The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1022

 Chapter 1022

 

Raon returned to the conference hall of the Five Divine Orders alongside the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords.

“I suppose I should properly introduce myself now.”

The Thespian Emperor spoke as she handed Raon the tea she had personally poured.

“I’m Ariel, master of the White Whale.”

She introduced herself not with her nickname, Thespian Emperor, but by her position as the White Whale's master. It seemed to signify her sincere decision to follow the Five Kings.

“Brigit.”

The Thespian Emperor gave a look toward the Queen of Swords, as if telling her to introduce herself as well.

“I know.”

Receiving Ariel’s gaze, the Queen of Swords gave a brief nod.

“I’m Brigit, the pavilion master of the Blade Martial Pavilion.”

Her tone had clearly softened compared to before, as if she’d grown more favorable toward him, and she introduced herself.

“I’m Raon Zieghart of the Light Wind Palace, House Zieghart.”

Raon stood up from his seat and bowed respectfully to the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords.

What’s gotten into you? Not barking out informal speech?

‘We’ll be walking the same path from now on. So there’s no need to provoke them. And besides…’

He lifted his head and smacked his lips.

‘I believe the head of a faction deserves to be treated with respect.’

Since being promoted from the division leader of Light Wind to the palace master, he had come to understand how difficult it was to manage a large organization.

Ariel and Brigit were leaders worthy of that respect.

“Could you tell us what plans the Five Kings have, and how they will move forward?”

Ariel asked as she set the teapot down on the round table. Her gaze gleamed with intelligence, like moonlight pushing back the night.

It seemed she had returned to her original self and regained her clarity of judgment after escaping from the distress.

“Yes. That’s something we need to know first. We also need to decide what we should do.”

Brigit leaned forward toward the round table, her hands folded, as if asking him to speak.

“Before that, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

Raon turned his gaze to the Queen of Swords.

“Is Lady Briana listening in as well?”

“No, unni (older sister) went straight into her mental world.”

The Queen of Swords shook her head, saying Briana had entered her mental world.

“She said she wanted to internalize the realizations she gained from the spar with you.”

She gave a faint laugh, saying Briana probably wouldn’t be coming out for a while.

“I see. But…”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the corner of Brigit’s lips, which had lifted slightly.

“Now that Lady Briana isn’t around… you’re calling her your sister.”

She had seemed unwilling to acknowledge Briana as her older sister (unni), but the moment Briana disappeared, she called her that.

“Th-that’s… I mean… no…”

The Queen of Swords face reddened as she stammered, as though he had hit the mark.

“I see now.”

Raon said he understood, smiling faintly.

“Even if you grumbled on the outside, you were acknowledging her in your heart.”

“I-It just came out like that by chance! It’s not what you think!”

The Queen of Swords shook her head in firm denial, but her trembling eyes revealed that his guess had been right.

“It’s about time you admitted it.”

The Thespian Emperor nodded calmly, as if she had known all along that Brigit had already acknowledged Briana.

“I-I said it’s not like that…”

The Queen of Swords bit her lip in embarrassment, but her voice gradually grew smaller.

“Then let’s leave it at that.”

Raon smiled and nodded.

“First, I’ll explain how we destroyed the Black Tower and killed the Fallen. To begin with…”

Even the Thespian Emperor wouldn’t have known all the details, so he explained in full detail what had happened until now.

“Th-the Heart Sword? You really are insane!”

The Queen of Swords let out a hollow laugh, as if now understanding why Briana had lost.

“I did think the ending of the fight with the Fallen was strange… So it was the Heart Sword. Now it all makes sense.”

The Thespian Emperor nodded blankly, as if she hadn’t imagined that the Heart Sword had been used to kill the Fallen.

“After destroying the Black Tower, we accepted a large number of neutral factions who had lost their direction during the Conference of the Five Kings. We’re planning to use their information networks, which are spread across the continent, to track the movements of the Four Demons.”

Raon placed his hand on the round table as he spoke about the plan from the Conference of the Five Kings.

“Once they’re found, are you going to strike right away?”

The Queen of Swords spun her fingers, still dusted with soil from the training ground, as if asking whether they planned to go to war immediately.

“The remaining Four Demons are Eden, the White Blood Religion, the Holy Sword Alliance, and Derus Robert. On the other hand…”

Raon pointed at the map of the continent spread across the round table.

“On our side are Zieghart, Owen, Balkar, the Beast Union, and the Magic Tower. With the three from the Five Divine Orders joining the Five Kings, we now hold a clear advantage, not just in the number of experts, but in overall power.”

He explained that with the Five Divine Orders joining, the power balance between the Five Kings and the Four Demons had tilted and that they could now launch an attack immediately.

“On top of that, not long ago, I wiped out a large number of Eden’s executives and demons, so it wouldn’t be strange to say their current strength is less than half of what it was.”

Raon nodded, saying that was likely why the Four Demons had gone completely into hiding.

“It’s true that the advantage has shifted to our side.”

The Queen of Swords clapped her hands in agreement.

“But what do you mean, three of the Five Divine Orders? Wasn’t the Pirate King retired?”

She lowered her eyebrows, as if asking if Aris hadn't already left this world.

“She almost did retire…”

Raon shook his head, recalling Aris with a breezy laugh.

“But she came back. And stronger than before, too.”

“Well, that’s a relief. That woman will definitely be of help.”

The Queen of Swords smiled lightly, as if pleased to hear it.

“……”

The Thespian Emperor quietly lowered and raised her eyes, as if already aware of what had happened with Aris.

“But how exactly do you plan to find the Four Demons using the neutral factions’ information networks?”

The Queen of Swords tilted her chin slightly, as if curious about the part he’d mentioned earlier.

“The Four Demons are a massive force, just as their name implies. They may be completely hidden now, but with that many people, they need a lot of supplies. Eventually, those needs will expose a gap.”

Raon swept his finger across the map of the continent.

“As I mentioned, we’ll use the neutral factions spread across the continent to gather information, and the black market will analyze that intel and gradually narrow down the list of suspicious locations.”

With the Five Kings, the Five Divine Orders, and countless neutral factions working together, the Four Demons would eventually be forced to reveal their trail.

“Besides, the White Whale has intelligence-gathering capabilities on par with the black market. If we work together, that’ll shorten the time even more.”

Raon looked at the Thespian Emperor and said he was counting on her.

“Finding the Four Demons is important, but there’s something else we need to think about.”

The Thespian Emperor raised her hand over the map as if cutting the continent in two.

“Something else to think about?”

The Queen of Swords blinked, as if telling her to go on.

“First, the balance between the Five Kings and the Four Demons.”

As the Thespian Emperor lifted her finger, the flags of the Five Kings and the Four Demons embedded on the map floated into the air.

“The Destructive King of the North is still in top condition, but the Silent Sword Sovereign, the Archmage of Eternal Flame, and the Beast King have yet to recover from their injuries.”

“Hmm…”

The Queen of Swords let out a low groan, as if that part had come to mind as well.

“I’ve heard the Silent Sword Sovereign is almost fully recovered, but the injuries of the Archmage and the Beast King involve their souls, so they won’t be easy to heal. Especially the Beast King, there’s a chance he may never recover at all.”

The Thespian Emperor furrowed her brow, as if saying Ogram’s strength wouldn’t return until the White Blood Religion’s leader was dead.

“On the other hand, while the Four Demons’ leaders have decreased in number, each one still possesses overwhelming strength. The Heavenly Demon has strength on par with Sir Glenn, the White Blood Religion’s leader rapidly grew stronger after drinking the Beast King’s blood, and Derus is powerful enough to overwhelm even the Silent Sword Sovereign.”

She let out a murky breath, saying they needed to carefully consider that difference.

“Of course, a large crack has formed within the Holy Sword Alliance, but even the current alliance master is no weakling. Someone on the level of the Silent Sword Sovereign would have to move to be his opponent.”

The Thespian Emperor bit her lip thinly, saying they needed to keep Rector in mind as well.

“That’s correct.”

Raon nodded as he listened to the Thespian Emperor.

“The Five Kings may have more Transcenders, but in terms of sheer strength, the Four Demons might be ahead. So just like with the Black Tower’s master and the Fallen, we’ll have to take them down one by one. They can’t unite like we can.”

He clenched his fist, saying they needed to exploit the opening created by the Five Demon’s inability to fully unite.

“And there’s one more thing we need to consider.”

The Thespian Emperor let out a faint sigh, as if feeling a bit tired.

“The Four Demons, no, specifically Derus Robert, has an archangel at his side, one equal in level to the heads of the Five Kings and Four Demons. If we assume the celestials are involved as well, then even now, the Five Kings are at a disadvantage.”

She shook her head, saying the current situation didn’t necessarily favor the Five Kings.

“Archangel…”

The Queen of Swords furrowed her brow, as if she hadn't thought about the archangel.

“There are two that have appeared so far, right? If more show up, things could really get dangerous.”

She clicked her tongue, saying she couldn’t understand why a bastard like Derus had an archangel with him.

“It’s true that I couldn’t make proper judgments because I was trapped in distress, but I also didn't think the current situation of the Five Kings was as good as it looked.”

The Thespian Emperor let out a heavy sigh, saying that was why she couldn’t help but hesitate.

“As for the archangels…”

Raon glanced at Wrath, who was yawning, and gave a small nod.

“I have a plan. It wouldn’t work on the other heads of the Four Demons, but I believe it will against the archangel.”

“Really? What kind of plan?”

The Thespian Emperor widened her eyes in surprise.

“I can’t tell you yet. But the possibility is definitely there.”

Raon gave a faint smile as he said they could trust him on that matter.

“Hmm…”

The Thespian Emperor narrowed her eyes.

‘As I thought, it’s not working?’

The Thespian Emperor was a cold strategist who followed logic over emotion. She was unlikely to include a plan she couldn’t fully explain or verify.

“I understand. Then I’ll trust you and consider strategies that exclude the archangel.”

Contrary to his expectations, she nodded, saying she would trust him.

“Huh?”

Raon let out a short breath of disbelief as he looked at the Thespian Emperor.

“You believe me, even though I haven't told you all the details?”

“If it were the old me, I wouldn’t. But thanks to you, I entered a trance, and in that moment, I was able to sense, if only a little, the soul of a man named Raon Zieghart. You're not the kind of person to say things you don’t mean.”

The Thespian Emperor gave an awkward smile, as if even she was surprised by her own judgment, and said she’d place her trust in him.

“Then I’ll trust you too.”

The Queen of Swords also raised her hand, saying she would believe him as well. It seemed that both of them had changed slightly after entering the trance.

It’s not that they changed. They’re just treating you differently.

Wrath shook his head, saying it wasn’t that the two had changed, but that they were giving Raon special treatment.

‘That might be true.’

Raon smacked his lips and bowed to the Thespian Emperor and the Queen of Swords.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

He lifted his head, revealing eyes full of conviction.

“I’ll make sure you don’t regret joining us.”

He smiled, promising to lead them to victory at the end of this war.

But aren’t you going to mention your old man?

Wrath tilted his head, as if saying it’d be easier if Raon brought up Rector.

‘No.’

Raon shook his head firmly.

‘I can’t let grandfather and the Holy Sword Alliance get involved in this war.’

Just the fact that the Holy Sword Alliance wasn’t siding with the Four Demons in this war was already a gain like no other.

He didn’t want to drag those who devote their lives to the sword and sacred training into the bloodbath of war.

‘I’ll be the one to protect that land.’

Raon clenched his fist as he stared at the location of the Holy Sword Alliance on the map of the continent.

‘So no evil can ever reach it.’

*   *   *

Ruuummmble!

Rector narrowed his eyes as he looked at the road brimming with holy light.

‘What is this place?’

Upon arriving at the location Derus Robert had designated, a corridor of white light had appeared.

The moment he stepped inside, a sacred energy, like standing in the presence of a god, spread out in all directions in waves of white light.

‘Amazing.’

It radiated divine energy stronger than even the great cathedrals he had occasionally visited during his travels. Yet, deep within that light, there seemed to be a foul, ominous stench rising.

‘This is neither magic nor sorcery.’

What he felt from this corridor wasn’t mana of this world. It was holy energy—divine power by the celestials.

“Hm.”

Rector stepped onto the shimmering road of light that pulsed like the ocean and narrowed his eyes.

‘Ominous.’

Just standing on this path made his chest feel tightly constricted, and his whole body bristle. A vague sense of unease swept through him from head to toe.

‘I want to turn back…’

But I can’t stop here.

Only by walking this path could he protect Raon, and what that child holds dear. Even if it meant dying at the end of this conference, he had to move forward now.

‘Hoo…’

Taking a deep breath inwardly, Rector stepped onto the holy path of light.

As he continued onward across the white ground that clung to his legs like a swamp, a door emitting a faint divine power soon came into view.

‘Is that the entrance to the conference place?’

After composing himself, he reached for the door handle. Unlike the warm, sacred path, the handle exuded a chill that sent a shiver down his spine.

Clack.

Lightly biting his tongue, he firmly turned the handle.

The moment the door swung wide open, a creeping darkness began to ooze out from within, spreading like the tentacles of an octopus, swallowing the path of light.

Step.

Rectar stepped through the door, pushing back the darkness with the dignity of his soul.

The moment he sensed the warmly flickering air turn sharply cold, a black round table with four floating candles came into view before him.

“You’ve arrived.”

Derus Robert, seated to the right of the table, lowered his head politely.

“Why is that brat so late? How rude.”

The White Blood Religion’s leader, whose face was half-covered with a white veil, wrinkled his nose as if displeased.

The seat at the head of the table remained empty, apparently, the Heavenly Demon had yet to arrive.

‘Hoo…’

Rector curled his lip slightly as he felt the darkness and chill spreading through the room, along with the crushing pressure from the White Blood Religion’s leader and Derus.

‘Yes. This suits me better.’

Knowing that he was not a man of righteousness, he found this darkness and cold more comfortable than sacred light.

“We’ve seen each other before, so there’s no need for introductions.”

With a steady smile, Rector raised his chin.

“I am the master of the Holy Sword Alliance.”

 

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