The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1102

 Chapter 1102

 

“It is an honor that the Light Wind palace master has come all the way to this humble place!”

Chad, the Shadow Agents master, bowed deeply to Raon. His respectful posture was almost as if he were meeting Glenn.

“W-Why are you doing this!”

Raon lifted Chad up, who had bent so low his head was nearly touching the ground.

“I have to say it like this for you to understand!”

Chad declared that from now on he would no longer be vague, but express himself clearly, and he did not raise his bowed head.

“I understand perfectly well now. Please stop!”

Raon let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Ahem….”

Only after hearing those words did Chad finally rise and sit in his chair. Looking at him now, he seemed a little sulky.

“My apologies. Everyone else already knew, but I was too slow to notice.”

Raon bowed his head again, saying he would apologize once more.

“Ah, it was just a joke!”

Chad insisted he was only kidding as he poured Raon some tea. But his hand holding the teapot was trembling, making it clear it wasn’t really a joke.

“Thank you.”

Raon drank the tea Chad had poured and closed his eyes.

‘This will be the last one.’

I had left only a single day free before heading to Seipia, so the places where I could gather supporters were limited.

I had already met Encia, Denning Rose, and Rokan, from whom I had quickly secured support, and finally I had come here, to the Shadow Agents.

Judging from Chad’s expression, it seemed highly likely he would give his support without further words.

“The reason I came here….”

Raon parted his lips, warmed red by the tea.

“…is to receive the Shadow Agents master’s support. Will you back me as Zieghart’s successor?”

He asked for the favor and looked into Chad's eyes.

“In truth, the Shadow Agents belong to no faction. We serve only the head of house directly.”

Chad tapped the table with his finger as he repeated the words he had once heard from the previous master of the Shadow Agents.

“That is why the Shadow Agents never participate in the successor test like the Senate does.”

He nodded, saying that the Shadow Agents had always remained neutral.

“Ah….”

Raon nodded as he looked into Chad’s calm eyes.

"I see. I have committed a discourtesy."

He believed Chad's words were right, so he apologized immediately.

“But!”

Chad slapped his palm on the table and raised his voice.

“I have already dirtied my hands! As I told you before, even though I am a member of the Shadow Agents, who should remain neutral, I have followed you as though you were the successor! My conscience was torn apart long ago, so what is there to lose by sinking it once more into the mud!”

Shouting that he had already made his preparations, he pulled the Shadow Agents’ emblem out from beneath the table.

“Take it!”

Chad waved his hand firmly, saying he would announce right away that the Shadow Agents supported Raon.

“Hmm….”

Raon swallowed dryly as he looked at the emblem of the Shadow Agents, marked with a swallow.

‘The others weighed heavily too, but this one feels especially heavy.’

Because this was an organization directly under the head of house, and one that handled the most important information, its support carried even greater weight than the rest.

‘Grandfather must be shouldering an even heavier weight than this.’

Now I understood why he had made the second successor test about gathering supporters. He must have wanted them to experience firsthand the crushing weight of responsibility that a head of house must bear.

‘I really can’t compare to him.’

Not only in martial strength, but also in dealing with people and making judgments, the difference between him and me was enormous. I still had much to learn.

“Thank you. I will treasure this.”

Raon spoke his gratitude and gripped the Shadow Agents’ emblem tightly in his hand.

“Of course, since you are not yet the official head of house, I must still provide information to the other candidates as well.”

Chad shook his head, saying that part he could not avoid.

“I never intended to stop that. You may share it as much as you need.”

Raon shook his head, saying it was fine.

Hey.

Wrath landed on Raon’s shoulder.

Ask him one thing.

‘What?’

Ask if your face had anything to do with it when he first decided to support you.

He smacked his lips, saying he was curious.

‘Does that even make sense? Why would the Shadow Agents’ master care about my face?’

Raon shook his head, telling him to stop talking nonsense.

Just ask already!

Wrath pressed his hands together, begging.

“Sigh….”

Raon sighed and looked at Chad.

“Shadow Agents master. Please don’t take this the wrong way…”

“Yes?”

“When you gave me information as a potential successor, was it because of my face too?”

Even as he asked, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“What? Of course it was!”

Chad nodded as though there was no need to even ask.

“Men like handsome men too. It’s not about attraction, it’s just that when you look at them, it’s fascinating, and pleasing to the eyes. But more important than that…”

He raised a finger and pointed toward the lord’s manor.

“You, Sir Raon, resemble the head of house so very much. That kind of radiant blond hair belongs only to the head of house, Lady Sylvia, and you.”

Chad nodded, saying that when he saw those deep blond hair and red eyes, he realized Raon had inherited Glenn’s blood the strongest.

Didn’t the King of Essence tell you! It’s because of your face!

Wrath glared at him, as if to say he had known it all along.

‘This time it’s not only because of my face, but also because I resemble grandfather….’

Raon waved his hand vigorously.

The King of Essence shall change it.

Wrath ground his teeth.

He’ll change this face to look like yours and win back the system’s affection!

In his cotton-candy form, he stroked his nose, declaring he would alter his face to resemble his own.

Just wait, system! He’ll show you what a true beauty really is!

‘……’

Raon shook his head as he watched the blue cotton candy rub its own face with its hands.

‘So it’s not just me going crazy.’

*   *   *

As Raon left the Shadow Agents and was on his way back to the annex building, he stopped in his tracks.

Fwaaaah!

As the red sun sank, violet light spread across snow-covered North Grave Mountain, painting a watercolor-like scene.

‘Beautiful.’

Raon smiled gently as he gazed at the magnificent Zieghart sky.

Not as much as the King of Essence’s castle, but not bad.

Wrath smacked his lips, saying even the skies of the human world weren’t too bad.

When you come to devildom someday, he’ll show you what a true spectacle is.

Wrath nodded, certain Raon would eventually come to devildom.

‘I want to protect this sky.’

Raon clenched his fist as he looked at the sky growing darker.

Protect it?

‘Yes. In the coming war, I don’t want anyone’s blood to be shed on this land.’

It was certain that Derus and the Heavenly Demon, with no path left, would attack the bases of the Five Kings, starting with Zieghart.

Blood would surely flow across this land.

‘The aftermath of war will reach here too. Countless lives will inevitably be lost. But…’

As the last red shimmer spread across the fully darkened sky, Raon nodded.

‘I want to protect this place. I don’t want to let even a single person die.’

I had once died as an assassin with nothing, then became a swordsman who received more love than I could ever deserve.

Having lived two lives, I now understood just how precious human lives were. As a member of Zieghart, I would not let anyone perish.

How arrogant!

Wrath lifted his chin, radiating a fierce surge of energy.

Not let a single person die? Do you think that’s possible in war?

He shook his head sharply, telling Raon to get real.

Moreover, your enemies are all without exception strong and ruthless. To call them demon king level or higher would not be an exaggeration. No, by the next time you face them, they will have already surpassed most demon kings.

Wrath narrowed his eyes, saying the Heavenly Demon was already demon king level, and that Derus too would appear having reached that level.

And you think you can protect everyone from them?

His rough voice pressed the question, as if asking if Raon truly believed it possible.

‘It’s almost impossible.’

Raon nodded calmly.

‘Even so, I’ll try. That’s why I keep training even now.’

I had witnessed countless deaths and wars since my past life. I knew well how hard it was to save everyone, but even so, I wanted to cling to that precious ideal of keeping everyone alive.

..You, you're serious.

Wrath exhaled as he looked into Raon’s earnest gaze.

If you’re thinking that far, then try it.

He nodded as if it would be interesting.

If you really reach the realm where such a thing is possible, the King of Essence will lend you a hand as well.

As soon as Wrath felt his words were genuine, he wiped away his usual sneer and accepted it seriously.

‘Ha.’

Raon let out a faint laugh as he watched Wrath nod with calm seriousness.

Why, why are you laughing! The King of Essence is serious!

Wrath frowned, as though displeased.

‘You always call everyone else a doormat.’

Raon chuckled as he recalled Wrath’s usual words.

‘But no matter how I look at it, you’re the last one qualified to say that.’

He would take seriously even worries that others would dismiss, and even suggest solutions he intended to shoulder himself. How could someone who called himself a demon king be so pure and kind?

Whatever you just said, you insulted the King of Essence, didn’t you!

Wrath blew steam from his mouth, demanding Raon speak clearly.

‘Stay just the way you are.’

Raon smiled and tapped Wrath’s head lightly.

He refuses! The King of Essence is not a doormat!

‘Ah, but you are a doormat.’

No, he is not!

‘Absolutely, you are.’

*   *   *

Knock, knock.

A dull knock echoed outside the quiet office.

“Come in.”

As Karoon nodded, the office door opened and Burren stepped inside.

“Seems today’s training was quite rough.”

He narrowed his eyes in a faint smile at Burren’s dust-covered face and training uniform.

“Yes. Today was the Sword Sovereign’s training, and it was so harsh that keeping up wasn’t easy.”

Burren added that it had still been fun training, and curled his lips slightly upward.

“It is a rare opportunity. Don’t ever let it slip. Her swordsmanship remains one of the strongest in existence.”

Karoon flicked his finger, telling him not to miss a single bit of the Sword Sovereign’s teaching.

“Yes! I know that very well.”

Burren bowed, saying not to worry.

“But…”

He narrowed his eyes toward Karoon’s desk.

“How goes the matter of gathering supporters?”

With a slightly tense face, Burren stepped closer.

“Sorting the list isn’t easy. And I have to compete with Balder as well.”

Karoon shook his head, saying it wasn’t as simple as he had thought.

“Raon reportedly visited four places just today. And he gained support from all of them.”

Burren spoke about Raon, as if worried for his father Karoon.

“From tomorrow, he’ll go outside to gather new supporters.”

“The four places he visited today must have been House Yonaan, the Black Market, House Sullion, and the Shadow Agents.”

Karoon nodded as if he already knew.

“Ah, you already knew?”

Burren widened his eyes in surprise.

“Of course. I would have moved the same way.”

Karoon gave a faint smile, saying it was obvious. By now, he fully acknowledged Raon.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Karoon shook his head as he looked at Buren, whose eyes were darting about in fluster.

“This time as well…”

He lightly organized the documents in his hand and smiled.

“I will be the first to pass.”

He made a leisurely gesture, as if his preparations were all finished.

“If you’re curious, would you like to come along?”

Karoon extended his hand as if wanting Burren to gain broader experience.

“Ah…”

Burren looked at his hand, then stepped slightly back.

“I—I’m sorry, but I might accidentally tell Raon about father’s plans. It would be better if I don’t go….”

He lowered his eyes, saying he might let something slip without realizing.

“It’s fine. Didn’t you also tell me about Raon?”

Karoon shook his head as if it didn’t matter.

“In the end, we’re all still Zieghart. And besides…”

He lowered his hand, saying it truly was fine.

“In the end, I will be the one who wins.”

Karoon let out a refreshing smile, as if all the irritation, anger, stubbornness, and jealousy he had carried since childhood had been transformed into magnanimity.

“Father…”

Burren’s clasped hands trembled, as if he were deeply moved by Karoon’s demeanor.

“Prepare yourself.”

Karoon grasped Burren’s shoulder and pulled him up.

"I will show you what the life of a direct line of Zieghart is like."

* * *

The next day.

On his way to leave for Seipia, Raon stopped while heading toward the fortress wall.

‘Huh?’

Beside Dorian, who was waiting at the gate, stood two familiar women.

“Why are you here?”

Martha frowned as she looked to her right.

“Because wherever Raon goes is my path too.”

Evelyn looked to her left and smiled faintly.

“Then why are you here?”

She threw the question back at Martha.

“Because there’s something I need to say in Seipia.”

Martha insisted it wasn’t about following Raon, but about going to Seipia itself, as she jutted her chin.

“Tell me. I’ll deliver it for you.”

Evelyn crooked her finger, urging her to speak quickly.

“No need. This is something I have to say myself.”

Martha snorted, saying she would say it herself.

“Sigh…”

Raon let out a long sigh as he looked at Evelyn and Martha.

‘Still not getting along.’

It wasn’t because of him that the two fought. They had never gotten along to begin with.

“Oh? Raon!”

Evelyn noticed him first and waved.

“Hmph.”

Martha raised her brows but didn’t uncross her arms.

“S-Sir Raon!”

Caught between Martha and Evelyn, Dorian raised both arms high, trembling as if he had just come back from the dead.

“What are you two doing here?”

Raon suppressed another sigh as he approached Evelyn and Martha.

“When the needle goes, the thread must follow.”

Evelyn smiled faintly, saying she had made her preparations in advance.

“In the war against the White Blood Religion, I received great help from our master. I want to go to Seipia and tell them about it.”

Martha bit her lip lightly, saying she wanted to deliver Rimmer’s words personally.

“I see…”

Hearing their reasons, it would be right to take only Martha, but since it was obvious Evelyn would cause a scene, I couldn’t just leave her behind.

No, that’s not it. Even if you left her behind, she’d obviously just latch on anyway!

Wrath shook his head violently.

Since she’ll cling like a stalker no matter what, it’s better to keep her where you can see her!

There was a strange persuasiveness in his words.

"Th-then, how about we all go tog..."

Raon, taking Wrath's advice, was about to suggest to Martha and Evelyn that they go together.

“Sir Raon.”

From the direction of the main street, Denning Rose approached.

“Lady Denning Rose? What brings you here at this hour…?”

Raon widened his eyes at her.

“There seems to be a small problem in Seipia, where you’re headed.”

Denning Rose lowered her voice, saying it was newly arrived information.

“Wh-What kind of problem?”

Dorian had already swallowed dryly, trembling in fear.

“They say crimson winds and fog carrying the scent of blood are raging through the great forest that makes up Seipia.”

Denning Rose shook her head, explaining that because of the crimson winds and fog, it was impossible to approach from the outside.

“Crimson fog and wind…”

Raon’s lips curved slightly upward, without the least bit of surprise.

‘So it went that way after all.

 

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