The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 978

 Chapter 978

 

“Then the one who sent this letter must be…”

As Raon read the letter that had flown in from the Shadow Agents, Wrath’s hymn, which had been echoing through the room, came to an abrupt stop.

“W-What letter is it?”

Olga crawled out from the 'prison' between Yua and Rensia and came to his side. To aim for such a brief opening, it seemed she really hated singing the song.

“I already explained everything we discussed in the meeting, right?”

Raon asked, nodding toward her to see if she remembered.

“Yeah. You said we were going to start by targeting the dragon nests to draw out the Four Demons.”

Olga nodded, saying of course she remembered.

“It’s about that.”

Raon softly smiled as he stroked the head of the white swallow that brought the letter.

“The first dragon we need to find has to be strong enough to have earned the Dragon Lord’s trust, while also being active in the outside world, and it looks like we’ve found one that fits.”

He flipped the letter around and showed it to Olga.

[It seems someone knows a dragon that matches your exact condition. Come to Mirtan Village as soon as you return. –Vulcan.]

The letter had been urgently delivered by the Shadow Agents, but the message itself was written by Vulcan, the Continent's Blacksmith.

“Vulcan…?”

“He’s Zieghart’s blacksmith. The Continent's Blacksmith who made my sword.”

Raon licked his lips as he gripped Heavenly Drive, which gave off a weighty.

"I know him too."

Olga let out a low groan as she looked at Heavenly Drive.

“He’s one of the most renowned master blacksmiths on the continent. He made the Lightning God’s sword, after all.”

She nodded, noting that he was known as the one who had crafted Heavenly Tremor for Glenn, the strongest man on the continent.

"However, I don't think Sir Vulcan himself knows the information about the dragon we're looking for."

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly as he reread the letter.

“What do you mean?”

Yua blinked, unable to grasp what he meant.

"If you look at the letter's content, it says, 'It seems someone knows a dragon.' That means not him, but someone else knows."

It seemed clear that Vulcan didn't know about the dragon himself but had found someone who did.

“Oh, you’re right!”

Yua nodded after reading it again.

“Then who could it be? Maybe another blacksmith he knows?”

She tilted her head, curious. As a swordswoman of the Light Wind Palace who might have to fight a dragon, she likely wanted to gather as much information as possible.

“I think I have a good idea who it is.”

Raon folded the letter and clicked his tongue.

‘It’s probably Sir Borgos.’

The blacksmiths of Mirtan Village had all been born and raised under Zieghart’s protection, meaning they would’ve had no reason to ever cross paths with dragons.

The only one who might know a dragon was Borgos, the chief of the Gray Hammer Guild who had come from the outside.

‘I wonder what kind of lizard it’ll be.’

The known locations of dragons in the continent had already been tracked by the Black Market.

Since none of them matched the conditions, it had to be one that was hiding somewhere and moving in secret.

Dragon, huh…

Wrath stared at the letter and slowly opened his mouth.

What color will it be? Plump red? Zesty blue? Salty gold? Whatever it is, the King of Essence wants it roasted whole!

He was already drooling as if a whole roasted dragon were sizzling right in front of him.

‘Haa…’

The fact that a hymn like that even exists for a demon king like him was so absurd, Raon let out a sigh without realizing it.
‘No… then again, it does make sense. He wrote it himself.’
Either way, anyone who had to serve under Wrath must’ve lived a hell of a life.

“Th-then we’d better get going!”

Olga nodded vigorously, saying they should return to Zieghart at once.

“No.”

Raon grabbed her wrist just as she turned to flee.

“We need to finish things here first. It’s not like the dragon’s going to suddenly run away.”

Raon tugged Olga back into place, telling her to just get ready again.

“Damn it! Damn it all!”

Olga bit her lip, her expression sinking into a dark void like she’d rather die. It looked like the childish lyrics had driven her halfway insane.

“I know it’s hard, but we have to do it.”

Two more days had passed since the emergency meeting. It was becoming impossible to keep everyone gathered any longer, they had to finish the song as soon as possible and erase the divine power that Raphael had left behind.

If you hate it so much, then don’t sing it!

Wrath’s shoulders trembled like he’d been personally insulted.

There are plenty out there who are dying to sing it but can’t, you know!

‘Who the hell would be dying to sing that?

Raon tilted his head with a baffled look. No matter how hard he tried to imagine it, he couldn’t come up with a single demon who’d be heartbroken over not being able to sing that ridiculous song.

W-Well, they do exist!

Wrath shook his head, insisting there definitely were. It seemed even the Demon King lied at times like these.

“Huuuh…”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Olga slowly raised her head.

“Fine. Let’s do it. I’ve got no choice.”

She slumped down next to Yua, as if accepting her fate.

“Don’t worry! I’ll make sure you memorize the lyrics so well you’ll never forget them!”

Yua clenched both fists, full of confidence that once Olga memorized the lyrics, she’d never forget them again.

“I’ll cheer you on!”

Rensia smiled and massaged Olga’s shoulders.

“Th-Thanks. But I really don’t want to remember them forever…”

Olga shook her head, saying she wanted to forget everything the moment this was over.

“Then let’s start from the top! ‘Feel the sparkling shining, diving into the darkness of dark, into the freezing ice…’”

Yua began reciting Wrath’s praise hymn once more with enthusiasm.

“Ugh… F-Feel the sparkling shining… diving  into the dark of darkness…”

Olga bit her lip, but this time she didn’t try to run. Gritting her teeth, she began memorizing the absurd lyrics to Wrath’s hymn.

“I-I’ve memorized it all.”

She raised her hand immediately after memorizing the lyrics, as if she didn't want to hear it anymore.

“Since you’ve memorized the lyrics, now I’ll teach you how to sing it.”

Yua stood up from her seat, saying the real part was just beginning.

“Sparkling shining…”

The moment she added melody to those childish lyrics, the light laughter lingering in the room faded, and the air shifted entirely.

Fwaaaaaah.

A soft blue light blossomed around Yua, gently wrapping around her. It was like the petals of blue forget-me-nots (Myosotis) were dancing from her head to her toes.

“Wha…?”

Olga’s scowling expression faded, her mouth falling open in disbelief.

“Wow!”

Rensia also gasped in awe at Yua, who was now shining with blue light.

‘As expected…’

Raon clenched his fist as he listened to Yua’s voice, which seemed to refreshingly melt his heart.

‘Yua’s talent is the real deal.’

She’d always had natural musical talent, but after receiving Roenn’s training, she could now imbue any song with deep, powerful emotion.

It’s not just emotion!

Wrath exhaled sharply, as if dumbfounded.

That pineapple girl has grasped the true essence hidden within the King of Essence’s hymn!

He trembled slightly, as if bewildered by how she could possess such talent.

‘It’s a little unfortunate that she’s using it on that song, but…’

Raon curled his hand into a fist as he watched Yua sing with joy.

‘But still, this is going to work. I don’t even need to see the result to know it.’

*   *   *

The next day.

In the royal capital of Balkar, countless people had gathered, staring blankly into the air.

Their pupils were blankly unfocused, as if filled with emptiness, they were all people who had fallen to Raphael's enchantment.

“…I’m not sure this is going to work.”

King Lecross let out a low sigh as he looked at the crowd gathered in the capital.

“I heard the song earlier, and, well, the lyrics are a little… strange…”

He scratched his cheek, saying they were hard to understand.

"Strange? I liked it because it was easy to understand!"

Ogram nodded his head vigorously, saying he liked it.

“Let’s be honest, it wasn’t good. The lyrics are weird, no doubt.”

Chamber let out a short sigh, agreeing with the strangeness of the lyrics.

“If it’s a song meant to affect the mind, the lyrics would be important too…”

Larian smacked her lips and raised her gaze. She usually looked lethargic, but seemed oddly full of interest in matters like this.

“Well, let’s just watch with a warm heart. The Light Wind Palace master has never let us down.”

Xanthos shook his head, saying that at this point, even if things went wrong, there wasn’t much else they could do.

“That’s the right attitude.”

Glenn, finding only Xanthos’ words to his liking, gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"As he said, now that we've come this far, we have no choice but to trust Raon. Even I can't cut Raphael's enchantment from all of their souls."

Glenn said to trust Raon, but his hand trembled inside his sleeve. Unlike his words, he seemed full of worry.

“It’s true… there are those who have absolute faith in the Light Wind Palace master.”

King Lecross motioned his chin toward Glenn’s side.

“I wonder what surprise he’ll pull off this time?”

Burren licked his lips, a sense of anticipation in his tone.

“Well, after all the mess Raphael made, what’s next? Is he going to summon a demon king now?”

Martha rubbed her hands together, saying that the Demon King's advent might really happen.

“How about the Rakshasa’s advent…?”

Runaan blinked innocently as she suggested, clearly implying that Martha herself could just go down there and do it.

“Shut up! You punk!”

Martha furrowed her brow and charged at Runaan, her earlier good mood gone in an instant.

“There they go again…”

“Yep. They’re like sisters who grew up together now.”

Dorian and Krein shook their heads as they watched Martha and Runaan throwing punches at each other.

"Do you think we’ll head straight back once they’ve brought everyone back to their senses?"

“Maybe?”

"Then it’ll be straight back to training hell again."

Even the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace, those who weren’t executives, weren’t worried about Raon. They were simply chatting about what would happen after returning. It meant every one of them had complete faith in Raon.

"Just watching those kids makes me feel like I’m starting to believe in the Light Wind Palace master too."

King Lecross let out a deep smile, saying the trust they had in him felt even stronger than life itself.

"All that’s nice and good, but... how long are we supposed to wait?"

Just as Ogram let out a huge yawn, clearly bored, Raon, Yua, and Olga stepped onto the top of the tower at the heart of the royal capital.

“They’re here!”

“The Light Wind Palace master is up there!”

"So it begins."

"What could the Sword Emperor have prepared?"

Everyone turned their eyes to the top of the tower, looking up at Raon with a mix of anticipation and doubt.

*   *   *

“Let’s begin.”

Raon nodded with a smile. Yua and Olga stepped forward to the edge of the tower.

"I’ll believe in you completely."

Olga looked at Yua with warm eyes, her expression saying she would follow her without a shred of hesitation.

“I’ll believe in you too, sister!”

Yua smiled, lightly shaking her clenched fist.

“Then…”

“Yes.”

Yua and Olga closed their eyes, bringing their hands together like they were in prayer.

[Aaaaahhhhh.]

The first voice came from Olga. Her voice, filled with holy power, flowed out like a hymn praising the god.

[Aaaaaahhh!]

Yua followed with a deeper tone, normally sweet and beautiful, now laced with a fierce intensity like a knight charging into battle.

A pure sacred hymn and a forceful battle chant blended perfectly, as if they had always been part of one unified song.

[Feel the sparkling shining, diving into the darkness of dark, into the freezing ice….]

Yua’s high notes soared like they could pierce the sky, while Olga’s deep mids anchored the melody from below, raising the song’s completeness to the extreme.

‘Now it’s my turn.’

Raon let out a short breath, activated the Ring of Fire, Glacier, and the authority of <Wrath>.

Hwaaaaaaa!

Through the frost of Glacier, the emotion of wrath bloomed and seeped into the melody flowing between Olga and Yua, causing a deep blue light to rise.

Paaaaaah!

Behind Olga and Yua, eight wings formed of icy feathers unfurled.

Radiant light, no less resplendent than that of Raphael herself, burst forth from their shoulders, sketching the image of an archangel.

Their voices became even more enchanting, not only filling the palace but sweeping across the entire royal capital of Balkar.

Kuuuuuuuuung!

Right where the archangel Raphael had once enchanted the people, the Demon King’s hymn now burst forth like the thundering of a war drum from a mountaintop.

[The wind of wind reaches the sky of sky….]

Thanks to Yua and Olga’s beautiful harmony, and the staging Raon had crafted, even the once-childish lyrics stirred people's hearts like a verse the world would never hear again.

I-Is this… really my song?

Wrath’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Is this real? Is this really happening?!

Even he, the creator of the song couldn’t close his gaping mouth, stunned by what he was hearing.

‘Huh.’

Raon stood blankly for a moment before shaking his head.

'I almost got lost in the song myself.'

The harmony between Yua and Olga was so enchanting that even Raon, who was supporting them, nearly lost himself in it.

If he stayed dazed like this, he might really end up praising Wrath without realizing it.

‘I need to focus a bit more.’

Thanks to Yua and Olga maintaining perfect harmony, the song's completeness had further increased. Now, if only he kept his mind clear, it seemed they could achieve results beyond expectations.

Fwaaaaaaaah!

Raon channeled more wrath and Glacier’s frost to support the two singers' melody.

Their voices, as if imbued with Transcendence and absolute magic, descended upon the crowd like a refreshing yet tender light, falling gently from above.

Chiaaaaaaang!

At the heart of the human realm, the Demon King’s hymn was completed, causing a flicker of blue light to ripple across the blank eyes of the people once mesmerized by Raphael.

It… it worked!

Wrath clenched his fists as he saw people shaking their heads, seemingly coming back to their senses.

Finally, my royal song is spreading in the human world! It will definitely become popular!

He lifted the corners of his mouth in delight.

‘I don’t like it, but… wait, huh?’

Raon sighed watching the excited Wrath, but then suddenly narrowed his eyes.

‘What’s going on?’

As if they really had heard Wrath’s words, the people all opened their mouths at once.

[Feeling the sparkling shining, diving into the darkness of dark….]

The entire crowd began singing Wrath’s hymn together.

But because the entire crowd opened their mouths and sang together, it no longer had the feel of a hymn like when Olga and Yua sang it. Instead, it thundered with such force that it shook both earth and sky, more like a military song than a praise song.

This is it!

Wrath panted heavily as he raised both fists high into the air.

Yes! Let it echo even louder! This is how my song should be sung, bold and triumphant—!

Just as Wrath was gleefully pumping his fists in the air—

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

[All stats have increased by 20 points.]

[The military song <Ode to the Demon King> is being created.]

[A new trait has been—]

System messages popped up one after another in response to the spread of Wrath’s hymn.

Uh…

Wrath blinked blankly in utter disbelief, then screamed at the top of his lungs.

Not like this! Don’t spread this! 

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