The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 618

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After preparing to return to the family, Raon exited his lodging.

“Are you all ready?”

Judiel and Jubel had finished their preparations earlier and were waiting under a nearby tree.

“Yes, I didn’t bring much,” Judiel said, showing a small bundle in her hands, her expression alive with emotion. Since reuniting with her brother, it seemed as if the dam holding back her feelings had burst.

“I only have my weapons and night attire, so I’m ready to go,” Jubel added, pointing to the dagger hidden at his waist with an awkward smile.

“You two even smile alike. Let’s go,” Raon said, gesturing for them to follow as he headed toward the village exit. Even before they could see the gate, a line of Sran Tribe members stood at attention.

“Chieftain.”

Raon approached the chieftain, who stood at the center of the tribe members, and bowed his head.

“Thank you for everything. I’ve rested well thanks to you.”

“Rested? I saw you getting beaten every day,” the chieftain laughed, looking Raon up and down.

“That’s my way of resting,” Raon replied.

“You certainly have the spirit. I still see you in my dreams. I’ll never forget the sight of your red eyes that night,” the chieftain shuddered, recalling Raon’s fierce presence during the fight.

“I apologize. I was in a rush…”

“No, thank you,” the chieftain interrupted, shaking Raon’s hand. “If it weren’t for you, many of our young ones would have died that night.”

He closed his eyes slowly, expressing his sincere gratitude.

“If you ever face hardship, contact us. The Sran Tribe will come to your aid, no matter what.”

The chieftain spread his arms, gesturing to the entire tribe.

“There’s no need…”

“Our Sran Tribe never forgets a debt of gratitude. You saved our lives, so we owe you ours.”

“Exactly! Just say the word!”

“We’ll come running, even if we’re in the middle of eating!”

“I’ll come even if I’m in the middle of a crap!”

“Just let us know, anytime!”

The Sran Tribe members raised their clenched fists, showing their resolve.

“You don’t have to. I only came to follow Judiel…”

“It doesn’t matter why you came. What matters is that you saved us. Don’t feel burdened. A life for a life.”

Raon shook his head. The more they insisted, the more he felt burdened.

“He’s right!”

A booming voice came from behind the village’s dining hall. Ogrom emerged, chewing on a piece of meat the size of a club.

“Leader?”

-That, that!

Wrath’s eyes widened, pointing at Ogrom’s meat.

-I want to eat that too!

The spirit clung to Raon’s shoulder, longing to devour the meat.

‘Calm down.’

Raon brushed Wrath off and faced Ogrom.

“What you said about gratitude…”

“If you receive a favor, you should repay it!” Ogrom declared, biting into the massive piece of meat.

“There’s no need to refuse or feel burdened. It’s only right,” he laughed heartily, patting Raon’s shoulder.

“Right.”

Garona, who stood beside Ogrom despite his bruised face, nodded with a grin.

“Our Beast Alliance values debts of gratitude more than any other force. Since you saved the Sran Tribe, it’s only right they would risk their lives for you.”

Raon stepped back, looking at the chieftain and the tribe. Like Ogrom and Garona said, their expressions showed no falsehood.

“Of course, I feel the same way! I’d sacrifice my bones and flesh for you, brother!” Garona thumped his chest, urging Raon to call on him anytime.

“Please don’t,” Raon waved his hands quickly, glancing at the people in front of him.

‘Another connection formed.’

Though unintentional, a series of coincidences had bound him to these people. Declining further would be rude.

“Thank you. I humbly accept the Sran Tribe’s kindness.”

Raon bowed to the entire tribe.

“Think of us as brothers,” the chieftain bowed back with an unblemished smile.

After thanking the Sran Tribe, Raon turned to Jubel, who understood the silent cue and stepped forward.

“I’m sorry!” Jubel bowed deeply to the tribe. “I deceived all of you. I have no words. I’m truly sorry!”

“It’s alright.”

The chieftain shook his head calmly. The other tribe members also showed no malice, gazing at Jubel with serene eyes.

“Huh?”

Jubel widened his eyes in surprise.

“Anyone in your situation would have done the same. Thank you for your courage.”

The chieftain approached Jubel, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Next time, come as Jubel, not as Philip.”

He gave Jubel’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“….”

Jubel bowed his head again, his shoulders trembling as warm tears soaked the ground.

“Brother!”

Garona threw an arm around Raon’s shoulder.

“I heard you mastered Geokhae. Could you share the secret?”

He raised his hand, genuinely seeking advice without a hint of jealousy.

“Believe in yourself.”

Raon offered the best advice he could. Geokhae was a technique that required personal enlightenment; giving more hints might hinder Garona’s progress.

“Believe in myself?”

Garona tilted his head in confusion.

“Brother! Explain it more clearly and simply…”

“You fool!”

Ogrom smacked Garona’s head.

“Guh…”

With a metallic clang, Garona collapsed.

“That advice is enough. There are no easy paths!”

Ogrom frowned, lifting the fallen Garona onto his shoulder.

“You’ve done well.”

“No, it was nothing.”

“Here’s some final advice: sometimes, taking the hard path leads to greater heights. Don’t become like this fool. And…”

He pulled out a yellow paper from his robe.

“This is a letter for your head of the family. Make sure he sees it.”

“I will.”

Raon took the letter and tucked it into his inner pocket.

“Then go.”

Ogrom waved his hand, urging them to leave.

Raon bowed to Ogrom before turning around. Seeing Judiel and Jubel’s mixed smiles and tears, he clapped his hands.

“Let’s go. Back to Zieghart.”

* * *

In the center of the fifth training ground, Rimmer stood with his sword drawn. The feeling was different than before, but his spirit burned hotter than ever.

He swung his sword lightly, as if performing basic techniques. The blade shimmered in the sunlight, tracing elegant patterns in the air. The following wind left deep marks on the ground.

‘Not bad.’

Rimmer infused the mana circuit in his prosthetic arm with more aura. The wind energy in his core surged through his hand, releasing a powerful gust.

‘This is good.’

The prosthetic arm Encia crafted moved as naturally as his original arm, enhancing his wind energy. The branches of the World Tree embedded within the arm amplified the wind’s power.

‘Using my own arm feels amazing.’

He hadn’t realized how much joy wielding his own sword with his own hand brought. They said one must experience loss to appreciate happiness; it was true.

‘I might not just maintain but surpass my peak.’

Initially, he only aimed not to hinder the Light Wind Division, but after attaching the prosthetic, the blocked path of martial arts began to open. With continuous training, he felt he could even surpass his prime.

‘Life is truly unpredictable.’

When he desired it most, it eluded him. When he let go, it came to him. The god of martial arts was indeed capricious.

Rimmer narrowed his eyes, gathering the wind energy in his hand until it erupted.

A green whirlwind surged along the silver blade, cooling the sweat on the foreheads of the Light Wind Division members.

Rimmer lowered his sword, rubbing his shoulder. The connection was so seamless that it felt like he never needed to remove it.

‘I owe a great debt.’

To both Encia, who crafted the prosthetic, and Raon, who secured its materials. He pondered how to repay them as he sheathed his sword.

“Huff.”

As he stabilized his aura, the training ground door opened, and Dorian entered.

“Raon is on his way back!”

Dorian waved his hand to the Light Wind Division, smiling brightly.

“Hm…”

Rimmer licked his lips, looking at the suddenly darkening sky.

‘He’s going to cause trouble today, I can feel it.’

* * *

In the office of the Chief of Central Command.

Knock, knock.

A rough knock sounded from outside the luxurious, solemn office.

“Enter.”

Karoon lowered his teacup, nodding.

Despite the rough knock, the door opened carefully, and his butler bowed deeply.

“Raon Zieghart is returning.”

“He’s quite late.”

“There’s word he learned martial arts from the Beast King.”

“He’s like a raccoon, taking everything offered.”

Karoon tapped his desk with his long fingers.

“So, I should head to the head of the family’s hall?”

“Yes.”

“The head calling every time he returns is becoming a family event.”

He frowned, clearly displeased.

“But…”

The butler hesitated.

“Should we do nothing? If Raon tells them that Judiel was under Central Command…”

“We’ve severed connections and erased all evidence. His words alone won’t matter.”

Karoon shook his head, having double-checked everything.

“Besides, I don’t think he’ll say anything.”

“What?”

“Raon Zieghart values his people more than anything. He wouldn’t risk their safety. He’ll likely offer a deal—keeping silent in exchange for leaving Judiel and her brother alone. He knows exactly what to do.”

He spoke as if he had already anticipated Raon’s thoughts.

Karoon finished his tea and stood.

“Let’s go. We must show that nothing has changed.”

“I’ll escort you.”

The butler opened the office door.

Karoon donned a splendid uniform bearing the Zieghart emblem and left the office, his eyes gleaming like an owl’s, aiming for the dark.

‘Raon Zieghart.’

That’s why you can’t beat me.

* * *

Raon entered the head of the family’s hall, glancing to his left. Karoon stood by the nearest pillar, looking unperturbed.

‘He’s calm.’

Karoon gazed ahead, confident that Raon wouldn’t say anything.

‘His thoughts are clear. And normally, he’d be right.’

To protect Judiel and Jubel, keeping quiet would be the usual course.

‘But I’m not a normal person.’

Determined to wipe that smug look off Karoon’s face, Raon stood in the center of the hall.

“Greetings, head of the family.”

Raon knelt and bowed his head.

“Greetings, head of the family!”

Judiel and Jubel, who had followed, bowed as well. Thankfully, they had practiced beforehand and performed the etiquette perfectly.

“Rise.”

Raon looked up at Glenn’s stiff expression.

“Raon Zieghart.”

“Yes.”

“You said you were training nearby, so why did you end up in the Sran Tribe’s territory?”

With a gesture, Glenn’s hand rested on his chin.

‘Now I understand.’

His expression and posture were a cue to explain the situation to everyone present.

“I’ll explain from the beginning.”

Raon bowed his head and gestured to Judiel behind him.

“I have a dedicated maid.”

“I’m Judiel.”

Judiel stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“She has a younger brother she was separated from when they were young. Knowing this, I promised to find him no matter what. I requested information from the black market and waited. Then…”

Raon briefly summarized the events that transpired.

“…That’s how we returned together.”

After explaining everything, silence filled the hall.

“Hmm, keeping a promise…”

Glenn murmured, seemingly lost in thought as his lips twitched.

“It’s both a simple and difficult thing to do.”

“Indeed!”

Aris raised her hand high.

“In this age where promises are often broken, it’s rare to see someone follow through for their maid.”

She nodded approvingly.

“Personally, I think it’s meaningless, but it’s impressive.”

“Yes, it was a martial artist’s act.”

“Hearing how you stopped both assassins and the Sran Tribe alone makes my blood boil.”

Other leaders and captains smiled or raised their thumbs in approval.

“It was the action of a true Zieghart swordsman! Though I wouldn’t make such a promise myself.”

Balder acknowledged the deed, though admitting it wasn’t something he would do.

“…”

“Well done.”

Karoon said nothing, and Denier only offered a small smile.

“Indeed, it was a personal matter, but earning the gratitude of one of the Six Emperors cannot be dismissed.”

Glenn coughed, covering his mouth. His speech quickened but remained clear, as if he was suppressing a big smile.

“To Raon Zieghart, I…”

“Head of the family.”

Raon placed his hand over his chest and bowed.

“There’s more I need to say.”

“What is it?”

“You remember I mentioned my maid’s separation from her brother.”

“Yes.”

“The one responsible for that is…”

Raon covered his mouth like Glenn, his voice trembling with anger.

“The scum who tore apart a loving family…”

With a mix of fury and sorrow, he clenched his fist and struck the floor.

“…”

Judiel and Jubel knelt, bowing their heads, and began to sob.

“Who is it!”

Balder raised his fist, ready to charge.

“Whoever it is, I’ll handle it!”

“You stay back. I’ll kill them myself.”

Aris ground her teeth.

“Everyone be quiet.”

Glenn leaned forward, his brows furrowing. His red eyes seemed to crackle with lightni ng.

“Tell me. Who did this?”

“…”

Raon bit his lip and turned his gaze toward Karoon. Everyone followed his gaze.

Seeing Karoon’s suddenly strained expression, Raon’s lips curled into a smile.

-The king of pettiness has descended…

Wrath shook his head at Raon, who barely contained his glee.

-You should quit being a swordsman and become an actor!