The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 731

Tap.

Raon grasped Derus’s hand calmly, shaking it up and down with no aura or hostility—just a straightforward handshake.

‘It’s not the time to confront him yet.’

Derus Robert was one of the most cautious and suspicious individuals Raon had ever known. His willingness to extend his hand suggested he was fully prepared.

‘Patience.’

Raon bit the inside of his lip, pressing down the blade of vengeance that seemed ready to slice through his chest.

‘Stick to the plan.’

It was impossible to reveal Derus’s identity while he was so vigilant. Acting rashly would only hand him information.

For now, he had to stifle his anger and thirst for revenge, plastering on a false smile—just as Derus had once mocked him.

– T-The atmosphere is intense. It feels like we’re in an ice fortress.

Wrath shivered, muttering about the chilly tension.

“It’s an honor to shake hands with the Sky Sword Saint,” Raon said with a faint smile, brushing his thumb lightly over the back of Derus’s hand.

‘I can’t tell…’

The black leather gloves Derus wore were so thick that Raon couldn’t make out the scar on his hand. As expected, the man was exceedingly careful.

Suppressing the urge to burn the gloves off, Raon finished the handshake.

“In time, Raon, I believe you’ll reach far higher heights than I,” Derus said, his face glowing with a bright smile that belied his true thoughts.

“Oh, right.”

He clapped his hands as if he’d just remembered something.

“Did you know your title has changed?”

“Yes.”

Raon nodded subtly, lowering his gaze.

“They’re calling me the Usurper. It’s a noble title, but it feels too grand for me.”

As Raon said this, Refon, standing behind Derus, flinched.

“Not at all.”

Derus waved his hands in exaggerated denial.

“Did you not topple corrupt rulers from their thrones?”

He smiled, saying the title suited him well.

“In fact, that title, *the Usurper*…”

Derus gestured for his youngest son, Refon Robert, to step forward.

“It was my youngest here who came up with it. He’s still quite a fan of yours.”

Derus laughed, saying he was almost jealous.

“Ah, h-hello,” Refon murmured shyly, bowing his head.

“Oh…”

Raon’s eyes widened as he took in Refon’s greeting.

‘Now that I think about it, that title did come from the South.’

When Chad had informed him of his new title, he’d mentioned that it was spreading northward from the South. It seemed that this young man before him had indeed created the title of *the Usurper*.

‘Refon Robert…’

Innocence shone through his untainted eyes. This boy was someone Raon had never encountered in his past life; he had been born after Raon’s death and had just come of age. For now, he didn’t seem to bear Derus’s influence.

‘Still, I can’t let my guard down.’

Derus was a monster who even brainwashed his own children and fed them Rage Worms. Just because Refon looked innocent didn’t mean Raon could be careless.

“S-Sorry,” Refon stammered, looking down at his feet, his shoulders drooping.

“I shouldn’t have….”

He trembled, seemingly apologizing for creating a title he thought Raon disliked.

“No.”

Raon placed a hand on Refon’s shoulder and shook his head.

“It’s not that I dislike the title *Usurper,* but that I feel unworthy of it right now.”

He clarified, not wanting Refon, who was still young, to be discouraged.

“Are you sure?”

Refon lifted his gaze, his face brightening with a smile like sunlight.

“Yes. I like it. Thank you for giving me such a fitting title.”

Raon nodded, looking into Refon’s gleaming eyes.

“Th-Thank you!” Refon scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, his eyes darting around.

“Um, Sir Raon, if it’s not too much to ask…”

He pulled two thick books from his spatial pocket. They were volumes of the *Biography of Raon Zieghart,* which Raon had seen just a moment ago.

“Ugh…”

Raon groaned, staring at the books bearing his name on their covers.

‘Just how far has that book spread?’

He was astonished, even a bit appalled, at Encia’s extensive distribution network.

“Refon, they’re waiting in the hall. Why don’t you ask for his signature later?”

Derus, smiling apologetically, patted Refon on the head.

“Hurry up!”

“Why are you young folks so slow? I’ve eaten all my candy waiting for you!” Ogram and Chamber shouted from inside the meeting hall, urging them to hurry.

“Ah…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll sign it after the meeting,” Raon promised, calming Refon.

“O-Okay!”

Refon straightened up like a soldier and nodded.

“Also, I really do like the title *Usurper.* Soon, I plan to pull down a certain wretched king from his lofty throne…”

Raon’s eyes met Derus’s as he spoke, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“If his crown falls to the ground, then I’ll bear the title you gave me without hesitation.”

“I look forward to it.”

Derus twisted his lips into a knowing smile, clearly aware that the “wretched king” Raon spoke of was himself.

Raon and Derus exchanged smiles, each harboring different intentions, as they entered the Beast Alliance’s meeting hall.

—

“I hereby commence the Six Kings Meeting.”

The deputy leader of the Beast Alliance, who presided over the meeting, bowed to those seated in the round meeting hall.

“Before we address the first item, I’ll review the recent war’s developments and outcomes.”

He held up a document, stating that he would recap the events before proceeding.

“The war began with a duel between the Light Wind Division Leader of Zieghart and the North-South Union King. Unable to accept the King’s defeat, the North-South Union launched a surprise attack, with the leader of the Shadows, the one in the Blue Dragon Helm, appearing…”

After summarizing the events, the deputy rolled up his sleeves.

“While the Six Kings have sustained losses, the annihilation of the North-South Union is heartening. It restores balance against the Five Demons, who had gained the upper hand.”

“Isn’t there still another issue?” King Lecross raised his hand, his brow furrowing.

“You’re correct. The Shadows have aligned with the Five Demons, and the dragons have also become our enemies. The Six Kings remain at a disadvantage. However…”

The deputy clenched his right hand into a fist as he continued.

“The clear identification of our enemies is a positive. We won’t be caught off guard by the dragons again.”

He nodded, explaining that the situation could be favorable due to the clarified lines of alliance.

“……”

Derus, observing the heated atmosphere, wore a faint smile.

‘Just as expected.’

They’re all after me.

His transcendent senses told him that the monsters in this hall were all secretly scrutinizing him.

‘Especially my hands.’

The leaders of the Six Kings were inspecting only his hands, each trying to ascertain whether a scar was present, how he might have hidden it, and how to expose it.

Of everyone in the hall, only the leaders of neutral forces were genuinely focused on the meeting.

‘How amusing.’

Derus Robert rolled his eyes, feeling the tension crackling around him.

This gathering was as much a battle of hidden agendas as it was a council meeting, and the thrill brought a smile to his face.

‘Especially that one.’

He glanced at Raon, who was watching the deputy leader with unwavering focus.

‘While his skills may not surpass those of the old men, his perception and composure certainly do.’

Raon remembered well the lesson that the best opportunity could be the deadliest trap.

Naturally, Derus had offered his handshake as a trap. If Raon had gone for the scar on his hand, Derus would have used it to gain leverage and gather information.

‘Of course, he still showed a hint of impatience.’

During the handshake, Raon had tried to subtly inspect his hand, even brushing his thumb over the back of it.

‘Raon.’

Derus lowered his head, his lips curling.

‘You haven’t changed, even in this life.’

In his past life as an assassin, Raon had failed to question everything, which had ultimately led to his beheading by Derus.

Despite being reincarnated, Raon hadn’t changed much.

‘This is a fight you can never win.’

You’ll never be able to expose my scar.

Raon had indeed marked Derus’s hand with an indelible scar, but only twice, and both times when Derus had let down his guard.

From the start, Derus had been aware of Raon’s existence, so there was no way the doppelgänger’s skin would break.

‘Moreover…’

Drawing out the aura of death is beyond him.

The aura of death was sealed deep within his soul, hidden in a place so secure that even Glenn couldn’t locate it.

‘This mission requires absolute caution…’

Derus flicked his fingers, smirking at Raon’s crimson gaze.

‘But you won’t back down.’

I taught you that.

‘So in this life too, it seems your fate is only to help me.’

Derus Robert clasped his hands together, quietly imagining the rewards he would reap after concluding this affair.

—

“What matters most now is the whereabouts of the vanished dragons and the identity of the swordsman in the Blue Dragon Helm,” the deputy said, raising a second document as he nodded slightly.

“Since that day, the Dragon Lord and other dragons have disappeared from this continent, and some have even abandoned their nests.”

It appeared the deputy had already investigated the dragons, as he read the report without hesitation.

“They probably won’t show up anytime soon,” Chamber said, tapping the round table with her candy stick.

“Dragons are born the strongest beings on the continent. Those arrogant creatures were nearly killed by mere humans. They’re probably hiding somewhere, trembling.”

She chuckled, saying it served them right.

“It’s not just the dragons,” said King Lecross, raising his hand to speak.

“The Fallen One, the Holy Sword Leader, the White Blood Cult Leader, and the swordsman in the Blue Dragon Helm will also find it hard to move.”

Even if they survived, he believed they wouldn’t show themselves for a long time.

“Th-That’s a relief…” The Tower Master revealed his eyes for the first time, relieved they wouldn’t have to fight again soon.

“During this time, we need to reorganize and build our strength, so we’re ready to crush them when they return.”

Chamber clenched her tiny fist, urging them not to waste this chance.

“I agree. Owen is also prepared to enhance our knights’ capabilities,” King Lecross said, running his hand over his sword as he cast a sharp look around the table.

“The Robert family has already begun training. Everyone is wielding their swords with blood and sweat,” Derus said, nodding in agreement.

“This is all thanks to Lord Glenn. We are deeply grateful.”

He rose from his seat, bowing to Glenn.

“They call it the Heart Sword, correct?”

“Yes. I heard that everyone who witnessed that sword could not move for a while…”

“To think he cut down both the Five Demons and dragons in one stroke. It’s still hard to believe.”

The neutral faction leaders, recalling the Heart Sword they’d only heard about, sighed in awe.

“Sure, the old man is amazing. But…”

Ogram turned his gaze away from Glenn.

“If it hadn’t been for Raon, that old man would’ve been killed with a sword through his heart.”

He bared his teeth in a grin, pointing to Raon.

“So, it wasn’t Glenn but Raon who ended this war and bought us time!”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Chamber rolled her eyes, wondering why he was stating the obvious.

“It’s worth emphasizing. I agree that the Light Wind Division Leader changed the course of the war.”

King Lecross gave Raon a thumbs-up, acknowledging his incredible feat.

“Isn’t it terrifying…?”

The Tower Master admitted he would’ve struggled to stop it even if he’d been there himself.

“So, Raon,” Ogram said, turning his body toward Raon with a sly grin.

“Is there anything you’d like?”

“Anything I’d like?” Raon’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.

“As King Lecross said, you didn’t just save a single person—you changed the balance of this continent. That’s no small feat.”

Ogram nodded, his gaze serious.

“Ask for anything, and I’ll grant it if it’s within my power.”

He gestured for Raon to go ahead.

“I’m in, too. Even if you ask me to marry you,” Chamber teased, adjusting her witch hat and giving Raon a wink.

“That’s absurd, there’s a hundred-year age gap—!”

King Lecross began to shake his head but fell silent at the sight of Chamber’s reddened eyes.

“If there’s something you want in Owen, just say the word, Light Wind Division Leader,” he said, quickly averting his gaze.

“As long as it’s not troublesome…”

The Tower Master raised her head for the first time, her golden hair spilling over the table.

“I won’t be left out. The Roberts family will honor your request as well,” Derus added, smiling.

“Raon. Speak up.”

Glenn stretched out a hand, encouraging him.

“Hm…”

Scratching the back of his head, Raon stepped up to the round table.

“There is something, though it’s a little embarrassing.”

In a calm voice, he glanced around, finally resting his gaze on Glenn.

“I’ve learned swordsmanship from the Lord and martial arts from Ogram. King Lecross has also given me advice.”

Although he’d never actually received martial advice from King Lecross, he straightened confidently, knowing no one could dispute his words.

“I’d like to learn a lesson from Sir Derus as well, but regrettably, there’s been little interaction between Zieghart and the Roberts.”

Raon lowered his gaze slowly, his crimson eyes glinting as he locked onto Derus.

“I’d like to request a duel with you, Sky Sword Saint Derus Robert.”