The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 1355

 Chapter 1355

 

“The blue lion is the symbol of Owen.”

Raon lowered his gaze from the Blue Lion banner.

“At a time like this...”

He frowned at the sharp energy spreading from within the kingdom. The energy wave was so piercing that it felt as though his skin would split apart, leaving him with the sensation that thorns had been driven into his chest.

"I didn't expect them to be holding a coronation."

A coronation?

Wrath blinked.

They are changing the king?

‘It seems so.’

Raon gave a heavy nod.

‘That lion represents the new king.’

The Blue Lion roaring toward the sky symbolized a young lion rising to stand beneath the heavens. In other words, it celebrated the ascension of a new king. Yet the crimson sky and the black banners left him with an uneasy feeling.

‘I had no idea.’

Owen was a kingdom that pursued the way of the sword, and since it wasn't all that far away, it had fairly close ties with Zieghart. He never expected them to hold a coronation without sending any notice.

Then again, no one holds a coronation with a war right around the corner.

Wrath narrowed his eyes as if he found it strange as well.

It looks like they're making quite a grand affair of it. The smell of delicious food is everywhere!

He smacked his lips as the scents of the festival and the food filled the air.

‘Is it because the war is about to begin?’

Raon passed through the gate and entered the Kingdom of Owen. Contrary to Wrath's words, however, there was no festival.

‘A festival? No. This is...’

It feels more like a funeral.

Normally, a coronation is one of the kingdom's greatest celebrations, where the previous king passes the throne to a younger successor and everyone prays for the kingdom's prosperity.

But the coronation taking place in Owen was the exact opposite. Gloom, anger, and a palpable sharpness permeated the entire kingdom.

Ghk!

Wrath also sensed the atmosphere and sucked in a sharp breath.

T-There really is the smell of delicious food, but...

He sniffed the air before swallowing hard.
The King of Essence would get an upset stomach the moment he started eating in an atmosphere like this!

Wrath shook his head, saying that no matter how delicious the food was, the atmosphere alone killed his appetite.

Ah! T-There's an ice cream bead shop over there! They even have new flavors!

Despite what he had just said, bead ice cream was clearly irresistible to him.

“Good grief...”

After buying Wrath some bead ice cream to stop his whining, Raon headed toward the royal palace. Since his arrival would cause a commotion if people discovered him, he concealed his presence and climbed onto the roof of the royal palace.

W-What in the world happened here? Lick!

Despite asking the question, Wrath's eyes and tongue remained fixed on the bead ice cream.

‘Hmm...’

Crossing over the rooftop, Raon headed toward the grand training ground where the coronation was being held.

Whoooosh!

Simply stepping into the training ground sent a chilling cold through him. It felt as though an icy wind even colder than the far northern reaches of Zieghart was sweeping over him.

Of course, Owen itself wasn't colder than Zieghart. The chill came from the frigid energy wave being released by the knights standing throughout the grand training ground.

‘It already feels like the war has begun.’

The cold, oppressive energy wave felt less like a coronation and more like preparations for war, sending a chill even through him.

King Lecross of Owen, the Silent Sword Sovereign, rose from his seat atop the platform overlooking the grand training ground. Far from recovering his might, he appeared to be in even worse condition, limping as he made his way forward.

‘Sir Lecross...’

Watching Lecross struggle just to stand, Raon let out a heavy sigh.

‘So you've made your decision.’

Unlike Ogram and Chamber, the Silent Sword Sovereign Lecross had spoken of retiring. He had said he would shape the Third Prince into someone worthy of Owen's throne before passing the crown to him, and it seemed that moment had finally come.

‘You...’

Watching Lecross limp and tremble, Raon bit his lip hard.

‘I can tell how desperately you've struggled just to keep standing.’

He had spoken of retiring and passing on the throne, yet it was obvious he had continued training his broken body while personally training the Third Prince because he wanted to fight alongside the other Five Kings until the very end.

‘Just like back then.’

Even after Denier's sword pierced his heart, Lecross accepted death and continued swinging his sword until the very end. The Silent Sword Sovereign. Then as now, that title suited him perfectly, a swordsman who was both steadfast and unshakable.

That's right.

Wrath slowly nodded.

Even the King of Essence could tell that swordsman struggled until the very end.

Rarely, Wrath referred to Lecross as a swordsman instead of mocking or belittling him. He had sensed the same thing Raon had.

Ruuuumble!

As Lecross stepped to the center of the platform, the Third Prince of Owen, Greer de Owen, ascended the grand training ground with slow, weighty steps.

“The Third Prince...”

Feeling Greer de Owen's presence, Raon smiled faintly for the first time.

‘He's grown tremendously.’

Whether Lecross's words about making him worthy of the throne had been true or not, the Third Prince now possessed might and a soul on an entirely different level than before. Even the air surrounding him had changed.

‘The highest Grandmaster level.’

Greer now stood at the same realm as Burren and Martha. Of course, those two were still several steps ahead, but whoever attained a major enlightenment first had the better chance of being the first to reach Transcendence.

Lecross accepted a golden crown shimmering with blue light from the chancellor and placed it upon the Third Prince's head.

Wooooooah!

With a thunderous roar, the knights drew their swords and thrust them toward the sky. It felt as though the roar of the Blue Lion on the banner he had seen from the ramparts was echoing in his ears. Instead of the praise and cheers that should have accompanied a coronation, their roar carried the martial fervor of an army marching to war.

‘Now I understand why the atmosphere is so cold despite this being a coronation.’
Raon let out a quiet sigh.

‘The entire kingdom is furious because King Lecross is being forced to retire against his own wishes.’

Their fury would not subside until the war had been won. No, they were convinced that only by winning this war could they finally give King Lecross the retirement he truly deserved.

‘I thought Owen would be better suited to guarding the rear in the coming war, but I was wrong.’

Looking into the Third Prince's eyes, which closely resembled King Lecross’s, Raon's lips curled into a faint smile.

*   *   *

“You've worked hard.”

In the empty audience chamber, Reckross placed a hand on Greer's shoulder.

“That seat is yours now.”

He smiled faintly as he pointed toward the throne in the center of the audience chamber.

“It still doesn't quite feel real.”

Greer scratched the back of his head and let out a sigh.

“I don't think I'll be able to sit there until the war is over.”

He stared at the throne for a moment before turning away.

“If that's what the king wants, then so be it.”

Lecross waved his hand as though telling him to do as he pleased.

“It's not just the throne....”

Greer bit down on his lip.

“I'm not sure whether I can truly lead the kingdom. I never expected to inherit it this soon.”

Even though the coronation had ended, he still seemed troubled, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist.

“May I confirm whether you possess those qualifications?”

Standing before the slightly open window, Raon nodded.

“Sir Raon!”

“Light Wind Palace master?”

Greer and Lecross both widened their eyes, clearly never expecting Raon to appear in the audience chamber.

"My apologies. I came like this because a formal visit would have caused quite a commotion."

Apologizing for sneaking in like a thief, Raon bowed politely.

“No, it's quite all right! If anything, I'm the one who should apologize.”

King Lecross narrowed the bridge of his nose slightly, saying he hadn't even realized he had a guest.

“What brings you here? We deliberately kept the coronation from the Five Kings.”

Greer blinked in surprise at Raon's unexpected visit.

“I happened to see the Lion banner while passing nearby.”

Raon said he had come after seeing the banner, then slowly lowered and raised his eyes.

“I saw the lion roaring toward the crimson sky and found myself drawn here. Congratulations on ascending the Lion Throne, Sir Greer.”

Congratulating him on ascending the throne, Raon bowed once more.

“Hmm...”

Greer briefly smacked his lips.

"I've inherited the throne, but I'm still not certain."

Frowning, he said he felt as though he was somewhere between a prince and a king.

“Then, as I said earlier, may I confirm it for you?”

Saying he would confirm it for him, Raon drew Heavenly Drive.

“S-So suddenly?”

Greer's eyes widened, clearly never expecting Raon to draw his sword.

“...”

Lecross, on the other hand, remained silent and stepped back.

“I'll leave him to you.”

Realizing Raon's intent, he lowered his hand as though entrusting Greer to him.

“They say the kings of Owen have always spoken through their swords. Show me your sword.”

Raon raised Heavenly Drive, its edge so sharp that it seemed capable of splitting the very air.

“N-No, what is this all of a sudden... Mmph!”

Greer shook his head in bewilderment, but the moment he met Raon's calm eyes, his shoulders trembled. He realized Raon was completely serious.

“Come.”

Raon looked at Greer with tranquil eyes.

“Pour into your sword everything you wish to say.”

Nodding with his chin, he told him to unleash the sword will engraved upon his soul, as befitted the King of Owen.

“What I wish to say...”

Even that seemed to trouble Greer, his hand trembling around the hilt of his sword. But, befitting the new king, he quickly cast aside his doubts and drew his sword.

“...Here I come.”

After glancing once at Lecross, Greer raised his sword into the middle guard. From the basic stance used by Owen's knights, he stepped forward with his left foot.

Pwaaaaang!

With a thunderous impact, Grier's sword shot forward. It was a steadfast sword, as weighty as the kingdom itself and utterly unshakable. Like King Lecross, Greer's sword conveyed his resolve to rule Owen with unwavering steadfastness.

“It is a good sword.”

A faint smile crossed Raon's lips as he thrust forth Heavenly Drive. The sword strike that had converged into a single point unfolded into a vast plane. A sword that was weighty, precise, and powerful. Through his own sword, he showed Greer the path his swordsmanship should take.

Claaaang!

Unable to overcome Raon's sword, Greer was sent flying and rolled across the floor of the audience chamber.

“Ggh!”

True to the King of Owen, he sprang back to his feet immediately and lifted his head.

“N-Not yet. Huh?”

But the person Greer was looking for had already left the audience chamber.

“W-When did he...?”

“He left right after defeating you. He did greet me and apologize before he left, though.”

Lecross chuckled, saying he couldn't decide whether Raon was well-mannered or completely lacking in manners.

“Ah...”

“What did you see through the Light Wind Palace master’s sword?”

Curious about that, he narrowed his eyes.

“I-It felt like I was looking at my own sword. No... It also felt like father's sword.”

Greer swallowed dryly, saying he had seen both his own sword and Lecross's sword within Raon's swords.

“That's right. The Light Wind Palace master showed you the ultimate essence of the swordsmanship you should pursue. He showed you how to wield the steadfast sword you seek."

Smiling faintly, Lecross called it a stroke of good fortune.

“Greer. Do you think I sat upon the throne without fear from the very beginning? At first, I was even more nervous than you. I almost wet myself.”

Chuckling, he said he had gone through a lot himself.

“Y-You almost wet yourself?”

“I'm joking.”

Leckross waved his hand, telling him not to dwell on that.

“It's fine even if it takes time. Keep moving forward steadfastly. That is Owen's sword.”

Saying that he looked forward to his future, he turned his back.

“...”

Greer stood silently in place for a long time before slowly ascending the platform. He gazed intently at the golden throne, and only when the sun was setting did he finally take his seat upon it.

“Yes. That's it.”

Watching him, Leckross gave a genuine smile for the first time that day. Looking out the window at the golden sunset, he bowed respectfully.

“Thank you.”

*   *   *

After that, Raon visited the allied factions connected to him and sparred with them to raise their morale. Some people were absent, but after meeting most of those who followed the Five Kings, he became convinced through them that this war would end in victory.

After completing everything he had planned, Raon headed north.

His destination, however, was not Zieghart, but another place in the north.

Habun Castle.

It was the place where Raon's first great achievement had begun.

 

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