The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1079

 Chapter 1079

 

“Successor…?”

Raon froze, his body half turned.

“Is that true?”

The matter of choosing a successor was spoken of as lightly as a feather, to the point I doubted whether I had heard correctly.

“Why would I lie about the matter of the successor?”

Glenn nodded, as if it were only natural that he was serious.

“Why have you suddenly decided to choose a successor?”

Raon swallowed dryly and looked at Glenn head-on.

“Nothing has even begun yet.”

Glenn was still in good health, so the sudden mention of a successor was incomprehensible and unsettling. A vague sense of unease ran down my spine.

“Because nothing has begun yet, that is why I will choose one.”

Glenn lowered his hand calmly.

“Once something happens, there will be no leisure to select a successor.”

He drew a faint smile, as though there was no need for unnecessary thoughts.

“Everyone knows that war will break out in the near future. The present, in peace, is the best time to decide on a successor.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Glenn looked up at the sky that was turning black, as if he were reading the flow of heaven.

“I agree.”

Darkan suddenly raised his hand.

“In the coming war, even that man might die. It’s right to decide beforehand.”

He smacked his lips, as if even Glenn’s death was possible.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Raon frowned and glared at Darkan.

“There are some things in this world that shouldn’t be said.”

“I don’t wish for that man to die either. Because I want to kill him myself. However…”

Darkan brushed down his eyepatch with a faint smile.

“From here on, it’s a fight decided by the thinnest margin.”

He thrust his hand down and carved a thin line at the feet of himself and Glenn.

“Glenn may die while Derus survives, or it may be the other way around. Or all of them may die.”

Darkan’s chilling pressure spilled out as he said that the coming battles would be unknowable even a step ahead.

“……”

Raon bit his lip as he looked at the line Darkan had drawn on the ground.

‘This is a wall I cannot cross.’

The only people who could step inside that line were Glenn, Darkan, Derus, and the Heavenly Demon.

“Even so, don’t speak such unlucky words.”

Raon shook his head, telling Darkan to shut his mouth.

“No.”

Glenn shook his head calmly.

“He’s right. The future is unpredictable. However….”

He nodded in acknowledgment, then looked at Raon.

“I intend to live long enough to see you and the others marry and have children.”

Glenn wore a faint smile, saying he would never die until then.

“I must see who you marry and what kind of children you have.”

He clenched his fingertips, vowing to be there for all of those moments.

“Guarding the throne alone until then is tiring, so I plan to pass it down before that.

Glenn shook his head, telling him not to be uneasy, it was only about choosing a successor in advance.

“I see….”

Raon let out a heavy sigh and swept his chest with relief.

‘I thought grandfather might have seen something, but it seems that’s not the case.’

With Glenn’s power, it wouldn’t have been strange if he really had seen the future, so that possibility had made me uneasy, but thankfully, that wasn’t it.

“Hm.”

Darkan tilted his head slightly, seeming to interpret Glenn’s words differently.

“There is actually one way.”

He curled his lips long while looking at Raon.

“If you become strong enough to step inside here, your grandfather’s chances of survival will increase.”

Darkan pointed with his hand at the line he had drawn on the ground.

“……”

Raon frowned as he looked at the line.

“I will soon cross it.”

Speaking his resolve aloud, he placed his hand on top of Heavenly Drive.

“Kuahahahaha! I knew you were something else!”

Darkan nodded fiercely, as if pleased by Raon’s declaration.

“How will you choose the successor?”

Raon left Darkan, who was laughing, and turned his eyes to Glenn.

“That…”

Glenn started to speak, then closed his mouth.

“Come tomorrow and hear it. I’ll say it in front of everyone.”

He shook his head, as if telling him to come to the audience chamber tomorrow.

“…Understood.”

Raon nodded.

‘That’s the right way.’

Just being told the words that a successor would be selected is already a big benefit. If I were to hear even the details, it could have been biased toward me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Raon bowed to Glenn, then left the head of house’s training ground where he had stayed for a month.

“I’ll be going soon as well.”

Darkan waved to Raon as he left first.

“What do you think?”

Glenn gestured with his chin at the spot where Raon had stood.

“I told you. He’s a monster.”

Darkan bit his lips thinly.

“Even in the continent’s long history, there hasn’t been talent like that.”

Though he knew all of swordsmanship’s history, he shook his head, saying there had never been a talent like Raon.

“If I were to compare, perhaps the nameless swordsman who created our Holy Sword Alliance’s holy ground.”

Darkan narrowed his eyes, as though recalling someone.

“No, there is one more. The first head of house who founded Zieghart.”

Glenn shook his head, saying there was one more with talent like Raon.

“Whatever the case, if Raon keeps growing as he is now, in just a few years he’ll surpass both you and me. No matter what Derus or the Heavenly Demon do, they’ll be stopped by that child.”

Darkan clicked his tongue, saying he wanted to see the swordsmanship Raon would display in the future.

“But before that time comes, war will surely break out.”

He raised the veins on the back of his hand, saying that couldn’t be prevented.

“That’s why you’re also choosing a successor, to steel your resolve. Because you might die.”

Darkan tilted his chin, as if reading all of Glenn’s thoughts.

“You’re right.”

Glenn admitted frankly and nodded.

“No one knows who will die, or how.”

He was, of course, aware that he might die in battle against the Heavenly Demon and the grown Derus.

“Still, don’t die.”

Darkan unclasped his hands behind his back and raised his fist.

“You must do one of two things: die by my sword, or kill me.”

He thumped his chest with a grin, as if he wanted to die by Glenn’s sword.

“If I can.”

Glenn nodded faintly with a smile.

“Ah, may I ask one question?”

Darkan’s aura stretched forth like the blade of a heavy black sword. It seemed like an extremely important question.

“Of course.”

Glenn, as if he felt even just a little affection toward Darkan, calmly nodded his head.

“Can I apply as a successor too?”

Darkan slightly raised his hand, as if asking if it was allowed.

“Haa….”

Glenn barely held back the urge to draw Heavenly Tremor, and instead spoke the very word Raon always spat at Darkan.

“Madman!”

*   *   *

On his way back to the annex building, Raon looked at Heavenly Drive hanging at his waist.

‘It’s true that I’ve gotten stronger….’

But just how strong have I become?

Through training with Glenn and Darkan, I had reached a realm that I could never have attained even if I had trained alone for over a year.

The problem was that I had grown too quickly, and because my opponents were Glenn and Darkan, I couldn’t accurately gauge my own level.

You’re still terribly weak!

Wrath dropped down before his eyes, wagging his tail.

You’re a weakling who’d keel over with just a few flicks of the King of Essence’s fingers!

He flapped his hands as if Raon still had a long way to go.

‘That answer isn’t helpful.’

Raon gave a small laugh and shook his head.

‘There aren’t many who can withstand your fingers.’

There were almost no beings who could endure the finger strikes of the Demon King who claimed even Glenn would lose to him.

‘But you said you’ve gotten a lot weaker. Is that even possible?’

Raon looked up at Wrath with genuine curiosity.

That…!

Wrath grabbed Raon by the collar and lifted him up.

Is that something that should come out of your filthy mouth! Who do you think made me like this!

He ground his teeth, telling Raon to have some shame.

‘No, I was just curious.’

Raon pried Wrath off with a serious look in his eyes.

‘How much weaker have you become?’

I had always heard him complain about being weakened and drained, so I wanted to know exactly how much weaker he had become.

‘Is it possible for me to give back some of the power I took from you?’

He looked at Wrath sincerely.

Hmph!

Wrath snorted arrogantly.

A mere novice worrying about the King of Essence?

He slapped his round hand against Raon’s forehead, telling Raon not to spout nonsense.

Get a grip! Even if the King of Essence got several times weaker than now, he could still beat the likes of you to a pulp!

Wrath, who yelled every day, gave no real answer when asked seriously.

‘Right. That’s how the Demon King of Wrath should be.’

Raon gave a small laugh and nodded.

‘Even if I trained my whole life, I could never reach you.’

Since Wrath didn’t want to answer, Raon glossed it over by praising him.

…That’s not true.

Wrath shook his head stiffly.

‘What?’

Raon’s eyes widened.

You will eventually reach the King of Essence.

Wrath’s blue eyes gleamed, as if he could already see it.

‘Uh….’

Raon’s lips trembled. Wrath taking it seriously left him bewildered.

There’s no need to be flustered. The King of Essence does not lie.

Wrath tilted his chin, as though to say that Raon only needed to continue as he was.

‘Are you sick or something?’

He’s perfectly fine! Except for being hungry!

‘Hmm….’

When Wrath gave his acknowledgment, my heart pounded as if it were about to burst. I felt so good that I thought I could do anything.

But why did you suddenly ask about the King of Essence’s power? It’s not like you’re really going to return any of his stats!

Wrath narrowed his eyes at him.

‘Later, when I call the demon kings, I should be able to make use of you too, but if you’ve grown weak and are just tottering around, that won’t be any help.’

Raon shook his head, saying he didn’t want to see Wrath getting beaten up alone by the archangels.

Eeegh….

Wrath gnashed his teeth at him.

He thought you were actually worrying about him, but in the end all you were thinking about was using the King of Essence? Even the King of Essence himself? You damned bastard!

His whole body exhaled frost, as if he were truly enraged.

“Ah!”

Raon pointed at the smoke rising from the annex building’s chimney.

‘Seeing the smoke coming out like that, it looks like they’re right in the middle of making dinner. If I say it the right way, maybe I could even decide the menu?’

Oh? Ohhh!

The instant Wrath heard he might get to decide the menu, his anger vanished, and he flew toward the annex building.

What are you doing! Hurry up and come!

He beckoned for Raon to follow quickly.

‘Why do you think I asked that?’

Raon gave a faint smile as he looked at the excited Wrath.

‘It’s power I’ll have to return someday, so I asked.’

I had grown stronger thanks to Wrath, but I had no intention of keeping the demon’s power forever.

If the time came when I parted ways with Wrath after fulfilling my revenge, I planned to return it all.

Hey! What are you doing!

Wrath turned back to him, gnashing his teeth.

Hurry up and come set the plates!

‘Alright, I’m coming.’

Raon chuckled faintly and ran toward the annex building.

‘You hopelessly kind demon king.’

*   *   *

The next day.

Raon received Glenn’s summons and headed to the audience chamber.

When he entered the audience chamber, there was hardly any space to stand, packed with executives who had been summoned just like him.

Not only were the internal executives of Zieghart present, but also the external ones, along with the heads of the vassal families.

Seeing that the outer general commander, who had set up lodging at the fortress wall, and the tower master and vice tower master of the internal magic tower were also present, it was clear that all the Zieghart executives had been gathered.

So disgustingly many. And all of them are executives?

Wrath furrowed his brows, saying it looked like more people had gathered in the audience chamber than he had ever seen before.

‘That’s true.’

Raon nodded and walked toward the pillars where the palace masters stood.

“Nephew!”

Balder waved his hand as if glad to see him. His uniform, bulging as though it would rip apart, suggested that the wounds on his abdomen had fully healed.

“You’re a little late.”

Karoon slightly tilted his chin. From his gaze and presence, it was clear he had undergone intense training during the past month.

Though not comparable to himself, Raon could feel that Karoon had grown stronger in martial power.

“It’s right on time. What do you mean late.”

Aris gave Raon a thumbs up, saying he had arrived exactly on time.

“Greetings, palace masters.”

Raon bowed his head to Aris, Balder, and Karoon, then stood before the Light Wind Palace’s pillar.

“You’ve arrived.”

Burren bowed calmly.

“Right on time, as expected….”

Runaan bowed as if she had believed in him all along.

“Our palace master always keeps his promises.”

Martha laughed brightly, as if it were only natural.

“Palace master, why haven’t you been coming to train us these days?”

Trevin smacked his lips, saying he wanted harsher training. Wanting that… this man was a pervert who enjoyed pain.

The four of them straightened their backs behind Raon. It meant they knew that their palace master’s evaluation would be judged through them.

“For now, just relax….”

Raon was about to wave his hand to the Light Wind Palace’s executives behind him when—

Kuung.

The inner door of the audience chamber opened, and Glenn, Roenn, and Sheryl walked out.

“Greetings to the head of house.”

“Greetings to the head of house!”

Starting with Karoon’s greeting, every swordsman in the audience chamber bowed their heads and knelt before Glenn.

“Hmm.”

Unlike usual, Glenn formally received the greetings of the executives before ascending the platform and sitting on the throne. From his eyes emanated an overwhelming, absolute presence that dominated the surroundings. Kugugugugugu!

Pressed down by Glenn’s energy wave, the executives bent their backs until their heads nearly touched the floor.

Yet not a single one let out even the sound of breath.

“Rise.”

At Glenn’s heavy voice, the executives straightened their bodies while dripping cold sweat. In their eyes shone reverence for the head of house.

“It has been a long time.”

Glenn brushed down the armrest of the throne and lifted his gaze.

“Since the seat to succeed me became empty.”

At his quiet words, the eyes of the executives changed. Everyone realized what Glenn was about to say.

“I will select the successor who will one day sit on this throne and stand at the peak of Zieghart.”

Glenn raised his chin, saying the time had come.

“S–Successor?”

“Hmm!”

“Then could it be….”

All the executives’ gazes turned at once. At the edge of their trembling eyes stood Raon, calm and steady.

“There’s no need to look around. I have not chosen a successor yet.”

Glenn firmly shook his head, as though reading their thoughts.

“It means anyone can rise to this seat.”

At that moment, rough and powerful pressure burst out from the executives, shaking the air of the audience chamber.

“Please tell us how the successor will be chosen!”

Balder was the first to raise his hand and ask the question.

“Yes, that’s the most important part.”

Aris clicked her tongue and nodded.

“……”

Karoon’s eyes flared with fire, as if he would devour Glenn.

“The first is….”

Glenn swept his eyes over the executives, whose gazes carried various emotions and thoughts, then lifted the golden, silver, and bronze tablets at the side of the throne.

“Achievements.”

Advance Chapters