The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 594
“What do you mean by that?”
Merlin narrowed her eyes, tilting her head.
‘Is he suspecting me?’
The moment Raon’s name was mentioned, Heavenly Demon, who had only been attending the meeting, addressed her. This meant he had some level of suspicion. Before denying any involvement, it was essential to understand his meaning.
“You still have an interest in Raon Zieghart, don’t you?”
Heavenly Demon continued in a calm tone, as if it held no significant meaning.
“I’m asking what you currently know about him.”
“Are you saying I’m interested in Raon Zieghart?”
Merlin lifted the edge of her mask slightly, twisting her lips.
“Isn’t that so?”
“No, you’re right.”
She nodded, chuckling.
‘It’s best to be honest.’
There was no point in denying it. She had intervened in Eden’s operations several times to help Raon. Heavenly Demon surely knew this.
“I vowed to break Raon Zieghart’s neck for consuming Lokta’s soul, but when I saw him, I felt Lokta’s presence and couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
Merlin mixed truth with lies, furrowing her brows.
“So, that’s why you disrupted the Holy Sword Alliance, Black Tower, and White Religion’s operations?”
As expected, Heavenly Demon knew she had clashed with all three factions. Honesty was indeed the best policy.
“Yes. I couldn’t let him die right before my eyes.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
Merlin covered her red lips with the old woman’s mask, claiming it was just that simple.
“I can somewhat understand.”
Heavenly Demon nodded briefly, indicating he was convinced.
“Then I’ll ask again. Do you know why Raon Zieghart moved so quickly in Sephia?”
“I don’t know.”
Merlin waved her hand firmly and lay back on the sand again.
“I saved Raon Zieghart because he was right in front of me. I don’t follow him around. Besides…”
She wagged her raised finger side to side.
“How could I know his movements when I’m here?”
“You could perform such magic.”
“I told you. As long as he doesn’t die before my eyes, I don’t bother with such tedious tasks.”
Merlin closed her eyes, saying it was unlike her nature.
“…”
Heavenly Demon silently looked down at Merlin’s mask.
“That does seem like you.”
He nodded lightly and turned his gaze away.
“This incident has caused significant damage.”
Despite his words, Heavenly Demon’s tone wasn’t dark.
“The death of Eogwisa is beneficial, but Cassandra and the Flame Demon. No, more importantly, the Flame Demon dying before gaining his full power is the biggest issue.”
He lightly tapped the desk with his long, slender fingers.
“The Heavenly Demon faction will pressure us.”
The man in the troll shaman mask clicked his tongue.
“Those bastards. If they come, I’ll twist their necks!”
The woman in the griffin mask, her neck veins bulging, seemed already irritated.
“That’s not an issue. I can handle it.”
Heavenly Demon shook his head, looking up at the sky.
“The problem is that there is someone changing the heavenly will.”
“Heavenly will?”
“Before this event started, I read the heavenly will. The World Tree would burn, the Spirit World would collapse, and the Flame Demon would transcend. But…”
His previously calm eyes turned icy.
“The outcome was the opposite. The World Tree survived, two Spirit Kings were born, stabilizing the Spirit World, and the Flame Demon died. The heavenly will I saw was completely reversed.”
Heavenly Demon clasped his hands, resting his chin on them, his eyes narrowing.
“Not many can change the heavenly will. Transcendents. Among them, only those who have reached the level of the Ten Heavens, sacrificing much, can do it.”
“Then does that mean Raon Zieghart has reached transcendence…?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“According to the information left by Eogwisa, no, by Blue Death, he is only at the initial stage of Grandmaster. That’s the problem.”
A deep furrow formed under Heavenly Demon’s mask.
“It means Raon Zieghart can change the heavenly will without reaching transcendence. I tried not to pay too much attention to him, but…”
His eyes, radiating a chilling intensity, focused on Merlin.
“I might need to reconsider.”
“And that’s what happened!”
The baby fox raised its paw proudly, as if seeking praise.
“…”
Raon blinked, looking at the baby fox inhabited by Merlin.
“They’re suspecting you!”
Judging by Heavenly Demon’s words, he was essentially saying he’d keep an eye on Merlin. Given his dangerous nature, he might have already guessed the relationship between Merlin and Raon.
“Yes, I know.”
“Why are you so calm then!”
“I’ve told you before.”
Merlin wiggled her paw.
“I have no attachment to Eden. I didn’t before, and I definitely don’t now.”
She shook her head, saying she was in Eden only to gather information.
“It’s not about that; it’s dangerous.”
“I appreciate your concern. I wish I could record it.”
Merlin blushed, crossing her hind legs.
[This crazy woman…]
Wrath muttered as he fled back into the ice flower bracelet, unable to watch any longer.
“Be serious. You’re already in danger.”
“I know.”
Merlin nodded calmly.
“But it was worth the risk.”
“What?”
“I might have been suspected, but I saved you. That’s enough for me.”
She smiled as if that was all she needed, her unblemished smile conveying sincerity.
“Sigh…”
Raon sighed, clutching his head. There was nothing more he could say against her stance, but there was something he had to insist on.
“You did save me, and I’m grateful.”
“Oh my, no need to say that between us.”
“But think about yourself now.”
Ignoring her words, he looked into her eyes.
“Don’t come to me in your true form anymore. Even if I’m in danger, never.”
“I’ll try.”
“Not try, promise. And…”
Raon lifted his finger and pressed it against the baby fox’s nose.
“Prepare to escape if needed.”
Given Heavenly Demon’s reaction, he might have already started investigating her. It was crucial to have an escape route ready.
“I’ve made some preparations, but I’ll make sure now that you’ve said it.”
Merlin patted his hand with her paw, telling him not to worry.
“Good.”
Raon sighed, nodding.
“Your concern is filling my heart today.”
Merlin laughed, a small burp escaping her lips. Her appearance as a baby fox made it annoyingly cute.
“Now that I’ve seen you’re safe, I’ll be off.”
She looked up at the sunlit ceiling, indicating it was time to leave.
“Hmm…”
Raon straightened his back, swallowing dryly.
‘What’s next?’
As he anxiously awaited her words, she waved her paw through the air.
“This little one wants some grooming.”
“Grooming?”
“Grooming is when animals use their tongues to clean their fur. They also bond with each other that way.”
“Tongue… tongue?”
Raon gaped at the baby fox.
“This little one lost its parents recently and is alone. It wants grooming even from a human.”
Merlin stroked herself, saying it was a pitiful situation.
“Ah…”
Hearing the baby fox’s story, he couldn’t refuse. He felt he should groom it with his heart, not just his tongue.
[Sniff…]
Wrath slowly emerged, covering his mouth.
[Poor thing…]
He said it was pitiful, but if he removed his hand, he’d probably be laughing.
“Then please take care of it!”
Merlin waved and left. The baby fox’s black eyes stared into his.
“Ah…”
Raon swallowed dryly as he looked into the baby fox’s eyes. He couldn’t refuse any longer.
“Give me a moment to prepare myself.”
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
‘Let’s do it ten times. My tongue will be sore, but…’
Determined, he opened his eyes to find the baby fox smiling like a human.
“Hehe.”
“Merlin!”
Recognizing Merlin’s voice, he pushed the baby fox away.
“You’re really different from others.”
Merlin laughed, saying she knew he’d do it.
“Grooming doesn’t have to be with your tongue. You can use your hands.”
She smiled, saying she saw something fun.
“Then I’ll really go now.”
With those words, the baby fox’s eyes turned a light brown, indicating she had truly left this time.
Chirrup.
The baby fox rubbed its face against his knee.
“Alright, I’ll groom you as much as you want.”
Raon carefully petted the baby fox from head to tail.
[Groom properly! Every single hair!]
‘I know, just be quiet.’
Chirrup.
The baby fox wagged its tail, looking happy.
‘This isn’t bad for me either.’
Surprisingly, as he petted the baby fox, he felt at peace. Grooming seemed to bring tranquility to his heart as well.
While he was petting the fox, the door opened, and Rimmer, Dorian, and Yua entered.
“Raon! You’re up!”
Dorian ran over and knelt, bowing his head.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
He sniffled, saying he was very worried.
“See? I told you there’s no need to worry. His body is made of steel.”
Rimmer laughed, patting Raon’s shoulder.
“Young master!”
Yua, holding a tray with both hands, rushed to Raon.
“Careful.”
Raon caught Yua with the hand he was using to pet the baby fox.
Chirrup.
The baby fox narrowed its eyes, wondering what was happening.
“Oh? What’s that fox?”
“It was next to me when I woke up.”
He couldn’t tell them Merlin had possessed it, so he pointed to the hole the baby fox had come from.
“It must have come in through there.”
“Wow…”
Yua’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the fox.
“Do you want to pet it?”
“Yes!”
Raon nodded and handed the baby fox to Yua.
“Good girl.”
Yua carefully cradled the baby fox and petted it.
Watching Yua and the fox, Raon turned to Rimmer.
“Is it all over?”
“Why ask me? You handled everything.”
Rimmer laughed, saying everything ended when the Flame Demon fell.
“Just wanted to make sure.”
“It’s all done. Grandpa’s alive, and the World Tree is safe. Though some of our kin died, there’s nothing we could do about that.”
He spoke with a tinge of sadness, telling Raon not to worry.
“You must be hungry. Eat first.”
Dorian handed Raon a steaming yellow soup from the tray Yua brought. It looked like corn soup with small bread pieces but oddly had no scent.
Ooh!
Wrath licked his lips at the sight of the soup.
After starving, even soup is great! Eat quickly!
‘I’m hungry too.’
Raon nodded and took a spoonful of the soup. Despite the lack of scent, the moment he tasted it, a rubber flavor filled his mouth.
Ugh…
“This is…”
“It’s soup made from nadin bread.”
Rimmer pointed to the soup, smiling.
“Your stomach might not handle much food, so I made something you could eat with just one bite.”
“I see…”
Raon answered shortly, looking at Wrath. His plump body began to glow red.
[Eden bastards! Don’t worry!]
Wrath raised his fists, grinding his teeth.
[The monarch will destroy them all!]
‘This isn’t bad.’
Ignoring Wrath’s anger, Raon took another spoonful of nadin bread soup.
Ugh…
As the rubbery taste spread over his tongue, Wrath’s anger naturally subsided.
[Damn this place! Never coming back!]
“Sigh…”
Stairin slowly opened his eyes. Deep fatigue and pain spread from his sunken eyes.
“Guardian!”
“You’ve awakened!”
The guardians around the World Tree rushed to him.
“I’m awake, but it seems too late.”
Stairin sighed, looking at the blackened roots and base of the World Tree.
“Did you know what happened?”
The head elder who was maintaining the temporary barrier approached and bowed.
“I couldn’t know exactly as I was in communion with the World Tree, but I could feel its great suffering.”
Stairin frowned, saying he felt a burning pain within the World Tree.
“Then I’ll explain.”
The head elder sighed briefly and sat beside Stairin, explaining all that had happened.
“I see. So it was the Spirit Kings…”
Stairin, having anticipated the situation somewhat, wasn’t too surprised to hear about Raon and Siyan handling the Spirit Kings.
“We owe that child a great debt.”
“Yes. Considering Siyan’s awakening, it’s a debt hard to repay.”
The head elder nodded in agreement.
“You seem changed.”
Stairin narrowed his eyes at the elder.
“Seeing something like that, change is inevitable.”
“I see.”
Stairin smiled faintly as he tried to stand, nearly collapsing, but the head elder supported him.
“What is Siyan doing?”
“She is regenerating the World Tree’s barrier around Sephia in your stead.”
“I wanted to tell her myself.”
He clicked his tongue, genuinely regretting it.
“Do you want to go?”
“I’d like to, but there’s something we must do first.”
“Yes.”
The head elder nodded, understanding the significance.
“That must come first.”
Upon hearing that Stairin had awakened, Raon left his lodging.
“Is the Guardian alright?”
“You’ll be surprised at how fine he is.”
Rimmer smiled, nodding.
“That old man. I don’t know how long he’ll keep being the Guardian.”
He clicked his tongue, though it was clear he hadn’t slept from worry.
“Hmm…”
Raon frowned as he walked the path to the World Tree.
‘So much burned.’
The path from Sephia to the World Tree was filled with black ash. Even for elves, restoring the forest would take considerable time and effort.
“Don’t worry.”
Rimmer waved his hand, sensing Raon’s thoughts.
“As long as there are elves, the forest will revive. This isn’t too hard for us.”
He laughed, saying he was confident about that.
“Focus on yourself. Have you tried using the [Living Sword] again?”
“I did, but it didn’t work. It seems it was a fluke.”
“Good. If it worked right away, I’d give up swords and open a gambling house.”
“Aren’t you already doing that? You go every week.”
“Not that much!”
As they joked and walked, they arrived at the World Tree. Most of the elves in Sephia were gathered there, not just Stairin.
‘What’s this?’
Raon thought it strange and stopped walking.
“Not yet.”
Rimmer grabbed Raon’s wrist and led him to the center of the World Tree.
“I’ve brought him. No, I’ve escorted him.”
He grinned, standing next to Stairin.
“You’ve woken up. I’m glad.”
Raon, looking bewildered, bowed to Stairin.
“Thanks to you.”
Stairin smiled faintly, looking up at the World Tree. Despite more than half its base being burned, the giant tree still stood firm.
“When I became one with the World Tree, I felt a burning pain. I knew it was an external attack but couldn’t break the communion.”
He clicked his tongue, touching the charred part.
“I thought it was over when the World Tree was attacked, but I felt pure fire and water energy even in communion. It gave me a small hope.”
Stairin’s gaze returned to Raon. Unlike before, his eyes, which had been filled with pride like a grandparent looking at a grandchild, now held respect for an equal.
It wasn’t just him. The head elder and all the elves looked at Raon with the same respect.
“I’ll start.”
Rimmer stepped forward. He grabbed his right shoulder with his left hand and knelt on one knee.
“The Yuha Branch Tribe greets our benefactor.”
“Master?”
Before Raon could question, Erian stepped forward and mirrored Rimmer’s posture.
“The Korn Branch Tribe greets our benefactor.”
“The Shiwa Branch Tribe greets our benefactor.”
“The Maran Flower Tribe greets our benefactor.”
“The Karan Stem Tribe greets our benefactor.”
The tribe leaders didn’t just call out; their sincerity touched his heart.
“The Guardian of Sephia greets our benefactor.”
Finally, Stairin stepped forward, kneeling and bowing his head. It was as solemn as if he were addressing the World Tree.
Behind Stairin, the head elder, the elders, and all the elves knelt with their right hands on their left shoulders. This posture, resembling a tree trunk, conveyed their genuine respect.
At that moment, all the elves’ minds resonated. The World Tree, its branches like wings, scattered transparent leaves. Under the shimmering sunlight, hundreds of elves raised their voices.
“We greet the benefactor of our tribe!”