The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1074

 Chapter 1074

 

“Lower your sword a little. Make sure you’re clearly aware that the place you’re aiming at is the enemy’s heart.”

Darkan pressed down on Crane’s arm and taught him the correct thrusting posture.

“Yessir! This posture is right, isn’t it?”

Following Darkan’s instruction, Krein sharply thrust his sword forward. A bursting sound rang out as the air split from the shockwave blooming off the sword’s edge.

“Hmm….”

Darkan looked at Krein’s thrust from different angles, then shook his head.

“Your sword has no taste. You’re trying too hard to look cool.”

Saying it wasn’t worth teaching, he turned his body away.

“W-what, but I did exactly as you said….”

Krein’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Compared to that….”

Darkan smacked his lips as he looked at Dorian practicing swordsmanship in a corner.

“You, you look decent enough.”

He rubbed his palms together as he watched Dorian’s sword, which seemed lacking in boldness.

“M-me?”

Dorian’s eyes went wide, as if he never imagined his swordsmanship would be praised.

“Forget about others, but definitely not him! He’s a coward, he always practices evasive sword techniques!”

Krein shouted, unable to accept Darkan’s words.

“That’s why it’s interesting.”

Darkan grinned and approached Dorian.

“The sword is a tool meant to stab people and kill them, but he runs away? Isn’t that intriguing?”

He gestured with his chin for him to keep showing his swordsmanship.

“Besides, in actual combat you hold a stance that looks more like you’d step forward rather than retreat. Ah, and in that sword technique, turn your ankle about fifteen degrees more.”

Finding Dorian’s swordsmanship to his liking, Darkan gave detailed instruction.

“Grrr….”

Krein chewed his lips furiously and swung his sword with all his strength, but Darkan’s gaze did not return.

“I can do it too….”

“Then should I take a look?”

Raon curled his lips as he stood in front of Krein, who was frowning.

“N-no! Training is something you do alone!”

Krein shook his head violently in absolute refusal and ran far away.

“…….”

Raon narrowed his eyes at the sight of Krein fleeing.

‘Did I torment them too hard before the war?’

The moment I mentioned the word “training,” they would flinch and flee. It seemed I had really pushed them too hard.

‘Of course, I’d do the same even if I went back.’

I didn’t regret it, I believed it was thanks to that hellish training that the Light Wind Palace swordsmen survived.

You simply lack popularity, that’s all.

Wrath snorted through his nose.

When the King of Essence declared he would give instruction, his subordinates would line up for three days and nights straight!

Muttering that those were good times, he lifted his dimming eyes.

‘Oh.’

Finding it too bothersome to respond, Raon clapped once and drew Heavenly Drive.

‘Oh,’ you say! Respond properly! No, more than that….

Wrath furrowed his brows at him.

Tell me properly what you meant earlier! What did you mean by going on a journey to find friends!

He bared his white teeth, demanding a straight answer.

‘Exactly as I said. I mean I’ll be setting out on a journey to find your friends.’

By friends, do you mean those other demon kings? Hmph! The King of Essence has no such thing as friends! He is a monarch who enjoys solitude!

Wrath shook his head vigorously, saying he raised no such thing as friends.

‘Didn’t you say we’re friends? Saying you have none is a little disappointing.’

Raon lowered his gaze with a faint sigh.

Wh-what? That’s not—it’s just that the King of Essence….

Wrath’s lips trembled as if flustered by Raon’s disappointed expression.

N-no! He almost got tricked by this damned brat again!

He scowled, telling him not to spout nonsense.

‘Doesn’t work, huh.’

Raon smirked and lifted his gaze.

‘But you’re right, I am trying to find the demon kings.’

As expected!

Wrath swung his hand down as if he knew it.

‘Because in the final war, we’ll need the power of the demon kings.’

The martial strength of the archangels is at least equal to the heads of the Five Kings and Three Demons. Among them, there may be monsters with power comparable to Glenn, the Heavenly Demon, or Derus.

If Derus summoned all seven archangels and declared war, defeat would be inevitable, so preparations had to be made in advance.

‘If the archangels appear, will the demon kings fight?’

Raon turned his gaze to Wrath, waiting for the answer.

Absolutely not!

Wrath shook his head firmly.

Demon kings are more faithful to instinct than any other demons. If archangels descended into the human world, which is not their territory, the idea that they’d fight for it is laughably naive!

He sneered, saying Raon’s hopes would never be realized.

‘Then in the end, do I have to borrow your name?’

Raon grinned and put his hand on Wrath’s head.

‘If the Demon King of Wrath tells them to fight, wouldn’t it work out somehow?’

Knew it! You damned brat!

Wrath gnashed his teeth, saying Raon never failed to meet his predictions.

This time, things won’t flow so conveniently according to your schemes. War against the archangels is a matter where even the demon kings must stake their lives.

He wore a haughty expression, saying it wouldn’t go as easily as before.

‘Then I’ll have to prepare myself as well.’

Raon gave a faint smile and raised his finger.

Prepare?

‘Since you said the demon kings are demons who follow their instincts more than anyone, I need to prepare to persuade them.’

Hmph! That is correct!

‘Thanks for the answer.’

Wh-what? Uh….

Wrath blinked blankly at him.

Y-you bastard, using the King of Essence again!

He shouted, realizing what he had just said.

‘So for now, the only one whose current location I know is Sloth, huh?’

Leaving Wrath’s yelling behind him, Raon recalled the demon kings he had encountered so far.

That’s likely the case. A few of them are probably in the devildom, and a few others are wandering the human world as they please.

Wrath, upon hearing Raon’s muttering, flew over and nodded. Truly, a cute demon king.

‘Envy and Greed are in devildom, and Gluttony is probably busy visiting all the continent’s bead ice cream shops.’

Since I had personally seen Envy and Greed return to the devildom, they should still be there.

As for Gluttony, once she ran out of money, she would come on her own, so there was no need to seek her out first.

‘Next is Lust, then.’

Recalling Lust’s sultry eyes, Raon stroked his chin.

‘Lust probably isn’t nearby either.’

Even though I had used her authority and Wrath’s authority to the fullest at the White Blood Religion, Lust hadn’t appeared, so it was certain Lust was elsewhere.

Phew….

Wrath let out a sigh of relief, as if it was a good thing.

‘And lastly, where’s Pride?’

Raon looked at Wrath as he mentioned Pride’s name.

Hmm….

Wrath silently looked up at the air, then shook his head.

No one knows. That one, after being in the devildom, suddenly invades heaven, or crosses into other dimensions in search of the strong. He’s a weirdo, so no one can know where he is or what he’s doing.

Wrath shook his head, saying it was true that Pride’s authority and presence could be felt from the Heavenly Demon, but it didn’t seem like they were together.

‘In the end, only Sloth, then.’

As long as you didn’t wake him from his sleep, Sloth was a gentle demon king, so he seemed like a good one to visit first.

Damn it….

Wrath wrinkled the bridge of his nose, saying only the dumbest one was left.

‘That….’

I almost asked, ‘Aren’t you the dumbest one?’ but I held back because he might throw a tantrum.

“Hey.”

While Raon was lightly loosening his body and sorting out his thoughts, Darkan approached.

“Has your body recovered? Then let’s have a fight.”

Darkan curled up the corner of his lips and laid his hand on the black sword.

“Is ‘let’s fight’ the only thing you can say?”

Raon grabbed his head and let out a sigh.

“It’s only been a day. Do you really think I’d be fully recovered?”

Thanks to my traits and authority, my physical wounds were almost all healed, but my mind, strained from using the Heart Sword, had yet to recover.

I would need more time before I could spar with Darkan.

“Weakling.”

Darkan smirked and lowered his hand. From his eyes, it seemed he hadn’t really intended to fight anyway.

“You, what are you going to do about the Heart Sword?”

Darkan touched his eyepatch as he looked at him.

“What do you mean, what am I going to do about the Heart Sword? What are you talking about?”

Raon narrowed his eyes.

“As I said, beneath Derus’s soul is hidden a shadow’s soul greater than anyone else’s.”

As if recalling the time he used the Heart Sword, Darkan lightly bit his lip.

“I mean, have you thought about how to cut that?”

“That….”

Raon furrowed his brow and let out a faint groan.

“Derus Robert will definitely reappear having mastered the Heart Sword. And the size of his soul will become even larger and harder.”

Darkan nodded firmly, saying it was certain because he had seen it himself.

“My Heart Sword is already broken, and even Glenn Zieghart’s Heart Sword won’t be able to cut that soul in a single strike.”

He turned his head toward Raon and gripped the black sword at his waist.

“I’ll find a way to deal with Derus, but you should also prepare yourself. The turn may pass beyond Glenn and come to you.”

Darkan nodded heavily, as if saying that next time he faced Derus, he would have to be prepared for death.

“The Heart Sword has limitless paths of development, so find the sword that suits you and grow it.”

Leaving those words behind, he left the fifth training ground.

That bastard….

Wrath narrowed his eyes at the swaying door of the training ground Darkan had exited through.

‘Yeah.’

Raon clenched Heavenly Drive in his hand and nodded.

‘He wanted to give me guidance.’

Darkan was right. Even if I summoned the demon kings, if I were weak, I would lose to Derus again.

‘While finding the demon kings….’

Raon smacked his lips as he looked down at Wrath.

‘I need to become stronger too.’

Wh-why are you saying that while looking at the King of Essence?

“……”

Raon smacked his lips in silence as he watched Wrath’s trembling eyes.

Say something, you’re scaring me!

‘Hmm.’

You crazy bastard!

*   *   *

“Father. It’s time to attend the banquet.”

Burren stood in front of Karoon’s office, dressed in elegant formalwear.

“Father?”

But even as time passed, Karoon’s voice did not answer.

“Hm….”

Burren lowered his brows and opened the office door. Cold air was rising inside, as if Karoon had left long ago.

‘Where could he be?’

Tilting his head, Burren descended the stairs, when the sound of sword wind came from the training ground behind.

‘No way….’

Entering the training ground just in case, he saw Karoon, shirtless, swinging his sword.

“Father?”

Burren’s eyes widened.

“Why are you training here?”

He had never imagined Karoon, who valued the etiquette of nobility, would be training and sweating before a banquet. It was so unlike his usual self that it was startling.

“Hm….”

Sensing Burren’s presence, Karoon lowered his sword and wiped the sweat from his forehead and shoulders with a towel.

“Is it already time to leave?”

“Yes. The banquet will be starting soon.”

Burren nodded with a dazed expression.

“I see.”

Karoon raised his hand as if apologizing, then put on the formalwear hanging on his chair.

“Did you perhaps catch some clue for awakening?”

“Yes. The clue of regret.”

He nodded calmly.

“Regret…?”

“Protecting Zieghart is important, but the regret that I should have joined the war against the White Blood Religion at all costs keeps flooding in.”

Karoon bit his lip deeply.

“Not only is it regrettable that I failed to gain important experience, but more than that, I regret letting Denier go like that.”

He narrowed his eyes, saying that if he had been there, the tide of the war might have shifted at least a little.

“So I intend to swing my sword even in spare moments like this, so that I never regret again. I must catch up to that man too.”

Karoon sheathed his silver-flashing sword, saying that from now on, he would only look upward.

“I see.”

Burren smiled as he felt the gentle yet intense heat radiating from Karoon’s red eyes.

‘You’ve really changed.’

In the past, Karoon would have first envied Raon and thought of pulling him down by any means, but now he acknowledged Raon’s skill and achievements and said he would follow from behind. It really seemed like he had changed as a person.

“We’ll be late. Let’s go.”

Karoon gestured toward the banquet hall.

“Yes!”

Burren followed behind, feeling that Karoon’s back was still as broad and deep as when he was a child.

‘Someday, I too.’

*   *   *

Golden light poured down from a ceiling embroidered with ornate chandeliers, and the banquet hall of the main building, where the swords and armor once used by Zieghart’s ancestors were displayed.

Normally, only a small number of swordsmen were allowed to enter this honored place, but now it was filled with all the swordsmen who had participated in and helped in this war.

“The destruction of the White Blood Religion….”

Glenn stepped onto the platform in the banquet hall and nodded calmly.

“…was not the work of any one person, but something achieved because everyone here risked their lives and gave their effort.” He said he was truly impressed and nodded toward the swordsmen in the hall.

“We are five, and now the enemy is only three. Moreover, Eden has been cut in half.”

Glenn placed his hand on Heavenly Tremor, saying there was no need to fear the Three Demons. In his majestic presence, the golden light of the banquet hall seemed to blaze like crimson flames.

Puuuuuh!

The swordsmen struck their chests with their fists, as if agreeing with Glenn’s words. Because everyone had been together, a booming roar shook the entire banquet hall.

“We have prepared a banquet for the heroes who destroyed the White Blood Religion. Today, release the fatigue of war and enjoy the celebration.”

Glenn said they had done very well and sent applause to the swordsmen.

“Wuaaaaah!”

“Long live Zieghart!”

The swordsmen clapped together with Glenn or shouted in celebration of their victory.

The first is ice cream!

Wrath struck Raon’s shoulder and opened his mouth wide.

Start with that mountain of ice cream piled up over there!

Though he hadn’t even eaten a meal yet, he was pounding his back like a drum, insisting they eat dessert first.

“But before that….”

Glenn raised his hand toward the smiling swordsmen.

Why is that old man so talkative today?

Wrath narrowed his eyes, displeased.

Your only good point was that you didn’t talk much, and yet…!

He swung his arm as if to say someone should shut Glenn up.

“I will bestow rewards upon the swordsmen who took part in the war.”

At Glenn’s gesture, Roenn and the butlers brought out trays decorated with silver tablets.

“To the swordsmen who assisted in preparing for the war and contributed to breaking through the walls, I grant silver tablets.”

When he called their names, the swordsmen who had participated in the war went up to the platform one by one.

“Thank you for showing courage.”

Glenn personally handed them the silver tablets while patting their shoulders.

“Next, to the swordsmen who entered deep into the White Blood Religion’s headquarters and stopped the White Blood Religion leader, I grant golden tablets.”

Once the silver tablets had been awarded, Glenn immediately called the swordsmen who would receive golden tablets.

“Burren Zieghart, step forward.”

“Yes!”

Meeting Glenn’s gaze, Burren walked up to the platform with confident steps.

“Even when overwhelmed by the White Blood Religion leader, you swung your sword until the end. That was worthy of the title of vice palace master of the Light Wind  Palace.”

Glenn firmly grasped Burren’s shoulder, as if proud of him.

“Thank you!”

Overcome by Glenn’s intense praise, Burren pressed his lips tightly together.

“Martha Zieghart.”

“Yes!”

Martha exhaled deeply and stepped onto the platform. She forced herself to make a brighter expression.

“In a situation where it would not have been strange to collapse, thank you for enduring to the very end. If he saw you now, he would surely be pleased.”

Glenn carefully embraced Martha.

“Thank you….”

Martha’s voice trembled. To hold back her tears, she clenched her fists so tightly her hands bled as she came down from the platform.

“Runaan Sullion.”

“Yes….”

At Glenn’s call, Runaan approached him with sloth-like, slow steps.

“Your frost sword saved countless lives. Supporting from behind is not easier than fighting in front, and I thank you for always putting others first.”

Glenn gently placed his hand on Runaan’s shoulder as if he was proud of her.

“Yes….”

Runaan’s earlobes turned just a little red, as if she was happy. For her, it was a significant change in emotion.

After those three, the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace, as well as some from the Wise Martial Palace and True Martial Palace, also went up onto the platform and received golden tablets from Glenn.

“To those who received golden tablet, I grant the opportunity to enter Zieghart’s treasury.”

Glenn nodded, as if saying that was the reward for their victory.

After the awarding of silver and golden tablets was finished, the swordsmen’s gazes turned not to Glenn, but to Raon, who had not received anything yet.

“Raon Zieghart. Step forward.”

Glenn answered those gazes by calling Raon forward.

“Yes.”

Raon bowed and then went up to the platform.

“To Raon Zieghart, who discovered the White Blood Religion’s headquarters and made it possible to start the war, who slew the Ninth Apostle and broke through the fortress walls, and who cut down the White Blood Religion’s leader’s soul with the Heart Sword, I will grant three golden tablets.”

He lowered his chin heavily, saying these were feats so great they were hard to believe even after seeing them with his own eyes.

“Kheheum.”

The corners of Glenn’s mouth stirred like the waves of a great sea. But since Raon’s head covered it, the swordsmen behind him could not see.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed respectfully and received the three golden tablets that Roenn brought.

In truth, since Sylvia had already been made a direct line, they weren’t items he particularly needed anymore.

“It would be wise to keep those golden tablets safe.”

Glenn covered his lips with his finger, as if saying they would be needed in the future.

“And the reward to be given to Raon Zieghart is….”

He gave a faint smile toward Raon.

“Is it… permission to enter the treasury twice?”

Dorian smacked his lips in anticipation.

“No, idiot! Since he got three golden tablets, it’s three times!”

Krein waved his hand, telling him to think properly.

“Free pass. No, just give him the whole treasury….”

Runaan blinked, suggesting they should give the entire Zieghart treasury to Raon.

“……”

At such an absurd remark, the banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

“Aheem!”

Glenn cleared his throat, pretending not to have heard Runaan, and shook his head.

“To the Light Wind Palace master will be given the elixirs and weapons he desires from the treasury. And….”

He raised his hand, as if to show he wasn’t finished yet.

“For one month, I myself will personally teach the Light Wind Palace master martial arts.”

Glenn had always taught Raon secretly, thinking it might seem like favoritism. But this time, he declared openly that he would teach him directly, for a full month.

“Oh! That’s great!”

“He defeated the White Blood Religion leader, so that much is deserved!”

“I’m jealous. Just hearing a single piece of advice makes me happy….”

“In a month, he’ll change tremendously, right? I want to hear it too.”

Since it was the teaching of the strongest sword under heaven, there was no reward that could compare. But Raon’s accomplishments were just as great, so there was no one to object.

“……”

Karoon too calmly closed his eyes, as if he had no grounds to refute.

“Then, here—”

Just as Glenn nodded in satisfaction—

Fwooosh!

The brilliant light shining like the sun faded away, and a black sword, darker than the night sky, rose up.

Step.

At the piercing, ear-splitting sound of footsteps, the swordsmen unconsciously made way.

“That training….”

Darkan, though his upper energy center was broken and his Heart Sword shattered, the swordsman who had not lost his composure, curled his lips upward as he stood before Glenn.

“Can I join as well?”

 

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