The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 642
Raon trembled slightly as he looked at his wrist, gripped by the Sword Saint.
‘What… what is this?’
He was genuinely startled. When a person is too shocked, they can’t even speak, and that was exactly his situation.
Who wouldn’t be shocked if the corpse you were about to burn suddenly came back to life?
-Waaah!
Wrath screamed in surprise, floating in the air like a cotton candy blown by the wind.
“You’re not even slightly surprised,” the Sword Saint said, nodding in satisfaction.
“Just like the successor of that great man.”
“……”
It was a huge misconception. His heart was pounding like it was about to burst, and cold sweat was running down his spine.
If the Sword Saint’s eyes were still twisted, he would have cut off his head immediately.
“It’s dangerous!”
“Stay back!”
“Captain… sir!”
Burren, Martha, and Runaan swallowed nervously and rushed forward, their swords drawn as if ready to strike the Sword Saint.
“Oh no! Not again?”
“Captain!”
Rimmer and Mark Gorton also drew their weapons, their eyes wide.
“It’s okay.”
Suppressing his trembling chest, Raon waved his hand to calm them.
“He’s different from before.”
The malice and aggression he had seen in the Sword Saint earlier were gone. Now, his eyes resembled those of a monk who had spent his life in training and good deeds.
“Did you read my soul? That’s beyond my expectations.”
“……”
The Sword Saint was still mistaken. Raon had merely read his disposition. However, saying that would be bothersome, so he kept silent.
“Can I hear your name?”
“I am Raon Zieghart.”
“Every time I look, I’m more impressed. I’d love to hear about your life, but we don’t have much time, so let’s get straight to the point.”
The Sword Saint sighed lightly and lifted his calm gaze.
“The first thing you need to know is the identity of this place. You might not know, but originally, this land was the territory of Zieghart.”
He lowered his voice as if revealing a great secret.
“I know that.”
Raon blinked slowly and nodded.
“Oh…?”
The Sword Saint looked surprised, his mouth forming a small ‘o.’
“You knew that?”
“Yes.”
Raon nodded lightly. From the memories of the first head of Zieghart, Delphros’s actions, and the Sword Saint’s corpse, it was clear that this land originally belonged to Zieghart.
“If you knew that, then this conversation will go quickly.”
The Sword Saint scratched his head awkwardly.
“Do you know why this land was created? This place is…”
“A training ground for Zieghart.”
“You knew that too?”
He stopped talking, blinking in surprise.
“Yes.”
With the memories of the first head of Zieghart and the documents in the control room, it was obvious.
“I had no idea,” Martha said, shaking her head as if she hadn’t even considered it.
“Raon kept saying it seemed like a training ground. Although I didn’t know it was Zieghart’s land,” Burren said, exhaling in exasperation.
“I knew everything.”
Runaan placed her hands on her hips, proudly lifting her chin.
“You?”
“How?”
Burren and Martha stared at Runaan with wide eyes.
“Raon said so as soon as we arrived. He declared this land belonged to Zieghart,” Runaan said, nodding as she recalled Raon’s declaration upon arriving on the fifth floor.
“That’s not it, you fool!” Martha shook her head in disbelief. “You’d believe Raon if he said the sun rises from the ground!”
“The sun does rise from the ground,” Runaan said, tilting her head.
“…Forget it.”
Martha raised her hands in surrender, admitting defeat.
“Ahem.”
The Sword Saint cleared his throat, pretending not to have heard the odd conversation behind him.
“Your insight is extraordinary. Remarkable indeed!”
“……”
Raon sighed lightly, watching the Sword Saint’s eyelids twitch.
‘He’s mistaken again.’
The only reason he knew this information was because of the memories of the first head of Zieghart. Otherwise, he would have been just as surprised as the others.
“But there’s one thing you wouldn’t know. The person who created this training ground is…”
“The first head of Zieghart, right?”
“You’ve figured that out too?”
The Sword Saint clapped his hands in amazement.
“It’s like you saw it happen! You truly are the rightful successor!”
“……”
It wasn’t just like seeing it; he had seen it. He had watched the creation of the training ground in the memories of the first head. But he kept silent, knowing it would be too much to explain.
Raon watched the Sword Saint, feeling both flustered and pleased.
‘He seems quite clumsy…’
Unlike the mindless fighting earlier, the Sword Saint now seemed very amiable.
“Did you know I was part of Zieghart?”
“No.”
“Of course you wouldn’t…”
“But I suspected it.”
“You suspected?”
“Yes.”
Raon nodded calmly.
“There’s little information about you, Sword Saint, but you showed respect for the first head of Zieghart. Plus, the old Zieghart emblem is engraved on the inside of your uniform, suggesting your affiliation.”
“Your reasoning skills are impressive, maybe even superior to that great man.”
The Sword Saint laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. He paused, gathering his thoughts before nodding slowly.
“Although I was affiliated with Zieghart, I wasn’t part of the inner circle. My role was to protect Zieghart from the outside.”
“Wow…”
“Sword Saint was part of Zieghart?”
Rimmer and Burren gaped at the Sword Saint in amazement.
“I’ve heard that Zieghart was even stronger in the past.”
“There are no records, so I thought it was just a legend.”
“An external guardian… that’s insane.”
The others were equally astonished, hearing this unknown piece of history.
“It was a path I chose to repay the first head of Zieghart for his kindness.”
The Sword Saint smiled, recalling those times.
“Kindness? Didn’t the first head of Zieghart and the Sword Saint operate in different eras?”
“Even after stepping down as the head, the first head of Zieghart continued to work for the continent’s prosperity. I received his help during that time.”
“Ah…”
“After retiring, I came here to leave my martial arts to Zieghart, but things got twisted. I’m truly sorry.”
He bit his lip, looking sorrowful at having attacked Zieghart’s descendants.
“It’s okay.”
Raon smiled lightly, shaking his head.
“It’s not your fault.”
The Sword Saint was exactly as Raon had imagined. The true culprit was Derus Robert, who had orchestrated everything.
“One more thing.”
The Sword Saint raised his hand, smiling lightly.
“Despite what that man said, I did leave two successors. Each inherited my sword and my path.”
He shook his head, indicating the lifeless Delphros.
“They were so rebellious that I didn’t tell them about Zieghart, but my martial arts are still being passed down. Find their successors and use them as your strength.”
“I appreciate your words, but I have no way to find them…”
“I’ll tell you now.”
The Sword Saint extended his hand towards Raon’s forehead.
Raon hesitated but then met the Sword Saint’s eyes. His gaze, pure like a drop of water, drained the tension from his body.
“Thank you.”
The Sword Saint smiled, as if grateful for Raon’s understanding.
His touch was cold, but it strangely carried a warmth.
“I’ve debated whether to pass on my martial arts after all this. But seeing you, my worries have vanished.”
As his voice faded, a profound energy entered Raon’s mind.
‘Aura?’
The Sword Saint’s substantial aura spread through his entire body, firm and solid like the earth.
It was a formidable aura that seemed unbreakable, embodying the Sword Saint’s essence.
But it wasn’t just the aura being transmitted. The Sword Saint’s martial arts, the Demonic Martial Arts and the True Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques, flowed into Raon’s mind with the aura.
The Sword Saint had been dead for a long time, and with the core destroyed, he had little aura left. What he truly intended to pass on was not just aura, but his martial arts.
Both the Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques and the Demonic Martial Arts were complex, but they felt strangely familiar after having faced the Sword Saint directly.
Raon closed his eyes, feeling the blossoming of new martial arts within his inner world.
***
The Sword Saint smiled softly, watching Raon immersed in meditation.
‘What an extraordinary young man.’
After being awakened by evildoers, his mind remained clear, but his body was beyond his control.
In this hellish second life, he realized the era had changed.
Many secrets remained buried, and he feared they would stay hidden forever. But those fears seemed unfounded now.
This boy, Raon Zieghart, had figured out everything on his own without being told.
‘He’s just like him.’
Golden hair as radiant as molten gold, eyes burning red as if they could incinerate any malice, reminded him of the first head of Zieghart.
‘Especially his character.’
Raon cared for the weak even in dangerous situations. His willingness to help others, even at his own expense, embodied the spirit of Zieghart.
Passing on martial arts and family is not hard. What’s truly difficult is continuing the original spirit.
Raon had inherited the spirit and determination with which the first head had founded Zieghart.
The decision to pass on his martial arts came because of Raon.
The Sword Saint smiled deeply, wholly misunderstanding Raon.
‘He resembles the head, but…’
In looks, he was superior.
‘Head, your successor shines even brighter than you. And that’s because…’
He looked at the Light Wind and Sky Sword Divisions protecting Raon and nodded in satisfaction.
‘They all do.’
The Sword Saint gazed at the golden warmth emanating from Raon’s chest and smiled gently.
‘You can rest easy now.’
Your flame remains here.
***
Raon opened his eyes to see the smiling face of the Sword Saint.
“Why did you…”
The Sword Saint had faced a tragedy, trying to leave his martial arts for his successors, only to be ensnared by necromancy.
He could have simply vanished, yet he chose to pass on his martial arts to Raon.
“I felt I could trust you.”
The Sword Saint smiled gently, nodding.
“I…”
“No need to explain.”
When Raon tried to deny the misunderstanding, the Sword Saint raised a hand, stopping him.
“I watched you while bound by chains of soul.”
Transparent light flickered in the Sword Saint’s dark eyes.
“At first, I wanted to die. The thought that my small desire had brought you so much suffering made me wish for death even after death. But…”
He clutched his chest as if it ached.
“When I saw you, I felt joy. Seeing you stand firm against me with the martial arts and swordsmanship of that great man was moving. I was grateful to still have my eyes.”
With a lighter gaze, the Sword Saint lifted his head.
“Watching you save others even in the midst of battle convinced me that you are the true successor of that great man.”
“……”
Sadly, that was also a misunderstanding. Raon saved people to thwart Derus’s plans, not out of sheer goodwill.
In usual circumstances, he wouldn’t have bothered saving people who came here for their own greed.
“Seeing the martial arts, the sword, and the spirit of that great man continue brings me immense joy.”
The Sword Saint caressed Raon’s head.
“And you’re more handsome.”
“……”
It was probably meant to make him laugh, but Raon found no humor in it.
“Absolutely beautiful Raon.”
He almost laughed out loud when Runaan’s voice unexpectedly rang out from behind.
“There’s one last thing I need to tell you.”
The Sword Saint lowered his voice, creating a barrier.
“Zieghart has a true enemy.”
“An enemy?”
“The head believed he had eradicated them, but their lineage persists.”
He sighed, covering his eyes.
“You remember my eyes, twisted in black and white?”
“Yes.”
Raon had been alarmed by those eyes, resembling the monsters seen in the first head’s memories.
“That’s their hallmark. The eyes of demons.”
-Why demons again! You guys are worse!
Wrath muttered that humans were more wicked, shaking his head.
“What are they?”
“They were called ‘Anima’ in my time, but they frequently change names.”
“Anima…”
They were clearly linked to Derus, yet Raon had never heard of them during his time under Derus.
‘A dreadful connection.’
It seemed Raon and Derus’s enmity extended beyond this life.
“But… huh?”
Raon began to question the Sword Saint, then widened his eyes. The Sword Saint’s body started turning to dust.
“Hmm…”
The Sword Saint watched his crumbling hand, smiling faintly.
“Seems my time is up.”
“Ah…”
“I passed some of my remaining aura to you, and now I’m at my limit.”
He shook his head, indicating not to worry.
“It’s fortunate. Meeting you has dispelled all my worries.”
The Sword Saint grabbed Raon’s hand with his remaining hand.
“If the current successor of Zieghart is this capable, I don’t need to see the head. Use what I’ve left as you see fit.”
“Sword Saint, I am not the successor of Zieghart.”
“You’re not? Well, you’re still young. But soon…”
“No, that’s not it.”
Raon shook his head slightly. He wanted to correct this last misconception.
“I’m still a branch family member.”
“W-what…?”
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened.
“A branch family member? You?”
“Yes.”
“That makes no sense! How can a branch family member master both Mana Circuit and Ring of Fire?”
He reached out, but his hand crumbled to dust before touching Raon.
“Well…”
“W-wait! Hold on! I can’t go like this! Why are you a branch member? Are there only idiots in Zieghart? Why are you…”
The Sword Saint screamed, but his body continued to disintegrate.
As his final gaze twisted like when Raon first saw him.
“……”
Raon blinked at the ground where the Sword Saint had vanished.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
He had tried to be honest at the end, but it seemed to have backfired.
-Sigh.
Wrath held his head, letting out a deep sigh.
-Sometimes, there are things better left unsaid….
The demon let out another sigh, wrinkling his forehead.
-Is it right for a demon to teach humans morals?
***
Raon dusted off his hands. It was all over now, and he wanted to forget about it. He shook his head and returned to the Light Wind and Sky Sword Squads.
“Are you okay?”
Burren blinked, approaching.
“It sounded like the Sword Saint was screaming at the end…”
“It looked like he was making a last-ditch effort. What did he say?”
Martha tilted her head, curious.
“…Nothing much. Just told me to live well.”
Raon shook his head, not wanting to share the details that might confuse them.
“It’s amazing that the Sword Saint was our ancestor.”
Serena chuckled in disbelief.
“Your initial guess wasn’t wrong.”
“Indeed.”
Raon smiled at Serena.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Thanks to you.”
Despite her severe injuries, Serena nodded as if it was nothing. She was a true warrior.
“Let’s head out now.”
Raon looked at the Light Wind and Sky Sword Squads, along with the surviving neutral forces, and nodded.
Even excluding the Zieghart warriors, there were plenty of witnesses. Enough to serve as proof.
“Going up won’t be easy.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Raon shook his head, pointing at the ceiling.
“I found the control room for this training ground. We can use it to get to the surface quickly.”
“Great! Let’s go!”
Rimmer nodded eagerly, saying he needed a drink.
“Sleepy.”
Runaan yawned, her eyes fluttering.
“But we can’t all leave. Someone needs to stay and control it.”
Serena narrowed her eyes, scanning the area.
“We can’t leave it to just anyone. Someone should stay…”
“We don’t need a person to control it, but we have a bird.”
“A bird?”
“This one.”
Raon chuckled, pointing at the small Phoenix, Kiyan, floating in the air.
“Pyakpyak will manage it.”
[Who’s a bird! And why should I! I won’t do anything!]
Kiyan shook his head, declaring he would no longer follow human orders.
“I’m leaving too.”
[Huh…?]
“If I leave, you can live freely. Are you turning down that chance?”
Raon smiled, tapping Kiyan’s wing.
“If you enjoy being with me that much, I can’t stop…”
[I’ll do it! Immediately! I’ll send you up at lightning speed!]
Kiyan quickly flapped his wings, creating a sandstorm.
-This demon won’t leave forever.
Wrath shook his head, watching the scene.
-The birdbrain is hopeless.
***
A faint red platform rose towards the sky. It was a secret passage only accessible to those who controlled the training ground.
“Will there be people up there?”
Rimmer sighed, looking at the ceiling.
“It would be strange if there weren’t.”
Serena nodded, stating the obvious.
“I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“No, we need them.”
Raon looked at Rimmer and nodded.
“They need to be our witnesses.”
“That’s true, but it’s tiring.”
Rimmer nodded, understanding what Raon meant by witnesses.
“Meeting the real Sword Saint still feels unreal.”
Burren clutched his chest, his heart still pounding.
“I never imagined things would turn out this way.”
Martha agreed, scratching her nose.
“Yeah. I want to sleep.”
Runaan blinked sleepily, losing interest in the Sword Saint.
Raon scanned the relaxed Light Wind Division, nodding slightly.
‘You all fought well.’
But there was still room for improvement.
Had it not been for several coincidences, this would have been very dangerous.
It seemed essential to elevate the individual strength of the swordsmen.
‘I already have the materials.’
By combining the Sword Saint’s martial arts, he could create new techniques for them.
As he contemplated ways to strengthen everyone, Kiyan’s voice echoed from the control room.
[Pyak! We’re almost there!]
‘But first…’
Raon nodded, looking at the light scattering like sunlight.
‘I have something to do.’
With a sudden surge, the platform reached the surface. The ground felt soft and welcoming under his feet.
“There are many.”
“Yes, very many.”
Rimmer and Serena frowned, looking at the forest.
As they said, the area was crowded with scavengers waiting to snatch the Sword Saint’s legacy.
“Prepare for combat.”
Burren ordered, spreading the Light Wind Division into formation.
“I’ll handle this.”
Raon stepped out of the formation and walked to the center of the forest. He stomped the ground.
Boom!
A shockwave echoed, shaking not only the ground but also the sky.
Bushes and trees swayed, revealing the pale faces of the hidden warriors.
“From now on, this land is the territory of Zieghart.”
Raon looked at the thousands of greedy eyes and declared.
“You have ten seconds. Drop your weapons or leave. Choose one.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
