The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1014

 Chapter 1014

 

Raon gave the order for the Light Wind Palace swordsmen to wait at the training ground, then headed toward the audience chamber.

“I greet the palace master.”

Roenn, who had been wiping the walls and door of the audience chamber, lowered his head. As expected of Glenn’s butler, it seemed he was also personally handling the cleaning of the lord’s manor.

“Has your body gotten any better?”

“I’m not completely recovered, but I’m almost there.”

Raon lowered his head in return, saying thank you for the concern.

“Is the head of house inside?”

“Yes. He’s working, but I believe he’ll allow the audience. Please wait a moment.”

Roenn gave a faint smile and entered the audience chamber.

“The head of house has granted the audience. Please come in.”

He returned about a minute later and motioned Raon in.

“Thank you.”

Raon expressed his gratitude to Roenn and stepped inside through the door he opened.

He walked across the spotless red carpet and knelt before the platform.

“I greet the head of—”

“Stand up.”

Just as he was about to lower his head, Glenn’s calm voice came from atop the platform.

“I told you before, didn’t I? When it’s just the two of us, there’s no need for formalities.”

As Raon raised his gaze at those words, he saw Glenn smiling faintly.

“Looks like you’ve recovered a bit.”

Glenn lowered his brows slightly, as if he’d assessed Raon’s condition at a glance.

“I heard it would take at least a month for you to recover, yet you’re already out training after just a week. You really are…”

He let out a dry chuckle, as if finding it hard to believe.

“Maybe I take after my grandfather—I’m pretty sturdy.”

Raon rotated his wrist as he said that he naturally recovered quickly.

“Khuhp!”

At the mention of taking after his grandfather, Glenn let out a sound as if his soul had been shaken, grabbing his head.

“I-I saw that you were training today as well with the children of Light Wind Palace. So why have you come here?”

With a trembling hand gripping the broken armrest of the throne, he gave a small tilt of his chin.

“I sent a letter to the Thespian Emperor of the White Whale a week ago, requesting to meet the Five Divine Orders.”

Raon pulled out the reply from the Thespian Emperor.

“You sent a letter to the Thespian Emperor?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon.

“Wait… If you said you wanted to meet the Five Divine Orders, that must mean you intend to meet the Queen of Swords as well.”

“Correct.”

Raon gave a calm nod.

“What’s your reason?”

Glenn asked why he reached out to the Thespian Emperor at a time like this, his eyes narrowing further.

“If we leave Five Divine Orders alone, they might end up being drawn into the Four Demons.”

Raon tightened his grip on the letter in his hand.

“Right now, the Four Demons are probably in chaos after the deaths of the Black Tower’s master and the Fallen. They’ll be hiding deeper than before, trying to reorganize from within. However…”

He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the continent map hanging on the audience chamber wall.

“Once they’ve finished their preparations to some extent, they’ll move again to gather their forces. And if it’s the Derus Robert I know, that preparation period won’t take long.”

“It won’t.”

Glenn tapped the armrest of the throne with his finger, as if telling him to continue.

“That’s why we have to meet the Five Divine Orders before the Four Demons makes a move. Though now, it’s the Two Divine Orders.”

Raon drew in a short breath.

“I, as well as the Shadow Agents master, had similar thoughts. But it’s unclear how to persuade the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords.”

Glenn clicked his tongue briefly as he looked at Raon.

“There’s no need to persuade them.”

Raon shook his head firmly.

“What do you mean?”

“Even when the DemonBlade and the Demon Slaying Spear chose the Four Demons, the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords didn’t act, watching silently to raise their value.”

He twisted his lips coldly and continued.

“But now, the situation has changed drastically. The Black Tower has collapsed, and even with the Fallen dead, they’re still weighing the profit and watching for opportunity. People like that don’t need to be brought to our side…”

Raon gripped Heavenly Drive as a chilling murderous intent spilled out.

“I’ll cut them down on the spot and come back.”

“You’ll cut them down? Why?”

Glenn tilted his head slightly as if asking for a reason, though his gaze remained calm, as if he already understood everything.

“Trying to calculate gain even when one’s own life and that of their subordinates hangs by a thread, that’s not the attitude of a warrior, but of a merchant. Schemers like that can betray at any time in front of greater profit, whether they side with the Four Demons or stand behind us. I believe it’s better to cut them down before they become a problem.”

Raon bowed his head as he asked for permission.

“Hmmm…”

Glenn didn’t answer right away and slowly stroked his chin.

“Unfazed by blood, unhesitant in action, and never losing composure. That’s the attitude a head of house should have. Now I finally understand what that guy meant.”

He looked out the window with a somewhat nostalgic gaze.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn let out a soft chuckle, as if he understood Glenn’s cryptic words.

“What do you mean…?”

Raon’s eyes widened, not understanding Glenn’s words.

“There was someone who insisted the head of house position must absolutely be passed on to you. I suddenly thought of him again.”

Glenn clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Ah…”

Raon lightly bit his lip, realizing who Glenn was referring to.

“Then, are you confident?”

Glenn lowered his eyes, as if asking whether Raon could defeat the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords.

“I know the Thespian Emperor is the strongest among the Five Divine Orders. However…”

Raon straightened his back and nodded.

“I don’t think I’ll lose.”

He placed his hand on Heavenly Drive, revealing his confidence in victory.

“Then what about the Queen of Swords?”

Glenn, as if expecting that response, smiled and brought up the Queen of Swords’ name.

“The Queen of Swords may seem to follow the Thespian Emperor’s lead, but if she can’t be reasoned with either, I’ll cut her down as well.”

Raon gripped Heavenly Drive tighter, steeling his resolve to protect his people and land.

“That’s not what I meant. I’m asking if you can defeat the Queen of Swords.”

Glenn shook his head, as if telling him to answer properly.

“The Queen of Swords…?”

Raon exhaled softly as he looked into Glenn’s calm eyes.

‘The Queen of Swords should be weaker than the Thespian Emperor, right?’

He couldn’t understand why Glenn was bringing up the Queen of Swords, whose strength was lower than the Thespian Emperor’s.

‘Could he be thinking of the two fighting together?’

It seemed Glenn was worried about the combined strength of the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords. Just as Raon was about to respond to that thought, Glenn spoke first.

“So you still don’t know.”

Glenn nodded slowly, as if he expected this.

“Then go and experience it for yourself. Whatever happens, you’ll gain something from it.”

With that, he flicked his hand, signaling that he had accepted Raon’s proposed mission.

“Be careful on your way.”

“…Understood.”

Raon thanked him and left the audience chamber with a puzzled expression.

“You’re not going to tell him?”

Roenn looked at Glenn with a chuckle.

“His foolish master once said something like this.”

Glenn looked up at the endless blue sky.

‘Raon grows stronger the more hardship he faces. He’ll return changed again this time.’

He let out a quiet smile, as if he believed Raon would return with answers.

*   *   *

After leaving the audience chamber, Raon returned to the fifth training ground, where the swordsmen were waiting.

“We leave for the White Whale in two days.”

Standing at the edge of the platform, Raon began speaking about the new mission.

“Our mission is to persuade the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords to form an alliance with the Five Kings. However…”

He released a cold surge of energy and shook his head.

“If the two refuse our proposal, we will eliminate both the White Whale and the Blade Martial Pavilion on the spot.”

Raon clenched his fist, saying that was the true objective.

“A-Are you serious?”

Burren trembled at the jaw, as if shocked to hear him speak of wiping out the White Whale and the Blade Martial Pavilion.

“I’m serious. There’s no need to keep people who could become enemies or stab us in the back.”

Raon nodded as if stating the obvious.

“In the worst-case scenario, an all-out war with the White Whale and the Blade Martial Pavilion could break out, so prepare thoroughly.”

“When do we depart?”

Martha licked her lips at length, as if she was looking forward to that all-out war.

“In two days.”

Raon flicked his finger, telling them to fully recover their stamina, mental strength, and aura within that time.

“Understood!”

The Light Wind swordsmen, already in battle mode, sharpened their fighting spirit.

“Prepare well, everyone…. First, check the condition of your weapons….”

Runaan turned around and gave her subordinates some points to watch out for. Her eyes were still blank as always, but her advice strangely sank into their ears with surprising clarity.

“Then, dismissed. I will see you again at this spot at dawn in two days.”

At Raon’s order to dismiss, the Light Wind swordsmen left the training ground in an orderly fashion.

“You really are ridiculously busy.”

The Gambling Monster frowned, as if asking whether Raon actually enjoyed having so much work.

“Well, at least I won’t need to keep an eye on the kids for a while.”

He licked his lips, saying he should drink for the first time in a while.

“Thank you as always for your help.”

Raon bowed his head to the Gambling Monster as he turned to leave the training ground.

“If you really mean that, go buy me some liquor.”

The Gambling Monster turned and left the training ground with a lazy stride, indirectly telling him to return safely.

Fweeeeeee—

Raon smiled faintly as he watched him go, then blew a whistle toward the sky.

Piiiii!

A thin cry echoed from above, and a small swallow landed on the tip of his finger.

“I'm counting on you.”

He took a small letter from his coat and tied it to the swallow’s leg.

Piiiiiii!

The young swallow soared high into the sky and flew off into the distance.

Who’s it for this time?

Wrath scrunched his nose, saying that poor bird never gets a break.

‘I sent it to grandfather.’

Raon smiled and shook his head.

‘He must be worried, so I wanted to let him know I’m safe. I’m also curious if anything’s going on there.’

He said it was a letter to Rector and smiled faintly.

Now that you mention it, it’s been a while since we last saw that old man.

Wrath smacked his lips, saying he was curious what that other doting old fool was up to.

‘Yeah. I’m curious too.’

Raon looked up at the sky where the swallow had disappeared and smiled softly.

‘Once this mission is over, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit him again.’

* *   *

“I see.”

Rector set down the neatly folded letter with a pleasant smile.

“Is that a letter from Zieghart?”

Behind him, Mustan, who had been training with his sword, wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.

“How did you know?”

Rector blinked as he folded the letter.

“Because the only ones who make master smile like that are either Sir Raon or Lady Sia.”

Mustan grinned, saying it was written all over Rector’s face.

Ahem!

Rector let out a fake cough and forced down the corners of his mouth, which had lifted on their own.

“You can leave it as it is. It’s a smile that lifts the mood just by looking at it.”

Mustan waved his hand, saying it was the kind of smile that made you feel good just seeing it.

“So what’s in the letter that made you smile like that, master? Let me in on it too.”

Mustern shifted his gaze slightly, clearly curious.

“Read it yourself.”

Rector tossed the letter to Mustan, as if telling him to check it directly.

“Ah!”

Startled, Mustan reached out and unfolded the letter.

“It’s from Sir Raon. Ha… Huh?! Huuuuuh….”

As he read the letter, his eyes repeatedly widened as if they might burst, then settled again.

“I heard rumors that the Demon Slaying Spear and the Fallen died, but I never imagined Sir Raon was the one behind it!”

Mustan trembled as he held the letter, shocked.

“And the Heavenly Demon on top of that? That’s insane…”

As he listed the shocking contents of the brief letter, he could barely catch his breath.

“To write all these unbelievable things one after another, and then end it with concern for your health… it’s kind of funny.”

Mustan let out a small laugh as he read the final line: ‘Grandfather, I’ll come visit soon. Please stay healthy.’

“He’s a warmhearted kid.”

Rector carefully put the letter Mustan handed back into his pocket, his face showing the gentle smile of a loving grandfather.

“When I first saw Sir Raon, there wasn’t much difference between us, but somehow the gap’s become enormous…”

Mustan exhaled, saying that while he respected Raon, his growth was almost incomprehensible.

“With someone like Raon, it’s best to stop thinking about catching up and just let him go.”

Rector shook his head, recalling Raon’s talent for mimicking others’ martial arts.

“You’ve got talent enough to be called a genius yourself. Keep honing your skills, just like you’ve been doing.”

He gestured to Mustan, telling him to keep focusing on his own mind and martial arts.

“I know. Don’t worry!”

Mustan smiled brightly, saying he no longer felt envy or jealousy.

“Then I suppose I should write a reply too.”

Rector sat right there and began writing a letter back to Raon.

“M-Master! Me too! Please include something about me!”

Mustan waved his hand, asking him to at least pass along a greeting.

“I already did.”

Rector waved his finger, telling him not to worry, and tied the letter he wrote to the swallow’s leg.

Fwaaap!

The black swallow gave a small bow of its head, then soared into the twilight sky.

Fwaaap!

At that moment, a white hawk shot in like lightning from the west and snatched the string from the swallow's leg.

Piiiii!

The swallow shrieked and struggled, but the white hawk didn’t loosen its grip, as if intent on killing it then and there.

“What is this…?”

Rectar narrowed his eyes. Raon’s swallow was a special spiritual creature, and it was shocking to see it caught so easily without putting up any resistance.

Tsk.

Clicking his tongue, Rectar reached out his hand. The white hawk was sucked into his grasp.

Crunch!

He twisted his wrist and snapped the neck of the hawk that had tried to kill the swallow.

Piiiii.

Only then did the swallow slip free from the hawk’s claws and let out a faint breath.

“Can you still fly?”

Piiiii.

When Rector looked at it with concern in his eyes, the swallow let out a small cry as if to say it was fine, then took off into the sky once more.

“M-Master.”

Musten swallowed dryly and pointed at the dead white hawk.

“There’s a… a letter here.”

He trembled at the jaw as he looked at the black letter tied to the hawk’s leg.

“No one should know of this place, how….”

Musten bit his lip repeatedly, as if unable to understand.

“In the end…”

Looking at House Robert's symbol engraved at the end of the letter, Rector let out a murky breath.

“What was to come has come.”

 

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