The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 985

 Chapter 985

 

New title? And it’s lizard‑related again?

Wrath came stomping over, his eyes flaring wide.

You already got that Dragon Slayer or whatever title last time!

He scrunched up his brow, annoyed that the system was giving out another similar title.

‘This one’s different.’

Raon waved his hand in front of Wrath’s eyes.

‘<Dragon Slayer> was the title I got for killing a dragon for the first time...’

He pointed toward the new title, <Dragon Killer>, and continued.

‘Dragon Killer is a title I received for slaying multiple of those lizard bastards.’

Titles like "Killer" or "Slaughterer" usually aren’t given for killing just one or two of something. You only receive them after wiping out a large number.

It was clear that the reason he had earned the title <Dragon Killer> was because he had hunted down a significant number of dragons.

‘Now that I think about it, I really have killed quite a few. Starting from Kaibar, then three dragons that attacked the Great Forest, and now Desiuros today.’

Raon figured that among all the people still alive on the continent, he was likely the one who had slain the most dragons.

‘I guess it’s fair for me to get a Killer title at this point, right?’

Grrrrrgh….

Wrath seemed to have nothing to say after hearing that, and just trembled his fists.

‘If you get it, then keep quiet and let me check the rest of the rewards.’

Raon pushed Wrath aside, who was wobbling like a candle in the wind.

No! This is the King of Essence’s mouth, and he’ll say whatever he pleases!

Wrath shrieked, declaring he had no intention of staying quiet.

‘Even little kids don’t throw tantrums like this…’

Raon shook his head in disbelief and turned back to the message.

[You have successfully hunted an ancient dragon.]

[All stats have increased by 10 points.]

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

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

[New title <Dragon Killer> has been created.]

Perhaps because he had used both Glacier’s cold energy and Wrath’s <Wrath> at full power during this battle, two traits related to authority had leveled up.

His authority-related traits were still at a low rank, so this reward alone was satisfying.

‘Though… the stat points are a bit stingy.’

Compared to times when he had gained 30 or even 50 points, this time he only received a 10-point increase, which was slightly disappointing.

With his current stats already being so high, a 10-point increase barely made any noticeable difference.

Are you out of your damn minds?!

Wrath shoved his face close, grinding his teeth.

All you did was slice through a breath attack! What are you expecting, huh?!

He roared, claiming even this reward was excessive for what little Raon had done.

‘Well… you’re not wrong.’

Raon smirked and clicked his tongue.

‘I didn’t really do much this time.’

Unlike when he handled everything from start to finish, this time he had only stepped in once, so it made sense that the reward was less this time.

‘That system sure is fair.’

F-fair?! Faaaaair?!

Wrath’s eyes trembled violently.

The King of Essence would love nothing more than to tear apart that flower-bed-for-a-brain system! It keeps showering you with rewards without pause, how is that fair?! His body has been reduced to nothing but bones and skin!

Grinding his teeth, Wrath declared that the moment he returned to the devildom, he would destroy the system himself.

‘Let’s leave that for later…’

Raon left the angry Wrath and checked the title that was floating at the end.

<Dragon Killer>

A title given to a warrior who has slain five or more dragons.

An energy that makes it easier to cut through dragon scales and mana spreads around the one who holds the title, and the warriors nearby.

A pressure that instills fear in dragons rises from the one who holds the title.

Raon’s eyes widened as he read the details of the <Dragon Killer> title.

‘This is actually really good.’

The fact that this energy could be shared with those around him, not just himself, was basically broken.

With this energy, the Light Wind swordsmen might be able to take down most adult dragons by themselves.

‘And the ability that only I can use isn’t bad either.’

Dragons, as mediators of the world, possess a power called Dragon Fear, which suppresses the souls of other races.

But the <Dragon Killer> title granted Raon a pressure that turned that fear back on the dragons who had abandoned their role as mediators.

It was, quite literally, no different from a command to hunt down and destroy every last dragon who had abandoned their duty as mediators.

What kind of title has this many effects?!

Wrath grumbled, scowling in disbelief.

Don’t you dare start spouting that ‘fairness’ nonsense again!

Wrath ground his teeth, claiming the system was just handing things out to Raon without restraint.

Hmph! Since the system’s so blatantly taking your side, the King of Essence might just have to interfere...

‘Think about it.’

Raon elbowed Wrath lightly.

‘If I keep slaying dragons with the Light Wind Palace, who do you think gets to eat the meat, huh?’

Th-the King of Essence, of course…

‘Exactly. So instead of getting in the way, you should be helping us.’

He nodded, saying that if he wanted to eat various kinds of lizard, he shouldn't interfere but help the Light Wind Palace.

You’re right. The King of Essence should help!

Wrath’s eyes went wide with sudden understanding.

Then what are you waiting for?! Get back and start training those kids!

He waved his chubby hand enthusiastically, saying they should train each of them to be able to take down a dragon on their own.

‘That’s going to be hard…’

There’s no such thing as too hard! Anything is possible if you just do it!

Wrath puffed out his chest, saying he would lend a hand himself.

‘Haa…’

Raon let out a deep sigh as he watched Wrath getting all fired up.

‘If Derus had been as simple-minded as this guy, the war would’ve ended long ago.’

It was baffling how the so-called Demon King of Wrath was this naive, while the swordsman once called the Sky Sword Saint was such a cunning demon. This world really was upside-down.

“Palace master!”

As Raon recalled Derus’ twisted gaze, Dorian burst out of the collapsed nest of Desiuros.

“We got everything!”

He waved his hand, saying he’d collected all the treasure in the nest.

“Already?”

“Yes! Thanks to the others helping out, we moved quickly!”

He nodded, saying that with Latir and the other dwarves helping, they managed to collect everything from the nest.

Judging by how little time it took, it didn’t seem like there was as much treasure as he expected.

“I’ve never seen a belly pocket like that before.”

“How does something that small hold that much stuff...?”

“Is it some kind of ancient artifact?”

The dwarves, now more intrigued by Dorian’s belly pocket than the treasure itself, licked their lips while staring at him with interest.

“Save the questions for later. Let’s get moving first.”

Raon looked up at the sun, still burning strong in the sky, and gave a firm nod.

“To Zieghart.”

*   *   *

“Hm.”

Illiune, the Foreign Minister, blinked in a daze.

“Again… there are more people every time you come back from a mission...”

He let out a faint sigh as he glanced at the group standing behind Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen.

“They were kidnapped by the dragon. Since their village was completely wiped out, we decided to bring them with us.”

Since Illiune oversaw matters outside Zieghart, he calmly explained the situation of the people standing behind them.

“You’ve all been through a lot.”

Illiune scanned the dwarves and humans quietly, then gave a solemn nod.

“But even if there hadn’t been such circumstances, I would’ve trusted the palace master’s word.”

He gave a quiet nod, as though expressing his trust in Raon. And the fact that he still spoke formally showed it wasn’t just for show.

“Go on in.”

After casually counting their number, Illiune opened Zieghart’s main gate for them.

“Thank you. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Raon bowed his head, expressing gratitude.

“No need. I let them in, so it’s my responsibility.”

Illiune let out a hearty laugh, saying that anything involving the main gate was under his jurisdiction.

“Has the head of house returned?”

“He came back a week ago. I already informed him in advance, so he should be expecting you.”

Illiune nodded, saying Raon could go directly to the audience chamber.

“Then I’ll head there now.”

Raon bowed respectfully to Illiune and went up the main road leading towards the lord’s manor.

“So this is Zieghart?”

“It’s even bigger than I heard.”

“I can feel sharp sword energy from every direction. No wonder it’s a renowned swordsmanship house.”

The dwarves and humans let out quiet exclamations of awe with every step, marveling at the scale and martial strength of House Zieghart.

“It’s the Light Wind Palace.”

"I heard they went out to slay a dragon. Did they fail?"

“No, they must’ve succeeded, since they brought back the dwarves and people.”

"They tracked down an ancient dragon in hiding and returned this quickly?"

"That's insane. Aren’t they ranked first in performance right now?"

"Not yet. The Central Martial Palace and Wise Martial Palace are still ahead. But at this rate, they’ll catch up soon enough…"

On the other side, the swordsmen of Zieghart were wide-eyed, visibly shocked by how fast the Light Wind Palace had completed their mission.

“What, this much is nothing.”

“Yeah, it’s just the basics. The basics!”

“Hehehe….”

The Light Wind swordsmen twisted and squirmed like worms, clearly pleased by the compliments.

‘Already letting it go to their heads... Seriously… Hm?’

Raon chuckled as he turned his gaze and noticed Latir. His face was stiff, like someone being dragged to an execution.

“Sir Latir? Are you alright?”

Raon knelt and bent down to meet Latir’s gaze.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“No. It’s just…”

Latir glanced toward the lord’s manor of Zieghart, now looming closer, and swallowed dryly.

“I was thinking of the Destructive King of the North.”

“The head of house?”

"Yes. I’ve heard Glenn Zieghart is a cold-hearted king who wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed with a sword. I don’t know how I’m supposed to persuade someone like that..."

He seemed to be racking his brain to convince Glenn not just to accept him, but also the other dwarves and humans into Zieghart.

"Hmm… I don’t think you need to worry that much."

Raon smiled and shook his head.

"He's changed a lot since the days he was called the Destructive King of the North."

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

He nodded at Latir, whose eyes had widened.

“These days, people call him the Lightning God or the Sword God. It might sound like he’s become more distant from humanity, but he’s actually become more human than before.”

Raon said he would understand once he met him in person and then stepped into the lord’s manor.

“As the palace master says, it’ll be fine.”

Burren flashed a confident smile, saying things would work out well.

“The head of house will accept you without hesitation, so just get ready to work.”

Martha gave Latir a firm pat on the shoulder, telling him not to worry.

“Just say you’re willing to become a slave…”

Runaan nodded seriously, saying as long as they were ready to work hard, they’d be accepted.

"I'm still kind of scared of the head of house..."

Dorian swallowed dryly, saying the fear he'd felt since childhood still hadn’t gone away.

“He’s just a coward. Really, there’s nothing to worry about!”

Krein smiled as he gave Latir and the other dwarves a gentle push forward, saying they'd understand once they stepped into the audience chamber.

‘I get why they’re nervous, but…’

Raon chuckled softly, sensing the nervousness from Latir and the dwarves behind him.

‘It’s true that the head of house has changed.’

If it were the old Glenn, he might not have accepted them even after hearing their story.

But the Glenn of today was the Sword God with a human heart. Rather than turning them away, he’d likely comfort them and welcome them into the house without hesitation.

Picturing Glenn with a warm smile, Raon stepped into the wide open audience chamber.

“The Light Wind Palace has returned. Head of house, I—huh?”

Raon was just about to report their return and greet Glenn, but then paused, his face darkened.

Glenn’s expression had hardened into something pitch-black.

“Gasp!”

“Ugh…”

"A-as expected of the Destructive King of the North..."

The dwarves and people swallowed hard at the bristling pressure emanating from Glenn.

“Uuuurgh…”

Latir bit his lip, Glenn’s expression was exactly as he had feared, the very one he’d imagined while worrying over and over.

“Head of house?”

Raon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Did something happen while we were away?”

It was an expression he hadn’t seen on Glenn in a long time, and it made his own heart start to pound.

“There was.”

Glenn nodded heavily.

“You came back too late!”

He furrowed his brow, asking why they didn't contact him if they were going to be late.

Kuwooong!

The entire audience chamber trembled as if it were about to collapse, Glenn’s voice carried real force.

“Ugh, it was tough holding him back.”

“Huhuhu…”

Sheryl and Roenn shook their heads, saying Glenn had nearly rushed off to the desert himself.

“Ah…”

Raon’s mouth hung open as he looked at Glenn, who had his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Sigh…

Wrath let out a long sigh, as if he had expected this.

That doting old man is at it again.

*   *   *

“…That’s how we ended up slaying the ancient dragon Desiuros and returning with these people.”

After finishing his explanation, Raon slowly lifted his gaze. Glenn’s hardened expression had softened like snow melting in spring.

‘Looks like his frustration’s finally gone.’

Glenn gave a small nod, his eyes filled with quiet satisfaction, as if he was simply happy about Raon and the Light Wind Palace’s accomplishments. The irritation and gloom that had been clouding him seemed to have completely vanished.

“Well done.”

Glenn nodded calmly.

“Especially the Light Wind swordsmen. Facing an ancient dragon with only your own strength couldn’t have been easy. You did excellently.”

He clapped his hands, sincerely praising them.

“N-no, not at all. We just followed the palace master’s orders…”

Burren quickly bowed, flustered by the direct praise.

“Well, we did have the palace master’s help… but we are kind of strong too!”

Martha straightened her nose as if showing a slight bit of arrogance.

“It was easy…”

Runaan gave a blank nod, not out of pride or bravado, but as if stating a simple, honest truth.

The three of them had given very different answers, but none of them could hide how happy they were to be praised by Glenn.

“Then, did you bring Desiuros’ corpse as well?”

Glenn looked at Raon with curiosity.

"Yes. A lot of the scales were cut off, but the body is massive, so there should still be plenty we can make use of."

Raon nodded, adding that they hadn’t even removed the dragon heart yet.

"Mirthan Village is going to be busy for a while again."

Glenn smacked his lips, saying that Borgos and Vulcan would have their hands full once more.

“And there’s something else I’d like to ask.”

Raon approached Glenn’s platform and bowed his head.

“I would like to ask that you accept these people into Zieghart.”

He reached a hand behind him, gesturing toward Latir, the dwarves, and the humans who had been enslaved by Desiuros.

“As I mentioned, all of them were enslaved by Desiuros and forced to work for a long time crafting gold and gemstones and jewels. Their ability to handle heat and their skill in fine craftsmanship are enough to satisfy a dragon. I’m sure they’ll be of great help to us too.”

He bowed his head again, earnestly asking Glenn to accept them.

"I-I should have said it first..."

Latir bit his lip and stepped forward to stand beside Raon.

“I know it is rude to ask another favor of the savior who saved our live. But if we can repay that kindness by doing what we do best, then we want to.”

He knelt down and bowed his head.

“Please accept us!”

The dwarves and humans followed, bowing low and pleading together to be accepted.

"Hmm…"

Glenn raised his red eyes and carefully observed them one by one.

“Then can the Light Wind Palace master take responsibility for their status?”

Glenn flicked his finger, as if to say that was the first thing to be settled.

“Of course.”

Raon lowered his eyes and stated that he would take full responsibility.

“Then very well.”

With a faint smile, Glenn looked at Latir and the others behind him.

“Since the Light Wind Palace master has vouched for your status, I will accept all of you into House Zieghart.”
He nodded, giving them a clear answer in the name of the head of House Zieghart.

“Th-thank you!”

“Truly, thank you!”

Latiru and the dwarves bowed their heads to Glenn, then also bent at the waist to Raon.

"It’s really nothing."

Raon simply smiled at Latir and the others, glad things had worked out.

Tch, that old man…

Wrath scrunched his nose as he looked at Glenn.

‘What is it now?’

His scheme is plain as day.

‘Scheme?’

He brought up your name to those people so they’d feel not just grateful to him, but even more grateful to you. Tch. He’s telling you, once they get old, they all turn into damn foxes.

Wrath furrowed his brow, clearly not expecting Glenn to pull off a trick like that.

‘I… see.’

Raon bit his lip lightly as he looked at Glenn’s faint smile. Now that he thought about it, Wrath was probably right.

“Palace master.”

Just as Raon was silently feeling grateful to Glenn, Dorian raised his hand and waved.

“Should I take them out now?”

He licked his lips, eager to open his belly pocket.

“Them?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes, not quite understanding.

“We brought back treasure from Desiuros’ nest. I was hoping you could use it for the war funds.”

Raon gave a light smile and gestured to Dorian.

“Alright, I’ll take it out now!”

Grinning, Dorian opened his belly pocket. From the black void inside, gold ingots and gemstones began pouring out like waves crashing onto the floor.

Rumble rumble rumble rumble!

In no time, more than half the audience chamber was filled with gold and jewels, leaving barely any space for people to stand.

“W-what is all this?!

“There’s too much!”

“They got all that just from this mission?!”

The executives stared in astonishment, eyes wide.

“Why is there so much?!”

Even Raon’s mouth dropped open. He hadn’t had the chance to inspect the treasure vault during the rescue, so he hadn’t expected this much.

“This isn’t even everything yet.”

Dorian shook his head, saying there were still a bunch of gold-crafted items left.

“Stop! That’s enough.”

When the treasure started to pile up past halfway up the pillars of the audience chamber, Raon raised his hand and signaled Dorian to close his belly pocket.

“Ahem…”

Even Glenn let out an awkward cough, looking somewhat overwhelmed.

“A-and you want to donate all this to the war budget?”

He blinked, dumbfounded, as he stared at the mountain of treasure.

“Yes. Please accept it. The rest as well—”

“That’s enough. Let the Light Wind Palace use the rest.”

Just as Raon was about to offer more, Glenn waved his hand to stop him.

“Y-yeah.”

“I doubt we’ll need any more than this.”

“R-right…”

The other executives nodded blankly, still stunned.

“Alright. Let’s continue the rest of this conversation another time. You must be tired, go and get some rest for today.”

Glenn waved toward Raon and the Light Wind swordsmen standing behind the mountain of treasure.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed with a smile.

“Then I’ll escort these people to Mirtan Village.”

He thought it would be best to go there himself, as he also needed to take out the dragon corpse and talk with Borgos.

“Go ahead.”

Glenn gave Raon a nod, his eyes now filled with even deeper pride than before.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Raon bowed respectfully to Glenn, then turned to lead everyone out of the audience chamber.

“Th-thank you.”

Latir lowered his head once more, his voice thick with gratitude.

“There’s no need for that. It was something I naturally had to do.”

Raon waved it off, saying they didn’t need to thank him.

“I’ll take you to Mirtan Village right away. But once we arrive, don’t start working right away. Rest first.”

Not just the dwarves, but the humans were also worn out. They needed to rest before doing anything else.

“Understood. We’ll follow our savior’s word.”

Latir had apparently intended to begin working right away, but after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.

“Alright, let’s get going. If we go now, we should arrive before nightfall—”

Just as Raon stepped out of the lord’s manor and started heading toward Mirtan Village—

Plop.

A small, neatly rolled piece of paper dropped onto his head.

‘What’s this?’

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at it. Since he hadn’t sensed anything until it landed, it was probably sent using teleportation magic.

‘This scent… it’s familiar.’

Raon unrolled the yellowish paper.

[Eden's Headquarters. Below the crater at the summit of White Spirit Mountain.]

What was written on the paper was the location of Eden’s headquarters.

But aside from that, there was nothing else written.

“What is this…?”

Raon narrowed his eyes and flipped the paper over, then froze.

[Thank you for treating me like a human.]

From the trembling handwriting, he could sense that person’s scent, pure yet subtly seductive.

 

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