The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 727

*Fwaaa!*

Raon extended his hand again, channeling the energies of the Ring of Fire and Glacier into the *Blade That Cuts Through Death*.

*Craaaack.*

But this time, the Blade That Cuts Through Death couldn’t withstand the role of the vessel, shattering like a cracked glass.

“Damn….”

Raon frowned as he watched the fragments of Glacier scatter from his hand.

-*Of course it broke!*

Wrath nodded smugly, a wide grin on his face.

-*If you succeeded in merging powers from the start, you’d be a demon god!*

He hummed, saying Raon would have to struggle a bit.

‘You’re right.’

Raon nodded calmly. Merging three powers was no simple task; continuous success without practice would indeed be strange.

-*At least you’re quick to admit your faults.*

Wrath snorted, lifting his chin.

‘But there’s one thing you’re forgetting.’

-*What else have you forgotten this time? Are you trying to befriend a crow?*

‘I’m not the one forgetting something. Don’t you realize that if I don’t succeed, you won’t get to eat?’

-*Gah…*

Wrath’s mouth hung open, realizing he hadn’t considered that.

‘I won’t leave here until I succeed.’

-*You… ruthless fiend…*

Wrath’s face paled, visibly unsettled by Raon’s threat.

‘Let’s try again.’

Ignoring Wrath’s nervous sweating, Raon channeled the Blade That Cuts Through Death once more.

-*Wait!*

As he began to invoke the energies of Glacier and the Ring of Fire, Wrath rushed forward.

-*You’re making the energy too thin to act as a vessel! Reinforce it!*

‘Really?’

-*Have I ever lied to you? Just try it!*

‘Alright, then.’

Following Wrath’s advice, Raon increased the energy within the Blade That Cuts Through Death before infusing it with Glacier and the Ring of Fire.

This time, the vessel didn’t shatter.

Though there was still a noticeable imbalance between the Blade That Cuts Through Death and Glacier, it seemed manageable with proper control.

-*I’m not helping because I like you. It’s because tonight’s menu has pineapple pizza!*

Wrath turned his head with a huff.

-*Now that it’s done, let’s go eat….*

‘Not yet.’

Raon shook his head, pushing Wrath aside.

‘I’ll keep practicing until I can perform it flawlessly.’

Derus was sharper and more cautious than anyone Raon knew. There would only be one chance to use this blade against him.

If he missed the opportunity at the next Assembly of Six Kings, he’d never have another chance to expose Derus’s identity. Raon needed to be able to succeed with absolute precision every time.

-*Curse it!*

‘Just bear with it a little longer.’

In the quiet of the training grounds where no one else came, Raon honed the Blade That Cuts Through Death until sundown.

When the grade of the Blade That Cuts Through Death rose to three stars, his success rate improved to only one failure out of ten.

With the Assembly still some time away, he felt confident he could perfect it by then.

-*Then there was no need to make such a fuss today!*

Wrath shouted in frustration.

‘Without today’s practice, I wouldn’t have received your advice.’

Raon waved lightly. It was Wrath’s guidance that allowed him to master the Blade That Cuts Through Death in just one day.

If it hadn’t been for that cotton candy-like spirit, the process would have taken much longer.

-*You wretched creature! I swear you won’t die peacefully! I’ll gnash your flesh and bones….*

‘It’s not too late for dinner, is it?’

-*Then why are we still here! Let’s hurry!*

Wrath stopped his cursing mid-sentence, licking his lips and flapping his arms like wings.

‘Alright, I’ll go as fast as I can.’

Grateful for Wrath’s help today, Raon stepped forward with full speed.

‘Hmm?’

As he sprinted toward the annex, he noticed a man hiding in the dark at the edge of the garden.

“Who’s there?”

Raon approached silently, pressing his hand against the back of the man’s neck.

“Hah!”

The man collapsed, clearly not expecting anyone to approach from behind.

“I-I’m not an enemy. I just….”

“Sterik?”

Seeing the trembling man’s face, Raon frowned. It was Sterik, the direct subordinate who had blocked the maids in front of the banquet hall the previous day.

“Why are you here?”

Raon’s voice turned chilly as he looked down at Sterik.

“Are you here to complain about yesterday?”

-*We can smell a delicious scent wafting this way! This pest is just delaying us!*

Wrath sniffed the air and yelled, urging Raon to behead the man and hurry to dinner.

‘Should I?’

Raon nodded lightly. If Sterik started spouting nonsense, he’d be ready to slice his mouth shut.

“N-No! Absolutely not!”

Sterik dropped to his knees, shaking his head.

“I came to apologize for what happened yesterday!”

He quickly lowered a box he was holding.

“And this is…?”

“I heard you liked beef, so I brought some.”

Sterik opened the lid of the box, revealing beautifully marbled premium beef.

-*A fine fellow, indeed!*

In a blink, Wrath shifted his attitude, chuckling.

“Did you poison it?”

Raon smirked, staring at the trembling man’s eyes.

“Of course not! I just bought it a little while ago!”

Sterik shook his head, saying he would never do something like that.

“Well, setting the gift aside, I think you’ve mistaken your apology’s recipient.”

Raon withdrew his hand from his sword and looked toward the annex.

“Of course!”

Sterik quickly nodded, as if realizing what Raon meant.

“If you give me the chance, I’ll apologize to the maids as well.”

“Wait here.”

Raon looked at the back of Sterik’s head for a moment before heading into the annex.

“Young Master!”

“Are you just arriving now?”

“Dinner is almost ready, so please wash up quickly.”

Yua, Judith, and Helen greeted him, smiling and commenting on his perfect timing.

“Everyone, please come out to the garden.”

“Everyone?”

“Yes. It’s important. All of you.”

Raon called not only the three but everyone in the annex and led them to where Sterik was waiting.

“Ah, you….”

Recognizing him, Helen let out a soft gasp.

“Y-Yesterday, I am truly sorry!”

Without any hesitation, Sterik bowed to the maids.

“Huh…?”

“N-No need!”

“It’s really not something to apologize for….”

The maids assured him it was fine, waving their hands, but Sterik didn’t lift his head.

“…….”

Raon narrowed his eyes, watching the trembling Sterik’s shoulders.

‘So this is the power of the direct line of Zieghart.’

Sterik wasn’t apologizing out of genuine remorse but because he feared the authority that Glenn had bestowed upon Raon’s direct family.

Even Karoon, his superior, hadn’t objected, so it was only natural that Sterik was terrified.

‘I’m finally beginning to realize the power we hold.’

Yesterday, he had felt joy and satisfaction seeing Sylvia included in the direct line. But Sterik’s reaction today showed him just how powerful his position truly was.

“I’m truly sorry….”

“Please, stand up.”

As Sterik continued to apologize, Sylvia stepped out from among the maids.

“Lady Sylvia, thank you….”

“No need to thank me. I don’t accept apologies without sincerity.”

Sylvia shook her head firmly, handing back the box of beef that Sterik had offered.

“Come back when you can put genuine remorse into your words.”

“Ah….”

The last glimmer of hope vanished from Sterik’s face, leaving him pale.

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to retaliate as your kind would. But if you harm our people again….”

Her eyes gleamed, reminiscent of the infamous Red-Eyed Demon Sword.

“You’ll wish you’d asked for death.”

With that, Sylvia turned away. Her golden hair, usually so comforting, now seemed to carry an icy chill.

-*Oh! The beef is a pity, but Mother is amazing!*

Wrath blinked rapidly, admiring Sylvia’s decisiveness.

‘Well, she’s not actually your mother.’

Raon chuckled softly, nodding.

‘Mother has started to change as well.’

Sylvia was still emotional and warm-hearted, but when it came to protecting the annex, she had grown as sharp as a blade.

He admired her newfound resolve.

“Uh….”

Sterik, legs weak from fear, stumbled back toward the main residence.

“It was nothing. Let’s go inside!”

Sylvia waved to Raon and the maids, smiling as though she hadn’t just delivered a chilling threat.

“We have something to celebrate as well. Tonight, there’s a feast waiting!”

She winked, saying they were in for a treat.

-*Mother is the best!*

Wrath clung to Sylvia’s shoulder, cheering.

Raon watched the others heading back to the annex, a faint smile on his face.

‘To protect this life….’

I have to act.

The battle with Derus isn’t just about revenge. It’s a war to protect Zieghart.

With his resolve strengthened once again, Raon stepped into the annex.

—

In a secluded training hall within Zieghart.

Rimmer’s sword drew streaks of wind and lightning, illuminating the dim hall. So intense was his focus, it was as if he alone felt the summer heat.

“Hmm?”

Sheryl entered the training hall, raising her brows at Rimmer.

“You’ve been training since dawn?”

Seeing his sweat-drenched clothes, she sighed.

“Ah….”

Rimmer exhaled heavily, lifting his gaze to the sky where the moon had risen.

“It’s already this late?”

“The king of slacking lost track of time?”

Sheryl furrowed her brow, watching him laugh awkwardly.

“I focus every once in a while, you know.”

He shrugged, his tone playful.

“Hey.”

Sheryl called, her tone somber.

“What?”

“You’re supposed to be gambling as usual! What’s with the training?”

She sneered, as if serious Rimmer didn’t suit her.

“All the gambling dens are closed.”

Rimmer waved his hands dismissively.

“Besides, I need to move my body every now and then….”

“It’s because of Raon.”

She looked down knowingly.

“The Soul-Eating Specter appeared in the river, and that Beorn creature emerged from its shadow. In that situation, neither Roenn nor I could have protected Raon.”

She shook her head, saying it was inevitable.

“You were exhausted, too, so there’s no need to blame yourself….”

“Inevitable?”

Rimmer sighed deeply, holding his head.

“For those who stand guard, there is no such thing as ‘inevitable.’ You, of all people, should understand that.”

Sheryl’s attempt at consolation was kind, but this time, Rimmer couldn’t accept it.

If Garam hadn’t saved Raon, he’d have spent his life blaming himself, withering away like a rootless tree.

‘This is my responsibility.’

Excuses of fatigue and ambush didn’t matter.

Even if he died there, he should have protected Raon.

Having declared Raon the future leader of Zieghart, he couldn’t overlook this failure.

“Teaching the kids, earning money, sending funds—it’s all necessary, but….”

Rimmer roughly wiped the sweat from his palms.

“Protecting Raon is my top priority.”

Even if it costs my life.

He raised his sword, vowing never to repeat the same mistake.

“Hah! Do what you want!”

Sheryl leaned against a tree, snorting.

“Fool….”

She stayed with him until dawn, when his training finally ended.

—

“Raon requested an audience?”

Glenn’s body tensed, his frame leaning forward on his throne as if he might shatter it.

“Yes. He said he must see you.”

Roenn nodded with a soft smile.

“Huh? At this hour….”

Sheryl glanced at the morning sky, tapping her fingers.

“Maybe he’s coming to greet his grandfather?”

“I think so as well. Now that he’s part of the direct line, he likely wants to formally address you as his grandfather.”

Roenn chuckled beside her.

“My lord, please don’t ascend when he calls you grandfather this time.”

Sheryl clasped her hands together, pleading.

“I-I’ll try.”

Glenn swallowed, feeling his heart pounding.

“I’ll bring him in, then.”

With a calm smile, Roenn opened the heavy door. Raon took a deep breath outside, then entered the audience chamber.

*Step.*

Raon approached the platform with steady, composed steps.

“My respects, Lord.”

“Hmm….”

Glenn’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Raon, who knelt before him. Even though Raon hadn’t addressed him as grandfather, he didn’t feel disappointed.

Raon’s expression was resolute, as if he were a monk facing death.

‘Hoo.’

Glenn calmed his racing heart and nodded solemnly.

“Speak, what brings you here?”

“I came to deliver an important message.”

“Go ahead.”

“…….”

Instead of responding immediately, Raon looked around the chamber. Seeing only Sheryl and Roenn present, he clasped his hands together.

“I’ve discovered the identity of the swordsman with the dragon helm who ambushed you.”

“What…?”

Glenn leaned forward, his eyes widening.

‘He discovered that man’s identity?’

The swordsman with the blue dragon helm had appeared as if from nowhere.

There were a few suspects, but without evidence, Glenn hadn’t been certain. Yet Raon claimed to know the man’s identity, and Glenn could scarcely believe it.

“Young Master Raon.”

“Is it true? Do you truly know who he is?”

Roenn and Sheryl swallowed nervously, looking at Raon.

“Yes. I’m certain.”

Raon nodded without a trace of hesitation.

“Then tell us his name.”

Reading the unwavering determination radiating from Raon, Glenn stroked his chin.

“The identity of the swordsman with the blue dragon helm….”

Raon closed his eyes, picturing Derus Robert, the one who had tormented him in his past life and mocked the continent in this one. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

As his red eyes blazed, blue fury and righteous indignation arose within them.

“The head of the Robert family, Sky Sword Saint Derus Robert.”

(TL Note: Ooooooh. Things are going to get spicy againnnn)