The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 696

“Since the old beast has returned alive and we lack sufficient information on the one using deathly energy, we should end here for today,” Chamber said, waving her hand dismissively as she popped the shrinking lollipop back into her mouth.

“That would be best. Additionally…” King Lecross swallowed hard and looked at everyone.

“According to information from Camelon, forces loyal to the Five Demon are rising like wildfire. It would be wise to focus on fortifying ourselves for a while.”

He advised caution, noting the disturbance in the balance of power between the Six Kings and the Five Demon forces.

“I already stay out of things anyway…”

The Tower Lord Larian, rubbing her coal-colored dark circles, shook her head.

“That’s true! I found out that the reason she didn’t attend the last Six Kings meeting was because she was too lazy!”

Chamber glared at Larian, biting her lip.

“It wasn’t laziness. I was conducting experiments…”

“You didn’t even set up a magical barrier!”

“Hehe…”

Larian scratched the back of her head as though she had received praise. Her golden hair shimmered like molten gold.

“It wasn’t a compliment!”

Chamber gritted her teeth as if she were ready to pounce on Larian.

“So noisy when we all gather.”

Ogram laughed, waving his hand dismissively.

“Indeed, I can sense some peace amidst the chaos.”

Derus muttered with lips that carried anything but peace.

“It seems there’s nothing more to say, judging by the idle chatter.”

Glenn’s right hand rose, his eyes heavy and brooding.

“We should end the meeting here…”

“Hold on! There’s one important matter left.”

Chamber interrupted Glenn, leaning toward the blue screen.

“What about Raon’s life-or-death duel?”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked directly at Raon, who stood beside Sheryl.

“Hmm…”

“It’s certainly a critical issue given the current circumstances.”

“There’s less than a month left.”

The other leaders of the Six Kings, also intrigued, turned their attention to Glenn.

“That…”

Glenn paused, lowering his gaze as if to signal Raon to speak for himself.

“I fully intend to fight.”

Raon stepped forward, his steps calm and unwavering as he walked to the center of the chamber.

“A warrior of Zieghart doesn’t delay a promised duel over something like this.”

He smiled, focusing on Derus among the leaders of the Six Kings.

“Hmm.”

Glenn’s lips curled into a faint smile, clearly pleased with Raon’s resolute declaration.

“Kids from that side never seem to fear anything…”

Chamber sighed softly, her worry evident in her voice.

“Your opponent is like us, one of the old generation. But I believe you will prevail.”

Ogram raised his massive fist in a gesture of confidence.

“I also have faith in you, Light Wind Division Leader, so that my son Refon won’t be disappointed.”

Once again, Derus invoked his youngest son’s name as he nodded in agreement.

“Well, there’s no chance of disappointing him.”

Raon gave Derus a faint smile.

‘If anyone will disappoint him, it’ll be you, not me.’

In fact, Refon would likely despair, not at Raon’s defeat, but at the twisted truth of his father’s nature.

Raon sneered inwardly, turning his gaze away.

“…”

Derus, having caught Raon’s underlying meaning, pressed his lips inward, his expression still betraying his turmoil.

“Let’s end this here.”

At Glenn’s gesture, the five blue screens in the center of the chamber flickered out like candles being blown out.

Raon stood quietly, rubbing his fingers together as he stared at the space where Derus’s face had just been displayed.

‘So, the volcano has finally erupted.’

Though Derus had kept a calm expression until the end, the telltale sign of his tightly drawn lips gave away the depth of his anger.

‘He’s probably smashing everything around him by now.’

While Derus had a mind as cold as the North Wind, even he had his limits. With Ogram not only rescued but fully recovered and Raon repeatedly provoking him, Derus’s psychological defenses must have crumbled.

‘It’s a shame I can’t see it.’

Raon clicked his tongue, disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to witness Derus’s outburst. As he sighed, he sensed someone’s gaze on his back.

Turning, he met Glenn’s eyes, which held a strange, indecipherable expression.

“Lord?”

“Raon!”

Before Raon could ask what Glenn wanted, Balder approached and gripped Raon’s shoulder firmly.

“You went into the White Blood Religion’s lair and saved the King of Beasts! You’re a true man!”

Balder’s proud gaze and wide grin left no doubt about his admiration.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the Six Kings praise one individual so much. You never cease to amaze me!”

His laughter was so boisterous that it nearly shook the chamber. (TL Note: Best uncle here!)

“He’s right.”

Sheryl nodded.

“The Six Kings have never collectively praised anyone the way they praised you today.”

“Haha, indeed. It’s quite remarkable.”

Roenn smiled serenely, agreeing with the sentiment.

“…”

Denier said nothing, merely observing Raon and Balder.

“I’ve thought this for a while now, but you’re just like me! If only my brain worked as well as yours!”

Balder grinned, giving Raon a thumbs-up.

“…Pardon?”

Raon blinked in confusion, staring at Balder’s intense gaze.

‘What is he talking about?’

He had expected Balder to pick a fight, but this sudden praise was disorienting. After all, Balder had never stopped picking fights before, so why was he acting so differently now?

As Raon turned away from Balder, hoping to escape the situation, he locked eyes with Denier. Unlike the twisted expression Denier had worn while mocking Derus, he now had a calm smile on his face.

‘This man is hard to read.’

Balder was simple, but Denier was a mystery. Raon couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Well done.”

Glenn gestured to Chad, the head of the Shadow Agent, and the other mages who had helped with the meeting.

“It was nothing!”

Chad and the mages bowed their heads hastily, as if receiving a divine command.

“Shadow Agent, summarize today’s meeting and report back. The rest of you may return to your duties.”

“Yes, sir!”

The mages and other officials saluted and left the chamber.

“Raon.”

Glenn called him by name, not by title.

“Yes, Lord?”

“You’ve made up your mind, so I won’t stop you. However…”

He tapped the armrest of his throne with a heavy finger.

“I would advise you to change the date and location of the duel.”

Glenn’s concern was clear: he worried that the swordsman wielding deathly energy might interfere with the life-or-death duel.

“I understand.”

Raon nodded, having already considered the same thing after recent events.

“Good. You may go now.”

Glenn’s stern gaze softened slightly.

Having fought alongside Glenn to rescue Ogram, Raon had come to realize that there was more to Glenn than met the eye.

Raon bowed respectfully and left the chamber.

“Lord.”

Sheryl looked up at Glenn, tapping her lips gently.

“You’ve shown quite a range of expressions today.”

“That’s…”

Glenn quickly hardened his face, trying to regain his usual composure.

“Haha, it’s only natural. His grandson was praised by the Six Kings.”

Roenn chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“Exactly! How could he remain still when those tightwads were singing his praises?”

Glenn nodded vigorously in agreement.

“If that’s the case, why not tell Raon directly? Now might be a good time to officially recognize him as your grandson.”

“Well, that’s a bit…”

“Haha, it seems the gap still feels a bit too wide. But after today, you’ve certainly gotten closer. Just be patient.”

“Right! Patience is key! It’s just not the right time yet.”

“And when will that time come? At this rate…”

“Uh…”

As Sheryl and Roenn continued to alternate between teasing and advising him, sweat dripped from Glenn’s forehead.

* * *

The smile on Derus Robert’s face dissolved like foam in water.

Unable to hold back any longer, he slammed his fist down onto the black wooden table before him.

BOOM!

The impact shook the ground as the table and nearby furniture shattered into gray dust.

“Ugh…”

“Kuh…”

The Robert family’s officials—those secretly part of the shadow organization—could only swallow nervously, their lips sealed.

‘What on earth happened?’

Derus ignored his subordinates’ discomfort, raising his fingers like the talons of a hawk.

‘Did the deathly energy falter during the White Blood Religion leader’s blood drain?’

No, that couldn’t be.

He had tested it many times. There was no incompatibility between deathly energy and the blood-draining technique. There was no reason for the deathly energy to waver during the process.

‘So Glenn Zieghart really did save Ogram?’

He knew Glenn’s strength was unmatched among the Six Kings, but he hadn’t expected him to erase the soul-body disconnection so easily.

If Glenn had made even a slight mistake, Ogram would have been lost forever. Yet knowing this, he had still succeeded. Derus found himself awestruck by Glenn’s audacity.

“A human with the title of god…”

Glenn had many titles: King of the North, Northern Conqueror, and Thunder God.

Though the first two were imposing, the one that fit Glenn best was Thunder God—a man who had become a deity of lightning in human form. After this, Derus finally understood why Glenn was given that name.

Whoosh!

At a flick of her finger, Kubara drew all the dust in the air into her hand.

“It seems…”

Derus, after a long silence, stroked his chin as he looked at Kubara.

“Glenn and Ogram suspect there’s a spy within the Six Kings.”

“What?”

Kubara looked at him, her lips parting slightly.

“What do you mean…?”

“Because Ogram’s full recovery is a lie.”

The White Blood Religion’s blood drain didn’t just sap life force; it also consumed the victim’s power.

And since Ogram had been exposed to deathly energy for so long, the idea that he had retained his full strength was likely just a bluff.

Glenn and Ogram had realized there might be a spy within the Six Kings and had coordinated their story accordingly.

“Hmm…”

Kubara clenched her wrist, watching Derus as he pieced together his analysis.

‘He’s insane.’

Despite being caught off guard by Ogram’s recovery, Derus had meticulously analyzed the situation and deduced the underlying truth.

His cold, calculated mind was unrivaled.

“And the one who came up with that trick…”

Derus’s mouth twisted as he removed his glove. The wound on the back of his hand had reopened, dripping sticky blood.

“Raon Zieghart. It had to be him.”

Every time Raon interfered with the Shadow’s plans, the wound on the back of Derus’s hand flared up, and blood would drip from it.

Though hard to believe, Derus had grown more certain that Raon, the boy who had inflicted this wound years ago, and Raon Zieghart were the same person.

Today, Raon Zieghart had acted as if he were concerned about Derus while simultaneously planting seeds of suspicion in the other Six Kings.

Though the other leaders seemed to let it pass quietly, Derus knew they would remember his momentary loss of composure.

“Yes, I’ve been outplayed this time. Utterly and completely.”

Derus clenched his fists, recalling the twisted smile Raon had worn.

‘But I’ve gained something as well.’

Glenn Zieghart. That cold-hearted man had shown clear signs of affection when Raon was praised.

The theory that Glenn valued Raon more than just as a grandson was true.

‘Which is why this life-or-death duel is so important.’

It’s my chance to kill both of them in one fell swoop.

Though they had hoped to end things by someone else’s hand, that was no longer an option. Derus had resolved to personally orchestrate a plan to kill both Raon and Glenn.

“Send word to the entire Five Demon faction. And to the Southern and Northern Lords…”

Derus Robert stood tall, dusting off his blue robe with a twisted grin.

“Tell them I will meet them personally.”

* * *

Grand Duke Roman Raykal had remained by the riverbank even after finishing his sparring with the gravel.

Seated with his Crimson Dragon Saber resting on his knees, his breathing remained steady and controlled.

Reflected in his calm eyes were only the river and the sky, until an old man with graying hair stepped into view—Northern and Southern Alliance Vice Lord Helgrum.

“Roman.”

At Helgrum’s call, Roman lowered his gaze.

“As you know, the Beast Alliance has fallen. There’s much to be done right now. Don’t you think it’s time to set aside this life-or-death duel?”

“It has nothing to do with the Six Kings or Five Demon. This is a warrior’s promise between Raon Zieghart and me.”

The calm in his eyes gave way to a chilling, predatory gleam.

“Unless there is an issue between us, I won’t delay our duel over external matters.”

“I thought sending the Blue Falcon might change your mind, but I see I was mistaken.”

Helgrum clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

“Then why did you send the Blue Falcon?”

“To make sure he doesn’t run.”

Roman stroked the hilt of his Crimson Dragon Saber and raised his head again.

“Make sure he doesn’t run?”

“Yes. I’ll fight him wherever, whenever. I even offered to fight him inside Zieghart territory. I sent the message to let him know not to think about running.”

Roman’s confident tone matched the firm set of his jaw.

“Haa, you’ve grown strong. You’ve made immense progress in these past three years. At this rate, you’ll reach transcendence. I just don’t understand why you’re so fixated on this promise.”

“Because it’s this promise that made me stronger.”

Roman folded his hands, saying that the life-or-death duel with Raon had shaped the man he had become.

“Well, do as you wish. But as I’ve said before, if you lose…”

Helgrum narrowed his eyes.

“All the honor you’ve built will be dragged through the mud. Be sure to crush him.”

“You needn’t worry. That’s exactly what I’ll do.”

As Roman tightened his grip on the saber, a chilling aura ignited and flared up around his shoulders.

“…If you can say that, I’ll believe you.”

With a nod, Helgrum disappeared in the direction of the Northern and Southern Alliance’s headquarters.

“What others say doesn’t matter.”

Roman looked up at the setting sun, his lips curling into a smile.

“What matters is us, Raon Zieghart.”

* * *

After the meeting, Raon immediately headed to the training hall to continue his practice.

“Do you even train on a day like today?”

As always, Raon was practicing his basic sword techniques when Rimmer, who was lounging on the platform, waved his hand in exasperation.

“The duel is approaching soon.”

Raon shook his head as he thrust his sword into the air. A small black dot seemed to form in the setting sun where his blade had pierced the sky.

“Shouldn’t you be treating your master to a meal on a day like this? Or at least thanking me?”

“I’ll skip the meal. How about we spar instead?”

Raon smiled, beckoning Rimmer over.

“I need actual combat experience right now.”

“Well, um… I’m still recovering from my injuries, so sparring would be difficult…”

Rimmer laughed awkwardly, shaking his head.

“Come on, Master. Since today’s been such a great day for me, can’t you help me out?”

Raon took a step toward Rimmer, whose face had gone pale.

Screech!

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out, and a blue falcon swooped down, landing in front of Raon.

“This falcon…”

Raon recognized it immediately. It was the Blue Falcon that perched on Grand Duke Roman’s warship, the *Black Cloud*.

“It’s the Duke’s falcon.”

“Yeah, it’s the Blue Falcon.”

Rimmer nodded, confirming that it was indeed Roman’s familiar.

“Come here.”

Raon raised his hand, and the falcon calmly landed on his forearm. Loosening the white note tied to the bird’s leg, Raon unrolled the message.

“Hah…”

Raon let out a soft breath after reading the note.

“What does it say?”

Rimmer, curious, smacked his lips.

“It says not to run from the fight. He wants me to pick the time and place, and he’s even willing to fight within Zieghart territory.”

“…Is he crazy?”

Rimmer laughed incredulously.

“Well, he hasn’t been normal since the moment he accepted this duel.”

Raon chuckled, glancing at the note again.

“He’s different from other Five Demon followers.”

With a soft smile, Raon picked up a pen.

“Wait! What are you doing?”

Rimmer rushed over, shaking his head frantically.

“You should talk to the Lord first before deciding anything…”

“The Lord told me to handle this myself.”

Raon shook his head and flipped the note over, placing the pen on the paper.

“Location: the Gazelle River, where we first met. As for the time…”

“When? When is it?”

“Not January 1st next year, but December 31st this year.”

As Raon wrote the date, the golden rays of the setting sun reflected in his eyes.

“Instead of delaying, I’ll bring the duel forward.”