The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1081

 Chapter 1081

 

After telling the members of the annex building that he intended to leave for Habun Castle, Raon went straight to the lord’s manor’s audience chamber.

“Oh!”

Roenn, who was cleaning the audience chamber, widened his eyes when he saw him.

“You’ve come again.”

He laughed, "huhuhuhu," as if he hadn't expected him to visit again today.

“I have something to tell the head of house.”

Raon straightened his attire as he stood before the door of the audience chamber.

“Please, go in.”

Roenn said the head of house was inside the audience chamber and moved to open the door.

“No. I’ll do it.”

Raon grasped the doorknob himself and opened the door to the audience chamber. The door opened smoothly as if oiled, and the view of the chamber dyed by the evening glow was revealed.

Under the vividly subsiding violet radiance, the head of house Glenn could be seen seated on the throne. With his eyes closed, he gave off a mysterious yet lofty air, as if he were not a person of this world.

‘What is this…?’

Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at Glenn.

‘Grandfather….’

It feels like he’s disappeared from this world.

Glenn certainly existed before me, yet he looked blurry, as if he were somewhere else.

However, no evil or eerie power was felt. On the contrary, a mysterious energy blossomed, to the point I couldn’t even bring myself to speak.

Hooh?

Wrath let out a deep exclamation.

Every time he sees him, that old man is truly an interesting human.

He nodded, finding Glenn both fascinating and remarkable.

‘What do you mean….’

Just as Raon was about to ask Wrath about Glenn’s state—

“Hmm…”

Sensing Raon’s gaze, Glenn slowly lifted his eyelids. As his eyes seemed to connect with the sunset in the same color, the mysterious energies that had filled the audience chamber died away in an instant.

“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Glenn raised a hand and smoothed back his disheveled hair. It was as if he had returned to this world, he again displayed his usual solemn presence.

“…No.”

Raon shook his head as he stepped into the audience chamber.

‘I can’t get the words out.’

I wanted to ask what had just happened, but strangely, my mouth wouldn’t open, as though Glenn might vanish like foam if I spoke.

“So. What is it?”

Glenn lowered his gaze, a faint smile on his lips.

“I plan to leave the house for some time.”

After bowing his head, Raon stated the purpose of his visit.

“Leave the house?”

Glenn’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you not attend today’s meeting?”

His expression seemed to say he couldn’t understand why someone would leave the house at such an important moment of choosing the successor.

“No. I heard everything.”

Raon shook his head, saying he had listened properly while standing before the pillar.

“There is simply something I must do first.”

Since Derus could start a war at any time, I needed to meet the Demon Kings as soon as possible and persuade them to stop the Archangel.

The seat of head of house was good, but before that, I wanted to defeat Derus and save Zieghart and the continent.

“I know better than anyone that the achievements you have built up are remarkable.”

Glenn placed his hand upon the armrest.

“Perhaps in Zieghart’s history, no one has stacked up results faster than you. However…”

His gaze sank coldly.

“If you let down your guard too much, you could be swallowed up as well.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Considering the difficulty of earning a golden tablet it wouldn’t be strange to count it as 5 points, but I set the bronze tablet as 1 point, the silver tablet as 2 points, and the golden tablet as 3 points.”

Glenn tapped the armrest of the throne with his fingers as if playing a piano.

“So you did it on purpose.”

Raon lowered his eyebrows slightly.

‘No wonder it felt strange.’

Bronze or silver tablets were often given for smaller missions, but golden tablets were only awarded to swordsmen who achieved truly outstanding feats, or to the leaders who commanded them.

I had thought the points of the golden tablet were too low, but it seems that was Glenn’s intention

“Yes. You’ve accumulated many things until now, but in the short period of choosing the successor, you could be completely overtaken.”

Glenn nodded, saying he had lowered the golden tablet’s points with that intention in mind.

“May I ask the reason?”

Raon let out a heavy breath and looked at Glenn.

“Because I want you to devour and be devoured by one another.”

Glenn calmly lowered his chin.

“The more a blade is struck, the sharper it becomes. The more it is heated in fire, the harder it grows.”

He was hoping the swordsmen would grow through the successor competition. It seemed he wished not only to choose an heir, but to make the entire house stronger.

“Furthermore, in the process of finding and carrying out missions on your own, you can accumulate not only martial strength, but also mental strength and experience.”

Glenn closed and opened his eyes, saying he had prepared the successor selection test with all of that in mind.

“Ha…”

Raon let out a brief, hollow laugh.

“Grandfather, there really isn’t a single thing you do without reason.”

I had thought there were some hidden intentions, but I hadn’t imagined it went this far. Compared to Glenn, I still felt terribly lacking.

“When you reach this position, you will be able to do it as well. No, more than anyone, you will do it even better.”

Glenn smiled gently, as though he could already see it.

“But I cannot force you. It is your choice, and I will respect it. Go, then.”

He waved his hand, showing he would not oppose Raon’s will.

“Thank you. It may be in a different way, but I will not disappoint you.”

Raon bowed deeply, then left the audience chamber.

“Wherever you go, whatever you do…”

Glenn looked at the door through which Raon had exited, his smile faint.

“I believe in you.”

With those last words, he closed his eyes once more. The mysterious presence from before could no longer be felt.

Only the cold winter wind rattled at the window.

*   *   *

That night, with the moon high in the sky.

“Why the sudden assembly in the middle of the night?”

Krein tilted his head, glancing at the Light Wind swordsmen gathered before the platform.

“No idea…”

Dorian rubbed his sleepy eyes and smacked his lips.

“It must be about the successor test.”

Burren straightened his back as he stood in front of Dorian and Krein.

“Since the other armed divisions are already moving to either find or create missions.”

He nodded, saying the Light Wind Palace also had to prepare missions for Raon.

“I don’t really get it…”

Runaan yawned wide as if she knew nothing. She seemed very sleepy.

“Even if you don’t get it, we still have to do it.”

Martha struck Runaan’s back hard and clenched her fist.

“For that guy’s sake, we have to accomplish anything.”

Her expression was resolute, as though she would stake even her life for Raon.

“She’s right.”

Mark Goetten also nodded, his gaze heavy, as if of the same mind as Martha.

“Is it really winter? Why is it so hot in here… ugh!”

Dorian recoiled as if frightened, nearly falling backward.

“What are you doing?”

Krein frowned as he held Dorian by the shoulder.

“I-I don’t know either. My legs just suddenly gave out.”

Dorian exhaled helplessly, saying he didn’t know what was happening himself.

“A guy who’s a Master still can’t even control his own body.”

Krein snorted in disdain and smacked the back of Dorian’s head.

Kwoong!

At that moment, Raon roughly flung open the door and entered the training ground.

“You’re all here.”

He swept his gaze quickly over the Light Wind Palace swordsmen and stepped up onto the platform.

“There’s something I need to say to you.”

Raon, gripping Heavenly Drive, looked down at the Light Wind swordsmen.

“We already know!”

Krein quickly raised his hand, saying there was no need to explain.

“You want us to create or bring back missions, right? Don’t worry! Krein, the powerhouse of the Light Wind Palace and its assault division leader, will go out right away to find missions….”

He openly showed that he wanted to look good to Raon, grinning foolishly.

“No.”

Raon firmly shook his head.

“Huh?”

“That’s not it?”

“If it’s not missions, then what is it?”

Not only Krein but the other swordsmen also widened their eyes in surprise at his answer.

“I’ll be going to Habun Castle with Yua and Yulius. While I’m away, you must take on and complete as many missions as you can.”

Raon rotated his wrist as though loosening up, speaking as if it were nothing special.

“Ha–Habun Castle?”

Burren’s lips trembled.

“Hey! Why would you leave at such an important time!”

For the first time in a long while, he dropped polite speech and shouted at Raon.

“Got it…”

Runaan blinked slowly and nodded, as if to say she understood. She seemed already half asleep.

“H–he’s serious! He really isn’t going to do missions and plans to leave instead!”

Dorian sensed Raon’s thoughts and gaped with his mouth wide open.

“You have a reason, right?”

Martha, as though trusting Raon’s words, didn’t panic and simply asked.

“Of course.”

“Alright then.”

She crossed her arms and nodded, as though that was enough for her.

“‘Alright then’? You can’t just end it like that! This isn’t just any matter — we’re talking about the successor!”

Burren stomped his foot hard, telling them to get a grip.

“My father has already found a mission and finished preparing to leave!”

He was so frustrated that he even revealed Karoon’s movements.

“Then you all do it.”

Raon extended his hand toward the Light Wind swordsmen.

“Huh? Us?”

“What do you mean….”

“W–what are we supposed to do?”

The swordsmen blinked blankly at one another, not understanding.

“You take part in the successor competition. Find missions, complete them on your own, and bring back Zieghart’s tablets.”

Raon clapped his hands, saying they would join the competition in his stead.

“Eh?”

Burren’s eyes shook violently, as though turning into question marks.

“U-Us, for the successor?”

Krein also gaped.

“How could we take part in the competition! We’re way behind in both achievements and skill!”

Trevin shook his head, insisting it was impossible.

“You have to face it head-on. Even if you get crushed, you’ll still gain something. This successor test isn’t just a simple selection. The head of house…”

Raon shared with the Light Wind swordsmen what Glenn had told him in the audience chamber.

“So that’s it.”

Burren finally understood Raon’s intent and nodded.

“Competing like that will certainly make us grow. As expected of the head of house.”

Martha let out a sigh of astonishment at Glenn’s intention.

“……”

Runaan, already fallen asleep, nodded off with a soft snore.

“Of course, what you’re saying is also true. When it comes to achievements or skill, you’re still far behind. But you don’t have to worry. Because I’m here.”

Raon curled his lips into a smile, his eyes glinting coldly.

“S-surely not….”

Krein’s jaw trembled as if he had only just now sensed the ominousness.

“You guessed right. Until I leave, I’ll put you through some very special training.”

Raon smiled faintly, saying they could look forward to it, just like the training before the war.

“Ugh…”

“We—we’re doing that again?”

“I’d rather just die! Please stab me quickly!”

As soon as they heard the words ‘special training,’ the swordsmen drooled and crawled on the floor like trained dogs.

“I was wondering why it hadn’t come yet….”

Burren sighed deeply, as if he had half expected it.

“Yeah. We’ve rested enough.”

Martha clenched and unclenched her fist, steeling herself.

“N-no… I don’t want to….”

Even in her sleep, Runaan muttered faintly, lips twitching like a baby bird, as if refusing special training.

“At last! I’ve been waiting for this!”

Trevin, on the contrary, seemed pleased and immediately drew his sword.

“Argh! No wonder my legs felt weak…”

Dorian clutched his head, realizing there had been a reason.

“Then, to begin…”

“Hrk!”

Krein whimpered and stepped forward, as if sensing his fate.

“Krein. You’ll go later.”

Raon waved not at him but at Dorian.

“Dorian, since you have to come with me, you get hit first. No, let’s call it training first.”

“N-now you’re not saying train, but that I should get hit….”

“It’s just your imagination. Come here.”

It wasn’t just his imagination, Raon crooked his finger with a smile that looked as if he might really kill him.

“Oh, and Krein, you’ll be last. I’ll pour every bit of my remaining strength into making you strong.”

After a gesture tinged with killing intent toward Krein, Raon walked up to Dorian.

“Aaaaaaagh!”

“Ghhhuuuk!”

The screams of the two swordsmen, the first and last of the training, rang harshly through the night training ground.

*   *   *

“Are you ready?”

Raon gestured to Yua, who was cutely carrying a backpack.

“Yes! All ready!”

Yua patted her backpack and nodded, as though telling him not to worry.

“Raon. Why don’t you ask me?”

Evelyn, with a small bag slung diagonally across her body, furrowed her eyes.

“Am I invisible to you?”

She leaned her flushed face close, as if demanding he speak quickly.

“Y–you’re ready, right?”

Raon pulled his upper body back and quickly opened his mouth.

“Call me by name.”

“Uh, E–Evelyn. Are you ready…?”

“Yes! All set! As long as I have you, that’s enough.”

Evelyn smiled brightly, saying Raon himself was her preparation.

“Uhh…”

Raon swallowed dryly and stepped one pace farther from Evelyn.

Uuurgh….

Wrath foamed at the mouth in fright, even though it wasn’t him Evelyn startled.

‘I’m getting less and less used to this too.’

It felt like Evelyn’s sense of distance had completely disappeared, making me tense every moment.

“L–let’s go.”

Even though we hadn’t departed yet, I already felt deep fatigue as I opened the annex building door.

“Come back safely.”

Sylvia, who was in the garden, waved her hand, telling him to look after Yua and Yulius.

“Don’t stay away too long.”

Edgar nodded, telling him to return quickly.

“Mother, father, don’t worry. I’m here! Even if they don’t want to return, I’ll drag them back if I have to!”

Evelyn beamed, saying she would take care of everything.

“Ah…”

“Y–yes. We’ll count on you…”

Sylvia and Edgar answered quickly, their eyes shifting away as though Evelyn made them uncomfortable.

“Have a safe trip.”

Judiel bowed her head, wishing them a comfortable journey.

“Raon! Bring back a present!”

Sia waved, saying she’d be waiting.

“Alright. I’ll be back.”

Raon smiled and held Sia’s hand.

‘My sister has changed a lot too.’

In fact, I had planned to take Sia along on this trip, but she found swordsmanship training enjoyable and chose to remain at the house of her own accord. By now, she seemed to have completely grown out of her adolescence

“I’ll be back.”

After bowing his head to his family, Raon left the annex building with Evelyn, Sia, and Yulius.

“Sh–should I carry that for you?”

Yulius, glancing sideways, reached out toward Yua’s bag.

“No need. It’s light!”

Yua laughed, saying it was fine.

“I–I was just saying….”

When the words Yulius had spoken with courage didn’t get through, he lowered his eyes slightly in disappointment.

“Like this, doesn’t it feel like we’re going on a trip as two couples?”

Evelyn clapped her hands, saying the mood was just perfect.

“C-couple? What are you talking about! Absolutely not!”

Yulius shook his head fiercely, saying not to see him and Yua that way.

“That’s right! I see it that way too!”

Yua nodded, saying she understood what Evelyn meant.

“Stop saying childish things… huh? Y-you really mean it?”

Yulius, who had been about to shout at Evelyn not to say strange things, suddenly brightened at Yua’s words.

“You really think that….”

“Of course, not that we are!”

Yua waved her hands, saying that wasn’t the case.

“Ah…”

Yulius’s face, which had lit up, darkened again.

“Hoo.”

Raon let out a sigh of relief.

‘Thank goodness. At least those two are cute.’

I thought the trip would be suffocating because of Evelyn, but thanks to Yua and Yulius, it might even be a little enjoyable.

“The road is long, let’s get going.”

Raon led the three of them toward Zieghart’s main gate.

As they approached the fortress wall to ask the Foreign Minister Illiune to open the gate, a familiar figure came into view.

“Darkan?”

Raon widened his eyes at the sight of Darkan leaning against the wall with arms crossed.

“Why are you here….”

“I was waiting for you.”

“For me? Then you could have come to the annex building.”

“Because I’m leaving too.”

Darkan rotated his ankle, saying the time had come for him to leave Zieghart as well.

“But before that, I had to tell you something. Raon Zieghart, do you….”

His hand rested on the hilt of the black sword as he looked at him.

“Do you know the secret of the holy land?”

 

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