The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 971

 Chapter 971

 

Raon led the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, whose bodies and minds had been sharpened like blades, toward the lord’s manor where Glenn was waiting.

When they stepped into the audience chamber, its massive iron doors opened as if about to snap off, and the Heavenly Blade Division, clad in white long jackets, stood solemnly in front of the platform, emanating a heavy pressure.

At the center stood Sheryl, the division leader of the Heavenly Blade Division, her hair neatly tied up. She had been away on a mission for quite some time, and it seemed she had only just returned.

Fwaaah.

Glenn sat on the throne, resting his chin on his hand. Instead of the usual emptiness in his eyes, there was a hint of unfamiliar warmth.

"You've arrived.

He motioned with his chin, gesturing for them to come closer.

Step.

Raon walked down the red carpet that looked as though it was glowing with sacred flames under the sunlight and stood before Glenn.

“I greet the head of house.”

He knelt down on one knee and bowed his head.

"We greet the head of house!"

The Light Wind swordsmen behind him bowed their heads as well, matching his voice.

"Rise."

Glenn lightly waved his hand.

"You’ll have plenty of greetings to do once we arrive in Balkar, so there’s no need to start already."

He gave a faint smile and told them to stand properly.

“Raon. No, Light Wind Palace master. It’s been a while, Sir.”

Sheryl stepped forward and bowed her head.

“Huh? Lady Sheryl? Why the formal speech all of a sudden...?”

Raon blinked at the top of her bowed head.

"Because you are a palace master of House Zigheart. I cannot treat you casually like before."

Sheryl shrugged, saying it would be inappropriate to speak informally to a palace master.

"Please don’t. It makes me uncomfortable."

Raon let out a short sigh as he looked at Sheryl, who was smiling.

Uncomfortable, my ass. Like there’s anyone who enjoys being treated like royalty more than you!

Wrath snorted, calling him a liar.

‘Even if I like being respected, I don’t want to hear formal speech from someone who feels like a teacher to me.’

Sheryl had helped him in many ways, even teaching him dual blade technique. Hearing honorifics from someone he considered a mentor didn’t sit well with him.

“Is that so? Then if that’s what the palace master wants, I’ll speak informally again.”

Sheryl immediately switched her tone, as if it had all been a joke from the start.

"Yes, please do."

Raon nodded, quietly observing the slight weariness in Sheryl’s complexion.

"Have you been away all this time?"

“Pretty much. Had to clean up the mess you left behind and check on the Conference of the Five Kings preparations ahead of time.”

She clicked her tongue lightly, saying she had been so busy she barely had time to breathe.

"The mess I left behind…?"

“What else? Taking down the Black Tower is no small feat. There was a lot to clean up.”

Sheryl shook off her hand, saying she and her subordinates had handled the aftermath. From the sound of it, she had been extremely busy.

"…Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you."

Sheryl smiled and lightly tapped his shoulder.

"I was busy, yes, but it wasn’t difficult. Once they heard I was from Zieghart, everyone welcomed and treated me warmly."

She let out a dry chuckle, saying it was the first time she’d received such a warm welcome.

“I see.”

Raon recalled the residents of Montiro, who had bowed so deeply it looked like their backs might snap, and a faint smile spread across his lips.

“Don’t worry. Everyone’s doing fine.”

Sheryl smiled easily, as if reading his mind.

"Yes. I believed that the Heavenly Blade Division leader would have taken good care of them."

Raon nodded, expressing his trust.

“I was worried too, but I’m relieved now.”

Burren let out a sigh of relief as he looked at Sheryl.

“They ought to be fine. We crushed the Black Tower after all.”

Martha slammed her hand down firmly, saying nothing should go wrong from now on.

“Yeah. Just… peace, always…”

Runaan brought her hands together as if praying for Montiro's peace.

Since they had spent a lot of time in Montiro, it seemed the Light Wind swordsmen had grown quite attached to the place.

"But how exactly are we going to Balkar?"

Raon narrowed his eyes, looking around the audience chamber. Normally, when traveling from Zigheart to another place, they would use the dimensional gate of Zieghart’s magic tower, but since they were summoned to the audience chamber today, he was curious about the reason.

"It seems it’s not time yet. Just wait a little longer."

Glenn calmly shook his head, as if someone was still on their way here.

"Understood."

“I’ve got a question too…”

Glenn lowered his gaze and tilted his chin slightly.

“There’s someone behind you who isn’t part of the Light Wind Palace.”

He tilted his chin again, this time toward the person behind Raon.

"I was just about to tell you."

Raon stepped to the side and turned around. Standing behind him was the Saintess Olga, dressed in a neatly pressed nun’s robe.

“The Saintess said she wished to come along, so I brought her with me.”

Raon guided Olga forward and bowed his head.

“She wants to come with us?”
Glenn raised his brow slightly, as if asking what that meant.

"That is…"

“I’ll explain myself.”

Olga stepped forward to speak for herself.

"I heard from the Light Wind Palace master. One of the goals of the upcoming Conference of the Five Kings is to draw the neutral factions, who have yet to choose a side, over to the Five Kings."

She brought her hands together in front of her. Perhaps because all her tattoos had been erased, the way the soft sunlight touched her made her appear almost divine, like a goddess.

"I am also known across the continent under the title of ‘Saintess.’ If I stand with Zieghart and participate in the conference, I believe it will provide at least some help."

Olga bowed to Glenn, stating that she wished to lend her support to Zieghart.

Why the hell does she actually look like a real saintess now?

Wrath rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

'Because she is a real saintess.'

The tattoos that once covered her entire body had been erased, and the dark tan on her skin had also completely faded.

Her naturally bright beauty, now combined with milky white skin, made her seem like a goddess from myth who had descended into the world.

‘Though, of course, her tone is still rough as ever…’

She was only hiding it in front of Glenn, she still spoke like a back-alley thug behind the scenes.

‘Good thing I stopped Sia from picking it up.’

Sia was oddly fond of Olga and had been following her around all day, aside from sword training, so she had nearly picked up her way of speaking.

"That you had such a thought for us, I thank you."

Glenn nodded to Olga, saying he hadn’t expected her to think of Zieghart first.

"No, it’s nothing. I have received far more from the Light Wind Palace master."

Olga bowed deeply, saying she could never repay the debt she owed to Raon.

“I-I see…”

Glenn clenched his lips slightly and turned his head to the left. His fingertips began to tremble.

“In what way, exactly?”

Glenn subtly shifted his gaze again, clearly wanting to hear more praise for Raon.

“The Light Wind palace master is the savior of our Holy Kingdom of Schper. It would not have been strange if he had asked for the kingdom itself as a reward, but he asked for nothing, and simply left. And this time… he saved a life that was already at death’s door—mine.”

Olga bit her lip lightly as she turned to look at Raon.

"I have seen countless human natures as a Saintess, but I have never met anyone like the Light Wind Palace master."

She nodded with gravity, expressing that this was the first time she personally experienced what God describes as a soul that resonates, something profound and sacred, and she felt it from Raon.

"Ahem! Is that so?"

Although the Conference of the Five Kings had yet to begin, Glenn’s cheeks were already tinged pink, as if his mood might lift him right off the ground.

“Yes. That is truly how I feel.”

Olga said, nodding with calm sincerity.

Wooooooong—

A blue dimensional gate opened beneath the platform, and Princess Jaina of Balkar stepped out along with several magicians clad in white robes.

"I greet the skies of Zieghart."

Jaina placed her hand over her heart and bowed politely to Glenn.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

Glenn gave a gentle nod as he looked at her.

"Are you feeling well now?"

"Yes. Thanks for your concern."

Jaina replied that she had recovered, then gave a brief glance toward the person behind her.

"This time, the dimensional travel is being handled directly by Balkar. There’s no need to use multiple dimensional gates, we’ll head straight to the royal capital."

Glenn nodded, explaining that Balkar and the Magic Tower had arranged the entire process.

"However, this route is single-use. Once the conference is over, we won’t be able to use it again."

Jaina pointed to the blue dimensional gate she had arrived in, explaining it could only be used once.

"Then let’s depart."

Without waiting further, Glenn rose from the throne.

"Understood."

Jaina nodded, and the magicians behind her raised their staffs.

Wooooooong—

From the tips of the staffs, light spread out like constellations, forming a wide horizontal dimensional gate, wide enough for ten people to pass through at once.

“You may enter now.”

Jaina stepped aside, inviting Glenn to enter first.

"Come to think of it, I heard I’m supposed to go in first. Is that right?"

Glenn narrowed his eyes at Jaina.

"Yes, that’s correct."

“They really make me do all sorts of strange things.”

Clicking his tongue briefly, Glenn stepped up to the gate.

“I’ll go first. Follow along at your own pace.”

He nodded lightly and was the first to enter the dimensional gate.

"Huhuhuhu."

"Yes!"

Roenn and Sheryl followed right behind him, and the rest of the Heavenly Blade Division entered as well.

“Please wait a moment. It’s better to enter after the ones who went ahead have exited safely.”

Just as Raon was about to step in, Jaina raised her hand to stop him. Unlike before, she was speaking in proper, respectful tones, not in the stiff, forced politeness she used to fake.

"You’ve changed a lot. Maybe it’s time to tear up that contract."

Raon gave her a faint smile.

“I’ve seen and felt a lot with my own eyes.”

Jaina bowed her head, saying she was thankful for what happened in Montiro.

Huh? That girl really changed? The King of Essence thought even in death, she’d do nothing but scream and throw tantrums!

Wrath’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

‘Some people really do change.’

Just as Karoon had grown into a true warrior, and a proper adult, even Jaina, once the textbook example of a spoiled royal, seemed to have matured a little.

"By the way… I wasn’t informed that she would be coming with us."

Jaina slightly raised her brow as she looked at Olga standing behind Raon.

"Got a problem? Want me to pay you or something?"

Olga frowned as she looked up at Jaina.

“No. I was just curious why you’re here.”

Jaina lifted her chin slightly.

"To repay a debt. I don’t like just taking and giving nothing back."

Olga replied flatly, her expression sullen as she glanced at Raon.

“A debt, huh… I see.”

Jaina glanced between Olga and Raon, her lips tightening slightly. There was a hint of regret in her expression… but also a trace of understanding.

“Hey! Enough talking, let’s go already! How long are we gonna stand around here?”

Martha stepped forward, smacking her lower back like it was aching.

“I’m bored…"

Runaan puffed up her cheeks and scratched the red carpet with her finger.

"The dimensional gate seems stable now. Can’t we go?"

Burren helped Runaan up and pointed at the gate, whose shimmering had mostly subsided.

“…Yes. You may enter now.”

Jaina nodded, confirming that the gate was now stable.

"Alright then."

Raon gave a short nod to Jaina and stepped into the dimensional gate.

He felt his body float for a moment, and then a blinding light flashed, the world shifted.

Fwaaaaaaaah!

When he slowly opened his eyes, he saw colorful petals falling before him.

Waaaaaaaah!

Behind the falling petals came an explosive cheer loud enough to shatter eardrums.

The royal capital of Balkar. Along the royal road leading to the palace, countless people were lined up, waving their hands toward him.

"Whoooooaaaaaaa!"

"Zieghart! Zieghart!"

"The Light Wind Palace is here!"

"Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart!"

The people sent thunderous applause and cheers toward him and the Light Wind swordsmen following close behind.

"This is…"

Raon breathed out blankly, looking at the royal road where flower petals and cheers continued endlessly.

“Since we weren’t able to hold a proper celebration after destroying the Black Tower, we decided to hold a festival during the conference to help ease the people’s anxiety.”

Jaina nodded calmly, explaining that from today, a victory celebration would be held in Balkar.

“Raon. Give them a wave.”

Sheryl came up beside him and nudged his waist with her elbow.

“It wouldn’t be wrong to say you’re the one who brought those smiles back to their faces.”

She grinned, saying they’d be even happier if he waved back.

“Huh? I doubt I did that much…”

"The Heavenly Blade Division leader is right."

Jaina shook her head firmly.

“Until the Black Tower fell, the atmosphere across Balkar, no, the entire Five Kings, was suffocating. The enemy struck from the shadows, slowly eroding our forces, while we had no way to strike back. Every morning brought news of another village destroyed. Everyone was living in fear.”

She lowered her head slightly, her eyes burned with remembered frustration.

"But when the Black Tower fell, everything changed. The Five Demons, no, the Four Demons, didn’t just stop attacking, they vanished entirely. It’s the first peace we’ve felt in a long time, so everyone is overjoyed."

Jaina nodded in agreement with Sheryl’s words, as if saying it was true that all these smiles were thanks to Raon.

"It would mean a lot to them if the Light Wind Palace master responded to their cheers."

She added with a faint smile that everyone here had gathered on their own will.

“Ahem! They’ve got good eyes, these people.”

Glenn’s shoulders trembled slightly, overwhelmed with emotion at hearing Raon’s name echo from countless mouths. He seemed to have completely forgotten the dignity he was supposed to maintain as the head of Zieghart.

“Well, we did do a thing or two.”

Martha grinned and waved toward the people of Balkar, clearly enjoying the situation.

"Just having our efforts acknowledged is enough for me."

Burren also seemed deeply moved, placing his clenched fist over his heart.

“We’re heroes now…”

Runaan, clearly in a good mood, half-lowered her eyes and straightened her back, as if trying to mimic the posture of some noble lady she’d once seen somewhere.

Forget the cheers. Just bring out some good food already!

Wrath waved his hand dismissively, saying that as long as the food was good, nothing else mattered.

‘As always… food first, huh.’

As Raon let out a quiet sigh and shook his head, the knights of Balkar, standing at the front of the crowd, slammed their massive spears into the ground.

Boom!

The tremor rippled through the capital, and the crowd’s noise quieted as the knights raised their voices.

"The heroes of Zieghart are entering!"

As the dozens of knights announced Zieghart’s arrival, not only the path they were standing on but also the roads above and below erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Let’s go."

Glenn, who had just been basking in joy moments ago, now climbed the flower-petal-covered royal road with a cold, composed expression, as if none of it had happened.

‘Hmm…’

Raon followed behind him, gently biting his lower lip.

‘My chest feels… ticklish.’

He had received cheers within Zieghart many times before, but being applauded by a different faction, especially by an enormous kingdom like Balkar, was something else entirely. His chest burned with a swelling heat, as if it might burst. He never imagined that pride could feel this overwhelming.

‘Calm down.’

But he couldn't let himself stay lost in this feeling for long. The real war hadn’t even started yet.

"Let’s go too."

He told the Light Wind swordsmen, calming their excitement before leading them after Glenn up the royal road.

"Uwaaaaaah!"

"Thanks to you, we can breathe again!"

"May Balkar and Zieghart remain allies forever!"

"Thank you so much!"

"Is that really Raon Zieghart? How can someone’s face look like that…"

As they walked forward, showered in cheers and words of gratitude, the royal palace of Balkar soon came into view.

The palace gates were wide open as if welcoming them, and beyond them, knights, magicians, and officials arranged in rows.

"Welcome, heroes of Zieghart!"

The knights, magicians, and officials all bowed their heads, expressing their gratitude for coming all the way here.

"You are…"

Raon widened his eyes as he glanced at the group of magicians to the right. Upon closer look, they were the same ones who had climbed the Black Tower with him and fought to the end.

All except one. Among them was a magician he had never seen before. Though not quite on Chamber’s level, he could feel an intense mana radiating from the man.

"It’s been a while."

Raon bowed slightly to the familiar magicians.

"Have you been well?"

The magicians smiled warmly back at him, clearly glad to see him again.

“That Chamber…”

Glenn frowned as he glanced around.

“What’s with all this noise and commotion?”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, saying the whole thing was far too excessive.

“When I see her today, I’m going to have words—”

"Isn’t it only natural to welcome heroes?"

Just as Glenn was shaking his head, Chamber descended from the highest tower of the palace, using her witch’s hat like a parachute.

"Just enjoy the moment!"

Chamber landed with a candy in her mouth, saying this was a peace they didn’t know when they'd ever see again.

"And I didn’t call them here. Whether it’s these people or the citizens outside, they gathered on their own when they heard Raon was coming."

Chamber waved her hand lightly, explaining that most of the citizens gathered in the capital had come just to see Raon.

“R-Really? In that case, well…”

Glenn suddenly trailed off and cleared his throat. The corners of his mouth began to tremble slightly. Now that Chamber had confirmed it, he couldn’t quite hide his joy.

“I’m telling you, the moment word spread that Raon was coming, it caused a huge stir. He’s young, handsome, strong… and rich, too!”

Chamber laughed, saying this was the perfect setting to brag about Raon.

"Ahem! I suppose that’s true."

Glenn leaned over and whispered to Chamber that they should do this again on the way back.

"Head of house…"

Raon squeezed his eyes shut.

“Well then, joke time’s over…”

Glenn’s previously softened gaze sharpened again as he turned to his right.

“Why is the King of Balkar bowing his head over there?”

“The King? Huh? Wait—you!”

Chamber turned to the magicians, only now realizing it, and bit down on the candy in her mouth.

"Sigh… As expected, I can’t hide anything from the Lightning God."

Among the magicians in robes, a man with blue hair slowly stood up.

"Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not here as a king, but as a father."

He looked at Raon and smiled gently.

"I wanted to see the man who changed my daughter."

 

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