The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1075

 Chapter 1075

 

“Why are you….”

Glenn’s eyelids trembled, as if he had never imagined Darkan would suddenly appear.

“It’s not like I can’t come here. I played a very important role in this war too.”

Darkan said no one knew that better than Glenn, then popped a whole bunch of grapes from the table into his mouth.

“Delicious. As expected of fruit prepared by a prestigious house.”

He smiled faintly, saying even fruit from Zieghart was of the finest quality.

“…….”

Karoon narrowed his eyes like blades and glared at Darkan.

“Ah, that crazy bastard…”

Aris muttered she didn’t know anymore and smacked her bandaged hand against her forehead.

“Is, is that okay? It’s an official occasion!”

“As if that man would care about such things?”

“Well, he is one of the few who can speak casually to the head of house.”

“He was sitting right next to me just a moment ago, how did he get over there? I can’t predict his actions at all.”

The Light Wind swordsmen, who knew Darkan’s identity, let out deep sighs, as though the inevitable had finally come.

“Who is that blind man? Who dares to speak informally to the head of house?”

“I don’t know either. I saw him hanging around with the Light Wind swordsmen….”

“He was at the annex building too. Is he the Light Wind Palace master’s guest?”

“Then why would a guest of the Light Wind Palace master speak casually to the head of house and ask to join training?”

On the other hand, those who didn’t know Darkan’s identity couldn’t understand the situation and opened their eyes wide.

“Hmm….”

Raon lowered his brows as he looked at Darkan’s straight back.

‘He certainly has the right to say that.’

If Darkan hadn’t blocked Derus Robert, Ogram might have died, and both the Owen Kingdom and the Balkar Kingdom could have been destroyed.

In the worst-case scenario, Derus might have invaded Zieghart together with the Heavenly Demon, and everyone here could have died.

It was true that Darkan had played an important role, and I thought his joining the training would benefit me as well, so I couldn’t just speak carelessly.

That sword-crazy bastard has no idea how to read the room.

Wrath let out a hollow laugh, wondering how such a person could exist.

If you personified the phrase ‘acting as one pleases,’ it would be him to a tee.

He nodded, saying that man would be a perfect fit for the devildom.

‘No, Darkan is reading the room very well.’

Raon shook his head and looked at the plate from which Darkan had eaten grapes.

‘He said they tasted like grapes worthy of a prestigious house. That means, befitting such a house, he’s demanding a reward for himself too.’

Darkan had invoked the names of the prestigious houses and Zieghart to pressure Glenn. It meant he wanted a reward for having stopped Derus.

‘That man looks stupid, but he’s wiser than anyone.’

Though Darkan acted as if he knew nothing and behaved recklessly, within it lay both confidence in his own skill and instinctive calculation.

“Everyone, pay him no mind.”

Glenn lifted his hand with a calm gaze.

“He is someone who has the right to say such things.”

He nodded, showing he had no intention of ignoring Darkan’s presence.

“Come this way.”

Glenn gestured to Darkan, as if to speak with him separately.

“No.”

Darkan shook his head where he stood.

“Give me your answer here.”

He smiled faintly, saying he wanted to hear the reply in front of everyone.

‘As expected.’

Raon let out a hollow laugh as he saw Darkan’s smile.

‘He’s using the atmosphere of the banquet.’

Since Glenn attended the banquet as the head of house, he had no choice but to keep his word.

Darkan seemed to have aimed for that and declared that he wanted to train together.

“Merits are evaluated, and rewards are given accordingly. Since I stopped Derus Robert, I believe I am also qualified to receive a reward.”

Darkan even spoke politely, rubbing his hands together like a fly. For the sake of swordsmanship, he was a man who could truly do anything.

“H-He’s the one who stopped Derus Robert?”

“The Transcender who saved the Beast King was that man? But he’s so young!”

“Who on earth is he?”

The swordsmen attending the banquet exhaled in astonishment, their curiosity about Darkan only growing. That curiosity, too, seemed to be part of Darkan’s intent.

“Haaa….”

Glenn sighed deeply at Darkan’s mischievous smile.

“Fine. Since you too have reached that realm, you’ll be of help.”

With a furrowed brow, he nodded.

“Good choice!”

As soon as Darkan achieved his goal, he stomped his foot heavily and clapped his hands.

“Let’s strive to improve together!”

He stared straight at Raon as if grateful. If he still had an eyeball, he probably would have winked one eye.

“Now, I shall enjoy the festival.”

Darkan waved his hand and returned to the table where the food was laid out.

“E-excuse me, may I ask your name?”

One swordsman approached Darkan and bowed his head.

“I have already forgotten my name. Just call me the blind swordsman.”

Darkan waved his hand, saying he had discarded his name.

“Wait, do you use connecting sword?”

“Y-Yes. But how did you—”

The swordsman’s mouth fell open in shock at Darkan’s words.

“I want to see it! Let’s go out.”

“Wh-What?”

“Follow me!”

Darkan stopped eating, took along the swordsman from Central Martial Palace, and left the banquet hall. He was a man who lived like a beast.

“There was someone even worse than me.”

Balder snorted and exhaled through his nose, saying it was tiring just to watch.

“Wh-What was that?”

“No idea. He’s like a storm….”

“Was he really the one who stopped Derus?”

“The head of house acknowledged it, didn’t he? Then it must be true.”

The swordsmen trembled at their jaws, even more curious about Darkan’s identity.

“I apologize.”

Glenn came over to Raon and let out a short breath.

“It’s fine.”

Raon shook his head calmly.

“Darkan must have his reasons.”

Darkan was a madman who wanted his enemies to grow stronger just as much as he wanted to grow stronger himself.

He wasn’t thinking only of what he could gain from Glenn and me, surely, he also wanted to give something in return.

‘Besides….’

Both Grandfather and Darkan could wield the Heart Sword at a high realm. I’ll be able to learn much from them.

Glenn’s Heart Sword and Darkan’s Heart Sword were different in essence.

Unlike Glenn’s, which had been honed sharply to cut powerful foes, Darkan’s Heart Sword was forged for the sake of his own desires.

Because the two Heart Swords were so distinct, Raon clenched his fist, vowing to absorb the strengths of both.

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

Glenn nodded with a faint smile, as if reading his thoughts.

“But….”

Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Glenn.

“Why did you say it’s good to collect golden tablets?”

Since Sylvia had returned to the direct line and I had become palace master, I didn’t understand why collecting golden tablets was still necessary.

“It’s still a secret. But….”

Glenn faintly smiled and covered his mouth with a finger.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

*   *   *

“Hoo.”

After the banquet ended, Glenn returned to the audience chamber and sat on the throne.

Uuuuuung!

The moment he laid his hand on the armrest, a blue window descended beneath the chamber ceiling.

[It’s been a while, everyone.]

The Archmage of Eternal Flame, Chamber, waved her hand. Her fingers trembled slightly, as if her head was still aching.

[Cough! Is… is everyone all right? Cough!]
Even the Magic Tower Larian let out a series of dry coughs, her stamina and mind seemingly not yet recovered.

[I’m fine and all right!]

Ogram, despite his words, had thick bandages wrapped around his abdomen and chest. The wounds from Derus still remained, but since his strength was recovering, he seemed satisfied.

[…I am all right as well.]

King Lecross, lying in bed, spoke with difficulty.

[You’re not supposed to be all right.]

Chamber gave a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.

[I thought I would die, but if I survived, then I’m all right.]

Lecross lowered his head heavily, as if saying he had resigned himself to death on the battlefield.

“Are you really all right?”

Hearing Lecross’ faint breathing, Glenn bit the inside of his lip.

[…In truth, I am not.]

Lecross spoke in a voice that broke off in pieces.

[Though I barely survived, I don’t think I can stand on the battlefield again.]

He tried to move even a finger, but failed, and clenched his eyes shut.

[Don’t be so quick to conclude. All sorts of things happen in this world.]

Chamber shook her head, saying perhaps even such wounds could still be healed.

[Even if I don’t wield a sword, I don’t think I have much time left. Before that….]

Lecross gave a faint smile, yet his eyes still held firm resolve.

[I will make my third son a king worthy of Owen’s throne.]

He flashed his blue eyes, as if already having decided on his successor.

[The third? Greer? You’re really going to choose him?]

Chamber widened her eyes in surprise.

[Though his martial strength is still weak, his capacity has been growing. It was the right decision to send him to Zieghart.]

Lecross smiled, saying that after meeting Raon, Owen’s third prince, Greer, had changed for the better.

[Come to think of it, I survived thanks to Raon too. Please convey my thanks to him.]

“I see….”

Even hearing praise of Raon, Glenn furrowed his brows deeply.

[Truth is, I was also considering retirement….]

Chamber bit down hard on the lollipop in her mouth.

[That brat beat me to it, so I can’t rest, can I?]

She wrinkled her nose, saying she had missed her chance.

“Are you also in serious condition?”

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at Chamber.

[Not as much as Lecross. But I don’t think the wound in my upper energy center will heal easily.]

She held her forehead, saying she had pushed herself too much before the wound in her upper energy center had fully healed.

[For a while, I’ll have to focus only on recovery. And since the fights from here on will be harsher, I’ll need to prepare a successor as well.]

“Do you have someone in mind?”

[Jaina. If I had met my last disciple sooner, I would have passed it on to that child, but now Jaina is the right one.]

She clenched the broken lollipop between her teeth, saying she would name Jaina as the Archmage’s successor and pass on much to her.

“Yes. If it is that child, she can be trusted.”

Glenn nodded, recalling Jaina who, even while shedding blood tears, had completed the long-distance teleportation spell.

[I am still going strong. This is just the beginning!]

Ogram thumped his chest with a fist like a cauldron lid, saying to leave matters of succession to be decided as they would, and that he himself would focus only on the battles ahead.

[I-I’m still fine too….]

Larian, despite her trembling voice, said she could continue to fight and revealed a clear gleam in her eyes.

“So it’s split, two and two.”

Glenn narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two who were already deciding successors, and the two who seemed not to be thinking of it yet.

[What about Zieghart? Shouldn’t you also start thinking about it?]

Chamber shrugged, saying it was obvious.

[I-It’ll be Raon, without question, right?]

Larian, even as the Magic Tower master, said she had no choice but to acknowledge the swordsman named Raon, and traced a circle with his fingertips.

[In both martial power and character, Raon is the perfect fit!]

Ogram agreed, raising his fist.

[Ugh….]

Lecross groaned low, as if just watching this exchange was exhausting.

[Let’s stop here for today. This call was just to mark Lecross waking up.]

Chamber waved her hand, saying they would contact each other properly soon.

[J-Just avoid daytime. I need to sleep….]

Larian clasped her hands together, asking to be contacted at night, as if her days and nights were reversed.

[Lecross. Focus only on recovery and return. I’ll keep your seat warm for you.]

Ogram gave a heavy nod, saying he would endure until Lecross regained his strength and came back.

[Yes. I will trust in you.]

At Ogram’s warm words, Lecross smiled faintly, seeming to gain a little strength.

[Then.]

With Chamber’s wave, the four blue windows floating in the air vanished.

“Successors….”

Glenn turned his gaze to the moon rising at the center of the sky.

“Of course, I’ve thought of it. But I will not hand it over so easily.”

He curled his lips upward, thinking of his son and grandson who, even at this very night, would be swinging their swords.

“Climb up here. I will be waiting in this place until you have the qualifications.”

*   *   *

Raon breathed in the dawn air and headed toward the head of house’s training ground.

Creak.

Instead of using the large main gate, he opened the side gate and stepped inside. There, Glenn appeared amidst the white dawn mist coiled around him like clouds, sitting motionless as though in meditation.

Though he clearly sensed Raon’s presence, Glenn didn’t move.

Not wanting to disturb him, Raon walked silently to the center and closed his eyes, emptying his mind.

After steadying his heart and mind, he was about to begin his aura cultivation when suddenly the ground shook.

Kuuuuung!

The training ground’s main gate—normally only opened for special events—was forced wide, and through it stepped Darkan.

“Why doesn’t this damn gate open properly!”

Darkan frowned, muttering that someone needed to oil the gate.

“No way….”

Raon’s jaw trembled.

“There’s a side gate right there that opens easily!”

He jabbed his finger furiously toward it.

“A swordsman should walk through the big gate, not the small one!”

Darkan shook his head vigorously as if that were the most natural truth in the world.

“Who decided that?”

“I, Darkan, the Dark Night Sword God!”

He was so absurdly self-assured, as though he were at home, that Raon was left speechless. Worse, this was the same man who claimed he’d forgotten both his name and his nickname, yet now he brandished them proudly as proof of who he was. He was just a madman.

That guy’s brain structure… He’d really like to know what it looks like.

Wrath sighed, unable to comprehend Darkan.

“You’re all here.”

Glenn opened his eyes calmly, as if he had predicted Darkan’s eccentric behavior.

“This training is solely for Raon. I have no time to spare for you.”

“I know. I only wish to watch.”

Darkan smiled lightly, saying he just wanted to see how Glenn taught and how Raon learned.

“Of course, though I have no eyes.”

He tapped his black eyepatch with his fingers as if to say he would sense everything well enough.

“Raon. Before the training begins, show me the sword tecniques you’ve learned so far.”

Glenn folded his arms and stepped back, wanting to see how much Raon had grown.

“Yes.”

Raon stood at the center of the training ground and drew Heavenly Drive.

Uuuuuuuung!

Looking at Glenn and Darkan, he unleashed the sword techniques he had learned so far with full power.

Chiaaang!

Even without strongly circulating aura, the level of the swordsmanship itself was so high that the training ground floor was carved away roughly, and crimson whirlwinds descended from the sky.

Paaaang!

Raon’s heavy yet fierce sword techniques split the air with tearing sounds like war breaking out anew, shaking the entire training ground.

Huuuuung!

After even unleashing the Chilly Wind with the Wooden Ring Sword, Raon returned both swords to their sheaths.

“That is all.”

He bowed to Glenn, saying he had given it his all.

“Excellent.”

Glenn nodded, as though Raon had surpassed expectations.

“It was swordsmanship that shows just how hard you have worked…”

“To think you’re on a completely different level from when I first met you as a beggar! What happened in the meantime!”

Darkan laughed incredulously, unable to believe it.

“Khmm….”

Glenn was irritated at having his words cut off, but since it had been praise for his grandson, he barely held back.

“This goes beyond the word genius. There needs to be a word just for you.”

Darkan continued speaking, paying no mind to Glenn’s reaction.

“Hrmm….”

At Darkan’s heartfelt praise toward Raon, Glenn’s furrowed brow smoothed as if his heart had been melted.

“If there are any shortcomings, I will listen carefully.”

Raon bowed his head to Glenn, saying it as a request.

“Your direction of growth is correct. You’re focusing on the versatile sword, not forcing in too many sword principles, and you adapt well to situations. However, the will you place into your sword is a little lacking.”

Glenn shook his head, saying the swordsmanship itself was advancing toward completion, but the will infused in it was not keeping pace.

“Hm? I disagree.”

Darkan stroked his chin and raised his brows.

“There’s still a lot to improve technically! You’re training in the versatile sword, but the levels of each principle vary, so the harmony isn’t perfect. Your swordsmanship still has room for refinement. On the other hand, his soul is strong enough not to lose even to me. He can resolve the matter of will on his own.”

Since he had seen Raon’s soul in his mental world, he waved his hand, saying there was no need to worry about will.

“I didn’t say the swordsmanship was perfect. I only said the will was more important.”

Glenn deeply furrowed his brows.

“I’m the same. His intent is indeed lacking, but his swordsmanship can still improve further.”

Darkan simply smiled, as though he enjoyed the conversation with Glenn itself.

“Didn’t I tell you not to interfere?”

“Having differing opinions makes it interesting.”

The two Transcenders looked at each other’s swords, each with a different expression.

“Um….”

Raon stretched his hand out between Glenn and Darkan. Seeing the two of them, he recalled the time when Glenn and Rector had argued over his training.

“For the part about will, grandfather can teach me, and for the technical improvements to swordsmanship, I think I can learn from Darkan….”

He looked back and forth at the two of them, suggesting it might be better to learn from each what they had advised.

“I like it! When I give instruction, I also gain realizations myself.”

Darkan placed his hand on his black sword, saying he would do so.

“And your grandfather is far above me when it comes to the realm of will.”

He acknowledged Glenn without hesitation, nodding his head.

“…Very well.”

Glenn closed his eyes, then opened them.

“There’s no one on the continent who knows swordsmanship better than that man, so it will be of help.”

Though Glenn wasn’t pleased, he nodded as though he would accept it.

“Ah, how about we also discuss the Heart Sword together?”

Darkan stepped beside Glenn and shrugged his shoulders.

“For the benefit of all three of us.”

“…So be it.”

Glenn too seemed to want to learn about Darkan’s Heart Sword, and calmly nodded his chin.

“Then, before we start the real training, let’s hear it first.”

Darkan turned his gaze back to Raon.

“Have you decided what you will put into your Heart Sword?”

He waved his finger, as if telling him to say it now.

Looking at Glenn and Darkan, who both watched him with curious eyes, Raon slowly opened his lips.

“I….”

 

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