The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 713

*Woooong!*

Raon raised the **Heavenly Drive**, activating the new level of *Ten Thousand Flames* he had achieved within the realm of his Mental World.

As a **golden sun** rose from his dantian, the Heavenly Drive felt limitless in his grasp, as if his reach could extend forever.

*Hwaaaah!*

A searing flame burst from the blade’s tip, obliterating the undead army in an instant and splitting even the Bone Dragon’s breath attack in two.

With a wave of unstoppable force, Raon’s sword finally reached its target—the **Soul-Eating Specter**. Midway through casting a high-level dark spell, the Specter’s body was cut down.

*Slash!*

The concept of distance ceased to exist. The Specter’s head tumbled to the ground, his expression frozen not in pain, but in sheer disbelief.

*Ssshhh.*

His remains melted into black mist as they sank into the depths of the river.

Raon slowly lowered his sword and cast his gaze skyward. All that remained above him was the clear blue sky—every trace of the undead army had been wiped from existence.

– “I suspected something was off with your aura. Now I see why.”

Wrath spoke with an approving nod.

– “You’ve learned to compress your power and control it more efficiently.”

The corner of Wrath’s mouth twitched in amusement.

– “Impressive. You’ve finally got the hang of it.”

Raon smiled softly as he summoned a miniature sun into his palm—a representation of the power he had unlocked.

The insights he had gained in both the life-or-death duel with Roman and his Mental World allowed him to wield *Ten Thousand Flames* with greater force and precision. It felt as if he was constantly in a state of **Transcendent Harmony**, a peak form of existence.

– “It’s not just a feeling.”

Wrath shook his head, speaking gravely.

– “Right now, your aura resembles that state—like when you unlocked the Genesis Blade.”

“Seriously?”

– “Yes. Although you haven’t used Glacier, your current form is close to the realm you achieved back then.”

Wrath flicked his fingers, indicating the near-perfect level of mastery Raon had attained.

Raon exhaled deeply, feeling the scorching heat of *Ten Thousand Flames* and the freezing chill of **Glacier** swirl within him.

‘This… This is beyond what I imagined.’

He had only intended to use the imagery of **Transcendent Harmony** to develop his skills. He hadn’t expected such overwhelming results. The realization made his hands tremble with excitement.

“Whoa…”

Garam, who had been silently watching, let out a breath of awe.

“Raon… Are you a god now?”

His wide eyes blinked in disbelief.

“No, I’m not.”

– “Absolutely not!”

Wrath howled indignantly.

– “What kind of god would be such an insufferable brat? Impossible! Out of the question!”

Wrath grumbled, muttering complaints about Raon’s unsuitability for divinity.

‘Fair enough.’

Raon chuckled softly, ignoring Wrath’s tantrum.

“I don’t want to be a god. All I want is to see Derus Robert fall and ensure the happiness of those I care about.”

– “What about becoming a demon king? That’s fine, right?”

Wrath sidled closer, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

– “I’ve always thought you’d make the perfect demon king—wicked enough to scare even demons out of their wits!”

‘I’m not *that* bad.’

– “Have you lost your mind?”

Wrath twirled his finger beside his temple, feigning disbelief.

– “You tricked the mighty Wrath himself. Don’t try to pretend you’re some saint!”

Raon just grinned, making no attempt to deny it.

– “You’re *exactly* the kind of chaos I’d love to unleash on the Demon Realm!”

Wrath waved his hands dramatically.

‘Not interested.’

– “Gah! You wretch!”

Raon casually brushed Wrath off and turned toward Garam.

“Garam, can you bring Merlin out now?”

“Okay!”

With a nod, Garam dove into the river.

After a minute, she resurfaced, carrying Merlin over her shoulder. She was draped in a tattered black robe, her body barely clinging to consciousness.

“I’ve stopped the worst of her injuries,” Garam said, flexing her webbed fingers.

“Thanks.”

Raon ruffled Garam’s hair and carried Merlin to the riverbank.

Pulling away her torn robe revealed Merlin’s true face—dark violet hair like the twilight sky and skin so pale it seemed almost translucent. She possessed a beauty that seemed otherworldly, the kind of beauty that could topple nations.

– “Not bad, though not as dazzling as me.”

Wrath remarked as he scrutinized Merlin’s face.

– “Why would she hide behind an old crone’s mask all this time?”

‘I have no idea.’

But now wasn’t the time to ponder her beauty. Raon retrieved a healing elixir from his storage space and gently administered it to her.

He used the **Ring of Fire** and his *Ten Thousand Flames* technique to help circulate the potion’s effects throughout her body.

‘This should be enough.’

Just as he was about to leave the rest to Garam, Merlin’s eyelids fluttered open.

“Ugh…”

She exhaled a shuddering breath, her peculiar, soft violet eyes focusing on Raon. A red cross flickered deep within her gaze, reflecting his image.

“Raon…?”

“Merlin. Are you okay?”

“Raon. Raon…”

Merlin’s voice grew more frantic, and before Raon could react, she began repeating his name over and over, like a spell.

“Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon. Raon…”

– “Ack! This lunatic!”

Wrath screeched, retreating into his bracelet.

“Merlin! Stop!”

Raon tried to calm her, but she suddenly grabbed his wrist, her grip unnervingly strong.

“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you…”

Her crimson-crossed eyes shone with a disturbing light, as if possessed by divine madness. The intensity of her gaze constricted Raon’s chest like a vice.

“Enough!”

In desperation, Raon struck a pressure point on the back of Merlin’s neck.

“…Love…”

With a final whispered word, Merlin lost consciousness, slumping into his arms.

“Hah…”

Raon let out a shaky breath, his entire body trembling from the eerie encounter. He wiped cold sweat from his brow.

– “I told you we should’ve eaten mint chocolate instead of dealing with her!”

Wrath peeked out from the bracelet, his voice indignant.

‘You might’ve been right.’

Raon shivered slightly, still unnerved by the experience.

“Garam, can you take care of her?”

“She’s… scary.”

Garam bit his lip nervously, clearly unsettled by Merlin’s obsessive behavior.

“Just keep her asleep for now. Use whatever spell you need.”

With that, Raon stood up and stretched.

– “So, we’re heading to the battlefield now?”

Wrath asked eagerly.

‘Not yet. There’s one last thing to do.’

Raon gazed toward the dense forest behind them.

‘I need to end this properly.’

—

Near the **Label River**, a tear in space opened, and the Soul-Eating Specter emerged, gasping for air.

“Damn you, Raon Zieghart…”

Furious, the Specter slammed his fist into the ground.

‘How… How did he kill me so easily?’

Despite preparing meticulously, the Specter had been utterly destroyed, even after receiving power from The Fallen One.

‘I can’t let this go.’

Seething with hatred, the Specter began heading toward the river, determined to at least kill Merlin in revenge.

But as he reached the place where Merlin had been hidden, he froze in disbelief.

‘They’re gone?’

Before he could process what was happening, a cold sensation pierced his back.

“Urgh…!”

Turning slowly, the Specter saw a blade embedded in his chest, and above him, crimson eyes glowed like a blood-red moon.

“You… how?”

The Specter gasped.

“I knew you’d come back,” Raon said, twisting the sword.

“Let’s end this for good.”

—

*BOOM!*

A crimson lightning-coated sword clashed violently against a spear conjuring azure dragons. Each impact between **Glenn Zieghart’s Heavenly Drive** and **Dranos’ Sea Dragon Spear** shattered the skies and sent waves surging violently across the Label River.

It was as if a cataclysm had descended upon the battlefield. A vortex of pitch-black aura spiraled into the heavens, wrapping the entire river in chaos.

*Zzzzt!*

Amidst the storm of aura, Glenn raised the **Heavenly Drive** high. Red lightning sparked along the blade, leaving trails of light as it branched in every direction, blanketing the river in an eerie crimson glow.

*Woom!*

Across the battlefield, Dranos twisted the shaft of his spear. The spearhead split into three prongs, summoning three fearsome water dragons that roared defiantly against the crimson lightning.

*Rooar!*

When the dragons clashed with the streaks of lightning, the resulting explosion rocked the river, scattering shockwaves that obliterated everything in their path. Ships from both the **North-South Union** and **Zieghart** disintegrated, leaving not even fragments behind.

The sheer magnitude of their clash felt like the war of gods, not mere mortals.

“Haaah…”

Dranos staggered backward, his breath ragged. Blood dripped from his lips, suggesting internal injuries.

“You’re injured too, but you don’t even flinch… Damn, you’re as tenacious as they say.”

He gritted his teeth, glaring at Glenn’s unyielding form.

“Your men are just as bad.”

Dranos sneered as he glanced at the Zieghart swordsmen pushing back the Alliance forces, even in the disadvantageous terrain of the river.

“I have no interest in conversing with you.”

Glenn’s voice was cold as he raised his sword again, the air around it sparking with red lightning. A crimson orb formed at the tip of the blade, flickering with ominous energy.

“Thunder Spirit, is it?”

Dranos chuckled, resting his spear on his shoulder.

“So, you intend to kill me, huh? But…”

He reached inside his robe and pulled out a small black cloth, barely large enough to fit in his palm.

“I don’t plan to die just yet.”

Dranos tossed the black cloth into the air.

*Woom!*

In an instant, the cloth expanded, stretching across the battlefield like a descending night sky. It covered the entire area before anyone could react.

“Not so fast.”

Glenn shot the crimson orb from his sword. The orb tore through the fabric of space, shattering everything in its path.

*Boom!*

The black cloth ripped into thousands of pieces under the onslaught of lightning. Yet, Dranos and the Alliance fleet had vanished.

No wreckage remained—no bodies, no ships. Only the **Zieghart forces** and the river remained.

“If you want to kill me, come to the Union’s headquarters. I’ll be waiting.”

Dranos’ voice echoed from the drifting fragments of the black cloth.

“…”

Glenn narrowed his eyes and picked up one of the wet scraps.

**“Riquas’ Cloth…”**

This was no ordinary artifact. **Riquas’ Cloth** was a legendary artifact capable of teleporting predetermined people and objects in an instant.

So, Dranos had possessed the artifact all along.

“That explains why he dared to fight us head-on,” Glenn muttered, realizing the truth. Dranos had never intended to fight to the end. Confident in his escape, he’d provoked a direct confrontation.

“Roenn.”

“Yes.”

At Glenn’s signal, Roenn disappeared into black mist, scouting ahead.

“Father!”

Aris descended onto the deck of the pirate ship, frustration evident on her face.

“Where the hell did they go?”

“…”

“Did they run away?”

Behind her, **Karoon** and **Sylvia** arrived, their brows furrowed.

“They used an artifact,” Glenn explained calmly. “It’s called **Riquas’ Cloth**, which likely transported them to their headquarters.”

“There’s an artifact like that?”

Aris exhaled in disbelief.

“It’s a one-time-use artifact,” Glenn confirmed. “They can’t keep running.”

He turned toward the officers assembling before him.

“Prepare your reports.”

One by one, the commanders stepped forward to deliver updates.

“Ten injured, two dead in the **White Sword Division**. Fortunately, none are in critical condition.”

“The Blue Wolf Division sustained injuries…”

Each division provided their status as the Zieghart forces took a brief respite.

“Patriarch.”

Roenn returned and bowed slightly.

“As expected, Dranos and the Union’s fleet have regrouped at their headquarters.”

“And the other factions?”

“No sign of them. Only the North-South Union remains.”

Roenn confirmed that even the Five Demons and neutral factions were absent.

“Rest for thirty minutes, then we march,” Glenn commanded.

“Yes, sir!”

The officers saluted and immediately began preparing their subordinates.

“Damn it! We had them, and they ran!”

Aris growled, slamming her fist into the ship’s railing.

*Woooong!*

A small ship approached from behind the Zieghart fleet, sounding a cheerful horn as it drew closer. The bright green vessel was clearly friendly.

“That’s…”

Glenn’s gaze softened as **Rimmer**, **Sheryl**, and **Trevin** leapt onto the pirate ship’s deck.

“Patriarch, we’re here to fight.”

“We can’t stay on the sidelines any longer.”

“Please, let us join the battle!”

The three knelt, bowing deeply before Glenn.

“Raon…?”

“…”

Rimmer and Sheryl glanced at each other, hesitating. Finally, Rimmer let out a deep sigh.

“We couldn’t find him.”

Sheryl and Trevin clenched their teeth, struggling to hold back their emotions. Rimmer admitted what none of them wanted to say aloud: they had accepted Raon’s death.

“Aah…”

Sylvia collapsed to her knees, her trembling hands covering her face as sobs racked her body.

“…”

Karoon turned away, visibly frustrated by the scene.

“Damn it…”

Aris muttered, clutching her sword so tightly it shook in its scabbard.

“So, that’s how it is.”

Glenn’s voice was distant as he gazed toward the river.

‘Raon…’

He had known, logically, that Raon was gone. The reports had confirmed it—his grandson’s body pierced, lost beneath the waves. Yet, despite the truth, his heart had refused to accept it.

‘I’m sorry, Raon.’

He thought of the young boy, tirelessly swinging his sword with a bright smile. The memory cut deeper than any blade.

‘I was a foolish grandfather… But I will make sure your requiem echoes louder than any other.’

When Glenn raised his eyes again, they burned with cold, murderous intent.

Turning toward the officers, he saw the determination etched on every face. **Burren, Martha, Runaan**, and the rest of the Light Wind Division clenched their fists, ready to avenge Raon.

“Let’s go,” Glenn said quietly to Rimmer.

“Thank you,” Rimmer whispered, thumping his chest in salute.

“The preparations are complete, sir.”

Karoon bowed, signaling the end of the respite.

“Set sail. We move until their headquarters is dust.”

“Yes, sir!”

The officers roared in unison.

*Boom!*

The pirate ship **Blue Wind**, along with the Zieghart fleet and Dorian’s vessel, surged upriver under Roenn’s guidance. As they traveled, the river widened, resembling an open sea. Eventually, the towering fortress of the North-South Union loomed into view.

“That’s their headquarters.”

Roenn pointed at the massive structure floating atop the river, larger even than the Zieghart estate.

“…”

Atop the fortress, **Dranos** stood, locking eyes with Glenn from afar.

“Advance.”

At Glenn’s command, the fleet surged forward, cutting through the water like arrows.

“So, they intend to storm us head-on…”

Dranos smiled grimly, raising his hand. The river responded to his gesture, forming an enormous wall of water around the fortress.

“Hah…”

Zieghart’s warriors gaped in disbelief at the colossal barrier.

“It’s taller than our fortress walls…”

“And they’ve fortified it with spells!”

The shimmering barrier crackled with arcane energy, bristling with cannons, ballistae, and enchanted weapons.

“Break through, if you can.”

Dranos smirked, taunting them with a crooked finger.

“Annoying bastard…”

Sylvia, Karoon, and Rimmer cursed under their breath.

Without a word, Glenn raised his **Heavenly Drive**.

*Slash!*

The moment the blade descended, the wall of water split apart, revealing the Union’s headquarters beyond.

“W-What?”

Even Dranos couldn’t hide his shock.

“Fear not.”

Glenn pointed his sword toward the fortress, his crimson eyes gleaming with deadly resolve.

“I will lead the charge.”