The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 649

Raon swallowed dryly as he gazed at the glowing map. The villages that the Light Wind Division had rescued before entering the tomb were now connected, forming a single path that linked Zieghart to the Sword Saint’s tomb.

‘Did it really connect like that?’

He had only wanted to save the people in front of him, without considering whether they were within Zieghart’s territory. He never imagined such a result would occur.

“Judging by your expression, it seems you didn’t realize this would happen,” Glenn said, nodding calmly.

“Even so, the outcome remains unchanged. All those villages that pledged loyalty to Zieghart invoked the name of the Light Wind Division.”

For the first time, Glenn’s voice carried a hint of pride. His expression seemed softer than usual, almost as if he were smiling.

“The Lord is correct,” Sheryl stepped forward, her voice warm. “The village chiefs and mayors all expressed their gratitude to you.”

She smiled, admitting that her heart was warmed by their words.

“Expanding the territory—regardless of whether it’s for a noble family or a kingdom—is a tremendous accomplishment. To achieve that expansion without any bloodshed, in a peaceful manner, is nothing short of a monumental feat.”

Glenn’s voice remained calm, but the corners of his mouth twitched as if he were trying to suppress a smile.

“This achievement is worthy of high praise. I shall bestow golden plaques and precious elixirs upon every member of the Light Wind Division.”

With a snap of his fingers, Roenn emerged from an inner chamber, carrying a tray adorned with golden and silver plaques.

“Th-thank you!”

“We are honored!”

The members of the Light Wind Division knelt, clutching their chests as they bowed their heads. They seemed more moved by the fact that their efforts had greatly benefited Zieghart than by receiving the golden plaques.

“For their valiant efforts in defending the Light Wind Division within the Sword Saint’s tomb, the entire Phantom Sword Division shall receive silver plaques as well,” Glenn added, stepping down from the dais, seemingly intent on distributing the rewards himself given the large number of people.

“Th-thank you!”

Burren, the first to receive the golden plaque and elixir, clenched his lips tightly, trying to hold back his tears.

“Thank you!”

Martha, though she tried to maintain a stoic expression, blushed deeply as she accepted the golden plaque from Glenn.

“Thank you.”

Only Runaan remained unchanged, her gaze and expression as indifferent as ever as she received her reward.

After personally handing out golden plaques to all the members of the Light Wind Division and silver plaques to the members of the Phantom Sword Division, Glenn returned to the front.

“Captain of the Phantom Sword Division.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Despite the mistakes made, you held your ground, ensuring the survival of both your subordinates and the Light Wind Division. That is commendable.”

With those words, Glenn handed the captain a golden plaque and an elixir.

“This elixir is excellent for internal injuries. Take it as soon as you return.”

“Thank you…”

The captain accepted the reward with trembling hands.

“Lastly, Captain of the Light Wind Division.”

“Yes.”

Raon stepped forward.

“Your achievements include slaying the Snow Queen, the Sixth Apostle, and the Ghost Sword Master, uncovering the identity of the Sword Saint and his tomb, retrieving his legacy, and reclaiming Zieghart’s land.”

Glenn recounted Raon’s deeds one by one, his voice low, but the corners of his mouth and eyes lifted toward the sky with each word.

“Not one of these accomplishments is trivial. Given the sum of these achievements, it would not be unreasonable to incorporate the annex into the main household and elevate you and Sylvia to the rank of direct descendants.”

At Glenn’s quiet declaration, everyone in the audience chamber widened their eyes in shock.

“L-Lord!”

“That is…”

“Silence.”

Glenn shot a sharp glance at the direct descendants who had spoken out, silencing them before shaking his head.

“However, we have an agreement, don’t we?”

“Yes, we do.”

Raon nodded, recalling his earlier vow to earn his place by overcoming Roman the Axe King in battle.

“Given that, I will grant you a wish instead.”

“Did you say a wish?”

“Yes. While I cannot grant everything, I will do my best within my power.”

Glenn’s eyes softened as he promised to fulfill Raon’s request.

“……”

Raon quietly surveyed the audience chamber. He saw the direct descendants, wide-eyed in disbelief, and Rimmer, Sheryl, and Aris, who seemed to be urging him to request punishment for the Elder Council.

“I wish for appropriate defensive rights for the annex.”

“Defensive rights?”

Glenn raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request.

“During the special inspection by the Master of True Martial Arts and this recent inspection by the Elder Council, both were baseless attacks. The annex suffered greatly, and the maids bore the brunt of it.”

“What nonsense! The money I lost during that time was—”

Balder began to protest, but Aris cut him off with a fierce glare.

“Want to die? Keep your mouth shut.”

“Hmph…”

Balder grumbled but stepped back as Aris’s gaze bore into him.

“I can understand the need for inspections, but to conduct them repeatedly just to harass us, using the annex’s maids for their own tasks, is unreasonable. Therefore…”

Raon turned his gaze toward the direct-line leaders, a slight smirk on his lips.

“I request autonomy for the annex.”

“Autonomy?”

The first to react were the direct-line leaders.

“That’s absurd!”

“Granting autonomy to the annex is unthinkable!”

“Lord!”

They vehemently shook their heads in protest.

“……”

Glenn remained silent, his gaze shifting to the protesting leaders.

“Are you asking me to go back on my word?”

“Ah…”

“That’s not what we meant…”

Faced with Glenn’s stern gaze, the direct-line leaders faltered and retreated.

“Autonomy would indeed prevent the issues that have arisen so far. However, granting autonomy is not a simple matter. It could be seen as forfeiting Zieghart’s protection.”

Glenn’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded.

“For now, I will indefinitely halt any inspections, investigations, or access to the annex. As for autonomy, I will consider it further and discuss it with you later.”

“Thank you.”

Raon bowed his head, exhaling a quiet sigh of relief.

‘This is enough.’

He had never aimed for full autonomy in the first place. As Glenn mentioned, losing Zieghart’s protection would create new problems.

By requesting something as significant as autonomy, Raon had achieved his true goal—defensive rights—without the direct-line leaders raising much fuss. It was exactly the outcome he had wanted.

“Since I couldn’t grant your first wish, do you have any other requests?”

Glenn’s gaze grew colder, as if expecting Raon to ask for retribution against the Deputy Head.

‘Is he suggesting I seek revenge?’

Glenn’s eyes seemed to be urging Raon to use his wish to strike back at the Deputy Head and his followers.

But that was something Raon and the annex needed to handle themselves. Asking Glenn or Aris for help would only lead to similar problems in the future.

Moreover, there was no need to waste a wish on something Raon could do on his own.

“In that case, I’d like to request a few martial arts manuals.”

“Martial arts manuals?”

Glenn’s surprise was evident as he furrowed his brow.

“Which ones are you interested in?”

“I’d like to request the manuals for Middle Mountain Sword, Heavenly Nature Sword, and…”

Raon paused briefly before revealing the final name.

“The Ten Sword Principles.”

“The Ten Sword Principles. That’s…”

“That’s the Deputy Head’s swordsmanship manual.”

Sheryl and Aris’s eyes flashed with cold light upon hearing the name of the last manual.

“You intend to challenge him to a duel.”

Rimmer stepped forward, crossing his arms as he spoke.

“Yes. I have to fight him.”

“That old man is strong and cunning. Even if he knows he’s stronger than you, he’ll likely refuse the duel. After all, there’s nothing for him to gain from it.”

Rimmer shook his head, predicting a frustrating outcome.

“I’ll make sure he has no choice but to accept.”

“How?”

Not just Rimmer, but everyone present swallowed nervously, awaiting Raon’s explanation.

“Division Leader.”

Raon looked at Rimmer, raising a finger.

“You’re acquainted with Deputy Tower Master Berbin, correct?”

Berbin was the Deputy Tower Master of the internal magic tower within Zieghart. Rimmer had often been seen drinking with him, and Berbin’s disciple was the one who had summoned the orc during Raon’s practical training in his cadet days.

“Berbin? He’s a drinking buddy of mine.”

Rimmer blinked in surprise at the mention of Berbin’s name.

“I’d like to borrow him tomorrow.”

Raon smiled as he pulled out a gold coin.

***

“Dragon Slayer…”

Deputy Head Kiluin sneered as he recalled Raon’s face.

“For all his achievements, he’s still just a kid.”

“A kid?”

Crisson, who had just returned from the audience chamber, tilted his head in confusion.

“He may seem strong, but he’s naïve. The perfect type to be manipulated.”

“Hmm…”

“Still don’t get it?”

“Honestly, no. I couldn’t help but admire his accomplishments…”

“Sure, those are impressive. But that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Kiluin tapped his desk, carved from blackwood, as he smiled.

“When the Lord granted him a wish, he didn’t bring us up, did he?”

“Right. I was surprised by that too. I thought he’d seek revenge against us…”

“That’s what makes him naïve.”

Kiluin leaned back in his chair, gazing out at the darkening sky.

“He’s planning to take me down on his own.”

“Take you down… You mean…”

“Exactly. He intends to challenge me to a duel.”

Kiluin brought his index fingers together in demonstration.

“He’s planning to solve this issue himself rather than rely on the Lord’s authority. That way, the annex will gain not just defensive rights but also an untouchable reputation. However…”

Kiluin spread his fingers apart with a light chuckle.

“A duel is meaningless if the other party refuses. He’s going to regret missing the opportunity given to him today.”

He chuckled at the memory of Raon’s frustrated expression.

“But doesn’t that mean we can’t mess with the annex anymore?”

Crisson frowned as he rubbed his still-sore jaw.

“We’ll find a way. Harassment doesn’t always require an inspection or investigation.”

Kiluin waved his finger as he casually listed off methods to provoke the annex.

“You really are incredible!”

Crisson exhaled in admiration.

“Let the boys take a break for about a week.”

Kiluin’s cloudy eyes gleamed with malice.

“After that, we’ll visit the annex again.”

***

The following morning.

As the swordsmen finished their breakfast and prepared for their daily tasks, a white curtain unfurled across the sky above the main building.

“What’s that?”

“Is it some kind of magic?”

“Looks like it. The magic tower must be doing something today.”

“It’s like a piece of paper being unfolded.”

Swordsmen and servants alike paused to stare at the sky.

Hummmm!

Black letters began to dance across the white curtain, as if someone were writing on it.

[Children are taught from an early age never to approach an animal with its young. A parent protecting its offspring is extremely sensitive, and its claws and teeth become twice as sharp.]

It wasn’t just the writing; a clear, resonant female voice echoed throughout the entire main building.

It was as if the words were being sung or recited, the voice’s impact deep and unforgettable.

[Yet there is an old fool who doesn’t understand this basic rule of nature that even children know. Why? It’s clear that the fool’s parents failed to teach him what he should have learned as a child.]

[Growing up without proper education from one’s parents, and having never formed a family of one’s own, this fool doesn’t understand the value of other people’s families.]

[An ignorant person projects their inferiority onto others. A wise person recognizes their shortcomings and tempers their mind. The base-minded mock those they perceive as weaker, while the noble-hearted share knowledge and compassion with those less fortunate.]

[It’s a tragedy that the Deputy Head of Zieghart has grown up to be an ignorant, base-minded fool, without the proper education from his parents.]

[As the Captain of the Light Wind Division and a sword of Zieghart, I cannot allow the Deputy Head of the Elder Council to remain an ignorant, base-minded fool who was not properly educated by his parents.]

[Therefore, I will personally deliver the lessons his parents failed to teach him. If the Deputy Head does not want to continue being an ignorant, base-minded fool, he should present himself at the Grand Training Hall in three weeks at noon. – Raon Zieghart, Captain of the Light Wind Division.]

As the final line, “Raon Zieghart, Captain of the Light Wind Division,” was written, the clear female voice also came to an end.

“Ah…”

“W-what…”

Though countless people had gathered in front of the main building, not a single one of them could find words to speak.

“As expected, Yua’s voice is amazing.”

Raon clapped his hands as he watched from the roof of a distant mansion.

-You’re right. The pineapple girl’s voice is as sweet as a nightingale’s… Wait! That was an insult to his parents!

Wrath trembled, his jaw clenched as he raised his fist.

‘It was.’

Raon nodded calmly.

-You idiot! Even demons don’t insult someone’s parents!

‘But he insulted mine first.’

-No, seriously, I’ve seen all kinds of things, but this is the most elegant and creative insult I’ve ever witnessed….

Wrath blinked in disbelief.

“That’s why it’s effective.”

Raon smirked as he watched the Elder Council’s building shake as if an earthquake had struck.

“The duel has been initiated.”