The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 1024:
“Alright. You are all dismissed.”
Glenn waved his hand, his complexion smooth and radiant, as if he had shed thirty years.
“I was wondering why he suddenly summoned us, but there was a good reason.”
“I know! I never imagined he’d form an alliance with the Five Divine Orders in a single day.”
“And on top of that, he apparently awakened the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis. What kind of ability is that?”
“There’s a reason he’s the youngest Palace Lord in history. I think it’s already too late to get in his good graces.”
The executives glanced at Raon before filing out of the audience chamber.
“My nephew never ceases to amaze me!”
Balder clapped him on the shoulder, praising him for a job well done.
“You’ve accomplished something truly great. You’ve worked hard, and I thank you.”
Denier smiled and gave him a slightly belated round of applause.
“Let’s grab a meal sometime!”
Balder said he would throw a banquet and told him to come to the True Martial Palace, then left the Head of House’s palace with Denier.
“……”
Raon narrowed his eyes, recalling the gentle smile on Denier’s face.
‘He seems like a different person.’
Before, he had felt an unidentifiable gloom and coldness from Denier, but now, like Balder, he only radiated a warm energy. He really had no idea what kind of person he was.
“Argh! That kid. No, I’m telling you, we absolutely should have brought the Lord of Light Wind Palace over during the selection ceremony…”
Serena, the Void Sword Captain, clicked her tongue, still lamenting the missed opportunity.
“You think that’s something you can just decide? That damn gambler would have clung to Raon’s coattails and used every trick in the book.”
Sheryl waved her hand, insisting that Rimmer would have never let Raon’s affiliation change.
“That’s right. He had his eyes on him for a long time.”
Roenn chuckled as if he, too, was thinking of Rimmer, and saw Serena and the remaining executives off.
“Hoo…”
Raon let out a heavy breath as he looked around the audience chamber, now alone with Glenn once more.
‘I’m exhausted.’
He’d had to tell the same story twice in a row, the second time under the intense scrutiny of the family’s executives, and the mental fatigue was setting in.
‘At least it’s a relief that Sir Karoon and Lady Aris aren’t here.’
The two were training together and couldn’t attend. If they had been present, their intense gazes would have made him far more tired.
“You’ve done well.”
Glenn nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. Seeing how his complexion had brightened, he seemed genuinely pleased.
“You must be tired, so you may return…”
“There is something I would like to ask.”
Raon stepped forward, saying he had a question before he left.
“You may ask not one, but ten questions.”
Glenn’s voice was gentle, as if he would answer anything.
—’What, did he become a different person?’
Wrath let out a huff of disbelief.
—’He wasn’t this kind of old geezer before!’
He frowned, wondering where the man’s perpetually gruff tone had gone.
‘I’m not sure either…’
Raon let out a short sigh.
‘I think he started changing after I saved Noona…’
He still wasn’t sure if Glenn had always been like this and was just holding back, or if meeting Sia and Edgar had caused some kind of emotional awakening.
“The Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis awakened while sparring with me. I believe this was not a coincidence, but something made possible because I reached the state of the Heart Sword.”
Raon clasped his hands in front of him, looking at Glenn, who was leaning forward from his throne.
“Grandfather, have you ever experienced any physical or mental changes after reaching the state of the Heart Sword?”
A trait called Soul Transference had appeared for him, but he hadn’t yet figured out exactly how to use it, so he wanted to ask Glenn about it.
“As you say, it is certain that your soul had a great influence on the minds of the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis, who were suffering from their Heart Demons.”
Glenn smiled, agreeing with him.
“The Heart Sword is the ultimate martial art, where one’s own soul is sharpened to cut the soul of the enemy. However, because one must use their entire soul to forge this sword of the heart, it is not easy to influence others.”
He shook his head, saying he had never experienced such a thing himself.
“Then why did I…”
“As I’ve said before, you possess a soul far too immense for your current level of power. It seems the leftover quality of your soul, which remained even after forging a Heart Sword befitting your state, had a positive effect on the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis.”
Glenn lowered his hand, saying that seemed to be the only explanation.
“It’s a strange thing. Usually, when one reaches a high state at a young age, the quality of their soul should be small, yet yours is overwhelmingly large, even compared to mine at that age.”
He tilted his head, admitting it was difficult to comprehend with his own common sense.
“Perhaps it is because you have endured battles and experiences that no one else could. In any case, it is a good thing.”
Glenn congratulated him and leaned back against his throne.
“However, while it is good to help others advance their martial arts…”
He tapped the broken armrest of the throne with his finger.
“Do not neglect to temper your own sword. Unlike mine, your Heart Sword will be able to grow infinitely.”
Glenn gave him a warm smile, saying he looked forward to seeing his unique Heart Sword.
“I will keep that in mind.”
Raon bowed respectfully to Glenn.
“You must be tired, so you may return.”
“Yes. In that case.”
Without turning his back on the cheerfully smiling Glenn, he walked backward out of the audience chamber.
—’Let’s go back quickly!’
Wrath grabbed his sleeve and shook it before they had even left the Head of House’s palace.
—’I’m hungry, so let’s go home and eat first!’
The fiend shook his head, demanding to be fed properly since he hadn’t eaten well while in Varrene.
“I have something to do before that.”
Instead of returning directly to the annex, Raon whistled in front of the Head of House’s palace.
‘Tweeeet!’
Not long after the whistle spread, a faint cry came from the sky, and a young swallow descended onto his palm.
“Have you been well?”
Raon smiled and stroked the young swallow’s head.
‘Peep.’
The swallow chirped, lifting its leg as if to say it had been playing well.
“You seemed a little hurt, but I’m glad you’re all better.”
Raon placed the swallow on his shoulder, then took a white piece of paper from his coat and began to write a letter.
“I’m counting on you.”
After tying the finished letter to the swallow’s leg, he sent it flying into the sky.
‘Tweeeet!’
The young swallow circled once above his head, as if to say not to worry, then flew swiftly south.
—’Did you send that to the old geezer over there?’
Wrath tilted his chin, as if asking if the letter was for Rektor.
‘Judging by his reply, he seems to enjoy my letters.’
Raon smiled, saying he would probably have to keep sending them.
—’What a pain for you.’
Wrath clicked his tongue.
—’Having to look after two doting old men.’
‘No, I actually like it.’
Raon shook his head firmly.
‘It’s much better to have at least one person than to have no one at all.’
Unlike his past life, where he had no family or friends, he now had many people to look after, but his heart was warmer and happier for it.
‘Let’s go back to the annex.’
He smiled and placed a hand on Wrath’s head.
‘I’ll take care of you, too.’
—’Ooh! Then bring me grilled and fried beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, and pineapple pizza, and shrimp pasta, and tuna…’
‘This is suddenly becoming a pain.’
Raon shook his head, watching Wrath endlessly rattle off menu items.
‘I think I’ll have to exclude you from the list of people to take care of.’
—’Why!’
===
“If you’re all done talking, I’m leaving.”
As soon as the meeting ended, the White Blood Lord snorted, opened the door, and vanished.
“I’ll be on my way as well.”
Rektor smacked his lips briefly and rose to his feet.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Lord of the Holy Sword Alliance.”
Derus bowed respectfully to Rektor.
“As I mentioned, I would like you to remain hidden and absorb the surrounding factions one by one. I doubt anyone will discover you in that location.”
He smiled calmly, asking him to be mindful of what they had discussed in the meeting.
“Don’t worry.”
Rektor nodded as he walked toward the door.
‘What a creepy bastard.’
Heat rose in his chest as he listened to the man talk like that, after brazenly finding the Holy Sword Alliance’s sacred grounds—a place no one else knew—as if it were a tourist attraction.
That bastard was a monster, in both power and cunning.
“I know.”
“Ah, one more thing.”
Just as Rektor was about to open the door and leave, Derus raised a hand.
“Even if you have close acquaintances among the Five Divine Orders, do not bother making alliance proposals. Those two have already sided with the Five Kings.”
Derus shook his head as if to say it was too late to make a move.
“The Five Divine Orders?”
Rektor swallowed dryly and turned back to Derus.
“Yes. It’s a done deal, so don’t worry about them.”
Even knowing that the Five Divine Orders, who were ranked just below the Five Kings and Four Demons, had sided with the Five Kings, Derus showed no anger or panic.
He didn’t know if the man was telling the truth or just testing him, but just looking into those calm eyes sent a shiver down his spine.
“…I understand.”
Rektor forced himself to hide his tension and left the meeting hall.
After passing through the path of flashing white light again, the mountain leading to the Holy Sword Alliance came into view.
‘Now he’s openly showing that he knows the location of the Holy Sword Alliance.’
When he had entered, the door had opened far from this place, but now he had been returned right in front of the mountain. It was as if Derus was demonstrating that he knew everything about the Holy Sword Alliance.
‘Damn bastard.’
Rektor let out a heavy sigh and passed through the cave into the sacred grounds of the Holy Sword Alliance.
“Master!”
Muston, who had been sweeping the yard, put down his broom and approached him.
“A letter came from him!”
He handed him a white piece of paper, saying that Raon had sent another letter.
“Oh?”
Rektor took the letter from Raon, feeling the oppressive aura of Derus that had been weighing on his shoulders lift as if washed away.
“Hmm…”
However, his expression darkened as he read the letter.
“M-Master? Is something wrong?”
Muston swallowed dryly, seeing the tension on Rektor’s face.
“Raon says he has formed an alliance with the Five Divine Orders.”
Rektor crumpled the letter slightly, baring his teeth.
“What? That’s good news, isn’t it? Why do you look so…”
Muston blinked, not understanding.
“Yes. As you say, it is joyous news. But…”
Rektor bit his lip hard with his white teeth.
“Derus already knew about this.”
Recalling what Derus had said before he returned to the Holy Sword Alliance, a chilling sensation ran through his entire body.
‘Just how much does that monster know?’
The thought that he was growing more dangerous began to embed itself deeply in his mind like a thorn.
“Ah…”
Muston let out a huff, seeming to understand what he meant.
“Th-Then you should send a message to Sir Raon!”
He brought out a letter and a pen, suggesting he write back immediately.
“No, this is something I must tell him in person. There’s also something I need to show him.”
Rektor shook his head, thinking of the bead he had stored in his subspace pocket.
“Y-You’re right.”
Muston let out a low groan, as if remembering Derus’s white falcon snatching the swallow.
‘Derus Robert…’
Rektor clenched his fist, recalling Derus’s perpetually relaxed face.
‘Is he even human?’
His eloquence, cunning, and power were all on a different level from ordinary people.
In particular, those calm eyes that seemed to read his very soul were suffocating to look at.
“Then shall we prepare to leave for Zieghart right away?”
Muston smacked his lips, suggesting they move immediately.
“No, there’s something we must do before we go.”
Rektor shook his head firmly. He took a deep breath, gazing at the distant mountain peak.
“I need to find someone who can stop Derus Robert.”
===
Raon stood on the platform, looking down at the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen lined up in the fifth training ground.
“What kind of training are we doing today that you had to gather us at dawn?”
Martha stomped her foot, as if to say they should just get started if they were going to.
“Haaah…”
Runaan had managed not to be late, but she was rubbing her eyes and yawning as if she hadn’t gotten enough sleep.
“Don’t rush him. He’ll do it in his own time.”
Burren crossed his arms, saying they should wait for the Lord of Light Wind’s command.
“You all saw the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis awaken while sparring with me, didn’t you?”
Raon stood at the edge of the platform and tilted his chin.
“We did! I never thought even Transcenders like them could suddenly enter a state of enlightenment!”
Krein nodded vigorously, saying it was amazing.
“It was strange…”
Runaan blinked, saying it was the first time she had seen such a thing.
“Why does that kind of luck never happen to me!”
Martha bit her lip hard, as if envious of the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis.
“Actually, that wasn’t a coincidence.”
Raon shook his head at the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen who were discussing the event.
“Not a coincidence?”
“What do you mean?”
Trevin and Martha raised their heads at the same time.
“The Head of House told me that my soul, having entered the state of the Heart Sword, has come to have a positive influence on others.”
Raon explained the details of the trait to the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen, quoting Glenn’s words.
“In other words, it means that not only the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis, but you all can awaken as well.”
He nodded, saying that like those two, they could enter a state of self-enlightenment and rapidly advance their martial arts.
“I-Is that true?”
“How do we do it?”
“I’ll do it, no matter what!”
The Light Wind Palace Swordsmen raised their hands and voices wildly, as if shocked by the news that they could fall into a state of self-realization.
“I’ll do it. Anything!”
Martha clenched her fists, saying she would participate no matter what.
“……”
Runaan looked at Martha and gave a small nod.
“To be honest, I’m not sure how to do it either. However…”
Raon grinned and rolled his wrists.
“Hngh…”
Dorian, sensing something, clamped his mouth shut, his eyes trembling in fear.
“Like the Thespian Emperor and the Evil Sword Marquis, I figure something will happen if you just get hit enough, right?”
Raon descended from the platform with a chilling smile.
“Huh…?”
“Wait, you’ve even learned the Heart Sword, and you’re going to be that crude about it?”
“It’s not even a spar, what do you mean just get hit…?”
The Light Wind Palace Swordsmen’s jaws trembled, as if this was something they had never even considered.
“Let’s just get started. We have plenty of time. First…”
Raon raised a finger and gestured to Krein, who was flailing like a freshly caught fish.
“Krein of the Uniq…”
“I’ll go first. Please.”
Martha stepped in front of the pale-faced Krein and drew her sword.
“…Alright.”
Raon’s lips twisted into a smirk as he looked at Martha’s serious eyes.
“It won’t take long, anyway.”
===
The sun, which had risen to the center of the sky, began to set, and a crimson sunset appeared.
The swordsmen who had been standing in the training ground were now collapsed on the ground like the setting sun, dry-heaving.
“Kuaaargh…”
“Th-This is worse than usual!”
“So he really meant he was just going to beat us, not spar…”
“Th-This is just one-sided violence!”
“And no one even awakened…”
The Light Wind Palace Swordsmen crawled on the ground, crying out that it was too much.
“Hmm…”
Raon lowered the Heavenly Drive in his hand and smacked his lips.
‘I don’t know how to use Soul Transference.’
He had been sparring with the Light Wind Palace Swordsmen from morning until evening, trying to awaken their potential, but from Martha to Dorian, not a single one had entered a state of enlightenment.
—’What kind of spar was that!’
Wrath frowned in disbelief.
—’You just beat them one-sidedly! That was just you relieving stress!’
Wrath shook his head, telling him to call it what it was.
‘Well, I tried, didn’t I?’
Raon chuckled and sheathed Heavenly Drive at his waist.
‘I guess this is it for today.’
He had beaten the swordsmen to the point where they could barely move, so it seemed pointless to continue.
“Tomorrow, we’ll again…”
Just as Raon was about to wave his hand and tell them to rest.
“Continue…”
Martha used her sword as a cane to push herself up.
“Please continue.”
She raised her sword, saying it wasn’t over yet.
“Me too…”
Runaan looked at Martha, then pushed herself to her feet.
“Not yet.”
She, too, raised her sword, asking to continue the spar. It seemed less like she felt a rivalry with Martha and more like she wanted to stand with her as a friend.
“Alright.”
Just as Raon chuckled and was about to draw his sword again.
‘Huh…?’
A very faint light began to emanate from near Martha’s and Runaan’s hearts.
