The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 595
“Ugh!”
Siyan glared at Reylan, who was running behind her as she pushed through the forest.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you since you were concentrating on the barrier.”
Reylan bowed his head slightly as he met Siyan’s eyes.
“It’s not as annoying if you don’t talk.”
Siyan pouted her red lips.
“I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. Just run faster.”
Siyan dashed towards the direction of the World Tree, saying she just wanted to get there quickly.
Reylan narrowed his eyes as he looked at the water shoes encasing Siyan’s feet.
‘She’s really changed.’
Originally, Siyan was the least talented elf in Sephia. She couldn’t fight, summon spirits, or stand in front of others due to her shyness.
However, after summoning the Water Spirit King, her life completely transformed. It was as if a dam blocking a river had collapsed, allowing her to handle natural mana as if it were her own. She also exhibited a genius-level talent in martial arts, and her spirit summoning skills became unparalleled in Sephia.
Not even a week had passed since Eden’s attack, but currently, the only elves in Sephia who could surpass her were Sterin and the Great Elder.
‘I admire her.’
Despite being scorned all her life, Siyan forgave her fellow elves who had insulted her after gaining strength and talent. Her mindset was on a different level from ordinary people.
However, there was one thing that made the wise and benevolent Siyan lose her composure.
‘Raon Zieghart.’
Whenever it involved Raon, like now, Siyan would act without regard for consequences. When Raon was unconscious, she gathered all the precious herbs in Sephia to make a miraculous medicine for him. It seemed she valued Raon more than Sephia itself.
‘It’s understandable, though.’
Without Raon, Sephia would have been reduced to ashes. So, it was understandable that Siyan cherished Raon so much.
“Siyan, could you slow down a bit? I’m having a hard time keeping up.”
Reylan smiled softly as he looked at Siyan, who seemed to be riding the wind.
“We’re almost there! Just a little more effort!”
Contrary to her encouraging words, Siyan increased her speed, even using the wind spirit. She stopped abruptly in front of the World Tree’s barrier.
“Oh…”
Hundreds of elves knelt before Raon, calling him their savior. The majestic sight made the words from Raon Zieghart’s chronicle tickle her mind. Even without witnessing it herself, the scenes vividly came to her mind.
‘I have to write about this.’
It was clear that she was born to see and document this scene. She needed to offer money to the author of Raon Zieghart’s chronicle to write this part herself.
Siyan clenched her fist, making a new resolution.
Raon trembled slightly as he looked at the elves bowing respectfully. Maybe because they were under the World Tree, their sincerity touched his heart, giving him chills.
‘I’m grateful, but this is too much…’
Although he played a significant role in Eden’s attack, this level of respect was excessive.
“You idiot!”
As Raon was about to wave his hand to refuse, Wrath burst out.
“Are you trying to be humble and say you were just doing your duty again?”
‘What?’
“Humility isn’t always a good thing.”
Wrath pointed at the elves.
“All those pointed ears are sincere. Rejecting their gratitude just because you feel uncomfortable is tantamount to ignoring them!”
Wrath frowned, telling Raon not to disregard their goodwill.
“Hmm…”
Following Wrath’s finger, Raon looked at the elves again. As Wrath said, they were genuinely expressing their gratitude. Not accepting it because of his discomfort would indeed be rude.
‘I can’t believe I’m learning from you.’
“I’ve told you before! I’m more human than you!”
‘You might be right.’
Raon smiled faintly and drew his Heavenly Sword.
“Raon Zieghart, Leader of the Light Wind Division, will accept Sephia’s greeting.”
He held the sword in a reverse grip, pointing the tip to the ground and bringing the hilt to his chest. It was Zieghart’s sword salute, responding sincerely to their sincerity.
Sterin smiled as he watched Raon’s respectful yet dignified gesture.
“Thank you for accepting our greeting.”
Sterin stood up, followed by the other elves raising their heads.
“What’s gotten into you?”
Rimmer approached and tapped Raon’s shoulder.
“Your specialty is always stepping back and making the atmosphere awkward during such times.”
He smiled brightly as if in a good mood.
“You can’t always be the same.”
“Hey! You cheat!”
Wrath shouted.
“I helped you!”
Raon nodded, looking at Wrath struggling.
“And someone told me to stop being humble.”
“Whoever said that gave good advice.”
Rimmer chuckled and waved his hand.
“He seems like a straightforward person who only says the right things.”
“Ahem!”
Wrath coughed, looking at Rimmer.
“It’s surprising to hear a pointed ear say something sensible!”
Wrath seemed pleased, smiling smugly. It was hard to believe a Demon King could be so weak to compliments.
“Raon Zieghart.”
Sterin approached with a gentle smile.
“Thank you.”
He patted Raon’s shoulder, expressing his gratitude again.
“I should thank you too.”
“Hmm?”
“Thanks to the Guardian’s guidance on the secret of communion, I was able to win.”
Raon sincerely meant it. If the Heavenly Sword and his spirit hadn’t connected at the last moment, the victory would have belonged to the Flame Demon.
“What…?”
Sterin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You achieved that?”
“I was lucky.”
Raon briefly explained the battle with the Flame Demon.
“Hah…”
Sterin shook his head in disbelief.
“Even if you connected with the spirit, how could a lower Grandmaster…?”
“Old man, I told you.”
Rimmer grinned as he saw Sterin’s raised eyebrows.
“Don’t think of my disciple in terms of common sense.”
He shook his head, patting Raon’s head.
“Just as there are High Elves among elves, he’s a High Human. Don’t apply common sense.”
“Again with the strange talk…”
Raon sighed, looking at Rimmer.
“It might be true…”
But Sterin blinked, seeming to believe it. The achievement of the Heavenly Sword was that astonishing.
“It’s not like that. I’m just a regular human.”
Raon quickly waved his hand.
“Thinking that a lower Grandmaster used the Heavenly Sword makes more sense than believing his nonsense.”
Sterin pointed at Rimmer, sighing deeply.
“And he’s also the contractor of the Fire Spirit King! Such a human is unprecedented in the continent’s history!”
Erian approached, nodding vigorously. Now, he was talking about the history of the continent. He was as exhausting as Rimmer.
“No, no.”
Everyone’s attention turned to the right at the thin voice. Golden hair, like melted sunshine, waved like a ripple, and blue eyes like a dawn moonlight revealed a poignant color. Her overwhelming beauty was enough to leave one speechless. She was exceptional even among elves, known for their beauty.
“S-Siyan?”
“Y-Yes…”
Siyan blushed and bowed her head deeply.
“H-Hello, Raon.”
Her voice was quieter than before, despite not being under the blanket.
“You’ve finally taken off the blanket.”
“T-Thanks to you…”
Siyan nodded while still looking at the ground.
“Siyan, what do you mean by ‘no’?”
Sterin gestured for her to continue.
“Raon isn’t the contractor of the Fire Spirit King.”
“Siyan, what do you mean by that?”
Erian stomped his foot, finding it hard to believe.
“Raon is undoubtedly the contractor of the Fire Spirit King! You saw him fighting with the Spirit King!”
“No, he’s not.”
Siyan shook her head firmly, unlike when she dealt with Raon.
“I heard it from Elime.”
She lifted her trembling gaze and looked at Raon.
“Raon is the brother of the Fire Spirit King!”
Everyone under the World Tree momentarily held their breath at Siyan’s strange declaration.
“W-What…?”
“What’s that supposed to mean…?”
“Brother, not contractor?”
“Ugh…”
Sterin, Rimmer, and Erian widened their eyes in disbelief, while Raon closed his eyes tightly.
‘Please…’
It seemed the strawberry-flavored candy Spirit King had talked about him in the Spirit World.
“Why is Raon the brother of the Spirit King?”
Rimmer blinked rapidly, unable to imagine it.
“I don’t know either. As soon as Ifrit returned to the Spirit World, he said he’d serve Raon as his brother…”
Siyan shook her head, saying even the Spirit Kings didn’t know the reason.
“Phew…”
Raon sighed, hearing that.
‘That’s a relief.’
He had been wondering how to explain Wrath, but fortunately, Ifrit hadn’t revealed the important parts. It was only natural, as he would have had to admit being consumed by Wrath.
“Not a contractor but a brother…!”
Erian looked at Raon with trembling lips.
“My intuition wasn’t wrong! I sensed Raon’s spirit from the first meeting!”
He shouted, claiming his intuition was the best among elves.
“That’s not what’s important right now!”
The Great Elder pushed Erian aside and stood before Raon.
“How did you become the brother of the Fire Spirit King?”
“Y-Yes, please explain!”
“What did you do?”
The Elder and the other elves crowded around, curious.
“Well…”
Raon sighed, furrowing his brows.
‘How do I explain this…’
Telling the truth was out of the question. As he racked his brain, a brilliant light suddenly shone from the sky.
Hwaaaaaa!
The World Tree spread its branches like wings, just like when they first met. The magnificent natural energy condensed between the transparent leaves, radiating a splendid and elegant light.
Gooooo!
The glowing sphere, flickering like a meteor, slowly descended and floated before Raon. As if by instinct, Raon reached out his hand, and the vivid light dimmed, revealing a fruit slightly larger than an apple.
‘This is…’
It was a fruit he had never seen before. The skin had overlapping circular patterns, beautifully and artistically carved. The color was a raspberry-like red, looking so delicious that he wanted to eat it immediately. The most impressive aspect was its scent. Despite not being cut, its sweet and fresh fragrance tickled his nose, making his mouth water.
“A fruit…”
The Great Elder’s mouth fell open as he stared at the red fruit.
“It’s the World Tree’s fruit!”
“The World Tree gave us a fruit…”
“Is this the World Tree’s fruit?”
Not just the Great Elder, but all the elves present trembled with astonishment as they gazed at the fruit. Raon had heard that the World Tree’s fruit was a great elixir, but he didn’t realize it would be this surprising to the elves as well.
“It’s only natural.”
Sterin swallowed dryly as he looked at the World Tree’s fruit.
“Unlike the saying that it bears fruit once every 100 years, the World Tree’s fruit is a sacred object that the tree bestows only when it is satisfied. It’s not surprising that they are astonished.”
He laughed, saying it was commendable they hadn’t fainted.
“Is it okay for me to accept such a precious gift…?”
“Accept it!”
Wrath screamed.
“Accept it no matter what! I told you, and now you’re being humble again, you idiot!”
Wrath frowned, telling Raon not to refuse the World Tree’s goodwill.
‘Wipe the drool off your mouth before you talk.’
Wrath pretended to think about Raon while drooling like a flood.
“Gulp!”
Wrath quickly wiped his mouth and licked his lips.
“Anyway, just accept it! You drain my power like an anteater, but why do you care so much about others?”
Wrath raised his hands, saying he would curse him for life if he didn’t eat the fruit.
“Hah.”
Sterin shook his head in disbelief.
“You’re probably the only one who would say such a thing in front of the World Tree’s fruit.”
“He’s really frustrating, unlike a typical Zieghart.”
Rimmer sighed, pushing the fruit back into Raon’s hand.
“This is yours. Since the World Tree directly gave it to you, there’s no one else who should have it. We are all witnesses.”
“He’s right. Take it.”
“I have to acknowledge it when it’s right in front of me.”
“Y-Yes. Raon, you should take it!”
The Great Elder, Erian, and Siyan all nodded.
Raon smiled faintly at the elves.
‘They all feel like the head of the household.’
Although it hadn’t been long since they met, he felt a sense of closeness, probably because the World Tree conveyed emotions directly.
“Then, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
Raon held the World Tree’s fruit to his chest and bowed to Sterin and the elves.
“Hwaaaaaa!”
The World Tree’s branches, which had spread wide, swayed gently along the path of the sunlight. It seemed to be smiling with delight.
“Kuhahaha!”
Wrath laughed wildly, looking at the World Tree’s fruit.
“The World Tree’s fruit! It’s worth coming to this boring place! Happiness came after the nadin bread!”
Wrath expressed his joy as if the fruit had already entered his mouth.
“The foolish pointed ears. They’ll be in unbearable pain from having the fruit taken by this cheapskate!”
‘Doesn’t look like anyone is thinking that.’
“It only seems that way on the surface! No one smiles after having their possession taken!”
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying Raon didn’t understand.
“Eat it right now before it’s taken or lost! Mock those pointed ears who made the nadin bread!”
Wrath seemed to harbor resentment against the elves because of the nadin bread.
‘Phew…’
Raon sighed, thinking Wrath was a troublesome Demon King.
[You have become a benefactor of the elves.]
[You have received the respect of the <Fire Spirit King>.]
[You have achieved a great feat.]
[All stats increase by 25 points.]
The messages appeared as the settlement of the recent events was completed.
“Krrrr…”
Wrath’s smile twisted weirdly. But the messages didn’t stop there.
[The achievement of <Mana Art> increases.]
[The achievement of <Glacier> increases.]
[The affinity for the fire attribute increases.]
[The resistance to the fire attribute increases.]
The next messages indicated the increase in the achievements of Mana Art and Glacier. Due to enduring the Flame Demon’s flames, the affinity and resistance to the fire attribute had leveled up.
[The title <One Respected by the Spirit King> is created.]
Finally, a new title was created, and the messages that had been going up endlessly stopped.
‘No matter how many times I hear it, it’s always good.’
Raon clenched his fist, feeling the vitality returning to his body, which had not yet recovered.
“Krrrr…”
Conversely, Wrath trembled all over, looking at the messages as if about to cry.
‘Does it hurt your stomach?’
Raon smiled as he looked at Wrath clutching his plump belly and trembling.
“Yes! It hurts so much I feel like dying!”
Wrath shouted, baring his teeth as he lunged at Raon.
“Kyaaaa!”
At the Zieghart estate.
Vice-Master Chad trembled as he looked at the report in his hand.
“E-Eden attacked Sephia. The Flame Demon wearing the previous Fire Spirit King’s helmet and the dark elves who betrayed Sephia joined them…”
He swallowed dryly as he read the words on the report.
“Such a thing!”
Aris clenched her fist and turned around.
“I’ll go!”
She was ready to rush to Sephia immediately.
“It’s not over yet. Continue reading.”
Glenn stopped Aris and gestured for Chad to continue reading the report.
“Ah, yes. It says that Raon Zieghart, leader of the Light Wind Division, saved Sephia and received the World Tree’s fruit…”
Chad read the report until the end, detailing how Raon saved Sephia and received the World Tree’s fruit.
“Such a thing!”
Aris tied her hair and turned around again.
“I have to go now!”
“It’s all over. Where are you going? To look for Eden?”
“Since it’s all over, they’ll hold a festival! As Raon’s aunt, I’ll be treated as a state guest!”
She ran to the door, stepping lightly.
“Hoo, Roenn.”
“Hahaha.”
Roenn appeared like a ghost and blocked her way.
“Please refrain.”
“Ugh…”
Aris couldn’t bring herself to harm Roenn, so she just frowned.
“To use the term ‘benefactor of the elves,’ I’ve never heard of such a thing. It’s truly a great achievement.”
Sheryl sighed as she looked at the report in Chad’s hand.
“Haha, becoming the contractor of the Spirit King as well. It’s hard to say where he’ll stop.”
Roenn’s usually composed face hardened in amazement.
“Khmm…”
A sudden sound of suppressed laughter drew everyone’s attention to the platform.
“Didn’t you hear something strange just now?”
Aris tilted her head in confusion. The others, knowing who laughed, remained silent.
“I’m surprised by this part.”
Chad pointed at the report, shaking his head.
“The World Tree personally bestowed its fruit. Seeing the World Tree is already a historical event for humans, but receiving its fruit is likely unprecedented.”
“He always exceeds our expectations.”
Roenn nodded at Chad’s words.
“If it’s to this extent, we might be able to establish diplomacy with the elves.”
Sheryl smiled, feeling a new path opening.
“I told you. Raon is exceptional. If he becomes the head of Zieghart, the family will thrive far more than it does now.”
“Kkhmm!”
As soon as Aris praised Raon, the sound of someone trying to hold back laughter was heard again.
“What? Who’s there? Is someone else on the platform?”
Aris climbed the platform, looking around. She didn’t think the source of the laughter was the owner of the platform, so she just blinked.
“What are you doing? Get down.”
Glenn removed his hand from his mouth and frowned at Aris.
“I definitely heard it…”
Aris muttered, confused.
“Ahem! Since Raon has become the benefactor of the elves, it wouldn’t be right to greet him normally, right?”
Glenn cleared his throat and opened the discussion about welcoming Raon.
“Of course! We must welcome him grandly!”
Chad shouted, clapping his hands.
“Indeed. He achieved a great feat that will significantly aid Zieghart’s diplomacy. We must treat him accordingly.”
Sheryl nodded, laughing heartily.
“Hahaha!”
Roenn laughed joyfully.
“Then I’ll bring him!”
Aris nodded and ran to the door.
“Stay still!”