The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1027

 Chapter 1027

 

“Destroyed?”

Raon frowned as he placed his hand on the table.

“Even if a village collapsed, you wouldn’t usually use the word ‘destroyed’…”

He asked again because it felt strange to describe a small village, not a kingdom or noble house, as having been destroyed.

“I don’t want to call it that either, but they truly were destroyed. I have no other way to describe it.”

Rabawin bit his lip so hard it left teeth marks.

“One of the villages had more than two hundred residents, yet not a single one survived. The houses and buildings were all reduced to rubble.”

He let out a heavy breath, saying it could only be described as destroyed.

“Were the two villages destroyed in the same way?”

Raon tapped the table with his finger, furrowing his brow.

“Yes. In both cases, everything was decayed, as if they had been destroyed decades ago.”

“Are the two villages located next to each other?”

“No. They’re quite far apart.”

Rabawin shook his head, saying there were several harbors and cities between the two destroyed villages.

“Then the harbors in between…?”

“They’re completely fine. I was told nothing happened there.”

He narrowed his eyes, adding that not even a large wave had hit them.

“If that’s true…”

Raon let out a short sigh as he looked at Rabawin’s now-hardened face.

“Then this wasn’t a natural occurrence.”

The fact that the harbors between the two villages were untouched made it clear, it absolutely wasn’t caused by nature.

“That’s right. I thought so too, so I started investigating, and then…”

Rabawin looked at him, his fingertips trembling.

“I encountered an ocean monster.”

“A monster?”

Raon swallowed dryly and leaned forward.

“To explain from the beginning, I heard rumors that the same thing had happened in a village outside our territory, so I immediately went to investigate.”

Rabawin gripped his trembling right hand with his left, lowering his voice.

"There, too, no bodies were to be seen, but the entire village was soaked in seawater. As if a giant tidal wave had swept over it."

He narrowed his eyes, saying he saw seawater rise and recede over the entire village.

"Then, it was...."

"Actually, I had been thinking it was an artificial phenomenon, so I found it strange and was searching the nearby coast when...."

"Don't tell me."

Raon swallowed again as he looked at Rabawin’s shaking eyes.

“You encountered it directly?”

“Yes.”

Rabawin held his head as if recalling the moment he encountered the monster.

“While I was sailing the Azure Wind and following a strange current I’d never seen before, it suddenly appeared before me out in the open ocean.”

His voice quivered, as if still overwhelmed by the stark difference in strength he had felt.

“What kind of monster was it?”

“A—a wolf.”

Rabawin uttered the name of a beast completely unrelated to the ocean.

“A wolf?”

“It wasn’t an ordinary wolf. It was a being that held the ocean within its body and soul. It was so massive, it felt like the ocean itself was looking down on me.”

He let out a deep groan, saying the creature possessed a soul so enormous it made him feel small and insignificant.

“It disappeared the moment it saw me, as if it had no interest. But if we had fought on the spot…”

Rabawin’s face twisted, as if he could already see how it would’ve ended.

“We would’ve been annihilated. The energy it gave off was on par with a Transcender.”

He trembled, as though he were still exposed to the wolf’s energy wave.

“Hmm…”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rabawin, who appeared genuinely afraid.

‘A wolf that could scare even Sir Rabawin...’

Rabawin was a seasoned Grandmaster. If someone like him was this frightened, it was clear this wasn’t just an ordinary monster.

Still, it probably wasn’t really Transcender level.

Other than ancient dragons, there are hardly any monsters that actually reach the realm of Transcendence.

At the time, Rabawin likely didn’t have proper judgment due to tension and worry, so there was a high chance he misread it.

“You returned to ask Lady Aris for help because of this, didn’t you?”

Raon nodded, now understanding the reason behind Rabawin’s troubled expression.

“That’s right. It’s beyond me, but Lady Aris should be able to hunt that wolf. And there’s also an increase in other pirate scum in the area…”

Rabawin sighed, saying that he thought it needed to be dealt with as soon as possible, so he returned to House Zieghart right away.

“But I don’t know when Lady Aris’ training will be finished…”

He lowered his eyebrows as if worried about the other villages and harbors even at this very moment.

“Then that matter…”

Raon placed his hand on the table as he set down his teacup.

“Let the Light Wind Palace handle it.”

“Pardon?”

Rabawin’s eyes widened, as if asking what he meant.

“N-no, this isn’t Zieghart’s responsibility. This is under the Pirate King’s—”

"If you think about it, the Pirate King isn't an ally of Zieghart, but is practically a subordinate organization of the house, like our Light Wind Palace."

Now that Aris had returned to Zieghart, her Pirate King faction could be considered one of Zieghart’s armed groups.

“It’s only natural that we protect those villages. And since our swordsmen have been in training for a month, it’s the right time for them to gain real combat experience.”

Raon shook his head as if to say not to worry.

“B-but this feels like too much of an imposition…”

“It’s also a good opportunity to repay everything I’ve received from my aunt. Please don’t refuse.”

He bowed his head, saying this wasn’t about helping, but rather making a request himself.

“Huh…”

Rabawin let out a dry breath, taken aback that he wasn’t the one asking, but the one being asked.

'This man has changed again.'

The Raon from before had a kind nature but could be forceful at times.

But now, he seemed to be maturing, not just as a warrior, but as a person too.

“Understood. Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Rabawin expressed his thanks and bowed deeply to him, just as he would to Aris.

*   *   *

After telling Rabawin to prepare for departure, Raon went straight into the audience chamber and told Glenn Rabawin's story.

“So…”

Glenn stroked the armrest of his throne, now fully repaired, narrowing his eyes.

“You’re saying you want to head out to the ocean this time?”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded calmly.

“Now, everyone knows that the Pirate King is Aris Zieghart. In other words, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the villages protected under the Pirate King’s name fall under Zieghart’s name as well.”

He pointed to the map, adding that while it might not be true in reality, that’s how it appears in the eyes of others.

“Since two such villages have already been destroyed, the factions under our command may be growing fearful. Normally, Lady Aris would have rushed out herself, but since she’s focused on her training, we’d like to handle it in her stead.”

Raon bowed, saying he would handle the matter with the Light Wind Palace.

“Hmmm…”

Glenn turned to look out the window, stroking his chin.

“Is there something bothering you?”

“If Rabawin saw it with his own eyes, then that ocean wolf creature must be the culprit. However…”

He looked back at Raon and let out a low groan.

“The fact that it possessed an energy wave comparable to a Transcender is a bit concerning.”

Glenn furrowed his brow, saying if that were true, it could be dangerous.

Indeed, the ocean is vast, so all sorts of things live out there.

Wrath nodded, as if agreeing with Glenn’s thoughts.

If you go deep into the ocean, you might run into monsters even you would struggle to handle.

He raised his round hand, as if trying to scare Raon.

“I think Sir Rabawin might’ve misjudged it, but if it really is a Transcender-level monster, I’d welcome it.”

Raon smiled, saying that was what he was hoping for even more.

“Because fighting that monster will lead me to even greater heights.”

For someone like him now, training inside the training ground doesn’t help much.

Going out and fighting strong opponents would bring far more benefit.

"True, there are few who can defeat you now."

Glenn gave a nod, as if he had no choice.

“All right. I grant you permission.”

He waved his hand, telling him to be careful out there.

“Understood.”

Raon expressed his thanks and was about to leave the audience chamber when—

“Ahem! Wait a moment.”

Glenn gave a loud fake cough and raised his hand.

“S-send me a letter too. Don’t just send them to him.”

He shifted his eyes slightly as he asked Raon not to send letters only to Rector, but to him as well.

Wow….

Wrath let out a dumbfounded laugh.

He sees his grandson every single day, and yet he’s jealous over a single letter… that old man is really....

He shook his head in disbelief.

“Understood.”

Raon nodded with a smile. After telling Glenn that he would send him letters regularly during the voyage, he left the audience chamber and returned to the fifth training ground, where the swordsmen were still training.

“You’re not supposed to leave during training!”

Martha furrowed her brows, asking where he had disappeared to in the middle of teaching her.

“But Raon can do that, can’t he…?”

Runaan shook his head, saying that Raon was the master of this place anyway.

“Sigh… Scolding the palace master, really…”

Burren rubbed his temple, unsure of where to even begin correcting them.

“Enough joking around. Everyone gather up.”

Raon called the swordsmen scattered around the training ground and stepped up onto the platform.

“You all know better than anyone that over this past month of training, your martial power and mental strength have grown significantly.”

He looked over each swordsman, who now emitted refined energy wave like seasoned warriors, and continued.

“It seems the time has come to test the time you’ve built up here.”

He nodded, saying it was time for actual combat.

“So you’ve finally brought us a mission!”

Martha grinned and bumped her clenched fists together in triumph.

“What’s the mission this time?”

Burren’s eyes gleamed with focus, as if ready to begin planning immediately.

“I’m fine just staying here, though…”

Runaan let out a small yawn, as if going out was too bothersome.

“This mission is…”

Raon relayed exactly what he had heard from Rabawin to the Light Wind swordsmen.

“A-A Transcender-level monster?”

“Does something like that even exist?”

“Must be a mistake. He said he saw it from a distance, right?”

“If it’s real, can you even call that a monster?”

“Real or not, anything capable of wiping out an entire village isn’t just some ordinary beast…”

The swordsmen’s pupils trembled slightly at the mention of a Transcender-level monster.

But rather than simple fear, they licked their lips slowly, eager, as if wanting to test their own strength through this mission.

Looks like the kids are finally breaking out of their shells.

Wrath nodded, pleased with how the Light Wind swordsmen were responding.

‘Right. They’ve changed a lot.’

The way they showed the desire to test their strength, even while knowing the danger, was exactly what a Zieghart swordsman would do.

'Of course, there are some who aren't….'

Raon sighed briefly and glanced to the right.

“T-Transcender-level sounds a bit much, doesn’t it? If it’s the ocean, you’ll die before you can even swing your sword…”

“Right? I’m not really feeling it…”

Krein and Dorian mumbled quietly to each other, trying not to be heard.

“Cut the crap and get ready.”

Martha smiled coldly as she slung her arms over their shoulders like she’d kill them if they backed out.

“N-no! Of course we’re going!”

"We must go, of course!"

Dorian and Krein forced awkward smiles, insisting they had no plans to back out.

“Then finish your preparations and gather here by dawn tomorrow.”

Raon gave a sharp nod, looking down over the Light Wind swordsmen.

“By dawn?”

“That’s only a few hours from now!”

The swordsmen widened their eyes, saying it was way too soon.

“We don’t know when another village or harbor might be attacked, so we have to depart as quickly as possible.”

Raon shook his head, saying he had considered leaving immediately.

“That’s the right call!”

Martha nodded, saying it was a good decision.

“I’ll only get 10 hours of sleep…”

Runaan turned around first, saying she’d better head back quickly.

“Understood!”

Burren said he would prepare thoroughly and began giving instructions to the Light Wind swordsmen.

“I’ll check the supplies!”

Now that they were really departing, Dorian, thinking about his responsibilities, rushed off toward the warehouse.

“Hm…”

Raon looked around at the noisy training ground and gently lifted the corners of his mouth.

‘They say there are a lot more strong pirates these days, sounds perfect for the Light Wind to gain real combat experience.’

Of course, the most important thing was still that wolf.

'I wonder how strong a doggy living in the ocean  can be.'

*   *   *

The next day.

With Rabawin guiding them, Raon and the Light Wind Palace traveled through a series of dimensional gates and reached the coast where the Azure Wind was anchored.

“This ship’s still massive.”

Martha whistled as she looked up at the Azure Wind’s towering exterior.

“It looks even bigger than before…”

Runaan blinked, saying it seemed to have grown.

“That’s right. We reinforced it with blackwood, so it’s wider than before.”

Rabawin nodded, explaining that they had added thick blackwood planks to the hull due to battles with pirates. Though he was smiling, his eyes trembled slightly with unease, likely from his worry about the villages and harbors.

"Are the preparations all complete?"

Raon touched the blackwood-plated hull and looked at Rabawin.

“Yes. Since we didn’t know when Lady Aris would come out, we went ahead and stocked food and supplies in advance.”

Rabawin nodded, saying they could depart immediately and last more than two months as they were.

“Then let’s set out immediately.”

Raon nodded, seeing Rabawin’s tense expression.

“We don’t know when another village might be attacked. It’s best to move quickly.”

"Ah, was I being too obvious...."

Rabawin scratched his head awkwardly.

“Sorry. And… thank you.”

He thanked Raon for being considerate, then stepped onto the ship ahead of him.

“Let’s go.”

Raon gestured for the Light Wind swordsmen to board and climbed up onto the Azure Wind.

‘This part hasn’t changed.’

Unlike the reinforced exterior, the inside of the ship hadn’t changed much. A smile unconsciously formed on his lips as he recalled the first time he met Aris here.

“Prepare to set sail!”

While he was lost in reminiscence, Rabawin gathered the crew and started preparing the ship.

“Light Wind Palace master.”

After completing all preparations within thirty minutes, he approached Raon.

“Please give the order.”

Rabawin bowed, saying that even if only temporarily, he was the one acting as captain.

“Set sail.”

Raon nodded to Rabawin and the crew, who were all focused on him.

“Set sail!”

“Set sail!”

As Rabawin and the crew repeated the command in unison, the sails that rose in the center of the deck spread out long enough to block the ocean, and the massive ship began to move slowly.

Fwwwoooosh!

The Azure Wind cut through the blue ocean along the wind, as if it carried no weight.

“It’ll take about half a day to reach the harbor we’re protecting, so please rest inside.”

Rabawin bowed, saying it would be noisy for a while and suggested Raon rest in the cabin.

“No, it’s been a while, I’d like to watch the ocean a bit.”

Raon said he would stay on deck and turned around.

“Those who want to rest can rest, and those who want to train, go ahead and train.”

He waved a hand as he told the Light Wind swordsmen to move on their own.

“Mm. I’ll sleep…”

Runaan, hearing that, headed straight into the cabin, saying she would sleep first.

“I’ll meditate a bit.”

Burren, feeling that his intuition in martial arts was lacking, went to a corner of the deck and closed his eyes.

“I’ll go check the supplies! Just in case we’re short on anything!”

Dorian, treating the Azure Wind as if it were his own ship, rushed down to the storage room to check the supplies. His sense of duty was truly impressive.

“Uh, I… I’ll get some rest…”

Krein blinked tiredly and started heading toward the cabin.

“No, you won’t.”

Raon raised his hand and stopped Krein.

“You’re the one who’s lacking the most. Come train your aura next to me.”

“Urgh…”

Krein rolled his eyes as if looking for a way to escape, then sighed and sat down, knowing there was no way out.

Wooooooong.

As Raon was pushing heat and cold energy into Krein's back to make him do the torture training method, Martha approached.

“Me too, please.”

Martha nodded, asking him to do the torture training method on her as well.

“You…”

“Until that day comes, I want to get even a little stronger.”

She bit her lip, saying she wanted to improve however she could before the fight with the White Blood Religion’s leader.

‘Her resolve has grown stronger.’

Ever since Martha broke through the wall of the intermediate Grandmaster level, her thirst for strength had only grown deeper. Knowing her reason, Raon couldn’t bring himself to stop her.

“Haa.”

Raon let out a short sigh and placed his hand on her back.

“It’s going to hurt a lot.”

Since she had grown stronger, he raised the intensity even further, pushing the heat of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the cold of Glacier into her.

“……”

Though she was experiencing pain as if her entire body were being torn apart, Martha didn’t let out a single groan and quietly began her aura training on the spot.

She’s ruthless.

Despite saying so, Wrath looked at Martha with bitter eyes.

‘She is. But I would’ve done the same.’

If he had been in the same situation as Martha, he would have pushed himself even harder.

‘I can’t afford to stay like this either.’

Raon smacked his lips softly and leaned against the deck.

‘If I want to help her, I have to become stronger too.’

Martha could never rescue her mother from the leader of the White Blood Religion on her own.

It would take him and at least one more high-level Transcender to even stand a chance.

‘Whether it means killing the White Blood Religion’s leader, or taking back her mother’s body…’

What mattered was the proficiency of the Heart Sword.

Without advancing his Heart Sword, there was no way to save Martha’s mother.

‘Focus…’

As Raon faced the ocean breeze and released the level of his soul to enter the state of the Heart Sword—

Whoooooooosh!

The moment he revealed his soul, he felt a chilling energy wave from the farthest edge of the ocean, as if something were gazing down on him.

It wasn’t a human gaze. It was a spine-chilling sensation, like nature itself was looking down on him.

“This is…”

Raon hastily turned his body toward the sunlit horizon.

Gooooooooh!

From the unfathomable edge of the ocean, the face of a massive wolf rose, its mane seemingly made of waves.

 

 

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