The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1096

 Chapter 1096

 

“Central Martial Palace master?”

Raon widened his eyes and looked at Karoon.

‘What did he just say?’

I had known since childhood that Karoon’s personality and disposition had changed a lot, since Karoon had always been jealous and envious of me.

But in this matter, Karoon had no need, nor any reason, to step forward.

If he stayed quiet, he could naturally rise to the first position among the successor candidates, so why was he speaking up for me?

“Karoon….”

Glenn’s eyelids trembled faintly as he turned his gaze.

“Are you serious about what you just said?”

Since the start of the successor test, Karoon had worked day and night, accumulating more achievements than anyone else.

When Raon received several golden tablets at once, it wouldn’t have been strange for Karoon to protest the loudest. Yet, instead, he was supporting him.

“I am serious.”

Karoon calmly nodded.

“Although you did not say it, I also know the rule that the head of house established. You must have planned it so that, no matter how many achievements were accumulated, only one tablet would be given, but…”

He turned his body toward where Raon was.

“This matter must be regarded differently. The Light Wind Palace master did not simply accumulate achievements for the house, but accomplished a feat that could influence the continent itself, beyond even the Five Kings.”

Karoon revealed calm eyes, as if he were merely stating facts.

“The Sword Sovereign, the War King, and even a Golden Dragon of the Golden Tribe. All three are resources that will become great powers in the coming war. Therefore, I believe it right that Raon receives five golden tablets.”

He nodded, insisting this was a rational judgment without emotion.

“No matter how I see it, that can’t be my brother!”

Balder raised his hand, saying he really needed to check if that was truly Karoon.

“Could it be a doppelgänger transformed into him….”

“Shut up already!”

Aris smacked the back of Balder’s head.

“I–It’s still strange, though!”

Balder rubbed his swelling head and narrowed his eyes.

“Karoon lived for a long time consumed by his own jealousy and obstinacy, devouring his own talent and mind.”

Aris looked at Karoon with faintly glowing eyes.

“He must regret those wasted years more than anyone. It’s not strange he’s changed this much.”

She nodded calmly, saying that this was Karoon’s true self.

“Father….”

Burren bit his lips tightly, looking at Karoon as if deeply moved by his words.

“Hehh….”

The War King let out an admiring sound as he looked at Karoon.

“On my way here, I heard the general situation from the lord. To think he made such a judgment even while knowing it would be a disadvantage to himself, Zieghart truly has many talents.”

He looked at Karoon with warm eyes, as if genuinely impressed.

“You’re kind of cool.”

The Sword Sovereign raised her thumb toward Karoon.

“If you ever need help, just tell me. This big sister will come running anytime, anywhere!”

She, too, grinned, clearly taking a liking to Karoon.

Even before, the King of Essence said that shitty-eyes’ father had changed….

Wrath let out a hollow laugh.

He’s changed beyond imagination. It feels like looking at a completely different person.

He shook his head, saying Karoon had changed too much.

‘That’s true.’

Raon narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Karoon.

‘I never thought he would change like this either.’

There wasn’t the slightest wavering in Karoon’s gaze.

It wasn’t to gain favor with Glenn, nor to earn points with the Sword Sovereign and the War King, Karoon truly believed I had accomplished a great feat. The drastic change, surpassing boldness itself, was enough to make my hands tremble.

“Ahem!”

Glenn let out a long cough as he studied Karoon.

‘If Karoon says this, then there will be no one to oppose!’

If Karoon, who had the support of the direct line swordsmen and earned the most golden tablets during the successor test period, said such words, then no one would be able to raise an objection.

“Since the Central Martial Palace master has acknowledged it….”

As Glenn quickly gestured with his fingers, Roenn, as if waiting, went up to the platform with a tray bearing five golden tablets.

“Light Wind Palace master, come up to the platform!”

He rose from the throne and called Raon.

“…Yes.”

Raon met Karoon’s calm eyes, then walked up onto the platform where Glenn stood.

“For bringing the Sword Sovereign, the War King, and the Golden Dragon into Zieghart, I hereby grant the Light Wind Palace master five golden tablets.”

Suppressing the corners of his lips that threatened to rise up to the ceiling, Glenn handed the five golden tablets to Raon.

“Thank you.”

Raon raised both hands and carefully received the golden tablets.

Whether because there were five of them, or because of Karoon’s words, they felt far heavier than usual.

“Additionally, I grant you five more entries into Zieghart’s treasury.”

Glenn added the right to enter the treasury, since the achievement couldn’t be measured by golden tablets alone.

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed his head deeply toward Glenn.

‘I’ll have to go in soon.’

I hadn’t even used the entry ticket I got after slaying the White Blood Religion’s leader, so it seemed best to use them soon and bring out what I needed.

“……”

After carefully securing the tablets, Raon turned around.

“Uwooooooh!”

“Sword Emperor! Sword Emperor! Sword Emperor!”

“The Light Wind Palace will grow even stronger!”

“They might really become Zieghart’s strongest armed organization. No, maybe they already are?”

The executives clapped and shouted in praise.

‘Things have really changed.’

When I first stood in this place, no one cheered for me. When I became an executive, half gave me applause, and the other half shot me looks filled with jealousy.

And today, everyone present was congratulating me.

For the first time, it truly felt like I was a part of Zieghart. My chest burned hot.

‘Perhaps….’

Raon looked at Karoon, who was clapping calmly, and drew a faint smile.

‘It’s because he changed.’

Because Karoon, the representative of the direct line, acknowledged me, now the entire house was accepting me.

‘Just as I changed Karoon, Karoon has changed me too.’

It felt as if he had now entered the enclosure of a true family, and his heart raced.

“That will be all for today….”

Just as Glenn was raising his hand to end the gathering—

“Wait a moment.”

Raon stood once again at the front of the platform, lifting his head.

“There’s still something left. Dorian.”

He turned and beckoned to Dorian.

“Take it out.”

“Ah, yep!”

Dorian grinned as if he had been waiting for this moment and reached into his belly pocket.

Rumbleee!

He waved both hands, and a large quantity of seemingly unused weapons and armor poured out of his belly pocket.

“Wh–What is this!”

“There’s too many to count! Way too many!”

“N–Not only is there quantity, but the quality looks high too! These seem like dwarves made them?”

The executives gaped at the pile of weapons and armor stacking up in the center of the audience chamber.

“Huhhh….”

Even Glenn’s eyes widened in surprise.

“There are gold ingots too.”

Saying there was more, Dorian stacked gold ingots beside the weapons and armor.

“These are items Sir Paratheus donated for the coming war. Please use them for the house.”

Raon lowered his head, saying these were what Paratheus had given.

You’re taking everything out?

Wrath widened his eyes in surprise.

You greedy bastard, what’s gotten into you?

‘Not everything.’

Raon twisted his finger side to side.

‘I kept the best equipment aside for the Light Wind.’

What he Dorian taken out now were still advanced-grade or higher, but the very best quality items had been left inside Dorian’s belly pocket for the swordsmen of the Light Wind Palace.

“He gave all of that away?”

“With this, you can’t help but trust the dragon!”

“Exactly! Isn’t that practically emptying out the dragon’s nest?”

The executives nodded, saying they could now trust Paratheus as well.

“Well, it’s nothing much, but….”

Having been ignored daily by the Sword Sovereign and War King, Paratheus lifted his chin arrogantly, pleased to finally be praised.

“No….”

Unlike the others, Glenn looked at Raon with deeply regretful eyes.

“If you had something like this, you should have said so sooner. This too is a great achievement….”

His lips trembled as if to say that if Raon had mentioned it earlier, he could have earned another golden tablet.

“R-Right? Don’t you think so?”

Glenn turned his eyes toward Karoon again, as if asking for help.

“Since it’s already come this far, don’t you think one more could be given?”

He shot Karoon an intense look, urging him to say the words.

“It’s true, isn’t it? It’s worth giving.”

“Haa….”

For the first time, Karoon shook his head as if tired of Glenn.

*   *   *

In the end, Raon left the lord’s manor having received six golden tablets.

“I should be on my way as well.”

Karoon, who was the last to remain, bowed to Glenn and was about to leave the audience chamber.

“Karoon.”

Glenn raised his hand. He didn’t call him Central Martial Palace master but by his name, Karoon, meaning he wanted a personal conversation.

“Please speak.”

Karoon approached the platform again and looked at Glenn.

“Are you truly fine with this?”

Glenn slightly furrowed his brow.

“The golden tablets you struggled to gather for over a month were caught up to in a single achievement. Can you endure that?”

He let out a heavy sigh, as if concerned for Karoon.

“Thank you for your concern. But my heart…”

Karoon raised his right hand and placed it over his left chest, where his heart beat.

“…is more at peace than ever. In fact, I feel good.”

He smiled, saying he was in his best condition.

“Wh-Why is that?”

Burren, who had been waiting for Karoon, couldn’t hold back and opened his mouth.

“Burren. You must look at the forest, not the trees.”

Karoon moved his chin gently with soft eyes.

“Raon did not merely accumulate achievements for Zieghart’s sake, he created an accomplishment that could change the history of the continent. Bringing in the Sword Sovereign, the War King, and even the ancient dragon is worth that much.”

As he looked at the sunlight pouring down behind Glenn, he formed a gentle smile.

“Even if Zieghart has a successor, or rather, even if one becomes the head of house, if the house cannot be maintained, it means nothing. This achievement is such that not even six but ten golden tablets would be too few, so there’s nothing to regret.”

Karoon gave a heavy nod, as if to show he truly meant it.

“Karoon….”

Feeling Karoon’s sincerity, Glenn’s eyes widened.

“I see….”

Burren clenched his fist tightly, proud of Karoon for thinking that way.

“And besides….”

Karoon waved his fingertips up and down.

“If you dominate alone, it’s no fun. You need a proper opponent for fighting to be worthwhile.”

He nodded, saying he wanted Raon to chase after him.

“Is that enough of an answer?”

After answering Burren, Karoon looked up at Glenn and smiled.

“It’s more than enough.”

Glenn nodded, saying he understood everything.

“Then….”

Karoon bowed politely to Glenn and left the audience chamber together with Burren.

“This…”

Glenn looked at the seats where Karoon and Raon had stood as palace masters and smiled deeply.

“No matter who becomes the head of house, it feels like it will be both regretful and yet not regretful at the same time.”

*   *   *

As Raon walked toward the annex building with the Sword Sovereign, War King, and Paratheus, a familiar face appeared in the distance.

“So you’ve returned.”

The Gambling Monster frowned as he saw Raon.

“This time you were gone quite a while. What were you doing?”

He raised the liquor bottle in his hand and drank, saying he’d use it as a side dish for his drink, so Raon should talk.

“I’ve brought back senior Sword Sovereign and War King to Zieghart. And also this ancient dragon….”

Raon briefly introduced the people behind him.

“Pffhhhuuuaah!”

The Gambling Monster spewed out the liquor in his mouth like a fountain when he saw the Sword Sovereign and War King behind Raon.

“I–I am Herrian Zieghart, who goes by the nickname Gambling Monster!”

His usually indifferent, bored face turned to one of shock.

“Call me the Sword Sovereign.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Yuber.”

The Sword Sovereign and War King accepted his greeting and introduced themselves.

“V-Very glad to meet you!”

The Gambling Monster trembled as he bowed heavily to them, as though he hadn’t just been drinking.

“I’ll explain properly at the training ground.”

“Uhh….”

The Gambling Monster nodded, liquor and saliva dripping from his chin, as if to say do as you wish.

As Raon passed the trembling Gambling Monster and neared the annex building—

“Oh! You’ve come back?”

The Ragged Saint, Federick, waved his hand.

“Many guests today. Who are they all?”

With a gentle smile, he asked Raon to introduce the people behind him.

“I’ve brought senior Sword Sovereign and War King to Zieghart. And also this ancient dragon….”

Raon repeated what he had said to the Gambling Monster.

“Ah, a nickname that sounds powerful, you possess… huh?”

For once, wrinkles stretched across Federick’s always relaxed face.

“D–Did you just say Sword Sovereign and War King…?”

His mouth fell open, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You heard correctly.”

“I may be lacking, but I go by the nickname War King.”

The Sword Sovereign and the War King nodded to Federick.

“I am Federick, a healer.”

Federick used the word ‘healer,’ which he might have used in his youth, instead of his nickname, the Ragged Saint.

“If you’re a healer, then we’ll be seeing each other often.”

“We, too, know the name Ragged Saint. We entrust ourselves to you.”

The Sword Sovereign and War King greeted Federick with courtesy.

“Ah, y-yes.”

Federick straightened his bent back and sucked in a rough breath.

“I’ll come see you soon.”

Raon steadied Federick, who was dazed, by holding his shoulder and then entered the annex building’s garden.

“Son!”

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

“You took too long!”

Edgar, Sylvia, and Sia, who had been in the garden, all rushed toward him at once.

“I’ve returned.”

Raon bowed his head to Edgar and Sylvia.

“So this is your lord’s mother? Isn’t she your sister instead?”

The Sword Sovereign exclaimed, surprised by Sylvia’s beauty.

“Indeed, she doesn’t give the impression of being a mother.”

The War King also nodded his chin, seemingly impressed by Sylvia’s looks.

“I’m the older sister!”

Sia furrowed her brow, saying she was Raon’s older sister.

“Oh my! And who are these noble-looking people?”

Sylvia clasped her hands, delighted to be complimented on her looks as soon as they met, and asked Raon to introduce them quickly.

“The one before you is the Sword Sovereign, the man behind her is the War King, and at the end is Sir Paratheus, the ancient dragon of the Golden tribe.”

This was the third time Raon introduced his companions since leaving the main building.

“S–Sword Sovereign and War King?”

“That’s a lie, isn’t it? It doesn’t make any sense!”

Sylvia and Edgar widened their eyes in disbelief.

“Who?”

Sia tilted her head as though she didn’t know at all.

“I really am the Sword Sovereign. I’ve never told a lie in my life.”

“I am Yuber, the War King.”

The Sword Sovereign and the War King introduced themselves with a light tone, already seeming used to the situation.

“Khuhuk!”

“W-what have you done, for the Sword Sovereign and the War King to….”

Sylvia and Edgar collapsed to the ground as though their breath had been stolen, staring at Raon with eyes begging him to explain.

‘This is a bit….’

Raon grinned as he looked at their stunned expressions.

‘Kind of fun, though?’

Seeing how everyone reacted with shock upon hearing the nicknames of the Sword Sovereign and the War King, I couldn’t help but laugh.

‘Isn’t there anyone else to tease like this? Someone who’ll give a stronger reaction.’

Enough already!

Wrath waved his hand, telling him to stop.

If you go any crazier than this, there’ll really be no saving you!

* * *

“Haaah….”

As soon as Raon returned to his room, he sat down on a chair.

‘Now I feel a little more at ease.’

Even for me, the Sword Sovereign and War King were heavy names. Having returned home and finally resting, I felt some of that weight lift.

Once you eat and get a good nap, you’ll feel much better.

Wrath smacked his lips, telling him to eat and rest no matter what.

‘That would be good, but….’

Raon took off his outerwear and grasped Heavenly Drive in his hand.

Y-you’re not seriously….

‘I should get some training in. There’s still time before dinner.’

Since he hadn’t been able to train properly during the return, he wanted to loosen his body.

You’re crazy enough as it is, but when it comes to the sword, you’re utterly insane! Even the demons in the devildom who are called the Sword God aren’t on your level!

Wrath ground his teeth, saying just watching him was exhausting.

‘At this point, being called crazy feels like a compliment.’

Raon gave a faint laugh and started to rise from the chair.

Thuuuud!

The door to his room burst open, and in came the Sword Sovereign, the War King, and Sia held in their arms.

“To your lord’s sister….”

“To your lord’s sister….”

Their cheeks flushed red with genuine excitement as they pushed Sia forward.

“May we take her as our disciple?”

“May we pass down martial arts to her?”

 

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