The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1051

 Chapter 1051

 

Huuhhh!

Wrath let out a gasp-like scream as he saw the ancient Kraken being dragged onto land.

Wh-Why is the octopus coming out of the jar!

Even after witnessing the magic, he couldn’t understand it and shook his fist.

“W-What is this…?”

Balder blinked as he came closer.

“Why is the Kraken inside the jar!”

Like Wrath, he couldn’t grasp the situation and his jaw trembled.

“Is, is that really a Kraken? It’s bigger than an ancient dragon!”

“I’ve heard it’s carrying the White Blood Religion’s headquarters, but why did it come out of a jar?”

“Did they summon the Kraken using a jar? At this point, isn’t this beyond magic? Isn’t it some kind of divine relic?”

The other swordsmen were also left gaping, seemingly bewildered that the Kraken had come out of the jar.

“There are various ways to catch octopuses, but among them, the oldest and most convenient method is jar fishing.”

Raon lowered his hand as he looked at the Kraken, whose legs were wriggling like a massive mountain.

“Jar fishing…?”

Runaan tilted her head as if asking what that meant.

“It’s a type of fishing where you tie jars with rope, toss them into the sea like a net, and retrieve them the next morning. The jars are filled with octopuses that were active through the night.”

Raon pointed to the shattered jar that had contained the Kraken.

“W-why is something like that even possible? It’s not like there’s bait inside the jar….”

Krein inhaled deeply, still unable to understand.

“Cephalopods like octopuses have a habit of shrinking their bodies and hiding in dark places. And jars happen to be a perfect fit for that.”

He smiled, saying that jar fishing was created after seeing that.

“That Kraken is a real monster out of myth. The bigger and stronger it is, the stronger its instincts. Evelyn and the archmages targeted that instinct and prepared three spells.”

Raon held up three fingers.

“The first was summoning a jar large enough for the Kraken to enter.”

He glanced at Evelyn, who had summoned that massive jar to the exact location without the slightest error.

“The second was casting a spell that strengthened the Kraken’s instincts so it could move on its own, ignoring the White Blood Religion’s commands.”

He pointed to Larian, who had created a new spell that strengthened only instinct, without intent to attack.

“Ah, so that’s why….”

“Yeah. The Kraken forgot all about guarding the White Blood Religion’s headquarters and, succumbing to its instincts, entered the jar Evelyn summoned. Lastly….”

Raon looked at Chamber, who was gasping for breath.

“Lady Chamber used space magic to summon the jar, carrying both the Kraken and the White Blood Religion’s headquarters, to this place.”

“It’s not that impressive.”

Chamber waved her hand dismissively, saying it was nothing compared to Evelyn and Larian.

“It is impressive.”

Raon shook his head firmly as he looked at Chamber.

‘It’s absolutely incredible.’

Since the White Blood Religion’s leader was quick-witted, they couldn’t place any kind of spell directly on the jar, because of that, Chamber had to instantly move that giant jar and the kraken from a long distance, receiving only mana support. Among the three archmages, she had to spend the greatest amount of mana and mental strength.

Even if space magic was his specialty, the toll must’ve been enormous.

“I see now….”

Balder let out a dry breath, finally understanding the situation.

“Now I get why it took two months, and why they didn’t tell us.”

He, with a rare, serious gaze, looked at the mages preparing a new spell.

“Those ladies are something else.”

Aris gave a thumbs-up to Chamber and Larian.

“You did great too.”

She smiled at Evelyn, whose eyes were sparkling.

“Aunty!”

Evelyn, saying she was happy to see her again, threw herself into Aris’ arms.

“Uh…”

Aris blinked in surprise at Evelyn, who suddenly hugged her. Evelyn’s charging power and impulsiveness seemed to be the greatest on the continent.

“As expected of the mages of the Five Kings!”

“Just knowing they’re behind us gives me strength.”

“Yeah. I don’t feel like we’re going to lose today.”

The swordsmen clenched their fists, saying they would fight in a way that wouldn’t bring shame to the mages supporting them.

“How did you know all that?”

Larian tilted her head as she looked at Raon.

“Did Evelyn tell you?”

“I didn’t say anything!”

Evelyn shook her hands vigorously, insisting that she hadn’t explained anything at all.

“No, you did.”

Raon smiled faintly at Evelyn.

“Me? When?”

“When we saw the Kraken for the second time, you gave me a hint then.”

When Evelyn mentioned cephalopods and instinct while looking at the Kraken, Raon had been able to imagine today’s scene even before the magic spells were complete.

“You really are something, Raon. I didn’t expect you to piece it all together from that….”

Evelyn widened her eyes, as if it was unbelievable that he had grasped the entire picture.

“You figured it out from just those words? You’re seriously unbelievable… ugh!”

Chamber clicked her tongue as if dumbfounded, then hunched over.

“Are you alright?”

Raon rushed over to support Chamber’s shoulder.

“Did you overdo it despite being injured?”

Chamber shook her head, saying it was likely the aftereffect of using large-scale magic in succession while her upper energy center hadn’t fully recovered.

“You used large-scale magic one after another?”

“I cast a chaos spell to keep the Kraken from moving. Its mana resistance was so strong that it gave me a bit of trouble.”

It seemed she had immediately cast the chaos spell to immobilize the Kraken right after summoning it. Now it made sense why her face had gone so pale.

“This is as far as I go.”

Chamber took out a lollipop and bit it with her teeth.

“I can only help with transport and support now, so the rest is up to you.”

She gave a faint smile, telling them to drag out the White Blood Religion’s leader from that white city.

“And…”

Chamber pulled one of the mages from behind her to the front.

“She’ll be the one leading Balkar’s command here.”

With a slight smirk, she pulled back the hood of the mage she brought forward.

“There you go again….”

It was Jaina. The princess of Balkar had also come here.

‘I had no idea.’

Her mana flow was so deep and calm that he’d assumed she was just one of Chamber’s cherished disciples. He hadn’t realized it was Jaina.

That arrogant girl… she’s become a monster.

‘Yeah. She really feels like a major figure now.’

Jaina wasn’t exuding the air of someone who had simply been born a princess, she was giving off the scent of a powerhouse forged through ability she had claimed for herself. She truly seemed to have changed a lot.

“If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”

Jaina bowed her head with unwavering eyes, unlike before, as she looked at him.

“I'll be in your care.”

Raon, sensing the change in Jaina’s soul, spoke with sincerity and raised his speech in respect.

“Then I’ll count on you.”

Chamber waved at Raon and Jaina and entered the blue dimensional gate. She would return to Balkar without rest to prepare a path that would allow travel across the entire continent.

“Isn’t there too much talking going on?”

Balder rotated his boulder-like shoulders and approached him.

“We’ve got to hit them before they come to their senses!”

He raised his clenched fist, urging Raon to give the order to attack.

“I think the same.”

Serena, the Void Sword Division leader, frowned as she looked at the White Blood Religion's headquarters’ wall.

“More and more bloody demons are climbing up the wall.”

“Do you see that?”

Raon pointed to the white fog spreading around the White Blood Religion’s headquarters.

“That fog not only has strong resistance to aura and magic, but it also serves the role of a formation that makes you lose your way and see illusions. If we enter that fog without a countermeasure, we will end up fighting amongst ourselves and be annihilated.”

“Th-Then what do we….”

“There’s someone else who will take care of that.”

If he unleashed the Azure Sky Sword imbued with the energy of the sky at full power, he could erase that fog, but that wasn’t his role.

“Evelyn.”

It was a job for the genius mage who had seen that fog with him under the ocean.

“It’s done!”

Evelyn brought her hands together as if in prayer. As she rapidly moved her lips and chanted an ancient incantation, the darkening sky trembled and a bright yellow lightning bolt came crashing down.

Kuwaaaaaang!

A tremendous shockwave rose as if the heavens and earth were splitting apart, and the ocean trembled as though it would overflow, until the white fog that had veiled the White Blood Religion’s headquarters was swept away.

“See that? That’s me! Your woman!”

Evelyn smiled brightly as if asking how she’d done. But unlike her smile, her eyelids were trembling. She seemed to have pushed herself too hard.

“You can go now.”

She raised her hand, saying only the protective sorcery over the walls and city remained.

“Thank you.”

Raon gave a heavy nod and supported Evelyn’s trembling shoulder.

“Oh my? Right here where everyone can see?”

Evelyn gently tugged at her collar, as if asking if he was being serious.

“……”

That madwoman is hopeless. The score was going up and now it’s plummeting vertically!

Wrath let out a weary sigh, saying he was tired of this now.

“Everyone, listen.”

Ignoring Evelyn, whose face had turned red, Raon turned around.

“Put your life on the line and cross that white wall. No—cross that fortress of corpses, piled high with the blood of the innocent.”

Drawing Heavenly Drive, he pointed it at the White Blood Religion’s headquarters, where even with the fog gone, the stench of blood lingered.

“We accept your command!”

The Light Wind Palace swordsmen responded to Raon’s words by drawing their swords. Despite so many drawing their swords at once, only a single sound was heard.

“We will go to the second bridge.”

Balder bared his white teeth and rested his sword on his shoulder.

“Zieghart’s assault unit has always been the Central Martial Palace! Don’t lose to the Light Wind Palace!”

He stomped the ground so hard the beach shook and lifted his chin high.

“Then I’m the third bridge, huh?”

Aris looked around at Rabawin and the sailors of Azure Wind, and smiled brightly.

“We meet again, and it's straight to war. But I guess that’s just how we are.”

She smiled a cool smile that resembled the ocean, as if telling them to follow her.

“We’ll take the fourth.”

Serena of the Void Sword Division and Lattein of the Warring Sword Division nodded as they looked toward the fourth bridge.

“Then the last one….”

“Leave that one.”

Larian shook her head, as if telling them to let it be. It seemed the fifth bridge was reserved for the knights of Owen, who would arrive later.

“So it’s a siege battle after all.”

Krein shook off his tension, loosening his fingers.

“Look on the bright side. At least it’s better than a siege in the middle of the ocean.”

Raon lightly smiled as he gripped Krein’s shoulder.

“O-of course! It's just that we practiced fighting in the water so much, it's just a shame we can't show it off!”

Krein shook his head hard, saying he wasn’t complaining.

“Then let’s begin right away. They probably haven’t organized themselves yet…”

Just as Raon was about to give the order to attack—

Kugugugugugu!

Countless bloody demons began climbing up the walls of the White Blood Religion’s fortress. With swords clenched in their hands, they swarmed relentlessly, as if stacking their bodies to build the wall.

‘This is the problem…’

Raon frowned at the growing number of bloody demons.

‘The absolute numbers.’

As expected of a cult that had operated for a long time, the White Blood Religion boasted the greatest numbers among the Four Demons. It was to the point that they could throw their followers forward as meat shields just to wear down the enemy’s stamina. Just watching it was sickening.

‘But…’

I don’t see the real elites yet.

There were bishops scattered around, but the archbishops and apostles had yet to appear.

“Let’s gooooooo!”

Balder roared, sensing that now was the time to break through, and charged forward. His fierce rush acted as the spark, and the swordsmen on the other bridges also began charging toward the White Blood Religion’s wall.

‘Good instincts.’

Raon gave a faint smile and was about to dash toward the wall himself—

“Palace master, please rest until a high-ranking apostle appears.”

Burren stepped in front of him.

“We’ll break through this path.”

He lowered his head as if asking Raon to trust him. And it wasn’t just Burren, every swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace was giving him that same look, asking to be entrusted with it.

“Very well. But…”

Raon sheathed Heavenly Drive and took a step back. Looking at the swordsmen he had trained himself, he lowered his chin with weight.

“You stay here with me too. Your battle isn’t here today.”

He raised his hand and pointed behind Burren, at Martha. She was needed if they were to save her mother from the White Blood Religion’s leader. She couldn’t afford to exhaust herself.

“Hmm…”

Martha would usually scream in protest, but knowing the importance of this moment, she bit her lip and quietly moved next to Raon.

“Trust us.”

Burren thumped his chest with his fist, as if telling them to believe and wait.

“We’ll definitely clear the way…”

Runaan looked at Martha not with her usual blank gaze, but with intelligent eyes that seemed to hold starlight.

“Don’t die… you bastards….”

Martha ground her teeth, saying if they died, she’d kill them herself.

The Light Wind swordsmen smiled faintly at her words.

“Go.”

Raon raised his hand and pointed toward the White Blood Religion’s wall, as if white blood was flowing from it.

“Be the first among the four bridges to break through the wall.”

“We accept your command!”

The Light Wind swordsmen, as if they had received a command from the heavens, unleashed a fighting spirit as sharp and unified as a single drawn sword and charged toward the wall.

“Watch without worry.”

Raon crossed his arms and lifted his chin.

“And see how dependable your comrades have become.”

*   *   *

“T-the White Fog has been erased! It seems it will take more than half a day for it to regenerate!”

“Five bridges have been connected between the headquarters and the coast! And the Zieghart bastards are advancing through them…!”

“W-we cut off the magic flow, but the Kraken isn’t moving! It appears to have lost consciousness!”

One piece of bad news after another struck the leader of the White Blood Religion, who stood frozen like a puppet with its strings cut.

“Haaah…”

The White Blood Religion’s leader raised her trembling hand and put her pipe to her lips.

“We’ve been completely screwed over. That damn Ninth Apostle brought in a pack of rabid dogs.”

She ground her teeth, as if realizing the situation had escalated because of the Ninth Apostle.

“Contact Derus Robert. Tell him to come with reinforcements immediately.”

Exhaling white smoke, the White Blood Religion’s leader tilted her chin at the Tenth Apostle.

“And call that damned Thirteenth too.”

She spat out a voice that reeked of blood, ordering him to call the Thirteenth Apostle after contacting Derus.

“…Understood.”

The Tenth Apostle nodded heavily.

“First Apostle, wake the kraken even if it takes all my blood, and Twelfth Apostle, take the apostles and bishops and defend the wall.”

Even with blood boiling to the top of her head, the White Blood Religion's leader assigned the tasks most suited to the situation.

“I will do as you command.”

The First Apostle bowed, saying he would wake the Kraken even if he had to kill it.

“Understood. But what about you, religious leader…?”

The Twelfth Apostle tilted his head, as if asking what she would do. Among the apostles, only he could dare speak like that.

“I will now enter the grand cultivation.”

The White Blood Religion’s leader clenched the pipe, which had been sucked empty, and crushed it in her hand.

“Right now, it’s Larian, Chamber, and Raon Zieghart out there, but others could show up at any time. If I don’t break through the wall here, we can’t win.”

She said she would complete the last remaining piece of the puzzle and break past the wall, clenching her pale fist.

“As expected of the religious leader.”

The Twelfth Apostle nodded as if it was the right decision.

“I’ll hold out even if I have to spill every drop of my blood. I pray your grand cultivation succeeds.”

He smiled a cold, eerie smile, saying the wall would never be broken through.

“I’ll wake the Kraken as quickly as possible and then support the Twelfth Apostle.”

The First Apostle raised his straight gaze as if to say not to worry.

“Then I’ll be on my way first.”

The Tenth Apostle moved off, saying he would contact Derus.

“Just wait a little longer…”

The White Blood Religion’s leader twisted the corner of her mouth upward as she listened to the roars of the swordsmen echoing from outside the headquarters. She spat out the last bit of smoke lingering in her throat and ground her teeth.

“Because I’ll turn every last one of you into blood.”

*   *   *

“Stop them!”

“Stop the evil spirits threatening the religious leader!”

“Defend the sacred land with your life!”

The White Blood fanatics standing atop the walls poured out their bloody energy as if they would die right there. The wave of bloody energy became a downpour that rained down on the swordsmen’s heads.

“Ignore it and keep going!”

At the front line, Balder extended his curved sword in a long arc, drawing a cloud-like form. His mysterious yet grand swordsmanship cleaved through the bloody energy falling like rain.

“Go in!”

He roared that he would hold them off himself, so strike the wall.

“Trust in the palace master and charge forward!”

“They’re not warriors, they’re fanatics!”

“Don’t be afraid—fight!”

The swordsmen didn’t place their faith in Balder alone, they charged toward the wall, trusting in their respective leaders, and began breaking through the sorcery that bloomed like white flowers.

Kuwaaaaaaang!

When the swordsmen, who had spent two months building their martial strength, struck the wall, it took less than ten minutes before the thick defensive sorcery began to tremble.

‘There really was a reason they asked me to trust them.’

Raon nodded slightly with a faint smile.

‘They’re strong, without a doubt.’

Unlike the ragtag fanatics of the White Blood Religion, each Zieghart swordsman fought with deep determination and resolve. Even if they were to die here, there was a sense of belief that their comrades would break through the path in their place.

‘I can afford to just watch for now.’

Just as Raon was about to lower the hand resting on his sword’s hilt—

Kugugugugugu!

The Kraken, which had seemed unconscious with its eyes closed, suddenly lifted its eyelids and began to move its legs. As its enormous body writhed, the five bridges that the mages had connected with all their might began to shake, as if they would collapse.

“W-What the?!”

“The Kraken is moving!”

“R-Run! If we stay here, we’ll die a dog’s death!”

The swordsmen recoiled in panic, and even the leaders who had been shielding them were so startled by the sudden change that they couldn’t move.

“I’ll go.”

Raon raised his hand toward Aris, who had stayed beside him, and drew Heavenly Drive.

‘I’ll need to use a lot of power… but there’s no choice.’

A sorcery that blocked aura had been cast on the Kraken, so killing it would require a huge amount of strength. But now, there was no other way.

Paaaaaang!

Just as he was catching his breath and about to step forward with his footwork, Haerang, who had been beside him, kicked off the ground and leapt into the ocean.

Kuguguguguguk!

As soon as Haerang entered the water, the ocean surged violently, and from in front of the Kraken, just as it was about to escape the coast, an enormous wolf emerged, no less massive than the Kraken itself.

Kwadudududuk!

It was Haerang. Now even larger than when it had been addicted to the bloody energy, Haerang bared its sharp fangs and bit down hard on the Kraken’s leg.

Kuwaaaaaaang!

Like the Light Wind swordsmen, Haerang let out a majestic howl toward the sky, as if saying believe in me too.

Awooooooooooooo!

 

Advance Chapters