The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 706

*Wooooong!*

On the magic circle Merlin had drawn, multicolored spells ignited. It was a multi-casting bombardment—her specialty—where hundreds of spells were cast simultaneously with a single incantation.

Not just the four primary elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—but also light and darkness were woven into the hundreds of spells, all raining down upon the Soul-Eating Specter ’s undead horde.

*Kugugugugu!*

Despite her severe injuries, Merlin didn’t lose focus. She detonated each spell precisely where she intended, with no room for error.

*Kwakakakabang!*

Explosions rippled across the sky and river, fracturing the air as if slashed by a sword. Steam from the evaporated river surged upward, forming a wall.

“Hah…”

Merlin bit her lip as she gazed at the towering wall of steam.

‘I hit them, but the power is too weak.’

Her magic circle, rooted in her heart, had sustained significant damage, drastically weakening her spells. They were barely half as powerful as usual.

“Damn it!”

Her whole body burned with searing pain, but that wasn’t her biggest concern. Physical pain was something she could endure.

‘The real problem is…’

The despair gnawed at her heart—the fear that Raon might not escape this place safely.

‘I was a fool.’

The Fallen One had promised not to interfere in Raon’s duel with the Axe King.

When nothing happened on the day of the duel, Merlin had let her guard down and gone about her usual intelligence gathering—until the Fallen One’s ambush came without warning.

The shock had been so overwhelming that she nearly lost consciousness. But thanks to a prepared decoy, she barely managed to escape with her life.

Had Raon not instructed her to be ready to escape, she would have either died or been captured on the spot.

‘Even though I escaped, it still ended up like this…’

The Soul-Eating Specter knew better than anyone that she couldn’t betray Raon. Even knowing it was a trap, she had no choice but to appear.

*Whooosh!*

A harsh wind from above cleared the steam and dust, revealing the Soul-Eating Specter .

“A mosquito bite would hurt more than that.”

Brushing off his spotless robe, the Soul-Eating Specter curled his lips into a grin. It seemed he had used *Bone Wall*, a dark magic spell that summoned walls of bone, to block the magic bombardment.

Even so, about half of the undead horde under his control had been melted away by her spells.

If only she could wipe out the rest, it would be easier for Raon to escape.

“No need to worry.”

The Soul-Eating Specter smiled as he noticed the anxiety flickering in Merlin’s eyes.

“I have no intention of chasing after Raon Zieghart. Right now, all I want is you.”

His eyes gleamed with a mixture of desire and hatred as he waved his hand.

“And I won’t kill you right away. I’ll make sure you feel the same agony I did—no, something even worse.”

“What a shame. I don’t feel pain…” Merlin said, her voice mocking but interrupted by a cough of blood.

‘At this rate, I can’t hold out much longer…’

It felt as though her ribcage was squeezing inward. Her body and mind had reached their limit—death was no longer a distant possibility.

Physical pain was something she could endure, but she knew she would soon lose consciousness, whether she wanted to or not.

‘I can’t die like this.’

Not because she feared death.

If she died now, the Soul-Eating Specter ’s malice would turn toward Raon. She had to stop him, even if it meant using her final resort.

“You don’t feel pain? Then I’ll just torture Raon Zieghart instead.”

The Soul-Eating Specter smirked as he glanced toward the now-vanished ship carrying Raon.

“Watching him suffer should cause you plenty of pain, right?”

“Shut up!”

Merlin raised her trembling hand, her pale face contorted with rage. The magic circles behind her flared brightly once more.

“Are you planning to throw fireballs in that state?”

The Soul-Eating Specter sneered as his undead horde began to move. Monsters filled her field of vision, swarming in from every direction.

*Kugugugugu!*

*Fwoooosh!*

Bone Gargoyles and Wraiths rained down from the sky, while from the river, Bone Mantacuns and Bone Sharkmols surged upward.

Even the breath of the Bone Dragon, infused with dark mana, blasted through the undead horde, leaving no room for escape.

Yet, this perilous situation was exactly what Merlin had been aiming for.

*Wooooong!*

Merlin, watching the advancing undead, folded the wings of the magic circle she had spread out. Hundreds of magic circles overlapped in her grasp, forming complex geometric patterns.

From these patterns emerged a radiant white light—a divine spear that banished all darkness.

The Great Annihilation Magic, *Gungnir*.

Through the clash of yin and yang, this absolute magic existed solely for destruction. It tore through the undead horde and shot straight toward the Soul-Eating Specter .

*Kuwaaaaaang!*

The moment *Gungnir* exploded in front of the Soul-Eating Specter , the world lit up, bright as day, and the surrounding undead melted away entirely.

*Whooosh!*

The Soul-Eating Specter did not escape unscathed—his left torso was severed as if sliced cleanly with a pair of scissors.

“Gah…!”

But, as befitting a spirit with the abilities of the undead, he vomited blood and began regenerating his body.

“Haa…”

Merlin bit her lip and raised her hand.

‘I have to finish this here.’

Though incomplete, *Gungnir* had worked better than she’d expected.

She had to sever his life before he recovered fully from his injuries.

“D-Damn…!”

As Merlin tried to gather her mana, she coughed up thick, blackened blood. Blood trickled not only from her mouth but also from her nose and eyes, and her whole body trembled violently. (TL Note: Noooo, please noooo.)

“You stupid woman.”

The Soul-Eating Specter sneered, his blood-stained lips curling upward.

“Do you still think you’re sane?”

He shouted as he extended his right hand toward her.

*Thwack!*

Merlin staggered backward, and the mask of the old woman she wore cracked in half.

Beneath the shattered mask was the face of a young woman with porcelain-white skin, her beauty so striking that it could only be described as extraordinary. Strangely, a red cross was etched into her half-closed eyes.

“Sorry… Raon…”

Muttering Raon’s name one last time, she fell into the river below.

“You think you can escape me, even in death? Ngh…!”

The Soul-Eating Specter frowned as he tried to lift Merlin’s body using telekinesis, only to find his strength faltering.

“Get her! Now!”

Instead of exerting more of his energy, he motioned backward. A gargoyle swooped down and extended its sharp claws toward Merlin.

*Whooosh!*

Just as the gargoyle’s claws reached for Merlin’s shoulder, the river seemed to come alive. Water surged up in thick mist, filling the air with translucent droplets, obscuring all visibility.

“W-What is this?!”

The Soul-Eating Specter summoned a gust of wind, but the mist held fast, as if anchored in place.

“Damn it!”

He steered the Bone Dragon down into the river himself.

However, all he found floating on the surface was the lifeless gargoyle. There was no sign of Merlin anywhere.

‘Did she escape?’

No! She must have lost consciousness!

Merlin treasured Raon more than her own life. Someone like her would never flee.

‘This isn’t magic.’

The mist and droplets filling the river weren’t the result of magic—they moved with a fluid, natural flow. It wasn’t Merlin’s work.

“Find her!”

The Soul-Eating Specter clenched his teeth and summoned every remaining undead at his disposal.

“Search the entire river if you have to, but find her!”

Madness flickered in his golden eyes.

“I won’t let her escape. Never! Never!”

—

*Fwoooosh!*

Dorian’s ship, carried by Merlin’s wind, touched the river’s surface and began to slow.

But the pursuing enemies were nowhere in sight. It seemed they had all converged on Merlin.

“I-I swear there were over a thousand undead… Can she hold them off?”

Krein glanced nervously over his shoulder, his jaw trembling.

“I-I don’t mean to sound worried about Merlin, but still…”

He hunched his shoulders awkwardly, as if realizing he’d said too much.

“Merlin did save us, after all. There’s no harm in being concerned.”

Rimmer sighed, shaking his head.

“She didn’t look too well, which makes me worry even more.”

Dorian swallowed anxiously.

“She’s a mage. I’m sure she’ll know when to retreat.”

Burren ruffled his hair and bit his lip, though his expression betrayed his unease.

“No.”

Martha, her fists clenched, turned to look back.

“What?”

“Merlin won’t retreat.”

“Yeah…”

Runaan nodded in agreement with Martha.

“That masked woman will fight to the death.”

“……”

For once, the two of them were in complete agreement, both biting their lips.

“Hah…”

Rimmer sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“For now, all we can do is trust her. Raon did say something, after all.”

“L-Lord Raon? What did he say?”

Dorian and Krein leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity.

The other members of the Light Wind Division also leaned in, eager to hear.

“Raon said that as long as we get out of the river, we won’t die. He mentioned that help would come from an unseen place.”

Rimmer squinted as he pointed toward the Label River.

“Help from an unseen place?”

“That’s right.”

Rimmer shrugged, admitting that he wasn’t entirely sure what it meant.

“Let’s keep moving. We’re almost at the meeting point.”

“Yes, but…”

Dorian exhaled, gripping the controls.

“The ship’s been damaged, so it’s moving slower. We have the materials to fix it, but…”

“Just keep going.”

Rimmer scanned the surroundings and shook his head.

“Once we get past this canyon, the river will widen again. We’re almost there.”

“Understood!”

Dorian nodded firmly and tightened his grip on the controls.

The squad leaders and the rest of the Light Wind Division remained tense, surrounding Raon protectively.

After about ten minutes, the canyon gave way, revealing the true expanse of the Label River—so wide it could be mistaken for the sea.

“We’re almost there. Just a little more…”

Rimmer was encouraging the tired members of the Light Wind Division when—

*Kuwaaaaaang!*

With a massive splash that seemed to reach the sky, a colossal warship burst from the river. It was the *Blue Wolf*, the North-South Union’s flagship, equipped with submarine capabilities.

*Boom!*

Dorian’s ship shook violently as it collided with the *Blue Wolf*.

“Ugh…!”

Rimmer gritted his teeth, pushing Dorian’s ship backward.

‘The *Blue Wolf*… here?’

The ship groaned ominously from the impact, wood creaking under the strain. If Rimmer hadn’t fortified it with aura in time, it would have shattered, sending them all into the river.

“Got you at last!”

Helgrum, the deputy leader of the North-South Union, grinned from the bow of the *Blue Wolf*, his smile stretching wide enough to split his face.

“H-How…?”

Dorian’s hands trembled as he gripped the controls, disbelief etched across his face.

“We avoided the monsters and took a different route.”

Helgrum tilted his chin upward, as if proud of his cunning.

“Your destination was obvious.”

His murderous aura surged as he declared that escape from the North-South Union was impossible.

“The fighting is fierce elsewhere. Why chase us all the way here?”

Rimmer forced a smile, trying to mask his frustration.

“Because *he* takes priority.”

Helgrum scowled as he pointed toward Raon, who was cradled in Fedric’s arms.

“Raon Zieghart is the most dangerous one on this battlefield,” he muttered, biting his lip. “He’s someone that must be killed at all costs.”

Rimmer furrowed his brow, placing a hand on Raon’s shoulder.

“You’re really popular, huh—by both men and women,” Rimmer quipped sarcastically.

‘Damn it!’

They were so close. Just beyond this waterway, reinforcements with fast ships awaited them. But getting caught here was a bitter setback.

‘We’ll have to fight.’

There was no other way. Their best option was to hold the line here while hoping the reinforcements arrived in time.

“Prepare for battle!”

At Rimmer’s shout, the Light Wind Division raised their swords. A sharp, cutting energy—like a fierce river breeze—glinted in their eyes.

“Ram them directly!”

Helgrum ordered, intending to use the battlefield of the river to his advantage by smashing Dorian’s ship.

*Kugugugugu!*

Just as the *Blue Wolf* surged forward, seemingly about to swallow Dorian’s ship whole, a shadow loomed over the river. Everyone’s eyes drifted upward in shock.

“Huh…?”

“What is that?”

“A ship! It’s a ship!”

Descending from the sky, a dark warship plunged down as if mocking the *Blue Wolf* that had emerged from beneath the water.

The black warship blocked the path ahead of the *Blue Wolf*, descending right in front of Dorian’s ship.

*Kuuuuung!*

The *Blue Wolf* and the black ship collided, and the bows of both ships snapped like dry firewood.

“That ship…”

Rimmer’s lips quivered as he recognized the crest engraved at the center of the black ship—an emblem depicting a sword adorned with a star.

“The Holy Sword Alliance!”

Helgrum’s eyes widened as he also recognized the emblem.

“What is the meaning of this?! Your people said you wouldn’t get involved in this matter!”

He waved his hand furiously, as if demanding they retreat immediately.

“Do you know the meaning of the name ‘Holy Sword Alliance’?”

A tall young man stepped forward onto the bow of the black ship. It was Muston, a disciple of the Sword Demon, and the newly appointed Sword Master. (TL Note: YESSSS!! Gramps to the rescue!)

“What…?”

“The holy sword we revere is not merely a sharp blade or unparalleled swordsmanship.”

Facing Helgrum, Muston shook his head.

“The Holy Sword is an ode to the true swordsman—a tribute to those who embody the spirit of the blade. I would sooner gouge out my eyes than watch lowly pirates like you sully the path of those destined to become the Holy Sword.”

The arrogance and jealousy that had once clouded Muston’s gaze were gone. Now, his clear eyes looked down upon Helgrum with a purity that mirrored Raon’s.

“Tch…”

Helgrum clenched his teeth, grinding them in frustration.

“What a nuisance this day has been!”

With a roar of anger, he hurled his spear, gripped like a harpoon. Wind and energy swirled around the spear, surging toward Muston as if to obliterate him.

*Krrrrrack!*

But the attack crumbled in front of a single white sword, splashing harmlessly into the river.

*Fwoooosh!*

When the water that had surged into the air settled, the figure of an old, white-haired swordsman appeared behind it.

It was Rektor, the Sword Demon, and the Blood Sword Master of the Sacred Sword Alliance.

“Rektor…”

Helgrum’s jaw trembled at the sight of him.

“Y-You too… are interfering?”

“You dared to lay a hand on my disciple first, did you not?”

From beneath Rektor’s feet, a chilling aura rose like a mirage, a presence so fearsome that it didn’t do justice to his title as the Sword Demon.

“This is self-defense, you wretched scum of the North-South Union.”

(TL Note: It’s getting more and more chaotic! I love it. But damn, this chapter is like a roller coaster ride!)