The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1080

 Chapter 1080

 

“Ach-achievements?”

Balder’s thick lips trembled.

“Don’t tell me… you mean to measure those achievements by the number of golden plates?”

He swallowed dryly as he looked at the golden, silver, and bronze tablets in Glenn’s grasp.

“It’s not ‘surely,’ that’s exactly it.”

Karoon unfolded his arms and lowered both hands.

“The surest and coldest indicator of one’s past achievements is precisely those Zieghart tablets.”

He nodded, saying that apart from the tablets, there was no other way to examine past achievements in detail.

‘Achievements, huh….’

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly as he brushed Heavenly Drive.

‘Certainly, that’s the most efficient and convenient way.’

Since he said it was the first, the test of looking at achievements was merely to weed out the unqualified.

It was simple, yet a method that no one could object to, so it was the best kind of test to come out first.

“Question!”

At some point, Darkan, whose entrance into the audience chamber no one had noticed, raised his hand.

“Who exactly is that man?”

“Is he a new subordinate the head brought in?”

“He seems like he might belong to the Light Wind Palace….”

People studied Darkan and Glenn in turn, holding questions in their eyes.

“……”

But Glenn ignored Darkan and looked at the executives.

“What the Central Martial Palace master said is correct.”

Glenn flicked his fingers, floating the golden, silver, and bronze tablets into the air.

“These tablets were awarded individually to swordsmen based on the difficulty of their missions and the results. In other words, they are the best means to judge the achievements you’ve accumulated.”

He sent the golden tablet to the forefront, his red eyes flashing.

“The head of Zieghart is the final wall that defends the house, and the first sword that cuts down the enemy. One who has not risked their life and stacked up achievements for the house cannot be placed in that seat.”

Glenn stated that the first test would judge only achievements, then put the tokens back into his hand.

“Now that I think about it, that makes sense.”

“Yes, the ones who sacrificed for the house should be the ones to become head.”

“As expected of the head. From the very start, he presents a test no one can refute.”

The executives of the house nodded one after another, saying it was the right decision.

“Question!”

Darkan raised his hand again.

“……”

Glenn ignored him once more.

“W-What? Am I the only one who sees that person?”

“No, I can see him too…”

“What on earth is their relationship?”

The executives looked at Darkan with even greater doubt.

“Raon!”

Aris suddenly called him.

“Yes?”

“I’ve got quite a lot of tablets piled up from when I was young, you know?”

She wagged her finger at him.

“Want me to give you some?”

Aris beamed as if she were serious.

“Ah, n-no….”

Raon let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.

‘To say outright that she’d give them here, of all places….’

With so many people listening, to openly bring up an illegal transfer, Aris truly wasn’t normal either.

“Tablets that have already been given cannot be transferred to another. You know that, don’t you?”

Glenn frowned down at Aris.

“It was a joke, a joke!”

Aris waved her hand like it was nothing and stepped back.

“Hmm….”

Glenn clicked his tongue briefly and turned his gaze back to the executives.

“I’ll say it again. The successor candidates will be chosen by calculating the type and number of tablets you’ve received so far.”

He nodded, stating that only those with enough tablets could pass the test.

‘Hmm….’

Raon smacked his lips briefly as he looked at Glenn.

Why are you like that?

Wrath lowered his gaze.

There’s hardly anyone who has more golden tablets than you.

He tilted his head as if wondering why Raon was worried.

‘Because my conscience pricks me a bit.’

Raon let out a short sigh.

Your conscience pricks you? What do you mean by that?

‘Because grandfather gave me special treatment. Even with the same results, I probably received more than others.’

I hadn’t realized it before, but now I was certain.

Glenn favored me a little more than the others. Where a bronze tablet should have been given, he gave silver, where silver should have been given, he made it golden. The thought squeezed my chest a little.

You’re spouting complete nonsense!

Wrath growled like a dog.

‘What?’

That old man of yours may be a pervert who stuffs his face with Nadine bread every day and watches over you for twelve hours straight while you’re unconscious, but he’s never been negligent in his role as head!

He swung his fist as if telling Raon to get a grip.

It is an undeniable fact that that old man values you more than the other kids.

Wrath tapped Raon’s forehead as if telling him to recall it himself

But he isn’t the kind of man who would let personal feelings override fairness to the point of tampering with the tablet grades. If you said instead that he gave you extra help in your martial arts, that no one could deny.

He jerked his chin, saying that Glenn treasures the house more than what meets the eye.

‘Now that I think about it….’

Raon smacked his lips again and looked up at the platform.

‘I think you’re right.’

Just as Wrath said, Glenn may have given me other rewards and taught me swordsmanship, but it didn’t seem like he had ever given me a higher tablet than I deserved.

‘Grandfather truly values Zieghart above all else.’

Feeling Glenn’s love for Zieghart, Raon couldn’t help but smile.

“Then does that mean it will be decided solely by the achievements up to now?”

Serena, the Void Sword Division leader, stepped forward and raised her hand.

“Isn’t that the right way?”

Trevin tilted his head.

“What else would you look at if not what has been accumulated until now?”

He brushed his hand as if it were only natural.

“I disagree. Since the successor selection starts now, I think it should start from now. That would be fair!”

Martha clenched her fist, insisting they should begin competing for golden tablets starting today.

“Then the ones who have already piled up tablets would be at a disadvantage.”

Burren shook his head, arguing that it would be unreasonable the other way around.

“Of course, deciding solely by the achievements so far is a little unsatisfying.”

He furrowed his brows, saying he understood Martha’s point as well. It seemed he couldn't be certain which side was right.

“Huwaaahm….”

Runaan yawned widely, as if she had no interest at all in the head’s seat.

“Ru-Runaan!”

Her father, Rokan Sullion, waved his hands nervously, telling her to close her mouth under everyone’s gaze.

“I have a question!”

Darkan now raised his tone, shouting that he had another question.

“……”

Glenn ignored Darkan again, and this time even the executives no longer looked at him. It was as if they meant to treat him as if he didn’t exist at all.

“What I mean by achievements are the feats an individual has built up.”

Glenn lowered his chin calmly.

“When judging the feats a swordsman has accomplished with his own hands, you can’t possibly ignore past achievements.”

He lowered his gaze in composure, saying that looking at the number of tablets accumulated in the past was only natural.

“But it’s also true that the period starting now, from the moment I’ve declared a successor will be chosen, is more important. Therefore….”

Glenn spread open his palm again, bringing out the golden, silver, and bronze tablets.

“Past bronze tablets will count as one point, silver as two, and golden as three. From now on, any tablets received will be worth double.”

He nodded, saying he would accept both opinions, those who argued to consider only the past and those who insisted it should begin from the present.

“Exactly five. I will select five candidates for successor based on achievements.”

Glenn spread his hand wide, declaring that the first test would choose only five.

“Five? If it’s just that many, well….”

“Hmm. Not bad.”

“It’s worth competing for.”

The senior executives smacked their lips, as if finding it doable.

“But these days, aren’t there almost no important missions?”

Balder raised his hand.

“The Four Demons—no, the Three Demons have hidden themselves in the shadows, and most people are living in at least temporary peace. Honestly, there isn’t much to do.”

He shook his head, saying it would be hard to find missions worthy of golden tablets.

“Finding missions, and what you gain from those missions, is also part of one’s skill. There is no such thing as an unimportant mission in this world.”

Glenn lowered his hand with a lofty gesture, saying that from now on they would have to handle all of that themselves.

“So it means we must take care of everything from start to finish on our own.”

“Well, that is true. Since it’s your own matter, it’s right for you to handle it yourself.”

“I’m fine with that too. But….”

The executives’ gazes all turned at once to the pillars where the palace masters stood.

“Can anyone even match those two?”

“Sir Karoon has been a palace master for a long time, so that’s understandable. But the Light Wind Palace master is really….”

“His achievements are absurd. At that age, aside from the Central Martial Palace master, there isn’t even anyone who could be considered a match.”

The swordsmen sighed, saying they would have to move while excluding Karoon and Raon from the equation.

“Then return.”

Glenn waved his hand, as if he had said all he needed to for today.

“He said five people, didn’t he? How will this turn out?”

“With Sir Karoon and Sir Raon aside, that leaves exactly three spots.”

“Will Lady Aris participate as well?”

“From the way she offered to give away her tokens earlier, it seemed like she wasn’t interested.”

“But her eyes were shining too much for that to be true.

The executives split into groups, talking among themselves about the successor.

“……”

Among the swordsmen leaving the audience chamber, Raon met Karoon’s eyes.

“From the second test onward will be the real thing. Be thoroughly prepared.”

Karoon’s cold eyes gleamed, as if telling him not to fall no matter what.

“Why are you worrying about me?”

Raon turned his chin, meeting Karoon’s eyes.

“Because if you’re not there, it means nothing. I will climb to that throne by stepping on the proper stairs.”

Karoon lifted his eyes toward the throne, calm, without a trace of jealousy or envy.

“Understood. I will grant you that wish.”

Raon bowed his head to Karoon, leaving behind words that they would meet again.

Step.

Raon and Karoon left the audience chamber at the same time.

Whoooom.

Their footsteps and postures were equally straight and elegant, yet their eyes were starkly different.

Glenn looked at the backs of Raon and Karoon, so alike yet so different.

‘What choice will you make here?’

As he drew a smile filled with expectation, a voice shook the ceiling of the audience chamber.

“I said I’ve got a question, you bastard!”

*   *   *

As soon as he returned to the Central Martial Palace, Karoon gathered all his executives.

“You’ve heard that the head of house is selecting a successor.”

“Yes!”

The executives of the Central Martial Palace replied without hesitation. They already seemed fully aware of the matter of choosing a successor candidate.

“From now on, take all the important missions coming down from the Shadow Agents, and send people outside as well to report on all unusual occurrences.”

Karoon showed not only his intention to monopolize important missions, but also to involve himself in external matters.

“Do not miss a single one, and bring them to me first.”

“We obey!”

The executives of the Central Martial Palace merely bowed their heads, as if thinking itself were unnecessary.

“F-Father….”

Burren cautiously raised his hand.

“Even if you don’t monopolize the important missions, wouldn’t you still be more than enough to be in the top five, father?”

Karoon had never once used any of his golden tablets up to now. Having lived as a palace master for so long, he clearly possessed more than Raon.

“This test is not a simple passing point, but an important gateway to decide the head of house. It is not enough to merely cross the line, I must show overwhelming results.”

Karoon clenched the fist he had placed on the desk. His determination toward the head’s seat spread out, making the office tremble as if it would burst.

“Then… are you thinking that first place will come with special privileges…?”

“No.”

Karoon firmly shook his head.

“Even if there are no such privileges, being the first is what is right. That is what I believe the head of Zieghart should be.”

Even at this moment, he raised a heat in his red eyes, as if imparting a lesson to his son.

“We will follow you, palace master!”

The executives of the Central Martial Palace pressed their lips tight and bowed their heads, deeply moved by Karoon’s resolve.

“Ah….”

Burren too swallowed dryly, awed by Karoon’s unwavering spirit.

‘Father is serious. He truly intends to defeat Raon and become the head of house.’

Father knew that in terms of important achievements and martial strength he was behind Raon, yet he had no thought whatsoever of giving up on the head’s seat. It was clear he intended to bite down and chase after Raon, even if it meant gnawing with his gums in place of teeth.

Strangely enough, that appearance did not feel ugly. On the contrary, he looked more admirable than before—enough to make one feel like following him.

‘Raon….’

Burren curled his lips faintly as he thought of Raon, who would be in the annex building.

‘What are you going to do?’

*   *   *

“Head of house! What a dreamlike name! Let’s definitely do it!”

Edgar exclaimed, grabbing Raon’s shoulder.

“Make sure you get first place!”

He nodded vigorously, telling him to surpass Karoon and pass the first test with first place in achievements.

“Stop it! Raon will do as he decides!”

Sylvia smacked Edgar’s back with her palm.

“Don’t listen to that man, just do what you want.”

She hugged Raon, giving him a gentle smile.

“St-Still, if you’re going to do it, then first place….”

Edgar rubbed his beaten back and lifted his trembling gaze.

“Raon. Grandpa said not all first places are good.”

Sia, saying she had heard it from her grandfather, waved her hands up and down as if to tell him to take it slow.

“But I still want you to be first.”

She giggled, as if hoping her brother would take first place.

“Unfortunately, that will be difficult.”

Raon shook his head at Sia.

“Sir Karoon and I have lived different lengths of time as palace masters. No matter how hard I try, it’s hard to overcome the power of time.”

He scratched his cheek as he said it would be hard to gather more golden tablets than Karoon.

“In any case, five people will be chosen, so it’s enough just to make it into that number. Don’t worry too much.”

Glenn had said that achievements would be the first test. Even if there was some benefit to being first place, it wouldn’t be to an insurmountable degree, so there was no need to catch up to Karoon at all costs.

‘But still….’

I should maintain it.

Since someone could catch up from behind, I had to secure a certain amount of achievements.

“I want you to be first too! I don’t want it written in the Raon Zieghart’s biography that you started off second place!”

Encia raised her finger, asking him to be first.

“What do you think, Yua?”

She called Yua, who had brought the tea, forward and embraced her.

“I just want young master to do whatever he wants.”

Yua grinned, as if anything Raon did was fine with her.

“You can’t ask Raon’s followers for an answer.”

Edgar shook his head, saying there was no answer to be had from Yua.

“As for Yua, she likes Raon no matter what he does, I’m telling you.”

“He’s my benefactor, after all.”

Yua smiled, as if even Edgar’s nagging didn’t bother her.

“Then I’ll get going.”

“Yua.”

Raon stopped Yua as she was about to return to the kitchen.

“How long has it been since you last went to Habun Castle?”

“Me? Uh….”

Yua propped her finger against her lips, then looked at Raon.

“I think it’s been a little over a year. I’ve been too busy lately, so I couldn’t go, but I was planning to go this time.”

She smiled, saying she would take leave and go see her grandfather.

“You’ll give me leave, right?”

Yua clasped her hands together as if pleading.

“Of course! Go ahead!”

Sylvia nodded for her to go instead of Raon.

“Don’t think of here, just enjoy yourself while you’re there!”

For that short moment, Edgar smiled and waved, as though he had forgotten even about the successor test.

“Sh-Should I go with you?”

Yulius glanced around cautiously and approached Yua.

“No.”

Raon firmly raised his hand.

“I’ll go with her.”

He smiled and placed his hand on Yua’s shoulder.

“Ehhk!”

“You’re going to Habun Castle?”

“At a time this important?”

The people in the annex building widened their eyes, as if they couldn’t believe he would follow Yua to Habun Castle.

“Yes.”

Raon nodded with a smile.

“It may not be of much help for the head of house competition, but there is someone who will surely be needed in the future.”

He wetted his lips, recalling the demon King sloth who slept hidden on the opposite side of Habun Castle.

“This time….”

“Then!”

Suddenly a magic circle spread across the ceiling, and Evelyn popped out.

“I’m going too!”

Evelyn’s eyes began to burn, deep and hot like the heat within a campfire.

“No. Mat. Ter. What!”

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