The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 732

“Will you grant my request?”

Raon gazed at Derus Robert with an expectant look, skillfully masking his true intentions.

‘He won’t be able to refuse.’

With the other Six Kings promising to fulfill any request, and Derus himself having said he’d grant one as well, there was no room for him to decline, especially after emphasizing the need to grow stronger.

“Of course, I wouldn’t be able to stand against you in a full fight, so I’d appreciate it if you could restrain yourself a bit.”

Raon smiled as though his request had already been granted.

“Please allow me the honor of experiencing the renowned swordsmanship of the Robert family.”

He bowed respectfully, placing a hand over his chest.

“Oh!”

“To think we’ll witness a duel between the Usurper and the Sky Sword Saint!”

“I’m already getting chills…”

“Just watching this will be a rare blessing!”

The leaders of the neutral factions exchanged glances, eagerly anticipating the duel.

“Father,” Refon also looked at Derus, clasping his hands together in a hopeful gesture.

“For a request like this…”

Derus smiled faintly, running a hand through his hair.

“I’d be happy to oblige.”

He nodded, indicating his agreement.

“Wow!”

Refon clenched his fist in excitement.

“Well, let’s not waste any time! Let’s get started!” Ogram stood up eagerly from the round table.

“I even had the sparring grounds remodeled for our youth. This will be a fitting debut.”

He gestured for them to follow and led the way out of the hall.

“If you ever need a sparring partner, feel free to ask,” King Lecross chuckled as he followed Ogram.

“Are you certain about this, Light Wind Division Leader?”

Glenn gave Raon a measured look, addressing him as the leader of Light Wind Division.

“Yes. Even if I get injured, I don’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Raon bowed in gratitude.

“It’s your wish; I won’t interfere.”

Glenn nodded in approval and rose from his seat.

“Don’t worry. No one will be hurt,” Derus said, following Glenn with a casual wave of his hand.

“Hey, aren’t you coming?”

Chamber cast a side-eye at the Tower Master.

“Count me out…” The Tower Master waved her hand, already looking weary.

“Ridiculous!” Chamber grumbled, picking him up by the waist and hauling him along with her out of the hall, looking like a mother dragging along her child.

“Let’s go too!”

“Yeah, we don’t want to miss the best seats!”

“Just being in this meeting is an honor, and now this opportunity…”

The leaders of the neutral factions eagerly exited the hall.

As Raon was the last to leave, he clenched his fingers, steeling himself as though sharpening a blade.

‘The first step of the plan is complete.’

Of course, this duel was all part of his plan. Glenn and the other leaders of the Six Kings had played their roles well, allowing it to proceed smoothly.

‘However…’

Derus Robert probably realized it was a setup. It was unthinkable that such a sharp-minded snake would be unaware. He’d accepted the duel, knowing it was a trap.

‘He doesn’t believe I’ll be able to expose his scar.’

That arrogance, his ease, even his ignorance of his own pride would become the blade that pierced his heart.

Placing his hand on the hilt of his Heavenly Drive, Raon stepped out, his gaze dark and intense as though cloaked in night.

‘This life won’t end like the last.’

—

Before the duel, Derus returned to his quarters to remove his cloak.

“Lord Derus,” Kubara took the cloak from him, bowing.

“Are you sure about this?”

“It’s all rather amusing.”

Derus chuckled, clasping his hands together.

“I was curious how he’d approach me. A duel? Not a bad choice.”

His smile twisted with amusement.

“Raon Zieghart is a monster who creates countless variables,” Kubara spoke in a low tone, his expression unchanging.

“Thanks to his actions, our plans have collapsed more than once. Please be cautious.”

“Of course, I’ll exercise caution. But…”

Derus rotated his neck as though loosening up, a grin stretching across his face.

“They have no way to reach me. The aura of death is sealed deep within my soul, and the scar on my hand is impossible to reveal.”

He chuckled, tapping his gloved hand lightly.

“The outcome is predetermined. There’s no tension, and even the old men’s acting is forced.”

“But…”

“There’s something to appreciate about it.”

Derus raised a finger.

“Since they can’t openly accuse me, requesting a duel was actually a smart move.”

Raon and the Six Kings likely devised this duel to force him to remove his glove and reveal the scar. Even if they failed, they’d lose nothing, as they could claim it was all part of a duel.

‘But that’s only in their minds.’

A crisis could also be an opportunity. By counteracting their expectations, he planned to damage their reputation and gain rewards.

‘I’m looking forward to this.’

He removed his gloves with satisfaction, already envisioning the humiliation on Raon’s face and the old men’s frustration when the doppelgänger skin foiled their attempts.

“Let’s go,” Derus said, unable to hold back his eagerness as he rose from his seat.

Kubara silently followed him without another word.

—

Raon was already in the sparring grounds, warming up.

– You’re doomed to lose no matter what you do.

Wrath shook his head, comparing it to a fight between an elephant and an ant.

– Just leave it to me!

Wrath tapped his chest, declaring he’d trap Derus in eternal ice and make him suffer forever.

‘That’s tempting, but this is my battle. I can’t hand it over to anyone else.’

Raon shook his head resolutely.

‘And this fight isn’t about martial prowess.’

The duel with Derus wasn’t a sword match; it was a battle of minds.

Victory would come to the one who was better prepared and knew the other best.

“Raon.”

While he was resonating the Ring of Fire to focus, Glenn approached.

“I’m still not comfortable with this plan.”

He cast a sound barrier to ensure no one else could hear, shaking his head.

“Even now, we could alter it. I could put an end to him…”

“If we go that route, Derus will never reveal his true nature, not even at death.”

Raon turned his back to Glenn and lowered his gaze.

“I’m the only one who can pull this off because he doesn’t perceive me as a threat.”

Raon bowed, asking for trust.

“…Fine. Just know…”

Glenn returned to his seat, his eyes blazing.

“If you’re in danger, I’ll intervene no matter what.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you.”

Only then did Glenn’s tense expression relax.

Raon looked around the sparring grounds with a faint smile.

‘Not bad.’

Knowing the continent’s strongest swordsman had his back, fear vanished, replaced by a sense of invincibility.

– I-I’m here too!

Wrath shouted, surging into the air.

– If things get dangerous, summon me!

Wrath’s ears perked up, and he waved his arms, eager not to be outdone.

‘Yes, yes.’

Raon chuckled as he patted Wrath’s head, just as Derus entered the training grounds.

Without any warm-up, he stepped onto the sparring ground.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am,” Raon replied, drawing his Heavenly Drive.

“Then let’s begin.”

Derus reached back, and Barian, captain of the Phantom Blade Unit, handed him a sword emitting a blue glow.

“Are you both ready?”

The vice leader of the Beast Alliance, who had been in the meeting hall, had appeared on the sparring grounds to act as the referee.

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Raon and Derus both nodded, raising their swords to guard.

“Then, let the duel begin!”

The deputy leader dropped his hand forcefully and stepped off the sparring grounds.

“I’ll give you three moves,” Derus said, stepping back to allow Raon, as his junior, to attack first.

“I won’t hold back, then!”

Raon launched himself across the sparring grounds, thrusting the Heavenly Drive forward with precision.

The tip of the red blade flickered, scattering into hundreds of fiery petals.

Crimson Flower Sword Technique. (TL Note: Again, I’m sure there was another term for this. It’s really hard to keep up with the names of their techniques. I’d appreciate it if you comment down the right name )

Fire Spirits.

A dense flurry of fiery fragments surged at Derus, encircling his entire form.

“It’s a refined technique with precision and speed. Few could handle it with ease. But…”

Derus exhaled as if admiring it, then swung his sword.

With one calm slash, the fiery petals surrounding him were all extinguished.

“It still lacks the speed and variation to catch a master off guard.”

His tone was measured, as though offering guidance in a training session.

Swoosh!

As if anticipating his technique would be nullified, Raon stepped around to Derus’s back, using the Supreme Harmony Steps. With a flash, he unleashed the thirty-six stab technique, his strikes piercing every direction in a torrent of sword energy.

“A beautifully honed skill. However…”

Derus twisted his wrist, and his blade traced a half-moon arc, effortlessly absorbing the energy from Raon’s thirty-six stabs as if they’d been drawn to a magnet.

“It still lacks the power and speed.”

He smiled, once again pointing out the weaknesses in Raon’s technique.

“Whew.”

Raon took a deep breath, quietly observing Derus’s hand.

Despite using Fire Spirits and the thirty-six stab technique, his glove remained unscathed.

‘His technique has improved. He’s stronger than before.’

True to his title as a transcendent rivaling Glenn, Derus was unmoved by Raon’s techniques. It felt like trying to pierce an unbreakable wall.

‘But that’s fine.’

His plan remained intact. The one who laughed last would be the true victor.

Rumble!

Raon rushed at Derus, swinging the Heavenly Drive. From the blade, a vortex of flames whirled forth, coiling into the shape of a massive fire dragon.

Crimson Flower Sword Technique.

Flame Dragon Strike.

With a fearsome roar, the fire dragon exploded before Derus, creating a grand explosion.

Boom!

The sparring ground erupted with bright, scarlet flames and thick, acrid smoke.

Fwoosh.

Unbothered by the attack, Derus waved his sword, clearing the smoke.

But his leather glove was slightly torn.

“Hm.”

Raon swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the slight tear in Derus’s glove. Despite this, his heart remained calm, beating steadily.

“An impressive strike. Approaching so closely to detonate it was effective. Just a little more precision, and it would be perfect.”

Derus relaxed his stance, stepping forward with his left foot.

“Since I’ve given you the advantage, let’s start for real now, shall we?”

“Anytime.”

Raon planted the Heavenly Drive and the Soul Requiem Sword into the ground.

“Sword Field Creation: Demonic and Divine Harmony.” (TL Note: Again, I’m sure there was another term for this. It’s really hard to keep up with the names of their techniques. I’d appreciate it if you comment down the right name )

With his quiet words, another sun rose into the sky, and opposite it, a silver moon appeared.

“A sword realm…”

Derus smacked his lips in anticipation, his eyes gleaming.

“This is getting quite enjoyable.”

“Yes, it will be very enjoyable.”

With his sacred and demonic swords gripped, Raon dashed toward Derus Robert.

—

Clang!

Blocking Raon’s sword, Derus smirked.

‘He’s absurdly strong.’

Even back when Raon had blocked his ambush, Derus had felt it—Raon Zieghart’s strength was real.

An incomparable talent that surpassed even Derus’s capabilities. No one on the continent, in any era, had ever reached this level at Raon’s age.

‘But talent means nothing.’

It didn’t matter how strong or gifted Raon was. In the end, he’d wither and sink into the ground.

Ssshhh!

Raon’s sword moved gracefully, like sunlight shimmering over water, targeting the vulnerable points on Derus’s body and finally dropping toward his hand with deadly precision.

‘As expected, he’s targeting my hand.’

Derus smirked, deflecting the strike. Raon had feigned strikes at vital points while subtly aiming for his hand.

The elaborate swordplay was likely intended to conceal his true target.

‘Not a bad act.’

But from the start, this was a fight he couldn’t win.

As if he could hear Derus’s mocking laughter, Raon’s sword strike grew heavier. It was a strike containing the sky’s essence—Glenn’s Azure Sky Sword technique.

‘This might be worth allowing.’

To see Raon and the old men’s despair, Derus decided to let the Azure Sky Sword technique tear his glove.

Slash!

The thick leather glove split under Raon’s strike, exposing the back of Derus’s hand.

Raon heard a faint gasp from Glenn, Ogram, Chamber, Lecross, and the Tower Master, who were watching the duel.

“I rather liked that glove,” Derus said, holding out his exposed hand with an almost imperceptible smirk.

Naturally, his hand was flawless—there wasn’t even the faintest scar.

“Hm…”

“As I expected…”

The leaders of the Six Kings murmured, disappointed as they stared at his unmarred hand.

‘They’d never be able to tell.’

The doppelgänger’s skin didn’t respond to mana. Not even a transcendent could perceive it.

While the Six Kings’ leaders showed hints of disappointment, Raon’s gaze remained steady, his expression as if he had expected this outcome.

‘He knew.’

Derus chuckled to himself. Raon knew him well enough to have foreseen this.

‘But…’

Even Raon wouldn’t be able to detect the doppelgänger’s skin.

Focusing on his hand would only drag Raon further into an endless swamp.

‘Predictable as always.’

Just as Derus sneered internally, ready to make his move, Raon’s crimson sword suddenly darted forward like a spear, filling his vision.

“Hmm!”

Derus struck down with his sword, deflecting the blazing weapon. His eyes widened momentarily in surprise.

Thud!

As Raon’s sword clattered to the ground, he lunged forward, grabbing Derus’s wrist.

“What’s this?” Derus asked, feigning surprise.

“You’re too fast for me to handle otherwise,” Raon replied, as if inviting Derus to a close-quarters duel.

“Impetuous youth,” Derus scoffed, his tone mocking as he moved to restrain Raon’s hand.

‘Of course he’d come to me.’

Raon was trying to pull out the scar he’d etched into his hand, probably because he had no other options.

‘His eyes are trembling.’

Raon’s gaze shook, like waves crashing against the shore, a sign of his growing impatience. Even after reincarnation, he still hadn’t shed that habit.

Buzz!

As Derus expected, Raon began forcing his fiery aura into the scar on the back of his hand.

‘You can’t break through.’

The layer between the doppelgänger’s skin and his real flesh was filled with tightly woven aura, creating a space Raon’s energy couldn’t penetrate.

“It seems you’re struggling.”

With a sly grin, Derus cast a sound barrier, leaning closer.

“It’s beyond your ability.”

“There’s no such thing as impossible.”

Raon poured more energy into his grip, as if he refused to give up.

“It’s useless.”

With a smug look, Derus strengthened his defense, his focus now entirely on his hand.

As Glenn, the other transcendent leaders, and even Derus all concentrated solely on his hand—Raon focused beyond it.

A faint blade of colorless light slipped past Derus’s barrier, bypassing his hand entirely, and struck at the core of his spirit.

Szzzzhh!

The flame of wrath illuminated the darkness, Aris’ dimensional sword and Ogram’s martial art combining to pierce through to Derus’s soul.

“Wait…”

Realizing he’d been deceived, Derus tried to withdraw his wrist, but it was too late.

The blade, honed to slice death itself, plunged into the depths of his soul, breaking the seal on his aura of death.

Boom!

A deafening roar split the air as Derus’s clear eyes darkened to pitch black.

The aura of death spilled from his body, writhing like flames dancing across his shoulders.

“…You vile brat! It was all a trick!”

Derus’s jaw clenched, his entire body trembling as he stared at the deathly aura escaping his control.

“It’s not vile…”

Raon smirked, facing the dark energy surging from Derus’s form.

“It’s thorough, Derus Robert.” (TL Note: Damnnnnnnn)