The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1148

 Chapter 1148

 

"...And that is how I came to receive the support of the dragons."

Standing on the platform, Raon lowered his chin slightly as he looked toward Zieghart’s executives.

“The dragons, including Bartius, are still adult dragons, but their might is formidable, and many follow them. They will surely be of great help in the coming war.”

He proceeded to tell the executives everything that had happened so far.

“Dragons…?”

Karoon’s eyes widened sharply, like a hawk narrowing in on its prey.

“D-Did you just say you gained the dragons’ support?”

Balder blinked his huge, dragon-like eyes.

“Weren’t those bastards the ones who saw us as nothing but insects?”

He raised his voice, asking how in the world Raon managed to earn their support.

“I heard that these days, dragons unleash their breath the moment they see a human. To think you not only spoke with them, but actually gained their support….”

The Void Sword Division leader, Serena, let out a dry laugh as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard even after hearing it directly.

“How in the world did you do it?”

She slightly lowered her head, asking him to share how he managed to persuade dragons.

“The dragons’ support this time? Every time there’s a summons to the audience chamber, it’s something shocking.”

“Exactly. I thought it wouldn’t be anything major, but this is impossible not to be surprised by.”

“He really isn’t the head of house’s grandson for nothing.”

“No, that’s all because of the Light Wind Palace master himself, not because he’s the head of house’s grandson.”

The other executives also shook their heads in disbelief at Raon, who had brought back the dragons’ support.

“Raon. Did you drink with the dragons or something?”

Aris smiled faintly.

“Share some of your secrets with us. We might get to use them too.”

She winked playfully, asking him to tell them how he got close with the dragons.

Gulp.

The others swallowed dryly as well, staring at Raon, all clearly curious how he’d managed to gain the dragons' support. The audience chamber fell silent, as if it had become a library.

“Ahem! Kuhuum!”

Only Glenn broke the silence, repeatedly clearing his throat with a flushed face.

“It’s simple.”

Raon nodded calmly, meeting the executives’ gazes without wavering.

“I became close to them while fighting.”

He nodded slightly, as if saying it had just happened by chance.

“Why is it always something that just happens by chance with you!”

Balder thumped his chest in frustration.

“Does all the luck in the world only ever follow you or what!”

He shook his head violently, saying something like this couldn’t be done through luck alone.

It is luck….

Wrath let out a long sigh.

In all the years the King of Essence has lived, this is the first time he’s seen someone so absurdly blessed by luck.

He shook his head, saying that even throughout his long life, he had never encountered anyone whose luck followed him so persistently.

“Well, true enough. You can’t achieve something like that with luck alone.”

“Maybe they came because of his reputation?”

“Yeah, they said they recognized him as Raon Zieghart, the Sword Emperor, from the start.”

“Who would’ve thought reputation mattered even to dragons? I mustn't be complacent with where I am now.”

The executives each interpreted Raon’s words in their own way, each naturally inflating his achievements and fame.

“Kehuhuh…! Cough! Cough!”

Glenn, delighted by the sight of the executives’ growing admiration for Raon, kept clearing his throat again and again, until he actually started coughing for real.

It was an exceedingly rare sight, a Transcender, one who stood at the very peak of the continent, brought down by a simple cough.

“Haaa….”

Sheryl let out a long sigh, stepped onto the platform, handed Glenn a handkerchief, and patted his back.

Ughh, that geezer….

Wrath sighed in the same way and shook his head.

“Huhuhu.”

Roenn simply smiled, as though the current atmosphere itself pleased him, glancing warmly between Raon and Glenn.

“Ah! Wait a second!”

Aris suddenly raised her hand.

"The dragons' support also counts towards the successor test, right?"

She grinned, saying even if the number of supporters was small, they should still be included.

“D-Dragons too?”

Balder narrowed his eyes.

“Isn’t that a bit questionable? I mean, they’re not even human.”

He shifted his eyes slightly, as though hoping they wouldn’t be counted.

“Still, dragons are living beings that exist on this continent. I think it’s reasonable to include them….”

Serena stroked her chin, saying it would make sense to count them as supporters.

“Why even question the obvious?”

Karoon frowned at Balder.

“When the head of house gave the test, he said to find those who would follow and support you. The dragons said they would fight alongside the Light Wind Palace master in the war, and even promised to tell him where the Dragon Lord is.”

He looked at Raon, who stood calmly, as though proud of him.

“Those dragons indeed qualify to be counted as supporters.”

Karoon shook his head, saying there was no reason to argue, it was something already decided.

“Well, if that’s how it is, then so be it. I-I wasn’t planning to object anyway! I was just curious, that’s all! Yeah, curious!”

Balder waved his large, pot-lid-like hands, insisting he wasn’t opposing it.

“……”

Raon looked at Karoon, who was subtly pressuring Balder. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, as if he had only stated the obvious.

Has that guy really changed?

Wrath tilted his head in disbelief.

The King of Essence knows that humans can change little by little over time, but that big shitty eyes looks like his entire soul’s been swapped out.

He let out a puff of air, saying this was no mere change, it was something downright uncanny.

‘Then maybe he hasn’t changed. Maybe this is Karoon’s true nature.’

Although he had once gone down the wrong path, I felt that Karoon's true nature was that of a righteous and upright swordsman, like he was now

“Ahem!”

After finally calming his cough, Glenn cleared his throat.

“He’s right. Though they are few, gaining the support of dragons who aim to become the next Lord deserves to be counted in the test.”

He nodded quietly toward Karoon.

“And to the Light Wind Palace master, who has brought these dragons to our side, I grant permission to enter Zieghart’s treasury three times.”

Since Glenn already had instruction scheduled for a month later, he granted him permission to enter the treasury this time as the reward.

The other swordsmen nodded, seeing it as a fitting and rightful reward.

Step.

Glenn rose from his throne and walked to the edge of the platform.

“Following the Holy Sword Alliance and other factions, even the dragons have now become our strength. However, as you all know, our enemies are not to be underestimated.”

He lifted his chin, releasing the sharp, chilling pressure of the Destructive King of the North, as if the awkwardness from moments ago had never existed.

“In one year, to protect yourselves, your comrades, and your families, sharpen your swords as if your very lives depend on it.”

He revealed the vast presence of his soul, fanning the flame of morale that Raon had sparked among the executives into an even greater blaze.

“Yes!”

The executives, including Karoon, shouted in unison, their voices shaking the audience chamber as they felt the overwhelming dignity of Glenn’s soul.

‘Derus Robert.’

Raon looked over the executives, whose fighting spirit burned fiercer than Balrog’s, and recalled the face of the man he hated.

‘No matter what kind of plans you make, it won’t matter.’

Because I’ll destroy everything together with these people.

*   *   *

After leaving the audience chamber, Raon headed straight to the fifth training ground.

“Hyaaaah!”

The Light Wind swordsmen were swinging their swords with full force, sweat dripping endlessly as though their stamina had already reached its limit.

Normally, it wouldn’t have been strange for a few of them to take breaks and chat, but today, not a single one was resting. Everyone was completely immersed in training.

“Not bad.”

Raon smiled faintly as he sat on the platform, observing how much the swordsmen had improved over the week.

Hmm. It’s hard to believe they’ve grown this much in only a week.

Wrath also nodded, saying the swordsmen had truly changed a lot during that short time.

“It’s because of you.”

The Gambling Monster approached from behind with a sigh.

“They’ve all been training like mad, afraid of losing the chance to receive the head of house’s personal swordsmanship instruction.”

He gave a hollow laugh, saying some of them hadn’t even slept for a week.

“If they had trained like this from the beginning, every swordsman in the Light Wind Palace would already be a Grandmaster.”

“Um…”

Raon blinked and glanced back.

“Why are you swinging a sword too, general administrator…?”

The Gambling Monster was speaking to him while continuing to swing his sword. The sight made Raon let out a faint, awkward laugh.

“You said the head of house would choose based on potential! That means I’m qualified too.”

The Gambling Monster furrowed his brow, as if he also didn’t want to miss the chance to receive Glenn’s instruction.

“Well, that’s true….”

Raon nodded awkwardly. He hadn’t expected the Gambling Monster, who normally only cared about gambling and drinking, to act like this, it was both surprising and confusing.

“I’m not the only one doing this.”

The Gambling Monster pointed toward the far end of the training ground.

Chiiiiing!

The Sword Sovereign and War King were exchanging blows with sword and saber. They were often seen fighting like a bickering couple, but today, it was different.

Rumble!

Although the two weren’t using aura, they were unleashing martial arts filled with killing intent at each other, as if they were genuinely trying to kill each other.

“Those two start training over there as soon as the kids finish. They’ve been spending the whole night training as well.”

The Gambling Monster frowned, saying even the Sword Sovereign and the War King genuinely wanted to receive Glenn’s instruction. He seemed irritated that his rivals had increased.

“I see.”

Raon scanned the fifth training ground again, a small smile forming on his lips.

‘I can definitely feel everyone’s attention on me.’

Even while training, the swordsmen kept stealing glances at him. It felt like they wanted him to watch them, and maybe even help them.

Judging by that crooked grin of yours, you’re up to something strange again.

Wrath trembled his shoulders, saying Raon looked like he was about to do something wicked.

‘Maybe I am.’

Raon smiled faintly and clapped his hands once.

“Hmm, your waist is a little too high.”

He didn’t point out anyone in particular, just casually remarked that the stance was too high.

Swoosh!

The instant his words left his mouth, every swordsman in the fifth training ground lowered their stance at once.

“L-like this?”

“This should be right, yeah?”

"I guess it did seem a bit high!"

Burren, Martha, and Krein lowered their stances and turned their eyes toward him.

“Hup!”

“Ha!”

Even the Sword Sovereign and War King, who had been sparring, paused mid-fight and lowered their stances before swinging at each other again.

“Ahem, I was actually going to take this stance anyway.”

Even the Gambling Monster beside him bent his knees slightly and lowered his sword.

“Oh, my mistake. It’s better to fully stretch your arms.”

Raon muttered that he’d been wrong and offered another piece of advice.

Rumble!

The moment his words ended, every swordsman in the training ground extended their arms wide and swung their swords.

“You should put a bit more strength in your toes.”

Every time Raon gave advice, the training ground shifted as everyone adjusted their stances. Their reactions were so perfectly in sync that Raon almost burst out laughing.

“The toes! Right!”

“Yeah. If you want to attack aggressively, you need strength in your legs!”

“Exactly. That’s spot-on advice.”

Even the Gambling Monster, the Sword Sovereign, and the War King were no exception, they, too, were watching him intently.

Grooo…

In the entire fifth training ground, the only one not paying any attention to Raon’s words was Runaan, who was fast asleep, leaning against a tree.

“Pfft.”

Raon finally couldn’t hold back his laughter and lowered his head.

‘So this is what power feels like?’

Somehow, I felt as though I’d gained the power to control every swordsman in Zieghart.

Haaah….

Wrath let out a long, weary sigh, as if he had known this would happen.

This bastard should’ve just lived alone somewhere, digging in the dirt to survive.

He shook his head violently, saying the entire situation made no sense.

Why is your luck always this ridiculous!

*   *   *

Raon hummed a tune as he made his way toward the annex building.

‘That was fun.’

After venting his stress on the Light Wind swordsmen, both his body and mind felt as light as a feather.

You ghostlike bastard….

Wrath let out a hollow laugh, completely dumbfounded.

He never imagined a human could toy with other humans like that.

He shut his eyes tightly, saying it was a relief he wasn’t part of the Light Wind Palace himself.

But who exactly are you planning to choose?

Wrath tilted his chin slightly, his tone unusually serious.

Being taught by that geezer of yours is no ordinary chance. It’s such a great opportunity that even your clumsy little power game has everyone fooled.

He frowned, telling Raon to choose carefully.

‘Like I said before, Karoon and my aunt are definite. Seeing today, it looks like the Sword Sovereign and the War King should come too.’

The King of Essence agrees.

Wrath nodded calmly.

If those two grow even a little stronger, they’ll be able to shake the entire battlefield.

‘Exactly.’

Raon clicked his tongue as he recalled the Sword Sovereign and the War King’s martial skills from earlier.

‘If those two can grow stronger, it’ll be a great help.’

I had recently gained many fortuitous encounters, allowing me to surpass the two of them, even if only slightly.

If they received Glenn’s instruction and reached the same level as me, they would be able to change many things in the war that will happen in one year.

‘As for the rest….’

Raon crossed his arms and furrowed his brows.

‘I’ll have to observe a little longer. For now, it would probably be Burren, Martha, and Runaan….’

It was when he was about to bring up the executives' names one by one.

Whoosh!

A sharp gaze so chilling it made his skin crawl. He felt someone’s eyes pierce straight into his back.

Gulp.

Raon swallowed dryly and turned around.

But there was nothing.
No one nearby.
Not even his perception could detect a presence.

“This is….”

 

Advance Chapters