought that nickname was too soon for him, but now… I feel it’s not even enough. He’s built different from everyone I’ve seen before.”

Xanthos nodded, admitting he had no choice but to acknowledge Raon.

"Keuheoheom!"

Glenn, proud beyond words that Raon had changed even the minds of the heads of the Five Kings, let out a series of exaggerated coughs behind his hand.

But he couldn’t hide the bright red glow of his flushed cheeks and ears.

“You really are that happy, huh.”

“The only person who can make the head of house this happy is young master Raon.”

Sheryl and Roenn chuckled quietly at the sight.

Hoooooooom…

While a thunderous military song that shook the sky resounded across the capital, inside the royal palace, warm laughter mingled with the quiet blooming of firm resolve, born from those who had vowed to no longer stand idle.

*   *   *

Damn it!

‘Be quiet.’

Raon pushed the cursing Wrath aside and checked the message again.

[The Hymn of the Demon King has spread across the continent.]

[All stats have increased by 10 points.]

[The military song <Ode to the Demon King> has been created.]

[The rank of the trait <Light Resistance> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Authority Control> has increased.]

‘Not just my stats, but my <Authority Control> and <Light Resistance> also went up.’

Was it because I had erased Raphael’s divine power?

Since he used Wrath’s authority to erase Raphael’s divine power, it made sense that those two traits leveled up too.

‘Let’s see what this Ode to the Demon King is about.’

<Ode to the Demon King>

It was originally a childish song that no one would ever sing, but thanks to a singer and a director with exceptional talent, it was reborn as a military song imbued with great power.

Those who sing this song in front of the Demon King of Wrath will gain resistance to divine power for one hour, and their physical abilities and mental strength will also increase.

“…Huh.”

Raon let out a breathless laugh after reading the description of the military song.

‘Is this for real?’

Normally, even if someone sings a military song, it might raise morale a bit, but it wouldn’t cause any actual physical change.

But this <Ode to the Demon King> actually strengthened physical abilities and mental strength, and even created resistance to divine power.

‘And it lasts for a full hour.’

Though there was the condition that the song had to be sung in front of Wrath, its one-hour duration made it an unbelievably overpowered ability.

A childish song no one would ever sing?! You bastard!

Wrath ground his teeth so hard it made a grinding sound as he read the first line of <Ode to the Demon King>.

‘Calm down. It means your song turned out great in the end.’

Raon gently tapped Wrath’s head, which had turned bright red.

Nghhh...

Wrath grabbed his head with both hands and let out a low groan.

S-Still, at least the ability is fitting for a song that praises the King of Essence. If that part had been awful too, he really would've come after you!

It seemed Wrath was at least satisfied by the fact that it wasn’t just Raon who was getting stronger, the entire Light Wind Palace could benefit from the song as well.

Haa… this is such a weird feeling.

Wrath shook his head, saying he felt both good and bad at the same time.

‘Yeah… I get that.’

Raon let out a soft chuckle and nodded.

‘You’re happy that your song is being sung and the Light Wind swordsmen are getting stronger because of it… but you probably hate that I’m the one receiving the reward, huh…?’

As he waved toward Wrath, Raon narrowed his eyes.

‘…What is this?’

As more people joined in singing Yua and Olga’s voices, he felt a deep tremor inside his soul.

‘No way…’

Could it be that the level of my soul is growing?

The more people sang the <Ode to the Demon King>, the more Raon’s soul rose, and his mental world expanded.

It wasn’t a massive increase, but little by little, his soul was indeed growing.

‘Seriously…’

Raon looked down over the capital and swallowed dryly.

‘Is this all happening… because they’re singing Wrath’s hymn?’

Thinking about it, that was the only reason. The hymn praising Wrath was influencing the world, and was causing growth in his own soul and mental world.

Nooooooo!

Wrath, too, now seemed to sense the change in Raon and rushed forward.

Why is your soul growing from a song that praises me?!

He screamed, claiming it made no sense.

This is complete bullsh— Wait, what…?

He was grinding his teeth so hard it looked like they might break, but suddenly his eyes widened.

I-it's coming to the King of Essence too!

He nodded, saying the emotions carried through the <Ode to the Demon King> had reached his soul as well.

Yes. This is how it should be. This is right!

Wrath nodded fiercely, saying he was the one who should be growing stronger.

‘Hmm, but I feel like I got more than you?’

Raon shook his head as he compared what was being passed into Wrath’s soul to what he himself was receiving.

Exactly! Why the hell are you getting more than me?! No, the fact that you’re getting anything at all makes no sense!

Wrath scowled, his voice rising in protest. How could someone else benefit from a song that praised him?

‘Is it because I’m your master that I get to share in it?’

Master?! Who the hell said you’re my master, you crazy human bastard!

‘Well… I do feed you.’

Shut up!

Wrath growled, telling him to stop talking nonsense.

‘Just kidding.’

Raon shook his head with a laugh as he glanced back at the description of <Ode to the Demon King>.

‘It’s probably because I served as the medium that spread your song. Let’s be honest, no one would have sung it otherwise.’

Hmm…

Wrath turned his eyes away, as if he couldn’t refute that.

True. Without you, that song wouldn’t have been created in the first place.

He nodded, admitting it.

‘It wasn’t just me. If it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t have even tried.’

Raon bowed his head toward Yua and Olga as they slowly opened their eyes after finishing the song.

Even though the two had stopped singing, <Ode to the Demon King> continued to echo through the capital, and his soul continued to grow because of it.

Had it not been for Yua and Olga, he never would’ve received this reward. From deep within, he silently expressed his heartfelt gratitude to them.

You say that, but you’re totally going to walk away without giving them anything.

Wrath snorted, saying he could see right through him.

‘Of course I’m going to reward them.’

Raon shook his head with a smile.

‘Whatever they want.’

He made a firm vow to grant them whatever they truly desired, and began clapping as the two walked back toward him.

“Young master!”

Yua smiled brightly, asking with her expression if she had done well.

“Rrrgh…”

Olga, on the other hand, was grinding her teeth, her face pale with barely restrained fury.

“You. I’m gonna beat you.”

With a shout, she lunged at him, like the wild, thug-like saintess of the past had come roaring back.

‘Huh?’

You better not dodge!

Just as Raon instinctively tried to dodge, Wrath twisted his lips into a wicked grin.

Didn’t you say you’d grant their wishes?

Wrath gestured for him to stop and shook his head.

Just take the hit, you bastard!

*   *   *

After erasing all of Raphael's lingering images in the Balkar royal capital, Raon came down from the tower.

“It’s all finished. After a good night’s rest, everyone should be fine.”

He waved his hand gently, saying there was no need to worry anymore.

“You worked hard! Well done!”

“This result is even better than I expected. I didn’t think you’d be able to break everyone free all at once.”

Ogram and Lecross nodded deeply.

“There really isn’t anything you can’t do, is there? Are you sure you’re not actually a mage?”

Chamber let out a helpless chuckle and gave her own arm a light slap, as if in disbelief.

“Uh, could I... maybe record the song?”

Larian licked her lips as she asked if he could let them hear the song one more time.

“Sorry, but if I do that again, I might actually die.”

Raon shrugged as he pointed to his forehead and the area above his eye, where Olga’s fist had left a clear bruise.

“You... you did well.”

Glenn, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion, grabbed Raon’s shoulder, his voice trembling slightly. Even his hand was shaking.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

Raon shook his head, saying it was all thanks to Yua and Olga.

“Now we really can enjoy the festival.”

Chamber took out a fresh piece of candy and said they should enjoy it until tomorrow, then wrap it up.

“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to leave first.”

Raon raised his hand as he shook his head.

“Someone I know just told me they’ve found the dragon, so we need to head back right away.”

He nodded, adding that he had received an urgent letter from Zieghart.

“Already?”

“That fast?”

“But even the Black Market hasn’t found anything yet…”

The heads of the Five Kings opened their eyes wide, as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

“Yes. If we didn’t know, there’d be nothing to do, but now that we do, we need to act immediately.”

Raon waved his hand, saying there wasn’t much time left.

“Now I think I get how you managed to grow that strong at such a young age.”

Xanthos gave a faint smile, saying he finally understood Raon’s strength and accomplishments.

“I see. Got it.”

King Lecross patted Raon's shoulder, saying he had worked hard.

“Next time we meet, I’ll come back as an adult who’s not ashamed to face you.”

He waved his hand, saying they’d see each other again once he had fully recovered from his injuries.

"I, too, will come out after I've erased all of this damn curse."

Ogram gave a refreshing smile, saying as long as he didn’t die, they’d see each other again.

“Right. This is as far as I’ll let you see me looking pathetic.”

Chamber, too, nodded heavily, as if she had come to a firm decision.

“The next time we meet, it’ll be after I’ve healed the wound in my upper energy center.”

She clenched her small fist, resolved to recover her strength no matter what.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Raon smiled and bowed his head to the heads of the Five Kings. It made him feel just a little proud, knowing that his actions had moved them.

“I’ll stay. I should be here at least until the event ends.”

Glenn nodded, telling him to go on ahead. His long smile stretched across his face, his cheeks slightly flushed, he was clearly in a great mood.

“It’s a shame, but I’ll have to send you off now.”

With a snap of Chamber’s fingers, a dimensional gate with a bluish glow opened, just like the one they had used to arrive from the lord’s manor.

“Go through that, and you’ll arrive at the lord’s manor audience chamber.”

She waved and said, “See you next time.”

“Yes. Then, until next time.”

Raon bowed once more to the heads of the Five Kings, then gave a chin gesture to the Light Wind Palace swordsmen.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir!”

The Light Wind Palace swordsmen followed him into the dimensional gate, their eyes filled with pride for Zieghart.

‘……’

Before entering the gate, Raon turned around and looked back.

‘By now, the news should’ve reached you. I wonder what kind of face you’re making right now…’

He twisted his lips into a smirk as he looked up at the sky above Balkar, the very sky where Archangel Raphael had once descended.

‘Derus Robert.’

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