The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1083

 Chapter 1083

“Father, we have a guest!”

Terian knocked on the worn-out door and entered the commander’s office, where the cold wind seeped through.

“A guest?”

The castellan of Habun, Milland, lifted his head from the yellowed desk. Though short in stature, the vitality and resolve in his eyes burned hotter than before.

“It has been a while.”

Raon stood in front of the old desk and bowed his head to Milland.

“Castellan Milland of Habun.”

“Ra, Raon?”

Milland shot up from his chair and rushed over the desk.

“What brings you here!”

As if he had never imagined Raon would come to Habun, he wore a smile so bright it lit up the room.

“I came with Yua. I found myself missing the cold yet fiery Habun a little.”

Raon nodded, saying he had wanted to visit Habun again after so long.

“Well, there is no place like Habun Castle. You’ve done well to come!”

Milland slapped Raon’s back with hands as broad as pot lids, as though just seeing him again brought joy.

“You haven’t changed at all, castellan.”

Raon rubbed his back where Milland had struck him and smiled.

“No, you look even younger than before.”

“I do look in the mirror sometimes.”

Milland waved his hand, telling him not to talk nonsense.

“Don’t say strange things.”

“No, I mean it sincerely.”

In truth, Milland’s face had gained wrinkles it never had before, and his once-smooth silver hair had turned white, making him look undeniably like an old man.

Yet, strangely enough, the vitality and resolve radiating from him had grown far stronger than ever before.

‘He’s not far from Grandmaster.’

Milland was just at the point of breaking through the wall to Grandmaster. If he could find the right trigger, he would surely advance to the next realm.

“Now that you’re a palace master, you’ve learned how to flatter. In the past, you hardly spoke or reacted, I even thought you were a statue.”

Milland gave a booming laugh, saying it was good to see him so much brighter.

“He really was a peculiar person.”

Terian let out a short sigh, as though recalling the Raon of the past.

“I hear all your news. The Black Tower’s master, the Fallen, and now even the White Blood Religion’s leader. You’ve accomplished feats that even the continent’s strongest could not.”

Milland’s lips curved as he nodded, as though proud and deeply impressed.

“I was lucky in many ways.”

Raon waved his hand, saying it was not his own skill alone.

“If it happens three times, even luck counts as skill.”

Milland gave a dismissive snort, as if to say this wasn’t something to be modest about in the first place.

“Castellan! I’m here too!”

Dorian quickly waved his hand, saddened at being left out of notice.

“Of course, I see you.”

Milland chuckled faintly as he pinched Dorian’s chubby cheeks.

“You’ve become a Master too. Congratulations.”

He grabbed Dorian’s shoulder, saying that the porter who once handed out fruit in Habun Castle had become a real swordsman.

“Of course. I’ve grown a lot!”

Dorian grinned, delighted at the praise from Milland, who had always been stern.

“I’m here too!”

Evelyn leaned her shoulder against Milland with a bright smile.

“Wh-who…?”

Milland stepped back slightly, saying he couldn’t recall her at all.

“There’s no way I wouldn’t remember someone like you?”

“You know… back when the doppelganger kidnapped Yua—”

[Don’t say it!]

Raon quickly covered Evelyn’s mouth and sent an aura message.

[Why bring that up as if it’s a good memory!]

He couldn’t understand why she would mention her failed attempt to kidnap Yua as a doppelganger here.

[I want to form a bond too!]

Evelyn shook her head, saying she wanted to share past stories together.

[But that’s something you don’t need to say!]

Begging her to stop, Raon pulled his hand away from her mouth. He had no idea where she got that kind of reckless boldness.

See? She’s out of her mind. She’s just a moth throwing herself into the fire!

Wrath frowned, calling Evelyn a moth that rushed into fire without a thought for the consequences.

“The doppelgänger that tried to kidnap Yua? You mean back then?”

Milland tilted his head, as if he still didn’t quite understand even after hearing it.

“No, it’s not! It’s just nonsense.”

Raon shook his head with an awkward smile.

“Is that so….”

Milland scratched at his temple, still trying to recall Evelyn’s face.

“I heard on the way here that monsters are attacking again?”

To steer Milland’s thoughts away, Raon brought up the matter of the monster attacks.

“It’s exactly as you heard. Their attacks have increased again since not long ago.”

Milland furrowed his brows and nodded.

“It’s not just that their numbers have grown. The frequency has risen too. It feels like it’s returned to the time when you were here.”

He clicked his tongue, saying they were fighting battles daily because of it.

“What kinds of monsters are they?”

“The species haven’t changed. All the winter monsters are gathered, ice trolls, white orcs, ogres, and the like.”

Milland tapped a map of Habun Castle with his finger, saying the types of monsters hadn’t really changed.

“I see.”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked from Habun to Stallin Mountain further north.

‘So it’s not Eden’s involvement.’

If Eden had intervened, the monster types would have increased, or elite monsters would have been added to boost their strength.

Since the types and strength were unchanged, it was highly likely to be a natural occurrence.

“Just this morning, we fought another battle. That’s why you smell the scent of burning corpses.”

Milland pressed his hands together, apologizing for making them catch a stench as soon as they arrived.

“Th-that must be hard….”

Dorian’s lips trembled, as if he was reminded of his hellish life in Habun Castle.

“I actually prefer it now.”

Milland lifted the sword propped beside his desk, the corners of his lips rising.

“Every time I fight, I feel alive. Things had been dull ever since you took some kind of measure I couldn’t understand.”

Contrary to the word “dull,” he showed Raon a smile tinged with gratitude.

“Really, father…”

Terian shook his head, unable to understand Milland.

“But are you all right?”

Milland narrowed his eyes at Raon.

“I heard the Destructive King of the North has begun the successor selection test. Is it alright for you to be here?”

He tilted his chin, as if to ask why Raon had come to Habun Castle while such an important test was underway.

“Well….”

Just as Raon opened his mouth to reply—

“Castellan! Vice Castellan! An attack!”

A ranger burst in through the roughly flung-open door, breathing white puffs, and shouted that monsters had invaded.

“Already?”

“B-but not even half a day has passed….”

Milland and Terian frowned, as if they hadn’t expected it at all.

“It’s even larger in scale than this morning! Since the repairs aren’t finished, the walls or the castle gate might collapse!”

The ranger bowed his head, saying they had to hurry and stop them.

“Let’s continue this later!”

Milland drew his sword and rushed out of the office.

“I will go as well!”

Terian put on his helmet and ran outside.

Wouldn’t it be easier if they asked you for help?

Wrath furrowed his brows, unable to understand.

Anyway, they’re idiots.

‘Not idiots—wise.’

Raon shook his head as he looked around the office where the cold wind flowed.

‘No matter how close you are, doing your own work yourself is what they believe is right.’

Sensing once more the steadfast spirit and character of Milland, Raon climbed the snow-covered steps and ascended to the castle wall.

Fwoooooosh!

He could see a blizzard whitening heaven and earth like a blank canvas, and over it, a green wave of monsters spreading like paint.

Pushing against the swirling snow, with arrows pouring down like rain and blood spilling as monsters clung to the castle wall, he felt as though he had been transported back to the past.

“Fire!”

Milland unleashed astral energy mercilessly, ripping apart the monsters trying to break the gate.

“Under no circumstances let them reach the castle wall!”

Terian, too, raised astral energy as proof of being a Master and cut down the monsters flying over the castle wall.

“Castellan. You asked if it was all right for me to be here when Zieghart is in an uproar over the successor selection, didn’t you?”

Raon drew Heavenly Drive and took his place at the edge of the castle wall.

Woooooom!

Countless petals bloomed from the world tree of flames that blossomed from the tip of his sword.

The blazing petals, burning fiercely, descended like autumn leaves upon the wind, raising a storm of fire.

The massive whirlwind of fire swallowed the monster horde that had been trying to bring down the castle wall.

Kuwaaaaaaaaah!

The flames, rising as if to touch the sky, melted the monsters without leaving even a single bone fragment, then faded away as a warm breeze.

“Gasp!”

“W-what is this?”

“Impossible…”

“I-is that human sword technique?”

“Sword Emperor Raon Zieghart….”

The knights and rangers standing on the castle wall could not close their open mouths, as though they were dreaming.

“Raon. You…”

Even Milland’s eyes quivered in shock.

“This is my answer.”

Raon shook off Heavenly Drive, which still radiated heat, and smiled faintly.

“I think I can take one golden tablet from here.”

*   *   *

Milland held a small banquet to celebrate Raon’s return and the annihilation of the monsters without any casualties.

“How long has it been since we had rest like this.”

“It’s all thanks to Sir Raon.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen sword technique like that. Hard to believe he’s a swordsman like me.”

“That sword technique, it wasn’t like that in the past. Back then, maybe ten petals at most appeared.”

“Then he kept developing it? That’s even more incredible.”

The knights, rangers, and soldiers set down their weapons for the first time in a while, raising their cups and enjoying small happiness.

Of course, their topic of conversation was Raon and the sword technique he had used.

Kyaaaaah!

Wrath let out a moan of happiness.

To have a banquet as soon as we arrive! So a day does come when you’re actually useful!

He wagged his tail, saying Raon had done well.

‘L-Let’s stop eating. I think my stomach’s going to burst.’

Raon pressed his swollen belly and shook his head.

Then just one last thing, bring him pineapple pizza! He wants to taste the flavor of the homeland again!

Wrath reached out, demanding the last slice of pizza.

‘I eat that all the time at home… huh?’

Raon sighed and headed for the pizza, but a knight of Habun Castle popped the last slice into his mouth and walked away.

Guhhh!

Wrath screamed, clutching his head.

The most delicious last piece, to a guy like that!

He roared, unable to accept it.

Catch him! Catch him at once and twist his body!

Wrath grabbed Raon’s hair, demanding revenge for the pizza.

‘For heaven’s sake, keep your dignity as a monarch, you fool!’

Raon grabbed Wrath’s head in return and shook it.

“Huh?”

Dorian tilted his head as he looked at Raon, frozen before the empty plate.

“If you want pizza, just tell the pub owner. He’ll make it for you right away.”

He laughed, saying it wouldn’t take long.

“Sorry, but pineapple pizza might be difficult.”

Yua’s grandfather waved his hand.

“We’re out of pineapple, so we can’t make it.”

He shifted his gaze, as if asking whether just ordinary pizza would do.

“Hey now!”

Dorian strode up to Yua’s grandfather, brushing a hand over his forehead.

“With me standing right here, how could you say something like that?”

He reached into his belly pocket and poured out ten large pineapples.

“Th-this is….”

“It’s a necessity, of course!”

Dorian thumped his chest, saying to ask if any other ingredients were needed.

“Hah, it’s been a while, but it really feels like you guys are back.”

Yua’s grandfather let out a bright smile, as if old memories had surfaced.

“Now that we’ve got the ingredients, I’ll have it ready soon!”

He told them to wait a little while and went into the kitchen.

“I’ll help!”

“M-me too!”

As Yua headed for the kitchen, Yulius followed right behind her like a shadow.

‘The same as ever.’

Raon smiled faintly.

‘No one has changed at all.’

When even Dorian stepped up, calling pineapples a necessity, old memories resurfaced as if painted in a picture, and without realizing it, a gentle smile spread across my face.

“Raon. When are you leaving?”

Evelyn approached with a glass looped around her finger. Though it was cheap liquor, in her hand it looked like a rare treasure that would never exist again in the world.

“Did I say I was going somewhere?”

Raon narrowed his eyes at Evelyn.

“There’s no way you came here without a reason. Surely you have another purpose.”

Evelyn curved her lips, as if saying she knew everything about him.

“…As expected, I can’t deceive you.”

Raon sighed and shook his head.

“I plan to leave tomorrow at noon, after seeing the situation here.”

“Noon? Alright.”

Evelyn gave a chilling smile with her eyes, as if insisting she would come with him no matter what, and then went off to get another dish.

“So it’s noon tomorrow. Understood.”

Dorian nodded, as if to mark it in memory.

[No, not noon tomorrow. We’ll leave at dawn today.]

Raon sent an aura message to Dorian.

[Eh? O-oh, understood.]

Dorian glanced quickly at Evelyn’s back and nodded.

So you’ve come to dislike that madwoman too!

Wrath nodded as if he had expected it.

A wise choice! That madwoman is beyond anyone’s ability to handle!

‘That’s not it….’

Raon pressed his temple as he recalled everything about Evelyn.

‘If I bring Evelyn along, it feels like she’ll end up fighting Sloth.’

He judged that if Evelyn forcibly tried to wake Sloth, it could spiral into a huge fight, so he decided to leave her behind here.

True enough, if anyone disturbs his sleep, he completely loses it.

Wrath furrowed his brows, as if even he would find it hard to stop Sloth if he were truly enraged.

‘That’s why I’m a little worried.’

Raon let out a murky breath as he looked toward the north, where white mist was rising.

‘Just what has happened?’

*   *   *

Dawn, just after night had passed.

Raon stood facing Dorian beneath a tree below the castle wall.

“We’ll keep running all the way to Sterin mountain, so be well prepared.”

He rotated his ankles and wrists, saying they wouldn’t stop until they reached Sterin mountain.

“Ah, then please wear these.”

Dorian pulled out fur-trimmed shoes from his belly pocket.

“They’re artifacts that increase movement speed on snow and ice. A winter necessity.”

He said he brought them just in case, and it seemed wise that he had.

“There’s no denying that. Truly a necessity.”

Raon gave a thin smile as he changed into the shoes.

“But where are we going, and what are we doing?”

Dorian blinked, curious.

“To wake a sleeper. You’ll have a lot to do.”

Raon gripped Dorian’s shoulder, saying he was counting on him.

“Th-that sounds a little ominous….”

Dorian’s eyes trembled, like a child caught in the snow, feeling unease.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be anything dangerous.”

Raon patted his back encouragingly and ran north.

“W-wait for me!”

Dorian let out a gasp and hurried after him.

Fwoooosh!

Their strength had grown, and with the artifacts boosting their speed, Sterin mountain came into view far faster than before.

‘That mountain hasn’t changed either.’

As Raon scanned the sight of Stallin Mountain, holding eternal snow, a smile appeared on his face.

Hmm?

Wrath let out a low groan, lifting his gaze.

‘What is it?’

A strong shock has occurred from that mountain.

‘A strong shock?’

Raon spread out his aura perception, tilting his head for a while, before his eyes widened.

‘I-I felt it too.’

Much later than Wrath, but I too could feel the shock that had erupted from Stallin mountain.

Even from this distance, if such a powerful wave could be felt, it meant a Transcender must be there.

“Dorian. It’s fine if you’re late, just follow me properly.”

“Eh? What does that—”

“I’ll go first.”

Raon stamped down with a fierce step that seemed to shatter the white earth, channeling the Supreme Harmony Steps with full power.

Fwoooosh!

Breaking through sound in a world where even snow seemed frozen still, he rushed toward Stallin Mountain.

Paaah!

Having reached the realm where he could alter reality with will, Raon appeared at the foot of Stallin Mountain in an instant.

‘Yes. Two Transcenders clashed here.’

I didn’t know who they were, but it was certain that an enormous shock had erupted at the mountain’s center.

‘Sloth’s barrier is still intact.’

Sloth’s barrier, which stretched from the mountainside upward, remained intact, it seemed nothing had happened to him.

Sloth’s power cannot be felt. Looks like he’s still asleep.

‘Good.’

Raon let out a sigh of relief and climbed to the mountain’s peak.

But the moment he looked down toward the frozen lake where Sloth should have been asleep, his entire body froze.

Kugugugugugu!

Sloth, whom he had assumed to be sleeping, tore apart the blanket Raon had once given him and raised eyes burning black.

“You… was it you?”

The monarch of Sloth exuded a mighty authority that seemed ready to crush the world as he lifted his creaking body.

“The one who… woke me from my sleep?”

 

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