The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 587
“What do you mean?” Deneir’s calm, almost serene gaze remained fixed on Aris.
“It means exactly what it sounds like,” Aris said with a smirk, leaning against the wall.
“Karoon is a greedy fool who’d rather destroy a treasure he can’t have. If he doesn’t become the head of the family, he might just burn Zieghart to the ground.”
“…”
Deneir silently observed Aris as she continued.
“Balder is simple-minded yet loyal. He treasures the family, so if Zieghart grows, he’d accept anyone as the head.”
Aris pushed her hair back, speaking thoughtfully.
“Sylvia is a courageous coward. She made choices even I wouldn’t dare. I still think she’s amazing.”
After mentioning Sylvia, she turned her gaze back to Deneir.
“And lastly, you’re a bystander. You don’t get involved in anything or waste emotions on any situation. Frankly, I still don’t understand what you’re thinking.”
“A bystander, huh…” Deneir let a faint smile cross his lips.
“Isn’t that true?”
“No. I think it’s an appropriate description. You’ve observed us well.”
“Of course, you’re my siblings,” Aris said, her voice carrying a distant echo.
“So, what’s strange about a bystander looking after the kids?”
“Exactly.”
“People change. You, of all people, should know that,” Deneir said.
“True. People do change. I thought so when you adopted Martha.”
She nodded calmly.
“But even after adopting Martha, you barely interacted with her. You seemed to help her from behind the scenes, but it wasn’t obvious.”
Aris frowned at his immaculate hands.
“How many times have you actually taught Martha directly?”
“The excuse of not having time won’t work, right?”
“Of course not.”
She wrinkled her forehead, dismissing his excuse.
“Surprising. I thought you were focused on playing pirate.”
“My eyes aren’t just for show,” Aris said, pointing to her own eyes.
“You’ve always been different from how you appear,” Deneir said.
“Enough. Why have you suddenly stopped being a bystander and started meddling?”
“I told you. I’m changing too. I just wanted to help them because it’s commendable that they train immediately after returning from a mission.”
Deneir raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
“You’ll die if you get caught doing something unnecessary.”
Aris’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper as she grabbed Deneir by the collar, her presence pressing down on the space around them.
“That’s harsh for a sibling.”
“Think I won’t do it?”
“No. I believe you would. But…”
Deneir took Aris’s heavy aura in stride, his smile remaining.
“Trust me a little. I won’t do anything to harm Zieghart. I’m the one who found all the spies in the family.”
“That’s why I’m not punching you right now,” Aris said, clicking her tongue and unclenching her fist.
“Reminds me of the old days. I got hit a lot,” Deneir said, smiling wistfully at her fist.
“Aris!”
“We’re ready!”
Martha and Burren called out, fully geared.
“Call me Aunt.”
“Aunt!”
Once again, it was Runaan who first obeyed, hugging Aris and calling her Aunt.
“That kid is so bright or maybe crazy,” Aris said, shaking her head as she pushed herself off the wall.
“This is your last warning. Don’t mess with the kids or cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Talking to you is pointless,” Deneir sighed, shrugging.
“Hmph.”
“Aris.”
Just as she was about to walk towards Burren, Martha, and Runaan, Deneir called out softly.
“You assessed us earlier. Karoon is a tyrant, Balder is loyal, and Sylvia is a coward. What about you?”
“Me? I’m a madwoman.”
Aris pointed at herself with her thumb, her voice rising.
“If I were stronger than Father, I’d have taken the head position.”
“I think that suits you,” Deneir said, laughing openly.
“Is that an insult or a compliment?”
“It’s a compliment.”
“I hate your smile.”
“Sister.”
“What now!”
“It’s better if you don’t only keep an eye on me.”
“What do you mean?”
“…”
He didn’t answer, simply staring at her quietly.
“Tch.”
Aris clicked her tongue and turned away, her steps slightly unsteady as she walked towards the Light Wind Division members.
“I really don’t like him.”
“This child should pursue music!”
The elf, who normally had an unshakeable gaze, now trembled like someone possessed, pointing at Yua.
“Her sense of rhythm, her voice, her skill are all innate! She was born to make music!”
The elf, named Syra, shook her head, insisting that Yua’s path lay in music, not martial arts.
“Lady Syra, was it?”
Raon raised his hand to calm her, calling her name.
“Yes!”
Syra nodded vigorously, raising her voice.
“I’m aware of Yua’s talents,” Raon said.
Knowing that Eden had targeted Yua for her unique gifts, Raon had always known she was special. But he didn’t realize her musical talents would be so highly praised by an esteemed elf musician.
“No, you don’t understand.”
Syra shook her head firmly.
“Not only among humans, but also among elves, there’s no one who can match her.”
“Even you?”
“I’m not even worth her toenail dirt!”
“Oh…”
Syra bit her lip, saying it was impolite to compare.
“Ahem!”
Yua, seemingly pleased by the praise, raised her nose and cleared her throat, scratching her head shyly.
“So, what are you suggesting?”
“Leave her here to learn. I want to teach her everything I know.”
Syra clenched her fists, expressing her desire to make Yua the greatest musician.
“Hm…”
Raon licked his lips as he considered Syra’s passionate offer.
‘It’s gratifying to hear Yua’s talent being praised, but…’
Leaving her here was a sudden decision.
As Yua’s guardian, he couldn’t make this decision lightly.
“Yua, what do you think?”
“Um, I’m not sure. I like both swordsmanship and music.”
Yua shook her head, expressing her desire to do both.
“There’s still time before we leave, so we can decide later.”
“Time is precious…”
Syra shook her shoulders, eager to start teaching immediately.
“Can I take care of her while you’re here?”
She bowed her head, pleading for permission. Her initial stern demeanor had entirely vanished.
“Yua, it’s up to you.”
“I’d like that!”
Yua eagerly agreed, wanting to learn more about playing the flute.
“Then let’s go right away! I’ll even cook for you!”
Syra whisked Yua away to her home before Raon could stop her.
“You remind me of myself.”
Rimmer emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray, smiling as he watched Syra and Yua leave.
“Pardon?”
“I also had to work hard to bring you in.”
Rimmer raised an eyebrow as he set the food on the table.
“Did you?”
Raon couldn’t recall any effort on Rimmer’s part, but he decided to let it go.
“What about me?”
Dorian raised a finger, asking how he was brought in.
“You too. We absolutely needed you. Without you, the Light Wind Division wouldn’t exist!”
Rimmer exaggeratedly smiled, his words clearly false.
“Really?”
Dorian nodded enthusiastically. Despite being the heir to the Sepia Merchant Guild, he seemed clueless about commerce.
-Huff!
Wrath looked at the spread of food on the table, tongue out.
-Food! And it’s all new!
He seemed to like the look of the elven dishes, audibly gulping.
‘They do look different.’
The pies filled with fruit had colors and scents unlike those made with flour. It seemed more like inflated fruit than bread.
-Grab the fork! Bite into that pie first!
‘Alright. Hold on.’
Raon calmed Wrath, who was more impatient than usual, and picked up a fork. Just as he was about to take a bite, a chill ran down his spine.
“Hm?”
Rimmer also felt it, standing up abruptly.
“What’s wrong?” Dorian asked, but Raon couldn’t answer, rushing outside with Rimmer.
Crack!
The night sky split open. Sepia’s barrier, which was protected by the World Tree’s power, tore apart like paper.
Surprisingly, it didn’t feel like someone forcibly broke the barrier. It seemed as if it had naturally dissipated over time.
“Dorian, take care of Yua.”
Raon donned his black dragon robe, gesturing to Dorian.
“Head to the World Tree immediately. Protect the Guardian.”
“What about you?”
“I…”
Raon looked at the now-exposed entrance of Sepia, as if the barrier had never existed.
“I need to check this out.”
Though Merlin had told him to run, there were many elves guarding the perimeter at his request. He couldn’t abandon them and flee.
Boom!
Raon launched himself towards the forest, where flames were beginning to spread.
-Damn it! Why does trouble always start when I’m about to eat! Curse you, heavens! Stop this constant harassment!
Using Wrath’s lament as a springboard, Raon sped towards the burning forest.
“Patrolling without a break is killing me.”
A blue-haired elf sighed as he looked at the darkening forest.
“Why does Erian trust that human so much?”
A green-haired elf with a small scar near his eye frowned.
“He’s supposed to be the Spirit King’s contractor.”
“That’s nonsense. If he were, he would’ve summoned the Spirit King when he saw the World Tree.”
“I don’t believe it either, but what can we do? The Guardian said so.”
The blue-haired elf clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“Maybe the human just doesn’t like us.”
“What?”
“Maybe he’s just making us suffer. Why would anyone attack suddenly?”
“Come to think of it, he seemed close to Lady Sylar…”
“Then it’s true! He’s retaliating because we teased Lady Sylar…”
“Is this the time for gossip?”
Rayran, returning from patrol, glared at the Guardians at the entrance.
“Rayran…”
“We didn’t mean…”
“This mission was ordered by Erian, not the human. If you don’t want to follow it, quit the Guardians.”
Her cold words made the elves sweat.
“No, ma’am!”
“No complaints here!”
They straightened up, staring ahead.
Rayran sighed inwardly as she watched them.
‘It’s understandable.’
They should’ve had at least a half-day break, but because of Raon’s request, they went straight to patrolling. Their reactions were predictable.
‘Even I’m angry.’
She accepted the need for patrolling, but the fact that it was based on a human’s words infuriated her.
‘Huh?’
As Rayran shook her head, sensing the presence of fellow elves coming from the forest path to Sepia.
‘Whose presence is that?’
It was definitely her kin’s aura, but it felt unfamiliar and dark.
Moreover, the presence came from a place she had just patrolled. She was sure no one was there. What happened?
As she cautiously drew her bow, the barrier in front of them snapped like a rubber band.
Bang!
Not just the front. The entire first barrier surrounding Sepia dissipated, exposing the elven world within the forest.
“What’s happening…”
“Why did the barrier…”
The patrolling elves trembled, confused.
“Stay here.”
“Rayran, you too.”
Erian stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt, watching the bushes ahead.
Swish!
With a ghostly sound, the bushes parted, revealing figures in black robes.
“Who are you?”
Erian drew his sword, glaring at the robed figures.
“It hasn’t been that long, and you’ve already forgotten?”
A slender figure at the center removed their robe, revealing a female elf with radiant blond hair and ashen skin, eyes glowing yellow.
The others also removed their robes, showing pointy-eared, beautiful elves with strangely gray or black skin.
“Ka… Cassandra…”
Erian trembled, recognizing the ashen-skinned elf.
“Who is she?”
Rayran asked, her voice shaking.
“They’re deserters. Elves who left Sepia. But…”
He swallowed dryly, saying he’d never seen their skin like this before.
“Deserters…”
Rayran looked at Cassandra, her fingers trembling.
‘Those deserters…’
She’d heard of elves who left due to disagreements before she was born. The Guardian had supposedly let them go peacefully. Why had they returned, dismantling the barrier?
“What are you planning?”
Erian bit his lip, staring at Cassandra.
“You should know better. Why would you come back and break the barrier?”
“To thank the Guardian.”
Cassandra casually waved her hand.
“The world is too harsh for someone as kind as the Guardian. It’s time for them to go.”
She openly declared her intent to target the Guardian.
“You think you can? The Guardian will be here soon!”
“While performing the purification ritual?”
Cassandra grinned.
“We came prepared. Erian, did you forget I used to be your superior?”
“…”
Erian bit his lip. As he had suspected, they came targeting the Guardian during the ritual.
“It won’t be the same. I’ll stop you!”
“That sounds fun, but we’re on a tight schedule.”
At Cassandra’s signal, the gray-skinned elves behind her broke spherical objects.
Kaaargh!
As a light shot from the spheres into the sky, a huge magic circle emerged on the ground where the barrier had disappeared.
Boom!
Flames erupted from the magic circle, spreading through the forest.
“Arise!”
Erian summoned a high-ranking wind spirit. The spirit’s wings spread, creating a fierce wind to suppress the flames, but it was pushed back, crashing to the ground.
“How…”
Despite wind and fire being incompatible, the wind should have controlled the flames for a while. But the crimson flames ignored the wind, spreading uncontrollably.
“They can’t stop the crimson flames.”
With a mocking voice, the flames took the form of a massive figure with rocky fists. A horn spiraled from its forehead, and a lizard-shaped helmet hid its face, eyes glowing red.
Rumble!
The creature’s presence made the high-ranking wind spirit tremble as it had before Raon.
“Crimson flames…”
Erian trembled, recognizing the helmet.
‘A lizard face, a horn, and crimson flames…’
One alone could be ignored, but all three together only pointed to one entity.
“…Ifrit?”
“Correct.”
Cassandra snapped her fingers, nodding.
“The Fire Spirit King you desired so much has returned.”
“Why is Ifrit with Eden?”
“This is where I belong.”
The creature with Ifrit’s helmet extended its hand, flames pouring out towards Erian and the elves.
“Gah!”
Erian bit his lip, seeing the incoming fiery vortex.
‘If I dodge, I can fight longer.’
Even with Ifrit’s helmet, the creature didn’t seem transcendent. He could withstand this attack.
But if he dodged, the elves and his sister would die, and Sepia’s entrance would turn into a hellscape. He had to stop it.
Raising his trembling legs, Erian stabbed his sword forward.
“Rise!”
Reaching out to the trembling wind spirit, his desperate call made the spirit rise, creating a powerful gust.
Clang!
The fierce flames halted before the wind’s blade, held back by sheer will.
“Gah!”
Two nearby elves melted in the intense heat.
“Rayran…”
Erian called out to his sister, spitting blood.
“Get the Elder and Raon. Evacuate everyone.”
“Brother…”
“I’m fine. Just go!”
His eyes showed he was ready to die.
“Retreat!”
Rayran ordered the Guardians to retreat, turning towards Sepia. Forcing strength into her shaky legs, she ran.
‘I killed him.’
If she had heeded Raon’s advice, checked every detail, and patrolled beyond the forest, her brother wouldn’t be in this position.
She regretted ignoring Raon as a mere human just hours ago.
As she ran through the forest, a gentle, soothing breeze passed by, carrying its fragrance even amid the intense heat.
Rayran clasped her hands, praying.
‘Please…’
Erian’s hands trembled as he held back the flames.
‘So stubborn…’
Burns spread across his arms, his skin blistering. The pain made his head spin.
But he couldn’t collapse. He had to buy time for others to prepare.
“I’m sorry. Hold on.”
He smiled weakly at the shrinking spirit, which let out a soft cry in response.
Boom!
As he gave his all, arrows pierced his arms from both sides.
“Gah!”
Erian stumbled, his arms going numb from the poison.
“You’re taking too long.”
Cassandra clicked her tongue.
“We’re busy.”
She signaled Ifrit’s helmeted figure.
“I didn’t need your help.”
The figure snapped its fingers, breaking Erian’s wind and flame barrier, engulfing him in flames.
“Ha…”
Erian laughed, surrounded by fire.
‘Is this the end?’
It’s okay.
Sepia will be saved.
Raon, the Spirit King’s contractor, will save them.
‘Please…’
Erian looked to the sky, the only part not engulfed in flames.
A silver-white light, unlike the surrounding fire, filled the sky like molten moonlight.
Boom!
The burnt trees, the gray smoke, even the crimson flames froze as a black cloak adorned with dragon embroidery fluttered majestically.
“You did well. From here…”
Red eyes, scanning Erian, turned icy blue, focusing ahead.
“I’ll take over.”